1．宣传片中城市景点介绍设计；
2．推荐原因及创新点。
注意：1．词数100左右；
2．可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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2 . HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — officials in Canada’s Atlantic Coast province of Nova Scotia said Saturday a wildfire that forced thousands of people to leave their homes over the past week is now largely controlled because of rain.
David Steeves, a technician of forest resources, said the fire in the Halifax area is about 85% controlled, sits at 9.5 square kilometre and is unlikely to grow thanks to the firefighting efforts and long-awaited rain. The news was also good across the province, where Premier Tim Houston said the total number of active wildfires reduced from 10 in the morning to five by mid-afternoon. “If you step outside, you will see something beautiful, rain, and hopefully lots of it,” he told an afternoon briefing (简报).
The blaze that broke out Sunday in the Halifax area raced through a number of other places, burning up about 200 buildings — including 151 homes — and forcing the evacuation (疏散) of more than 16,000 people. Meanwhile, at the provincial wildfire centre in Shubenacadie, north of Halifax, about 20 Canadian Armed Forces soldiers stood in the pouring rain outside a light armored vehicle (装甲车). Lt. Col. Michael Blanchette said the soldiers had arrived on a “fact-finding task” to see what support was needed in the effort to fight the fires.
In Shelburne County, meanwhile, 6,700 people — about half the city’s population — remained out of their homes as the blaze that forced their evacuation continued to burn out of control.
Dave Rockwood, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resourees, said it remained to be seen that there would be no further growth and that firefighters could use more direct ways to control it. Two other fires which were considered out of control on Saturday morning were finally controled later in the day, he said.
1. What can we infer from the second paragraph?| A．Rain helps firefighting a lot. |
| B．Something beautiful can be seen in the rain. |
| C．Nova Scotia’s fire was the largest recorded one in history. |
| D．The total number of active wildfires in Nova Scotia was 15. |
| A．Rain. | B．Finding. | C．Task. | D．Fire. |
| A．Careful. | B．Positive. | C．Angry. | D．Frightened. |
| A．A research paper. | B．A diary entry. | C．A news report. | D．A disaster survey. |
1. Where is Mountain Kilimanjaro located?
| A．In America. | B．In Africa. | C．In Asia. |
| A．It is part of a mountain range. |
| B．It is the greatest nature wonder in the world. |
| C．It attracts people to see the glacier-covered (冰川覆盖的) peaks. |
| A．In 1889. | B．In 1973. | C．In 1987. |
| A．Nobody tries to climb it because of worse weather. |
| B．Disappearance of snow may be reducing the income of tourism. |
| C．Changing climate makes it disappear gradually. |
4 . Northern California holds a special place in the hearts of all hikers who have experienced this special portion of the country. Read on to choose your best potential hike.
Lassen Peak Trail
Don’t let the distance fool you. The 5-mile round-trip Lassen Peak Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park is hot and rocky, not suitable for people in poor health, especially with weak hearts. Hikers will gain a very great height as they reach the top of Lassen Peak. Though Mount Lassen last erupted in the 20th century, the volcano here is still technically active.
Yosemite Falls Trail
The hike along Yosemite Falls Trail offers amazing views of the falls and the surrounding valley. The falls are nothing short of breathtaking as they rise more than 2,000 feet above the valley floor, making it the highest falls in North America. Come here in the spring months to relax and see them.
Stout Memorial Grove (小树林) Trail
This trail is an absolute favorite among photographers thanks to its simple accessibility and the flat grove of well-lit precious redwoods. It also features bright green plants, fallen trunks and plenty of spots to relax among tall old trees. Although this hike is short, it usually doesn’t get too busy. Arrive early to secure a space as parking is limited.
Founders’ Grove Nature Trail
Located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Southern Humboldt County, the trail takes visitors to one of the most beloved valuable coastal redwood groves in California. The famed Avenue of Giants cuts through the grove at the center of an easy half-mile-long loop that’s well-marked and well-maintained, perfect for families and hiking beginners.
1. Which trail is the most physically demanding?| A．Lassen Peak Trail. | B．Yosemite Falls Trail. |
| C．Stout Memorial Grove Trail. | D．Founders’ Grove Nature Trail. |
| A．To take photos of plants. | B．To see volcanoes. |
| C．To enjoy the high waterfall. | D．To camp in the valley. |
| A．Famed avenues. | B．Free parking lots. |
| C．The rare tree species. | D．The half-mile-long hiking. |
5 . For some ant queens, the secret to long life might be a self-produced insulin (胰岛素) blocker. Ant queens are famously long-lived even though they shouldn’t be. Generally, animals that put lots of energy into reproduction sacrifice some time off their life. But ant queens produce millions of eggs and live an extraordinarily long time compared with worker ants that don’t reproduce.
Now, researchers have shown how one ant species pulls off this anti-aging great work. When queens of the species, Harpegnathos saltator (跳跃蚁), are prepared to reproduce, a part of what is called the insulin signaling pathway gets blocked, slowing aging. In a rare behavior for ants, when a queen H. saltator dies, some female workers begin competing in fights for the chance to replace her. These hopeful royals start laying eggs and then change into queen-like forms called gamergates (雌工虫). When a worker changes to a gamergate, her life length becomes five times as long as it was. But if she doesn’t end up becoming a queen and goes back to a worker, her lifetime shortens again.
The researchers researched this behavior in these ants. It turns out that H. saltator gamergates extend their lifetime by taking advantage of a split in the insulin signaling pathway, the chain of chemical reactions that drive insulin’s effects on the body. One branch of this pathway is involved with reproduction, while the other is linked to aging.
Examining patterns of gene activity, expert Yan and his colleagues found that gamergates have more active insulin genes than regular worker ants and, as a result, have increased metabolic (新陈代谢的) activity and physical development. But the secret sauce protecting the ants from the insulin’s aging effects appears to be what is called Imp-L2, which blocks the branch of the insulin pathway linked to aging. The branch involved in reproduction, however, remains active.
These results represent a leap forward in our understanding of extreme social insect lifetime, while also showing an anti-aging evolutionary adaptation that hasn’t been seen in the wild before.
1. How does the author begin the text?| A．By listing data. | B．By quoting a saying. |
| C．By asking a question. | D．By describing a phenomenon. |
| A．They live longer than before. |
| B．They rarely fight with each other. |
| C．They are resistant to become queens. |
| D．They are five times shorter than worker ants. |
| A．It may prevent ants from aging. |
| B．It may reduce ants’ metabolic activity. |
| C．It may regulate ants’ physical development. |
| D．It may protect ants’ reproductive capability. |
| A．Complicated. | B．Controversial. | C．Instructive. | D．Invalid. |
6 . Coral reefs in Florida have lost an estimated 90% of their corals in the last 40 years. This summer, a marine heat wave hit Florida’s coral reefs. The record high temperatures created an extremely stressful environment for the coral reefs, which are currently also experiencing intense coral bleaching (白化).
A coral is an animal, which has a symbiotic relationship with a microscopic algae (藻类). The algae gets energy from the sun and shares it with the coral internally. The coral builds a rock-like structure, which makes up most of the reef, providing homes and food for many organisms that live there. Coral bleaching is when the symbiotic relationship breaks down. Without the algae, the corals appear white because the rock skeleton becomes visible. If the bleaching continues for an extended period, the corals can starve to death without the energy.
Florida is on the front lines of climate change. It is also on the cutting edge of restoration science. Many labs, institutions and other organizations are working nonstop to protect and maintain the coral reefs. This includes efforts to understand what is troubling the reef, from disease outbreaks to coastal development impacts. It also includes harvesting coral spawn (卵), or growing and planting coral parts. Scientists moved many coral nurseries into deeper water and shore-based facilities during this marine heat wave. They are digging into the DNA of the coral to discover which species will survive best in future.
There are some bright spots in the story, however. Some corals have recovered from the bleaching, and many did not bleach at all. In addition, researchers recorded coral spawning. Although it’s not clear yet whether the larvae (幼虫) will be successful in the wild, it’s a sign of recovery potential. If the baby corals survive, they will be able to regrow the reef. They just have to avoid one big boss: human-induced climate change.
1. What does the underlined word “symbiotic” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Reliable. | B．Opposite. | C．Harmonious. | D．Contradictory. |
| A．The rock skeleton. | B．The microscopic algae. |
| C．The high temperatures. | D．The symbiotic relationship. |
| A．Transferring coral nurseries. | B．Growing and planting coral spawn. |
| C．Researching the DNA of the coral. | D．Figuring out the reasons for problems. |
| A．Identifiable. | B．Predictable. | C．Far-reaching. | D．Effective. |
7 . Ways to Save the Ocean
It’s no doubt that the ocean needs our help.
Still, however much we understand that reducing and recycling is not enough, small actions can help us save the ocean. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some simple actions we can all take to save the ocean.
Commit to a plastic-free lifestyle. So, in order to help save the ocean, many people are committing to a plastic-free lifestyle. The United Nations (UN) has even encouraged the public to think about how they deal with plastic and the ways they can live without it, or replace it:
Turn your food waste into compost (混合肥料). Composting food waste is an easy way to reduce methane (甲烷). Not only does compost reduce methane production, it can also help you fertilize your personal garden.
| A．Reduce your carbon footprints. |
| B．Use those reusable things in your daily life. |
| C．And try decreasing your food waste by shopping locally |
| D．Just remember: the fight for saving the ocean doesn’t end here. |
| E．Of course, there are many other essential organizations in the world. |
| F．It's likely that a lot of your self-care products contain damaging materials. |
| G．The best thing that you can do for the ocean is to join a movement to save it. |
8 . A powerful earthquake hit Morocco on Friday night, killing over 2,500 people and causing huge damage over a large area. The quake was one of the most powerful ever recorded in Morocco. It’s also the country’s deadliest earthquake in over 60 years. So far, the earthquake is reported to have killed over 2,680 people. It has injured over 2,500 others. The earthquake was especially dangerous because it happened at night, when people were asleep in their homes.
Marrakesh is a big city that’s popular with tourists. Many of its modern buildings seem to have survived the earthquake, but the old part of the city, Medina, was hit hard. It has buildings that are over 1,000 years old. Many of those buildings were demolished.
Outside of Marrakesh, the earthquake caused even more damage. In the Atlas Mountains, the earthquake’s center, there are many small villages, some of which were nearly destroyed.
Many of the people in the area live in simple houses made of mud bricks, which is a traditional way of building in Morocco. But it’s not strong enough to protect against earthquakes. Although the Moroccan government has laws that require buildings to be built more safely, these rules are often ignored.
Rescue workers have been working hard to save those affected by the quake. In larger cities, rescue efforts seem to be going well. But it has taken a lot longer for help to reach remote areas in the mountains. Many of these villages are difficult to get to. The earthquake caused landslides, blocking roads, and making these places even more difficult to reach. In some areas, phone and electrical service were also knocked out, leaving these places completely cut off. That means that the local people in some remote areas have had to deal with the situation on their own. In some areas, people have been digging through the broken stones or bricks with their hands, trying to find survivors. Many people are sleeping outside, unsure if their houses are safe.
Many outside countries have offered to help Morocco. Some countries have offered teams of experts; others have offered supplies.
1. What do we know about the earthquake in Morocco?| A．It only killed 2,680 people. | B．It occurred during the day. |
| C．It was the deadliest in recent decades. | D．It injured less than 2,500 people. |
| A．Destroyed. | B．Decorated. | C．Protected. | D．Constructed. |
| A．Necessary help from other countries for the quake-hit area. |
| B．The current serious situation faced by people in disaster areas. |
| C．Possible causes of the earthquake happening in Morocco. |
| D．Reasons why the earthquake caused so much damage in Morocco. |
| A．Rescue workers in big cities are in short supply. |
| B．Villagers in the quake-hit area try to save themselves. |
| C．Most of the houses in remote areas are reported safe. |
| D．Rescue workers can easily get in touch with mountain people. |
9 . Ocean temperature extremes are now normal, a new study reports. It has analyzed ocean surface temperatures for the past 150 years. It reveals that by 2019, 57 percent of the ocean’s surface was warming to temperatures rarely seen 100 years ago.
Ecologists wanted to learn how often modern extreme heat events occur. They also wanted to see how long they last. Kisei Tanaka was one of those ecologists. He now works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Tanaka teamed up with Kyle Van Houtan, who works at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The two analyzed monthly sea surface temperatures collected from 1870 through 2019. Then they mapped where and when extreme heat events had shown up, decade by decade.
By looking at monthly extremes instead of annual averages, the two found that over time, more and more patches (区域) of water were reaching extreme temperatures. Then, in 2014, the entire ocean hit a point of no return, Van Houtan says.
Heat waves harm ocean ecosystems. They can lead seabirds to starve... And animals—from fish and whales to turtles—may have to swim long distances in search of comfortable temperatures.
In May 2020, NOAA announced that it was updating what climates it now considered “normal”. These values are what the agency uses to put daily weather events in a historical context. The average values from 1991 to 2020 are now higher than those from 1981 to 2010, NOAA found.
Van Houtan says his new study shows extreme ocean warming is now the norm. Much discussion on climate change, he notes, has been about future events, and whether or not they might happen. But what the emerging data make clear, he says, is that extreme heat became common in our ocean in 2014. It’s a documented historical fact—not a future possibility.
1. Why did the ecologists conduct the research?| A．To prove what they had forecast. | B．To recognize the value of the data. |
| C．To update readers on newfound species. | D．To find out the trend of ocean record heat. |
| A．In paragraph 3. | B．In paragraph 4. |
| C．In paragraph 5. | D．In paragraph 6. |
| A．People’s lifestyle will be greatly affected. | B．It is a must to discuss the climate change. |
| C．Scientists must focus on historical events. | D．Ocean heat extremes are the new normal. |
| A．Nature. | B．Travel. | C．Business. | D．History. |
10 . People hate mosquitoes due to their blood-sucking tendencies. Scientists, too, are troubled by mosquitoes and have been researching ways to keep them away. A team of researchers from Virginia Tech in the US looked into different kinds of soap. They invited volunteers to test how four different soap flavors attract mosquitoes.
After analyzing the mosquitoes’ behavior, the researchers discovered several chemicals in the soap that can influence the mosquitoes’ “choice of food”. Two chemicals, one with the smell of coconut and the other with the scent (气味，香味) of flowers, can keep the insects away.
The team also found that what matters to mosquitoes is not just the chemicals, but rather the combination of chemicals with each person’s smell. For example, people who attract mosquitoes can be more attractive to them after using one type of soap. They can also repel (驱除) mosquitoes by using another kind of soap. The findings were “remarkable”, said senior author Clement Vinauger in a news release, adding that he would choose a coconut-scented soap to keep mosquitoes away.
How these insects manage to find humans has also made scientists curious. According to a new study published in Current Biology, researchers built a “canteen” for hundreds of mosquitoes. In the 20-by-20-meter facility, there were six pads that had the smell of different humans. The pads were heated to mimic sleeping humans. They found that the insects can track scents up to 60 meters. Also, mosquitoes are most attracted to a kind of chemical called carboxylic acid (羧酸), which is usually produced by bacteria on human skin. The smell of one participant wasn’t attractive to the insects, and researchers believed it was due to the person’s diet, which is a mainly plant-based food.
By analyzing the chemicals that either attract or repel mosquitoes, scientists are able to improve mosquito repellent (驱蚊剂). With more studies, scientists believe changing a person’s diet could one day make them “mosquito-proof”. This is especially beneficial for regions where mosquitoes carry diseases, such as malaria, CNN reported.
1. What did the researchers from Virginia Tech try to find out?| A．How many soap flavors attract mosquitoes. |
| B．What soap scents can help avoid mosquitoes. |
| C．Why mosquitoes prefer certain soap flavors. |
| D．What kind of people attracts mosquitoes most. |
| A．Human skin. | B．Grass. |
| C．Carboxylic acid. | D．Coconut. |
| A．People’s diet can account for mosquitoes’ bites. |
| B．Mosquitoes are attracted by each person’s smell. |
| C．The scent of flowers is most appealing to mosquitoes. |
| D．Using soap when washing is an effective way to keep mosquitoes away. |
| A．How to Kill Mosquitoes? | B．What Kind of Soap Is Most Useful? |
| C．Soap Science Beats away Bug Bites | D．Using Soap Is of Great Significance |
