1 . 阅读下面两篇短文，根据其大意，从方框中选择适当的短语，并用其正确形式填空。

in addition     turn one’s back     break down     a variety of          live in harmony     run out     maintain friendships     be concerned with

A

Friendship clubs provide a platform for people to take part in     1     social activities, such as group outings, shared hobbies, and interactive events. They help to bring together like-minded individuals who are seeking to make new friends.     2    , joining a friendship club is also beneficial for people to     3     through face-to-face interaction.

B

Nature is our home. Humans and other living things on the planet couldn’t survive without the resources that come from nature. We should take care of our “home” before it’s too late. If we keep overusing and destroying nature, it will finally    4     on us. We should try our best to     5     with nature.

2 . 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

    1     the night of July 28, 1976, one of the greatest earthquakes in the twentieth century hit Tangshan, Hebei. Strange things were happening, but people thought little of the       2     (warn). Then, at 3:42 a. m., the earth shook

Nearly a       3     (three) of China felt it. In less than one minute Tangshan was in ruins and more than 400,000 people were killed or injured. In the afternoon came another quake. Even more building     4     (fall) down. People began to wonder if the disaster would end.

3 . Laughing together is an important way for people to connect and bond. And though the causes of laughter can vary widely across individuals and groups, the sound of a laugh is usually recognizable between people belonging to different cultures.

But what about animals? Do they “laugh”? And are the causes of animal and human laughter alike? In humans, people may laugh when they hear a joke, or when they see something that they think is funny, though it’s unknown if animals’ intelligence includes what humans would call a sense of humor.

However, many animals produce sounds during play that are unique to that pleasant social interaction. Researchers consider such vocalizations to be similar to human laughter. Recently, scientists investigated play vocalization to see how common it was among animals. The team identified 65 species that “laughed” while playing — most were mammals (哺乳动物), but a few bird species demonstrated playful laughter too. Reports of playful laughter were notably absent in studies describing fish, perhaps because there is some question as to whether or not play exists at all in that animal group. This new study could help scientists to analyze the origins of human laughter.

But how can we identify play? Unlike fighting, play is usually repetitive and happens independently of other social behaviors, said lead study author Sasha Winkler, a doctor of biological anthropology at the University of California. When it comes to identifying it, “you know it when you see it,” Winkler told Live Science. One sign is that primates — our closest relatives — have a “play face” that is similar to the expressions of humans who are playing.

When Winkler previously worked with rhesus macaques, she had noticed that the monkeys panted (喘气) quietly while playing. Many other primates are also known to vocalize during play, she said, so a hypothesis (laughter in humans is thought to have originated during play) supported by the play-related panting laughter of many primate species was put forward.

People now still laugh during play, but we also integrate laughter into language and non-play behaviors, using laughter in diverse ways to express a range of emotions that may be positive or negative. Human laughter notably differs from other animals’ laughter in another important way: its volume. People broadcast their laughter loudly, often as a way of establishing inclusion. By comparison, when most animals laugh, the sound is very quiet — just loud enough to be heard by the laugher’s partner.

“It’s really fascinating that so many animals have a similar function of vocalization during play,” Winkler told Live Science. “But we do have these unique parts of human laughter that are also an important area for future study."

1. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To explain causes of animal and human laughter.

B．To assess complexities regarding animal laughter.

C．To present findings on the existence of animal laughter.

D．To analyze differences between animal and human laughter.

2. What can we learn from this passage?

A．Animal laughter is even noticeable in fish.

B．Animal laughter is hard to recognize during play.

C．People have learned to combine play with laughter.

D．People laugh loudly because they want to involve others.

3. What is probably the focus of future study on laughter?

A．Distinctive features of human laughter.

B．Different functions of animal laughter.

C．The origin and development of human laughter.

D．The relationship between animal laughter and intelligence.

4 . As a shift in the polar vortex (极地涡旋) swept across much of the US, many people in the country were hit with a sudden snap of cold. Heavy ice and snow coupled with fallen trees caused the outages in major cities, with companies unable to tell their customers when power will be restored.

Polar vortices were noticed long ago. But the first known use of the term “polar vortex” was in a magazine in 1853. Polar vortices are present year-round, but we don’t hear about them until they cause problems. They maintain freezing temperatures at the North and South poles by moving in tight counter-clockwise patterns. Polar vortices grow stronger in winter and weaken in summer. They are kept in place at the poles by another atmospheric current called the jet stream. However, when the jet streams weaken, the cold winds of the polar vortex are pushed southwards and it is during this time that people begin to pay attention!

In Texas, roads froze over, causing six traffic deaths, and many schools were shut-down. People are not the only Earthlings to struggle with the cold. Crops and animals are also freezing. This could have major consequences, especially if herds of cattle die. If snow blocks cattle, the animals can’t reach basic necessities like food and fresh water.

On a brighter note, some Texas cities were more prepared than others. For instance, Amarillo, which is located in North Texas, so they are more accustomed to colder temperatures. Amarillo is notable because the city was redesigned to stand up to severe winter storms. Officials have spread out fire stations to increase coverage of first responders, employed modified dump trucks for clearing ice, and upgraded civic centers to provide shelter during storms. Hopefully, other Texas cities will follow the good example set by Amarillo!

1. What does the underlined word “outages” refer to?

A．Traffic jams.	B．Power struggles.
C．Power cuts.	D．Traffic accidents.

2. What can we learn about polar vortices?

A．They grow stronger in summer.	B．They are affected by jet streams.
C．They were first observed in 1853.	D．They move in a clockwise direction.

3. What is the last but one paragraph mainly about?

A．The definition of the polar vortex.	B．The characteristics of the polar vortex.
C．The ways to deal with the polar vortex.	D．The serious impact made by the polar vortex.

4. Why is Amarillo striking?

A．Because it is located in the north of Texas.

B．Because it has been upgraded and modernized.

C．Because it has been regarded as an example to other cities.

D．Because it has taken effective measures to resist winter storms.

5 . 课文背诵检测

In the 1400s and 1500s, Peru was the centre of the powerful ancient Inca Empire. The Inca emperor lived in the     1     Machu Picchu. Spain took control of Peru in the 16th century and ruled until 1821. It is for this reason that Spanish is the main     2     of Peru.

Michael Jordan, known as “Air Jordan”, changed basketball with his graceful moves and jumps. His skills were impressive, but the     3     that he showed made him unique.

Tangshan started to revive itself and     4    . With strong support from the government and the     5     of the city’s people, a new Tangshan was built upon the earthquake ruins.

6 . Ocean heat waves — defined as periods of extreme temperatures lasting five days or more — have become increasingly common in recent decades. In fact, as a new study published in Nature Climate Change finds, Earth’s number of annual ocean heat wave days increased by around 54 percent between 1987 and 2016, with abnormally high temperatures not only occurring more frequently, but also lasting for longer periods of time.

Underwater heat waves pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, which are already at risk due to issues including overfishing and widespread plastic pollution. Sweeping through oceans much like wildfires blaze through forests on land, extreme temperatures exact damage on foundational organisms such as kelp forests, seagrass meadows and coral reefs. Given that these framework species provide shelter and food to many other ocean creatures, the study’s authors warn that such destruction will likely have cascading consequences for marine biodiversity.

To assess the effects of ocean heat waves, researchers led by ecologist Daniel Smale of Great Britain’s Marine Biological Association turned to 116 previously published academic studies. Reflecting on more than 1,000 ecological records and eight specific heat waves, the scientists identified regions and species that were the weakest to temperature increases. As Mary Papenfuss writes for the Huffington Post, areas of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans topped the list, with the Caribbean’s coral reefs, Australia’s seagrass and California’s kelp forests causing particular concerns.

In terms of species, Pacific Standard’s Kate Wheeling adds, the team notes that immobile plants and animals were the hardest hit, while tropical fish and mobile invertebrates (无脊椎生物) were able to cope with the heat by moving to different habitats. Interestingly, John Timmer reports for Ars Technica, the researchers actually observed heightened levels of fish diversity during periods of above- average temperatures, likely due to the animals’ mass migration (迁徙) toward friendlier waters. The same trend did not prove true for sea-dwelling birds, however, as shifting habitats limited the avian creatures’ access to prey.

Although the researchers’ findings are most consequential for marine ecosystems. Pierre-Louis and Popovich explain that damage to ocean habitats will also affect humans who rely on fishing and fish farming.

“Certainly there’s going to be changes with climate change to marine communities, but it’s not like the oceans are going to become the dead sea. It’s just that, as a consequence of what we’re doing to the oceans, there’s going to be different marine communities in different places than what we’re used to. Obviously, that is a problem because we’re sort of set up for what the climate is now rather than what it is going to be in the future.”

1. “Species” in “these framework species” in Paragraph 2 refers to ________.

A．wildfires

B．damages

C．organisms

D．temperatures

2. What can we learn from this passage?

A．The temperatures of wave heats nearly doubled in 2016.

B．Living creatures can avoid heat wave damage by migration.

C．Overfishing and plastic pollution are the main causes to ocean heat.

D．The weakest regions are concluded from previous academic studies.

3. What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?

A．People should stop fishing because of the climate change.

B．People who take fishing for a living might earn lower profits.

C．The researchers findings cannot help us protect the land ecosystems.

D．Changes to ocean habitats would bring extremely bad results to the sea.

4. Which would be the best title for the passage?

A．Ocean Heat Waves Are Affecting Us

B．Ocean Heat Waves Are Getting Worse

C．Ocean Heat Waves Are Threatening Marine Life

D．Ocean Heat Waves Are keys to Marine Biodiversity

7 . 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写 1 个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

In the past few years, the number of wild animals     1     (decrease). If nothing     2     (do), man will be punished by nature.     3     (lucky), people begin to take actions. Some nature reserves (保护区)     4     (build) now so that animals can live in peace. If everyone has the sense of protecting wildlife, it is certain that an atmosphere of wildlife protection will come into being.

8 . Whether you believe it or not, there is a festival that honors the monkeys. Called “The Monkey Buffet Festival”, it is celebrated in the city of Lopburi. You may find this surprising, but when you ask some locals about the cultural significance of this festival you will find that there is really nothing! The Monkey Buffet Festival is supposed to be for business — a creative and unique way of attracting and increasing tourists in Thailand.

However, you may ask why, of all the animals in Thailand to honor with a festivity, choose monkeys? Interestingly, this is due to ancient folklore (民间传说) that tells the story of Hanuman, a Hindu monkey deity (神) who is believed to have rescued a bride (新娘) from a ten-headed evil spirit. It was said that Hanuman discovered Lopburi, and these monkeys, the ones living in Lopburi receiving a feast every year, are his descendants.

The yearly Monkey Buffet Festival started in 1989 organized by a local businessman. Nowadays, the festival is a major tourist event and travelers from all over the world come here to see these huge numbers of monkeys filling their stomachs.

The Monkey Buffet Festival is a unique event that will give you a new perspective (视角) on how monkeys are treated in Lopburi. It may be a strange festival, but promises a lot of fun especially for people who love animals. These long-tailed monkeys are very used to humans, so tourists have no need to worry that they will go away seeing people getting near them. However, this could be disadvantageous as well. They can be very aggressive (好攻击的) and have been known to take glasses and wallets away from tourists. So keep an eye on monkeys hanging from trees in the area.

Visit Lopburi in Thailand and enjoy the Monkey Buffet. What are you waiting for? Mark your calendar for the last Sunday of November and experience the festivities with the cute little monkeys. Where else can you find a festival where monkeys are fed with jellies, candies, sausages, and a can of Coke to drink!

1. Why is the Monkey Buffet Festival held?

A．To ask people to protect the wild animals.

B．To spread Thai cultural significance.

C．To develop tourism in Lopburi.

D．To show respect to monkeys.

2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The reason why monkeys are honored.

B．The way the festival is organized.

C．The influence of the festival.

D．The history of Lopburi.

3. What did the author want to do in the last paragraph?

A．Call on people to care about monkeys.

B．Encourage people to attend the festival.

C．Ask people to reflect on their actions toward nature.

D．Discuss the relationship between humans and nature.

9 . 语法填空

    1       (locate) in the center of Spain, the capital city Madrid is famous for its art galleries. The Prado Museum has one of the world’s     2     (big) collections of art works and paintings by Picaso     3     (exhibit) at the Reina Sofia Museum. Many people are attracted to Madrid for its exciting nightlife, but the city appeals to young people because it is home     4     the Real Madrid soccer team with many star players.

10 . 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。

One day, my two brothers and I were coming back from the islands     1     we often risked going and got more fish than others. All at once, the sky     2    (cover) with clouds and in less than a minute we were in a terrible storm. A huge wave covered our boat and my younger brother     3    (fall) into the sea. My elder brother put his mouth     4    to my ear and cried out “Moskoe-strom!” The moment I heard the word I became very     5    (frighten). I knew what he meant by that one word well enough.

During the polar time of 1910-1911, both teams organized food bases in preparation     6    their journeys the next year. Then came the total     7    (dark) of the polar winter. Scott and Amundsen waited     8    (anxious) for spring.

Amundsen was the first to leave on 8 September, 1911. He had teams of dogs     9    (pull) the sleges and all his men were on skis. Because of this, he made     10    (rapidly) progress. Scott left on l November and soon had problems. First, his two sledges broke down and then the horses began to to have serious     11    (difficulty) with the snow and the cold. After a while, Scott and his men had to push the sledges     12    (them).