1 . Hashtag, a pet dog as a gift from a friend to     1     (bright) up my day, saved my life — not once, but twice.

My husband and I had been expecting the exciting     2     (arrive) of him for months before Hashtag came into our home in the winter. I was struggling with depression and suddenly I had something else     3     (require) my attention. I had been overcome by negative thoughts completely, but now I had     4     sense of purpose. I couldn’t give up. Once realizing that, I became     5     (energy). I focused on giving him training and affection, and walking with him. Finally, I got over my depression 18 months later. There’s no doubt     6     Hashtag played an important role in my recovery. Then, last December, we     7     (sleep) deeply when a fire started in our living room. Barking downstairs     8     (unusual), Hashtag woke us up and allowed us     9     (grasp) the seriousness of our situation.

Within moments, we were standing outside. There’s no telling what could have happened     10    Hashtag’s warning. I don’t have the words to describe how grateful I feel for the warning to him.

2 . Though plastic shopping bags are cheap and useful, they cause widespread pollution. Now, we may have an unlikely helper to help clean up our garbage — a small wax worm.

The worm’s hidden skills were discovered by accident. About two years ago, Federica Bertocchini, a developmental biologist at the Spanish National Research Council and an amateur beekeeper, was cleaning out bees’ nest that had been filled with worms. She removed the worms and put them in a plastic bag while doing the cleaning. After finishing, she went back to the room where she had left the worms, and found they had escaped from the bag. When she checked, she saw that the bag was full of holes.

Realizing she may have made an important discovery, Bertocchini teamed up with other researchers to conduct further research. They began by placing 100 worms on some plastic bags and discovered that over a 24-hour period, the worms managed to chew through 92 milligrams of plastic. The researchers make an appropriate judgment that at this rate, the group of worms could   degrade (降解) an average-sized 5.5-gram plastic bag within a month. To rule out the possibility that chewing was causing the degradation, the researchers spread the soft wet substance inside the body of some recently dead worms on a sheet of plastic. Sure enough, even the liquid was able to eat through the material, confirming that the worms have plastic-digesting enzymes (酶).

While the news is certainly encouraging, not everyone is convinced. The Michigan State University’s Ramani Narayan believes the tiny pieces of microplastics released by the plastic-eating worms would pick up harmful substances and transport them up the food chain, causing, even more, harm to the environment and human health. Susan Selke, director of Michigan State University School of Packaging, is concerned that the worms will not be able to survive in an oxygen-free landfills where large amounts of waste material are buried under the earth.

However, Bertocchini is not planning to transport worm armies to landfills. Instead, the researcher wants to identify the enzyme that helps degrade the plastic. The researcher says, maybe we can find the molecule (分子) and produce it on an industrial level, rather than using a million worms in a plastic bag.

1. What did the experiment of using dead worms find out?

A．Worms’ chewing may cause the degradation.

B．A plastic-eating chemical exists in wax worms.

C．Dead worms are effective in dealing with plastic.

D．It takes a long time for worms to degrade plastic.

2. What is Ramani Naravan's attitude to Bertocchini's finding?

A．Objective

B．Convinced

C．Questioning.

D．Optimistic.

3. What might Bertocchini focus her later research on?

A．The structure of plastic-degrading enzymes.

B．The use of other worms in disposing plastic.

C．Wax worms’ adaptability to the landfill environment.

D．The chance of producing wax worms on a large scale.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Can wax worms save the environment?

B．Wax worms have an appetite for plastic.

C．Why do wax worms have plastic-eating skills?

D．Hungry worms join the fight against plastic pollution

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。

    1     (locate) in the north-east of Italy, Venice is known as “The Floating City”. It is made up of over 100 small islands, which are connected by waterways and bridges.     2     (fortunate), water is also putting Venice in great danger. Saltwater is slowly damaging the bases of Venice’s buildings. The Floating City is, in fact, sinking.

More problems are caused by floods,     3     usually hit the city each winter. But these floods could now be a thing of the past thanks to a new flood     4     (prevent) project. Venice lies in     5     middle of a lagoon, and rain and strong winds cause seawater to travel through the natural gaps to Venice. Dozens of gates     6     (build) to hold back the sea until now. Each of these gates is 20 meters wide,     7     the longest about 30 meters long. In the event of a big rise in the water level, the gates will be raised     8     (separate) the city from the sea.

But only time will tell     9     this project is the right solution. The important thing is that action is being taken to protect this unique city for future generations. And if it works, it means a longer,     10     (dry) future for Venice.

4 . Great Activities for Nature Lovers

Hiking

One of the easiest and most accessible ways to get close to nature is by setting out on a good old fashioned hike. Hiking generally doesn't require any fancy equipment or special skills, just a piece of map and a thirst for adventure. This activity can be as relaxing as you make it.

Backcountry Camping

Why limit yourself to just a day hike when you can have a full weekend for a longer adventure? Backcountry camping involves packing your tent，sleeping gear ,food, and water on your back to set up camp in a remote location. I you’re an experienced hiker and camper ,this is an excellent way to test your survival skills and explore the wilderness.

Mountain and Road Biking

Unlike long hikes through the woods , biking allows you to cover more ground and travel farther in nature. Mountain biking typically involves riding up and down steep slopes , between trees , and over rocks. If this sounds too intense or your tires aren't suited for rugged terrain( 地形) , consider taking a road bike on paved trails through forest preserves or along country roads.

Gardening

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to travel beyond your own backyard to experience the beauty of nature every day. If your personality is less adventurous or your mobility restricted, consider planting a garden to grow your own vegetables , fruit , herbs，or flowers. There's something truly satisfying about mixing up a salad with fresh ingredients you grow yourself. One of the best parts about spending time in gardening is that it doesn't have to break your budget and anyone can do it.

1. W hat do hikers need for hiking?

A．Practical skills.	B．Necessary equipment.
C．A useful map.	D．A relaxed mood.

2. W hat's NOT the advantage of gardening according to the text?

A．You don't need to go far to enjoy the beauty of nature.

B．It gives you a sense of satisfaction when cooking with fresh ingredients.

C．It doesn't take any energy or money to do it.

D．I’s easy to start it for anyone who likes it.

3. Which of the following can take you to travel farthest?

A．Hiking.	B．Backcountry Camping.
C．Mountain and Road Biking.	D．Gardening.

5 . Earthquakes usually happen on the edges of large sections of the Earth’s plates. These plates slowly move over a long period of time. Sometimes the edges, which are called fault lines, can get stuck, but the plates keep moving. Pressure slowly starts to build up where the edges are stuck and, once the pressure gets strong enough, the plates will suddenly move causing an earthquake.

Generally before and after a large earthquake there will be smaller earthquakes. The ones that happen before are called foreshocks. The ones that happen after are called aftershocks. Scientists don’t really know if an earthquake is a foreshock until the bigger earthquake occurs.

Shock waves from an earthquake that travel through the ground are called seismic waves (地震波). They are most powerful at the center of the earthquake, but they travel through much of the earth and back to the surface. They move quickly at 20 times the speed of sound.

Scientists use seismic waves to measure how big an earthquake is. They use a device called a seismograph (地震仪) to measure the size of the waves. The size of the waves is called the magnitude.

To tell the strength of an earthquake scientists use a scale called the Moment Magnitude Scale or MMS (it used to be called the Richter scale). The larger the number on the MMS scale, the larger the earthquake. You usually won’t even notice an earthquake unless it measures at least a 3 on the MMS scale. Here are some examples of what may happen depending on the scale:

4.0-Could shake your house as if a large truck were passing close by. Some people may not notice.

5.0-If you are in a car, it may shake. Glasses and dishes may rattle. Windows may break.

6.0- Items will fall off shelves. Walls in some houses may crack and windows break. Pretty much everyone near the center will feel this one.

7.0- Weaker buildings will collapse and cracks will occur in bridges and on the street.

8.0- Many buildings and bridges fall down. Large cracks in the earth.

9.0 and up- Whole cities flattened and large-scale damage.

1. If a 5.0-magnitude earthquake hit your area, what might happen?

A．Your house might shake violently.	B．People might feel no shaking at all.
C．The family photo may fall off the wall.	D．There might be cracks everywhere on the street.

2. What does the author mean by saying the underlined sentence in paragraph2?

A．It’s still hard to tell foreshocks from main earthquakes.

B．Scientists can’t exactly measure the strength of an earthquake.

C．People may ignore foreshocks when an earthquake is not so strong.

D．The earthquake won’t cause any damage unless it reaches 9.0 MMS.

3. The writer explains the concepts concerning the earthquake by .

A．listing examples	B．giving explanations
C．making comparisons	D．offering data

4. The passage is written mainly to .

A．enrich people’s knowledge of self-rescue in disasters

B．stress the importance of earthquake rescue

C．issue early warnings before an earthquake

D．present facts about the earthquake

6 . Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your choice of sport might have great influence on the environment.

Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses(高尔夫球场) in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortages in some local areas.

In fact, there are many environment friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don't need any special equipment except a pair of good shoes; and you don't have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk can regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and control your weight better.

Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be "green gyms". They are better replacements(代替物) for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it's free.

1. What do we know about golf from the passage?

A．It is popular in Portugal and Spain.

B．It needs water and energy to keep its courses green

C．It pollutes the earth with chemicals and waste.

D．It causes water shortages around the world.

2. The author uses power walking as example mainly because        .

A．it uses fewer resources

B．it improves our health

C．it is an outdoor sport

D．it is recommended by experts

3. Which of the following is the author most probably in favor of?

A．Playing basketball in a gym.

B．Motor racing in the desert.

C．Cycling around a lake.

D．Swimming in a sports center.

4. What’s the purpose of the author writing the passage?

A．To show us the function of major sports.

B．To encourage us to go in for green sports.

C．To discuss the major influence of popular sports.

D．To introduce different types of environment friendly spors.

7 . 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，并将答案填写在答题卡上。

A population of the world's most invasive mosquito species was almost completely wiped out by    1    experiment on two islands in the southem Chinese province of Guangdong, according to a study , which     2    (publish) Wednesday

The experiment successfully reduced the female Asian Tiger Mosquito population-the main source of bites and disease transmission-by up to 94%,    3     (reduce) the number of reported human bites by 97%.

One of the Chinese study's    4    (researcher), Xi Zhiyong, a professor at Michigan State University, has been a longtime pioneer in this field of study,    5    is running a mosquito factory in southern China. He    6    (previous) attempted to use sterilized(绝育的) male mosquitoes to mate with unaltered females In the new study,    7     (publish) by the International Journal of Science, Xi and his colleagues attempted to cut mosquito numbers even    8    (far) by limiting both males and females' ability to reproduce.

The results were so successful that they nearly    9     (wipe) out the entire female mosquito population on the two islands.

Mosquitoes pose grave threats to human health beyond just irritating bites. However, there is currently no effective vaccine or treatment     10    most mosquito-transmitted diseases, leaving controlling the insects' populations one of the most effective control methods, according to the International Journal of Science.

8 . On average, Americans spend about 10 hours a day in front of a computer or other electronic devices and less than 30 minutes a day outdoors. That is a claim made by David Strayer, a professor of psychology at the University of Utah. In his 2017 TED Talk , Strayer explained that all this time spent with technology is making our brains tired.

Using an electronic device to answer emails, listen to the news and look at Facebook puts a lot of pressure on the front of the brain, which, Strayer explains, is important for critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making.

So it is important to give the brain a rest. And being in nature, Strayer claims , helps get a tired brain away from too much technology. More than 15,000 campers from around the world attended an international camping festival in September. That is when friends and family take time off and escape to nature for several days. They take walks, climb, explore, swim, sleep, eat and play. Camping may be just what a tired brain needs.

Take Carl for example. He lives in West Virginia and enjoys camping. He says that staying outdoors makes him feel at ease. It also prepares him for the work he must do. Kate Somers is another example who also lives in West Virginia. She says she enjoys camping with her husband and two children. She calls it a “regenerative” experience.

At the University of Utah, David Strayer has studied both short-term and long-term exposure to nature. He found that spending short amounts of time in nature without technology does calm the brain and helps it to remember better. However, he found it is the long-term contact with nature that does the most good. He and his research team found spending three days in nature without any technology is enough time for the brain to fully relax and reset itself.

1. What is David Strayer’s opinion?

A．Americans dislike outdoor activities.

B．Electronic equipment should be quitted.

C．New technologies are a double-edged sword.

D．Electronic equipment brings great convenience.

2. Why does Strayer insist we go outdoors?

A．To refresh our brain	B．To try another lifestyle
C．To make better decisions.	D．To play with our family and friends

3. What does the underlined word “regenerative” mean?

A．Exhausting	B．Ridiculous
C．Relevant.	D．Reborn

4. Which is the proper title for the passage?

A．How to Use New Technologies.	B．Good Rest Develops Good Memory.
C．Being in Nature Is Good for the Brain.	D．Electronic Equipment Harms the Brain.

9 . Have you ever wondered what wild animals do when no one is watching? Scientists have been able to record the “private” moments of wildlife with leading-edge technology. Low-cost, dependable and small modern cameras are of big help.

Cameras placed in hard-to-reach places have taken videos of everything from small desert cats to later snow loving felines (猫科) in the northern Rocky Mountains. These cameras are important tools to learn new information on wildlife.

Some videos help scientists see the effects of climate change. For example, the desert animal javelin and the tree-loving coatimundi have been caught on cameras north of their normal home. This could mean global warming is enlarging their living area northward.

Researchers use cameras along with global positioning systems, or GPS. They attach GPS devices (设备) to mule deer and antelope in and around Yellowstone National Park. Then they can record their movements, or migrations (迁移) . These cameras can be left in very rural (荒野的) areas for days, weeks or even month. They can provide information on how many animals are moving over a given period of time.

Rural video can show details about animal behavior, such as the calls made by migrating. Also some cameras record animal life and show everything from bison in Saskatchewan, Canada, to the underwater weed forest off California’s Channel Islands.

However, rural cameras have their problems too. Animals such as wolverines and bears sometimes attack them. Scientists do not know if the attacks are the result of anger or interest. Also, the devices have become popular tools to help hunters look for animals. Some people argue that it is unfair to use the cameras that way. Even with such problems, rural cameras are clearly an important scientific tool in researching wild animals.

1. Which of the following helps scientists know about climate change?

A．How active animals are.	B．What animals eat.
C．Where animals go.	D．When animals move.

2. Where are the cameras fixed?

A．Under water	B．In the field
C．On GPS devices.	D．On wild animals.

3. What may be the disadvantage of the rural cameras?

A．They affect animals' search for good.

B．They make wild animals puzzled.

C．They make animals attack one another frequently.

D．They might bring danger to animals.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Cameras Record Animals in the Wild	B．Every Coin Has Two Sides
C．Animals No Longer Have Secrets	D．An Invention Makes Animals Mad

10 . Check out our tsunami (海啸) facts and lean some interesting information related to these great walls of water that can cause so much destruction. Find out what causes tsunamis and read about some notable recent examples of tsunamis that have occurred around the globe.

Tsunamis are huge waves of water that are usually caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

As a tsunami approaches the shore, water may move back from the coast. If it is shallow enough, the water may be pulled back hundreds of meters. If you are in the area, observing this is a good indication that a tsunami is on the way.

Regions in tsunami danger zones often have warning systems in place to give people as much time to evacuate (撤离) as possible.

When tsunamis hit shallow water (often near the coast), they slow down but increase in height.

An earthquake in the Indian Ocean off Indonesia in December 2004 caused a tsunami that killed over 200, 000 people in 14 countries.

In March 2011, the Tohoku earthquake off the eastern coast of Japan caused a tsunami that was a major factor in the death of over 15, 000 people.

The tsunami waves created by the Tohoku earthquake reached heights of over 40 metres (131feet) in mine areas, wiping out coastal towns and causing a number of nuclear accidents.

The Japanese word “tsunami” literally means “harbour wave”.

Tsunamis are sometimes referred to as tidal waves but this term has fallen out of favour because tsunamis are not related to tides.

1. Which of the following shows a tsunami is coming soon?

A．An earthquake takes place.

B．The water marches towards the coast.

C．The water near the shore is pulled back.

D．The water near the shore is very shallow.

2. In the Tohoku earthquake, over 15,000 people died mainly because of ________.

A．the earthquake itself

B．the lack of warming systems

C．the tsunami caused by the earthquake

D．the nuclear accidents caused by the tsunami

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The word “tsunami” is from British English.

B．The term “tidal wave” is used more often than “tsunami.”

C．Some nuclear accidents happened after Indonesia tsunami.

D．More people died in Indonesia tsunami than in Tohaku tsunami.

4. The passage is developed mainly by _________.

A．listing some facts	B．making some comparison
C．providing some numbers	D．making some conclusions