1 . Scientists have shown that bees have some surprising math skills. Now, new study shows that bees can even be trained to tell the difference between odd and even numbers. Before this, humans were the only animals known to have this ability.
In 2018, researchers in Australia discovered that bees could understand the idea of “zero”. The researchers were perplexed, since only a few animals, like dolphins, monkeys, and some birds, had shown that they understood zero. Later, the same scientists showed that bees could be trained to add and subtract (减).
In the study, researchers divided honeybees into two control groups. They showed bees cards containing printed shapes that numbered from one to ten. One group was trained to fly to even-numbered cards, which earned them a sugar water treat if they successfully completed the task. If they flew to an odd-numbered card, they received a sour liquid. The second group had a similar approach, but the numbers were reversed(相反的). An odd card would earn them a sweet treat and an even card would give them a sour liquid. Researchers continued this lesson until the bees succeeded at least 80% of the time.
Then, they added a new challenge. They had the bees choose between cards with 11 and 12 shapes on them. The bees had never seen these numbers in their training. Even so, they succeeded 70% of the time.
The reason for this study is that the scientists believe that studying bee brains might help us learn how to build better and faster computers. After all, a bee’s brain is about 86,000 times smaller than a human brain. How does it handle such complicated ideas? Unless the brain structures for processing numbers aren’t so complicated. Then, the scientists built an extremely simple computer system with just five connections called neurons(神经元) , and they were able to train it to tell the difference between even and odd numbers up to 40.
1. What does the underlined word ‘‘perplexed’’ in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．Tolerant | B．Creative | C．Puzzled | D．Discouraged |
| A．By mixing the two drinks. | B．By drawing the right shapes. |
| C．By removing correct numbers. | D．By landing on specified cards. |
| A．Finding potential technology innovations. |
| B．Teaching bees different means of learning. |
| C．Speeding the learning behavior of humans. |
| D．Training bees to serve mankind more easily. |
| A．Bees Calculate Numbers like Humans | B．Scientists Train Bees to Count Numbers |
| C．Odds and Evens Are Significant to Bees | D．Bees Can Learn Odd and Even Numbers |
Max loved action comics and movies. He worked in the car park of a big supermarket. It didn’t seem to be a good job, but Max didn’t have any qualifications. This was the best job he could find. Max collected the shopping carts (购物车) that shoppers left in the car park. He took the shopping carts back to the entrance of the supermarket. It was sometimes hard work but it was not difficult. So Max had a lot of spare time to dream. He dreamed of being a hero, like Superman or Batman. Of course, his dreams were crazy but as Max told himself, dreams were free of charge.
Today it was very wet and windy. Max was wearing a long blue raincoat that had the name of the supermarket on the back. Max was standing next to a row of carts. He would push them together and then he would take them all back to the supermarket door. He looked around to see if there were any more left in the car park. Though there were designated (指定的) places for shoppers to leave the carts after shopping, some people were still so lazy that they just left them where they thought it was convenient for them. Just then Max saw two young boys in jackets wandering around aimlessly.
“They seem like students. They should be in school,” Max thought, “What are they doing here?” He then saw a small lady pushing a cart towards her car. The cart was full of shopping bags. She looked old and the weather was very bad. “I’ll go and take her cart for her,” Max said to himself.
Max started walking across the car park. The lady put her cart behind her car. She walked to her car door to unlock it when the two boys ran towards the cart. They immediately took the cart and quickly pushed it towards the road. The lady was terribly shocked and began to cry out.
注意： 1. 续写词数应为150左右;2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
“Hey, you! What are you doing?” shouted Max.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Max grasped the shopping cart and pushed it back to the car park of the supermarket.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Qiyuan Garden is a classical type private garden
The layout of the whole garden expresses the
4 . When Malaika Vaz was a kid, living in Goa, India, she was constantly surrounded by nature. Among her childhood experiences, she recalls journeys to the Arctic and Antarctic, climbing mountains, diving, and windsurfing.
At some point in her late teens, Vaz realized adventure didn’t really mean anything if there wasn’t an intention to protect the natural spaces we were exploring in. Motivated by her passion for filmmaking, she began to seek a way that would both satisfy her appetite for adventure and allow her to advocate the protection of the species and ecosystems she interacted with.
Today Vaz wears many hats in the filmmaking world, as a documentary director, producer, and presenter. After falling in love with manta rays (蝠鲼), she discovered they were being hunted illegally and started to dress herself as a seafood trader to get as close as possible to the issue. She traced sellers to figure out why the threatened species were being killed. She shared the shocking details in Peng Yu Sai, her Green Oscar-nominated film on the matter.
The subjects that grab her attention, Vaz admits, run the gamut. When she was asked to define her focus, she replied that she preferred variety. She always argues that the issues she looks into are more interrelated than they may initially appear. “I think that it’s exciting to dive into the different aspects of environmental stories,” she says.
Her work doesn’t stop at recording important stories; she also ensures the message is heard. From Vaz’s viewpoint, real improvement in planetary protection lies in the hands of each of us rather than just those of several environmentalists. “If you’re an engineer and you care about the natural world, you can change the kind of construction materials you use. If you’re a teacher loving nature, you can bring that into the learning for your class.” she says.
As a filmmaker, Vaz believes it’s important to figure out ways that attract the audience who can push for the protection of the natural world.
1. What did Malaika Vaz decide to do in her late teens?| A．Motivate children to get close to nature. |
| B．Make a film about her childhood experiences. |
| C．Develop a passion for an adventurous lifestyle. |
| D．Combine nature exploration with nature conservation. |
| A．The role of manta rays in the local economy. | B．Vaz’s personal life as a seafood trader. |
| C．The threatened species in India. | D．The illegal trade in manta rays. |
| A．Are quite popular. | B．Cover a wide range. |
| C．Make little progress. | D．Are hard to deal with. |
| A．Human beings are closely linked to nature. |
| B．Stories are effective in changing people’s behavior. |
| C．Everyone can make a difference to the environment. |
| D．Environmentalists play a big part in solving environmental issues. |
5 . The European Commission has recently proposed classifying nuclear and natural gas as sustainable sources of energy. The proposal will place the sources on the EU’s “green” list. However, the proposal has already divided member countries.
France, Hungary, Poland, and Romania have supported the proposal as a stepping stone to clean energy. Much of Eastern and Central Europe still depends on fossil fuels like coal for energy. While renewable energy sources like the wind and sun have become more affordable, technology has not advanced enough to store power for long periods of time. Therefore, an immediate transition (转变) might not be possible for Europe.
Proponents of the proposal agree that natural gas is still a fossil fuel. Nevertheless, it emits less carbon dioxide than coal and could serve as a more sustainable alternative during the transition to greener energy sources. Nuclear energy plants are another promising energy source and release water vapor instead of carbon dioxide as a by-product. Because of this, proponents view nuclear and natural gas as “bridge” sources that can pave the way to a low-carbon future.
Other European member states are opposing the proposal for a number of reasons. Under the proposal, gas power plants labeled “sustainable” could emit 270g worth of CO2 for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity they produce. A panel of experts has criticized these guidelines, recommending that only 100g of CO2 per kWh could be considered sustainable.
Spain, Denmark, and Luxembourg have charged that the proposal would distract from renewable energy goals. Germany, a long-time opponent, has questioned about including nuclear power in the list. Nuclear power plants may be low-carbon, but the storage of nuclear waste continues to be an issue. It is also costly to construct them and would use up financial resources that could be invested in other renewable energies.
1. What can we know about the proposal put forward by the European Commission recently?| A．It divides sustainable sources of energy into two categories. |
| B．It has been copied by many other international organizations. |
| C．It aims to put nuclear and natural gas on the EU’s “green” list. |
| D．It is supported by all the countries in Eastern and Central Europe. |
| A．Objectors. | B．Advocates. | C．Competitors. | D．Representatives. |
| A．Because nuclear waste is harmful to people. |
| B．Because nuclear energy is not sustainable energy. |
| C．Because the proposal will distract from other goals. |
| D．Because it is expensive to build nuclear power plants. |
| A．The transition from wind and sun power. |
| B．The advances in the technology of storing power. |
| C．The debate over a proposal on renewable energy. |
| D．The regulations of the European commission. |
6 . Despite being there for your safety, many people still ignore the red man at traffic lights and cross early, running the risk of a deadly accident. Now Smart, a car maker, has come up with a smart idea for an experiment to see if safety could be improved at traffic lights by encouraging pedestrians to wait for the green man with a “Dancing Traffic Light”.
The Dancing Traffic Light was designed to draw the attention of people who were standing waiting to cross the road in Portugal. It shows a dancing red figure, as opposed to the static (静态的) figure that is normally shown. The figure is a low-resolution (低分辨率的) representation of someone who is in a room nearby, dancing.
Those who want to dance can go into the room and then select music of their choice. When the traffic light turns red, the music plays and the individual can then start to dance. A video is fed of the person dancing in real lime to the traffic light and the dancing red figure can keep pedestrians amused while they wait.
Apart from providing entertainment for pedestrians as they wait to cross the road, there is also the “gaming” side to the Dancing Traffic Light as anyone can be the dancing figure and so he or she can contribute to the project.
This isn’t the first time that entertainment has been used for positive social outcomes. The Volkswagen Fun Theory campaign involved a Piano Staircase which encouraged people to walk up the stairs instead of using an elevator and the Bottle Bank Arcade that was made to encourage people to recycle.
Smart said that 81 % more people stopped at die red light to watch it dance while they waited for the green light to appear.
1. Why did Smart design the Dancing Traffic Light?| A．To help reduce traffic accidents. | B．To make traffic lights more interesting. |
| C．To provide entertainment for pedestrians. | D．To draw the attention of pedestrians. |
| A．A real person dances beside the traffic light. | B．A pedestrian performs a dance while waiting. |
| C．An individual dances to various music in a room. | D．A figure dances in real time to red traffic lights. |
| A．The needs for more such campaigns. | B．The use of entertainment in some social activities. |
| C．The influence of the Dancing Traffic Light. | D．The good results of safety products. |
| A．Road Safety—An Essential Task | B．A Campaign—A Solution from the Air |
| C．A Dancing Traffic Light—A Guardian of Life | D．Smart—A Pioneer in Traffic Light Research |
7 . Four Places to Go in Bogota
Wilborada 1047 Bookstore
Since opening in 2013, this homey bookstore with floor-to-ceiling shelves has become a beloved neighborhood meeting spot. Set inside a three-story building with a wooden staircase on which you can read, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay. The bookstore has a full schedule of author readings, lectures and other literary events.
Las Heroinas
This shop is owned by four sisters - one of whom also runs the attached La Manola ceramic studio. The shop, which opened in 2015, carries high-quality, made-in-Colombia products such as geometric vases,pendant lamps and dishware,plus furnishings like colorful embroidered(绣花的）chairs.
Nueve
Set inside an old house, this restaurant opened in 2009 and serves a variety of small plates that put innovative (革新的） twists on local ingredients — all listed on a cloth menu that doubles as a napkin. Many of the dishes are inspired by the chef’s travels abroad. There are two dining areas,both of which provide views of the open kitchen. There’s also a speakeasy-style bar, perfect for a pre-or post-dianer cocktail.
Abasto
Ever since this cafe opened in 2014, there’s been no need to wait in line for breakfast at the original location in the historic neighborhood of Usaquen. The coffee comes from the Colombian countryside; the bread is baked in-house daily; and the arepa options are plenty, stuffed with fillings like eggs, cheese and meat. Don’t miss the cake, honey and jam.
1. What can you do in Wilborada 1047 Bookstore?| A．Wait in line to buy books. | B．Read books on a wooden staircase. |
| C．Make friends with your favorite authors. | D．Hold important meetings with your neighbors. |
| A．In 2009. | B．In 2013. | C．In 2014. | D．In 2015. |
| A．Cook books. | B．Local culture. |
| C．The chef’s ancestors. | D．The chef’s travelling experience. |
8 . Lost &Found
Recently, CTtransit changed the Lost &. Found policy and procedures. If you have lost an item on a CTtransit bus, you must first call Lost & Found and speak with a Customer Service Representative for your area. If CTtransit is in possession of your lost item, and you can confirm ownership, then you may schedule a time to get your item back.
If you have scheduled a time with Customer Service to get back your lost item, when you arrive at the facility gate, give your name to the security guard. You must have a photo ID available to show CTtransit Security or another form of valid ID to confirm your date of birth and address. The security guard will direct you to the pick-up location.
If you misplace something on the bus, there is a good chance that we will find it. Each day, operators pick up articles left on their buses and turn them in to the office. Lost items that are recovered are kept for 30 days. CTtransit is not responsible for items left on the buses.
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER FOR LOST & FOUND
New Haven Area
2061State Street
Hamden, CT 06517-3834
203-624-0151
Phone number for the Hearing-Impaired (听障人士): 203-785-8960
Phone Center Hours: Monday to Saturday 6: 30 am to 6: 30 pm；Sunday/Holidays 7: 00 am to 6: 00 pm
Lost &Found: Monday to Friday 8: 30 am to 4: 30pm.
Hartford Area
100Leibert Road
Hartford, Connecticut CT 06120
860-525-9181
Phone number for the Hearing-Impaired：203-785-8960
Phone Center Hours: Monday to Saturday 6: 30 am to 9: 30 pm；Sunday/Holidays 7: 00 am to 7: 00 pm
Lost & Found: Monday to Friday 8: 30 am to 4: 30 pm.
Stamford Area
21 Elm Court
Stamford, CT06902
203-327-7433
Phone number for the Hearing-Impaired：203-327-2404
Phone Center Hours: Monday to Saturday 6: 30 am to 6: 30 pm
Lost &Found: Monday to Saturday 6: 30 am to 6: 30 pm.
1. Who will take you to the spot where you can get your lost items?| A．The security guard. | B．The operator. |
| C．The customer service representative. | D．The bus conductor. |
| A．At 6: 00 am on Saturday. | B．At 6: 40 am on Sunday. |
| C．At 9: 50 pm on Monday. | D．At 2: 30 pm on Christmas Day. |
| A．You can find it at 21 Elm Court. |
| B．A deaf man can call 203-327-7433. |
| C．It is open for five days a week. |
| D．Recovered lost items are kept for a fortnight. |
Six
“It is not just study that’s difficult. You have to get used
