1 . On December 16, 2023, the first section of Maya Train officially opened, which runs between Campeche and Cancún, carrying up to 231 passengers across 290 miles and stopping at 14 train stations.
Built as an ambitious effort to promote tourism and boost Mexico’s economy, the rail system connects the major cities and tourist regions of the Yucatán Peninsula —from Cancún’s beaches to Tulum’s archaeological wonders. Once the project is completed, the entire rail system will link tourist destinations across five states. However, environmentalists and archaeologists argue that the train route will cause great damage to the environment-and ancient Mayan sites.
The Maya Train passes through six UNESCO World Heritage sites and thousands of archaeological sites. One particular area of concern is the Calakmul biosphere reserve, which is home to many endangered species, such as jaguars and over 500 other animal species. The train lines, more than 60 meters wide, could act as artificial barriers that may limit the movement of these animals within the reserve making it difficult for them to move around and access food and water sources.
Opponents also express safety concerns. Certain sections of the rail system will be built right on top of the aquifer’s(含水层的) most fragile points of contact with the surface. “It’s like wanting to build over eggshells,” says Guillermo Christy, a water treatment consultant. “Putting trains weighing thousands of tons on top could cause the underground caves to crash down.” To construct the train infrastructure also requires driving long piles deep into the ground, which poses a big threat to this fragile ecosystem and leads to water shortages.
In the ongoing debate of Maya Train, it is crucial to consider the delicate balance between economic development and environmental preservation. While Maya Train may provide economic benefits, we must not overlook the potential environmental and cultural losses, as well as the safety risks it may bring. Achieving harmony between progress and conservation may be a significant challenge for the project, but we must take into account the long-term consequences of our actions.
1. What do we know about the Maya Train project?| A．It consumes lots of labor in Mexico. |
| B．It has concerned some professionals. |
| C．It was completed on December 16,2023. |
| D．It blocks the development of local tourism. |
| A．Restricting their activities. |
| B．Polluting their water sources. |
| C．Disturbing their sleeping patterns. |
| D．Attracting their enemies to the area. |
| A．To show the difficulty of constructing the rail lines. |
| B．To prove the urgency of protectıng the fragile ecosystem. |
| C．To explain the reasons for water shortages along the railway. |
| D．To stress Maya Train’s potential harm to the aquifer system. |
| A．Preserving cultural sites requires strong financial support. |
| B．It is time to speed up the con truction process of Maya Train. |
| C．We should value the economic benefits of the project in the long run. |
| D．Economic development should not come at the cost of the environment. |
2 . Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing promise in earthquake prediction, challenging the long-held belief that it is impossible. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, have developed an AI algorithm (算法) that correctly predicted 70% of earthquakes a week in advance during a trial in China and provided accurate strength calculations for the predicted earthquakes.
The research team believes their method succeeded because they stuck with a relatively simple machine learning approach. The AI was provided with a set of statistical features based on the team’s knowledge of earthquake physics, and then instructed to train itself using a five-year database of earthquake recordings. Once trained, the AI provided its prediction by listening for signs of incoming earthquakes within the background rumblings (隆隆声) in the Earth.
This work is clearly a milestone in research for AI-driven earthquake prediction. “You don’t see earthquakes coming,” explains Alexandros Savvaidis, a senior research scientist who leads the Texas Seismological Network and Seismology Research (TexNet) .“It’s a matter of milliseconds, and the only thing you can control is how prepared you are. Even with the 70%accuracy, that’s a huge result and could help minimize economic and human losses and has the potential to remarkably improve earthquake preparation worldwide.”
While it is unknown whether the same approach will work at other locations, the researchers are confident that their AI algorithm could produce more accurate predictions if used in areas with reliable earthquake tracking networks. The next step is to test artificial intelligence in Texas, since UT’s Bureau TexNet has 300 earthquake stations and over six years worth of continuous records, making it an ideal location for these purposes.
Eventually, the authors hope to combine the system with physics-based models. This strategy could prove especially important where data is poor or lacking. “That may be a long way off, but many advances such as this one, taken together, are what move science forward,” concludes Scott Tinker, the bureau’s director.
1. How does the AI forecast earthquakes?| A．By modeling data based on earthquake recordings. |
| B．By monitoring changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. |
| C．By analyzing background sounds in the Earth. |
| D．By identifying data from the satellites. |
| A．The importance of preparing for earthquakes. |
| B．The significance of developing the AI prediction. |
| C．The ways to reduce losses in earthquakes. |
| D．The limitation of AI algorithms in earthquake prediction. |
| A．Building more earthquake stations in Texas. |
| B．Applying the AI approach to other fields. |
| C．Enlarging the database to train the calculation accuracy. |
| D．Conducting tests in different locations. |
| A．Pioneering and promising. | B．Potential and economical. |
| C．Stable but outdated. | D．Effective but costly. |
3 . Rivers are very important. Humans rely on them for food and water. But rivers can destroy things, too. They can flood, or rise over their banks, making the water run into the nearby land. Floods can also kill humans and wildlife. However, floods are not always bad. Some ecosystems need them every once in a while.
Flooding can not only drown animals but also destroy habitats. For example, a flood in India in 2012 killed many one-horned rhinos. Flood waters can pick up dirt from riverbanks, which makes the water dirty. Too much dirt will clog rivers and streams, preventing the river from flowing. Sometimes flood waters can carry pollution to the sea and harm marine life. In addition, flood waters can carry disease, including hepatitis A (甲型肝炎) and cholera (霍乱).
However, not everything about floods is bad. Sometimes they bring new life to ecosystems. Flood waters carry nutrients to the nearby land. Over time, the water dries up and leaves behind particles (微粒) of dirt and mud. The particles are called sediment (沉淀物) which can be good due to its ability to improve the dirt and help plants grow. Floods are important to some animals as well. For instance, some animals see floods as a sign that it is time to mate or migrate. Floods leave sediment on river beds where baby fish can grow and carry nutrients for small animals in the water to eat. Moreover, in dry seasons, water might dry up, but floods help refill the wetlands, keeping the ecosystem going.
Floods are a part of nature. They can destroy living things and the environment. But some ecosystems need floods to survive.
1. What’s the possible meaning of the underlined word “clog” in Paragraph 2?| A．Become. | B．Pollute. | C．Block. | D．Develop. |
| A．Nutrients carried by floods can make soil richer. |
| B．Floods make all the animals migrate more easily. |
| C．Tiny fish going with floods feed some animals. |
| D．Floods can improve the dirt and help plants grow. |
| A．The way in which floods feed animals. | B．The benefits of floods to ecosystems. |
| C．An effective means of improving soil. | D．The reason for people’s appreciating floods. |
| A．The Bad Effects of Flooding | B．The Secret of Flooding |
| C．Floods-A Disaster to Humans | D．Floods — A Part of Nature |
1. 讲座主题：The World Wildlife Day；
2. 时间、地点及讲座内容。
注意：1. 词数为 80左右；
2. 请按如下格式作答。
Notice
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The Student Council
March, 1
5 . Growing up in Mauritius, I love nature. Behind my house, there is a mountain named Le Pouce, where I spent much time
When I was about 10, this started to change. I began learning about the
Gradually, I realized how much humans
Diving plays a big part in my life now, and I work to
Protecting the ocean is very
| A．exploring | B．transforming | C．extending | D．constructing |
| A．shifted | B．appeared | C．stretched | D．stopped |
| A．destroyed | B．surrounded | C．covered | D．represented |
| A．scared | B．excited | C．addicted | D．disappointed |
| A．progress | B．threat | C．opportunity | D．image |
| A．avoiding | B．counting | C．highlighting | D．considering |
| A．then | B．yet | C．thus | D．moreover |
| A．lead | B．follow | C．recognize | D．prevent |
| A．efficiency | B．awareness | C．memory | D．confidence |
| A．paid back | B．adapted to | C．depended on | D．kept up |
| A．mood | B．imagination | C．hobby | D．experience |
| A．turn down | B．hold back | C．add up | D．contribute to |
| A．introduction | B．influence | C．advertisement | D．prediction |
| A．risky | B．impractical | C．shocking | D．crucial |
| A．join | B．respect | C．teach | D．guide |
6 . Off the coast of northeastern Queensland, Australia, near Magnetic Island in Florence Bay, the Great Barrier Reef corals (大堡礁珊瑚) are having a baby boom (激增).
“Every year there are more anrd more coral babies,” says Hillary Smith, an ecologist at ames Cook University in Australia.
That’s thanks to a simple but effective strategy for cleaning the region’s coral reefs: “seaweeding”. Like weeding (给……除杂草) a garden, seaweeding involves pulling big handfuls of large algae (水藻) off reefs and taking them away.
Experts say getting climate change under control is key to keeping the world’s reefs healthy. But meanwhile, local efforts such as seaweeding can help corals grow and reduce the effects of climate change.
The health of coral reefs around the world is dire: By 2050, 95 percent of the world’s coral could experience heat stress, according to a 2020 report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. Algae is a big problem: Already, algae cover has increased on two-thirds of reefs around the world, and one study published in 2021 showed that half the world’s coral reefs have died since the 1950s. Removing seaweed from reefs requires a great deal of work but is not complex, making it a good project for citizen scientists eager to help restore (恢复) reefs.
When the project first began in 2018, Smith says researchers weren’t sure if removing seaweed would benefit the reef or if removal might have the opposite effect in some way. But now, “It’s all looking really positive for the reef,” she says.
Volunteers are ready and waiting to help near Townsville and at other affected Australian reefs, says the Earthwatch Institute’s Fiona Wilson.“We need lots of willing hands to remove seaweed. It takes weeks of time,”she says. “But obviously recovery of the Great Barrier Reef is a passion for many people, so we draw volunteers.”
1. What contributed to the growth of the Great Barrier Reef corals in Florence Bay?| A．Local efforts to remove seaweed. | B．Reduced effects of climate change. |
| C．Fewer human activities in the region. | D．The use of new restoration technologies. |
| A．Strange. | B．Acceptable. | C．Excellent. | D．Terrible. |
| A．They were hopeful of it. | B．They were excited about it. |
| C．They were uncertain about it. | D．They were uninterested in it. |
| A．It is still a long way off. | B．It is less difficult than thought. |
| C．It will take hard work and skill. | D．It attracts and needs volunteers. |
7 . An earthquake is one of the most common natural disasters. It may cause great damage. So it is smart to learn some simple safety tips to protect yourself or your family members.
Fragile items (物品) like those made of glass are easily broken and should usually be placed on a lower surface, near the ground. Never place them near your bed, sofas and other furniture where you would be sitting or lying down. So when there is a strong movement, these pieces will fall on the floor directly, not on you.
There is a strong chance of short circuits and fire during an earthquake. Make sure you turn off power and gas immediately when an earthquake happens.
During an earthquake, lie under an object that is not easily damaged. Do not go near objects that could directly fall on you. Never use the elevator to go down. Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries happen when people inside buildings try to go out. Use the staircases (楼梯) at all times.
If you are outdoors, do not take shelter under a tree, streetlights, electric poles or tall buildings. If you are driving, stop your car and stay in a safe place. Do not park your car under a tree or any tall object.
If trapped in ruins, cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or the wall so rescuers can find you. Use a whistle (哨子) if one is available. Never shout for help. Shouting can cause you to breathe in dangerous amounts of dust. Do not light a match because you may burn yourself.
1. The passage is aimed to tell readers_______.| A．how to prevent earthquakes |
| B．what to do during earthquakes |
| C．the loss caused by earthquakes |
| D．the rescue work after earthquakes |
| A．easily broken | B．easily found | C．costly | D．heavy |
| A．in a place where children can’t reach them |
| B．in the bedroom |
| C．in the cupboards |
| D．on a lower surface |
| A．go out of the building at once |
| B．turn off power and gas immediately |
| C．take shelter under a tree |
| D．shout for help |
8 . To appreciate Dubai, you could start by going skiing. The ski resort, located inside one of the city’s shopping malls, looks from the outside like a silver spaceship. You put on a thick coat, pull on your gloves and then marvel at what strong air-conditioning can do. At the exit, you can buy a souvenir T-shirt. A cartoon thermometer in Celsius announces: “I went from +50 to minus 8!”
Indoor skiing in the desert has become a symbol of Dubai’s status as a wealthy, modem metropolis. This small fishing village, Dubai’s fortunes changed forever with the discovery of oil in the 1960s. Since then. it has evolved to become the largest city. But the rapid growth has come at a price. To power its cars and air-conditioning, the city has produced large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO. ) from fossil fuels. Now it is making some big changes.
To reduce its dependence on cars and lower its emissions, Dubai has invested in solar energy, green buildings, and a comprehensive public transportation system. In addition, all new buildings must meet strict energy regulations.
The most striking development can be found where the city’s suburbs meet the desert. Unlike much of Dubai, the Sustainable City to the south feels more like a close-knit-village community. About five hundred low-rise houses are distributed along attractive, tree-lined streets. They all face north, away from direct sunlight, and are close together to provide natural shade. Each building has reflective windows and wall paint, which reduce the heat absorbed from the sun. Rooftop solar panels and energy-saving lights contribute to the community’s energy efficiency. As a result, residents of the Sustainable City now consume 50 percent less energy than people living in other parts of Dubai.
By 2050, the government intends to obtain 75 percent of the city’s energy from renewable sources-mainly solar. It also wants to have the smallest ecological footprint in the world. The plan is ambitious. But if successful, even guilt-free skiing in the desert could become an reality.
1. Why does the writer start the passage by describing a ski resort?| A．To demonstrate the problems of living near a desert. |
| B．To describe an expensive and unsuccessful building project. |
| C．To give an example of how Dubai is a wealthy modern city. |
| D．To provide a warning of what Dubai might be like in the future. |
| A．distinctive | B．isolated | C．massive | D．uniform |
| A．Installation of energy-efficient lights. | B．Avoidance of the sunlight from north. |
| C．Placement of solar panels on rooftops. | D．Arrangement to allow natural cooling. |
| A．How Oil Has Changed Dubai. | B．Dubai’s Economic Future. |
| C．The Costs of Green Living. | D．Building a Sustainable City. |
1. What can we learn from the news?
| A．No villager was killed. |
| B．15 houses were badly damaged. |
| C．Over 200 people were made homeless. |
| A．His wife was missing. |
| B．His house was destroyed. |
| C．One of his children was killed. |
| A．She tried to take something out. |
| B．She rushed out with her children. |
| C．She told her husband not to leave. |
10 . If you’ve ever been annoyed with package, you probably love the idea of a package-free grocery store. And zero waste at the supermarket isn’t such a crazy dream; a new store in Germany is promising exactly that.
The Original Unverpackt in Berlin is a project of Sara Wolf and Miena Glimbovski. They crowdfunded the project, and the idea proved so popular that they are more than doubly funded.
The store will sell food locally to reduce transportation costs and energy use. There are containers that can be reused, or better yet, you can bring your own. It’ll also carry non-food things like cleaning products and personal care items.
The German project isn’t the only grocery store fighting wasteful packaging. In.gredients, in Austin, Texas is the first zero-waste store. It offers things that are filled in customers’ own containers and it offers reusable containers too.
Of course, plenty of stores have been doing some version (版本) of reduced packaging for years. The First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op in Corvallis, Oregon, where I do most of my shopping, offers all dry goods including baking goods and dried fruit and beans in bulk (散装), and plenty of others too, including tofu, cheese, eggs, honey, and butter oils, soaps and pet foods too. I bring my own containers, and a couple of produce (农产品) bags for small items. I’m probably using half or less than half of the packaging I used to shop at a Whole Foods in Connecticut before I moved.
So even if you don’t have a zero-waste grocery in your town, you can still cut down on the packaging you use by planning ahead, and patronizing those businesses that offer bulk-food buying. Farmers markets are great in this way too — you can give the farmer any packaging right back for reuse.
1. What is people’s attitude toward the Original Unverpackt?| A．Positive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Uncaring. | D．Neutral. |
| A．Crowdfunded projects are generally unsuccessful. |
| B．Reducing packaging waste is beneficial for both the environment and consumers. |
| C．All grocery stores should adopt a zero-waste model immediately. |
| D．Shopping at Whole Foods in Connecticut is more sustainable than shopping at a zero-waste store. |
| A．Increasing. | B．Exchanging. | C．Balancing. | D．Visiting. |
| A．The rise of package-free grocery stores worldwide. |
| B．The Original Unverpackt in Berlin and its zero-waste concept. |
| C．The environmental impact of grocery shopping. |
| D．The benefits of shopping at farmers markets. |
