1 . Animal appear to predict earthquakes by sensing electricity in the air — the first study to find reliable evidence of the phenomenon has shown.

Cameras revealed an “amazing” drop in the number of animals up to 23 days before a major quake hit their rainforest home at Yanachaga National Park in Peru. Lead scientist Dr Rachel Grant, from Anglia Ruskin University, said, “The results showed that just before the earthquake, animals’ activity dropped right down.”

On a normal day the cameras placed around Yanachaga National Park record between 5 and 15 animals. But in the 23 days before the earthquake, the number of animals dropped to five or fewer per day. No animals were photographed at all on five of the seven days immediately before the quake.

Another study showed that animal activity remained normal in the park over a different period when seismic (地震的) activity was low. Co-author, professor Friedemann Freund, said, “The cameras were located at an altitude of 900 meters. If air ionization occurred, the animals would escape to the valley below, where there were fewer positive ions ( 离子). With their ability to sense their environment, animals can help us understand small changes that occur before major earthquakes.”

Other evidence suggested that before the earthquake, the air around the high mountain sites filled with positive ions that can be produced when rocks are placed under stress. Positive ions have been known to cause ill effects in humans as well as animals. Scientists believe the animals were made to feel uncomfortable by the positive ions, leading them to avoid the area. They are thought to have escaped to lower ground, where the air was less ionized. The findings may help experts develop better short-term seismic forecasts.

1. How did scientists conduct the study?

A．By comparing different animals’ habits.

B．By observing animals in high mountains.

C．By explaining the positive ion phenomenon.

D．By analyzing images of animals they obtained.

2. What can be inferred from animal activity before earthquakes?

A．The ground at a lower altitude is less ionized.

B．Cameras normally record more animals per day.

C．Earthquake warnings can be detected in lower places.

D．The activity of animals and earthquakes is consistent.

3. What can we learn from the text?

A．The findings make for accurate seismic forecast.

B．Animals tend to be uneasy with more positive ions.

C．Positive ions make humans and animals depressed.

D．All the animals remain abnormal before the earthquake.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Negative Influence of Positive Ions.

B．Ions’ Destruction to the Environment.

C．Animals’ Behavior Before Earthquakes.

D．Creatures’ Ability to Predict Earthquakes.

2 . Culture often refers to things like food, holidays, clothing, and music, but it also goes much deeper than that.     1     So when we meet people from different backgrounds, we can sometimes find that there are big differences in how we see the world, even if we speak the same language.     

One of the best ways to understand others’ cultures is to first examine your own. Do you take your shoes off when you go inside?     2     In Japan, you would never go inside without swapping your outdoor shoes for slippers, whereas in the US, many people don’t bother taking their shoes off when they come in. Therefore, it’s so important to understand your place in the world, which will help you understand other people better too.

    3     When you meet people from a different culture, you can politely ask them about their lives. Seek out books or watch movies by and about people who’re different from you. Additionally, you can immerse (沉浸)yourself in a different culture through travel to understand how different other lifestyles can be.

However, sometimes, learning a lot about a different culture can lead you into a trap. You may think you know much about a culture, which may lead you to show off your knowledge when you meet someone from that background. But it’s a problem to assume that everyone from one particular culture has the same attitudes and experiences. Your assumptions that lead you to pre-judge against others can be harmful.     4    

Differences between us are what make life so interesting. So accept the differences between yourself and your friends from different cultures.     5     In detail, ask questions if your friends are open to it, but also learn how to just silently observe and appreciate the differences that make us unique.

A．It is a simple thing, but it’s a huge marker of culture!

B．Learning is another great way to understand different cultures.

C．Behaviors, customs, beliefs, and values are also part of your culture.

D．To achieve it, do strike a balance between curiosity and appreciation.

E．So don’t do it to others even if you understand their culture really well.

F．The more you learn, the more used you get to respecting cultural differences.

G．Wherever you live, there are probably immigrant communities (侨民团体)with their own customs.

3 . A few days ago, my husband, Russ, and I lost our house of 28 years to a California wild fire.

On that night, we had to leave our house and sleep in the back seat of our Ford. The next morning, we had to drive three and a half hours to find a hotel that had an available room. Only later, in the local newspaper, did we see photographs of the destruction. Our house had been consumed by the fire along with most of our neighborhood.

How are we going to rebuild after this? I thought, rounding a corner in the sidewalk on my walk back to the hotel. Is it even possible?

I noticed something up ahead—a pair of nickels, shining like precious jewels. They were just nickels, but they somehow felt special. I bent down and picked them up. If these were lucky coins, I could use all the luck I could get.

A few days later, I made a trip to the store to buy essentials. The enormous task of replacing everything we’d lost put a heavy weight on me. I was about to leave when I felt the urge to stop and turn my head to the right. I could hardly believe it—there on nickela shelf, was a nickel! Okay, maybe this is more than luck, I thought and put the nickel in my pocket.

I told myself that I had found the nickels just by chance. Then I found one next to my plate at a restaurant—on Thanksgiving, no less, when I was missing our house more than ever. It seemed that a nickel appeared whenever my spirits plummeted.

Whenever I reached my breaking point, I’d find another nickel. In the grass at the park, or near the tire of my car in a parking lot. Once, my change for a quick lunch was given entirely in nickels. “I’m sorry,” the cashier said. “It’s all we have.”

It’s all I needed!

One day, I was sitting at the desk when my phone rang. It was a real-estate agent I’d been working with.

“I have a new listing,” she said.

“When can we see it?”

A few hours later, Russ and I were following the agent down the driveway toward the house.

I didn’t think long. Because there, in the driveway, …

1. After the wild fire, the couple ________.

A．lived in their car for one night

B．took some photos of the destruction

C．could hardly afford their Thanksgiving dinner

D．saved precious items from the burned down house

2. What does the underlined word “plummeted” in Paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Remained.

B．Changed.

C．Strengthened.

D．Sank.

3. What did the found nickels mean to the author?

A．Luck for the foreseeable future.

B．Hope during challenging times.

C．Signs of a huge fortune to come.

D．Reminders of what had happened.

4. Which would be the best ending for the passage?

A．I spotted a flash of silver in the sun, two nickels, both heads up.

B．I found an old nickel, which seemed to tell a story from the past.

C．I saw a mysterious locked box, and thought perhaps it was full of nickels.

D．I looked up and imagined something on a cloud, a giant nickel, just for me.

4 . With nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas coming from all types of transportation, can we keep ourselves off gas-powered vehicles to avoid the worst effects? As more governments push for urgent action on climate change, quite a few companies are betting their future – that millions of consumers are finally ready for electricity-powered vehicles. Modern battery-powered cars are selling fast and zero- emission ( 排放) planes are coming. These changes, both leading to a more sustainable future, are reinventing how we get from here to there.

Cars and trucks are undergoing their greatest improvement since the automobile’s (汽车) existence more than a century ago. Almost overnight, the era of the electric car has arrived. Electricity has the advantage that it works without smell and with less noise. Global annual sales of electric vehicles are expected to soar from just over 3 million today to 14 million by 2025. Just a month after Ford unveiled an electric version of the popular F-150, customers had reserved more than 100,000 of them. The price is about $10,000 above the gas-powered one, but Ford says the electric model will cost much less to maintain. Everything creating a green revolution on the ground is of limited help in the sky for the time being.

High-storage batteries are useless at present when it comes to the technological challenge of launching a few hundred people into the sky and carrying them thousands of miles. No battery yet invented can power, say, a Boeing 747 from New York to London. Promising improvements, however, do add up. Developments with zero-emission, battery-powered electric engines are already happening in commercial flight, involving trips of limited duration and distance. Airlines specializing in short journeys with small planes will lead the way to electric flight.

Our planet’s health depends on zeroing out carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, and yet, by the timetable needed to address the climate challenge, the shift away from gas-powered vehicles remains far too slow. Nevertheless, the train has left the station. Someday, electric-powered transportation will be as common as air.

1. Why are many companies switching to electricity-powered vehicles?

A．To reinvent the way we travel.

B．To cut the costs of car production.

C．To improve the quality of products.

D．To pursue sustainable development.

2. What do we know about the electric car?

A．It came into use a century ago.

B．It enjoys increasing popularity.

C．It sells better than the traditional one.

D．It costs less than the gas-powered one.

3. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 3?

A．To show the disadvantages of battery power.

B．To emphasize the significance of short flights.

C．To stress the future prospects of electric planes.

D．To state the developments of commercial flight.

4. What does the author mean by saying “the train has left the station”?

A．Train transportation has improved.

B．Green transportation is on its way.

C．The electric train is running regularly.

D．The gas-powered train has become the past.

5 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

It was just another busy day until I met the boy on the bus. He was not a passenger like me. He was, what we call a street child, an 8-10-year-old kid with a worn T-shirt. These poorly dressed kids were seen almost everywhere in Dhaka city. But what was special about that boy was his face. There was “something” in him that caught my attention. That was an angelic(天使般的)baby face with little care.

He got straight into the bus as it stopped at a traffic light. The bus helper shouted at him in the first place. But instead of talking back, the boy kept silent and started handing out a piece of paper to all the passengers. What was written in the paper was, in short, that his father died a couple of years ago. His mother worked at houses. He badly needed money to help his family, so he wished someone warm-hearted to buy chocolates from him.

This was nothing new to people who took a bus every day and I was no different. I had my earphones on, listening to some relaxing music to kill time. When he came to me to get the paper back, I casually gave him some money. Thankfully it brought some smiles on his face. He was about to give me ten chocolates in return for the money I gave to him when I stopped him.

“I don’t like chocolates, brother. So there is no need of chocolates. You can have the money,” I said.

All of a sudden, the smile on his face disappeared.

“I’m not a beggar. Please take the chocolate, or take your money back.”

His straight answer greatly surprised me. I even felt he was slightly angry. I had given money to many kids before, without taking their chocolates. But this time something seemed different. I realized his angelic baby face was not the only thing special about him.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

The boy put ten chocolates on my seat and got off the bus.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Having got the boy’s name, I decided to help him.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . Nutrient shortages might not be the result of poor diet. A study from 2004 showed that many fruits and vegetables contain less protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin C than they did in the1950s, though carbohydrate levels have increased over the same time length. While some researchers think this difference is explained by farmers growing sweeter cultivar, others believe a bigger factor is at play— Earth’s changing atmosphere.

Earth’s atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are rising. Within the next 50 years, carbon dioxide concentrations are expected to reach 550 parts per million, which is about double the amount measured before the mid—19th century. Farming will be greatly affected: Research shows that raised carbon dioxide levels will affect 95 percent of plant species—including main crops, such as wheat, rice, and potatoes by causing essential mineral levels to drop by 6 to 8 percent. Though this decline may sound negligible, it will have far—reaching consequences for global health.

The influences of an increasingly carbon-concentrated atmosphere were first observed in zooplankton, microscopic sea creatures that primarily feed on algae. Rising carbon dioxide levels could also have a similar effect on land plants’ nutritional value. When they can more easily transform sunlight into food, plants pack in a higher concentration of carbohydrates at the expense of protein, zinc, iron, and other essential nutrients.

Will the increase of carbohydrates and consequent decrease of other nutrients in your meals make a difference for your health? According to some evidence, yes. Nutrient-rich plants are vital for fighting against health problems around the world, and lower levels in natural sources put populations at risk. For instance, studies show that 150 million people may be at risk for protein shortage by 2050, and iron shortage may affect a billion pregnant women within the same time period.

1. What causes the nutrient shortages in food?

A．Poor dict.

B．Changing atmosphere.

C．Farm produce.

D．Time length

2. What will happen in the next 50 years?

A．Carbon dioxide will be double than that at present.

B．Carbon dioxide of plant species will increase 95%.

C．Plants’ mineral levels will drop by 6 to 8 percent.

D．Plants species will reach 550 times as much.

3. What is the influence of nutrient-less plants to people?

A．Lack of protein levels.	B．Lack of natural sources.
C．Lack of pregnant women.	D．Lack of carbohydrates.

4. What would be the best title for this passage?

A．Earth’s Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Level	B．Climate Change and Plant Nutrient Levels
C．More Food Leading to Better Health	D．Natural Resources and Carbohydrate

7 . We all do little things to boost the way we feel and think throughout the day. Something as simple as taking a walk or eating a piece of chocolate can brighten your mood almost instantly, thanks to certain chemical reactions that occur in the brain.     1    If you're going through something complex, you need a more permanent practice. That's where writing comes in.

As Mental Health Awareness Month begins,it's worth learning about the ways that you can use writing to support your mental well-being.    2    

Use writing for mindfulness. Mindfulness is a tried-and-true technique for improving mental wellness,but can writing have the same effect?     3     By focusing on a particular moment and getting it all out there on the page, you can free yourself from any of the other concerns that are crowding your mind. This way, you can use writing as an approach to mindfulness and as a way of relieving stress.

Another benefit to writing is its ability to clear your mind of worries, negative thoughts, or sources of pain.     4     Fortunately, writing can speed up the process of restoring mental clarity.

    5    People were more likely to talk to others about a painful event after writing about it privately,which powerfully suggests that writing can indirectly lead to reaching out for support, which can mean even greater healing and relief.

Through the process of populating a blank page with letters and words, writing can be a useful mental health tool that both records your experiences and allows you to work through them.

A．Become more self-aware.

B．These pleasures are just temporary, however.

C．There's real power behind the pen—here's why.

D．Writing is also the best method of self-care treatment.

E．Clearing your brain of negative thoughts can be really tough work.

F．Actually,the act of writing for a mere 20 minutes each day can work.

G．This is because writing tends to stimulate questions about your life and direction-

8 . Anxiety is a normal feeling characterized by worry or fear. For example, if you have a big test, or when you don’t know how an event will turn out, you are likely to be anxious.     1     Here are tips to reduce your symptoms（症状）.

*Get the right amount of sleep.

Getting the proper amount of sleep at night is important. Your mind and body can reset, which helps you make better decisions when you wake up. This can also help adjust your moods and allow you to be able to get through your daily tasks.    2     After doing this for a while, your body may start to get tired at the same time each day, which could mean you will have an easier time going to sleep each night.

*    3    

Breathing deeply can often help regulate anxious physical symptoms. When you breathe in deeply, not only does oxygen enter your body, but you also have to take a minute to change what you are doing. Sometimes when you take yourself out of a stressful situation for a while, you can gain a completely new understanding of what’s going on. Try to stop and take deep breaths whenever you start to feel anxious.

*Pay attention to triggers（诱因）.

    4    In some cases, these things may be obvious, but at other times, you may have trouble identifying them. You can start writing down what happens to you in a journal so that you can rule out certain events and habits.

Anxiety is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from living the life you want. There are many ways to change your life and habits.    5    

A．Learn how to breathe.

B．Living with anxiety isn’t easy.

C．Examine your values and live by them.

D．Stress can cause you to have trouble falling asleep.

E．You should start to remove the things that trouble you.

F．Be sure to take care of yourself and reduce the stress in your life.

G．Try to go to sleep at the same time each night, even on the weekends.

9 . A man was driving home when he saw a car stuck on the side of the road. So he _______ behind the car and got out. Even with a smile on his face, the lady was still _______ . He said, “I’m here to help you. By the way, my name is Bryan.”

All the problem she had was a _______ tire, which was bad enough for a lady. Bryan helped change the _______ , making hands dirty and hurt. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her _______ . She asked him how much she owed him. He never thought twice about the _______ . This was helping someone in _______ .

He waited until she _______ her car and drove off. It was a cold day, but he felt _______ as he headed for home.

Halfway the lady stopped to grab a bite to______at a small cafe. A waitress came over with a sweet smile. She ______ that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant. After the meal, when the waitress went to get the _____ for her hundred dollar bill, she left __________ . The waitress found the words on the napkin under which was four $100 bills—“Somebody once helped me out, and I won’t let this __________ of love end with me.”

That night when the waitress got home, she shared the story with her husband and whispered, “With the __________ due next month, it may be hard, but everything’s gonna be all right, Bryan.”

1.

A．took over

B．pulled up

C．turned around

D．broke down

2.

A．worried

B．embarrassed

C．disappointed

D．annoyed

3.

A．round

B．spare

C．flat

D．thick

4.

A．engine

B．tire

C．car

D．route

5.

A．link

B．chat

C．event

D．aid

6.

A．money

B．idea

C．problem

D．fact

7.

A．disaster

B．panic

C．need

D．danger

8.

A．processed

B．polished

C．struck

D．started

9.

A．nervous

B．good

C．touched

D．puzzled

10.

A．eat

B．work

C．sing

D．appoint

11.

A．wished

B．admitted

C．introduced

D．noticed

12.

A．product

B．treasure

C．change

D．income

13.

A．quietly

B．patiently

C．sincerely

D．excitedly

14.

A．target

B．chain

C．wisdom

D．reward

15.

A．holiday

B．plan

C．success

D．baby

10 . Have you ever had to wait in line at a store and found yourself avoiding eye contact, whether with employees or other customers? You may wish it was easier to meet new people or feel at ease at a party.     1     This article will show how to reach out to others and start potential friendships.

● Stop worrying about the outcome

    2     But not every conversation will lead to a new friend. It is completely normal to feel nervous about the idea of striking up a conversation with someone you don’t know. For many people, it can be difficult to overcome the fear of saying something wrong. Remember that authentic conversations can lead to increased self-confidence and lasting friendships.

●     3    

Remember that being true to yourself is more important than what strangers think. Who you are is no less important than who anyone else is. Every person has their own story and journey, and yours is just as important as anyone else’s.     4    

● Don’t share too much too quickly

It can sometimes be easy to share a little too much information about yourself, especially if you are excited or anxious when engaging with strangers.     5     Remember that you are simply striking up small talk with someone, not trying to turn them into your instant best friend.

A．Share your important stories

B．Don’t worry what strangers think of you

C．This helps advance your friendship.

D．So be proud of yourself and be honest about yourself.

E．Learning to talk to random people can be challenging but fun and rewarding.

F．A conversation is usually the most common way to start a relationship with another person.

G．But oversharing information may lead to an uncomfortable situation for you and the people involved.