1 . As Frans de Waal, a primatologist (灵长动物学家), recognizes, a better way to think about other creatures would be to ask ourselves how different species have developed different kinds of minds to solve different adaptive problems. Surely the important question is not whether animals can do the same things humans can, but how those animals solve the cognitive (认知的) problems they face, like how to imitate the sea floor. Children and some animals are so interesting not because they are smart like us, but because they are smart in ways we haven’t even considered.
Sometimes studying children’s ways of knowing can cast light on adult-human cognition. Children’s pretend play may help us understand our adult taste for fiction. De Waal’s research provides another interesting example. We human beings tend to think that our social relationships are rooted in our perceptions, beliefs, and desires, and our understanding of the perceptions, beliefs, and desires of others — what psychologists call our “theory of mind.” In the 80s and 90s, developmental psychologists showed that pre-schoolers and even infants understand minds apart from their own. But it was hard to show that other animals did the same. “Theory of mind” became a candidate for the special, uniquely human trick.
Yet de Waal’s studies show that chimps (黑猩猩) possess a remarkably developed political intelligence — they are much interested in figuring out social relationships. It turns out, as de Waal describes, that chimps do infer something about what other chimps see. But experimental studies also suggest that this happens only in a competitive political context. The evolutionary anthropologist (人类学家) Brain Hare and his colleagues gave a junior chimp a choice between pieces of food that a dominant chimp had seen hidden and other pieces it had not seen hidden. The junior chimp, who watched all the hiding, stayed away from the food the dominant chimp had seen, but took the food it hadn’t seen.
Anyone who has gone to an academic conference will recognize that we may be in the same situation. We may say that we sign up because we’re eager to find out what other human beings think, but we’re just as interested in who’s on top. Many of the political judgments we make there don’t have much to do with our theory of mind. We may show our respect to a famous professor even if we have no respect for his ideas.
Until recently, however, there wasn’t much research into how humans develop and employ this kind of political knowledge. It may be that we understand the social world in terms of dominance, like chimps, but we’re just not usually as politically motivated as they are. Instead of asking whether we have a better everyday theory of mind, we might wonder whether they have a better everyday theory of politics.
1. According to the first paragraph, which of the following shows that an animal is smart?| A．It can behave like a human kid. |
| B．It can imitate what human beings do. |
| C．It can find a solution to its own problem. |
| D．It can figure out those adaptive problems. |
| A．We talk with infants in a way that they can fully understand. |
| B．We make guesses at what others think while interacting with them. |
| C．We hide our emotions when we try establishing contact with a stranger. |
| D．We try to understand how kids’ pretend play affects our taste for fiction. |
| A．Neither human nor animals display their preference for dominance. |
| B．Animals living in a competitive political context are smarter. |
| C．Both humans and some animals have political intelligence. |
| D．Humans are more interested in who’s on top than animals. |
| A．we know little about how chimps are politically motivated |
| B．our political knowledge doesn’t always determine how we behave |
| C．our theory of mind might enable us to understand our theory of politics |
| D．more research should be conducted to understand animals’ social world |
2 . What life will be in 2050?
It’s hard to say definitively what life will be like in 2050. However, we can make some educated guesses based on the trends that are happening now. For instance, it’s likely that technology will play an even greater role in our lives than it does now. We might have flying cars, or robots to do our household chores.
The world population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, so resources may be strained. People may live in smaller homes or even underground to conserve space and energy. We may also see drastic changes in the way we get our food. With advances in technology, it’s possible that we’ll be able to create artificial meat or grow food in laboratories.
In 2050, many aspects of our life will be very different from what they are now. People’s lives, the environment, transportation, and education all change at a new level.
There will be a lot of new jobs born to serve the development of society. And if you are good at using social media, you can be an online celebrity and make a lot of money. You can also choose to be a full-time housewife and take care of your family if you want.
Rockefeller University mathematical biologist Joel Cohen predicts that by 2050, the world will be majority urban dwellers with a high average age. In contrast, U.S. cities theorist Richard Florida believes that urbanization trends will result in a work-from-home economy and do away with divisions between home and work life. Other experts interviewed by Popular Mechanics envision a future in which solar energy is ubiquitous, 3-D printing has replaced traditional manufacturing and everyone has a personal assistant in the form of an AI.
However, there are also some reasons to be pessimistic about the future. The world will be a more dangerous place in 2050. Global warming will cause rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions that will make life difficult for people around the world.
| A．As technology continues to develop, so does the concern for environment. |
| B．By 2050, everyone will be able to afford higher education. |
| C．In addition, there will be new diseases that we have not yet seen. |
| D．In general, life in 2050 is more convenient, more comfortable and more fun. |
| E．There are some grounds for optimism in this scenario. |
| F．As a result, we will have a lot of health problems. |
3 . On a recent sunny day, 13,000 chickens roam over Larry Brown’s 40 windswept acres in Shiner, Texas. Some rest in the shade of a parked car. Others drink water with the cows. This all seems random, but it’s by design, part of what the $6.1 billion U.S. egg industry bets will be its next big thing: climate-friendly eggs.
These eggs, which are making their debut now on shelves for as much as $8 a dozen, are still labeled organic and animal-friendly, but they’re also from birds that live on farms using regenerative agriculture — special techniques to cultivate rich soils that can trap greenhouse gases. Such eggs could be marketed as helping to fight climate change.
“I’m excited about our progress,” says Brown, who harvests eggs for Denver-based NestFresh Eggs and is adding more cover crops that draw worms and crickets for the chickens to eat. The birds’ waste then fertilizes fields. Such improvements “allow our hens to forage for high-quality natural feed that will be good for the land, the hens, and the eggs that we supply to our customers.”
The egg industry’s push is the first major test of whether animal products from regenerative farms can become the next premium offering. In barely more than a decade, organic eggs went from being dismissed as a niche product in natural foods stores to being sold at Walmart. More recently there were similar doubts about probiotics and plant-based meats, but both have exploded into major supermarket categories. If the sustainable-egg rollout is successful, it could open the floodgates for regenerative beef, broccoli, and beyond.
Regenerative products could be a hard sell, because the concept is tough to define quickly, says Julie Stanton, associate professor of agricultural economics at Pennsylvania State University Brandywine. Such farming also brings minimal, if any, improvement to the food products (though some producers say their eggs have more protein).
The industry is betting that the same consumers paying more for premium attributes such as free-range, non-GMO, and pasture-raised eggs will embrace sustainability. Surveys show that younger generations are more concerned about climate change, and some of the success of plant- based meat can be chalked up to shoppers wanting to signal their desire to protect the environment. Young adults “really care about the planet,” says John Brunnquell, president of Egg Innovations. “They are absolutely altering the food chain beyond what I think even they understand what they’re doing.”
1. The climate friendly eggs are produced ______.| A．at a considerably low cost | B．at the demand of regular shoppers |
| C．as a replacement for organic eggs | D．on specially designed farms |
| A．reducing the damage of worms | B．accelerating the disposal of waste |
| C．creating a sustainable system | D．attracting customers to his products |
| A．are desperate to change their diet | B．are likely to buy climate-friendly eggs |
| C．are enthusiastic about new food | D．are amazed at environmental problems |
| A．market prospects | B．nutritional value |
| C．standard definition | D．moral implications |
4 . What to See in Langkawi
Underwater World Langkawi
Set along the Pantai Cenang beach town, Underwater World Langkawi houses more than 500 species of sea creatures including harbour seals, rockhopper penguins, seahorses, as well as mandarin ducks. One of the highlights is a 15-metre walkthrough underwater tunnel, where you can enjoy close-up views of sharks, giant stingrays, and green turtles.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09: 30-18: 30, Saturday-Sunday 09: 30-22: 30
Price Range: RM40 (adults)and RM30(children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Langkawi Wildlife Park& Bird Paradise
Great for families and animal lovers, Langkawi Wildlife Park &Bird Paradise houses over 2, 500 unique birds from 150 species such as canaries, parakeets, owls, eagles, ,hornbills and flamingos. The park is fitted with a walk-in aviary(鸟舍)and a 15-metre-tall man-made waterfall, where some of the birds are free to roam about and interact with visitors.
Opening Hours: Daily 08: 30-18: 00
Price Range: RM28 (adults) and RM18 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum
Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum features more than 200 impressive artworks that appear almost lifelike when photographed. As the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and second largest in the world, there are nine interactive zones within this three-story building, including optical illusion, fantasy, classic 9 castles, landscapes, Egyptian and Malaysian zones.
Opening Hours: Daily 09: 00-18: 00
Price Range: RM38 (adults) and RM28 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Taman Lagenda Langkawi
Located beside the Kuah jetty, Taman Lagenda is a beautifully landscaped folk-themed park where you can explore on foot or hire a carriage to take you around. The open-air garden museum, faces the Kuah waterfront and has a total of 17 colourful sculptures showing Langkawi legends including tales of heroic giants, mythical birds, evil ogres and beautiful princesses.
Opening Hours: Daily 09: 00-19: 00
Price Range: RM5 (adults)and RM2.50(children aged 3 to 12 years old)
1. In which attraction can visitors get close to animals at night?| A．Taman Lagenda Langkawi. | B．Underwater World Langkawi. |
| C．Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise. | D．Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum. |
| A．Enjoy close-up views of sea creatures. |
| B．Play with birds in the interactive zones. |
| C．Take pictures of the great artworks. |
| D．Appreciate the sculptures in the open air. |
| A．RM 12. 5. | B．RM 74. | C．RM 110. | D．RM 104. |
| A．In an introduction to pet houses. | B．In a list of souvenirs. |
| C．In an operation guideline. | D．In a tourist handbook. |
5 . When I talk to kids about writing, I often compare it to the roller coaster (过山车) to remind them to mix laughs with tears in writing, because nobody wants to ride a roller coaster that’s a long, never-ending and terrifying one. Even Shakespeare, in his darkest tragedies, opens each act with a funny scene before the bad things come out. We need amusing relief in literature, a break in the tension (紧张).
I have always tried to write stories for kids that mix the heart-racing thrill of a mystery with a few jokes. Maybe this is because, when I was in the fifth and sixth grades, the fun magazine was my favorite reading material. When I first moved to New York City, I performed with one of the city’s top comedy (喜剧) groups. Comedy, I have discovered, is a great teaching tool. It is also a wonderful defense against fear.
One of my favorite e-mails I’ve ever received was sent to me in 2009 by a young reader who loved my stories. Here’s what he wrote:
Dear Mr. Grabenstein,
I just wanted to let you know that I really, absolutely love your books. I’m in 6th grade and recently finished The Hanging Hill after reading The Crossroads. Your stories mix action, humor and horror together in a perfect combination.
Thanks so much!
Will R
Comedy is a writer’s tool for releasing tension and it also simply makes books more fun to read. I used humor in my middle grade novel The Island of Dr. Libris to make classic literature feel more accessible to young readers. I also think it’s why so many reluctant readers — including kids who haven’t read a book in years — have been crazy about Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics. Learning the Dewey DecimaI System in maths class can be fun if it is presented in a funny way because when we’re laughing, we never think we’re working too hard.
1. Where is the text probably from?| A．A literature textbook. | B．An autobiography. |
| C．A writing guideline. | D．A writing outline |
| A．To prove a theory. | B．To explain a concept. |
| C．To support his opinion. | D．To introduce the topic. |
| A．Boring. | B．Effective. | C．Useful. | D．Simple. |
| A．Drama suit, a decoration for writing | B．Imagination, the soul of writing |
| C．Magazine, a guide for writing | D．Fun, the basis in writing |
6 . The world’s forests may hold more secrets than previously thought: a new global estimate of tree biodiversity suggests that there are about 9,200 tree species remaining undocumented. Most are likely in the tropics, according to the new research.
The new research drew on the efforts of hundreds of contributors, who have categorized trees in two huge data sets: One, the Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative, records every species found in extensively documented forest plots worldwide. The other, TREECHANGE, puts together sightings of individual species. Together they suggest there are approximately 64,100 recorded tree species on the planet — up from previous estimates of around 60,000.
The researchers reached their estimate of an additional 9,200 yet undocumented species on the basis of the number of rare ones already in the databases. Most unknown species are likely to be defined as rare, found in limited numbers in small geographical areas, says the quantitative forest ecologist Jingjing Liang. The team’s result is “a rather conservative estimate,” Liang says, “because scientists know less about the preponderance of uncommon trees in places such as the Amazon, where out-of-the-way spots could host pockets of unusual species found nowhere else.” “If we can focus the resources on those rain forests in the Amazon,” Liang adds, “then we would be able to estimate it with higher confidence.”
Silman, a conservation biologist, who was not involved in the new study agrees that the study result is likely an underestimate. His and his colleagues’ local surveys suggest there are at least 3,000 and possibly more than 6,000 unknown tree species in the Amazon basin alone. Tree species often get grouped together based on appearance, he notes, so new genetic analysis techniques will likely lead to the discovery of even more biodiversity. Sliman wonders how many species will go extinct before scientists describe them. “How many are already known to native peoples in the Amazon — or were known to peoples or cultures who have themselves been made extinct through colonization, disease, or absorption? How many “species” already have dried samples sitting in a cabinet?” he says.
Searching for the new species will inform not only conservation but the basic evolutionary science of how and why species diversify and die out, Silman says. “Just the fact that there are thousands of species of something as common as trees out there that are still left to be discovered,” he adds, “I find pretty inspirational.”
1. What is the finding of the new research?| A．About nine thousand new tree species have been identified. |
| B．Thousands of tree species remain unknown to science. |
| C．Maintaining tree diversity has become a global challenge. |
| D．Human activities have led to the reduced number of trees. |
| A．The researchers adopted quality method to analyze data. |
| B．The researchers did extensive field study in out-of-the-way spots. |
| C．Inferring from the existing dada is the main research method. |
| D．Doing surveys and interviews is the main research method. |
| A．majority | B．evolution | C．cultivation | D．capability |
| A．genetic analysis technique failed to produce accurate information |
| B．trees of similar sizes in the Amazon basin are grouped together |
| C．too many rare trees were made into dried samples before being documented |
| D．the local peoples or the local cultures are not fully aware of the tree species. |
7 . If women are mercilessly exploited year after year, they have only themselves to blame.
No one can claim that the fashion industry contributes anything really important to society. Fashion designers are rarely concerned with vital things like warmth, comfort and durability.
When comparing men and women in the matter of fashion, the conclusions to be drawn are obvious. Do the constantly changing fashions of women’s clothes, one wonders, reflect basic qualities of inconstancy and instability?
| A．Men are too clever to let themselves be cheated by fashion designers. |
| B．Men are also exploited greatly by fashion designers. |
| C．Because they tremble at the thought of being seen in public in clothes that are out of fashion, they are always taken advantage of by the designers and the big stores. |
| D．Changing fashions are nothing more than the intentional creation of waste. |
| E．They are only interested in outward appearance and they take advantage of the fact that women will put up with any amount of discomfort, as long as they look right. |
| F．The constant changes in women’s clothing reflect their strength of character. |
8 . Free to Soar
One windy spring day, I observed young people having fun using the wind to fly their kites. Multicolored creations of varying shapes and sizes filled the skies like beautiful birds racing and dancing. As the strong winds blew against the kites, a string kept them in check.
Instead of blowing away with the wind, they arose against it to achieve great heights. They shook and pulled, but the string and the tail kept them attached, facing upward and against the wind. The kites struggled and kept being dragged behind, facing upward and against the wind. As the kites struggled and trembled against the string, they seemed to say, “Let me go! Let me go! I want to be free!” They soared beautifully even as they fought the restriction of the string. Finally, one of the kites succeeded in breaking loose. “Free at last,” it seemed to say. “Free to fly with the wind.”
Yet freedom from restriction simply put it at the mercy of a cruel breeze. It flew ungracefully to the ground and landed in a messed mass of weeds and string against a dead bush. “Free at last”, free to lie powerless in the dirt, to be blown helplessly along the ground, and to stop lifeless against the first obstruction.
How much like kites we sometimes are. The heaven gives us misfortune and limitations, rules to follow from which we can grow and gain strength. Restriction is a necessary companion to the winds of opposition. Some of us resist the rules so hard that we never soar to reach the heights we might have obtained. We keep part of the order and never rise high enough to get our tails off the ground.
Let us each rise to the great heights, recognizing that some of the restrictions that we may be annoyed at are actually the steadying force that helps us improve and achieve.
1. According to paragraph 2, “Let me go!” is said by _______.| A．the kite | B．the wind | C．the bird | D．the flyer |
| A．destruction | B．miracle | C．observation | D．obstacle |
| A．Man will never reach the desirable height unless he breaks some rules. |
| B．Man can be empowered by difficulties to go further and higher. |
| C．Man desires freedom but only a few will succeed. |
| D．Man is limited by his surroundings. |
9 . Tips to Keep Your Personal Items Safe While Travelling
You might be surprised to hear that even in the limited space of an airplane, thefts still do occur. In a case reported, two men on board a flight were arrested after being suspected of stealing cash from fellow passengers’ mid-flight.
Keep your valuables such as cash, your ID and passport, and jewellery in a small bag that you can place under the seat in front of you. Rest your feet on your bag to make sure no one gets close to the bag.
| A．To ensure you get enough storage room, try to board the flight early. |
| B．Bring it with you whenever you leave your seat. |
| C．Thieves won’t spend too long on locked bags as it may draw attention to themselves. |
| D．Cases like this are known as in-flight, or mid-flight thefts. |
| E．Keep your cash or credit cards in different hiding places. |
| F．Make sure your bag is easily recognizable so thieves can’t just switch it out with a similar looking bag. |
10 . Many of the world’s most famous landmarks now offer virtual tours, meaning people can visit museums, world heritage sites and other attractions from the comfort of the sofa. Such virtual travel experiences, as some experts have considered as an eco-friendly solution to the problem of overtourism, are seeing an increase in popularity. For overcrowded destinations, virtual reality experiences can help divert (使改道) some tourists, easing the burden on the location’s infrastructure (基础设施).
However, there’s a big gap between using virtual reality to “try before you buy” and treating virtual reality like the destination itself.
To start with, the technology isn’t ready yet. 360-degree virtual reality videos are usually experienced through a headset or an app. The headsets are expensive and heavy, and aren’t comfortable to wear for more than 30 minutes. The apps have none of these problems, but simply aren’t as impressive.
Limited physical feelings are another problem. The videos focus on sounds and sights but can’t do much with smell, touch, or taste, and VR experiences tend to only be a few minutes long—hardly equal to a two-week vacation in Spain. Some researchers are creating a full-body suit with enhanced sensory experiences, but it still doesn’t satisfy the deeper needs that make people travel.
What’s more, tourists on virtual tours see a world only to the extent that someone was able to film and construct it. In a virtual experience, visitors can’t choose to wander down a side street and discover a charming café—unless those options have already been programmed. It can definitely disappoint those who tend to be less directed in their explorations and more focused on new experiences and discoveries.
Virtual reality may never replace traditional travel, but it still offers possibilities. If the technology becomes advanced enough, those who are more environmentally conscious among us—especially those aiming to reduce our carbon footprint—might prefer this form of escape. Also, VR travel does bring parts of the world to people who are physically unable to visit certain landmarks.
1. The followings are the benefits brought by virtual travel experiences EXCEPT that _______.| A．people can tour some dreamed sites without dealing with lines and crowds |
| B．the impact of tourism on the environment can be minimized |
| C．people are able to explore the world without leaving home |
| D．the travelers’ financial burden can be relieved to some extent |
| A．The full-body suit meets the deeper needs of the tourists. |
| B．An expensive headset is a must for experiencing virtual tours. |
| C．People can only see what is constructed and programmed on virtual tours. |
| D．Virtual tours satisfy those who are fond of adventuring at will. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Pessimistic. | C．Critical. | D．Optimistic. |
