3 . New research from the University of Portsmouth has shown a marked increase in shipping in the North East Atlantic. Scientists now warn that more monitoring is required to help protect sea life.

Researchers at the University of Ponsmouth have discovered that rates (率) of shipping in the North East Atlantic area rose by 34 per cent in a five-year period. The research is the first detailed survey of shipping activity in the North East Atlantic. Researchers used data from over 530 million vessel (船) positions recorded by Automatic Identification System(AIS). They looked at the change in shipping between 2013 and 2017 across ten different vessel types. In total the study area covered 1.1 million km², including waters off Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,Iceland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal. Spain, and the UK.

Lead author, James Robbins said: “This change is likely to put more pressure on the marine (海洋的) environment, and may influence the protection of at-risk species. Renewed monitoring effort is needed to make sure that protective measures are enough to save species under threat in a changing environment.”

Some of the greatest shipping increases were found in areas close to the Spanish coast. The Espacio Marino de la Costa da Morte saw a rise of 413 percent in vessel activity. It is an area used to protect seabirds.

Dr. Sarah Marley, Visiting Researcher at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Shipping is the most widespread human activity in our oceans, carrying a set of threats-from unnoticeable effects like underwater noise pollution to serious results when ships hit whales.”

Professor Alex Ford. from the University’s Institute of Marine Sciences, said: “Given the well-documented effects that shipping can have on the marine environment, it is necessary that this situation continues to be monitored-particularly in areas used to protect vulnerable (脆弱的) species which may already be under pressure.”

1. What can we say about the new research?

A．It started in 2013.	B．It is the first of its kind.
C．It was carried out by AIS.	D．It covers the whole Atlantic.

2. What do the underlined words “This change” in paragraph 3 refer to ?

A．Rapid population growth.

B．Rising global temperatures.

C．The huge increase in shipping.

D．The disappearance of marine life.

3. What does Dr. Sarah Marley want to tell us in paragraph 5?

A．Shipping plays an important role in the local economy.

B．Shipping can be a danger to the marine environment.

C．Noise pollution is closely related to human activity.

D．Marine areas should be monitored more carefully.

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

A．New waterways across the Atlantic

B．The shipping industry in the North East Atlantic

C．New research opens windows into life under the water

D．Sea life needs better protection from an increase in shipping

4 . I finally climbed into bed at 1: 20 in the morning. My friends had helped me celebrate my 31st birthday in the basement apartment, where I lived.

Earlier in the day I had prepared for the unlikely event of a flood. We are about a third of a mile from the banks of the Ahr River. It had been raining buckets that week and the government had sent out a flood warning, though not for where I was. Still, I’d placed sandbags on the floor outside my garden door and put electronics on tables. “Silly bro!” My friends laughed at me for doing that, but I thought, why take a chance?

As I drifted off to sleep, I was awakened by the sound of rushing water, as if I were lying beside a waterfall. When I got off the bed, I was shocked that cold water was rising fast. In darkness, I grabbed my cellphone and turned on the flashlight. When I stepped out of the bedroom, I saw water shooting through the gaps of the door.

I began to panic. I knew I had to get out—fast! In bare feet, I started to make my way to the only escape: the door that led upstairs to the main floor. Finally I made it to the door and tried several times to-pull it open even just a little bit, but the rushing water shut it again. I looked around for anything I could use to keep it open. There in the corner was a coat rack (架子). I took it and, once again, opened the door, throwing the coat rack between the door and the frame (门框) to keep the door from shutting. Finally, I managed to make a gap just wide enough to squeeze (挤) through and make it into the hallway.

I leaped on to the stairs and ran outside. I stood there in the darkness, wet through. What was once a lovely street was now a waterscape, with floating ruins instead of people and cars. The river had drowned (淹没) the neighborhood!

1. What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 2imply?

A．Better safe than sorry.

B．It never rains but it pours.

C．A lost chance never returns.

D．A friend in need is a friend indeed.

2. What was the author doing when water flooded in?

A．Celebrating his birthday.

B．Sleeping in the basement.

C．Placing sandbags by the door.

D．Playing with electronic devices.

3. Which of the following might be the most difficult for the author during the escape?

A．Making his way to the door.

B．Finding a coat rack.

C．Keeping the door from shutting.

D．Squeezing through the gap.

4. How did the author feel when standing on the street?

A．Sad and shocked.

B．Annoyed and anxious.

C．Surprised and disappointed.

D．Puzzled and awkward.

5 . Animals deserve to live a safe and healthy life as much as humans do.     1     Some people try to get profit from everything and sometimes animals become victims. It is vital that we take action to protect animals. Below are some simple ways in which we can all contribute towards the protection of endangered animals.

Spread awareness. One way to protect endangered animals is to create awareness about them.     2     Having seminars (研讨会) is another way of creating awareness. Also, familiarize people around you with the importance of the animals in your surroundings. Our routine activities directly or indirectly influence their lifestyle.

Drive carefully in forest areas. It is important to watch the road when you are going through roads in forest areas. Many animals die while trying to cross the road because people do not pay attention to them.     3    

Avoid plastic items. Do you know what happens to a plastic bag thrown into a river?     4     Plastic is a big threat to wildlife. And we have to reduce the overconsumption of life-threatening products to protect the endangered species. Prevent plastic items such as bags and containers. Shop in a handmade woven bag and recycle the boxes.

    5     As a volunteer, you can offer support to animal rescue teams in your area. Such organizations are always short of funds and are looking for animal lovers to support the cause. Spending a portion of your daily or weekly schedule is one step towards saving wildlife and protecting endangered species.

A．Change your regular routine.

B．So, we highly suggest careful use of water.

C．Spend time rescuing animals in your locality.

D．Sadly, this does not have universal acceptance.

E．So we can save their lives by being more careful.

F．It is probably eaten by an adult turtle, choking it to death.

G．You can create local community groups that work for this cause.

6 . Staying Safe in a Vehicle

Wildfires are common in dry, hot climates, but they can happen anywhere.     1     If you ever find yourself facing the threat of a wildfire, it’s important to know what to do to ensure that you and your family remain safe in a vehicle.

Ensure that you can breathe. Once you’re in a car, you’ll need to ensure that the car is safely sealed from the smoke surrounding you.     2    

Drive if you can. If the vehicle runs and you’re capable of driving it, then do so. But it’s important to drive slowly and keep your headlights on, so that you can see your surroundings and anyone else on the road can see you.     3     If the smoke is too thick to see, it may be safer to park and wait it out.

Remain in the vehicle. If the smoke is too thick to see the road, or if you cannot drive the car for any reason, you should remain in the vehicle.     4     You will be more likely to be injured or killed by leaving the vehicle than you would be if you remained inside.

Know what to expect.     5     Just remember that no matter what happens, if the fire surrounds the car you should not leave the vehicle. The temperature inside the vehicle will increase considerably. Don’t worry- it’s still safer inside the vehicle than outside.

A．Don’t drive through heavy traffic.

B．Don’t drive through heavy smoke.

C．You need to break a window to enter the vehicle.

D．It’s important to know what to expect so that you do not panic.

E．Most wildfires start small, often from human causes, but spread very quickly.

F．This is crucial, since you will otherwise risk passing out from carbon monoxide (一氧化物).

G．You can lie down on the floor of the vehicle and cover yourself with a blanket or coat, if possible.

8 . The holiday season is a time for celebrating with friends and family, when people give gifts or decorate their homes. Unfortunately, this can all lead to a lot of waste. However, there are ways to reduce the amount of waste you create.

Use reusable bags for gifts

Gift bags or wrap that can be reused are recommended on the list. You can reuse them the next time you give a gift. You can also wrap gifts in old maps, pages from magazines, and art paper. The person receiving the gift could use the wrap for something else. The Chinese traditional cloth-wrapper is popular wrapping cloth, which is pretty and strong. It can be used for other things, like a colorful scarf or tablecloth, rather than just thrown away.

Choose electronic cards

For many people, sending holiday cards is a tradition. Now people are increasingly accepting electronic holiday cards. “There are so many digital options now, and people get just as much joy out of it,” some people said. These cards offer a range of benefits. With the increasing popularity, electronic cards have become a preferred choice.

Buy a real tree from a local farm

For decorating the home, real trees have become first option rather than plastic ones. Some trees are grown for the purpose of being cut, and new ones are typically replanted every year. So, the cycle continues. Buying local trees means that it doesn’t use much fuel. After the holidays, trees are picked and processed into usable products, like small wood pieces for the garden. What’s more, you can’t beat the smell of a fresh-cut tree.

1. What makes Chinese cloth-wrapper popular?

A．Its fresh smell.

B．The multiple uses.

C．Various digital options.

D．Its original birthplace.

2. What is the benefit of buying local trees for decoration?

A．They match the gardens.

B．They are easier to cut

C．They have better quality.

D．They are environmentally friendly.

3. Where is this passage probably taken from?

A．A novel.

B．A textbook.

C．A magazine.

D．A journal.

10 . 短文填空

While Wang Le was     1     (浏览，填词组) a newspaper, he was shocked to read the news that a great earthquake struck the city. Approximately ninety percent of the buildings     2     (成为废墟，填词组). The metal pipes and taps cracked and the ground was covered with bricks. There was neither     3     (电，填单词) nor water. Many people     4     (使落入险境，填单词) at home suffered a great deal. Fortunately, , the government immediately directed the     5     (拯救人员，填词组) to evacuate the people in danger and put up s    6     (a structure built to give protection) in the open air. Ambulances arrived to provide first aid. In the meantime, the s    7     (the things such as food, medicines, fuel, etc. that are needed by a group of people)provided to the earthquake-stricken area were collected from all around the city.     8     (经过不懈努力，填词组), the whole city began to breathe again and witness a dramatic revival. Wang Le thought it was necessary to learn more about how to prevent the     9     (自然灾害，填词组) from happening and reduce the massive    10     (destroy) caused by them.