1 . What does the woman mean?

A．The weather in London is excellent.

B．People hold different attitudes toward the sun.

C．London is worth visiting with friends.

2 . The green, natural forest absorbs carbon dioxide from the air through photo- synthesis (光合作用). There is another way of dealing with the climate crisis. That is setting up fields of dark-colored solar panels (太阳能电池板), also known as “solar forests”, which replace power stations that use fossil fuels such as coal and gas to make electricity, thus mitigating harmful emissions (排放) of greenhouse gases.

But since they are both relatively dark, they absorb a lot of solar radiation. Some of the energy is used for photosynthesis in natural forests or to produce electricity in “solar forests”, but most returns to the atmosphere, heating it up. Then what would be the more effective land use option in terms of the climate crisis: planting a forest, or building solar panels? This issue has long been debated by decision-makers around the world. Now, we may have an answer, thanks to a new study.

First, the researchers compared the impact of a forest on the climate crisis in a dry area to that of a solar farm in a similar environment. The researchers found that the albedo effect (反射效应) of both of these “forests” was similar, but that the absorption or prevention of carbon emissions was very different. It turns out that it takes 2.5 years for the heat emitted by solar farms to be balanced by the carbon emissions that are avoided, thanks to the energy they produce. In the case of a natural forest of similar size, it would take more than 100 years of photosynthesis to balance its heating effect.

The researchers also studied how the heating-cooling relationship changed in other climates and found that in more humid environments, the heating effect of planting large numbers of trees is smaller. And the break-even point is reached within 15 to 18 years.

“In dry places, building solar forests seems far more effective in addressing the climate crisis. Meanwhile, forests absorb about a third of annual carbon emissions and play a vital role in the global rain cycle, in maintaining biodiversity and in many other environmental and social contexts. Preventing them from being cut down and planting more trees in humid areas are of great significance,” explains one of the researchers in the study.

1. What does the underlined word “mitigating” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Releasing.

B．Decreasing.

C．Generating.

D．Stabilizing.

2. What is the root cause of the long-running debate over the two types of forests?

A．They cause much damage to the land.

B．They result in a serious loss of farmland.

C．They contribute to the warming of the atmosphere.

D．They lose energy during the absorption of solar radiation.

3. What did the researchers find in the study conducted in the dry environment?

A．The natural forest exhibits a stronger albedo effect.

B．The solar forest can generate more energy in dry areas.

C．The solar forest is superior in balancing the heating effect.

D．The natural forest is more effective in solving the climate crisis.

4. What can be concluded from the last paragraph?

A．More trees should be planted in dry regions.

B．More methods should be adopted to address the climate crisis.

C．Fields of solar panels should be set up everywhere on the earth.

D．Building solar panels and planting trees should be effectively combined.

3 . As I was standing in a long line to get into the grocery store waiting to buy fruits and vegetables, I realized I could turn my backyard into a garden.     1     Here are several expert tips to help you break ground on your garden.

Before you start your work, think about the space you’re changing. Is your space a yard? A rooftop? How much sunlight does it get? Watch out for the temperature and find out which plants adapt well in your region.     2    

Set the stage with healthy soil. It’s full of billions of bacteria and helps plant roots grow. Then consider the structure of the soil. Different plants require different soil.     3     Tomatoes want more clay for keeping water.

    4     The decision depends on your preferences, space, what you’re growing and your budget. Stay away from containers that have been used for poisonous materials. They can bring chemicals into the soil as they break down from sunlight.

Should I plant seeds or transplants? In general, a seed is like a baby. It needs tons of care, but not everyone knows how to get it to survive. Transplants are for starters.     5     They still need your love but they’re not going to fall down and kill themselves.

With a little planning, I was able to watch three adorable baby trees take root in my yard. One of them recently had its first fruit — sweet little peaches. The yard has totally transformed too.

A．It used to be a junkyard.

B．Just create a vision based on your location.

C．You can start a garden in pots or containers.

D．You can buy your garden soil at a hardware (五金) store.

E．It enables me to grow my own food and save waiting time.

F．Carrots want sandier soil, so their roots can more easily grow.

G．They are plants that are a few inches high grown in small pots.

4 . Samarkand in Uzbekistan hosted an important intergovernmental conference on how to stop the slow spread of degraded (退化) land. Between 2015 and 2019, the world lost at least 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land a year, according to an analysis for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Human activities—including destroying forests and agricultural practices — and climate change are among the main causes.

115 countries reported ahead of the meeting on three measures for restoring degraded land and soil: protecting the area used for agriculture or covered by forests or wetlands; increasing the ability of land to support and sustain life, retaining above-and below-ground stocks of carbon. Reaching the target of “land degradation neutrality (土地退化中性)” by 2030 means reversing a negative trend: the global share of land that is degraded increased from 14.7% in 2015 to 18. 9% in 2019.

Yet there are some important signs of hope amid a mostly bleak prospect. The analysis enables countries to understand land degradation at a more granular (细致的) level than before. And the UNCCD’s science teams helped to train researchers in some of the most-affected countries, so that local scientists and policymakers could do the work themselves. And some countries are moving in the right direction. In Ecuador, for example, the area of land classed as degraded went from 21.9% to 12.8% between 2015 and 2019.

Land degradation is not a priority on the world’s environmental agenda. Although the UNCCD has the same status as the UN conventions on climate change and biodiversity, unlike them it does not have an autonomous body that provides independent scientific advice. Restoration projects also receive much less international funding.

This funding gap illustrates just how little priority is given to restoring land and preventing further countries are providing data. These nations, especially high-income countries, should start reporting degradation. Yet the latest analysis shows what can be done even with limited resources. But not all their plans and actions, to raise the profile of land degradation.

1. Which of the measures is mentioned before the conference?

A．Developing more forests or wetlands.

B．Increasing industrial productivity.

C．Making people support their life.

D．Keeping the stocks of carbon.

2. What does the underlined word “bleak” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Dark.

B．Interesting.

C．Wonderful.

D．Reasonable.

3. What does paragraph 4 mainly talk about?

A．The land degradation is serious nowadays.

B．Land degradation isn’t sufficiently prioritized.

C．The biodiversity deserves more attention.

D．More funds are obtained for the restoration project.

4. What can rich countries do about the land degradation?

A．Provide funding to support relevant projects.

B．Help other countries to collect and analyze data.

C．Start reporting their own schedules and actions.

D．Stop land degradation in their countries completely.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How did the man get the cat?

A．He bought him from a pet store.

B．He got him from his neighbour.

C．He found him on the street.

2. How old was the man when the cat saved his life?

A．35.

B．36.

C．40.

3. Where did the man’s wife find him?

A．In the bedroom.

B．In the dining room.

C．In the bathroom.

4. What can we know from the conversation?

A．The man has heart trouble

B．The cat woke the man up.

C．The woman doesn’t like pet.

6 . 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.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . It’s a fascinating story of how nature is reclaiming and transforming the broken soil we leave behind. Wildlife filmmaker Dan O’Neill and zoologist Yussef Rafik are on a mission to uncover the wildlife secrets hidden inside some abandoned places.

Inchkeith Island

This island off the Scottish coast had been an important strategic location for military defences for over 500 years by 1957. While its buildings might be empty and in bad condition, the wildlife has bloomed. Dan and Yussef watch young seal pups on the beach and spot seabirds and European cave spiders.

Dinorwi c Quarry

Dan and Yussef visit this former slate quarry（采石场） in Wales. Dinorwic closed its doors in 1969 and nature has slowly been reclaiming the land ever since. Dan and Yussef are searching for the fastest animal in the world, the peregrine falcon（游隼） and spot rare wild mountain goats.

Chatterley Whitfield

Today it looks more like a set from a film, but at its peak Chatterley Whitfield was a busy coalmine. Since it was closed in 1977, wildlife has taken hold. Dan and Yussef find plants including sunflowers that have sprung up in the most unlikely places. And hidden cameras capture footage of the rabbits and foxes wandering these empty buildings at night.

Nunhead Cemetery

Dan and Yussef explore one of the seven great graveyards in London, which was closed right after the Second World War and soon became neglected. Now hundreds of species live alongside the dead. Dan spots bright green ring-necked parakeets, the non-native bird that’s made London its home and the pair sample blackberries growing among the graves.

1. What do we know about Inchkeith Island?

A．It played a crucial role in wartime.	B．It is located on the Scottish coast.
C．It was used as a setting for a movie.	D．It has its buildings well maintained.

2. Which one was the last abandoned?

A．Inchkeith Island.	B．Dinorwic Quarry.
C．Chatterley Whitfield.	D．Nunhead Cemetery.

3. What is the common feature of the places?

A．They once served the same purpose.	B．They are turning wild over the years.
C．They are hidden inside the same island.	D．They are controlled by native wildlife.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the talk mainly about?

A．Visits to a castle.

B．Repairs to a castle.

C．History of a castle.

2. What made the first part difficult to deal with?

A．The first bridge.

B．Some paths.

C．Some steps.

3. Where will the second part of the work start?

A．From the essential stone.

B．From the viewing area.

C．From the inner gate house.

9 . As a mushroom scientist, you are vastly outnumbered, with estimates suggesting that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi (真菌), the majority of which are yet to be identified. However, professionals in the field are not alone in their efforts to uncover new species. An enthusiastic community of amateurs has emerged, bridging the gap between professionals and non-professionals. These amateurs have even made significant discoveries. One such amateur is Taylor Lockwood, a 74-year-old mushroom enthusiast and professional photographer.

In 1984, while living on the Mendocino coast of California, Taylor Lockwood developed a fascination with mushrooms. “Outside my cottage were these amazing mushrooms,” he says. “And it was as if these mushrooms looked at me and said, ‘Taylor, go out and tell the world how pretty we are.’” Lockwood answered their call and purchased camera equipment to capture their true nature. His passion for photographing mushrooms was so intense that he would even dig holes next to the mushrooms to get the perfect angle for his shots.

In the Monongahela National Forest, Taylor Lockwood discovered an unusual mushroom that looked like tiny fingers wearing off-white gloves. Upon deeper investigation, fungi researcher Amy Rossman confirmed that it was a “hazel glove” mushroom, which is a rare find. “Mushrooms are not like plants,” Rossman says. “They don’t come up at the same time every year, and so sometimes it can be decades between when a fungus fruits.” Rossman says that’s why it’s so valuable to have people like Taylor Lockwood searching through the forest with a trained eye.

A few years ago, Taylor Lockwood realized that still photos weren’t sufficient, so he chose to create time-lapse (延时拍摄的) videos of mushrooms. “When I do time-lapse, I see so much life happening around the mushrooms—insects, worms and other small creatures interacting with them,” he says. Lockwood’s love for art is evident in his approach to filming mushrooms over time. Although he appreciates the scientific aspect of his work, he identifies himself as an artist at heart.

1. What can we learn about mushroom amateurs from paragraph 1?

A．They keep close track of the growth of fungi.

B．They help identify new species of mushroom.

C．They replace professional scientists in the field.

D．They classify the majority of mushroom species.

2. What inspired Lockwood to photograph mushrooms?

A．His desire for knowledge.

B．His curiosity about nature.

C．The beauty of nearby mushrooms.

D．The appeal of outdoor photography.

3. Which of the following best describes Lockwood according to paragraph 3?

A．Skilled and observant.

B．Focused and flexible.

C．Talented and optimistic.

D．Organized and responsible.

4. Why did Lockwood decide to make time-lapse videos of mushrooms?

A．To improve his photography techniques.

B．To capture dynamic life in an artistic way.

C．To collect biological data for deeper research.

D．To use a new approach to scientific studies.

10 . A fisherman from Portland, Maine, the US, caught a very rare bright blue lobster (龙虾) off the coast of Maine but chose to set it free back into the ocean. The photo of the blue lobster was shared by tech enterpriser Lars-Johan Larsson. “This blue lobster was caught off the coast of Portland yesterday and returned to the water to continue to grow. Blue lobsters are one in two million,” he wrote.

While the shells of lobsters are generally red or brown in color, the blue shell is a result of gene mutation (基因突变), which causes the lobster to produce more of a particular protein than other lobsters, leading to the rare blue color, as reported by the Toronto Sun.

Yellow, orange and crystal-colored lobsters are considered even rarer than bright blue ones. According to the Lobster Institute, yellow lobsters account for about one in 30 million of the total population. Two fishermen in Dorset caught a crystal-colored lobster in 2011.

“Whatever the odds of catching different-colored lobsters, there’s no denying that bright blue ones are truly beautiful creatures,” said Rob Bayer, executive director of the University of Maine Lobster Institute. “They might not be the most unusual, but they’re undoubtedly the best to look at.”

It’s become something of a trend for restaurants to spare blue lobsters. Austin Hopley, a chef at “The Hare” in Rochdale, the UK, made the news for sparing a bright blue lobster. He gave it to Sea Life in Manchester, as reported by the BBC.

“Now it’s there for people to enjoy,” said Hopley. “I felt responsible. Something so rare didn’t require a place on the menu. Every species deserves a fair chance at survival.”

Expert Brendan Malone from Sea Life said, “It is certainly an extraordinary find and worth saving to try to educate the public about these amazing creatures in the ecosystem.”

1. What is the root cause for the color of blue lobsters?

A．Gene variation.	B．Adaptation failure.
C．A specific protein.	D．A mix of red and brown.

2. What does Rob Bayer think of blue lobsters?

A．They are the rarest.	B．They are easy to catch.
C．They are delicious to eat.	D．They are most beautiful.

3. Why was Hopley unwilling to cook the blue lobster?

A．It wouldn’t make a good dish.

B．He wanted to follow the trend.

C．He took on responsibility to save it.

D．It would bring him fame and profits.

4. Which can serve as the best title?

A．Blue Lobsters Rebound Suddenly

B．Chefs Take Action to Protect Lobsters

C．Gene Mutation Has an Effect on Lobsters

D．Man Catches a “One in Two Million” Blue Lobster