1 . An experimental treatment rejuvenates (使...恢复活力) the immune (免疫的) systems of older mice, improving their ability to fight infections. If it works in humans, the treatment could reverse (逆转) age-related decreases in immunity that leave older adults susceptible to disease.

These decreases may be due to changes in our blood stem cells which can develop into any type of blood cell—including key parts that make up the immune system. As we age, a larger proportion (比例) of these stem cells tend to produce some immune cells over others, says Jason Ross at Stanford University in California. This imbalance damages the immune system’s defenses.

Ross and his colleagues have developed a treatment using antibodies (抗体), which are proteins that recognize and attack certain cells to target these abnormal stem cells. They tested the treatment in six mice between 18 and 24 months old, which is roughly equal to an age of 56 to 70 years in humans.

A week after receiving an antibody injection, the mice had about 38 percent fewer of these abnormal stem cells than six mice of the same age that didn’t receive the treatment. “You can think of it as kind of turning back the clock,” says Ross. “We’re making the proportion of these immune cells more similar to those of a younger adult mouse.”

To test if the changes resulted in a stronger immune system, the researchers vaccinated (打疫苗) 17 older mice against a mouse virus. Nine of these mice had received the antibody treatment eight weeks earlier. The researchers then infected (感染) the mice with the virus. Two weeks later, they measured the number of infected cells in the animals and found that nearly half of the treated mice had cleared the infection, compared with only one of the eight untreated mice.

The findings indicate that the antibody treatment rejuvenates the mouse immune system. “Since humans, like mice, also see abnormal blood stem cells increase with age, a similar antibody treatment may rejuvenate our immune systems,” says Ross.

1. What does the underlined word “susceptible” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Strongly resist.	B．Easily suffer from.
C．Completely unaffected by.	D．Highly immune to.

2. What may cause age-related decreases in immunity?

A．Changes in our nervous system.

B．An increase in antibodies in our body.

C．Changes in blood stem cells.

D．A decrease in the number of immune cells.

3. How did the researchers measure the effectiveness of the antibody treatment on the mice?

A．By analyzing changes in their lifestyle.

B．By observing differences in their behavior.

C．By conducting blood tests to measure immune cell counts.

D．By counting the number of infected cells after virus contact.

4. What conclusion can be drawn from the findings of the study?

A．The antibody treatment has no effect on the mouse immune system.

B．The antibody treatment increases the risk of infections in mice.

C．The antibody treatment only works on young mice, not older ones.

D．The antibody treatment improves the mouse immune system.

2 . Natasha Tucker’s passion for fighting plastic pollution began with a shocking moment.

While working at the Vancouver Aquarium, Tucker met a rescued dolphin whose fins were partially cut off due to fishing equipment entanglement (缠绕). This heartbreaking experience made Tucker immediately search for a way to take action against the plastic pollution that caused these injuries.

“I saw immediately that this was because of us,” she says. “I knew I had to do something. Then, I found Mind Your Plastic.”

That aquarium encounter was not the only experience that inspired Tucker to action. Other experiences like working in retail management came with witnessing tons of plastic waste. “I saw how much got thrown out, and it didn’t sit well with me,” she says.

Plastic waste in business is among what Mind Your Plastic is seeking to end via its three key programs: the Circular Economy Ambassador Program(CEAP) for educators and youth, the Plastic-Free Events Policy Program for municipalities (市政当局) and the Plastic Awareness and Reduction Tool-kit s (PART) Program for businesses.

When people donate to Mind Your Plastic, their dollars directly support these programs and help them effect change. Through direct partnerships with local educators, municipalities and businesses, these programs connect Canadians with direct ways to take action. The CEAP program, for example, helps teachers educate youth about the circular economy, lead local cleanups, and track collected waste.

The blame game is another area in need of transition, according to Tucker, who says that big companies, not customers, should carry the responsibility to solve Canada’s plastic pollution problem.

“It’s felt for a long time like the responsibility is placed on the customers,” says Tucker. “That needs to stop.”

Tucker says this perspective (观点) can be shifted by individuals creating public pressures—for example, pushing for policy—and using their dollars to support more sustainable, circular alternatives until these policy changes happen.

“This makes policy a valuable tool. And big business may say there’s no interest, but we know there is,” she says. “Let’s use our dollars to prove that, and challenge policymakers to help make change happen.”

1. What first inspired Natasha Tucker’s passion for fighting plastic pollution?

A．Working in retail management.	B．Witnessing tons of plastic waste.
C．Meeting an injured dolphin.	D．Finding Mind Your Plastic.

2. What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Tucker felt uneasy about the large quantity of the plastic.

B．Tucker was unconcerned about the amount of plastic waste she saw.

C．Tucker enjoyed managing so much plastic waste.

D．Tucker thought the amount of plastic waste was acceptable.

3. According to the text, how does Mind Your Plastic aim to effect change?

A．By blaming consumers for plastic waste.	B．By providing education and partnership.
C．By quarreling with big businesses.	D．By stop ping using plastic products.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The harmful effects of plastic pollution on life in the ocean.

B．Natasha Tucker’s personal experiences and her fight against plastic pollution.

C．The programs of Mind Your Plastic to reduce plastic waste.

D．The responsibility of big companies in solving Canada’s plastic pollution problem.

3 . It’s not hard to see how welcoming Berlin is to families. There are kid-orientated (儿童导向的) cafes and imaginatively themed playgrounds. Parks and woodlands provide plentiful picnicking opportunities and, in hot weather, lakes offer sunbathing.

Getting around is easy, too. The city’s neighborhoods are walkable, and its public transport network efficient and cheap. Its wide, flat streets, bike lanes and family-friendly cycle hire make two wheels a great way to explore while taking in the city's impressive sights—all of which make Berlin a memorable family destination.

What to do with toddlers (学步的儿童)

A popular neighbourhood with families, Prenzlauer Berg has playgrounds, parks and pretty streets with shops selling kids’ clothes and toys, as well as family-friendly cafes. For those gifted in music, the Frank Gehry-designed concert hall at the Barenboim-Said Academy hosts morning concerts for babies under 12 months and afternoon concerts for one-to-five-year-olds. Meanwhile, central Tiergarten is a wonderful spot for walking, picnicking or kicking a ball in the grass; wander through the woods, spotting cultural sights. Of the park’s six playgrounds, the one close to Thomas-Dehler-Strasse is best equipped for toddlers.

What to do with tweens and teenagers

The Deutsches Technik museum will absorb transport and technology fans for hours. For those ready to learn about the darkest chapter of German history, the Topography of Terror museum is located on the site of the former SS and Gestapo (盖世太保) headquarters. Checkpoint Charlie is a few minutes walk away and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe can be reached in around 20 minutes on foot. To experience a little of Berlin's alternative side, Bearpit Karaoke is held on Sundays at Mauer park.

1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a family-friendly activity in Berlin?

A．Visiting kid-oriented cafes.

B．Enjoying concerts at the Barenboim-Said Academy.

C．Shopping for kids’ toys in stores.

D．Swimming and surfing in lakes.

2. Which activity is recommended for families with toddlers in Tiergarten?

A．Visiting museums.	B．Picnicking and walking.
C．Riding bikes.	D．Shopping for toys.

3. For teenagers interested in German history, which place would be most suitable to visit?

A．Deutsches Technik museum	B．Prenzlauer Berg
C．Topography of Terror museum	D．Mauer park

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How long did the two men spend at sea?

A．One week.

B．About 20 days.

C．About one month.

2. What was the two men’s attitude toward their adventure?

A．Positive.

B．Ambiguous.

C．Negative.

3. What did the two men eat to survive?

A．Fish.

B．Seabirds.

C．Oranges.

4. Who saved the two men?

A．A fisherman

B．The local government.

C．A search and rescue team.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the man’s favorite player?

A．Messi.

B．Neymar.

C．Cristiano Ronaldo.

2. What does the man explain about the 2022 World Cup?

A．The influence.

B．The time change.

C．The best players.

3. Which country has won the most World Cups?

A．Italy.

B．Brazil.

C．Germany.

6 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the speaker trying to do?

A．Start a school magazine.

B．Look for some part-time editors.

C．Get materials for the school magazine.

2. What are not needed any more?

A．Jokes.

B．Photos of school life.

C．Drawings and paintings.

3. Which page is the most popular?

A．The sports page.

B．The center page.

C．The diary page.

4. Which team won in a national competition this summer?

A．The football team.

B．The basketball team.

C．The tennis team.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who usually cooked New Year’s dinner?

A．The man.

B．The woman.

C．The man’s parents.

2. What does the woman want the man to do?

A．Shop for food.

B．Make a dinner reservation.

C．Take care of children.

3. What are the speakers mainly talking about?

A．What to have at New Year’s dinner.

B．Where to have New Year’s dinner.

C．When to prepare New Year’s dinner.

8 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Jason was a 10-year-old football player who lacked a little speed, yet he made up for it through his good attitude. Jason never missed a practice, even though he was a substitute (替补队员) on my team and had few chances to attend the game. Even so, Jason was never discouraged, and always made a sincere effort.

One day, he didn’t come to practice. When he didn’t show up on the second day, as his coach, I called his home to check on him. One of his out-of-town family members informed me that Jason’s old grandfather had passed away and that the family was making funeral (葬礼) arrangements. When his grandfather was alive, he never could see Jason play; it made Jason feel bad. Now his grandfather had gone; I felt sorry for Jason.

Two weeks later, Jason returned to my team, ready for practice. Only three days of practice remained before our next game. This was an important game because we were against a very strong team. And we only had a one-game lead over them. This was a critical game at a key point in the season.

When the big day rolled around, my top players were ready to rush onto the field. It was a summer evening and the sky was filled with beautiful shiny stars. Before the game, Jason and other players lay on the grass to relax. Jason, who lay beside me, stared at the sky all the time. Suddenly, he whispered to me with excitement, “Coach, look at that shiniest star! My grandpa is on it. He said he would be on the shiniest star in the sky after he was gone.” Touched, I said, “Sure, boy!”

Minutes later, the game started and my top players ran to the field. Jason together with me and a few other substitutes watched on the bench. To my disappointment, my team didn’t perform well.

注意：
1.续写词数应为 150 左右;
2.请按如下格式作答。

When the other team scored two goals while my team scored none, I was so anxious.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Motivated by Jason, my team played with more enthusiasm.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . 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。

Are there plenty of birds in your neighborhood? This is good news for your mental health because birdsong can help relieve     1     (anxious). This is the latest finding of a study published in the journal Scientific Reports,     2     (explain) the remarkable healing power of birdsong.

In     3     effort to understand the influence of birdsong on mental health, researchers at the Max Planck Institute     4     (join) scientists from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf to evaluate     5     birdsong and man-made traffic noise affected mood. Before and after hearing the sounds, the participants completed questionnaires (调查表) assessing     6     (they) mental health.

“Healthy people can also experience negative thoughts. The questionnaires enable us     7     (identify) people’s tendencies without their having a diagnosis of depression and to investigate the effect of the sounds of birds or traffic on these tendencies,” says Emil Stobbe. Results showed that birdsong     8     (be) useful in reducing uneasiness. In contrast, traffic noise worsened depression.

What makes birdsong so beneficial     9     mental health? Study authors believe birdsong is an indication of the entire natural environment. It distracts the listener from other stressors that they would     10     (normal) view as a threat.

10 . There is a famous study called “the marshmallow (棉花糖) test”, conducted by Stanford University professor Walter Mischel. The experiment measured how well children could delay immediate gratification (满足) to receive greater rewards in the future an — ability that predicts success later in life.

For a long time, people assumed that the ability to delay gratification had to do with the child’s personality and was, therefore, unchangeable. But more recent research suggests that social factors—like the reliability of the adults around them — influence how long they can resist temptation (诱惑). Now, findings from a new study add to that science, suggesting that children can delay gratification longer when they are working together toward a common goal.

In the study, researchers repeated a version of the marshmallow experiment with 207 five- to six-year-old children from two very different cultures —Western, Germany and a farming community in Kenya. Kids were first introduced to another child and given a task to do together. Then, they were put in a room by themselves, presented with a cookie on a plate, and told they could eat it now or wait until the researcher returned and receive two cookies. (The researchers used cookies instead of marshmallows because cookies were more attractive treats to these kids.) Some kids received the standard instructions. But others were told that they would get a second cookie only if they and the kid they’d met (who was in another room) were able to resist eating the first one. That meant if both cooperated, they’d both win.

Results showed that both German and Kikuyu kids who were cooperating were able to delay gratification longer than those who weren’t cooperating. Apparently, working toward a common goal was more effective than going it alone.

“Delaying gratification is not just about material benefits,” says Sebastian Grueneisen, coauthor of the study. “Addressing various social issues often necessitates giving up short-term gains for long-term advantages.”

1. What was the traditional belief about kids’ ability to delay gratification?

A．It is dependent on rewards.	B．It is relevant to intelligence.
C．It is linked to social factors.	D．It is a fixed personality trait.

2. What do we know about the new study?

A．It is an extended version of Mischel’s experiment.	B．It took age differences into consideration.
C．It was carried out on a local basis.	D．It reveals the secret of success.

3. What proved to influence children’s ability to delay gratification in the new study?

A．Self-control.

B．Reliable adults.

C．Cooperation.

D．Cultural differences.

4. What does Grueneisen stress in the last paragraph?

A．Instant rewards bring short-term benefits.	B．Delaying gratification holds social value.
C．Cooperation is motivated by self-satisfaction.	D．Social development outweighs personal benefits.