1 . Young babies make many short and word-like sounds such as “ba” or “aga”. Those early sounds are later replaced with words and, eventually, sentences. While some of them are born to be more talkative than others, a new study confirms that male babies make more sounds than female babies in the first year.
While the research confirms earlier findings from a much smaller study by the same team, they still come as a surprise. That’s because there’s a common and long-held belief that females have an advantage over males in language.
In the study, Dr Kim and his team included more than 450,000 hours of all-day recordings of 5,899 babies, using a device about the size of an iPod. Those recordings were processed to count the number of words spoken by babies and adults across the first two years of life.
Generally, the data showed that male babies made 10% more sounds in the first year compared to females. In the second year, the difference turned directions, with female babies making about 7% more sounds than males. Those differences were observed even though the number of words spoken by adults caring for those babies was higher for female babies in both years compared to males.
Why, then, would male babies be more talkative than females in the first year and not later? “We think it may be because boys are more likely to die in the first year than girls. Given that so many male deaths happen in the first year, boys may have been under especially high selection pressure to produce fitness signals to express their wellness and improve their chances of surviving,” says Kim. By the second year of life, as death rates drop sharply across the board, he added, “the pressure on special fitness signaling is lower for both boys and girls.”
1. Why are the findings of the new study surprising?| A．They are similar to earlier ones. |
| B．They show males are more talkative. |
| C．They go against people’s common belief. |
| D．They show babies learn language differently |
| A．They received more language input. |
| B．They showed better language abilities. |
| C．They communicated more with adults. |
| D．They made less sounds than female babies. |
| A．Improved language skills. | B．Change in living environment. |
| C．Less need for fitness signaling. | D．Increase in social communication. |
2 . Emily, a 14-year-old teenager, walked through her town one afternoon. Her eyes were drawn to the sight of people without homes on street corners, trembling (颤抖) against the chill. It was a scene that stirred something deep within her — a desire to make a difference, no matter how small.
Emily decided to turn her love of baking into a force for good. She whipped (搅打) cream, mixed flour, and baked cookies and cakes in her family kitchen. With the support of her friends and family, she set up a colorful stall in her bustling neighborhood, offering her homemade treats to passersby in exchange for donations.
The response was overwhelming. People were not only touched by Emily's handmade cookies but also inspired by her spirit. Before long, donations were pouring in. In just a few short weeks, Emily had raised over $1,000 — a symbol of one's kindness to ignite a community's generosity.
But Emily's heart was set on doing even more. Inspired by the success of her bake sale, she came up with the idea of organizing a charity run. A community-wide event that would bring people together in support of a common cause. She reached out to local businesses and called for volunteers to help her realize the project. On the day of the charity run, participants ran under the clear, open sky, and the running campaign raised over $5,000 for the local homeless shelter.
For Emily, the true reward lay not in the dollars raised or the miles run but in the knowledge that she had touched the hearts of her community and shown that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference to the world.
1. What can we learn from the text?| A．Emily offered the homeless treats for free. | B．Emily raised $5,000 from her bake sale. |
| C．Emily received support from local businesses. | D．Emily's charity run was held in an indoor gym. |
| A．The success of her bakery sale. | B．The inspiration from her family. |
| C．The encouragement from her neighbors. | D．Her passion for running. |
| A．Kind and active. | B．Energetic and creative. |
| C．Smart and ambitious. | D．Happy and generous. |
| A．Community Together: Many Hands, Light Work | B．Sweet Victory: Emily's Bake Sale Success |
| C．Light in Darkness: Emily's Run to Help | D．Spreading Goodness: Emily's Charitable Acts |
3 . Eradajere Oleita thinks she may have a partial solution to two of her country’s problems: garbage and poverty (贫穷). It’s called the Chip Bag Project. The 26-year-old student and environmentalist from Detroit is asking a favor of local snack lovers: Rather than throw your empty chip bags into the bin, donate them so she can turn them into sleeping bags for the homeless.
Chip waters drop off their empty bags from Doritos. Lays. and other favorites at two locations in Detroit: a print shop and a clothing store, where Oleita and her volunteer helpers collect them. After they clean the chip bags in soapy hot water, they slice them open, lay them flat, and iron them together. They use padding (衬垫) and liners (衬里) from old coats to line the insides.
It takes about four hours to sew a sleeping bag and each takes around 150 to 300 chip bags depending on whether they’re single-serve or family size. The result is a sleeping bag that is “waterproof lightweight and easy to carry around”. Oleita told the Detroit News.
Since its start in 2020, the Chip Bag Project has collected more than 800,000 chip bags and, as of last December, created 110 sleeping bags. Sure, it would be simpler to raise the money to buy new sleeping bags. But that’s only half the goal for Oleita — whose family moved to the United States from Nigeria a decade ago with the hope of attaining a better life — and her fellow volunteers. “We are devoted to making an impact not only socially, but environmentally,” she says.
And, of course, there’s the symbolism of rescuing bags that would otherwise land in the trash and using them to help the homeless. It’s a powerful reminder that environmental problem and poverty often go hand in hand. As Oleita told hourdetroit.com, “I think it’s time to show connections between all of these issues.”
1. What did Oleita ask the snack lovers to do with their empty chip bags?| A．To turn them into sleeping bags. | B．To give them away to her. |
| C．To throw them into the bin. | D．To donate them to the homeless directly. |
| A． Its size is adjustable. | B．It is only made of old coats. |
| C．It has the function of heating | D． It is portable. |
| A．Hardworking and loyal. | B．Talented and social. |
| C．Responsible and creative. | D．Selfless and modest. |
4 . Wilderness Explorers Center Guide
Welcome to the Wilderness Explorers Center, your gateway to the adventure of nature's wonders! With engaging exhibits, wildlife sightseeing, and natural activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Discover Nature's Treasures
Don't miss the chance to explore our Nature Gift Shop, located near the entrance of the Wilderness Explorers Center. Here, you'll discover a delightful array of eco-friendly gifts, educational books, and unique handicrafts inspired by the natural world.
Enjoy at Forest Café
After a day of exploration, fuel your energy at the Forest Café. Indulge in a selection of delicious snacks, sandwiches, and beverages sourced from local ingredients. Whether you're craving a refreshing drink or a heart y meal, the Forest Café is the perfect spot to relax and unwind.
Ensure the Accessibility
Ensuring that every visitor can fully enjoy their experience is our top priority. That's why we offer wheelchair and stroller rentals at the entrance, making it easy for everyone to explore our center comfortably. Our staff are also available to ensure that all guests feel welcome.
Support the Conservation
Join us in our mission to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations. Your support plays a crucial role in our conservation efforts. Click our website here to learn more about how you can get involved, from donating to becoming a member of our conservation community. Together, we can make a difference in safeguarding the beauty of our planet.
1. Where can you buy a gift at Wilderness Explorers Center?| A．Near the tranquil pond. | B．At the Forest Café. |
| C．Near the main entrance. | D．Next to the educational exhibits. |
| A．Rental of wheelchairs and strollers. | B．Guided tours of the forest trails. |
| C．Access to wildlife viewing areas. | D．Participation in conservation workshops. |
| A．A brochure. | B．A magazine. | C．A website. | D．A textbook. |
5 . Cultural tourism is a form of travel that focuses on exploring and experiencing the cultural heritage and traditions of a particular destination. Cultural tourism is a good way to enrich your experience as a tourist.
Cultural tourism helps to encourage the protection of culture and heritage by keeping endangered traditions alive. For example, heritage handicraft skills (手工技能) might be little practical, but outside interest could be enough to safeguard a tradition that might otherwise have been lost.
Cultural tourism also improves education.
However, when cultural practices and traditions are presented only for tourism purposes, they may lose their true meaning and become superficial (表面的) performances aimed at entertaining tourists.
In addition, a lot of tourists can put a pressure on local resources.
Most importantly, cultural tourism may lead to the loss of cultural diversity. As destinations become more popular to mass tourism, there is a risk of homogenization, where cultural practices and traditions become standardized to the tastes and expectations of tourists.
| A．Only when culture tourism is managed properly |
| B．This can lead to a misunderstanding of the culture |
| C．It is important to improve cultural understanding and respect |
| D．Because cultural tourism often involves travelling to far areas |
| E．Travelers have the chance to take part in educational activities |
| F．But it’s worth noting that this type of travel has both benefits and downsides |
| G．Popular cultural destinations often experience an increase in the number of visitors |
6 . Four Must-Read Environmental Books
Our recommended list of environmental books covers a broad range of topics. The four must-read environmental books are sure to attract the greenest bookworms.
Braiding Sweetgrass
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer looks at the relationship between humans and the land. Kimmer ties lessons she learned to Western society’s view of plants and aims to tell the importance of plants and animals. The book also explores the lessons we may learn from plants and animals and how they relate to certain stories. Braiding Sweetgrass won the 2014 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award.
The End of Nature
The End of Nature was published in 1989. Its author, Bill Mckibben, describes the relationship between nature and humans. It expresses the thought that nature was previously independent of humans but now has been affected by them in every way. The book tells the ideas of nature and the value it has lost.
Silent Spring
Written by Rachel Carson, Silent Spring has been described as a landmark work of environmental writing and is praised for bringing the environment al movement into the public’s focus. The book stresses the effects of pesticides (杀虫剂) on the environment. The book eventually led to a change in the pesticide law of the US.
The Sixth Extinction
The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert describes previous mass extinction events and connects them to many extinctions presently taking place. Kolbert studies the relationships humans have with the environment and finds that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction caused by humans. The Sixth Extinction won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction.
1. Whose book focuses on nature’s lost value due to human activities?| A．Robin Wall Kimmer’s. | B．Rachel Carson’s. |
| C．Bill Mckibben’s. | D．Elizabeth Kolbert’s. |
| A．It has reduced the use of land. | B．It has affected a law in the US. |
| C．It has changed people’s view of plants. | D．It has prevented nature from being independent. |
| A．They won a prize. |
| B．They focus on the lessons we learn. |
| C．They are about mass extinction events. |
| D．They view nature to be independent of humans. |
7 . St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s National Day, is celebrated on 17th March every year, marking the anniversary of the day on which he passed away. St. Patrick is the most famous saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was enslaved in Ireland at the age of 16, but he successfully escaped. Later, he returned to Ireland and brought his religious beliefs to its people.
On St Patrick’s Day, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. People would dance, drink, and feast on traditional meals of Irish bacon and cabbage. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years.
Interestingly, however, the first parade held to celebrate St Patrick’s Day took place not in Ireland but in the United States. On 17th March 1762, Irish soldiers serving in the English army marched through New York City. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.
Over 100 St. Patrick’s Day parades happen across the U.S., with New York City and Boston hosting the biggest. In 1848, New York Irish Aid societies joined to create the official New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the world’s oldest civilian (平民的) parade and the largest in the U.S. It draws over 150,000 participants and nearly 3 million spectators (观众), lasting over five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Savannah also celebrate the day with major parades.
Today, people of all backgrounds celebrate St Patrick’s Day, especially throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. It is also celebrated in many other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.
1. Why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on 17th March?| A．Saint Patrick died on 17 March. | B．Saint Patrick was born on 17 March. |
| C．Saint Patrick became a slave on 17 March. | D．Saint Patrick escaped from Ireland on 17 March. |
| A．Rode. | B．Sailed. | C．Advanced. | D．Wandered. |
| A．By attending church with family members. | B．By attending outdoor musical performances. |
| C．By organizing large St Patrick’s Day parades. | D．By setting off fireworks and enjoying Irish cuisine. |
| A．It is no longer a religious festival for the Irish. | B．It has the largest parade in Ireland. |
| C．It was first celebrated in the United States. | D．It has now become an international festival. |
WHAT TO WEAR *Hard hat *Goggles or eye protection N-95 respirator or one that provides even more protection *Long-sleeved shirt *Heavy work gloves *Long pants *Boots with steel toe and insole Refer to the picture (on the right)! CAUTION! *Protect wounds and cuts with waterproof bandage (防水绷带) . *Avoid heat stress by taking frequent breaks and drinking safe water. *Cleaning up sewage (污水) ? Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles. *Be aware of your surroundings; avoid electrical lines, insects, wild or stray (流浪的) animals, and long periods under the sun. *Wash your hands with soap and water before eating. If water is not available, use hand sanitizer(免水洗手液) (containing at least 60% alcohol) . |
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1. Who is the text written for?
| A．Salesmen of disaster prevention items. |
| B．Researchers on disasters. |
| C．Outdoor explorers to avoid disasters. |
| D．Cleaners after a disaster. |
| A．Hard hat. |
| B．Waterproof bandage. |
| C．Long-sleeved shirt. |
| D．Heavy work gloves. |
| A．The equipment is too heavy. |
| B．To avoid heat stress. |
| C．The water is heavily polluted. |
| D．To prevent harm from surroundings. |
9 . International ShakeOut Day This Year
This year’s International ShakeOut Day is October 17, when millions of people worldwide will take part in earthquake drills (演习) at work, school, or home! It is a great way for your family or organization to become better prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes.
At 10:17 am (local time) on 10/17, you can join millions of people across the world in practicing earthquake safety. While we encourage everyone to take part, you can sign up for your ShakeOut drill for any day of the year, and drill at a time of your choice, You can also include people in different locations through videos.
FIND YOUR REGIONMost participants (参与者) are in one of the official ShakeOut Regions listed below the page (with current sign-up totals). People and organizations in other countries can also sign up.
All regions take part in it on October 17,2024, unless specified.
（As of Today） | Global Totals | US totals |
oct.17,2024 Drills | Over 270,000 | Over 260,000 |
All 2024 Drills | Over 1.10million | Over 950,000 |
All 2023 Drills | Over 57.3million | Over 19.3million |
ShakeOut began in California and has also been organized in many other states and countries. Official ShakeOut Regions require special local or regional cooperation, typically by an emergency (紧急情况) management agency or a union of many organizations. If you are interested in establishing ShakeOut for your region, please contact us at https://www.shakeout.org. If your state, province, or country is not yet taking part, you can sign up for yourself or your organization as part of the global participation total.
1. What is the purpose of the activity?| A．To raise people’s safety awareness. |
| B．To stress the challenges of earthquakes. |
| C．To help people get ready for an earthquake. |
| D．To warn people of the danger of earthquakes. |
| A．Over 270,000. | B．Over 950,000. | C．Over 57.3 million. | D．Over 19.3 million. |
| A．A website. | B．A book review. | C．A guidebook. | D．A diary entry. |
10 . Engaging with the past
Imagine you’re at home, you start a role-playing game where you can enjoy views of the Nanjing Qinhuai Lantern Festival, completing set tasks along the Qinhuai River. This is one way for video games to enjoy the traditional Chinese culture without having to travel there.
This year, Zhou was invited to submit designs for swords in its online mobile game Jade Dynasty. They kept the features of swords that were used during the Tang Dynasty but absorbed fairy and knight-themed elements from the game.
The trend toward combining games with cultural heritage started decades ago.
| A．And that’s not all. |
| B．These games are also available to players overseas. |
| C．However, these early attempts were described as “vague” (含糊的). |
| D．Games featuring traditional culture attract more young players. |
| E．Several decades ago, the practice of sword-making nearly died out. |
| F．Besides, some figures seen in Dunhuang’s wall paintings were also added to the mobile game. |
| G．It increases the number of channels available to spread knowledge about our cultural heritage. |
