1 . 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。

In a heartwarming turn of events, giant panda Fubao has finally returned home to China. Fubao was born in South Korea in July 2020 and quickly gained a     1    (mass) following due to its lovely appearance and appealing personality.

The journey to bring Fubao back to China was a long and challenging one, but it was made possible through the     2    (cooperate) of both Chinese and South Korean authorities. On April 3, Fubao boarded a plane from South Korea and arrived safely in Chengdu, China,     3     it belongs. There, it was greeted by a group of fans who were     4    (eager) waiting for its arrival.

Fans of Fubao have been visiting the Everland theme park in South Kore a every month to catch sight of     5     beloved panda. The Chinese media has been closely following Fubao’s journey back to China, with many netizens     6    (express) their excitement and happiness. Some have even gone so far as to set up advertisements     7     (welcome) Fubao back home.

Fubao will now be able to live in its natural habitat,     8    (surround) by other pandas and receiving the care and attention it     9    (deserve) . A special quarantine (隔离) area has been set up for Fubao at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where it can adjust     10     its new surroundings.

2 . Information from this year’s IQAir World Air Quality Report showed only seven countries met the World Health Organization’s pollution recommendations in 2023, which were Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand. Of the 134 countries and regions measured, 124 had higher levels than called for in the WHO pollution guidelines.

The report said the five countries with what it called the lowest air quality had particle (颗粒物) levels at least nine times higher than what the WHO recommends. Three South Asian countries — Bangladesh, Pakistan and India — had the world’s lowest air quality. In 2022, India was eighth and Bangladesh was fifth.

The information came from the Swiss company IQAir. The report used measurements from over 30,000 stations across 134 countries. IQAir used the WHO standard of PM 2.5 to measure the size of breathable pollutant particles in the air. The PM2.5 measurement means the particles are 2.5 microns (微米) or less in diameter (直径). The diameter of human hair, for example, is about 30 times larger than a particle of 2.5 microns.

In Bangladesh, the concentration of PM2.5 particles reached 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. In Pakistan, the number was 73.7. India’s level was 54.4, Tajikistan in Central Asia was 49 and Burkina Faso in West Africa was the fifth-most polluted nation at 46.6.

Firoz Khan, an air pollution expert at North South University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, said 20 percent of the early deaths in the country were caused by air pollution. He added spending on pollution-related healthcare was equal to four to five percent of the nation’s economy.

Christi Chester Schroeder oversees air quality science for IQair. She said South Asia’s geography and climate conditions influence its air quality. “The pollution has nowhere to go,” she added. “Because of agricultural practices, industry and population density, it really does look like it is going to get worse before it gets better.”

1. What can be inferred from the text?

A．Bangladesh’s air quality may have decreased in 2023.

B．India’s air quality was greatly improved in 2022.

C．Mauritius had the fifth-worst air quality in the world in 2022.

D．Pakistan’s air quality was the third-worst in the world in 2023.

2. Why does the author mention “human hair” in paragraph.3?

A．To demonstrate how to use hair products.

B．To offer suggestions to people with hair problems.

C．To emphasize the difficulty of measuring pollutant particles.

D．To explain the size of breathable pollutant particles in the air.

3. Which statement will Christi Chester Schroeder probably agree with?

A．Developing agriculture will help improve air quality.

B．Geographical conditions have little influence on air quality.

C．The future of air quality in South Asia does not look bright.

D．South Asian countries should try to increase their populations.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A report on global air pollution.	B．Plans to fight against air pollution.
C．The harm of air pollution to humans.	D．Advice on cutting air pollution.

3 . On one side of the room sits the cutest life-size stuffed animal (填充玩具) you’ve ever seen. On the other side rests a real dog — the same size, shape and even the same name as the stuffed version. You get to sit next to both of these furry friends and pet their fur. Guess which one will make your brain light up?

If you guessed the real dog, you’re right. Stuffed animals, as cute and lovely as they may be, just don’t effectively activate our frontal cortex (额叶皮层), the part of the brain overseeing how we think and feel, according to a new study published in the journal PLOSONE. The study found an even stronger rise in brain activity when the person petted the fur of a real dog versus a stuffed animal.

“We chose to research the frontal cortex because this brain area is involved in several executive (执行) functions, such as attention, working memory, and problem-solving. But it is also involved in social and emotional processes,” said study lead author Rahel Marti, a doctoral student in the division of clinical psychology at the University of Basel in Switzerland.

Why is this finding important? It provides additional evidence that live human-animal interaction therapy (疗法) may promote cognitive and emotional activity in the brain. Marti said, “If patients with deficits in motivation, attention, and socioemotional functioning show higher emotional involvement in activities connected to a real dog, then such activities could increase the chance of learning and of achieving treatment aims.”

“This is an interesting, seriously conducted study that provides new insight into associations between human-animal interaction and regional prefrontal brain activity in healthy adults. We found that brain activity increased when the contact with a real dog or a stuffed animal became closer. This confirms previous studies relating closer contact with animals to increased brain activity,” Marti said.

1. How does the author introduce the subject of the text?

A．By listing some figures.	B．By giving an example.
C．By setting a situation.	D．By analyzing a phenomenon.

2. Why did the researchers choose to study frontal cortex?

A．It is involved in several body parts.

B．It is the most important part of the brain.

C．It plays a key part in performing functions.

D．It provides evidence for live human-animal therapy.

3. What does the underlined word “deficits” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Styles.

B．Faults.

C．Adventures.

D．Sources.

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

A．What Petting A Dog Can Do For Your Brain?

B．Why A Pet Dog Is Important To A Person?

C．Which Part Of The Brain Is Involved In Emotion?

D．How Can A Patient Benefit From Petting A Dog?

4 . “Red tide” is a natural phenomenon that frequently occurs in many places around the world. The phenomenon is the result of extreme growth of tiny algae (海藻) called K. Brevis, which has a red color, giving the water surface a very noticeable red color. K. Brevis will give off chemicals that can attack the nervous systems of animals, which often leads to deadly results.

Florida citizens are no stranger to “red tide”, which occurs along the state’s Gulf Coast annually. However, the most recent outbreak of red tide has so far lasted much longer and spread across nearly 145 miles of the coastline in southwestern Florida.

The long season has caused the death of tons of fish and other animals which were washed up on the beaches all the way from Tampa to Naples. The smell of the dead animals has kept away thousands of locals and tourists that frequent the area’s long beaches. In view of that, in August, Florida declared a state of emergency for the seven places where K. Brevis has been growing quickly, providing $ 3 million to help with research, cleanup, and wildlife rescue.

Recently, the situation of red tide in Florida may be exacerbated due to an outbreak of algae Trichodesmium in the waters offshore of Manatee County. Trichodesmium floats on the water’s surface sucking nitrogen (氮) from the air while K. Brevis lives below the surface obtaining nitrogen from the water. If these two masses of algae mix, the dying Trichodesmium may end up providing nitrogen for K. Brevis, lengthening its stay in the area.

Researchers recently are exploring the idea of introducing other algal species to Florida. Among the possibilities is the Diatom. It’s a kind of algae that can grow quickly in the water. Its growth will consume a large amount of nitrogen from the water. So it competes with K. Brevis for nitrogen. Another possibility is algae known to give off chemicals that stop the growth of red tide.

The 10-month-long red tide outbreak in Florida may be the result of a combination of heavy rainfall, warmer ocean temperatures, and pollution. Now it’s time for us to do something.

1. What can we learn about K. Brevis?

A．It’s caused by red tide.	B．It can harm ocean life.
C．It’s facing dying out.	D．It exists mainly on land.

2. What’s Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The researchers’ study of algae.	B．The tourism potential in Florida.
C．The possible ways to deal with red tide.	D．The consequences of red tide in Florida.

3. What does the underlined part mean?

A．Worsened.

B．Studied.

C．Handled.

D．Ignored.

4. What’s the possible function of the algae Diatom?

A．To change the color of K. Brevis.

B．To help reduce K. Brevis’ food supply.

C．To damage K. Brevis using some chemicals.

D．To increase fishes’ resistance to K. Brevis’ attack.

5 . The hottest year on record is coming to a close, emissions of planet-warming gases are still rising globally, and the most ambitious climate goal set by world leaders is all but impossible to meet, according to a new analysis by the United Nations.

Between 2021 and 2022, global greenhouse gas emissions grew about 1%, the analysis finds. Emissions need to fall as quickly as possible to avoid catastrophic climate impacts such as uncontrollable sea level rise, unsurvivable heat in some areas and mass extinction of plants and animals.

Right now, the world is headed for at least 4.5℉ of warming this century compared to global temperatures in the late 1800s. It is assumed that countries will do everything they have currently promised under the Paris Agreement, including things that some governments have said they’ll only do if wealthy countries follow through on promises to help foot the bill, for example, helping to pay for renewable energy infrastructure in less wealthy nations. If such conditions aren’t met, the planet is headed for more than 5°F of warming, the analysis finds.

The new range is ever so slightly lower than predicted in last year’s analysis, which reflects the very slow progress that humanity is making on slowing emissions and controlling future warming. Even the lower end of the current projected temperature range — 4.5°F of warming — is extremely high. And the lower target is likely out of reach entirely at this point — a finding that is backed up by another recent study.

The new analysis emphasizes once again that controlling oil, gas and coal operations is key to controlling global warming. It finds that, if humans extract (提取) and burn all the oil, gas and coal currently in development worldwide, countries would collectively emit enough greenhouse gases to basically hit the higher temperature target under the Paris Agreement. That means all new oil, gas and coal extraction is essentially incompatible (对立的) with avoiding harmful warming later this century. Right now, many countries including the United States are still allowing new fossil fuel extraction.

1. What does the underlined word “catastrophic” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Limited.

B．Invisible.

C．Ruinous.

D．Controllable.

2. What is a worrying situation the world faces now according to the text?

A．Solutions to global warming aren’t clear.

B．The world is heading to a warmer future.

C．Countries are unwilling to make promises.

D．The temperature target is unrealistically high.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards the USA’s current move?

A．Indifferent.

B．Optimistic.

C．Cautious.

D．Critical.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A new analysis is calling for all the countries to reach an agreement.

B．Fossil fuel extraction control is far from a solution to pollution.

C．The huge impacts of global warming are predictable but uncontrollable.

D．The world is far behind on controlling planet-warming pollution.

6 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Which of the following is not part of the eco-car?

A．The air tank.

B．The luggage trunk.

C．The fuel pump.

2. Where is the speaker’s interest in the eco-car from?

A．His interest in light fiberglass.

B．His experience at a design fair.

C．His concern about the environment.

3. What’s the eco-car like?

A．It runs on regular fuel.

B．It’s quiet and safe.

C．Its body is made of steel.

7 . By now, we all know that the planet is facing more environmental disasters, with quick-to-disintegrate (快速瓦解的) fast fashion clothing and the industry that creates it a major reason. Need proof? Just look at the 60,000 tonne-mountain of poisonous and thrown-away clothing that is visible from space.

Now, France is taking steps to resist the supercharged way we consume clothes, with the country recently announcing it will pay all citizens a “repair bonus” for taking their clothes in to get fixed rather than throwing them in the bin.

Beginning in October, citizens who bring their clothes in for repairs will be able to claim back a € 6 to € 25 bonus, with the total payment depending on the complexity of the repair. All bonuses will be paid from a € 154 million sustainability fund the government has set aside for the next five years.

By calling on people to take their items to get fixed, the government hopes to cut fast fashion waste throughout the country and encourage customers to purchase more “virtuous” products. In other words: the government is begging you to fix your clothes, rather than continuously over-consuming the products of fast fashion sites like Shein or Boohoo.

“It could encourage exactly the people who have bought, for example, shoes from a brand that makes good-quality shoes or likewise good-quality ready-to-wear clothes to want to have them fixed instead of getting rid of them,” explained France’s junior ecology minister Bérangère Couillard, who announced the programme in Paris. “That is exactly the objective, to create a recycling economy for shoes and clothes so that products last longer, because in government we believe in the second life of a product.”

She also shared hopes that the programme will increase employment for French tailors and shoemakers. “The goal is to support those who carry out repairs,” she explained, while inviting all repair shops to join in the campaign for free.

1. What do people usually do with old clothes according to the text?

A．Throw them in the dustbins.	B．Mend them in the repair shops.
C．Donate them to those in need.	D．Put them away in the cupboard.

2. What does the underlined word “virtuous” probably mean in paragraph 4?

A．Fashionable.

B．Convenient.

C．Sustainable.

D．Comfortable.

3. What does Bérangère Couillard hope will be one of the results of the programme?

A．Reducing taxes on clothing repairs.	B．Encouraging the community economy.
C．Increasing sales for fast fashion brands.	D．Creating jobs for tailors and shoemakers.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．French repair shops serve people for free

B．France leads a new trend in fashion industry

C．France encourages citizens to mend clothes themselves

D．French repairing program pays people to reduce waste

8 . As the world faces extinction crisis and severe climate change, a growing body of scientific research has found that we should set aside more protected areas and manage them well.

Protected areas are extremely important for conservation and can help protect against habitat loss and other human activities. In many areas they may be the only places that can support the survival of some species.

Globally we’ve protected nearly 17% of our lands and 7% of the ocean, but a study published in Nature found that current protected areas on their own are too small or poorly connected to ensure the long-term survival of about half of all mammals studied — between 1,700 and 2,500 species.

If current protected areas don’t do enough, how do we do it better? The researchers suggest that first we need to increase the size and number of protected areas and improve the connectivity between them. But above all, they need to be managed with a clear understanding of the animals’ habitat needs.

In a recent research, after studying 1,500 protected areas with 27,000 waterbird populations in 68 countries, researchers found that areas that were actively managed for waterbirds — such as by preventing hunting or restoring wetlands — were more successful, and often those that were larger had better results, too.

If protected areas are well taken care of, we can not only protect biodiversity (生物多样性) but also achieve other benefits. One of those benefits is to avoid runaway climate change. As we know, the earth is becoming warmer and warmer. Protecting 30% of lands could provide one-third of the reductions needed to limit global warming emissions to under 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Of course, this work won’t be easy. The next step, according to researchers, is to promote understanding and communicating the multiple benefits of increasing protected areas, and drive more support from government and local communities.

1. Why are protected areas of great importance?

A．They contribute to conserving wildlife.

B．They can influence the researches of scientists.

C．They are the only places for species to survive.

D．They strengthen the animal-human relationship.

2. What’s the most important in managing protected areas?

A．Increasing animal species.

B．Connecting with nearby areas.

C．Enlarging the size of protected areas.

D．Knowing the animals’ habitat needs well.

3. What can we infer from Paragraph 5?

A．Protected areas helped avoid severe climate.

B．Suitable measures brought about better results.

C．Waterbirds were protected well in protected areas.

D．Restoring wetland was the best protection for waterbirds.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．Measures to be taken.

B．Responsibilities of governments.

C．Benefits to be gained.

D．Support from local communities.

9 . Chinese material scientists have found the soil on the moon may potentially be able to generate oxygen and fuel, a finding that means more possibilities of humans to use lunar resources to further exploration of the moon and beyond.

The researchers at Nanjing University showed that the lunar sample brought back by China’s Chang’e-5 contains active compounds (化合物) that can change carbon dioxide into oxygen and fuel. Initially, they hoped to design a system that took advantage of lunar soil and solar radiation, the two rich resources on the moon, according to a study published on Thursday in the journal Joule.

After analyzing the Chang’e-5’s lunar soil, the team found the sample contained metal-rich substances, which could work as a catalyst (催化剂) to make oxygen using sunlight and carbon dioxide. The team proposed a strategy using lunar soil to electrolyze water from the moon and the astronauts’ life support system into oxygen and hydrogen. The process was powered by sunlight. The carbon dioxide breathed out by moon inhabitants can be collected and combined with hydrogen to produce the fuel, also catalyzed by the lunar soil, according to the study. The researchers said with this method, no external energy apart from sunlight would be used to produce oxygen and fuel to support life on a moon base.

“We use the environmental resources to minimize rocket payload, and our strategy provides a scenario for a sustainable and affordable living environment for life out of the Earth,” said the paper’s first author Yao Yingfang from Nanjing University, expressing his assumption.

“The challenge lies in the fact that catalytic efficiency of lunar soil is lower than catalysts on the Earth,” said the researchers. They are testing different approaches in order to improve the design. The team is looking for an opportunity to test the system in space with China’s future manned lunar missions.

1. What is the main implication of Chinese scientists’ discovery of the moon’s soil?

A．The moon is rich in rare elements.	B．Lunar soil can be used for exploring space.
C．The moon can be lived on by human beings.	D．Lunar soil is a new renewable energy source.

2. What did the researchers work on according to paragraph 3?

A．The process of the sun producing light.

B．The analysis of China’s Chang’e-5’s work.

C．The supportive method producing metal-rich substances.

D．The sustainable living strategy employing lunar resources.

3. What does the underlined word “scenario” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Profession.

B．Contract.

C．Vision.

D．Sponsor.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The discovery of active compounds on the moon.

B．The testing approaches to improving the lunar soil.

C．The research on the environmental system of the moon.

D．The study of using lunar soil for oxygen and fuel production.

10 . There is nothing like a coast redwood. It is the planet’s tallest tree, soaring to heights of more than 320 feet into the sky. They have trunks that are more than 27 feet wide and can live for over 2,000 years. Some of the gentle giants living today were alive during the time of the Roman Empire.

Before the mid-19th century, coast redwoods spread throughout a range of some 2 million acres along the California coast. People had been peacefully co-existing with the forests forever. But with the gold rush came the logging (伐木作业); and today only 5 percent of the original old-growth coast redwood forest remains along a 450-mile strip of coast. And as the planet warms up, the specific conditions required by the redwoods change; their future doesn’t look so great. Animals can migrate north to escape the south’s warming temperatures; trees, not so much.

But with David Milarch on the case, maybe they can. In 1991, Milarch literally died from a life-threatening illness, before being revived and springing back to life. There’s nothing like a near-death experience to inspire a new course in life, as was the case with Milarch. His new quest? To harvest the genes of the coast redwoods and give them an assist in migration.

“I feel sorrow that 95 percent of them were killed and we didn’t even know what they do to strengthen our ability as human beings to live on this planet,” says Milarch. “We killed them. That’s the bad news. To put back every single tree that was cut down and killed. And I’m going to do it. ” By cloning and replanting them in places where they once thrived (繁荣) but were lost, he is not only increasing their numbers but planting them in locations where they have a better chance of longevity. And the result is two-fold: Save the trees and save the planet for humankind. Redwood trees are among the most effective carbon sequestration (碳封存) tools in the world.

1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?

A．A brief introduction of redwoods.	B．The information about our planet.
C．The history of the Roman Empire.	D．The special height of the redwood.

2. What destroyed the redwoods along the California coast?

A．The warming climate.	B．The overcutting.
C．The ocean disaster.	D．The worsening soil condition.

3. What inspired Milarch to revive the redwood?

A．His love for plants.	B．His concern on global warming.
C．His surviving experience.	D．His study on the genetics of the redwood.

4. What did Milarch focus on when cloning the redwood?

A．The animals which live nearby.	B．The effective tool used to plant trees.
C．The places where the trees grow.	D．The amounts of water trees need.