1 . In the rich countries of the West, the electric vehicle revolution is well underway. Climate-conscious consumers drive Teslas or Polestars for reasons of morality and fashion. Poorer countries are also experiencing a wave of electrified trend. In Bangladesh, electric three-wheeler taxis, known as tuk-tuks, are rapidly replacing gas-powered ones on the streets. Such electric vehicles are climate friendly, cost effective, and help reduce air pollution.
Yet a glance under the hood (引擎盖) of these vehicles reveals a poisonous secret: each tuk-tuk runs on five massive lead-acid batteries, containing almost 300 pounds of lead in total. Every year and a half or so, when those batteries need to be replaced and recycled, about 60 pounds of lead leak into the environment. Battery recycling, often at small-scale unregulated factories, is a highly profitable but deadly business.
Lead is dangerous, and any exposure to it is harmful to human health. Lead that has entered the environment hurts people on an extraordinary scale. The numerous ways lead enters air, water, soil, and homes across the developing world — and the enormous damage it does to human health, wealth, and welfare — causes one of the biggest environmental crises in the world yet receives little attention.
The World Bank estimates that lead kills 5. 5 million people per year, which would make it a bigger global killer than AIDS, malaria, diabetes, and road traffic deaths combined. On top of the shocking deaths, the social burden of lead poisoning is extraordinary, as is its contribution to global inequality — our research on the cognitive effects of lead poisoning suggests that it may explain about one-fifth of the educational achievement gap between rich and poor countries.
But unlike many challenges faced by developing countries, lead poisoning is a problem that is fixable with some attention and a relatively modest financial investment. Better monitoring, research, and rules can help protect children all over the world from the dreadful effects of lead poisoning and reduce the massive global costs it brings.
1. How does the author describe the lead problem in paragraph 2?| A．By making a comparison. | B．By analyzing hidden causes. |
| C．By listing convincing numbers. | D．By explaining its working principle. |
| A．Lead enters rich countries in various ways. |
| B．Lead poisoning may make poor societies poorer. |
| C．Exposure to lead doesn’t necessarily harm someone. |
| D．Lead leaking has caused great panic in both countries. |
| A．Fixing these used batteries. | B．Putting certain effort and money. |
| C．Prohibiting the illegal use of lead. | D．Reducing the cost of recycling lead. |
| A．The Impacts of Lead Poisoning on Human Health |
| B．The Outcomes of Using Electric Vehicles |
| C．The Ways to Solve Lead Problem |
| D．The Global Lead Poisoning Crisis |
2 . At one time or another, we have all wished that our animals could speak to us. But our pets do use another form of communication to tell us what they are thinking — body language. Sometimes this form of communication is easy to understand, but in some instances it can be much more complex.
Animals communicate in a variety of ways using their ears, eyes, mouth, tail, degree of muscle tension and posture. When figuring out what an animal is trying to say to us, we have to look at their overall behavior as well as what the different parts of their body are doing. We also need to consider their environment and what may be causing them to act as they are.
A wagging (摇动的) tail, for example, doesn’t always mean a happy dog. If the dog’s tail is wagging at the same time that their body is loose and their owner has just gotten home, it’s safe to assume that this is a happy dog. If the dog’s tail is between their legs and wagging while their body is bending low, ears are pulled back and they are licking their lips, this dog is more anxious and fearful. Our pets’ body language doesn’t just send us messages; our own body language sends them messages, too. It’s important to avoid staring directly at an animal or approaching them head-on — they can interpret these actions as threatening. It’s best to approach them sideways and to use your peripheral vision to look at them. Instead of leaning over an animal or reaching out toward them — which can also be seen as threatening — let them approach you when they’re comfortable.
While animals can’t speak to us using our language, they do communicate with us constantly through their body language — it’s up to us to pay attention and listen to what they’re telling us!
1. What can we know about animals’ body language from the first two paragraphs?| A．It is a difficult skill for animals to master. |
| B．People can understand it easily and clearly. |
| C．It occurs when animals communicate with humans. |
| D．People can respond to the needs of animals through it. |
| A．Straight. | B．Surrounding. | C．Tough. | D．Unique. |
| A．Walking right up to them. | B．Making an indirect eye contact. |
| C．Reaching out to them from the side. | D．Keeping a certain distance from them. |
| A．The Mystery Behind Animal’s Behavior |
| B．Difference Between Various Body Language |
| C．Body — Messenger Between Animals and Man |
| D．Animal’s Body Language: A Form of Communication |
Tibet, which is famous for its special culture and food, lies in the southwest of China. It is home to about 3.2 million Tibetans, making it one of the country’s
When it comes to traveling to Tibet, you should know
A trip to Tibet can offer a unique travel experience, filled
1. 野生动物的重要性;
2. 保护野生动物的倡议。
注意：1. 词数 100 左右; 2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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As The Jungle Book song Bear Necessities goes, “forget about your worries and your conflict” can be a little bit difficult when you find yourself face to face with a real bear.
Bears are common in the Northern Hemisphere. As human habitats stretch toward the wilderness, more and more animals cross their paths with those of humans. This can lead to dangerous encounters especially when precautions are not in place. In these situations, keeping your distance is still the best advice.
According to the National Park Service, one should also remain calm as bears, more often than not, are not really willing to attack you. Once in a standoff (对峙), avoid making sudden moves or loud noises as these can trigger aggression. 7-year-old Huxley did exactly what he was told when he encountered a massive bear.
It was a Sunny morning. Huxley was wandering on his way home when a big hulking (笨重的) figure emerges from behind him. A hurried glance backward, he knew it was a black bear. The bear approached cautiously at first, probably sizing up the figure in front of him. A second later, perhaps judging that Huxley was no match for it, the bear burst into a full sprint (冲刺) and ran its way toward the boy.
At first, Huxley was really frightened. However, he knew it was impossible to run or fight with the big beast. In the moment of crisis, he remembered his mother reminds him regularly about these possible encounters. She tells him that if Huxley finds himself face to face with a bear and there are no adults around, he should remain calm.
Huxley calmed down at thinking of this. He stared at the bear down without any movement. This might have been the reason why the young bear stopped dead in its tracks. They faced each other motionless, and there was only a foot distance between them.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
From around the corner, a neighbor hurriedly walked to the scene.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The neighbor continued to pressure the bear while the animal tried its best to find an escape route.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1.水的重要性；2. 浪费的现象；3. 倡议的内容。
注意：1.词数80左右；2.可适当增加细节使行文流畅。
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My sister Josie and I wanted a dog more than anything else. We begged our parents many times but always got the same answer. One summer night, however, in our yard stood a big black female dog. We couldn’t believe our eyes!
Josie made a little kissing noise and held out her hand. The dog came to us slowly, taking a few steps forward, then a step back. She was so skinny and her coat was full of dirt. When she came closer, I was glad to find no tags around her neck.
Josie brought milk and several eggs for her. But when she finished them, she ran into the bush and disappeared. “Don’t go!” Josie cried, “Come back!” But she was gone. “I think she’ll be back when she gets hungry again,” I said.
The next night, we set the food in the driveway. Soon the dog appeared. We called her Lucky, hugged her gently and showed her the food. She sniffed it, drooling (垂涎) and licking her mouth, but for some reason she wouldn’t eat it.
The next minute Lucky did something unexpected. She grabbed the plate in her mouth and dragged it away. In the following nights it was the same scene. But the strangest thing was that even though Lucky kept taking the food, she didn’t seem to be putting on any weight.
On the fifth night, Lucky didn’t come as usual. We were worried. When we almost gave up, she appeared. She barked at us and ran back and forth. Then she ran towards the bush slowly, still barking. We chased after her. She ran and barked, turning to see if we were following. After about ten minutes, Lucky finally stopped, wagging her tail quietly. She looked at us, barked and disappeared through a dark hole in the wall of leaves and branches. I pointed toward the hole. “No way I’m going in there,” Josie said.
注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
However, after hesitating for a little while, we finally made a decision.
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Worried but excited, we went home with Lucky and her four little babies.
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8 . You may have heard of white and black sand beaches, but what about shores with pink sands? Now let’s take a look.
Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
One of the most famous and photographed beaches in Bermuda is Horseshoe Bay Beach. Located in South Shore Park, this pink beach features a coastal trail that connects it to other area beaches, plus limestone rocks and cliffs that add to its beauty. Beachgoers can play a game of volleyball or attend one of several annual festivals hosted on-site.
Budelli Island, Italy
Known locally as “Spiaggia Rosa,” this beach gets its pink color from a mixture of coral (珊瑚) and shells. The pink shore sits on Budelli Island, an isle north of Sardinia in the Maddalena Archipelago. The beach offers a variety of services, such as stands, lifeguards and beach and water sports equipment rentals like surfboards.
Crane Beach, Barbados
At The Crane Resort, visitors can directly access the pink sand beach by riding in the glass-front beach elevator. To keep beachgoers safe, there are two lifeguards on duty most days. Resort visitors also have access to free beach umbrellas, towels and chairs, plus several pools, a hot spring and a fitness center.
Great Santa Cruz Island, Philippines
The pink sand beach on Great Santa Cruz Island gets its color from red organ pipe coral. Many divers gather here to take advantage of the beach’s clear water and excellent visibility, though much of the area’s sea life has been destroyed due to illegal coral mining. You’ll also find a small village on the island.
1. What can you do on Horseshoe Bay Beach?| A．Ride on a horse. | B．Surf on the sea. |
| C．Climb up a rock. | D．Play beach volleyball. |
| A．Horseshoe Bay Beach. | B．Budelli Island. |
| C．Crane Beach. | D．Great Santa Cruz Island. |
| A．They provide water sports. | B．They have beautiful pink sands. |
| C．They’re equipped with lifeguards. | D．They are located on big islands. |
9 . Helen Thayer, one of the greatest explorers of the 20th century, loves challenges. She says, “I like to see what’s on the other side of the hill.” She has gone almost everywhere to do that.
In 1988, at the age of 50, she became the first woman to travel alone to the North Pole. She pulled her own sled piled with 160 pounds of supplies, and during her trip no one brought her fresh supplies. Accompanied only by her dog Charlie, she survived cold weather and meetings with polar bears. In fact, Charlie saved her life when one of them attacked her. Near the end of her trip, a forceful wind blew away the majority of her supplies. The last week of the trip, she survived on a handful of nuts and a little water each day.
Helen goes to challenging places not only for adventure, but also for education. Before her Arctic journey, she started a website called Adventure Classroom. On the site, she shares her adventures in order to motivate (激发) students. She explains, “Although kids often see the world in a negative way, without hope for their future, we work to inspire them to set goals, plan for success and never give up.”
Helen grew up in New Zealand. Her parents were athletes and mountain climbers. Following her parents’ example, she climbed her first mountain at 9. Later, she climbed the highest mountains in North and South America, the former USSR and New Zealand.
In 1996, she took on another challenge — the Sahara Desert. She and her husband, Bill, walked 2,400 miles across it! In 2001, she and Bill traveled on foot from west to east through the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. They hope to travel to Sichuan and Tibet in China to study pandas this year.
Helen plans to continue taking trips. She’ll use her explorations, writing, photography and environmental work to create programs for her Adventure Classroom website. She wants to inspire her students never to stop facing challenges!
1. What can we learn from paragraph 2?| A．Helen Thayer is the first person to reach the North Pole. |
| B．Helen Thayer ate nothing during the last week of her trip. |
| C．Charlie prevented Helen from being attacked by a polar bear. |
| D．Helen Thayer traveled to the North Pole together with her husband. |
| A．For education. | B．For fun. | C．For money. | D．For fame. |
| A．The North Pole. | B．The Sahara Desert. |
| C．The Gobi Desert. | D．Sichuan and Tibet. |
| A．The Owner of Adventure Classroom | B．A Famous Woman |
| C．A Woman Mountain Climber | D．A Woman Who Loves Adventure |
10 . Boston Marathon runners in recent years may have seen a smiling furry face around the two-mile mark. It’s Spencer, the therapy (治疗) dog, who became known as an unofficial mascot (吉祥物) for the marathon, He’s shown up on the sidelines every year since 2015—rain or shine.
One particularly rainy marathon catapulted Spencer’s fame, In 2018, his owner, Richard Powers, decided to put a bright yellow rain coat on the dog, making him stand out even more than he usually does. Photos of Spencer, who holds a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth, went viral, and he became an inspiration to runners and onlookers alike, During the marathon, some runners stop in their tracks to take selfies with the dog-the line sometimes growing to 20 runners long.
But in 2020, Spencer was diagnosed with a tumor (肿瘤). His owner was worried, but Spencer is a fighter. He got the care he needed and survived. In 2021, he was back on the course and it was really kind of a miracle and that really hit home to a lot of people.
Unfortunately, Spencer caught another tumor—this one cancerous—and Spencer began chemotherapy. Powers didn’t think his beloved dog would make it out to the marathon of 2022. “Miraculously, he’s still here with us and an even bigger miracle, he was strong enough to go to the marathon,” he said.
After recovering, Spencer was back to work—not just at the marathon—but as a therapy dog, alongside his companion, Penny, who is also a golden therapy dog. Powers takes his two therapy dogs around to schools, hospitals and senior living centers.
“He’s a gift to us and we’re very lucky to have him. He’s too good so we want to share him with as many people as we possibly can. He does make a difference,” Powers said.
1. Why is Spencer referred to as a mascot for Boston Marathon?| A．He has a smiling furry face. | B．He appears at the event annually. |
| C．He is not recognized officially. | D．He works as a therapy dog for runners. |
| A．Motivation. | B．Satisfaction. | C．Fantasy. | D．Barrier. |
| A．A failure in the marathon. | B．Caring for his owner. | C．Fighting against a disease. | D．Going viral. |
| A．Confident, | B．Supportive. | C．Objective. | D．Negative. |
