1 . Look out the window or walk over to a patch of soil near your home. It could be reddish brown, black, dark gray or even the colour of rich, dark chocolate. If it’s moist enough, run your hands through it. It may separate into thick clumps that can hold water and later release it. With a few exceptions—such as desert sites—this is how good soil behaves.

In fact, the number of microscopic organisms that live in a shovelful of rich garden soil exceeds the number of plants and animals inhabiting the entire aboveground Amazon rainforest. And the Amazon is known for having more plants and animals than any other land-based habitat.

Soil is what supports life on Earth. Most people give it little thought, but it feeds us and the ecosystems around us. It is where countless species make their homes. It collects water, pulls pollutants from the air and helps support the planet’s atmosphere. Soil is one of Mother Nature’s unsung heroes.

And while most soil looks like it’s static, just sitting there unmoving, it actually hosts plenty of activities. Its earthworms may be digging tunnels. Worms are weightlifters. But they aren’t the only ones making changes. Other creatures below ground are too tiny to see with the unaided eye. These include one celled creatures called protozoa (单细胞生物). They improve soil by eating bacteria and releasing nitrogen, which helps plants grow.

And then there are all those bacteria. Most people think of them as dangerous. In soils, they not only serve as prey to beneficial protozoa, but also perform an environmental service. They help recycle dead plant parts and animal tissues into nutrients. They even turn some pollutants in soil and water into more of the nutrients that can sustain the diverse species that make up lively ecosystems beneath our feet.

1. What’s the purpose of mentioning the Amazon rainforest in the second paragraph?

A．To indicate the rich species in the Amazon rainforest.

B．To introduce the rich soil in the Amazon rainforest.

C．To stress the variety of microscopic organisms in the rich soil.

D．To illustrate biodiversity aboveground the Amazon rainforest.

2. What can we infer from the third paragraph?

A．Soil is something that supports life on Earth.

B．Soil provides a variety of benefits to our planet.

C．Soil determines the quality of our ecosystems.

D．Soil is the Mother Nature’s unsung hero.

3. Which of the following sentences is TRUE according to the text?

A．The soil in the desert behaves as well as good soil does.

B．Most people give thought to soil for it supports life on Earth.

C．Most soil indeed hosts plenty of activities though it looks quiet.

D．The bacteria in soils almost do no good to the environment.

4. Which of the following is the most suitable title for the text?

A．Categories of the Soil on Earth	B．The Disappearance of the Rich Soil
C．Biodiversity in the Amazon Rainforest	D．Healthy Soil Supports Life on Our Planet

2 . In 1957, English scientist James Lovelock invented the Electron Capture Detector, an inexpensive, sensitive device used to help measure the spread of poisonous man-made compounds (化合物) in the environment. The device provided the scientific foundations of Rachel Carson’s 1962 book, Silent Spring, a push for the environmental movement. It also helped provide the basis for regulations in the United States and in other nations that banned harmful chemicals like DDT and PCBs.

Later, his discovery that chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)—compounds that are used in refrigerators and air conditioners—were present in measurable concentrations in the atmosphere led to the discovery of a hole in the ozone layer (臭氧层). He also explained that they posed no possible danger to the planet. A year after his paper in Nature, Mario Molina of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and F. Sherwood Rowland of the University of California at Irvine published a paper in the same journal detailing how sensitive the Earth’s ozone layer is to CFCs. In 1995 they were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work in reminding the world of the thinning of the ozone layer. Lovelock later called his conclusion a mistake.

But Dr Lovelock may be most widely known for his Gaia theory that the Earth acts as a “living organism” that can “control its temperature and chemistry in a state of comfortable stability (稳定性).” As an expert on the chemical composition of the atmospheres of Earth and Mars, Dr Lovelock wondered why Earth’s atmosphere was so stable. He hypothesized (假定)that something must control heat, oxygen, nitrogen, and other ingredients. He presented his theory in 1967. That summer, the novelist William Golding, his friend, suggested the name Gaia, after the Greek goddess of the Earth.

The hypothesis may never have moved into the scientific mainstream without the contribution of Lynn Margulis, an American microbiologist. In the early 1970s and in the decades that followed, she worked with Dr Lovelock on specific studies to support this concept. Since then. Dr Lovelock’s theory of a self-controlling Earth has been considered important to understanding the causes and consequences of global warming.

1. What is Paragraph 1 mainly about?

A．The functions of man-made compounds.

B．The importance of banning harmful chemicals.

C．The influence of the Electron Capture Detector.

D．The working principles of the Electron Capture Detector.

2. What did James Lovelock once believe to be true?

A．It was impossible to find CFCs in thin air.

B．CFCs did little harm to the Earth.

C．It was impossible to measure CFCs in the air.

D．CFCs had little effect on cooling refrigerators.

3. What inspired James Lovelock to produce his Gaia theory?

A．Earth’s atmosphere remains stable.

B．Golding mentioned a Greek goddess.

C．Both Earth and Mars have atmospheres.

D．Living things can exist in the atmosphere.

4. What do we know about Lynn Margulis?

A．She became well-known because of Lovelock.

B．She first discovered the causes of global warming.

C．She helped Lovelock make his theory widely accepted.

D．She proposed a new idea based on Lovelock’s Gaia theory.

3 . The world’s longest cave system is an enormous network of 420 miles of twists and turns, with limestone (石灰岩) falling from the ceilings in drops.

Mammoth Cave National Park preserves this unique and historical natural wonder. As large as the limestone cave system is, park officials, estimate there may be another 600 miles of cave passageways that have yet to be explored. The incredible rock formations have resulted in the park being recognized as a World Heritage Site, thanks to its extraordinary size and scientific importance –– making it one of only 13 natural US sites with that title.

The caves were created naturally by the process of limestone wearing away. Rain and rivers slowly break down and shape soft limestone, which creates the vast underground network. Not only are they an amazing destination to visit, but the system also provides drinking water for roughly 40% of the US population, and they’re of historical significance too.

The caves act as a time capsule that preserves over 5,000 years of human history — and the caves’ first explorers were Native Americans, who mined the upper levels of Mammoth Cave. Thanks to the cave system’s atmosphere and natural protection from any kind of human disturbance, the archaeological (考古的) sites have been left in great shape.

Mammoth Cave was established as a national park thanks to strong local support. Back in the 1920s, Secretary of the Interior Hubert Work created the Southern Appalachian National Park Commission in 1925 to survey proposed park sites, including the caves. After years of work acquiring the land for the park, as well as building roads, trails (小径), and public facilities, Mammoth Cave National Park was established on July 1, 1941. The park now receives around 2 million visitors a year, with roughly a quarter taking a tour of the caves –– everything from a cultural tour to the more adventurous climbing tours on offer. The cave supports more than 130 wildlife species, such as the eyeless cavefish, which has adapted to the lightless environment by no longer growing eyes, and the cave crayfish.

1. What has made Mammoth Cave National Park a World Heritage Site?

A．The wildlife species.	B．The rock formations.
C．The cave passageways.	D．The scientific discovery.

2. Why are the caves of historical value?

A．They are an amazing destination to visit.

B．They were first explored by Native Americans.

C．They provide drinking water for the Americans.

D．They preserve human history over 5000 years.

3. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．It took a lot of work to establish the park.

B．Local people donated the land for the park.

C．Around 2 million people visit the caves annually.

D．The site of the park was decided by the secretary.

4. What can be the best title of the passage?

A．Taking cultural and adventurous tours

B．Preserving a unique and historical wonder

C．Exploring the world’s longest cave system

D．Establishing Mammoth Cave National Park

4 . So many well-fed cats have achieved fame in today’s world of social media that it is difficult to imagine a time when the funny behavior of cats went largely unrecorded. Fortunately, creative types have long seemed to enjoy their company and some past literary greats were only too happy to put pen to paper in celebration of their favourite cats.

Dr Samuel Johnson, is best remembered today for compiling (编纂) the first modern English Dictionary. The entry for cats is hardly flattering: “A domestic animal that catches mice, commonly considered by naturalists the lowest order of the lionlike species.” Yet, Johnson is known to have been devoted to his own pets, particularly Hodge, whom he once famously described as “a very fine cat indeed”.

During the Bronte sisters’ childhood, the three famous 19th-century novelists enjoyed the company of a black cat, named Tom. Charlotte included a description of a pet in Jane Eyre, while Emily wrote an essay in French in praise of cats entitled Le Chat. The title character of Anne’s first novel, Agnes Grey, decides her future husband is the man for her when he rescues a cat.

Edgar Allan Poe’s story, The Black Cat, is so vivid in its description of animal cruelty that it is difficult to imagine its author as an animal lover. Yet, in real life Allan and his cat Catterina were so obviously devoted to each other that, in 1849, they passed away at the exact same moment even though they were many miles apart.

Cats appear in some of the US humorist and novelist’s best-known works such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Twain’s favourite cat was Bambino, whom he taught to switch off the lamp at night and took great delight in having it show off this party trick when visitors came to the house.

In the early 1940s, Hemingway moved to Cuba. Boise became the author’s constant companion. Hemingway later featured a cat of the same name in his novel, Islands in the Stream, which shared many characteristics of his real-life cat including a fondness for hunting fruit rats.

1. What is Paragraph 1 mainly about?

A．The majority of people recorded their pet cats.

B．Some past creative people liked cats and wrote about them.

C．Most of the funny behavior of cats was not recorded.

D．Modern people like to show off their cats on social media.

2. What does the underlined sentence mean in Paragraph 2?

A．The cat in the entry is vividly described.

B．The description makes the cat attractive.

C．The definition of the cat is objective.

D．The entry for the cat is eye-catching.

3. How was the cat described in the story The Black Cat ?

A．Devoted.

B．Adorable.

C．Merciless.

D．Reliable.

4. What did the past literary greats mentioned have in common?

A．They enjoyed the company of their pet cats.

B．They took great delight in showing off their cats.

C．They named the cats in their works after their pet cats.

D．They achieved fame because of the cats they wrote about.

5 . 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。

A farewell party for 22-year-old Ya Ya at Memphis Zoo took place last Saturday. Ya Ya, a giant panda, was surrounded by bamboo and given a special ice cake made of grapes, sugar cane (甘蔗), and cookies,     1     (take) on a harmonious scene, according to pictures and videos shared online.

In 2006, Ya Ya began to lightly shed fur,     2     skin issue leading to fur loss, which worsened in 2014. Ya Ya’s health     3     (weigh) on a majority of Chinese people. And online, people started pressing for Ya Ya’s return to China.

Since the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens received reports of Ya Ya’s poor health condition, Chinese experts have swung     4     action to assist in the care of Ya Ya to ensure her health and well-being. “Contrary to     5     most netizens might assume, Ya Ya is in a relatively stable (稳定的) health condition other than the fur loss, having a good appetite and stable weight. China will get Ya Ya home     6     (safe) at the fastest speed,” spokesperson of China’s ministry of foreign affairs, Wang Wenbin, said on Tuesday.

On April 27t, Ya Ya returned to Shanghai, safe and sound. One of the local     7     (resident) said, “The number of people waving at Ya Ya’s aircraft before it lands in Shanghai     8     (be) beyond our imagination. Having anticipated Ya Ya’s return for a longtime, we, at this moment, are so     9     (excite)! It is crucial that Ya Ya be exposed to a familiar circumstance     10     is of great benefit to her health recovery.” To our shock, Chinese people’s affection for Ya Ya hasn’t reduced despite the elapse (流逝) of 20 years.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How old is Jays a now?

A．8.

B．12.

C．14.

2. Why did Jays a give the speech?

A．To encourage people to do research.

B．To urge the coal plant to shut down.

C．To raise money for her health problems.

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。

Giant panda Ya Ya arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Thursday from Memphis. Tennessee. She returned     1     China from the United States after a 20-year loan for a     2     (combine) research and protection project.

In December, the Memphis Zoo announced that it would return Ya Ya,     3     arrival in the US made the headlines in 2003. The zoo hosted a goodbye party for the 23-year-old female panda on April 8, with hundreds of people     4     (attend) the event.

In January, Chinese netizens showed their concern for Ya Ya, for she     5     (appear) somewhat malnourished (营养不良) in pictures and videos posted. In response, the Chines Association of Zoological Gardens said in     6     announcement that the zoo had taken good care of her. There was no indication that she was ignored,     7     (base) on videos of her and the results of     8     (month) health reports and annual physical examinations.

In 2006, Ya Ya’s fur began to fall out, and the condition worsened in 2014. Various     9     (form) of treatment were tried by experts at home and abroad,     10     they were unable to settle the problem, the association said.

8 . Humans’ voice sounds more pleasant than that of primates (灵长类动物) because we don’t have vocal membranes (声带膜), a new study suggests.

Humans have vocal cords (声带), muscles in the top of the throat, which vibrate (振动) to produce sound. That unique part helps people control their voices well enough to produce sounds that form spoken language. However, unlike all the other studied primates, humans don’t have vocal membranes.

To find out how vocal membranes affected spoken sounds, a team from Kyoto University took throats from monkeys that had died of natural causes and put the parts into devices, pushing air through the throats to see how the vocal cords and membranes would react. In the experiment, the researchers found that their vocal membranes and vocal cords vibrated together.

Researchers said these vocal membranes make it harder for other primates to control the voices they make. Without these membranes, humans’ vocal source is more balanced, allowing better voice control and production of long and balanced voices. A key thing that distinguishes human speech from animal sounds is our control over the sounds we make.

In humans, that sort of unpleasant voices can happen when we put extreme amounts of pressure on our voice, like baby crying and adult screaming. But those are rare cases. Researchers also said that our mouths and tongues could help control the voices. They are the basis of human languages.

1. Why does the human voice sound less unpleasant?

A．Humans have no vocal membranes.

B．Vocal cords of humans are very narrow.

C．Muscles in the human throat can hardly be controlled.

D．Humans’ brains are structured differently from other primates.

2. How did the researchers conduct the study?

A．By exploring the history of human evolution.

B．By referring to previous researches on primates.

C．By observing monkeys’ vocal cords and membranes.

D．By comparing the voice patterns of different animals.

3. What is Paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．A doubt about the research process.

B．The importance of the research findings.

C．Further explanation of the research results.

D．The potential application of the research methods.

4. Which can be the suitable title for the text?

A．Why humans cry or scream?

B．How primates make sounds?

C．How primates develop languages?

D．Why humans’ voice sounds pleasant?

9 . 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。

The Jiqing night street is located in the central part of an old city area in Hankou. Local people simply say that if you come to Jiqing, you will know     1     Wuhan is, and that anyone who doesn’t go there is the same as one who has never been to the city.

In the evening, hundreds of sidewalk snack boothes come out on the street and provide popular flavored food     2     cheap prices. Fresh steamed lobsters and crabs, spicy shrimp balls, tasty beef soups and Chinese dumplings, all these will feed you well.

Native people like to order several of the best-known dishes and a few     3     (bottle) of beer and spend their evening with friends here. For travelers, another     4     (excite) thing is the lively folk music     5     (perform) by folk musicians at their table. The musicians often carry their instruments and a piece of board on which the tune names     6     ( write). You can choose one of     7     ( they) ( all are popular classical Chinese music) at 10 or 15 RMB and then enjoy the delicious food when     8     (listen) to a graceful (优美的) tune.

It is a lively place     9     locals spend their leisure time, and has become     10     important part of everyday life for local people.

10 . Every winter, Siberian cranes (白鹤) migrate from northeast Siberia in Russia to Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province, China. About 95 percent of the birds spend the season there. However, climate change has endangered the birds’ habitats.

“In some years, the Poyang Lake experiences floods, while in others, it experiences droughts. Both of these create food shortages in the cranes’ habitat,” Qian Fawen, a researcher from the National Bird Banding Center of China, told China Daily.

To help deal with the problem, the local government has built 70 hectares of lotus roots (莲藕) in Nanchang to provide food during the winter for the cranes. The birds’ population has risen from about 3,000 to more than 5,000 over the past 20 years, according to Qian.

Over the years, China has worked hard to protect migratory birds and wetlands. Known as the “Earth’s kidneys (肾脏)”, wetlands play a key role in cleaning water, preventing floods, and helping with biodiversity. The Wetlands Protection Law was introduced on June 1, 2022. It stops building work on important national wetlands and bans activities such as overgrazing (过度放牧) and giving out wastewater.

Thanks to these efforts, China has reported more birds wintering in the nation’s wetlands. In February, black-faced spoonbills (黑脸琵鹭), an endangered species, were seen wintering at Dongting Lake after disappearing for five years. Last December, Shanghai Chongming Dongtan Bird National Nature Reserve recorded more than 2,900 tundra swans up from some 1,000 seen during the winter of 2021.

1. The bird population is rising in Nanchang because ________.

A．the city offers more food for birds	B．extreme weather hasn’t hit the city
C．the city becomes increasingly warm	D．climate change doesn’t affect the place

2. What is the main role wetlands play?

A．Saving endangered animal species.	B．Looking after water and biodiversity.
C．Providing shade for migratory birds.	D．Avoiding overgrazing and water pollution.

3. Paragraph 4 is mainly written to show ________.

A．when the Wetlands Protection Law was introduced

B．why the bird population in Nanchang rises quickly

C．how China deals with water pollution and overpopulation

D．what China has done to protect migratory birds and wetlands

4. What do the examples in paragraph 5 show?

A．Migratory birds add biodiversity to China.

B．New bird species leave China for winter.

C．China has completed its wetlands protection.

D．China’s environmental protection is successful.