1 . For the history of life on Earth, organisms have relied on the light of the sun, moon, and stars to find their way and schedule their lives. While the beginning of electric lighting in the late 19th century may have benefited humans, it has caused problems in the natural world. Among the impacts of artificial light at night(ALAN), light pollution lures migrating birds to cities with shocking consequences, contributes to the alarming decline in insect populations, and convinces sea turtle babies to amble(缓行)away from the water instead of towards it.

Now, a new study from the University of Plymouth adds another disappointing finding about how ALAN is affecting the creatures with whom we share the planet: Light pollution from coastal cities can trick corals(珊瑚)into reproducing outside of the optimum times when they would normally reproduce.

Using a combination of light pollution data and spawning(产卵)observations, researchers were able to show for the first time that corals exposed to ALAN are spawning one to three days earlier and closer to the full moon compared to those on unlit corals. “That shift may reduce the survival and fertilization success of gametes(配子)and genetic connectivity between nearby lit and unlit coral systems,” they explain.

“Corals are among the most biodiverse, economically important, and threatened ecosystems on the planet,” write the authors of the study.

“Climate change has led to mass bleaching(褪色)events. Habitat destruction, fisheries, and pollution have reduced corals substantially since the 1950s,” they write, adding, “The complete loss of corals is anticipated over the next 100 years.”

If we want to reduce the harm ALAN is causing, we could perhaps look to delay the switching-on of night-time lighting in coastal regions to ensure the natural dark period between sunset and moonrise when coral reproduction remains undisturbed.

1. Why is the first paragraph written?

A．To present the topic of the text.	B．To advocate energy conservation.
C．To explain a natural phenomenon.	D．To provide background information.

2. What does the underlined word “optimum” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Possible.

B．Appropriate.

C．Flexible.

D．Sensitive.

3. What is the researchers’ major concern over corals?

A．Extinction.	B．Losing value.
C．Terrible diseases.	D．Exposure to moonlight.

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

A．Creatures Rely on Natural Lights to Schedule Their Life

B．Night-time Lighting Shortens Natural Dark Period

C．Coastal Lights Trick Corals into Early Spawning

D．Light Pollution Leads to Serious Consequences

2 . We’re growing more used to chatting to our computers, phones and smart speakers through voice assistants. Out of these assistants, Siri is the most well-known spoken web. Blind people have been using text-to-speech assistant for decades.     1    

Some think voice could soon take over from clicking as the main way to interact online. They believe online interaction would soon depend mainly on voice.     2    

Building the spoken web—web-to-voice and voice-to-web—is by no means an easy task. For software to answer simple questions about the weather and play music for us is easy.     3     Artificial intelligence isn’t smart enough yet. Even turning your voice into text is one of the hardest problems to solve. There are as many ways to pronounce things as there are people on the planet.

Using voice interaction feels far closer than surfing the net the old-fashioned way.     4     But if something speaks, it must also listen. Our phones are always near us and they are constantly collecting their personal information. This has already raised privacy concerns. People worry assistants will one day be used to deliver advertising directly to us.

    5     In environments when one’s hands are occupied, such as while driving or cooking, the spoken web is helpful. Think about when you are cooking, it is natural to talk. And speech obviously makes sense when you are driving. On the other hand, in a quiet library, using voice commands to ask a question may not be as suitable as typing, as it could disturb others. The effectiveness of using voice depends on the specific surroundings.

A．Spoken web requires more personality to become popular.

B．But what are the challenges of moving to ”the spoken web“?

C．It is also possible to search for different information you need.

D．The benefits of using voice obviously depend on the context.

E．The informal tone of the assistant helps create an emotional attachment.

F．But to have a conversation with users on diverse topics is a long way off.

G．People who can’t read can also obtain information using the spoken web.

3 . 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.

4 . 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。

Black tea is a popular beverage enjoyed by people all over the world. It is made from the     1     (leaf) of the camellia sinensis plant (山茶植物),     2     undergo a process of oxidation (氧化) to give it its distinct flavor and. color. Originating in China, black tea has a rich history that     3     (date) back thousands of years. It was first discovered during the Tang Dynasty and quickly gained     4     (popular) among the Chinese elite. Eventually, it made its way to Europe and became a staple in British tea culture.

Black tea is known for its robust flavor and deep, reddish-brown color. It has a strong, malty taste with hints of caramel and a     5     (slight) sweet aftertaste. The flavor can vary     6     (depend) on the region and the specific type of black tea, such as Assam, Darjeeling, or Earl Grey. Besides its delicious taste, black tea also offers numerous health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body     7     free radicals (自由基) and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Also, black tea     8     (believe) to improve heart health, boost metabolism, and enhance mental alertness.

In conclusion, black tea’s rich history, distinct flavor, and numerous health benefits make     9     a popular choice for tea enthusiasts. So, why not sit back, relax, and try     10     cup of black tea?

5 . Being part of a community can help people feel less lonely in life. Oliver Johnson is only 7 years old, but he sometimes feels lonely and abandoned.

As Oliver’s birthday drew near, his mom Katherine Johnson ______ to do something to make her son feel ______ in society. Knowing Oliver loves ______ more than toys and video games, and always wants to sit behind the wheel, Katherine shared a simple post on Facebook ______ if any truckers would give her son a ______ in their trucks for $50. She hoped just one trucker would see the post and ______ . Later, Barry, the owner of a transportation company, saw Katherine’s ______ . Unexpectedly, Barry appealed to the truckers of his company to turn up for a truck rally (集会) in honor of Oliver’s birthday. Thirty-four truckers ______ right away. However, on the big day, more than twice that number ______ . Barry was very grateful for his staff members showing a lonely child what a ______ community looks like. “When it comes to kids, these truckers will always come out,” Barry said. Oliver was ______ surprised by the truck rally, and he couldn’t have been more ______ . “We all could sense he was surrounded by happiness,” said his father, Simon Johnson. “To be perfectly honest, the big day meant more than we could have ever ______ ,” he added, “‘thank you’ just doesn’t ______ what’s happened.”

None of the truckers accepted a cent for their time or expenses. It’s an act full of ______ ! Thanks to everyone who made this happen to the special kid.

1.

A．refused

B．forgot

C．failed

D．wanted

2.

A．included

B．changed

C．struggled

D．improved

3.

A．films

B．lights

C．trucks

D．trains

4.

A．recognizing

B．proving

C．asking

D．testing

5.

A．hand

B．ride

C．treat

D．break

6.

A．respond

B．discuss

C．blame

D．explain

7.

A．respect

B．operation

C．concern

D．request

8.

A．came up

B．looked up

C．signed up

D．went up

9.

A．appeared

B．agreed

C．bothered

D．succeeded

10.

A．strange

B．new

C．supportive

D．creative

11.

A．similarly

B．completely

C．finally

D．frequently

12.

A．embarrassed

B．tired

C．confused

D．delighted

13.

A．imagined

B．founded

C．kept

D．adjusted

14.

A．promise

B．cover

C．decide

D．fix

15.

A．energy

B．knowledge

C．ambition

D．love

6 . I joined the coast guard because I wanted to help people. Hovercraft (气垫船) are rare and special. They’ve been discontinued in most commercial operation, because they are so expensive to make, but when it comes to search and rescue, they’re priceless.

From far away, a hovercraft looks like a normal boat. But if you look under its skirt, the craft is not touching the water — it floats on a cushion of air. That cushion allows us to travel over everything from water to muddy land — and even break through ice. We do all of that as a 70-tonne machine, going a maximum of nearly 120 kilometers per hour. These features allow us to rescue a large number of people quickly get onto land, and get someone into an ambulance far easier than with any other device I can think of.

The advantages of hovercraft can also make them difficult to handle. We’ve got a massive vehicle moving fast, sometimes in a thick fog bank up a narrow river. During assignments on other coast guard ships, I had 20 minutes to make alterations to avoid a crash. In a hovercraft, I have 10 seconds. You have to have enough situational awareness to make the right decision every time.

People call us for all sorts of problems: missing divers, on-board fires, or even when they’ve run out of fuel or had a mechanical breakdown. A container ship could burst into flames. We have a strong network here at the base to help everyone through difficult situations like that. Thankfully, we have captains who train us in a safe environment, but you don’t ever get fully comfortable. Anything can throw the hovercraft off — maybe your lift settings are off a little, or the wind blows with a bit of extra weight. After several years operating a hovercraft, I’m still learning. Every one of the captains here agrees: you can drive this thing for 20 years and still be surprised.

1. What makes hovercraft unsuitable for commercial use?

A．Their safety risks.

B．Their poor durability.

C．Their low efficiency.

D．Their production costs.

2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．How a hovercraft works.	B．What comprises a hovercraft.
C．What distinguishes a hovercraft.	D．How a hovercraft helps victims.

3. What challenge do hovercraft pose to the pilot?

A．They have to make faster responses.

B．They often face mechanical breakdowns.

C．They need more people for decision making.

D．They must consider the environmental concerns.

4. What does the author think of operating a hovercraft?

A．Dull.

B．Demanding.

C．Enjoyable.

D．Effortless.

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入一个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

This year marks the 92nd anniversary of the September 18 Incident.

On September 18, 1931, Japanese troops     1    (blow) up a section of the railway in Shenyang and accused the Chinese military of doing     2    . Using the explosion as a pretext (借口), Japanese forces attacked the Beidaying garrison (卫戍部队)and bombarded (轰炸) Shenyang on the same night,     3    (launch) a full-scale invasion (侵略) of northeast China. During the incident, Chinese troops at the Beidaying garrison were given a no-resistance order and withdrew     4     fighting.

The incident marked     5     beginning of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and was a prelude to the world’s anti-fascist war. This Monday, a bell-tolling ceremony is being held at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang to pay tribute to the people       6     lost their life in the 14-year war.

The 14-year Japanese invasion resulted in over 35 million victims among Chinese troops and civilians. By commemorating the September 18 Incident, the Chinese people reaffirm (重申) their     7    (commit) to never forget this dark chapter in history and prevent it being repeated.

The commemorations serve as a reminder for the Chinese people     8    (keep) dark days in mind. History has    9     (repeat) shown that invasions and wars are rarely     10    (success), and although evidence might be covered up, justice eventually prevails (占上风).

8 . Smoking, which may be a pleasure for some people, is a series of discomfort for those who live around the smokers. Medical scientists have expressed their concern about the negative effect of smoking. It not only has a bad effect on the health, but also does harm to those who do not smoke at all. As a matter of fact, non-smokers who breathe in the air which has been polluted by tobacco smoke would suffer much more seriously than the smokers themselves.

Therefore, a great number of students are trying to persuade the university to forbid smoking in classrooms as well as around the campus. Actually, they have the reason to believe that they are completely right in their aim. However, I think it much more important for people to achieve this by calling on the smokers to use good judgment and to show concern for people living around them. Smoking not only should be strictly forbidden in the classroom and on the campus, but also it ought to be banned in theaters, cinemas, restaurants and in other public places.

Although many people have died for the related diseases caused by smoking and now lots of work has been done to call on people to give up smoking, yet there still quite a few people, especially the young generation, insist on smoking and neglect what health doctors has warned them every day.

Well, if they continue doing what they like without concerning others’ situation, they will surely be responsible for their deeds.

1. In the author’s opinion, whom does smoking do good to?

A．Nobody.	B．Some people.
C．Smokers.	D．Young people.

2. What does the underlined word “neglect” in the third paragraph mean?

A．Consider.

B．Control.

C．Ignore.

D．Share.

3. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

A．Smokers suffer from the polluted air more than the non-smokers.

B．Non-smokers suffer from the polluted air more than the smokers.

C．Non-smokers suffer as much from the polluted air as the smokers.

D．Non-smokers don’t suffer so much from the polluted air as the smokers.

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards smoking?

A．Positive.

B．Negative.

C．Careless.

D．Neutral.

9 . I ______ ______ _______ _______ in Si Chuan again.
我期待再次去四川旅游。

10 . Parents ______ ______ _______ children’s health and safety all the time.
父母总是一直担心孩子的健康和安全。