2 . The number of weather-related disasters has increased by five times over the past 50 years, the latest report by the World Meteorological (气象) Organization (WMO) said on September 1st. However, thanks to improved early warning systems and disaster management, the number of death from these hazards (危险) has been almost three times less.

According to the WMO, from 1970 to 2019, weather, climate and water hazards accounted for 50 percent of all disasters. Among the top 10 hazards that led to the largest loss of human life during this period were droughts, storms, floods and extreme temperatures. However, deaths fell from over 50,000 in the 1970s to less than 20,000 in the 2010s.

“Weather, climate and water extremes are increasing and will become more frequent and severe in many parts of the world as a result of climate change,” says WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

“That means more heatwaves, drought and forest fires such as those we have observed recently in Europe and North America. We have more water vapor in the atmosphere, which is worsening extreme rainfall and deadly flooding. The warming of the oceans has affected the frequency and area of existence of the most intense tropical storms. ”

“Economic losses are increasing as exposure increases. But behind the statistics lies a message of hope. Improved multi-hazard early warning systems have led to a significant reduction in deaths. Quite simply, we are better than ever before at saving lives,” Taalas said.

1. What do we know from the first paragraph?

A．Disasters connected with weather have gone up.

B．The number of weather-related disasters has decreased.

C．The number of deaths from hazards has been increasing.

D．Early warning systems have made disasters decline much.

2. What will happen according to Petteri Taalas?

A．Water vapor in the atmosphere will go down.

B．Extreme rainfall will no longer exist.

C．There will be more extreme weather.

D．Humans will conquer extreme weather in the end.

3. What is hopeful behind the bad news?

A．More lives will be saved thanks to early warning systems.

B．Economic losses are going down as exposure increases.

C．Improved warning systems will save economic losses.

D．Improved early warning systems will control extreme weather.

4. Where may the text be taken from?

A．A novel.	B．An advertisement.
C．A guideline.	D．A magazine

3 . Have you experienced surfing on the shore? Have you ever seen a dog surfing on the shore? Visitors to Waikiki Beach may do a double-take at the four-legged surfer boarding on shore, but the regulars aren’t amazed at all. They know the eight-year-old dog is Bugsy, a local legend, whose owner, David Yew, taught the dog to surf.

Yew, 39, got the idea while he and Bugsy were out walking on the beach and came upon a statue of a surfer. Yew put the dog down on the surfboard to take a photo, and the scene looked so natural that Yew was inspired to take the next step. Soon enough, the two were surfing together. Bugsy ran right to the front of the board with his paws.

The two ride an 11-foot, rubber-padded longboard. He loves the water and dog-paddles. However, Bugsy wasn’t always so active. Two days after Yew, a doctor of emergency medicine, adopted the 12-week-old puppy from shelter, Bugsy came down with cough, which progressed to pneumonia（肺炎）. Yew rushed the dog to the ICU of a vet hospital where he stayed until Yew could no longer afford to keep him there. Bugsy needed further treatment, so Yew built his own ICU in his apartment. He covered an empty fish tank with plastic to use it for treatments. Finally, Bugsy pulled through.

Since then, the doctor and the dog have been inseparable. "Saving Bugsy’s life created unconditional trust between us,” Yew says. “He knows I’ll take care of him no matter what.” That may be what fuels Bugsy’s spirit. The pair surf together every week and have shared other adventures, including skydiving.

1. What does the underlined words in Paragraph I probably mean?

A．To have a try to surf with	B．To take two pictures with
C．To give double tips to	D．To be surprised to stare at

2. The reason why Yew built his own ICU is that ____.

A．Bugsy preferred to lie in a fish tank	B．he knew how to cure Bugsy of its illness
C．the vet hospital abandoned treating Bugsy	D．he couldn’t pay for the further medical cost

3. Which of the following can best describe Yew?

A．Competent and honest.	B．Diligent and well-off.
C．Good-natured and adventurous.	D．Modest and thoughtful.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Inseparable pair surfers.	B．The whole life of a pet dog.
C．Animals’ love for humans.	D．Adventures of a surfing dog.

4 . A new study suggests Earth could have lost up to 60 percent of its atmosphere in the collision of space objects that created the moon. Most scientists believe this event happened about 4 billion years ago when Earth was still developing. They think a massive object, possibly the size of the planet Mars, hit the Earth, sending vaporized particles （颗粒）into space. Gravity is believed to have brought these particles together to form the moon.

The study presents evidence that this collision might have caused Earth to lose between 10 to 60 percent of the atmosphere it had. A report on the study appeared in the publication Astrophysical Journal Letters. The researchers‘ impact assumption is one of three leading theories of how the moon was formed. The others suggest the moon was either created at the same time as Earth, or that it was captured by Earth's gravitational field as it traveled through space.

The researchers decided to explore how massive collisions of objects affected rocky planets with thin atmospheres. To do this, they carried out more than 300 “supercomputer simulations （模拟）The experiment considered the positions at which the objects hit the planet, the speed of the impacts, as well as the size and mass of the colliding objects. Earlier research suggested that impact collisions during the latter stages of the formation of a planet can affect its atmosphere. The computer models in this study expanded on this idea. They showed that a collision like the one that may have formed the moon likely took a large part of Earth's atmosphere.

1. What do most scientists believe?

A．Earth has lost its atmosphere in the collision.

B．The moon was created in the collision of space objects.

C．The planet Mars hit Earth about 4 billion years ago.

D．The collision of space objects caused the atmosphere to increase.

2. What can we infer from Paragraph 2?

A．The collision of Earth and the moon affected gravity.

B．The atmosphere on Earth is the cause of the collision.

C．Scientists hold different points on how the moon was formed.

D．An agreement on the formation of the moon has been reached.

3. What does the passage talk about?

A．The process of the moon's being formed.

B．The heated debate among different scientists.

C．The supercomputer experiment of planets’ collision.

D．The collision of space objects affected Earth's atmosphere.

4. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To inform.

B．To persuade.

C．To debate.

D．To warn.

5 . Lack of airflow in your home can cause indoor air pollution and worsen health issues. Your furniture, the materials in your walls and your carpet can hold poisons, Before buying an expensive air cleaner,you'd better try out a few houseplants first 一they' re much cheaper and look a lot nicer.

Snake Plant

Perfect for your bedroom, this plant is unique in its ability to give off oxygen at night. Snake plants are also able to produce enough oxygen in an air-sealed room for people to breathe normally.It's one of the best plants for filtering (过滤) some harmful gases. Water it once a week, being sure to let the soil dry in- between waterings, and keep it by a window.

Peace Lily

If you' re somebody that loves flowers in the house, this is a great option for you. A peace lily produces fragrant flowers all summer long , and effectively removes formaldehyde(甲醛) from the air. It grows best in shady areas and with the soil kept damp. Be careful though, as this plant can be poisonous if eaten by children or pets.

Bamboo Palm

This fast growing houseplant looks splendid and is safe for children and pets. It will add damp to the air in the dry winter months and remove indoor air pollutants. It grows well in indirect sunlight away from any cold drafts. .Take care of it by keeping the soil wet and misting ts leaves.

Red Edged Dracaena

This drought tolerant plant is good for beginners. It grows well in sunlight. Wipe the underside of the leaves regularly with a damp cloth to make sure it can properly filter your air.Place it in a semi-shaded area and mist the soil with room-temperature water. Careful,it's not pet-friendly.

1. How does a snake plant help you?

A．It produces enough oxygen.	B．It gives off a fragrant smell.
C．It keeps the indoor air wet.	D．It makes the bedroom prettier.

2. Which of the following can be kept in the sun?

A．A snake plant.

B．A peace lily.

C．A bamboo palm.

D．A red-edged dracaena.

3. What do the four plants have in common?

A．They prefer dry conditions.	B．They do good to kids and pets.
C．They reduce indoor pollution.	D．They're suitable for beginners.

6 . When we look at Earth from space, we see a blue, watery world. It is no coincidence that three quarters of the surface is covered by oceans. Water is very common in the universe and is essential for lives. But life needs water in the form of liquid, not ice, and not vapor and that is a little bit less common.

For a planet to have liquid water at its surface, three things are important. First, the planet needs to be large enough that the force of gravity keeps the water molecules （分子）from flying off into space. For example, Mars is smaller than Earth, so it has less gravity, and that is one important reason that Mars has a very thin atmosphere. Second, the planet needs to have an atmosphere. Without an atmosphere, the planet is in a vacuum （真空）,and liquid water isn't stable in a vacuum. For example, our moon has no atmosphere, so if you spill some water on the moon, it will either boil away as vapor, or freeze solid to make ice. Third, the planet needs to be at the right distance from its star.

If you were an alien astronomer, you'd think Venus is a pretty good bet for life. It is the right size. It has an atmosphere and it is in the habitable zone of our sun. But Venus is not habitable, at least not at its surface. It is too hot, because Venus' atmosphere is full of carbon dioxide, an important greenhouse gas. In fact, its atmosphere is almost entirely carbon dioxide, and almost 100 times thicker than our own. As a result, the temperature on Venus is hot enough to melt lead, and the planet is dry as a bone.

So finding a suitable planet for humans to live on is only a beginning. Don't expect much.

1. What do we know about water from the text?

A．Water has two forms.

B．Water is a necessity for humans.

C．It is common to see liquid water on the moon.

D．Water flies into space easily with the help of gravity.

2. Venus is not suitable for humans to live on because       .

A．It is very hot	B．It has no atmosphere
C．It is far from the Sun	D．It is smaller than Earth

3. What is the author's attitude to finding a planet for humans to live on?

A．Positive.	B．Passive.
C．Hopeful.	D．Desperate.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Water changes its forms.

B．A living problem on Venus.

C．The research of an alien astronomer.

D．Conditions for a habitable globe for humans.

7 . Our open-top tours enable you to fully appreciate vibrant （充满生机的）Brighton and its renowned seafront, its best shopping areas, and the top-class restaurants at Brighton. Discover the city across 15 stops located to get you to visit it all!

Places of interest

Brighton City Sightseeing Tour takes you to visit one of the south-coast's most popular resorts. This city offers many things to do and places to go, from the striking Royal Pavilion, Regency architecture, and Victorian aquariums, to the famous Brighton Pier, Sea Life Centre, and pebble beach.

Tours

Buy your 24h ticket online and hop on and off our comfortable double-deckers as much as you like, to get to know the city at your own pace . You can also buy a Tour Plus ticket which includes all day travel on the local Brighton & Hove buses.

The hop-on and hop-off tours start just west of Brighton Pier. Further information including a lull timetable and map of the route is available at www. city-sightseeing, com.

Accommodation

If you need to stay, Brighton & Hove has a wide variety of options to suit all tastes and budgets. There are guest houses and bed and breakfasts in Brighton & Hove. This is a bustling （热闹的）area of the city with independent restaurants, antique shops and a lively village atmosphere and just a stone's throw from the beach. Pub Entertainment

If you are looking for some entertainment to go with your drinks then there are plenty of options at pubs in Brighton. Mrs. Fitzherbert's regularly has live bands playing and the Ladies' Mile host swing & jazz nights. Above the Grand Central you'll find the Nightingale Room with a regular program of events including theatre and comedy.

1. Where will you choose to visit if you are interested in ocean animal?

A．Royal Pavilion.	B．Brighton Pier.
C．Regency architecture.	D．Sea Life Centre.

2. What is special about Brighton & Hove?

A．It used to be a village.	B．It has many old shops.
C．It is very peaceful area.	D．It is not far from the beach.

3. What can visitors do in both Mrs. Fitzherbert's and the Ladies' Mile?

A．Having drinks.	B．Watching comedies.
C．Performing with actors.	D．Enjoying a live play.

8 . New   Zealand

What can you see? Mountains,volcanoes,rivers, lakes,waterfalls,forests,beaches. Both islands are mountainous. In fact, only 30% of New Zealand is flat.		The Maoris When the Maoris first arrived in New Zealand, they lived in villages and were excellent fishermen, hunters and farmers. About 50 years ago many Maoris started to live and work in the large cities and took jobs in government, industries, medicine and education. They are proud of their culture (文化) and are determined to keep many of the customs which are part of their way of life.
Who can you meet? Most people live on North Island. Eighty-five percent of New Zealanders are “pakeha” (“white men”), which means their “great grandfathers” came from Europe. Ten percent are Maoris. The Maoris came to New Zealand from the Polynesian islands probably around the tenth century. The “pakeha” started to arrive in New Zealand from Europe about 200 years ago as farmers and traders.		New Zealand Position: South of the Equator (赤道); nearest neighbour: Australia, 1600 km away. Size: Two main islands — North Island and South Island: together they are 268.680 sq. km. Population: 4 million. Capital: Wellington. Languages: English and Maori.

1. Which of the following is a fact about New Zealand?

A．20% of the population being Maoris

B．Four million white people

C．About 1600 km south of the Equator

D．Nearly 1/3 of the country being plains

2. The country’s population is mainly made up of         .

A．the white people and the Polynesians

B．the white people and the “pakeha”

C．the Maoris and the white people

D．the Maoris and the Polynesians

3. When did the white people begin to live in New Zealand?

A．1000 years ago	B．200 years ago
C．85 years ago	D．50 years ago

4. What do the Maoris value most in life?

A．Living in small villages

B．Developing farming skills

C．Keeping their own culture

D．Taking up government jobs

9 . Many of the Earth's creatures die because of humans' choices. These choices have nothing to do with food or shelter or anything else that helps humans survive. What kills millions of animals all over the world is that humans want to make money by doing so.

People use parts of animals for everything from hats to handbags, from jewelry to ashtrays and to make powders that supposedly improve a person's life. Deciding that a species is endangered and protecting it by law are not always enough. People who kill wildlife illegally rarely get caught.

During the late 1980s, saving elephants became a popular cause. Wildlife protection groups made sure everyone saw pictures or films of elephants with their faces cut off for their ivory. These groups also proved that certain populations of elephants were decreasing. As a result, most people stopped buying objects made of ivory. Laws against poaching (偷猎) were made stronger. Many countries made importing ivory illegal. Killing elephants for their Ivory became more risky and less profitable (有利可图的).

However, concern for certain species will become weak after a while. In the late 1970s, people protested (抗议) against the killing of seal babies. Everyone was shocked to see young seals being killed in their icy habitat. The cruel activity stopped. But ten years later, the number of seal babies killed was higher than ever.

Other animal protection movements have come and gone, such as saving the whales and protecting dolphins. The whale population appears to have increased for now. And the laws are finally changed in America to protect the dolphins that swim with tuna fish in parts of the Pacific Ocean.

In the years to come, people's attention will probably turn to some other endangered species. Plenty of them urgently need attention. During this time, will the elephants be forgotten?

1. What leads to the disappearance of millions of wild animals?

A．The growing human population.

B．Humans’ hope for making a fortune.

C．Humans’ too much need for wild food.

D．Not having enough laws on wildlife protection..

2. What can you infer from the text about what happened in the late 1980s?

A．Wildlife protection groups did make great efforts.

B．Importing ivory in all countries is illegal.

C．Those who killed elephants all got caught.

D．Hunting was completely not allowed.

3. Why are seal babies mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．To show the effort to protect seal babies.

B．To show an increasing number of seal babies.

C．To show the decrease of worry about certain species.

D．To show people’s protest against the killing of seal babies.

4. What does the author mean by using the underlined sentence?

A．Humans should choose some rare animals to protect.

B．Attention must be paid to saving some endangered wildlife.

C．Success has been achieved in quite a few cases of wildlife protection.

D．Concern and movements for animal protection should be always kept.

10 . What is the weather like during the weekend?

A．Cold.

B．Warm.

C．Hot.