1 . Hummingbirds are natural acrobats (杂技演员), twisting their wings in ways that let them fly backward and upside down, unlike any other bird. Now, high-speed video shows how the birds can slip through gaps narrower than their wingspan (翼宽).
Hummingbirds fly sideways to make it through holes too small for their stiff (僵硬), outstretched wings, scientists report November 9 in the Journal of Experimental Biology. The birds move their wings at a part of the full range of motion, keeping them from hitting the hole’s sides while preserving the backward flying ability. After navigating (穿行) the barriers a few times, hummingbirds flatten their wings against the body and travel through the holes.
“This is a new insight into the amazing capacity of hummingbirds,” says Bret Tobalske, a biomechanist at the University of Montana in Missoula who was not involved in the study. Most birds just pull their wings close to the body to fly through thick vegetation. Sideways flight highlights how unique these hummingbirds are, Tobalske says.
Biologist Marc Badger and colleagues trained four wild Anna’s hummingbirds to fly between two feeders, then introduced barriers monitored by high-speed cameras. Each barrier had holes ranging from 6 to 12 centimetres across, which are equal to about half or a full hummingbird wingspan.
The sideways flight astonished study coauthor Robert Dudley, a physiologist at the University of California, Berkeley. “To slow it up and then go sideways and not drop in altitude was a novel behaviour.”
Perhaps hummingbirds fly sideways to navigate barriers that might hide enemies, says Badger, who did the work while at UC Berkeley. Once the birds know it’s safe, they use the technique to avoid breaking feathers, he suggests.
1. What makes it difficult for hummingbirds to fly through tiny gaps?| A．They have poor vision. |
| B．Their wings don’t easily bend. |
| C．They are unable to fly backward. |
| D．Their enemies often hide in narrow gaps. |
| A．He didn’t engage in the study. |
| B．He works at the University of California. |
| C．He thinks little of hummingbirds’ flying ability. |
| D．He trained four hummingbirds to fly between two feeders. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Upset. | C．Concerned. | D．Amazed. |
| A．Hummingbirds Are Natural Performers |
| B．Hummingbirds Have High Survival Abilities |
| C．Hummingbirds Show off Their Sideways Flight |
| D．Hummingbirds Are Recorded by High-Speed Cameras |
2 . Of all the Christmas traditions in my family, the most firmly defended is what’s known as the healthy walk: a non-negotiable walk that takes place in the thin sliver of daylight separating the end of a massive breakfast and the beginning of an even bigger Christmas dinner.
I think the origins of the name lie with my late grandmother (who was also fond of healthy 5 a. m. swims in the English Channel well into her 70s), but it was my parents’ generation who first embraced it at Christmas, working out that a walk was essential. Now, as my parents themselves approach their 70s, my brothers and I have taken up the baton (接力棒) enthusiastically.
But hiking in the depths of winter isn’t without its risks. There are times when the healthy walk has felt almost a little too healthy — there’s a fine line between the kind of weather my grandmother would have described as pleasant and that which will lead to full-blown hypothermia(体温过低). Getting soaked, suffering frozen fingers and slithering (滑) down a muddy bank on your backside are all risks at Christmas in my family. So far, no-one has ever seriously injured themselves, but whatever Michael Bublé might say, the reality of festive-season walking in the UK is always more “sodden (湿透的) mud patch” than “winter wonderland”.
Of course, the risk of being caught out by the elements increases further on longer hikes at this time of year. I’m always amazed that more people don’t do themselves serious damage during ultra-distance winter events. I’m in a we of those (including my sister) who’ve managed to complete things such as the two-day Original Mountain Marathon which takes place in October. In the end, however, the same principle applies to these big events as to our more gentle Christmas Day walk: if you get the right gear (装备), you can handle pretty much anything.
1. What’s the most strictly guarded Christmas custom in the author’s family?| A．A great breakfast. | B．The healthy walk. |
| C．A big Christmas dinner. | D．5 a. m. swims in the English Channel. |
| A．Kind and caring. | B．Successful and rich. |
| C．Determined and energetic. | D．Ambitious and generous. |
| A．They should wear proper gear to deal with many things. |
| B．They can handle everything independently. |
| C．They should focus on more gentle activities. |
| D．They are risking their lives unnecessarily. |
| A．Sports. | B．Education. | C．Entertainment. | D．Science. |
3 . Five Ways to Find Your Passion
●Cultivate (培养) more self-awareness.
When you know yourself, you know your passions. Self-awareness is an important step to figuring out your passion. Ask yourself the following questions in order to figure out patterns or themes that could lead you to your passion: What kinds of things bring me joy? How do I feel when I do those activities?
●Make a vision board.
Making a vision board anytime you’re looking to change something in your life is a powerful way to paint a picture of what you want.
●
If you’re operating the same way every day and finding you’re not able to discover your passion, something clearly needs to change! In this case, you may need to explore new areas. You may want to step outside of your comfort zone. You may find some new inspiration.
●Notice what inspires you.
Speaking of inspiration, pay attention to anything and everything in your life that sparks something in you. Spend two whole days writing down all the big and small things that inspire you, and after those two days, you can start to notice common themes and patterns.
●Practice mindfulness (正念).
Mindfulness involves the process of slowing down and noticing things (particularly your own thoughts and behaviour) with more conscious (有意识的) awareness.
| A．Get out of your comfort zone |
| B．What are my values and beliefs |
| C．Finding your passion is no exception |
| D．Reach out to people with similar interests |
| E．These are indicators of what your true passion is |
| F．A mindfulness practice helps us follow our inner feelings |
| G．Here are several tips to help you get started with mindfulness |
4 . After losing her house to a fire, Jo Ann Ussery had a strange idea: to live in an airplane. She bought an old Boeing 727, had it shipped to a piece of land she already owned, and spent six months renovating (翻新), doing most of the work by herself.
By the end, Ussery had a fully functional home, with over 140 square metres of living space, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms. All for less than $30,000．
Ussery had no professional connection to aviation (航空), and was following the offbeat suggestion of her brother-in-law, an air traffic controller. She lived in the plane from 1995to 1999, when it was seriously damaged after falling off the truck that was moving it to a different location.
Although Ussery wasn’t the first person to ever live in an airplane, her perfect execution (执行)of the project had an inspirational effect. In the late 1990s, Bruce Campbell, an electrical engineer, was struck by her story, “I was driving home and listening to the radio, and they had Jo Ann’s story, and my focus turned entirely to it. The next morning I was placing phone calls,” he said.
Campbell has now been living in his own plane — also a Boeing 727 — for over 20 years. “I still stand on Jo Ann’s shoulder and I’m grateful for the proof of concept.” His project cost $220,000 in total, of which roughly half was for the purchase of the plane.
If you think living in an airplane is extravagant (肆意挥霍的) enough, how about living in two? That’s the plan for Joe Axline, who owns an MD-80 and DC-9 in Brookshire, Texas. Axline has lived in the MD-80 for over a decade and is planning to renovate the DC-9 and equip it with recreational areas such as a movie theatre.“I’ve spent less than a quarter of a million dollars in the whole project,” said Axline, who has very few running expenses because he owns the land and has built his own water well.
1. What does the underlined word “offbeat” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?| A．Practical. | B．Great. | C．Stupid. | D．Unconventional. |
| A．Joe Axline. | B．Jo Ann Ussery. |
| C．Jo Ann Ussery’s brother-in-law. | D．An unknown air traffic controller. |
| A．Less than $30,000． | B．About $110,000. |
| C．About $220,000． | D．Less than 250,000． |
| A．To persuade readers to live in airplanes. |
| B．To entertain readers with interesting stories. |
| C．To introduce some people who live in airplanes. |
| D．To introduce a new and fashionable way of life. |
5 . The demands of today's busy schedules have driven us indoors, where we now spend almost 90 percent of our time commuting（通勤）, at work, and inside our homes. This modern way of living disconnects us from the outdoors and from the natural light and fresh air we all require to be healthy.
Marvin Skycove is a glass structure that projects into the open air, enhancing connections with the outdoors. Skycove creates a smart extension of usable space, opens a room to panoramic（全景的）views, and allows in restorative light from four directions.
Marvin Signature
Modern: Windows and Doors that Play Nice
Combining large windows and doors to create large glass walls is a great way to complement a modern design and truly blur（模糊）the boundaries between indoors and out.
At Marvin, well-being is our guidepost.
| A．But doing so can result in poor performance and may create odd feelings. |
| B．Bi-fold windows are often found between doorways and outdoor living space. |
| C．Our windows and doors are designed to help people feel balanced and healthy. |
| D．This glowing（发光的）setting creates a calming space to enjoy a coffee or a book. |
| E．When Bi-fold doors open, the panels are folded, leaving the whole space wide open. |
| F．It was designed to allow people to effortlessly create a personalized atmosphere inside. |
| G．Here are some products that are designed to connect our indoor space to the outside world. |
6 . Three of the Best Small Breweries (啤酒厂) in the USA
If you’re tired of drinking the same old beer and would actually like to have a taste of true beer that’s been handcrafted with care and genuine passion by newbies (新手) in the market — then this blog is going to give you exactly that.
City Built Brewing Co.
This place has got something for everybody — whether you’re a “classic” person who just wants to have a glass of your favourite beer on a hot summer day or an adventurer who wants to be hit with flavours that you have never tried before-the City Built Brewing Company will meet all your needs since it provides a variety of drinks for a mixed crowd.
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Even though it’s not one of the biggest players in the market, its extremely innovative marketing strategies will convince you otherwise. The Firestone Walker Brewing Co. has quickly managed to gain a lot of visibility in 2022 simply by having a great social media presence, along with a killer webpage that invites beer lovers in. Its true specialty lies in creating seasonal beers made annually and available only for a limited period of time. Apart from this, it also has a variety of other kinds of beer that are brewed all year round.
Dovetail Brewery
Here’s a place that you should go to for both-the great beer and the fun experience. Started by two friends (Bill and Hagen) who met in beer school, the brewery is best known for how well they convert classic European beers to suit the American tastebuds (味蕾).
Not just that, but you’ll also get to experience a place of great architecture when you visit this brewery, along with the amazing food that’s to die for.
1. What is unique about Firestone Walker Brewing Co. ?| A．It brought in foreign flavours. | B．Its architecture style is appealing. |
| C．Some of its beer is offered for limited time. | D．It makes special flavour only for adventurers. |
| A．Their beer is of poor quality. | B．Their products are handmade. |
| C．They provide hands-on experience. | D．They don’t have webpages to advertise. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A newspaper. | C．A textbook. | D．A website. |
7 . Leonardo da Vinci experimented with chemicals while painting some of his representative works — including The Mona Lisa — forming a poisonous layer hidden beneath the celebrated art. Researchers studying a tiny microsample from a corner of the painting found a substance known as plumbonacrite (水白铅矿), a poisonous compound (化合物) formed when oil and lead(Ⅱ) oxide (氧化铅)are mixed together.
The Mona Lisa, and many other paintings from the Renaissance era in the early 1500s, were painted on wooden panels. These required a thick base layer to enable artists to create their works on top. The most common method was using a substance called gesso, which comes from plaster of Paris, but the presence of plumbonacrite suggests Da Vinci layered his painting with lead white paint, mixed with oil infused (泡) with lead(Ⅱ) oxide.
Writing in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the authors said, “The most remarkable signature in the sample is the presence of plumbonacrite, a rare compound that is stable only in an alkaline(碱性的) environment. Leonardo probably attempted to prepare a thick paint suitable for covering the wooden panel of The Mona Lisa by treating the oil with a high load of lead(Ⅱ) oxide. ”It is thought the lead(Ⅱ) oxide may have been used to help the paint applied on top of it to dry.
The team reviewed Da Vinci’s writing to find reference to his use of the chemicals, but found only “unclear references” to plumbonacrite. It seems once again the famous scholar was ahead of his time, with the technique only found in other paintings by Rembrandt in the 1600s. Use of plumbonacrite at the time seems to have been limited to skin and hair treatment.
In addition to The Mona Lisa analysis, the team used high-resolution analytic techniques on 17 samples from across the surface of The Last Supper and found it also contained the same poisonous base layer.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?| A．A poisonous compound was found in The Mona Lisa. |
| B．Da Vinci created his painting through trial and error. |
| C．Researchers damaged the famous painting while studying it. |
| D．Da Vinci buried some poison under the painting to protect it. |
| A．He used lead to decorate the painting. |
| B．He applied oil to cover the wooden panel. |
| C．He treated skin and hair with plumbonacrite. |
| D．He mixed oil and lead together to create a thick paint. |
| A．To support the finding above. |
| B．To show how talented Da Vinci is. |
| C．To explain the process of artwork creation. |
| D．To stress the importance of analytical techniques. |
| A．Mona Lisa, a Mysterious Woman |
| B．Poisonous Chemicals Help Create Artworks |
| C．Da Vinci, a Distinguished Painter as Well as a Chemist |
| D．The Mona Lisa Reveals a Poisonous Secret Hidden in the Painting |
8 . One of the keys to doing well in school is staying positive. Positivity will make you feel better and give you some good attitudes to be more productive with your schoolwork. By staying positive, you can do well in your classes and earn the grades you want.
Be optimistic about school
Sometimes taking the focus off yourself can help you to be more optimistic. Help make others feel better and often you’ll feel better as well. Try to share any encouraging thoughts if you have them. Then, you can give small, thoughtful gifts to your friends. People appreciate it when others are thinking of them. Even you can buy a coffee for your friend.
Take feedback(反馈) positively
Though it may sometimes be difficult, it’s important to not get down when teachers offer you feedback. Take what they say and learn how to apply it to be better in the future. When you get any potentially negative feedback, you can take a deep breath. Take a minute to calm down your first response before you react. Be thankful for feedback.
Be around positive people when you’re at school
Positive friends can make you feel better about yourself.
| A．Encourage other students. |
| B．Take advantage of extra help. |
| C．Don’t get tense by being too impatient. |
| D．Thank your teacher for giving you feedback. |
| E．It can encourage them to stay positive at school. |
| F．Make sure not to focus on the negative in every situation. |
| G．Seek out friends that are optimistic and positive about their lives. |
9 . Passenger ships, trade ships, and fishing boats are a normal part of life on the open sea. However, all their activity creates a great deal of noise underwater. Scientists who have studied the recordings of sound recorded with equipment placed underwater recently reported their observations that the ocean is getting noisier.
Another report on the effect of noise from ships on the behavior of whales shows it is likely that whales must call out more loudly to be heard over this noise. The whales find fish by producing clicking sounds and other noises, loud engine noise could be interfering with (妨碍) their efforts.
Michael Jasny, a policy expert for the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the rise of underwriter noise is influencing the ability of whales to communicate. “Shipping noise falls across the sea frequencies (频率) that these animals use for their important behaviors.”
Mr. Jasny says sound travels very effectively underwater. And it is not just whales that he is worried about. “The entire web of life in the ocean depends on sound. And as more and more research has been done, it’s been very clear that what we have on our hands is really a significant serious and global problem.
The main source of noise pollution is the propeller (螺旋桨). Better shaped propellers and ship designs can help cut down on noise pollution. Michael Bahtiarian, who works for Noise Control Engineering — a company which helped design the boats — said, “The technology to make quieter ships does exist and has been used in the military for some time. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has four new ships that have such costly engines, which produce less noise. These NOAA ships show that you can get quiet — I think they’re quiet enough — because they are able to go up quietly and count a fish and not startle the fish so that they can actually count them.”
The shipping industry in the United States wants to be part of the solution to the noise problem, Kathy Metcalf, who works for the Chamber of Shipping of America, says it will be much less costly for the industry if it chooses to build quieter ships instead of being forced to do so.
1. What kind of effect do you think the noise made by ships has according to the passage?| A．It is sure to get stronger in the future. |
| B．It influences the normal life of whales. |
| C．It makes underwater equipment unable to work normally. |
| D．It makes it hard for scientists to track the activities of deep sea creatures. |
| A．Whales’ skill in finding food gets hurt most. |
| B．There is no better way of solving the problem. |
| C．The problem is far more serious than we thought. |
| D．The frequencies of shipping noise should be increased. |
| A．Frighten. | B．Catch. | C．Dive. | D．Feed. |
| A．Quieter ships have been designed to save money. |
| B．The shipping industry should make quieter ships actively. |
| C．The shipping designers are ordered to build quieter ships. |
| D．The four new ships are the most advanced ships in the ocean. |
10 . In 1240, the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II built Castel del Monte on a lonely hill in central Puglia, where he had a perfect view of approaching enemies. He probably never imagined the enemies might be tourists one day. But these days, the old castle has been polished clean, and hundreds of multicolored Pullman buses snake up the winding roads to its grounds, now filled with T-shirt stands, Coca-Cola signs and a 200-car parking lot. All this thanks to the fact that UNESCO has designated (认定) it a World Heritage Site in 1996.
Officially, UNESCO honors places that exemplify an area’s ancestry, with the purpose of ensuring they are preserved. Unofficially, this designation is a kind of fairy dust that often turns little-known cultural sites into overnight tourist sensations. This is both a gift and a cuss. Lisa Mastny, senior adviser to the World Watch Institute, says tourism is double-edged for places considered of “outstanding value to humanity. It offers many poor communities the chance to obtain financial rewards, but also threatens the very resources —human and natural—upon which the industry is ultimately built”.
There is growing awareness that assigning UNESCO designation is worthless — or worse, harmful — without some kind of follow-up preservation program. “In the early days there wasn’t much attention given to what would happen once these site s became World Heritage. But that’s changing slowly,” says Joseph King, director of the sites unit at the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). In Africa, a 12-year training program is currently underway to teach locals not only how to preserve their immovable cultural heritage, but how to use it for economic development. In Eastern Europe, where tourism is a relatively new thing, cities are looking for help in figuring out where to draw the line between preserving historical centers and promoting urban development.
1. What can we learn about Castel del Monte?| A．It was built to enjoy the view. | B．It has become a hot tourist spot. |
| C．It has to make way for a shopping mall. | D．It failed to win UNESCO designation in 1996. |
| A．Solution. | B．Promise. | C．Drawback. | D．Chance. |
| A．By quoting experts. | B．By analyzing cause and effect. |
| C．By giving examples. | D．By making comparisons. |
| A．Is UNESCO Helpful in Driving Global Tourism? |
| B．How Can a Place Be Included in the UNESCO List? |
| C．Why Is It Important to Market World Heritage Site Tours? |
| D．Does Identifying World Heritage Sites Do More Harm Than Good? |
