To truly understand our planet, we must explore the oceans..., but sea exploration is important for our future. For example, scientific research ships can help
Of course, there are still environmental risks. However, these should be balanced with economic needs. Hopefully, as technology improves, we may have more
To reach out across the sea remains a strong desire today. The ancient sea routes travelled by Zheng He
Hundreds of years on, and with the
3 . A blind fish living within a Mexican cave system’s deep, enduring darkness still maintains some ability to sense light. As the cave fish no longer seem to rely on an internal daily cycle and some sleep very little, biologist Inca Stein-dal and her colleagues were keen to see if their bodies can still regulate cyclically through time. Most animals on Earth have an internal clock for this the circadian rhythm (昼夜节律) that uses light levels to make our bodies fit in with our planet’s day and night cycles. This rhythm is then used to cycle through different biological processes that can influence our behaviour, such as our hunger cycles.
The Mexican blind cave fish live in a complex of over 30 isolated caves, within which they have each independently adjusted to the dark. Their bodies are extra sensitive to vibrations (震动), allowing them to sense changes in water currents for navigation (导航) in compensation for their limited or complete lack of sight. This adaptation occurred despite the fish from each cave evolving from the same species with fully functioning eyes. This ancestral group still lives in the surface waters in the El Albra region of Mexico and some parts of the Southwestern US.
Steindal and her team took tissue samples from the blind cave fish, from three isolated caves, and their surface relatives and tested the cells in different conditions. They detected the activation of several molecular (分子的) clock mechanisms when the cells were exposed to light, even in the cave fish cells. “Non-visual light detection is maintained at a fundamental cell-based level,” the researchers explain,although the cave fish cells did not respond as strongly as those cells from surface fish. While there were some similarities between the fish from the different caves compared to their surface relatives, there were also differences that confirm their biological clock changes each evolved independently of one another via different molecular mechanisms.
“We have provided proof that despite being blind, cells from the Mexican blind cave fish can detect light and make their clocks fit in with a light/dark cycle,” Steindal and her colleagues conclude. The team hopes these can help us learn more about the circadian rhythm and provide an easier way to study animal adaptations to dark environments.
1. As to the cave fish, what did Steindal and her fellows try to find out?| A．If they have a circadian rhythm. | B．If they rely on an internal daily cycle. |
| C．If they need to sleep. | D．If they are able to sense light. |
| A．The Mexican cave fish’s ancestors had normal vision. |
| B．The Mexican cave fish’s home is in the dark deep sea. |
| C．The Mexican cave fish have adapted to darkness. |
| D．The Mexican cave fish have trouble navigating. |
| A．Cave fish’s unique molecular structures. |
| B．Non-visual light detection in cave fish cells. |
| C．The cave fish’s adjustment t0 molecular clock mechanisms. |
| D．Biological clock changes evolved independently. |
| A．Why Do the Mexican Cave fish Live in the Darken“ |
| B．A Blind Cave fish Can Still Perceive Light. |
| C．How Can the Mexican Cave fish Fit in with the Day Cycles? |
| D．The Biological Clocks of the Life in the Sen Are Constantly Changing. |
4 . Humans have sailed the oceans’ surfaces for millennia, but their depths remain effectively uncharted. Only about a quarter of the seafloor has been mapped at high resolution. Maps of most regions display only approximate depths and often miss entire underwater mountains or canyons (峡谷).
So researchers have introduced some deep-diving experts: Elephant Seals. Scientists have been placing trackers on them around Antarctica for years, gathering data on ocean temperature. For a new study, the researchers compared these dives’ location and depth data with some of the less detailed seafloor maps. They spotted places where the seals dove deeper than should have been possible according to the maps meaning the existing depth estimates were inaccurate.
In eastern Antarctica’s Vincennes Bay, the diving seals helped the scientists find a large, hidden underwater canyon of more than a mile in depth. An Australian research ship called the RSV Nuyina later measured the canyon’s exact depth using sonar (纳),and the researchers have proposed naming their find the Mirounga-Nuyina Canyon — honoring both the ship and the involved Elephant Seals, genus Mirounga.
But seals can’t chart the entire ocean floor. The trackers used in the study could pinpoint a seal’s geographical location only within about 1.5 miles, which allows for useful but not exactly high-resolution data. Plus, because the seals don’t always dive to the bottom of the ocean, they can reveal only where the bottom is deeper than in existing maps- not shallower. Deep-sea research experts suggest improving on these data by using more precise GPS trackers and analyzing the seals’ diving patterns to determine whether they have reached the seafloor or simply stopped going down.
The potential use of the current seal-dive data is to gather information about the deep ocean around Antarctica, specifically regarding the location and depth of sea-floor canyons. This data can be valuable for predicting how Antarctica’s ice will melt. By understanding the presence and characteristics of these canyons, scientists can better assess how warmer water from the deep ocean flows towards the ice along the continent’s coast, This knowledge is crucial for accurately modeling and predicting the future behavior of Antarctica’s ice sheets and their contribution to sea-level rise.
1. How did the researchers find out the depth inaccuracies?| A．By gathering temperature data. |
| B．With the help of seals’ diving. |
| C．By improving resolution of maps. |
| D．With the trackers placed on canyons. |
| A．To provide more reference data. | B．To introduce a new topic. |
| C．To give supporting evidence. | D．To make a comparison. |
| A．Researchers can assess ocean features. |
| B．Data can be used to track ice location. |
| C．Underwater flow can be controlled. |
| D．Scientists can monitor ice melting. |
| A．Seals assist charting ocean floor. |
| B．Seals advance GPS trackers’ precision. |
| C．Scientists draw inspiration from seals. |
| D．Scientists uncover seals’ diving patterns. |
1. Where do huge storms form every year?
| A．In Northern Africa. | B．In the United States. | C．In the Atlantic Ocean. |
| A．Dust carried by winds. | B．No rainfall for long. | C．Changeable wind. |
| A．It pollutes the whole country. |
| B．It does harm to people’s health. |
| C．It is a threat to the Sahara Desert. |
6 . Joy is a Teacher Naturalist Assistant at the Audubon Center, a non-profit connecting people with nature. A big part of her
Joy values most the
“Miss, ” he said, “It was
It wasn’t how Joy would normally refer to the specimens (标本) of animal fur, but she knew what the boy meant. He looked over the river banks,
“This place is really amazing, he
Joy grew up in a little village in England. She fondly remembers
| A．life | B．dream | C．challenge | D．job |
| A．appreciation | B．taste | C．wealth | D．control |
| A．amazed | B．scared | C．attracted | D．bored |
| A．carelessly | B．unwillingly | C．happily | D．seriously |
| A．creatures | B．images | C．spirits | D．shadows |
| A．stories | B．moments | C．honors | D．rewards |
| A．ruins | B．names | C．recalls | D．imagines |
| A．casually | B．sadly | C．gratefully | D．suddenly |
| A．harmful | B．great | C．terrible | D．lucky |
| A．glad | B．quiet | C．running | D．smiling |
| A．finally | B．honestly | C．openly | D．smoothly |
| A．living through | B．talking about | C．arranging | D．taking |
| A．discuss | B．spare | C．understand | D．discover |
| A．hope | B．gift | C．reason | D．need |
| A．spoil | B．adjust | C．last | D．save |
Last summer, I had a life-changing experience when I decided to join a group of volunteers in rescuing homeless dogs. It all started when I read a post on social media about a group of abandoned dogs in desperate need of help. Without hesitation, 1 reached out to the organization leading the rescue mission.
Early one Saturday morning, our team gathered at a local animal shelter, armed with determination and a strong sense of purpose. We loaded the necessary supplies into our van, including food, water, blankets and leashes. As we set off, a mix of excitement and nervousness filled the air.
Our destination was a run-down area on the outskirts of town. The deserted streets were home to numerous homeless dogs, which had become victims of neglect. These innocent creatures, once someone’s beloved pets, were now struggling to survive on their own. Upon arriving, our-hearts sank at the sight of many poor dogs searching for food among the piles of garbage. It was a heartbreaking scene. We immediately sprang into action, spreading out to cover every corner of the neighborhood.
Approaching the dogs cautiously, we soon discovered that gaining their trust was not an easy task. Many had learned to fear humans after lasting unthinkable hardships It took patience, gentle words and gestures to approach them without causing distress. With’ each successful rescue, our spirits were uplifted. Some dogs willingly followed us, desperate to escape their miserable lives. Others required a bit more comfort, but eventually, we managed to lead them to safety. They received medical attention and were provided with much-needed love.
As the days went by, our team experienced both moments of joy and heartache. Some dogs were fortunate enough to find loving homes, while others faced challenges due to their extremely unpleasant pasts. But through it all, we persisted, knowing that saving every life made a difference.
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。
Out efforts began to produce positive results.
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Looking back on the summer I am filled with a sense of pride and contentment.
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1.海洋的重要性；
2.保护海洋的倡议；
注意：1.写作词数应为100词左右；
2.短文题目和首句已为你写好。
Our Oceans, Our Responsibility
June 8th was officially named by the UN in 2009 as World Oceans Day.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Yours,
Li Hua
9 . If you want to understand China but can’t afford an expensive international flight, these four books can give you a complete overview of the country.
River Town
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler — This book is a journal of the author’s two years spent teaching English in a small town called Fuling, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River. Hessler writes about his experiences living in a foreign culture and observing the lives of the town’s residents. The book was published in 2001 and has won several awards, including the Kiriyama Prize.
Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China
It is a book that tells the story of China’s modernization. It was written by Ezra Vogel and published in 2011. The author describes how Deng Xiaoping’s policies led to significant changes in China’s economy and society. The book has received critical honors and won the Lionel Gelber Prize in 2012.
The Search for Modern China by Jonathan Spence
This book is a comprehensive history of China from the Ming dynasty to the present day. The author, a prominent scholar of Chinese history, provides a detailed analysis of the social, cultural, and political changes that have taken place in China over the past 500 years. The book was first put out in 1990 and has since been revised and updated several times. This book was the top bestseller for years.
Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China
Written by Leslie T. Chang, this book, published in 2008, is a reportage on the lives of young women who leave their rural homes to work in factories in China’s cities. Chang, a former New York Times journalist, interviewed hundreds of factory girls to provide insight into the social and economic changes in China.
1. What type of literature is River Town?| A．A travel guide of Fuling. | B．A personal diary. |
| C．A science fiction. | D．A reference book. |
| A．It received positive reviews. |
| B．It was published 500 years ago. |
| C．It was written by a history teacher. |
| D．It has remained the same since its first publication. |
| A．River Town |
| B．The Search for Modern China |
| C．Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China |
| D．Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China |
It’s a tough animal that has to survive in a difficult environment. Also, it cannot walk backwards, so it is always moving forward. This expresses the
