1 . The existing coffee market is dominated by Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. Unfortunately for them, coffee bushes grow best in a rather narrow range of temperatures, so their cultivation is threatened by a changing climate. But a chance discovery by Aaron Davis from Britain, published in Nature Plants, may offer a way out. Dr Davis and his colleagues report that they have tracked down a type of wild coffee which is both pleasant to taste and tolerant of higher temperatures.
Dr Davis, however, came across a paper written in 1834 by George Don, a Scottish scientist, which described a species from warmer areas. Don named it stenophylla, and wrote that it had a flavour superior to arabica’s, and it was farmed up until the 1920s, after which canephora, which had higher yields, took over. Stenophylla was then gradually forgotten.
The crucial question was, was Don’s praise to its flavour justified? To find out, Dr Davis arranged a competition involving 18 professional coffee tasters who assessed, in a blind comparison, a set of samples that included stenophylla, two types of arabica and one of canephora.
Stenophylla performed well. It was rated as having higher fruitlike qualities than a Brazilian arabica and an Indonesian canephora, and also a more favourable acid ity and more complex flavour profile, though slightly less desired than an Ethiopian arabica. It had nearly the same body as the others, and lacked an unpleasant, earthy bitterness found in the Brazilian arabica and the Indonesian canephora. When asked if what they were tasting was arabica, the judges said “yes” 81% of the time for samples of stenophylla, compared with 98% for the arabica from Ethiopia. They identified the Brazilian arabica as such only 44% of the time, and misidentified the canephora as arabica on 7% of occasions.
Stenophylla does taste like arabica and tolerates higher temperatures than either arabica or canephora. That opens two possible courses of action. One is to cultivate it directly, though this might run into the yield problem which led to its abandonment in the first place. The other is to crossbreed it with existing species, to provide those high-yielding varieties with its heat tolerance.
1. What is the purpose of the research into a type of wild coffee?| A．To promote the habit of drinking coffee. | B．To deal with global warming problems. |
| C．To help coffee farmers make more profits. | D．To save coffee production from global warming. |
| A．Ethiopian arabica is more appealing than Brazilian arabica. |
| B．Indonesian canephora tasted best among four types of coffee. |
| C．Stenophylla has less taste of bitterness than two types of arabica. |
| D．Stenophylla has a more favourable acidity than Ethiopian arabica. |
| A．Historical factors. | B．Theoretical bases. |
| C．Statistical analyses. | D．Practical solutions. |
| A．Business. | B．Agriculture. |
| C．Finance and economics. | D．Science and technology. |
2 . Tickets have gone on sale today for the UK's first festival exploring the impact of forests, bringing together writers, artists, poets, scientists and philosophers for a three-day event in some of England's finest woodlands.
Running from 6-8 July 2024, the festival, called Timber, will be held at Feanedock, a woodland site in the National Forest. The 200-square-mile National Forest, stretching across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire, was the first forest to be created in England for over 1,000 years. It was planted over the course of the 1990s to regenerate a landscape that had been left scarred (伤痕) and abandoned by the closure of the Midlands coalfields.
The festival will feature talks and discussions about the relationship between humans and nature. There will also be a music programme, ranging from campfire performances to three live music stages and DJ sets: the full line-up will be announced early next year.
Timber follows a string of new festivals focused around the debate of specific subjects. In 2023, the first Bluedot festival was held at Jodrell Bank observatory, combining music with a celebration of science, art and technology. Others include Camp Wildfire, a two-day festival of bushcraft and outdoor adventure activities, and Brainchild festival, which celebrates DIY culture and the creative work of young people.
1. What was the condition of the National Forest before the 1990s?| A．A wildfire destroyed parts of the forest. |
| B．It was a popular location for hosting festivals. |
| C．The forest suffered from the impact of the coal industry. |
| D．Extensive tree planting projects were undertaken in the forest. |
| A．It is a four-day festival. |
| B．Tickets are not on sale yet. |
| C．Live music performances are available. |
| D．The full schedule of activities has been released. |
| A．Timber festival. | B．Camp Wildfire. | C．Bluedot festival. | D．Brainchild festival. |
3 . Sleep-deprived (缺乏睡眠的) human parents know the value of a quick nap, but it turns out Chinstrap penguins have us all beat. When nesting, these Antarctic birds take four-second-long “microsleeps,” a strategy that allows parents to keep constant watch over vulnerable eggs and chicks, all while amounting to 11 hours of total sleep a day, according to a new study.
It’s hard to sleep in a community of nesting Chinstrap penguins. The Antarctic summer sun provides 24/7 daylight. And then there’s the eye-watering smell of ammonia mixed with rotting fish and penguin wastes. “It made me dizzy,” says co-study leader Won Young Lee, a researcher at the Korea Polar Research Institute.
Like other penguins, Chinstrap parents take turns guarding the nest. While one bird protects the chicks, the partner hunts at sea. Then the penguins trade places. For two months between egg laying and fledging, it’s a series of nonstop demands.
To study how penguins manage to accomplish all this and get the necessary sleep, Lee and his team first stuck biologgers, small battery-powered devices, to the backs of 14 nesting penguins of both sexes. This device functions like a smartwatch, measuring physical activity, pulse, and the ocean depths of hunting birds. Next, the team captured each of the penguins, anesthetizing (麻醉) them to attach the devices and temporarily implant electrodes into their skull to measure brain activity. When an animal is awake, the brain constantly buzzes with activity. During sleep, however, brain waves slow down and stretch out. When Lee started reviewing the data, he was surprised to discover the birds slept in four-second intervals (间隔) throughout the day and night while caring for their egg or chick.
While the data is convincing, Cirelli, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin who wasn’t involved in the study, notes that the researchers only studied the penguins during nesting periods, making it impossible to tell if the birds microsleep when they’re not parenting. The other challenge is understanding how micro sleep impacts the brains and bodies of the penguins. Sleep deprivation in humans causes a range of health problems, and it’s not clear whether penguins experience this, too.
1. What does the underlined word “vulnerable” in paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Exposed. | B．Broken. | C．Stolen. | D．Genuine. |
| A．They stuck smartwatches to the back of penguins. |
| B．They recorded the penguins’ waking and sleep duration. |
| C．They captured the penguins and placed devices into their nests. |
| D．They monitored their physical and brain activity using different devices. |
| A．The prospect of the research. |
| B．The limitations of the research. |
| C．Microsleep is common in parenting penguins. |
| D．Microsleep may cause health problems to penguins. |
| A．A short-term strategy to deal with lack of food |
| B．A short-term strategy to cope with extreme weather |
| C．A 4-second nap: penguin parents survive on “microsleeps” |
| D．A 4-second nap: Chinstrap penguins seek to hunt for enough food |
4 . If you use the internet, you’ve probably heard of a filter bubble (过滤气泡). Internet sites and social media platforms use algorithms (算法) that show you content based on your previous interactions, likes, and shares. Over time, this creates a filter bubble where you only see content that agrees with your interests and beliefs, which serves to convince you that your beliefs are true. But what you might not know is that in similar fashion, your brain has several mechanisms to filter information, creating personal filter bubbles that deeply shape how you live your life.
Self-created filter bubbles happen through various cognitive processes, and they have multiple consequences. They shape your experience of what’s happening by forming a lens (镜片) through which you see and interpret the world. On the internet, because things are being presented based on past user history, no two people get the same results when they search for something on Google or open their news feed. In real life, no two people are experiencing an event or seeing a situation in the exact same way, because we all bring our own past experiences and biases (偏见) to situations, causing us to process them differently.
Filter bubbles can cause you to stay stuck in self-created and often self-limiting patterns of thought and behavior. If you’ve ever wondered why change is so hard, it’s because your mental filter bubbles make it difficult to see different possibilities. If you hold the belief that you’re not someone who can have a high-paying job, you won’t look for one and you’ll only seek out and see jobs that match up with what you think you’re worth.
Filter bubbles can also prevent critical thinking and can lead to a limited and biased view of the world, where people don’t consider alternative viewpoints and don’t engage with others outside of their own circles. When we only consume information that confirms our preexisting beliefs and values, we don’t question the truth of that information or properly evaluate the evidence.
While you can’t prevent your brain from creating selective filter bubbles, you can become more aware so that you don’t have to be limited or trapped by them.
1. What can we learn about filter bubbles?| A．They have little effect on us. |
| B．They shape our interpretations of the world. |
| C．They are frequent occurrences and have little effect on us. |
| D．They assist us in making friends with like-minded individuals. |
| A．They facilitate open-mindedness and flexibility. |
| B．They help individuals adapt quickly to new situations. |
| C．They prevent individuals from successfully securing a job. |
| D．They make individuals resistant to seeking out new opportunities. |
| A．Barriers to overcoming filter bubbles. |
| B．Benefits of recognizing filter bubbles. |
| C．Ways to avoid getting trapped in the filter bubbles. |
| D．Examples of your brain creating mental filter bubbles. |
| A．Negative. | B．Indirect. | C．Positive. | D．Unclear. |
5 . Our old, artificial Christmas tree was in rough shape by the time we retired it. At least a decade had passed since my wife and I bought the tree, a medium-size fake tree with built-in lights, at a Target in Brooklyn and carried it on the subway to our tiny apartment. Over the years, we dragged that tree from apartment, jammed it onto a moving truck to Los Angeles and later packed the weathered box onto another moving truck, this time to Chicago and our current home. By the end, layers of duct tape (强力胶布) held the box together, the wear and tear of a decade of delivering holiday cheer.
Our little tree looked run down, but it was the only tree our family ever knew. It stands proud and glowing in the background of photos of me and my pregnant wife during our last Christmas in Brooklyn without children. Our oldest was born a month later during a January snowstorm. The tree shows up again in the next year’s photos, this time surrounded by holiday gifts for a boy about to turn 1. Then it appears in photos of our son and his 1-month-old brother, this time with California palm trees just outside the door. And in more recent photos, our tree lights up windows overlooking shining Chicago snow. This year, after much debate, we decided to retire our dear old tree, with its bent branches and the lights that had burned out years ago. Rather than feel depressed, we used the moment to launch a new family tradition: our first real Christmas tree.
So here’s a toast to all your family’s traditions—the old and the new. I hope you enjoy this issue, which we have filled with stories of seasonal joy and holiday cheer. Happy holidays!
1. Where is the author’s present home?| A．In Chicago. | B．In Brooklyn. | C．In California. | D．In Los Angeles. |
| A．His budget was tight. | B．He was attached to it. |
| C．It was in good condition. | D．It was environmentally-friendly. |
| A．An editor. | B．A salesman. | C．A delivery man. | D．A home designer. |
| A．The finest diamond must be cut. |
| B．Out with the old, in with the new. |
| C．Old friends and old wine are best. |
| D．All things in their being are good for something. |
6 . While we might like to think we would rush to someone’s assistance, we know from studies that often people hang back and this can have tragic consequences.
One of the most famous examples of this is the tragic case of Kitty Genovese who was fatally stabbed (刺伤) in Kew Gardens, New York, in 1964. Subsequent investigations concluded that several people saw or heard what was happening, but did nothing to intervene. This has been termed the “bystander effect” — a well-known psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to someone when other people are present. The more people there are, the less likely they are to help.
There are various factors contributing to this effect — people think that others will get involved or intervene. Afterwards people often say they did not feel qualified or senior or important enough to be the one to intervene. It is also partly down to “pluralistic (多元化的) ignorance” — since everyone is not reacting to the emergency, they don’t need to either; it’s not serious because no one else is doing anything. After a serious incident where people have been affected by the bystander effect, they are often horrified that they didn’t do anything—they can’t believe they had not realized it was more serious or that they didn’t think to get involved.
The important thing to understand though is that other studies have shown that once people are aware of the bystander effect, they are less likely to be affected by it. Self-awareness is the best approach to it. When confronted with an emergency, think to yourself how you would behave if you were on your own. Ignore everyone else and how they are behaving and go with your courage — if you’d call an ambulance, do it. If you’d run for help, do it. If that’s how you would have behaved when you were on your own, then that’s probably the right course of action.
1. Why does the author mention “the tragic case of Kitty Genovese” in paragraph 2?| A．To present a fact. | B．To confirm a finding. |
| C．To predict a conclusion. | D．To illustrate an approach. |
| A．feel confident to intervene. | B．tend to help people in need. |
| C．be well aware of bad consequences. | D．feel shocked after a serious incident. |
| A．Think twice. | B．Follow others. |
| C．Step in at once. | D．Take action cautiously. |
| A．Behave Yourself | B．Don’t Be A Bystander |
| C．Action in An Emergency | D．Severity of Bystander Effect |
7 . 4 Poetry Collections to Read and Enjoy
In honor of National Poetry Month, celebrated every April, we’re sharing a roundup of poetry collections that have been published within the last year.
Black Girl You Are AtlasBy Renee Watson,
illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Renee Watson, the best-selling author of Ways to Make Sunshine, draws from her childhood for some of these poems, which include haiku and free verse. The subjects range from racial injustice to self-love. The artwork is spectacular.
Ages 12 and up
In and Out the Window
By Jane Volen,
illustrated by Cathrin Peterslund
In addition to being the author of more than 350 novels, Jane Yolen is an esteemed poet. This new collection includes more than 100 of her works on popular childhood topics including school, animals, and sports. One title: “On My Toes: A True Story. ”
Ages 8-12
Poetry Comics
By Grant Snider
illustrated by Leo Dawson
The dozens of short poems in this collection are written and illustrated in comic panels. The book contains four chapters—one for each season of the year. Titles for the spring poems include “Bubbles,” “Balloon Story,” and “Tadpole.” The subjects for the poems feel fresh and fun.
Ages 8-12
She’ll Be the Sky
By Ela Risbridger,
illustrated by Anna Shepeta
Dozens of female poets, including Amanda Gorman, contributed to this collection. Topics range from animals to activism. Most poems are accompanied by a full-page color illustration.
Ages 8 and up
1. Which book is tailored for readers who are over 12 years old?
| A．Poetry Comics. | B．She’ll Be the Sky. |
| C．In and Out the Window. | D．Black Girl You Are Atlas. |
| A．Animals and activism. | B．Four seasons of the year. |
| C．Popular childhood topics. | D．Racial injustice and self-love. |
| A．To fascinate poetry-goers. | B．To advertise 4 poetry collections. |
| C．To celebrate National Poetry Month. | D．To comment on 4 poetry collections. |
8 . Knowledge is power, and the more you learn about mental health, the better the position you may be in to help those facing mental health battles. Consider doing the following things to support those closest to you.
Attend a training course
Listen
If someone approaches you in their time of need, it’s not always easy to know what you’re supposed to do, and it may be more beneficial for you to just listen.
While being a listening ear is sometimes all someone needs to feel better, you can also become an ongoing source of support. Check in with the person experiencing a mental health problem like depression so that they know you are always there for them. Make contact with them regularly to see how they are feeling. Just knowing someone cares can make a world of difference.
Call emergency services
Your support, guidance, and listening ear can be of great value to anyone going through a tough time.
| A．Check in with them |
| B．Suggest support services |
| C．However, it’s essential to know your limits |
| D．Such a course may just help you to prevent someone’s depression |
| E．They may not need you to offer solutions or even give them a hug |
| F．Sometimes, the best thing you can do is encourage them to seek professional help |
| G．You don’t have to be in a professional health role to attend depression prevention training |
9 . Science fiction lovers in China have reasons to feel inspired by Chinese writer Hai Ya, whose book The Space-Time Painter won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette on Oct. 21, 2023.
Hai created the story inspired by a painting masterpiece Qianli Jiangshan Tu by Wang Ximeng from the Song Dynasty, who painted the work at the age of 18. Hai created a painter named Zhao Ximeng, who painted for the emperor more than 1,000 years ago. After much misery and suffering, Zhao abandoned his physical body and entered a space where a modern policeman that was investigating a case concerning an ancient painting got into his memory. Pitying on Wang who was so talented but had such a short life, Hai extended his life through sci-fi.
Hai has impressed the world most with his work ethics. Rather than being a full-time novelist, Hai treats writing as a part-time activity to be taken up whenever he is not doing his bread-winning job, something that should inspire more young writers. There was a time when not everyone could be a “write” but now more and more people are pursuing their dreams to become writers.
In fact, Liu Cixin, who won the Hugo Award for The Three-body Problem in 2015, is also a part-time writer, holding an engineering job. He encourages young people to keep their jobs and write if they have dreams.
Their stories go to show that holding a job should not discourage people from pursuing their dreams of writing. If there is a story and the will to write it, one can get up early or sleep late to devote around three hours to writing intensively every day. And having a job will actually equip one with enough material to write about, while the salary can guarantee a life, because not every writer makes enough money from writing. The key lies in balancing the eight hours in office every day with three hours of writing in the early morning or late at night.
1. What can we know about The Space-Time Painter?| A．It combines elements of Chinese culture with sci-fi. |
| B．It explores the struggles among ordinary individuals. |
| C．It was the first Chinese book to win a Hugo award. |
| D．It was inspired by the marvelous life of Wang Ximeng. |
| A．To highlight his popularity. |
| B．To promote the novel The Three-body Problem. |
| C．To emphasize the importance of maintaining a job. |
| D．To encourage young people to write without quitting their jobs. |
| A．No dream is ever too big. |
| B．Unintentional actions bring about unexpected surprises. |
| C．Success doesn’t abandon people with painstaking pursuit. |
| D．Genius is ninety-nine percent perspiration plus one percent inspiration. |
| A．A book review. | B．A science paper. | C．An advertisement. | D．A news report. |
10 . I grew up in an age of delayed gratification (满足), when I had to wait for almost everything.
The mail came once a day. Classic movies were shown on television.
And then there was money. The banks did business on weekdays only. They opened at 9 and closed at 4.
Such was the world as recently as the 1970s. Everything seemed to operate on a strict clock, and the words "on demand" had no meaning, for there was no force on earth that could change the US Mail’s schedule, or get the bank to stay open a minute past.
And then, seemingly overnight, everything changed. ATMs, movies on DVD and, of course, the personal computer, meant that we could have almost anything we wanted, when we wanted it.
However, I am not charmed by what we have gained.
| A．Most stores were closed on Sundays. |
| B．In this way the virtue of patience is practiced. |
| C．Instead, I am gently fascinated by what was lost. |
| D．This was the way things worked, and it was all we knew. |
| E．If I can have something this fast, why can’t I have it faster? |
| F．You needed money but didn’t make it to the bank on time? |
| G．And, of course, one had to be home at the appointed time to watch them. |
