1 . Located just behind Amsterdam Central station, A1 Ponte is a popular cafe serving people on their way to and from the nearby ferry port. Not all A1 Ponte’s customers pay for their coffees, however.
A1 Ponte is one of the businesses taking part in Wasted, a project running in Amsterdam’s Noord district. It encourages households to recycle their plastics by rewarding them with discounts at local businesses.
When people sign up, they are given bags with unique QR codes, enabling the project’s organizers to give the correct credit to each household once the filled bags have been collected. For every bag of plastic, households earn one green coin.
At A1 Ponte, one coin earns users a free second coffee. Meanwhile, at Beekhoven Bikes, three coins earn users 50% off bike repairs.
Silvia Salani, who owns A1 Ponte, says there are days when only one or two customers have a coin to exchange free coffees. As well as improving her standing in the community, Salani believes being part of the project has been positive for business growth. Those who first came in with friends for free coffees usually return as paid customers.
Since Wasted was set up in early 2015 by a non-profit organization, Cities Foundation, more than 700 households have signed up. In a recent survey, 52% of users said they improved their waste disposal (处理) habits as a result of using Wasted and 23% said they reduced their plastics consumption.
Broader research shows schemes that reward people to recycle have mixed long-term results. A study shows the project caused different results. While the organizers acknowledge the long-term challenge, they believe that creating awareness can help bring positive effects. “We want to engage those who don’t usually care about recycling. At the same time, we can build a social contract between the community and business owners that goes beyond the traditional consumer relationship,” she says.
1. What’s the purpose of Wasted?| A．To promote sales in local businesses. |
| B．To advertise local tourist attractions. |
| C．To help win discounts at local stores. |
| D．To encourage people to recycle plastic. |
| A．The organizers of Wasted. |
| B．Those who have “green coins”. |
| C．People from nearby households. |
| D．People to and from the ferry port. |
| A．It is beneficial both to her reputation and her business. |
| B．It has reduced the plastic consumption in her cafe. |
| C．It has improved her habits of dealing with waste. |
| D．It has helped her earn many green coins. |
| A．It is worth all the efforts. |
| B．The results are discouraging. |
| C．It won’t make much difference. |
| D．It’s more challenging than promising. |
2 . Imagine that you’re a whale (鲸鱼), about 25 feet long and weighing thousands of pounds. You can
Now imagine you’re an elephant living in a close family group. Members of the family
For many years, people watched whales and elephants
In March 2015, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
The announcements by Ringling Bros. and SeaWorld are first steps in putting an end to using wild animals for
| A．run | B．swim | C．walk | D．sail |
| A．world | B．house | C．ocean | D．pool |
| A．same | B．last | C．next | D．real |
| A．first | B．deep | C．quickly | D．carefully |
| A．so | B．or | C．and | D．but |
| A．watch out for | B．keep up with | C．look forward to | D．break away from |
| A．help | B．save | C．train | D．feed |
| A．resting | B．sleeping | C．standing | D．travelling |
| A．encouraged | B．advised | C．forced | D．reminded |
| A．still | B．only | C．never | D．seldom |
| A．practising | B．performing | C．celebrating | D．competing |
| A．circuses | B．parks | C．animals | D．people |
| A．colourful | B．meaningful | C．natural | D．healthy |
| A．listen | B．look | C．examine | D．review |
| A．predicted | B．imagined | C．explained | D．announced |
| A．duty | B．function | C．show | D．operation |
| A．deny | B．consider | C．discuss | D．stop |
| A．tricks | B．mistakes | C．games | D．rules |
| A．education | B．entertainment | C．exploration | D．experiment |
| A．living | B．rare | C．trapped | D．wild |
3 . There’s a trend that more city people decide that they want to grow crops and raise some live-stock (家禽). After all, there are few things more satisfying than biting into a bunch of tender, red carrots you grow yourself, or a fresh egg from the backyard.
Most gardeners understand that the soil in big cities is often polluted with lead and know to get their soil tested. But most are pretty clueless about how to prevent other types of pollutants, like heavy metals and asbestos(石棉)from getting into their vegetables.
Part of the problem is that “there might be pollutants that gardeners can’t test for,” says Brent Kim, a program officer. Most soil tests look for lead, cadrniunt(镉)and arsenic(砷). But they don’t test things like chemicals left behind by cars, which might have escaped into the soil.
So if you’re thinking of staring an urban garden, Kim says, once you’ve found a plot of land, you should learn what’s now an empty plot or a backyard might once have been a parking lot, a gas station or a chemical ground. “Knowing its past will give you some idea about what might be in that soil,” he says.
“People tend to think raised beds are going to solve their pollution problem,” Kim says. But polluted soil could easily kicked onto your plants, especially if the beds are low to the ground.
“Another consideration is that you have to be careful about the materials that you’re using to build a raised bed,” Kim says. Recycling wood from an old construction site might seem like a good, eco-friendly idea. But that wood could be treated with chemicals you don’t want touching your fruits and veggies, Kim says. And it’s always a good idea to use gloves while gardening, and wash all your produce thoroughly.
“I see these urban growing spaces as these oases(绿洲)in the middle of these urban environments,” Kim says. “They bring communities together, and they help people save money on fresh produce. Urban growing spaces are amazing. Let’s keep doing this, but let’s do it safely.”
1. What does the underlined word “clueless” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．unaware | B．careless |
| C．helpless | D．considerate |
| A．Build it on a parking lot | B．Keep it low to the ground |
| C．Know the history of the ground | D．Use recycled wood to build it |
| A．They are free from some tests | B．Their plants can be poisoned |
| C．They are environment-friendly | D．Their materials are all recycled |
| A．More fresh vegetables are produced by urban gardeners |
| B．Growing vegetables become a fashion in big cities |
| C．Big cities are short of soil for growing fresh produce |
| D．Urban gardeners may not realize the seriousness of polluted soil |
4 . Meet the amazing Eliot Schrefer, and see why we’re big fans!
Scope: Why do you write stories about animals?
Eliot: I’ve always been excited by animal stories. When I was young, I liked reading about animals because they seemed like they needed help, and they were also voiceless.
Scope: Where did you get the idea for Animal Distress Calls?
Eliot: Many years ago, I had a friend who worked as a doctor at the Bronx Zoo. One evening he invited me to see the zoo after hours. Wandering that still, dark zoo was haunting. I was imagining adventures with big wild animals, but only the wolves were awake. Then he took me into the clinic, where I met a sick bird. That nighttime visit clearly had a big impact on this story.
Scope: Why did you leave Josie’s fate ambiguous in the story Animal Distress Calls?
Eliot: So many of us have known a creature, human or nonhuman, who’s been suffering. Sometimes everything gets better, and sometimes it doesn’t. That doesn’t change the important, compassionate act of caring. I didn’t want the story to become about the outcome of Josie’s illness. I wanted it to be about the sympathy Josie and Julia share for each other.
Scope: Have you had a personal experience with an animal that changed you?
Eliot: I had a moment during research for my ape novels when I was staying at a bonobo sanctuary in Congo. I’d have breakfast with Oshwe, a young bonobo who was too little to eat with the rest of the group. Sitting with him for a few hours each morning, I helped make sure that he finished his meal and got the nutrition he needed---but it also felt like a gift he was giving me. Oh, I remember thinking, you’re spending this precious morning time with me!
1. What is Eliot Schrefer famous for according to the text?| A．Being an animal doctor | B．His special bond with animals |
| C．His amazing animal stories | D．Being a volunteer taking care of animals |
| A．The quiet atmosphere | B．The active wolves |
| C．His friend’s behavior | D．The violent wild animals |
| A．Because he thought it was not important |
| B．Because he wanted readers to make a guess |
| C．Because he wanted to attract readers’ attention |
| D．Because he would make it clear in his next story |
| A．Proud | B．Frightened |
| C．Disappointed | D．Appreciative |
5 . Tower Bridge is one of London’s most striking
Today Tower Bridge is a splendid landmark typical of London,
It is free to admire Tower Bridge and walk on it
If you’d like
Do you feel guilty when you have done something you shouldn’t? Dogs can feel guilty, too. At times when I come home, my dog gives me a guilty look. Then I know he’s done something wrong.
Dogs need love and attention. Some dogs are very unhappy when they are left alone for a long time. Some dogs even snap(撕咬) if they don’t get enough attention.
You may have a dog or you may know a dog. Treat it well if you want to have fun with it. Play with it. Take it for a walk. Don’t order it round too much. Try not to punish it one time and not the next for doing the same thing. Always remember, a dog has needs and feelings just as you do. Talk to a dog, it’ll talk to you, too.
1. If a dog snaps at things, it is because it may ______.
| A．feel lonely | B．feel shy |
| C．be fearful | D．be disappointed |
| A．its hair stands up |
| B．it runs away from you |
| C．it has a guilty expression |
| D．its lips are pressed together |
| A．Never punish the dog |
| B．Never leave the dog alone |
| C．Train the dog to take orders from you |
| D．Train it the way you want to be treated. |
| A．happy | B．sorry |
| C．frightened | D．excited |
7 . Just like children, baby animals spend countless hours at play. After studying animal play for many years, scientists recognize that young animal play is practice for adult behavior. Today this play is roughly divided into the following groups.
Locomotor play refers to the movements animals carry out in their play. Running, leaping, turning, and kicking are some of the most common examples of locomotor play. An adult deer may run, leap, and twist (曲折前进) to escape its attackers. Play movements like these surely make young animals nimble. Someday these skills might help save their lives.
Moving forward slowly, attacking suddenly and biting are examples of predatory play that help young predators(食肉动物) prepare for a life of running after and taking hold of other animals. Wild cats, wolves, and bears are predators. It is very common to see these young animals play this kind of games which sharpen their skills and teach them about their strengths and limitations.
For children, playing with toys is both fun and educational. It helps improve their hand and eye movements as well as develop hand skills to accomplish tasks. It is the same with animals. Young chimpanzees improve their hand skills while playing with sticks. Birds also play with things in ways that teach. Swallows drop and recover feathers in mid air. Diving suddenly to catch the feathers is good practice for catching flying insects.
Social play helps animals learn how to behave when they run into other animals. And it teaches animals about communication. An animal gives signals to let another animal know it wants to play. Many animals give signals by showing a “play face”. In some ways this face is like a human smile; the animal holds its mouth in a relaxed and open manner. During play-fights, some animals may step backwards to signal that they are playing and not acting seriously.
Until now, scientists have understood playful acts help prepare animals for their serious adult situations. But the numbers of playful species and examples of animal play are vast. The purpose of animal play may have meanings scientists have not discovered yet.
1. The main purpose of the text is to ______.| A．ask us to take good care of wild animals |
| B．encourage us to learn more about animals |
| C．entertain us with interesting animal stories |
| D．show us something about animal behavior |
| A．cruel | B．swift |
| C．curious | D．strong |
| A．A deer runs, leaps, and turns. |
| B．A chimpanzee plays’ with a stick. |
| C．A lion moves slowly and makes an attack suddenly. |
| D．A dog holds its mouth in a relaxed and open manner. |
| A．a type of signal between animals |
| B．a name for a kind of animal play |
| C．an activity that involves adult animals |
| D．an action that is taught to another animal |
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
Officials in the city of Syktyvkar drew up the guidelines to guide the local people, after several bears were caught sight of in the city, going hungry after a heat wave shriveled their usual diet of nuts and berries.
The guide warns that city people there should stay calm and stand still if they meet with a bear. “Speak to the bear in a firm voice” and “Don’t turn your back on it,” it adds. In the worst case, if the bear attacks, the person should also be ready to attack, the guide says. “Shout angrily at it and look it straight in the eye,” the guide advises. “Bears have started coming into the areas where people live more and more often,” the city officials said in a statement. “Any encounter with a bear is unsafe for humans, so our task is to do all we can to prevent such accidents.”
In September, a bear attacked a 25-year-old man in a central street of the city, wounding him in the neck before he managed to run away, police said. “Three or four people who met with brown bears have been recorded recently,” the head of the hunting department in the regional agriculture organization, Alexander said.
Officials have asked police to patrol (巡逻) streets close to wooded areas in the evenings.
Syktyvkar is the regional capital of the remote Komi region in northwest Russia. Its population is just over 230,000.
1. The city issued the guidelines to help the local people to _____.
| A．avoid bear encounters | B．survive bear encounters |
| C．get along well with bears | D．drive hungry bears away |
| A．piled up | B．saved up | C．kept up | D．dried up |
| A．Bears have been seen frequently recently. |
| B．Bears like to wander around schools. |
| C．Brown bears are usually very fierce. |
| D．Too many bears have disappeared. |
| A．Bears are short of food worldwide |
| B．Ways to got along well with bears |
| C．Tips are issued on bear encounters |
| D．Bears have started coming into cities |
In the past, human activities
Over the last 100 years, the temperature of the earth
I was leading an expedition （探险） attempting to reach the south pole．The team was made up of ordinary women from all around the world, from Jamaica, India, Singapore and Cyprus, many of whom had never seen snow, or spent a night in a tent before we set off．Our aim was to be the most international all-female team to reach the South Pole．
As I watched, the rest of the team marched on, unaware that I was not with them．By the time I realized that my sledge was firmly trapped, the team were already a long way ahead of me．I called out to Era, my teammate, " Era! Stop !"
Getting no response I called again, but my shouts were carried away in the opposite direction by the wind．Seconds passed．Nothing．I was gradually being left alone, completely defenseless against the low temperatures of Antarctica．
My strength increased when I thought of a cold lonely death．I pulled again my sledge, which moved a little. I removed the ice with my ski-pole and boot, desperately trying to break the sledge free．The sledge shot forward, knocking me off balance．I struggled to my feet and set off after the team．
I caught up just as Reena, my teammate from India, looked behind her and noticed there was one person missing．She swung around on her skis in shock and spotted me in the near distance．
As we continued, my panic slowly faded．For the rest of the day, each of the team was glancing over their shoulder every few minutes．They were not going to risk losing me again．
1. From the first paragraph we can safely infer that the author ．
| A．disliked her team | B．got seriously ill |
| C．was in panic | D．lost her way |
| A．They were all female． |
| B．They were all professional． |
| C．They made the longest expedition． |
| D．They had been strictly trained． |
| A．the shouts from her teammates |
| B．her strong desire to live |
| C．the sudden change in wind direction |
| D．the natural beauty ahead |
| A．to avoid being attacked from behind |
| B．to make sure that none fell behind |
| C．to check the distance they had covered |
| D．to keep a record of the route they took |
| A．How to survive in Antarctic． |
| B．A mysterious trip to the South Pole． |
| C．A female expedition team． |
| D．Being left behind in the snow． |
