1 . Most of us have heard of the 3Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. It is the core principle of a sustainable (可持续的) life, but few of us can apply it in our own lives. Now, there’s a “lab” you can explore and discover a way toward living sustainably.

3R Lab is located in Xuhui district, Shanghai. It offers exhibitions, activities and goods that showcase the 3R principle. The key to a sustainable life, according to Vincent T. M. Fong, the 32-year-old from Hong Kong who created the lab, is to make it a long-term promise. “A sustainable life should be sustainable itself in the first place. You can’t lead a sustainable life on a whim. Small and comfortable changes are exactly what you need,” Fong said.

The lab regularly hosts ugly fruit markets, offering these strange fruits which are often thrown away by traditional markets and consumers at a quite attractive price. “They’re thrown away simply because of their appearance. Buying fruit regardless of how they look reduces food waste significantly in our daily life,” Fong commented.

A water tank with two types of straws is another equipment in the lab. “One type is made from normal plastics widely used in our daily life while the other is from PHA, a new replacement for plastics, and the water is sourced from the Suzhou River,” explained Ni Li, an employee of the lab. Visitors can see how the PHA straws degrade (降解) into a thin layer in just one month, while the others remain unchanged.

“Leading a sustainable life does not necessarily mean sacrifice,” said Fong. Consuming ugly fruit and using degradable plastics are small changes that are good for the environment and easy to stick to. Only in this way can the 3R principle become part of our lives, he added.

After working there for six months, Ni, who wasn’t mindful of the 3R principle before arriving at the lab, now uses her cup every time she buys a coffee. “The job has reshaped my life,” Ni said.

1. What does the-underlined phrase “on a whim” in the second paragraph probably mean?

A．In a rush.	B．On a regular basis.
C．Without any reason.	D．As a common practice.

2. What is the purpose of the ugly fruit market at 3R Lab?

A．To reduce food waste.	B．To promote healthy eating.
C．To sell new kinds of fruit.	D．To provide more affordable fruit,

3. What can the water tank at 3R Lab show to its visitors?

A．The water pollution caused by plastics.	B．The degradation of PHA straws.
C．The interaction between two types of straws.	D．The disappearance of normal plastic straws.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph about Ni?

A．She avoids going to traditional markets.	B．She has devoted less time to her hobbies.
C．She has got rid of a few bad habits.	D．She is leading a low carbon life now.

2 . Earthquakes are one type of natural disaster you simply can’t see coming. Earthquake preparation is the best way to deal with a confusing time. Here’s something you need to know about how to prepare for an earthquake.

Examine weak points in your home and make a plan to strengthen them. Protect your space or your home by finding out dangers and fixing moveable things.     1     Push top-heavy pieces such as bookshelves away from beds or sofas, and move the heavier things onto lower shelves.

Create an earthquake safety plan with your family. It’s key to create and practice an emergency plan with your family so that everyone knows what to do during a time of an earthquake. Talk about ways each family member can act as a team.     2    

    3     It may be under a strong piece of furniture which can protect you from falling objects or against any inside wall away from windows, bookshelves, or tall furniture that could fall on you.

Learn earthquake emergency plans at your workplace, children’s school or daycare center. Disaster can strike at any moment.     4     It’s also wise to make a note of how you plan to communicate with each other and how to let loved ones know you’re safe. Remember that cell phones may be unreliable (不可靠的) after an earthquake.

    5     Earthquakes usually last around one minute but if the damage is big enough, you could be trapped for a much longer period of time. You should have a bag containing medical equipment, food, water, flashlights and so on.

A．Prepare an emergency bag.

B．Prepare for more damage and danger.

C．Pick safe spaces in every room to take shelter in.

D．The shaking ground could move almost anything.

E．It can help reduce fears, especially in young children.

F．The preparation depends on a well-practiced plan and ready supplies.

G．So it is necessary to learn how to prepare for an earthquake in any environment.

3 . 语法填空

Thousands of people are still missing, and the number of deaths     1     (expect) to grow even     2     (high) over the next few days. Foreign aid is being organized for the tsunami-hit countries. However, dangerous conditions and damaged roads will make it difficult to deliver food and     3     (supply).

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the conversation mainly about?

A．Fighting fires.

B．Detecting fires.

C．Using fires.

2. How many fires did California have in 2020?

A．Around 50.

B．About 400.

C．Over 8600.

3. What size of fire can the new satellites discover?

A．Size of a car.

B．Size of a plane.

C．Size of a sports field.

4. What is more important to the woman?

A．Saving animals.

B．Saving the trees.

C．Saving humans.

6 . Last week, three wildfires swept through the island of Maui in Hawaii. The fires have claimed at least 111 lives. Many people are still unaccounted for (下落不明). Some of the fires are still burning.

The wildfires began on Tuesday night, August 8. Soon, extremely strong winds caused the fires to grow out of control. There were around 400 alarms used to warn people about dangers like this, 80 of them in Maui, but none of them went off. People only found out about the fires when they saw them. The historic area of Lahaina on the west side of Maui was hit worst. The wildfire destroyed over 2,700 buildings around Lahaina, most of them homes. The Lahaina wildfire is the deadliest wildfire in the US since 1918.

The causes of the fires haven’t yet been determined, but the National Weather Service had issued warnings for the Hawaiian Islands for high winds and dry weather-conditions ripe for wildfires. It’s worthwhile mentioning that the wildfires in Hawaii burned through grasslands. About 25% of Hawaii is covered with grasses that originally came from Africa. They grow quickly and push out plants that grow naturally in Hawaii. The grasses created huge amounts of dry fuel (燃料) to feed the fires.

Much of the western part of Maui remains without power. Local officials have also warned against drinking tap water — even if it is boiled. Though some cell services have been restored, authorities have also asked residents to text rather than talk over the phone because of restrained bandwidth (带宽).

There are so many questions that need to be answered by the government. People feel like the warnings came too late, and there hasn’t been enough help after the fire. There’s a bad need for power lines to be restored. Plus, shortages of food, water and fuel are growing. Many local people are working together to solve problems themselves. Fortunately, the government has promised to look into the fire and the way it was dealt with.

1. What made the locals fail to find out about the wildfires in time?

A．The fires spread too fast at night.	B．The alarms did not work at all.
C．They ignored the dry weather.	D．They were sleeping at that time.

2. What can we know about African grasses from the text?

A．They favor nature protection.	B．They enrich the local plants.
C．They fueled the wildfires.	D．They blocked the wildfire rescue.

3. What does the underlined word “restrained” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Developed.

B．Damaged.

C．Limited.

D．Recovered.

4. What is the author’s attitude to the government’s rescue operations?

A．Positive.

B．Proud.

C．Unclear.

D．Unsatisfied.

7 . Windows open? Fans on? Ready for another water break? For schools across Greater Toronto, the extremely hot temperatures provided some lessons in how to beat the heat—or at least attempt to—without air conditioning. It wasn’t easy. With some classroom temperatures getting close to 40℃—one teacher even handed out temperature meters to see how hot it got—both students and educators were red-faced and bathed with sweat all day.

The extreme weather had some parents wondering if their children should be spending most of the day inside hot schools, and a few chose to keep them home. Very few schools across Greater Toronto are air-conditioned. There are no rules or requirements that schools shut down as the temperature rises.

At Bowmore public school, near Coxwell Ave. and Gerrard St. E, teachers arrive at 7 am and open all the doors and windows to circulate fresh air. The windows at the school, replaced in stages over the past few years, swing in at the top, and out at the bottom to provide better air flow.

“Is it hot? Yes. Is it something that makes us feel uncomfortable? Yes,” said Headmaster Lilian Hanson. Despite that, she said she’d never advocate for air conditioners in schools, which are expensive and would consume the city’s electric power. She’d rather see more gardens, more trees—more natural solutions, more sustainable choices.

“We are teaching kids to make good choices,” she said. “Social responsibility is the key.” Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 seek pleasant places under trees and in the outdoor peaceful garden during the break time between classes and after school as the trees there provide much-needed shade. Teachers also take classes with students out there during the day. And kids do get the message about staying cool. Students are reminded to dress in cool clothing. When Hanson arrived at work in a dark-colored dress, a student asked her: “What were you thinking wearing a black dress on a day like today?”

1. What can be learned about the new windows at Bowmore public school?

A．They can let air in and out continuously.

B．They can let more light in.

C．They can stop the noise.

D．They can collect rains.

2. Why was Lilian Hanson against fixing air conditioners in schools?

A．She thought the heat bearable.

B．The schools hadn’t enough money.

C．The city lacked enough power.

D．She was concerned more about environment.

3. How did the student feel after seeing Hanson in a dark-colored dress?

A．Frightened.

B．Puzzled.

C．Embarrassed.

D．Interested.

4. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A．The students enjoy studying outdoors.

B．The school is unfriendly to the students.

C．The school beats the heat in different ways.

D．The students are free to learn anything they like.

8 . Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste

Plastic has been found virtually in everything these days. Your food is packaged in it. Your car, phone and computer are made from it.     1    . While most plastics are advertised as recyclable, the reality is that they’re “downcycled”. 

Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to dramatically decrease the amount of plastic waste you produce.

    2    

One of the easiest ways to keep plastic out of the landfill is to refuse plastic straws. Simply inform your waiter or waitress that you don’t need one, and be sure to state this clearly when ordering at a drive-through. Can’t stand giving up the convenience of plastic straws?     3    . Restaurant workers will be less likely to bring you a plastic one if they see that you’ve brought your own. 

Use reusable bags

About one million plastic bags are used every minute. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade(降解). If you’re already bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, you’re on the right track. Purchase some reusable bags and help keep even more plastic out of the landfill. However, you should avoid those bags made from nylon or polyester (聚酯纤维).     4    . 

Use matches

    5    , if you need to light a candle, build a campfire or start a fire for any other reason. These cheap plastic devices can sit in landfills for years and have been even found in dead birds’ stomachs. If you can’t bear to part with your lighter, pick up a refillable metal one to help cut down on waste.

A．Say no to plastic straws

B．Choose cotton ones instead

C．Don’t use plastic containers

D．Choose matches instead of plastic lighters

E．Most restaurants will have no problem with it

F．And you might even chew it daily in the form of gum

G．Purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass drinking straw

9 . Latin America’s first renewable fuel-powered, trash-trapping wheel is cleaning one of Panama’s dirtiest rivers. A local environmental group led the effort.

The wheel is powered by water and sun energy. It pulls waste out of the Juan Diaz River. Most of the waste comes from the capital area of Panama City, where about 2 million people live. Thousands of kilograms of rubbish flow down the river into the ocean each year.

Robert Getman is the leader of the project. “Cleaning beaches is good,” he said, “but it is more effective and cheaper to trap rubbish in rivers because when it reaches the ocean, the environmental and economic cost becomes too high.”

The environmental group Marea Verde created the wheel, which is named Wanda Diaz, in late September. By the middle of October, Wanda had gathered 28. 6 cubic meters of plastic bottles from the water.

The Juan Diaz River is one of the most polluted in Panama. Waste systems in the area are poor, and land development is not well supervised. The river also passes through Panama City, one of Central America’s largest cities.

Over five years, Marea Verde projects have slowed the spread of rubbish along Panama’s rivers and coastline. Earlier, the group introduced its “Barrier or Trash”technology, a floating device. It caught more than 100 metric tons of waste in the Matias Hernandez River between 2019 and 2020.

“We want to raise awareness that we can prevent the death of this very important river,”said Marea Verde member Sandy Watemberg. She expressed her hope that the wheel will help. But she also pointed to the need for those who use single-use plastics to rethink their behavior. “The most important thing is to achieve a change in habits,” she said.

1. What makes the wheel the first of its kind?

A．Its size.

B．Its power.

C．Its shape.

D．Its color.

2. Which statement matches Robert Getman’s opinion?

A．We’d better remove rubbish before it enters the sea.

B．We should clean beaches so as not to pollute the sea.

C．It’s cheap for humans to clean up the ocean.

D．It’s better to leave waste in the sea than in the river.

3. What does the underlined word “supervised” in paragraph 5 probably mean?

A．Supposed.

B．Protected.

C．Accepted.

D．Controlled.

4. What did Sandy Watemberg call on people to do?

A．Support the project.	B．Use single-use plastics more.
C．Change their habits.	D．Realize the danger the river is in.

10 . A great earthquake happened in southwestern China on May 12,2008, killing thousands of people. The quake struck Wenchuan and other parts of Sichuan Province in the middle of the afternoon and a number of school buildings, shops and homes were destroyed. The number of the dead and missing rose as rescue workers dug through flattened (夷为平地的) schools and homes to find survivors. It was reported that many people were still buried under the ruins in and around Mianyang, a city about 60 miles east of the epicenter (震中). People there spent a second night sleeping outside in the rain. The government ordered people not to return to their homes for safety concerns. Few lights were on in the city, and people ate and chatted by candlelight.

Rescue teams brought people to Mianyang's stadium for food and shelter. Outside the railway station, the police shouted in megaphones (扩音器) telling people where they could get free food. Buses carrying survivors left Beichuan, which is in the northeast of the epicenter and was also flattened by the quake. 1,000 students and teachers were killed or missing at a fallen high school in Beichuan County. At another school in the town of Juyuan, 900 students were buried under the ruins. There was little hope that many survivors would be found under the rubble. But officials asked the people not to give up hope. 20,000 soldiers arrived in the disaster area on the way by plane, train and truck and even on foot.

Thirty-one British tourists who were panda-watching in Wolong National Nature Reserve were safe. And the pandas were reported safe, too.

1. What was the weather like after the great earthquake in Mianyang?

A．Rainy.

B．Windy.

C．Sunny.

D．Cloudy.

2. From the text, we can know that ______.

A．many people went back home to get some clothes and food

B．Beichuan County is in the southeast of the epicenter

C．some people were brought to a stadium in Mianyang

D．the government said people could return home

3. All these places are mentioned EXCEPT ______.

A．Beichuan

B．Juyuan

C．Mianyang

D．Pingwu

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．How many people died in the earthquake.	B．The earthquake that happened in China.
C．The places which were damaged.	D．How the earthquake happened.