1 . In the past months, humans have become quite familiar with the term “social distancing”. But it turns out that we are not the only ones to avoid contacting our peers when our health may be at risk. Research suggests honeybees do it, too. “It’s exciting to see that other animals are doing something analogous,” said Dr. Alessandro Cini, co-author of the research at University College London.
Scientists have found that when a hive of honeybees is under threat from the mite called Varroa destructor, which can cause the collapse of honeybee colonies, the bees will respond by changing the way they interact with one another.
By examining videos recorded inside the hives, the researchers found that when hives had mites, foraging bees performed important dances to indicate the direction of food sources and kept themselves away from the centre of the colony where young bees and the queen stayed. This may help to keep the infection at a level that can be controlled, limiting the amount of damage. “Foragers are one of the main entrance routes for the mites,” said Cini.
The team then carried out experiments in the laboratory, artificially infecting small groups of about 12 young bees with the mites and comparing them to uninfected groups. This time, the team found no increase in social distancing among infected groups which, says Cini, may reflect that it is more important for foragers and young bees to keep their distance when the mites are present, and that bees rely on one another.
“Probably social distancing is too costly on a small scale,” he said. But there were differences in grooming behaviour: Infected bees were groomed more, inspected more, and had food shared with them more than individuals in uninfected groups.
Cini said the study showed the power of natural selection in the evolution of social behavior and also dynamic change in the social behaviour to adapt to an ever-changing environment.
1. What does the underlined word “analogous” in Paragraph I probably mean?| A．Similar. | B．Adventurous. | C．Meaningful. | D．Creative. |
| A．To quickly locate food. | B．To show respect for the queen. |
| C．To minimize the potential risk. | D．To shorten the time to look for food. |
| A．Social distancing happens between infected groups. |
| B．Infected honeybees were given more attention. |
| C．Younger honeybees were safe from infection. |
| D．Honeybees depend on the queen to survive. |
| A．Bees’ behavior when they are under threat. | B．Bees’ communication when they are under threat. |
| C．The social distancing between human and honey bees. | D．The social distancing in honey bees’ world. |
| A．He can’t bear the hot weather. |
| B．He has no interest in the beach. |
| C．He will play in the football match. |
3 . UPS deliveryman Ryan Arens was making his rounds near a pond, when he heard a strange sound. It was December, and about 15 feet from the frozen bank was the
Arens, 44, thought he
After breaking the ice using the man’s rock, Arens jumped into the icy water. He surfaced in time to see the dog going under. Arens swam about five feet toward the dog, grabbed hold of her collar, and
The next day, Arens was again making his
| A．speed | B．source | C．cause | D．volume |
| A．scene | B．way | C．road | D．air |
| A．bridged | B．emptied | C．entered | D．crossed |
| A．solution | B．approach | C．path | D．entrance |
| A．deserved | B．took | C．enhanced | D．stood |
| A．why | B．when | C．how | D．whether |
| A．broke in | B．took over | C．brought about | D．drew upon |
| A．threw | B．passed | C．shipped | D．pulled |
| A．dynamic | B．indifferent | C．anxious | D．curious |
| A．Unless | B．Once | C．Since | D．Until |
| A．fled | B．returned | C．survived | D．died |
| A．living | B．rounds | C．trip | D．activities |
| A．over | B．across | C．off | D．about |
| A．directly | B．abruptly | C．casually | D．friendly |
| A．exception | B．caution | C．highlight | D．advance |
4 . For children, space is magical — a whole world is out there, with so many things to learn and stories to read. Here are some children’s books about space and the solar system.
Mae among the Stars by Stasia Burrington
This beautifully illustrated picture book is attractive to young kids. It was inspired by the first African American woman in space, Mae Jemison. It tells the story of Mae as a little girl, who always knew she had big dreams about space. This is a great addition to a young kid’s collection, as a reminder to hold tight to dreams and never give up.
Space by Libby Jackson
This beautifully illustrated book gives kids a look at 50 women from around the world who were involved in exploring space in some way, from the 19th century to the present day. This is a perfect gift for young kids who want to know more about some of the lesser-known scientific achievements related to space exploration.
Chasing Space by Leland Melvin
This is Melvin’s story about being a football player-turned-astronaut, along with his recovery from an injury that nearly left him deaf. Kids will love reading his story about how he faced challenges and advanced ahead, and he also includes DIY experiments for kids to try, and a section of full-color photographs.
System and Beyond by David A. Aguilar
The book is full of beautiful illustrations of space, and is perfect for kids of all ages, exploring various planets and the solar system. Unlike other kids’ space book, this is a National Geographic book written and illustrated by an award-winning astronomer and space artist. Aguilar is also the former Director of Science Information and Public Outreach at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
1. What do Mae among the Stars and Space have in common?| A．They include less-known astronauts. | B．They tell about scientists’ childhood. |
| C．They cover women exploring space. | D．They are suitable for children of all ages. |
| A．Stasia Burrington’s. | B．Libby Jackson’s. |
| C．Leland Melvin’s. | D．David A. Aguilar’s. |
| A．It has beautiful pictures. | B．It tells about space artists. |
| C．It has won many grand awards. | D．It was written by an astronomer. |
1. What is the talk mainly about?
| A．The story of a lost cat. |
| B．The life on the farm. |
| C．The Harry Potter series. |
| A．In an apartment. | B．On a farm. | C．On a boat. |
| A．10 years ago. | B．12 years ago. | C．14 years ago. |
| A．A visitor. | B．A farmer. | C．The staff in an animal shelter. |
| A．Keep his body clean. |
| B．Take him for a walk. |
| C．Provide food and water. |
Horses are picky eaters
Horses have an even better sense of smell than humans do. When horses raise their noses and open their nostrils (鼻孔), their nervous system allows them to sense smells we can’t sense. This might explain why they refuse dirty water and carefully move around meadows, eating only the tastiest grasses, experts say.
Whale says thanks
In 2018, a whale expert spotted a humpback whale trapped in a fishing net and spent an hour freeing it. Afterward, in an hour-long display of thanks, the whale swam near their boat and leaped into the air about 40 times.
Pandas like to be naughty
Is there anything more lovely than a baby panda, except maybe a human baby? In fact, baby pandas sometimes behave like human babies. They sleep in the same positions and value their thumbs. Pandas are shy by nature for its shy behaviors such as covering its face with a paw or ducking its head when confronted by a stranger.
A cat honors its owner
Paper towels, and a plastic cup are just a few of the gifts that Toldo, a devoted three-year-old gray-and-white cat, has placed on his former owner Iozzelli Renzo’s grave every day since the man died in September 2018. Renzo adopted Toldo from a shelter when the cat was three months old, and the two formed an inseparable bond. After Renzo passed away, Toldo followed the coffin to the cemetery, and now “stands guard” the grave for hours at a time.
1. What can horses do to pick delicious grasses?| A．Feel them. |
| B．Taste them. |
| C．Smell them. |
| D．Observe them. |
| A．They are clever. |
| B．They have a grateful heart. |
| C．They are active and lovely. |
| D．They have a good sense of smell. |
| A．The whale |
| B．The cat. |
| C．The horse. |
| D．The panda. |
8 . The world is wasting the opportunity to “build back better” from the Covid-19 pandemic, and faces disastrous temperature rises of at least 2.7°C if countries fail to strengthen their climate commitments, according to a report from the UN.
Tuesday’s publication warns that countries’ current commitments would reduce carbon by only about 7.5% by 2030, far less than the 45% cut, which scientists say is needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃, the aim of the Cop26summit that opens in Glasgow this Sunday.
António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, described the findings as a “thundering wake-up call“ to world leaders. while experts called for action against fossil fuel companies.
Although more than 100 countries have promised to reach net zero emissions around mid-century, this would not be enough to avoid climate disasters, according to the UN emissions report, which examines the shortfall between countries’ intentions and actions needed on the climate. Many of the net zero commitments were found to be unclear, and unless accompanied by strict cuts in emissions this decade would allow global heating of a potentially disastrous extent.
Guterres said: “The heat is on, and as the contents of the report show, the leadership we need is off. Far off. Countries are wasting a massive opportunity to invest Covid-19 finance and recovery resources in sustainable, cost-saving, planet-saving ways. As world leaders prepare for Cop26, this report is another thundering wake-up call. How many do we need?”
Inger Andersen, the director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said: “Climate change is no longer a future problem. It is a now problem. To stand a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5℃, we have 8 years to almost halve greenhouse gas emissions: 8 years to make the plans, put in place the policies, carry them out and deliver the cuts.The clock is ticking loudly.”
Emissions fell by about 5.4% last year during Covid lockdowns, the report found, but only about one-fifth of the economic recovery spending goes towards reducing carbon emissions. This failure to ”build back better“ despite promises by governments around the world cast doubt on the world’s willingness to make the economic shift necessary to settle the climate crisis, the UN said.
In the run-up to Cop26, countries were supposed to submit national plans to cut emissions - called nationally determined contributions (NDCs) - for the next decade, a requirement under the 2015 Paris climate agreement. But the UNEP report found only half of countries had submitted new NDCs, and some governments had presented weak plans.
1. Why were the findings described as a “thundering wake-up call” in Para. 3?| A．Because the world has failed to deliver on its current promises. |
| B．Because the serious problems were brought about by global fossil fuels. |
| C．Because a global temperature rise of at least 2.7°C would be a disaster. |
| D．Because the opportunities presented by covid-19 have been wasted. |
| A．New plans will be made to protect the environment. |
| B．Measures will be taken to reduce emissions in the coming ten years. |
| C．Transitions will be made in response to the global climate crisis. |
| D．Global sustainable environmental resources will be greatly developed. |
| A．To show the number of alarm clocks required. |
| B．To inquire the number of the countries attending the meeting. |
| C．To explain the reason for the world’s wasting chances. |
| D．To stress the need to save energy and reduce emissions. |
| A．Few countries have submitted plans to reduce the emissions. |
| B．Most of the countries work under the Paris Climate Agreement. |
| C．Plans to cut emissions of many countries are far from satisfactory. |
| D．Much progress in reducing emissions has been made these years. |
My best friend Carla Hernandez called me on Thursday afternoon. “Daniel, meet me in the park near the playground in five minutes. I have a great idea!” This worried me because Carla’s great ideas almost always meant big trouble for me!
I dashed outside and jogged to the park. When I saw Carla, my heart sank because her large dog Perro was with her. I liked everything about Carla except Perro. I had never had a pet in my house, and I felt uncomfortable and nervous around animals. But I was embarrassed to say I was afraid of Carla’s dog.
Upon my arrival, Carla smiled in a joyful voice. “Isn’t this the perfect location for a pet show?” I was surprised at her words. Carla explained to me that all the kids in the neighborhood could show off their pets’ talents and demonstrated the things they did well. Besides, there were plenty of comfortable benches for our parents and friends to sit on as audience. Carla added that I could be the announcer since I didn’t have a pet for the show. What she said directly affected my mood because crowds always made me nervous and unsure. Looking into her eyes, I apologized, “I’m sorry, but that’s impossible! Besides, I don’t like animals, remember?”
“That’s nonsense,” said Carla. “There’s nothing to be concerned about because you’ll be great! ”Just at that time, Perro leaped up, slobbered all over me, and almost knocked me down.“ Yuck. Down, Perro! Stay! ”I shouted. Perro sat as still as a statue.“ Wow, you’re good at that, ”Carla raised her voice excitedly. "Now let’s get started because we have a lot to do.”
With her encouragement, I decided to have a try. After going back home, I couldn’t wait to practise announcing each pet’s act. By Saturday morning I had practiced hundreds of times. However, my stomach was doing flip flops by the time the audience arrived at the park. The size of the crowd made me feel even more anxious.
注意:
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1: When the show began, I took a deep breath and announced the first pet.
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Paragraph 2: Then it was Carla and Perro’s turn.
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10 . China is showing the world its great resolve in the global climate campaign with concrete and self-motivated efforts as well as serious commitment.
At the opening ceremony of the Paris climate summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping restated China’s plan made in June to cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60—65 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, and increase non-fossil fuel sources in primary energy consumption to about 20 per cent.
With a large population, China is facing increasing resource limits, severe environmental pollution and a worsening ecosystem, and its citizens are also becoming increasingly aware of environmental problems. Suffering environmental problems and considering the efforts important in order to transform its economic growth pattern, the country will have much at risk if climate change is left unattended.
Actually, climate change efforts have already been included in China’s medium-and long-term program of economic and social development, and ecological efforts are the clear characteristics in China’s 13th Five-Year Plan(2016—2020).
Although it is and will be a developing country for a long time, China has been actively involved in the global campaign against climate change, now topping the world in terms of energy conservation and the use of new and renewable energy.
However, China’s development rights need to be respected. It is unfair to overstress China’s status as one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters and regard it as the major part of responsibilities in the global fight against climate change.
It is worthy of notice that China’s emissions of greenhouse gases per person are far lower than those of developed countries, especially the United States, although rapid economic expansion and its population base have made it one of the biggest producers of the greenhouse gas.
To show its great resolve, China also announced the establishment of an independent South-South cooperation in September, investing RMB 20 billion to help developing countries affected by global warming.
While China is eagerly accomplishing its policy commitment, developed countries should stop questioning China’s commitment to fighting climate change and pointing fingers, and start shouldering their due responsibilities instead.
1. China is self-motivated to fight against climate change in order to .| A．top the world |
| B．transform its economic growth pattern |
| C．solve its population problem |
| D．respond to pressure from developed countries |
| A．China | B．the United States |
| C．economic expansion | D．the population base |
| A．China will completely use non-fossil fuels by 2030 |
| B．China will carry out its plan by stopping its development |
| C．Chinese emit more greenhouse gases than Americans on average |
| D．some developed countries are not taking on their responsibilities |
| A．Expanding its economy. |
| B．Using non-renewable energy. |
| C．Making the fight against climate change part of China’s 13th Five-Year Plan. |
| D．Donating money to developing countries. |
