1 . Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World is one of the most important books about climate change to have been written. Hayhoe is a gifted public speaker and Saving Us is a follow-up to her awesome TED talk in 2018, “The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it. ”
One of the many refreshing aspects of this book is that Hayhoe recounts both her successes and her failures to communicate, through which she has gathered evidence about what works and what does not. Much of the book's advice is common sense, all backed up not just by Hayhoe's experience but also with convincing research by psychologists and social scientists.
Hayhoe advises against trying to engage with a small minority, the “Dismissives”, who “angrily reject the idea that human-caused climate change is a threat; they are most receptive (易接受的) to misinformation and conspiracy theories (阴谋论)”. There is a warning that offering up more facts about climate change can actually increase polarisation(两极化) among them.
The book includes amusing examples of her encounters with the “Dismissives” , almost entirely older men — including an engineer who was unconvinced about the evidence but with whom she was able to establish mutual (相互的) respect through a shared passion for knitting (打毛线衣) — and is packed with inspiring accounts of how she has won over even the most suspicious of crowds. Her motto is “bond, connect and inspire” , which represents her approach of always looking for points of commonality.
She also tells of a man who approached her after an event in London in 2019. He had been so inspired by her TED talk that he had started to speak to everybody he could in his neighborhood of Wandsworth. He showed her details of 12,000 conversations that had taken place as a result, claiming that they had helped to convince the government to declare a climate emergency and to switch investments from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
And so, while it may feel difficult to influence the outcome of the COP26, Hayhoe’s uplifting book makes a persuasive case that we can all do our bit to bring about success just by talking about the issue.
1. What does the book mainly focus on?| A．Promoting people's insight into climate change. |
| B．Introducing presentation skills with TED talks. |
| C．Sharing communication tips on climate change. |
| D．Developing critical thinking through literature. |
| A．Humorous but one-sided. | B．Novel and interesting. |
| C．Serious and hard to follow. | D．Well-based and workable. |
| A．She changed their political identity. |
| B．She sought common ground by bonding. |
| C．She challenged their fundamental beliefs. |
| D．She provided more facts about climate change. |
| A．Talks can affect climate decision-making. |
| B．The shift to renewable energy is unstoppable. |
| C．Policymakers turn a blind eye to climate change. |
| D．We need to call on people to prepare for the climate crisis. |
2 . Top Stays for Travelers Who
Prioritize Sustainability
Here’s a look at four hotels that are taking the green lead, bravely committing to a net-zero future.
Boutiquehotel Stadthalle
In a restored turn-of-the-century house surrounded by solar panels and garden beds, the 79-room hotel has been running on solar power and other renewables since 2009. Its rooms are equipped with recycled wine bottle chandeliers (枝形吊灯). Breakfast is in the garden among herb pots and flowers. Up above, the flower roof attracts many butterflies and bees.
Hackengasse 20, 1150 Wien, Vienna; +43-1982-4272
Room2 Chiswick
Recognizing the climate crisis, room2 owner Robert Godwi spent two years planning a "whole life" net-zero hotel. There are a host of invisible elements like a blue roof that changes rainwater into energy. A biodiverse green roof uses 200 tons of soil and wildflowers aimed at absorbing CO₂.
10 Windmill Rd, Chiswick, London; +4420-3988-0220
Comfort Hotel Solna
In June 2021, Scandinavia welcomed its first certificated "zero-energy" hotel. The 336-room hotel lies a few miles north of central Stockholm. The building has 2,500 square meters of colorful solar cells which provide energy to cool and heat the building. This "energy-smart" hotel shows off Nordic design while being relatively easy on the wallet.
Evenemangsgatan 48, 169 56 Solna, Sweden; +468-1216-1480
Four Elements Hotel
This hotel uses the wind to produce energy for air conditioning and heating. It uses solar energy to produce electricity and heat water. The "Earth, Wind & Fire" idea came from engineer Dr Ben Bronsema. The top-floor Wind Sky Bar and the Herbs Garden restaurant of the hotel are must-tries.
Bert Haanstrakade 1074, 1087 H, Amsterdam; +312-0714-2040
1. Where can you see some recycled items?| A．At room2 Chiswick. | B．At Comfort Hotel Solna. |
| C．At Four Elements Hotel. | D．At Boutiquehotel Stadthalle. |
| A．A CO₂-absorbing roof. | B．A line of colorful solar cells. |
| C．The Herbs Garden restaurant. | D．A meal among herb pots and flowers. |
| A．Travelers who are on a budget. | B．Children who are nature lovers. |
| C．Visitors who want a green travel. | D．Parents who are fond of biodiversity. |
3 . Before uploading a photo of ourselves to social media, the chances are that we’ll use an app to smooth our skin, enlarge our eyes, and sharpen our jawlines. With a couple of ta ps on our mobile phones, we can get a quick fix and present the “best” version of ourselves to the world. However, the problem is that when we simply edit out our imperfections, we’re also changing the way we look at ourselves.
Last month, researchers published the article Selfies — Living in the Era of Filtered Photographs. The article analyzed photo editing apps’ bad influences on people’s self-respect and their possibility of causing anxiety about appearance. The researchers also warned that such apps might make the young generation misjudge themselves. “These apps allow one to change his or her appearance in minutes and follow an unrealistic standard of beauty,” the article read.
In the past, people may have compared their looks to those of famous persons. But for today’s young people, beauty standards are most likely set by what they see on social media. “From birth, they are born into an age of social platforms where their feelings of self-worth can be based purely on the number of likes and followers that they have, which is linked to how good they look,” British cosmetic doctor Tiji on Esho told The Independent. This is why many young people suffer an identity trouble when it comes to appearance.
“Now you’ve got this daily comparison of your real self to the fake self that you present on social media,” Renee Engeln, professor of psychology, told the HuffPost website. Engeln further pointed out that when people spend too much time making such comparisons, they might become “beauty sick” and find it difficult to accept what they actually look like. “Because between you and the world is a mirror, and it’s a mirror that travels with you everywhere. You can’t seem to put it down,” she told The Washington Post. So when we look at ourselves in a real mirror, we shouldn’t think, “Do I look as good as myself in the filtered photos?” Instead, we should think, “I feel good; I have my health.”
1. Before uploading a photo to social media, we probably ______.| A．use an app to fix our photos | B．use a cream to smooth our skin |
| C．present the best version of the text | D．have an operation to widen our eyes |
| A．They are beneficial to people. | B．They can make us more beautiful. |
| C．They tend to trigger appearance anxiety. | D．They help people judge realistic beauty. |
| A．Because they compare their looks to those of celebrities. |
| B．Because beauty standards are merely set by social media. |
| C．Because their self-worth is associated with their appearance. |
| D．Because their self-worth depends on their own likes and dislikes. |
| A．take a mirror with us everywhere | B．feel content with our actual images |
| C．compare our real self to the fake self | D．try to look good in the filtered photos |
4 . When you come across different situations in your daily life, you may often end up feeling stressed, anxious, or obsessed over the worst-case scenarios (场景).
As a result, we should learn to think positively. Positive thinking means focusing on the good parts of any given situation.
There are many benefits of positive thinking. With positive thinking, we can deal with problems and situations in our life in a much easier way.
There are many ways to learn to think positively. You can try positive thinking by practicing gratitude, keeping a gratitude journal, laughing more often, and spending time with positive people.
| A．You should ignore what is bad for you. |
| B．And positive thinking can help you feel better. |
| C．Thinking negatively can be very harmful. |
| D．As they say, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” |
| E．You may also overthink a lot and struggle to think positively. |
| F．If you try these ways, you’re very likely to stop thinking negatively. |
| G．Also, positive thinking has a lot of physical and mental health benefits. |
5 . Jason Allen was almost too nervous to enter his first art competition. Now, his award-winning image has caused controversy (争议).
In August, Allen, a game designer from Pueblo West, won first place in the Colorado State Fair Fine Arts Competition. His winning image was made with Midjourney—an artificial system that can produce detailed images when fed written prompts (提示符).
Allen’s winning image is one of three such images he entered in the competition. The definition for the category in which Allen competed states that digital art refers to works that use digital technology as part of the creative or presentation process. Allen used Midjourney to create his image.
Midjourney is one of a growing number of AI image generators. Others include Google Research’s Imagen and OpenAI’s DALL-E 2. Anyone can use Midjourney, while DALL-E 2 requires an invitation, and Imagen has not been opened up to users outside Google.
Whether these tools can truly make art or assist humans in making art came into sharp focus not long after Allen’s win. Some artists were angered by his win because of his use of AI to create the image. “This is really bad for the exact same reason we don’t let robots participate in the Olympics.” one artist wrote.
Cal Duran, an artist and art teacher who was one of the judges for the competition, said that while Allen’s piece included a mention of Midjourney, he didn’t realize that it was generated by AI when judging it. Still, he stuck by his decision to award it first place in its category, calling it a beautiful piece. “There’s a lot involved in this piece and I think AI technology may give more opportunities to people who may not find themselves artists in the conventional way.” he said.
Allen won’t yet say what the text prompt was behind his winning image—he’s planning to keep it a secret until he publishes a larger related work that he hopes will be finished later this year.
1. Which of the following is most accessible to common users to create images?| A．Imagen. | B．Google. | C．Midjourney. | D．DALL-E 2. |
| A．Went viral. | B．Be in a dilemma. |
| C．Made people surprised. | D．Come under the spotlight. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Ambiguous. | C．Doubtful. | D．Uninterested. |
| A．AI Defeated Human Artists in the Art Field |
| B．AI Won an Art Contest and Artists Were Angry |
| C．An Artist Won State Fair Art Contest and Laughed |
| D．An Artist from Pueblo West Was Defending His Work |
6 . As an entrepreneur, my days are filled with a flow of information that I need to remember: meeting notes, tasks assignment, ideas. As a tech enthusiast and as someone whose handwriting isn't the best, I have been taking notes on my computer since college.
Avoid distraction. Our digital devices are full of distractions: emails, notifications and those cute kitten pictures. Pen and paper are distraction-free. You won't have to deal with the urge of quickly checking the notification that just popped up.
Better for memory. Taking notes on your pad or via your key board affects your memory. Research co-led by professors from Princeton and the University of California showed that college students who took notes with pen and paper remembered more than those who used a computer.
Take pleasure in the craft. Writing is a craft, and while my handwriting has never been excellent, I took the time to invest in it.
| A．Higher -quality notes |
| B．Learn knowledge faster |
| C．Writing on paper can have a relaxing effect. |
| D．Pen and paper are convenient and available somehow. |
| E．But about two years ago, I decided to switch to pen and paper. |
| F．Those writing with pens tend to take shorter, straight-to-the- point notes. |
| G．Plus, your conservationist is less likely to think that your note-taking is a distraction. |
7 . Top Music Styles for Teenagers
As teenagers, music often plays a significant role in shaping their tastes, emotions, and lifestyles. Here are some recommendations for diverse music styles that might suit the tastes of young people.
Pop MusicThis genre is catchy and upbeat, perfect for dance parties and relaxation. It often features catchy melodies and relatable lyrics.
Rap and Hip-HopThese genres are known for their powerful lyrics and catchy beats. They often discuss social issues and personal experiences, making them relatable for teens seeking music with a message.
Electronic MusicElectronic music is innovative and often features a blend of different sounds and genres. It’s great for dance floors and parties, or for simply enjoying the beats.
Folk MusicFolk music offers a simpler, more natural sound, often with traditional melodies and lyrics about life and nature. It’s perfect for peaceful moments or for learning about different cultures.
Rock MusicRock music is full of energy and passion, encouraging teens to express their individuality and emotions. From classic rock to modern alternatives, there’s something for everyone.
Jazz MusicJazz is a genre that encourages improvisation and creativity. It’s perfect for teens who appreciate music with depth and complexity, and want to get into more artistic expressions.
Classical MusicClassical music, with its rich history and diverse repertoire, is perfect for teens interested in music appreciation and understanding. It can help develop listening skills and enhance concentration.
Exploring different music genres can be an enriching experience for teenagers, allowing them to discover new sounds, express their feelings, reduce their stress, stimulate creativity and connect with their peers.
1. What feature do Pop Music and Electronic Music have in common?| A．They are relaxing. | B．They discuss social issues. |
| C．They are great for parties. | D．They feature catchy melodies. |
| A．Folk music. | B．Classic Music. | C．Jazz Music. | D．Rock Music. |
| A．Reduce their pressure. | B．Improve academic performance. |
| C．Develop their creativity. | D．Communicate with their friends. |
8 . School is a place where students can gain knowledge and many skills, however, it also can be a place where bullying (霸凌) occurs.
● The best way to deal with bullying is to stop it before it starts. A strong sense of self-respect, combined with a basic respect for others, can help you avoid bullying.
●
● Learn to protect yourself. Stay aware of what’s going on around yourself. Learn to walk confidently, which may reduce the chance of being the target of being bullied. It’s yourself that matters much in stopping school bullying.
● Never hesitate to seek help. There are many different groups that can intervene (介入) to deal with bullying in school: parents, teachers, and school leadership.
| A．Prepare yourself. |
| B．Be brave to stand up for yourself. |
| C．There are four basic types of bullying. |
| D．Children may lack the courage to ask for help and support. |
| E．A child having friend is also less possible to be bulled or to bully others. |
| F．So remember always to keep open the lines of communication with them. |
| G．School bullying is likely to threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school. |
9 . Humpback whales (座头鲸) are among the world’s most endangered whales. The main threats humpback whales face are strikes from ships and getting caught in fishing and waste equipment. Recently, scientists have developed a technology-powered mapping tool to prevent ships from hitting whales in areas off America’s west coast. The system is called Whale Safe. It uses equipment placed in the ocean to identify the presence of whales in the surrounding area.
Whale Safe was recently launched to the north in San Francisco Bay. There is a problem in the bay with ships hitting whales. Wildlife officials reported that a humpback whale washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay with injuries suggesting the animal was killed in a ship strike. It was the fifth whale to be killed by a ship strike in the area in 2022. However, the actual number of whales killed by ships is likely much higher because the bodies of the dead animals are rarely discovered.
The system uses three methods to identify and protect several different whale species. First, it uses flotation devices — known as buoys (浮标) — to record sounds the whales make. Second, it uses computer models to process current and historical ocean data to predict where the whales are most likely to be. Third, it permits trained observers and citizens to report whale sightings through a mobile app. The tool also records shipping activity and ship speeds. The collected data is then sent by satellite to scientists who examine it and seek to provide guidance to ship operators.
The Whale Safe project is supported by the Marine Mammal Center and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory. Officials from the Marine Mammal Center say they have plans to expand the system to other areas where whales face a high risk of being hit by ships. “The system combines the latest technology with thoughtful conservation efforts to create a solution to reduce risk to whales. This is where technology meets Mother Nature for the benefit of marine life,” said Jeff Boehm, a leader of the Marine Mammal Center.
1. What is the new tool intended for?| A．Detecting the conditions of ships. | B．Protecting whales from ship strikes. |
| C．Locating the bodies of the dead whales. | D．Recording the movements of humpback whales. |
| A．Provide some advice for readers. | B．Introduce the main idea of the text. |
| C．Add some background information. | D．Put forward a new topic for discussion. |
| A．Its working principles. | B．Its application value. |
| C．Its major advantages. | D．Its operational guidance. |
| A．Adjust the new system to other sea animals. |
| B．Provide professional training for ship operators. |
| C．Apply the system to other places with a high rate of crashes. |
| D．Seek cooperation with the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory. |
10 . Tu Youyou, an 84-year-old Chinese woman, was the first Chinese female scientist who was awarded a Nobel Prize for her work on 7 December, 2015. Her discovery of artemisinin (青蒿素) has led to the development of new drugs which have saved the lives of millions.
Tu Youyou was born in Zhejiang, China, on 30 December, 1930. She studied medicine at Peking University Health Science Centre. After graduation, she became a member of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Later, she studied Chinese medicine for two and a half years with experts in the field from whom she gained a deep knowledge about traditional practices.
In 1969, Tu Youyou was chosen to establish a team to find a cure for malaria — a disease that killed millions of people every year. Across the world, scientists had been trying to find a cure. They tested more than 240,000 chemicals with no success. However, Tu Youyou had an idea that Chinese herbs might hold the secret. She studied ancient Chinese medical literature and visited experts in traditional Chinese medicine. She researched hundreds of traditional recipes connected to anti-malarial cures. Then Tu Youyou and her team began using modern research methods to study these Chinese herbs one by one.
This was not an easy task because the team had limited resources. However, after hundreds of failed experiments, they eventually came across a promising chemical. Tu Youyou bravely volunteered to be the first human subject when they were ready to start testing and the rest of her team followed her. The test was a success. The medicine they discovered, artemisinin, has now become the world’s most effective drug for fighting malaria (疟疾).
Tu’s work bridged the Eastern and Western worlds, saving millions of lives. She was noted for her bravery and her ability to use old wisdom and new methods to achieve her goals. Today Tu Youyou continues to conduct research despite her age.
1. How did Tu Youyou obtain a deep knowledge about traditional practices?| A．By reading ancient Chinese medical literature. |
| B．By studying at Peking University Health Science Centre. |
| C．By learning from experts in the field of Chinese medicine. |
| D．By working in China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. |
| A．They didn’t have enough resources. | B．They weren’t good at doing experiments. |
| C．They could not find human subjects. | D．They could not find a promising chemical. |
| A．marked | B．recorded | C．attentive | D．famous |
| A．Independent and brave. | B．Patient and confident. |
| C．Outgoing and knowledgeable. | D．Devoted and determined. |
