1 . Back in 1973, out of concern that many of American native plants and animals were in danger of extinction, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. The law allows the government to decide species as either “endangered” or “threatened”. Once plants and animals are on the list, they can’t be harmed or harvested, and their living places can’t be changed or damaged in a way that kills, injures or weakens their ability to breed (繁殖), feed or perform other functions necessary for existence.

While environmentalists have thought the law is of great importance in history, mining and the agribusiness (农业综合企业) interests don’t think so. They argue that when an endangered animal is found on public land, the use of the land is strictly controlled, which can prevent farming, and other business use of the land. So, the recent US government has sought to change the way that the law is applied to reduce what it considers overprotection for threatened species.

But a study published in the journal PLOS ONE in January revealed that researchers looked at 31 different populations of ocean animals, and that they found that 78 percent of the mammals (哺乳动物) and 75 percent of the turtles increased their population size after receiving protection under the Act. What was even more impressive was that the number of Hawaiian humpback whales increased from just 800 in 1979 to more than 10,000 in 2005.

“We should celebrate the Act’s track record of reducing the harm from water pollution, overfishing, beach habitat loss and killing. Humans often destroy ocean ecosystems(生态系统), but our study shows that with strong laws and careful administration, we can also help them make a comeback.” said Shaye Wolf, a researcher of the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson, Arizona.

1. What can we know about the Endangered Species Act in Paragraph 1?

A．It mainly focuses on protecting ocean species.

B．It covers almost all the details of wildlife protection.

C．It encourages people to raise wildlife in a careful way.

D．It asks the whole world to work together to protect wildlife.

2. Why does the recent US government try to change the way of carrying out the Act?

A．The Act has limited the economic benefits of land.

B．Some land has got polluted due to the Act.

C．Some states refuse to follow the Act.

D．The Act fails to save enough endangered species.

3. What does Paragraph 3 mainly intend to show us?

A．Quite a lot of ocean animals’ population is still worrying.

B．The government failed to put some rare species on the list.

C．The Act turned out to be effective for ocean animal protection.

D．Whales benefit most from the Act after receiving protection.

4. What do Shaye Wolf’s words in the last paragraph imply?

A．More strict rules should be added to the Act.

B．Overfishing is the main threat to ocean animals.

C．The damage caused by human activities to the ecosystem is unavoidable.

D．Proper laws play a powerful role in environmental protection.

2 . 4 places in the Midwest that look like they could be in Europe

If an expensive overseas trip isn’t in the cards for you right now, don’t worry. Take a road trip from Chicago and check out these Mid-western tourist spots that look like they’re straight out of a European postcard．

★Niles, Illinois

If you visit a square at 6300 W. Touhy Avenue, you’ll find a pleasantly European surprise — a half-sized copy of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Constructed in1934 to hide a water tower, the Leaning Tower of Niles stands 94 feet tall with a 7. 4-foot tilt which looks like the Italian one．

★Lindsborg, Kansas

Originally settled by Swedish immigrants, Lindsborg’s Scandinavian culture remains clear through public art and Swedish specialty shops, so prepare to collect Scandinavia n clothes, cookies, and wine. Best of all are the town’s yearly Scandinavian celebrations, where you’ll find various Swedish traditions．

★Frankenmuth, Michigan

Lovingly called “Little Bavaria”, this central Michigan town look like they’ve been transported straight out of a Franconian village. For the full Bavarian experience, you can stop by one of its restaurants for traditional German food. You can also learn a little more about the town’s Franconian origins．

★New Glarus, Wisconsin

Many people in Chicago know New Glarus for its brewery. Take a walk there and you’ll soon realize why it’s called “Little Switzerland”. Named after the big city of Glarus in Switzerland, New Glarus’ wooden houses, Swiss restaurants and museums, and gently hilled landscapes make for an almost Alpine（阿尔卑斯山的）experience．

1. What is the best part of a trip to Lindsborg, Kansas?

A．The local natural scenery．

B．The Scandinavian celebrations．

C．The Scandinavian dressing culture．

D．The traditional Scandinavia n foods．

2. Where can visitors enjoy traditional German food?

A．Niles, Illinois．	B．Lindsborg, Kansas．
C．Frankenmuth, Michigan．	D．New Glarus, Wisconsin．

3. Why is New Glarus called “Little Switzetland”?

A．For its famous brewery．	B．For its Alpine-style design．
C．For its main Swiss population．	D．For the same city name of Glarus．

3 . Great Places to Enjoy Books

Sinan Books，China

Sinan Books offers a space for learning and thinking to the general public living in the city. Its door has red decoration, showing Sinan Books’ attitude of openness, and its reading space is beautifully decorated with yellow lights. The color green sets off the exhibition spaces. Spaces on the fourth floor are decorated with black and white colors to encourage readers to face themselves.

Paju Book City，South Korea

As the name suggests, it’s a city of books. The bookstores make lots of book lovers come here. In particular, the yearly Booksori book festival attracts nearly one million visitors. At the festival, the organizers present Paju Book Awards to the great Asian writers, editors, and designers. Besides, you can give your old books in return for those books you want to read in these bookstores. The most popular bookstore is Bomulseom, which carries a quality selection (挑选) of Korean, English, and Japanese books, as well as magazines and albums.

Bonjinsha，Japan

Bonjinsha is a bookstore dedicated to (致力于) the teaching and learning of the Japanese language. The store in Tokyo has a wide variety of teaching materials for all levels, from beginners to advanced learners. If you are studying or living in Japan and need to improve your Japanese language skills, then Bonjinsha will be a good place to start. Not only is Bonjinsha an established bookstore, but it’s also a famous publishing house in Japan.

College Street，India

Although it is only 0.9 km long, there is a range of bookstores and publishers right on the street. Perhaps the most well-known bookstores in this neighborhood are Dasgupta & Co., the first bookstore on College Street founded in 1886 with a large number of rare books, and the Bani Library, a family-run business for five generations housing all kinds of textbooks related to all things academic.

1. What is unique about Sinan Books?

A．It’s more popular with teenagers.

B．It uses colors to create a better reading atmosphere.

C．It often introduces the latest good books to readers.

D．It often holds colorful reading festivals.

2. When book lovers go to Paju Book City, they can ________.

A．communicate with some famous writers

B．visit many bookstores with particular themes

C．get a special discount on books in Korean

D．exchange used books in the bookstores

3. What do Dasgupta & Co. and the Bani Library most likely have in common?

A．Both have a small space.	B．Both encourage guests to buy used books.
C．Both have a long history.	D．Both offer rare books at affordable prices.

4 . A couple has recently placed their garbage can out for collection for the first time in 14 months, all thanks to their recycling skills. Richard and Louise Arnold have established such an effective routine that they only need to put their garbage can on the side of the street once a year.

Louise explained that making small monthly changes in her life has resulted in her family producing very little waste. She said, “It’s not as difficult as you might think if you start with small steps. We began with soap, switching from bath cream to natural soap without packaging. These bars are large enough that we cut them in half, using one for the sink and the other half for the shower. It’s both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.”

“So it’s actually quite easy. Just go around your house and think of little things you can do gradually, and you’ll start noticing the difference,” Louise added. Currently, the couple takes recyclable waste to the tip, donates clothes to charity shops, and brings soft plastics and batteries to a shop that accepts them.

In 2017, the couple established No Waste Living, which initially started as a weekend stall at the local market and has since developed into a website. Louise regularly writes a newsletter for her hundreds of subscribers. They also started selling eco-friendly products, ranging from non-chemical household cleaning and washing solutions for a “less toxic home” to bamboo washing-up brushes. Louise mentioned, “I started No Waste Living because I wanted to show our achievement s and lead by example.”

Although the family occasionally faces criticism, Louise remains determined. She said, “The main point of contention(争论) for people regarding new waste rules is having to drive their waste to a recycling center, which adds to their already busy lives. However, in the long run, you will create more space in your home, save money, and spend less time dealing with garbage cans.”

1. How did the couple start their waste reduction journey?

A．By replacing small soaps with large ones.	B．By using a small amount of bath cream.
C．By using unpackaged soap bars.	D．By recycling soft plastics and batteries.

2. Why did the couple found No Waste Living?

A．To bring eco-products to market.	B．To inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
C．To treat recyclable waste from the neighborhood.	D．To answer the call of their subscribers.

3. Why do some people dislike new waste rules?

A．They mean more work to deal with garbage.

B．They increase the cost of garbage collection.

C．They establish a set time for waste management.

D．They limit the daily amount of garbage for collection.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A business - minded couple.	B．The “less poisonous home” concept.
C．The global trend in recycling.	D．A planet- friendly lifestyle.

5 . Your guide to a no-spend challenge

A no-spend challenge isn’t about total deprivation (剥夺) or freezing your bank account.     1    . The most common form of the challenge is to purchase only necessities and restrain from buying wants and impulse desires.

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.     2    .

Creating a realistic budget

A successful no-spend challenge is rooted in the development of a well-crafted budget that reflects your financial reality.     3    . Allocate specific amounts for variable expenses such as groceries and bills, enhancing accountability and providing a clear roadmap for responsible spending during the challenge.

Support system

    4    . A firm support system that understands and respects your financial goals creates a positive environment, fostering motivation and solidarity. Share tips, experiences and celebrate milestones together, turning the challenge into a shared journey towards financial consciousness.

    5    

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

6 . 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.

2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．Research results.	B．Research process.
C．Research methods.	D．Research purpose.

3. How did researchers assess the performance of the participants?

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.

4. What will the researchers focus on in future?

A．Developing a smell product.

B．The impact of cognitive loss.

C．Application of research results.

D．Doing market research for their product.

7 . At the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, among mountain songs and ethnic costumes and special ceremonies, I am noticeable despite my modern dress, as my green “VOLUNTEER” nametag brands me as a perfect target for curious tourists. I have volunteered to learn about global customs; my knowledge of my native culture is limited. I had boxed up my past before moving to America eight years ago, when a new continent considered my old self foreign.

Here on the National Mall, I am the only means of communication between the Americans and the artisan (工匠), who were invited from China to display their talents. They see my awkward hand gestures as I test my mother tongue, speaking Mandarin (普通话) and putting it into English for visitors.

The artisans possess exceptional skills. He Guoyao can read thousands of pictographic characters (象形文字) and bears the duty of passing on Dongba culture. Cheng Zhirong creates fantastic animal figures with a spoon and melted sugar in minutes. Standing among them, I wonder about the contributions a 16-year-old girl can make.

“Ooh, it’s so pretty!” A young girl sticks her nose close to a sugar dragon. Zhirong, the candy maker, signals to me, and I explain to the girl that the dragon is pure sugar. “Mommy, it’s candy!” she excitedly says. “Beautiful...” The crowd breathes in awe. One woman taps me on the shoulder, saying, “Please, tell her that her work is surreal... a gift from another world.”

As Zhirong takes my hand and calls me “little sister”, I find my place in this group of extraordinary people who crossed oceans to build a bridge between different ethnicities and nationalities through sugar sculptures and painted words. I, too, am a bearer of traditions．

I smile at Guoyao, as he paints in pictographic characters the English words I have taught him, “You’re welcome.” I come to know that culture is not shelved behind glass cases in museums. It is in the life that I once thought backward and dull — the Chinese way of life that is a part of me.

1. Why does the author attend the Smithsonian Folklife Festival?

A．To learn about global traditions.

B．To improve her interpersonal skills.

C．To interview some talented artisans.

D．To appreciate the wonderful artworks.

2. What is the author’s role on the National Mall?

A．A visitor.

B．A translator.

C．A tour guide.

D．A security guard.

3. What does the underlined part “in awe” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．In doubt.

B．In silence.

C．In satisfaction.

D．In amazement.

4. What does the author realize in the end?

A．Chinese culture has been part of her own identity.

B．Culture should be presented in different forms.

C．Culture can only be kept alive through exchanges.

D．Chinese culture has helped her better adapt to her new life.

8 . Researchers have proposed a novel method for counting and tracking vehicles on public roads, a development that could improve current traffic systems and help travelers get to their destinations faster.

Using the cameras already installed on campus buses at the Ohio State University, researchers proved that they could automatically and accurately measure counts of vehicles on urban roadways, detect objects in the road and distinguish parked vehicles from those that are moving.

In previous studies, Ohio State researchers found that using these mobile cameras provides much better spatial and temporal (时间的) coverage than relying on often temporarily placed sensors that don’t provide a view of many streets and roads in a city.

“If we collect and process more high-resolution (高清) spatial information about what’s happening on the roads, then planners could better understand changes in demand, effectively improving efficiency in the broader transportation system,” said Keith Redmill, lead author of the study.

“If we can measure traffic in a way that is as good or better than what is conventionally done with fixed sensors, then we will have created something incredibly useful extremely cheaply,” he said. “Our goal is to start building a system that could do this without much manual intervention because if you want to collect this information over lots of potential vehicles and lots of time, it’s worth fully automating that process.”

While still a long way from total implementation (实施), the study suggests the system’s results bear promise for the future of intelligent traffic surveillance. Transportation planners, engineers and operators make vital decisions about the future of our roadways, so when designing transportation systems to work over the next 30 to 50 years, it’s necessary that we give them data that allows them to improve the efficiency of the system and the level of service provided to travelers.

1. How can cameras on buses benefit travelers?

A．By shortening their travel time.

B．By making their schedules tight.

C．By decreasing their transport cost.

D．By improving their safety awareness.

2. What can we know about the sensors placed on buses?

A．They provide more spatial coverage.

B．They can’t detect objects on the road.

C．They cover less view of the urban traffic.

D．They accurately record the flow of traffic.

3. What does the underlined word “surveillance” in paragraph 6 mean?

A．Operation.

B．Monitoring.

C．Protection.

D．Arrangement.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Transportation automation is on its way

B．It is time to improve the efficiency of traffic system

C．Transportation planners use cameras to make policies

D．Cameras installed on buses can better measure traffic

9 . For many runners, a marathon can often be a challenge — but sometimes what gets a runner through the tough 26.2 miles is looking out into the crowd and seeing his or her loved one holding up a sign and shouting words of encouragement. For one mom, though, her loved one was a bit more hands-on.

While running the REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon in Salt Lake City, Courtney Rich, a self-taught baker and mother of two, was beginning to run out of energy just yards from the end when she was suddenly joined by her 10-year-old daughter, Avery.

The touching moment, caught on video and posted on social media, shows Avery running to her mother’s side to support her as she approached the end of the race. Rich’s face lit up when Avery joined her and helped her cross the finish line.

Rich later said in the video’s caption that being joined by her daughter to finish the race was “a moment I hope neither of us ever forget”. Rich said that her daughter could tell she was struggling after a phone call near the end of the race. “She knew I had struggled the last few miles,” Rich said. “She saw tears in my eyes when I called on mile 24.”

In the video, Rich’s facial expression changes from tiredness to a smile after seeing her daughter emerge from the crowd to join her. Then, Rich and her daughter ran hand-in-hand to the finish line. “Nothing could have prepared me for the moment my 10-year-old daughter would jump out of the crowd and run with me to the finish line,” she said. When the race was done, the two hugged each other at the finish line. The video ends with a final caption, “And then she just held me. She held me.”

In the past, the REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon has had other memorable moments of mothers caring for their children, but perhaps not as hands-on as this one.

1. What happened to Rich when she was coming to the finish line?

A．She fell down all of a sudden.

B．She was far behind others.

C．She felt herself struggling.

D．She was interrupted by Avery.

2. How did Avery react to the accident?

A．She helped Rich run to the finish line.

B．She tried to call for help at once.

C．She ran the rest in place of Rich.

D．She shouted encouraging words to Rich.

3. How did Rich feel about Avery’s response?

A．Doubtful.

B．Content.

C．Concerned.

D．Expected.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．A Mother Would Never Give Up On Her Marathon Dream

B．A Mother Encouraged Her Daughter To Pursue Her Dream

C．A Daughter Got Involved In Her Mother’s Race By Mistake

D．A Daughter Cheered For Her Mother By Joining In Her Race

10 . Ramirez Castañeda, a Colombian biologist, spends her time in the Amazon studying how snakes eat poisonous frogs without getting ill. Although her findings come in many shapes and sizes, she and her colleagues have struggled to get their biological discoveries out to the wider scientific community. With Spanish as her mother tongue, her research had to be translated into English to be published. That wasn’t always possible because of budget or time-and it means that some of her findings were never published.

“It’s not that I’m a bad scientist,” she says. “It’s just because of the language.”

Castañeda is not alone. There is plenty of research in non-English-language papers that gets lost in translation, or is never translated. A research looked through more than 400, 000 peer-reviewed papers in 16 different languages and found 1, 234 studies providing evidence on biodiversity conservation which, because they weren’t in English, may have been overlooked. These included Japanese-language findings on the effectiveness of relocating the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl, the largest owl species.

Some experts argue that for the sake of the bigger picture, scientific knowledge should converge (转换) into one common language. Science is very globalised and becoming more so, so the use of a global language is enormous for that.

Of course, scientists can work with an English partner, or use a translator-but this ultimately strengthens the cycle of dependency on the global north, leading to inequality in international influence. The specific meanings of words can also pose a problem in translation. For example, it is difficult to find in English one single word to describe forest snakes and frogs in the work Castafieda does with indigenous (土著的) communities in the Amazon.

“So we’re losing observations for science, too, ” says Castañeda. “For me, it’s not possible to just have everything translated into English. We need multilingual (多语种的) science, and we need people that feel comfortable doing science in their own languages. It could be possible to switch to a world where, say, Chinese, English and Spanish are the three languages of science, just as English, French and German were the languages of science in the 19th century.”

1. What prevented Castañeda’s discoveries from being more widely known?

A．Poor management.	B．Opposition from her colleagues.
C．Her bad reputation.	D．The language barrier.

2. What’s the consequence of the dominant focus on English in scientific research?

A．Inefficient wildlife conservation.

B．A knowledge gap in the scientific world.

C．A growing interest in non-English papers.

D．Inadequate job opportunities for translators.

3. What does the author want to illustrate by mentioning forest snakes and frogs?

A．The urgency to protect rare species.

B．The need to adopt one global language.

C．The challenges in translating scientific texts.

D．The biodiversity on the South American continent.

4. What is presented in the last paragraph of the text?

A．A potential solution.	B．A theoretical model.
C．A popular belief.	D．A global trend.