Imagine you live in your green dream home: extremely energy-saving, beautiful, cozy and perfectly satisfatory. Maybe you are picturing such a brand new smart house, but actually you can redecorate your current house with green concept in a simple way.
Wright Rudy, a builder and energy-efficiency expert who has done a number of home designs, says you can save more energy than you might think. He helps homeowners get energy savings of up to 75 percent when he’s able to rework a house perfectly. A series of energy-saving designs in one neighborhood has been done to cut some homes’ energy use in half, resulting in an average cost savings of $100 per month on energy bills.
If you’re doing a major home upgrade, you can go further and add solar design features to improve your home’s natural heating and cooling. Wright suggests you bring both pleasant living space and heat to your home by adding a sunroom. This strategy makes full use of solar energy.
Similarly, cooling issues can be addressed by improving natural ventilation (通风). Instead of using the traditional way—ceiling fans, Wright suggests careful arrangements of windows and skylights as one option. Skylights are terrific because they’re located at a high point in the room, which allows warm air to rise out while cooler outdoor air comes in through an open window.
Wright says green concept for homes is the wave of the future. “I believe that within the next few years we needn’t burn fuels inside our houses any more. Our designs are cost-effective and environmentally safe. In this sense, our designs will surely address the future. Realistically, we need to be planning for that now.”
1. What benefit can Wright’s green house bring?2. What does Wright advise us to do to keep the house cool?
3. Which word can replace “addressed” in the paragraph 4?
4. Why does Wright have the idea of green homes?
The population of monarchs passing the winter in Mexico appears to have fallen. Now, the good news for Illinois’ state insects: The Field Museum in Chicago is trying to figure out what makes a successful monarch garden in the city, and it’s proper to start preparing for this summer.
The Field Museum project involves citizens reporting on spaces that researchers can’t walk into every day, like backyards. Participants sent in weekly reports, including the makeup of their garden, and development of eggs and caterpillars. The more successful gardens had more milkweed(乳汁草)and blooming plants，multiple milkweed species， and tended to be larger plots. But Klinger, an expert at the Field Museum,said one participant with a single plant watched eggs transform all the way to chrysalises(蛹). So，she said，“You just need one plant.”
In 2020,during the second season of the study, the number of caterpillars dropped even though the number of participants in the study more than doubled.
Chicago saw a hot, dry summer——its warmest on record, and Klinger said that may have affected the health of the milkweed plants. The reports out of Mexico noted this season’s eastern population drop followed an increase in forest loss, which was 4 times what it was a year ago, primarily from illegal tree cutting, as well as trees hit by wind and drought. But they also said spring and summer weather conditions were tough for milkweed blossoms and egg development in the southern US, which is largely responsible for limiting reproduction.
“But now is the optimum time to start planning to plant some milkweed. The best thing to do is what you can do. One milkweed plant in a pot on your balcony(阳台)is doing something，” Klinger said.
1. What’s the intention of the Field Museum project?2. What’s the main idea of paragraph 2?
3. Why was there an increase in the forest loss?
4. What is the author’s attitude towards the Field Museum project?
Having worked in a nature reserve for 30 years, Hou Tiguo has developed a special ability—he can tell what kind of birds are around simply by their singing. “I can also tell whether they are happy or unhappy,” he added with a big smile.
The 52-year-old’s home, Baihualing, a village in Yunnan province, is well-known for the diversity of birds. He recalled, “In the 1970s, people were so poor. Birds were often targeted as food, so almost all the children including me in the village were good at using slingshots (弹弓).”
His life changed in 1989, when a couple hiking through the mountains visited Baihualing. They asked him to be their guide and lead them to good bird-watching spots. He said, “That was the first time I had made money from birds without killing them.”
Inspired by that, the villagers built a reserve to feed birds and protect the habitat (栖息地) of birds. In the decades that followed, more bird-watchers visited the village. The village became a popular destination for bird lovers, and most villagers have turned into bird protectors and engaged in serving bird-loving tourists.
In the village, there are more than 60 “bird guides” like Hou. More than 20 guesthouses which have hosted visitors from more than 100 countries bring in a total income of 15 million yuan every year. “During the peak season, I serve nearly 100 tourists a day. Thanks to the birds, our life is not what it used to be any more.” Hou said, adding that he takes his 3-year-old grandson with him every day to feed birds and teaches him to love and respect them.
1. What was the life in Baihualin like in the 1970s?2. When did Hou begin to change his life?
3. What is the job for most villagers now?
4. Why does Hou take his 3-year-old grandson with him every day?
As a boy, Ramirez Cruz loved hiking with his grandfather up into the mountains of central Mexico. While the old man hunted for wild mushrooms, Ramirez would play among the monarch butterflies that migrated 3,000 miles to this forest each autumn, turning the blue sky into a sea of orange.
Ramirez is 75 now and each winter he still goes looking for butterflies. But these days, he might spend hours searching the forest without catching sight of a single one.
The world is losing monarch butterflies at a surprising rate, as many human activities destroy their natural habitats. But the biggest threat yet has only recently come into focus. Climate change, with its extreme storms, is destroying the forest that serves as the butterfly’s winter home.
To help his beloved butterflies, Ramirez has partnered with scientists on an experiment: They are trying to move an entire forest 1,000 feet up a mountain. He agrees with scientists that it is necessary to create an ecosystem where the butterflies will be able to survive.
Over the last several years, the team of researchers has overseen the relocation(迁移) of about 1,000 trees that were growing at lower altitudes up to higher and cooler areas. Ramirez and the scientists hope to expand the project and establish the trees at even higher altitudes on other nearby mountains if temperatures continue to soar.
After checking on the trees, Ramirez went off to look for the butterflies. He found a few butterflies then a few more. There weren’t as many as he remembered from his childhood, but it was still a sight to see. Ramirez eased himself down to sit on the soft forest floor and watched in silence. The only sound was the whistle of the wind and the gentle flapping(拍打) of their wings.
1. What does “sea of orange” refer to in paragraph 1?2. Why is the forest important to the monarch butterflies according to paragraph 3?
3. What is the project Ramirez has been working on in paragraph 5?
4. How did Ramirez probably feel when he sat on the soft forest floor?
China's Chang'e-5 lunar mission achieves many major breakthroughs
In the early hours of Dec. 17, 2020, China's Chang'e 5 lunar probe（航天探测器）touched down in Siziwang Banner, north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, with moon samples.
The return capsule of China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe returned to the earth with samples collected from the moon, marking a complete success of China’s Chang’e-5 mission, said an official with the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
On Nov. 24, a Long March 5 rocket carrying the Chang’e-5 probe blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan province.
To avoid accidentally flying past the moon, Chang'e-5 probe made two orbital correction operations before conducting a key braking maneuver (刹车操作), eventually Chang'e 5 probe successfully landed on the near side of the moon and started sampling on Dec. 1.
Then on Dec. 17, after gathering the samples, the returner of Chang'e-5 probe separated from the orbiter and returned to Earth, bringing the mission to the scientific research stage.
Chang'e-5 is one of the most complex and challenging missions in China's aerospace history, and brought back the country's first-ever soil samples from an extraterrestrial(外星的) body.
In its 23-day journey, Chang'e-5 probe accomplished one docking and six separations, adopted two methods of moon sampling, and carried out five transfers of samples. A total of 11 major stages and key procedures were involved in the mission.
The milestone mission has accomplished several firsts for China, including the first moon sampling, the first liftoff from an extraterrestrial body, the first docking in lunar orbit, the first spacecraft carrying samples to re-enter the earth's atmosphere at high speed, as well as the first storage, analysis and research system of moon samples.
The success of Chang'e-5 mission is a new milestone in the development of China's space industry, proving that China has mastered the technology for shuttling(往返) between the earth and the moon.
1. When and where did Chang'e-5 lunar probe return to the earth?2. What is the main task of Long March 5 rocket?
3. How did Chang’e-5 avoid missing the moon in space?
4. Why is Chang'e-5 mission one of the most complex missions in China's aerospace history?
5. After you finish reading this text, What is your opinion about China's Chang'e-5 successful lunar mission?
Last fall,my dad and I visited Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary,which is located in the mountains of Northern Thailand. Although our stay was short, it turned out to be the most memorable part of our holiday.
Upon arrival,we headed to the base to learn about the elephants that were in the care.The eldest,Too Meh, had spent much of her life giving tourists rides with a heavy iron seat tied to her back.Her daughter,Mae Doom,and grandsons,Dodo and Gen Thong,had also spent years in chains doing hard work to entertain tourists. It broke our hearts to hear their sad stories.
Early the next morning, we saw Too Meh and Mae Doom exploring the forest and Dodo playing by the river. Seeing them free was a heartwarming experience. Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary was founded with the goal of protecting the welfare of elephants, and that is why this place does not offer elephant rides or elephant performances of any kind. Instead, it tries to educate visitors about these amazing animals.
But we did more than just get to know the elephants. We also cooked and ate together with our host family, learned about the language of the local people, and helped teach English to the children in the village. In doing these activities, we were able to experience the local customs and culture firsthand.By providing such opportunities for visitors, the place gives back to the village by helping the villagers make more money and learn English. It's a win-win situation.
If you want to see elephants in their natural environment,Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is the nice place to go. It's an experience you won't forget.
1. What was the most memorable part of the author's holiday？2. What does the author think of using elephants to entertain tourists?
3. What did the author learn by doing activities with local people?
4. What's the purpose of the last paragraph?
7 . My family just got back from a wonderful vacation. It was 10 days of good food, great sun and beautiful beaches. One day nearly ruined our trip, though. I had caught a bad cold, and I was thinking about staying at home. But my wife had her heart set on the beach, and because we have three small children, I came along to help out.
We arrived, and my wife was in heaven. I wasn’t as enthusiastic. The sand wasn’t nearly as soft as I like. And the surf was much rougher, which certainly didn't please my kids.
As I kept comparing this beach to other ones, my mood deteriorated. I was about to get into another big argument with my wife when I remembered three little words: “Disagree and commit”. It’s a principle that encourages healthy discussion and disagreement during the decision-making process, but that requires full support for a decision once made.
In the case of our vacation, I had agreed to let my wife pick the beach for the day. Because of my cold, I would have found something wrong with just about any beach. And complaining would have just made everyone else unhappy, too. So, I did the opposite. I looked for all the great things about the beach and voiced them out loud. And guess what? I survived those hours on the beach.
In all our relationships, we’re looking for support. Of course, good friends should be able to have healthy disagreements. But when it comes to making decisions, there are times when all the discussion in the world won’t change another person’s mind. When that happens, ask yourself: Can I disagree and commit? If you can, you'll show your partner you’re willing to go all in and they'll do the same for you.
I know it’s saved my most precious relationships countless times over the years. And it’s a major reason why after 11 years of marriage, three kids, and even the stress of a family vacation, the relationship between my wife and me is stronger than ever.
1. Why did the author go to the beach despite his bad cold?2. What is the author’s principle in dealing with disagreement in relationships?
3. What will the other person probably do if you’re willing to fully support him?
4. How is the author’s relationship with his wife now?
When I went off to college in the fall of 1991, I was an 18-year-old man whose favorite letters were the ones on the sports sweater. Four years later, I was crazy about the letters of the poet Keats, but one author’s penned letters stood out above the rest. You see, my father wrote me one letter per week from the time I left home.
In an age before email, these letters seemed too ordinary. But they arrived. Each week. One after another. Again and again. In snowstorms. On holidays. From foreign countries. They detailed what Dad referred to as “the week that was”—a day-by-day description of my father’s life.
In 1995, I graduated from college, like many 22-year olds, with plenty of uncertainty. Some of my questions were pretty typical: What was I going to do? Where was I going to live? When was I going to apply for graduate school? But one question was more vital than any other thing. What would happen to the weekly letters? Would they continue? To my surprise, the letters kept coming, more heartfelt and emotional than before and always on time. I mean the guy never missed.
As much as I enjoyed my father’s weekly letters, I didn’t fully appreciate them all those years when they arrived like clockwork. And I never fully understood why my dad would always ask if I’d received the letter when we spoke.
But now, as I pen my first official letters to my own sons Jackson and Cassius, it all seems clear. Although our boys have yet to leave for college, I have to accept that day will soon come. Just the idea of their leaving from our home makes me ache with sadness only a parent can know.
I am writing about “the week that was” with my daily details. With a box of over 500 of Dad’s letters nearby and his pen in hand, I write a letter, fighting back the tears I make it to the end and sign it just as he did. All my love, Dad.
1. What did the author’s father keep doing for years?2. What does the sentence “the guy never missed” tell us about the author’s father?
3. When did the author come to realize the importance of his father’s letters?
4. Why would the author’s dad always ask if the author had received his letters?
“Runners, on your mark. Get set..." Bang! And I was off, along with other teenage runners from high schools across the county. It was a fine day, like any other fair-weather autumn day in Maryland. But the race that day felt unique (特别的)from the get-go. For one thing, I liked the course. It was my team's home course, one I was used to running during practices. It took runners along terrain (地形)that included open fields, hills and even dirt paths through a small forest. It was a beautiful 5-kilometer course. This particular race was our team's invite, and I was proud to be sharing the course with competitors from other schools. It also meant a lot more than normal — that my parents were there to cheer me on.
With so much to expect that day, I was ready to run! And I didn't want to be stuck with other runners, as is typical at the beginning of most cross-country races. So when the gun sounded, I took off running, leaving everyone else in the dust.
The first part of our course followed a large open field before disappearing into the forest. Within seconds of the start, I was far ahead of everyone, and all of the fans could see it. It felt magnificent!
But that feeling didn't last long. Little did I know my coach was laughing to himself thinking, "Gabe is done for!" And I was. My body was telling me to slow down. My pride, however, said "No! Not until you're out of sight of the audiences!" I was in pain, but I kept up my pace until I reached the forest. Once I was among the trees, I slowed way down.
I enjoyed most races, even while pushing myself, but this one was not enjoyable in the least. I finished the race, but in nowhere near the time I could have if I’ d paced myself well from the beginning. Every time I reflect on that cross-country season, I’m reminded of something: Pride is no substitute for pace.
1. What can be inferred about cross-country races according to paragraph 2?2. Why didn't the author slow down until he reached the forest?
3. Replace the underlined word "magnificent" with one word.
4. How could the author have done better in the race?
The Cang Mountain Scenic Area in Yu county, Shanxi province, with more than 2,600 years of history, is the most famous mountain in the history of Shanxi.
In Spring and Autumn period, a loyal officer's family were killed due to a dirty dog's unjust（不公正的） accusation(控告）, apart from a baby，who was hidden in this mountain and saved , so the mountain was named Cang, meaning hide in Chinese.
In the middle of the 18th century, the story was adapted(改编）by Voltaire, a famous French thinker, into The Orphan of China, which was staged in Europe, becoming a worldwide hit. The story shows not only the traditional goodness of the Chinese nation, but also an important part of world culture.
In recent years, with the development, Cang Mountain has become a national AAAA grade scenic spot. It is made up of 168 scenic spots in four major parts: Orphan Cultivation Garden, Spring and Autumn Orphan Hide, Lotus Temple and Immortal Mountain Natural Ecological Zone.
Here you can understand history, enjoy pines and waterfalls, and view Taihang Mountain. It is a place with wonderful palaces , beautiful mountains and waters, and lots of valuable animals and plants, and it’s a place in which you can relax yourselves as well.
With its rich culture and beautiful sceneries, it is expected to receive more and more Chinese and foreign tourists.
1. How old is Cang Mountain according to this text?2. How many scenic spots make up Cang Mountain scenic spot?
3. Why did The Orphan of China become a hit in the world after it was staged in Europe?
4. If you are traveling in Cang Mountain, What can you do to learn about Cang Mountain ?
5. After you finish reading this text, can you use at least 30 words to describe another place of interest in Yangquan?
