1 . Landscape paintings of the 19th century displayed in London’s Tate Britain museum looked rather familiar to Anna Lea Albright, a climate researcher. Artist William Turner’s unique way of painting objects in foggy weather let Albright recall her early research on air pollution.

“I started wondering if there was a connection,” says Albright, who visited the museum on a day off from work. Turner — an English Romantic painter — was painting as increasing industrial plants earned London the name “The Big Smoke”. Turner’s early works were done with sharp details while later works had a dreamier aesthetic (美感).

To figure out to what extent Impressionists were reflecting the environmental conditions of that time, Albright partnered with climatologist Peter Huybers. They analyzed the contrast of 60 works created by Turner from 1796 to 1850 and 38 paintings by Monet between 1864 and 1901. It turned out that as the release of sulfur dioxide (二氧化硫) increased over time, the amount of contrast in both Turner’s and Monet’s paintings decreased. However, works set in Paris by Monet between 1864 and 1872 showed relatively higher contrast compared with Turner’s London-based works created 20 years earlier. This, Albright and Huybers say, can be due to the much slower start of the Industrial Revolution in France.

The researchers also analyzed the paintings’ visibility, or the distance at which an object can be clearly seen. Before 1830, the visibility in Turner’s paintings averaged about 25 kilometers while paintings after 1830 had the average visibility of about 10 kilometers. To strengthen their argument, the researchers also analyzed 18 paintings from four other London-and Paris-based Impressionists. Again, as outdoor air pollution increased, the contrast and visibility in the paintings decreased.

The researchers calculate that air pollution can explain about 61 percent of contrast differences between the paintings. In that respect, “different painters will paint in a similar way when the environment is similar,” Albright says. “But I don’t want to overstep the line and say: Oh, we can explain all of Impressionism.”

1. Why is Albright’s visit to a museum mentioned?

A．To connect art with research.	B．To introduce previous foggy weather.
C．To show impacts of Turner’s painting.	D．To explain inspiration for her new study.

2. What might lead to lower contrast in Turner’s paintings according to the research?

A．His personal habits.	B．His drawing techniques.
C．The higher level of industrialization.	D．The influence of Impressionists.

3. What does the paintings’ visibility mainly indicate?

A．Painting styles vary with time and regions.	B．Air pollution needs to be controlled.
C．Lower visibility is more popular in works.	D．Changes in it may relate to air quality.

4. Which word can best describe Albright’s attitude towards the findings?

A．Objective.

B．Optimistic.

C．Enthusiastic.

D．Doubtful.

2 . With huge golden eyes and a distinctive call, a species of owl (猫头鹰) was finally spotted from Príncipe Island, just off Africa’s western coast. Officially named the Principe scops-owl, it is the eighth known bird species found only on that island.

“I was studying the grey parrot population of Príncipe Island with Bikegila, a local parrot harvester, who was one of the first people to spot the owl while searching for baby parrots in the early 1990s. He told me two instances where instead of finding baby parrots inside the parrot’s nests, they found a frightening-looking bird with big eyes. I immediately thought about owls,” says lead researcher Martim Melo.

Melo points out that the most interesting part of the new species is how they had hidden for so long. Their genetic (基因的) analysis shows that they are related to the very first owl that lived on one of the Gulf of Guinea islands. They arrived in Príncipe before any owl on neighboring islands but they were still the last to be discovered. “From my first conjecture about their existence, in 1998, it took me nearly 20 years to first set eyes on them!” Melo says.

While there are thought to be nearly 1,000 to 1,500 individuals of the newly described species, the researchers suggest that they are critically endangered. The main threat is that the species is found only in a single population in an area of about 34 square kilometers but they use only about half of that or less. “Although inside this area they are relatively common, they are also highly sensitive to any changes that may occur here,” Melo says. “Our results have shown that the species is very sensitive to human disturbance. A particular threat that worries us is the plan to build a hydroelectric dam. This will require construction work inside the park in an area where the owl is present.”

1. What can be learned about the Príncipe scops-owl?

A．It was mistaken for a parrot initially.	B．It was discovered purely by accident.
C．It was the only bird unique to the island.	D．It was first seen and studied by Martim Melo.

2. Which is closest in meaning to the underlined word “conjecture” in paragraph 3?

A．Guess.

B．Opinion.

C．Knowledge.

D．Concern

3. Why are the Príncipe scops-owls endangered?

A．Their numbers are decreasing.	B．They suffer from much human disturbance.
C．They just live in a limited area.	D．Their living places are occupied by humans.

4. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To show the critical role of owls in African ecosystems.

B．To uncover long-hidden secrets of Príncipe scops-owls.

C．To present growing threats to new owl species in Africa.

D．To introduce a new owl species found on Príncipe Island.

3 . Watering my plants and watching my grandkids run around my vegetable garden, I was filled with joy. They are my _________ to save the earth, I thought.

Six years ago, though, I _________ gave the environment a second thought. Busily working in family day care, and a mum of three, I _________ products without hesitation. Things like throwing out leftover vegetables without care and shopping for fast fashion were part of my everyday _________. Then, one day in January, I _________ an article online about palm oil (棕榈油) , and its _________ effects on our rainforests and wildlife.

My husband and I had just changed our _________ then, becoming grandparents. “We need to _________the world,” I told him. It was not going to be easy, but we _________ to start somewhere. So while doing the shopping, I __________ every label to make sure the product was __________ from palm oil, a leading cause of deforestation. I even started my own vegetable garden and raised chicks. Soon, I became known as Eco Granny!

I love walking through my garden, with my little __________ closely following me. It is also __________ to teach my grandkids to do what I do. They all offer to help pick vegetables. And __________ one lady’s message of “Your post motivated me to make a change”, I more firmly believe if I can go __________ and be an inspiration, anyone can!

1.

A．way

B．chance

C．reason

D．attempt

2.

A．specifically

B．barely

C．carefully

D．seriously

3.

A．wasted

B．stored

C．selected

D．consumed

4.

A．practices

B．struggles

C．preferences

D．tasks

5.

A．wrote down

B．came across

C．went over

D．figured out

6.

A．decisive

B．immediate

C．potential

D．destructive

7.

A．mind

B．focus

C．identity

D．position

8.

A．rebuild

B．better

C．understand

D．refresh

9.

A．arranged

B．applied

C．determined

D．demanded

10.

A．checked

B．translated

C．recorded

D．attached

11.

A．distinct

B．safe

C．free

D．separate

12.

A．customers

B．tracks

C．servants

D．shadows

13.

A．rewarding

B．necessary

C．challenging

D．reasonable

14.

A．regardless of

B．apart from

C．but for

D．thanks to

15.

A．green

B．healthy

C．well

D．forward

4 . With disastrous global warming already part of the climate system, today’s children face a future entirely unlike that of their parents. Unsurprisingly, children can have many feelings about climate change, such as being anxious, frightened, sad and angry. In a recent survey of American teenagers, 57 percent said that climate change made them feel scared and 52 percent said it made them feel angry.     1    .

The most important thing parents can give children is hope: there are solutions, and everyone has something to contribute, whatever their age. Parents can help them discover the facts, know that they are not alone and find ways to take action.     2    , which will help them manage their anxiety. It can also inspire constructive conversations that lead to collective action. However, that can feel hard for many parents.

    3    . But learning about the basics is “a critical first step in being able to talk”, according to Harriet Shugarman, who is the author of How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change. She is a nationally recognized influencer and trusted advisor to parents.     4    . Understanding the science equips them to make informed decisions.

Coverage includes:

·The realities of the climate emergency, where we are, and how we got here. It casts light on the historical progression of climate change.

·Strategies for talking to kids of different ages about the climate crisis. These include advice from experienced parents.

·How to keep our own hope and that of our children.

·A list of practical actions.     5    .

A．They tell families what they can do to deal with climate crisis

B．Use it as a chance to listen to their fears and hopes for the planet

C．Talking about climate change is key to preparing them for the future

D．Children can learn what a livable as well as green world looks like

E．These are very natural reactions to something uncertain and destructive

F．Parents needn’t be experts on climate science to explore the topic with children

G．This book offers both hope and practical ways to involve children in making a better world

5 . A 10-year-old Texas boy is working hard to bring animals joy, one musical tune at a time. He has found a way to combine his ________ for music and dogs while ________ his community.

Yuvi Agarwal plays the piano to ________ dogs at Houston Pets Alive!, a shelter in Houston. Yuvi said he got the ________ to play for dogs after attending a reading program. “Seeing how the dogs relaxed, I realized music has a much stronger impact. So I ________ to basically play music for the animals,” Yuvi said. “________ not deafening drums, but melodious (悦耳的) instruments such as the piano that will reduce their ________.”

“When Yuvi plays the piano, the dogs’ reaction is always ________ — they just all stop and stare, seeming to be so ________ in what he is doing,” Delgado, a worker at the animal shelter, said.“It is a wild ________, actually much better than we have ever ________. Helpful as it has been to play classical music for the animals through the radio, nothing got the animals relaxed like Yuvi’s ________performances.”

The fifth grader has ________ a few months to the work. He is showing there is no age requirement to ________ pleasant change and go after what we love. “We are hopeful of more people getting creative about animal ________ and joining us,” Delgado said.

1.

A．desire

B．affection

C．respect

D．talent

2.

A．giving back to

B．taking advantage of

C．keeping up with

D．throwing light on

3.

A．attract

B．train

C．direct

D．calm

4.

A．opportunity

B．permission

C．inspiration

D．invitation

5.

A．promised

B．afforded

C．managed

D．decided

6.

A．Certainly

B．Initially

C．Occasionally

D．Fortunately

7.

A．pain

B．death

C．anxiety

D．loss

8.

A．slow

B．normal

C．appropriate

D．positive

9.

A．concerned

B．absorbed

C．experienced

D．occupied

10.

A．success

B．honor

C．discovery

D．challenge

11.

A．evaluated

B．recognized

C．expected

D．informed

12.

A．consistent

B．distinctive

C．professional

D．live

13.

A．related

B．devoted

C．applied

D．secured

14.

A．reflect

B．seek

C．drive

D．demand

15.

A．behavior

B．welfare

C．right

D．adoption

6 . There are many reasons bears rub (摩擦) against trees. Sometimes they use smells to leave messages on trees for other bears, at other times they remove hair and rub that hard-to-reach part. A new study uncovers an additional benefit: keeping ticks (蜱虫) at bay.

When bears rub against bark, the trunks of the trees they move back and forth against leak out tars (焦油), a kind of thick sticky liquid. The substances, which are extremely unpleasant for ticks, stick to skin, and are water-resistant, making them really suitable to be an effective natural medicine that can drive away ticks.

Biologists have observed that brown and black bears have affection for certain types of trees, such as beech trees. The appeal of the tar is so strong that scientists use its strong smells to attract bears for studies. To test the guessing that the tar is a tick-warding medicine, Biologist Agnieszka Sergiel found herself staring at long containers which the widespread ticks she caught were placed into. She watched to see if they would run away from the tar on one side and toward safe, plain water at the other end of the container. And run they did!

The study provided clear evidence that ticks were avoiding the tar, said Hannah Tiffin, a scientist specializing in ticks. “I think it’s an interesting route to go and could make sense,” she said. “Using natural medicines to war d insects off has been seen in the wild. Monkeys rub their skin with orange trees and dolphins may treat their skin with an undersea material. Your cat may even use some plant to keep insects away.”

Expanding the limited database of ticks found on bears will be one of the most important steps to improve this work, Sergiel noted. There’s still a lot to be learned about tar functioning as a medicine to war d off ticks. Collecting skin samples from different bears and testing ticks’ responses could also be useful, she added.

1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．Which trees produce sticky liquids.	B．What substances from trees attract ticks.
C．Why bears coat their body with sticky liquid.	D．How tree rubbing drives away ticks for bears.

2. What did Sergiel do in her experiment?

A．She attracted bears to a kind of trees.	B．She studied the way ticks reached bears.
C．She observed ticks’ reaction to a special liquid.	D．She compared effects of water and tar on ticks.

3. How does Hannah Tiffin prove the reliability of Sergiel’s findings?

A．By concluding the root cause.	B．By citing other animals’ behaviors.
C．By referring to some other studies.	D．By summarizing her previous findings.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Responses of tested ticks vary.	B．Collecting plentiful data is hard.
C．Further deep research is needed.	D．More work is required to study bears.

7 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

When I was a kid, my parents and I lived near the forest. They often told me that our family was a team that needed to work together for the household to function smoothly. There was always an abundance of work to do — cooking, cleaning, and walking dogs. I volunteered to walk our dog, Max, who had been adopted one month before. I never dared let this giant dog off the lead (牵狗绳), just in case he took off.

One morning, we were walking along in the forest when Max started pulling on the lead. At first, I was able to hold on despite the wet ground from a recent shower. But the more I tried to stop him pulling, the more it turned into a tug of war. And thanks to the slippery ground, I lost.

Pulling his lead, Max shot off like a bullet, leaving me screaming behind. I chased him but lost my footing and fell face-first into some mud. I stumbled (踉跄) to my feet, but looking ahead, I found him running back towards me. I thought he was going to stop and give me his “Sorry” look. But instead, the dog shot past me and returned after a while.

As soon as we got home, my mother immediately attended to Max with a warm towel and a doggy treat. I thought seeing me stumbling and covered in mud, I would also get a warm cup of tea and a motherly kiss. Instead, I got a very loud lecture about letting the dog loose in the forest.

I felt frustrated. It wasn’t fair that she didn’t understand how difficult it was to control Max. I fought back, “Stop lecturing me! Why is everything my fault?” With these words, I stormed into my bedroom and slammed the door shut.

In the evening, I heard my mother call Max and take him out. It wasn’t long before I heard my mother screaming and the door opening again.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150个左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

I walked out of my room.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dad stepped in, suggesting that we work together to train Max.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . My parents had purchased an Island Packet 445 ten months prior, and the day to board this boat had finally come. I was 11 years old and knew absolutely nothing about this cruising (海上航游) lifestyle my father had been speaking so highly of for the previous five years. The only thing I knew for sure was that I didn’t want to leave my home. My father was excited, my mother nervous, my brother disinterested, and I sullen. I was not at all eager about this change in my lifestyle.

The first three months on the boat had not been very easy. What my dad called an adjustment period I called a nightmare. But, after three months of traveling, we had a lucky break. In La Paz, there was another cruising boat with a 13-year-old boy aboard. Two weeks later, Glen and I could be seen endlessly boogie boarding (趴板冲浪) the crashing waves to the beach. After meeting Glen, cruising for me began to get better and better. At some point during these months, I decided to give this cruising idea a chance.

One year later, we continued touring through the South Pacific. I was learning new skills and learning how to work independently. I often took a five-hour watch during the dark hours of long passages. This was quite a bit of responsibility to hand over to a 13-year-old, especially considering I was in charge of adjusting sails as the conditions changed, and keeping an eye and ear out for any problems. Almost everybody in the cruising community treated me as an adult while still understanding I was a child, thereby giving me the flexibility to make childish mistakes.

As of this writing, my family has now been aboard for three years. We have plans to return to Canada in 12 months and, similar to how I opposed moving onto the boat, I am now completely opposed to moving off it. I have so much fun and learn so many things on this boat that I can’t imagine ever returning “home”, a place I hardly even remember.

1. What does the underlined word “sullen” in the first paragraph probably mean?

A．Upset.

B．Calm.

C．Confused.

D．Astonished.

2. What made the author start to embrace the cruising idea?

A．Overcoming the fear of nightmares.

B．Having fun with someone of his age.

C．Learning how to work independently.

D．Making a breakthrough in boarding skills.

3. Which of the following words can best describe the author?

A．Stubborn but reliable.	B．Childish but adaptable.
C．Inconsiderate but flexible.	D．Dependent but responsible.

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

A．Benefits of the Cruising Lifestyle

B．First Day aboard Island Packet 445

C．What Motivates a Teenager to Change His Lifestyle

D．How a Young Sailor Learns to Love the Cruising Life

9 . The 11-year-old Freddy was chasing a rabbit on Monday when he got trapped down a narrow hole in Blackroot Pool, West Midlands. His ________ Richard Hill said he could hear Freddy’s whimpers (呜咽) underground but was unable to ________ him. The 55-year-old man ________ gave up searching for him when it got dark. “I really thought I had ________ Freddy for the very last time,” said Hill.

But Hill ________ on Tuesday morning and decided to call 999 after he could hear Freddy’s cries for help. Freddy had already been ________ for 24 hours by that time. The West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service found them after Hill used an app on his phone to help firefighters find Freddy’s exact ________. Crews used cameras and listening equipment on their mission to find the ________ dog, and eventually dug a 6-ft by 9-ft hole.

________, after two hours’ digging, firefighters ________ the exhausted Freddy, who “ran out of the hole as they got closer to him”. “I have to say a huge thank-you to the firefighters.” says Hill. “It was just ________ when he ran out of the hole after the ________, it was just like nothing had happened.” Freddy is still showing an orange color after being ________ with the clay soil.

According to the ________ owner the 4-legged adventurer will “definitely be staying on the ________ the next time we go out for a walk.”

1.

A．owner

B．coach

C．relative

D．neighbor

2.

A．call

B．check

C．reach

D．control

3.

A．hesitantly

B．naturally

C．unfortunately

D．unwillingly

4.

A．fed

B．seen

C．contacted

D．accompanied

5.

A．approved

B．departed

C．returned

D．attempted

6.

A．deserted

B．trapped

C．transported

D．forgotten

7.

A．origin

B．appearance

C．location

D．identity

8.

A．disabled

B．dependable

C．cute

D．upset

9.

A．Accidentally

B．Precisely

C．Immediately

D．Thankfully

10.

A．noticed

B．freed

C．dominated

D．discovered

11.

A．awful

B．impossible

C．incredible

D．harmonious

12.

A．rescue

B．discovery

C．adventure

D．operation

13.

A．buried

B．covered

C．rewarded

D．compared

14.

A．relieved

B．devoted

C．confused

D．embarrassed

15.

A．line

B．spot

C．path

D．lead

10 . Nearly a million bats are killed each year in the United States by crashing into working wind turbines (涡轮机), pushing the Department of Energy (DOE) to take some measures.

As the United States seeks to expand wind energy to reduce carbon emissions and minimize climate impacts, land-based wind turbines are emerging as a threat to several bat species. In 2022, wind power generated about 10 percent of U. S. energy and accounted for half of the electricity from renewables. DOE projects U. S. wind capacity to nearly triple by 2050, adding 260 gigawatts. Some of the increase will come from offshore wind farms, which are less harmful to bats. “The 880, 000 bats killed every year in the United States is a shockingly large number, ” said Winifred Frick, a chief scientist at Bat Conservation International.

The death count suggests many bat species could become endangered in the next few years. The value of bats goes beyond benefits that farmers get from pest control. They have a positive impact on pollinating (授粉) plants and increasing agricultural production. They could also help scientists understand aging and death better because bats have relatively longer life.

But the scientific community currently has no idea why wind turbines attract bats or how to keep bats away from the turbines whose blades reach 200 feet. DOE has given scientists millions of dollars, aiming to address the knowledge gap.

The fund is going to scientists who will test untried methods of bat protection. The goal, Frick said, is to “find solutions that can maximize energy production while minimizing the number of bats killed.”

Frick’s team has received $ 2. 5 million to test whether the bright lights fixed on turbines to warn aircraft pilots are attracting bats. If that is the case, wind farms can put up aircraft detection systems that will turn on flashing warning lights only when an airplane is nearby and reduce bat deaths. DOE’s funding will allow researchers at the nonprofit research institute to run tests in a wider range.

1. What can be inferred from the figures in paragraph 2?

A．Wind power is a top priority for DOE.

B．Wind turbines are becoming attractive to bats.

C．Land-based wind farms are more friendly to bats.

D．Bats are indirect victims of environmental awareness.

2. What significance do bats have according to the text?

A．They provide insights into life science.	B．They are the primary killers of insects.
C．They are used for studies on energy generation.	D．They have a decisive effect on crop production.

3. Which can best explain the underlined word “gap” in paragraph 4?

A．Difference.

B．Conflict.

C．Ignorance.

D．Imbalance.

4. What will DOE’s funding be used for?

A．Supporting the setup of bright lights on turbines.

B．Promoting wide-ranging research on bat conservation.

C．Exploring ways to make energy production bat-friendly.

D．Seeking methods for improving wind energy production.