1 . According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, the number of solar panels installed(安装)has grown rapidly in the past decade, and it has to grow even faster to meet climate goals. But all of that growth will take up a lot of space, and though more and more people accept the concept of solar energy, few like large solar panels to be installed near them.

Solar developers want to put up panels as quickly and cheaply as possible, so they haven’t given much thought to what they put under them. Often, they’ll end up filling the area with small stones and using chemicals to control weeds. The result is that many communities, especially in farming regions, see solar farms as destroyers of the soil.

“Solar projects need to be good neighbors,” says Jordan Macknick, the head of the Innovative Site Preparation and Impact Reductions on the Environment(InSPIRE)project. “They need to be protectors of the land and contribute to the agricultural economy.” InSPIRE is investigating practical approaches to “low-impact” solar development, which focuses on establishing and operating solar farms in a way that is kinder to the land. One of the easiest low-impact solar strategies is providing habitat for pollinators(传粉昆虫).

Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change have caused dramatic declines in pollinator populations over the past couple of decades, which has damaged the U.S. agricultural economy. Over 28 states have passed laws related to pollinator habitat protection and pesticide use. Conservation organizations put out pollinator-friendliness guidelines for home gardens, businesses, schools, cities—and now there are guidelines for solar farms.

Over the past few years, many solar farm developers have transformed the space under their solar panels into a shelter for various kinds of pollinators, resulting in soil improvement and carbon reduction. “These pollinator-friendly solar farms can have a valuable impact on everything that’s going on in the landscape,” says Macknick.

1. What do solar developers often ignore?

A．The decline in the demand for solar energy.

B．The negative impact of installing solar panels.

C．The rising labor cost of building solar farms.

D．The most recent advances in solar technology.

2. What does InSPIRE aim to do?

A．Improve the productivity of local farms.

B．Invent new methods for controlling weeds.

C．Make solar projects environmentally friendly.

D．Promote the use of solar energy in rural areas.

3. What is the purpose of the laws mentioned in paragraph 4?

A．To conserve pollinators.	B．To restrict solar development.
C．To diversify the economy.	D．To ensure the supply of energy.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Pollinators: To Leave or to Stay	B．Solar Energy: Hope for the Future
C．InSPIRE: A Leader in Agriculture	D．Solar Farms: A New Development

2 . You’ve got mail…and it’s a postcard

Paulo Magalhaes, a 34-year-old Portuguese computer engineer, loves to open his mailbox and find a brightly colored picture of Rome’s Colosseum. Or Africa’s Victoria Falls. Or China’s Great Wall.     1    

“I often send postcards to family and friends.” he says to China Daily, “but you can imagine that after a while, you never receive as many as you send, and you realize that not everyone is into it.     2    ” Seeking other like-minded souls, however, Paulo started looking in a somewhat unlikely place: online. Many would say the Internet is a place for people who have given up on the traditional postal service, but Paulo’s hunch(直觉)paid off.

Today his hobby has developed into the website postcrossing.com, a social network that has grown to 575,217 registered users in 214 countries and regions since he started it 10 years ago.     3    Running the website has almost turned into a full-time job.

Language is certainly a barrier for many people. For postcrossing to work worldwide, a common communication language is needed so that everyone can understand each other. As cool as it may be to receive a postcard written in Chinese, the concept doesn’t work if one doesn’t understand it.     4     So a common language is required and in postcrossing that’s English since it’s widely spoken.

“Many people in China have limited exposure to English.     5     That said, we know of many postcrossing members, including Chinese, who have actually improved their English skills through their use of postcrossing,” Paulo says.

A．And that’s totally fine.

B．That makes it extra hard to learn and practice it.

C．He likes to think of sending postcards as a family-friendly hobby.

D．Many love to make a connection with someone from across the world.

E．On August 5, the number of postcards exchanged by members topped 31 million.

F．Similarly, if you speak only Chinese, receiving a card in Swedish takes part of the fun away.

G．In short, he loves postcards, and the excitement of getting a hand-written note from someone far away.

3 . My mother is 92. Unless I have to be out of town, each week I take my mother to do her _______ and visit the doctor, providing _______ and transportation. During the week, however, she likes to go to a nearby store to _______ some small things she needs.

Last week she walked up to the store, but when she went to pay for her groceries, she was _______ about three dollars. The only _______ to pay for the groceries was to take off the _______ she could do without: a bottle of rubbing alcohol (医用酒精) and a bar of soap. By taking off these, she was able to _______ the new total to the amount of cash she had with her.

At this store, people _______ and then go off to the side to _______ their own groceries. My mother was putting her groceries into shopping bags when a ________ came up to her and said, “Here are the things that you ________ .” handing her the rubbing alcohol and the ________ . My mother, who is never speechless, was speechless. She ________ for the woman’s name and address so that she could ________ her. The woman told her it was her ________ .

My mother was so ________ by her gesture that she decided to go back to the store and give the cashier (收银员) a five-dollar bill to keep on hand ________ the same happened to someone else if they didn’t have enough ________ for all of their groceries.

So, whoever you are, thank you for the random act of ________ that not only helped my mother out, but ________ too.

1.

A．exercise

B．housework

C．cooking

D．shopping

2.

A．reward

B．medicine

C．company

D．shelter

3.

A．return

B．collet

C．order

D．buy

4.

A．short

B．cautious

C．wrong

D．concerned

5.

A．aim

B．way

C．advice

D．reason

6.

A．weight

B．things

C．mask

D．glasses

7.

A．raise

B．add

C．bring

D．switch

8.

A．show up

B．call in

C．check out

D．sit down

9.

A．store

B．select

C．deliver

D．bag

10.

A．stranger

B．cashier

C．friend

D．doctor

11.

A．looked for

B．talked about

C．threw away

D．put back

12.

A．receipt

B．soap

C．cash

D．bottle

13.

A．asked

B．waited

C．cared

D．searched

14.

A．repay

B．trust

C．recognize

D．help

15.

A．luck

B．chance

C．gift

D．turn

16.

A．surprised

B．amused

C．touched

D．convinced

17.

A．in case

B．even if

C．as though

D．so that

18.

A．energy

B．money

C．space

D．time

19.

A．faith

B．courage

C．kindness

D．honor

20.

A．made her day

B．changed her mind

C．caught her eye

D．met her demand

4 . 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。

Alex sat quietly at the back of his Chinese class, his eyes fixed on the textbook before him. As a shy and unnoticed student, he felt like a lone wolf, struggling against the complexities of high school life. Ms Lau, his Chinese teacher, was a light in his otherwise dark world. Her warm smile and gentle behavior made her stand out among the sea of teachers. She was the only one who seemed to understand his conservative nature, always encouraging him to step out of his comfort zone.

One day, after class, Ms Lau approached Alex with excitement shining in her eyes. “Alex, I have an offer for you,” she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “I am organizing a cultural exchange program to China, and I believe it would be a great opportunity for you to explore a new world.”

Alex’s heart skipped a beat, the prospect of traveling to a foreign country both exciting and terrifying. He hesitated, unsure if he had the courage to start such an adventure. But Ms Lau’s firm belief in him gave him the push he needed to take a leap of faith.

Under Ms Lau’s guidance, Alex began preparing for the trip. He got really interested in Chinese culture and learned about its long history and traditions. Ms Lau became his mentor(导师), teaching him not only the language but also invaluable life lessons. She taught him the importance of being confident and not giving up, reminding him that growth only happens outside one’s comfort zone.

The day of departure arrived, and Alex found himself on a plane headed for China. He couldn’t help but feel amazed as he stepped off the plane and into a world so different from his own. The busy streets, bright colors, and unfamiliar sounds flooded his senses. Yet, Ms Lau’s comforting presence by his side provided him with the strength to face the unknown.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150词左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

During their time in China, Alex wholeheartedly enjoyed the experience.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Back in the United States, Alex was a changed person.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . Don’t Get Lost in the Term of Eco-tourism

Given that tourism produces harmful emissions, the term “green travel” can seem contradictory. Green travel will not solve the climate crisis, but knowing what to look for can allow you to make choices that do less harm and more good if you do choose to travel.     1    

Don’t get hung up on the terms.

The key to better understanding and identifying sustainable travel options is recognizing that it’s actually actions—not words—that matter. Definitions can vary from person to person.     2    

Ask questions.

Before you book a tour or hotel, prepare questions. For example: Do they support the local economy? Are they ensuring the preservation of the natural environment?     3     However, if you can’t find answers on the website, contact the property or tour operator directly.

    4    

You don’t have to plan a responsible travel and the ever-changing term alone. Contact organizations that provide training, accreditation and transparent standards. You can also join responsible travel communities on social media, where you can ask questions, share resources and learn alongside other travelers who share your values.

Start now.

You can’t do everything at once right away. Decide what you can do. Maybe it’s contributing to a conservation or community project.     5     Anyway, when you know better, do better.

A．Lean on and learn from others.

B．Find an operator who shares your personal values.

C．But it’s the truth behind the term that really matters.

D．Ask what the local government can provide you with.

E．Search for the answers such as data and policies on a company’s website.

F．Here are some expert tips on how to understand the vocabulary of green travel.

G．Maybe it’s immersing yourself in one destination rather than rushing around to see three.

6 . Regret refers to a feeling of sadness about something wrong or about a mistake that you have made, and a wish that it could have been different and better.     1     Experts say they come in four basic varieties: connection regrets, moral regrets, foundation regrets and boldness regrets. An instance of regret may involve just one or a combination.

    2     Regret is linked with depression and anxiety, and excessive regret can adversely affect your hormones and immune system. For some, it’s anathema to sleep.

To truly get over our regret requires that we put it in its proper place. The trick is not to avoid the bad feeling; it’s to acknowledge it and use it for learning and improvement.     3     We have to seek them out on purpose to improve ourselves. Here are things you may find helpful the next time your are indulged in regrets.

    4     This suggests that regret is like a ghost: not entirely clear but always frightening. Bring your ghost out of the shadows by making a list of your regrets. Write down why each one still bothers you and its lingering bad effects. You will find that a list is a lot less dreadful than a ghost.

After you make a mistake, life moves on. But sometimes you just can’t stop kicking yourself. Perhaps you dropped out of school decades ago and are constantly calculating today how much money you would be making, had you pressed on to graduation.     5    

Life is a journey full of pleasures and pains. To live it well and fully means learning from every bit of it, including regrets, and moving forward.

A．Not all regrets are the same, of course

B．People often say their regrets chase after them.

C．Regret’s benefits don’t come to us by chance.

D．Never waste another minute of life reliving a decision that cannot be changed.

E．Some take the declaration a step further and claim that they have no regrets at all.

F．Unanalyzed and unmanaged, any variety of regrets can be poison for your health.

G．If you are of the “no regrets” school of life, you might think that all this regret is a recipe for unhappiness.

7 . It was a cold Saturday night in February. Some 200 New Yorkers carefully made their way to the reservoir (水库) in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the magical snowy owl, who had touched down in the park the week before in what was reported as the first visit there by the species in more than 130 years.

Except for a few excited screams from children, people were quiet — patiently awaiting the owl’s arrival at the reservoir’s north gatehouse. The snowy owl did not disappoint. She flew down from the darkness and surveyed the water and the people holding phones and cameras before taking off into the night to the applause of her many fans. They simply wanted to see this lovely creature whose improbable appearance seemed to signify hope after the lockdown.

New Yorkers who had long taken Central Park for granted felt a renewed love for this rectangle of green in the heart of the big city and, of course, its amazing wildlife. That the park is a beautiful and essential refuge is something that humans have only come to fully appreciate during these recent times of uncertainty.

Central Park was originally planned and constructed during another difficult time in the nation’s history — in the years before and during the American Civil War. Unlike many European parks that had originally been built for the aristocracy (贵族), Central Park was designed as a public space. In its chief architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s words, the poor and rich alike could “easily go there after their day’s work is done” and “stroll for an hour, seeing, hearing, and feeling nothing of the noise of the streets.”

As spring turns into summer, we see people sitting on the grass or benches — catching some sun, having family picnics, or tapping away on their laptops and iPads. Just being in proximity to other people in Central Park gave us a sense of community — the sense that we would somehow persevere.

1. What did people do in Central Park on that Saturday night?

A．They cheered for each other.	B．They paid their first visit.
C．They came for a rare sight.	D．They appreciated a water event.

2. What does the author mainly intend to do in Paragraph 4?

A．Give some examples.	B．Make a comparison.
C．Introduce a new opinion.	D．Add background information.

3. What do the underlined words “in proximity to” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．close to	B．free from
C．at a distance from	D．in comparison with

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Find Refuge in Central Park

B．Take Your Breath by Snow Owl

C．Trace Central Park to difficult times

D．Meet an improbable “visitor” in person

8 . How to Keep Yourself Healthy at Home

Keeping your health at home is tough, while it’s much easier when you go to gyms.     1     In this faster years of living, it is important to know your health and turn to a healthier style of living. One of the best ways is physical activities which are also helpful in reducing risks of obesity (肥胖), heart diseases, high blood pressure, strokes, and other health issues. Here, I share some valuable tips to provide health benefits at home.

Exercise using everyday household items.     2     Use simple things like full water bottles and soup cans for weightlifting. Stretching can be done quickly with the help of towels. You can even do squats (蹲) while arranging or cleaning the cupboards. You can also find exercise videos online to do at home with no equipment needed.

    3     Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and other foods that are rich in proteins, fibers, and vitamins and contain less or no sugars and fats. Avoid caffeine and overeating, as they do harm to your health. In addition, reduce sodium intake by limiting salt, soy sauce, and other sodium contents from your diet.

Do housework as an exercise for good health.     4     Sweeping, mopping and dusting required much energy. It also makes your heart beat faster. In this way, you can burn many calories in a shorter time. You can also clean your yard or do gardening, which is a working goal while doing daily housework. In this way, you can knock off your to-do list by gaining health benefits.

These tips are to work well while you are staying at home.     5     If you can find any free time, move more and sit less to be physically active and healthy, as it can change your life.

A．Drink water and limit sugary drinks.

B．Make a balanced diet plan for good health.

C．It is easy to find proper exercise equipment at home.

D．It can also keep your mind fresh, reducing anxiety and stress.

E．But you can make your lifestyle healthy by changing some habits.

F．Cleaning your house can be an excellent physical activity for you.

G．Every amount of work and activity can help you make your life healthier.

9 . 阅读下面材料、在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

While many people have made videos to cheer on those working on the front lines of the fight since the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai, Chien Meishuang     1     (spend) her time in lockdown at home, painting simple heartwarming works.

The paintings are part of her Journal of the Pandemic Lockdown,     2     project she started two years ago. “We are all facing a difficult time     3     we are trapped at home,” Chien tells China Daily. “I     4     (simple) wanted to let others know that there is a silver lining amid the dark clouds.”

The Taiwan native, who lives in Shanghai, is being on the receiving end of her neighbors’ kindness.     5     (document) her experience, the artist created a painting, titled Good Neighbors in China, marking the first new     6     (add) to her project this year. Other     7     (scene) shown in her latest works include delivery men having a quick lunch and her neighbors     8     (welcome) a 70-year-old man who returned from hospital after recovering from COVID-19.

“It is because of the pandemic     9     I have made friends from all walks of life in the area where I live. These individuals have provided infinite inspiration and stories     10     my works,” she adds. “As long as an artwork can touch people’s hearts, I believe it is good art. It doesn't matter how simple it is.”

10 . Well, to pick up where we left off last time. I’m certain that you know all too well the dangers hiding on the World Wide Web. And whether it’s for schoolwork, entertainment, or just socializing with friends, the Internet will surely be a major part of your child’s life. So, it’s important to secure their online stays.

It’s not the easiest thing, but keeping open lines of communication is primary. Let them know they can share their online activities with you. Talk to them about their online presence as early as possible, ideally before they begin to use email, social media, or a smartphone. Discuss what they find interesting online and learning from them about popular websites and apps; this will create understanding and allow you to identify potential risks.

Next, monitor without spying. Most kids learn to understand boundaries, like respecting others’ personal space, or not opening the cookie jar without asking. Internet use is no different. It’s helpful for kids to have ground rules as to which websites they can visit,which apps they can use, and what they can share online. Remind them that if they feel uneasy with anything that occurs online, they need to alert an adult immediately.

How you handle your kids’ internet usage will depend in large part on their age. There are sites and browsing tools meant for younger kids, such as YouTube Kids,which aims to provide a safe online experience for children.Older kids may be allowed more freedom since they want to network and need to use the internet for information-gathering. But you can set boundaries that feel right for you. Just limit access appropriately.

Allowing your children to make good decisions online teaches them responsibility, shows that you trust them, and reminds them that rules may be tightened if they disobey them. Stay tuned.

1. What might be talked about last time?

A．The history of the World Wide Web.	B．How the Internet influences people.
C．The potential dangers of the Internet.	D．What information the Internet offers.

2. What does Paragraph 2 suggest people do?

A．Never be narrow-minded.	B．Communicate effectively.
C．Share personal information.	D．Identify with your children.

3. What does “alert” underlined in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Inform.

B．Reveal.

C．Look after.

D．Tell off.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．What Is Hidden on the Net?	B．How to Make Online Stays?
C．Be a Smarter Internet User	D．Keep Your Kids Safe Online