1 . Moving into your own apartment is exciting, but it can sometimes take a little while to really feel settled in.     1     And many of them are inexpensive and easy to do!

Work on unpacking one room at a time if you’re just moving in. As you start to unpack boxes, work on one room at a time.     2     Arrange each room neatly, making it feel lived-in before you move on to the next one. For instance, you might set up your bedroom first, then the living room, then the kitchen and finally the bathroom.

    3     Many apartments are short on space, so you may find that you have to be very cautious when you’re planning your furniture layout. Think about how you want to use each space, then arrange the furniture to maximize the functionality of that area. For instance, if you love to have people over, you might arrange the seating in your living room so all the chairs face each other. If you spend a lot of time watching your favourite shows, your layout might be a sofa and an easy chair in front of the TV.

Light scented (香薰的) candles to make your apartment smell more like home.     4     Lighting a candle in your apartment can change the feel almost instantly, especially if you choose a candle that smells like baked goods, warm vanilla, sandalwood, or leather. Or, if there was a certain candle you loved at your last place, you could light that, instead.

Hang art and photos that reflect your style throughout your place. Art is the perfect way to express your personal style, so search thrift stores, secondhand shops, and online stores for deals on art pieces that make you feel good. You can also display pictures of your family and friends.     5    

A．That way you won’t make a mess.

B．Place your furniture so it decides different spaces.

C．Don’t underestimate the power of a comforting scent.

D．Make you feel at home and use it to paint one of your rooms.

E．That will give you an instant feeling of comfort when you look at them.

F．Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to warm up your space.

G．That way, you don’t have to worry about spending a lot money to stock up all at once.

2 . Enjoy these four stories of wonderful friendships between people and creatures.

Albi the Glowing Cow Boy

By Georgia Bwng. Illustrated by Angela Cogo

On a quiet farm in frosty moonlight, a calf (小牛) called Albi is born. A boy called Rufus lives nearby. Soon. Albi and Rufus set off on an incredible journey-but why are the two so deeply connected and how can they each find what they are searching for?

The Boy Who Saved a Bear

By Nizrana Farook

Nuwan works at a library delivering books, but when he unexpectedly crosses the path of a dangerous group of thieves, he must go on the run. Hiding deep in a cave he realizes he’s not alone-he’s sharing his shelter with a scared bear. Nuwan comforted the bear, so this unlikely pair become friends and are soon working together to stop the bad guys and solve a mystery.

Pax

By Sara Pennypacker, Illustrated by Jon Kassen

Peter has a special bond with Pax-a half-tamed fox cub (幼崽). When a war breaks out suddenly, Peter has to move to live with his grandfather, leaving Pax behind. Can the friends find their way back to each other? This story is accompanied by lots of beautiful illustrations.

Wilder

By Penny Chrimes

When a half-wild girl appears from the marshes (沼泽), the people of a nearby village treat her with doubt. She has a mysterious connection to animals, especially the falcon who circles above her. When the river starts to dry up and a dark sickness begins to spread, the girl sets out to save the villagers.

1. Why do Nuwan and the bear become friends?

A．They live in the same place.	B．They have to solve a mystery.
C．The bear was comforted by Nuwan.	D．The bear saved Nuwan from the thieves.

2. What makes Pax separate from Peter?

A．The force of thieves.	B．An unexpected war.
C．The decision of Peter’s grandfather.	D．The villagers’ doubt.

3. What do the four stories above have in common?

A．They are created with the same theme.	B．Their plots are only full of adventures.
C．They are accompanied by beautiful pictures.	D．Their characters grew up with their animal friends.

3 . As reported in the journal Nature, one system can directly remove carbon dioxide from sources ranging from flue gas (烟道气) to the atmosphere by using electricity to induce a water-and-oxygen-based electrochemical reaction. This technological achievement could turn direct air capture (捕获) from edge industry into a promising front for climate change relief.

Most carbon-capture systems involve a two-step process: First, high-pH liquids are used to separate the carbon dioxide, which is acidic, from mixed-gas streams such as flue gas. Next, the carbon dioxide is regenerated from the solution through heating or by injecting a low-pH liquid.

“Once the carbon dioxide is trapped in these solvents (溶剂), you have to regenerate it,” says Haotian Wang, assistant professor at Rice University. “There are literally no chemicals produced or consumed with our process. We also don’t need to heat up or pressurize our device, we just need to put it into a power outlet and it will work.”

Another drawback of current carbon-capture technologies is their reliance on large-scale, centralized infrastructure. By contrast, the system developed in the Wang lab is an extensible, modular, point-of-use concept that can adapt to a variety of scenarios. “The technology can be scaled up to industrial settings-power plants, chemical plants-but the great thing about it is that it allows for small-scale use as well: I can even use it in my office.” Wang says.

Also the reactor can continuously remove carbon dioxide from a simulated (模拟的) flue gas with efficiency above 98% using a relatively low electricity input. Wang notes that the process has “no carbon footprint or a very limited footprint” if powered by electricity from renewable sources such as solar or wind. “This is great news considering that renewablel electricity is becoming more and more cost-effective,” Wang says.

1. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 2?

A．Add up some opposite reasons.	B．Offer basic evidences to the topic.
C．Summarize the following paragraphs.	D．Provide some background information.

2. What do we know about Wang’s system according to the text?

A．It involves a two-step process.	B．It creates some chemicals.
C．It is simple and easy to operate.	D．It needs to be used in big plants.

3. How does the author support the topic?

A．By making comparisons.	B．By listing many numbers.
C．By providing research results.	D．By analyzing causes and effects.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards Wang’s technology?

A．Unclear.

B．Favourable.

C．Objective.

D．Disapproving.

4 . Around 3,500 Americans ingest (摄入) batteries every year. It’s apparently such a repeating issue that even a specific hotline was built in the event of such an emergency.

And while it’s unlikely your wristwatch’s power source will ever be safe to eat, that doesn’t mean all batteries will remain uneatable-in fact, some are being designed with digestion specifically in mind.

A team of researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology recently revealed what isl being called as the world’s first fully rechargeable, eatable battery. As detailed in a paper published with Advanced Materials, the new device has made good use of some eatable materials.

“Eatable electronic devices will have major implications for gastrointestinal tract (胃肠道) monitoring, treatment, as well as rapid food quality monitoring,” reads the paper’s abstract, adding that although recent research proved the feasibility of eatable sensors and circuits, “fully eatable electronic devices and eatable power sources are still required, of which there have been very few examples.”

According to the team’s findings, their proof-of-concept battery was capable of producing 0.65 volts, which is safely low enough for the human body to handle. The ingestible could provide 48 μA of current for 12 minutes, or alternatively, a few microamps (微安) for over an hour. Such a power supply could provide enough energy for small electronics alike to eatable pill-shaped modules and other gastrointestinal procedure alternatives.

In a statement, researcher coordinator Mario Caironi explained that such a product could help power monitors for both human health conditions and food storage. Additionally, given their safety, products with stronger power could be used within children’s toys, where ingestion risk is higher.

In the team’s statement, co-author Ivan Ilic also explained that despite the battery’s relatively low power, its digestibility provides a promising example of a battery that doesn’t use any harmful materials.

1. What is the necessity of developing eatable batteries?

A．They help with the food shortage.	B．They can avoid the harm caused by eating batteries.
C．They are useful in some special fields.	D．They have no impact on the environment.

2. Which is the closest in meaning to “feasibility” in Paragraph 4?

A．Availability.

B．Flexibility.

C．Responsibility.

D．Possibility.

3. What can we infer from the statements in the last paragraph?

A．The application of the battery has a long way to go.

B．The eatable batteries will be widely used in our life.

C．The development of the eatable battery is promising.

D．The eatable batteries will soon be put into production.

4. In which section of a magazine can we read the text?

A．News Corner.

B．Story Garden.

C．Language World.

D．Technology Square.

5 . Technology has revolutionized (使革命化) the way we work in many ways. One of the most significant changes has been the shift towards remote and flexible work. With the rise of internet and cloud-based software, workers are no longer tied to a physical office and can work from anywhere with an internet connection. This has allowed for greater flexibility and work-life balance, as well as reduced commuting (通勤) time and costs.

Another major change is the increasing use of automation and artificial intelligence in the workplace. This has the potential to increase efficiency and productivity, as well as reduce the need for certain types of work. However, it also raises concerns about job displacement and the need for workers to adapt to new technologies.

Finally, technology has greatly expanded the types of jobs available. With the rise of the gig (临时工) economy and freelance (自由职业者) work, workers can now find opportunities in areas such as graphic design (平面设计), copywriting (文案撰写), and social media management. This has created opportunities for individuals to work in areas that were previously inaccessible or did not exist.

1. What is the shift in the way we work brought about by technology?

A．Flexible and remote work.	B．Tying people to a physical office.
C．Increased commuting and travel.	D．Higher costs and lower productivity.

2. What is the impact of internet and cloud-based software on the way we work?

A．It has reduced work-life balance.	B．It has increased commuting time and costs.
C．It has allowed for greater flexibility and work-life balance.	D．It has caused job displacement.

3. What are the potential benefits of automation and AI in the workplace?

A．Increased job displacement.	B．Reduced efficiency and productivity.
C．Increased efficiency and productivity.	D．Increased commuting and travel.

4. What has technology allowed for in terms of job availability?

A．Technology has decreased the number of available jobs.

B．Technology has created opportunities for individuals to work in areas that were previously inaccessible or did not exist.

C．Technology has only impacted traditional office jobs.

D．Technology has increased commuting time and costs.

6 . Climate change is a global issue that affects nearly every aspect of life on Earth. The warming of the planet due to increased greenhouse gas emissions is leading to a range of impacts, from rising sea levels to more frequent extreme weather events. These impacts are not equal across the world, however, and some countries and communities are more vulnerable than others.

One of the most immediate impacts of climate change is food insecurity. Changes in temperature and precipitation (降水) patterns can affect crop yields (产量), leading to food shortages and price increases. Climate change can also affect fishing communities, as ocean temperatures and acidification (酸化) can harm marine (海洋的) life.

Climate change can also have broader impacts on human health, particularly if it leads to the spread of disease. For example, warmer temperatures can create conditions that are more conducive (有助于) to the spread of mosquito-borne (蚊子传播的) illnesses like dengue fever (登革热)and malaria (疟疾). Additionally, extreme weather events can cause injuries and illnesses, as well as disrupt healthcare services.

Finally, climate change can have significant economic impacts, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and insurance. These impacts can have ripple effects (涟漪效应) throughout the economy, affecting businesses and individuals alike.

1. What is one immediate impact of climate change?

A．Decreased food production.	B．Increased food production.
C．Decreased fishing.	D．Decreased human health.

2. How can climate change affect human health?

A．It can only affect the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

B．It can only affect healthcare services.

C．It can lead to the spread of disease and disrupt healthcare services.

D．It has no impact on human health.

3. What are some economic impacts of climate change?

A．Agriculture, forestry, and insurance are not impacted.

B．These impacts only affect businesses, not individuals.

C．They can have ripple effects throughout the economy and affect businesses and individuals.

D．They are not significant.

4. What is one potential impact of climate change on fishing communities?

A．Increased catches.

B．Decreased catches.

C．No impact.

D．Increased profits.

7 . The sharing economy is a trend that has been growing in recent years. This economy is based on sharing resources, such as cars, homes, and even clothing, rather than owning them outright. Some popular examples of the sharing economy include Uber, Airbnb, and Lyft.

The sharing economy has several potential benefits. For one, it can help reduce waste and increase sustainability(可持续性), as resources are being used more efficiently. Additionally, it can help provide more affordable options for consumers, as well as create new sources of income for people who may not have had access to traditional job opportunities.

However, there are also potential drawbacks to the sharing economy. Many of the workers in the sharing economy are considered independent contractors, which means they are not entitled to the same benefits and protections as traditional employees. Additionally, there have been concerns about safety and insurance coverage for both the workers and consumers using these services.

1. What is the sharing economy?

A．An economy based on owning resources outright.

B．An economy based on sharing resources.

C．An economy based on consuming more resources.

D．An economy based on throwing away resources.

2. What are some potential benefits of the sharing economy?

A．It can create more waste and reduce sustainability.

B．It can create more expensive options for consumers.

C．It can provide affordable options for consumers and create new sources of income.

D．It can reduce job opportunities.

3. What are some popular examples of the sharing economy?

A．Private car ownership, traditional hotels, and taxis.

B．Public transportation, traditional hotels, and taxis.

C．Uber, Airbnb, and Lyft.

D．Uber, private car ownership, and public transportation.

4. What is one potential benefit of the sharing economy for people who may not have had access to traditional job opportunities?

A．It can create more traditional job opportunities.

B．It can eliminate traditional job opportunities.

C．It can provide new sources of income.

D．It can reduce job opportunities.

8 . The city of Pompeii is a partially buried Roman town­city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania. Along with Herculaneum, Pompeii was partially destroyed and buried under 4 m to 6 m of ash in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

By the 1st century AD, Pompeii was one of a number of towns located near the base of the volcano, Mount Vesuvius. The area had a large population which grew prosperous(繁荣的) from the region’s agricultural fertility(丰产). Many of Pompeii’s neighboring communities also suffered damage or destruction during the 79 AD eruption. The eruption occurred on August 24.

A study of the eruption products and victims indicated that at Vesuvius and surrounding towns heat was the main cause of death of people, previously believed to have died by ash suffocation(窒息). The results of the study, published in 2010, show that exposure to at least 250 ℃ hot surges at a distance of 10 kilometres from the vent(出口) was sufficient to cause instant death, even if people were sheltered within buildings.

In 1748, a farmer called Andre and his brother dug a cupboard made of metal. To their surprise, there are a lot of dissolved jewelry and ancient money in it.

This news took air. The farmers were thinking of the legend of disappeared Pompeii that ancestors told them. So, many archaeologists, historians, and even treasure hunters swarmed(蜂拥) there. In 1876, Italy government agreed with experts to dig the Pompeii out. Through a hundred years’ working, they dug the Pompeii out completely.

The historian Vanya said, “What a horrifying scene! Many people died when they are dormant(休眠的), and some people died behind the door of home. They were raising their hands and breathing ...”

Compared with nature, human seems small and weak. We don’t have enough power to compete with nature, so we should respect nature and protect the environment to lessen disasters.

1. What did the people of Pompeii depend on for a living?

A．Industry.	B．Agriculture.
C．Hunting.	D．Business.

2. What caused the deaths according to the study?

A．Ash suffocation.	B．Lack of shelters.
C．Extreme heat.	D．Starvation.

3. What does the underlined phrase “took air” most probably mean?

A．Spread.	B．Disappeared.
C．Increased.	D．Reduced.

4. What does the last paragraph tell us to do?

A．To compete with nature.	B．To fight against disasters.
C．To protect our surroundings.	D．To research on nature.

9 . Joan Fournier and her daughter stopped at a fast food restaurant in Cornwall for some lunch.     1     However, when her phone rang and she took it out to answer the call, without her knowing it, the money fell out of her pocket.

Later in the evening when they went shopping, Fournier realized the money wasn’t there.     2     Thinking someone must have picked up the bill and simply pocketed it, Fournier didn’t hold out much hope for getting back the cash. However, she called the restaurant, just in case. Fournier was surprised to discover the $ 100 had been found just where it had fallen.

    3     Bridget Patterson, a 17-year,-old-employee of the restaurant, was cleaning up shortly before closing time when she discovered the bill on the floor. Patterson put the money in an envelope, and took a’ photo of the area where she’d found it and put it under her manager’s door with a’ note of explanation.

Fournier returned to get the money.     4     She was surprised, honestly, that Patterson would go to all that trouble.

For Patterson’s part, doing anything — but returning the money never crossed her mind.     5     “If it had been the other way around, I’d want someone to do the same thing,” she said.

A．Her first thought was to put it in her pocket.

B．Fournier thought she would be getting it back.

C．Moreover, she never expected anything in return.

D．In her pocket, Fournier had her cellphone and a $100 bill.

E．She also brought along a card and a cash gift to express her thanks.

F．After searching everywhere, she decided that maybe it fell out at the restaurant.

G．When Fournier called, she heard the story of how Patterson had turned in the cash she’d found.

10 . A newly published study shows that chess players perform objectively worse and — make more suboptimal (次最优的) moves when there is more fine particulate matter (颗粒物) in the air.

“We find that when individuals are exposed to higher levels of air pollution, they make more mistakes, and they make larger mistakes,” says Juan Palacios, a co-author of a newly published paper detailing the study’s findings.

Scholars have produced many studies exploring the effects of air pollution on cognition. The current study adds to that literature by analyzing the subject in a particularly controlled setting. The scholars used three web-connected sensors inside the tournament venue to measure carbon dioxide, PM2.5 concentrations, and temperature, all of which, can, be affected by external conditions, even in an indoor setting.

To evaluate the matter of performance of players, meanwhile, the scholars used software programs that assess each move made in each chess match, identify optimal decisions, and flag significant errors. During the tournaments, the researchers examined and ruled out alternate potential explanations for the dip in player performance, such as increased noise. They also found that carbon dioxide and temperature changes did not correspond to performance changes. Ultimately, the analysis confirms that the findings are driven by the direct exposure to air particles.

The researchers also found that when air pollution was worse, the chess, players performed even more poorly when under time constraints. The tourmament rules required that 40 moves had to be made within 110 minutes; for moves 31-40 in all, the matches, an air pollution, increase of 10 micro-grams per cubic meter led to an increased probability of error of 3.2 percent, with the magnitude of those errors increasing by 17.3 percent. And while the focus of this particular study is tightly focused on chess players, the findings have strong implications for high-skilled office workers.

1. What does the study find about air pollution?

A．It becomes more and more serious in the gym.

B．It can help evaluate chess players’ performance.

C．It may affect more people with mental processes.

D．It can’t be affected by indoor surroundings.

2. Why were software programs used in the study?

A．To measure carbon dioxide and temperature.

B．To assess the performance of players.

C．To help players make great moves.

D．To distinguish players’ errors in time.

3. What does the underlined word “constraints” probably mean?

A．Limit.

B．Freedom.

C．Consumption.

D．Measurement.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Various reasons for chess players’ mistakes.

B．A new research on chess players’ performance.

C．Scholars’ concern about chess players’ health.

D．The influence of air pollution on chess players.