1 . The oceans play a crucial role in lightening global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide emissions. However, in a study conducted by the University of Texas, researchers found that the oceans’ capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) would reach its maximum by 2100 and decrease to half of its current efficiency by 2300, based on a climate simulation (模拟) that was set for a worst-case emissions scenario (设想).

The decline happens because of a surface layer of low-alkalinity (碱度) water that can hinder the ability of the oceans to absorb CO₂. Alkalinity affects how much CO₂ can dissolve in seawater. Although the emissions scenario used in the study is unlikely because of global efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions, the findings reveal a previously unknown tipping point that if activated would release an important brake on global warming.

“We need to think about these worst-case scenarios to understand how our CO₂ emissions might affect the oceans not just this century, but next century and the following centuries. Climate simulations had previously shown that the oceans slow their absorption of CO₂ over time, but none had considered alkalinity as an explanation. We recalculated pieces of a 450-year simulation until we hit on alkalinity as a key cause of the slowing.” said Megumi Chikamoto, who led the research at the University of Texas Institute.

The effect begins with extreme climate change, which slows ocean currents. This leaves the surface of the oceans covered in a warm layer of fresh water that won’t mix easily with the cooler, more al kaline waters below it. That means more of it is left behind in the atmosphere. This in turn produces faster warming, which sustains and strengthens the low-alkalinity surface layer. Co-author, Pedro DiNezio, said that the discovery was a powerful reminder that the world needs to reduce its CO₂ emissions to avoid crossing this and other tipping points.

1. What may happen after the year 2300?

A．More CO₂ will be absorbed by the oceans.

B．The oceans will lose all their current efficiency.

C．The world will face even more severe warming.

D．The oceans will be less crucial to global warming.

2. What does the underlined word “hinder” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Improve.

B．Weaken.

C．Protect.

D．Control.

3. What does Megumi Chikamoto say about the oceans?

A．Finding why they slow CO₂ intake is hard.

B．Their ability to absorb CO₂ is at their maximum.

C．They will decide on the future of human beings.

D．They will slow down CO₂ absorption very quickly.

4. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A biology textbook.	B．A government report.
C．Science fiction.	D．An environmental journal.

2 . For the past 8 years, K-9 officer Roni has been by the side of Officer Joel Nitchman of the Deer Park, Texas police department. They’ve been through a lot together, and the cop (警察) thinks of the dog as a member of his own family. Recently, the team had just returned to the station when an EF-3 tornado suddenly formed nearby.

The wind picked up fast. Remembering Roni was still inside his cage in the patrol car, Joel didn’t think twice about rushing outside into the storm to get his partner. “The thought of ruins, or the car flipping over.... I couldn’t do that to him,” said Joel. “I couldn’t have him out there during that.” He felt debris (碎片) hitting his face as he headed into the wind, and he knew the situation was worsening with every passing second.

Conditions worsened even further when Joel made it around to the other side of the car. The wind and rain were so strong that he couldn’t get the door open. When he finally opened it, Roni refused to move. “I could barely open his door,” Joel said. “When I did, he’s a smart dog, he saw what was going on outside and he said I’m not coming out.” With a lot of coaxing (劝诱), Roni finally followed his partner out of the car, and Joel was able to lead him by the collar back into the safety of the station.

“Never been through anything like this before,” Joel said of the frightening event. Now that the danger has passed, he feels even closer to his K-9 partner, and he’d do it all over again, if he had. “I love that dog,” he explained. “He’s a part of our family. We can’t leave a loved one like that. There’s no way I was going to leave him like that.”

Well done, officer! It’s nice to know that these cops have each other’s backs through thick and thin.

1. What is the relationship between Roni and Joel like?

A．Plain.

B．Distant.

C．Terrible.

D．Inseparable.

2. Why did Joel rush out despite the coming disaster?

A．Roni was still on duty outside.

B．He attempted to get the car inside.

C．He went to rescue Roni stuck in the car.

D．He wanted to learn more about the tomado.

3. What is the most unexpected difficulty during the rescue of Roni?

A．Lack of official help.

B．Roni’s fear of the danger.

C．The poor quality of the door.

D．The unsafe situation of the station.

4. How does the experience influence Roni and Joel?

A．They are more attached to each other.

B．They are now living closer to each other.

C．They have more loved ones in their lives.

D．They are more independent of each other.

3 . Architectural Wonders Inspired by Nature

Atomium: Brussels

Originally constructed for the 1958 World’s Fair, or Expo 58, this weird (古怪的) building features nine interconnected spheres (球体) measuring 335-feet high. Engineer Andre Waterkeyn and architects Andre and Jean Polak modeled it after an iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times to represent faith in scientific progress. Today the interior is home to a museum and several temporary exhibits.

The Cube Houses: Rotterdam

Despite all the hard angles and straight lines, architect Piet Blom actually took inspiration from a forest of trees when designing these Dutch houses back in 1977. Each bright yellow cube is tilted (倾斜的) on its side by 45 degrees and anchored to a hexagon-shaped pylon (六边形塔架), representing a tree. The entrance to each three-level house lies inside the concrete “trunk” that contains a staircase.

Taipei 101: Taipei

Standing at 1,671 feet tall, this 101-story skyscraper was the tallest building in the world when it opened in Taipei’s modern Xinyi District in 2004. Renowned architect C. Y. Lee modeled it after a bamboo stalk, and its repetitive sections are full of symbolism. There are a total of eight parts comprised of eight floors each -a lucky number in Chinese culture.

Helix Bridge: Singapore

An international team, assembled from Architects 61 in Singapore, designed this footbridge stretching over Marina Bay, linking the famous hotel and shopping center with the ArtScience Museum and Gardens by the Bay. The inspiration comes from the double helix (螺旋的) structure of a DNA molecule. Opened in 2010, the 919-foot long curved structure has five viewing platforms, giving pedestrians spectacular views of the skyline from across the waterfront.

1. What was the original purpose of building Atomium?

A．Preparing for Expo 58.

B．Preparing for a museum.

C．Preparing for some exhibits.

D．Preparing for an iron crystal.

2. What is special about The Cube Houses?

A．They are very straight like big trees.

B．Each cube is tilted about 45 degrees.

C．They are the oldest of the 4 buildings.

D．They are designed by a famous architect.

3. Where should you go if you want to visit well-known hotels?

A．To Atomium.	B．To the Cube Houses.
C．To Taipei 101.	D．To Helix Bridge.

4 . How I wish to go to the bottom (底部) of the sea for an adventure (探险)! There are quite a lot of beautiful fishes swimming here around me and they are in different shapes and colors. A big whale or a shark might appear. Frightening, isn’t it? But most fishes are friendly and won’t hurt you if you do not attack them. It would be great fun just to watch the fishes quietly and even play with them. — from Qin Yixing.

Last night, I had a dream. I was flying to Africa. Once I reached the land, I found a jeep to the grasslands. I was about to get into the jeep when I saw a few snakes in front of me. Luckily, they went away without hurting me. Soon I happened to find some nice giraffes and a crowd of zebras. On my way back, there was something wrong with the jeep. I was so scared that I fell with the jeep upside down. Much to my surprise, a helicopter (直升飞机) came in time to rescue me. What a dream adventure! — from Zhang Liang.

1. Qin Yixing dreams to go to the bottom of the sea to ______.

A．have a holiday

B．take an adventure

C．find a job

D．watch a game

2. According to Qin Yixing, we know most fishes are _______.

A．noisy

B．frightening

C．friendly

D．quiet

3. Zhang Liang got to Africa ______.

A．by plane

B．by jeep

C．by water

D．by bus

4. In his dream, Zhang Liang saw all these animals EXCEPT _______.

A．snakes

B．giraffes

C．zebras

D．tigers

5 . Learn to Turn Your Favorite Photo into a Digital Illustration

That’s right. We’re about to seriously school you on the art of portraiture, using nothing but a photo, your computer, and our trusty friend, Adobe Illustrator. In our brand-new class, Digital Illustration: Turn Your Photos Into Art, artist and designer Kristin Berry will teach you how to create your own digital portrait art using a photograph.

In Berry’s latest Digital Illustration class, you’ll be surprised and delighted by how just a few simple steps can result in a custom piece of art. It’s a great creative skill to learn for creating wedding invitations, holiday cards, birthday gifts, or wall art for your home. Plus, if you want to change the color of your shirt or add in a crazy color background, she’ll teach you how to do that too. There are endless ways you can customize your digital illustration, and this class will show you all the tips and tricks you need.

In the 82-minute online class, we’ll teach you:

·The best way to organize your Adobe Illustrator workspace

·How to illustrate the human form from the face all the way to the outfit

·Tips on how to add special touches to make your illustration unique and personalized

Once you sign up for the class, it’s yours to take on-demand, meaning you can watch it whenever (and at your own pace). Students will also get access to a design class that will have you learning from a professional. You’ll also get to download an exclusive course workbook that will help guide you through the class.

Sounds amazing, right? So find your most portrait-worthy photo and sign up for Digital Illustration: Turn Photos Into Art TODAY!

1. What is Adobe Illustrator probably?

A．An art teacher.

B．An application.

C．A course workbook.

D．A portrait photographer.

2. What skill can you learn in Kristin Berry’s class?

A．Taking digital photos.	B．Designing online courses.
C．Making Christmas cards.	D．Organizing wedding parties.

3. What is the text?

A．A report.

B．A journal.

C．An announcement.

D．An advertisement.

6 . In our daily life, it’s the unexpected acts of kindness that often bring us the most joy. This is a story about one such act that occurred in the most unlikely of places — a crowded airplane. It’s a reminder that despite the chaos, there’s always time for sympathy, something Kelsey Zwick and her baby experienced in person.

The mom was traveling to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with her daughter, who required special medical attention due to her premature birth. The journey was filled with the extra luggage of medical equipment and the concerns of a caring mother. As they were settled into their economy seats, a flight attendant approached with the sweetest offer. Just at that time, a first — class passenger noticed them and wanted to offer his seat, hoping it would provide more comfort for them. On hearing that, Zwick was moved to tears by the gesture.

The flight proceeded smoothly with Zwick and her daughter enjoying the unexpected comfort of first class. However, upon landing, Zwick was unable to find the man, as they lost each other in the crowd. Determined to thank him appropriately, she detailed the encounter, from the struggles of traveling with a baby and medical equipment to the heartfelt exchange with the stranger. Then she posted online the message, expressing thanks and recognition of the man’s generosity.

The story, once shared, caught fire online, receiving over 579,000 shares. The viral nature of this post eventually led to the airline connecting Zwick with the benefactor, Jason Kunselman. In an interview, Kunselman humbly shared his perspective, stressing the importance of kindness. This encounter between Zwick and Kunselman serves as a powerful reminder of the impact a simple act of kindness can have. It’s a call to action for all of us to be more observant and considerate of those around us.

1. Why was Zwick moved on the plane?

A．Her baby was looked after on the plane.

B．Her problem was solved by a flight attendant.

C．A first-class passenger offered his seat to her.

D．The passengers on the plane told the story of kindness.

2. Why did Zwick want to find the man?

A．To give him the extra fee.	B．To express her gratitude.
C．To praise his generosity.	D．To make an apology to him.

3. What does the underlined word “benefactor” in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．Contributor.

B．Reporter.

C．Conductor.

D．Organizer.

4. What is implied in the story of Zwick?

A．Few people care about the persons around us.

B．The story posted online always attracts a lot of fans.

C．A near neighbor is better than a distant cousin.

D．Acts of kindness always start from our considerateness.

7 . Bred to be more sweeter, today’s cherries, bananas and apples taste different than they used — to but not necessarily better. Among fruit farmers, the word “quality” is now routinely used as a standard for “high in sugar”, though firmness, color and size are also considerations. In a recent study about ways to enhance the sweetness of fruit using “molecular (分子的) approaches”, a group of plant scientists wrote that, in general, the sugar content of many fruits are now higher than before owing to continuous selection and breeding. Modern apple varieties, the scientists stressed, were on average sweeter than older ones.

The sweetness of fruit depends not just on how it is bred but also on growing conditions, yield and harvest. The lead researcher, Sugiura, said, “If you could taste an apple harvested 30 years ago, you would feel the difference.” He believed that modern apples are picked so early that even if they are bred for sweetness, they often don’t develop their full character. The fragrance (香味) never develops in fruit that is harvested too early.

Jim Cooper, an apple farmer in England, is regretful to admit the fact that many people will never taste the “strawberry hint” in a really ripe Pearmain, a type of heritage apple. In a way, the rise of consistently sweeter fruit in our lifetimes has been a victory of plant breeding. After all, it’s a rare person who would seek out bitter grapes if they could have sweet ones instead.

But the sweetness of modern fruit is not without its problems, especially for people with diabetes (糖尿病), who have to reduce their intake of higher-sugar fruits. Fruit that is bred sweeter also tends to be lower in the chemicals that make it healthy. Considering health, maybe the real problem with modern fruit is that it has become yet another sweet thing in a world with sugar. Even grapefruits, which used to be quite bitter, are sometimes now as sweet as oranges. If you’ve never tasted a sour cherry, how can you fully appreciate a sweet one?

1. In what aspect is many fruits different from before?

A．Sugar content.

B．Soft skin.

C．Bright color.

D．High yield.

2. Why did Sugiura express discontent with the present fruits?

A．They are bred too early.	B．They taste so sweet.
C．They are losing a good flavor.	D．They need a higher yield.

3. What is Cooper’s attitude towards modern fruit breeding?

A．Favorable.

B．Critical.

C．Ambiguous.

D．Indifferent.

4. What does the last paragraph mean?

A．It’s a wise choice to breed fruits for sweetness.

B．Breeding sweet fruits improves the quality of fruits.

C．Some fruits like grapes and cherries taste the same.

D．The sweetness of fruits will cause health issues.

8 . Some ants have figured out how to avoid getting lost: build taller anthills, according to a recent study.

Desert ants living in the hot, flat salt pans of Tunisia spend their days looking for food and reach as far as 1.1 kilometers from their nests. To find their way home, desert ants use a navigation system, relying on the sun’s position and counting their steps to track their location relative to their nest.

But this system becomes increasingly unreliable as the distance from the nest increases. “We realized that, whenever the ants in salt pans came closer to their nest, they suddenly pinpointed the nest hill from several meters distance,” says Markus Knaden, a researcher at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology. “This made us think that the hill serves as a nest-defining landmark.”

So Knaden and colleagues captured ants from nests in the middle of salt pans and from along their shorelines. Only salt-pan nests had distinct hills, up to 40 centimeters tall, whereas the hills on shoreline nests were lower or barely noticeable. Next, the team removed any hills and placed the captured insects some distance away from their nests. Salt-pan ants struggled more than shore ants to find homes. Shore ants relied on the shoreline for guidance and weren’t affected by the hill removal, the researchers concluded.

The team further conducted another study to see if desert ants were deliberately building a taller hill when their surroundings lacked any visible landmarks. So, the researchers removed the hills of 16 salt-pan nests and installed (安装) two 50-centimeter-tall blocks near eight of them. The other eight nests were left without any artificial visual aid. After three days, the researchers found that seven ants from the unaided nests had rebuilt their hills. But only two ants from the nests with man-made blocks nearby had bothered to rebuild.

“It implies that ants regularly assess the complexity of their environment and change their decisions based on their conclusion,” says ecologist Judith Bronstein of the University of Arizona.

1. What aspect of ants is the recent study mainly about?

A．Challenges of survival.	B．Landmarks of habitats.
C．Intelligence of navigation.	D．Comparison of varieties.

2. What does the underlined word “pinpointed” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Explored.

B．Recognized.

C．Climbed.

D．Crossed.

3. Why did researchers set shoreline ants in the experiment?

A．To observe different ants’ reactions.	B．To prove impacts of various habitats.
C．To disturb desert ants’ navigation system.	D．To test anthills’ functions and significance.

4. What conclusion about desert ants can be drawn from the follow-up study?

A．Evaluate and make changes.	B．Visual aid is a must.
C．Cooperation brings victory.	D．No man-made blocks are used.

9 . Kelydra Welcker has always loved the Ohio River, which flows by her hometown, Parkersburg. With a father who is a chemist and a mother who is a biologist, it seemed natural for Kelydra to learn how the world worked by doing scientific experiments.

At the age of six, Kelydra joined the Ohio River Cleanup campaign and came to realize how polluted the river was, which led her to set up her own lab later and study the chemicals in the river water. Kelydra was 15 when news broke about a chemical called C8, also known as APFO, in her town’s water supply that might cause cancer. She wondered what she could do to help.

Through repeated experiments, Kelydra created an inexpensive, reliable test for people in her town to measure the amount of APFO in water that they use at home. However, she didn’t just want to measure the problem—she wanted to solve it, so she continued to work on a way to remove APFO from the water.

Kelydra finally succeeded by using a device called an electrolytic cell (电解池), consisting of a dry cell battery and two electrodes (电极). Where did Kelydra get the high-quality electrodes for her experiment? They were her dad’s car wipers—minus the rubber attachments! Electrically charged, one of the electrodes became a stick that attracted the APFO in the polluted water. Then, Kelydra removed the stick and washed it off.

Using her invention, Kelydra developed a system people could use to treat their household drinking water. The system is being used by people in her community, and she hopes that it will be used more widely.

Kelydra went to college to study chemistry. “I hope to expand my horizons. I’m now looking at another chemical that may cause health problems.” She adds, “Technology helped create our problems and technology can help solve them. I want to be part of that effort.”

1. What can we learn about Kelydra from the first two paragraphs?

A．She had a scientific mind.	B．She enjoyed exploring nature.
C．She followed her parents’ path.	D．She wanted to practice medicine.

2. Which of the following best describes Kelydra after creating a water test?

A．Content.

B．Determined.

C．Grateful.

D．Relieved.

3. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning car wipers?

A．To show the practical challenge.	B．To question Kelydra’s invention.
C．To illustrate Kelydra’s creativity.	D．To explain the chemical principles.

4. What does Kelydra expect to do in the future?

A．Teach chemistry in school.	B．Create new water treatments.
C．Promote the application of chemicals.	D．Address health issues through technology.

10 . Intelligence is traditionally viewed as the ability to think and learn. Yet in a complex world, there’s another set of cognitive (认知的) skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink. Therefore, my aim in this book is to explore how rethinking happens by seeking out the most convincing evidence and some of the world’s most skilled rethinkers.

The first section focuses on opening our own minds. You’ll find out why a forward-thinking businessman got trapped in the past, how a Nobel Prize-winning scientist welcomes the joy of being wrong, how the world’s best forecasters update their views, and how an Oscar-winning filmmaker has productive fights.

The second section examines how we can encourage other people to think again. You’ll learn how an international debate champion wins arguments and an African-American musician persuades people to abandon discrimination (歧视). You’ll discover how a special kind of listening helped an officer convince the opposing side to join in peace talks. And if you’re a Yankees fan, I’m going to see if I can convince you to root for the Red Sox.

The third section is about how we can create communities of lifelong learners. In social life, a lab that specializes in difficult conversations will cast light on how we can communicate better about debated issues like climate change. In schools, you’ll find out how educators teach kids to think again by treating classrooms like museums, and approaching projects like rewriting time-honored textbooks. I close by examining the importance of reconsidering our best-laid plans.

This book is an invitation to let go of knowledge and opinions that are no longer serving you well, and to establish your sense of self in flexibility rather than consistency. If you can master the art of rethinking, I believe you’ll be better positioned for success at work and happiness in life. Thinking again can help you generate new solutions to old problems and revisit old solutions to new problems. It’s a path to learning more from the people around you and living with fewer regrets.

1. How does the author explain his or her ideas in the book?

A．By quoting famous sayings.	B．By reviewing traditional theories.
C．By presenting research results.	D．By providing various examples.

2. Which of the following is probably covered in the second section?

A．Helping a student with a complex math problem.

B．Walking an athlete through a detailed training plan.

C．Talking a friend into trying a different dressing style.

D．Guiding an employee to build a successful career path.

3. What does the author suggest readers do in the third section?

A．Find faults in textbooks.	B．Reflect on existing ideas.
C．Engage in climate debates.	D．Change classroom decorations.

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

A．Rethinking: Find New Ways to Success

B．Intelligence: the Ability to Think and Learn

C．How Can We Adapt to a Complex World?

D．Why Does Rethinking Improve Intelligence?