1 . In the animal kingdom, killer whales (虎鲸) are social stars: they travel in varied family groups, care for grandchildren, and even imitate human speech. Now, scientists are adding one more behavior to the list: forming fast friendships. A new study shows killer whales can rival animals such as chimpanzees and macaques (a kind of monkey), and even humans when it comes to the kind of “social touch” that indicates strong bonds.
Some ocean animals maintain social structures — including male dolphins that learn the “names” of their close allies (盟友). But there is little data about wild killer whales. That’s where drone (无人机) technology came in. Michael Weiss, a behavioral ecologist, teamed up with his colleagues to launch drones, flying them 30 to 120 meters above a group of killer whales. That was high enough not to trouble the whales, marking the first time drones have been used to study friendly physical contact in whales.
The researchers recorded over 800 instances of physical contact between individuals. Those included hugs, back-to-back and nose-to-nose touches between pairs of whales. Other whales playfully threw young whales into the air, letting them fall into the water. Besides, the drone images revealed clear preferences among individuals, usually for one “best friend” of the same sex and age. Take J49 and J51 — two distantly related young males aged 9 and 6 — for instance. “Every time you see a group of whales, those two are right there interacting with each other,” Weiss says.
The young led most of these interactions, rather than the older females or males. Older males in particular were less important. “The young individuals really seem to be the glue holding the groups together,” Weiss says. As individuals age, this gradual loss of “centrality” is known in many social mammals, including humans. That finding is “especially appealing” to Stacey Tecot, who wasn’t involved in the study. “Scientists have long observed this social aging trend in animals, but there are still many unanswered questions,” she says. That’s certainly on the researchers’ radar. “We’re already gathering new data, with more advanced equipment,” says Weiss.
1. What does the underlined word “rival” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Benefit from. | B．Be equal to. | C．Depend on. | D．Be fond of. |
| A．The research method. | B．The variety of species. |
| C．The size of the research team. | D．The time spent on the research. |
| A．They have a stable friendship. | B．Their interactions are more complicated. |
| C．Their communicating ways change frequently. | D．They prefer playing with young female whales. |
| A．More researchers will be involved in the study. |
| B．Other scientists take a negative attitude to the research. |
| C．Researchers will collect more data to study killer whales. |
| D．Researchers will uncover the social aging trend in animals soon. |
2 . On any given day Damon Carson will deal with lots of inquiries from large companies looking to unload massive amounts of stuff that would otherwise go to the landfill (废物填埋场). For example, twenty-eight plastic boxes from a store were just waiting for him to repurpose them. And a recreation company wanted to know if Carson was interested in 360 kilograms of blue ropes
“They don’t want to just throw it away,” he explains. “Nor should they. Because it has value. ”The question of what value, and to whom, is what occupies Carson’s days.
For nearly a decade, his company, Repurposed Materials, has been devoted to this. He’s not looking to recycle the stuff he gets—breaking it down to make something new—but rather finding new homes for abandoned goods in their original forms.
In the late 1990s, Carson was on break from business school, when he discovered the profitable world of waste. He and a friend started a small business near construction sites. Working in construction, Carson had become familiar with an almost-everyday phenomenon: “You’d open up one of these big construction dumpster (大垃圾箱) and stuff would start falling out,” he says. He would find perfectly good wood, or a window still wrapped in plastic from the factory. “You can’t wrap your mind around how wasteful America is until you run a waste company,” he says
There is a solid environmental case for repurposing, or upcycling. “When people call, I say we don’t chip, grind, melt.” “Carson notes. Recycling, however noble, still takes energy. “Why melt something down, if it still has value?” he asks. An old oil-field pipe might be melted down and turned into a car bumper, but it still takes a fair amount of power to finish the transformation. Why not put it straight up and turn it into a fence post on a farm? The only cost is transport.
Carson recently opened two new warehouses (仓库), bringing the total to six. “Corporations(企业) are,” he says, “becoming increasingly focused on sustainability, so we’re upping (使升级) our capabilities. You never know when the next 20,000-kilogram spool of 10-centimeter-thick rope might come along, or where it might go.”
1. What does Carson’s company Repurposed Materials do?| A．It helps large companies bury waste. |
| B．It warns people against throwing away waste. |
| C．It brings new lives to abandoned stuff. |
| D．It changes the original form of abandoned stuff. |
| A．It is more logical | B．It is more systematic |
| C．It is more formal | D．It is more energy-saving |
| A．Current trend of using heavier ropes. |
| B．Fast development of his warehouses. |
| C．Natural process of treating waste materials. |
| D．Increasing environmental concerns of corporations. |
| A．Generous and hard-working | B．Intelligent and humorous |
| C．Devoted and forward-looking | D．Independent and responsible |
3 . U.S. forests could worsen global warming instead of easing it because they are being destroyed by natural disasters and are losing their ability to absorb planet-warming gases as they get older, a new Agriculture Department report says.
U.S. forests currently absorb 11 percent of U.S carbon emissions, or 150 million metric tons of carbon a year, equal to the combined emissions from 40 coal power plants, the report says. It predicts that the ability of forests to absorb carbon will start falling quickly after 2025 and that forests could emit up to 100 million metric tons of carbon a year as their emissions from rotting trees exceed their carbon absorption. Forests could become a “substantial carbon source” by 2070, the USDA report says.
The prediction suggests that the loss of forests as a natural carbon absorber will require the U.S. to cut emissions more rapidly to reach net zero, said Lynn Riley, a senior manager of climate science at the American Forest Foundation.
“Ten percent of our domestic emissions. That is a really significant portion,” Riley said. “As we work to decarbonize...forests are one of the greatest tools at our disposal. If we were to lose that, it means the U.S. will contribute that much more in emissions.”
The loss of cab on absorption is driven in part by natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes, which are increasing in frequency and strength as global temperatures rise. The disasters destroy forestland, disrupting their ecosystem and decreasing their ability to absorb carbon, Riley said.
Exploitation of forested areas, which the report projects will continue to increase, is having the same effect as people increasingly move to the so-called wild and urban interface.
The trees’ ability to absorb carbon weakens overtime. Older, mature trees absorb less carbon than younger trees of the same species, and the U.S. forests are rapidly aging, the report found.
More aggressive forest management can help by cutting down a small portion of aging forests to make ways for younger trees that absorb more carbon, Riley said. A thorough study of each forest should be done before removing older trees, Riley said, comparing forest management to prescribing the proper dugs to a patient.
1. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?| A．Coal power plants emit 150 million metric tons of carbon every year |
| B．Cutting down all older trees is an effective way to solve the problem. |
| C．A new study of forest should be conducted after removing older trees. |
| D．Forests are likely to shift from a carbon absorber to an emission source. |
| A．Forests play a crucial role in holding carbon. |
| B．Forests are no longer a natural carbon absorber. |
| C．The U.S makes contributions to decarbonization. |
| D．Achieving net zero emissions is within easy reach. |
| A．aging forests | B．natural disasters |
| C．global warming | D．development of forests |
| A．Cutting Carbon Helps Slow Global Warming. |
| B．Global Warming Is Becoming Worse Gradually. |
| C．Forests Are Losing Their Ability to Hold Carbon. |
| D．Planting More Trees Is at The Top of The Agenda. |
4 . Nashville TN
Welcome to your Music City vacation planning center, where you can make reservations for lodging, activities, dining and more! You can meet today’s hottest stars and country music legends at the Grand Ole Opry, cruise the Cumberland aboard the General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise or tour the sights!
Classic Music City Attractions
When one thinks of Music City, there are several attractions that immediately come to mind, namely the Grand Ole Opry, The General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise, and the Ryman Auditorium.
Some of the most amazing stars have taken the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Another historic venue in Music City is the Ryman Auditorium. As well as attending concerts and shows, visitors to the Ryman can take leisurely tours to learn all about the history of the performing center.
Architectural Wonders
As one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, it is no wonder that this city is home to some of the most impressive pieces of architecture. From landmarks to universities and everything in between, those who have a passion for history are sure to have an amazing time exploring these places.
Music City Art & Museums
For those who love art, the Frist Center is a must-have activity. This art museum features approximately 24, 000 sq ft filled with a variety of exhibitions and displays that are sure to impress. This non-profit center is open seven days a week and features rotating exhibits so there’s something new with each visit.
Shopping, Dining & More
Downtown is among the most popular areas of the city as it holds some of the greatest attractions and more.
East, the ever-growing region is a bustling(熙攘的) place to visit while in Music City! From an eclectic atmosphere to historic landmarks and more. From local delicious eats to breweries and shopping opportunities, this neighborhood is well worth a visit!
1. In Nashville TN, visitors can .
| A．have a chance to perform on the stage. |
| B．explore some impressive historic buildings. |
| C．meet some hot stars and pickup fiction stories. |
| D．go shopping in Downtown, the most popular area. |
| A．Live concerts can be enjoyed. |
| B．It is the largest museum in Nashville TN. |
| C．The center is accessible every day except on holidays. |
| D．Visitors can get different visiting experiences every time. |
| A．To introduce the city of Nashville TN. |
| B．To help people to tailor vacation plans. |
| C．To arouse visitors’ interest in music and art. |
| D．To remind visitors of protecting Nashville TN. |
1. What is the speaker trying to do?
| A．Introduce Earth Day. | B．Organize a party. | C．Promote a volunteer job. |
| A．At West 36th Street & West River Parkway. |
| B．At East 44th Street & West River Parkway. |
| C．At East 45th Street & West River Parkway. |
| A．Bring their own gloves. | B．Bring their own lunch. | C．Go there with a parent. |
6 . People often recommend planting trees to make cities greener, cleaner and healthier. But during heat waves, city trees can actually increase air pollution. Indeed, a new study has found, up to 60 percent of the smoggy ozone in a city’s air on hot days may trace to chemicals emitted by trees. Galina Churkina, who works at Humboldt University of Berlin, and her team have confirmed it.
The findings might seem the opposite of what you would expect, notes Robert Young, an expert in city planting at the University of Texas at Austin. Indeed, he says, “Everything has multiple effects.” The new findings do not mean cities should discourage tree planting. Instead, cities may need stricter controls on other sources of pollution, such as tailpipeemissions from cars and trucks.
City trees soak up carbon dioxide, and at the same time they release oxygen into the air. But oxygen is far from the only gas that trees and certain other green plants release into the air. One of these chemicals is a hydrocarbon known as isoprene(异戊二烯). It can react with combustion(燃烧)pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides(氮氧化物)emitted by cars and trucks in cities. The result is the formation of ozone, a component of smog, which can irritate the lungs and cause airway diseases.
Churkina says her team is not surprised to see the seemingly contrary relationship between plants and pollution. She adds that its importance is quite amazing. “The results,” Churkina says, “suggest that city tree planting programs should not ignore the role this greenery may play in aggravating summer air pollution.” “Adding more trees will improve quality of life only if those cities also undertake plans to sharply cut vehicle pollution in summer and to increase their reliance on clean energy sources for electric power,” she says.
1. What does the new study find about city trees on hot days?| A．City trees can reduce the smoggy ozone. |
| B．City trees may easily absorb heat waves. |
| C．City trees may cause more air pollution. |
| D．More city trees can make a city far better. |
| A．The harm ozone does to people in cities. |
| B．The way trees help the formation of ozone. |
| C．The chemicals green plants release into the air. |
| D．The benefits trees bring to the city environment. |
| A．Worsening. | B．Decreasing. | C．Improving. | D．Releasing. |
| A．Planting more trees in cities. |
| B．Advocating using clean energy. |
| C．Improving people’s quality of life. |
| D．Banning vehicle pollution in summer. |
The Grand Canal is the longest and
The Grand Canal bears witness to a remarkable and early development of hydraulic engineering(水利工程). It is an essential technological achievement
1. Who might Mary Locke be?
| A．A news reporter. | B．A plane designer. | C．A fire ranger. |
| A．From a river. | B．From a lake. | C．From the Fire Center. |
| A．Dangerous. | B．Exciting. | C．Extraordinary. |
| A．The plane’s tanks hold no more than 5,000 liters of water. |
| B．The fire rangers should keep the plane away from the fire. |
| C．The crew has to drop water 20 times to put out the fire. |
9 . As waterfowl (水鸟) seasons unfold each year across North America, the question “Where are the ducks?” unavoidably arises somewhere. While that seems like a straightforward, easy question, the answer is actually very complex. There are many factors that influence distribution of waterfowl in fall and winter.
Most waterfowl hunters understand the effect weather has on waterfowl migration (迁徙). Except for the few species that are hardwired for more dependable long-distance migrations, such as blue-winged teal (水鸭), waterfowl are adapted to migrating only as far as is necessary for them to find food and places to rest. Waterfowl like to wander at places without freezing temperatures and snow to cover food sources. It is advantageous for them to reduce risk of death from migration. Some birds that arrive earliest on breeding areas have access to the best regions, which results in a higher probability of nesting successfully.
Snow and ice cover and their influence on waterfowl migration are easy to understand to most duck hunters. However, what may be less understood is the trend toward warmer winters. If current climate trends continue in North America, northern regions will have less frequent ice and snow cover in future winters. So waterfowl that are adapted to staying as close to breeding areas are likely to be influenced, meaning significantly delayed fall migrations and shorter periods on southern areas.
In the past 200 years the landscapes that are most important to waterfowl have suffered huge habitat loss, with some states losing more than 90 percent of wetlands, and nearly all losing over 50 percent. Perhaps the most discouraging loss of wetlands important to wintering waterfowl has been in coastal Louisiana, where more than 40 percent of the states, approximately 3 million acres of wetlands have disappeared over the past several decades.
Changes in the number of wetlands and the trend toward warmer winters are likely enabling waterfowl to winter farther north or, at least, delaying fall migration. Unsurprisingly across most of the eastern United States’ many waterfowl hunters saw reduced harvest as a result.
1. What does the author want to tell us in paragraph 1?| A．Not all people know where migrating birds fly. |
| B．The reasons for waterfowl distribution are puzzling. |
| C．It’s very easy for people to know why waterfowl migrate. |
| D．There are complicated factors influencing waterfowl migration. |
| A．Having a good rest there. | B．Protecting-them from hunters. |
| C．Getting access to the best regions. | D．Decreasing risk of dying from migration. |
| A．Almost all the wetlands in coastal Louisiana will disappear soon. |
| B．Loss of wetlands important to waterfowl has been happening rapidly. |
| C．Habitat loss will put waterfowl in immediate danger of extinction, |
| D．Most states in North America have lost over 90 percent of wetlands. |
| A．Where are the ducks on earth? |
| B．How are waterfowl migrating? |
| C．Are waterfowl migrations changing? |
| D．Are waterfowl surviving the warmer climate? |
10 . Avoid the supermarket shelves piled with cheese, cupcakes and pies. That is the message of an analysis that found these items are the worst when looking at both nutritional and environmental impacts of thousands of food and drink products sold in the UK and Ireland. So far, most studies have focused on the environmental impact of goods such as beef or beans, rather than tofu and other products that shoppers often buy. Where research has focused on such products, it has usually been for a small number of them.
In a bid to bridge the gap, Micheal Clark at the University of Oxford and his colleagues analyzed more than 57,000 food and drink products sold in the UK and Ireland. The team took the ingredients (成份) data from eight retailers (零售商), including major supermarkets Tesco and Sainsbury’s. However, precise figures on how much of each ingredient is in each product were only available for around a tenth of them. To estimate the rest, Clark and his colleagues trained an algorithm (算法) on the known products and used it to predict the composition of the unknown ones. Finally, the team linked all the ingredients to an existing database of environmental impacts, including emissions (排放), land use and water stress.
The results may come as no surprise: meat, fish and cheese products had highest environmental impact while fruit, vegetables, bread and sugary drink products had the lowest burden. Clark admits that none of this is exciting, given what we already knew from past research. “What is important is that you can start getting these impact estimates for products that people are purchasing, which then has a lot of effects,” he says.
One of those is eco-lables, which can help consumers to make greener choices. However, retailers have struggled in the past with the challenge of the large number of food. Clark is thinking about how to eventually turn the data into an app that could be used either by shoppers or by retailers wanting to reduce their environmental impact. “We’ve made that information available in a way that means people can start making informed decisions,” he says.
1. What is the purpose of Clark’s study?| A．To solve the environmental problems with some products. |
| B．To point out the mistakes of the previous research. |
| C．To focus on the important ingredients data from retailers. |
| D．To estimate the environmental impact of frequently-bought products. |
| A．The process of Clark’s study. | B．The result of Clark’s study. |
| C．The significance of Clark’s study. | D．The limitation of Clark’s study. |
| A．Surprising. | B．Worrying. | C．Meaningful. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．Nutritious food like beef and eggs. | B．Green food like carrots and bananas. |
| C．Healthy food like fish and tofu. | D．Fresh food like milk and chicken |
