1 . Urban Wildlife
Cities are diverse ecosystems. In addition to visitors, a large number of species share our urban areas. As our cities spread, we need to think about what it is like for other species to have human neighbors.
Cities are built for humans.
There are also structures built with the aim of bringing wildlife into the city. The Olympic Forest Park in Beijing is a good example. The park used native plants, and created open and natural spaces for wildlife. The result is a zone in Beijing with over 160 species of birds. In many ways, the park is the opposite of a zoo.
If we learn to share our space, we can become better neighbors of the wildlife around us.
| A．They are built to protect birds. |
| B．Our actions sometimes help other species. |
| C．If we do not, more species will become extinct. |
| D．They do not always provide suitable habitats for wildlife. |
| E．Instead of being kept in cages, wildlife can move more freely. |
| F．At first, people were afraid of the bats and tried to get rid of them. |
| G．They would sit on it and their droppings would fall into the water. |
2 . Floods can strike quickly and with little waning in many parts of the world. Surviving a flood is a matter of preparation and correct action as soon as the disaster begins.
●Make a flood survival plan.
●Escape flood waters.
You may have only a short time to escape. Act quickly, using your planned route. Head to the chosen shelters during flood warnings. When emergency services tell you to leave, follow their advice. Move to higher ground away from water. Whether you are on foot or have to give up your car, higher ground is your best option. If you’re stuck at home, head for the roof if you can do so safely.
Avoid crossing through water. Water up to your ankles (脚踝) is enough to be dangerous. When you’re not sure of the water depth, don’t risk it.
●Follow news and warnings.
Flooding information can be found on your local news or weather station’s TV channel or website.
●
Roads and other paths may have been destroyed. Stay off bridges. The soil under usual routes will be soft and less able to support the weight of vehicles. Find other routes over high ground or wait for the authorities to indicate which roads are safe.
| A．Watch out for damaged areas |
| B．Protect your home during a flood |
| C．If you have to go through water, bring a stick |
| D．Sit down with your family to establish a plan of action |
| E．If your car gets stuck in water, open or break the windows |
| F．Here are some tips to help you and your family survive a flood |
| G．You should receive weather information to monitor changes in the weather |
3 . If Mars were the popular kid in school, Venus (金星) would be the unwelcome one sitting in the corner, largely ignored. Venus has nearly the same mass and size as Earth, but being closer to the sun, it gets nearly twice as much heat from the sun.
However, instead of having a climate that is just a warmer version of Earth’s, Venus’s surface and atmosphere are unbearable: clouds of sulphuric acid (硫酸) blanket the planet, while at ground level, it is hot enough to melt lead. Despite this, there is now a sign that Venus may harbour life. Jane Greaves at Cardiff University, UK, and her colleagues recently detected (发现) phosphine (磷化氢) in Venus’s atmosphere, with one potential explanation that it is the by-product of biology. That is because the only way this gas is made on Earth is in laboratories or by microbes (微生物). Though this doesn’t mean it was produced by life on Venus, attempts to find non-biological explanations for its presence have so far failed. Our best way of confirming or rejecting the possibility of life on Venus is to go and have a proper look. While Mars has been the focus of interplanetary (行星间的) exploration efforts lately, the phosphine discovery lets people look at Venus in a new light. As NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted: “It’s time to prioritize Venus.”
In the months and years to come, computer simulations(模拟) will be used to further study the possible chemistries of the atmosphere on Venus. More laboratory experiments will be conducted to try to identify other ways the phosphine there could be produced. However, there is no guarantee that these efforts will reveal the true nature of this substance on Venus. A newly-proposed strategy is to directly sample the atmosphere and surface of Venus. By doing so, we would be able to take direct measurements of phosphine.
The discovery of phosphine in Venus’s atmosphere is a great accomplishment. The scientific efforts may be just what we need to finally refocus on this neglected world. Possibly, the quiet kid in the corner may get the last laugh
1. Which description about Venus is NOT true?| A．It has the unbearable surface and atmosphere. |
| B．It has nearly the same mass as Earth. |
| C．It is almost as large as Earth. |
| D．It has a warmer Earth-like climate. |
| A．This kind of gas is very common. | B．There might exist signs of life. |
| C．Many products can be made with it. | D．Experiments were once conducted there. |
| A．The necessity to analyse phosphine. |
| B．The power of computer simulations |
| C．The importance of observations. |
| D．The approaches to exploring phosphine |
| A．Casual | B．Doubtful. | C．Supportive. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Too old. | B．Quite lovely. | C．Very active. |
5 . It should be one of the main goals in today’s society to reduce plastic consumption. Though many believe recycling will solve the problem, and continue using plastic, it’s actually the opposite. In 2013, 254 million tonnes of trash was produced in the U.S. alone, and only around 30% was recycled. This means the rest ended up in a landfill and will stay there for up to 1000 years.
Now Asian countries, including Vietnam and Thailand, are looking for new ideas to avoid plastic. One of those ideas was a new, eco-friendly way to pack their goods by avoiding plastic packaging. One of Perfect Homes Chiangmai’s team members noticed a creative way to reduce plastic that a supermarket called Rimping Supermarket was using. Little did he know that people all around the world would absolutely love this idea. “I just entered to get a few items while we were waiting to sign some contracts with our lawyer, who was delayed. When I noticed the vegetables wrapped in banana leaves and simply liked the idea. So I took a few pictures and posted them online,” he said.
With more than 3.5 million views and over 17 thousand shares, the idea became something people can encourage more supermarkets to implement (实施).
Some have noticed that not everything on the shelves is completely plastic-free to which the supermarket responded that they are taking one step at a time, but it’s not that easy. Many products come to the supermarkets pre-packaged and many companies are interested in wrapping their produce in plastic since it is the cheapest and the easiest option.
It’s now up to the shoppers to show the supermarket which they prefer. If everyone opts for the banana leaf packaging, they will probably stop stocking the items in plastic.
1. What can we infer about recycling from Paragraph 1?| A．The author thinks highly of recycling. |
| B．The US did a great job in recycling in 2013. |
| C．Recycling has failed to solve the plastic problem. |
| D．Recycling helps a lot in reducing plastic consumption. |
| A．To buy some items. | B．To look for new ideas there. |
| C．To take photos of their shelves. | D．To sign a contract with a lawyer. |
| A．Doubts. | B．Increases. | C．Dislikes | D．Chooses. |
| A．Leaf Packaging Spreads Rapidly |
| B．Reducing Plastic Consumption |
| C．Recycling Avoids Plastic Packaging |
| D．A Good Option Makes A Difference |
6 . Pangolins (穿山甲) are strange-looking creatures, covered with hard scales (鳞). They can roll up into a ball to protect themselves from enemies and have tongues that are longer than their bodies.
Pangolins have recently become the focus of Chinese people. A screenshot (截屏) of a micro blog post showed some people eating pangolins at a feast spread. A few days later, people were angered again by pictures showing people eating protected animals, including pangolins.
Yet this is only the tip of the iceberg. Many more pangolins have been hunted or killed. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 1 million of them have been killed or sold in the last 10 years. It also said that they are the most illegally traded mammals in the world. In September 2016, the IUCN added the pangolin to the world’s “endangered animals list”. They are now more endangered than pandas．
A growing trade of their scales and meat is the main reason for their decline in numbers. Many people in Asia and Africa consider pangolin meat is delicious. Some people even think pangolin scales have medicinal qualities. However, their scales are made of keratin (角蛋白), the same material human fingernails are made of.
Luckily, the situation is getting better. World Pangolin Day is on the third Saturday of February each year. It's a day to help people know more about pangolins. The government now stops anyone from buying and eating pangolins in China. Breaking this law is regarded as a crime. The trade of pangolins across the world is also not allowed, according to the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
1. Pangolins have caught people's attention these years because ________.| A．they look strange |
| B．they appear in some movies |
| C．they are killed and eaten by people |
| D．they have something to do with pandas |
| A．Pangolins can roll up into a ball to attack enemies. |
| B．More than 1 million pangolins were killed or sold last year. |
| C．Pangolins were named the most endangered animal in 2016. |
| D．The pangolin is a kind of mammal traded illegally worldwide. |
| A．attract people to the zoo to watch pangolins |
| B．raise people's awareness of protecting pangolins |
| C．remind people of pangolins' medical value |
| D．explain the protection law to the public |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. |
| C．Disappointed. | D．Unconcerned. |
7 . A recent issue of National Geographic magazine described one of the wonders of the earth, the tiny silver ants of the Sahara desert. These ants live in areas where temperatures reach up to 57℃, as the article described it, an environment “where shoes melt.”
These tiny ants are amazing. In the Sahara desert, where most creatures avoid going out in the middle of the day to avoid high temperatures,the Saharan silver ants have evolved(进化)a number of adaptations to do just that. Scientists have discovered that several unique features of the Saharan silver ants permit them to grow well in a scorching climate.
These ants have longer legs than other ants, which keep their bodies critically greater distance away from the hot desert sand. The ants run 108 times the length of their own bodies every second at a speed of just over 3kph. And they keep track of the position of the sun, so that they always know the most direct route back to the nest, thus lowering their time spent in extreme heat. Their bodies produce proteins that resist heat. Some other creatures produce such proteins after they come in contact with extreme heat. But since the silver ants only exit the nest for a few minutes at a time — not long enough for the protein to take effect — they produce the protein while still in the nest before they go out, or they would die before the protein could take effect.
Researchers also discovered that the ants are covered on their tops and sides with the uniquely triangular(三角的)shape of the silver hairs,which enable them to dissipate(消散)heat.The hairs help an ant's body exchange its heat to a cooler area, even under full sun conditions. This discovery inspired the scientists, for it could lead to new materials and paints that can be applied to rooftops or cars to keep them cool. And it is also expected to be applied in clinical care, wearable devices,protective clothing and other fields.
1. What does the underlined word “scorching”in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．extremely chilly | B．extremely cool |
| C．extremely mild | D．extremely hot |
| A．The Saharan silver ants' hairs act like a tiny air-heating system. |
| B．The Saharan silver ants are born with the ability to track the moon. |
| C．The Saharan silver ants' adaptations to the desert are to be discovered. |
| D．Inspiration from the Saharan silver ants will bring up more new inventions. |
| A．After coming in contact with extreme heat. |
| B．Before traveling in the sun. |
| C．While running under full sun condition. |
| D．After coming back to the nest from outside. |
| A．Small Ants Make a Big Difference |
| B．Small Ants Hunt for Food Easily |
| C．Small Ants Survive in the Saharan Desert |
| D．Small Ants Jump the Fastest in the World |
Singapore
Singapore Zoo allows animals to walk around in spacious environments that are similar to their natural habitats (栖息地). Kids can join in learning about the animals of Singapore Zoo in educational programs, guided tours and camps, including the Sleep with the Beasts Family Camp. wrs.com.sg
Chester Zoo
Cheshire, England
The most visited zoo in the United Kingdom, Chester Zoo asks a team of experts (专家) who do research on six key areas around the world to develop programs that hope to prevent animals from dying out. The zoo runs a number of activities, such as Sing for Songbirds, a partnership with singer/songwriter Ashley Fayth, which tries to make people notice the danger facing songbirds in Indonesia. chesterzoo.org
Wellington Zoo
Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington Zoo is green in more ways than one. The zoo works very hard to reduce (减少) waste and reuse rain water. The zoo supports conservation (保护) programs, and its animal hospital, The Nest TeKōhanga, has treated over 3,400 wildlife patients since its opening in2009. wellingtonzoo.com
San Diego Zoo
San Diego, USA
Over 3,500 endangered animals call San Diego Zoo home, but the biggest achievement of this zoo is the number of endangered animals that are sent back into the wild. The zoo's breeding (饲养) programs provide valuable information on the behavior and health of endangered species in over 45 countries. San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research also asks over 200 conservation scientists to protect some animals from dying out. zoo.sandiegozoo.org
1. Where can people camp with their family?| A．At Wellington Zoo. | B．At San Diego Zoo. |
| C．At Singapore Zoo. | D．At Chester Zoo. |
| A．wrs.com.sg. | B．chesterzoo.org. |
| C．wellingtonzoo.com. | D．zoo.sandiegozoo.org. |
| A．It has been the most popular zoo in the USA for years. |
| B．It runs an animal hospital to treat wild animals. |
| C．It has helped some animals go back to nature. |
| D．It helps American endangered animals only. |
9 . Every day people board planes,get on trains and ready themselves for an adventure. But what about the deep sea? Although it covers 70 percent of the Earth's surface,we hardly stop to think of it as a tourist destination. However, the travel industry has made great advancement in creating aquatic(水中的) hotspots.
From the luxury to the relatively modest,underwater resorts have been popping up in recent years. For those with a truly adventurous spirit and some money to spend,you can even rent your own submarine. Staffed with a captain,a personal chef and a butler(管家),Oliver’s Travels’ submarine,the Lovers Deep,is a unique getaway. For those looking for a slightly different experience,there is Jules'Undersea Lodge in Florida,US,named after Jules Verne,the author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Other sectors of the emerging underwater tourism industry have brought a bit of art to the deep sea. According to the BBC,“there's a move to combine underwater tourism with art tourism to attract a new kind of traveler." Underwater museums and exhibits like the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park in Grenada and Australia's Museum of Underwater Art allow visitors to see incredible sculptures in a truly magnificent atmosphere. Underwater archaeological(考古的)sites have also become popular destinations, such as the ones in Turkey, where people can visit sunken cities.
Exploring Earth's bodies of water has brought more awareness to the importance of protecting oceans and the animal life that calls them home. British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor,whose artwork can be seen in multiple underwater attractions around the world, feels this is key. “Most people just see the surface of the ocean and it is hard to think of something so plain and enormous as fragile. We don't regard our oceans as sacred(神圣的)and we should.”
1. What does the underlined expression "popping up" in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Appearing suddenly. | B．Changing constantly. |
| C．Working properly. | D．Moving unexpectedly. |
| A．To prove the power of art. |
| B．To explain a new travel rule. |
| C．To introduce a new travel trend. |
| D．To recommend popular destinations. |
| A．Neutral. | B．Supportive. |
| C．Cautious. | D．Disapproving. |
| A．Enormous resources are there for exploration in the ocean. |
| B．Underwater vacation has brought huge commercial benefits. |
| C．Artists consider it tough to protect underwater environment. |
| D．Underwater travel has a positive effect on ocean protection. |
10 . The LEGO Group, whose plastic building toys are familiar to many people, has been working on making LEGO bricks out of recycled plastic. The bricks aren't ready yet, but the company says it's making progress.
Since roughly 1960, LEGO bricks have been made from ABS plastic which makes LEGO bricks very tough and gives them great clutch power so that the things users build don't fall apart easily. Sadly, ABS plastic can't really be recycled and it takes an extremely long time to break down.
However, since 2015, LEGO has been trying to make earth-friendly products. Making bricks from recycled materials could cut pollution from the company's bricks by 70%. But making bricks out of recycled plastic is challenging. The goal is to make bricks out of PET plastic, which is softer than ABS plastic and can be found in things like bottles and clothing. A recycled one-liter plastic bottle could make about ten 2×4 LEGO bricks. Over the past three years, the company has tested over 250 different ways of creating LEGO bricks from recycled plastic. A team of more than 150 people are working on the problem. Tim Brooks,who focuses on environmental responsibility at LEGO, says that experimenting and failing is “an important part of learning”.
Now, the company says they can make a good 2×4 brick from PET. One important step was finding a way of adding things to PET plastic to make it tougher and give it better clutch power like ABS. They will also work on shaping bricks into other forms and adding color to them-right now they are just white. The bricks will go through many different tests, which will take at least a year.
The company aims to make all their main products out of sustainable materials by the year 2030. “We know kids care about the environment and we want to tell them we're working on it.” said Mr. Brooks.
1. Which of the following can best describe LEGO bricks made from ABS plastic?| A．Strong and firm. |
| B．Recyclable and soft. |
| C．Cheap and familiar. |
| D．Popular and new. |
| A．Because the company wants to show that it's making progress. |
| B．Because this has always been LEGO's goal since its foundation. |
| C．Because using PET plastic bricks can reduce pollution to the earth. |
| D．Because PET plastic bricks are much softer and cheaper. |
| A．LEGO has found a way to make colorful PET plastic bricks. |
| B．It's not necessary to put things into PET plastic to make it tough. |
| C．A lot of tests have been carried out and there will be more tests. |
| D．Children keep asking the company to replace ABS plastic bricks. |
| A．LEGO becomes a leading toy company |
| B．LEGO works to make bricks from recycled plastic |
| C．LEGO recycles plastic toy bricks to protect the environment |
| D．LEGO makes the best of ABS plastic to reduce cost |
