1 . In Canada, you can find dogs, cats, horses, etc. in almost every family. These are their pets. People love these pets and have them as their good friends.
Before they keep them in their houses, they take them to animal hospitals to give them injections (注射) so that they won’t carry disease. They have special animal food stores, though they can get animal food in almost every kind of store. Some people spend around two hundred Canadian dollars a month on animal food. When you visit people’s houses, they would be very glad to show you their pets and they are very proud of them. You will also find that almost every family has a bird feeder in their garden. All kinds of birds are welcomed to come and have a good meal. They are free to come and go and nobody is allowed to kill any animal in Canada. They have a law against killing wild animals. If you killed an animal, you would be punished. If an animal happened to get run over by a car, people would be very sad.
People in Canada have many reasons to like animals. One of them might be: Their family ties are not as close as ours. When children grow up, they leave their parents and start their own life. Then the old will feel lonely. But pets can solve this problem. They can be good friends and never leave them alone.
1. The passage mainly talks about ________.| A．how to keep disease from pets | B．pets in Canada |
| C．how to take good care of pets | D．life of the old in Canada |
| A．the pets are sick | B．the pets are wild |
| C．they want to stop them from carrying disease | D．they want them to sleep on the way home |
| A．hate animals | B．often kill animals | C．love animals | D．don’t keep pets inside houses |
| A．they don’t love their parents any more | B．they can only find jobs far from their parents |
| C．their parents’ houses are too small | D．they wouldn’t depend on their parents any more |
2 . Scientists say baby sharks are at risk of being born smaller and without the energy they need to survive because of warming oceans from climate change.
Scientists studied epaulette sharks, which live off Australia and New Guinea. They found that warmer conditions expedite the sharks’ growing process. That meant the sharks were born earlier and very tired. The findings could be used in the study of other sharks, including those that give birth to live young.
The scientists studied 27 sharks. Some were raised in average summer water temperatures, about27 degrees Celsius. Others were raised in higher temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. They found that the sharks raised in the warmest temperatures weighed much less than those raised in average temperatures. They also showed reduced energy levels.
Epaulette sharks can grow to a length of about one meter. Their name comes from large spots on their bodies that look like decorations on some military clothing.
One study this year found that worldwide numbers of oceanic sharks and rays dropped more than70 percent between 1970 and 2018. Overfishing is a main concern, while climate change and pollution also threaten sharks.
Carolyn Wheeler is a doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts Boston and with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University in Australia. She is the lead author of the epaulette shark study. She said that while all the sharks survived, those raised in warmer temperatures were not strong enough to survive for long in the wild.
She added that if the sharks are born smaller than usual, they are probably going to have to start looking for food sooner, and they’re going to have less time to adjust to their surroundings.
The study should serve as a warning to ocean governing agencies that careful management is needed to prevent the loss of more sharks.
1. What does the underlined word “expedite” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Accelerate. | B．Slow. | C．Cause. | D．Influence. |
| A．By studying former data. |
| B．By tracking sharks in the wild. |
| C．By collecting information about climate change. |
| D．By comparing sharks in waters of different temperatures. |
| A．They are named after a military officer. |
| B．They can’t adapt to new surroundings quickly. |
| C．They are dying mainly because of climate change. |
| D．They would die soon after birth in warmer temperatures. |
| A．The reasons for sharks’ loss. | B．The measures to preserve sharks. |
| C．The function of the government. | D．The warnings about the endangered sharks. |
3 . In an awe-inspiring incident, a young killer whale recently demonstrated remarkable intelligence by seeking assistance from a group of humans to save its trapped mother, which challenged our conventional understanding of wild predators (食肉动物).
The online viral video, shared by Alvin Foo, began with a young killer whale emitting distressing cries towards a group of people on a boat. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the concerned individuals promptly responded by contacting a rescue team. The young whale’s desperate request for help touched more people’s hearts and set a truly extraordinary chain of events in motion.
As the rescue team arrived, they were amazed to witness the young killer whale’s playful interaction with the humans. The whale appeared elated, seemingly understanding that assistance had finally arrived. This interaction between the mother killer whale and rescuers underlined the potential for mutual understanding beyond the boundary of traditional predator-prey relationships.
The young whale took on the role of a guide, leading the rescue team to its mother trapped in a fishing net. It navigated the water with purpose, as if fully aware that the humans possessed the means to save its mother. This display of intelligence left the rescuers in awe, highlighting the complex cognitive abilities of these magnificent marine creatures. With its guidance, the rescue team swiftly initiated the liberation process, carefully cutting the net to free the trapped whale. Astonishingly, they seemed to understand that the humans were there to help and did as asked.
The instant the mother whale was finally freed, an eruption of joyous cries filled the air. The emotional outpouring conveyed the immense gratitude of both the mother whale and the young whale to the humans who had intervened. As the rescue team made their way back to shore, the two whales swam alongside them. This heart-warming sight emphasized the lasting impact of the rescue. The bond formed through this extraordinary rescue operation was well obvious, proving that the profound connections can be established between various species. The journey back to safety symbolized the victory of compassion over adversity.
1. What can we learn about the video from paragraph 2?| A．It spread widely. |
| B．It went unnoticed. |
| C．It documented humans’ requesting help. |
| D．It recorded passive response to the rescue. |
| A．Tired. | B．Excited. | C．Frightened. | D．Confused. |
| A．Wise and cooperative. | B．Complex and mysterious. |
| C．Curious and careful. | D．Wild and rude. |
| A．Adversity is a good discipline. |
| B．It is urgent to protect wildlife. |
| C．Different species can coexist in harmony. |
| D．Human intervention poses a threat to whales. |
4 . New research by scientists at the University of Bristol explains how a “stop－start” pattern of evolution,governed by environmental change,could explain why crocodiles (鳄鱼) have changed so little since the age of the dinosaurs.
Crocodiles today look very similar to ones from 200 million years ago. There are also very few species alive today—just 25. Other animals such as lizards and birds have achieved a diversity of many thousands of species in the same amount of time. Prehistory also saw types of crocodile we don’t see today,including giants as big as dinosaurs,plant－eaters,fast runners and snakelike forms that lived in the sea.
The rate of their evolution is generally slow,but occasionally they evolve more apace because the environment has changed. In particular,this new research suggests that their evolution speeds up when the climate is warmer,and that their body size increases.
Lead author Dr. Max Stockdale said,“Our analysis used a machine learning algorithm (算法) to estimate rates of evolution. Evolutionary rate is the amount of change that has taken place over a given amount of time,which we can work out by comparing measurements from fossils and taking into account how old they are. For our study we measured body size,which is important because it interacts with how fast animals grow,how much food they need,how big their populations are and how likely they are to die out.”
The findings show that the limited diversity of crocodiles and their apparent lack of evolution result from a slow evolutionary rate. It seems the crocodiles arrived with an already efficient and versatile (多功能的) body plan that doesn’t require changes. This versatility could be one explanation why crocodiles survived the meteor (流星) impact at the end of the Cretaceous period,in which the dinosaurs died out. Crocodiles generally develop better in warm conditions because they cannot control their body temperature and require warmth from the environment.
1. What do we know about prehistoric crocodiles?| A．They fed mainly on plants and lived in the ocean. |
| B．They evolved much faster than contemporary birds. |
| C．They were more diverse in species than present crocodiles. |
| D．They differed greatly in appearance from present crocodiles. |
| A．Naturally. | B．Steadily. |
| C．Separately. | D．Quickly. |
| A．growth rate | B．food choice |
| C．length of life | D．speed of evolution |
| A．What determines crocodiles’ body size |
| B．Why crocodiles have changed so little |
| C．How crocodiles have evolved since their existence |
| D．What effects climate has on the evolution of crocodiles |
5 . Children are celebrated and doted on in the Land of Smiles,making it a great place for a family holiday. Besides the Thais’ natural love for kids,Thailand’s affordability,weather and lots of activities make it a perfect getaway destination. Here is our list of the best family-friendly places to visit in Thailand.
Phuket
Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular destinations. From beautiful beaches and a fascinating old town to aquariums and horseback riding,Phuket has them all. Many of the island’s resorts (度假胜地) offer children’s clubs and babysitting services,enabling mum and dad to get a well-earned break,too. Phuket is easily reached from most parts of Thailand and has direct flights from many other countries.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai,Thailand’s mountainous cultural center,is a fantastic place to travel with the whole family. Chiang Mai has a calm and relaxed atmosphere and is small enough to easily gain your direction. Here,you’ll find plenty of fun and exciting activities for all ages,including museums,local markets,cooking schools and much more.
Krabi
The beach lovers’ destination Krabi is the perfect place to relax. Not only are some of the country’s best beaches in Krabi,but it is also a fantastic place to pick up a snorkel (呼吸管) and mask and become acquainted with Thailand’s beautiful underwater world. In the surrounding area,there are also plenty of options for fun day trips to national parks,waterfalls,elephant sanctuaries (保护区) or,for older kids,rock climbing in some of the world’s best climbing spots.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui has long been one of Thailand’s most popular family holiday destinations. It almost has everything one would want. Many resorts have kids’ programs on offer,and you’ll find plenty of family-friendly activities to choose from. For something a little different,take your tribe to make new furry friends by volunteering at the animal rescue center for the day.
1. What is the feature of Phuket?| A．It is easy to get lost there. | B．It has convenient transportation. |
| C．It offers some voluntary work. | D．It is the cultural center of Thailand. |
| A．Diving. | B．Riding elephants. |
| C．Visiting museums. | D．Making furry friends. |
| A．Phuket. | B．Chiang Mai. |
| C．Krabi. | D．Koh Samui. |
6 . Haze (薄雾) and smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires covered most of the US Northeast for a second day — Wednesday, with New York City experiencing the world’s worst air quality over the last two days.
New York, the Big Apple became the Big Orange by midday Wednesday as the sky over the nation’s largest city fell into a deep hazy orange. Streets in Manhattan are like what they were like during the pandemic (流行病) as residents again wore masks and cared for warnings from health officials about the impact of PM2.5, which can lead to respiratory (呼吸的) illnesses.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Wednesday that the state was making one million N95 masks available to the public. Approximately 400,000 N95 masks would be distributed at New York state parks, and at subway stations and other locations in New York City, Hochul said at a press briefing. An additional 600,000 masks would be made available at Homeland Security stockpiles (囤聚的物资) for local governments to pick up, she said.
Hochul called the poor air quality “a very serious, dangerous situation”. She recommended that people across the state cancel outdoor activities. “Simply stay indoors. Outdoors is dangerous in just about every part of our state,” the governor said. Officials at the briefing said they had been monitoring any potential rise in respiratory illnesses or health issues due to the poor air quality.
The city’s air was more polluted than all the world’s major cities on Wednesday morning, according to data from Swiss technology company IQAir. Dubai and Delhi came in second and third, respectively. Mike Hardiman, a staff in the National Weather Service, told The New York Times the city “smells like cigars”.
1. Why do people wear masks in New York?| A．Because of health concern. | B．Because of the pandemic. |
| C．Because of officials’ demand. | D．Because of their habits. |
| A．New York has good welfare system. | B．N95 masks can settle the crisis. |
| C．The public’s support is vital. | D．The government took measures to handle the issue. |
| A．Camping. | B．Doing housework. |
| C．Fishing. | D．Climbing mountains. |
| A．The city is polluted by cigars. | B．Cigars have very good smell. |
| C．The air quality in the city is terrible. | D．There are too many smokers in the city. |
7 . For Aravind Tharunsri and Thaaragai Aarathana, every day is Environment Day and every hour is Earth Hour. And they are on a mission to
Thaaragai was never afraid of water. She started floating even when under one. Being a passionate diver, Aravind always wanted to make his daughter
Now, Thaaragai can call attention to the issue of
The eight-year-old girl
Thaaragai hopes more kids can join. “Why wait for Ocean’s Day or Environment Day? Every day is important when we
| A．clean up | B．focus on | C．make up | D．make out |
| A．accept | B．abandon | C．quit | D．learn |
| A．thrilled | B．disappointed | C．qualified | D．excited |
| A．eventually | B．suddenly | C．frequently | D．relatively |
| A．dangerous | B．extinct | C．energetic | D．endangered |
| A．intention | B．responsibility | C．attention | D．memory |
| A．broke | B．kept | C．witnessed | D．set |
| A．protection | B．pollution | C．development | D．damage |
| A．treated | B．completed | C．celebrated | D．proved |
| A．ignore | B．deal | C．manage | D．value: |
| A．bought | B．collected | C．packed | D．threw |
| A．diver | B．dancer | C．singer | D．swimmer |
| A．switch | B．connect | C．raise | D．compare |
| A．swim | B．compete | C．go | D．fight |
| A．reluctant | B．determined | C．patient | D．talented |
8 . From Jilly Cooper to Winston Clurehill, horse riders have long supported the emotional benefit of the human-horse bond. Hernan Melville, the author of Moby Dick, once argued: “No philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses.”
When it comes to dogs, we have no doubt about it. But horses can tell when a human being is feeling unhappy, a study has found, although whether or not they care remains an open question.
The latest study, published in the journal Animal Cognition, sought to correct this. The question the researchers wanted to answer was; do horses understand a range of human emotions? To investigate this, they employed a technique often employed in studying baby cognition (认知); they showed the horses something that made no sense, and watched to see whether it puzzled them. One after another, the scientists put 28 horses in a room. Each horse was shown two pictures of the same person at the same time. In one picture the person had a happy face, in the other the person had a long face. At the same time they heard either a happy or sad voice.
From a human perspective, only one of the pictures made sense — the one with a voice that corresponded to the image. The other was “incongruent (不一致的)”. Were the horses similarly confused? It appears they were. What the scientists found was that on average the first time the horses saw the incongruent image, they spent longer looking at it.
Oceane Liehrmann, from the University of Turku in Finland, said this implied a level of emotional and cognitive complexity that we may not always credit to horses.
We don’t know whether horses themselves understand what it is to be sad, or experience the emotion. What the research suggested was that, however, it is possible they learn that it means something for a human — and that when we are sad they expect what we say to match how we look.
1. Why does the author mention Herman Melville’s words in paragraph 1?| A．To introduce the topic of the text. | B．To state dogs and horses are smart. |
| C．To point out philosophers’ ignorance. | D．To promote Herman Melville’s book. |
| A．By observing their behavior in a room. |
| B．By testing their reactions to different emotions. |
| C．By training them to respond to human emotions. |
| D．By showing them pictures and playing corresponding voices. |
| A．ignored the incongruent image and voice |
| B．were not confused and showed no reaction |
| C．recognized the incongruence and showed anger |
| D．were puzzled and spent more time looking at them |
| A．Horses Are the Cleverest Animal |
| B．Horses Have Strong Cognitive Ability |
| C．Horses Can Make Sense of a Human’s Long Face |
| D．Horses Can Understand Humans’ Emotions Clearly |
9 . Four Beautiful National Parks in New Zealand
Fiordland National Park
With over three million acres, the Fiordland National Park is the largest in New Zealand. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly to its dramatic landscape. When visiting, you will find beautiful fiords (峡湾), ancient rainforests, shining lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks.
Abel Tasman National Park
Located on the north end of the South Island is Abel Tasman National Purk, named after the first European explorer to find New Zealand. At nearly 60,000 acres, it is the smallest national park in the country, but it offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. For instance, the park features sandy beaches, clear streams, forested hills, and mossy valleys. The best way to experience the area is by hiking, camping, kayaking, sailing and swimming.
Arthur’s Pass National Park
Also on New Zealand’s South Island is Arthur’s Pass National Park, featuring primarily mountainous terrain (地形). Arthur’s Pass includes the heart of the Southern Alps and consists of high, rough mountains, steep gorges and wide rivers. Because the area is not as developed as other parks and requires visitors to have a knowledge of route-finding and river-crossing, it is not typically an area for inexperienced recreationists.
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro was the 6th national park established in the world and the oldest in New Zealand. It’s been open to the public since 1887 and is the perfect destination for thrill-seekers and those who appreciate mother nature. The park contains three active volcanoes and features world-famous crossings for some of the best hiking and skiing in the world.
1. Which one of the following parks is the largest park in New Zealand?| A．Fiordland National Park. | B．Abel Tasman National Park. |
| C．Arthur’s Pass National Park. | D．Tongariro National Park. |
| A．They are located on the South Island. |
| B．They are named after European explorers. |
| C．They are suitable for inexperienced recreationists. |
| D．They feature world-famous crossings and beaches. |
| A．Beginner hikers. | B．Thrill-seekers. | C．Swim lovers. | D．Bridge-builders. |
10 . Meteorites (陨石) can offer clues about what the early solar system was like. But finding them is far from difficult. Now, some scientists are turning to drones (无人机) and machine learning to help spot freshly fallen meteorites much more efficiently. “A team of six people on a meteorite-hunting expedition can search about 200,000 square meters per day,” says Seamus Anderson, a planetary scientist in Australia.
Around 2016, Anderson began toying with the concept of using drones to take pictures of the g round to look for meteorites. That idea blossomed into a Ph.D. project. In 2022, he and his colleagues reported their first successful recovery of a meteorite spotted with a drone. They’ve since found four more meteorites at a different site. Drone-based searches are much faster than the standard search way. “You’re going from about 300 days of human effort down to about a dozen or so,” he says.
Anderson and his workmates have used drones to search for meteorites in remote parts of Western Australia and South Australia. The team is tipped off about a fall site by networks of ground-based cameras that track meteoroids flashing through the Earth’s atmosphere. The researchers have to do a series of fun but difficult work before the hunt. They pack a four-wheel drive vehicle with drone and computer equipment, battery charging stations, generators, fuel, food, camping equipment, tables, chairs and much more. The drive to the fall site can take more than a day, often on rough or nonexistent roads. Anderson says, “You hope you don’t pop a tire.”
After arriving, the team flies its primary drone at an altitude of about 20 meters. Its camera takes an image of the ground once every second, and the scientists download the data every 40 minutes or so when the drone lands to receive fresh batteries. A typical day of flying can net over 10,000 images, which are then divided digitally into 100 million or so smaller sections. Those “tiles”, each 2 meters on a side, are fed into a machine learning algorithm (算法) that has been trained to recognize meteorites based on images of real land rocks which are spray-painted black.
1. Why do the scientists study meteorites?| A．To spot the planetary course. | B．To promote machine learning. |
| C．To test the functions of drones. | D．To explore the past of solar system. |
| A．Their barriers. | B．Their causes. |
| C．Their efficiency. | D．Their concept. |
| A．Fun and light. | B．Smooth and flexible. |
| C．Difficult and unpleasant. | D．Complicated and tough. |
| A．By dividing them in half. | B．By storing them for analysis. |
| C．By combining them into a picture. | D．By linking them with a digital printer. |
