1 . About 12% of the total global energy demand comes from heating and cooling homes and businesses. A new study suggests that using underground water to maintain comfortable temperatures could reduce consumption of natural gas and electricity in this section by 40% in the US. The approach is called ATES, short for aquifer thermal energy storage (含水层热能储存).

“We need storage to absorb energy from the sun and wind. It’s crucial to creating affordable, reliable, and deeply environmental-friendly electricity systems. Most people are interested in batteries and other kinds of electrical storage. But we were wondering whether there was any opportunity to use geothermal (地热的) energy storage,” said first author A.T.D Perera. “With ATES, energy can be stored for a long period of time, without adding an additional burden to the grid (输电网).”

ATES is a pleasantly simple concept that takes advantage of the heat-absorbing property of water and the natural geological features of the planet. You simply pull existing underground water up and heat it at the surface in the summer with environmental heat or energy. Then you send it back down. It stays fairly hot because the Earth is a good insulator (绝热体).

“Unlike above-ground tank-based water or ice storage systems, ATES will not need space. It’s also more efficient and can support larger communities in cooling or heating than traditional geothermal heat pump systems that rely on heat moving with the underground soil,” added co-author Hong Tianzhen.

A major beneft of ATES is that it will become more efficient as weather becomes more extreme in the coming years due to climate change. The hotter summers and severer winters could increase the amount of free thermal energy that can be stored with ATES. “It’s very much a realistic thing to do and this work is really about showing its value,” said Perera. “This technology is ready to go, so to speak. We just need to do it.”

1. What do we know about ATES?

A．It is technologically demanding.

B．It is aimed at replacing natural energy.

C．It mainly relies on batteries to function.

D．It helps achieve an environmentally friendly society

2. How does Hong Tianzhen explain ATES’s advantages?

A．By giving examples.	B．By discussing results.
C．By making comparisons.	D．By analyzing principles.

3. Which will affect ATES’s efficiency most?

A．Temperature variations.	B．Insulated materials.
C．The duration of storage.	D．The category of energy.

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

A．A Turning Point in Energy Usage

B．A Solution to Green Cooling and Heating

C．A Transformation in the US Electricity System

D．A Discovery About Geothermal Energy Storage

2 . Dogs have a different way of seeing the world compared to human beings. As a result of this, they heavily rely on their body language to pass their messages to people.     1     . You will be shocked at some of these signs from your dog, because believe it or not, there are some that you might have never thought of.

    2     when you see your dog raising its paw. This is a behavior displayed mostly by puppies and other small dogs. Whenever puppies want to eat, they will raise their paws or put them out for their mother. So when it does the same to you, it just means they need some attention and affection.

If you pay close attention to your dog, you will notice that at some point it will curl up just like a fox. In such cases, the paws will be curled up underneath their bodies and their tail will be well wrapped around them. This shows that the dog is probably feeling cold. Curling up helps them keep more body heat.    3    .

    4    . But unfortunately this mostly means that the dog lacks some important nutrients. It could also mean that they are trying to digest their food well considering how fibrous（含纤维的） grass is. You should also be very careful because this could also indicate that your dog has worms in their intestines（肠道） or is dehydrated and it is trying to get water from the grass.     5     .

A．Dogs may sometimes be grass-eating animals

B．Eating grass is not the most uncommon thing for a dog

C．Read the text to find out more on what your dog is trying to tell you

D．It’s a sign that they want to play or simply need something from you

E．You may feel the joy of your dog or feel it cute to see such baby-like gesture

F．If this happens a lot, take your dog to the vet to ensure their safety

G．If you see your dog doing this, throw a blanket over them to help them feel warmer

3 . African penguins live on the rocky coasts of South Africa, Namibia and nearby islands. Like other types of penguins, the birds have white feathers covering their chests and black feathers covering their backs. They form lifelong pair bonds with mates, but they nest in huge colonies — so, scientists wondered how the birds were able to identify their partners among the sea of black-and-white birds. They wondered if their chest spots had something to do with it. To test this theory, they studied 12 African penguins at a zoo and marine park near Rome called Zoomarine Italia.

In one test, they hung two life-size photographs of the African penguins. One showed a random member of the colony, while the other showed the test subject’s mate. The scientists recorded the birds’ interactions with the photos: How long did they spend looking at each one, as well as how much time did they spend standing near each photograph? The penguins spent more time gazing at the photo of their partners — about 23 seconds longer, on average — than looking at the other photo. They also stood next to the image of their beau s for twice as long. Then, the researchers covered up the heads of the birds in the photographs, leaving only their speckled bodies visible, and the penguins still lingered near their partners’ portraits.

In another experiment, the researchers hung up two photos of a bird’s mate — but, in one, they had digitally removed its spots. In this case, the penguin again spent more time looking at the photo with the dots.

Finally, the researchers posted two photographs of penguins with digitally removed spots — one of the test subject’s mate and the other of a random penguin from the colony. In this scenario, the penguins did not appear to recognize their partners. They spent roughly the same amount of time gazing at or standing near both photos.

Together, the results of these experiments suggest African penguins are zeroing in on their partners’ spots and using them like name tags, scientists say.

“Our results provide the first evidence of a specific visual cue responsible for spontaneous individual recognition by a bird and highlight the importance of considering all sensory modalities in the study of animal communication,” the researchers write in the paper.

1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?

A．African penguins live on the rocky coasts of North Africa.

B．Scientists are curious about the African penguins.

C．African penguins have white feathers covering their backs.

D．Scientists studied 12 African penguins only at a zoo near Rome.

2. What plays a key role in African penguins’ identifying their partners?

A．Their partners’ voice.	B．Their partners’ heads.
C．Their partners’ back feathers.	D．Their partners’ speckled bodies.

3. What does the underlined phrase “zeroing in on” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．Losing sight of.	B．Taking delight in.
C．Paying attention to.	D．Speaking highly of.

4. Where might you find the passage?

A．In a science report.	B．In a travel brochure.
C．In a biology textbook.	D．In a fashion magazine.

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is Akira Miyawaki?

A．A scientist.

B．A professor.

C．An officer.

2. What is the benefit of the diversity of tree species according to the 2018 study?

A．Producing more oxygen.

B．Dealing with climate change.

C．Attracting different kinds of animals.

3. What did the organization in Paris do?

A．It helped communities build 100 forests.

B．It taught people to grow their own mini forests.

C．It educated kids about tiny forests.

4. What can we learn from the talk?

A．Mini forests are inspired by a French scientist.

B．Miyawaki has planted more than 1,000 forests in Japan.

C．Planting mini forests has become popular in Europe.

5 . Most people, if you quizzed them, probably wouldn’t know how much of all global trade is done by sea. It’s one of several reasons that the pollution and carbon emissions from shipping gain much less attention than those from road transport and other industries. It’s over the horizon, out of sight and out of mind.

Today, the international shipping industry is the main mode of transport for around 90 per cent of world trade. It’s powered almost entirely by fossil fuels. Studies show that alternative technologies and zero-emission fuels — including electrofuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol — have the potential to significantly reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and thus require urgent implementation (实施). There’s just one catch: they don’t exist yet.

Even if the technology were available, the infrastructure (基础设施) for that technology or fuel is going to take time to develop. And an even bigger challenge is going to be whether that methanol or ammonia fuel is green, which touches on other industries such as renewable electricity. Do we even have enough renewable electricity in the world to be able to generate these fuels? It’s a complex supply chain that requires cooperation across the industry. It’s not something that one company can solve by itself.

According to Piotr Konopka, senior manager for energy and decarbonisation (碳减排) programs at DP World, there are some simple behavioral changes that can help cut down on fuel used in the meantime, from the regular maintenance and reduced idling of port equipment to the implementation of weather routing that helps ships avoid rougher, more fuel-intensive stretches of water. “Of course, efficiency is unlikely to ever reduce emissions by more than five or ten per cent, but it’s definitely a low-hanging fruit,” he says.

“This is the last moment for the IMO to act decisively to eliminate shipping emissions” says Delaine McCullough, shipping emissions policy manager at environmental NGO Ocean Conservancy. “We need countries to demand that the IMO set strong emission-reduction goals and take action at home if the IMO fails to do the right thing.”

1. What makes people neglect shipping emissions?

A．Prejudice.

B．Nearsightedness.

C．Low intelligence.

D．Lack of knowledge.

2. What does the underlined word “catch” mean in Para 2?

A．Device.

B．Harvest.

C．Problem.

D．Prey.

3. Which is thought to be an easier and more practical way to reduce emissions?

A．Alternative fuels.	B．Efficient use of fuel.
C．Renewable electricity.	D．Advanced technologies.

4. Which best describes the structure of the passage?

A．①/②③/④⑤	B．①②/③④/⑤
C．①②③/④/⑤	D．①/②③④/⑤

6 . The French couple, Katia and Maurice Krafft, shared an attraction to volcanoes, one that perhaps approached an addiction. There are many people interested in volcanoes, but very few who are willing to climb an erupting crater(火山口) and approach the flowing lava(岩浆). Katia and Maurice did a lot of work, shooting photographs and films of volcano eruptions, always being the first on the scene of an active volcano, and the ones who fearlessly came to just a few feet from lava flows. They were not only highly respected by volcanologists all around the world, but also envied.

The couple metinthe1960s when they were both students at the University of Strasbourg, and got married in 1970. Both of them were attracted to volcanoes since childhood. Upon graduating, Katia and Maurice pursued their careers as volcano observers with no financial support at all, just their own savings, which they spent on a trip to Stromboli to observe the eruption of the volcano.

They took an incredible and valuable set of photographs of the near-continuous eruption. People were curious about the photographs, while public officials working on threatening volcanoes found them useful. This interest in their work helped the French couple to establish a career in documenting eruptions. Now able to obtain financial support for their work, Katia and Maurice visited hundreds, if not thousands, of volcanoes around the globe. They traveled and recorded eruptions, always getting closer to the danger than anyone else.

In June 1991, along with 40 other people, the Kraffts set out to film the eruption at Mount Unzen in Japan. A sudden and unexpected flow took place and all the people in its path were killed. Later investigation revealed that Katia’s and Maurice’s bodies were closest to the volcano crater. They were 44 and 45 years old respectively.

In their 25-year-long career, the couple documented hundreds of volcanoes, and their work consists of thousands of sill photos, 300 hours off film materials, a number of books, and scientific articles published in Bulletin of Volcanology.

1. When did the couple start their careers as volcano observers?

A．As children.	B．While studying at college.
C．When leaving university.	D．After getting married.

2. What is unique to the couple’s photographs of volcanoes?

A．They focused on threatening volcanoes.

B．They were taken with their own savings.

C．They recorded continuous eruption of volcanoes.

D．They were shot at a shorter distance from lava flows.

3. What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?

A．The couple didn’t get prepared before setting out.

B．The couple had been married for 25 years before the accident.

C．The couple made a great fortune with what they shot.

D．The couple went ahead of the rest at the last minute.

4. Which of the following can best describe the couple?

A．Caring and demanding.	B．Promising and optimistic.
C．Brave and devoted.	D．Dynamic and calm.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. In which country was the fish first found?

A．The US.

B．Australia.

C．Austria.

2. What makes the fish unusual?

A．Its age.

B．Its size.

C．Its habitat.

3. Why does Mike feel sad?

A．The museum receives no visitors today.

B．Biologists want to replace the fish.

C．The species is endangered.

8 . A forest after a wildfire

Throughout my career, I’ve had many chances to enter various wildfire areas. But I’ve ________ had the opportunity to see the immediate scene after a fire.

So when I ________ into a recently burned forest, my first reaction was the deathly ________ hung in the air. There were no birds, no breeze caught in the leaves of a tree, or animal noises. It felt as if life itself had totally ________ from this place. What was even worse, the burned-out forest meant that a large amount of ________ alongside the road was no longer ________ by the under-growth (灌木丛) . Oil cans, glass, plastic bags—you name it, and you can find it.

Knowing there was a story here that needed ________ , I raised my camera with a heavy heart, no matter how ________ . Photographing burned-out areas is ________ , since there is really only a bunch of burned-out wood. Through my lenses, I sought to connect viewers to the ________ of the disaster.

For a nature photographer passionate about environmental protection, it’s important to ________ the ugly as well as the beautiful. We need to put those two things together, so while ________ hope, we are aware of what has been taken from us, and how ________ that loss can be. Without that balance, we risk becoming used to a world shaped by destruction and not the one of ________ . Nature will regenerate, but now, we must consider what ________ we humans play in that process, too.

1.

A．rarely

B．merely

C．usually

D．possibly

2.

A．sank

B．ran

C．broke

D．stepped

3.

A．threat

B．warning

C．silence

D．charm

4.

A．set apart

B．faded away

C．spread out

D．bounced back

5.

A．smoke

B．pollution

C．trash

D．product

6.

A．hidden

B．protected

C．bothered

D．held

7.

A．writing

B．telling

C．adapting

D．continuing

8.

A．painful

B．strange

C．popular

D．dangerous

9.

A．appealing

B．rewarding

C．surprising

D．challenging

10.

A．description

B．cruelty

C．impression

D．recovery

11.

A．remember

B．enhance

C．confirm

D．record

12.

A．maintaining

B．abandoning

C．requiring

D．receiving

13.

A．inspiring

B．refreshing

C．damaging

D．astonishing

14.

A．belief

B．fantasy

C．imagination

D．harmony

15.

A．game

B．role

C．rule

D．Idea

9 . A couple has recently placed their garbage can out for collection for the first time in 14 months, all thanks to their recycling skills. Richard and Louise Arnold have established such an effective routine that they only need to put their garbage can on the side of the street once a year.

Louise explained that making small monthly changes in her life has resulted in her family producing very little waste. She said, “It’s not as difficult as you might think if you start with small steps. We began with soap, switching from bath cream to natural soap without packaging. These bars are large enough that we cut them in half, using one for the sink and the other half for the shower. It’s both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.”

“So it’s actually quite easy. Just go around your house and think of little things you can do gradually, and you’ll start noticing the difference,” Louise added. Currently, the couple takes recyclable waste to the tip, donates clothes to charity shops, and brings soft plastics and batteries to a shop that accepts them.

In 2017, the couple established No Waste Living, which initially started as a weekend stall at the local market and has since developed into a website. Louise regularly writes a newsletter for her hundreds of subscribers. They also started selling eco-friendly products, ranging from non-chemical household cleaning and washing solutions for a “less toxic home” to bamboo washing-up brushes. Louise mentioned, “I started No Waste Living because I wanted to show our achievement s and lead by example.”

Although the family occasionally faces criticism, Louise remains determined. She said, “The main point of contention(争论) for people regarding new waste rules is having to drive their waste to a recycling center, which adds to their already busy lives. However, in the long run, you will create more space in your home, save money, and spend less time dealing with garbage cans.”

1. How did the couple start their waste reduction journey?

A．By replacing small soaps with large ones.	B．By using a small amount of bath cream.
C．By using unpackaged soap bars.	D．By recycling soft plastics and batteries.

2. Why did the couple found No Waste Living?

A．To bring eco-products to market.	B．To inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
C．To treat recyclable waste from the neighborhood.	D．To answer the call of their subscribers.

3. Why do some people dislike new waste rules?

A．They mean more work to deal with garbage.

B．They increase the cost of garbage collection.

C．They establish a set time for waste management.

D．They limit the daily amount of garbage for collection.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A business - minded couple.	B．The “less poisonous home” concept.
C．The global trend in recycling.	D．A planet- friendly lifestyle.

10 . Wild turkeys are a familiar sight throughout New Hampshire, where flocks wander along roadsides and through backyards.

In 1975, Ted Walski, the biologist for New Hampshire Fish and Game, released 25 turkeys from the back of his truck in Walpole, a town in the western part of the state. It was part of a reintroduction effort to bring back a species that had been wiped out in New England before the Civil War, where it used to suffer heavy blows — forests vanished for unknown reasons and people got their own way to hunt.

“Originally, I never thought it would get beyond a few thousand turkeys,” says Walski, who spent nearly 50 years working with the birds before retiring in 2019.

Instead, New Hampshire’s turkey population has exploded beyond all expectations, now around 45,000 animals — the highest since the reintroduction, and probably the most the state can approach. Reintroduction efforts in neighboring states and around the country have created a similar story — there are 70,000 wild turkeys in Maine, up to 50,000 in Vermont, and more than 30,000 in Massachusetts — all of which total up to about six million animals reproducing in all states but Alaska.

So what made the wild turkey one of the most successful wildlife reintroduction programs in American history? Most likely, it’s due to the bird’s surprising and unexpected ability to live among humans. In the suburbs, turkeys can take advantage of edge habitat, like woods and open spaces, and dine on a never-ending buffet of food provided by people — particularly birdseed. Besides, it doesn’t hurt that native predators, such as wolves and cougars, have largely disappeared from most parts of the turkey’s range.

But everyone is not thankful for the New England turkey boom. The infamously bold birds are troublesome, disturbing traffic and pecking at front doors, as well as potentially dangerous. In 2019, a 35-year-old pregnant woman was attacked by turkeys on the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts — twice. As conflicts between these 20-pound birds and people are on the rise, particularly during the spring breeding season, wildlife officials are trying to cope with the reality that the turkey is here to stay.

1. What had made turkeys extinct in New England before the Civil War?

A．Disappearing forests and unrestricted hunting.

B．Ted Walski’s reintroduction policy and its effects.

C．Turkeys’ inability to reproduce and coexist with humans.

D．Native predators’ occupation of most parts of turkeys’ range.

2. According to the text, which of the following statements is true about wild turkeys?

A．Their explosive population is completely out of the control of New Hampshire.

B．The number of wild turkeys amounts to around six million in Alaska.

C．Their abilities to reproduce fall short of people’s expectations.

D．They feed on adequate food from human beings.

3. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．It is urgent to protect wild turkeys from being attacked.

B．Turkeys are posing a potential threat to natural environment.

C．Nobody appreciates the increase in turkeys due to their evil deeds.

D．Measures will be taken to tackle conflicts between turkeys and humans.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．New England witnesses a turkey boom but not all appreciate it.

B．The wildlife reintroduction program of wild turkeys is quite successful.

C．Wild turkeys’ sharp increase does harm to human beings and environment.

D．There is a contradictory relationship between wild turkeys and human beings.