1 . A newly published study shows that chess players perform objectively worse and — make more suboptimal (次最优的) moves when there is more fine particulate matter (颗粒物) in the air.

“We find that when individuals are exposed to higher levels of air pollution, they make more mistakes, and they make larger mistakes,” says Juan Palacios, a co-author of a newly published paper detailing the study’s findings.

Scholars have produced many studies exploring the effects of air pollution on cognition. The current study adds to that literature by analyzing the subject in a particularly controlled setting. The scholars used three web-connected sensors inside the tournament venue to measure carbon dioxide, PM2.5 concentrations, and temperature, all of which, can, be affected by external conditions, even in an indoor setting.

To evaluate the matter of performance of players, meanwhile, the scholars used software programs that assess each move made in each chess match, identify optimal decisions, and flag significant errors. During the tournaments, the researchers examined and ruled out alternate potential explanations for the dip in player performance, such as increased noise. They also found that carbon dioxide and temperature changes did not correspond to performance changes. Ultimately, the analysis confirms that the findings are driven by the direct exposure to air particles.

The researchers also found that when air pollution was worse, the chess, players performed even more poorly when under time constraints. The tourmament rules required that 40 moves had to be made within 110 minutes; for moves 31-40 in all, the matches, an air pollution, increase of 10 micro-grams per cubic meter led to an increased probability of error of 3.2 percent, with the magnitude of those errors increasing by 17.3 percent. And while the focus of this particular study is tightly focused on chess players, the findings have strong implications for high-skilled office workers.

1. What does the study find about air pollution?

A．It becomes more and more serious in the gym.

B．It can help evaluate chess players’ performance.

C．It may affect more people with mental processes.

D．It can’t be affected by indoor surroundings.

2. Why were software programs used in the study?

A．To measure carbon dioxide and temperature.

B．To assess the performance of players.

C．To help players make great moves.

D．To distinguish players’ errors in time.

3. What does the underlined word “constraints” probably mean?

A．Limit.

B．Freedom.

C．Consumption.

D．Measurement.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Various reasons for chess players’ mistakes.

B．A new research on chess players’ performance.

C．Scholars’ concern about chess players’ health.

D．The influence of air pollution on chess players.

2 . Many years ago, I bought a house in the Garfagnana, where we still go every summer. The first time we ______ there, we heard the chug chug-chug of a motorbike ______ its way down the hill toward us. It was ______ called Mario, coming to ______ us a box containing some tomatoes and a bottle of wine. It was a very nice ______ for him to make. But when we looked at the tomatoes, we were ______ because they were so misshapen: not at all like the nice, round, ______ things you get in a supermarket. And the wine was cloudy, in a funny old bottle with no label (标签) on it. These can’t be any ______, we thought. But we were ______ his kindness, so we ______ them.

What we discovered is that it’s ______ to judge what you eat only by its ______. Those tomatoes had ______ that reminded me of the ones my uncle used to grow when I was a child. Nowadays supermarket tomatoes ______ perfect but taste of water. Nobody’s going to have a ______ memory of those. It’s a surprise they haven’t managed to grow square ones so that they can ______ them easily. Mario’s wine may have been cloudy and come out of an old bottle, but it was ______.

It’s good to eat things at the correct time, when they’re ______, and as close as possible to where they were ______. What Mario had ______ us was the taste of the Garfagnana.

1.

A．waited

B．met

C．camped

D．stayed

2.

A．making

B．searching

C．squeezing

D．feeling

3.

A．customer

B．neighbor

C．relative

D．passenger

4.

A．lend

B．send

C．bring

D．show

5.

A．choice

B．comment

C．promise

D．gesture

6.

A．worried

B．moved

C．thrilled

D．bored

7.

A．simple

B．real

C．shiny

D．fun

8.

A．more

B．good

C．new

D．easy

9.

A．sympathetic to

B．thankful for

C．cautious about

D．interested in

10.

A．tried

B．sold

C．returned

D．mixed

11.

A．unnecessary

B．uncertain

C．unwise

D．unusual

12.

A．appearance

B．quality

C．origin

D．price

13.

A．size

B．shape

C．color

D．taste

14.

A．smell

B．look

C．become

D．work

15.

A．happy

B．vivid

C．short

D．vague

16.

A．clean

B．check

C．count

D．pack

17.

A．perfect

B．useful

C．convenient

D．familiar

18.

A．on view

B．on sale

C．in season

D．in need

19.

A．finished

B．stored

C．found

D．grown

20.

A．cooked

B．given

C．bought

D．told

3 . To become the Olympic champion in the individual (个人) all-around event, Gabby Douglas had to leave everything she _________ best. She had to _______   her bedroom in Virginia. She had to say _________ to her two dogs and to the beach, where she loved to _________ waves on her board. But it was _________ to take the leap (飞跃), however _________ it would be. Even at 14, Douglas knew that. So she _________ about 1,200 miles away from home, to _________ with a coach from China. She lived with a family she had never _________ and everything was new to her.

As it turned out, Douglas did __________ what she needed to do to become Olympic champion when she __________two Russians. The Chinese coach __________ Douglas into one of the best gymnasts in the __________, helping her skyrocket from an __________ member of the national team to the top of the sport. By __________ the Olympic all-around title, she became the first black woman to do so. She __________ the competition from beginning to end. She said she had felt __________ all along that she would win.

Not so long ago, Martha Karolyl the coordinator (联络人) of the women’s national team, did not think Douglas had what it __________ to be an Olympian. As time went by, she thought __________ that she could make the London Games — and win.

“I’m going to inspire so many people,” she said. “I’m ready to __________.” And shine she did.

1.

A．tried

B．thought

C．judged

D．knew

2.

A．take up

B．pack up

C．clean up

D．do up

3.

A．goodbye

B．hello

C．thanks

D．no

4.

A．cause

B．observe

C．ride

D．strike

5.

A．common

B．time

C．fun

D．tough

6.

A．breathtaking

B．heartbreaking

C．eye-catching

D．head-spinning

7.

A．dropped out

B．moved on

C．pulled over

D．went off

8.

A．reason

B．talk

C．compete

D．train

9.

A．met

B．helped

C．understood

D．needed

10.

A．approximately

B．gradually

C．exactly

D．possibly

11.

A．defeated

B．pleased

C．respected

D．assisted

12.

A．forced

B．transformed

C．persuaded

D．put

13.

A．world

B．city

C．team

D．state

14.

A．amateur

B．elected

C．average

D．enthusiastic

15.

A．clarifying

B．defending

C．winning

D．demanding

16.

A．followed

B．organized

C．watched

D．led

17.

A．confident

B．nervous

C．excited

D．uneasy

18.

A．viewed

B．appeared

C．mattered

D．took

19.

A．now and then

B．more and more

C．far and wide

D．on and on

20.

A．shine

B．fly

C．dance

D．score

4 . When Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s paintings were put on display in a gallery in London, it attracted much attention. A poet and essayist described her paintings as “a ribbon around a bomb”-a quote that went on to provide the title for a documentary about her life. Such a/an _________ comment about her work seems to _________ Kahlo had a big impact on the art world of her time. Sadly, this was not the _________.

Kahlo, born in 1907 in a suburb of Mexico City, was greatly affected by two terrible events early in her life. At the age of 7, she _________ polio. The disease _________ her foot so that it always pointed out, and caused her right leg to grow to a shorter length than her left leg._________, Kahlo’s spine and pelvis became twisted as she grew older. Then in 1925, she was riding in a school bus that was _________ in a traffic accident; her pelvis and back were broken in several places. Throughout the rest of her life, the artist underwent more than 30 _________, but nothing was able to cure the severe _________ in her back and leg. However, the accident did have an __________ side effect: it led Kahlo to begin painting. While lying in her bed recovering in her parents’ home, Kahlo taught herself to paint and created her first self-portrait.

Despite the tragic events in her life, Kahlo had a __________ for inspiring excitement, happiness, and drama wherever she went. She often wore elaborate native jewelry and bright clothing, making her a highly __________ student at school. She also __________ wore her hair tied up on top of her head with bright ribbons in the style of the native people of Oaxaca, Mexico. Her preferred fashion and hairstyle are __________ in the various self-portraits she painted.

Kahlo died in 1954 in her parents’ home. The final words in Kahlo’s diary were, “I hope the __________ is joyful-and I hope never to come back.”

1.

A．ordinary

B．plain

C．reasonable

D．extraordinary

2.

A．approve

B．prove

C．suggest

D．impress

3.

A．point

B．case

C．time

D．issue

4.

A．suffered from

B．escaped from

C．prevented from

D．recovered from

5.

A．bent

B．twisted

C．ruined

D．destroyed

6.

A．Above all

B．In addition

C．In conclusion

D．As a result

7.

A．introduced

B．informed

C．involved

D．reported

8.

A．consultations

B．operations

C．scans

D．emergencies

9.

A．symptom

B．depression

C．pain

D．syndrome

10.

A．unprepared

B．unsolved

C．unexpected

D．unhurt

11.

A．dignity

B．honor

C．prestige

D．reputation

12.

A．sensible

B．visible

C．audible

D．edible

13.

A．casually

B．unintentionally

C．typically

D．absolutely

14.

A．crafted

B．exhibited

C．structured

D．inspired

15.

A．exit

B．entrance

C．benchmark

D．milestone

5 . 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

6 . 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

7 . 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.

8 . 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.

9 . 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.

10 . 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.