2 . For more than half a century, scientists have sought to understand X-rays from space and what they reveal about our galaxy and the universe beyond it. As it turns out, lobsters can help astronomers do just that.

Lobsters (龙虾) have developed specialized eyes to see in their dark habitats located up to around 2,300 feet below the ocean surface. Unlike humans, whose eyes consist of rounded lenses that bend light, lobsters’ eyes depend on reflection. Each of their two eyes is packed with up to 10,000 square-shaped tubes. Each tube is lined with a flat, reflective surface that acts like a mirror to direct incoming light down to the retina (视网膜). This setup affords lobsters a full 180-degree view, compared with humans’ 120-degree vision.

The breakthrough idea connecting lobster eyes to astronomy came in 1978 when Roger Angel, an astronomer at the University of Arizona, drew inspiration from an article on animal vision. Angel envisioned creating instruments imitating lobster eyes to enhance the capture of cosmic X-rays during missions beyond Earth’s orbit. In 1992, researchers from Columbia University ran the first successful X-ray measurements using lobster-eye instruments. It took another 15 years before the tech was adapted for spacecraft missions. “This is a technology that’s been around a long time in astrophysics,” says Scott Porter, an astrophysicist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Today, Porter’s team has developed specialized instruments to better understand how solar wind interact with Earth’s magnetic (磁的) field. Researchers pack thousands of tiny glass tubes and then heat and curve them to create a ball shape that can concentrate the X-rays into a singular point. Plus, many of these tools are much lighter and smaller than traditional X-ray instruments, and therefore easier to incorporate into multi-instrument missions.

Porter says that the number of applications for lobster-based instruments have increased in recent years. As projects receive funding, lobster eye instruments may become a key tool in our quest to better understand the vast, mysterious universe.

1. How does the structure of lobster eyes contribute to their vision capabilities?

A．The square-shaped lenses help the eyes focus better.

B．Tubes in the eyes can refract light in multiple directions.

C．The shape of the eyes can provide a clearer field of vision.

D．Reflective surfaces of tubes in the eyes direct light to the retina.

2. What can we know from paragraph 3 about lobster-eye instruments?

A．They were first invented by Roger Angel.

B．They are developed for deep-sea exploration.

C．They were first introduced in space missions in 2007.

D．They helped researchers capture cosmic X-rays in 1992.

3. What is Porter’s attitude towards lobster-based instruments?

A．Skeptical

B．Positive.

C．Indifferent.

D．Confused.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The application of lobster-eye instruments in various fields.

B．The unique setup of lobster eyes adapted for deep-sea vision.

C．The development of lobster-eye instruments for space X-rays.

D．The difference between lobster-eye instruments and traditional ones.

3 . Covid-19 is not the first disease to migrate from animals to humans. The Black Death of the 14 century was spread by fleas (跳蚤). The H1N1 virus behind the epidemic of 1918 originated in birds. The list goes on.

In the last two decades alone, we’ve been haunted by zoonotic (人畜共患的) outbreaks, including SARS, MERS, Ebola, bird flu, and most recently, COVID-19 and monkey-pox. Some researchers are beginning to call this era a Pandemicene. A study published in the journal Nature in April suggests that climate change may be to blame.

“The study comes from a simple idea,” says Colin Carlson, a global change biologist and a lead author of the paper. Climate change is making many habitats inhabitable. When animals migrate toward cooler climates, they introduce viruses to new environments. “That leads to interesting problems from a viral standpoint,” says Carlson.

To predict displacement patterns, Carlson and his colleagues taught machine-learning models the kinds of habitats used by different mammals. The modeling software then predicted, under a range of possible climate futures, where such conditions might be found in 2070, he explains. Many animals will head to cooler mountains, or to coastal regions with mild climates; Indonesia, the Philippines, India’s Rift Valley, and Sahel region are all expected to have sky-high human population densities and biodiversity levels by the year 2070, making them easy to be affected by outbreaks of zoonotic disease.

Carlson and his colleagues paired these predictions with a model that analyzes why different animals share viruses. The same flight capabilities that make bats excellent mosquito-hunters and seed-spreaders, for example, also make them more likely to transmit diseases. And while it’s easier for viruses to spread between closely related species, even viruses for our distant relatives can find purchase in us, given enough opportunities for infection.

Carlson and his colleagues estimate that by 2070, there will be at least 3,000 instances of novel cross-species infection. Not all will become pandemics, but some will.

1. Why is this era called “Pandemicene” by researchers in paragraph 2?

A．Many species are disappearing from the earth.

B．The climate change has become unpredictable.

C．Habitats for wildlife are destroyed by human activity.

D．Disease transmitted from animals are troubling humans.

2. Which of the following statements would Colin Calson probably agree?

A．Infectious diseases are rarely related to animals.

B．Migration of animals can lead to viral outbreaks.

C．Livable places for wild animals should be protected.

D．Global population and density will reach the peak in 2070.

3. What can be inferred from Carlson’s research in Paragraph 5?

A．Viruses can be spread between distantly related species.

B．Bats’ flight capabilities make them immune to diseases.

C．Wild creatures are given many opportunities to spread disease.

D．Humans may be infected with different viruses at the same time.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text? .

A．Colin Carlson, a Global Change. Biologist

B．Climate Change, a Reason for Animal Migration

C．Habitat Protection, an Effective Way to Biodiversity

D． Cross-species Infection, a Big Threat to Human Beings

5 . In China, tourist attractions often charge too much, with providers making use of foreign tourists’ lack of knowledge to charge visitors unusual prices.     1    . Here are some tips.

Do some homework

It’s good to do some research about the place you are going on your trip and which goods are its specialties, which prepares you well to bargain (讨价还价). It helps to read others’ tips and experiences and do price comparisons on websites.    2    .

Take your time

Being in a rush gets the bargainer in trouble. Time is not on your side. The provider has all the time in the world, and can sell that thing tomorrow.    3    . If you can, plan ahead, take your time and don’t be rushed. If the seller isn’t coming down on the item you want, walk away.

Use the ‘walk away’

Walking away works very well in big tourist places. If the price is still too high, you give your final offer and walk away slowly while looking at other things. You will usually be called back.

    4    

Typically, if shopping for things which are not expensive, you can try to go 25 to 50 percent of the asking price. If the thing is very expensive, it’s better to start lower. Just say 10 percent of the asking price, so you have more room to bargain.

Don’t feel sorry for the seller

    5    . You’ll hear everything from “Now my child won’t have any dinner”, to “You are getting this for less than I paid for it!” These are lies. The seller is making a profit, so don’t worry. They are not going to sell you anything out of the goodness of their heart. It’s a game and it’s fun to play. So play right back and say something like, “Yes, but now I can’t afford to have any dinner, either!”

A．Floor prices

B．Bargain more

C．Providers love to play like you’ve ruined their day with your hard bargaining

D．For example, Taobao and Amazon are suitable to search for the goods you want

E．You are on a plane tomorrow morning and you’ve left yourself an hour to shop

F．But learning something about the Chinese way of bargaining may reduce unnecessary losses.

G．It has resulted in today’s situation that China’s young generation is losing interest in bargaining.

8 . It was a warm summer afternoon in mid-July at the Jersey shore. My four-year-old son and I hit the sand and started our adventure with bucket in hand.

I remembered the days not so long ago when a trip to the beach was just unbearable for my little boy. His sensitivities to sights, sounds, and touches would prevent us from enjoying everyday activities. My son, Will, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD自闭症谱系障碍). However, presently, we were able to walk along the edge of the water, looking for seashells to fill our red sandcastle-shaped bucket.

Will began picking up whatever shells he saw lying in the sand. After a while, I looked into the bucket and saw nothing but broken shells. “Will,” I said softly, “all of these shells are broken. You need to find shells like this,” I continued, as I held up a perfectly shaped clamshell with patience. Will gave me a puzzled look and continued on his way, gathering whatever shells he came upon.

I stopped, but this time I asked in a stern voice, “Will, why do you keep filling our bucket with broken shells?” He looked up at me with his big blue eyes and replied, “Mom, these shells are broken, but they are still beautiful.” He began pulling out different shells and commenting on their uniqueness. “This one is broken, but look, it has the color purple on it. Mom, none of yours have purple on them,” he said with such pride.

“And, Mom, this one looks like a smile when you hold it this way,” he said as he reached for another broken shell. “It reminds me of a clown. This one is round like the sun, and these ones are stuck together like butterfly wings...” my eyes gradually filled with tears.

“You’re right, Will,” I agreed. We walked along the beach, collecting only broken shells in our bucket and admiring their beauty.

1. What kept Will from going to the beach in the first place?

A． Lack of company.

B．Time limits.

C．Personal preference.

D．His medical condition.

2. Which of the following can best replace the underlined word “stern” in Para 4?

A．Confused

B．Proud

C．Serious

D．Gentle

3. Why did Will mention the purple color on a shell with pride?

A．Because he was into the shells of enormous sizes.

B．Because he knew purple was the rarest color for seashells.

C．Because he regarded the purple shell unique though broken.

D．Because he was reminded of his favorite toy at home.

4. What lesson can we learn from the passage?

A．Chance favors those who are well prepared.	B．Beauty can still be found in imperfection.
C．Happiness in life is to move forward.	D．Experience is the father of wisdom.

9 . 2023 is zipping along at quite a speed, and London’s already witnessed some great exhibitions. But big treats — including Kubrick, Tutankhamun and William Blake — are still to come.

Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Starry Night Over the Rhone

A major exhibition at Tate Britain, which examines how Van Gogh was inspired by British art, and how he in turn inspired British artists. His famous Sunflowers fill the gallery with joy, while a work of a red-haired man with sharp blue eyes stares out intensely at visitors.

The EY Exhibition: Van Gogh and Britain at Tate Britain. Until 11 August 2024, £22.

Glass Master at Kew Gardens

Dale Chihuly creates sculptures out of glass that we would normally think impossible. His bright colourful forms twist and expand as if they are living creatures. Given the organic nature of his work, placing 32 of these sculptures around Kew Gardens feels like a natural fit.

Chihuly at Kew: Reflections on Nature at Kew Gardens. 13 April-27 October 2024, £13.75 (includes general admission to the gardens).

AI at Barbican

Machines are getting smarter — in our phones, in our homes and soon they’ll be driving us around. What does this mean for us? What will a human being look like in the future? Leading researchers and famous artists will take on these massive questions in an exhibition and try to tell us in a way combining technology and art.

AI: More than human at Barbican. 16 May-26 August 2024, £15.

William Blake at Tate Britain

The largest William Blake exhibition in 20 years comes to Tate Britain this autumn, celebrating the work of a singular artistic talent. Blake’s ill-fated exhibition of 1809 held above his family’s shop in Soho, meant that he never received public praise in his time. Tate Britain hopes to change this, by exhibiting over 300 original watercolors, paintings and prints — as well as recreating the tiny domestic room in which Blake created most of his works.

William Blake: The Artist at Tate Britain. 11 September 2023-2 February 2024, £18

1. How many exhibitions can people enjoy at most on 18 August 2024 in London?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

2. Whose works in the listed exhibitions features harmony with nature?

A．Van Gogh.

B．Dale Chihuly.

C．AI.

D．William Blake.

3. What do the four exhibitions have in common?

A．They are created by famous artists.	B．They reflect hi-tech achievements.
C．They cover certain elements of art.	D．They explore human nature to a degree.

10 . Is walking good exercise?

For exercise to really count, it has to be hard or complicated, or leave you totally wiped out with muscle pain for days-right? Not at all! While high-intensity activity certainly has its place, so does the most basic, accessible form of exercise: walking.    1    

Walking is great for all exercise levels.

One of the biggest reasons walking is so popular is because it’s a low-impact exercise. It doesn’t put nearly as much pressure on the joints(关节)as running or any sort of jumping or hopping movement.     2     It’s a gentle way to get the blood flowing and circulate oxygen and nutrients(营养物质)to muscles.

Starting is easy.

For people just getting started with fitness, walking is a wonderful form of aerobic exercise(有氧运动).    3     Just get up and walk, and you’ll get your heart and lungs working. Unlike other forms of cardio-like running, biking, dance workouts, or boxing-walking isn’t frightening, and it doesn’t require lessons or special equipment.

    4    

Enhanced blood flow is going to improve recovery and help ease muscle pain. Although it is not going to completely heal it, it can help reduce it and accelerate the muscle repair process.     5     Chemicals that are released in the body when our cells create and use energy to power through a tough workout may further boost recovery.

A．Not just for beginners.

B．Excellent for recovery.

C．The risk of injury is relatively low.

D．Walking can also help the body sweep away waste products.

E．Walking is a form of mental health treatment for many people

F．You don’t need any earlier or special knowledge or training to start.

G．Recently, it’s become an even more vital physical activity for many people.