1 . A new study by the world’s top scientists says that humans need to cat less meat and dairy and change the way we farm to save the planet from climate change. Climate change means the global changes in the Earth’s average temperature, mostly caused by humans.    1    .

Burning fossil fuels (化石燃料) (coal, oil and gas) to power our homes, cars and factories is a major cause of climate change, yet the report says that limiting the use of fossil fuels will not be enough on its own to stop the harm being done to the planet.    2    The two-year study was carried out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) —an organization that advises governments on climate change. It was prepared by 107 top scientists from 52 countries.

In the past 100 years, the planet’s population has increased from 1.9 billion to 7.7 billion.    3     Raising animals creates a number of problems. Firstly, it uses far more water and other resources than farming crops. Secondly, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air.    4     Farmed animals also produce a lot of methane (沼气), another greenhouse gas that causes climate change.

    5    especially in places where a lot of these foods are eaten, such as Europe, the UK and the US, it doesn’t completely rule out eating meat and dairy, but says we should try to cut down.

A．Although the new report says that people should eat less animal products

B．As a result, the amount of land needed to produce food has also increased

C．The report says that humans should also change to a more plant-based diet

D．Avoiding meat and dairy is the biggest way to reduce human impact on Earth

E．When land is cleared for farming animals, that carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere

F．The world needs to produce more food without expanding the food system’s carbon footprint.

G．A Rising global temperatures lead to more extreme weather events, such as floods and hurricanes

2 . 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。

Lǎozìhào refers to the old and famous shops, which have always been reliable and trustworthy and still enjoy     1     irreplaceable position in people’s minds since long time. Not only do they represent high quality and good reputation, they have also become an indispensable part in     2     (people) daily life.

These famous and time-honored shops, eg, Quanjude and Tongrentang,     3     (locate) in Qianmen, the center of Beijing, all have represented the highly developed     4     (commerce) culture of old Beijing.

But these shops are more about businesses; they are also a historical and cultural phenomenon. He     5     has never tasted a roast duck will regret his whole life--such common sayings have made Quanjude a     6     (represent) of Beijing. Many other similar two-part allegorical sayings among the folks have also     7     (vivid) revealed the very characteristics of these old shops.

Nowadays, with the rapid development of economy and fierce competition in modern society, some Lǎozìhào shops have been keeping pace     8     the times and carrying forward their brands through continuous reforms and innovations. That’s why they    9     (stand) the test of time and survived in competition, while some others have faded into the history due to their inability     10     (adapt) to the rapid changes in modern social life.

3 . Young male zebra finches (斑胸草雀) learn to communicate by listening to adults. In the lab, researchers have found that these songbirds can learn from audio recordings. But zebra finches learn better when they listen to live male finches, notes Ralph Simon. He studies how animals make and use sounds at the Nuremberg Zoo in Germany. Simon is part of the team that built RoboFinch, a robotic singing coach for finches.

The researchers recorded videos of adult males to analyze how their beaks (喙) move when they sing. They then programmed their robots to copy those beak movements. Finally, the researchers painted their RoboFinches the same colors as the real birds.

The team divided 45 young finches into four groups. Some only heard recordings of finch songs played by a speaker. Others listened with female birds that weren’t singing. RoboFinches taught the two other groups of chicks. The birdsongs played from a speaker right behind the robots. And the robots’ beaks moved either in or out of syne (协调) with the songs. That allowed the team to investigate whether beak or head movements aid song learning.

The birds housed with RoboFinches eventually spent most of their time near the robot and its speaker. During the first week, finches living with a RoboFinch whose song was in sync with its beak motions spent 27 percent of their time near the robot. Those caged with a robot playing songs out of syne only spent 5 percent of their time near the setup during the first week. Finches that heard only the audio without RoboFinch or female birds spent even less time around the sound source. Young finches partnered with RoboFinches sang less while the songs played. This was especially true when the robots’ beaks moved in sync with the songs. Those paired with a female also sang less while hearing songs. The young finches seemed to pay close attention to the robots’ movements during training sessions.

Simon hopes researchers will adapt this approach to building robots of other species, too.

1. Whose song did the researchers record?

A．Adult male finches’.	B．Adult female finches’.
C．Yong finches’.	D．RoboFinches’.

2. How did the researchers divide the subject finches?

A．By how fast they learn.	B．By where they were kept.
C．By how they react to the robot.	D．By what they are accompanied with.

3. The finches with ______performed better than the other groups in the research.

A．speakers behind them

B．female finches keeping silent

C．RoboFinches moving their beaks to the songs

D．a recorder playing the songs

4. What’s the best title of the text?

A．RoboFinches Are Used as Singing Coaches

B．Machine Learning Are Adapted to Building Robots

C．Yong Finches Communicate Through Beak Movements

D．Researchers Discovered How Finches Make and Use Sounds

4 . Were it not for my mask’s rubber covering over my nose, no doubt his warm, fishy breath would have made the experience complete, as an adult male Atlantic grey seal (海豹) inspected me to the waters that bathe Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This was a close and magical swimming-with-seals encounter filmed for BBC Two’s Springwatch four years ago.

My job is to get people to love and connect with nature, but the experience still left me feeling both excited and conflicted. Is it possible that we get a little too close, and love nature a little too much? Certainly, for anyone working in wildlife media and tourism, the reality is that habitats and many species often can’t handle longtime close contact with humans.

Marine mammals they may be, but seals must regularly return to dry land, hauling (牵引) themselves out of the water to rest, digest, and reproduce. Haul-out sites are typically inaccessible beaches or rocky tiny islands after the tide falls away. These safe places become a terrifying drop when disturbed, particularly by walkers, dogs and boats full of wildlife tourists. When frightened, seals prefer escaping into shallow seas or, worse still, hard rocks, risking broken jaws or bones.

In Scotland in February 2021, a ban came into force that stopped the fisheries industry from shooting seals. Prior to this, seals in Scotland could be shot under licence. Seal groups and charities are revising their policies to no longer encourage people to seek out encounters with seals either in or out of the water, especially during the winter months when the grey seal pupping (产崽) season is in full swing.

No matter how much we love seals, remember they are terrified of us, so we really need to enjoy them from a distance. But that is not to say there can’t be a connection. Joining organised surveys helps monitor seals as well as the health of our waters. The marine mammals have much to deal with, including climate change, and we have a lot to learn from these envoys (使者) from the sea.

1. Why did the author film swimming-with-seals encounter four years ago?

A．To get people close to nature.	B．To inspect an Atlantic grey seal.
C．To challenge himself in the waters.	D．To promote BBC Two’s TV programme.

2. What is the author’s attitude to the swimming-with-seals experience?

A．Contradictory.

B．Tolerant.

C．Uncertain.

D．Supportive.

3. What is the author’s purpose of writing paragraph 3?

A．To define the haul-out sites of seals.	B．To introduce the living habit of seals.
C．To prove humans’ disturbance to seals.	D．To present the safety problem facing seals.

4. What does the author suggest doing?

A．Stopping shooting seals completely.

B．Leaving seals alone especially in winter.

C．Reducing the influence of climate change on seals.

D．Connecting with seals indirectly by protecting them.

5 . China launched a Long March 2F carrier rocket on December 14,2023 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China’s Gobi Desert, sending a reusable experimental spacecraft into orbit. The test vehicle is scheduled to stay in orbit for a certain period of time and then return to its preset landing site in China. During the orbital flight, it has been tasked with verifying (核实) reusable technologies and space science experiments, which will both be used as technical support for the peaceful use of space.

It did not reveal the details of the mission and the spacecraft, such as launch time and specific plans, or publish pictures of the rocket’s liftoff or scenes inside the ground control hall. The mission is the third that China has made public related to reusable experimental spacecraft.

The country’s first orbital test of a trial vehicle took place in September 2020, and the craft was in orbit for just under two days. The second test started in August 2022 and the spaceplane stayed in the Earth’s orbit for 276 days before landing in May 2023．The second test’s success marked a major breakthrough in China’s reusable spacecraft technology, which is aimed at providing a convenient and affordable way to travel between Earth and outer space, the Jiuquan center said after the experimental spaceplane’s landing.

In recent years, advances in science and technology have reignited (重新激起) the space industry’s enthusiasm for reusable spaceships, especially robotic spaceplanes such as the Boeing X-37B that are smaller, cheaper, and less complex in their design, production and operation.

According to experts, reusable spacecraft will have a wide range of applications, including space tours for civilians, transporting astronauts, resupplying space stations, and placing satellites into orbit at a lower cost than through traditional methods.

1. What is revealed about the third test spacecraft?

A．The tasks it performed.	B．The details of its mission.
C．The pictures taken of its launch.	D．The scenes in the ground control hall.

2. What is the target of China’s reusable spacecraft technology?

A．To make outer space travel more available.

B．To mark a major breakthrough in flight speed.

C．To have the spaceplane stay in the orbit for 276 days.

D．To get the spacecraft to return to its preset landing site.

3. What does the author intend to tell us in the last paragraph?

A．The reusable products.	B．The potential applications.
C．The experimental spacecraft cost.	D．The individual estimate.

4. Which may be a suitable title for the text?

A．Great Progress in Space Exploration

B．Details of the Third Spaceplane Mission

C．A Wide Range of Applications of Reusable Spacecraft

D．Reusable Spacecraft Launched to Orbit on Experimental Mission

6 . Rising sea levels, extremes of weather and more droughts and floods will all destroy the world’s energy systems as global warming picks up its pace, a new report has found.

Energy companies are quite often cited as part of the problems of climate change, generating the lion’s share of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, amounting to around 60% of the total. But they will also suffer as global warming worsens.

Many large plants are particularly threatened by floods because they lack protection from sudden storms. Electricity distribution networks are also likely to be affected.

Christoph Frei, secretary general of WEC, said governments must play a key role in ensuring the world’s important infrastructure is protected. Climate change is certain to affect the energy sector. We need powerful policy frameworks to unlock the long-term investments that are urgently needed to deliver the future we want. Leadership will be required at all levels.

Despite efforts to increase energy efficiency, the amount of energy used globally is still set to rise. But the effects of this could be reduced if companies spend more energy on renewable and low-carbon forms of energy.

However, there is little sign so far that energy companies around the world have got this message. Fossil fuels continues to dominate new investment in energy generation capacity, according to the International Energy Agency. Besides, we have failed in creating a global price for carbon emissions, which could help to reverse this trend.

Another key focus must be energy distribution networks, according to the report, as new technology can be used to make them “smart”, saving energy by distributing energy from generators to users in more intelligent ways.

“The time has come to get real about the challenges facing the energy sector,” Frei said.

Philipes Joubert, executive chairman of WEC’s global electricity initiative and former president of Alstom Power, said large companies are taking note. “Leading businesses in this sector are increasingly realising that business as usual is no longer acceptable.”

1. The energy companies are also sufferers because _________.

A．they are responsible for climate change

B．their greenhouse gas emissions make up 60% of the total

C．some sudden natural disasters have a great effect on them

D．the government provides no protection for them

2. What is the author’s attitude towards the present energy systems?

A．Positive.

B．Concerned.

C．Optimistic.

D．Uncertain.

3. What can be the best title for this passage?

A．Energy Companies Are to Blame for Their Behaviours

B．Renewable and Low-carbon Forms of Energy Will Be a Trend

C．Energy Distribution Networks Must Be Smarter

D．The World’s Energy Systems Suffer from Climate Change

7 . Ecofriendly replacement products for single-use plastics are appearing everywhere. But have you heard of edible (可食性的) straws? Now EQUO, a new eco-friendly company in Vietnam has come up with a natural edible solution to plastic or paper straws.

The edible straws are completely plastic free, nontoxic, chemical free, and 100 percent biodegradable according to a company press release.

“It’s well known that plastic straws are harmful to the environment. Most of the 500 million used every day in America end up in oceans where they pollute water and harm marine life. Currently over eight billion straws pollute the world’s beaches,” said Marina Tran-Vu in the press release. “Although there are some plastic and paper straw alternatives on the market, most are environmentally harmful, and we were also unsatisfied with the quality and lasting of paper straws.”

All of the materials are locally from regions that support sustainable farming according to the company’s website and they struggle to have zero-net influence by” using the power of mother nature”. The name of the company was created by combining “ECO” — meaning environmentally friendly — with “STATUS QUO” — meaning the existent state. EQU stands for creating products that have minimal influence on the environment. The company was first shown on Kickstarter on May 18 and hit their funding goal in only 30 days.

Many countries are banning single-use plastics. The EU banned 10 single-use plastic products including straws that will take effect in 2021. Other items that will no longer be made of plastic include cutlery (餐具), and balloon sticks. These 10 items make up a large percentage of ocean waste that harms marine life.

So do your part, use biodegradable cutlery — you can carry your own , edible straws, and reusable water or coffee cups. These small items can contribute to reducing plastic waste.

1. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The popularity of plastic straws.

B．The harm of plastic straws.

C．The pollution of beaches.

D．The necessity of change.

2. What does ECO stand for?

A．It means the original aim.

B．It means the existent state.

C．It means how to create products.

D．It means being good for the environment.

3. What can we expect in Europe after 2021?

A．Plastic straws will be forbidden.

B．Edible straws will be sold cheaply.

C．Ocean waste can be rid completely.

D．Single-use plastic products will disappear.

4. Which word best describes the author’s attitude to biodegradable cutlery?

A．Skeptical.

B．Objective.

C．Tolerant.

D．Approving.

8 . Must-See Destinations in 2024

Are you ready to explore the world in 2024? Whether you dream of sailing down famous European rivers or exploring unique places, our list of must-see destinations is here to inspire your travels.

Spain

Throw yourself into the rich culture and history of Spain. From the sunny beaches of Tenerife to the Moorish architecture (建筑物) of Andalucía, there’s so much to explore in this lively country. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) city of La Laguna and become amazed at the beauty of Cordoba, Seville, and La Alhambra, or relax on a beach holiday to Majorca or Tenerife.

Montenegro

Despite its size, Montenegro has beautiful beaches, rich history, and a breathtaking channel. Experience the beauty of the Montenegrin coast — Dalmatia’s jewel (宝石) is the UNESCO World Heritage listed oasis of Dubrovnik, famously praised by Lord Bryon as The Pearl of the Adriatic.

Croatia

Discover the beauty that is Dubrovnik. Explore the 16th-century city’s defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Sail along Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, where attractive villages and beautiful towns like Pula, Rovinj, and Poreč are just waiting to be explored...

South Africa

Explore the wonders of South Africa, from the Garden Route’s nature reserves to the thrill of a Safari drive in the Kariega Game Reserve. Discover the different plants and animals while searching for the “Big Five” on an unforgettable South Africa holiday.

With over 25 years of experience creating holidays for the curious, Travel Department ensures that your journey is in good hands. Plus as a trusted Reader’s Digest Travel partner, you can get special deals when you travel with them across lots of different 2024 holidays. If you want to know more information, please click here.

1. What do Spain and Montenegro have in common?

A．They are both praised by tourists.

B．They both have world heritage cities.

C．They are known for their architectures.

D．They both own beaches and rich history.

2. Which destination will attract people who are interested in creatures?

A．Spain.	B．South Africa.
C．Montenegro.	D．Croatia.

3. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A website.	B．A guidebook.
C．A novel.	D．A magazine.

9 . Across the world, humans purchase around 1.3 billion single-use plastic water bottles a day. Because only about 9% of plastic is recycled, the vast majority of those bottles wind up in landfills, the ocean, or elsewhere in nature.

When beach-loving Madison noticed those plastic bottles during her family’s trips to California, the 12-year-old “just felt like this needed to change,” she told Smithsonian Magazine.

So as she began thinking about what to do for her school science fair back in 2021, the idea of a project centered on reducing plastic pollution quickly came to her mind: she would design an eatable water bottle called the Eco-Hero.

“One of my biggest ambitions for my project was wanting to help the world,” the confident young inventor said in a video on the website.

To bring her idea to life, Madison built upon the already established method by experimenting with common food materials. She also took inspiration from previous versions of eatable water bottles, though she focused on making hers bigger and more durable. She found that the combination of water, lemon juice, natural gum, and Alginic acid (褐藻酸) resulted in a gel pouch that wouldn’t break, could hold up to 3/4 cup of water, and would last in the fridge for three weeks.

Though she’d like to improve the Eco-Hero by making it able to hold more water, she believes her current version would work well as a replacement for the paper cups used by runners in races. All one needs to do is bite a hole in the water ball, drink the water, and then eat the pouch or throw it away to biodegrade.

Madison hopes the Eco-Hero inspires others to take better care of the planet. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be in a big way,” she told Smithsonian. “People can still make a difference in the world, even if it’s just in a small way.”

1. What inspired Madison’s design of an eatable water bottle?

A．Her school’s task.	B．Her family’s urge.
C．Her love for nature.	D．Her trips to the beach.

2. What can we know about the Eco-Hero?

A．It is a copy of the previous versions.

B．It is made from unbreakable materials.

C．It is an improvement in size and durability.

D．It has a hole and should be disposed once used.

3. Which of the following words can best describe Madison?

A．Ambitious and creative.	B．Talented and determined.
C．Courageous and confident.	D．Cooperative and committed.

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

A．A good beginning is half done.	B．Small people make big moves.
C．Where there is a will, there is a way.	D．God helps those who help themselves.

10 . Not all birds sing, but those that do—some several thousand species—do it a lot. All over the world, as soon as light filters over the horizon, songbirds start singing. They sing to defend their territory and to impress potential mates.

“Why birds sing is relatively well-answered,” says Iris Adam, a behavioral neuroscientist at the University of Southern Denmark. The big question for her was this: Why do birds sing so much? “For some reason,” Adam says, birds have “a crazy drive to sing.” This means hours every day for some species, and that takes a lot of energy. Plus, singing can be dangerous.

“As soon as you sing, you reveal yourself,” she says. “Like, where you are, that you even exist, where your territory is —all of that immediately is out in the open for predators, for everybody.”

In a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, Adam and her colleagues offer a new explanation for why birds take that risk. They suggest that songbirds may not have much choice. They may have to sing a lot every day to give their vocal muscles the regular exercise they need to produce top-quality song.

These findings could be related to human voices too. “If you apply the bird results to the humans,” says Adam, “anytime you stop speaking, for whatever reason, you might experience a loss in vocal performance.”

To figure out whether the muscles that produce birdsong require daily exercise, Adam designed a series of experiments on zebra finches —little Australian songbirds with striped heads and a bloom of orange on their cheeks.

Through these experiments. Adam’s conclusion is that “songbirds need to exercise their vocal muscles to produce top-performance song. If they don’t sing, they lose performance, their vocalizations get less attractive to females—and that’s bad.”

This may help explain songbirds’ constant singing. It’s a kind of daily vocal practice to keep their instruments in tip-top shape. It’s a good rule to live by, whether you’re a bird or a human—practice makes perfect, at least when it comes to singing one’s heart out.

1. What does Iris Adam try to figure out?

A．Why all the birds don’t sing.	B．Why songbirds sing so well.
C．Why songbirds sing so much.	D．Why birds have vocal muscles.

2. What do the underlined words “that risk” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Defending territory.

B．Impressing partners.

C．Singing all to death.

D．Threatening lives.

3. Which of the following agrees with Adam’s experiment conclusion?

A．Regular singing helps to exercise songbirds’ vocal muscles.

B．Songbirds have to sing their heart out to win their partners.

C．Zebra finches are born to have excellent vocal instruments.

D．Good vocal muscles are more attractive to female songbirds.

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

A．A New Study of Songbirds	B．The Way That Songbirds Sing
C．Practice Makes a Perfect Song	D．The Reason Why Birds Sing Much