1 . Cows produce much methane (甲烷) the world’s second worst greenhouse gas, as they break down the grass. They are a large source of the greenhouse gases that are driving climate change. Now scientists have shown the pollution from cows can be reduced by adding a little seaweed (海藻) to their food.
Recently, the researchers from the University of California studied 21 cows on a farm for about five months. They taught the cows to get their food from inside a special hood, which allowed the scientists to know the amount of the methane the cows were giving off. They added a small amount of seaweed to the cows’ food.
The consequences were surprisingly good. In some cases, the cows produced 82% less methane. The improvement depended on the kind of food the cows were given. Even the worst-polluting cows produced 33% less methane. Over the five months, the scientists didn’t see any signs that the cows’ stomachs were getting used to the seaweed and starting to produce more methane again. What’s more, the cows that were fed seaweed gained just as much weight as the other cows.
But there are still some big problems with the idea of feeding cows seaweed. For one thing, there’s not enough seaweed to feed all of the cows in the world. So farmers would have to figure out a way to grow lots of seaweed. A bigger problem is that for most of their lives, cows live in the fields, where they eat grass. That means there’s no chance to feed them seaweed every day.
Still, as the study shows, something as simple as feeding cows seaweed can help reduce some of the pollution causing the climate crisis.
1. Why did the researchers carry out the study?| A．To test the effects of the seaweed. |
| B．To discover healthier grass for cows. |
| C．To improve the cows’ living conditions. |
| D．To measure the amount of methane in the world. |
| A．The background of the subject. | B．The results of the study. |
| C．The content of the experiment. | D．The process of the research. |
| A．Seaweed is not as tasty as grass. |
| B．Seaweed is dying out in the world. |
| C．Cows fed with seaweed gained weight easily. |
| D．Cows can hardly have daily access to seaweed. |
| A．Positive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear. | D．Negative. |
2 . Paris is one of the most-visited destinations in the world. A relaxing trip to Paris takes a little bit of planning. Here are some tips for you to make your trip smooth.
Planning your trip
Have a passport for international travel. A passport costs $110 and takes 6-8weeks to arrive after you apply.
Booking Flights
The cheapest month to fly is March, especially if you can leave on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. You’ll save even more money by booking around 90 days in advance. In the summer months, tickets will be more expensive no matter when you book.
Enjoying Your Time
●Visit the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the most recognizable symbol of Paris. To avoid the crowds, go to the Eiffel Tower early in the morning. It costs €25 to go to the top, or €10 to climb to the first 2 levels on foot.
● See the Notre Dame Cathedral
At present, the Notre Dame Cathedral is closed to tourists due to the fire that destroyed parts of the cathedral. However, you can still visit the outside of the cathedral.
● Go to the Louvre to see world-famous art
The Louvre hosts the Mona Lisa along with 35, 000 other pieces of art. If you’re pressed for time, visit the highlights. The Louvre costs €15 at the museum or €17 in advance (to skip most of the line).
● Take a day trip to Versailles
If you have a day to spare, head to the palace of Versailles, around 14 miles southwest of the city. Take a tour to see King Louis XVI’s palace and gardens. It costs €20 to visit the palace and grounds.
1. When can we book plane tickets to save the most money?| A．In March. | B．In June. |
| C．In August. | D．In December. |
| A．You can climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower free of charge. |
| B．Visitors can pay an extra to save the queue time in visiting the Louvre. |
| C．The Notre Dame Cathedral was completely destroyed in a fire. |
| D．Visiting the palace of Versailles is the most expensive among the four attractions. |
| A．A travel brochure | B．A course plan. |
| C．A research paper. | D．An encyclopedia. |
3 . Global animal populations are declining, and we’ve got limited time to try to fix it. That’s the outcome of a new report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which analyzed years of data on wildlife populations across the world and found a downward trend in the Earth’s biodiversity.
According to the Living Planet Index, animal populations across the world decreased by 69% between 1970 and 2018. Not all animal populations decreased, though, and some parts of the world saw more dramatic changes than others. But experts say the loss of biodiversity is a worrying sign of what’s to come for the natural world. “The message is clear and the lights are flashing red,” said WWF International Director General Marco Lambertini.
According to the report’s authors, biodiversity loss mainly results from land-use changes driven by human activities, such as infrastructure (基础设施) development, energy production and deforestation. But the report suggests that climate change — which is already causing wide-ranging effects on plant and animal species globally — could become the leading cause of biodiversity loss if rising temperatures can’t be limited to 1.5℃.
Lambertini said the crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change is already responsible for plenty of problems for humans, including less access to food and water and a rise in the spread of diseases. He said world leaders should take major steps to deal with environmental damage. They are locked in old-world thinking, with no sign of the brave action needed to achieve a nature-positive future.
WWF chief scientist Rebecca Shaw told a radio station that humans have the opportunity to change how they do things to benefit nature. “We don’t have to continue the patterns of development we have now. And we have an opportunity to change the way we produce, what we cat and how we consume food and what we waste when we consume our food,” Shaw said. “Little things that we can do every day can change the direction of animal population declines.”
1. What does the new report indicate about the animal populations?| A．The drop in animal populations began in 1970. |
| B．The degree of the decrease is relatively low. |
| C．All species on Earth have witnessed a drop in population. |
| D．Global animal populations are declining at an alarming speed. |
| A．Land-use changes. | B．Deforestation. |
| C．The climate change. | D．The high temperatures. |
| A．Critical. | B．Favorable. | C．Tolerant. | D．Neutral. |
| A．How to develop economy. | B．How to prevent food waste. |
| C．How to maintain sustainable diets. | D．How to stop animal population decline. |
4 . A wireless charging room has been developed by scientists. It can deliver power through the air to any laptop, tablet or phone without the need for plugs or cables.
The new technology involves generating magnetic fields (磁场) over longer distances without also producing electrical fields that would prove harmful to any people or animals within the room, according to the team from the University of Tokyo.
The system, which has been tested in a single room but is still in its initial stage, can deliver up to 50 watts of power without exceeding (超过) current guidelines for human exposure to magnetic fields, the study authors explained. It could be used to charge any device with a wire coil fitted inside, similar to the system used with wireless charging pads currently in use—but without the pad. As well as removing charging cables from desks, it could allow for more devices to be fully robotized without the need for ports, plugs or cables.
To demonstrate the new system, they installed the unique Wireless charging equipment in a purpose-built aluminum “test room”. They then used it to power lamps, fans and mobile phones that drew current from anywhere in the room, regardless of where furniture or people had been placed.
Researchers didn’t say what the technology might cost because it is still very early in development and “years away” from being made available to the public. “This really ups the power of computing world—you could put a computer anywhere without ever having to worry about charging or plugging in,” said study coauthor Alanson Sample from the University of Michigan.
There are also medical applications, according to Sample, who said heart implants (植入) currently require a wire from the pump to run through the body and into a socket. “This could remove that,” the author said, adding it would act to reduce the risk of infection and improve patients’ quality of life by removing the wire completely.
1. What’s the advantage of the new technology according to the text?| A．It has been widely used in many fields. |
| B．It’s environmentally friendly. |
| C．The cable is essential in the new technology. |
| D．It can only be used to charge some devices. |
| A．awkward. | B．flexible. | C．controllable. | D．automatic. |
| A．The technology takes a lot of investment. |
| B．People can benefit a lot from this technology. |
| C．Heart implants can be conducted with the new technology. |
| D．The technology ups the power of the computing world. |
| A．Wireless Technology: Benefit Humans for its Convenience |
| B．Wireless Charging: Deliver Electricity through the Air |
| C．A New System: Promote the Powerful Computing World |
| D．Ground-breaking Advance: Charge Devices in a Minute |
5 . The South Bronx is one of the poorest and most polluted places in America, with smog-choked freeways and smelly wastewater treatment plants.
“We’re a dumping ground,” Omar explains. “All the garbage from the rest of New York City ends up here.”
But Omar started looking at garbage in a different way. “A lot of what people throw away is perfectly good,” he says. “Just look at that stuff from construction sites—doors, sinks, toilets, People will buy those things. It’s only called garbage because somebody threw it away.” Omar was just out of college and working for an environmental group called Sustainable South Bronx when he started considering how to get this “good garbage” to people who could use it. Instead of destroying old things, why not clean them up and resell them? Why not hire people in the community to do the work? Better yet, why not make this business a “cooperative,” which means the people working in the business own it and share the profits?
Out of this, Omar started the first cooperative in the country devoted to reusing construction waste. To start his business, Omar put up advertisements along the trash-filled neighborhood streets, looking for people to work with him. He soon found four other devoted workers. They rented a warehouse and started looking for donations of used materials.
In April 2008, Omar’s cooperative, Re Builders Source, opened its business and began selling construction supplies to neighborhood builders and home owners. With the help of city officials, he also began planning a new training program to help local residents learn the skills to get good jobs that help the environment and even start their own cooperatives. Workers were trained to carefully take buildings apart so that things like doors and windows can be reused instead of being sent off to a landfill. Deconstructing buildings this way could be a huge industry with many good jobs for people who need them.
“If you have a use for something, “Omar says, “it’s no longer waste.”
1. Why is the South Bronx mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To lead in the topic of the article. |
| B．To serve as the background information. |
| C．To contrast with the other districts. |
| D．To introduce a famous place. |
| A．To provide jobs for local people. |
| B．To deal with dumped rubbish. |
| C．To promote harmony among neighbors. |
| D．To make money from garbage. |
| A．Selfish and realistic. | B．Creative and business-minded. |
| C．Practical and self-focused. | D．Devoted and iron-hearted. |
| A．Knowledge starts with practice. | B．One good turn deserves another. |
| C．Four eyes see more than two. | D．Kill two birds with one stone. |
6 . Losing your ability to think and remember is pretty frightening. We know the risk of dementia (痴呆症) increases with age. But if you have memory slips, you probably needn’t worry. There are pretty clear differences between signs of dementia and age-related memory loss.
After age 50, it’s quite common to have trouble remembering the names of people, places and things quickly, says Dr. Kirk Daffner of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
The brain ages just like the rest of the body. Certain parts become smaller, especially areas in the brain that are important to learning, memory and planning. Changes in brain cells can affect communication between different regions of the brain. And blood flow can be reduced as blood vessels narrow.
Forgetting the name of an actor in a favorite movie, for example, is nothing to worry about. But if you forget the plot of the movie or don’t remember even seeing it, that’s far more concerning, Daffner says.
When you forget entire experiences, he says, that’s “a red flag that something more serious may be involved”. Forgetting how to operate a familiar object like a microwave oven, or forgetting how to drive to the house of a friend you’ve visited many times before can also be signs of something going wrong.
But even then, Daffner says, people shouldn’t panic. There are many things that can cause confusion and memory loss, including health problems like temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep, high blood pressure, or depression, as well as medications (药物) like antidepressants.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Daffner suggests going to your doctor to check on medications, health problems and other issues that could be affecting memory. And the best defense against memory loss is to try to prevent it by building up your brain’s cognitive (认知的) reserve, Daffner says.
“Read books, go to movies, take on new hobbies or activities that force one to think in novel ways.” he says. In other words, keep your brain busy and working. And also get physically active, because exercise is a widely known to boost the brain.
1. Which memory-related symptom should people take seriously?| A．Totally forgetting how to do one’s daily routines. |
| B．Inability to recall details of one’s life experiences. |
| C．Failure to remember the names of movies or actors. |
| D．Occasionally confusing the addresses of one’s friends. |
| A．Check the brain’s cognitive reserve. |
| B．Stop medications affecting memory. |
| C．Turn to a professional for assistance. |
| D．Exercise to improve their wellbeing. |
| A．Having regular physical and mental checkups. |
| B．Taking medicine that helps boost one’s brain. |
| C．Engaging in known memory repair activities. |
| D．Staying active both physically and mentally. |
| A．Reduce. | B．Benefit. | C．Increase. | D．Depress. |
7 . Lots of people think that the best way to become successful is to pick up lots of new habits and skills. While this can help, sometimes the best thing you can do is give up the things that hold you back from success.
1. Remove Perfectionism
Perfection is impossible.
2. Remove Excuses
3. Remove Fear
Lots of people make themselves smaller without realizing it. They keep quiet during discussions when they want to say something. They avoid taking risks and they always think about the worst cases.
4. Remove The Desire For Overnight Success
Some people believe that the majority of successful people became successful overnight, or that they became successful by chance. They are only waiting for their luck without taking action to make their dreams come true.
| A．In reality success takes efforts. |
| B．For example, give up some bad skills. |
| C．Trying to achieve it is a waste of your time. |
| D．It’s no use trying to blame others for your life. |
| E．These people lack courage and can’t gain success in life. |
| F．This attitude will stop them from achieving their full potential. |
| G．Instead of adding more things to your life, try getting rid of some negative things. |
8 . Ian McKenna was in third grade when he learned that many kids at his Austin school weren’t getting enough to eat at home. He wanted to help, but local volunteer organizations turned him away, saying he was too young. So he decided to find his own solution. For years, he had been-gardening with his mother, and they often sent their vegetables to the neighbors. “I’m good at gardening,” says McKenna, now 16. “Why not plant a garden at school, so that kids in need could take food home?”
McKenna persuaded his school to set aside space for a garden; then he asked the community for donations of seeds and equipment. Other students donated their time. Within months, McKenna’s garden was producing lettuces, tomatoes and cucumbers for students and their families. Now, seven years later, McKenna’s Giving Garden project has expanded to five area schools in addition to his own backyard garden. For most of his gardening activities, McKenna wears the same T-shirt in different colors, with his personal motto on it: BEA GOOD HUMAN. To him, that means helping in any way you can, no matter what your age.
“Even a smile might change someone’s life,” he says. “It lets them know that they are important. It can make their day.”
When COVID-19 hit the U.S., MeKenna redoubled his efforts, cooking up to 100 meals to distribute (配送) to the hungry on the weekends. When social distancing meant that volunteers couldn’t work on community garden, he started offering online classes and a gardening hotline so families could grow at home. While gardening is his core focus, MeKenna says he is always looking for new ways to help the hungry.
1. What caused Ian’s decision to help the kids in his own way?| A．Being rejected by volunteer groups. | B．Being good at gardening. |
| C．His school’s support. | D．His mother’s suggestions. |
| A．It helps students only. | B．It was started with many supports. |
| C．It is funded by schools. | D．It earns great profits every year. |
| A．Well-educated | B．Honest | C．Responsible | D．Caring. |
| A．Ian McKenna, Growing a Food Project | B．Ian Mckenna, an Experienced Gardener |
| C．Giving Garden Project, a Challenging Task | D．Giving Garden Project, a Universal Solution |
9 . Reading books can exercise your brain. Kids who started reading at an earlier age go on to perform better on certain intelligence tests. As one gets older, it might help slow down or even stop cognitive (认知的) decline.
Academic research has mostly focused on the ability to remember. A study took place in a laboratory setting: students all read the same text, but some looked at the words on paper and others viewed an on-screen PDF file. It turned out that no meaningful difference between the two media existed. As for audiobooks, they affected the brain gray matter somewhat differently.
Ultimately, if you hope to get a reading habit going, you shouldn’t dismiss (摒弃) paper, electronic, or audio books.
| A．Audiobooks (有声书) still affect your thoughts and feelings. |
| B．Choose what is the most suitable for your needs. |
| C．Words on a page can improve emotional intelligence. |
| D．This brings about a great debate: pages vs screens vs audio. |
| E．Keep a book, an e-reader, or an audiobook app on you as you go about the day. |
| F．Despite this, the overall book reading time for Americans is on the decline. |
| G．However, they stimulated the brain just as deeply as black-and-white pages |
10 . Many people still remember the magic of Father Christmas from when they were children. As parents, they try to keep that magic alive for their children for as long as they can.
That is why Letters from Father Christmas could be the perfect book for those who regard Christmas as a special time of year. The man who wrote these letters is one of the most famous names in English literature — J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings. The letters were Tolkien’s way of keeping Father Christmas alive for his four children, over a period of more than twenty years.
Every Christmas, an envelope with a North Pole stamp arrived. It was addressed to Tolkien’s children. Who could it be from? The children must have been very excited as they opened it. Inside, they would find a handwritten letter from Father Christmas. The letters were also beautifully illustrated—each must have taken its true author, Tolkien, a long time to complete.
The letters told wonderful stories about Father Christmas’s life and adventures at the North Pole. A regular character in the letters was Polar Bear, who once climbed the North Pole (an actual pole in this case) and fell through the roof of Father Christmas’s house. In another letter, Father Christmas complained about how he could not stop his helpers playing games with the toys instead of wrapping them up. Interestingly, the letters did not contain the usual warnings to children that they might not receive their presents if they were not good. The letters did, however, change as Tolkien’s children got older：
...but if you find that not many of the things you asked for have come, and not perhaps quite as many as sometimes, remember that this Christmas all over the world here are a terrible number of poor and starving people.
Letters from Father Christmas tells us that as well as enjoying the adventures of Father Christmas, Polar Bear and other characters at the North Pole, we can all share the true spirit of giving at Christmas time. By expressing love for his children in such a special way, Tolkien may indeed have been the real Father Christmas.
1. What is Tolkien famous for?| A．His novel The Lord of the Rings. | B．His letters to Father Christmas. |
| C．His fantasy childhood memories. | D．His introduction to Father Christmas. |
| A．They were sent from Father Christmas. | B．They were wrapped up in good boxes. |
| C．It was hard to write the different stories. | D．The beautiful pictures were hard to make. |
| A．Life will be easy if you work hard. | B．It’s no use complaining about life. |
| C．We should learn to give care to others. | D．Children love presents with pictures. |
| A．He addressed all his letters to Father Christmas. |
| B．He showed his love for his children in a special way. |
| C．He got others to know some people were starving. |
| D．He discovered the spirit of Father Christmas. |
