1 . Which is better for Earth: an electric or gas-powered vehicle? The answer to this question might seem blindingly obvious. Of course electric cars must be better for the environment, because they don’t give off greenhouse gases as people drive. However, electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t perfect, and they come with their own set of polluting problems. Their batteries require a large amount of energy to produce.

Battery production is just one part of an electric car’s life span. A study looked at the entire life cycle of an EV’s emissions(排放)，from mining the metals for the batteries to producing the electricity needed to power them, and then compared this with the average emissions of a gas-powered vehicle. The team found that when EVs are charged with coal-powered electricity, they’re actually worse for the environment than gas-powered cars.

“Only when connected to the clean energy do EVs have an advantage over the gas-powered cars on a greenhouse gas basis,” said Colin Sheppard, an expert in energy and transportation systems. That’s why more and more countries are decreasing the power supply from coal. In China, the national grid is improving with more efforts in renewable energy. For example, it has twice as much wind energy capacity as the U.S. and it builds more solar panels per year than any other countries.

Sheppard has modelled a future in which all cars are electric. “We want to understand what it might be like if all passenger vehicles were electrified.” The model suggests that if all vehicles in the U.S. were electric, greenhouse-gas emissions would be 46% less every year. This reduction could be increased even further if those vehicles were using a technique known as “smart charging” in which cars are recharged at chosen times (often at night) to reduce the cost of electricity.

In short, it’s far easier to argue for buying an EV than a gas-powered vehicle. But what about the cost? Aren’t electric vehicles too expensive for most people?

1. In which case do EVs get more heavy-polluted than gas-powered cars?

A．Being powered only by batteries.

B．Using coal-powered electricity.

C．Starting to give off greenhouse gases.

D．Replacing gas-powered vehicles entirely.

2. How does Sheppard’s model show the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions?

A．With a discussion.	B．With an examination.
C．With a comparison.	D．With a questionnaire.

3. What can be inferred from the text?

A．China is making advances in renewable energy.

B．Compared with gas-powered cars, EVs are at an advantage.

C．There is still room for the development of EVs.

D．It’s not a challenge to choose between EVs and gas-powered cars.

4. What might the paragraph following the passage be about?

A．Inventing green gas-powered vehicles.

B．Developing environment-friendly grids.

C．Getting rid of fossil energy like coal and oil.

D．Making electric vehicles more affordable.

2 . Although we may not realize it when we talk with others we make ourselves understood not only by words. We send messages to the people around us also by expressions and body movements. We call it “body language”, which is a kind of communication, nonverbal communication. A smile and handshake show welcome, waving one’s hand is to say “goodbye”, nodding the head means agreement.     1    

As culture influences communication, the way people in different countries communicate is different too. For example, Arab men often greet by kissing on both cheeks. In Japan men greet by bowing.     2     Crossing one’s legs at the knee in the United States is a sign of being relaxed. But in Korea, it’s not allowed.     3     For Chinese, it is to say “someone will be killed”. For Americans, it shows “I’m full”.

    4     In Turkey, putting one’s hand in one’s pockets is a sign of disrespect. In some Asian countries, you mustn’t touch the head of another person. For an Arab, it’s good manners to stand close to his friend when they are talking, but for English people, they don’t like to be close to one another. And in parts of Asia, you mustn’t sit with your foot pointing at another person.

All above show that it is important to know the meaning of gestures and movements in foreign country. Foreigners should follow these customs and learn their culture.     5     I think that it is important in our lives to show and learn body language.

A．Smile can help get through difficult situations.

B．In the USA, people shake hands to show “their greeting”.

C．These gestures seem to have the same meanings everywhere.

D．Making too many gestures in communication is not polite.

E．The gesture of putting a hand on a person’s neck is different for Chinese and Americans.

F．So we can communicate with them in a correct way, both by words and by body language.

G．Because of the influence of special culture, some body languages should attract our attention.

3 . Agricultural scientists in Switzerland have demonstrated the long-term effect of organic farming methods. Organic farms use no man-made chemicals to increase crops or control insects and disease. The study showed that organic fields produced fewer crops, on average, than other fields. However, the scientists say the organic methods improved the health of the soil and used half as much energy.

The Swiss scientists compared the effects of organic and traditional farming methods over a period of more than twenty years. They grew crops on four fields of land in Switzerland. Two fields were grown using traditional farming methods. The others were grown using organic farming methods. The crops and soil use were similar in all the fields studied.

The study found that the organic fields produced about 20% fewer crops than the other fields. However, the farmers used less fertilizer and energy on the organic fields. They found the organic fields were healthier.

The scientists say the organic fields had more nutrients in the soil. The soils in the organic fields also had more biological activity than the other fields. The organic fields had more helpful organisms and a larger number of different organisms. The organic fields had almost two times as many insects, including helpful insects. In traditional farming, chemicals designed to kill harmful insects also kill helpful ones.

The researchers say the findings show that organic crop production rates change little over time, and that soil fertility increases. They say the finds suggest that organic farmers can help the environment by increasing soil fertility.

Organic farming is becoming increasingly popular in some countries. Many people believe that eating organic food is more healthful than eating food grown with chemicals. Some people are willing to pay more money to buy organic food.

1. What does the study show about the organic methods?

A．They have more output than other fields.

B．They benefit the health of the human and the soil.

C．They use more energy than traditional ones.

D．They can control diseases without using any chemicals.

2. In what way do the researchers carry out the experiment?

A．Selecting the best seeds.	B．Using the latest technology.
C．Applying different methods.	D．Planting crops in special soils.

3. What does paragraph 4 mainly talk about concerning organic fields?

A．Its strengths.	B．Its products.
C．Its application.	D．Its shortage.

4. What can we infer from the text?

A．No insects exist in organic fields.

B．Organic farming is environment-friendly.

C．People can’t afford organic food at present.

D．Organic crop production rate increases rapidly.

4 . Two little girls,14-year-old Cindy and 12-year-old Lucy, wrote to a newspaper office, asking some fast food restaurants to stop giving away free plastic (塑料) toys. Many people read the letter and supported them.

“We have been learning all about the environment at school and the problem of plastic. It made us very sad to see how plastic harms wildlife and pollutes the ocean, and we want to change this.That’s why we want the fast food restaurants to think of the environment and stop giving away plastic toys with their kids meals.” the two girls wrote in their letter.

“We like to go to eat in fast food restaurants, but children only play with the plastic toys they give us for a few minutes before they get thrown away. In the end, they will harm animals and pollute the sea. We want anything they give us to be sustainable (可持续发展的), so we can protect the earth for us and for future humans,” they continued.

The letter made a large number of readers pay attention to them. The number of people who supported them almost doubled after reporters followed the two little girls.

Since the little girls’ story started being picked up by news reporters, the fast food restaurants had to give a reply to the newspaper office, telling about their plans for making their free toys more sustainable.

1. The two little girls wrote to the newspaper office in order to ________.

A．get some fast food

B．get some free presents

C．stop children having junk food

D．stop fast food restaurants giving away plastic toys

2. Where do the two girls learn about the environment?

A．At home.	B．At school.
C．In a restaurant.	D．In a library.

3. The underlined word “they” in Paragraph 3 refers to (指) ________ in the passage.

A．fast food restaurants	B．fast food
C．plastic toys	D．waste water

4. What may fast food restaurants most probably do to deal with free plastic toys?

A．They may stop giving away free plastic toys.

B．They may make free toys with paper and cloth.

C．They may sell their plastic toys to other countries.

D．They may make free plastic toys more sustainable.

5 . The only thing I ever stole in my life was a book. I was six years old and it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, bound in wonderful red Moroccan leather. No one would read it in a million years — it was about the abolition (废除) of slavery — but it was_________because I learned to read with it.

I was born in South Africa and_________in an orphanage (孤儿院). The first thing I ever remember is being hit. A temporary teacher called Miss Bornstein was the first person to take a(n)_________in me. I trusted her and I asked her to help me read that_________book. She must have thought there was_________in this little kid, for she agreed. From then on, she sent me a book a month and it_________my life. Through books, I could escape the orphanage, in my head_________, and go anywhere a story took me.

Reading_________me and I finished up winning a_________to an expensive boarding school.__________reading, I'd have become a railway repairman or a drunk. I used to invent stories and serialize (连载) them for the bullies, in exchange for not being__________.

The very first book I totally__________was Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, which I read when I was about nine years old. Like me, he was alone, poor and led an__________life. So here was this excellent story about someone in a hopeless situation, yet things__________well. It gave me__________.

Probably the most__________book I've read is The Pearl by John Steinbeck. It's very short—and I've read thousands of books since — but it was the first time I__________saw how beautiful words could be, and how astonishing a story could be.

It has a great__________about a young Mexican couple who discover an incredible pearl. Greed is a theme, but__________, it's one of those stories that tells you everything about life. If you want to know the truth, there is one place you can go—__________.

1.

A．boring

B．magic

C．difficult

D．popular

2.

A．observed

B．locked

C．raised

D．discovered

3.

A．interest

B．pleasure

C．pride

D．delight

4.

A．missing

B．abandoned

C．deserted

D．stolen

5.

A．nothing

B．anything

C．something

D．everything

6.

A．saved

B．disturbed

C．wasted

D．recorded

7.

A．at most

B．in brief

C．in contrast

D．at least

8.

A．ruined

B．inspired

C．adopted

D．acknowledged

9.

A．membership

B．championship

C．scholarship

D．friendship

10.

A．With

B．Without

C．Beyond

D．Upon

11.

A．beaten

B．hunted

C．cured

D．loved

12.

A．referred to

B．identified with

C．put aside

D．gave up

13.

A．amusing

B．innocent

C．unhappy

D．awkward

14.

A．broke out

B．ruled out

C．put out

D．turned out

15.

A．faith

B．hope

C．frustration

D．life

16.

A．beautiful

B．awful

C．annoying

D．unusual

17.

A．actually

B．consequently

C．gradually

D．occasionally

18.

A．history

B．fantasy

C．dream

D．plot

19.

A．by the way

B．on the contrary

C．in a way

D．by no means

20.

A．homes

B．churches

C．schools

D．books

6 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Chinese film “The Battle(战役) at Lake Changjin” tells the story of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army taking part     1    the war to help Korea(朝鲜)fight against the U.S. aggression (侵略). Jointly     2     (direct) by three big names in Chinese film industry-- Chen Kaige, Xu ke and Lin Chaoxian, the film was a great     3     (succeed) in the National Holiday period. Actors     4     play leading roles in the film include Wu Jing, Hu Jun, Duan Yihong and so on.

In the movie, the Chinese army men fought    5     (brave) in temperatures below 40℃ in a key battle around Changjin Lake. Viewers said it was not the film itself that moved people, but the     6     (hero) of the war years who fought for our country and people, without considering     7     (they) own safety or even lives.

It is reported     8     since it was shown on September 30th , the total box office (票房)     9     (reach)the top of China’s box office, breaking the box office record of history in Chinese war films. With the great achievements in film industry, people are looking forward to     10     (see) more wonderful films in the future.

7 . New York: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Slightseeing Tour

Board a sightseeing bus to discover the city that doesn't sleep. Hop on and off as many times as you like with ticket options valid for 1, 2, or 3 days, and explore Downtown and Up-town with options including Harlem, Brooklyn and night tour.

About this activity

Free cancellation and cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund(退款).

Optional audio guide including Spanish,Chinese,English,French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian.

Wheelchair accessible.

Highlights

See the landmarks of New York, from Times Square to the world famous Brooklyn Bridge and you also can see Midtown and catch views of Central Park on the Uptown Loop. Hop on or hop off at your leisure to create your own customized journey around                    the city and use a free headset to hear pre-recorded commentary in a selection of languages.

Includes

Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

Free Wi-Fi

Live bus tracking via the free app

English-speaking guide

Recorded comments in 10 languages

Entry to Empire State Building

1-Hour Circle Line Liberty Journey

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned but customers must keep distance in vehicles. The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds.

Traveler requirements

Customers are required to bring and wear masks.

Prepare for the activity

Meeting point

Join the tour at any of the stops along the route.

Important information

Children under the age of 3 may travel free, but must be accompanied by a dedicated adult (1 adult to 1 child) and cannot occupy a seat that's meant for a fare-paying passenger.

Please bring appropriate clothing in case of bad weather.

1. What can we know about the sightseeing bus?

A．It can be boarded many times.	B．It only offers service in the day time.
C．It doesn't offer many choices.	D．It is free for local people.

2. How can you get a full refund?

A．Cancelling it on the Internet.	B．Cancelling it 24 hours beforehand.
C．Keeping it perfect.	D．Using a free cancellation.

3. What are the visitors of the tour required to do?

A．Begin the tour at the first stop.	B．Clean the seats on their own.
C．Bring water and food with them.	D．Pay the fare for children above 3 years old.

8 . How To Avoid Addiction Of Social Media?

Social media play such a big part in the modern generation. However, if the social media do not handle properly, it can become an addiction that can dominate your time and affect your work as well as relationships.     1    

Turn off notifications

The first step is to turn off the Notifications of social media platforms. They may disturb your normal routine because we are continuously drawn to our phones with every buzz sound or flash from the notification light. So when you stop your notifications,     2     . It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce your time spent on social media.

    3    .

You have a lot of time to do many things, but you may waste all the time on social media. If you get a new hobby to fill your spare time,     4    . You could also learn a new skill or y do something you have always wanted to do but never had time. When you use less social media, you will likely surprise yourself how much time you have.

Be cautious of time spent on social media

    5     Time is very precious things, so don’t waste it only scrolling your phone. Set a time limit and when you reach your limit,   be strong and don’t be enticed(诱惑) to add extra time. This will be a strong test of your will power; however, in the end, it will be worth.

Along with the disadvantages, social media also have many advantages, but the addiction of anything is not good. We have use social media on the limit because the limitless things can create problems in our lives. So, avoid the unnecessary use of social media and use as per your requirements.

A．Get a new hobby

B．Never waste your time

C．you might find it easier to focus on your daily routine

D．Social media is a powerful force that it makes users lose all the sense of time.

E．then you could limit the use of social media

F．Now, here are some steps on how to avoid the addiction of social media

G．Nowadays, social media play an irreplaceable role in people’s lives.

9 . I had lived in the United States for 30 years or so. I couldn’t fully________how the concept of “the pursuit of happiness”________into a super busy life. Ii was not until I started to grow plants on the balcony of my house on a quiet street in Boston that I had a(n)________.

Gardening does not come________to me. I was not________to it as a child. I grew up in a city. My fellow people didn’t seem to________the absence of green. They lived in apartments and grew flowers in concrete courtyards. or on balconies to________their gardening needs. No one grew herbs or vegetables. Why________? Fresh produce was a plentiful________in daily markets nearby. Garlic (葱), ginger (姜) were________as a sign of thanks with the________of meat.

The first spring after I moved into my Boston________, I grew my own food. I developed a deeper appreciation for the________of plants. There were________along the way: pests; sometimes too much heat. other times not adequate sun. For several seasons. I had tomato troubles. I’d find half-eaten fruit________. I made a habit, night after night, of moving plants indoors, so I would be the one to________, not some creature with four paws.

In the________of home-grown food-seeding, growing, tending, harvesting, cooking — I came to understand a ________version of happiness. It can be a matter of the heart’s________small steps of satisfaction, resulting from “neither wealth nor greatness.” in Thomas Jefferson’s words. “but________and occupation.”

1.

A．grasp

B．analyze

C．translate

D．assess

2.

A．enter

B．fit

C．place

D．set

3.

A．idea

B．intention

C．understanding

D．faith

4.

A．abruptly

B．naturally

C．deliberately

D．occasionally

5.

A．accustomed

B．strange

C．exposed

D．familiar

6.

A．mind

B．like

C．approve

D．limit

7.

A．adjust

B．commit

C．abandon

D．satisfy

8.

A．challenge

B．bother

C．resist

D．demand

9.

A．bargain

B．need

C．delivery

D．consumption

10.

A．sold out

B．put away

C．given away

D．taken in

11.

A．sales

B．purchase

C．transportation

D．supply

12.

A．balcony

B．courtyard

C．farm

D．apartment

13.

A．beauty

B．weeding

C．tending

D．significance

14.

A．joys

B．challenges

C．labors

D．complaints

15.

A．pulled up

B．piled up

C．fallen behind

D．left behind

16.

A．lose

B．sacrifice

C．compensate

D．harvest

17.

A．cycle

B．direction

C．alternative

D．recycle

18.

A．flexible

B．unique

C．different

D．ambiguous

19.

A．achieving

B．approaching

C．rolling

D．swallowing

20.

A．bravery

B．curiosity

C．Hardship

D．calmness

10 . Oxygen. Clean air. Shade. Trees provide people with all sorts of benefits. A major one: removing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air and storing it. That makes trees an important part of the fight against climate change. But they only hold onto carbon as long as they’re alive. Once they die, trees release that CO₂ back into the atmosphere. This movement of carbon between forests and the atmosphere is called a carbon flux, notes Roel Brienen, a forest ecologist at the University of Leeds.

“These fluxes affect the amount of carbon a forest can store,” he explains. It’s like the way a bank account works. Forests store carbon the way a bank account stores money. If you spend more than you make, your bank account will shrink. And it will grow if you put more money into the account than you take out. Which direction a forest’s “carbon account ” goes has a huge influence on climate.

Recent studies have found that trees around the world are growing faster than ever. Rising atmospheric CO₂ is probably driving that rapid growth, Brienen says. High levels of this gas are boosting temperatures, which speed tree growth. Brienen also found that fast-growing tree species, in general, live shorter lives. That quickens their release of carbon back into the air which is disappointing news for global warming. Brienen then examined what factors might influence tree growth, including rainfall, soil type and how crowded a forest was. None was linked to early tree death.

Levels of carbon in our forests could return to those from before the increases in growth, Brienen says. That does not mean planting trees won’t help fight climate change, but which trees are used could have a big impact. A forest of mostly fast-growing trees would store less carbon over the long term. It would therefore have less value for carbon storage projects.

“We must understand, however, that the only way to bring down CO₂ levels is to stop emitting (排放)it into the atmosphere,” says Brienen.

1. How does the author explain “a carbon flux”?

A．By giving examples.	B．By making a comparison.
C．By describing the process.	D．By analyzing cause and effect.

2. What may speed tree growth according to Brienen?

A．An increase in CO2 levels.	B．Crowdedness of a forest.
C．Rich carbon in the soil.	D．The long rainy season.

3. What should carbon storage projects do?

A．Plant as many trees as possible.

B．Remove dead trees from forests.

C．Plant trees with a long growth cycle.

D．Ban the emission of gases into the atmosphere.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Fast-growing trees may add to climate crisis

B．Climate change is cutting the number of trees

C．Is planting trees the answer to climate change?

D．What are the best carbon-trapping trees to plant?