1 . A wild African bird that will lead people to trees with honeycomb (蜂巢) seems to somehow learn the distinct whistles and calls of the human foragers (觅食者) who live near them.

This bird species has far more information about what the bees are doing than humans ever could. In Tanzania, Hadza foragers can use a special whistle to attract this bird, which will then fly down and start leading them to honey. With its noisy chattering sound, the bird is very conspicuous. Once the bird arrives at a tree with honey inside, it will rest near the beehive silently, seemingly not to disturb the bees. “That’s the signal to the Hadza to really start searching,” says Brian Wood, an anthropologist at University of California, Los Angeles. Pretty soon, the foragers will locate the hive and cut open the tree trunk.

It is found that the birds are more likely to show up when the familiar signal used by the locals is being broadcast. According to the research, the birds appear 82% of the time when Hadza whistles are being played. But they appear only 24% of the time when the researchers play the whistles traditionally used in a different country.

This makes it clear that the birds have learned what their human neighbors do when they want to partner up and go honey-hunting. “This is a very strong result which supports the idea that there’s a learning process involved,” says Wood.

But how do the birds learn? It’s still unclear. What is clear is that this human-animal communication seems to benefit both parties, and it may go back many thousands of years. When the honeycomb is out, the birds get some of the beeswax, which they love to eat. And the human foragers get the honey—which is an enormously important food for the Hadza. Wood has calculated that the Hadza get about 10% of the calories in their annual diet with the help of the birds.

1. What does the underlined word “conspicuous” in Para.2mean?

A．Eye-catching.

B．Care-free.

C．Naughty.

D．Attractive.

2. What can we know about the birds?

A．They are raised by humans.	B．They help cut open the tree trunk.
C．They feed on honey as their annual diet.	D．They can distinguish different whistles.

3. Which of the following can best describe the honey gathering?

A．A complex dilemma.	B．An unfair trade.
C．A double-edged sword.	D．A win-win cooperation.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．The familiar signal in the forest.

B．A talented expert in hunting the bees.

C．A wonderful guide to collecting honey.

D．The human-animal communication in Tanzania.

2 . Best Sellers In Architecture

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Steeple Chasing:

Churches are all around London. They contain art and architectural wonders. Award-winning writer Peter Ross sets out to tell their stories, and through them a story of Britain. Join him as he visits London’s great cathedrals with their histories of fire and love. It is about people as much as place.

E-book Edition: £12.99 Hardcover: £13.67 Paperback: £8.99

The Art Of Home:

In The Art Of Home, the author Shea McGee takes us through every room of the house, starting with an explanation of process and then guiding our entry ways, living rooms, kitchens, offices and kids’ rooms. With step-by-step guidance, Shea helps us transform the most important parts of our lives and how we live.

E-book Edition: £16.99 Hardcover: £19.27

Sort Your Life Out:

The first official book from the life-changing BBC show, Sort Your Life Out will give you the tools to transform your home in three simple steps:

1. CLEAN — how to let go and clear out the chaos.

2. SORT — time to sell, donate, recycle and upcycle.

3. SYSTEMISE — learn how to organise, fold and store in a way that is manageable.

E-book Edition: £7.99 Hardcover: £16.99

Never Too Small:

Small footprint design proves that living better doesn’t have to mean living larger. Following the success of their first book, the second volume of Never Too Small that explores small space living showcases 30 new and outstanding homes from around the world. The book features beautiful photography and offers an inspiring model for the future of housing.

Hardcover £27.6

1. What is Steeple Chasing about?

A．Exploring history behind London’s churches.

B．Spreading knowledge of church construction.

C．Showing beautiful photography of great cathedrals.

D．Sharing experience of being an award-winning writer.

2. What do The Art Of Home and Sort Your Life Out have in common?

A．They have the same prices.	B．They are both adapted from a show.
C．They share the similar focus.	D．They both guide readers in three steps.

3. Which of the following meets the concept of Never Too Small?

A．Less is more.	B．Live smaller but better.
C．The smaller, the better.	D．Enlarge your space, enlarge your life.

3 . For many years, scientists saw trees as independent living things. Each tree in the forest was trying to get light, water and nutrients. Trees competed for resources.     1     They cooperate with each other with the help of fungi (真菌).

In forests, fungi connect trees through underground networks. Trees’ roots branch out in all directions. The same soil is home to fungi, which can grow on and around tree roots. The fungi grow in thin threads (线状物). As they grow, the threads can link to numerous trees. The fungi create webs between trees known as mycorrhizal (菌根) networks.     2     The trees give sugars to the fungi and the fungi get mineral nutrients from the soil. They share them with the trees.

The fungi in a mycorrhizal network link the trees together.     3     For example, if a young plant is growing in a shaded area, it may not get enough sunlight. However, larger trees growing around it can send sugars to the young tree’s roots through the fungi. Similarly, if a tree is dying, it might give its nutrients to the healthy trees growing around it.

Mycorrhizal networks are not always cooperative. Some plants will use the networks to take nutrients from their neighbors. Some flowers will steal food from other plants.     4     They want to harm plants that are competing for sunlight and water.

    5     They can send chemical or electrical signals through the wood wide web. If a tree is being eaten by insects, it will send out signals for help. Similarly, when diseases attack trees, they can send out chemicals.

A．Trees also send messages through the networks.

B．Networks can even connect different species of plants.

C．Scientists think the fungi are important for healthy forests.

D．Trees can share sugars, nutrients and water with one another.

E．However, scientists are discovering that trees may actually work together.

F．There are also plants that send poisonous substances through the networks.

G．In these networks, scientists think the trees and the fungi help one another.

4 . Whistler Travel Guide

Snow-capped peaks and powdered steeps; sparkling lakes and rushing waterfalls; challenging hiking routes and inviting restaurants — Whistler’s offerings suit every season.

Things to do

The entire town displays the ski-chic atmosphere, hosting dozens of ski and snow board competitions and festivals annually. In the warmer months, more outdoor enthusiasts come out to play. Visitors can try hiking or cycling up the mountains. While Whistler is an ideal vacation spot for the active types, other travelers can enjoy the local museums and art galleries filled within formative exhibits. Plus, there are family-friendly activities and attractions like summer concerts, along with plenty of shopping options.

When to visit

The best times to visit Whistler are from June through August and between December and March.

How to get around

The best ways to get around Whistler are on foot or by bike. Or, you can take the shuttlebuses from Whistler Village, which transport visitors to Lost Lake Park and the Marketplace. Meanwhile, having a car will allow you the freedom to explore top attractions like Whistler Train Wreck and Alexander Falls without having to spend a lot of cash on a cab.

What you need to know

●Whistler receives feet of snow each year. If you’re driving in winter, slow down and make sure to rent or come with a reliable SUV.

●Snowslides are likely to occur on Backcountry routes, so only advanced skiers should take to this off-the-map area.

●Whistler’s wilderness is home to many black and grizzly bears. Keep your distance and do not feed them.

1. What are active travelers recommended to do in Whistler?

A．Bike up the mountains.	B．Host ski competitions.
C．Go shopping at the malls.	D．Visit museum exhibitions.

2. Which of the following is the most popular among travelers?

A．Whistler Village.

B．Lost Lake Park.

C．The Marketplace.

D．Whistler Train Wreck.

3. What are travelers prohibited from doing in Whistler?

A．Driving a rented SUV.	B．Feeding grizzly bears.
C．Exploring the wilderness.	D．Skiing on Backcountry routes.

5 . I was fortunate to spend every summer camping with my parents when I was a kid. By the age of 18, I’d visited every province in my home country of Canada. Even today I can still recall an impressive tour vividly.

It took us six people a long time to drive to Newfoundland from Ontario. When we arrived on the island, it poured rain every day. We just kept driving north, hoping to outrun it. We jumped on a ferry to Labrador Peninsula, crossing the Strait of Belle Isle, and moved our way up the coast of this northerly and thinly-populated region.

The scenery in Labrador is beautiful. We saw long white sand beaches along the Atlantic coast that looked inviting, but the water was cold year-round. While standing at the top of a lighthouse, my dad said, “This will be the new Caribbean once global warming hits.”

We soon discovered Battle Harbor, a historic fishing village that can only be reached by ferry. In the mid-1800s it had a population of 350 people and was considered the unofficial capital of Labrador. Now it was more like a deserted town, and I distinctly remember feeling the furthest from anything that I’ve ever felt. Multiple ferry rides and 600 miles separated me from the nearest major city of St. John’s.

If you’re curious about Newfoundland & Labrador (NL), I highly recommend a 2013 film called The Grand Seduction. It’s a delightful comedy about a small fishing village called Tickle Head that’s struggling to figure out its future.

Travelling made me get to know my country so well, which has had a tremendous influence on shaping the person I am now. I hold a solid mental picture of Canada, stretching from sea to sea, which I’ve taken with me to other parts of the world because I have great passion for it.

1. Which of the following was the author’s tour route?

A．Ontario — Newfoundland — Battle Harbor — Labrador Peninsula.

B．Ontario — the Strait of Belle Isle — Newfoundland — Labrador Peninsula.

C．Ontario — Newfoundland — the Strait of Belle Isle — Labrador Peninsula.

D．Labrador Peninsula — the Strait of Belle Isle — Newfoundland — Ontario.

2. What does the author think of Battle Harbor?

A．It is naturally appealing.

B．It is remote and lonely.

C．It gives a sense of belonging.

D．It is unique and peaceful.

3. Why does the author recommend the movie The Grand Seduction?

A．It is mostly set in NL.

B．It describes NL in detail.

C．It offers clues to NL’s situations.

D．It implies NL’s promising future.

4. How does the author’s travelling influence him?

A．He loves his country better.

B．He has a passion for the sea.

C．He is more open to new cultures.

D．He holds a solid picture of his future.

6 . During this tour you will discover the foundations of the modern science of medicine in two French cities: Paris and Montpellier. Besides, you will enjoy the beauty of the architecture and gardens of these two cities.

DAY 1: Welcome to Paris. There’re no planned activities until the evening. In the evening, Linda Geddes will give you a talk about the tour ahead.

DAY 2: This morning you’ll meet our expert local guide for a walking tour on the Left Bank, starting at the Musée Curie, a museum devoted to the history of radiation therapy. After lunch you’ll visit the Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine, which houses a large collection of rare surgical instruments from the 18th century onwards.

DAY 3: This morning you’ll visit the Musée des Arts et Métiers in the Marais district. It now houses a museum devoted to science and technology. You’ll also see the Musée des Moulages in the Hôpital Saint-Louis, where you’ll see a specialist hospital built for dealing with skin disease.

DAY 4: Take a train to Montpellier. You’ll check into a hotel just off the grand Place de la Comedie and the afternoon will be free to explore the city including the wonderful Musée Fabre, one of the best museums of French art in the country.

DAY 5: This morning you’ll visit the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montpellier, one of the oldest continually-operating medical schools in the world. After that you’ll continue to the Jardin des Plantes, one of the oldest gardens in the world and originally designed to produce herbs for medicinal use.

DAY 6: Return to Paris by train.

1. What will tourists learn about through the tour?

A．Modern gardens.

B．Medical history.

C．Two cities’ history.

D．Medical schools in Paris.

2. On which day will tourists view rare surgical instruments?

A．Day 2.

B．Day 3.

C．Day 4.

D．Day 5.

3. Where will tourists probably enjoy fascinating French art?

A．In the Musée Curie.

B．In the Musée Fabre.

C．In the Musée des Moulages.

D．In the Musée des Arts et Métiers.

7 . Top Coffee-producing Countries

Brazil

Back in the 18th century, Brazil started growing coffee. Now, around 300,000 coffee farmers in Brazil produce about 40% of the world’s coffee. Arabica (阿拉比卡咖啡) takes up 70% of the coffee beans grown in the country. In Brazil, 3% of export income is from coffee beans. Brazilians are wild about drinking their coffee and consume it all day long.

Vietnam

Coffee found its way to Vietnam in the 1800s. Now coffee industry employs almost 3 million people. Most of Vietnam’s coffee production is the less appreciated Robusta (罗布斯塔咖啡) variety. Because of that, most coffee beans grown in Vietnam are for instant coffee. Despite coffee’s popularity as an export crop, the Vietnamese still prefer tea. They also make a famous Cappuccino (卡布奇诺咖啡) not found elsewhere—famous because it gets a dose of raw egg if that’s to your liking.

Colombia

Coffee was introduced into Colombia in the early 1700s. In Colombia, about 2.3 million acres of land are planted with coffee. Coffee is the most important agricultural export. There are around 555,000 coffee growers in Colombia. The majority of Colombian coffee plantations are owned by families. Colombians typically start their morning with a tinto. It’s a small cup of black coffee that’s sweetened with sugar. They may add cinnamon or other spices to jazz it up.

Indonesia

Indonesia has a long coffee history that goes back to the 1600s, which has its share of ups and downs. In the late 19th century, the terrible coffee rust disease caused death to many of the high-quality coffee plants. To prevent this from happening again, Indonesia replanted with the disease-resistant Robusta coffee. Arabica beans still play a part in the Indonesian coffee market, representing about 25% of coffee beans grown there.

1. Which of the four countries started growing coffee earliest?

A．Brazil.

B．Vietnam.

C．Colombia.

D．Indonesia.

2. What is special about Vietnam?

A．A unique kind of coffee drink is made there.

B．High-quality coffee beans are produced there.

C．Coffee was produced for the home market there.

D．Coffee planting met with problems in the 1990s there.

3. What do Brazil and Colombia have in common?

A．Coffee exports are growing in both countries.

B．They both have a coffee-loving population.

C．They share the same number of coffee growers.

D．Coffee farms are owned by families in both countries.

8 . The fairy tales and stories we love often begin with someone asking questions. Sleeping Beauty has a princess exploring a castle just to see what’s inside. Jack climbs his beanstalk because he wants to know what’s at the top. All these happen because of curiosity.

Curiosity may be the driving force of all science and experiments, encouraging us to explore the highest mountains and deepest oceans. But it’s also our biggest downfall. It’s the voice that says “push the button”, and it’s what burnt Icarus’ waxen wings.

When it comes to curiosity, we are not born equal. Some people can’t help but question, or examine something, while others are quite happy with what they have and what they see. So why isn’t curiosity distributed evenly among people?

Our brain rewards us for good behavior. When we satisfy our desire, our brain says to us, “Yes, well done on looking after the body—have some endorphins(内啡肽).”The seeking system is the thing that encourages us to explore and go beyond our comfort zone. It has various reward systems set up for the satisfaction of our goal. Without the seeking system, we’d just sit still and satisfy ourselves with whatever we have.

For the curiosity differences between men and women, research suggests that men are more likely to do risky behavior, from going on financial investments to swimming in the sea. Perhaps it is because of some kind of “hunter-gatherer” society behavior, where men are regarded as needing to be more risk-seeking and curious to help feed, protect, and care for “the whole group”.

And children are born with great curiosity. The success that teenagers will have in satisfying their curiosity, or how far they are allowed to devote themselves to it, will determine how efficient those curiosity pathways are in later life. If children are given new environments to explore, the room to play and experiment, and the freedom to ask questions and examine them, then they will do so more later in life as well.

1. Why does the author mention the fairy tales at the beginning?

A．To lead in the topic of the text.

B．To explain the cause of curiosity.

C．To provide background information.

D．To introduce the ways of being curious.

2. What mainly affects curiosity distribution among people?

A．Their spirits of adventure.	B．Their society behavior.
C．Their seeking system.	D．Their endorphins.

3. What might the author advise parents to do?

A．Reward kids for their good behavior.

B．Accompany kids in playing and studying.

C．Give teenagers the freedom of expression and choice.

D．Provide children with conditions to satisfy their curiosity.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Why Are Some People More Curious than Others?

B．How Can Curiosity Influence People’s Life?

C．Why Is Curiosity Important for Learning?

D．How Can People Develop Their Curiosity?

9 . The story of Oprah Winfrey’s life is one of overcoming incredible odds and achieving great success. Born into poverty in Mississippi, Winfrey faced numerous challenges throughout her childhood. She was raised by her grandmother, who installed in her a love of reading and a strong work ethic. However, Winfrey was also the victim of abuse and neglect, both at home and in her community.

Despite these obstacles, Winfrey showed great promise from a young age. At age 19 she became a news anchor(主播) for the local television station, and in 1976 she was made a reporter and co-anchor for the ABC news in Baltimore, Maryland. She found herself limited by the objectivity required of news reporting, and in 1977 she became co-host of the Baltimore morning show People Are Talking.

Winfrey excelled in the casual and personal talk-show format, and in 1984 she moved to Chicago to host the faltering(衰退的) talk show AM Chicago. Winfrey’s honest and engaging personality quickly turned the program into a success, and in 1985 it was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show. Winfrey’s warmth, intelligence, and empathy made her a beloved figure to millions of viewers. She used her platform to address important social issues, such as child abuse, domestic violence, and poverty.

Despite her success, Winfrey faced many challenges along the way. She struggled with her weight, and was often criticized for her appearance. She also faced many personal and professional setbacks in her life and work. However, Winfrey refused to give up. She continued to work hard, launching her own production company, Harpo Productions, and starting her own cable network, OWN. She also became a philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to charitable causes.

Today, Winfrey is one of the most successful and influential people in the world. She has won lots of awards for her work. She is also a best-selling author and a respected public speaker. Winfrey’s story provés the power of perseverance, hard work, and faith in oneself.

1. What did Oprah Winfrey start her career as?

A．A news anchor.	B．A talk show co-anchor.
C．A manager of a company.	D．A reporter of a TV station.

2. What do we know about The Oprah Winfrey Show from paragraph 3?

A．It was a TV program meant to help the local citizens.

B．Oprah Winfrey’s excellent qualities made it successful.

C．It called on viewers to fight against poverty and crimes.

D．It was a program designed only for Oprah Winfrey.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Winfrey faced many doubts about her hosting style.

B．Winfrey set up a company of her own.

C．Winfrey never gave up in face of difficulties.

D．Winfrey contributed lots of money to charities.

4. What is the author’s purpose of writing the text?

A．To tell us that our life has its ups and downs.

B．To share Winfrey’s life experience with us.

C．To encourage us to work hard in our careers.

D．To sing high praise for Winfrey’s success and qualities.

10 . Best Overall: LectroFan EVO Sound Machine

Why You Should Get It

This compact, stylish, and affordable white noise machine is very easy to use. With a timer, a headphone connector, and a large range of sounds, you’ll be able to find the right set up for you. That’s where it comes in to mask all that unwanted environmental noise—or lack of—so you can get more rest.

Keep in Mind

The device isn’t battery-operated, so it’ll need to stay plugged into a power source.

It does everything you need it to, and then some, for a very reasonable price. It plays non-repeating digital noise in a range of colors: It has 10 fan sounds, 10 environmental noise sounds—including pink and brown noise, and two ocean soundscapes.

The device is super simple to use, and once you’ve picked your favorite type of noise, it will be saved in the settings, and the machine will auto play that sound each time you turn it on. The speaker produces a clear and crisp sound, and there’s a wide volume range. It also comes with an optional timer you can set between one to eight hours, or play continuously, plus a 3.5mm connector for headphones if your partner isn’t quite as keen on white noise as you are.

It’s compact enough to travel everywhere with you, and as white noise machines go, it looks pretty good, too. It certainly won’t look out of place on your bedside table. You can power the LectroFan EVO via USB or the included A/C adaptor, but it doesn’t have an internal battery, so it does need to be plugged in.

Price at time of publish: $35
Product Details: Dimensions: It’s 4.7 inches long and 3. 3 inches in height. Its width is the same as its length. | Sound options: 22 | Timer: Yes | Power: Plug-in
1. What is the device mentioned used to do?

A．Avoid noises.

B．Enjoy nature.

C．Help sleep well.

D．Listen to music.

2. What do we know about the device from the text?

A．It works with batteries.	B．It doesn’t disturb others.
C．It has one nature noise.	D．Its timer’s set up is fixed.

3. How wide is the device?

A．3.3 inches.

B．4.7 inches.

C．6. 8 inches.

D．10 inches.