1 . It’s breathtaking to watch the delicate spring wildflowers come out from their blanket of leaves, bloom, develop and disperse (传播) fruit, all in a matter of a few short days or weeks.
Although they look fragile, these are tough little plants, each focusing its efforts on spreading its species. They have evolved to have a wide range of flower structures and colors, some with fragrances, attracting many different insect species to assist them in pollination (授粉).
There is one strategy (策略) that a surprising number of spring blooming native plants have evolved in common: seed dispersal by ants. As many as thirty percent of the spring flowering plant species in the forests of eastern North America have evolved to take advantage of this situation to benefit themselves. These species have evolved to provide food attached to their seeds to encourage ants to disperse those seeds. This food, called an elaiosome, is a specialized fat body whose chemical composition more closely matches that of the insects that ants prefer than it does that of a seed.
When a fruit opens to disperse its seeds, the elaiosomes are an instant attraction for ants. They take the seed with its attached elaiosome back to their nests for consumption there, but they just eat the elaiosome, their preferred food, and dispose of the seed on their trash pile. This tends to be an environment that is rich in nutrients, and will benefit the growth of the new plant. Just to make sure the ants don’t eat the seeds in addition to the elaiosome, some plant species have hard seed coatings that ants can’t really bite through.
This evolutionary adaptation is somewhat similar to the strategy of plants that have evolved to surround their seeds with fleshy fruits to attract birds to assist them with seed dispersal. Given the fact that there are fewer birds available in early spring to help with seed dispersal, it makes sense that the early blooming plants evolved to partner instead with the ants for this service.
Did you ever wonder how your Spring Beauty managed to pop up in new locations in your lawn or garden? Thank an ant!
1. How many methods do wildflowers have to attract animals according to the text?| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．It’s hard to digest. | B．It’s impossible for ants to resist. |
| C．It makes the earth rich in nutrients. | D．It’s often thrown into the trash pile. |
| A．Ants are creative and hardworking. |
| B．Ants are better at dispersing than birds. |
| C．The birds in the early year are not enough. |
| D．The birds are not interested in their fleshy fruits. |
| A．Thank Ants for Wildflowers |
| B．Wildflowers Discover Their Treasures |
| C．New Species of Wildflowers are Found |
| D．Ants Are Superheroes Protecting Environment |
2 . The world’s coral reefs do more for the planet than provide underwater beauty. They protect shorelines from the effects of hurricanes. An estimated 500 million people earn their livelihood from the fishing stocks and tourism opportunities reefs provide. The tiny animals that give rise to reefs are even offering hope for new drugs to treat cancer and other diseases.
Despite their importance, warming waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing, and physical destruction are killing coral reefs around the world. So now scientists around the world are looking for all kinds of ways to protect and maybe even revive(复苏) corals. In the Bahamas, Ross Cunning, a research biologist at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, is focusing on corals with genes that could make them natural candidates for restoration projects. He recently published a study of two Bahamian reefs, one that seemed to survive an intense 2015 heat wave, and one that didn’t.“It sets the stage to find out which genes are responsible for thermal tolerance,” says Cunning, adding that he hopes discovering those genes will help scientists one day breed more heat-tolerant coral.
In Massachusetts, Cohen’s research has found two key elements that seem to protect corals. The first: internal(内部的) waves beneath the ocean’s surface that bring cooler currents to heat-struck corals, essentially air-conditioning them as temperatures rise. The second: adaptation, a quality that corals found in Palau’s warm lagoons(环礁湖) seem to display.On average, these lagoons submerge(淹没) coral in water that is two degrees Celsius warmer than the water outside the lagoons. “We think the fact that they can deal with these higher temperatures is built into their genetics and allows them to deal with the heat waves.”
She’s also found evidence of corals evolving more quickly in the past two decades to withstand rapidly warming temperatures. The big question scientists are now enquiring into, says Cohen, is whether there’s a cap on how much more heat corals can adapt to. Cohen calls these regions with heat-adapted corals as “super reefs,” and like Friendlander, advocates for using marine reserves to protect them.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．The protection for coral reefs |
| B．The great value of coral reefs. |
| C．The benefits for tourism from coral reefs. |
| D．The relationship between animals and coral reefs. |
| A．Cooling down the waters is the key to their success. |
| B．Some corals have been genetically improved successfully. |
| C．He expects to identify the genes of the heat-tolerant corals. |
| D．Some corals that survived 2015 heat wave surprised people. |
| A．How corals survive in the warm lagoons. |
| B．What are the key elements to protect corals. |
| C．How they can use natural reserves to protect corals. |
| D．What is the high temperature limit of the surviving corals. |
| A．Science. | B．Environment. | C．Animal. | D．Climate. |
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(\) 划掉。
修改：在错的词下画一横线，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，多者(从第 11 处起)不计分。
World Wetlands Day, celebrating annually on 2 February, aims to increase aware and understanding of the importance of wetlands to humans and the globe. It also spreads information about what valuable wetlands are and encourages individuals and governments to take actions to prevent their loss. The day was first organized by a group of environmentalist who wanted to celebrate and protect wetlands.
Wetlands are ecosystems which water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. Wetlands are disappearing at a rate three times fast than forests, making them the Earth’s most threatened ecosystems. Human activities, such as agriculture development, urbanization, pollution, overfishing and climate change, have contributed the loss of wetlands.
Actions needed to save the world’s wetlands from disappearing and restore those we have already lost. That’s because of wetlands provide critical habitats for a vast variety of wildlife, offering valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation, and play a crucial role in flood control.
5 . Five years ago, I was a trail ride leader at a holiday farm in Victoria. My favourite horse was a warmblooded called Holly, a chestnut mare. Aged seven, she was
One day, as we headed back from a ride on the beach, Holly and I were
At the bottom of the hill as we rounded a corner, Holly
I have heard that horses have a better sense of
Holly then
| A．negative | B．graceful | C．pitiful | D．aggressive |
| A．solution | B．reaction | C．problem | D．difficulty |
| A．frightened | B．delighted | C．touched | D．attracted |
| A．chasing | B．leading | C．following | D．pushing |
| A．proceeded | B．preferred | C．hesitated | D．refused |
| A．evidence | B．truth | C．signals | D．symbols |
| A．sped | B．rushed | C．escaped | D．slowed |
| A．rabbit | B．horse | C．monster | D．snake |
| A．turn | B．case | C．chance | D．rule |
| A．sealed | B．planted | C．fastened | D．frozen |
| A．vision | B．direction | C．smell | D．hearing |
| A．proved | B．denied | C．ignored | D．demonstrated |
| A．Unfortunately | B．Undoubtedly | C．Thankfully | D．Instantly |
| A．fell off | B．went back | C．came out | D．stepped forward |
| A．responsible | B．regretful | C．grateful | D．available |
In a coastal village named Seaford, lived a courageous young woman named Amelia. Amelia was known throughout Seaford for her adventurous nature. From the moment she could walk, she would eagerly run towards the crashing waves, feeling the sand between her toes and the cool spray of the ocean mist on her face. She was a woman with a strong will and possessed a heart full of kindness. Amelia’s love for the ocean was intense, and she spent most of her days exploring the beautiful beaches and sparkling waters that surrounded her house.
One sunny morning, while Amelia was walking along the shore, she noticed a group of restless seagulls abnormally circling above the crashing waves. Their unusual calls echoed (回) through the air. Concerned for their well-being, she followed their flight pattern, her instincts guiding her toward danger.
As she approached a towering cliff, Amelia gasped in horror. On a narrow ledge (岩架), high above the violent waves, was a young dolphin trapped in a thick fishing net. Its shiny body shone under the golden rays of the sun, but its freedom was cruelly limited by the trap. With each struggle, the net tightened around its delicate body, leaving painful marks on its skin. Its tail flapped helplessly, each movement a request for help, while its desperate cries for assistance echoed through the air.
A sense of urgency filled her, pushing her forward with determination and resolve. Realizing that time was tight, Amelia knew she had to act instantly to free this innocent creature from its difficult position before it submitted to exhaustion or the force of the tides.
注意:
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1: Without hesitation, Amelia rushed back to the village.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: As the dolphin was released into the waters, it hesitated for a moment.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7 . One New Year’s Day, ecologist Rob Wolton came up with an unusual resolution—to spend the next 12 months studying a hedge(树篱) 40 metres from his house in the middle of Devon. He wanted to make a list of every plant, animal and fungus(真菌)that used it. After a year of observations he had found 2, 000 species—far more than he imagined. Wolton says he enjoyed it hugely and his findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that hedges should not be overlooked.
“There is increasing recognition that much of the wildlife finds shelter in the hedges. But they’re much more than just wildlife passages—they are really important as habitats in their own right,” he says. The European commission’s Joint Research Centre recently argued that as the climate crisis worsens, hedges are expected to play more roles as they move in response to environmental change. Their deep roots help sequester carbon(固碳), and they also reduce the likelihood of flooding downstream, suck nutrients and pollutants out of water, and prevent soil loss. Alongside these functions, there is a cultural benefit to hedges too—I think lots of us who live in England think of the hedge landscape as being quite typical, says Wolton.
After the Second World War many hedges were removed to create more productive land. Only about one in three hedges in England are in good condition, according to the most recent research done in 2017.
The main issues are hedges being cut too severely and too frequently, which leads to loss of wildlife and gaps. A squirrel, for example, will turnaround if there is a gap of five metres. New hedges are being planted with single species, instead of many, which decrease the wildlife they can support.
It’s hard to say if interest in hedges will translate into action on a national scale，and much depends on what landscape features Environmental Land Management scheme.
1. What is the significance of Wolton’s study of the hedge?| A．It makes Wolton’s resolution come true. |
| B．It shows Wolton’s fondness of the hedge. |
| C．It indicates the important role of the hedge. |
| D．It points out the number of animals and plants. |
| A．Hedges provide home for wildlife. |
| B．Hedges are used to fight climate crisis. |
| C．Hedges area typical symbol of England. |
| D．Hedges have advantages in different aspects. |
| A．To show the diversity of wildlife in hedges. |
| B．To explain the bad effect of gaps in hedges. |
| C．To call for more species of plants in hedges. |
| D．To present what the loss of wildlife is like. |
| A．The favorable policy on hedges is undecided. |
| B．Public attention in hedges will be intensified. |
| C．A national scale protection is soon underway. |
| D．Environmental Land Management will fund hedges. |
8 . While I was in our garden yesterday morning. I saw a little newborn bird that appeared to have just fallen from a tree. I was amazed at how tiny it was, with its little
This morning, as soon as the bird
Luckily, I
The little bird’s presence in my life was
| A．mouth | B．wings | C．eyes | D．feathers |
| A．put it down | B．took it in | C．got it back | D．picked it up |
| A．hungry | B．tired | C．lonely | D．scared |
| A．sign | B．effect | C．reason | D．signal |
| A．happier | B．bigger | C．faster | D．better |
| A．remembered | B．felt | C．saw | D．needed |
| A．fly | B．arrive | C．eat | D．look |
| A．amused | B．puzzled | C．touched | D．inspired |
| A．thrown | B．left | C．taken | D．moved |
| A．managed | B．intended | C．continued | D．decided |
| A．came | B．waited | C．stopped | D．offered |
| A．common | B．unexpected | C．great | D．strange |
| A．helpful | B．alive | C．clever | D．careful |
| A．health | B．knowledge | C．nature | D．life |
| A．strong body | B．helping hand | C．kind heart | D．warm smile |
9 . One Earth Award
About this award
Sponsored by the One Earth Fund, the One Earth Award offers $1,000 scholarships for four students whose works address the pressing issue of human-caused climate change.
Why should I create art or writing about climate change?
Some consequences of climate change include: sea-level rise, increase in air pollution, hurricane, droughts, extreme weather, and rising temperatures, among others. Your work can advance our thoughts about climate change and our understanding of solutions. It can also improve awareness of actions that we can take, in order to reduce the harm that human action has on our environment.
How do I apply?
Enter your work to any category in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. When selecting the category of your work, choose the One Earth Award. You will be required to include a personal statement on your work.
What should I write for the personal statement?
Your personal statement should be 50 words or more and answer the following questions:
What specific aspect of climate change does your work address?
What is your personal connection to this aspect of climate change, and why do you think talking about climate change is important?
Getting started on your work
These resources can help you learn about climate change and create your own art and writing about it.
Consider how poets talk about climate change with the Poetry Foundation.
Explore visual art activities and writing activities from the Teacher’s Climate Guide.
Try writing exercises developed by English Teachers Concerned about Climate Crisis.
1. What is the first thing to do to get the One Earth Award?| A．Choosing the One Earth Award. |
| B．Contacting the One Earth Fund. |
| C．Presenting the personal statement. |
| D．Visiting the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. |
| A．What action you will take. | B．What you are concerned about. |
| C．Why your work is important. | D．What suggestion you will make. |
| A．How do I apply? |
| B．About this award |
| C．Getting started on your work |
| D．What should I write for the personal statement? |
10 . Seahorses are beautiful and unusual fish that have captured the imagination of writers and artists for hundreds of years, and they feature in the ancient mythology (神话) and legends (传说) of many countries. Seahorses seem so magical that, to this very day, many people still believe they only exist in children’s stories. But the fact is that these delicate and shy little creatures are very real!
Scientists believe seahorses evolved at least 40 million years ago, and have survived from ancient times with only very small changes in their body structure and function. Seahorses have a special appearance. They have a head like a horse, a pouch (育儿袋) like a kangaroo, and a long, curved tail like a monkey. Because of their confusing structure, for many years, people didn’t know whether they were fish, insects or shellfish! Today, scientists know without a doubt that seahorses are fish.
Seahorses live mostly in shallow, warm waters. They are not strong swimmers, using only a back fin (鳍) and a pair of tiny fins behind their eyes to push them through the water. Seahorses spend a lot of time attaching to seaweed or sea grass. They are able to hang on to sea grass and seaweed by wrapping their tails around the stems, which helps them to avoid being swept away by strong currents. While they hang from sea grass, their long, tube-like mouth, which has no teeth, acts like a vacuum (吸管) for food. Strangely, seahorses have no stomach so they can’t store their food. This means they have to eat fairly continuously throughout the day.
Another unique characteristic of seahorses is that they (along with their cousins, the pipefish) are the only creature in the animal kingdom where the male, not the female, becomes pregnant and gives birth to babies! The female produces eggs and places them in the pouch inside the male, where they are fertilized. The male gives birth to between 5 and 200 young. Amazingly, just a few hours after the male gives birth, the female will once again place eggs in the male’s pouch.
Sadly, seahorses are in danger all over the world. Their habitats are being destroyed by human activities. People catch seahorses for pets and for souvenirs. The most endangered seahorse in the world is the Knysna seahorse, which is only found in South Africa. The reason it is in grave danger is that it has an exceptionally limited distribution range—it is only found in three estuaries (河口) in the whole of South Africa. Unless these estuaries are conserved, South Africa will lose its only seahorse species for ever.
请根据篇章内容完成摘要。每空不超过三个词。
Seahorses are fish with a peculiar appearance. They have a horse head, a pouch, a long and curved tail. They live mostly in |
