1 . The impact of the man-made climate crisis on Antarctica is scientifically undeniable: stable ice shelves are retreating, air temperature increased by 3 degrees Celsius. krill(磷虾)numbers are declining, melting ice is contributing to sea level rise, and polar bears and seals are getting displaced. “Antarctic biodiversity could decline substantially by the end of the century if we continue with business as usual.” Jasmine Rachael Lee, lead author of the University of Queensland study says.

Published in the journal PLOS Biology, the study finds population declines are likely for 65% of the continent’s plants and wildlife by the year 2100. The most vulnerable(脆弱的)species is the Emperor penguins. In October 2022, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed Emperor penguins as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act(ESA), as experts predict the flightless seabird will see a 26% to 47% dip in its population by 2050. “This listing reflects the growing extinction crisis and highlights the importance of the ESA and efforts to conserve species before population declines become irreversible(不可逆转).” said Service Director Martha Williams at the time.

Aside from Emperor penguins, other Antarctic specialists, like the Adélie penguin and dry soil nematodes, were also highly vulnerable. We urgently need a combination of global and local conservation action to best conserve Antarctic species. Global action and global voices to help relieve climate change—because the biggest threat to Antarctica is coming from outside of it. And then we need local actions to help protect biodiversity against local threats and give them the best chance of adapting to climate changes. This will help to save our iconic(代表性的)species like the Emperor penguins and all of Antarctica’s unique and highly adapted inhabitants. It will also help humankind, as we rely heavily on the priceless services the Antarctic provides in regulating our climate and capturing sea level in its ice sheets.

1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?

A．The impact of climate crisis is usually denied.

B．Conservation efforts are badly needed.

C．Air temperature on Antarctic increases 3℃ annually.

D．Sea level rise results in seabirds losing their habitats.

2. Why is the Emperor penguin mentioned in Paragraph 2?

A．To serve as a call to protect wildlife on Antarctic

B．To reflect the growing population of wild species.

C．To prove the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act.

D．To highlight the severe impact of rising temperature.

3. What is probably the best conservation policy?

A．Reducing the chances of making a trip to Antarctic.

B．Making joint efforts to relieve climate change.

C．Attempting to provide essential nutrients to the ecosystem.

D．Continuing to carry forward the Endangered Species Act.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Plants and Wildlife on Antarctica Will Decline Quickly

B．Antarctic Species Are Vulnerable to Human Threats

C．More Action Should Be Taken to Protect Wildlife on Antarctica

D．The Best Conservation Strategy Will Be Carried Out Soon

2 . We often try to save money for a variety of different reasons. It might be to save up for a new computer or put money aside into a rainy-day fund.     1    , but a recent study showed that over half of all 22~29-year-olds living in the UK have no savings at all. Did they max out on too many things, or are there other factors? And how can we become better savers?

First, put a stop to those impulse buys.     2    , even if it is on sale or looks like a bargain. Impulse buys are done in the heat of the moment and without thought for what it’s costing you. Encouraging yourself to question your purchase before you buy allows you to process what you are doing.

    3    . Withdraw cash before you go to a restaurant or shopping and set a fixed budget you must stick to. Also, any change that comes from your transactions when you’re using cash can be put in jar and deposited into your account.

Finally, be disciplined.     4    . It’s about sticking to it, too. You shouldn’t be dipping into your savings every time you feel like it. Setting up a standing order from your current account into your savings the moment you receive your salary will ensure you keep up the habit.     5    .

Just as the old saying goes: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” These are some of the actions we can take to help us all become better savers.

A．Learning how to save is important

B．Ask about discounts and pay in cash

C．It’s not just about creating that budget

D．Sometimes, saving money can be difficult

E．Another way is to use cash rather than card

F．Ask yourself if you really need to buy something

G．Successful savers stick to their plans and watch the money pile up

3 . 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。

HEFEI- Three Dalmatian pelicans (卷羽鹈鹕), or Pelecanus crispus, were spotted at Chaohu Lake for the first time, the fifth    1    (large) freshwater lake in the country.

The rare birds    2     (photograph) on Wednesday by a local biological resources survey team and two birdwatchers.     3    number of Dalmatian pelicans, a national first class protected species, is quite small in China.    4    , it is rare to see three of    5    (they) at the same time, according to Yu Lei, a bird expert on the local biological resources survey team.

“This wading bird, which feeds on fish, has a high level of alertness and requires a good    6    (live) environment. The fishing ban in the lake and the improved environment are reasons behind the    7    (appear) of these pelicans,” said Yu, adding that they migrated here    8    (spend) the winter.

More than 80 birds, such as little swans and cormorants, were also spotted on Wednesday at the lake. Hefei City,     9    the lake is located,    10    (take) a number of measures to strengthen the protection of 10 major wetlands around Chaohu Lake in recent years, including banning fishing, land reclamation and waste dumping in the protected zones.

4 . Maybe your days are always busy. Between work, caring for kids and handling the housework, it’s hard to find time to relax. When you get into bed, you find yourself picking up your phone and just scrolling (滚屏).    1    This behaviour is called “revenge bedtime procrastination (报复性睡前拖延症)”.

It comes from a phrase that describes the habits of workers who put off sleep to have free activities as a way to make up for long workdays.    2    Not getting enough rest affects the way you will function at work and at school the next day. In the long term, it has harmful effects on health. Here are some ways to break the cycle of bedtime procrastination.

Get out of bed and do something.

Get up and finish that thing for work. Or walk around the house and wash dishes- whatever will settle your mind.    3    Then you could go back to bed and fall asleep just fine.

    4    

Minimizing how much light gets into the bedroom promotes sleep. Consider setting up blackout curtains (遮光帘) or room-darkening shades. Cooler temperatures can also help sleep better. If you don’t want to run the air conditioner or a fan all night, try rethinking what you wear to bed.

Make a bedtime routine and stick to it.

Take a bath, change into pajamas (睡衣) and curl up (蜷曲着坐) with a book before turning out the lights. A bedtime routine helps young children relax before bed. It works just as well for adults.    5    

A．But the behaviour comes at a price.

B．Create a good sleep environment.

C．Decorate your room according to your needs.

D．At most times, you will get really sleepy.

E．The more you can create regularity around sleep, the better it’s for you.

F．You make every effort to control your own time, but in vain.

G．You stay up past your bedtime, despite being tired and knowing you’d better go to sleep.

5 . Fashion rental has been on the increase for a few years, similar to trends such as up-cycling and charity shopping. It seems likely to be another pandemic related trend, pushing people to think about fashion consumption and sustainable living — a positive to come out of an isolating two years. Maybe more sustainable way of looking and thinking about fashion is the industry’s future.

According to Fashion United, the fashion rental market is “expected to grow more than 10% year-on-year until 2027”. Rental is a positive in the rapidly changing world of fashion. It is not a trend; it is a solution to limiting the unnecessary production and consumption of clothing.

Sue Ingle, owner of Heavenly Hat Hire, says her main customers are “those attending weddings and races”. Discussing the cost of living, she explains how “people are unwilling to pay £200 for a hat they may only wear once”, so paying a percentage of this on a rental is more affordable and therefore more accessible to a wider audience.

Fashion rental is widening its market. Luxury department stores such as Selfridges and Harrods join forces with rental companies to provide designer items on loan. So why go to a smaller business? From purchasing experience, small businesses often have a more personal feel with extra touches, which are not needed but much appreciated. Heavenly Hat Hire invites customers to book an appointment to try on hats. Sue names the hats to give them a more personal feel and loves it when a customer comes in telling her “I don’t suit hats and never wear them”, then an hour later leaves happily with a hat in hand.

If the pandemic revealed anything to the fashion industry, it is that no brand, no matter its scale, is completely secure. We should support the companies thinking about environmental impact and making improvements to become more sustainable. Small businesses providing this as well as exceptional services should get all our support.

Fashion rental is around to fill the gap in your wardrobe when necessary. As Sue says, “We all need to buy less and love what we already have a little bit more.”

1. What does the author intend to show in Paragraph 3?

A．The change of fashion.	B．The reason for the rise of fashion rental.
C．The promising future of fashion rental.	D．Rental’s accessibility to a wide audience.

2. Why are Selfridges and Harrods mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．To prove fashion rental’s huge profit.	B．To introduce some famous clothing brands.
C．To show fashion rental gains popularity.	D．To appeal to more stores to join in the trade.

3. What type of smaller businesses should be chosen to cooperate with?

A．Fund-saving.	B．Flexible and movable.
C．Fast developing.	D．Eco-friendly.

4. What is the author s attitude towards fashion rental?

A．Approving.

B．Critical.

C．Objective.

D．Unclear.

6 . Sunflowers are huge plants with bright yellow flowers. They have a long history in North America. There is evidence that they were used for food and for medicine by Native Americans beginning around 1000 B. C. The seeds from sunflowers were likely brought to Europe by Spanish explorers around the late 16th century. Over time, they found their way to Eastern Europe. Today, Ukraine is the world’s leading producer of the plants. Sunflowers are grown for their seeds and to make oil.

If you start growing sunflowers from seeds, put them in room-temperature water for 2-8 hours before planting to start the growing process. Plant each seed into dirt 2.5 centimetres deep and 15 to 30 centimetres apart. Plant them after the danger of frost has passed or start indoors three weeks before your last frost date. Keep the soil wet, but not too wet, until the seeds begin to grow.

Sunflower plants can be moved outdoors when the danger of frost has passed in your area. Choose a place outside that will provide the plants with at least 6- 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

As the plants grow, they will develop long roots that work their way deep into the ground. So, before planting, it is important to loosen the soil. Dig at least one third of a metre down and remove any rocks.

Mixa large amount of compost (堆肥) into the soil where the plant will grow. Compost provides important, lasting nutrients that will help the plants all season long. The sunflowers may not need additional nutrients if they are planted with compost. If compost is not added during the planting process, provide nutrients through a slow release, all-purpose fertilizer (肥料) one or two times during the growing season.

1. What can be known about the sunflower in Paragraph 1?

A．It originated in South America.	B．It was initially used to make oil.
C．It has a history of 3,000 years or so.	D．It was taken to Europe by British explorers.

2. What are sunflower growers advised to do?

A．Keep the seeds in water for 10 hours.

B．Plant seeds 2.5 centimetres apart.

C．Never put new plants in direct sunlight each day.

D．Plant seeds indoors 21 days before your last frost date.

3. Why is it important to loosen the soil before planting?

A．It is friendly to roots’ growth.	B．It helps to hold water in the soil.
C．It guarantees adequate supplies of air.	D．It is more efficient in keeping temperature.

4. What are Paragraphs 2-5 mainly about?

A．How to select sunflowers.	B．How to grow sunflowers.
C．When to fertilize sunflowers.	D．When to move sunflowers.

7 . Fourteen-year-old Harini Logan won the Scripps National Spelling Bee last Thursday, defeating 12-year-old Vikram Raju in a tiebreaker. It’s the first time that the contest has ever been decided by a tie-breaking round of spelling.

A spelling bee is a contest where players take turns spelling words. Though the bee is mainly about spelling, it also focuses on the meaning of the words. During parts of the contest, students were asked to choose the correct meaning of a word.

That caused trouble for Harini. She was asked about the meaning of the word “pullulation”. She said the word described the nesting of birds. The contest organizers had expected the answer to be the “swarming of bees”. Harini was removed from the contest. But soon she was back in- the judges double-checked and learned that Harini’s definition was also correct. One by one, the other students spelled a word wrong and got out. Finally, only Harini and Vikram were left.

To make ties much less likely, a “spell-off” was added to the contest in recent years. In the spell-off, Vikram and Harini each took turns trying to spell the words they were asked, but both made blunders. At one point, Harini could have won by spelling the word “drimys” (a kind of plant) correctly. But she missed it.

That put the two into a super tie-breaking event, where they were each given 90 seconds to correctly spell as many words as they could. The New York Times reports that the two spelled so quickly that the judges needed to review the video to see who had won. In 90 seconds, Vikram had spelled 15 words correctly, Harini had 21 correct spellings, making her the new winner.

This was Harini’s fourth at the Bee and it’s the first time she’s made it to the finals. Describing her win, she said, “This is just such a dream!”

1. What does Paragraph 2 mainly tell us about the spelling bee?

A．Its significant meaning.	B．Its competition content.
C．The importance of spelling.	D．Players’ struggle for spelling.

2. What happened to Harini?

A．She failed to enter the final round.	B．She was confident about her answer.
C．Her answer was misjudged at first.	D．She refused to accept the judgement.

3. What does the underlined word “blunders” mean in Paragraph 4?

A．Efforts.

B．Ways.

C．Senses.

D．Mistakes.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．A Tie-Breaking Event

B．Scripps National Spelling Bee

C．Teen Wins Spelling Bee in Exciting Tie- Breaker

D．A Girl’s First Time to Make Her Dream Come True

8 . When the May bank holiday weekend is around the corner, you may be finding yourself thinking of ideas to keep the kids entertained or simply to make the most of the extra day off. Luckily, we’ve got you a guide to some of the top things to do in the UK this weekend.

Climb The O2

The O2 is a multi-purpose indoor arena (体育馆) in London. One of its great attractions is the world-famous roof. You can take an amazing outdoor climb over it. Upon reaching the top, climbers will be rewarded with amazing 360-degree views across the city. You can choose from daytime, sunset or twilight climbs. Reserve your seats before availability as they are limited.

Search for a National Trust site

The National Trust is a charity and membership organization. Although its focus may be different by region (地区), the basic role is to preserve historically significant items and areas of natural beauty. Exploring new National Trust sites can be a fun way to do something different, whether they’re attractive gardens or ancient forests. To give you a helping hand, the National Trust actually has a guide that collects the best events to enjoy in spring.

Explore the soul of Madrid

Madri Excepcional, the Mediterranean-style beer, will serve u the soul of Madrid in London this bank holiday weekend, in celebration of the food, art, and music to be found in both the Spanish and English capitals. London Bridge’s Vinegar Yard will play host to the special event including performances by famous singers, and original artwork that will be a feast for the eyes.

Go and see a West End show

Wanting a trip to London’s West End to catch a show? There are impressive performances on at the moment including Frozen, Mamma Mia! Back to the Future, Come from Away and other musical dramas. Tickets for these great performances have theatre deals and discounts.

1. What should tourists do to visit The O2?

A．Book tickets in advance.	B．Take a guided tour.
C．Apply for its membership.	D．Leave the roof at sunset.

2. What is special about the National Trust?

A．It holds different events at a fixed place.	B．It is a profitable organization.
C．It aims to protect natural and cultural heritage.	D．It is famous for its garden and forest scenery.

3. What do the last two activities have in common?

A．They invite famous artists.	B．They offer music performances.
C．They give visitors a discount.	D．They serve free snack foods.

9 . It was a cold, sunny December day when I set out for a run in Moab, Utah, with my dog, Taz.

About an hour into my ________ along a remote canyon (峡谷) trail, I hit a patch of black ice (透明薄冰) and then ________ 60 feet into the canyon. I wasn’t paralyzed, but I was in great ________. Taz had managed to ________ his way back to me, so there must be a way out of the canyon, but I couldn’t ________ or even crawl.

I shouted for help and was intent on ________ myself to the bottom of the canyon. Every inch was an effort. It ________ me five hours to go a quarter of a mile. ________, it got so dark that I had to stay where I was for the night, next to a puddle (水坑) of water. At night the temperature dropped below ________. Taz stayed with me, ________ some warmth.The next morning, I couldn’t move at all. I tried to stay ________. The second night in the canyon seemed even ________ and colder. The puddle turned to ice, and I had to ________ it to get water.

On the third day, I felt myself growing weaker. I was coming to terms with the fact that I might ________. In a last ________ , I called Taz over and told him to go and get help. Taz took off through the canyon and I lay there thinking about my family and friends. There was more that I wanted from life.

Taz returned, ________ . Then I heard an engine in the distance. I cried with joy. It ________ that Taz had found a search and ________ team. I was airlifted to the hospital, where doctors found I had lost almost half the ________ in my body. If the rescue team had arrived later, I wouldn’t have ________ it. I was grateful to my faithful friend -Taz.

1.

A．move

B．march

C．walk

D．run

2.

A．fell

B．jumped

C．broke

D．headed

3.

A．loss

B．shock

C．pain

D．need

4.

A．push

B．locate

C．find

D．confirm

5.

A．stand

B．escape

C．cry

D．shout

6.

A．pushing

B．dragging

C．lifting

D．pulling

7.

A．took

B．cost

C．wasted

D．gave

8.

A．Temporarily

B．Eventually

C．Fortunately

D．Initially

9.

A．normal

B．boiling

C．freezing

D．average

10.

A．admiring

B．repeating

C．delivering

D．providing

11.

A．humble

B．confident

C．positive

D．negative

12.

A．quieter

B．longer

C．shorter

D．louder

13.

A．sharpen

B．adopt

C．appreciate

D．crack

14.

A．agree

B．help

C．leave

D．die

15.

A．effort

B．trial

C．chance

D．break

16.

A．alive

B．asleep

C．awake

D．alone

17.

A．came out

B．turned out

C．proved out

D．worked out

18.

A．survey

B．interview

C．rescue

D．sports

19.

A．blood

B．cells

C．water

D．sweat

20.

A．entered

B．made

C．reached

D．got

10 . When I was 13, I climbed my first mountain--a fairly gentle 3,900-foot peak. I was overweight at the time and out of breath when I reached the summit. But I loved challenging myself. Soon I’d climbed nearly 100 peaks. My parents were happy I’d finally found a hobby.

I often go climbing with my friend Mel Olsen. She and I drove to tackle 11, 240-foot Mount Hood. It’s safer to start winter climbs at night when there’s less risk of the sun melting the snowpack. That day, we started at 3 a. m. At around9 a. m., we reached an ice step. It was about three or four feet tall and sloped al a 75-degree angle. 1 volunteered to go first. I placed my left foot on the ice step.

I gained a sense of the ice when 1 stuck my ax and crampons (鞋底钉) into it, and it felt good. Confident I was safe, I put my full weight on it. Suddenly, I heard a crack, and as the snowpack became thinner, a whole piece of ice broke off the step, right under my foot.

In an instant, I fell backward, bouncing off the rock face and rolling down the mountain as if I were a character in a video game. I remember thinking, This is it. You’re done. I stuck out my arms and legs, grabbing at anything. That stopped my rolling down the mountain, but I was still sliding, After 2 few seconds, I came to a stop on a shallow slope.

I asked myself: Where are you? Mount Hood. What’s the date? December 30. Good. My brain was functioning. Then I checked my body to see where I was hurt. For the most part, I was fine, except that I was suffering from a sharp pain in my left leg. Later I’d learn that I’d broken my femur (大腿骨) and that the bone was slicing into my skin and muscle.

At the bottom of Mount Hood, I was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital. The doctors told me it would be a year before I could climb again, but I was back on the trails within six months.

1. Why did the author and her friend set out at 3 a. m. ?

A．It was the best time to enjoy scenery.	B．It was more challenging to climb at night.
C．They wanted to finish the climb before sunset.	D．They hoped to avoid some possible dangers.

2. Why is “a character in a video game” mentioned in paragraph 4?

A．To show her strong character.	B．To make her idea more convincing.
C．To help readers imagine the scene.	D．To add to the humor of the description.

3. How did the author make sure she could still think clearly?

A．By recalling what had happened.	B．By checking whether she was injured.
C．By calling an ambulance for rescue.	D．By asking herself some factual questions.

4. What can we learn about the author?

A．She is too brave to pay attention to any danger.

B．R She has a strong desire for professional knowledge.

C．Setbacks can’t stop her from challenging herself.

D．The love for nature sets her apart from her friends.