2 . 语法填空

    1     (locate) in the northeast of the Tibetan Highland, Qinghai Lake is usually No. 1 on “Most Beautiful Lakes in China” list. It has very different scenery in different seasons. In spring, the surrounding mountains and wetlands take on a fresh green look with     2    (colour) flowers and white snow. In summer and autumn, the lake     3     (decorate) with golden clothing, as thousands of hectares (公顷) of rape flowers spread out from Qinghai Lake’s shores. In winter, snow and ice cover the surface of the lake, and the lake becomes quiet.

3 . If the great dinosaurs hadn’t gone extinct, would they have dominated Earth today? There has been a debate about this possibility for decades. Recently two analyses have put the surprising cognitive (认知) abilities of dinosaurs — and their potential limitations — in a new light.

In one study, Suzana Herculano-Houzel at Vanderbilt University calculated the likely number of neurons (神经细胞) in dinosaurs’ pallium, a brain structure that is responsible for advanced cognitive functions. Research suggests that it is the number of neurons in these areas, rather than the brain size, that indicates an animal’s cognitive potential. For example, despite having a very small head, birds have more densely packed brain cells than many mammals (哺乳动物) and so can possess roughly as many neurons as monkeys. The result is that some birds show great cognitive abilities, comparable to the smartest non-human mammals. And it is precisely birds, being the only surviving lineage (宗系) of dinosaurs, that are Herculano-Houzel’s foundation. By comparing the relationship between brain size, number of neurons and body size in numerous existing birds and available fossils of dinosaurs, Herculano-Houzel concludes that a large dinosaur such as T. rex could have housed two billion to three billion neurons in its pallium. If so, dinosaurs could have had the capacity for tool use and planning for the future.

But neurons’ number may not be enough. For intelligence, brain architecture also matters. And this could be the weakness of dinosaurs, argues Anton Reiner from the University of Tennessee. Over 350 million years of separate evolution, mammals and dinosaurs found two rather different ways to organize cognitive functions. The mammalian neurons are organized in a relatively thin layer formed by compact columns. In each column, different parts can communicate with one another over short distances. In contrast, in the dinosaurs that survive today, namely birds, the organization is less compact. According to Reiner, expanding brain capabilities beyond a certain point could make the structure far more complex and less efficient than it is in humans. If this were the case, an increase in brain size would correspond to a greater distance between different parts of the brain, slowing down their communication.

The issue remains open to debate. Herculano-Houzel and Reiner each published a paper with rejections to the other’s argument. Meanwhile, other scientists have entered the fight. For example, neurobiologist Giorgio Vallortigara assumes that speed in transmitting information between networks of neurons is probably one of dinosaurs’ strengths.

Whatever the truth is, understanding how and if brain architecture imposes limits on the development of cognition could reveal much about the evolution of abilities and behaviors of various animals. Also, this debate may tell us more about our own species than about dinosaurs.

1. Why do Herculano-Houzel and Reiner study birds?

A．Because birds are more intelligent than dinosaurs.

B．Because birds’ brain structures are the same as dinosaurs’.

C．Because birds are the only survivors of the dinosaur family.

D．Because birds have the same cognitive abilities as dinosaurs.

2. What does the word “compact” underlined in Paragraph 3 most probably mean?

A．Tight.

B．Light.

C．Large.

D．Wide.

3. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Dinosaurs’ ability for tool use owes to bigger brains.

B．The number of neurons has little to do with brain architecture.

C．Greater inter-brain distance causes higher cognitive efficiency.

D．The factors behind dinosaur intelligence remain to be identified.

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

A．Are Dinosaurs Comparable to Humans in Intelligence?

B．Are Dinosaurs with Bigger Brains the Ultimate Geniuses?

C．How Smart Were Dinosaurs? New Studies Fuel the Debate

D．Can Dinosaurs Outsmart Birds? Researches Cast a New Light

4 . My Day of No Plastic

Since its invention, plastic has affected every aspect of our lives. It has made possible thousands of conveniences, but it has come with downsides, especially for the environment. In a 24-hour experiment, I tried to live without it to see what plastic stuff we can’t do without and what we may be able to give up.

At the start of my no-plastic day, I made my way toward the bathroom, only to stop myself before I went in. “Could you open the door for me?” I asked my wife. “The handle is plastic.” She opened it for me, letting out a “this is going to be a long day” sigh (叹气).

My morning routine was a headache. I couldn’t use my toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo or soap, all of which were made of plastic or put in plastic containers. Getting dressed was also a challenge, given that so many clothing items include plastic.

When I went out, I brought along two glass containers and cloth bags of various sizes. I walked to a sandwich shop. “Can you make the salad in this glass container?” I asked. The manager said OK but then rejected my request to use my steel spoon.

After lunch, I took the subway to Central Park, which scored me more violations (违规), since I need a MetroCard and the trains themselves have plastic parts. But at least I didn’t sit in one of those plastic seats.

Back home, I recorded some of my impressions. By my count, on my day of no plastic, I had made 164 violations. I felt defeated. And also uncertain. The next day I called Gabby Salazar, a scientist who studies what motivates people to support environmental causes, and asked her for advice.

“You can drive yourself crazy,” she said, “but it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.” Believe it or not, individual behavior matters. It adds up. “Remember,” she continued, “it’s not about plastic being the enemy. It’s about single-use as the enemy.”

I promised to try, even after my not successful attempt. I’ll start with small things, building up habits. I can take cloth bags to the grocery. I might start packing my glass water bottle and steel spoon. And from there, who knows?

1. The author conducted the 24-hour experiment because ________.

A．he was tired of using plastic stuff in his daily life

B．he tried to call upon people to ban plastic products

C．he wondered how much plastic he consumed each day

D．he wanted to figure out how to use plastic stuff wisely

2. Why did the author’s wife sigh?

A．Because she didn’t know his intention.

B．Because she worried about her husband.

C．Because she thought it hard to avoid using plastic.

D．Because she didn’t realize the downsides of plastic.

3. How did the author feel after the no-plastic day?

A．Astonished.

B．Discouraged.

C．Relieved.

D．Guilty.

4. How would the author deal with plastic in the future?

A．Continue the plastic-free experiment.	B．Give up the attempt at using less plastic.
C．Reduce plastic use through small actions.	D．Encourage people to be environmentalists.

6 . Growing up, Chelsea Wood dreamed of becoming a sea biologist and studying large, exciting animals like sharks. Instead, she later found herself looking through a microscope at the organs of a snail(蜗牛) and saw thousands of little white sausage-shaped parasites(寄生虫). Through the microscope, each parasite had two dark eyespots, which made them surprisingly attractive. “I couldn’t believe that I’d been looking at snails for as long as I had and missing all the cool stuff happening inside them,” says Wood, now a parasitologist at University of Washington.

Nearly half of all known animals on Earth are parasites. According to one study, a tenth of them may already be certain to extinction due to climate change, loss of their hosts, and intentional attempts of wiping them out. But now it seems that few people care.

By definition, parasites live in or on a host and take something from that host. But not all parasites cause harm, and only a small percentage affect their hosts. In fact, parasites play essential roles in ecosystems, keeping some populations in check while helping to feed others. Without parasites keeping them in check, populations of some animals would explode. Many parasites move into their next host by controlling the host they’re in, which drive that host into an animal’s mouth so that the animal can be fed.

Even human health wouldn’t entirely benefit from wiping out parasites. The human immune system(免疫系统) evolved with a group of parasites, and when we killed them off, our immune systems began attacking ourselves. Some people with Crohn’s disease have even purposely infected themselves with intestinal(肠道的) parasites live deserves our attention. If you get to understand them, you may find the bravery and attraction of parasites. They’ve evolved clever means of survival, from becoming a fish’s tongue to controlling the mind of cockroach(蟑螂).

However, scientists aren’t eager to save all the parasites. The guinea worm, for instance, gets a hard pass from even the most stubborn conservationists. It grows to adulthood inside a person’s leg, causing harm to one’s health. Ultimately, the goal of promoting parasite conservation isn’t to make everyone fall in love with them. Instead, it’s to call a relaxation in our war against all of them, because there’s still so much we don’t understand about their value to ecosystems and maybe even to people.

1. What does the author indicate by referring to Chelsea Wood’s story?

A．All parasitologists initially intended to study parasites.

B．Parasites are easily ignored compared with large animals.

C．Animals like sharks have more research value than parasites.

D．Scientists study parasites because of their attractive appearance.

2. The author uses the example underlined in paragraph 4 to __________.

A．introduce an approach	B．draw a comparison
C．present an assumption	D．illustrate an argument

3. What can we infer from the passage?

A．Parasites can smartly survive without their hosts.

B．Conservationists believe all parasites should be protected.

C．Some parasites are important for the balance of our ecosystem.

D．Parasites can change their hosts by directly moving onto other animals.

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

A．Why are parasites Dying Out?

B．Why Should We Spare Parasites?

C．How Do Parasites Affect Ecosystems?

D．How Can We Create a World Without Parasites?

7 . 阅读下面短文，根据题目要求用英文回答问题。

Humpback whales (座头鲸)are among the world’s most endangered whales. The main threats humpback whales face are strikes from ships and getting caught in fishing and waste equipment. Recently, scientists have developed a technology-powered mapping tool to prevent ships from hitting whales in areas off America’s west coast. The system is called Whale Safe. It uses equipment placed in the ocean to identify the presence of whales in the surrounding area.

Whale Safe was recently launched to the north in San Francisco Bay. There is a problem in the bay with ships hitting whales. Wildlife officials reported that a humpback whale washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay with injuries suggesting the animal was killed in a ship strike. It was the fifth whale to be killed by a ship strike in the area in 2022. However, the actual number of whales killed by ships is likely much higher because the bodies of the dead animals are rarely discovered.

The system uses three methods to identify and protect several different whale species. First, it uses flotation devices — known as buoys (浮标) — to record sounds the whales make. Second, it uses computer model s to process current and historical ocean data to pre dict where the whales are most likely to be. Third, it permits trained observers and citizens to report whale sightings through a mobile app. The tool also records shipping activity and ship speeds. The collected data isthen sent by satellite to scientists who examine it and seek to provide guidance to ship operators.

The Whale Safe project is supported by the Marine Mammal Center and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory. Officials from the Marine Mammal Center say they have plans to expand the system to other areas where whales face a high risk of being hit by ships. “The system combines the latest technology with thoughtful conservation efforts to create a solution to reduce risk to whales. This is where technology meets Mother Nature for the benefit of marine life,” said Jeff Boehm, a leader of the Marine Mammal Center.

1. What is the new tool intended for?
______________________________________________________________________
2. Why was Whale Safe recently launched to the north in San Francisco Bay?
______________________________________________________________________
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
The system collected data by buoys, computer models and trained observers and citizens, then sent data to ship operators.
______________________________________________________________________
4. What suggestions could you give on protecting marine animals (海洋动物)?(In about 40 words)
______________________________________________________________________

8 . 阅读下面短文，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。

More attention is being paid to the food astronauts eat. A lot of the food they eat     1    (process) because it’s simple to eat and easy to transport. Unfortunately, it is sometimes low    2     essential micro-nutrients. Therefore, the International Space Station (ISS) used a growth room to grow vegetables to find out if it was possible to grow nutritious food in space.     3    (surprise), the differences in nutrient content were not found between ISS-grown vegetables and ground-grown ones. It shows that it is possible for astronauts to eat the food     4     is rich in nutrients.

9 . 阅读下面短文，根据题目要求用英文回答问题。

THE GROWING PROBLEM OF E-WASTE

The term e-waste is short for “electronic waste”. It refers to electrical or electronic products that are thrown away when they are no longer needed. These include computers, televisions, ovens, and basically anything else that runs on batteries or has an electrical cord.

E-waste has been a problem since the 1970s because of how difficult it is to separate things like metal and plastic from various products. Also, many electronics contain toxic materials that can pollute the environment if left in landfills. Over the past few decades, the problem of e-waste has only increased along with advancements in technology.

E-waste is now the fastest-growing waste stream around the world. The total amount of e-waste created every year is expected to reach 74 million tons by the year 2030. Currently, it’s estimated that only about 17 percent of global e-waste is properly recycled. However, the United Nations hopes to bring that number up to 30 percent by the end of 2023.

With more people using smartphones and computers every year, the problem of e-waste cannot be ignored. To increase the recycling rate of e-waste items, cities should consider adding special collection boxes at grocery stores or government offices. There should also be delivery or pick-up services for e-waste items. That way, these items can be sent directly to people who are able to properly take them apart and recover their useful components.

Despite current difficulties, e-waste has great recycling potential. In addition to the items thrown away, lots of people keep old devices that aren’t used anymore. As a whole, they add up to a lot of metals and minerals that can, and should, be recycled. If these components are recycled to make new products, there would be less of a need to dig for more around the world.

So, if you must replace your phone or computer, try returning the device to the manufacturer or dropping it off at an e-waste processing facility if there is one nearby.

1. What does “electronic waste” refer to?
__________________________________________________________________
2. What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?
__________________________________________________________________
3. Decide which part of the following statement is wrong. Underline it and explain why.
▶In order to reduce e-waste, people had better keep old devices that aren’t used anymore or drop them off in special collection boxes.
__________________________________________________________________
4. Apart from the ways mentioned in the passage, please share your way(s) to reduce e-waste. (About 40 words)
__________________________________________________________________

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

Construction of the Tower of Pisa began in 1173     1     Pisa was a center of power and wealth. But work was stopped several times because of wars. The eight-story tower was not completed until the late 1200s. The tower itself is made of marble (大理石) and     2     (weigh) 16,000 tons. However, the leaning of the tower was not for its weights     3     for the soil underneath. The ground is     4     (soft) on one side than on the other. The south side has sunk 6.1 feet below ground level in the past centuries. The north side has sunk 12.3 feet!