1 . Boston Marathon runners in recent years may have seen a smiling furry face around the two-mile mark. It’s Spencer, the therapy (治疗) dog, who became known as an unofficial mascot (吉祥物) for the marathon, He’s shown up on the sidelines every year since 2015—rain or shine.
One particularly rainy marathon catapulted Spencer’s fame, In 2018, his owner, Richard Powers, decided to put a bright yellow rain coat on the dog, making him stand out even more than he usually does. Photos of Spencer, who holds a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth, went viral, and he became an inspiration to runners and onlookers alike, During the marathon, some runners stop in their tracks to take selfies with the dog-the line sometimes growing to 20 runners long.
But in 2020, Spencer was diagnosed with a tumor (肿瘤). His owner was worried, but Spencer is a fighter. He got the care he needed and survived. In 2021, he was back on the course and it was really kind of a miracle and that really hit home to a lot of people.
Unfortunately, Spencer caught another tumor—this one cancerous—and Spencer began chemotherapy. Powers didn’t think his beloved dog would make it out to the marathon of 2022. “Miraculously, he’s still here with us and an even bigger miracle, he was strong enough to go to the marathon,” he said.
After recovering, Spencer was back to work—not just at the marathon—but as a therapy dog, alongside his companion, Penny, who is also a golden therapy dog. Powers takes his two therapy dogs around to schools, hospitals and senior living centers.
“He’s a gift to us and we’re very lucky to have him. He’s too good so we want to share him with as many people as we possibly can. He does make a difference,” Powers said.
1. Why is Spencer referred to as a mascot for Boston Marathon?A.He has a smiling furry face. | B.He appears at the event annually. |
C.He is not recognized officially. | D.He works as a therapy dog for runners. |
A.Motivation. | B.Satisfaction. | C.Fantasy. | D.Barrier. |
A.A failure in the marathon. | B.Caring for his owner. | C.Fighting against a disease. | D.Going viral. |
A.Confident, | B.Supportive. | C.Objective. | D.Negative. |
内容包括:
1. 该地方的基本情况(如名称、地理位置等)
2. 该地方的特色(如文化、景点等)
3. 你对该地方的印象和感受。
注意:
1.词数不少于100;
2.可适当加入细节,使内容充实、行文连贯
A Beautiful Place in China
November 13th, 2023By Li Jin
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3 . I acquired a lot by watching animals. They have tales to tell and lessons to teach for any who have the openness to watch,
We have three roosters (公鸡), each with a different personality and a different voice.
Stew is
Even if Smoker forever sounds like he has problems with his lung and Rocky always sounds like he is in screaming agony (痛苦), it just wouldn’t be
Perhaps no human choir would accept a member with such a voice as Smoker or Rocky, but everyone has
So, we can
A.spot | B.find | C.recognize | D.listen |
A.originally | B.generally | C.definitely | D.occasionally |
A.featuring | B.showing | C.playing | D.shooting |
A.predict | B.tell | C.forecast | D.anticipate |
A.envy | B.respect | C.trust | D.doubt |
A.obviously | B.typically | C.regularly | D.absolutely |
A.enemy | B.partner | C.companion | D.follower |
A.walked | B.stormed | C.crawled | D.rushed |
A.quarrels | B.debates | C.injuries | D.accidents |
A.proud | B.considerate | C.upset | D.content |
A.cared for | B.laughed at | C.focused on | D.looked down |
A.dusk | B.evening | C.midnight | D.morning |
A.unique | B.awesome | C.similar | D.specific |
A.take up | B.make up | C.draw up | D.put up |
A.receive | B.expect | C.take | D.learn |
4 . Dandelion (蒲公英) seeds are some of the best flyers in nature, catching the wind and spreading as far as 100 kilometers. Each dandelion seed is tied by a thin tube to around 100 hairs, which form the parachute-like (类似降落伞的) structure. When seeds break free from the flower head, these hairs catch the wind and carry their seeds. This hairy parachute closes when the air is humid (潮湿的), which often means the wind is weak. In drier and windier conditions, dandelions widen their parachutes to better catch the wind so the seeds can fly freely.
However, in the past, nobody knew how they sense and respond to their environment so effectively.
Now researchers have uncovered the secret “thinking” behind dandelions’ spreading seeds. Their work, published in Nature Communications, found the seed-carrying parachutes open and close using something like actuators — devices that change signals into movement — without using active input of energy. The center of the parachutes senses the humidity of their immediate environment by absorbing water molecules (分子) from the air. Responding to these humidity signals, they either open their parachutes and fly away, or close their parachutes and stay put.
Study author Dr. Naomi Nakayama of the Department of Bioengineering who led the work said that their findings reveal how the dandelion ensures the survival of its species by making perhaps the most important decision in a plant’s life — to stay or go to seek a better habitat.
“Understanding how dandelions work is fascinating because the dandelion is the foundation of ecosystems. It feeds insects and birds,” Nakayama says. “So, the environmental sensitivity of their flight is an important topic for us to understand how nature will change in future climates.”
1. What can be learned from paragraph 1?A.Dandelion seeds have a tube-like design. |
B.A dandelion flower consists of 100 hairs. |
C.Dandelion seeds begin to grow in dry weather. |
D.The dandelion parachute closes on wet mornings. |
A.Its hairs catch the wind easily. |
B.Its actuator needs extra energy to function. |
C.The middle of its parachute measures humidity. |
D.The shape of its actuator was changed by the wind. |
A.To feed more insects and birds. | B.To better learn about climate change. |
C.To change dandelions’ living environment. | D.To further explain their role in ecosystems. |
A.Why dandelion seeds “prefer” the wind. |
B.How dandelions “tell” us their destinations. |
C.How dandelions “decide” to spread their seeds. |
D.Why dandelion seeds “create” parachute-like structures. |
5 . Mexico has more than just beaches. Several Mexican cities have been recognized as forming part of the heritage of humanity and are considered to be of outstanding universal value.
Oaxaca
Oaxaca and the nearby archaeological site Monte Alban have both been recognized by UNESCO. Oaxaca, the capital city of the state of the same name, was founded in 1529 and offers a good example of previous Spanish town planning. Oaxaca is considered one of Mexico’s best foodie destinations. Learn what foods and drinks you should try in Oaxaca.
Guanajuato
As a silver mining town in the past, Guanajuato seems special. The winding streets and small squares give it a more friendly feel than some of the other cities. This is a student town with a vibrant culture and an important cultural festival — the International Cervantino Festival which is held every October.
Puebla
Puebla is one of Mexico’s large cities, but its historical center can easily be explored on foot. It has some special historical structures such as the 16th-century cathedral and some other fine buildings with walls covered in tiles.
Morelia
Morelia, the capital of the state of Michoacán, was originally called Valladolid, but its name was changed in honor of independence hero José María Morelos y Pavón. The Museo del Dulce is a stop you shouldn’t miss in Morelia. Visits to nearby Patzcuaro or the reserves are also recommended on a trip to Morelia.
1. What are visitors recommended to do in Oaxaca?A.Walk on a beach. | B.Enjoy local cuisine. |
C.Visit a student town. | D.Join a cultural festival. |
A.Architecture. | B.Reserves. | C.Silver mining. | D.Foods and drinks. |
A.Oaxaca. | B.Guanajuato. | C.Puebla. | D.Morelia. |
1. Where did the man’s mother get the tornado(龙卷风) warning?
A.From the newspaper. | B.On the radio. | C.On TV. |
A.Being careful. | B.Going out. | C.Spotting a tornado. |
7 . When glaciers melt, they leave behind infertile (贫瘠的) landscapes. But a new study found that within just three years, such exposed land was restored by llamas (美洲驼), whose activity enriched the soil and promoted plant growth. By the foot of Peru’s melting Uruashraju glacier, researchers partnered with local farmers to farm llamas on four specific plots. For three days a month from 2019 to 2022, the llamas grazed (吃青草) the plots, fertilizing them with waste and spreading seeds from droppings.
As is the case worldwide, glaciers are disappearing in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca mountains at an alarming rate. And as the ice melts, nearby ecosystems wither: They lose access to summertime supplies of freshwater and sometimes encounter harmful acidic minerals in rocks once covered by the glaciers.
Llamas may help count er some of these effects. Their transformation of the land, as seen in the new study, could reduce rock weathering and help the soil hold onto more dampness, thus limiting the acidic runoff that can poison farmers’ crops. Such pollution is one reason why local farmers partnered with the researchers. The animals’ behavior could one day even generate new grasslands as soil quality improves.
The idea that animal grazing may positively impact a landscape is not new. Nor is rewilding, the push to bring key species back to their native ecosystems, unique to the Cordillera Blanca mountains. In Finland, for example, the Indigenous Sami are working to reintroduce reindeer in deforested land, potentially restoring it. But the size and speed of the changes the llamas helped bring about surprised the researchers. From 2021 to 2022, the average amount of plant cover in the llama plots grew from about 9 percent to nearly 14 percent—faster than it did in four control plots. The research underscores the valuable roles animals play in shaping landscapes, says ecologist Kelsey Reider of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., “The animals themselves are doing a lot.”
1. What did the new study find?A.Llamas could help improve ecology. | B.Llamas needed to be exposed to soil. |
C.Llamas might survive poor situation. | D.Llamas were able to stop ice melting. |
A.Expand. | B.Arise. | C.Integrate. | D.Worsen. |
A.Because they longed to be more learned. |
B.Because they profited from the research. |
C.Because they wanted to keep llamas away. |
D.Because they failed to know llamas’ behavior. |
A.Llamas restore the forest in Finland. | B.Wildlife helps a lot in restoring nature. |
C.The idea of rewilding isn’t common. | D.The research should collect more data. |
In ancient times, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, in Eastern China was called Jing kou.
The upper reaches of the Yangtze River deposit a lot of silt (淤泥) here,
There are three beautiful mountains here—Jinshan Mountain, Beigu Mountain and Jiaoshan Mountain, which are
Jinshan mountain is only 42 meters above sealevel.
Beigu Mountain, 10 meters
Jiaoshan, the highest of the three,
9 . The Elephant Project is a purpose-driven company which tries to protect and recover the world’s elephant population.
This all-female organization began when founder Kristian McKean saw the inhumane(不人道的)treatment of elephants in Thailand, and again back in the United States with circus animals. Determined to find a way to support elephant causes, Kristina used her product development background to design adorable, huggable elephant dolls she named Kiki and Tembo.
Children and many adults are drawn to the stuffed animals. These elephants come with fun educational materials to spread the word about the dangerous world elephants live in.
Meanwhile, the company’s mission is clear and supported by its donations to organizations that care for elephants in need. In fact, 100% of the profit from each sail of Kiki and Tembo goes to supplies and aid for abused and injured elephants through The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya and The Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. The Elephant Project also contributes to efforts to end illegal elephant hunting.
Of course, even without the notable mission of the company, these little dolls are gift able to children. Kiki, whose name means “new life”, wears a little pink outfit(套装). Meanwhile, Tembo, meaning “elephant” in Swahili, wears a green outfit.
A new release features Baby Chaba, a baby elephant named after a real baby who was rescued alongside her mother by Lek Chailert, the founder of the The Elephant Nature Park, in August 2021.The purchase comes with Baby Chaba and a book that explains her story.
The Elephant Project website shows a list of elephants that have already benefited from the company, with a bit of history about each elephant’s situation and progress. The mission has now also spread to support g the rescue and rehabilitation (修复) of big cats who like elephants and other wildlife, suffer from n humane treatment, competition for resources and loss of habitat.
1. What drove Kristian to found The Elephant Project?A.Her deep love and empathy for the abused animals. |
B.Her witness to the abused elephants in Thailand and America. |
C.Her intention to protect and recover the world’s wild animals. |
D.Her company’s making profit from the sail of Kiki and Tembo. |
A.Only children show some adoration on Kiki and Tembo. |
B.Kiki and Tembo was not easy to hug in when being designed. |
C.Kiki and Tembo are designed only to make some money. |
D.Many adults also show some interest in Kiki and Tembo. |
A.To protect the environment in the developing countries. |
B.To supply and aid abused elephants in Kenya and Thailand. |
C.To protect wild animals from being illegally hunted in Kenya. |
D.Mainly to support the operation of The Elephant Project. |
A.An Abused Elephant was Rescued by a Company |
B.Everyone should Try to Protect the Abused Elephant |
C.A Company Sets out to Save Abused Elephants |
D.Kiki and Tembo have Found a Way into the Market. |
10 . Studies have shown that walking among trees makes us relaxed.
For the study, researchers worked with 296 children between the ages of 9 and 12. To measure how connected they were to nature, the kids were asked how much they enjoy activities like seeing wildflowers and wild animals, hearing sounds of nature and touching animals and plants.
So exposure to nature is related to active behaviors and happiness of children. What does that mean to adults? As we all know, children usually tend to follow adults, especially their parents’ behaviors.
Researchers say that children need role models who can guide them to nature with excitement and an attitude of a lifelong learner. Parents don’t have to be experts in environmental science or nature studies.
A.It’s so good going for a walk around trees. |
B.Even just smelling the trees helps reduce anxiety. |
C.That’s to say, when adults are outside and appreciate nature, kids learn by example. |
D.What’s more important is that they spend time together with children exploring nature. |
E.They found that the kids connected to nature were more likely to behave actively. |
F.In a new study, researchers wanted to see if kids get the same benefits from being outdoors. |
G.Researchers will study more about the connection between children’s happiness and nature. |