1 . 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.       1     They are also celebrated for nature.   

    2     Zhuangzi, for example, believed “Heaven (天) and earth are parents to all things in the world”. The beauty of nature is to “give birth to all things” and “let all things grow”, while the duty of humans is to “make all things perfect (完美的)”. Heaven, earth, and humans should be one in unity.     3     They are necessary to each other, so they should treat (对待) each other with kindness.

The idea of unity of man and nature has been in the heart of Chinese people.     4     In most provinces of China, some rules have been made to reduce (减少) pollution. Many power stations (发电厂) that produce and provide safe and clean electricity have been built.     5    

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.

2 . 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.

2. How does the author (作者) explain his ideas about root words?

A．By giving a fact.	B．By taking an example.
C．By telling a story.	D．By having a discussion.

3. “Sen” from the Latin word means “old”. Which word uses this Latin root?

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.

4. Which of the following shows the structure (结构) of the passage?
(①=Paragraph (段落) 1   ② =Paragraph 2, ...)

A．	B．
C．	D．

3 . 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.

2. When did TNSFP start?

A．In the 1970s.

B．In the 1980s.

C．In the 1960s.

D．In the 1990s.

3. If the visibility in your city is 700 meters, what color will the warning be?

A．Red.

B．Orange.

C．Yellow.

D．Blue

4 . Last year, there were 38 student members and a full-time teacher in the school band. But over the summer, the director took another job and the school board had no applicants for the vacant position.

“It was such a downer,” remembers Jadyn Lane. “But we were given a choice — we could sign up for other electives (选修课), or find a way to make the band work.” Most students signed up for other electives, but 10 students decided to stay.

“It wasn’t an option to quit,” says Hailey Fitzgerald. “I’ve been in the band for seven years. I love it! It’s too important for too many reasons.” The students elected Hailey as director, a position she accepted on the condition they would all work together and share responsibilities. They recruited Casey Griffith and Jennifer Nail-Cook to be their official faculty advisors. Casey did the paperwork, and Jennifer helped with the music.

They directed themselves. Front and center on the band room whiteboard are a set of rules which they created themselves. In addition, they made a calendar (日历) of their upcoming events, like football games. It included a daily countdown to each event so they’d be prepared.

Perhaps most importantly, they decided which instruments were necessary to make a band of this size work. Most of them were drummers. How could they play those instruments with the people they had? “Several members switched instruments and some even learnt brand new ones,” Hailey says.

The time came last month for their first public performance. It was a home football game against Richwood. They had no idea what to expect. Would it work? Would the crowd cheer them on? Would they cheer up the football team? To their surprise, a group of students made posters for the band and hung them at the entrance to the football field. “We thought some people didn’t even know we still had a band,” says Jadyn. But their classmates had been paying attention and wanted to make their first game special. And their school won.

1. What do the underlined words “a downer” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Something rewarding.	B．Something demanding.
C．Something frightening.	D．Something disappointing.

2. How did the members overcome the challenges?

A．They redefined their roles.	B．They sought help from parents.
C．They learnt to beat drums.	D．They joined the football team.

3. What can be learnt about their first public performance?

A．It drew little attention.	B．It was a huge success.
C．It won lots of bonuses.	D．It was a total mess.

4. Which word best describes the remaining members?

A．Confident.

B．Sensible.

C．Devoted.

D．Ambitious.

5 . A new study reveals that trees can communicate and warn each other of danger. “For the first time, researchers have been able to visualize plant-to-plant communication,” said Masatsugu, senior author of the study.

The idea of talking trees started to take root in the 1980s. Two scientists found that damaged trees began producing chemicals that made their leaves unappetizing and indigestible to discourage insects. The trees then sent chemical signals to one another through the air. Over the past four decades, scientists have observed this cell-to-cell communication in more than 30 plant species.

Past research shows plants communicate with their surroundings by releasing chemicals known as volatile (易挥发的) organic compounds. One class of these compounds are released when a plant is injured: green leafy volatiles. These are released by, as the name suggests, pretty much every green plant with leaves, and are produced when a plant experiences physical damage. An example of these compounds is the smell released from fresh-cut grass.

In the new study, Masatsugu and his colleagues manually damaged leaves and placed insects on tomato plants to trigger the release of various green leafy volatiles. After testing many of them, the team found it seemed to increase calcium ions (钙离子) inside cells. The calcium signaling is like a switch to turn on the defense responses from the plants.

With this new understanding, researchers say plants could be immunized against threats and stressors before they even happen. For instance, exposing healthy plants to insect-ridden plants or the associated green leafy volatiles could boost their genetic defenses, so farmers use less pesticides. The revelation could also help make plants more resilient (有复原力的) during a drought, signaling the plants to conserve more water.

1. What does the new research find?

A．Trees can inform other trees of potential threats.	B．Trees can make themselves attractive.
C．Trees will send signals first once damaged.	D．Trees will work together to trick insects.

2. What can be learnt about green leafy volatiles?

A．They defend insects.	B．They kill insects.
C．Some of them can be smelt.	D．Some of them can be seen.

3. How was the study carried out by Masatsugu?

A．By protecting trees from insects.	B．By classifying green leafy volatiles.
C．By increasing calcium ions inside cells.	D．By causing the release of certain chemicals.

4. What aspect of the new study does the last paragraph focus on?

A．Its target.

B．Its process.

C．Its application.

D．Its background.

6 . To bring a child to life, the mother goes through sleepless nights, uncomfortable mornings and excruciating (极痛苦的) birth pains. And the father supports the mother and takes care of the child like a superhero.     1     There are many ways in which you can convey your love to your friends and spouse. But how do you express your love and gratitude to your parents? Here are some tips.

    2     Parents never plan to have a bad relationship with their children. However, things can go wrong, especially since parenting is one of the toughest things to do. When you create positive thoughts about your parents, you will be more likely to respect and love them.

Make them your priority. You were your parents’ priority once and still are. Maybe your mother left her job to look after you or your father worked extra hours to ensure that you have better chances in life than he had. Since the day you were born, most of their decisions were based on you.     3    

Calm them down when they are angry.     4     Even if you feel tense, try to restrain yourself and avoid saying bad words. With age, your parents may become capricious (反复无常的). Don’t pay attention to what they are saying if they are only speaking out of anger.

If you disagree with them, don’t be rude to them. You might not agree with many of your parents’ opinions, and you might be right.     5     You can still hear them out and then make your own decisions. Good communication can bridge the generation gap between you and your parents.

A．Respect and be grateful to your parents.

B．Therefore, it’s time for you to return the favour.

C．Develop a positive attitude towards your parents.

D．They do all of these in the hope of a good life for their child.

E．But you should still ask their opinions before making a decision.

F．However, you don’t have to make a point by loudly disagreeing with them.

G．Be tolerant of your parents when they are in a bad mood and try not to upset them.

7 . Renewable energy sources can help combat climate change, but dietary choices also play a significant role. Opting for plant-based diets or lab-grown food can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the food system. We highlight the potential of dietary changes and the importance of providing choices instead of mandates （命令）.

Research shows that a global shift towards vegetarian（素食的） diets could cut emissions from food system by over half. Even small changes towards plant-based diets can have a meaningful impact. Substituting conventional food with lab-grown alternatives could prevent 1 degree of future warming. These findings demonstrate the power of dietary changes in addressing climate challenges.

Dietary choices are influenced by factors like culture, religion, and economics. It is unrealistic to expect everyone to become vegetarian immediately. Respecting individual choices is crucial in promoting sustainable diets. By offering information and raising awareness, individuals can make choices according to their needs and values while contributing to collective efforts.

Transforming industrial food production is necessary, but individual choices are still vital. Education and awareness campaigns can inform people about the environmental impact of different dietary choices and empower them to make informed decisions. Combining individual actions with systematic changes can create a powerful force for human health and the planet. Rather than expecting immediate vegetarianism, acknowledging the impact of small changes is important. Gradual shifts towards more sustainable dietary choices, like reducing animal product consumption and increasing vegetable intake, can result in significant environmental benefits when multiplied across populations.

In conclusion, addressing climate change requires multiple approaches, with dietary choices playing a crucial role. Offering choices while recognizing the challenges associated with dietary shifts is essential. By combining personal dietary changes with broader efforts to reshape the food system, we can make substantial progress towards a healthier planet while respecting individual preferences.

1. Which is a dietary choice to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

A．Choosing plant-based diets.

B．Choosing renewable energy sources.

C．Giving the command for dietary changes.

D．Increasing consumption of processed food.

2. How does the author show the effects of dietary changes in paragraph 2?

A．By answering questions.	B．By listing a figure.
C．By analyzing the reasons.	D．By using a quotation,

3. What’s the author’s attitude towards small dietary changes?

A．Indifferent.

B．Skeptical.

C．Favorable.

D．Objective.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Small changes in life choices can make big impacts

B．Renewable energy sources can reduce gas emissions

C．Lab-grown nutritional food could prevent future warming

D．The power of dietary choices in fighting climate change

8 . There are some new inventions in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Let’s have a look.

Invention 1: A system to identify Parkinson’s disease

The system works by measuring a person’s breathing patterns during sleep. The researchers noted that early signs of Parkinson’s disease are not easy to discover. But the team said the experiments showed that with just one night of sleep, the AI system can correctly identify Parkinson’s disease up to 86% of the time.

Invention 2: A tool to interpret pig emotions

The scientists developed an AI-driven algorithm to identify a series of emotions the pigs could be experiencing. The study centered on more than 7,000 audio recordings of pigs in different situations. The researchers said the tool can lead to further systems farmers can use to improve the productivity and well-being of their animals.

Invention 3: A system to identify and predict smells

The scientists built on past research to produce a brain-like technology model to create a “principal odor map” to identify molecules related to smells. The team said such a system can be used across many different fields, including the healthcare, food and fragrance industries, The researchers reported that the system can be used to help fight one of the world’s biggest health problems--diseases spread through insects.

Invention 4: A tool to fill in missing words in ancient writings

The tool, called Ithaca, is designed to help historians repair the writings and identify when and where they were written. The team said that when historians worked on their own, the success rate for repairing damaged inscriptions was about 25%. But when humans teamed up with Ithaca to assist in their work, the success rate jumped to 72%.

1. Which invention can help farmers increase income?

A．Invention 1.

B．Invention 2.

C．Invention 3.

D．Invention 4.

2. What do Invention 1 and Invention 3 have in common?

A．They are good for people’s health.	B．They should be used during sleep.
C．They can cure people of many diseases.	D．They focus on the research on smells.

3. How does invention 4 help historians?

A．By recovering their health.	B．By improving their accuracy.
C．By identifying their writings.	D．By stimulating their emotions.

9 . It has been more than 40 years since anyone has spotted a Japanese river otter. And the once common Yangtze River dolphins have either disappeared or are very rarely seen. These are just a few of the species that have been listed as extinct or locally extinct in recent years. But the advancement of technology could mean that the expunction of other species is not a given.

A huge challenge scientists and conservationists encounter is tracking species facing extinction in order to help them. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a revolution in the way data on these species is collected and analyzed. One example is the Maui dolphin, one of the rarest and most threatened dolphins in the ocean. Familiar with their summer. Behavior, researchers knew that there were just 54 of these elusive mammals living off the coast of New Zealand. However, because of weather conditions, researchers knew next to nothing about their winter behavior. After four years of developing, testing and fundraising, these scientists received permission to use a drone (无人机) with AI that tracked the dolphins no matter the season. The result was the extension of a marine sanctuary to protect their habitat.

In parts of Australia, the koala was declared endangered in 2022 due to bushfires, habitat destruction and road accidents. Saving them was challenging because their whereabouts and numbers were relatively unknown. So Grant Hamilton, an associate professor of eco logy at Queensland University of Technology, began using drones with infrared imaging to locate them. An AI algorithm analyzes images to determine if a sighting is a koala. That information is then used to monitor and protect the species by restoring their habitats and providing health protection.

In Zambia’s Kafue National Park, home to 15 more than 6,000 elephants, AI is being used to enhance traditional methods of preventing poaching. Cameras record any boats that try to enter the park on Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, an illegal entry point. Al immediately detects this activity and alerts park rangers, who deal with the illegal hunters.

The use of Al has helped to expedite action and increase conservationists’ ability to protect the natural world for generations to come.

1. What does the underlined worlds “a given” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．A serious problem.

B．A rare phenomenon.

C．A certain event.

D．A false inference.

2. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning Maui dolphin?

A．To observe Maui dolphins’ winter behavior.

B．To get the exact number of Maui dolphins in the wild.

C．To demonstrate the current situation of Maui dolphins.

D．To show AI’s application in tracking the wild animals.

3. What is the advantage of Al in saving koalas?

A．Identifying koalas.

B．Tracking koalas.

C．Collecting data.

D．Preventing hunting.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．Saving Nature with Technology’s Help	B．Restoring the Habitats of Endangered Species
C．Providing Healthy Protection for Animals	D．Protecting Wild Species from Extinction

10 . Steam trains paved the way for modern-day transportation, but just how much do you know about them?

The roots of steam trains can be traced back to the 18th century when the Scottish engineer James Watt improved steam engine technology. Watt’s improvements significantly enhanced the efficiency of steam engines. This breakthrough paved the way for the application of steam power in various industries, marking the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. As the 19th century started, George Stephenson used the power of steam to power locomotives (火车头), telling the age of steam-powered transportation.

Steam trains played a vital role in transforming the world into a connected network of nations. The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in the United States in 1869 marked a historic moment, as steam locomotives linked the East and West coasts, reducing travel time and expanding economic, opportunities.

Similarly, the Orient Express in Europe became a symbol of luxury and international travel, carrying passengers from Paris to Istanbul in a quick way. The rhythmic sound of wheels on rails echoed (回响) through diverse landscapes, from the dry deserts of Australia to the snowy expanses of Siberia, as steam trains formed paths of connectivity across continents. During times of war, the role of steam trains extended to soldier transportation.

While steam trains led the railway landscape for over a century, the mid-20th century witnessed the arrival of electric and diesel locomotives, claiming greater efficiency and lower operational costs, and signaling a transformative shift.

As steam trains were not mainstream transportation, enthusiasts worldwide have preserved and restored steam locomotives, ensuring that these classic engine s continue to attract new generations with their nostalgic (怀旧的) charm, and that their stories continue to be told for ages to come.

For Heritage railways, they dedicate to the restoration and operation of classic steam locomotives. From the Bluebell Railway in England to the Strasburg Rail Road in the United States, these living museums allow modern-day travelers to experience the magic of steam travel. Riding the polished carriages and hearing the distinctive whistle, visitors experience a sensory voyage, connecting with a time when steam trains were the heartbeat of progress and adventure.

1. What marks the beginning of the Industrial Revolution?

A．Rapid expansion of railways.	B．Advance of steam locomotives.
C．Great efficiency of transportation.	D．The use of steam power in industries.

2. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 4?

A．Summarize the previous paragraphs.	B．Add more facts to the role of steam trains.
C．Share a historic moment.	D．Introduce the Orient Express.

3. How do Heritage railways react to the decline of steam trains?

A．They welcome the arrival of electric engines.	B．They insist on using steam trains.
C．They offer a journey back in time.	D．They prefer to improve steam engines.

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A travel guide.

B．A book review.

C．A history paper.

D．A newspaper report.