1 . There are many theories that suggest different ways of improving memory or thinking more clearly. One of those is the idea that adding rosemary (迷迭香) to your food or water, or even breathing in its fragrance, can give your brain a boost.
First, it’s important to understand what rosemary is.
Rosemary is related to the mint (薄荷) family of plants. When it blooms, its flowers are white, purple, pink or deep blue. It is often used as a flavor in food, including soups, meat, fish and other Mediterranean food. And it has a somewhat bitter flavor. Some people also enjoy tea flavored with rosemary.
One study that involved 28 older adults found that consumption of a small amount of dried rosemary powder was associated with statistically significantly improved memory speed.
While rosemary shows some promise for boosting our brain power, it’s important to check with your doctor before you begin having it.
| A．But it is grown in the United States, as well. |
| B．Rosemary is a herb with needle-like leaves. |
| C．Here’s what research has found about rosemary. |
| D．It is unknown if those benefits would hold true for humans. |
| E．It’s not known for sure why there may be a benefit from rosemary. |
| F．Rosemary is also used as a perfume and added to shampoo and soap. |
| G．Another study was performed with 53 students between 13 and 15 years old. |
2 . While the banana is a common fruit we enjoy in our daily lives, have you heard of its relative, the ensets banana (埃塞俄比亚蕉)? This plant is a main food for more than 20 million people in Ethiopia. Scientists believe that the ensets has the potential to provide food for over 100 million people in Africa. This could be a game - changer for addressing the food shortage due to climate change.
However, don’t be fooled by its orange fruits! Unlike the banana, the fruits of the ensets plant are not eatable, which has earned it the nickname of “false banana”, Food made from ensetss’ roots is especially high in nutrients (营养).
The ensets can feed more people per square meter of crop than most cereals (谷物). This makes it a key crop to focus on as the need to maximize the output of agricultural land in Africa grows ever more urgent. When Ethiopia experienced its most serious famine (饥荒) during the 1980s, the ensets played a major role in helping communities recover from the famine. The ensets is also used in traditional medicine, animal feed and so on.
Because of climate change, unstable temperatures and extreme weather events are posing risks to crop harvests. This threatens to worsen food shortage in many regions of Africa. Scientists believe that the ensets can become a major solution for solving this issue. The ensets is a very hardy plant, able to have a good harvest at a wide range of temperatures and geographical regions.
While scientists do not foresee it replacing the staple crops in other regions, they hope that the ensets can be grown widely in Africa. The ensets banana is certainly famous for its unique qualities that have given it the name “the tree against hunger.” It is an example of how food production is transforming in our world in the face of climate change.
1. Why is the ensets called “false banana”?| A．Because its fruits cannot be eaten. | B．Because its fruits look like oranges. |
| C．Because its fruits are rich in nutrients. | D．Because its fruits taste differently from bananas. |
| A．Its good quality. | B．Its multiple purposes. | C．Its high output. | D．Its predictable future. |
| A．Accessible. | B．Adaptable. | C．Adjustable. | D．Available. |
| A．Ensets: A Tree against Hunger | B．Ensets: A Cure for Disease |
| C．Ensets: A Replacement of Cereals | D．Ensets: A Relative of Banana |
3 . Plants don’t have ears or a central nervous system, but new research out of the University of Missouri has demonstrated that they might still have the ability to “hear”. More specifically, plants have been shown to exhibit an immune (免疫) response to the mere sound of a hungry insect.
For the study, researchers played the sound of a caterpillar chewing to a group of plants, which caused slight vibrations (振动) on the plants’ leaves. The plants were able to recognize these vibration patterns as danger, and responded by mounting the appropriate immune response. In other words, it appears that plants can “hear” themselves being chewed on.
Researchers assume that plants achieve this remarkable ability thanks to proteins that respond to pressure found within their cell membranes. Vibrations cause pressure changes within the cell, which can change the behavior of the proteins; however, additional study will be required to confirm or deny this theory.
Once researchers identify the exact mechanisms at play in this process, it could lead to advances in crop protection. Farmers could potentially learn to use sound to cause a plant’s natural chemical defenses against insect threats, rather than turning to poisonous chemicals.
“We can imagine applications of this where plants could be treated with sound or genetically engineered to respond to certain sounds that would be useful for agriculture,” said study author Heidi Appel.
The study adds to the growing list of ways that plants have been shown to sense their environments. They are not the boring organisms that many people assume they are. For instance, some plants are able to communicate with each other and signal upcoming danger to their neighbors by releasing chemicals into the air. Plants can respond to light (think about sunflowers) and temperature. Some can even respond to touch, such as the Venus flytrap (捕蝇草), which snaps shut when an insect stimulates its hairs.
1. Why did researchers carry out the study?| A．To find out if plants can react to sounds. |
| B．To learn how plants recognize dangers. |
| C．To discover if plants can shake their leaves. |
| D．To see how plants improve immune systems. |
| A．To remove insects. | B．To protect crops. |
| C．To treat plant diseases. | D．To produce chemicals. |
| A．There are more plants than we know. |
| B．Plants are more active than we think. |
| C．Plants fit in well with their environments. |
| D．Lots of secrets about plants remain unclear. |
| A．Can plants “talk” with each other? |
| B．How do plants make use of sounds? |
| C．Can plants “hear” themselves being eaten? |
| D．How do plants defend themselves against attacks? |
4 . Plenty of studies have investigated how climate change could be harmful to the production of coffee bean crops, with research released in 2019 suggesting that 60 percent of known coffee species could be in danger of going extinct. But a new scientific review has attempted to focus specifically on how global warming might affect the taste and smell of coffee. Bad news is that not only could the coffee of the future be harder to come by, it could taste bad, too.
“A low-quality cup of coffee has economic influences as well as sensory(感官的)ones,” Sean Cash, professor at Tults’ Friedman Nutrition Science explained. “If we can understand the science of these changes, we might help farmers better manage coffee production in the face of this and future challenges.”
Specifically, researchers identified two factors that had the most consistent association with quality: higher altitude produced coffee with better taste and smell; and too much sunlight led to decreased quality.
That first factor could be significantly affected by global warming. “Higher altitudes are connected with cooler temperatures. It results in slower ripening(成熟), long-time fruit-fill, and higher accumulation(积累)of taste and smell,” the paper states. “What may happen to coffee quality at higher altitudes with increased temperature linked to climate change? And we need to know climate adaptation is needed for coffee agricultural systems at all altitudes.
On the other hand, reducing sunlight exposure(暴露)is easier to deal with. “While light exposure is shifting with climate change, this can be controlled in coffee agricultural systems. Through shade management including developing shade-grown coffee systems with best levels of coverage, the paper continued. Shade management is a relatively easily reached climate adaptation strategy compared to relocating farms.”
Still, the study's biggest takeaway was the more work needs to be done to ensure our coffee tastes. “This systematic review highlights that coffee quality is sensitive to climate change and climate adaptation,” the conclusion stated. “Given the sensitivity of coffee quality to environmental change, evidence-based innovations are called for to enhance the sustainable development of the coffee industry in the context of global change.”
1. What is the purpose of the new study?| A．To find ways to stop the global warming. | B．To prevent the coffee from going extinct. |
| C．To help farmers increase the products of coffee. | D．To help farmers improve the quality of coffee crop. |
| A．It helps the coffee grow fast. | B．It offers coffee enough sunlight. |
| C．It offers coffee enough time to ripe. | D．It is easier for farmers to take care of coffee crop. |
| A．To relocate coffee farms. | B．To develop effective shade systems. |
| C．To grow coffee crops in higher altitude farms. | D．To make the coffee adapt to the climate change. |
| A．The future of coffee crops. | B．What affects coffee production |
| C．Climate change affects coffee quality | D．The challenges coffee crops are facing |
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), approximately three billion people rely on seafood as their
Seaweed farming has traditionally been carried out in Asia, and now other countries including the UK and US are catching onto the benefits. Not only is seaweed considered to be
6 . Maine’s wild blueberry (蓝莓) fields are home to one of the most important fruit crops in the northeastern United States. But scientists working with the University of Maine have found they are warming at a faster rate than the rest of the state. The researchers say the blueberries may be at risk because the rising temperatures have brought a loss of water. The scientists studied 40 years of data and found that the state experienced a 1.1 ℃ increase in average temperature. But the blueberry fields experienced an increase of 1.3 ℃.
Rafa Tasnim is an ecology and environmental science student at the University of Maine and the study’s lead writer. She says the lack of water caused by the temperature difference can result in smaller crop sizes and she is afraid that the blueberries are less likely to survive. “What we are expecting is that the temperature is going to increase a lot and we will not get as much rainfall in the summertime especially,” said Tasnim.
Maine is home to the only for-profit producers of wild blueberries in the US. The blueberries are smaller and have a slightly different flavor than other kinds of blueberries. Most of the crop is used to supply frozen fruit. Maine growers compete with those in eastern Canada which also produce the fruit.
The wild blueberry industry in Maine has been affected in recent years by environmental change, as well as the lack of water last year. Farmers produced 21.5 million kilograms of Maine wild blueberries last year. That has been the lowest number since 2004. The researchers have found that the wild blueberry growers need to change their planting and watering methods and fertilizer use to prepare for future climate change.
1. What does the underlined word “they” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．The blueberry fields. | B．States. |
| C．The fruit crops. | D．Experiences. |
| A．Puzzled. | B．Confident. | C．Anxious. | D．Curious. |
| A．Stop using fertilizers. |
| B．Supply frozen blueberries. |
| C．Take corresponding measures in advance. |
| D．Change the blueberries’ flavor. |
| A．Heavy Rainfall Threatens Wild Blueberries |
| B．Climate Change Affects Maine’s Blueberry Crops |
| C．Blueberries Are Badly in Need of Protection |
| D．US Blueberry Growers Face Competition from Canada |
7 . Few fruits carry more health-promoting antioxidants (抗氧化剂) than blackcurrants (黑加仑). Widely grown in cooler parts of Europe, they are in high demand from consumers seeking chemical-free juices made from the berries. Farmers, though, can struggle to increase productions without relying on chemicals. That could change, not just for blackcurrants but other fruit too, with the careful use of probiotics (益生菌).
Probiotics is mostly known for its use of tiny living things, including certain bacteria, to restore or improve the digestion in people and animals. But plants can benefit from bacteria too. Among other things, bacteria help plants produce things that keep disease-causing viruses off their leaves, support them in collecting nutrition from the environment and help them melt minerals found in the soil.
Knowing all this, Virgilija Gaveliene and Sigita Jurkoniene, of the Institute of Botany Nature Research Centre in Lithuania, set out 10 find a way to use probiotics to increase the production of blackcurrant bushes, which are grown in that country. The researchers also knew from other work that the production of strawberries and raspberries could be increased by exposing plants to a carefully selected mix of bacteria.
As they report in Agricultural Science and Technology, the results were impressive. While thousand blackcurrants collected randomly weighed just over 538 grams, the same number from the field exposed to bacteria treatments weighed nearly 783 grams. A similar increase was also true for the field using the probiotics.
Drs. Jurkoniene and Gaveliene are convinced that the right mix of bacteria can help blackcurrant farmers meet demand without using chemicals. And it could help other growers. What works for berries should, in theory, work for other fruit, like apples, pears and oranges. More experiments are needed to be sure.
1. Blackcurrants are in high demand mainly because _____________.| A．they are widely grown in cooler parts of Europe |
| B．consumers are looking for berry juices free from chemicals |
| C．farmers increase production of blackcurrants using probiotics |
| D．few other fruits are more nutritious than blackcurrants |
| A．improve their digestion and nutrition | B．get rid of harmful viruses from their leaves |
| C．collect nutrition from the environment | D．melt minerals obtained from the soil |
| A．probiotics can only be used to prevent growth of plants |
| B．blackcurrants grown in Lithuania are more impressive |
| C．blackcurrant production is increased due to probiotics |
| D．bacteria must be removed from plants to promote production |
| A．an online novel | B．a science magazine | C．a travel brochure | D．a fashion website |
8 . Trees have long played a special role in all aspects of human life. In ancient times, trees provided a place for humans to take shelter from storms, heat and even enemies. Today, the importance of trees continues to increase.
Trees provide the necessary oxygen to breathe. Many industrial and development activities add huge quantities of carbon dioxide to the environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and in turn release fresh oxygen in the environment.
Trees can prevent soil erosion (侵蚀) and clean soil. Trees bind (捆绑) the soil of the earth tightly.
Trees provide life to birds and insects.
| A．This lowers global warming. |
| B．Trees are of commercial importance. |
| C．This increases the drying effect on the soil. |
| D．More benefits of trees are being discovered. |
| E．They give them food, shelter, cover, and nest sites. |
| F．Trees provide wood for making furniture and paper. |
| G．Therefore, fast flowing water or heavy wind is unable to take away soil with it. |
9 . Located in a comer of north Brooklyn is a 3,000-square-fbot patch of open space. Keap Fourth, at the intersection of Keap and South 4th Streets, is a community garden established in 2013. It’s a well-known part in this largely Dominican and Puerto Rican neighbourhood, at the edge of trendy Williamsburg. The sun is out, and “it’s nearly planting season,” says Crito Thornton, a volunteer who manages the garden, with a grin. After a long winter made worse by Covid-19 there are finally signs of life in the daffodils blooming around the garden.
Keap Fourth is one of 550 community gardens which have sprung up at New York’s street comers since the 1970s, when the city’s economy collapsed and its landscape became dotted by abandoned lots. Activists sought to transform these urban scars into gardens where residents could relax and grow vegetables. These places now cover 100 acres across the city, tended by a volunteer army of nearly 23,000 green-fingered New Yorkers. The gardens are supported by GreenThumb, a government initiative established in 1978, which is now the country’s largest urban-gardening programme.
Running these spaces is no easy task. Keap Fourth’s neighbourhood has been troubled by drug dealers, who moved across the Williamsburg Bridge after being driven out of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The garden is a popular drop-off point, with suspicious packages found among the greens. But the recent death of a local kingpin (毒枭) in a car accident and the efforts of the police may make the gardens more peaceful, says Mr. Thornton.
The future looks bright. A key issue in the past has been a manpower shortage for the harvest. But volunteer numbers across the city’s gardens have gone up slowly since the pandemic’s onset, as locked-down residents have desired for more open space. And in Keap Fourth’s case, the whole neighbourhood seems to have come together over the past year as few people now undergo the daily commute (通勤) across the river to Manhattan. A bountiful harvest is in prospect.
1. What can we infer about Keap Fourth?| A．It’s mostly owned by volunteers. | B．It can help save people’s lives. |
| C．It was most depressing last winter. | D．It brings its liveliness to people there. |
| A．They have occupied New York,s street comers. |
| B．They have been regarded as urban scars. |
| C．They can be a way to take advantage of land. |
| D．They have covered 100 acres across the city. |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. | C．Objective. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．The pandemic loss last year. | B．More open space. |
| C．Togetherness of the neighbourhood. | D．Daily commute across the river. |
10 . Contrary to the long-held belief that plants in the natural world are always in competition, new research has found that in severe environments adult plants help smaller ones and grow well as a result.
The research, led by Dr Rocio, studied adult and seedling (幼苗)plants in the ecological desert in the south-east of Spain. Dr Rocio said, “If you're a seedling in a poor land — the top of a mountain or a sand hill, for example-and you’re lucky enough to end up underneath a big plant, your chances of survival are certainly better than if you landed somewhere on your own. What we have found, which was surprising, is an established large plant, called a ‘nurse’, protects a seedling; it also produces more flowers than the same plants of similar large size growing on their own.”
Other benefits of nurse-seedling partnerships include that more variety of plants growing together can have a positive effect on the environment. For example, vegetation areas with nurse plants with more flowers might be able to attract higher numbers of pollinators(传粉者)in an area, in turn supporting insect and soil life and even provide a greater range of different fruit types for birds and other animals.
“The biggest winner for this system of nursing a plant is biodiversity(生物多样性),” Dr Rocio said. “The more biodiverse an area, the greater number of species of plants, insect life, mammals and birds, and the better the chances of long-term healthy functioning of the environment and ecosystems. ” This system is win-win for adult and seedling plants in unfavorable environments.
The research is of value to those who manage and protect plants in tough environments. Most home gardeners and farmers plan to ensure their soil and conditions are the best they can be for plant growth, but the findings might be of value to those who garden in bare places.
1. What is a common understanding of plants?| A．They can help each other. | B．They can survive ill conditions. |
| C．They compete with each other. | D．They grow well on their own. |
| A．They will produce more flowers. | B．They will die owing to competition. |
| C．They will make adult plants larger. | D．They will get support from adult plants. |
| A．It leads to unfavorable environments. |
| B．It produces long-term healthy chances. |
| C．It attracts higher and larger pollinators. |
| D．It provides a more variety of plant types. |
| A．People studying organic farming. |
| B．People protecting plants on sand hills. |
| C．People wanting to change biodiversity. |
| D．People keeping more animals on the farm. |
