1 . Whales are celebrated for being the largest and most intelligent creatures in the ocean. Now, biologists have discovered that they also capture (捕获) tons of carbon from the atmosphere, a service with an economic value of US $1 trillion for all the great whales, according to a new study published by the International Monetary Fund. The study points out that protecting whales, normally viewed as a human good, also has a monetary motivation.

“The carbon capture potential of whales is truly incredible,” said the report. “Our conservative estimates put the value of the average great whale at more than US $2 million, and easily over US $1 trillion for the current stock of great whales.” Whales absorb carbon in their bodies during their long lives, some of which stretch to 200 years. When they die, they sink to the bottom of the ocean, taking the carbon with them. According to the study, each great whale traps around 33 tons of carbon dioxide on average. A tree during the same period only contributes to 3 percent of the carbon absorption of the whale.

Whale populations are today a smidgen of what they once were. It is estimated that there are slightly more than 1.3 million whales in the ocean, a quarter of their pre-whaling number of 4 to 5 million. Some species in particular, like the blue whale, are only 3 percent of what they used to be. “We can create financial methods to promote the restoration of the world’s whale populations,” said the report’s authors. “Rewards could help those who pay significant costs as a result of whale protection.”

With the Paris Agreement coming into force next year and the effects of climate change ever more widespread, we must prevent the harm to whales. Researchers analyzed that unless new methods are put forward, it would take over 30 years to double the number of current whales, and several generations to return them to their pre-whaling numbers. “Society and our own survival can’t afford to wait this long,” they said.

1. What does the new study reveal about whales?

A．They are money-makers for good.	B．Their intelligence is unquestionable.
C．They are a natural climate solution.	D．Their survival is threatened by carbon.

2. Why is a whale compared with a tree in paragraph 2?

A．To indicate all matter regarding green efforts.	B．To illustrate whales are friendly to the oceans.
C．To highlight whales’ carbon capture potential.	D．To emphasize the importance of tree planting.

3. What can be inferred from what researchers said in paragraph 4?

A．Climate change intensifies.	B．Whale populations stay low.
C．Our survival is endangered.	D．Whale protection is a priority.

4. What is the most suitable title for the article?

A．Protect whales to protect the planet	B．How to restore whale populations
C．Live in harmony with ocean giants	D．Whales can guarantee our survival

2 . Vitamin D was recognized a century ago as the cure for rickets, a childhood disease that causes weak bones. Then, in the early 2000s, a pile of studies suggested that low vitamin D levels could be a factor in cancer, cardiovascular (心血管) disease, Parkinson’s disease and so on. This simple vitamin seemed to be a cure for whatever troubled us. However, all these observational studies have a fundamental weakness: they can identify a co-occurrence between vitamin D and a disease, but they can’t prove there is a cause-and-effect relation.

To look at whether taking vitamin D had curative effects, Manson and her team started the world’s largest and most far-reaching randomized vitamin D trial. The study followed nearly 26,000 healthy adults, randomized to receive either 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D or a placebo (安慰剂), for an average of 5.3 years. The volunteers were almost evenly split between men and women, and 20 percent of the participants were black.

The results came as a shock. Not only did vitamin D not reduce rates of cancer or heart disease, but the trial also found that vitamin D did not prevent or improve cognitive function, or reduce the risk of bone fractures (骨折). The finding about fractures “was a real surprise to many people,” Manson says.

In 2011, the Institute of Medicine established an expert committee to conduct a thorough analysis of all existing studies on vitamin D and health. The committee concluded that the bone-strengthening benefits of vitamin D remain steady when blood levels reach 12 to 16 nanograms per millililter. They also found that there were no benefits to having levels above 20ng/ml. According to measurements of vitamin D levels in the general U. S. population, most had levels of 20 ng/ml or more in 2011. Levels have actually risen since then, meaning that most people don’t need to take extra vitamin D.

The ups and downs of vitamin D offer a lesson in humility. The relation between the vitamin and disease is far more complicated than it first seemed and a reminder that scientific understanding is always developing over time.

1. What is the problem with the early studies regarding vitamin D?

A．No related cases were involved.	B．They lack convincing evidence.
C．No observation was conducted.	D．They fail to account for anything.

2. Why were 20 percent of the participants black in Manson’s trial?

A．To identify vitamin D-related disease.	B．To help solve the problems they faced.
C．To make their findings more reliable.	D．To show their respect for the minority.

3. What do you know about the findings in paragraph 3 and 4?

A．They proved vitamin D was the cure for disease.

B．They revealed that vitamin D made no difference.

C．They came as no surprise to Manson and her team.

D．They updated people’s knowledge about vitamin D.

4. What should we realize from the ups and downs of vitamin D?

A．Scientific understanding is dynamic.	B．We should not believe the old theories.
C．Research into vitamins is worthwhile.	D．Some diseases are practically incurable.

3 . 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。

I am the kind of person who is shy and doesn’t express himself much among others. I spend a significant amount of time on introspection（内省）. I lack the ease to engage in conversations with others. But I find this, on the other hand, can be an advantage.

Once, as a school boy, I wondered if I, such an introverted（内向的） person, would be considered eccentric （古怪的）. And I was even afraid that I could possibly get nowhere in my study.

I went to school, where I was just an average student and struggled with shyness. My parents had high expectations, hoping I would finally be able to secure the first position at the end of the sixth grade. However, achieving that was no easy job. Given the keen competition between classmates and my then situation, it was challenging to stand out. I inquired with my friend, Tom, who consistently ranked first, and he revealed that his two aunts had been helping him, providing tutoring support.

Asking for help was never easy for me; my shyness stopped me from seeking assistance. I believed that I had to depend on myself—it was my sole responsibility to learn and educate myself. This mindset surprisingly ignited（激发）a race within me to claim the top position in my class. However, I realized there were barriers on my path--several subjects troubled me. And I understood that achieving the first position would take a couple of years of hard work.

I embarked on（开始） this journey when I was in the fourth grade. Attention focused in class and more time spent after class, I found I was gradually on the right track. By the fifth grade, work on my study was progressing steadily and improvement was obvious. Even Tom showed his surprise or I could say envy. But I knew my performance in writing still needed improving. And I knew, though without additional support, I could count on myself.

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。

Paragraph 1: The journey continued into the sixth grade.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: The day arrived when the headmaster declared the exam results.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Following Zibo and Harbin, Tianshui, an ancient Silk Road city in Northwest China’s Gansu Province, became the latest place that has caused     1     nationwide craze thanks to its malatang, or spicy hot pot. Tianshui spicy hot pot     2    (make) by cooking raw ingredients(原料) —meats, vegetables and noodles, in a pot of boiling broth. Then they are rolled into a large steel basin, drizzled with garlic sauce, sprinkled with Tianshui peppercorns and crushed peanuts,     3    (brush) with bright red chili oil, and colored with coriander and green onions. Fragrant and     4    (visual) appealing, it provokes(刺激) taste buds on the tip of tourists’ tongue. Different     5     Sichuan cuisine, the secrets to the unique flavor and attractive appearance of Tianshui malatang come from local speciality ingredients in Tianshui—Gangu chili peppers and Maiji peppercorns, both     6    (belong)to local speciality agricultural industries. Unlike the peppers used throughout Sichuan, the Tianshui pepper is fragrant and juicy. It     7    (burn) in the mouth but is smooth in the stomach.

Tianshui not only has delicious spicy hot pot food, but also stands out for its distinctive     8    (region)culture. Its grottoes and murals(石窟与壁画) are among the most famous art     9    (form) in Gansu. The Maijishan Grottoes,     10     are home to 221caves and more than 1,000 square meters of ancient murals, are known for their impressive beauty.

5 . Have you ever felt the need to grab a pen and start writing your thoughts on paper? Words—beautiful and fascinating. But you know what is better than putting your imagination somewhere? In my case, to win the competition for the best novelist.

That was a small tournament organized by my school annually to _______ our creative writing and vivid imagination. Since I had a burning passion for _______, I decided to show my power. I thought no one could _______ me.

I finished a long story and e-mailed it. As I _______ the email every day, my eyes were wandering to _______ the line “Congratulations! It is a great pleasure to inform you that…” _______, no such thing came.

I was not accepted. I _______ my abilities. The next day at school, I tried my best to be _______, avoiding the usual contact. But in the corridor, I _______ Stacy Williams, my school rival. Could she be the ________? I started walking sneakily. In class, I was just looking out of the window at the ________ clouds which were a reflection of my soul.

Thankfully, a film that night—Forrest Gump lifted my ________. I wouldn’t let a stupid competition ________ my future. I could win on the next one or even at a better tournament. The important thing was to ________ my head and face my challenges without losing hope when everything seemed ________.

1.

A．advertise

B．demonstrate

C．defend

D．distinguish

2.

A．speaking

B．acting

C．dancing

D．writing

3.

A．beat

B．touch

C．contradict

D．dominate

4.

A．answered

B．sent

C．checked

D．shared

5.

A．notice

B．smell

C．taste

D．feel

6.

A．Moreover

B．Otherwise

C．However

D．Hence

7.

A．abused

B．overestimated

C．enhanced

D．proved

8.

A．moody

B．normal

C．natural

D．invisible

9.

A．encountered

B．shadowed

C．greeted

D．congratulated

10.

A．sponsor

B．organizer

C．reporter

D．winner

11.

A．clean

B．dark

C．soft

D．light

12.

A．spirits

B．eyes

C．boundary

D．restriction

13.

A．promote

B．decide

C．sustain

D．safeguard

14.

A．lower

B．position

C．straighten

D．shake

15.

A．never-ending

B．abstract

C．contradictory

D．hopeless

6 . In Hollywood, few actors have experienced a career as diverse and prolific as Harrison Ford. From the fearless Indiana Jones to the charming Han Solo and the world-weary Rick Deckard, Ford’s portrayal (饰演) of iconic characters has left a permanent mark on cinema and pop culture. Yet, the irony lies in how many of his career-defining roles fell into this “late bloomer’s” lap by chance.

Born in Chicago, Harrison was discouraged from pursuing a career on the silver screen early on, having failed to land any significant parts. Instead, he turned to professional carpentry (木工) as a means to keep his family fed.

But fate had other plans. While working as a carpenter in Hollywood, Ford crossed paths with numerous celebrity clients such as Joan Didion and, most notably, director George Lucas, who hired him to build cabinets for his office. Little did Ford know that this chance encounter would lead to his breakthrough role as the charming Han Solo in Star Wars. Lucas was impressed by Ford’s presence and offered him the iconic role. In time, Ford rose to a star.

Ford’s next lucky moment came when he tried out for the role of Indiana Jones in a massive project by Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Spielberg initially wanted Ford for the role, but Lucas was hesitant as he had already worked with Ford on Star War and 1973’s American Graffiti. Then the production team tried many other possibilities but without luck. Eventually, the role went to Ford, strengthening his status as a Hollywood legend.

The film series became a worldwide sensation, stimulating people’s imagination and inspiring a generation of future archaeologists. Over 40 years and four films later, Ford found himself completing the series with the fifth and final installment. Eighty-one-year-old Harrison received a five-minute standing ovation (鼓掌) at the Cannes Film Festival Premiere and picked up an honorary Palmed’ Or for his achievements.

Ford’s commitment to his career is evident as he said, “I love the work! My luck has been to work with incredibly talented people, to find my way into this crowd of geniuses.” Despite his legendary status in Hollywood, Ford’s humility shines through.

1. What does the underlined word “prolific” probably mean in paragraph 1?

A．Productive.

B．Fruitless.

C．Hard-earned.

D．Promising.

2. What made Harrison discouraged in his early film career?

A．His lack of talent.	B．The uncertain prospect.
C．The dull industry.	D．His family opposition.

3. What is the factor highlighted in the passage in Ford’s landing the important roles?

A．His good fortune.	B．His convincing acting.
C．His fine reputation.	D．His big circle of friends.

4. Which of the following best describes Harrison?

A．A rising film genius.	B．A humble carpenter.
C．A Hollywood legend.	D．A fearless challenger.

7 . The Best Maldives Island for Your Travel Style

Every resort (度假地) in Maldives is its own private island but choosing the right one for you can be difficult. Want to kick off your Indian Ocean holiday in style? Our guide will help you know what to look for in the hunt for your ideal island.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

You’ll never go hungry at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, which has 11 restaurants, including ones specializing in garden-to-table cuisine. There are regular food-themed events, too — our favorites include Arabian Night and the Twilight Seafood Barbecue.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives

Considered one of the best spots in the Maldives for honeymoons, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives has a huge range of room categories and offers a brilliant selection of packages, including Island Romance packages that feature fantastic extras designed with couples in mind.

Fairmont Maldives

There are numerous reasons to visit the Fairmont Maldives, including the fact that it’s a great place to learn about sustainability, whether it’s at the Sustainability Lab, where guests can turn discarded plastic bottles into jewelry or during excursions with marine biologists from a charity created to protect sea turtles.

Heritance Aarah

Heritance Aarah recently opened its Live Maldivian Village Museum, which focuses on 4,000 years of Maldivian history. Guests can learn about the art of coral stone carving and find out why locals are known as some of the world’s best boat builders.

To ensure you experience the Maldives’ best bits, schedule a holiday every month without fail. We’re joking, but you get the point: think what you want to see and do, and brush up on the different areas’ seasonal selling points.

1. Who are the target readers of the article?

A．Sports lovers.	B．Travel enthusiasts.
C．Wilderness explorers.	D．Travel agents.

2. What do you know about the four islands recommended?

A．They are the first four most-visited sites.	B．They have their own unique characteristics.
C．They are just tailored for young couples.	D．They feature absolute peace and tranquility.

3. Why does the author make suggestions in the last paragraph?

A．To persuade you to journey to Maldives.	B．To urge you to start a holiday early.
C．To remind you not to miss selling points.	D．To help you choose the ideal island.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How do you think the three members felt in their situations?

A．Confused.

B．Saddened.

C．Panic-struck.

2. What caused their misunderstanding?

A．The improper way to nod.

B．Typical modes of thinking.

C．Unfamiliar foreign cultures.

3. What does a nod mean in America?

A．It means “Yes”.

B．It means “No”.

C．It means nothing.

4. What are the three examples meant to tell us?

A．Miscommunications happen between cultures.

B．Exposure to a foreign culture is exciting indeed.

C．Ways to greet can be different across the globe.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What are the speakers talking about?

A．A house for rent.

B．An advertisement.

C．The house owner.

2. What does the woman care about a lot?

A．The garage.

B．The living space.

C．The garden.

3. How does the man like the house?

A．Just so so.

B．100%perfect.

C．Satisfactory.

4. What is the phone number of the house owner?

A．01864445338.

B．01764444328.

C．01764445328.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why does the man make the call?

A．To reschedule his plane tickets.

B．To confirm his flight information.

C．To inquire about discount tickets.

2. What makes it impossible for the man to enjoy the special rates?

A．His five-day meeting.

B．His departure time.

C．The rigid rules.

3. What does the bad news mean to the man?

A．Asking another airline.

B．Accepting a regular ticket.

C．Giving up the meeting.