1 . According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, the number of solar panels installed(安装)has grown rapidly in the past decade, and it has to grow even faster to meet climate goals. But all of that growth will take up a lot of space, and though more and more people accept the concept of solar energy, few like large solar panels to be installed near them.
Solar developers want to put up panels as quickly and cheaply as possible, so they haven’t given much thought to what they put under them. Often, they’ll end up filling the area with small stones and using chemicals to control weeds. The result is that many communities, especially in farming regions, see solar farms as destroyers of the soil.
“Solar projects need to be good neighbors,” says Jordan Macknick, the head of the Innovative Site Preparation and Impact Reductions on the Environment(InSPIRE)project. “They need to be protectors of the land and contribute to the agricultural economy.” InSPIRE is investigating practical approaches to “low-impact” solar development, which focuses on establishing and operating solar farms in a way that is kinder to the land. One of the easiest low-impact solar strategies is providing habitat for pollinators(传粉昆虫).
Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change have caused dramatic declines in pollinator populations over the past couple of decades, which has damaged the U.S. agricultural economy. Over 28 states have passed laws related to pollinator habitat protection and pesticide use. Conservation organizations put out pollinator-friendliness guidelines for home gardens, businesses, schools, cities—and now there are guidelines for solar farms.
Over the past few years, many solar farm developers have transformed the space under their solar panels into a shelter for various kinds of pollinators, resulting in soil improvement and carbon reduction. “These pollinator-friendly solar farms can have a valuable impact on everything that’s going on in the landscape,” says Macknick.
1. What do solar developers often ignore?| A．The decline in the demand for solar energy. |
| B．The negative impact of installing solar panels. |
| C．The rising labor cost of building solar farms. |
| D．The most recent advances in solar technology. |
| A．Improve the productivity of local farms. |
| B．Invent new methods for controlling weeds. |
| C．Make solar projects environmentally friendly. |
| D．Promote the use of solar energy in rural areas. |
| A．To conserve pollinators. | B．To restrict solar development. |
| C．To diversify the economy. | D．To ensure the supply of energy. |
| A．Pollinators: To Leave or to Stay | B．Solar Energy: Hope for the Future |
| C．InSPIRE: A Leader in Agriculture | D．Solar Farms: A New Development |
2 . Goffin’s cockatoos, a kind of small parrot native to Australasia, have been shown to have similar shape-recognition abilities to a human two-year-old. Though not known to use tools in the wild, the birds have proved skilful at tool use while kept in the cage. In a recent experiment, cockatoos were presented with a box with a nut inside it. The clear front of the box had a “keyhole” in a geometric shape, and the birds were given five differently shaped “keys” to choose from. Inserting the correct “key” would let out the nut.
In humans, babies can put a round shape in a round hole from around one year of age, but it will be another year before they are able to do the same with less symmetrical (对称的) shapes. This ability to recognize that a shape will need to be turned in a specific direction before it will fit is called an “allocentric frame of reference”. In the experiment, Goffin’s cockatoos were able to select the right tool for the job, in most cases, by visual recognition alone. Where trial-and-error was used, the cockatoos did better than monkeys in similar tests. This indicates that Goffin’s cockatoos do indeed possess an allocentric frame of reference when moving objects in space, similar to two-year-old babies.
The next step, according to the researchers, is to try and work out whether the cockatoos rely entirely on visual clues (线索), or also use a sense of touch in making their shape selections.
1. How did the cockatoos get the nut from the box in the experiment?| A．By following instructions. | B．By using a tool. |
| C．By turning the box around. | D．By removing the lid. |
| A．Using a key to unlock a door. | B．Telling parrots from other birds. |
| C．Putting a ball into a round hole. | D．Grouping toys of different shapes. |
| A．How far they are able to see. |
| B．How they track moving objects. |
| C．Whether they are smarter than monkeys. |
| D．Whether they use a sense of touch in the test. |
| A．Cockatoos: Quick Error Checkers | B．Cockatoos: Independent Learners |
| C．Cockatoos: Clever Signal-Readers | D．Cockatoos: Skillful Shape-Sorters |
| A．How to fry fish. |
| B．How to make coffee. |
| C．How to remove a bad smell. |
1. 人物简介；
2. 尊敬和爱戴的原因。
注意:
1. 词数100左右；
2. 短文题目和首句已为你写好。
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5 . Adults understand what it feels like to be flooded with objects. Why do we often assume that more is more when it comes to kids and their belongings? The good news is that I can help my own kids learn earlier than I did how to live more with less.
I found the pre-holidays a good time to encourage young children to donate less-used things, and it worked. Because of our efforts, our daughter Georgia did decide to donate a large bag of toys to a little girl whose mother was unable to pay for her holiday due to illness. She chose to sell a few larger objects that were less often used when we promised to put the money into her school fund(基金)(our kindergarten daughter is serious about becoming a doctor)
For weeks, I've been thinking of bigger, deeper questions: How do we make it a habit for them? And how do we train ourselves to help them live with, need, and use less? Yesterday, I sat with my son, Shepherd, determined to test my own theory on this. I decided to play with him with only one toy for as long as it would keep his interest. I expected that one toy would keep his attention for about five minutes, ten minutes, max. I chose a red rubber ball-simple, universally available. We passed it, he tried to put it in his mouth, he tried bouncing it, rolling it, sitting on it, throwing it. It was totally, completely enough for him. Before I knew it an hour had passed and it was time to move on to lunch.
We both became absorbed in the simplicity of playing together. He had my full attention and I had his. My little experiment to find joy in a single object worked for both of us.
1. What do the words “more is more” in paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．The more, the better. | B．Enough is enough. |
| C．More money, more worries. | D．Earn more and spend more. |
| A．Saving up for her holiday | B．Raising money for a poor girl |
| C．Adding the money to her fund | D．Giving the money to a sick mother |
| A．To try out an idea |
| B．To show a parent’s love |
| C．To train his attention |
| D．To help him start a hobby |
| A．Take It or Leave It | B．A Lesson from Kids |
| C．Live More with Less | D．The Pleasure of Giving |
6 . Pacific Science Center Guide
◆Visit Pacific Science Center’s Store
Don’t forget to stop by Pacific Science Center’s Store while you are here to pick up a wonderful science activity or souvenir to remember your visit. The store is located(位于) upstairs in Building 3 right next to the Laser Dome.
◆Hungry
Our exhibits will feed your mind, but what about your body? Our café offers a complete menu of lunch and snack options, in addition to seasonal specials. The café is located upstairs in Building 1 and is open daily until one hour before Pacific Science Center closes.
◆Rental Information
Lockers are available to store any belongings during your visit. The lockers are located in Building 1 near the Information Desk and in Building 3. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are available to rent at the Information Desk and Denny Way entrance. ID required.
◆Support Pacific Science Center
Since 1962, Pacific Science Center has been inspiring a passion(热情) for discovery and lifelong learning in science, math and technology. Today, Pacific Science Center serves more than 1.3 million people a year and brings inquiry-based science education to classrooms and community events all over Washington State. It’s an amazing accomplishment and one we cannot achieve without generous support from individuals, corporations, and other social organizations. Visit pacificsciencecenter.org to find various ways you can support Pacific Science Center.
1. Where can you buy a souvenir at Pacific Science Center?| A．In Building 1. |
| B．In Building 3. |
| C．At the the Laser Dome. |
| D．At the Denny Way entrance. |
| A．Train Science teachers. |
| B．Distribute science books. |
| C．Inspire scientific research. |
| D．Take science to the classroom. |
| A．To encourage donations. |
| B．To advertise coming events. |
| C．To introduce special exhibits. |
| D．To tell about the Center’s history. |
7 . In his new book The Journeys of Trees, science writer Zach St. George explores an extremely slow migration(迁 徙), as forests move inch by inch to more hospitable places. As old trees die and new ones grow up, the forest is—ever so slightly—moving, he writes. “Through the fossils(化石) that ancient forests left behind, scientists can track their movement. They move back and forth across continents, like migrating birds or whales.”
This has happened over thousands of years, and climate change tends to be the driving force—pushing and pulling forests around the globe. Of course, today, climate change is speeding up, and trees can’t keep pace. Take Califomnia: It’s getting hotter and drier and scientists estimate that before too long, Joshua Tree National Park may not be able to sustain Joshua trees. Zach St. George describes a similar threat to Sequoia National Park, during California’s long and severe drought a few years back.
Scientists worried that maybe Sequoia National Park would no longer be the place for giant sequoias. St. George thinks at some point we will lose these ancient trees and we will have to think about what we do with the places, and do we plant new ones somewhere else? This is known as “assisted migration”—humans planting trees in other places where they’re more likely to grow well. But this process carries risks—people can accidentally introduce insects and diseases to new places, where they may wipe out entire native populations. So, St. George writes, there’s a debate among conservationists and foresters today: Should humans help the trees escape?
“I think there are going to be instances where people are probably going to step in and help species move to places where they’ll be more suitable in the future,” St. George says. “And I met a lot of people in the process who have felt sorry about what has been lost and what will be lost—and are still continuing to try and do good and work in the moment for small things.”
1. What does the underlined word “They” in Paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Animals. | B．Fossils. | C．Scientists. | D．Forests. |
| A．To confirm the problem of the loss of tree species is serious. |
| B．To argue humans should be responsible for the loss of trees. |
| C．To explain climate change results in the migration of forests. |
| D．To prove forests can slow down the process of climate change. |
| A．It can prevent the trees escaping. |
| B．It can promote biological diversity. |
| C．It may help to protect the forests. |
| D．It may affect species in new places. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Ambiguous. | D．Intolerant. |
8 . I worked in a small company with about thirty-five employees (雇员). We had a good-sized kitchen with a fridge that several employees used. But people would often go to the fridge to surprisingly find either their whole lunch missing, or in my case, my can of Cherry Coke gone. I usually kept it in my lunch bag. At times when I bought takeaway food, I would get two—one for lunch and one for dinner—so I didn’t have my lunch bag. Even so, I often couldn’t find the food. It was a shock to everyone.
We doubted who was stealing, but could never prove (证明) it. One day, a good idea came to my mind, and I couldn’t wait to try it.
It was break time at noon. I headed down to the kitchen about five minutes early and gave my Coke such a hard shake that I feared it may actually go off in my hands. I placed it back in the fridge. Then, I hid into a cupboard in the kitchen, waiting for the right moment.
BINGO! A lady came in and took the Coke. I put my hand over my mouth for her to open it, but she took it with her and left. I thought she would open it in the hall. No!
As I left the kitchen, I heard her yell (叫喊). I passed her office, and Coke was everywhere: the walls, the floor, all over her desk, computer, her work, and all over her—everywhere!
Well, food has never gone missing again since then because the lady got fired.
1. Why did the employees feel surprised?| A．Their lunch was often lost. |
| B．The fridge was full of free food. |
| C．The kitchen was never clean. |
| D．The company was small-sized. |
| A．To play a joke on the lady. |
| B．To carry out some repairs inside. |
| C．To find out who was stealing. |
| D．To prove who was the best worker. |
| A．The kitchen. | B．The drink | C．The hand. | D．The fridge. |
| A．A small company. | B．An honest lady. |
| C．A special lunch. | D．An office story. |
1.表示安慰；
2.给出建议。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Jim,
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Yours,
Li Hua
10 . My new teacher is cool. Her name is Paula so we call her Miss Paula.
The first time we met her she said we are going to be good friends and that good friends are always nice to each other.
Miss Paula has been teaching us a lot of things. Some of us used to get in trouble for talking in the hallway (过道). Miss Paula says she can’t change the rule that we can’t make noise in the hallway but we can still talk to each other. She is teaching us sign language. I already know how to say “hello” and “how are you” with my hands. Now we love it when we have to walk somewhere and we are always quiet except for a laugh or two.
Miss Paula likes everybody even Sam and nobody likes Sam. He never does what he’s told but now he is doing better. Miss Paula says every single one of us is perfect and beautiful just the way we are. I guess that includes Sam.
This week at school was really the best ever. I didn’t even get in trouble when I thought I would because I spilled (洒) milk on my homework and had to hand it in when it was still wet. Miss Paula just smiled and asked “What’s this?” So I told her what happened. Miss Paula put it near the window to make it dry. She said the sun had been waiting for such an important job as this and would be happy to help us.
Well I have to go and get ready for bed now. I have school in the morning and I want to wake up early so I will have time to pick Miss Paula some flowers.
1. From the passage we know that Miss Paula ________.| A．is strict with the writer | B．changed the school rules |
| C．is very kind to her students | D．uses sign language in class |
| A．Sam dislikes his new teacher. | B．Sam has made some progress. |
| C．Sam is often praised by Miss Paula. | D．Sam is one of the writer’s best friends. |
| A．Bored. | B．Excited. | C．Relaxed. | D．Worried. |
| A．loves and respects her new teacher | B．is a bit afraid of her new teacher |
| C．always picks her teacher some flowers | D．wrote this article in the morning |
