1 . Bees are essential for the pollination of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Sadly, over the past 15 years, the global population of the hardworking insects has been dropping worldwide at alarming rates due to loss of food and habitat. Now, Dutch cities are coming up with creative ideas to help stem the population decrease of these all-important insects.
In Amsterdam, bees can live for free in specially built “hotels” — tall wooden structures — across the city. While they may not look like much to the untrained eye, they provide perfect homes for members of the over 200 known species of solitary bees. As the name indicates, the insects spend their lives alone. The smart insects nest inside holes like the ones provided by the insect hotels, marking their occupancy by covering the entrance with a mud “door”. Though unable to produce honey, solitary bees are excellent pollinators and perform an essential role in many ecosystems.
Additionally, city officials are also educating people on the use of harmful chemicals and are providing prize money to encourage developers to build green roofs and populate them with local plants. In 2015, they set a goal to change some plants in public green spaces to native plants. Geert, one of eight ecologists working for the city, says, “Our idea is when we design a park, we use native species but also the species that give a lot of flowering and fruit for bees.” Many people, with help from the government, are replacing the sidewalks outside their homes with small gardens featuring flowers.
In Utrecht, bus stop roofs are gradually being turned into beautiful, living gardens designed to attract varieties of bee species. The green roofs, which naturally collect both rainwater and dust, are also beneficial for the environment.
These cities’ collective efforts seem to be working. A recent study found that the variety of bee species there has increased by an astonishing 45 percent since 2000.
1. What does the underlined word “stem” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Review . | B．Stop. | C．Monitor. | D．Improve. |
| A．They’re not social insects. |
| B．They make high-quality honey. |
| C．They like to nest together in woods. |
| D．They’re scared of other species of bees. |
| A．Collect rainwater for future use. |
| B．Plant flowers for enjoyment. |
| C．Draw bees to them. |
| D．Clear dust away. |
| A．Protecting the environment. |
| B．Importance of bees in ecosystems. |
| C．Design ideas of insect hotels and bee stops. |
| D．Dutch cities’ attempts to restore bee population. |
2 . The government's top Great Barrier Reef scientist says a third mass coral bleaching (珊瑚白化) event in five years is a clear signal that the marine wonder is “calling for urgent help on climate change. Corals can recover from mild bleaching, but severe bleaching can kill corals.
Prof Terry Hughes, director of the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, surveyed 1,036 reefs from a plane over nine days in late March.
The marine park authority also had an observer on the flights. The survey has released maps showing that serious levels of bleaching occurred in 2020 in all three sections of the reef northern, central and southern. Some 25% of the reefs were seriously bleached-meaning that more than 60% of the corals on each reef had bleached.
The Great Barrier Reel has experienced five mass bleaching events-1998. 2002,2016, 2017 and 2020 -all caused by rising ocean temperatures driven by global heating. Hughes said there probably would not be the same level of coral death in the north and central regions in 2020 as in previous years, but this was partly because previous bleaching outbreaks had kill off the less heat -tolerant species The 2020 bleaching was second only to 2016 for severity(严重性), Hughes said.
Dr. David Wachenfeld，chief scientist at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, told Guardian Australia "My greatest fear is that people will lose hope for the reef. Without hope there's no action. People need to see these bleaching events, They are clear signals that the Great Barrier Reef is alling for urgent help and for us to do everything we can”.
Measures to improve the ability of recovery of the reef include improving water quality, controlling outbreaks of coral-eating starfish, and research and development to improve the heat tolerance of corals. " However, climate change brings a new scale of impact unlike anything we have seen before. Thus, dealing with the climate problem is the basis for everything else to work, ” Wachenfeld said.
1. What does the underlined word “mild” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Serious |
| B．Strong. |
| C．Steady. |
| D．Slight. |
| A．The majority of the corals on each reef were bleached. |
| B．The survey was carried out on a plane by Hughes alone. |
| C．The 2020 bleaching killed off the less heat tolerant species. |
| D．The 2020 bleaching was worse than those of all the previous years. |
| A．have done everything they can for the reef |
| B．are sure to lose hope for the reef |
| C．will care more about the reef |
| D．will have no action at all |
| A．Improving water quality. |
| B．Making efforts to prevent global warming. |
| C．controlling outbreaks of coral-eating starfish., |
| D．Doing research on the heat tolerance of corals. |
3 . School will be back in session by midAugust. The good news, kids and parents？There’s still time to enjoy yourself. From sports to movies, here’s a selection of familyfriendly activities we found, including some deals to make it easier on the wallet.
Free Golfing for Kids
Tired of your kids being in the house all summer？Get them outside, physically active and possibly interested in a new sport. Kids 5 to 15 can leave their electronic devices and onto the golf course with one free bucket of range balls and free golfing with one paid adult. 7:00 am－6:30 pm daily through Aug. 31. Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Blvd. , Land O’Lakes. (813) 9967122. plantationpalms. net.
Family Movies in Historic Theatres
Families can experience a bit of Tampa Bay history as they watch movies in two renovated(翻新的) area landmarks(地标).
As part of the summer Hollywood Classic Series, Tampa Theatre invites you to 1939’s The Wizard of Oz(Aug. 26). (You can remind the kids that Tampa Theatre is old enough to have showed The Wizard of Oz on its first run.) $10. 711 N Franklin St. , Tampa. (813)2748982. tampatheatre. org.
Together with Ruth Eckerd Hall’s 201819 Broadway Season, the historic Capitol Theatre presents movie versions of the Broadway musicals. Next up is The Lion King(Aug.11). $5. Upgrade to $9 for unlimited fountain drinks and popcorn. 3pm 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. (727) 7917400. rutheckerdhall. com.
Summer Series
Curtis Hixon Park has turned into a 12, 000squarefoot play wonderland focused on fitness and adventures. Free. Rotating(循环的) daily activities include live animals and animal education by Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park(Aug. 6), kids fitness classes by the YMCA(Aug.11), kidfriendly recipes by Salt Block Catering(Aug. 7) and craft activities by the Hillsborough County Library(Aug. 8). Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. (262) 9399908. tampasdowntown. com.
1. Which number should you call if you want to go golfing?| A．(262)9399908. | B．(727)7917400. |
| C．(813)2748982. | D．(813)9967122. |
| A．They have been rebuilt many times. |
| B．They were built about eighty years ago. |
| C．They are famous in the Tampa Bay area. |
| D．They have turned into a play wonderland. |
| A．At the YMCA. | B．At Lowry Park. |
| C．At Salt Block Catering. | D．At the Hillsborough County Library. |
4 . More than one million single-use straws (吸管), most of them plastic, are used in the United States each day. They end up in waterways, harm sea animals, and break down into micro-plastics. Quantities of places have passed plastic-straw bans as a way to start handling the global plastic waste problem.
Straw materials: advantages and disadvantages
1. Metal
Made of stainless steel, aluminum, or even titanium, metal straws have become popular. They draw some criticism for having a metallic taste and conducting heat from a hot drink, but they’re strong and can be reused.
2. Paper
Paper drinking straws, which date from the late 1800s, often absorb liquid over time and can leave a taste or fibers in drinks. They’re the most popular throwaway choice in places with plastic-straw bans.
3. Glass
Though glass straws may be more breakable and thus less portable than reusable straws of other materials, they hold up well to washing and reuse. Some straws are made to look artistic, with colors and blown-glass designs.
4. Bamboo
This natural material can be sustainably produced and is a plant-based replacement of plastic straws. Bamboo straws are easily disposed of and turned into fertilizer. They are reusable but can be hard to clean completely and may absorb flavors.
1. What is the major problem with plastic straws?| A．Function. | B．Flavor. |
| C．Weight. | D．Pollution. |
| A．Metal straw. | B．Paper straw. |
| C．Glass straw. | D．Bamboo straw. |
| A．It can become fertilizer. | B．It is easy to clean. |
| C．It is portable and bendable. | D．It has different designs. |
5 . Mokpo City is holding the 17th Korea-China-Japan Sport Complex Competition, and looking for 50 interpreters (口译者) for this event. This event will be held from August 23rd to August 29th. Korean, Japanese and Chinese high school students who are under the age of 18 will take part in the competition. Anyone who is interested in the job is welcomed to apply.
Application Period: May 20th - May 29th
Interpreters needed: 20 Chinese interpreters, 20 Japanese interpreters and 10 reserve interpreters
Application Steps
* The 1st step: Look over submitted (递交的) documents
* The 2nd step: Interview
Requirements
* Only Koreans or foreigners who are in Korea can apply.
* Foreigners applying must be fluent in Korean.
How to Apply
* Applicants can submit their application forms by emailing to happy3837@korea.kr, by mail or in person at Mokpo City Hall.
* Reception desk: Office of Korea-China-Japan Junior Competition, Dept. of Sport Industries at Mokpo City Hall
* Send mail to: Yangeulro 271, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do (Postal code: 530-701)
Notice: Applicants who submit their application forms by email have to make sure their e-mails have been received by calling at 061-270-3402, 3682, 8280 (Person in charge: Kim, Ju-yeong).
Required Documents
* One copy of the application form (The official form is attached.)
* One copy of the certificate of language qualification (语言资格证书)
Schedule of Interview and Announcement
* Interview: Thursday, June 4th, 10: 00 am
* Final announcement: Wednesday, June 10th at http://www.mokpo.go.kr/
Working Conditions
* Uniform, accommodations and meals will be provided.
* 80,000 WON per day will be paid.
* The interpreting certificate of this activity will be given.
For more information, please contact the Dept. of Sport Industries (061-270-3402, 3628, 8280)
1. How long will the event last?| A．Six days. | B．Seven days. |
| C．Nine days. | D．Ten days. |
| A．By waiting for a call from Mokpo City Hall. |
| B．By going to the reception desk in person. |
| C．By sending another email to confirm it. |
| D．By calling Kim, Ju-yeong, the person in charge. |
| A．On June 10th. | B．On May 29th. |
| C．On June 4th. | D．On August 29th. |
| A．The interpreters are from all over the world. |
| B．The interpreters must be good at Chinese. |
| C．The interpreters must prepare their meals themselves. |
| D．The interpreters can get an interpreting certificate. |
