2 . Caring for plants is a fantastic skill for kids to have. There are so many benefits of gardening for kids, yet the importance of gardening in early childhood is often undervalued. Here are some reasons why to teach your kids to garden.

Gardening makes kids stronger.     1     The simple act of digging in the ground and moving things around helps build muscles and improve hand-eye coordination (协调能力).

Gardening is good for kids’ well-being. Studies find that kids who garden have reduced large amounts of anxiety, stress and tend to be in a better mood.     2     We love to see the positive and life-changing experiences plants and gardening bring to kids.

    3     Interacting with nature encourages the learning process. In addition to being able to touch the soil and seeds (种子), children can also spot the differences between plants, in terms of size and color, smell different things, and hear sounds of different insects.

Gardening is beneficial for picky eaters.     4     Planting seeds, caring for and growing produce and then harvesting it excites a kid’s interest. It’s exciting to introduce a new or disliked food in another way, and over time they will learn to try new foods.

Gardening strengthens connection. Through gardening activities, kids grow closer to their parents and make many new friends.     5    

A．Gardening helps build teamwork skills.

B．Gardening activates kids’ sensory skills.

C．It is the perfect activity for growing bodies.

D．Learning to garden can be very tiring for children.

E．Spending time outdoors in nature can bring a sense of well-being.

F．Kids are more likely to eat the vegetables and fruit they’ve helped grow.

G．They also develop a connection to the earth and a need to care for our planet.

3 . It could happen anywhere at any time. It’s often unexpected, but almost never unappreciated. Most people have been on the receiving a random act of kindness—the moment when a complete stranger stops to offer aid, generosity or compassion. In a sometimes cold world where people can be so focused on what they’re doing, a random act of kindness can make all the difference.

They can be relatively insignificant. Hannah Bailey from London, for example, told the Metro newspaper about how she was given her fruit and vegetable shopping for free. The seller did her a kindness when it emerged she didn’t have any change to pay. She was happy about it all day.

The city of Naples has long had a tradition called “caffe sospeso”. When buying coffee, a person who has recently been lucky would purchase two cups but only drink one, leaving the second one out of the goodness of their heart, for a poor person to claim for free. This tradition is now more common worldwide.

However, in some cases, these little acts can be a matter of life and death. Take, for example, the unnamed commuter, who in June 2018 fell off a station platform onto an electric railway track in Toronto, Canada. A quick-thinking, but even now unknown, bystander selflessly leapt down to pull him to safety.

Or Jonny Benjamin, who in London in 2008 was persuaded not to commit suicide by a passer-by. He had been considering jumping from a bridge. He later found the Good Samaritan and thanked him. He may one day find a way to pay him back in kind—though that’s not the point.

So, why do it? Often, the acts aren’t paid back. The people never meet again. According to UK charity The Mental Health Foundation, acts like these can “give our lives new purpose, show us other perspectives on our own problems and even make us feel euphoric. ”

So give it a try. Hold open a door for someone, deliver a compliment even give up your seat on a bus. Help someone who is in need. It takes all kinds. It needn’t be anything huge. One day, whether you need it or not, someone might help you in your hour of need.

1. How did Hannah Bailey feel after she received a random act of kindness?

A．She was pleased about it for the rest of the day.	B．She was shamed about it all day.
C．She wanted to pay back the money.	D．She thought it insignificant.

2. What happens to the second coffee in a “caffe sospeso”?

A．It is wasted after the man left.	B．It is left at the cafe to be donated to a poor person.
C．It is for the commuter only.	D．It can only be drunk at the cafe shop.

3. According to the Mental Health Foundation, why do people commit random acts of kindness?

A．They help us earn more money.

B．They can add up some good reputation to us.

C．They give our lives new purpose and a feeling of pleasure.

D．They make problems for us.

4. What is the meaning of the underlined word in paragraph 6?

A．Ambitious.

B．Sorrowful.

C．Awkward.

D．Delighted.

4 . Poaching (偷猎) and habitat loss have threatened Africa’s two species of elephants, taking them closer toward the edge of disappearance, according to a new report released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) .

Before this update, Africa’s elephants were grouped together and were evaluated as vulnerable (易受伤害的) by the IUCN. This is the first time the two species have been sorted separately. In the past, elephants were mostly considered as either Asian elephants or African elephants. Forest and savanna elephants (稀树草原象) were typically classified as subspecies of African elephants.

The African forest elephant is now listed as critically endangered and the African savanna elephant as endangered. The number of African forest elephants fell by more than 86% over a 31-year assessment period. The population of African savanna elephants dropped by at least 60% over the last 50 years, according to the IUCN, which tracks the assessment risk of the world’s animals. Africa currently has an estimated 415, 000 elephants, counting the two species together.

Both elephant species experienced significant population decreases because of poaching. Although it peaked in 2011, illegal hunting still happens and continues to threaten elephant populations. African elephants also face continued habitat loss as their land is transformed for agriculture or other uses.

There is some good conservation news, the IUCN points out. Anti-poaching measures, combined with better land use planning to support better human-wildlife relationships, have helped conservation efforts. Some forest elephant population figures have stabilized in well-managed areas in Gabon and the Republic of Congo and savanna population figures have remained stable or have been growing, particularly in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area in southern Africa.

But with constant demand for ivory and increasing human pressures on Africa’s wild lands concern for Africa’s elephants is high, and the need to creatively conserve and wisely manage these animals and their habitats is more severe than ever.

1. What can be inferred from the new report about African elephants?

A．They are dying out.	B．They are divided into three kinds.
C．Their threat is only from poaching.	D．Their population has grown in Africa.

2. What does the author mainly tell us in Paragraph 3?

A．The detailed number of African elephants.	B．The similarities of African elephants.
C．The different types of African elephants.	D．The present situation of African elephants.

3. What’s the author’s attitude to the present situation of African elephants?

A．Hopeless.

B．Optimistic.

C．Worried.

D．Uncertain.

4. This text is probably taken from ________.

A．a general nature text	B．a chemistry textbook
C．a travel journal	D．a book review

5 . Whom should you marry? Where should you live? How should you spend your time? For centuries, people have relied on their gut instincts (直觉) to figure out the answers to these life-changing questions. Now, though, there is a better way. We are living through a data explosion, as vast amounts of information about all aspects of human behavior have become more and more accessible. We can use this big data to help determine the best course to chart.

There has long been overwhelming—and often surprising—evidence that algorithms (算法) can be much better than people at making difficult decisions. Researchers have collected data on various kinds of choices people make, the information they base those choices on, and how things turn out. They have found, for example, that a simple data-driven algorithm would have been better than judges at deciding whether a defendant should stay in prison or be released; better than doctors at deciding whether a patient should undergo surgery; and better than school principals at deciding which teachers should be promoted.

The power of data analysis has been proved in the sports and business worlds, too. As made famous by the book and movie Moneyball, baseball teams found that algorithms were better than scouts (星探) at picking players, and better than managers at picking strategies. In finance, the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies dramatically defeated competitors by seeking out patterns in stock market data and using them to inform its investment strategy. Tech firms in Silicon Valley have found that data from experiments provides better insights into how to design their websites than designers could.

These are the early days of the data revolution in decision-making. I am not claiming that we can completely count on algorithms to make our lifestyle choices, though we might get to that point in the future. I am claiming instead that we can all dramatically improve our decision-making by consulting evidence mined from thousands or millions of people who faced dilemmas similar to ours. And we can do that now.

1. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．Big data is a double-edged sword.

B．Data revolution will change people’s life.

C．Big data is helpful in making important decisions.

D．Algorithms behaves better than people in many fields.

2. According to paragraph 2, algorithms might NOT defeat people in_________.

A．court rulings	B．job promotions
C．operative estimation	D．teaching practices

3. What is the writing purpose of paragraph 3?

A．To provide further evidence.	B．To show potential applications.
C．To encourage the use of big data.	D．To explain how to use algorithms.

4. Which of the following will the author most probably agree with?

A．Algorithms offer perfect advice now.

B．Big data will certainly cause a revolution.

C．Big data can make up for our lack of experience.

D．Algorithms are bound to be fully trusted in the future.

6 . Space Center Houston offers a variety of age-appropriate and inspiring camp experiences with safety top of mind. In the wake of covid-19 we aim to continue inspiring all generations through the wonders of space exploration while maintaining the highest level of safety for all. Our Explorer Camps introduce children ages 4-11 to science, technology, engineering and math through engaging and hands-on learning activities. Discover and explore our Explorer Camps for ages 67 and below.

JOURNEY TO MARS

June 14-18, July 12-16, Aug 9-13 $289.95 5-DAY EXPLORER CAMP

While demonstrating best safety practices, campers are involved in activities that arouse their interest in science along with their sense of adventure. These young engineers learn the basics of rocket, discover coding, and explore hands on science activities.

ENGINEERING BASICS

June 7-11, Juy 5-9 $289.95 5-DAY EXPLORER CAMP

Campers discover what it takes to solve problems related to space exploration in Engineering Basics. Taking LEGO bricks “out of the box and to new and exciting places”, this camp gets your little builders using lego bricks like never before. These engineers-in-training will participate in problem-solving activities, building simple machines, art projects, androbotics.

JOURNEY TO SPACE

June 28-July2, Juy 26-30 $289.95 5-DAY EXPLORER CAMP

How do astronauts work in space? Why is Venus so hot? Will people ever go to Mars? How do robots work? what do engineers do? all these questions are answered as campers explore space through art, science, robotics, and engineering activities This camp leaves all inquiring minds inspired to continue their journey.

EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY

June 1-5 $229.95 5-DAY EXPLORER CAMP

Campers discover what it takes to send people, supplies and spacecraft beyond earths atmosphere. During this five-day adventure, former astronauts will deliver speeches on how they live and work in the space station.

1. Which camp provides campers with knowledge of rocket?

A．JOURNEY TO MARS.	B．ENGINEERING BASICS.
C．JOURNEY TO SPACE.	D．EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY.

2. What can campers learn only in ENGINEERING BASICS?

A．Coding.

B．Creative thinking.

C．Rocket design.

D．Supply delivery.

3. What is special about EXPLORATIONAND DISCOVERY?

A．It will be open in August.

B．It is a 4-day Explorer Camp.

C．Campers can learn problem-solving skills.

D．Campers will have a chance to meet astronauts.