2 . The combined quantity of water on Earth has varied over the course of our planet’s geological history, and it still does.

Today, Earth includes some 1,386 million cubic kilometres of water, a volume that includes water in oceans, lakes and rivers, plus ground water, vapour in the atmosphere, and the frozen water of glaciers and ice caps. On the young Earth — some four billion years ago — vast quantities of water were added to the planet by ice-containing comets (a mass of ice and dust that moves around the sun and looks like a bright star with a tail) that struck us, eventually making our world a “blue planet”. But such events became increasingly rare in Earth’s more recent history, and today we are in an age during which Earth is losing water.

The water loss is due to the fact that particles (微粒) sometimes escape Earth’s gravity to travel into space. This is particularly true of the light hydrogen atoms that form part of water molecules (分子) together with oxygen. Every time the atmosphere loses hydrogen, we lose one of the building blocks of water. Scientists estimate that Earth loses about 3kg of hydrogen per second. At this pace, Earth would run out of water in three billion years — but that assumes that we don’t get any new water supplies.

New water need not come from space — it might come from the inside of the Earth. At depths below 50km, minerals contain water that is not reckoned within the water cycle. Some of it dates back to Earth’s formation; the rest is part of slow geological exchange between the planet’s layers. When Earth’s plates sink and melt, deep minerals can release these bound water molecules so that they can subsequently rise to the surface via volcanic eruptions, adding to the planet’s overall water resources.

1. How did Earth become a “blue planet” in geological time?

A．By getting water from comets	B．By making use of glaciers.
C．By releasing its inside water.	D．By storing water in the ocean.

2. What is the scientists’ attitude towards the water loss on Earth?

A．Serious.

B．Regretful.

C．Uncertain.

D．Unworried.

3. The underlined word “reckoned” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to “________”.

A．locked

B．displayed

C．counted

D．marked

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Where Can Water Be Stored?	B．Could Earth Run Out of Water?
C．How Can New Water Be Found?	D．Will There Be More Water on Earth?

3 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

For many years, my only companion was our dog, Sno. A small but mighty Bichon Frise, our dog may have looked ordinary, but he was smart, creative, and always ready for ice cream and rolling at my request. While I worked, he slept, waking to chase the red cat from next door, greet a delivery person, or sit in the sunshine.

We didn’t agree on everything, especially when to get up and when to go to bed. He sighed with boredom when a project was due and I didn’t have time to play. He didn’t understand weekends, deadlines, and visitors who left him. However, we both agreed on walking.

At least once a week, we took a long walk to the beach. For him, there were tall grasses and exciting smells. For me, there were other dog walkers and neighbors to catch up with. We returned tired, thirsty, and very happy.

Being a dog with huge ambition and short legs, Sno needed several breaks along the way. The one at the entrance to the beach was his favorite, possibly because he knew we were circling back home. There, on a windy summer day, he looked up at me just as I was looking down at him. We both grinned (咧嘴笑). This was the best walk ever.

When he was old and dying, our walks were shorter and closer to home. I’d take him for a walk and then go out for my own walk, wandering around the beach like we used to do. I always grinned when I got to the entrance to the beach, remembering that summer day when he was young and energetic.

In his final days, Sno still insisted on walking. It took twice as long to take even the shortest walk, but we enjoyed every step. Then came that Sunday when he leaned hard toward the beach walk. How could I refuse his last-walk wish?

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。

We took the walk.

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After he died, I went for the long walk.

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4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Wetlands are the link between the land and the water. They are transition zones where the flow of water, the cycling of nutrients and the energy of the sun meet to produce     1     unique and special ecosystem     2     (characterize) by hydrology, soils and vegetation—making these areas very important features of a watershed. The water is often groundwater,     3     (spill) up from an aquifer or spring. A wetland’s water can also come from a nearby river or lake. Seawater can also create wetlands, especially in coastal areas that experience strong tides. Here is one in China.

The National Nature Reserve of Guangdong Nanpeng Islands in Guangdong Province was established in 2003. It     4     (cover) a total area of 35,679 hectares. It became the fifth national-level marine nature reserve in Guangdong, as well as the first one in the eastern region of Guangdong, in 2012. In 2015, it     5     (recognize) and included in the International Important Wetlands Directory.

The main focus of the reserve is to protect the unique underwater natural landscapes, the ecosystems of the nearby     6     (coast) waters, the rare and endangered marine animals, the various fish species and their habitats, as well as the marine biodiversity.

Researchers have discovered 1,308 marine species in the area, including 772     7     (economic) significant fish, shrimp, crab, mollusk, and algae species. The reserve is home     8     more than 21 identified rare and endangered wildlife species in water, among     9     nine species such as the Chinese white dolphin and the nautilus are classified as first-class protected animals at the national level, while     10     (variety) of other 27 species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin is classified as second-class protected animals.

5 . I was mostly based in Samburu National Reserve, recording details of the population and leading collar (颈圈) operations. We put trackers (跟踪仪) around wild elephants’necks, so we can learn about their activities.

In May 2009, in the middle of the wet season, Rommel appeared again. And it was histurn to be placed a collar. We sent three cars out to search for him. There’s a river running through the park where many elephants gather in the mornings. At 10:30 am, one of my partners clocked Rommel.

A tranquillizer (镇静剂) was carefully shot into his body so we could safely place a collaron him, but for a bull of Rommel’s size it could take longer. After that, he turned away, heading in an unexpected direction and seemed to be near danger by killing himself in thewater. It would be a bad accident. Only by pulling his trunk (象鼻) from the river, could weensure his survival. The problem was that the river was a little bit changeable. Immediately, I decided to act. I jumped in and lifted his heavy, twitching trunk from the water with the help of lifeguards. The team tried to fit him with a collar, but we discovered that we didn’t have one big enough.

We couldn’t risk keeping him there while we created a bigger collar. So I struggled on, holding his trunk high with all my strength. And medicine that took away the efforts of the tranquillizer was delivered.

As soon as his ears started to move, a sign of coming to life, I dropped his trunk and moved to safety. Within a couple of minutes, he was back to life. That was one of my proudest moments

1. What is the purpose of putting trackers around wild elephants’necks?

A．To record their sizes.	B．To know their activities.
C．To control and train them.	D．To save them from danger.

2. Why was it necessary to shoot tranquilizer into Rommel’s body?

A．To sent him to a zoo.	B．To treat his wounds.
C．To place a collar on him safely.	D．To check his health.

3. What did the author do to ensure Rommel’s survival?

A．He gave him certain medicine.	B．He lifted his trunk out of water.
C．He performed an operation on him.	D．He called other members for help.

4. What kind of feeling did the author have after Rommel’s coming to life?

A．Pride.

B．Surprise.

C．Anger.

D．Worry.

7 . For many people, retirement is a chance to take a break. Not so for Victorin Laboudallon from the Seychelles who spends his days planting forests to fight climate change. Wherever there’s a forest fire in the Seychelles, you can be sure you’ll find Laboudallon ready to fight back, armed with seeds and shovels.

Laboudallon is widely known across the Seychelles for his decades of environmental action and his big personality. While planting trees in the wet dirt, barefoot and laughing, he says his surname means “friend of the mud” in his local Creole language. “I’m not somebody who lives under the big concrete. I live under the beautiful trees,” he says, pointing above at the iconic coco de mer palm.

The Seychelles is a nation of 115 islands—known for beautiful beaches and biodiversity—off the east coast of Africa. Here climate change is not a distant prospect, but a daily reality. “We’ve got the sea rising,” says Laboudallon. “You can see places where there used to be houses. Now there are none. There is something on this planet going wrong.”

Nature enthusiasts like Laboudallon have taken matters into their own hands. While giving a tour of his tree nursery, he explains how different types of trees offer different services when adapting to climate change. For the Seychellois, mangroves (红树林) are fundamental.

Mangroves defend against the impacts of rising seas and coastal erosion (腐蚀) by reducing the height and force of the waves before they hit the shoreline.

This strategy of using nature—and the services it provides—to adapt to climate change is known as ecosystem-based adaptation. It’s often cheaper than concrete infrastructure (设施). Not to mention that it creates a space for nature. Communities can adapt to climate change while protecting biodiversity. It is no longer a choice between people and nature. Considering the Seychelles’ economy is highly dependent on ecotourism, ecosystem-based adaptation is seen as a promising approach.

1. What does Victorin Laboudallon do in his retirement?

A．He travels around the world.	B．He enjoys his free time at home.
C．He plants trees in different countries.	D．He fights climate change in the Seychelles.

2. What does Paragraph 2 tell us about Laboudallon?

A．He prefers to live in big cities.	B．He is afraid of mud and dirt.
C．He enjoys the beauty of trees and nature.	D．He feels safe when surrounded by concrete.

3. What does Laboudallon think of the reality of the Seychelles in Paragraph 3?

A．Uncertain and potentially dangerous.	B．Hopeful and optimistic.
C．Challenging but manageable.	D．Insignificant and not worth worrying about.

4. What can we say about the ecosystem-based adaptation?

A．It’s more costly than concrete infrastructure.

B．It met with indifference among local communities.

C．It’s a win-win strategy for local economy and ecosystem.

D．It has no effect on the local environmental protection.

8 . As days are getting shorter and colder, people can often find themselves feeling sad or lacking the motivation to do anything. One possible reason for those feelings is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is common during the cold months.     1     If your dog loses interest in its favourite games or walks, they may be experiencing it. Here’s how to give your dog’s mood a boost.

Pay close attention to your dog’s behaviour.

Analyzing your dog’s behaviour will help you get a better understanding of whether they may be feeling sad.     2     Knowing what to expect throughout the day and feeling comfortable in their surroundings is very important for a dog.

    3    

Even when you’re inside, make sure to spend time playing or training your dog. Try to come up with new games that require you to interact with your dog. This is a great way to get your pet excited and boost their mood, and yours, too.

Provide them with as much sunlight as possible.

As with humans, the lack of sunlight during the winter can cause lower mood levels, so it is very important for your dog to get as much sunlight exposure as possible.     4     You can also try other strategies such as moving their bed closer to a window, or even use more artificial lighting.

Ensure your dogs get exercise during the day.

The winter months are colder and darker, and it might be inviting to skip an exercise or a walk outside, but much like humans, this can have a significant effect on your dog’s mood.     5    

A．Spend time interacting with your dog.

B．Calm your dog down with relaxing activities.

C．Whenever possible, take your dog outside for a walk.

D．Observe their behaviour for a while and speak to a vet if needed.

E．While we know people can suffer from SAD, can dogs get SAD too?

F．Changes in routine or environment can cause your dog to feel unwell.

G．Even a short walk can help improve your dog’s mood and also your own.

9 . Our two-year investigation into caged (关在笼中) tigers in America sent us through 32 US states—with some truly shocking experiences. But as the deadline neared, I still needed a powerful and hopeful image.

When we began our reporting in 2017—Sharon, writing; me taking photos; and our son, NickRuggia, filming—more tigers likely lived in cages in the US than remained in the wild. The number ranged from 5,000 to 10,000, but without strict government oversight, no one knew for sure.

Roadside zoos that allowed tourists to take pictures of young tigers were the main cause of what’s been called a US tiger crisis (危机). Caged cats often ended up in the illegal wildlife trade. Young tigers, parted from their mothers at birth, were fed poorly and touched by hundreds of people. When they grew too big and dangerous to pet at around 12 weeks, young tigers were put on show, or simply disappeared.

While we documented the unpleasant part of this industry, we also wanted to show the good life these impressive animals could have. With two weeks left before my deadline, I headed to the Wild Animal Sanctuary near Denver, where well-cared cats walked freely in their habitat.

There I met Clay, Daniel, and Enzo, three of 39 tigers rescued from an animal park in Oklahoma. These nearly grown cats raced beside our car, which I’d seen only in the wild. It was a hot July day and soon two of the cats jumped into a pool to cool off. The third rested beside them on the ground. I crossed the road to take a picture of them. Then quietly, I came up close, trying not to disturb (打扰) them. I had the shot.

1. Why did the author start her reporting?

A．To dig out the dark truth of caged tigers.	B．To explore the amazing land in the country.
C．To tell people that baby tigers are harmless.	D．To share the happy moment during the trip.

2. What is the main cause of the US tiger crisis according to the text?

A．Forest fires.

B．Climate change.

C．Roadside zoos.

D．Water pollution.

3. What can we learn about these young tigers from paragraph 3?

A．They prefer to stay indoors.	B．They are badly treated.
C．They get used to the changes.	D．They are traded legally.

4. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning the Wild Animal Sanctuary?

A．To praise her family for their effort.	B．To explain what the animals suffered.
C．To introduce a special kind of tigers.	D．To show some tigers lead an easy life.

10 . As children, we used to listen to a song called “Sharing is Fun”, which was all about how we can enjoy things better when we share them. I was not always sure I agreed, particularly when it came to sharing my snacks with my two brothers.

But later, I come to be aware that the old German children’s song seems to be true — at least for humans. We altruistically (利他地，无私地) share food: in both hunter-gatherer and industrialized societies; there are customs and institutions to provide needy people with food, even when it is scarce and the donator needs the food themselves.

In a study in Leipzig, three-year-old children were presented with a task in which they had to pull a board with an unequal amount of sweets on either end. If there were five jellybeans on one side of the board and only one on the other side, the children would divide the treats so that everyone got the same amount.

In a very recent study, the 19-month-old infants tested witnessed an experimenter pick up a desirable fruit, “accidentally” dropping it out of reach. When the experimenter tried to reach for the dropped fruit with his outstretched arm, these little kids handed over the fruit, surprisingly even if they were hungry themselves.

It is well known that wolves provide their children with food, but this is probably an inborn action that can be explained by kin selection. Chimpanzees do share food with each other. But there is a difference in terms of with whom, why, and how chimpanzees share. Chimpanzees share independently of the effort each individual invested in the cooperative hunt — in contrast to the above-mentioned children who worked together to pull a board.

Evolutionary scientists have explained human food sharing like this: by giving away food to strangers, individuals may promote partnership and group cohesion (凝聚力), thereby helping the species succeed within the dynamic environment of evolutionary adaptation.

1. Why does the author mention the song “Sharing is Fun”?

A．To express his opinion on sharing.	B．To explain the pleasure of sharing.
C．To share his memory of childhood.	D．To introduce an old children’s song.

2. What do the studies focus on?

A．The stages of sharing.	B．The benefits of sharing.
C．The purposes of sharing.	D．The behaviors of sharing.

3. What does the underlined word “kin” in the fifth paragraph mean?

A．Children and zookeepers.	B．Hunters and gatherers.
C．Families and relatives.	D．Searchers and participants.

4. How does the text develop?

A．By analyzing causes.	B．By making comparisons.
C．By following time order.	D．By making classifications.