1 . Natalie and Callie, both 13 years old, started raising monarch butterflies for fun in 2020.

But after realizing the monarchs were an endangered species, their _______ soon turned into a serious mission.

They learned that the population of monarch butterflies had _______ since the early 1990s, due to habitat _______ and widespread use of chemicals, which made the milkweeds (马利筋草) the monarchs _______ for their main diet dangerous to eat.

So the girls teamed up with a national nonprofit group to plant a native garden _______ for the monarchs. The garden grew organic milkweeds that _______ and kept the butterflies. To help _______ the locals to sustain the monarch population, they created an exhibition about the monarchs in the local library. They also wanted to put up an educational sign in town, but it _______ a lot. To cover the expense, they set up a stand at the Farmers Market to sell their _______ milkweeds for people to plant. Although the fundraising days were ________, they finally succeeded in earning enough money with their hard work and people’s support.

The team has won the Silver Award for their ________ of taking care of butterflies, but they are not ________ with their work. “Our next step is to cut down on the use of ________ to guarantee a safe environment for the monarchs,” said Natalie. In the award ceremony, their teacher Brian ________, “I am so proud of them for their constant ________.”

1.

A．dream

B．hobby

C．career

D．decision

2.

A．doubled

B．aged

C．declined

D．exploded

3.

A．management

B．assessment

C．selection

D．destruction

4.

A．relied on

B．kept off

C．broke down

D．gave away

5.

A．partly

B．secretly

C．rarely

D．specially

6.

A．attracted

B．protected

C．monitored

D．trapped

7.

A．employ

B．educate

C．force

D．limit

8.

A．meant

B．cost

C．changed

D．hurt

9.

A．dry

B．medical

C．healthy

D．wild

10.

A．pleasing

B．light

C．long

D．disappointing

11.

A．project

B．concept

C．schedule

D．assignment

12.

A．concerned

B．connected

C．finished

D．occupied

13.

A．chemicals

B．time

C．funds

D．energy

14.

A．quoted

B．continued

C．replied

D．commented

15.

A．donations

B．support

C．patience

D．efforts

2 . 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 Grand Canal is the longest and     1     (old) canal in the world. It forms a vast inland waterway system in China, running from the capital Beijing in the north     2     Zhejiang Province in the south.

    3     (construct) in sections from the 5th century BCE and completed and maintained by several     4     (dynasty), it formed the backbone of China’s inland communications system, which enabled the supply of rice     5     (feed) the population. The Grand Canal reached a new peak in the 13th century, providing an inland shipping network consisting of more than 2,000 km of artificial waterways,     6     linked five of the most important river basins in China, including the Huanghe River and the Changjiang River. Still     7     major means of internal communication today, it     8     (play) an important role in ensuring the prosperity(繁荣) and stability of China over the ages.

The Grand Canal bears witness to a remarkable and early development of hydraulic engineering(水利工程). It is an essential technological achievement     9     (date) from before the Industrial Revolution. It is a perfect example of dealing with difficult natural conditions, as is reflected in the many constructions that are     10     (full) adapted to the diversity and complexity of circumstances. It best demonstrates the technical capabilities of Eastern civilizations.

3 . Slowness has been a sweeping trend in sustainability. Slow food celebrates local produce and traditional cooking methods; slow fashion is made with a focus on people and the planet. You may have even heard of the slow city, a campaign to restore local cultures and turn cities back to their natural environments.

Slow design developed from the larger slow movement. Although the term was only recently introduced, the idea of thoughtful design looks back to a time when buildings and furniture were made with great craftsmanship (手艺) and by hand-before the mass-produced throwaway furniture took over. You can think of the term “slow” as a celebration of timelessness: both the timelessness of a piece and the timelessness of the relationship between that piece and its owner.

One example of slow design today is what’s been dubbed the brown furniture revival (复兴). Brown furniture refers to the heavy wooden furnishings that were popular in your grandparents’ day but suddenly fell out of style at the turn of the century. Brown furniture is often associated with dark woods, such as trees like mahogany, walnut, and teak, that take decades to reach maturity and true craftsmanship to transform into functional pieces.

Today’s furniture industry is dominated by the $13.1 billion-and-growing global ready-to-assemble(RTA) furniture market. RTA furniture is usually constructed from low-quality fiberboard, which lasts a small part of traditional furniture’s lifespan (寿命).The weight of furniture landfilled in 2018 was 9. 7 million tons, 4. 5 times what was landfilled in 1960.

In a less direct way, the idea of timelessness also lends itself to a lower environmental impact. Besides their demonstrated physical durability, slow materials and design are meant to outlive trends and never be thrown out simply because they’re out of style.

As second-hand shopping becomes more appealing to today’s young generation-because of its low environmental impact and affordability-the brown furniture of yesteryear is making a comeback.

1. Why is the first paragraph written?

A．To explain a new term.

B．To present the topic of the text.

C．To provide background information.

D．To highlight the importance of slowness.

2. What does the underlined word “dubbed” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Known as.

B．Mistaken for.

C．Compared to.

D．Connected with.

3. What can be inferred about RTA furniture?

A．It is out of date.

B．It has a long lifespan.

C．It is heavy and expensive.

D．It has bad effects on the environment.

4. What is good news for the brown furniture revival?

A．Grandparents are buying new furniture.

B．The brown furniture will soon be mass-produced.

C．The young generation favors second-hand shopping.

D．Materials for slow design furniture are more available.

4 . Camping Tips &Tricks for a Fun Trip

Many people idealize camping trips as being this easy, effortless encounter with destinations rich with natural landscapes and nights under the stars twinkling in the sky above.     1     That’s why we’ve prepared the best camping tips for you!

Plan accordingly, and then plan again. When you’re out in the middle of nowhere, you have to be equipped to nature’s challenges.     2     Therefore, a plan for unexpected weather changes is essential to a successful camping trip. For example, consider packing extra suppliers like blankets. While that might seem like a huge inconvenience, the biggest and real issue occurs when you need something you don’t have.

Know what you need.     3     Not all beginner campers will need the top-of-the-line, latest supplies. But you should have at least the basics! That includes a decent tent with enough room for people camping with you, a good sleeping bag appropriate for the season, and other supplies like food and water. You’d better create a convenient checklist that lays out everything that you should consider.

    4     When you’re far away from the major conveniences we rely upon like an urgent care center, police stations, and emergency rooms, you should always remember that safety is your first priority!     5     A first aid kit is a great starting point, but it’s certainly not the end of maximizing your safety efforts. Depending on where you plan to camp, you’ll want to grab these items that cover you in most emergency situations: a pocket knife, a fire starter, and a safety whistle.

Ready to go camping? Now you know what to expect and how to prepare for your next camping trip, so you actually have fun—rain or shine!

A．Always choose a safe campsite.

B．Never leave home without safety in mind.

C．We encourage you to create a safety supply kit.

D．Camping doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

E．A clear 3-day forecast can easily shift into a sudden heavy rain.

F．To maximize your comfort, always bring appropriate clothes for cold and rain.

G．But for beginner campers, those expectations can rapidly turn into a mess of reality.

5 . Not every architectural landmark is grand in scale, with splendid decorations, or amazing colors. Suzhou Gardens may just be the opposite.

When a group of monks during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) first constructed Lion Grove Garden, they may have just wanted to enjoy a quiet place, hidden away from urban noise, while in the following centuries, this charming garden - most notable for its waterside rockeries resembling the shape of lions—has attracted a constant stream of celebrity guests, who have left a long list of poems, paintings and historical anecdotes (轶事).

In recent years, nine of the best-known classical gardens of Suzhou, including Lion Grove Garden, Humble Administrator’s Garden and Great Wave Pavilion, were registered into the World Heritage List. As UNESCO remarks, “Classical Chinese garden design, which seeks to recreate natural landscapes in miniature (缩略图), is nowhere better illustrated than in the nine gardens, which reflect the profound natural beauty in Chinese culture and inspire people to pursue harmony with the world.”

Nowadays, relevant administrations have been trying to restore the historical landscapes of Suzhou’s classical gardens. Consequently, last year, a new project was launched allowing tourists in small groups to reserve places to enter the garden in the early morning before the regular opening time. Their visit ended with them completing the last step in making a traditional folding fan, adding a poem about the garden on its surface. The experience was also regarded as a way to help people understand the wisdom, elegance and philosophical worldview of the ancient Chinese literati (文人).

The delicate beauty of the gardens still flows via the canals that snake across Suzhou. Hardly felt, their strength in shaping the city’s character seems to last forever.

1. What’s the purpose of building the Lion Grove Garden?

A．To share historical anecdotes.

B．To attract celebrity guests.

C．To enjoy the beautiful scenery.

D．To stay far from the madding crowd.

2. What do Suzhou Gardens show?

A．Splendid decorations.

B．Grand beauty.

C．Human-nature harmony.

D．Amazing colors.

3. What can we know about the project from Paragraph 4?

A．It featured traditional Chinese elements.

B．Small groups without reservation were welcome.

C．Its main aim was to help people approach poems.

D．It was launched when the gardens were open to the public.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Suzhou Gardens, a place of national pride.

B．Suzhou Gardens, a place with natural beauty.

C．Suzhou Gardens, a place that shows the decorations and colors.

D．Suzhou Gardens, a place that reflects the philosophy and culture.

6 . Beavers(海狸), like humans, change their surroundings to fit their needs. Known as nature’s engineers, they tear trees down to build homes to live in and dams to raise water levels for protection from enemies. Dams also slow water’s flow while blocking sediment(沉积物)that would otherwise flow downstream. The resulting wetlands often attract wildlife diversity where none had existed. There are challenges, though. Beaver dams sometimes cause flooding, and most people prefer trees alive and upright.

Communities face a delicate balancing act, learning to coexist with beavers. Last winter, many people enjoying Winston Path became beaver fans as one furry family transformed Swallow Pond into an oasis for birds, frogs, turtles and deer.

Yet such activity caused concern. As beavers worked, they raised water levels about five feet. The increased depth allows beavers to survive underwater if the pond ices over. But county officials were concerned about how higher water would affect the soil bank supporting Winston Path.

To find a good balance between protecting the path and the beavers, the county introduced a“ beaver baffle”— a pond leveler.Beavers often rush to fill holes in their dams.Baffles stabilize water levels by creating a hidden exit for high water to escape through the dam, unnoticed by the beavers.

People love the beavers but they also love the mature trees. Recently, Catherine Jones,18, organized a tree-caging event — putting wire cloth around large tree trunks to discourage beavers from biting them. It also protects people from injury due to random trees falling.“We cover the trees we don’t want them to eat, while planting periodically others they like,“said Jones.“We need-to learn to give up a little of our wants to share the Earth’s resources.”

Swallow Pond’s 2023 project will restore proper water depth and improve wildlife habitat without creating problems for the path. The balancing act continues.

1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?

A．Where beavers’ favorite surroundings are.

B．What effects beavers have on their habitat.

C．Why beavers are called nature’s engineers.

D．How beavers help attract wildlife diversity.

2. Why did the beaver family’s activity cause concern?

A．Swallow Pond would flood often.

B．Sediment would flow downstream.

C．The popular path might be damaged.

D．Beavers might have to live underwater.

3. What do the underlined words“beaver baffle”refer to in paragraph 4?

A．A block to keep beavers away.	B．A tool to fix holes in the dams.
C．A device to maintain water level.	D．A material to protect the soil bank.

4. What is the theme of Swallow Pond’s 2023 project?

A．Biological diversity.	B．Harmonious coexistence.
C．Prevention of natural disasters.	D．Preservation of wildlife habitat.

7 . People use laughter to connect and bond with others. It’s how we tell friends that we find their jokes funny, or how kids in a park show that they are having fun. Laughter is so important to humans, even if they belong to different cultures or speak different languages. What about animals? Scientists are studying if there is a connection between animals’ laughing and playing.

Sasha Winkler, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), studies biological anthropology (人类学)，including the study of animal behavior. She noticed that the small monkeys she worked with, liked to play together by chasing each other. While having fun together, they made panting (喘气) sounds, almost like they were out of breath, which reminded Winkler of their quiet laughter. This made Winkler wonder whether other animals did so while they were playing.

To find out whether other animals laugh and play, Winkler teamed up with another scientist named Greg Bryant, a professor and vice chair in the Department of Communication at UCLA. Together, they found and read dozens of reports written by other scientists who study animals. Winkler and Bryant looked for any mentions in any animal of sound signaling like the panting of the monkeys during their playing.

In April 2021, Winkler and Bryant published their findings in a science journal. Through their research, they identified 65 species or groups of animals, which laugh while playing. The animals that laugh the most include primates (灵长类) like monkeys and apes, rodents (啮齿动物) like rats, and mammals that live in the ocean like dolphins. Their work won’t only help us understand animals better but it could also help us understand how humans develop or change over time. Next, they will carry on more study to find more.

1. What is the function of paragraph 1?

A．To conclude the main idea.

B．To put forward the topic.

C．To offer the supporting evidences.

D．To add the background information.

2. What are the small monkeys like when they are having fun?

A．They can hardly breathe.

B．They tend to laugh separately.

C．They laugh at a low sound.

D．They don’t laugh at all.

3. What do we know about Winkler and Bryant’s study?

A．It is great progress in the study of animals and humans.

B．It is only based on the findings in a science journal.

C．Over 65 groups of animals laugh while playing.

D．They do the research only by studying primates and rodents.

4. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Science.

B．Education.

C．Health.

D．Entertainment.

8 . Hardscaping refers to non-organic features of a landscape such as pathways, driveways, walls, steps, and other human-made structures. The three Rs, which are common to many sustainability efforts, apply to hardscaping: reduce, reuse, and recycle.     1    

Reduce Runoff

You can reduce rainwater runoff by using permeable (可渗透的) materials that allow rainwater to get into the soil below.     2     Because, to use permeable materials, you need to dig deeper to set into multiple layers (层) of sand,tiny stones,and other materials that allow rainwater to permeate well, using them under a tree can disturb or even destroy roots that keep trees healthy and upright. It’s also a good idea to slope (倾斜) any impermeable surface to direct rainwater to your garden to save from watering it.

Use Recycled Materials

Consider using materials that are recycled from reclaimed (再生的) concrete, glass, or other construction materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill.     3     Your local landfill might sell other usable materials as well. Recycled wood can be used to make borders between different areas. Just make sure it hasn’t been treated with chemicals, especially if you grow food nearby.

Support Local Wildlife

    4     Using permeable hardscape makes the soil below beneficial to them, whether they are earthworms, ground-nesting bees and other beneficial insects, important microorganisms, or plant roots. Between hardscaped areas, plant native trees and flowers to create wildlife habitats.     5    

With careful planning and action, you can enjoy the convenience brought by hardscaping and at the same time be considerate to the environment and local wildlife.

A．Those materials are seemingly useless.

B．All these are essential to a healthy ecosystem.

C．They aren’t suitable for all landscapes, however.

D．Don’t forget there are creatures living under the top soil.

E．You can get such things from many landscaping suppliers.

F．Rainwater is an important source of our underground water.

G．Add “support local wildlife”, and you’re ready for sustainable hardscaping.

9 . Bobbi Wilson is a 9-year-old New Jersey girl. She had recently learned that spotted lantern flies _________ trees because they feed on the sap (汁液) found in leaves and tree trunks． So she _________ her own insecticide (杀虫剂) to deal with the species from a recipe she had _________ on social media. Bobbi was walking through her Caldwell, New Jersey, neighborhood, simply _________ her insecticide when the police came and took her to the police station.

It turned out that a man _________ her spraying (喷洒) something on the sidewalk and trees. Thinking that she was a _________ little girl or someone with a mental disorder, he was _________ and called the police and told them, “There’s a little black girl walking, spraying stuff on the sidewalk and trees…”.

Bobbi was very confused and _________ about having to make a trip to the police station because she was not only doing something _________ for our environment but she was also doing something that made her feel like a(n) __________ when the man called the police. The man apologized to Bobbi and her family for the __________

__________ , the incident didn’t affect Bobbi’s spirit and has led to some great __________ for her. She has been __________ to the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. She and her family got a chance to visit with a group of black female scientists at Yale University. They showed her various labs and even invited her to __________ lantern fly specimens (样本) for the university.

1.

A．decorate

B．damage

C．recognize

D．abandon

2.

A．created

B．restored

C．purchased

D．exhibited

3.

A．got over

B．brought about

C．pointed out

D．come across

4.

A．testing out

B．mixing up

C．posting

D．improving

5.

A．heard

B．suggested

C．spotted

D．left

6.

A．beautiful

B．curious

C．hidden

D．lost

7.

A．excited

B．worried

C．relieved

D．stressed

8.

A．calm

B．hopeful

C．upset

D．anxious

9.

A．amazing

B．interesting

C．disturbing

D．annoying

10.

A．actress

B．adult

C．stranger

D．hero

11.

A．misguidance

B．misfortune

C．misunderstanding

D．mismatching

12.

A．Luckily

B．Particularly

C．Generally

D．Honestly

13.

A．attitude

B．answers

C．wealth

D．experiences

14.

A．sent

B．referred

C．invited

D．carried

15.

A．transport

B．provide

C．taste

D．keep

10 . By the time I took Kicker home, I was living in a van (旅居房车), so he was thrown into van life from day one. At this point, I knew how to make him an outgoing and adaptable dog, and my life was far more adventurous than it had been...

Right out of the gate, I took him to ski touring, which is a lot like cross-country skiing but in wilder terrain. At first, Kicker would just stay nestled (依偎) in my jacket, but as he got stronger, he would run on his own for a little while before I carried him again.

We also went on some winter camping adventures in the high peaks of the Uinta Mountains, and we tried snow kiting. He ran around while I skied. He learned to speed-fly and kiteboard. One time he vomited (呕吐) all over the new cushions on my bed. Boy, did that stay smelly for days! Still, living in a van with a dog was great. With each new day, he got stronger and more independent.

I had dreamed of visiting Alaska since I was a child, so being able to share that trip with Kicker felt incredible. There’s something to be said about shared experiences and how they help develop a strong bond. Together we kayaked, snowmobiled, and even ended up exploring deep blue ice caves in Worthington Glacier. Kicker learned to come snowboarding with me in the mountains of Alaska. He would hike part of the way, and I would carry him the rest. I would always let him run next to me as I boarded, but I usually ended up putting him on my shoulders for the rest of the ride down—he had grown far too big to fit in my jacket.

Having a dog has been one of the most rewarding things in my life. For me, it’s about the time spent together exploring, sharing experiences, working through challenging situations, snuggling, and ultimately taking care of one another.

1. What was Kicker like when he was first taken home by the author?

A．Sick and pitiful.	B．Small and weak.
C．Happy and active.	D．Outgoing and adventurous.

2. Why was the incident of Kicker’s vomiting mentioned in paragraph 3?

A．To illustrate how hard life is in a van.

B．To indicate that raising Kicker was not all roses.

C．To show the importance of taking good care of a pet.

D．To warn us of the trouble a pet can bring to us on a trip.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．What tricks Kicker learned in Alaska.

B．What great experiences the author had.

C．How the author realized his childhood dream.

D．How much the author enjoyed Kicker's company.

4. What is special about the author’s relationship with Kicker?

A．They bond through shared adventures.

B．They help each other to become stronger.

C．They bond through giving each other rewards.

D．They depend on each other in life’s hardest times.