1 . As we close out the final days of this year, treat yourself to a deliciously distracting new book —a book that you can dip into and out of throughout the holidays. Read up, rest up, and enjoy yourself.
Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and beyond
A must-have guide for yoga-loving mamas, Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond offers helpful relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that are tailored to each pregnant woman. The book also lays out valuable techniques for labor and staying in touch with your body as it continuously changes.
Mindfulness Activities for Kids
We could all use a little more peace in our lives. Uniquely suited for children and parents to do together, the 40 mindfulness exercises recommended here —from pausing to fully enjoy a tasty sandwich to taking chalk walk together—will not only teach children calm and gratitude, but also bring grown-ups and their littles closer together.
Before She Disappeared
Frankie Elkin is a recovering alcoholic who devotes her time to solving cold cases, especially those involving people of color. A new investigation brings her to Boston, searching for a Haitian teenager who disappeared months ago. But as Frankie starts asking questions, someone else will stop at nothing to keep the answers hidden.
Oak Flat
Lauren Redniss’ Oak Flat tells the story of the land near the San Carlos Apache Reservation through an Apache family fighting to protect the land which the U. S. government and two world-power mining enterprises are attempting to seize and destroy for its copper resources. Visually striking and deeply reported, Oak Flat tells a larger story of endless westward expansion and native resistance.
1. Which book can help to improve family relations?| A．Oak Flat. |
| B．Before She Disappeared. |
| C．Mindfulness Activities for Kids. |
| D．Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond. |
| A．It’s a brief account of mining enterprises. |
| B．It centers on an Apache family’s struggle. |
| C．It sings high praise of the US government. |
| D．It supports westward expansion and native resistance. |
| A．Teenagers. | B．Men. | C．Kids. | D．Grown-ups. |
2 . When an earthquake hit a small town, many houses fell down. After the earthquake, all the newspapers reported many stories about some of the families who were in trouble.
One Sunday, when I was reading a newspaper, a special picture touched (触动) me. It gave the clothing sizes of each family member. I thought that this would be a good chance to teach my children to help those who were less lucky than themselves. I said to my seven-year-old twins, Brad and Brett, and three-year-old Meghan. “We have so much, and these poor people now have nothing. We’ll share what we have with them.”
I filled a box with foods and clothes. While I was doing this, I encouraged the boys to choose their toys and donate some of their less favourite things. Meghan watched quietly as the boys took out their old toys and games and put them together. Then she walked away. A few minutes later she came back with Lucy, he much-loved doll. She put the doll on top of the other toys. “Oh, dear,” I said. “You don’t have to give Lucy. You love her so much.” Meghan said, “Lucy makes me happy, Mommy. Maybe she’ll make another little girl happy, too.”
I looked at Meghan for a long moment. She taught me a lesson. It’s easy to give something that we don’t want any more, but harder to give what we cherish (珍爱).
1. The writer has_____ children.| A．one | B．two | C．three | D．four |
| A．捐赠 | B．丢掉 | C．展出 | D．放好 |
| A．An earthquake happened in the writer’s hometown. |
| B．The writer let Meghan give her much-loved doll. |
| C．The writer decided to buy some clothes for those people in trouble. |
| D．The writer thinks it is more difficult to give what we love a lot. |
| A．A Family Story | B．The Spirit of Giving |
| C．The Way of Helping Others | D．A Sad Experience |
3 . Parkour Around a City
There are many ways to travel within a city.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has noticed that this activity is drawing more and more people to it—there are 100,000 people taking part in parkour (跑酷) today in the UK alone, according to The Guardian and how it is helpful for people to be much stronger: It trains coordination and balance.
But parkour enthusiasts themselves don’t seem to be happy with the idea. They see parkour as “a lifestyle”.
It’s great that the FIG wants to develop a new sport and stay close to a new cultural form. But it would be greater if they knew that not everything in life is a competition.
| A．The city is their playground. |
| B．We can walk, cycle, or take a bus. |
| C．Parkour is more interesting than you ever know. |
| D．Parkour began in France, back in 1988, in the suburbs of Paris. |
| E．However, Parkour enthusiasts sce the city in a completely different way. |
| F．For them, it is a competition against the conditions rather than just a sport, |
| G．So the FIG is thinking about recognizing parkour as a new sport and adding it to the Olympics by 2024. |
4 . Flash droughts develop fast, and when they hit at the wrong time, they can ruin a region’s agriculture. They’re also becoming increasingly common as the planet warms. In a study published in the journal Communications Earth& Environment, we found that the risk of flash droughts, which can develop in just a few weeks, is on the rise in every major agricultural region around the world in the coming decades.
In North America and Europe, cropland that had a 32% annual chance of a flash drought a few years ago could have a greater chance of a flash drought by the final decades of this century. That result would put food production, energy, and water supplies under increasing pressure. The cost of change will also rise. A flash drought in the Dakotas and Montana 2017 caused $2.6 billion in agricultural damage in America alone.
All droughts begin when rainfall stops. What’s interesting about flash droughts is how fast they strengthen themselves, with some help from the warming climate. When the weather is hot and dry, soil loses moisture rapidly. Dry air extracts moisture from the land, and rising temperatures can increase this evaporative (蒸发的) demand. The lack of rain during a flash drought can further contribute to the feedback processes. Under these conditions, crops and vegetation begin to die much more quickly than they do during typical long-term droughts.
In our study, we used climate models and data from the past 170 years to assess the drought risks ahead under three conditions for how quickly the world takes action to slow the pace of global warming. If greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, power plants, and other human sources continue at a high rate, we found that cropland in much of North America and Europe would have a 53% annual chance of flash droughts, by the final decades of this century. Globally, the largest increases in flash droughts would be in Europe and the Amazon. Slowing emissions can reduce the risk significantly, but we found flash droughts would still increase by about 6% worldwide under low emission conditions.
1. What is the feature of flash droughts?| A．Seldom happen and greatly beneficial. | B．Frequently happen and low risky. |
| C．Suddenly happen and highly destructive. | D．Regularly happen and slightly harmful. |
| A．Crops and vegetation die more quickly during long term droughts. |
| B．Slowing emissions can completely solve the problem of flash droughts. |
| C．In Europe cropland will suffer from more flash droughts by the end of this century. |
| D．Flash droughts won’t have any effect on food production, energy, and water supplies. |
| A．Adequate rainfall. | B．The warming climate. |
| C．The cold and wet weather. | D．Long-term droughts. |
| A．By studying climate models. | B．By speeding up global warming. |
| C．By changing cropland into forests. | D．By decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. |
5 . Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have invented a new way to make electricity. Their method uses super-tiny holes to make electricity from moisture (湿气) in the air. The scientists hope the method will one day lead to cheap, clean electricity anywhere at any time.
Moisture in the air is what helps create electricity. Water droplets in the air carry an electric charge (电荷). In clouds, these water droplets build up large charges, which we later see as lightning. One of the researchers, Jun Yao, described the new invention as a “small-scale, man-made cloud”. Since the new device generates electricity from the air, the scientists call it “Air-gen”.
Currently, the device only makes a small amount of electricity- enough to power a small sensor. But in lab tests, the Air gen, which is a little bigger than a fingernail, produced electricity all day and all night for a week, powered by nothing but the air.
The scientists have tried to make electricity from humidity before, but those methods didn’t work for long, or were expensive to make. But in 2020, Dr Yao and his team found a way of getting electricity from humidity using special “nanowires” made from bacteria. That research led the scientists to the key discovery of the Air-gen: almost any material can create electricity in this way as long as it has nanopores (纳米孔) of the right size. This is important because it means in the future, the devices can be made very cheaply. The researchers hope that the Air-gen will become an important green energy source.
Many scientists are impressed with the ideas behind the Air-gen. But some scientists have suggested that it might be hard for the Air-gen to create enough electricity to really make a difference especially compared to power sources like solar energy. But Dr Yao and his team are working on ways to make the Air-gen technology more powerful. Because the device is s0 thin, the scientists believe that many Air-gen layers could be piled on top of each other to create more electricity without taking up more space.
1. The Air-gen is invented ________.| A．to collect water droplets in the air. | B．to generate electricity from bacteria. |
| C．to create a small-scale artificial cloud. | D．to produce electricity from moisture. |
| A．By using large charges in lightening. | B．By changing sunlight into electricity. |
| C．By using the electric charge in water droplets. | D．By turning water into a usable energy source. |
| A．It might not produce enough electricity. | B．It has a negative impact on the environment. |
| C．It requires expensive materials to manufacture. | D．It is less reliable than traditional power sources. |
| A．Inventing the Air-gen. | B．Creating electricity from the air. |
| C．Experimenting with man-made cloud. | D．Looking for green energy source. |
6 . The Maryland Center for History and Culture(MCHC) is currently hosting “The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited”. The exhibition spotlights Henson’s unique contributions to children’s education, including his creation of the Muppets (布偶).
Born in 1936 in Mississippi, Henson grew up in Maryland. His creative talents were evident when he was a student at high school. He loved cartooning and creating sets for school theater productions. While a freshman at university, Henson made puppets for a local TV station. The station’s producers were so impressed that they asked him to produce his own puppet show. Called Sam and Friends, the program started in 1955. Viewers loved Henson’s playful characters, including an early version of Kermit the Frog.
While at university, Henson majored in home economics. At the time, it was the only major that offered classes in sewing and textiles (纺织品).Henson not only honed his creative skills at university, but he was also good at marketing and business. “He was an entrepreneur who happened to get into puppetry, ” said Deborah Wood, MCHC’s learning manager.
In 1959, Henson married Jane Nebel, whom be had met at university. The couple established Muppets Inc. which later became the Jim Henson Company. It was there that Focus Bert, Ernie, Miss Piggy, and other Muppets were created for Sesame Street, a popular children’s television program.Generations of children around the world have grown up watching and laming from the Muppets.
Henson, who died in 1990, created not just the Muppets, but also films, TV commercials, variety shows, and more. The exhibition shows every aspect of his career. This includes some lesser-known works, including The Cube, a short experimental film that was nominated (提名) for an Academy Award.
Visitors also get a chance to appreciate Henson’s creative process and inventiveness through hands-on displays. They can even make their own Muppets. “For me, I think the really powerful message of this exhibition is the fact that it covers Henson’s whole life and his whole career, ” said Chloe Green, public programs manager at the MCHC.
1. What’s paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．An interesting exhibition about Henson. | B．Viewers’attitude to Henson’s works. |
| C．Henson’s exceptional talents in creation. | D．Characters in Henson’s famous works. |
| A．Changed. | B．Improved. | C．Found. | D．Shared. |
| A．It was first played in 1955. | B．It was a popular radio program. |
| C．It was targeted at children. | D．It was an early version of Kermit the Frog. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Opposed. | C．Doubtful. | D．Indifferent. |
7 . Top 4 Ecotourism Destinations in the World
Travelling often comes with an environmental cost一but by choosing to travel more responsibly and sustainably, you can help to reduce the negative effects of tourism. Here are four destinations that have already signed up to a more sustainable way of life.
Costa Rica
So, you want to escape? Imagine a country that’s one -quarter national park, a place where you could hike in a rainforest in the morning and surf tropical waves in the afternoon. Imagine an adventure Eden where all kinds of unique animals run before your eyes.
That country is Costa Rica Conservation has been developed here since the 1970s, with measures to protect areas, close z00S and reverse deforestation.
About 80% of the Osa Peninsula is protected; much of it is in Corcovado National Park, where visitors can follow guided trips with local groups. Activity options range from rainforest hikes to whale-watching, diving at Isla del Cano and surfing at Cabo Matapalo.
Finland
It’s a nation where 80 percent of the territory is covered by forests Meanwhile, Finland’s air and water is claimed to be the clearest.
The Finish Tourist Board has launched the Sustainable Finland programme to help visitors plan the most eco-friendly travels and engage with nature and local culture, knowing every step of their trip has been looked at from an economical, ecological, social and cultural perspective.
Bhutan
Until 1974, the Kingdom of Bhutan remained closed to tourism. Then one day, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck declared Bhutan open to visitors. Today, only those who have booked guided tours through approved travel agencies can enter Bhutan. Permits are charged at a peak- season nightly rate of ＄250 per person, which includes a 37 percent tax that goes towards improving infrastructure (基础设施) and strengthening the healthcare and the education systems. This strict policy means tourism is controlled, with local life largely untouched by its impact.
Botswana
As one of the most convenient locations to spot the “Big Five”, Botswana’s infrastructure has long been under pressure to meet the demands of the world’s safari (游猎) market. Thankfully, the team at Great Plains Safari has been taking measures to minimize impact and invest in community-based opportunities to help local villages develop. One such measure is a kids’conservation camp, where children are invited to week-long courses to learn about their surroundings, the value of conservation and the role of environmental tourism.
1. What can tourists do in Costa Rica?| A．Camp and swim. | B．Hike and hunt. |
| C．Watch and catch whales. | D．Dive and surf. |
| A．It is no longer a location to spot the “Big Five”. |
| B．Children don’t care about environmental tourism. |
| C．The government invests little in local development |
| D．Its infrastructure has been impacted by the safari market. |
| A．Costa Rica | B．Finland | C．Bhutan | D．Botswana |
8 . How to Make School Days Easier
School days mean homework, studying, exams, and social communications — not to mention getting up early every morning.
Music which you like best makes you feel happy and energetic. To get started, make a playlist of your favorite optimistic music. Listen to it in the morning when you get ready for school, on the way to school, and between classes.
Focus on the good things about school
A little positive thinking can go a long way towards improving your mood. Think about the bigger picture and how your education will have a positive effect on your life in the long run.
Get some exercise
Physical activities release endorphins, increasing the feeling of happiness. Go for a walk or do some stretching during your lunch break to get moving during the school day.
Do something nice for someone
Making other people smile can improve your own happiness.
| A．Listen to optimistic music |
| B．Choose your favorite music |
| C．Taking a PE class also makes a difference. |
| D．Go for a short walk or review your notes outside on a break. |
| E．Give another student a praise or some positive encouragement. |
| F．It’s understandable if you don’t always feel good going to school. |
| G．If you’re feeling bad, tell yourself that you only have to be in school for a short period. |
9 . Overuse of land and warming temperatures are putting insect diversity in danger in some parts of the world, scientists reported Wednesday.
The study, published in the journal Nature, confirmed for the first time a clear and alarming link between warming temperatures and large-scale agriculture and showed that where there are more farmlands, there is a greater decrease in insects.
“These findings lead to huge concerns,” said Charlotte Outhwaite, the lead author of the study and researcher at the University College London, adding that losing insects could threaten human health and food supply.
“Three quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators(授粉),” Dave Goulson, a professor of biology at the University of Sussex in the UK, previously told CNN. “Without insects, crops will die. We won’t have things like strawberries. We can’t feed 8 billion people.”
Outhwaite said their findings “may only show the tip of the iceberg(冰山一角),"because of the limited amount of evidence in some areas. “But I think there are also a lot of results that we probably don’t really know because there are so many different kinds of insects.” Outhwaite told CNN.
Scientists say, overuse of land has a link with warming temperatures. Destroying natural habitats for agriculture can make the temperature rise sharply. Researchers found great decreases in insect populations in areas of the world that are much warmer. They concluded that in areas with small-scale agriculture, less temperature warming, and more natural habitats, insects only dropped by 7%, compared to the 63% decrease in areas with large-scale agriculture, more temperature warming and less natural habitats. So what can we do to help prevent this?
1. What did the study find?| A．More farmlands lead to a greater decrease in insects. |
| B．Three quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators. |
| C．Overuse of land is threatening insect diversity all over the world. |
| D．There is little link between warming temperatures and large-scale agriculture. |
| A．To suggest solutions to people’s concerns. | B．To explain the process of insect pollinators. |
| C．To prove the importance of insects to humans. | D．To provide evidence for the decrease in insects. |
| A．Insect pollinators | B．Overuse of land |
| C．Warming temperatures | D．Less natural habitats |
| A．His opinions of the study. | B．Studies of natural habitat. |
| C．The ways to stop the decrease. | D．The causes of warming temperatures. |
10 . I first met Charlie in the community soon after buying my apartment. He was a relatively short man around his mid-70s. At first, Charlie was very friendly and got along with people in a rather relaxing way.
But a few weeks later, the first time I joined the community meeting, things became difficult. The hot topic was to take control of the community gardens from Charlie and employ a professional gardener to do the job instead. All but Charlie agreed with the suggestion. Charlie had been doing the gardens as if they were his personal belongings. The problem was that his efforts weren’t what the rest of the owners seemed to want, and this led to a debate. As the meeting developed into a slanging match (互相谩骂), I decided to say something.
“Look! As a new owner, I have no interest in what happened in the past. I’m interested in how to solve the present situation. The problem is that I can’t even open my garage door properly because there’s a tree planted too close to it. Finding a professional gardener to solve the problem sounds like a great solution to me.”
Most of the other owners appeared relieved, but Charlie was annoyed. Finally, at the request of everyone, except Charlie, a professional gardener was hired to manage the community gardens.
From that day on, I became Charlie’s enemy. Later, I learned that he always lived in his own world. He was lonely because he had no friends, and he managed to alienate everyone in his life.
Suddenly one day, Charlie fell down the stairs, breaking his leg. Out of pity, I went to the hospital to care for him. During the three months we spent together, I gradually accepted this stubborn old man. After Charlie left the hospital, he became kind not just to me, but to the rest of the community. Since then, the friend lines s of the whole community has raised a lot.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?| A．Charlie lived in harmony with all the neighbors. |
| B．The gardens in the community belong to Charlie. |
| C．Charlie’s efforts weren’t recognized by the rest of the owners. |
| D．All the owners agreed to find a suitable gardener to do the job. |
| A．To say something. | B．To show his anger. |
| C．To make new friends. | D．To support the proposal. |
| A．Give way to | B．Stay away from | C．Keep track of | D．Be concerned about |
| A．Fair and kind | B．Helpful and creative | C．Brave and curious | D．Lonely and stubborn |
