1 . I Still Look for Patches
Aren’t we lucky, when we had a childhood friend willing to be our everlasting, faithful companion(同伴)？I can still remember the day I met my special
One spring evening, my mother and I patiently waited for my father to come home. His
As he
“Amy!” Softly, daddy called.
I slowly turned around to look at daddy’s
Patches became a
When I was about 10, my family moved into a house which wasn’t
I can still remember her eyes
I saw her once or twice before she
| A．friend | B．dog | C．neighbor | D．relative |
| A．absence | B．appearance | C．performance | D．confidence |
| A．clear | B．loud | C．small | D．weak |
| A．looked up | B．found out | C．reached into | D．took away |
| A．excitement | B．sadness | C．disappointment | D．pleasure |
| A．leg | B．hand | C．foot | D．face |
| A．Because of | B．Instead of | C．In spite of | D．In case of |
| A．trouble maker | B．baby sitter | C．risker taker | D．good listener |
| A．wisely | B．carefully | C．positively | D．unwillingly |
| A．avoid | B．allow | C．take | D．face |
| A．faithful | B．powerful | C．fearful | D．wonderful |
| A．cool | B．clean | C．large | D．bright |
| A．make use of | B．take care of | C．look out of | D．get rid of |
| A．caught | B．adopted | C．bought | D．refused |
| A．seeing | B．staring | C．watching | D．smiling |
| A．joy | B．anger | C．pain | D．strength |
| A．disappeared | B．ran | C．returned | D．fell |
| A．doubt | B．idea | C．problem | D．proof |
| A．unclear | B．colorful | C．creative | D．vivid |
| A．watering | B．hugging | C．bathing | D．following |
2 . The British entrepreneur Richard Branson has successfully flown to the edge of space and back in his Virgin Galactic passenger rocket plane, days ahead of a rival launch by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, as the billionaires compete to kick off a new era of space tourism. Seventeen years after Branson founded Virgin Galactic to develop commercial spacecraft, the space plane went into sub-orbital flight on Sunday morning, reaching 88 km above the Earth’s surface.
“Welcome to the dawn of a new space age,” Branson tweeted (发推特) shortly after the flight. Branson is the first of the competing “billionaire space barons”, and the flight can be served as a huge stunt (噱头) of advertisement for Virgin Galactic. In nine days’ time, Bezos will launch his own rocket, New Shepard — named for Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut in space, which was manufactured by Bezos’s company Blue Origin. On Saturday, Blue Origin tweeted a message of good luck to Virgin Galactic, after laughing at the company on Friday, when it came to whether Unity 22 was really going into space, instead of just to the edge of space.
The boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, known as the Kármán line, has been a source of controversy for years. Aeronatics standard setter Fédération Aéronautique Internationale defines the Kármán line as the altitude of 100km above Earth’s average sea level, However, US space agency NASA says the boundary is 80km, above sea level.
Interest in space tourism is rapidly catching on. Virgin Galactic says it has more than 600 reserved seats at $250,000 each for people who will fly in the future. The company plans to launch two additional flights before commercial service begins in 2023.
1. Why is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos mentioned in Paragraph 1?| A．To present his achievement. | B．To introduce the following topic. |
| C．To make a comparison with Branson. | D．To give an explanation of space tourism. |
| A．Act as an advertisement. | B．Launch an rocket plane. | C．Gain a good luck message. | D．Make fun of Blue Origin. |
| A．Earth’s atmosphere. | B．The Kármán line. | C．The altitude of outer space. | D．The Earth’s average sea level. |
| A．Over 600 reserved seats will be provided. | B．Tourists can get two extra flights. |
| C．Commercial service has begun. | D．250,000 people can fly to space in 2023. |
3 . As a popular subject of study among evolutionary ecologists, three-spined stickleback (三刺鱼) is known for their different shapes, sizes, and behaviors-they can even live in both seawater and freshwater, and under a wide range of temperatures. But what makes that?
The researchers tracked six populations of the fish before and after seasonal changes to their environment, using genome sequencing. Seasonal changes result in great changes in habitat structure and balance of salt and freshwater, and only those fish able to tolerate these rapid changes survive into the next season.
“After comparing these changes, we find that they probably resemble the habitat shits experienced by stickleback populations during the past 10,000 years.” says Professor Barrett “We hope to gain insight into the genetic changes that may have resulted from natural selection long in the past.”
Remarkably, the researchers discovered the evidence of genetic changes driven by the seasonal shifts in habitats, which mirrored the differences found between long-established freshwater and saltwater populations. “These genetic changes occurred in independent populations over a single season, highlighting just how quickly the effects of natural selection can be detected,” says Professor Barrett, "The findings suggest that we may be able to use the genetic differences to predict how populations may adapt to environment."
The research emphasizes the importance of studying species in dynamic environments to gain a better understanding of how natural selection operates. In further research, they plan to investigate how repeatable the observed genetic changes are, by testing whether they show up year after year. Doing so would demonstrate their ability to reliably forecast the evolutionary future of these populations.
1. Why is stickleback a popular subject of study?| A．The fish is adaptable to different living conditions. |
| B．Seasonal changes make little difference to the fish. |
| C．Six populations of the fish are worthy to being tracked |
| D．Ecologists can study a wide range of temperatures by tracking the fish. |
| A．By explaining a concept. | B．By analyzing the data. |
| C．By studying a specific case. | D．By making comparisons. |
| A．It will arouse people's awareness of protecting stickleback. |
| B．It makes researchers pay more attention to genetic changes |
| C．It helps us gain deep insight into the law of natural selection. |
| D．It proves that stickleback is a really popular subject of study |
| A．To study species in dynamic environments. | B．To test the reliability of the present discoveries. |
| C．To predict the evolutionary future of certain species. | D．To know the frequency of certain species' appearance. |
4 . In the foot hills of Chianti Classico in central Italy, Elena Lapini and her husband make their way down neat rows of grapevines and inspect their fruit. The grapes are ripening too fast under the hot sun. Too much bronzing on the vine, they will wither into raisins (葡萄干), turning the wine into a sour, unpleasant blend. Getting the harvest date right is crucial for this reason, but climate change is making it increasingly hard.
An analysis of harvest dates going back to 1354 in France found that air temperatures have increased so much that grapes are now harvested two weeks earlier than in medieval times. Elizabeth Wolkovich, a biologist researching the impact of climate change on vine yards, says rising temperatures are changing the taste of wine itself.
For some cooler regions, warming conditions have allowed winemakers to grow more flavorful berries and enjoy longer growing seasons. Germany, best known for its Riesling white wines, has become more favorable to heat-loving grapes. Parts of Britain where it rains frequently now have the perfect climate to make sparkling wines, giving British bubbly from Kent and Sussex a fair fight against French champagne. But in warmer places like France, Italy and Spain ripening grapes at a higher temperature means more sugar and less acid in the berry, making high-alcohol, honey-like wines.
Climate change is also threatening the world's wine supply. In April producers in Italy and France found themselves lighting thousands of bucket-sized candles to warm the air against a killer frost that threatened to destroy buds emerging with the first warm spells of spring. In some regions the frost wiped out 90% of the crop, resulting in an estimated €2bn loss, French officials described it as “probably the greatest agricultural catastrophe at the beginning of the 21st century”.
1. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Controlling the growing speed. | B．Figuring out the exact harvest date. |
| C．Increasing the output of the grapes. | D．Improving the taste of wine for better. |
| A．Sweeter grapes in Italy. |
| B．Low-alcohol wines in France. |
| C．Longer harvesting seasons in Germany. |
| D．Threatened berry supply over the world. |
| A．To speed up the ripening course. |
| B．To produce more tasty and healthy wine. |
| C．To give out light for producers to watch grapes. |
| D．To increase the temperature to protect the buds from frost. |
| A．Nature and Environment. | B．Science and Technology. |
| C．Leisure and Entertainment. | D．Life and Health. |
5 . “Preparation is vital to surviving natural disasters," says Thomas M. Kostigen, the author of a new book called the Extreme Weather Survival Guide. We asked him about his new book.
J: In your book, you write that when it comes to weather, “abnormal is the new normal."
T: We're seeing storms like we've never seen before in terms of intensity and frequency. Storms that occurred maybe every hundred years are now occurring every three years. That's the new normal we' re living in.
J: Do you think most people are prepared for extreme weather events?
T: No. I think most people are aware of the weather. We talk about it even when there is nothing else to talk about.
J: What are the most important steps people should take to increase their preparation?
T: In any situation, there are three things that you need to do. One, get informed on what's happening around you.
J: How should people decide if they should shelter in place or withdraw?
T:
J: Was there any survival advice that surprised you?
T: One of the really interesting ones is not to take shelter under an overpass during a tornado.
| A．That depends on the event |
| B．Can you explain what you mean |
| C．Winds can increase speed under them |
| D．Next, have a plan and an emergency kit ready |
| E．But then people don't take the next step to get prepared |
| F．What role has climate change played in extreme weather |
| G．Extreme weather events have become more frequent in recent years |
Scientists often compare coral reefs to underwater rainforests, yet unlike the leafy plant base of a forest, corals are animals.The soft organs inside the hard parts of corals are naturally transparent and get
When corals experience stress from hot temperatures or
People first noticed coral bleaching events in the 1980s.The problem worsened in 2016, when an El Nino weather pattern,
Scientists around the world are looking for all kinds of ways to protect and maybe even revive corals.One option is
7 . Tips for Green Travel with Kids
Traveling doesn’t mean letting go of all the eco-friendly choices we work so hard to achieve in our daily life. Here are a few tips for green travel with kids:
Booking nonstop flights whenever possible will reduce carbon emissions (碳排放). If the closest local airport doesn’t have nonstop flights to a certain place, check in with other local airports to see if nonstop flights are available.
Whether you’re flying or driving, it’s easy when traveling to pull into fast food restaurants for snacks.
Reusable water bottles are easy to bring along whenever you travel. At the airport, keep your reusable bottles empty until you have passed through the security (安检).
| A．Too much carbon emissions seriously pollute the environment. |
| B．But you can pack healthy food before starting off. |
| C．In this way, you can save water and energy. |
| D．Fill them up on the other side of the security checkpoint. |
| E．Security check is a necessary part of each trip. |
| F．Save energy by turning off the hotel room lights when you head out for the day. |
| G．You might have to drive a bit further, but saving on carbon emissions makes it worthwhile. |
8 . Lonely Planet Trips
Here are some travel destinations by Lonely Planet. Reading them, you’ll be in a flash.
Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan, located on the Silk Road in South Asia, claimed the No. 1 spot partly for its majestic beauty and because it had become the first fully organic nation by 2020. The kingdom has lush subtropical plains in the south and sub-alpine Himalayan mountains in the north, which include Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest peak and is believed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
North Macedonia
If you want an alternative to Europe's more popular travel spots, North Macedonia could be for you. Its mountains and their trails are “blissfully quiet” and the locals are “unfailingly helpful” according to Lonely Planet. Among its destinations is Ohrid, a charming, old town dotted with medieval ruins and churches, lined with cobblestone streets, and overlooking Lake Ohrid.
Eswatini
The kingdom offers multitudinous climate and topography differences, and is known for its wide varieties of wild animals, which include more than 500 bird species and 107 mammal species. The nation has seven nature reserves, four frontier conservation areas and three wildlife reserves.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is beloved for many reasons, from its coffee to its epic surfing. It’s also notable for its reliance on green energy sources. In fact, 90% of its energy is created by regenerative sources such as wind and hydro. It is also one of the world’s most biodiverse countries — home to half a million species. Of course, no trip to Costa Rica is complete without a visit to the Sloth Sanctuary.
1. What can tourists appreciate in both Bhutan and North Macedonia?| A．Organic products. | B．Subtropical jungles. |
| C．Medieval architecture. | D．Mountain scenery. |
| A．Pleasant quietness. | B．Topography varieties. |
| C．Abundant wildlife. | D．Cobblestone streets. |
| A．Renewable resources. | B．Biodiverse plants. |
| C．Frontier preserves. | D．The Silk Road. |
9 . You just can’t imagine what a brave mother is like. She was a mother of three, who just
At midnight, Connie and her three children were
Juan slowly
Being deaf was not deterrent (妨碍物) for this
| A．experienced | B．dreamed | C．avoided | D．reported |
| A．turning around | B．standing by | C．crying out | D．running away |
| A．see | B．hear | C．forg ive | D．reach |
| A．earthquake | B．storm | C．wind | D．disaster |
| A．blind | B．deaf | C．old | D．sick |
| A．telephone | B．email | C．hearing aid | D．sign language |
| A．alone | B．awake | C．asleep | D．alive |
| A．shaken | B．called | C．forced | D．kicked |
| A．indoors | B．outdoors | C．upstairs | D．downstairs |
| A．chatting to | B．playing with | C．focusing on | D．running after |
| A．phoned | B．signed | C．shouted | D．explained |
| A．helper | B．flashlight | C．box | D．suitcase |
| A．mopped | B．examined | C．climbed | D．left |
| A．carefully | B．regularly | C．bravely | D．hurriedly |
| A．steps | B．sisters | C．memory | D．family |
| A．animals | B．tents | C．tools | D．items |
| A．stay | B．return | C．flee | D．cry |
| A．famous | B．skillful | C．ordinary | D．determined |
| A．darkness | B．shelter | C．ruins | D．stairs |
| A．won | B．calmed | C．cured | D．comforted |
10 . Does anything symbolize the throwaway culture better than coffee chains? Everyone is piled high with by-products of a culture which in the past 10 years has gone from thinking that a cup of coffee is best enjoyed sitting down, in a break from a busy day, to one where if you’re not constantly rushing, you may get to work to find your desk gone. Gone are the thick white mugs, washed and reused until they broke. Instead, we’ve a vast new industry of disposables (一次性用品) for coffee on the go.
Cosla Coffee alone uses more than 100 million disposable coffee cups a year. Add to that Starbucks, Caffe Nero and other coffee shops; and you get something approaching 500 million paper cups and a billion napkins, plus plastic knives, spoons and sandwich boxes to get rid of, just in the UK, every year.
There are no regulations determining what materials they use or how they dispose of any of it. So they do what they like, which turns out to vary wildly. One reason may be that three different government departments are in charge of waste management. Communities Secretary is responsible for local rubbish collection, Environment Secretary for waste policy, and Energy and Climate Change Secretary the aspect of, well, dealing with climate change. When I1 asked the major chains about their recycling policies, Starbucks said, “We’re aiming to make our cups recyclable in the near future.” Its salad containers are biodegradable (可生物降解的) and its sandwich containers, being a sandwich themselves of paper and film, are only recyclable once they’re torn apart. However, you don’t see many people doing that.
Costa’s cardboard cups can’t be recycled, because although the cardboard is recyclable, the ink and the glue aren’t. So it’s planning to use vegetable ink and degradable glue on its cups.
1. Why does the author compare the old days with today in the beginning?| A．To present a busy day. | B．To recall the sweet past. |
| C．To introduce the main topic. | D．To show the symbol of a culture. |
| A．bowls | B．bags |
| C．chopsticks | D．cups |
| A．The problem of wasting has been under control. |
| B．There are clear rules about materials disposables use. |
| C．The sandwich containers of Starbucks can be recyclable. |
| D．Communities Secretary is responsible for local rubbish recycle. |
| A．The Culture of Westerners | B．The Future of Coffee Chains |
| C．The Change of Mankind’s Lifestyle | D．The Environment Cost of Takeaway Coffee |
