1 . A possible treatment for Florida’s disastrous red tides (赤潮) took another step toward widespread use after successful testing in Sarasota Bay.

This study, led by UCF Assistant Professor of Biology Kristy Lewis, is the first successful test of any red tide treatment technology in open water using large water containers (容器). These containers — about six feet in diameter — extend from the waters’ surface to the ocean floor, allowing scientists to test real ocean conditions within a controlled setting. Four containers were treated with a clay (黏土) solution, while the other four served as a control.

The clay along with the Karenia brevis algae (海藻), which is responsible for Florida red tide, is put on the ocean floor. Lewis has spent the last three years carefully testing the impact of introducing this clay into the ocean ecosystem. She not only looks for changes in the water’s quality, but also wants to know how the clay affects the health of sea life. “We want to make sure the treatment is not worse than the disease,” she says.

At first, the test was simply to measure the influence of the clay on the ecosystem, but an unexpected red tide event caused Lewis to make the test practical. The results suggest the clay performed as expected, but there’s still a question of whether the bad effects of algae remain active on the ocean floor. Water collected during the test should provide an answer. Next steps depend on the test results, but there are already plans to survey what happened to the clay-coated algae when it’s used near seagrass beds.

Visiting Sarasota. Florida, in the middle of a red tide event reminded Lewis just how important the research is to keep the state’s coast healthy. Lewis says she’s prepared to go another three years if that’s what it takes to find an acceptable solution to red tides.

1. What was the purpose of the study?

A．To plant more seagrass.	B．To fight against red tides.
C．To collect clean water.	D．To produce containers.

2. What made Lewis redesign the test?

A．Her original work plan.	B．An unforgettable tour.
C．Her team’s suggestion.	D．An unexpected red tide.

3. What does Lewis hope to do in the near future?

A．Work with the locals.	B．Report Florida red tides.
C．Further her research.	D．Study seafood industry.

4. In which part of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Nature.

B．Business.

C．Education.

D．Lifestyle.

2 . Be a Better Gardener

There are always lots of things to learn as a gardener, and many of them can only be learned through getting your hands dirty. But there are some things gardeners can learn from reading or watching.     1    .

What plant families are

Actually, plants have formal scientific Latin names. These names help to categorize (分类) plants, and make it clearer to identify and study those plants. Specific plants are specific varieties of particular species. Species are members of a certain genus (属). And each genus belongs to a broader plant family.

    2    . For example, plants in the Lamiaceae family (mint family) include garden herbs such as lavender, mint and rosemary. In the family, members will generally have aromatic (芳香的) leaves, among other shared characteristics.

    3    

Learning plant families can be a great step forward for those who want to identify more plants around them. Even when we cannot identify plants down to species and variety, knowing which family they belong to can often give us a lot of the information we need. This will often help us to understand the broad characteristics of the plant we are looking at, and where it might be placed in our gardens, or which neighbors it will like.

How to learn plant families

    4    . But I find that a good way to begin is by researching the plants we already have in our garden. Find out which family the different plants belong to, and then take a good and long look at those plants to see their characteristics.     5    .

A．Why to learn plant families

B．Where to get information about houseplants

C．Plants in the same family have a lot in common

D．It takes a lot of practice to grow different species

E．We can learn plant families in several different ways

F．To become a good gardener, we can start with learning plant families

G．By comparing different plants, we can easily understand plant families

3 . Magical Towns and Cities at Christmas

Hallstatt, Austria

On the banks of Hallstätter See, the town of Hallstatt and its amazing landscape enjoy UNESCO protection. The 16th-century townhouses, arid snow o£ winter make this the perfect place for getting into the festive atmosphere. Picture brightly lit trees and stands selling decorations, and you’re halfway to imagining just how special this town is.

Colmar, France

There are plenty of wonderful Christmas markets to be found all over Europe. But few catch the imagination in a fairytale setting quite like that of Colmar. More than six themed markets can be found in the center, linked by lit streets, where wooden houses are packed tightly together. At around 5:00 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a children’s band will be on stage, providing even more holiday cheer.

Rudesheim, Germany

Located in the heart of the Rhine Valley’s wine-making country, Rudesheim is a top destination throughout the year. However, once the night draws in and Christmas comes into view, the town takes on a special atmosphere. Those arriving by riverboat can go to the Christmas Market of Nations, which is filled with stores selling gifts and traditional festive dishes from all over the world.

Tromso, Norway

Tromso has been a cultural center with its Arctic Cathedral, the home of regular concerts and events. It’s over the festive season, when there is no daylight, that the city, located high above the Arctic Circle, becomes a must-see. Visitors can taste a hot chocolate before taking the cable car (缆车) above the city to catch sight of the northern lights.

1. What can visitors see in Hallstatt?

A．Old townhouses.	B．Northern lights.
C．Arctic Cathedral.	D．Rhine Valley.

2. When will the children’s band give a performance?

A．On Thursdays.

B．On Fridays.

C．On Saturdays.

D．On Sundays.

3. Where should visitors go for traditional festive food from various countries?

A．Tromso.

B．Rudesheinx

C．Colmar.

D．Hallstatt.

4 . Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam and there are many customs telling people what to do and what not to do during the holiday.

Returning all borrowed things

Before Tet, people should return all the things, including money, that they have borrowed from others. It is believed that people should not start a new year with borrowed things, otherwise in that year they would not be able to make both ends meet.

House-sweeping

One thing people should avoid doing is sweeping the house or emptying the rubbish basket especially on the first day of the new year. People believe that if you sweep the floor, all the luck and money will f low out of your house. So when visiting one’s house in Tet, you should not drop anything onto the floor and make it dirty.

Giving lucky money

On the first day of Tet, adults (those who have already got married and have income) are supposed to prepare some lucky money to give the kids when visiting their relatives as a symbol of luck for the coming new year. People are also supposed to say best wishes to others. These activities are done with the expectation that luck and good things are brought to everyone.

Gift-exchanging

Gift-exchanging is another common custom during the Tet holiday, which is used mostly in business. The process of giving and receiving gifts help to improve the relationships between business partners. The popular presents are cookies, chocolates, fruit baskets, wine, soft drinks or other kinds of treats. Usually, people can buy a pack of gifts in the shops which includes many different kinds of food.

1. What should people avoid doing on the first day of Tet?

A．Visiting others’ home.	B．Spending money.
C．Throwing away rubbish.	D．Exchanging gifts.

2. Who are most probably supposed to give lucky money?

A．Teenage brothers.	B．Sisters studying at college.
C．Unemployed aunts.	D．Married and well-paid uncles.

3. Which are mentioned as proper business gifts during Tet?

A．Cookies, cash and chocolates.	B．Fruit, wine and soft drinks.
C．Chocolates, drinks and clothes.	D．Chocolates, fruit and books.

5 . 3 Most Inspirational Stories For The Child In You

Whether you choose to share these tales with your children or enjoy a personal journey through their pages, you’re about to unwrap a fascinating world of inspiration! Now is the time to visit our web and be ready to be inspired!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! — By Dr. Seuss

In a world full of creatures and strange features living in a colorful town, there is a character who sets out on an amazing journey. This character sailed through many adventures. Facing all the challenges, this character never gave up. Do you know why? Because it is understood that life is just an exciting journey that is full of surprises. And if you are brave enough, you will find lots of opportunities just waiting around the corner.

The Little Engine That Could — By Watty Piper

In a colorful world of engines, there lived a tiny blue engine. It was small but it had big dreams! One day, the engines were entrusted (委派) with the most important task of the year: To deliver toys to children who live on the other side of the towering mountain. “It’s too hard. We can’t do it.” Said all the bigger engines. But the little engine believed in itself and set out on the mountain with effort. The little blue engine completed the task and it was only able to do this because it believed in itself!

The Rainbow Fish — By Marcus Pfister

There was an extraordinarily beautiful fish called the Rainbow Fish that had sparkling scales in the oceans. But it did not want to share its scales with other fish. Despite being so beautiful, it had no friends! One day, a wise octopus (章鱼) told the fish that we truly feel satisfied in life when we share our blessings with the less fortunate. The Rainbow Fish reflected on its own life and started sharing its scale with other fish. The Rainbow Fish made many friends that day. It discovered the joy of a true friendship.

1. If you hope your child has courage to conquer difficulties, which story you probably choose?

A．Oh, the Places You’ll Go!	B．The Little Engine That Could.
C．The Rainbow Fish.	D．All of them.

2. Who makes the Rainbow Fish change its mind?

A．Itself.

B．Other fish.

C．Marcus Pfister.

D．The wise octopus.

3. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．A story book.

B．A web page.

C．A newspaper.

D．A textbook.

6 . Powerful Quotes To Help You Find Your Way When You Feel Lost

Everyone has moments in their lives when they feel a little lost, and it is at these times that we begin to question who we are and what the purpose of life is. Many people have struggled with similar emotions before us.     1    

    2     It can happen to anyone at any time. If you are currently going through such a period in your life, powerful quotations will undoubtedly be beneficial. They will always act in your best interests and direct you in the right direction.

Powerful quotations about feeling lost will encourage you to search within and discover how you truly are. With all of life’s ups and downs, it’s simple to feel like your life is meaningless, that there is no hope for the future.     3    

Perhaps you’ve become lost in your work, your relationship, or your parental responsibilities.     4     Powerful quotations will aid in your self-understanding and boost your confidence so that you can design the life you love.

You need to understand that you are not alone if you’re feeling lost.     5     Because things will pass and get better. It Make an effort to show yourself enough love and attention. Enjoy life as it comes to you and take your time.

A．The only life you can actually lead is the one that is immediately in front of you.

B．So follow them, set aside your concerns and allow yourself to see the life that lies ahead.

C．In any event, you shouldn’t let yourself become trapped in this condition of confusion.

D．Your current difficult situations are temporary.

E．Being lost is perfectly normal.

F．Get help from some powerful professional quotes.

G．However, maybe you’re experiencing a difficult time that you weren’t prepared well.

7 . Hope is a way of thinking. We know it can be taught; we know it can be nurtured.

Being hopeful doesn’t mean engaging in wishful thinking or blind optimism.     1    . The opposite of hope, therefore, is not pessimism, but indifference, with its loss of motivation. And while wishing is passive, hope is about taking action. Here are some tips that can help cultivate hope-even when it feels unattainable.

Give yourself permission to be hopeful

Remember when you were a kid, and well-intentioned adults cautioned you not to get your hopes up?     2    , at some point we are going to be disappointed. The solution is not never allowing ourselves to feel hopeful or giving up on hope altogether.

Set at least one meaningful goal

In order to be hopeful, people must think in a goal-oriented way. Make it a point to always be working toward at least one goal that’s meaningful. In other words, it shouldn’t be something you have to do, but something you want to do.     3    .

    4    

People who are high in hope, meanwhile, tend to generate lots of pathways-so if one doesn’t work out, they have an alternative at the ready. If you’re struggling to make a plan, or you keep being blocked-by someone else, or an unfair system, or bad luck-sitting down with a pen and paper and giving yourself an hour to brainstorm solutions will be suggested.

Call your support team

    5    . Getting a good night’s rest, following a health y diet, and meditating can all promote agency. Sometimes, however, the strongest source of agency is other people. Make a list of your biggest supporters, so when you’re feeling unmotivated, you know exactly who to call for a boost.

A．Struggle to make a plan.

B．Brainstorm solutions.

C．Goals can be anything that’s important to us.

D．Rather, it’s the belief that we have the ability to go after a better future.

E．People who are hopeful tend to have a lot of “agency”.

F．When you can see yourself in the future, that is the very essence of hope.

G．In fact, whether or not we allow ourselves to hope.

8 . Torsongan Bullik is a 28-year-old cross-country skier. When he was a freshman in junior high school in 2009, he excelled at long-distance running. As an amateur in 2016, he finished third in the Xinjiang Wusu International Marathon. And then a passion for cycling revealed itself as his hometown hosted the Tour of Sayram Lake, a national road race for amateur cyclists.

“The high-spirited cyclists, their flashy costumes and helmets fascinated me,” he recalls. “I felt that cycling was really cool.”

In 2012, Torsongan’s father gave him a mountain bike that cost 5,000 yuan ($695), which was a lot of money for his family. He loved the bicycle so much that he used it at every opportunity. Two years later, he entered his first competition, although there was no fairy-tale ending as he lost his balance on a steep slope. But he was determined and kept testing his limits. This paid off as he has won medals at all levels of the sport in China.

On Oct 18, 2018, Torsongan was the first to cross the finish line during a high-altitude bike race in the Xizang autonomous region. But surprisingly, it was the national cross-country skiing team that he impressed with his endurance (耐力). They were in search of new talented athletes for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Accepting the invitation from the team marked a turning point for Torsongan’s career, but challenges remained. “After training with the team during the day, I had to go to the gym to level up my upper-body strength in the evening,” Torsongan said in an earlier interview.

He didn’t make the final list, but worked as a technician assisting (帮助) in the operations of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Regardless of the outcome of the 14th National Winter Games, Torsongan enjoyed the challenge of competing, and has his eyes set on the next race.

“I will continue with my efforts. As long as I don’t give up, I still have a chance to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics,” he says.

1. What set Torsongan on the cross-country skiing road?

A．He felt that skiing was really cool.

B．He studied on cross-country skiing.

C．A professional team looked for someone with talent.

D．He hoped to fulfill his father’s expectations.

2. Which of the following can best describe Torsongan?

A．Determined and hard-working.	B．Cautious and responsible.
C．Strong and humorous.	D．Talented and productive.

3. Which of the following can we know from the Torsongan?

A．He used to be a professional long-distance runner.

B．His hard work of bike training didn’t paid off.

C．He didn’t accept the invitation from the team.

D．He was a technician in the Beijing Winter Olympics.

4. What is Torsongan’s next plan?

A．Encouraging others to join in his activity.

B．Becoming a technician assistant in his hometown.

C．Continuing his dream at the next Winter Olympics.

D．Becoming a long-distance running player.

9 . Antarctic charity offers the ideal job — if you don’t mind noisy penguins

A heritage charity is advertising vacancies at the bottom of the world. Four candidates will be chosen to fill the five-month role at Port Lockroy-the “Penguin Post Office”. The nearly-80-year-old building is on British-owned Goudier Island, which is about the size of a football field, featured in hundreds of lovely penguins, breathtaking landscapes and the chance to support conservation efforts in one of the most remote corners of the planet.

Jobs contents:

Managing a museum, post office and gift shop as well as counting penguins.

Requirements for applicants:

The successful applicant should be passionate adventurers. He or she would be resilient, physically fit, environmentally aware, and get ready to take on the challenge of spending five months far away from home.

Advantages:

It has the most splendid mountain range and a glacier with icebergs. It is really raw nature and stunningly beautiful.

Cooking is shared, and meals are variable for it has a trained chef.

There are lovely activities such as having a typical movie night, playing board games or giving presentations on subjects as an Antarctic tradition.

Disadvantages:

Applicants have to adapt to near-constant daylight, subzero temperatures and no flushing toilet or running water.

The penguins are experiencing their breeding season, so applicants cannot escape from the noise.

Applications opened yesterday to UK residents, with training beginning from August this year to March 2025. There will be interview s and selection events before then.

1. Who can be the most suitable applicants for the project?

A．A woman who has trouble sleeping well.

B．A woman who becomes homesick every time he leaves home for business.

C．A man who is experienced in management.

D．A man who has great passion for nature.

2. How long will one be trained if he/ she is selected?

A．8 months.

B．6 months.

C．10 months.

D．2 months.

3. What is the purpose of this text?

A．To advertise for four candidates on Goudier Island.	B．To introduce penguins at Port Lockroy.
C．To compare some advantages of a job.	D．To provide some places to travel.

10 . When the PISA worldwide educational comparisons came out late in 2023, most countries fell to wondering how to do better. Spain had lost ground since the last time the tests were done in 2018. But students in Catalonia lost even more. Besides, native Spanish-speakers did worse than Catalan-speakers, which soon led to the blame on language policy.

In the 1980s Catalonia began a transition to teaching all subjects in Catalan, except Spanish. Several years ago the region’s top court ruled that at least 25% of classes must be given in Spanish. The regional government, led by separatists, then passed a law allowing individual school heads to raise or lower the level of teaching in Spanish, according to their need.

A new report for the Association for Bilingual Schools in Catalonia (AEB), which campaigns for more Spanish, said that hardly any schools have changed their published policies. And so they requested the European Parliament to investigate whether pupils’ basic rights had been violated. The week before Christmas a delegation made a fact-finding trip. The Catalan education secretary says they came having already made up their minds that the region’s language policy harms pupils’ performance.

In the Escola San Jaume, a primary school in El Prat de Llobregat, a heavily Spanish-speaking town near Barcelona, all signs are in Catalan. Only about 10% of the pupils are native Catalan-speakers, says the director, Arturo Ramírez. Despite the never-ending discussion across Spain, it is one largely achieved in Catalonia, where over 80% of the population speaks and reads Catalan, and everyone, except some immigrants, speaks Spanish too. Watching the happy students on his playground, Mr Ramírez says “There is no problem here. The problem is outside the building.”

1. What caused the blame on language policy?

A．That the native Catalan-speakers did better than Spanish-speakers in PISA.

B．That Spain had lost ground.

C．That most countries was wondering how to do better.

D．That the PISA worldwide educational comparisons came out.

2. Which best describes the transition in the 1980s?

A．At least 25% of classes must be given in Spanish.

B．All subjects were taught in Catalan.

C．Raise or lower the level in teaching according to need.

D．The regional government passed a law.

3. Which might be the percentage of the schools that have changed their published policies?

A．100%.

B．50%.

C．75%.

D．1%.

4. What might be the attitude of Mr Ramírez to their language teaching?

A．Indifferent.

B．Neutral.

C．Confident.

D．Unclear.