1 . How to Create the Perfect Spring Planter

Spring containers are an easy solution for jazzing up (给……带来活力) a colorless balcony and boring corners of any garden at this time of year.     1     .

Choosing the right container is important. Always think about the style of your garden.     2    . They are solid pots for spring as they don’t blow over in those early spring winds. Check that pot has a large drainage (排水) hole to ensure that the soil absorbs well, but always cover it with a crock (like a piece from a broken flower planter) so that the soil doesn’t block the hole and create problems with drainage later down the line.

Choosing the right compost (堆肥) is the key to the success of any planting. I think it’s best to use soil-based compost so that the soil does not become too heavy or waterlogged, especially in spring when we could have plenty of showers.     3    . And too much water in the soil will freeze, preventing the plants from taking up the vital water.

Plant combinations are important, so always think about mixes which will last as well as annual and pernnial (常年的) ones.     4    .A bunch of pots force the eyes to look around and take in each pot and plant combination. A nice option is planting summer flowers like Dahlia or Lily to create a summer impact.

    5    . It can be achieved by using tall plants. If you don’t have a tall plant when you can always raise your pot off the ground with old house bricks or decorative pot feet, or use steps in your garden to create interest and drama.

A pleasant smell is always a lovely addition to a space along with wildlife. Select the right plant for your location in your garden – sun or shade-loving.

A．I like good, heavy and steady planters.

B．It can still be frosty right up to May.

C．And besides, they are easy to care for.

D．I also like to group pots together to match up with their surroundings.

E．Make use of those variations to help choose companions.

F．You may find some of these plants in smaller pots or even multi-packs.

G．Height is important to think about when you’re designing your arrangement.

2 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man’s task at the shelter?

A．Managing adoption.

B．Maintaining shelters.

C．Feeding and attending to animals.

2. What makes Max Kevin’s favorite animal in the shelter?

A．His enthusiasm.

B．His friendliness.

C．His sweetness.

3. How has volunteering at the shelter affected the man?

A．He’s become less social.

B．He’s more responsible.

C．He’s more optimistic.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What made the speaker excited in Yunnan?

A．A bird wave.

B．A pleasant sound.

C．A long-desired bird.

2. What happened to the speaker in Sweden?

A．He saw an ordinary bird.

B．He was cheated by other bird watchers.

C．He took a photo of a rare bird.

3. What is a benefit of bird watching according to the speaker?

A．Enriching people’s spiritual life.

B．Showing the beautiful environment.

C．Raising awareness of protecting nature.

4 . The green, natural forest absorbs carbon dioxide from the air through photo- synthesis (光合作用). There is another way of dealing with the climate crisis. That is setting up fields of dark-colored solar panels (太阳能电池板), also known as “solar forests”, which replace power stations that use fossil fuels such as coal and gas to make electricity, thus mitigating harmful emissions (排放) of greenhouse gases.

But since they are both relatively dark, they absorb a lot of solar radiation. Some of the energy is used for photosynthesis in natural forests or to produce electricity in “solar forests”, but most returns to the atmosphere, heating it up. Then what would be the more effective land use option in terms of the climate crisis: planting a forest, or building solar panels? This issue has long been debated by decision-makers around the world. Now, we may have an answer, thanks to a new study.

First, the researchers compared the impact of a forest on the climate crisis in a dry area to that of a solar farm in a similar environment. The researchers found that the albedo effect (反射效应) of both of these “forests” was similar, but that the absorption or prevention of carbon emissions was very different. It turns out that it takes 2.5 years for the heat emitted by solar farms to be balanced by the carbon emissions that are avoided, thanks to the energy they produce. In the case of a natural forest of similar size, it would take more than 100 years of photosynthesis to balance its heating effect.

The researchers also studied how the heating-cooling relationship changed in other climates and found that in more humid environments, the heating effect of planting large numbers of trees is smaller. And the break-even point is reached within 15 to 18 years.

“In dry places, building solar forests seems far more effective in addressing the climate crisis. Meanwhile, forests absorb about a third of annual carbon emissions and play a vital role in the global rain cycle, in maintaining biodiversity and in many other environmental and social contexts. Preventing them from being cut down and planting more trees in humid areas are of great significance,” explains one of the researchers in the study.

1. What does the underlined word “mitigating” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Releasing.

B．Decreasing.

C．Generating.

D．Stabilizing.

2. What is the root cause of the long-running debate over the two types of forests?

A．They cause much damage to the land.

B．They result in a serious loss of farmland.

C．They contribute to the warming of the atmosphere.

D．They lose energy during the absorption of solar radiation.

3. What did the researchers find in the study conducted in the dry environment?

A．The natural forest exhibits a stronger albedo effect.

B．The solar forest can generate more energy in dry areas.

C．The solar forest is superior in balancing the heating effect.

D．The natural forest is more effective in solving the climate crisis.

4. What can be concluded from the last paragraph?

A．More trees should be planted in dry regions.

B．More methods should be adopted to address the climate crisis.

C．Fields of solar panels should be set up everywhere on the earth.

D．Building solar panels and planting trees should be effectively combined.

5 . As I was standing in a long line to get into the grocery store waiting to buy fruits and vegetables, I realized I could turn my backyard into a garden.     1     Here are several expert tips to help you break ground on your garden.

Before you start your work, think about the space you’re changing. Is your space a yard? A rooftop? How much sunlight does it get? Watch out for the temperature and find out which plants adapt well in your region.     2    

Set the stage with healthy soil. It’s full of billions of bacteria and helps plant roots grow. Then consider the structure of the soil. Different plants require different soil.     3     Tomatoes want more clay for keeping water.

    4     The decision depends on your preferences, space, what you’re growing and your budget. Stay away from containers that have been used for poisonous materials. They can bring chemicals into the soil as they break down from sunlight.

Should I plant seeds or transplants? In general, a seed is like a baby. It needs tons of care, but not everyone knows how to get it to survive. Transplants are for starters.     5     They still need your love but they’re not going to fall down and kill themselves.

With a little planning, I was able to watch three adorable baby trees take root in my yard. One of them recently had its first fruit — sweet little peaches. The yard has totally transformed too.

A．It used to be a junkyard.

B．Just create a vision based on your location.

C．You can start a garden in pots or containers.

D．You can buy your garden soil at a hardware (五金) store.

E．It enables me to grow my own food and save waiting time.

F．Carrots want sandier soil, so their roots can more easily grow.

G．They are plants that are a few inches high grown in small pots.

6 . Samarkand in Uzbekistan hosted an important intergovernmental conference on how to stop the slow spread of degraded (退化) land. Between 2015 and 2019, the world lost at least 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land a year, according to an analysis for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Human activities—including destroying forests and agricultural practices — and climate change are among the main causes.

115 countries reported ahead of the meeting on three measures for restoring degraded land and soil: protecting the area used for agriculture or covered by forests or wetlands; increasing the ability of land to support and sustain life, retaining above-and below-ground stocks of carbon. Reaching the target of “land degradation neutrality (土地退化中性)” by 2030 means reversing a negative trend: the global share of land that is degraded increased from 14.7% in 2015 to 18. 9% in 2019.

Yet there are some important signs of hope amid a mostly bleak prospect. The analysis enables countries to understand land degradation at a more granular (细致的) level than before. And the UNCCD’s science teams helped to train researchers in some of the most-affected countries, so that local scientists and policymakers could do the work themselves. And some countries are moving in the right direction. In Ecuador, for example, the area of land classed as degraded went from 21.9% to 12.8% between 2015 and 2019.

Land degradation is not a priority on the world’s environmental agenda. Although the UNCCD has the same status as the UN conventions on climate change and biodiversity, unlike them it does not have an autonomous body that provides independent scientific advice. Restoration projects also receive much less international funding.

This funding gap illustrates just how little priority is given to restoring land and preventing further countries are providing data. These nations, especially high-income countries, should start reporting degradation. Yet the latest analysis shows what can be done even with limited resources. But not all their plans and actions, to raise the profile of land degradation.

1. Which of the measures is mentioned before the conference?

A．Developing more forests or wetlands.

B．Increasing industrial productivity.

C．Making people support their life.

D．Keeping the stocks of carbon.

2. What does the underlined word “bleak” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Dark.

B．Interesting.

C．Wonderful.

D．Reasonable.

3. What does paragraph 4 mainly talk about?

A．The land degradation is serious nowadays.

B．Land degradation isn’t sufficiently prioritized.

C．The biodiversity deserves more attention.

D．More funds are obtained for the restoration project.

4. What can rich countries do about the land degradation?

A．Provide funding to support relevant projects.

B．Help other countries to collect and analyze data.

C．Start reporting their own schedules and actions.

D．Stop land degradation in their countries completely.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How did the man get the cat?

A．He bought him from a pet store.

B．He got him from his neighbour.

C．He found him on the street.

2. How old was the man when the cat saved his life?

A．35.

B．36.

C．40.

3. Where did the man’s wife find him?

A．In the bedroom.

B．In the dining room.

C．In the bathroom.

4. What can we know from the conversation?

A．The man has heart trouble

B．The cat woke the man up.

C．The woman doesn’t like pet.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What will the weather be like tomorrow afternoon?

A．Sunny.

B．Snowy.

C．Rainy.

2. What does the woman advise the man to do?

A．Visit his friends another day.

B．Stick to his plan.

C．Stay at home.

3. How does the woman hope to spend her Saturday?

A．Training.

B．Relaxing.

C．Learning.

4. Where are the speakers?

A．In Birmingham.

B．In Worcester.

C．In London.

9 . As a mushroom scientist, you are vastly outnumbered, with estimates suggesting that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi (真菌), the majority of which are yet to be identified. However, professionals in the field are not alone in their efforts to uncover new species. An enthusiastic community of amateurs has emerged, bridging the gap between professionals and non-professionals. These amateurs have even made significant discoveries. One such amateur is Taylor Lockwood, a 74-year-old mushroom enthusiast and professional photographer.

In 1984, while living on the Mendocino coast of California, Taylor Lockwood developed a fascination with mushrooms. “Outside my cottage were these amazing mushrooms,” he says. “And it was as if these mushrooms looked at me and said, ‘Taylor, go out and tell the world how pretty we are.’” Lockwood answered their call and purchased camera equipment to capture their true nature. His passion for photographing mushrooms was so intense that he would even dig holes next to the mushrooms to get the perfect angle for his shots.

In the Monongahela National Forest, Taylor Lockwood discovered an unusual mushroom that looked like tiny fingers wearing off-white gloves. Upon deeper investigation, fungi researcher Amy Rossman confirmed that it was a “hazel glove” mushroom, which is a rare find. “Mushrooms are not like plants,” Rossman says. “They don’t come up at the same time every year, and so sometimes it can be decades between when a fungus fruits.” Rossman says that’s why it’s so valuable to have people like Taylor Lockwood searching through the forest with a trained eye.

A few years ago, Taylor Lockwood realized that still photos weren’t sufficient, so he chose to create time-lapse (延时拍摄的) videos of mushrooms. “When I do time-lapse, I see so much life happening around the mushrooms—insects, worms and other small creatures interacting with them,” he says. Lockwood’s love for art is evident in his approach to filming mushrooms over time. Although he appreciates the scientific aspect of his work, he identifies himself as an artist at heart.

1. What can we learn about mushroom amateurs from paragraph 1?

A．They keep close track of the growth of fungi.

B．They help identify new species of mushroom.

C．They replace professional scientists in the field.

D．They classify the majority of mushroom species.

2. What inspired Lockwood to photograph mushrooms?

A．His desire for knowledge.

B．His curiosity about nature.

C．The beauty of nearby mushrooms.

D．The appeal of outdoor photography.

3. Which of the following best describes Lockwood according to paragraph 3?

A．Skilled and observant.

B．Focused and flexible.

C．Talented and optimistic.

D．Organized and responsible.

4. Why did Lockwood decide to make time-lapse videos of mushrooms?

A．To improve his photography techniques.

B．To capture dynamic life in an artistic way.

C．To collect biological data for deeper research.

D．To use a new approach to scientific studies.

10 . A dog can be a person’s best friend, or so the theory goes. But that relationship can be tested when a dog begins barking at an empty comer of a room, at a door, or anywhere where there doesn’t appear to be any activity at all taking place. Is the dog hallucinating? Is it communicating with ET? Or does it simply want to drive its owner crazy?

According to the American Kennel Club, the most common explanation for dogs’ barking without reasons is that it’s not really unprompted at all. Dogs are, obviously, equipped with superior hearing, including the ability to detect sounds that are higher in pitch. It is said a dog could be reacting to a noise that a person wouldn’t be able to hear. If a dog barks seemingly for no apparent reason at night, it might be because the noise nearby is lessened and some barking of other dogs become more clearly. Because dogs are territorial, one dog barking can turn into many others to guard themselves.

Dogs are also able to see better in the dark than humans thanks to their ability to get more light into their retinas (视网膜). If a dog is reacting to what looks to you like an empty backyard at night, it’s possible that something has caught their attention, be it a wild animal, a leaf, or a stranger.

That’s not to say that dogs only bark because of their cute senses. Some dogs might bark out of boredom in which case more exercise or play time is probably needed. They might also be trying to get their owner’s attention.

The AKC recommends that owners avoid scolding their dogs for barking, since they’re simply trying to remain alert, instead, you can try calming the dog to let them know you’re aware of their concern. If they tend to bark while gazing out a window, you can also try to pull the curtains. If you suspect the source is an audio cue, some white noise, like a television or radio can help.

Less often, chronic barking might be a sign of cognitive issues. If barking is persistent and no fugitive is hiding out in your bushes, then you might consider a trip to the vet.

1. According to the passage, which factors won’t make dogs barking at nothing?

A．Its madness.

B．Its visual sense.

C．Its acute hearing.

D．Its boredom.

2. What can we learn from Paragraph 2?

A．A dog barks in order to make friends with other dogs.

B．The surrounding noise being lessened will make a dog frightened.

C．A dog can react to a noise as acutely as a person.

D．A dog always has the awareness of its domain.

3. What should the owner do with the dog’s barking from the AKC’s recommendation?

A．Leaving it alone.	B．Scolding it seriously.
C．Comforting it.	D．Playing some soft music.

4. This passage is probably taken from?

A．an experiment report	B．a mental discovery
C．a school textbook	D．a science fiction