2 . In the midst of an already record-breaking heat wave, Phoenix, Arizona, set a particularly eye-popping record: the temperature only dropped to 97 degrees Fahrenheit overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, setting an all-time record high for a nighttime low. When temperatures stay high overnight, they place a particularly heavy burden on the body, raising the risk of heat illness and death.

The U.S. —and the world—has seen a spate of extreme heat so far this year, including the planet’s hottest-ever June and hottest week on record during the first week of July. Rising global temperatures from burning fossil fuels are the main driver of more frequent and more intense heat waves. And an El Niño event is also boosting global temperatures this year.

A heat dome has been in place for weeks over the U.S. Southwest and Texas, and it has fueled many heat records. Phoenix has now seen 20 days in a row with a daytime high of 110 degrees F or higher, a record that is likely to continue for several more days. A heat dome is an area of high pressure that parks over a region. High-pressure ridges, as they are also called, feature sinking air, which compresses and heats up. These ridges’ typical clear skies also allow the sun’s rays to beat down on the ground, further raising temperatures.

Prolonged heat extremes pose a major public health threat because heat is the number-one weather-related killer in the U.S.; it causes more human deaths than hurricanes, tornadoes and floods combined. Heat can cause dehydration, which leads the blood to thicken and makes the heart pump harder. That organ and others can be damaged by too much exposure to heat.

The soaring, triple-digit high daily temperatures grab the headlines, and they definitely are a concern—but when temperatures only drop into the 80s and 90s at night, the body doesn’t get a chance to cool down. This is particularly a concern for those who lack air-conditioning, including unhoused populations. And heat is especially a health risk for the very young, the elderly and those with preexisting health conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

1. What can be inferred from the first two paragraphs?

A．Extreme temperatures can cause damage to our hearts.

B．Burning fossil fuels contributes to the hottest-ever June and July.

C．El Nino is the dominant cause of soaring global temperature.

D．The temperature at night has reached a record high in Phoenix, Arizona.

2. What is a heat dome according to the passage?

A．It’s a weather phenomenon that contributes to high temperatures.

B．It’s a peak that the low pressure should reach.

C．It’s the damage caused by too much exposure to heat.

D．It’s the extra heat trapped in the sinking air.

3. According to the passage, what’s the influence high overnight temperature has on humans?

A．It is the top one killer in America.	B．Exposure to heat contributes to heart diseases.
C．Human organs might be impaired.	D．People accommodate to 80s and 90s Fahrenheit at night.

4. What’s the passage mainly talking about?

A．Soaring temperatures are hitting the headlines.	B．Anew eye popping overnight low record is set.
C．Hot overnight temperatures threaten human health.	D．Global heat waves are causing concerns.

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。

A civilian rescue team of named Ramunion from Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province is expected to arrive in Turkey on Wednesday, with an advance team    1     (consist) of eight experts with rich international earthquake rescue experiences.Thisis    2    first Chinese civilian assistance force sent to Turkey,    3    a series of earthquakes destroyed parts of the region.

The advance team is equipped with    4    (advance) radar life-searching instruments, and other rescue    5    (equip)and a search and rescue canine(犬)．

Deng Boqing, vice chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA),said in an interview that Chinese government     6    (immediate) launched its emergency humanitarian assistance mechanism to provide emergency aid to Turkey and Syria.

China announced 40 million yuan ($5.8 million) of emergency assistance to Turkey and the dispatch of a rescue and medical team. It will also provide Syria           7    emergency aid, according to the CIDCA.

Chinese    8    (citizen) in Turkey have volunteered for disaster relief, and relief materials including tents, sleeping bags and blankets     9    (expect)to be distributed on Tuesday.

More than 4,000 people have been killed and nearly 20,000 people injured after two    10    (power) earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria, according to media reports.

4 . People have different ways of dealing with waste paper, specifically used newspapers. Some put them in the recycling area, while others keep them as wrappers (包装纸). While these are both good measures, a Japanese publishing company had a better idea for their end use.

The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd. invented the “Green Newspaper”, which allows people to grow plants with it. This unique newspaper was published on Greenery Day, which is focused on environmental news and made of green paper with seeds placed into it. What makes it even more special is the ink (油墨) used to print words and photos, which is made from plants. The publisher advises readers to tear the used newspaper into small pieces and plant them in a container with soil. They should water them, like they would do for any plant. Within a few weeks, the seeds will grow into plants.

This brilliant concept was invented by Dentsu Inc., one of Japan’s most famous advertising agencies, which works with the publishing company on the initiative (倡议). The publisher’s belief is environmental sustainability (持续性). As its mission statement says, “The Mainichi doesn’t take action only through information, but also by solving global issues.” With joint efforts, this initiative has reached the corners of Japan and sold around millions of copies daily. Other such initiatives producing plantable paper are also seen in India and the US.

About 95 million trees are lost for producing newspapers every year. The Internet, the number of whose users stands for 62.5 percent of the population worldwide, has influenced how people read news and the print readership has dropped greatly. However, the reinvention and reimagination of this newspaper will bring about a change in the publishing industry as well as having an environmental influence.

1. What do we know about the “Green Newspaper”?

A．It uses high-tech materials.

B．It provides energy for seeds.

C．It’s printed with plant-based ink.

D．It’s published to celebrate Greenery Day.

2. What message does the publisher’s mission statement convey?

A．It’s easier said than done.

B．Everything comes to him who waits.

C．Many hands make light work.

D．Actions speak louder than words.

3. What’s the author’s attitude to the “Green Newspaper”?

A．Doubtful.	B．Supportive.
C．Indifferent.	D．Negative.

4. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A．About 59 million trees are lost for producing newspapers.

B．The Internet has changed the way people read news totally.

C．The popularity of the Internet leads to the fall of the print readership.

D．The “Green Newspaper” will encourage more people to protect the environment.

8 . What began as a summer job has now taken young Brennan McVey to the steps of the Rockaway Township Municipal building and the mayor’s (镇长的) office. Known by his neighbors and the township as the “Rubbish Bin Manager”, McVey was given a special mention during the regular Rockaway Township Council meeting on October 25, for his work to help his neighbors and prevent unwanted run-ins with the local bear population. “Our children are our future, and when a child can respond to needs by making a decision that gives a community a chance to improve its quality of life, it represents a great moment for our township. McVey is a shining example of a positive person,” Mayor Michael Dachisen read to the public.

The 10-year-old Green Pond boy had an idea in 2016 of helping to stop bears in his neighborhood from becoming endangered “troublemakers” by helping his neighbors take out the rubbish the morning of its pickup.

McVey, who is a fifth-grader at Katherine D. Malone Elementary School, noticed that some of his neighbors would leave the rubbish out the night before, an open invitation to bears. “I saw a lot of bears in the neighborhood and I thought I could help,” he said. On collection day, McVey gets up early in the morning and heads to the houses of the neighbors who agreed to pay a small fee to have the young businessman bring out their rubbish to the curb (路缘).

“We had a lot of bear sightings in our community. This is one way to stop the bears from coming in by keeping the food source out of their way,” the mayor added.

McVey has turned the Rubbish Bin Manager into a business, posting fliers (传单) around Green Pond, and his neighborhood has really taken to the idea.

1. What can we infer about McVey from the first paragraph?

A．He is well recognized.	B．He really loves bears.
C．He is thankful for Dachisen’s work.	D．He has always been willing to take a summer job.

2. Why does McVey pick up the rubbish on collection day?

A．To make money.	B．To leave food for bears.
C．To protect the environment.	D．To help bears and the community.

3. What did McVey’s neighbors think of his business?

A．It was great.	B．It was too risky for him.
C．It went against a lot of old ideas.	D．It would stay popular for a short time.

4. Which of the following can best describe McVey?

A．Brave and strict.	B．Caring and warm-hearted.
C．Humorous and open-minded.	D．Talkative and sporty.

9 . Now, a study proves that gardens are more than just a pretty place. The study, by researchers at Illinois State University, demonstrates that such constructed gardens can have a measurable and positive impact on water quality.

Floating gardens are essentially platforms built and wrapped in coconut husks (椰子壳), and filled in with native plantings. As plants grow, they extend their roots into the water. On the North Branch of the Chicago River, non-profit Urban Rivers and its partners are developing a mile-long floating eco-park called the Wild Mile. The re-development of this former industrial canal is Urban Rivers’ important project. As part of the park, floating gardens, attached to shore, are being fixed.

The primary aim of the floating gardens is beautification. But the Illinois State team, from the University’s Department of Geology, Geography, and the Environment, saw an ideal setup for a controlled experiment. “We joined it because it’s the perfect opportunity to see if there’s an influence on water quality,” explains lead author Abigail Heath.

The study is novel: previous studies have explored floating gardens’ influence on water quality over time, primarily in wastewater treatment ponds, but not over space, in moving water. The project also matches well with Urban Rivers’ broader goals. “The city is interested in bettering water quality,” says Phil Nicodemus, Urban Rivers’ Director of Research. “Happily, Illinois State took part in it later.”

Could this small human-made park improve water quality? An average of data collected over the course of the study shows middle but definitive improvement. For example, nitrogen (氮) dropped from 4.69 milligrams per liter in surface water to 4.43 milligrams per liter, a drop of about 1 percent.

“Despite how small this garden was, there was measurable improvement in water quality from upstream to downstream,” notes Heath. She and her colleagues see this as a model for how large floating gardens should be to help improve water in similar settings. “Even this tiny garden makes a difference,” she says.

1. What can be inferred from the second paragraph?

A．The floating gardens are environmentally friendly.

B．The floating gardens are fixed everywhere in the eco-park.

C．The floating gardens can help fix the former parks.

D．The Urban Rivers were once industrial canals.

2. What is the main reason to build the floating gardens?

A．To reduce waste water.	B．To attract more visitors to the park.
C．To make the surroundings brilliant.	D．To help researchers do the experiment.

3. What does the underlined word “it” refer to in Paragraph 4?

A．The floating garden.	B．The project.
C．The treatment of ponds.	D．The quality of water.

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

A．Floating Gardens: More than Pretty

B．The Best Way to Better Water Quality

C．A Practical Method of Improving Parks

D．Floating Gardens Beautify the City

10 . Scientists say the Earth’s temperature has risen by about 1.1℃ since the modern industrial period began. And they warn that the effects of rising temperatures will get worse with every increase of one tenth of a degree.

It is important not to burn more fossil fuels (化石燃料) such as coal, oil and natural gas. Such fuels can produce carbon dioxide. Many scientists blame rising temperatures on carbon dioxide trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.

The world depends on fossil fuels for much of its electricity, heating and transportation. Fossil fuels are also important for agriculture and industry. But cleaner, renewable energy sources — such as solar and wind energy — will replace much of that demand.

Observers say the cost of renewable energy is decreasing. Also, more renewable energy is being produced in sustainable ways. However, the total amount of energy used to produce it has also gone up. Many places are using renewable energy, but emissions (排放物) are continuing to rise.

That is why experts are studying technologies that might be used in some industries. Some have suggested using “green fuels”, such as ones made out of plant materials or natural waste, known as biofuels.

Two newer technologies being explored include carbon capture, which takes carbon dioxide out of the air, and green hydrogen, which uses renewable energy to make hydrogen. But, these technologies are costly and untested completely.

Experts said there are two areas where action could slow the warming of the atmosphere: stopping cutting down forests and reducing the eating of animals. Forests naturally take in carbone dioxide from the atmosphere. When forests are cut for agriculture, especially for animals that need large amounts of land, more greenhouse gases are drained. In some higher income countries, most people eat far more meat than they need to.

1. What’s the author’s purpose in writing paragraph 2?

A．To point out the benefit of developing new energy.

B．To suggest reducing using traditional energy.

C．To stress the damage of modern industry.

D．To explain the effect of rising temperatures.

2. What is the observers’ concern about renewable energy?

A．It can’t meet the increasing demand.

B．It can’t replace all fossil fuels.

C．It has not reduced emissions.

D．It adds to the amount of energy.

3. What’s the problem with the two newer technologies?

A．They are not properly used.

B．They still produce pollution.

C．They are difficult to test.

D．They cost too much to be applied.

4. What does the underlined word “drained” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Given off.

B．Cleaned up.

C．Focused on.

D．Swept away.