2 . With a pair of glasses and mild manner, Siew Te Wong could be described as a Malaysian Clark Kent (a fictional character in Superman). This wildlife biologist is a Superman of sorts — a tireless defender of the world’s smallest bear species: the sun bear.

“I often call the sun bear a forgotten species,” Wong said. “When I first started, 20 years ago, no one had ever studied sun bears. Most people did not know that they even existed,” As he studied the animal and realized the threats it faced from deforestation and illegal hunting, he knew the bears were in serious trouble. “The more I learn about them, the more I care. The more I care, the more I worry,” he said. “I have to help them.” Today, Wong’s nonprofit, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, is the only sun bear sanctuary (保护区) in the world.

Sun bears are found in the rainforests of South Asia, and the small bears play a big role in keeping these woodlands healthy. Many plants and animals depend on them to spread seeds, create nesting sites and control the termite (白蚁) population. Healthy rainforests provide clean air and water to the entire world.

But the sun bear population has decreased by 30% during the last three decades. In 2007, the bear was officially classified as vulnerable (易危的) to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Currently, 44 sun bears live at Wong’s center. All of them were orphaned by illegal hunting or rescued from captivity (囚禁). The center has also become one of the leading tourist destinations in the area. “They can see how special the sun bear is and learn about how their survival is important to ours,” Wong said, “so they can take some action when they go back home.”

For Wong, this work is simply his responsibility. “Sun bears have become part of my family. When they’re endangered, I care for them. When they are in trouble, I speak for them,” he said. “I want to be the voice for the sun bear, to fight for the sun bear, to ensure the survival of the sun bear. But my goal is to save the entire forest ecosystem and that is so important to the survival of mankind. I want bears to live in the forest and not in captivity.”

1. When Wong first started to study sun bears, ______.

A．they were paid little attention

B．they were a great threat to mankind

C．they were well protected by the local people

D．they were officially classified as rare animals

2. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The importance of healthy rainforests.

B．An introduction to the rainforests of South Asia.

C．A dependent living situation of all species in rainforests.

D．The role sun bears play in keeping a balanced ecosystem.

3. Why does Wong make his sun bear center a tourist destination?

A．To finance this center.	B．To protect species diversity.
C．To recognize the value of the center.	D．To raise awareness about sun bears’ situation.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．How to turn a sun bear center into a tourist destination.

B．An introduction to a great defender of the sun bear.

C．A call for stopping the sun bear hunt.

D．What we can do to save the sun bear.

3 . Making a Difference

In my 7th-grade year, we undertook a project focused on encouraging people to register to vote. I discovered that the registration process is quite simple, and I couldn’t understand why many individuals weren’t registered.     1    . I also learned that anyone who is 18 can vote.

    2    ; we would make a change in our community. The school set up a voter registration day. It was part of the school’s Open House, a day we knew many people would be there. My brother was 18. I asked him if he was registered, and he said. “Why should I register? I don’t think it is important.” I told him when people elected someone, that person would decide things that could help improve the city. I asked him to come to the Open House.     3    . I did not know what he meant.

My brother surprised me. He called the registrar’s office. He was calling to find out where he could register, but he learned more.     4    . He would have to go to a training session. Then he would be able to help others get registered. So he went downtown, and he not only registered as a voter but also began training to be a registrar.

My brother talked with his high school social studies teacher. He said he wanted to help other students get registered. The teacher set. up a voter registration table in the lunchroom. My brother sat there every day for a week. When students came in, if they were 18, they could go to register at his table.     5    . My brother had done all that himself. We both had made a big difference.

A．He didn’t come right away

B．He said he would do better than that

C．Our class decided to do something about this

D．He found out he could be a volunteer registrar

E．I wanted to find out why they refused to register

F．At the end of the week, 108 students had registered

G．I learned in social studies that voting is a crucial aspect of being a citizen

4 . People with special access requirements across Brisbane are finding homes that are easier to live in thanks to a home access information trial.

Started by the Queensland Department of Housing and the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, the trial encourages real estate agents to identify and promote homes for sale or rent which include access features for older people and people with disabilities.

The access listing includes homes that have at least one entry with no more than three steps. Alternatively, there may be a ramp (斜坡), elevator or lift that provides easy entry into the main living areas. The listing agent may also have information on door widths, bathroom space and other important considerations for those requiring wheelchair access.

Rosslyn Kennedy from Gateway Properties is one of about 70 agents who have elected to participate in the trial. Rosslyn says access features are a big selling point.

“While people may not necessarily come out and ask for these types of properties, when you mention it to them, they say ‘oh great’,” she says. “It’s like an unconscious thing that people are looking for.”

Gateway Properties is also promoting several new developments featuring lifts and easy access to local beaches and hospitals. People who wish to have a home that is accessible for friends or family with a mobility disability will also benefit from this trial, Rosslyn says.

“We’ve had success in talking to developers early to encourage them to consider access features, especially in ground level properties,” she says. “Making modifications (改进) to properties before they are completed is also a good way to introduce access features, and can often be cheaper than designing a home from scratch.”

Housing Minister Robert Schwarten says the trial will be held in the Brisbane area and is expected to run until later this year.

“The purpose of the trial is to work with real estate agents to test and evaluate the process,” he says. “Following the results of the evaluation, we may consider a state-wide release.”

1. Who can benefit most from the home access information trial?

A．Real estate agents.	B．Tourists and patients.
C．The old and the disabled.	D．The Queensland Department of Housing staff.

2. According to Rosslyn, homes with access features ______.

A．are hard to find	B．are well-received
C．are priced much too high	D．refer to those without steps

3. What’s Robert Schwarten’s attitude towards the trial?

A．Critical.

B．Worried.

C．Surprised.

D．Supportive.

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

A．Homes sold in Brisbane	B．Homes get nod for access
C．Homes attract more agents	D．Homes available for everyone

5 . The long fishing pathway is a well-worn narrow road, about six feet across, covered in stones and dirt. I’m in Barranquilla, Colombia－a seaport city known for great fish.

I keep an eye out so I don’t trip on the rocky path. Along the way, I come upon a man likely in his 50s. I stop and watch him for several minutes as he stands on the rocks and fishes. Instead of a rod (钓竿), the man holds a large bunch of fishing line. On the other end, far off in the distance, the line is attached to a kite. The wind pushes the kite away from him and carries his long line out to sea with several hooks (鱼钩) tied to the line to catch fish. As the sun is setting, I silently reflect on his life. A life so different from my own but no less meaningful.

I’ve chosen not to live anywhere for the time being. I gave up my apartment in Toronto over two years ago, choosing to live and work remotely. I move around often and live permanently out of a suitcase, often staying with friends, family and in hotels. Toronto has become unaffordable, even more so since I’ve left, and I want a lifestyle where I can save some money while discovering unfamiliar locations and forming connections with individuals I’ve yet to meet.

I guess you could call me a digital nomad (数字游民). Work can be done from anywhere now. As a publicist in the film industry, the majority of my job involves meetings and emails and that can all be done virtually.

I learned about a new word recently: “sonder,” coined to define when you realize that each person around you is experiencing a life as vivid and complex as your own. I met the man from Barranquilla early on in my travels. Participating in that small slice of his life made me excited and curious about the world. The longer I’m on the road, the more my eyes are opened to see the world this way and seek out opportunities to understand others.

1. What might the author think of the man’s fishing method?

A．Unique.

B．Traditional.

C．Fruitful.

D．Risky.

2. For what reason did the author choose to Live a nomadic life?

A．Job requirements as a publicist.	B．Unaffordability of a settled life.
C．Inability to find a permanent residence.	D．Desire to explore new places and meet new people.

3. What do we know about people with a sense of “sonder”?

A．They are fond of traveling.	B．They do most of their work virtually.
C．They have experienced many ups and downs.	D．They are aware of the richness of others’ life.

4. In which section of a magazine does the text most probably appear?

A．Fishing.

B．Travel.

C．Life.

D．Technology.

6 . What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in September

Movie Matinees Are Back!
September l , 1:00pm: The Polar Express (2004)
September 7, 1:00pm: The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

We’re bringing our Movie Matinees back, and this month there’s trouble on a train! This is a drop-in program, no registration required. Come by for a movie on the big screen!

Art Journaling with Megan Jeffery
September 8, 6:30-8:00pm

Learn how you can get started in documenting your life with art journaling in this engaging workshop led by illustrator Megan Jeffery. Participants will create their own joumaling cards using a variety of supplies. Space is limited, so registration is required.

The Humane Gardener: Nancy Lawson (Online)
September 15, 6:30-8:00pm

Join author Nancy Lawson as our special guest speaker in an online presentation related to her book The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife, which explains the importance of coexisting with the local wildlife. Registration required to receive a Zoom link one hour before the start of the program.

Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5)
September 20, 10:00-10:45am

A program for preschoolers to learn through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing! For children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Registration: Cheshire residents may register beginning on September 6. Non-residents may register starting on September 13.

1. What is special about the movie-watching program?

A．It is held on a train.	B．It is an online program.
C．It includes hands-on activities.	D．It requires no advance registration.

2. What should participants do before joining the presentation by Nancy Lawson?

A．Click a Zoom link.	B．Read her latest book.
C．Bring their own art supplies.	D．Submit an art journaling card.

3. Who are most likely interested in the Sept. 20 program?

A．Movie lovers.

B．Gardeners.

C．Preschoolers’ parents.

D．Artists.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man?

A．A salesman.

B．A coach.

C．A tennis player.

2. When did the man go to Dubai?

A．In February.

B．In March.

C．In May.

3. What impresses the man most about Paris?

A．The pleasant weather.

B．The romantic atmosphere.

C．The modern white building.