1 . Why do farmers grow crops outside in fields when we can arrange them vertically (垂直地)? The idea of vertical farming was first proposed in 1999. It was seen as a way to save space, reduce air miles and transform old and abandoned buildings, like warehouses. In 2021, Fortune Business Insights valued the global vertical farming market at 3.47 billion dollars. Now, however, this industry is under threat, partly due to rising energy costs.
According to the magazine Science Focus, vertical farming gives ten times the yield (产量) of conventional outdoor farming. However, in order for crops to grow using this method, plants are placed in a controlled environment, grown not under the Sun, but under LED lights and watered with recycled water pumped on a closed-loop system (闭环系统).
Unfortunately, energy prices have risen across the globe. Therefore, this reliance on electricity has meant the last few years have not been easy for the industry. Cindy van Rijswick, from the Dutch research firm RaboResearch, has estimated that operational costs for a vertical farm are around 15% higher now compared to 18 months ago. Infarm, Europe’s largest vertical farming company, made around500 employees redundant (被裁员的) in November 2022 because they needed to downsize. They blamed higher operating costs due to energy increases as one reason for the layoffs.
Another issue related to the cost-of -living crisis and affecting vertical farming is the type of produce grown. This includes herbs such as basil, as well as salad leaves and leafy greens. Compared to traditionally farmed plants, like onions and carrots, these products tend to be more expensive, which could lead to reduced demand as consumers become more cautious about their spending.
So, it seems that a future with food grown under LED lights is looking less and less bright.
1. What is the feature of vertical farming?| A．Saving urban land and achieving zero emissions. |
| B．Demanding highly technical and complex control. |
| C．High energy consumption and low output value. |
| D．Making full use of sunlight and water resources. |
| A．By making assumptions. |
| B．By criticizing a typical behaviour. |
| C．By listing specific data and facts. |
| D．By referring to a social phenomenon. |
| A．Vertical farming avoids climate and disaster impacts. |
| B．Vertical farming costs jumped due to higher energy prices. |
| C．Vertical farming grows high-value, cost-effective produce. |
| D．High yield protects vertical farming from market competition. |
| A．Is This the End of Vertical Farming? | B．Is Vertical Farming Highly Efficient? |
| C．Challenges Industrial Agriculture Faces | D．New Trends in Vertical Agriculture |
2 . A woman in Lakewood, Washington, wanted to find a boy who left $5 and a heartbreaking apology note on her doorstep. On Friday, Marie found this note from “Jake”:
“I am sorry that I took your butterfly wind chimes (风铃) without your permission. My mum died and she liked butterflies so I took them to put by our window. Now I feel terrible for my past behaviour. I am sorry. This is the only money I have. Please do not be mad at me.”
Mari e told KCPQ she was not mad and wanted to find Jake to return his $5. “I wanted to cry because apparently he felt bad for what he had done. And I think he might be scared,” she told the station. Marie said she knows stealing is immoral, but she is sympathetic to the child. “I’m not agreeing with the stealing act but he did try to make up for what he had done. I lost my mum at a young age so I really make sense of his feeling and know how hard it is,” she said.
Marie wanted to find Jake, not to punish him, but to return his money for his honesty. Marie moved to the neighbourhood two months ago and didn’t know many people there, which made tracking down Jake difficult.
In order to find the boy, she turned to Facebook. Almost a week later, her Facebook post got much attention from social media, but she still didn’t hear from the boy. Marie said she wanted Jake to know that she had no intention of embarrassing or scaring him by asking him to reveal himself. She also said she was willing to help Jake with his schooling if she could find him.
1. Why did Jake feel sorry?| A．He caught butterflies in Marie’s garden. | B．He stole five dollars from a woman. |
| C．He lost something borrowed from Marie. | D．He took Marie’s wind chimes without permission. |
| A．Their mums liked butterflies. | B．They lost their mums in childhood. |
| C．They collected wind chimes. | D．They took something of neighbours. |
| A．Her neighbours’ unwillingness to help her. |
| B．Her considerable shyness. |
| C．Her announcement to punish the boy. |
| D．Her being unfamiliar with the neighbourhood. |
| A．Kind and sympathetic. | B．Devoted and caring. |
| C．Generous and humble. | D．Honest and careful. |
3 . Eric Moussambani is the first swimmer from Equatorial Guinea to compete in the Olympics. He found his passion for swimming shortly after high school. At the time, he didn’t know how to
Unfortunately, there were no
After about eight months of swimming, Eric gained
In Sydney, Eric saw an Olympic-size swimming pool for the first time. It was so big that Eric said he was so
On September 19, 2000, Eric stepped out for the men’s 100-metre freestyle competition. “I swam the first 50 metres really well,” said Eric. After turning for the second length, however, Eric found his legs stiffened (变僵硬). “It was then I heard the crowd shouting, encouraging me to go. It gave me the
| A．swim | B．compete | C．participate | D．apply |
| A．risk | B．promote | C．pursue | D．continue |
| A．clean | B．perfect | C．similar | D．standard |
| A．Eventually | B．Strangely | C．Naturally | D．Certainly |
| A．reach | B．discover | C．rent | D．use |
| A．congratulating | B．guiding | C．focusing | D．pointing |
| A．entry | B．ability | C．experience | D．right |
| A．solve | B．protect | C．award | D．encourage |
| A．interested | B．frightened | C．embarrassed | D．disappointed |
| A．fighting for | B．looking for | C．preparing for | D．answering for |
| A．adjust | B．study | C．doubt | D．benefit |
| A．fortune | B．way | C．strength | D．gratitude |
| A．expanded | B．finished | C．estimated | D．revealed |
| A．slowest | B．earliest | C．highest | D．timeliest |
| A．released | B．left | C．tolerated | D．cheered |
4 . Floating Markets in Bangkok, Thailand
One might feel as though they are entering a different world upon visiting a Thai floating market. While some countries in Asia have their own floating markets, none compare to Thailand’s, and the special experience is one you cannot miss while visiting the country.
Long-tail boats, ancient and traditional houses, and shouting vendors (商贩) are the major elements of floating markets in Bangkok. They are excellent options for experiencing the unusual culture and life of Thailand. Here are the top 8 floating markets in Bangkok, where you can experience the chaotic and charming atmosphere.
| Name | Distance from Downtown Bangkok | Open Times | Features |
| Damnoen Saduak | 80 km (50 mi) | Every day from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m | Long-tail boat cruises, remote villages, plantations |
| Amphawa | 90 km (55mi) | 11 a. m. to 9.30 p. m., Friday to Sunday | Thai food, little wooden houses, temples |
| Wat Sai | 23 km (14 mi) | 8 a. m.— 6 p. m., Tuesday— Saturday | A mixture of Chinese culture and Thai culture |
| Taling Chan | 12 km (7 mi) | 8 a. m.— 6 p. m., Saturday— Sunday | Temples, massages (按摩) on boats, foot massages under trees |
| Bangkhla | 100km (60 mi) | 8 a. m.— 6 p. m., Saturday— Sunday | Remote countryside, charm, biking |
| Bang Nam Pheung | 20 km (12 mi) | 8: 30 a. m.— 5 p. m., Saturday— Sunday | Fruit, food, a nature sanctuary (避难所) |
| Bang Phli | 38 km (24 mi) | 11 a. m.— 5:30 p. m., Tuesday— Saturday | Oldest, historical buildings, temples |
| Khlong Lat Mayom | 21 km (13 mi) | 7 a. m.— 5 p. m., Saturday — Sunday | Food, fruit, boat noodles |
1. Which floating market only opens on weekends with the shortest opening hours?
| A．Taling Chan. | B．Bang Phli. |
| C．Bang Nam Pheung. | D．Khlong Lat Mayom. |
| A．Delicious Thai food. | B．Numerous temple buildings. |
| C．Various massage services. | D．The traditional countryside life. |
| A．It is influenced by Chinese cultural elements. |
| B．Its number of open days in a week is the largest. |
| C．It is the centre of cultural exchange around the world. |
| D．It is a must-see tourist destination for Chinese tourists. |
5 . Hawaii lawmakers are considering legislation (立法) that would require visitors to pay for a year-long license or pass to visit state parks. Josh Green is the state’s governor. He said, “We get between 9 and 10 million visitors a year, but we only have 1.4 million people living here.” He added, “Those 10 million travellers should be helping us sustain our environment.” Lawmakers still debating how much they would charge.
The governor campaigned in 2022 on the idea of having all tourists pay a $50 fee to enter the state. Legislators think this would violate US constitutional protections for free travel. They instead think visitors should pay to enter parks and trails. Either policy would be a first of its kind for any US state. Hawaii’s leaders are following the example of other popular tourist areas with similar fees or taxes. They include Venice, Italy, and Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.
Hawaii State Representative Sean Quinlan is the leader of the House Tourism Committee. He said changes in the activities of travellers are part of Hawaii’s push. He said golf rounds per visitor per day have dropped 30 percent over the past 10 years while hiking has increased50 percent. People are also seeking out isolated places they have seen on social media. The state does not have the money to oversee and protect all these places, he said.
Most state parks and trails are currently free. Some of the most popular ones already charge, like Diamond Head State Monument. That trail leads hikers from the floor of a 300,000-year-old volcano up to the top. It gets 1 million visitors each year and costs $5for each traveller.
A bill currently before the legislature would require visitors over the age of 15to buy a yearly pass to visit forests, parks, trails or “other natural area on state land”. People who live in Hawaii would not need to pay.
1. What does the underlined word “violate” mean in Paragraph 2?| A．Break. | B．Establish. | C．Uphold. | D．Perfect. |
| A．The decreasing number of tourists to Hawaii. |
| B．Advantages of Hawaii’s tourism resources. |
| C．The increasing financial burden of Hawaii. |
| D．One reason for wanting to charge tourists. |
| A．None of the attractions in Hawaii charge fees currently. |
| B．The goal to charge fees is to limit the number of tourists. |
| C．Lawmakers are arguing about whether charging fees is legal. |
| D．Charging fees is beneficial for Hawaii’s natural environment. |
| A．A news report. | B．A travel guide. |
| C．A law textbook. | D．A promotional brochure. |
1. Why does the woman talk to the man?
| A．To express thanks. | B．To extend an invitation. | C．To get some information |
| A．For 5 hours. |
| B．For 9 hours. |
| C．For 14 hours. |
| A．Cycling in groups. |
| B．Going hiking. |
| C．Playing volleyball. |
7 . Four Must-visit Campsites in Western Australia
Fair Harvest
Playing host to campers looking for a more environmentally-friendly stay, Fair Harvest has an outdoor kitchen made from wood harvested on site and a farm cafe where you can buy fresh produce and home cooked meals. Guests are free to wander in the gardens, go bushwalking in the private forest, or take a class in the on-site yoga (瑜伽) barn — the only campsite yoga studio in the area.
Lucky Bay
In 2017, a scientific study was carried out to discover which Australian beach had the whitest sand and Lucky Bay, in Cape. Le Grand National Park on the southern coast of Western Australia, emerged victorious. Up close, the beach is often frequented by kangaroos bounding at the sand’s edge. The Lucky Bay campground sits right behind the beach and is well-equipped with toilets, showers, barbecues and picnic tables-though campers do need to bring their own drinking water.
Rottnest Island
More commonly a day trip destination, Rottnest is a car-free island best explored by bike and ringed by glorious Indian Ocean beaches. There are options for luxurious glamping (豪华野营) at Discovery Parks Rottnest Island, but those looking for a more traditional camping experience should head instead to the Rottnest Island campground. Here, you’ll find bathroom blocks, a camp kitchen and barbecues, but the highlight is the site’s large population of quokkas, which are close relatives of the kangaroo.
Imintji
Located at the foothills of the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, Imintjii is a simple yet well-maintained campground that includes washing facilities, fire pits, barbecue shelters,outdoor seating and water taps. It’s a great base for visiting the dramatic landscapes of Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge. It’s also one of the few campsites in the world that are famous for their own art center, with works by local artists on sale.
1. What can campers do at Fair Harvest?| A．See kangaroos. | B．Buy home-cooked meals. |
| C．Admire the whitest sand. | D．Get works from local artists. |
| A．Walking. | B．Driving. | C．Taking a boat. | D．Riding a bike. |
| A．Imintji. | B．Lucky Bay. | C．Fair Harvest. | D．Rottnest Island. |
8 . Steph Morris is a talented UK artist who specializes in hyper-realistic drawings of sneakers (运动鞋). Her works are so true-to-life that even closeups of the drawings are
When it comes to sneaker
“I’ve always loved sneakers since I was a
While
| A．tiring | B．hard | C．relaxing | D．painful |
| A．fans | B．stores | C．drawings | D．brands |
| A．acting | B．athletic | C．musical | D．artistic |
| A．eventually | B．fortunately | C．originally | D．obviously |
| A．designing | B．advertising | C．washing | D．wearing |
| A．ignore | B．reevaluate | C．discuss | D．maintain |
| A．took up | B．threw away | C．sold out | D．turned in |
| A．discovered | B．visited | C．loved | D．needed |
| A．dreamer | B．kid | C．mother | D．failure |
| A．surprising | B．boring | C．natural | D．stressful |
| A．sheets | B．answers | C．paintings | D．pairs |
| A．working | B．learning | C．talking | D．teaching |
| A．missed | B．got | C．made | D．forgot |
| A．information | B．business | C．money | D．time |
| A．quit | B．find | C．record | D．enjoy |
The National Theater of China will stage a
The play is named after one of the 10most famous scenic spots on Hangzhou’s West Lake in Zhejiang province.The location is known
Also known as Su Shi,Su Dongpo
The play is directed by Tian Qinxin,head of the National Theater of China,and stars
10 . Confidence helps us take risks and push ourselves to excellence.It can also inspire more trust in other people and open doors that would remain closed otherwise.Here are a few ideas on how to build up your confidence.
Forgive yourself for your mistakes.
Try to remember that you’re only human.
Make a list of your positive qualities.
It might seem silly, but sit down and write out a list.Start with five things that you like about yourself and try to add something to the list every day. For example, you could write, “I’m kind, I’m loving, I’m passionate about art, I’m creative, and I’m a good friend.”
Negative people tend to lower your confidence. Instead, spend time with friends and family members who inspire you and push you to be your best self. You’ll know someone is good to be around if you feel excited and happy to hang out with them.
Learn a new skill.
| A．If you can’t think of anything |
| B．Then,use that forgiveness on yourself |
| C．Spend time with people who support you |
| D．Stop undervaluing yourself when you speak |
| E．When you express your idea in an insecure way |
| F．Do something outside of your own comfort zone |
| G．Everyone makes mistakes,and you’re no different |
