1 . Historical accounts often described the now-extinct California grizzly bears as huge beasts ready to attack humans and livestock at any time. But according to a new paper, scientists say the truth might have been less dramatic: The bears ate a mostly vegetarian diet and were smaller than previously described. California grizzly bears once roamed in the Golden State. But European settlers often hunted, poisoned and trapped the creatures. Over time, because of these human activities, the California grizzly population declined. The last reliable sighting of a California grizzly bear occurred 100 years ago in 1924, and the animals disappeared completely sometime after that.
Researchers wanted to get a better understanding of the factors that accelerated the bears’ extinction. They also hoped to gain more insight into the creatures’ behavior, size and diet. To do so, they turned to documents and California grizzly specimens in natural history collections. They measured the animals’ skulls and teeth and analyzed their bones and pelts. The researchers found that California grizzly bears were much smaller than the 2,000 pounds often reported at the time. Historical accounts might not necessarily have been wrong, but they might have only included the largest bears. In addition, analyses of the animals’ bones and skins suggest the bears were primarily eating plants, which stands in contrast to their fear some hyper carnivorous (超级食肉的) reputation. “The bears likely increased meat consumption due to landscape changes coupled with the arrival of livestock,” says study co-author Alexis Mychajliw. However, researchers found the animals still ate a majority vegetarian diet and killed far less livestock than historical accounts suggested.
By digging beyond the bears’ reputation, the researchers gained a more accurate understanding of the California grizzly’s biology and natural history. And since scientists and land managers often rely on historical accounts when reintroducing animals to their former habitats, the study serves as a reminder that those old newspapers and journals do not tell the whole story.
1. What does the underlined word “roamed” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Disappeared. | B．Declined. | C．Fought. | D．Wandered. |
| A．They mainly fed on livestock. |
| B．Their diet consisted mostly of plants. |
| C．They ate a balanced diet of plants and meat. |
| D．The absence of livestock changed their dietary habit. |
| A．They are unique. | B．They are one-sided. |
| C．They are accurate. | D．They are comprehensive. |
| A．The natural habitats of California grizzly bears. |
| B．The extinction process of California grizzly bears. |
| C．The reveal of the truth of California grizzly bears. |
| D．The significance of the arrival of California grizzly bears. |
2 . Millions of years ago dinosaurs lived on the earth. In the days of dinosaurs the whole earth was warm and wet. There were green forests and they could find enough to eat. Later, parts of the earth became cold and dry, and the forests there died. Then dinosaurs could not find enough to eat. This must be one reason why dinosaurs died out.
We can guess another reason. New kinds of animals came on the earth. Some had big brains and were fast and strong. They could kill dinosaurs.
There may be other reasons that we don’t know about yet. Scientists are trying to make more discoveries about dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs have many sizes and shapes (形状). Some were as small as chickens, while some were about 90 feet long.
There were also terrible fights between dinosaurs. They might have happened more than 100 million years ago. Though there was no man to see any of the fights, we can be told by the footprints (足迹) that fights did take place.
1. According to the passage, dinosaurs did exist only________on the earth.| A．for millions of years |
| B．millions of years ago |
| C．more than 100 million years ago |
| D．when it was warm and wet somewhere |
| A．there were too many dinosaurs |
| B．parts of the earth became warm and wet |
| C．there were many green forests |
| D．they couldn’t find enough to eat |
| A．scientists are trying to make some dinosaurs |
| B．dinosaurs are dangerous enough |
| C．dinosaurs are worth studying further |
| D．scientists know nothing about dinosaurs |
| A．footprints | B．imagination | C．rocks and forests | D．dinosaurs’ eggs |
Your home can be a dangerous place, but by making it safer you can prevent accidents. The kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom are where most accidents happen. These can include falls, fires, poisoning, cuts, hot water burns, and electric shocks.
THE KITCHEN
People may slip when the floor is wet, so make sure the floor is kept dry.
Always cut away from your body when you use a knife.
Follow instructions for all electrical appliances.
Unplug all appliances after use.
THE BEDROOM
•Never smoke in bed.
•Keep a lamp near the bed.
•Have a telephone near the bed, especially when you’re feeling ill.
•Don’t run electrical wires under carpets.
THE BATHROOM
•Don’t plug in an electrical appliance or use one while standing in water.
•Don’t use a hairdryer near a bath containing water.
•Keep the bathroom floor dry.
•Make sure that your hot water heater is set at a low temperature.
PREVENTING FIRES
Fires can cause terrible damage to your home and terrible injuries to people. If there is a fire, your first priority is getting everyone out of the house safely, and then calling for help. Never go back into a burning building to save your things.
•Buy clothes, curtains, and toys that do not burn easily.
•Use heaters very carefully, as they can set objects on fire.
•Place them away from furniture.
•When cooking, do not let oil touch the fire or other sources of heat.
•Check electrical wires a number of times each year to make sure they are in good condition.
•Switch off your gas and electricity when you will be away from home for a long time.
•Make sure your home is equipped with fire extinguishers.
CHILDREN AND HOME SAFETY
Homes are not always safe places for young children.Being curious, they may stick their fingers or objects into dangerous places and end up suffering from electric shocks or getting burnt. In addition, they may try to eat or drink anything they can find, whether it is food or not. For these reasons, it is important to make your home safe if you have young children about.
•Keep matches out of the reach of children.
•Store all cleaning materials in a locked cupboard.
•Never leave a small child alone in the bath.
•Put covers over electrical outlets.
•Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
MAKING YOUR HOME SAFE FOR THE ELDERLY
The elderly present special challenges, as they may have trouble moving about and can be seriously hurt in falls. If you have an elderly person in your home, you may need to take some extra measures to make your home safer.
•Make sure that passages within the home are kept clear.
•Put non-slip bath mats in and next to the bath and shower.
•Put handrails along passage walls and in the bathroom.
1. Which is not included in the common accidents around the house?| A．Smoking. | B．Falls. | C．Electric shocks. | D．Poisoning. |
| A．storing all cleaning materials in a locked cupboard. |
| B．putting handrails along passage walls and in the bathroom. |
| C．following instructions for all electrical appliances. |
| D．keeping the bathroom floor dry. |
| A．You should make sure that your hot water is set at a low temperature. |
| B．You shouldn’t run electrical wires under carpets. |
| C．You should keep all medicines out of the reach of children. |
| D．You don’t have to have your home equipped with fire extinguisher. |
| A．Newspaper. | B．An advertisement. |
| C．A home-safety manual (使用手册). | D．The Internet. |
4 . The Unity (和谐) of Man and Nature
The “unity of man and nature” is necessary and important in the cultural tradition of China. The Chinese believe in the unity of man and nature, a basic way to their philosophy (哲学) of life.
The idea of unity of man and nature has been in the heart of Chinese people.
Most of the Chinese, especially the young, are willing to protect the natural environment. China is now working with all other countries to make the earth a better place to live.
| A．Each of the three has its own way. |
| B．The power is from water, wind, and sunlight. |
| C．There are plenty of great people in the history of China. |
| D．The ancient Chinese never placed themselves above nature. |
| E．It encourages modern Chinese to take action (采取行动) to protect natural environment. |
| F．Nature and man depend on each other. |
| G．Most traditional Chinese festivals build a right order of relationships among humans. |
5 . A tree has roots (根). People have roots too. If you get to the root of a problem, you will solve it. It’s the same thing with words. Dig deeply into a big, unfamiliar word and you will understand where it came from.
As readers, especially those reading in a second language, we need to deal with the text as if we were detectives (侦探) looking for information to unlock (解开……秘密) the unknown. Like any good detective arriving on the crime scene, the first thing to do when meeting a new and difficult word is to judge the situation, to look at everything that is known and see if it helps us to understand what it means.
As you know, prefixes (前缀) and suffixes (后缀) can be added to the beginning or end of words to change the meaning. Know them, and you will have the word building power. But root words are the key (关键). Take time to learn a few of these, put them in your memory, and you will become a master word detective.
Let’s look at one common root word used in English. “Alter” from the Latin(拉丁语的) word means “other”. When you meet this root word, you know that the bigger word has something to do with “other”. Examine the word “alternate”. Can you find the Latin root in it?
• If you and your friend like to eat out, first you pay and the other pays the next time. You are alternating paying.
• If you go to the movies on alternate Saturdays, you go on one Saturday, but not the other Saturday.
• If you have no alternative, you have no other choice.
Learn as many root words as possible in the language you are studying. Then use your “rooting for words” skills. Like any new skill, practice and hard work are always paid back.
1. If Jim and Lily go to the movies, which one below is “alternating paying”?| A．Jim pays every time. | B．They each pay half. |
| C．They take turns paying. | D．Their parents pay for them. |
| A．By giving a fact. | B．By taking an example. |
| C．By telling a story. | D．By having a discussion. |
| A．My brother is my senior by two years. |
| B．He was ill so he was absent from school. |
| C．A criminal was sentenced to death by law. |
| D．60 students were present at the sports meeting. |
(①=Paragraph (段落) 1 ② =Paragraph 2, ...)
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
6 . A big sandstorm hit northern China several months ago. It covered many cities with thick clouds of yellow dust (尘土).
The storm, which came from Mongolia, was the largest sandstorm in China in the past 10 years. Many flights and classes were canceled (取消) because the visibility (能见度) was lower than 500 meters.
The storm was the result of warm and dry weather in the area, together with the strong winds from Mongolia. “There has been little rainfall so far this spring and the temperature is rising. So now it is a worrying time for sandstorms,” said an expert from Beijing.
In recent years, sandstorms haven’t been as common in northern China as before. The land with desertification (沙漠化) has been falling by 7, 585 km per year in China, and the area of sandy land has been decreasing by 1, 284 km a year. This is thanks to China’s Three-North Shelter Forest Program (TNSFP, 三北防护林工程) which started in the 1970s. Millions of trees have been planted in northern China to prevent sandstorms and protect the environment.
Besides, China has a color-graded weather warning system (预警系统) for sandstorms, with red meaning the most serious, followed by orange and yellow. Therefore, people would have time to get prepared for the sandstorm.
Sandstorm visibility < 1 kilometer
Severe (严重的) sandstorm visibility < 500 meters
Super severe sandstorm visibility < 50 meters
1. What caused (造成) the sandstorm from Mongolia?
| A．Cold and wet weather, together with the strong winds. |
| B．Cold but sunny weather. |
| C．Warm, wet weather and the strong winds. |
| D．Warm, dry weather and the strong winds. |
| A．In the 1970s. | B．In the 1980s. | C．In the 1960s. | D．In the 1990s. |
| A．Red. | B．Orange. | C．Yellow. | D．Blue |
7 . Since tea spread from China worldwide, it has become one of the most popular drinks in the world. Different countries have their own tea cultures, like afternoon tea in England.
The tradition of afternoon tea is a very special part of English culture. The custom of drinking tea became popular in England during the 1660s. It was not until the mid-19th century that the idea of “afternoon tea” first appeared.
Afternoon tea is served in the mid-afternoon, between lunch and a late dinner. The idea came from Anna, the seventh Duchess(公爵夫人) of Bedford, in 1840. At the time, many families would eat a late dinner at about 8 p. m., which was one of only two main meals each day, and the other was a mid-morning meal.
With a long time between breakfast and dinner, Anna would become hungry around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. So she asked some tea, bread, butter and cakes to be brought to her room during the late afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her.
Later, Anna continued it, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for “tea and a walking in the fields”.
Others soon picked up on the idea. By the 1880s, afternoon tea became an event for many ladies. They would be dressed beautifully to be served in the sitting room between four and five o’clock, talking about the latest news, their daily life and fashion.
Today’s afternoon tea is simpler than traditional afternoon tea. It is just a biscuit or small cake and a cup of tea. However, there is one thing that has never changed - the meaning of afternoon tea.
1. When did the idea of “afternoon tea” first appear in England?| A．In the 1660s. | B．In the 1880s. |
| C．In the mid-19th century. | D．In the 1840s. |
| A．Because she felt hungry. | B．Because she loved drinking tea. |
| C．Because she needed to treat friends. | D．Because she wanted to change the meaning of afternoon tea. |
| A．Afternoon tea has spread all over the world. |
| B．People used to drink tea more often than now. |
| C．Afternoon tea gives people a chance to communicate. |
| D．Women like afternoon tea much more than men. |
8 . Your guide to a no-spend challenge
A no-spend challenge isn’t about total deprivation (剥夺) or freezing your bank account.
Assessing and prioritising needs
Before delving (深入探究) into the no-spend challenge, take the time to assess and differentiate your essential needs from your wants. Identify recurring bills, necessary expenditures and essential items. Distinguish them from free spending on non-essential products and services. This initial step lays the foundation for a realistic and sustainable challenge.
Creating a realistic budget
A successful no-spend challenge is rooted in the development of a well-crafted budget that reflects your financial reality.
Support system
As your challenge concludes, take enough time to reflect on the entire experience. What insights did you gain into your spending habits and priorities? Identify positive changes you want to maintain and integrate them into your long-term financial strategy.
The no-spend challenge is not merely a temporary exercise; it serves as a catalyst for enduring financial wellness. Embrace the journey, learn from the experience and watch as your financial goals transform into realities.
| A．Establishing long-term habits |
| B．Understanding the no-spend challenge |
| C．It ensures that crucial aspects of your life remain unaffected |
| D．Begin by outlining your income, fixed expenses and any upcoming financial goals |
| E．Share your commitment with friends and family, encouraging them to support your effort |
| F．The no-spend challenge serves as an opportune moment to cultivate mindful spending habits |
| G．It represents a conscious decision to redirect your financial focus and control your spending habits |
9 . With a fragrance (芳香) through the bedrooms of older adults for two hours every night for six months, memories skyrocketed. Participants in this study by University of California, Irvine (UCI)neuroscientists gained a 226% increase in cognitive capacity compared to the control group. The researchers say the finding transforms the long-known tie between smell and memory into an easy, non-invasive technique for strengthening memory and potentially preventing dementia (痴呆).
The project was conducted through the UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory. It involved men and women aged 60 to 85 without memory impairment. All were given seven small containers, each containing a single and different natural oil. People in the enriched group received full-strength oils. Control group participants were given the oils in tiny amounts. Participants put a different container into their room each evening prior to going to bed, and it activated for two hours as they slept.
People in the enriched group showed a 226% increase in cognitive performance compared to the control group, as measured by a word list test commonly used to evaluate memory. Participants also reported sleeping more soundly. The researchers say the results from their study bear out what scientists learned about the connection between smell and memory.
Scientists have long known that the loss of ability to smell, can predict development of nearly 70 neurological and psychiatric diseases. These include Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Parkinson’s and alcoholism. Researchers have previously found that exposing people with moderate dementia to up to 40 different smells twice a day over a period of time improved their memories and language skills, eased depression and improved their sense of smell.
The team would next like to study the technique’s impact on people with diagnosed cognitive loss. A product based on their study and designed for people to use at home is expected to come onto the market this fall.
1. What field may the findings be applied to?| A．Controlling sleep. | B．Exploring smells. |
| C．Developing skills. | D．Promoting memory. |
| A．Research results. | B．Research process. |
| C．Research methods. | D．Research purpose. |
| A．By giving the participants a test. |
| B．By scanning the participants’ brain. |
| C．By observing the participants’ actions. |
| D．By asking about the participants’ feeling. |
| A．Developing a smell product. |
| B．The impact of cognitive loss. |
| C．Application of research results. |
| D．Doing market research for their product. |
10 . When trash sculptor Stephanie Hongo meets friends for drinks or dinner, it’s not unusual for one of them to hand her shopping bags full of lids, empty soap bottles, and even a Barbie leg or two. By now, she’s used to neighbors, friends and even strangers giving her their recyclable rejects.
But Hongo doesn’t need any more garbage. She has a large collection of her own at home. “You don’t need to be a trash picker to do this,” she says. “Trash is everywhere.” And for Hongo, where there is trash, there is art. Since 2017, Hongo has crafted complex sea creatures, realistic-looking jungle animals and other creatures out of everything from plastic forks to plastic tubing as well as a hair dryer, a purse, a tooth brush, and even a hair straightener.
Starting with her first piece—a blue deer named Yandoo that she fashioned out of odds and ends laying around her flat, which she screwed together and spray painted in a makeshift basement art studio—she’s gone on to create more than 160 trash sculptures.
“I feel very fortunate,” says Hongo, who loves making a living as an artist. “I care about our environment. The upcycling aspect of it is a lovely byproduct.” Though she doesn’t consider herself a true eco-artist, she hopes she’s inspiring others to reuse items that usually end up in landfills. But for her, she says, “The art comes first.”
Before starting each project, Hongo figures out exactly what pieces of scrap (废旧的) metal, tubing and plastics she’ll need to transform the pile of junk on her worktable into something fantastic, like a majestic octopus (章鱼) rocketing through the coral or a cute koala hugging a tree.
Since her funky creations sell on line at prices starting at $400, she’s been fortunate enough to make trash sculpting her full-time career. “It’s so much more than I ever expected,” she says.
1. Why does Hongo say “You don’t need to be a trash picker to do this”?| A．Because it is hard to pick trash. |
| B．Because there is trash everywhere. |
| C．Because her friends give her enough. |
| D．Because she has a large collection of trash. |
| A．To enjoy art. | B．To collect trash. |
| C．To trash sculptures. | D．To recycle waste. |
| A．Find enough fantastic shapes to copy. |
| B．Put away the things on her works. |
| C．Make out what materials suit her works. |
| D．Figure out what her pile of junk is made of. |
| A．Creative and inspiring. | B．Diligent and practical. |
| C．Helpful and generous. | D．Humorous and determined. |
