1 . Giant pandas’ patches (斑块) are among the most interesting of mammals (哺乳动物): black ears and eye spots set against a white face. It has dark limbs (肢) and shoulders and a white neck and body.

Scientists have put forward several reasons for the animals’ appearance. They could be warnings. Or they could be used for hiding, communication or eye protection. To find out which ideas were correct, scientists compared the pandas’ fur to the dark and light coloring of 195 other land animals and 39 bear species, and then matched their patterns against environmental conditions and social behavior.

The scientists didn’t find a link between temperature and coat color, but they did find a connection between lighter colors and snow cover, suggesting that the giant pandas’ white markings help hide the animals in snowy environment. Meanwhile, their dark markings may help them in the forest. As a result, pandas evolved (进化) both colors.

But what about the face patches? The research shows that markings on wild animals’ heads are used to communicate and scientists suggest pandas may use their ears to signal warnings to some dangerous animals. The eye patches may help them identify one another.

1. How did the scientists study the pandas’ patches?

A．By making comparisons.	B．By raising questions.
C．By giving examples.	D．By listing numbers.

2. What can we infer (推断) about pandas’ white and dark markings?

A．They change with different temperatures.

B．They can attract the attention of other animals.

C．They will disappear as time goes by.

D．They are a result of matching the environment.

3. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To call on people to protect pandas.

B．To show people’s love for pandas.

C．To introduce the science behind pandas’ patches.

D．To explain the connection between pandas’ appearance and temperature.

2 . Bats appear many times in literature and history, and have different roles depending on where you find them. But bats have an important role to play in our eco-system, and some of them are becoming endangered. International Bat Night was established to help people grasp some facts about bats. While we often think of bats as predators (捕食者) feeding on blood, the truth is quite different. Yes, there are bats that feed on blood, but they mostly feed on insects.

Bats are one of the major factors in reducing the numbers of obnoxious night insects like mosquitoes (蚊子) . If you’re a camper, you’ll know how uncomfortable mosquitoes can make an otherwise pleasant camping. There are also bats that feed on nectar (花蜜) , and help to spread the seeds of plants, in many cases where they’re the only ones working to help those plants produce! These are just a few of the qualities that bats own. There are far more than that, and International Bat Night is a great time to learn about them.

At International Bat Night, you can enjoy the quiet of the evening and watch the skies in your nearest bat habitat. Maybe it’s a night out in the woods, or just sitting at your front door if you’re fortunate enough. If you’re feeling both generous and adventurous, you can head out to one of your local Bat Conservatories and celebrate the night with the workers there while making a contribution to their work. Volunteer with them and help protect our flying friends!

1. What is the purpose of establishing International Bat Night?

A．To start a war against bats.

B．To reduce the number of bats.

C．To introduce the history of bats.

D．To get people to know some facts about bats.

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

A．Active.

B．Tiny.

C．Unpleasant.

D．Dangerous.

3. What benefit of bats is mentioned in paragraph 2?

A．Bats can prevent diseases by feeding on mosquitoes.

B．Bats play a role in promoting the plants’ production.

C．Bats fly at night without disturbing human activities.

D．Bats can gather all the nectar from fruit and vegetables.

4. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A．What to do to give protection to bats.

B．How to become a volunteer at the event.

C．How to celebrate International Bat Night.

D．What to watch at International Bat Night.

3 . People are increasingly wearing gloves and masks in public, in order to protect themselves and reduce the spread of COVID-19 (新冠病毒). Obviously, though, those gloves and masks need to come with proper disposal (处理) directions.

To bring awareness to the current problem, Algarra started a campaign , TheGloveChallenge. “If you see a glove, snap a shot,” Since launching the campaign on March 23, Alagarra said they’ve received over 700 pictures from people all over the United States and in other countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Canada and Japan.

Everywhere you look in America, it seems, there are discarded gloves and masks in streets and parking lots, left behind by people who couldn’t be bothered to find a nearby trash bin. It got so bad in New York City over the weekend, that Ryan McKenzie, who lives in Manhattan, began cleaning it up. “I couldn’t believe what I saw so I went to the store and bought a grabber to pick them up. It’s hateful and needs to be brought to people’s attention. "

After receiving so many reports of gloves and masks left behind in Parsippany, New Jersey, the local police department issued a warning: “ Clean up and properly deal with your used gloves and wipes. If you do not, you can be charged and fined up to $ 500.”

Of course, it shouldn’t take a heavy fine to encourage people to clean up after themselves. There are quite a few reasons why leaving your gloves behind is among the worst things you can do during this pandemic. If the used gloves have the virus on them, you could infect essential workers (一线工人). The concern that led you to put on gloves in the first place shouldn’t be reserved for you and your family; you should be just as concerned about others getting corona virus, too.

1. What is the purpose of the campaign?

A．To praise Algarra’s generous behavior.	B．To collect as many pictures as possible.
C．To get recognition from other countries.	D．To raise people’s awareness of the problems.

2. What does the underlined word “discarded” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Worn-out.

B．Newly-bought.

C．Thrown-away.

D．Highly-praised.

3. What can we infer from the fifth paragraph?

A．We should show concern for others’ health.

B．Facial masks should be worn in a proper way.

C．More gloves should be set aside for future use.

D．Essential workers can suffer CO VID-19 easily.

4. What is probably the best title of the text?

A．TheGloveChallenge, a Campaign Dealing with Viruses

B．Stop Throwing Used Gloves and Masks on the Ground

C．Used Gloves and Masks Do Harm to the Environment

D．Ryan McKenzie, the First Man to Pick up Masks & Gloves

4 . A disease called “Panama” is threatening supplies of the world’s most popular fruit—banana.

The disease started in Asia in the 1990s, and later spread to Africa and the Middle East. A new outbreak was discovered last year in Australia. World health officials worry that the disease could travel to Latin America, one of the top banana producers in the world.

This is a big concern because bananas are an important source (来源) of income and nutrients for millions of people. They are grown in 135 tropical (热带的) nations. The United Nations lists bananas as one of the most important foods, along with rice, wheat and corn.

Randy Ploetz, America’s top banana expert, explained Panama disease affects the Cavendish banana. The Cavendish is the most popular one of more than 500 kinds of bananas. “The industry is waking up to the problem,” Ploetz said. “If the disease spreads to Latin America, it could hurt the world’s economy along with food supplies for millions of people.”

Robert Bertram, chief scientist for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), told VOA, “In Africa, Asia and tropical America, bananas are an important food source for more than 100 million people. As a cash crop, bananas are sold in local and international markets. Banana exports provide jobs and foreign money that producing countries need.”

Bertram said USAID is organizing a worldwide effort to stop the growth of Panama disease. At Wageningen University in the Netherlands, researchers are looking for Cavendish replacements. Their work is difficult. Researchers said a replacement will have to resist Panama disease, and survive the shipping time needed to get bananas to stores thousands of miles away from banana fields. And, yes, they will have to taste good.

1. Where was Panama disease recently found?

A．In Asia.	B．In the Middle East.
C．In Australia.	D．In Latin America.

2. What does the underlined “the problem” in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．Short supply of rice, wheat and corn.	B．Panama disease’s effects on bananas.
C．The popularity of 500 kinds of bananas.	D．Latin American nations’ poor economy.

3. Which of the following might be a possible way to stop the spread of Panama disease?

A．Selling bananas in more international markets.

B．Providing more money for producing countries.

C．Finding replacements for Cavendish bananas.

D．Getting bananas stored miles away from fields.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Food and agriculture.	B．History and geography.
C．Modern technology.	D．Environmental pollution.

5 . A Sydney scientist has discovered seven new kinds of the tiny Australian peacock spider (孔雀蜘蛛)—an impressively colored spider that dances to attract a female.

Jurgen Otto, with the help of colleague David Knowles from Queensland, made the two latest discoveries of the creatures while looking for other spiders in Western Australia in November and had all seven named in the scientific magazine Peckhamia last month.

“They are very, very colorful. They often show colors that change in different lights and they do something quite unusual or striking—they perform a dance for females, to impress them,” Otto said.

While a video of the dances is proving popular online, some female peacock spiders end up eating the colorful males if they are not impressed by the dance.

The discovery means there are now 48 known kinds, found mostly in Southern Australia and ranging in size from 3 to 5 millimeters. The young babies measure just half a millimeter.

Otto, who studies small creatures during the day, developed a strong interest in the tiny spiders in 2005 after discovering the spider on a photograph he took following a bush walk in a national park in New South Wales.

He said of the dancing spiders, which have no threat to humans: “They are harmless. They are cute. They are colorful and they remind people of their own cat. I often compare them with young cats with too many legs, so people get really excited when they see them.

“People who hate spiders admit that they can’t help loving these ones. In time, this will change the opinions people have of spiders, I hope.”

1. What is special about the colorful spider?

A．Dancing to attract a female.	B．Eating the colorful females.
C．Measuring half a meter.	D．Remaining the same color.

2. Where are peacock spiders mostly discovered?

A．In Queensland.	B．In Western Australia.
C．In Southern Australia.	D．In New South Wales.

3. What did Jurgen Otto say of the dancing spiders?

A．They are a threat to humans.	B．They are cute and exciting.
C．They like young cats.	D．They really love people.

4. What can be inferred from the text?

A．Otto is a scientist who studies huge creatures.

B．The colorful spiders are eaten when attracted by females.

C．The seven new kinds of spider were named by Peckhamia.

D．People who dislike spiders might begin to appreciate them.

6 . At least 70 women have “married” dozens of trees in a ceremony against the building plans for apartments, which could see the trees’ removal in Bristol, UK.

The “brides” who took part wore ________ dresses from different cultures and symbolically married 74 trees in a(n) ________ carried out by a celebrant (神父). Event organizers said they were ________ by the Chipko women in India in the 1970s, who threw their arms around ________ in the Himalayas to protect forests from being ________.

Some of the “brides” had been living in tree houses for five years, trying to ________ the oldest trees. They hoped the “marriage” ceremony showed that trees were their ________ for life. They said, “Trees are pure examples of ________ love, which ________ so beautifully with the whole idea of marriage. To get married to a tree is an absolute ________. It’s not just a moving action. It is highly ________ and symbolic.”

The planning application, which has not yet been approved, ________ that some of the trees will need to be ________ in order to build 166 ________. Owners of the Baltic Wharf Caravan Site, where the 74 trees ________, have been ________ by the city authority to leave.

Prof John Tarlton, a professor at Bristol Veterinary School who wrote the trees’ “vows (誓言)” and also acted as the best man at the event said: “Once the planning application has been ________, it will be too ________. We cannot ________ to lose these 74 trees. They are rare ________ trees and Bristol needs them most.”

1.

A．national

B．wedding

C．working

D．religious

2.

A．experiment

B．journey

C．club

D．ceremony

3.

A．forced

B．inspired

C．praised

D．challenged

4.

A．houses

B．stones

C．mountains

D．trees

5.

A．rescued

B．spread

C．destroyed

D．abandoned

6.

A．adopt

B．save

C．recycle

D．trade

7.

A．partners

B．neighbors

C．strangers

D．relatives

8.

A．aggressive

B．wild

C．curious

D．unconditional

9.

A．catches up

B．gets along

C．fits in

D．puts up

10.

A．burden

B．honor

C．ambition

D．sympathy

11.

A．fortunate

B．strange

C．normal

D．significant

12.

A．acknowledges

B．discovers

C．warns

D．doubts

13.

A．planted

B．decorated

C．removed

D．recycled

14.

A．apartments

B．squares

C．churches

D．shelters

15.

A．disappear

B．approach

C．grow

D．witness

16.

A．reminded

B．charged

C．allowed

D．informed

17.

A．approved

B．designed

C．forbidden

D．recommended

18.

A．formal

B．late

C．special

D．safe

19.

A．manage

B．deserve

C．afford

D．fail

20.

A．mature

B．young

C．magic

D．dangerous

7 . Pets can provide their owners with more than companionship. Being a pet owner was the third most common way that survey respondents said they met people in their neighborhoods. (No. 1 was by being neighbors. No. 2 was by using local streets and parks.) Pet owners were 60% more likely than non—pet owners to get to know people in their neighborhoods they hadn’t known before.

Dog owners, and more specifically, those who walked their dogs, were also far more likely to befriend someone they met through a pet related connection or getting social support from them. Dr. Frates, the medical editor of Get Healthy, Get a Dog, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School, has seen this firsthand. When she first adopted her dog. she started going to a local dog park in the mornings to meet up with about 15 other women and their dogs. While the dogs romped(玩耍), the women talked. Sometimes the relationships went no further than knowing someone is “Captain’s mom.” Other times they developed into true friendships.

Get Healthy, Get a Dog explores the many direct physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog. These include increased physical activity, which can help you lose or maintain weight; lowered blood pressure; and reduced stress. A study published last month in Science magazine showed that when a dog owner looked into his or her pet’s eyes, levels of oxytocin, the so-called“love hormone(荷尔蒙),” increased in both owner and pet, This helped further strengthen the bond between the two.

Pets may also indirectly improve health by fostering social connections, which are good for long-term health, An analysis of 148 studies on the topic found that people who have solid social networks are 50% more likely to live longer than those with limited social networks, In today’s go-it alone world, many people have trouble making connections. Pet ownership may be one way to meet and interact with others.

1. What is the most popular way of knowing the community?

A．Becoming a pet owner.	B．Dancing in the local parks.
C．Walking in the local streets.	D．Communicating with neighbours.

2. Why is Dr. Frates’ experience of keeping a dog mentioned in Paragraph 2?

A．To show Frates’ love for dogs.

B．To support the writer ’s opinion.

C．To remind readers of Frates’ wealth.

D．To prove the writer’s ability of making friends

3. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?

A．Owning a dog can make dog owners’ stress less.

B．Owning a dog can benefit dog owners’ health directly.

C．Owning a dog can help lose weight and lower blood pressure.

D．Owning a dog can improve the health of dogs and dog owners.

4. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A．Pet owners will influence people around.

B．Owning pets is the very way to interact with others.

C．Owning pets may help improve health in the long run.

D．Pet owners have trouble communicating with others.

8 . The most beautiful buildings in Melbourne

Royal Exhibition Building

Designed by architect Joseph Reed and completed in 1880, the Royal Exhibition Building is one of Australia^ most impressive architectural beauties. It was built to host the first official World’s Fair in the Southern Hemisphere. While smaller sections of the building were destroyed by fire, the main building survived. You can get a good look at select events throughout the year.

Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street Station is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Construction began in 1900 and completed at the same year, with the original designs laid out by Fawcett and Ashworth, including a large dome (圆顶) over the main entrance and a clock tower over the Elizabeth Street entrance. The building’s top floor ballroom was a later addition.

RMIT Design Hub

The building, completed in November 2012, is covered in 17,000 automated circular glass panels— not only do they spin to suit Melbourne’s weather forecast, but they also provide a high level of heat efficiency. The RMIT Design Hub by architect Sean Godsell is a Greenstar Certified Project, and it won the 2013 International Architecture Award by the Chicago Athenaeum.

Melbourne’s GPO

Located on the comer of Elizabeth Street and Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne’s GPO designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin was completed in 1910. The space functioned as a post office for most of the 20th century until 1993 when Australia Post decided to move its post office functions into smaller shopfronts. A fire broke out in the GPO in September 2001, destroying the interior of the building, and it was only in 2004 that the GPO reopened as a shopping center.

1. Whose design was the oldest building of the four?

A．Joseph Reed’s.	B．Fawcett and Ashworth’s.
C．Sean Godsell’s.	D．Walter Burley Griffin’s.

2. Which of the following buildings won the International Architecture Award?

A．Royal Exhibition Building.	B．Flinders Street Station.
C．RMIT Design Hub.	D．Melbourne’s GPO.

3. What do Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne’s GPO have in common?

A．They both caught fire in the past.

B．They both in the style of a large dome.

C．They were both on the comer of Elizabeth Street.

D．They were both completed in the 19th century.

9 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Qinling Mountains are one of the most biodiverse mountain ranges. According to an     1     (announce) from the Shaanxi government, local authorities     2     (shut) over 200 mines and hydropower (水力发电) plants down in key areas of the Qinling Mountains since an official rule designed to protect the rich ecosystem went into effect.

The Qinling Mountains are thought to be home to several organisms found only in China. The scenery is amazing there,    3     (vary) with the season and geography.

Wang Fang, a conservation biologist at Fudan University, said     4     would be affected by the mine and hydropower projects are not only animals but also the region’s climate patterns in the long run. He added such constructions may help the local economy, but it shouldn’t come     5     the cost of the environment.

Before the     6     (prohibit) of mining started, a series of activities had damaged its ecosystem. However, Wang was optimistic     7     the damage could be repaired. Referring to how forest areas     8     (damage) by unregulated logging in the 1990s recovered, he believed stricter laws could prove     9     (benefit) this time, too. “The species at the Qinling Mountains are quite tough, so maybe we’ll see     10     (they) recovery in 20 or 30 years.” he said.

10 . Plastic is nearly everywhere — in shoes, clothes, refrigerators and construction materials. But this highly useful material can have a major defect. Made from oil and slow to break down, conventional plastic is not environmentally friendly. Today, researchers discuss inventing what they say should be a safer, biodegradable (可生物降解的) alternative made from fish waste— heads, bones and skin— that would otherwise likely be thrown out.

If developed successfully, fish-oil-based plastic could help meet the considerable need for more sustainable plastic, says Francesca Kerton, the project’s investigator. Previously, others have developed new plastic using plant-based oils. However, this too comes with a disadvantage: the crops that produce these oils require land that could otherwise be used to grow food.

Leftover fish struck Kerton as a promising alternative. Salmon (鲑鱼) farming is a major industry for coastal Newfoundland, where her university is located. After the fish are processed, leftover parts are often thrown away. Kerton and her colleagues developed a process for turning this fish oil into a plastic-like material. But does the plastic smell fishy? “When we start the process with the fish oil a slight kind of fish smell, but as we go through the steps, that smell disappears,” Kerton says.

In other experiments, they have begun examining how quickly the new material would likely break down once its useful life is over. Kerton put pieces of it in water, and to speed up the degradation for some pieces, she added a chemical capable of breaking down fats like those in the fish oil. Under a microscope, she later saw microbial (微生物的）growth on all of the samples, even those that had been in plain water, an encouraging sign that the new material might biodegrade quickly, Kerton says.

Kerton now intends to study the material’s physical properties to see how it might in real-world applications, such as in packaging or fibers for clothing.

1. What does the underlined word “defect” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Mistake.

B．Burden.

C．Difficulty.

D．Disadvantage.

2. What is wrong with using plant-based oils to make plastic?

A．It causes damage to the soil.	B．It needs a large amount of land.
C．It produces an unpleasant smell.	D．It increases the price of cooking oils.

3. What do we know about this new plastic?

A．It can break down easily.	B．It has a very short useful life.
C．It is hard to mix with plain water.	D．It proved a good packaging material.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A living trend.	B．A fishing method.
C．A scientific project.	D．A biological phenomenon.