1 . The World Full of Eye-catching Things

The following flowers and plants might not be so eye-pleasing, but are certainly eye-catching, since they all look like some objects.

Lady’s Slipper

The lady’s slipper orchid is considered to be the rarest type of wild orchid. Now Lancashire in England is the only place where this plant can be found.The flower was so unique that people picked almost all of them. A single cutting of this plant is sold for US $5,000. Fortunately, strict protection policies have been established to protect it since 1917 when this endangered plant was once declared extinct in England.

Hot Lips

When you see a plant like this in reality, don’t get confused! No. They are not a woman’s lips! You can find these plants in countries with tropical rain forests, such as Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. Due to the cutting down of trees, these unique and rare plants have become endangered. This plant bears a bright red flower which is similar to the lips of a woman with red lipstick.

Black Bat Flower

The black bat flower is an unusual flower that grows in the wild and tropical forests of Yunnan Province in China. It is famous for its bat-shaped black flowers. This flowering plant is often confused with a flying bat. The flower may also appear in white and brown shades. It needs specific environmental conditions to grow. This is the reason why it is an endangered species.

All the plants mentioned above are becoming nearly extinct. Hopefully, there are other unique and rare flowers left undiscovered. This proves the world is full of surprising things!

1. Where can the Lady’s Slipper be discovered currently?

A．In Panama.	B．In Colombia.
C．In Lancashire in England.	D．In Yunnan Province in China.

2. Why are Hot Lips becoming nearly extinct?

A．Forest destruction.	B．Human picking.
C．Lack of awareness.	D．Specific locations.

3. What is unique about the Black Bat Flower?

A．Its red flowers.	B．Its bat-shaped flowers.
C．Its slipper-shaped flowers.	D．Its white and brown flowers.

2 . What Friendship Means to Me

When deciding what is most important in life, some people choose money, while others choose things like security and comfort.     1     I cannot imagine being without it.

Friendship means not being alone. Once I was travelling for sightseeing by myself. I didn't mind being alone, but when I saw all of the tourists having their pictures taken together. I began feeling sad. I ended up returning to the train station and spending the rest of the day in the waiting room.     2    

Friendship means having someone to rely on. Last year, I left my schoolbag on a trolleybus, and I lost all of my notes for the final exam.     3     Luckily for me, my best friend Jenny let me copy her notes, and I used them in my revision. Thanks to her help, I was able to pass the exam.

Friendship means being committed to others.     4     Because I am a friend, I have had to learn patience and mercy (宽恕). Once I had a quarrel with Jenny, and she made some cruel comments about me. Even though I was hurt, I forgave her and she later made an apology. Through this incident, both of us have become better people.   

Friendship means a lot to me in a word.     5     And it makes my life more meaningful and enjoyable. I cherish the friends in my life and hope to maintain these relationships for many years to come.

A．You can imagine how worried I was.

B．What’s worse, I couldn’t find my wallet.

C．It gives me a sense of purpose and belonging.

D．The best way to have a friend is to be a friend.

E．Life is no fun without a companion to share it with.

F．Friendship provides support in both good and bad times.

G．However, for me, the most important thing in life is friendship.

3 . In recent years, there has been great progress in the study of genetics. With this progress, doors have been opened up to technologies that never existed before. While many people are excited about these new technologies, these same technologies frighten others. Nowhere is this truer than with genetically modified (GM) (转基因的) food.

There are two ways in which a plant or an animal can be genetically modified. First, new material can be inserted into its DNA to give the plant or animal qualities which it would never have in nature. Second, material can be taken from the DNA of a plant or an animal in order to remove qualities which are not desired.

One aim of GM research is to produce food which will make us healthier. So far, this technology has been used to produce plants which are better able to defend themselves against pests and disease. Supporters of GM food argue that GM plants are healthier and have larger harvests. While there has been research in GM animals such as pigs, no GM meat is being sold at present.

Many questions have been raised about GM food. No one really knows whether it is safe for animals or humans to eat. Scientists admit that more tests should be done on GM food. Research has been limited to increasing production profits, rather than making sure that GM food is safe. GM food could therefore be dangerous to eat.

There is also a question as to whether GM plants are safe for the environment. Since GM crops are planted outside, they are part of the food chain — insects and other animals eat them or use their products, and these insects and animals will be eaten by other animals. No one knows what effects the GM material might have on the food chain.

Since no one really knows whether GM food is safe, many countries have hesitated to give permission for the production of GM food, as they would rather be cautious with this new technology.

1. How does the author introduce the topic in paragraph 1?

A．By giving examples.	B．By giving definition.
C．By listing numbers.	D．By making comparison.

2. What is the purpose of GM research?

A．To make healthier food.	B．To produce enough meat.
C．To produce stronger plants.	D．To make people disease-free.

3. What attitude do the governments hold to GM food in the last paragraph?

A．Negative.

B．Supportive.

C．Cautious.

D．Indifferent.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．GM food: hope or danger?	B．GM research: safe or not?
C．GM food: stop or continue?	D．GM research: right or wrong?

4 . If you come to China for the beautiful natural sceneries, we guess national scenic areas may meet all your expectations. Here are some of the best.

Mount Emei

Mount Emei, a UNESCO heritage site, is one of the best scenic areas in China. Among the four famous sacred Buddhist mountains in China, Mount Emei is the highest. The stunning sceneries of Mount Emei may deeply impress you.

Location: Sichuan Province, China

Best time to visit: the whole year.

Jiuzhai Valley

Jiuzhai Valley is a beautiful place, where you may get the best water sceneries. It is the first nature reserve in China whose main aim is to protect natural landscapes. With lakes, forests, waterfalls, rare plants and animals, and also snow-capped peaks, Jiuzhai Valley is a true wonderland for breathtaking water views.

Location: North of Sichuan Province, China

Best time to visit: April, May, September and October

Stone Forest

The Stone Forest is famous for the stone. Formed by erosion over 270 million years, this extraordinary set of limestone groups perfectly represents the most stylistic karst land forms. Here you can see various shapes of stones, lakes, waterfalls and karst caves inside the park.

Location: Yunnan Province, China

Best time to visit: all year round

Potatso National Park

Potatso National Park is the first national park in mainland China. It combines lakes and rivers, forests and alpine meadows, with plenty of rare animals and plants. Wild yaks and horses are easy to meet. What a poetic and peaceful picture!

Location: Yunnan Province, China

Best time to visit: spring and autumn

1. Which is the first scenic area whose main aim is to protect the natural landscapes?

A．Stone Forest.	B．Potatso National Park.
C．Jiuzhai Valley.	D．Mount Emei.

2. Which parks are suitable for visits throughout the year?

A．Jiuzhai Valley and Potatso National Park.

B．Stone Forest and Potatso National Park.

C．Jiuzhai Valley and Mount Emei.

D．Mount Emei and Stone Forest.

3. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．A tour magazine.	B．A science paper.
C．A health weekly.	D．A public speech.

5 . Wildlife crossings don’t just protect animals. They can also mitigate problems related to wildlife-vehicle collisions (碰撞) and save significant money for a community.

Wildlife crossings are man-made structures that help animals move safely around their habitat. They are often paths under or over another existing road or railway, or underground passages for animals to get past for food or avoiding attacks.

Some animals are unable to migrate to survive. People still rely on highways for business and travel, and animals continue to have mobility needs for survival, though. When new roads are built, animals living in a part of their habitat can greatly increase the number of wildlife vehicle collisions while trying to cross the new barriers.

In a new study, Wisnu Sugiarto, a Washington State University economics doctoral student, examined data for 13 of the 22 wildlife crossings, including bridges and underpasses, in the Washington State. He compared the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions each year before and after the construction of a wildlife crossing. He considered the area within 10 miles of a crossing.

Then he compared his analysis to a separate area in the state with no crossings at all. “The findings reported that wildlife crossing structures reduced the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions by one to three accidents on average per mile per year,” Sugiarto said. “Therefore, building wildlife crossing structures is typically an essential and effective strategy to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.”

“Trior to working on this research, I wasn’t aware of any strategies to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions. I also thought we couldn’t do much about it, partly because we wouldn’t be able to communicate with wildlife and control their movement,” Sugiarto added. “However, it turns out that there are multiple strategies to deal with issues related to wildlife-vehicle collisions and we can do something about them. ”

It is reported that the government has invested $ 350 million over five years for the construction of wildlife crossings. Every wildlife crossing offers a mean benefit of between $235,000 and $443,000 each year.

1. What does the underlined word “mitigate” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Analyze.

B．Reduce.

C．Study.

D．Discover.

2. What does the third paragraph mainly tell us?

A．How the wildlife crossings are built.

B．Why wildlife crossings are necessary.

C．What should be done to cross the roads.

D．When wildlife-vehicle collisions happen.

3. What is Sugiarto’s attitude to the construction of wildlife crossings?

A．Tolerant.	B．Skeptical.
C．Favorable.	D．Conservative.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Wildlife crossings save wild animals and money

B．The size of wildlife crossings affects animals greatly

C．Every wildlife crossing has a great effect on road safety

D．Wildlife crossings manage to help animals move safely

6 . Talking to your children about the misinformation they may find online is a great idea. Children don’t always have the judgment or critical thinking skills to test what they read or watch, but they’ll develop these abilities quickly if you help them figure out how to separate fact from fiction. We’re here to help you do just that!

Don’t wait for your kids to approach you with questions——instead, take a few minutes to sit down with them. Let them know that there’s a lot of content out there on the Internet, and not all o£ it is true. With everything going on in the world, remind your kids that they might be seeing a lot of confusing, false information going around on social media and other parts of the web.

It’s a good idea to turn news reports and TV shows into teachable moments. Look for small opportunities to start helpful conversations about misinformation with your kids. Take a TV show or newspaper article and transform it into a helpful, easy way to understand what misinformation is₉ and how to avoid it.

Misinformation can be really upsetting and stressful for your kids to think about. Let them know that you’re always available to listen and answer their questions if they’re feeling confused. Reassure your kids that there are no stupid questions, and that you’re always willing to explain something for them.

Teach your kids a few tricks to fact-check misinformation online. Remind your kids to be on the lookout for strange-looking website like those ending with co. Tell them to read through the headline. If it has a lot of mistakes, or if it’s written in all capital letters, there’s a good chance that it might be misinformation. Additionally, introduce your kids to official websites, which are quick and easy ways to fact-check information.

1. Why should people talk to their children about online misinformation?

A．There is no information holding true online,

B．There is no one else willing to teach the children.

C．Children lack the ability to judge the information.

D．Children can’t develop the judgement on their own.

2. The approach mentioned in paragraph 4 aims to ________.

A．relieve children’s financial burden

B．approach children positively to help them

C．remind parents to seize every chance to teach

D．encourage children to communicate with parents

3. Which of the following is most likely to be misinformation?

A．A passage on the website www. i21st.cn.

B．A passage on the website www. pep. com. cn.

C．A passage titled with Origins of the Mandela Effect”.

D．A passage titled with ”SHOK! GAS RAN OUT YESTERDAY“.

4. Who is the text intended for?

A．Parents.

B．Teenagers.

C．Students.

D．Teachers.

7 . When Roosevelt was a kid, his doctors claimed that he was too weak to live a normal life like most children of his age. They strongly recommended him to avoid participation in any physical activities, fearing that it could worsen his health condition and potentially lead to his death. Their opinions implied that he would face up to a life full of all kinds of limitations. Instead of permitting their limiting beliefs about what he could do and achieve, he chose to live a meaningful life.

Despite his doctors’ strong suggestions that he remain inactive, he didn’t want to be a carefree observer of the world as it passed him by. He was determined to force himself to be active. Roosevelt had daily adventures in the woods as a boy.

He continued to play sports when he got to college. In fact, he didn’t just play, but he excelled in both boxing and rowing, both of which require astonishing levels of strength and endurance. When Roosevelt graduated from college, his doctors were still not completely sure about his health condition. They still believed that he would be putting himself in serious danger, because his heart problems had not improved. They firmly believed that it would be best to find a desk job for him after completing a college degree. Once again, Roosevelt decided to challenge himself to his physical limits by living an extremely energetic adult life. In about every field he took part, he would aim to push his physical limits. Impressively, he was excellent as an explorer, a hunter, an author, a soldier and a politician.

Eventually, Roosevelt went beyond the mistaken limitation upon him and lived an amazing life.

1. What would happen if Roosevelt followed his doctors’ suggestions?

A．He would live a meaningful life.

B．His life would be full of limitations.

C．His parents would feel satisfied with him.

D．He would become an extraordinary person.

2. What did his doctors expect Roosevelt to become after college graduation?

A．An explorer.	B．A boxing player.
C．An office clerk.	D．A politician.

3. How is the text mainly developed?

A．By following time order.	B．By listing obvious reasons.
C．By giving some examples.	D．By making necessary comparisons.

4. Which of the following can best describe Roosevelt?

A．Humorous.

B．Generous.

C．Considerate.

D．Ambitious.

8 . A family vacation may be a good opportunity to relax and enjoy ourselves. Destinations nestled in nature with plenty of breathing room and easy access to fresh air are trending. Here are four destinations with an eye towards the great outdoors.

Woodloch Resort, Pennsylvania

Considering meals, drinks and activities are all included, it is worry-free to travel at Woodloch Resort. With vast rural grounds, its location and safety measures make it easy to be socially distant. You can sail on the lake, hike, swim or enjoy family-friendly games and entertainment. Comfort food classics served three times each day should satisfy even picky eaters.

Ocean Lakes Family Campground, South Carolina

Camping is a time-honored tradition. Families may bond over simple pleasures such as eating burgers grilled over an open fire and stargazing. Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sits on nearly a mile of beachfront. Each site is roomy enough for a large camper. Mini-golf, a waterpark, and bike rentals are a few of the many family friendly recreational options.

Hull-O Farms, New York

Develop a connection to the land when you stay on a working farm. Take part in simple agricultural tasks such as picking fruit, gathering eggs and milking cows. Kids can enjoy the outdoor environment with healthy freedom that their parents might not be able to allow them in a crowded city. Hull-O Farms is a 7th-generation family farm. Guests may reserve one of three comfortable houses and participate in farm life as much or as little as they please.

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is not far from Philadelphia and New York. You’ll find a slower pace as you travel along scenic country roads through mountains, valleys and forests.

You can hike in Shenandoah National Park, explore large caves» or rent a boat moving down the Shenandoah River.

1. Which destination offers all-inclusive service?

A．Shenandoah Valley.	B．Woodloch Resort.
C．Hull-O Farms.	D．Ocean Lakes Family Campground.

2. What is special about Hull-O Farms?

A．People can camp on the beach.

B．People can enjoy all kinds of foods.

C．People can take part in farm life.

D．People can row a boat along the river.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a novel.	B．In a biography.
C．In a farming magazine.	D．In a travel brochure.

9 . It was mid-afternoon. I looked outside my dorm window, and saw the lifeless gray sky, the snow and the trackless sidewalks. There was no one in the snow but a squirrel. The brown-gray North American squirrel,a look of terror in his shining eyes, braved the cold to throw himself over snow. In his mouth was a large acorn(橡实)—I was surprised it fit in his mouth.

I moved closer to my window, outside of which is a medium-sized tree, lacking its warm-weather leaves. The squirrel ran up rapidly, higher and higher in the tree, and his small body held onto his dear acorn.

Up he went, to the tip of one of the highest branches. I held my breath—I wondered if that slender branch could support him. I wondered if his winter food store was in this tree—squirrels are known to hide their nuts, mushrooms, and vegetation high up in trees. Outside, the squirrel firmly grasped that branch, jaw clamping(夹紧)on his acorn.

Then came the wind blowing violently, shaking the tree, the branch and the squirrel. He hung on for dear life, and both arms wrapped around the branch in the wind. I held my breath: If he fell from a height like this, then.... Seeing this little squirrel, I had my heart in my mouth. As the wind became stronger, the squirrel’s precious acorn fell to the ground. The squirrel followed its downward progress only by sight—if he let go the branch, he would fall downwards as well. I was so nervous that I didn’t take my gaze off the squirrel for one minute. Surprisingly, he then climbed down the tree and was now half-buried in the snow, searching desperately for his acorn. Finally, he made it.

The brave animal is able to survive in nature all because of its desperate efforts.The same goes for us humans. We all work hard to survive, and this is the law of nature. So effort is not something special, but a matter for all living things to do to survive.

1. What did the author discover outside the window?

A．A squirrel was freezing nearly to death.

B．A squirrel was choked by a large acorn.

C．A squirrel was picking acorns from a tree.

D．A squirrel was climbing to the top of a tree.

2. What does the underlined word “slender” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Dead.

B．Straight.

C．Slim.

D．Thick.

3. What is the author’s attitude to the squirrel in paragraph 4?

A．Concerned.

B．Unfriendly.

C．Uncaring.

D．Curious.

4. What does the story intend to convey?

A．Stop struggling, life is stopped.

B．Facts speak louder than words.

C．Failure is the mother of success.

D．Teaching others teaches yourself.

10 . We live in an age where we expect instant satisfaction from everything. Packages must be delivered within 24 hours and meals at a restaurant need to arrive within 30 minutes.     1    The good news is that patience can be developed with time and practice. Here are some ways to help you become more patient.

    2    Take a slightly longer route on your walk home. Appreciate the smell of your food before having a meal you love. Practice things like word puzzles that will test your patience. By doing these small things, you’ll develop your patience.

Knowing your triggers(诱因)will help you take better charge of a situation the next time you find yourself impatient.    3    For example, maybe you grow impatient when you see a long line at your favorite coffee shop. You can choose another time to go when you know it’ll be less busy.

Slowing things down when appropriate can help you build patience. Take some aspects in your life you can afford to slow down. For example, wait for your coffee to brew (冲泡) on a weekend morning.    4    

Accept things that are out of your control. If you are stuck in a traffic jam,there’s little you can do to get out of it.     5    You can either observe the cars around you or play some music in your car.

A．Looking at things from another perspective.

B．Being more patient reduces your stress levels.

C．Enjoy such process occasionally rather than rush to do it.

D．Identify the things, places or people that make you impatient.

E．Many people have grown more and more impatient as a result.

F．Becoming more patient is a long journey and start it with small steps.

G．Instead of getting frustrated, accept your situation and make the best of it.