1 . Schools consume a large amount of energy, which has a bad effect on the environment.    1    , there are lots of ways that you can help your school save energy. Look for simple changes your school can make and band together with others to make an even bigger effect.

    2    Even something as simple as turning offthe lights when you leave a room can help to save energy. Turn off the lights in classrooms that are not being used and in other areas,such as empty bathrooms and unoccupied multi-purpose rooms.

Use natural light when the sun is bright. It may not always be necessary for you to have the lights on in your classroom. There may be times of day when the sun is especially bright andenough for what you are doing in your classroom.     3    .

Set up a recycling station at your schooL Recycling is a great way to save energy because it reduces the need to produce new materials.    4    , then ask your school principal if you can set one up.

Get others involved.    5    . Either as an individual or as a team, you can create and put up signs around your school. Try using signs that remind people of things they can do to save energy and also some signs that raise awareness of saving energy.

A．Postsigns about conserving energy.

B．Whether you are a teacher or a student.

C．Ifyour school does not have one.

D．Turn offyour computer when it's not used.

E．Shut down the lights when rooms are not in use.

F．Other times of day you might only need half ofthe lights.

G．If your school's garbage company offers recycling services

2 . The loneliest chimp (黑猩猩) in the world just got the best surprise—a hug from a new friend.Ponso has been by himself for nearly three years，finding himself alone after his wife and children died on the island where they were abandoned by a medical testing company many years ago.

For years a nearby villager named Germain has been Ponso's only company，visiting him so often to bring bananas and bread—the chimp's only source of food on the tiny island.It was clear how much Ponso missed companionship when he was recently visited by Chimpanzee Conservation Centre Director Estelle Raballand.The chimp immediately embraced Estelle Raballand in a huge hug and laughed as she reached out for him，with his smile from ear to ear.

For those who know Ponso's backstory，his immediate ease and trust in humans might be surprising.Ponso was one of 20 chimps，all between the ages of 7 to 11 years old，relocated to an island off the Ivory Coast after being used for testing by the New York Blood Centre.After the tests were completed in 2005，the lab reportedly transferred the chimps to a string of islands，occasionally dropping off food and water because there was none in the chimps' new homes.

Disease and hunger soon left only Ponso，his mate and their two children standing.But at the end of 2013 they died within days of each other and Ponso was now completely alone.

A group called SOS PONSO is trying to raise money for the poor lonely chimp，already achieving its goal of   ￡20，000—all of which will be used for Ponso's care.

1. What do we know about the chimp Ponso?

A．He was deserted by his family.

B．He found many sources of food.

C．He came to the island for a test.

D．He suffers from loneliness greatly.

2. How did Ponso feel about the visit of Estelle Raballand?

A．Frightened.	B．Excited.
C．Embarrassed.	D．Confused.

3. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The chimps' new settlement.

B．Why Ponso was used for a test.

C．How Ponso came to the island.

D．The medical test about chimps.

4. What can be inferred from the text?

A．Many people show concern for Ponso.

B．A new lab will be built on the island.

C．Germain won't visit Ponso any more.

D．More chimps will be brought to the island.

3 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

China has developed a technology that is able to transform desert lands into available soil. The technology    1    (develop) several years ago by researchers at Chongqing Jiaotong University. They invented a paste (黏合剂)    2    (make) of a material found in plant cell walls that, when mixed    3    sand, is able to keep water, nutrients and air.

According to CGTN (中国国际电视台), Chinese scientists have achieved success in growing crops in areas with bad conditions caused by lack of rain and    4    (extreme) hot temperatures. One particular area is in a desert in North China’s Inner Mongolia. Over 70 kinds of crops are growing there. Many are not planted by humans but they just grow    5    (they), And the costs of artificial materials and machines for transforming sand into soil is much    6    (low) compared with regular methods. Now, nearly 500 acres of sand is being turned into farms producing corn,    7    (tomato) and sunflowers. A reforestation (重造森林) project is also currently in progress,    8    is set to reforest 50% of desert land in three years.

Researchers are looking into expanding their project this fall, with    9    plan to transform another 500 acres of desert. In the next few years, the scientists are    10    (confidence) that they can turn over 30,000 acres more into rich ground.

4 . Everybody hates rats (big mice). But in the earthquake capitals of the world — Japan, Los Angeles, Turkey — rats will soon be man’s best friends.

What happens after an earthquake? We send in rescue dogs. Why? Because they can smell people. Dogs save lives. They help rescuers to find living people. But dogs are big and they can’t get into small spaces. So now a new research project is using a smaller animal to save lives: the rat.

How does it work? First, the rat is trained to smell people. When this happens, the rat’s brain gives a signal (信号)．This is sent to a small radio on its back, and then the rescuers follow the radio signals. When the rat’s brain activity jumps, the rescuers know that someone is alive. The rat has smelled that person.

Although there are already robots which can do this job, rats are better. Christian Linster at Cornell University, New York, says, “Robots’ noses don’t work well when there are other smells around. Rats are good at that.” Rats can also see in the dark. They are cheaper and quicker to train than dogs, and unlike robots, they don't need electricity!

The “rat project” is not finished, but Julie Ryan of International Rescue Organization in Scotland says, “It would be wonderful. A rat could get into spaces we couldn’t get to, and a rat would get out if it wasn't safe.” Perhaps for the first time in history, people will be happy to see a rat in a building (but only after an earthquake, of course)．

1. Why will rats become man’s best friends in the world earthquake capitals?

A．Because they can take the place of man's rescue jobs.

B．Because they can find the position of people alive who are trapped in buildings.

C．Because they can serve as food for people alive who are trapped in buildings.

D．Because they can get into small spaces.

2. From the third paragraph we know the rescuers can judge a person who is alive by _____.

A．the noise made by the rat	B．the rat’s unusual behavior
C．the signal sent by the radio on the rat's back	D．the smell given off by the person

3. Which of these statements is NOT the advantage that rats have?

A．They are more lovely than other animals.

B．They are less expensive to train than dogs.

C．They don't need electricity.

D．They are small and can get into small places.

4. What can we infer from the passage?

A．At present rats have taken the place of dogs in searching for people.

B．The “rat project” has been completed.

C．People are now happy to see a rat in a building.

D．Now people still use dogs and robots in performing rescues.

5 . Washington, D.C. Bicycle Tours

Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C.

Duration: 3 hours

This small group bike tour is a fantastic way to see a world-famous cherry trees with beautiful flowers of Washington, D.C. Your guide will provide a history lesson about the trees and the famous monuments where they blossom. Reserve your spot before availability — the cherry blossoms—disappear!

Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour

Duration: 3 hours (4 miles)

Join a guided bike tour and view some of the most popular monuments in Washington, D.C. Explore the monuments and memorials on the National Mall as your guide shares unique facts and history at each stop. Guided tour includes bike, helmet, cookies and bottled water.

Capital City Bike Tour In Washington, D.C.

Duration: 3 hours

Morning or Afternoon, this bike tour is the perfect tour for D. C. newcomers and locals looking to experience Washington, D.C. in a healthy way with minimum effort. Knowledgeable guides will entertain you with the most, interesting stories about Presidents, Congress, memorials, and parks. Comfortable bikes and a smooth tour route(路线) make cycling between the sites fun and relaxing.

Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour

Duration: 3 hours (7miles)

Join a small group bike tour for an evening of exploration in the heart of Washington, D.C. Get up close to the monuments and memorials as you bike the sites of Capitol Hill and the National Mall. Frequent stops are made for photo taking as your guide offers unique facts and history. Tour includes bike, helmet, and bottled water. All riders are equipped with reflective vests and safety lights.

1. Which tour do you need to book in advance?

A．Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C.

B．Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour.

C．Capital City Bike Tour in Washington.

D．Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour.

2. What will you do on the Capital City Bike Tour?

A．Meet famous people.	B．Go to a national park.
C．Visit well-known museums.	D．Enjoy interesting stories.

3. Which of the following does the bicycle tour at night provide?

A．City maps.	B．Cameras.
C．Meals.	D．Safety lights.

6 . The Lifecycle of a T-shirt

We all probably have a lot of T-shirts, but do you ever stop and think about the influence of a T-shirt on the planet? You’d probably be surprised to learn what's involved in the lifecycle of just one T-shirt.

There are 5 major stages: material, production, shipping, use and disposal   The material stage involves farming, irrigating, fertilizing, harvesting and ginning（轧花）. While cotton is a natural fiber (纤维）and not as harmful to the environment as manmade fibers, it still takes a toll in the material and production stages. Commercial cotton farming uses a large amount of water, and the use of pesticides (杀虫剂）is widespread across the globe, especially in cotton farming. Studies have shown that farmers spend around $4.1 billion on pesticides annually, of which 25% was spent on cotton crops in the US.

Once the cotton is grown and harvested, so begins the production stage: spinning, knitting（编织）, bleaching, dyeing, cutting, sewing, etc.——these processes also use a great deal of water and energy. Commercial dyes and bleaches are harmful pollutants and can eventually pollute groundwater.

After the T-shirt is produced, it enters the transportation stage. This often involves overseas shipping. Take a look in your closet. Chances are that most of your cotton garments (衣服）are made in China or India. Garments can be shipped via plane, ship or truck…，all of which spill CO₂ into the atmosphere. Calculations show that CO₂ emissions from light trucks alone amount to 1.15 pounds per mile.

Once the T-shirt reaches the retail market, it is purchased. This stage may seem like the least environmentally damaging part. But consider the number of times you’ve washed and dried your favorite T-shirt. Washing machines are certainly becoming more efficient. However, the average American household does 400 loads of laundry per year, using about 40 gallons of water per load. Such excessive water use is combined with the large amount of energy used by dryers.

The final stage of life is disposal. This releases harmful emissions, or involves a landfill where cotton takes years to break down. Current US records show that an estimated 15% of clothes and shoes are recycled, which means that consumers send a shocking 85% of these materials to landfills.

We all need new clothes every once in a while, but let’s all try to keep in mind what goes into the production of clothing... It has a real impact on the planet.

There are a lot of things you can do to help reduce your impact. Reuse and recycle clothes. If they’re too worn out to wear, cut them up and use them as cleaning rags. Donate them to charity or another organization that recycles textiles. When possible, make an effort to buy organic cotton. Turn down the thermostat(恒温器) on your washer, and line dry your clothes when the weather will allow it.

1. The underlined phrase “takes a toll” probably means “      ”

A．wastes water	B．takes a lot of time
C．uses energy	D．has a bad effect

2. We can learn from the passage that in the US, .

A．pesticides in cotton farming cost over 4 billion dollars every year

B．C02 emissions of land transport amount to 1.15 pounds per mile

C．about 15% of the clothes and shoes are made of materials that are recycled

D．about 16, 000 gallons of water is used annually by an average family on laundry

3. What can be inferred from this passage?

A．The production process may affect water safety.

B．The clothing cost is relatively low in China and India.

C．Cotton clothes are buried because they are hard to break down.

D．The use stage is the least environmentally harmful of the five stages.

4. What is the purpose of this article?

A．To encourage people to donate clothes to charity.

B．To promote eco-friendly actions related to clothes.

C．To persuade people to purchase more organic cotton.

D．To introduce the five stages in the lifecycle of clothing.

7 . I work with Volunteers for Wildlife, a rescue and education organization at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. Trying to help injured, displaced or sick creatures can be heartbreaking; survival is never certain. However, when it works, it is simply beautiful.

I got a rescue call from a woman in Muttontown. She had found a young owl(猫头鹰) on the ground. When I arrived, I saw a 2-to 3-week-old owl. It had already been placed in a carrier for safety.

I examined the chick(雏鸟) and it seemed fine. If I could locate the nest, I might have been able to put it back, but no luck. My next work was to construct a nest and anchor it in a tree.

The homeowner was very helpful. A wire basket was found. I put some pine branches into the basket to make this nest safe and comfortable. I placed the chick in the nest, and it quickly calmed down.

Now all that was needed were the parents, but they were absent. I gave the homeowner a recording of the hunger screams of owl chicks. These advertise the presence of chicks to adults; they might also encourage our chick to start calling as well. I gave the owner as much information as possible and headed home to see what news the night might bring.

A nervous night to be sure, but sometimes the spirits of nature smile on us all! The homeowner called to say that the parents had responded to the recordings. I drove over and saw the chick in the nest looking healthy and active. And it was accompanied in the nest by the greatest sight of all — LUNCH! The parents had done their duty and would probably continue to do so.

1. What is unavoidable in the author’s rescue work according to paragraph 1?

A．Efforts made in vain.

B．Getting injured in his work.

C．Feeling uncertain about his future.

D．Creatures forced out of their homes.

2. Why was the author called to Muttontown?

A．To rescue a woman.

B．To take care of a woman.

C．To look at a baby owl.

D．To cure a young owl.

3. What made the chick calm down?

A．A new nest.

B．Some food.

C．A recording.

D．Its parents.

4. How would the author feel about the outcome of the event?

A．It’s unexpected.

B．It’s beautiful.

C．It’s humorous.

D．It’s discouraging.

8 . Death Valley is one of the most famous deserts in the United States, covering a wide area with its alkali sand. Almost 20 percent of this area is well below sea level, and Badwater, a salt water pool, is about 280 feet below sea level and the lowest point in the United States.
Long ago the Panamint Indians called this place "Tomesha"-- the land of fire. Death Valley's present name dates back to 1849, when a group of miners coming across from Nevada became lost in its unpleasantness and hugeness and their adventure turned out to be a sad story. Today Death Valley has been declared a National Monument and is crossed by several well-marked roads where good services can be found easily. Luckily the change created by human settlement has hardly ruined the special beauty of this place.
Here nature created a lot of surprising, almost like the sights on the moon, ever-changing as the frequent wind moves the sand about, showing the most unusual colors. One of the most astonishing and colorful parts of Death Valley is the Devil's Golf Course, where it seems hard for one to tell reality from dreams. Sand sculptures stand on a frightening ground, as evening shadows move and lengthen.
1. The name of the valley comes from__________ .

A．an Indian name	B．the death of the miners
C．the local people	D．a National Movement

2. From the passage we can learn that__________.

A．no one had ever known the desert before the miners

B．it's still not easy to travel across the desert

C．people can find gas-stations, cafes and hotels in the desert

D．people have changed the natural sight of the desert

3. The Devil's Golf Course is famous for__________ .

A．the terrible sights	B．the moon-like sights
C．dream-like sights	D．the ever-changing sights

4. From the passage we can see that the writer__________the Death Valley.

A．appreciates

B．is fearful of

C．dislikes

D．is tired of

9 . Last night’s meteor (流星) shower left many people in the community dissatisfied and demanding answers. According to Gabe Rothschild, Emerald Valley’s mayor, people gathered in the suburbs of the city, carrying heavy telescopes, expecting to watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky. What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.

“My family was so frustrated,” admitted town resident Duane Cosby, “We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing, but it turned out to be a huge disappointment.”

Astronomers — scientists who study stars and planets — have been complaining about this problem for decades. They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past. They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.

There is yet a population besides professional and amateur star observers that suffers even more from light pollution. This population consists of birds, bats, frogs, snakes, etc. For example, outdoor lighting severely affects migrating (迁徙的) birds. According to the International Dark-Sky Association, “100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers.”

Countless more animal casualties (伤亡) result from the use of artificial lighting. Clearly, people enjoy the benefits of lighting their evenings. But some scientists think it can be harmful for humans, too. They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase a person’s chances of getting cancer.

Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of light pollution. For years, Flagstaff, Arizona, has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory. Similar efforts have been made worldwide, and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them, so that other creatures can share the night.

1. It happened last night that _____.

A．the city’s lights affected the meteor watching

B．the meteors flew past before being noticed

C．the city light show attracted many people

D．the meteor watching ended up a social outing

2. What do the astronomers complain about?

A．Meteor showers occur less often than before.

B．Their observation equipment is in poor repair.

C．Light pollution has remained unsolved for years.

D．Their eyesight is failing due to artificial lighting.

3. What is the author concerned about according to Paragraph 4?

A．Birds may take other migration paths.

B．Animals’ living habits may change suddenly

C．Varieties of animals will become sharply reduced

D．Animals’ survival is threatened by outdoor lighting.

4. Lighting regulations in Flagstaff, Arizona are put into effect to _____.

A．lessen the chance of getting cancer

B．create an ideal observation condition

C．ensure citizens a good sleep at night

D．enable all creatures to live in harmony

5. What message does the author most want to give us?

A．Saving wildlife is saving ourselves.

B．Great efforts should be made to save energy.

C．Human activities should be environmentally friendly.

D．New equipment should be introduced for space study..