1 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Who made the speaker interested in insects?

A．His father.

B．His schoolmates.

C．His teacher.

2. What did the speaker use to name butterflies?

A．Diaries.

B．Posters.

C．Paper.

3. What gave the speaker a surprise?

A．A blue butterfly.

B．White butterflies.

C．Many other insects.

2 . My family went to London for visiting specialists. The day before we _______ the ship, Father said goodbye gently to his five-year-old “friend”, an Australian cattle dog, Spider, who was loved by us all. Father’s friend Sandy kept him _______ while we were overseas.

Six weeks later, a _______ arrived from Sandy, giving my father the news that Spider had _______ just two weeks after we had sailed. I will always remember my father’s face _______ and his eyes filled with sadness as he read the letter. Sandy has _______ constantly on ABC radio and other local newspapers. _______ , the dog was never found later. Spider seemed to decide to _______ us elsewhere.

Finally, we made a _______. We sailed back and did everything that we could do ________ waiting. Several months passed but there was still no news concerning. My father took the ________ and kept looking for him.

One cold morning eight months after, my father had a call from an old lady who said she was putting food out “for a very old dog”. My father’s eyes were lighted up with ________. That was enough for my father to ________ immediately. When we arrived at the old lady’s house, she showed us the dog. It was Spider! My father did his special whistle (口哨) for Spider. “Woof!” he barked. Spider was capturing (捕捉) the ________ feeling that occurred when he first locked eyes with my father. To Spider, our ________ and love are the inspiration.

1.

A．sailed

B．parked

C．boarded

D．camped

2.

A．alive

B．away

C．accompanied

D．apart

3.

A．letter

B．story

C．service

D．test

4.

A．fallen ill

B．got stuck

C．lost life

D．run away

5.

A．confusing

B．shocking

C．moving

D．touching

6.

A．announced

B．advertised

C．posted

D．blogged

7.

A．Unfortunately

B．Luckily

C．Hopefully

D．Eventually

8.

A．attend to

B．take over

C．look around

D．search for

9.

A．decision

B．discussion

C．advice

D．plan

10.

A．as to

B．except for

C．instead of

D．due to

11.

A．lead

B．place

C．risk

D．pace

12.

A．silence

B．dissatisfaction

C．excitement

D．praise

13.

A．pulled up

B．drove off

C．stepped in

D．calmed down

14.

A．special

B．familiar

C．painful

D．empty

15.

A．expectation

B．creativity

C．generosity

D．determination

3 . 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。

Australia has lots of unique animals, but which animal is a symbol of the country? It has to be the kangaroo, as it has a wide distribution throughout the country. It’s     1     tough animal that has to survive in a difficult environment. Baby kangaroos weigh only two grammes     2     birth. They then find their way into their mother’s pouch to stay safe and warm. After they learn to jump, they     3     (gradual) spend less time with their mother and learn     4    (be) independent. Kangaroos can hit and kick very hard,so if you see some kangaroos, remember they ‘re not for petting!

Another unique animal in Australia is koala. Koalas are really quite cute, but the truth is, they are very sensitive creatures who can easily panic because of even small changes in their environment. They spend quite a lot of time     5    (eat), sleeping, and hanging onto tree     6    (trunk), so interaction with humans can cause them a lot of stress. Because of this, the government began to make laws against touching koalas.     7     you want to hold a koala, you have to go to certain licensed zoos     8     animal experts make sure that the koalas     9    (select) for each session are in a good state for human contact and that they     10    (handle) for only a limited time and on a limited frequency of occasions.

4 . Space X has launched the third test flight of its Starship spacecraft, the largest and most powerful rocket, ever built, which aims to carry astronauts to the moon and, eventually, to Mars. The 120-metre system, which weights about 5,000 tonnes when fully fuelled, took off from Space X’s spaceport, named Starbase, on the Gulf of Mexico in Boca Chica, Texas. It entered space several minutes later and the six Raptor engines powered it to its expected orbit.

Two previous attempts ended in the explosion of both the spacecraft’s 33-engine booster, nicknamed Super Heavy, and the cruise vessel, which is designed to eventually carry up to 100 astronauts. Stacked together, they stand at 10 metres taller than the Saturn V rocket that sent humans to the moon in 1969.

Space X is much more tolerant of risk than Nasa and has a flight-testing strategy that aims to frequently push its spacecraft prototypes to the limit, and, beyond. Its first Starship launch attempt lasted four minutes and, the second lasted eight, with the latter reaching space. The company says frequent flight testing will provide valuable data that will help it design and, develop a more robust rocket.

“Each of these flight tests continue to be just that: a test,” Space X said in a statement before the third launch attempt, in an apparent attempt to manage expectations in case the system exploded. “They aren’t occurring in a lab or on a test stand, but are putting flight hardware in a flight environment to maximize learning.”

The third flight aimed to conduct the first ever re-light of Space X’s signature Raptor engine while in space, open a payload door, and make a controlled re-entry of Starship in the Indian Ocean. Both the upper and lower segments of Starship are designed to eventually power themselves safely back to Earth for a soft landing so that they can be reused, which will be significantly cheaper than building entirely new parts for each mission.

Elon Musk, Space X’s billionaire founder, hopes Starship will be the first step on a human journey further into space that ever before. To do this, Musk intends to begin the colonization of Mars so that humanity can survive a planet-destroying event on Earth. Several other Starship systems are already in production for future tests. The company has announced longer term plans to use the spacecraft as a shuttle for commercial travel on Earth, promising trips from London to Tokyo in less than an hour.

1. What set the third test flight apart from the other two?

A．Being the first to make a controlled re-entry of Starship.

B．Being significantly cheaper than the other launches.

C．Being the first ever to enter the expected orbit.

D．Being the first starship spacecraft to enter the space.

2. What can be inferred from paragraph 3?

A．Space X’s first Starship launch attempt lasts eight minutes.

B．Both Space X and Nasa have a flight-testing strategy.

C．Space X’s first Starship travels farther than the second.

D．Space X will make the best of the frequent flight-testing data.

3. Which of the following is not the reason why Space X take a flight-testing strategy?

A．To manage expectations in case the system exploded.

B．To maximize learning in a flight environment.

C．To push its spacecraft prototypes to the limit, and beyond.

D．To protect the earth from being destroyed by disasters.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Space X will make Starship power itself back to Earth safely.

B．Space X will adjust the starship system and commercial travel.

C．Space X has launched the third test flight of its Starship spacecraft.

D．Elon Musk aims to carry astronauts to the moon and then to Mars.

5 . Wind turbines (风力发电机) work especially well out in coastal waters, where ocean winds can be very strong. Offshore wind farms cost more to build than onshore ones. Offshore equipment must be heavier than onshore equipment. It has to stand up to very heavy winds, big waves and strong currents. Sending people to install, operate and repair equipment at sea is costly. But once set up, offshore wind could pick up bonus tasks.

According to Haris Ishaq, an engineer at the University of Victoria in Canada, one of the best add-ons to wind farms is making hydrogen gas, which means making a clean power source in a clean way. A device called an electrolyzer (电解器) can split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolyzer needs fresh water, not salt water. To remove the sea salt, Ishaq’s team proposes removing the salt through a special technique, which is supposed to run on the electricity produced by the offshore wind farms.

Ishap’s group also proposes adding a second bonus task to wind farms—to capture (捕获) CO₂ from the atmosphere. Atmospheric CO₂ levels are higher than ever, resulting in a worsening greenhouse effect. A process called direct air capture, or DAC, can remove CO₂ from the air. The DAC devices need electricity to run. Fans move air across a solid material that captures CO₂ and releases everything else. When the solid material is heated to 100° Celsius, it releases the stored CO₂. The same solids can then be reused to grab more CO₂. The electricity made by wind turbines would power the devices’ fans and the electric boiler, to heat the carbon-collecting solid. To store the CO₂ released, Ishaq’s team proposes injecting it into a type of deep-sea rock. That rock reacts with the gas, turning it into more rock in 10 to 25 years.

Ishaq’s team modeled wind turbines, electrolyzers and DAC units on computers to confirm their proposed system is a good idea. The next step is to test a small version of this set up on a floating platform in the ocean.

1. Why are offshore wind farms built despite many difficulties?

A．They can serve better purposes.	B．They are money-saving.
C．They can be used longer.	D．They need little maintenance.

2. What is the second bonus task intended for?

A．Reducing greenhouse effect.	B．Testing an air-capturing process.
C．Exploring a kind of deep-sea rock.	D．Starting a hydrogen-collecting project.

3. What is the author’s attitude toward Ishaq’s team’s proposal?

A．Neutral.

B．Cautious.

C．Uncertain.

D．Approving.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Clean Energy Is Put into Better Use

B．Hydrogen Promises to Be The Energy of Tomorrow

C．Engineers Propose Add-ons to Offshore Wind Farms

D．Wind Turbines Work Especially Well Out in Coastal Waters

6 . Scientists say there has been a major drop in the population of leatherback sea turtles (乌龟) off the U.S. West Coast.

One recent study found a 5.6 percent yearly decrease in the population. Leatherbacks are massive sea turtles dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. The animals can grow up to 1.5 meters in length and weigh as much as 680 kilograms.

The leatherback sea turtles found along the U.S. Pacific Coast are actually born thousands of kilometers away, on beaches in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. The animals migrate (迁徙) 11,000 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean to mainly feed on jellyfish in waters off the U.S. West Coast. Then, they swim back.

Scott Benson is an ecologist with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries. “There are birds that go farther, but they fly. There’s a whale shark that might swim a little further, but it doesn’t have to come up for air,” he said.

Scientists say that if nothing changes, the leatherbacks could completely disappear from the U.S. West Coast within 30 years. The population drops are mainly blamed on international fishing activities, the destruction (破坏) of nesting grounds and climate change.

The animals can be killed when they get trapped in fishing equipment. Scientists say the population is also harmed because a lot of turtle eggs are removed from beaches.

Researchers say that while all the world’s leatherbacks are under pressure, the group that migrates for months across the Pacific faces the greatest threats.

NOAA launched an aggressive plan to save leatherbacks in 2015 and is set to release a new action plan this month. The plan is meant to persuade governments and international organizations to join efforts to save the turtles.

1. Which word best describes the present situation of the leatherbacks?

A．Promising.

B．Worrying.

C．Complex.

D．Unstable.

2. What do the leatherbacks mainly survive on?

A．Sea weed.

B．Other turtles’ eggs.

C．Little sharks.

D．Jellyfish.

3. Which period is the most dangerous for leatherbacks?

A．The period of migration.	B．The period of fishing activities.
C．The period of being on a beach.	D．The period of laying eggs.

4. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Entertainment.

B．Health.

C．Nature.

D．Education.

7 . Ten years ago, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb was on a reporting trip about wildlife conservation. When he was shown around some new animal crossing structures near, Missoula, these new bridges and tunnels intrigued him. He was attracted by these beautiful human-built structures and inspired to write a book. Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet has now been published.

Through expert interviews, in-depth research and convincing analysis, Goldfarh brings to life the deadly consequences our 40 million miles of roadways have had and are having on the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it. A million animals are killed by cars each day in the US alone. Road salt pollutes lakes and rivers. And there's the barrier effect-the steady stream of traffic that prevents animals from migrating (迁徙) all together and finding habitats. Goldfarb writes that noise pollution is the most worrisome among all the road's ecological disasters. Both the engine noise and the tire noise greatly impact ecological environment.

Figures on deaths and disruptions (扰乱) are disheartening, but Goldfarb vividly describes how scientists are actively working on meaningful improvements to help animals and roads better coexist, such as wildlife crossings, from passages in Canada's Banff National Park to the famous Liberty Canyon Overpass in Los, Angeles. Another example is that in India, they built a new highway through a tiger reserve so that animals can come and go underneath the lifted freeway. Of course, that made the project more expensive, but it's ecologically the right thing to do.

Crossings is a truly important and landmark book on a subject whose full impacts continue to be disregarded or underestimated in considering conservation efforts. The book is a sympathetic, heart-warming guide to exploring the issues of wildlife survival and our own.

1. What does the underlined word “intrigued” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Confused.

B．Blocked.

C．Satisfied.

D．Interested.

2. Which of the following is Goldfarb's biggest concern?

A．Road salt.	B．Roadkill.
C．Vehicle noises.	D．Endless traffic stream.

3. Why are the examples given in paragraph 3?

A．To bring shame on individual drivers.

B．To stress the effect of roads on wildlife.

C．To show humans' effort in animal protection.

D．To explain the necessity of creating wild reserves.

4. What does the author think of Goldfarb's book?

A．Vivid and touching.

B．Pessimistic and sharp.

C．Objective and critical.

D．Abstract and humorous.

8 . Wildlife conservation initiatives offer a meaningful way for individuals to actively participate in the protection of endangered species while gaining insights into how they can contribute to their preservation. For those passionate about wildlife, several programs present opportunities for involvement:

◆ Animal Rescue Project, South Africa:

Engage alongside experienced conservationists in Cape Town, solving the challenge of finding new homes for homeless dogs and cats. The project involves an animal hospital equipped to cater to their medical needs and an adoption center dedicated to finding them permanent homes. Due to financial constraints, the center relies heavily on volunteers to handle daily tasks and provide hands-on care for these animals.

◆ Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka:

Witnessing a decline in sea turtle populations due to various commercial activities, this project focuses on supporting hatcheries(孵化场) in their conservation efforts. Participation in the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Sri Lanka supports hatcheries in their conservation efforts, including providing financial assistance.Your participation not only aids in providing financial support to these hatcheries but also contributes to the sustainability of sea turtle populations.

◆ Wildlife Conservation Program, Australia:

Immerse yourself in activities such as animal care, facility maintenance, and enrichment tasks, offering an incredible opportunity to gain firsthand international work experience. This program also serves as an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful contribution while fostering connections with like-minded individuals from across the globe.

◆ Marine Conservation Program, Bali:

Set in Tianyar, where coral reef degradation threatens the ecosystem, this initiative aims to restore and conserve the reef to ensure a sustainable future for the local community and marine life.

1. What is the primary objective of the Animal Rescue Project in South Africa?

A．To provide medical care for injured wildlife.

B．To conduct research on endangered species.

C．To organize volunteer activities in Cape Town.

D．To rehabilitate and rehome stray dogs and cats.

2. How does participation in the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Sri Lanka contribute to the preservation of sea turtle populations?

A．By organizing awareness campaigns about marine conservation.

B．By establishing new habitats for sea turtles.

C．By providing financial support to local hatcheries.

D．By regulating commercial fishing activities.

3. What makes the Wildlife Conservation Program in Australia an attractive opportunity for participants?

A．The chance to explore the cultural heritage of Australia.

B．The opportunity to engage in international work experience.

C．The availability of luxurious accommodations for volunteers.

D．The focus on research projects studying various animal species.

9 . “There’s a little black woman walking, spraying (喷洒) stuff on the sidewalks and trees on Elizabeth and Florence...” he told the police. Her neighbor saw her spraying something on the sidewalks and trees and this made him worried. In the call to 911, he described the child as “a little black woman”.

Well, the “little black woman” was actually 9-year-old Bobbi Wilson, a young scientist. The fourth-grader had created her own insecticide (杀虫剂) to fight spotted lanternflies (斑衣蜡蝉). She came across the recipe on TikTok and had recently learned that the harmful species damages trees because they feed on their sap (树液). Bobbi was simply testing out her invention in her neighborhood when the police call was made.

“That’s her thing,” her mother Monique Joseph said. “She’s going to kill the lanternflies, especially if they’re on a tree. That’s what she’s going to do.” Bobbi’s 13-year-old sister, Hayden Wilson, also defended her, noting that Bobbi “was not only doing something amazing for our environment, but she was also doing something that made her feel like a hero”. Luckily, what happened didn’t influence Bobbi’s spirit and has led to some positive experiences for her.

She has since been recognized by several organizations for her environmental efforts. She has also been invited on special tours. One took place at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Another was given by the United States Department of Agriculture of New Jersey at a plant where they discussed lanternflies. But that’s not where her recognition ends! The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) honored Bobbi with their Sustainability Award for her work to save trees and fight lanternflies.

“We were excited that she was doing that,” Ann Marchioni of the ANJEC said. Ann added that the organization praises volunteers for being “hands-on” in their community. In addition to the award, she and her family got to visit with a group of black female scientists at Yale University. They showed her various labs and even invited her to donate lanternfly specimens (标本) for the university’s work.

1. What made the neighbor call the police?

A．A girl climbing trees.	B．A girl spraying something.
C．A girl littering the sidewalks.	D．A girl testing something dangerous.

2. How did Hayden Wilson feel about her sister’s behavior?

A．Ashamed.

B．Proud.

C．Shocked.

D．Relieved.

3. What kind of volunteers does ANJEC think highly of ?

A．Those whose donations help ANJEC.

B．Those who can do something creative in their university.

C．Those whose environmental awareness is quite impressive.

D．Those who can do something practical in their community.

4. Which of the following would best describe Bobbi?

A．Creative and determined.	B．Watchful and serious.
C．Friendly and generous.	D．Talkative and strict.

10 . A British company has proposed releasing a GM(genetically modified) strain of the diamondback moth (菱形斑纹蛾), which has been developed to help reduce the population of these vegetable-eating insects.

Male diamondback moths carrying a deadly gene would be released which would cause their off springs (后代) to die almost immediately. Then the fall in their numbers could help to increase crop yields for farmers.

Oxitec, the company which came up with the idea, hopes to begin trials next year but faces opposition from groups who say the untested technology could threaten wildlife and human health.

“Mass releases of GM insects into the British countryside would be impossible to recall if anything went wrong. Changing one part of an ecosystem can have knock-on effects on others in ways that are poorly understood. This could include an increase in different types of pests. Wildlife that feeds on insects could be harmed if there are changes to their food supply” said Dr Helen Wallace, the director of Gene-Watch UK, who has sat on government advisory bodies.

Hadyn Parry, Oxitec’s chief executive, said there was demand from farmers for the technology and that using GM insects to kill the pests that feed on food crops is better for the environment than chemical sprays. The firm, which is supported by grants from the taxpayer, is developing a number of GM insects that would be used in Britain and around the world to protect crops and combat disease in humans.

Oxitec has contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ask what controls, if any, should be put in place around GM moth trials. A spokesman said that while its officials and advisers have discussed Oxitec’s plans, there is yet to be a formal application for a trial. Consequently the department has not reached a view on whether it should go ahead.

1. People strongly object to the idea mainly because they think _______.

A．the technology won’t be as effective as chemical sprays

B．the technology may bring about knock-on effects on insects

C．the technology won’t be well controlled

D．the technology may not be good for wildlife and human health

2. What is Dr Helen Wallace’s attitude towards the idea?

A．Disapproving.

B．Positive.

C．Doubtful.

D．Not mentioned.

3. The underlined word “combat” in the fifth paragraph can be replaced by“_______”.

A．struggle

B．avoid

C．fight

D．contract

4. Which of the following can be learned from the text?

A．Oxitec still hasn’t formed any plans to control the trials.

B．Oxitec has decided to begin the trial this year.

C．Taxpayers will not continue to support Oxitec’s research.

D．Farmers prefer GM insects to chemical sprays.