1 . The Terror of the First F5 Tornado
The nonstop high plains wind suddenly fell dead still, leaving the evening air hot and heavy over Lubbock, Texas. Impossibly dark clouds hung low in the sky.
Standing in the yard outside her family’s trailer home, 12-year-old Cindy Keele saw the worry emerge in her grandmother’s face. “Go in and put on your shoes,” Keele’s grandmother said flatly. “We have to get to the storm cellar.”
The girl dashed inside. As soon as the screen door slapped shut behind her, hail (冰雹) began rapping against the roof. Keele yelled to her mother, “Grandma says we have to get to the storm cellar!” Then a hail stone the size of a softball smashed through the kitchen window. Another one punched a hole in the ceiling. And then came the sound: the unmistakable, ear-splitting roar of an approaching tornado.
Cindy Keele’s mother was suddenly on the same page. But getting herself, her three kids, and her mother to safety was no simple matter—the shelter was at the opposite end of the trailer park. If they didn’t drive, they’d never make it.
The five moved quickly to the family car, ducking to avoid hurtling pieces. At last, everyone was in the car.
“My purse!” Keele’s grandmother shouted “My purse is still in there!”
Keele jumped out of the car and ran back into the house. She fetched the purse and dashed back into the maelstrom. She almost made it. “As I ran to the car,” she says, “an enormous hailstone hit me in the back of the neck. I was told it was the size of a soccer ball.” The next few minutes were a blur for the girl. Her next clear memory is of inside the shelter.
“I guess there were 60 of us in there, plus dogs and cats,” Keele says. “The sound outside was deafening. And then, all of a sudden, it got quiet.” Cautiously, the group emerged from underground.
“My mother ran straight for our street. What she found was—nothing.” The place where our house had been were pieces of houses, but not pieces of our house. “I’d never seen my mom cry,” Keele recalls softly. “But she was on her knees. She was broken.”
May 11 marks the 51st anniversary of the 1970 Lubbock tornado, the first such storm ever to be classified F5.
1. What did Keele do in the story?| A．She dashed to the room to save her brothers. |
| B．She rushed to fetch her grandmothers purse. |
| C．She drove the family members to the shelter. |
| D．She ran to the cellar first with her grandmother. |
| A．The tornado died down very slowly. |
| B．Hail was the biggest killer in the tornado. |
| C．The tornado came with a deafening noise. |
| D．It was windy and sunny before the tornado. |
| A．Keele’s house was totally mined | B．Keele’s mother got her knees hurt |
| C．Keele lost memory of the tornado | D．Keele was injured by a soccer ball |
2 . Women facing breast cancer (乳腺癌) report that their cats rank among the most important supporters, alongside parents and siblings (兄弟姐妹) they rely on to help them through their treatment.
Fish, a breast cancer survivor, relied on the companionship of her two cats, Phoebe and Jack, during her treatments. “They were the perfect companions when I needed them most,” Fish says. “They gave silent strength.” Fish is far from the only breast cancer survivor to show the power of her cat. A recent Purina Cat Chow national survey of breast cancer survivors with cats points out this important relationship.
Dr. Karen Sueda, at the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, says, “Whether pet owners are fighting diseases such as breast cancer or going through a rough period in life such as job loss or some stress, their cats often display intuitive (直觉的) behavior of knowing when they need extra support.”
Hearing countless stories from breast cancer patients and survivors of how they have been emotionally supported by their cats, Purina Cat Chow honors this exceptional relationship and is doing its part to help the fight against breast cancer. This year, in a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Purina Cat Chow will donate more than $200,000 to the cause and invites consumers to help us raise awareness of breast cancer.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to find the cures. The organization has invested (投资) $1.3 billion in ending breast cancer, becoming the world’s largest source of non-profit funds (资金) devoted to the fight against breast cancer.
1. To many women with breast cancer, cats can _______.| A．bring strength and support to them. |
| B．teach them how to relax |
| C．know about what they think about. |
| D．help the patients to be optimistic |
| A．often collects cancer patients’ information |
| B．hopes to find more breast cancer patients |
| C．will help spread the knowledge about breast cancer |
| D．aims to find the best treatment for breast cancer |
| A．Unconcerned. | B．Supportive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Surprised. |
3 . Bees are essential for the pollination of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Sadly, over the past 15 years, the global population of the hardworking insects has been dropping worldwide at alarming rates due to loss of food and habitat. Now, Dutch cities are coming up with creative ideas to help stem the population decrease of these all-important insects.
In Amsterdam, bees can live for free in specially built “hotels” — tall wooden structures — across the city. While they may not look like much to the untrained eye, they provide perfect homes for members of the over 200 known species of solitary bees. As the name indicates, the insects spend their lives alone. The smart insects nest inside holes like the ones provided by the insect hotels, marking their occupancy by covering the entrance with a mud “door”. Though unable to produce honey, solitary bees are excellent pollinators and perform an essential role in many ecosystems.
Additionally, city officials are also educating people on the use of harmful chemicals and are providing prize money to encourage developers to build green roofs and populate them with local plants. In 2015, they set a goal to change some plants in public green spaces to native plants. Geert, one of eight ecologists working for the city, says, “Our idea is when we design a park, we use native species but also the species that give a lot of flowering and fruit for bees.” Many people, with help from the government, are replacing the sidewalks outside their homes with small gardens featuring flowers.
In Utrecht, bus stop roofs are gradually being turned into beautiful, living gardens designed to attract varieties of bee species. The green roofs, which naturally collect both rainwater and dust, are also beneficial for the environment.
These cities’ collective efforts seem to be working. A recent study found that the variety of bee species there has increased by an astonishing 45 percent since 2000.
1. What does the underlined word “stem” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Review . | B．Stop. | C．Monitor. | D．Improve. |
| A．They’re not social insects. |
| B．They make high-quality honey. |
| C．They like to nest together in woods. |
| D．They’re scared of other species of bees. |
| A．Collect rainwater for future use. |
| B．Plant flowers for enjoyment. |
| C．Draw bees to them. |
| D．Clear dust away. |
| A．Protecting the environment. |
| B．Importance of bees in ecosystems. |
| C．Design ideas of insect hotels and bee stops. |
| D．Dutch cities’ attempts to restore bee population. |
4 . 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. |
| A．It is very hot | B．It has no atmosphere |
| C．It is far from the Sun | D．It is smaller than Earth |
| A．Positive. | B．Passive. |
| C．Hopeful. | D．Desperate. |
| 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. |
5 . 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. |
| 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. |
| A．Having drinks. | B．Watching comedies. |
| C．Performing with actors. | D．Enjoying a live play. |
| A．The weather. | B．The work. | C．The time |
7 . The government's top Great Barrier Reef scientist says a third mass coral bleaching (珊瑚白化) event in five years is a clear signal that the marine wonder is “calling for urgent help on climate change. Corals can recover from mild bleaching, but severe bleaching can kill corals.
Prof Terry Hughes, director of the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, surveyed 1,036 reefs from a plane over nine days in late March.
The marine park authority also had an observer on the flights. The survey has released maps showing that serious levels of bleaching occurred in 2020 in all three sections of the reef northern, central and southern. Some 25% of the reefs were seriously bleached-meaning that more than 60% of the corals on each reef had bleached.
The Great Barrier Reel has experienced five mass bleaching events-1998. 2002,2016, 2017 and 2020 -all caused by rising ocean temperatures driven by global heating. Hughes said there probably would not be the same level of coral death in the north and central regions in 2020 as in previous years, but this was partly because previous bleaching outbreaks had kill off the less heat -tolerant species The 2020 bleaching was second only to 2016 for severity(严重性), Hughes said.
Dr. David Wachenfeld，chief scientist at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, told Guardian Australia "My greatest fear is that people will lose hope for the reef. Without hope there's no action. People need to see these bleaching events, They are clear signals that the Great Barrier Reef is alling for urgent help and for us to do everything we can”.
Measures to improve the ability of recovery of the reef include improving water quality, controlling outbreaks of coral-eating starfish, and research and development to improve the heat tolerance of corals. " However, climate change brings a new scale of impact unlike anything we have seen before. Thus, dealing with the climate problem is the basis for everything else to work, ” Wachenfeld said.
1. What does the underlined word “mild” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Serious |
| B．Strong. |
| C．Steady. |
| D．Slight. |
| A．The majority of the corals on each reef were bleached. |
| B．The survey was carried out on a plane by Hughes alone. |
| C．The 2020 bleaching killed off the less heat tolerant species. |
| D．The 2020 bleaching was worse than those of all the previous years. |
| A．have done everything they can for the reef |
| B．are sure to lose hope for the reef |
| C．will care more about the reef |
| D．will have no action at all |
| A．Improving water quality. |
| B．Making efforts to prevent global warming. |
| C．controlling outbreaks of coral-eating starfish., |
| D．Doing research on the heat tolerance of corals. |
8 . Backcountry for beginners: the best destinations in Canada
When carried out safely, your first backcountry trip will leave you lifelong memories, opening a getaway into nature. But the leap from car camping to backcountry requires preparation and learning. Here are some recommended trips for backcountry beginners:
Grundy Lake Provincial Park
The park’s 9 backcountry sites are a 30-minute paddle (划船) away. Grundy Lake is motor-boat free. Your sites are quiet enough for a true backcountry trip. Each site comes equipped with a fire pit (坑) and a picnic table.
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Many visitors don’t know about the 25 canoe-in campsites located on Joeperry and Pearson Lakes. A short canoe trip of 30-minute will get you to your campsite. At each campsite, you will find a picnic table, tent space and a toilet nearby.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Experience the best of the Canadian Shield, and hike or paddle your way to 10 backcountry campsites. Travel time can range from 10 minutes to 2 hours. All sites come equipped with elevated tent platforms, a picnic table, a fire grill, and a toilet.
Murphys Point Provincial Park
Paddle through Big Rideau Lake (part of the historic Rideau waterway) to access 14 backcountry campsites. Most are located 5-45 minutes away from the boat launch. You’ll find a picnic table, tent space, and a pit toilet nearby each site. Paddle back to visit Murphys’ piece of living history: the Mica Mine!
Remember: backcountry travel requires careful consideration of packing, route planning, meal planning, safety, and your skill level.
1. You can do the followings at Grundy Lake Provincial Park EXCEPT _______.| A．Paddling. | B．Having a picnic. | C．Cooking. | D．Taking a motor-boat. |
| A．Grundy Lake Provincial Park. | B．Bon Echo Provincial Park. |
| C．Charleston Lake Provincial Park. | D．Murphys Point Provincial Park. |
| A．Health. | B．Travel. | C．Education. | D．Science. |
1. Who has become the Union Party leader?
| A．Robert Tennen. | B．Harry Johnson. | C．Jim Hardy. |
| A．It will be closed. | B．It will be cleaned. | C．It will be rebuilt. |
| A．Sunny. | B．Snowy. | C．Rainy. |
10 . Have you ever been into a cave? If not, please follow us and explore some of the most beautiful caves from around the world!
Marble Caves
Located in the center of Lake General Carrera, the Marble Caves in Chico, Chile, are only accessible by boat. The surrounding crystal clear waters allow visitors to see the rock formations beneath them while the rock ceilings above change color(depending on the writer levels and the season). The best time to visit: during sunrise and sunset, when the sun’s rays light up the cave walls, making it an experience to remember.
Reed Flute Cave
Reed F1ute Cave known as “the Palace of Natural Arts” is located in the northwest of Guilin in southern China.The limestone cave offers a grand fairyland of stalactites(钟乳石), stone pillars, stone curtains, birds, plants and animals in fantastic shapes and colors.
Fingal’s Cave
This incredible sea cave is located on the uninhabited island of Staffa in Scotland. The cave’s size, shape, and naturally—arched(拱形的) roof combine with the waves to create strange sounds that enhance its cathedral—like atmosphere.
The Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is the symbol of Capri. It is a sea cave found on the coast of the island and is a well-known spot to all who visit the area. This cave is unique for its brilliant blue light which comes from two sources: the entrance to the cave and a bigger hole beneath the entrance. When viewed from inside the cave, the entrance appears as a brilliant white light just above the waterline, while the underwater hole, which is the larger source of light, provides a blue light.
1. Why is sunset the best time to visit Marble Caves?| A．Because it has enough light in it. |
| B．Because it has the most beautiful scenery. |
| C．Because it is surrounded by clear waters. |
| D．Because boats are only available at sunset. |
| A．Reed F1ute Cave. | B．Marble Caves. |
| C．The Blue Grotto. | D．Fingal’s Cave. |
| A．C1ear waters. | B．Various birds and animals. |
| C．Bright blue light. | D．Strange shapes. |
