1 . You’ve heard that plastic is polluting the oceans — between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes enter ocean ecosystems every year. But does one plastic straw or cup really make a difference? Artist Benjamin Von Wong wants you to know that it does. He builds massive sculptures out of plastic garbage, forcing viewers to re-examine their relationship to single-use plastic products.

At the beginning of the year, the artist built a piece called “Strawpocalypse,” a pair of 10-foot-tall plastic waves, frozen mid-crash. Made of 168,000 plastic straws collected from several volunteer beach cleanups, the sculpture made its first appearance at the Estella Place shopping center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Just 9% of global plastic waste is recycled. Plastic straws are by no means the biggest source (来源) of plastic pollution, but they’ve recently come under fire because most people don’t need them to drink with and, because of their small size and weight, they cannot be recycled. Every straw that’s part of Von Wong’s artwork likely came from a drink that someone used for only a few minutes. Once the drink is gone, the straw will take centuries to disappear.

In a piece from 2018, Von Wong wanted to illustrate (说明) a specific statistic: Every 60 seconds, a truckload’s worth of plastic enters the ocean. For this work, titled “Truckload of Plastic,” Von Wong and a group of volunteers collected more than 10,000 pieces of plastic, which were then tied together to look like they’d been dumped (倾倒) from a truck all at once.

Von Wong hopes that his work will also help pressure big companies to reduce their plastic footprint.

1. What are Von Wong’s artworks intended for?

A．Beautifying the city he lives in.	B．Introducing eco-friendly products.
C．Drawing public attention to plastic waste.	D．Reducing garbage on the beach.

2. Why does the author discuss plastic straws in paragraph 3?

A．To show the difficulty of their recycling.

B．To explain why they are useful.

C．To voice his views on modern art.

D．To find a substitute for them.

3. What effect would “Truckload of Plastic” have on viewers?

A．Calming.	B．Disturbing.
C．Refreshing.	D．Challenging.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Artists’ Opinions on Plastic Safety

B．Media Interest in Contemporary Art

C．Responsibility Demanded of Big Companies

D．Ocean Plastics Transformed into Sculptures

2 . 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。

With about half of the vast country covered in wilderness, China is the world’s third most species-rich country. Therefore, China’s     1    (achieve) in biodiversity conservation and wilderness protection are important to the future of global biodiversity conservation.

The vital biodiversity,     2    (combine) with a large population, has led the government to reconsider its protected area system and transform some wilderness areas such as the rainforest in Hainan     3    formal national parks. The new national park system will make it more practical     4    (preserve) habitats and species. The aim is to preserve biodiversity and ensure a     5    (harmony) relation between humans and nature.

The national parks cross China’s vast ecosystems, from the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park in the south     6    the Hainan gibbon—a critically endangered species lives, the Giant Panda National Park, the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, the Wuyi Mountain National Park to the Sanjiangyuan National Park on the Qinghai-Tibet Platau—    7    source of the Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Lancang River. The diversity of species and habitats under protection     8    (reflect) in these parks’ names.

The national parks are open to all. Visitors can make reservations online in advance     9    book on the spot. They should acquire a little local knowledge to get     10     (they) ready for the amazing trip and maximize their enjoyment.

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。

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a health care system in which patients     1     (treat) with natural plant, animal, and mineral remedies (药物). It is assumed, for a person to be healthy,     2     yin and yang forces should he in balance. Imbalance causes illness or injury. TCM is about     3     (restore) the balance between yin and yang forces in patients. It has been a major part of traditional Chinese culture and continues to play     4     vital role in medical treatment in China today.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 80 percent of the world's population depends for its primary health care needs    5     medicines from plants and animals. This is especially true in countries where traditional medicines are     6     (wide) used.

Increasingly, however, modern medicines also contain substances from animals and plants. Given growing populations, increasing wealth, and the spreading    7     (popular) of natural remedies around the world, the demand for these medicines and remedies     8     (rise) now. The rising demand,     9     (combine) with reduced habitat, has caused an alarming increase in the number of plant and animal species used for medicinal purposes at risk for many years. For instance, TCM uses about 1,000 plant and 36 animal species, including the tiger, rhinoceros, and sea horse,     10     are all in danger.

4 . 语法填空

Over the past few days, a number of forest fires     1    (break) out in Chongqing and its surrounding areas due to the extremely dry and hot weather. Many rescue personnel and volunteers participated in the rescue overnight,    2    moved a lot of people across the country. The mountain fires in several regions in Chongqing have been     3    (eventual) put out on Friday morning. No casualties have been reported.

Chongqing motorcyclists are being praised     4    heroes for volunteering to transport much-needed supplies to the fire and rescue workers     5    (fight) the wildfires caused by prolonged heat and drought across multiple districts in the municipality(自治市).

Facing the tough situation, the city government called for volunteers with related skills and experience     6    (join) the firefighting,     7    a large number of motorcyclists have played an important role and won widespread praise. The team members, with     8    average age of 29, took turns to use five dirt bikes and four scooters to carry materials and equipment to firefighters and to transport people and     9    (necessary).

The example of a foreign teacher who volunteered to help fight the raging wildfires in Chongqing’s Beibei district with other local residents has touched many.

When all the people     10    (unite), peace will reign across the country.

5 . Searching for a new cat to add to your family? If your home already has a cat, you may wonder how your cat will welcome a new partner.     1    Continue reading for tips on how to do that.

Your existing cat’s needs come first.     2    Does your cat prefer female cats over male cats? If he/ she enjoys the company of female cats, adopting a female cat can help. If you adopt a young kitten as a companion for your older cat, it can work well as kittens get along with a cat of any age.

Shower your existing cat with extra attention. Cats can be territorial when it comes to their space; the same can be true for their owners as well.     3    Giving your cat more hugs and care during the introduction of a new cat can help ease his/ her bad feeling. This also helps your cat accept and trust the new one more quickly.

    4     When you bring your new cat home, it’s best to keep the cats in different rooms. This way they won’t try to defend their territory. Each should have their own space with bowls and cat furniture so he/ she don’t feel the need to compete. And do spend time with the new cat as he/ she can also be stressed in a new environment.

Introduce the new cat slowly. Your cats will have the chance to get used to each other’s smell through the door. When they seem interested in meeting, you can bring one into the other’s territory.    5    If you notice either of the cats getting uncomfortable, separate them.

A．Separate the cats initially.

B．Make sure your cat feels at home.

C．Do this at least a few days after the new cat arrives.

D．Think about your existing cat’s personality and habits.

E．Your cat can get envious of a newcomer easily if feeling ignored.

F．Give both cats a special treat when they first meet to encourage peace.

G．There is a process to make the change less stressful for both you and the cats.

6 . 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。

The classical gardens of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, date back to the 6th century     1     the city was founded     2     the capital of the Wu Kingdom. Today, more than 50 of these gardens are still in     3     (exist), nine of which are regarded as the finest embodiments (化身) of Chinese “Mountain and Water” gardens.

Built in the 11th century on the site of an     4     (early) destroyed garden, Canglang Pavilion has the longest history among all the existing classical gardens in Suzhou. Naturally     5     (lay) out and well designed, it is called one of the four best gardens in Suzhou. The garden looks simple but natural. Without complex     6     (decorate), it combines buildings with scenery so well     7     the whole garden appears to be naturally endowed (赋予). Since many of the     8     (origin) features of the garden have been preserved, the garden has a high historical and artistic value.

The classical gardens of Suzhou     9     (be) the most vivid specimens(样本)of culture from the East Yangtze Delta region in the 11th to 19th centuries. The underlying philosophy, literature, art, and craftsmanship     10     (show) in the architecture, gardening as well as the handcrafts perfectly reflect the monumental achievements of the social, cultural, scientific, and technological developments of this period.

7 . As the world seeks to slow the pace of climate change and preserve wildlife, trees undoubtedly hold a major part of the answer. Yet the mass destruction of trees--deforestation-continues, sacrificing （牺牲）the long-term benefits of standing trees for short-term gain.

    1    Since humans started cutting down forests, 46 percent of trees have been logged. About 17 percent of the Amazonian rainforest has been destroyed over the past 50 years, and losses recently have been on the rise.

So, what are the factors leading to deforestation? Farming, animal raising, mining, and drilling combined account for more than half of all deforestation.    2    Plus logging operations, which provide the world^? s wood and paper products, cut down countless trees each year. Some loggers acting illegally even build roads to access more and more remote forests--which leads to further deforestation.

    3    Some 250 million people living in forests depend on them for survival and income—many of them among the world's rural poor. Eighty percent of Earth's land animals live in forests and deforestation threatens many species.    4    The South American rainforest, for example, influences regional and perhaps even global water cycles, which is key to the water supply in Brazilian cities and neighboring countries.

Luckily, a movement is under way to preserve existing forest ecosystems and restore lost tree cover. Organizations and activists are working to fight illegal mining and logging. As consumers, it makes sense to look for sustainably produced sources.     5    

A．Yet the effects of deforestation reach much farther.

B．Globally, forests are disappearing at an alarming rate.

C．Wildfires and urbanization also account for a small part,

D．Deforestation affects people and animals and even the wider world.

E．With these joint efforts, many conservationists see reasons for hope.

F．Deforestation is responsible for around 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions.

G．Some deforestation is caused by a combination of human and natural factors.

8 . This year saw the publication, in stages, of the sixth report by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)—a report which was depressing reading for many climate scientists, and in some ways offered a ray of hope.

Why depressing? Because the report confirmed what scientists have been saying for years: that human activity, particularly in the form of emissions (排放) of greenhouse gases, is responsible for the warming in the past few centuries, and that unless such emissions are greatly reduced, we will soon bring about our entire ecosystem’s destruction.

The report concluded that 1.5°C of global warming over the next couple of hundred years is already “baked in”. This makes the goals outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement—that nations agreed to keep warming below 2°C, and hopefully below 1.5°C-much harder to meet. Worse still, the IPCC report was followed later in the year by the COP27 summit (峰会), described by Prof Dann Mitchell, as “a complete failure, other than some commitment to loss and damage.”

And the ray of hope? The IPCC’s sixth report was broader in approach than previous studies—looking in-depth for the first time at the role played in warming by short-term greenhouse gases such as methane(甲烷), for instance.

“Reducing carbon emissions is always the best approach: stop the problem at its source,” said Mitchell. “But we also need other approaches to help with this. Methane is important, but it’s so short-lived-that’s why we haven’t been so bothered when compared with CO,.”

The IPCC working groups showed potential adaptation paths, and they are the other things we can do in terms of fighting climate change and relieving its worst effects, rather than simply reducing carbon emissions. This would include taking measures such as switching to a more plant-based diet (to reduce methane emissions), controlling population growth, reducing financial inequality and developing means by which we might remove CO, that’s already in our atmosphere, rather than simply preventing it being released.

1. Which of the following can best describe the sixth report by IPCC?

A．Seemingly contradictory.	B．Wholly promising.
C．Particularly hopeless.	D．Exceptionally new.

2. What does the underlined phrase “baked in” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．out of date.	B．to the full.
C．under discussion.	D．in progress

3. According to the passage, what can we learn about methane?

A．It has been long regarded as a major source of global warming.

B．Its role in global warming had been overlooked before the report.

C．Its boost to global warming is as much as other greenhouse gases.

D．It is considered as a new approach to reducing global warming.

4. How many aspects do the adaptation paths involve in the last paragraph?

A．2.

B．3.

C．4.

D．5.

9 . I’ve been in an 18-year love-hate relationship with a black walnut tree.

It’s a unique tree. In late September or early October, falling fruits as hard as baseballs threaten the skulls (头骨) of you, your children, your neighbors and those that reside next door to them. Umbrellas in the yard are a must while dining in early August, and as for me, I wear my bike helmet while working in the garden.

The black walnut also releases a chemical substance through its roots as a competitive strategy. It’s poisonous to several common plants. There have been many new plant varieties that I brought home with hopes that maybe the black walnut would accept them, but they failed to flourish.

What does work are native plants that naturally grow in the area. Native plants are important to have around since they provide beneficial pollinators (传粉者) like birds, bees and butterflies with seeds and contribute to a healthy and biodiverse environment. Native plants for this area are generally easy to grow, so they experience less stress.

Have I thought of getting rid of this giant pain in my tiny backyard? Yes, however, getting rid of this tree standing at 50 feet with an 87-inch trunk is next to impossible. It’s also protected under the law. Rightfully so. Trees are important to the urban forest and for all of those that inhabit it.

Sometimes I think about my life without the black walnut. I can’t imagine a spring without the birds who arrive every year and loudly sing their songs before dawn. I’d miss falling asleep on lazy weekend afternoons as I look up into its leaves.

Every spring, I wonder what the season holds: What are the chances of being knocked unconscious while barbecuing? Like any good relationship, I’ll never be pleased. I’m stuck with this tree, so I’ll listen to its needs and give it the space it requires. In return, my walnut offers a habitat for wildlife and a reminder.

1. Why does the author wear a bike helmet while working in the garden?

A．To protect the injured skull.	B．To prevent herself from sunburn.
C．To avoid being hit by the nuts.	D．To reduce the chance of getting bitten by bees.

2. What is the tree’s survival strategy?

A．It attracts beneficial pollinators.

B．It lets out poison to drive away pests.

C．It produces a chemical fatal to some plants.

D．It competes for nutrition with similar species.

3. Which of the following DOESN’T account for the author’s love-hate relationship with the tree?

A．The volume of its fruits may bring inconvenience.

B．The tree outcompetes the native plants in the garden.

C．The tree is home to numerous birds and other creatures.

D．The presence of the tree takes up much space of the garden.

4. The author most probably got a reminder from the tree that ________.

A．it’s better to give than to take

B．trees and plants have their own ways to flourish

C．even a good relationship is not always trouble-free

D．acceptance, instead of resistance, is the better way to be

10 . You look up at the sky on a clear and dark night, you’ll see more stars than your eyes can count. Most of these stars have planets, similar to our own, orbiting them. With so many celestial bodies floating out in space, you can’t help but question whether other forms of life exist in the universe. And if that’s the case, is it possible to contact them?

Science is still somewhat divided on this issue. Currently, no evidence exists to suggest that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe. Yet with an estimated one trillion planets in our galaxy alone, it seems highly likely that Earthlings aren’t the only intelligent creatures out there. Some claim that life can only develop under perfect circumstances, and Earth is perhaps the only example of this. Other scientists object to this claim, and point out that even on Earth, life can find a way under the most extreme circumstances.

Some people believe that aliens have already visited our planet, but this information is being kept secret by governments. The most famous incident of this kind occurred in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. On that date, many residents reported seeing an unusual flying disc streak through the sky, before it crashed in a field. When the military heard about the crash, they quickly sealed off the area. A few hours later, the army base announced that it had recovered a flying disk. Shortly after, this statement was retracted and it was said that it was a weather balloon that crashed. However, years later one local mortician even claimed that the military had him secretly perform an autopsy on a dead alien body.

Others believe that there certainly are other life forms out there, but the distance between us is too great. Even if we could somehow create a spaceship that travels at the speed of light, it would still probably take several lifetimes to reach them. Then again, we might never have to do this if aliens reach us first.

1. Why do some scientists think there is life on other planets?

A．Because an unusual flying disc was ever witnessed.

B．Because life exists despite extreme conditions as those on the Earth do.

C．Because the government’s statement seemed suspicious.

D．Because there are a great number of planets in the universe.

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

A．Examined again to guarantee the correctness.	B．Emphasized again to persuade people.
C．Formally taken back what has been said.	D．Seriously criticized due to poor evidence

3. Which of the following might be the best title for the text?

A．Are we alone in the universe?	B．Is it possible to contact aliens?
C．Intelligent life in the universe.	D．Planets floating out in space.

4. How does the author sound in the passage?

A．Objective.

B．Humorous.

C．Cautious.

D．Anxious.