1 . He’s as big as a small golden dog and covered with scales (鳞片). He is the pangolin (穿山甲), an endangered animal.
According to the wildlife trade monitoring organization Traffic, about one million pangolins were killed from 2000 through 2013, mainly for their scales, which are used in medicine. Pangolins are sensitive creatures and picky eaters that only eat certain species of ants, a diet that’s very difficult to copy in the food chain.
“In the last decade, there’s been a huge growth trade in pangolins between continents, especially their scales,” says Dan Challender, chair of the pangolin specialist group. Previously, most pangolin killing happened within Asia, he says. This shift means that Asian pangolins are becoming difficult to find but that the value of the scales makes it worth the extra cost to take pangolins from Africa to Asia secretly.
All eight species of pangolins, four in Africa and four in Asia, are in danger of extinction due to the illegal trade. International trade in the four species of Asian pangolins has been banned since 2000. In the past few years, a ban on international commercial trade in all eight species has gone into effect. It was voted by 183 governments that are parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which is in charge of cross-border trade in wild animals and their parts.
Pangolins are eaten as bushmeat in western and central Africa and by some local groups in South and Southeast Asia. Their parts also are used in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa as traditional medicine. Typically dried, ground into powder, and put into pills, pangolin scales are used in a range of traditional medicines to help mothers who have given birth to babies to recover. But they are now endangered. Perhaps no pangolins can be seen when our next generation grow up.
1. What do you know about pangolins from Paragraph 2?| A．Their meat is very delicious. |
| B．Their scales are of great value. |
| C．They are smaller than young dogs. |
| D．They are on the top of the food chain. |
| A．Pangolins are cheaper in Africa. |
| B．No laws protect pangolins in Africa. |
| C．People in Asia can really save pangolins. |
| D．Pangolins have sharply decreased in numbers in Asia. |
| A．Pangolins have many different species. |
| B．The bans on pangolin trade are ineffective. |
| C．People used to take advantage of pangolins in different ways. |
| D．Governments have tried to contribute to the protection of pangolins. |
| A．Positive. | B．Uncaring. | C．Concerned. | D．Confident. |
2 . When scientists go to a forest to study monkeys and their habits and behaviors, how do they know who’s who?
In the past, scientists had to make marks on each of the animals to distinguish them. But in the future, they may have a much easier way to tell them apart thanks to facial recognition technology.
A research team from China’s Northwest University is using facial recognition technology to identify thousands of snub-nosed monkeys that live on Qinling Mountain in Shaanxi province.
Similar to human facial recognition, the technology that is used to identify monkeys uses their facial features to create a database that includes every monkey, Xinhua reported. “When the system is fully developed, we can connect it with cameras set up in the mountains. The system will automatically recognize the monkeys, name them and analyze their behavior,” said Zhang He, a member of the research team. “For each snub-nosed monkey, we have 700 to 800 image samples, and the recognition success rate is 94 percent,” Zhang added.
“We used mobile phones and portable cameras with the monkeys in tests at distances ranging from about 3 to 10 meters,” said He Gang, a member of the research team and an associate professor in the College of Life Sciences at Northwest University. “There is no need to interfere with the monkeys. Such a method of sampling is clearly non-invasive.”
Compared to humans, facial recognition technology for monkeys is more complicated because of their hairier faces. The color of their hair causes them to blend into their environment. These factors make it harder for computers to identify them.
“Monkeys do not cooperate with researchers in the same way humans do. It is difficult to take high-quality pictures and videos of them, which are needed to improve the system,” said Li Baoguo, leader of the research team.
Currently, there are about 4,000 snub-nosed monkeys living on Qinling Mountain. The team’s goal is to successfully identify every monkey that lives there.
1. What problem do scientists face while studying monkeys according to the text?| A．How to mark them. | B．How to tell them apart. |
| C．How to understand their behavior. | D．How to observe them clearly |
| A．It is now widely adopted in China. |
| B．It works better than human facial recognition. |
| C．It will use monkeys’ behavior to create a database. |
| D．It can help scientists study monkeys without disturbing them. |
a. Image samples. b. Hairy faces. c. Hair color. d. The environment.
| A．ab | B．ac | C．bc | D．bd |
| A．To introduce a new way to identify monkeys. |
| B．To show the importance of studying monkeys. |
| C．To compare different ways to identify monkeys. |
| D．To explain difficulties in developing a new system. |
Humans have always looked up at the stars and wanted to learn more about space.
In the mid-20th century, rockets that were
4 . Humans are not the only ones adapting to (适应) the effects of global climate change. Animals are also adapting to the environmental changes—some warm-blooded animals are beginning to “shapeshift (变身)” in response to shifts in climate, according to a recent study carried out by a team of researchers. The leader of the team is Sara Ryding, a researcher at Deakin University in Australia.
In the study, researchers have found new evidence that supports the theory that some warm-blooded animals are experiencing changes to their bodies due to the rising temperatures, resulting in larger legs, ears and beaks (喙) in some cases. The researchers have noted that warm-blooded animals living in colder climates have smaller legs, ears and beaks than animals of the same species living in warmer climates.
“When climate change is discussed in mainstream media, people are asking ‘Can humans overcome this?’ or ‘What technology can solve this?’” Ryding says.
She says that just like humans, animals also have to adapt to climate change, as shapeshifting for some of the warm-blooded animals is occurring over a far shorter time period.
“The climate change that we have created is putting much pressure on them, and while some species will adapt, others will not,” Ryding says.
Researchers have found body change in birds in Australia and North America. Certain species of Australian parrots have shown about 4%~10% increase in the size of their beaks since 1871, the reason for which is rising temperatures. In North America, the dark-eyed junco (灯芯草雀) also has seen an increase in beak size.
“Larger beaks help birds dissipate (驱散) extra body heat more effectively, which is useful as global temperatures rise. However, shapeshifting does not mean that animals are able to deal with climate change easily and that all is ‘fine’,” Ryding says. “It just means that they are struggling to adjust themselves to surviving it.”
1. What happens to some warm-blooded animals in warmer climates?| A．Some parts of their bodies are missing. |
| B．Their bodies become colder and colder. |
| C．Their bodies change into smaller ones. |
| D．Some of their body parts become larger. |
| A．To warn about the decrease of animal species. |
| B．To speak highly of animals’ ability to survive. |
| C．To explain why animals change the body shape. |
| D．To show the evidence of animals’ shapeshifting. |
| A．Climate change does little harm to bird species. |
| B．Climate change is still a big challenge for birds. |
| C．Birds can easily deal with global climate change. |
| D．Birds fail to adjust themselves to climate change. |
| A．All Animals Have to Adapt to Global Climate Change |
| B．Rising Temperatures Are Destroying Animals’ Bodies |
| C．Climate Change Is Making Some Animals Shapeshift |
| D．Warm-blooded Animals Inform Us of Global Warming |
5 . On an island in northern Norway, the sun doesn’t set from May 18 right through to July 26. The locals, having spent the long polar night from November to January, when the sun doesn’t rise at all, make the most of these months, with no regard to conventional timekeeping. The island intends to exchange its watches for flower garlands (花环) and declare itself the world’s first time-free zone.
“There’s constant daylight, and we act accordingly,” says islander Kjell Ove Hveding in a statement. “In the middle of the night, which citizens might call ‘2 am’, you can spot children playing soccer, people painting their houses or mowing their lawns, and teens going for a swim.”
Now they want to make it official. Islanders gathered at a town hall meeting to sign a petition (请愿) for a time-free zone and on June 13, Hveding met with a Norwegian member of parliament (国会) to hand over the locals’ signatures and to discuss the practical and legal challenges.
“To us, getting this in writing would simply mean formalizing the lifestyle we have been living for generations,” he says.
Islanders hope to be free of traditional opening hours and to introduce flexibility in school and working hours. Fishing and tourism are the main industries on this island with a population of little more than 300 people. Local fisher and women often spend days on the ocean for their catch, with little regard to timetable.
It’s clear that they mean business. When visitors cross the bridge to the island from the mainland, they aren’t greeted with padlocks (symbolizing love locks) like on similar bridges worldwide. The bridge is covered with watches, as people prepare for entry to the land time forgot.
1. What do the islanders normally do at midnight from May 18 to July 26?| A．Do daily work or have fun. | B．Sleep like outside people. |
| C．Struggle with strong light. | D．Turn watches into flowers. |
| A．It is difficult to describe. | B．It has been a long tradition. |
| C．It is a new kind of lifestyle. | D．It proves practical and legal. |
| A．Visitors actually prefer watches on bridges. | B．Visitors are ready to enter a time-free island. |
| C．The islanders intend to treat tourism as business. | D．The islanders are serious about being free of time. |
| A．An island wants to be a time-free zone officially. | B．Islanders in Norway have been free from time. |
| C．It’s time to lead a life without the limit of time. | D．An island won’t be open to the world any longer. |
6 . Four Environmentalists You Should Know
Throughout history, environmentalists have had a great influence not only on natural spaces, but also on our individual lives. Here are four influential ones.
●John Muir (1838~1914)
His lifelong love for hiking began when he hiked to the Gulf of Mexico in 1867. Muir spent much of his adult life wandering in—and fighting to preserve—the wilderness of the West, especially California. His tireless efforts led to the creation of Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and millions of other conservation areas.
●Rachel Carson (1907~1964)
Born in rural Pennsylvania, Rachel Carson went on to study biology at Johns Hopkins University. After working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Carson published The Sea Around Us and other books. Her most famous work, however, was 1962’s Silent Spring, in which she described the harmful environmental effects of pesticides (杀虫剂). After Carson’s observations were proven correct, pesticides like DDT were banned.
●Wangari Maathai (1940~2011)
Wangari Maathai was from Kenya. After studying biology in the US, she returned to her home country to begin a career in environmental activism. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which, by the early 21st century, had already planted some 30 million trees, provided jobs, and secured firewood for rural communities. In 2004, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize while continuing to fight for the planet.
●David Brower (1912~2000)
David Brower was associated with wilderness preservation. He became the Sierra Club’s first executive director in 1952, then, over the next 17 years, the club membership grew from 2, 000 to 77, 000. It won many environmental victories under his leadership. After leaving the club, he went on to found other environmental groups like Friends of the Earth, and the Earth Island Institute.
1. Which environmentalist is a writer?| A．John Muir. | B．Rachel Carson. |
| C．Wangari Maathai. | D．David Brower. |
| A．She encouraged green farming. | B．She funded rural communities. |
| C．She advocated growing trees. | D．She attempted to protect wild animals. |
| A．An environmental activist. | B．A great social event planner. |
| C．A city preservationist. | D．An environmental scientist. |
7 . Scientists have found evidence of a giant planet far out in our solar system. In a statement, the California Institute of Technology—Caltech—said this planet travels in a strange orbit in the distant solar system.
The discovery was made by two researchers at Caltech: Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown. They used mathematical modelling and computer simulations to find the planet. So far, there have not been any direct observations of the planet.
“My jaw hit the floor,” said astronomer Mike Brown when he realized there might be a ninth planet.
The scientists said it would take the planet 10,000 to 20,000 years just to make one full orbit around the sun. The new planet which is called “Planet Nine” has a mass about 10 times the size of the earth. If they are right, the newly found planet will be the ninth planet in our solar system.
It is believed that the planet orbits, or travels, around the sun from a great distance. The planet Neptune’s average distance to the sun is about 4.5 billion kilometres. But “Planet Nine” could be 20 times farther away from the sun than that.
While they did not get a picture of “Planet Nine” yet, the scientists say they are using the biggest and the best telescopes on earth to try to find “Planet Nine”. They want to find out more about its orbit and its impact on the outer part of our solar system.
Brown and Batygin reported their findings in the Astronomical Journal. They say that this new planet is so large that there should be no doubt that it is a true planet.
Robert Massey is with the Royal Astronomical Society in London. He said that planet had been predicted before, and then was not found. But he said the work of these researchers was definitely worth following up.
1. “Planet Nine” is thought to exist because ________.| A．scientists have got a picture of it |
| B．astronomers once discovered it in space |
| C．scientists have discovered it by using a simulating method |
| D．researchers have found it by using the most advanced telescopes |
| A．He fell on the floor. | B．It was a blow to him. |
| C．He hurt his jaw badly. | D．He was surprised by the discovery. |
| A．prove there are many planets in the solar system | B．indicate “Planet Nine” is too far from the sun |
| C．suggest it is hard for “Planet Nine” to orbit | D．imply “Planet Nine” is larger than Neptune. |
| A．Have the Scientists Discovered a New Planet? |
| B．Is the Ninth Planet Far From the Solar System? |
| C．Is There a Ninth Planet in Our Solar System? |
| D．Has Any Evidence Been Found for the Ninth Planet? |
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（^），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多若（从第11处起）不计分。
As a 17-year-old teenager, I've been to many great cities, among what Luoyang is the most beautiful one in my heart.
Lie on the north bank of the Lo River in western Henan Province, Luoyang is surrounded by mountain on three sides, high in the west and low in the east. At the end of 2019, Luoyang have a population of more than 7.1 million. In an addition, Luoyang has a history of more than 5,000 years. I love Luoyang so much due the fact that it is common regarded as one of the greatest ancient capitals of China. The number of it heritage sites are second only to that of Beijing. And the tourist attractions of Luoyang including Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple, Guanlin and so on.
9 . On the Yucatan Peninsula, people are working to protect and expand mangrove forests. The low trees grow in watery areas near ocean coasts. Years ago, mangroves were all along the Yucatan shores. Today, there are few.
A team of villagers from the area is trying to renew the forests. Scientists and donations support the effort. The Mexican government helps pay training costs for the team. The villagers joined the renewal effort more than 10 years ago with scientist Jorge Alfredo Herrera. He told them how to dig canals (运河). The dig was going to be hard work and the pay was only four dollars a day. Recently, the workers finished the second part of the process: planting young mangroves near the city.
This mangrove renewal effort is similar to others around the world. Scientists and community groups are increasingly recognizing the need to protect and bring back the forests. Mangroves are a very important ecosystem to fight climate change. While these trees only grow on less than 1 percent of the Earth’s land, they can bury around five times more carbon in the sediment (沉积物) than a rainforest.
Yet, around the world, mangroves are being destroyed. From 1980 to 2005, as much as 35 percent of the world’s mangroves disappeared.
In Mexico, as in much of the world, development is the main threat to mangrove existence. The area of Cancun lost most of its mangroves to roads and hotels starting in the 1980s. Mangroves on the country’s southern Pacific Ocean coast also have been cleared to make room for fish farms. Oil industry operations in waters off the Gulf of Mexico threaten mangroves there too.
There have been restoration efforts around the world to protect mangroves. In Mexico, the successes have arrived slowly. Manuel Conzalez is a 57-year-old fisherman. He helped regrow many mangroves. González says storms do not cause much damage and the fish and wildlife have returned.
But the mangroves face a new threat. “In 10 years, you have a very nice mangrove for someone with a chainsaw (电锅) to come and take it,” Gonzalez said. “That’s something that hurts me a lot.”
1. What can be known about the renewal effort?| A．It was started by the government. | B．All parts of it have been finished. |
| C．It is guided by some villager. | D．It is hard work for little pay. |
| A．They can stop climate change completely. | B．They can act as a defence against storms. |
| C．They are efficient in storing carbon. | D．They can bring great financial benefits to the locals. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By presenting numbers. |
| C．By explaining concepts. | D．By drawing conclusions. |
| A．Not enough fish and wildlife have returned. |
| B．Powerful storms may do harm to many mangroves |
| C．The successes of regrowing mangroves arrive too slowly. |
| D．Mangrove forests may be destroyed by humans in the future. |
10 . Lulu has been my closest and best friend in the past five years. In fact, he always follows my order especially when I look after other animal friends in our
This summer, many forests are damaged by fire. Not far from our shelter, a forest caught fire. Lulu rushed towards the forest where flames sent out terrible
Upon knowing this, I
Thanks to Lulu, four cats and a fireman were saved.
That day, I was very
I
This
| A．tent | B．zoo | C．shelter | D．laboratory |
| A．wind | B．heat | C．steam | D．sound |
| A．time | B．hope | C．interest | D．problem |
| A．At least | B．In all | C．As usual | D．In fact |
| A．informed | B．warned | C．advised | D．checked |
| A．cats | B．dogs | C．birds | D．rabbits |
| A．tied | B．held | C．swallowed | D．tore |
| A．normally | B．sincerely | C．peacefully | D．immediately |
| A．wait for | B．play with | C．pick up | D．worry about |
| A．forest | B．market | C．village | D．courtyard |
| A．crossed | B．cleared | C．recorded | D．followed |
| A．angrily | B．loudly | C．happily | D．regularly |
| A．careful | B．jealous | C．proud | D．independent |
| A．trying | B．planning | C．preparing | D．continuing |
| A．called | B．defended | C．visited | D．interviewed. |
| A．day | B．season | C．scene | D．trip |
| A．new | B．true | C．funny | D．strange |
| A．loving | B．exciting | C．annoying | D．challenging |
| A．feed | B．control | C．describe | D．protect |
| A．pay | B．tolerate | C．respect | D．help |
