1 . Environmental Books For Kids
City Green, by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan (1994)It is a great book on how anyone can take action and make a difference. In it, Marcy, a young girl, wants to plant a garden in the vacant lot(空地) of her city block. The book describes every step of building a community garden for everyone to share. It comes with a handy guide on how you can start your own community garden!
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind, by Liz Garton Scanlon (2018)This book is a wonderful story of problem-solving and perseverance (坚持不懈), as it tells the story of a young girl who decides to stop the wild wind from blowing by planting trees. It is a great read explaining the important role of trees in our lives and the planet as well as the importance of nature-based solutions.
We Are Water Protectors, by Carole Lindstrom (2020)If you want to learn more about native people and the importance of protecting water, this is the book for you. It is a story of a young girl who stands up for environmental justice (正义) and becomes an activist who fights to protect the world from pollution.
Pangolina, by Jane Goodall (2021)A pangolin is to be unlawfully sold at the market. Luckily for her, a little girl, who knows that pangolins are friendly animals with feelings just like humans, asks her mother to buy Pangolina and set her free. If you love animals and you want to learn more about the problems of wildlife traffic as well as the importance of protecting endangered animals, this wonderful book is a good choice.
1. Which book would you recommend to someone interested in gardening?| A．City Green. | B．Pangolina. |
| C．We Are Water Protectors. | D．Kate, Who Tamed the Wind. |
| A．In 1994 | B．In 2018. | C．In 2020. | D．In 2021. |
| A．DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan. | B．Liz Garton Scanlon. |
| C．Carole Lindstrom. | D．Jane Goodall. |
2 . It has been over 150 years since the Great Chicago Fire. The 1871 fire killed an estimated 300 people. It turned the heart of the city, wood-frame buildings quickly constructed on wooden sidewalks, into ruins, and left 100,000 people homeless. Like the Great Fire of London in 1666, the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Great Chicago Fire reminds us that big cities can still be frail.
But that same night, about 250 miles north of Chicago, more than 1,200 people died in and around Peshtigo. It was the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history. Survivors said the fire moved like a hurricane, jumping across Green Bay to light forests on the opposite shore.
Chicago’s fire came to be seen as a disaster that also led to the invention of steel skyscrapers, raised up on the city’s ashes. It has overshadowed the Peshtigo Fire. And for years, the two were seen as separate disasters. However, many of those houses and sidewalks that burned in Chicago had been built with trees grown around Peshtigo.
Chicago’s fire was long blamed - falsely - on an Irish-immigrant family’s cow kicking over a lantern. Some people thought the Peshtigo Fire started when pieces of a comet (彗星) landed in the forest, which has never been proven.
What we understand better today was that the Midwest was historically dry in the summer of 1871. When a low-pressure front with cooler temperatures rolled in, it produced winds, which can fan sparks (火星) into wildfires. The fires themselves generated more winds. Several parts of nearby Michigan also burned during the same few days ; at least 500 people were killed there.
At present, all of those fires on an autumn night in 1871 might help us see even more clearly how rising global temperatures and severe droughts, from Australia to Algeria to California, have made forests easier to burn, and people more likely to be harmed by the climate changes we’ ve helped create.
1. What does the underlined word “frail” in the first paragraph probably mean ?| A．Regularly enlarged. | B．Heavily populated. |
| C．Safely reached. | D．Easily damaged. |
| A．By presenting research findings. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By following time order. | D．By making classifications. |
| A．A careless cow. | B．A passing comet. |
| C．A low-pressure front | D．A paper lantern. |
| A．To warn people of the forest fire threat. | B．To show signs of global warming. |
| C．To attract more tourists to Chicago. | D．To introduce an unknown city. |
3 . Unlike other major destinations, Rome doesn’ t have a huge number of hostels (旅社). In fact, there are less than 40 listed on Hostelworld. So we’ ve analyzed each hostel to bring you detailed information about hostels in Rome.
TYPICAL ROME HOSTEL PRICES
Hostels in Rome are generally reasonably priced. Most hostels, regardless of quality, will start around € 25 -- € 32 / night in the summer. You might be able to find some around € 20 / night but those are tough to snag (抢先获得). The cheapest hostels will cost around € 18 / night -- but don’t expect very good quality.
Check Hostelworld to get exact prices for your dates as prices are always varying.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT ROME HOSTELS
Cheap Beds & Good Hostels Go Early : Hostel prices are fairly standardized but the quality does vary. The best options get booked up quickly (especially in the summer).
Tourism Tax : Rome requires all hotels, hostels and apartment rentals to collect a tourist tax from all guests. It’ s usually € 3.50 / night / person so don’ t be surprised by this extra fee.
Areas & Neighborhoods : Most of Rome’ s hostels are located near Rome’ s Termini train station. It’ s not the best part of town but it’ s not that bad ( just be a little extra careful at night ).
Check the Hostel Type : Every hostel has its own personality so we suggest picking a hostel that matches up to your travel style. For example, some hostels are “party” hostels so these are great for having a fun time but not great for sleeping.
Check-In Times : A lot of hostels have late check-in times ( around 2 pm — 4 pm ) but nearly all will let you store your luggage if you arrive before check-in.
1. What might be the minimum cost if you stay in a Rome hostel for two nights ?| A．€ 18. | B．€ 32. | C．€ 43. | D．€ 47. |
| A．Comfort. | B．Security | C．Price. | D．Transport. |
| A．Quality service. | B．Tourism tax relief |
| C．A quiet sleeping environment. | D．Luggage storage before check-in. |
4 . Reasons why you should learn how to surf
It gives you an exciting experience.The feeling of riding the waves is one you can never describe until you have experienced it. While surfing, you’ll be in a peaceful state as you wait for the next big wave. It can be difficult to explain why, but the whole experience is indeed calm and exciting at the same time.
Surfing is a physically challenging sport that requires you to use your entire body, making it almost an extreme fitness activity. Every surfing session will certainly make you exercise your whole body. So, expect to have aching muscles after your first surfing session.
There is no denying the fact that healthy and fit people are confident with their bodies.
Learning a new skill with a group leads to a sense of accomplishment, and learning how to surf is no different. Although it’s natural to go surfing alone at times, no surfer has surfed without acquaintances (熟人), friends, or club mates. It’s a given for people who surf to share experiences with others, both locally and globally.
It gives you moments with nature.Like some other sports, surfing allows you to have time with nature.
| A．These two qualities come hand in hand |
| B．It allows you to grow your social circle |
| C．Surfing also gives you a sense of freedom |
| D．Don’t worry, though, as this feeling is entirely natural |
| E．It has a rich and varied history and contemporary culture |
| F．That will translate to how you handle your personal and professional life |
| G．When people learn to surf, they become more connected with the natural environment |
5 . A dog’s behavior is far more influenced by environment and upbringing, according to a new study published in the journal Science.
Lead author Kathleen Morrill, a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and her numerous co-researchers surveyed owners of 18,385 dogs and examined 2,155 dogs’ DNA as part of the citizen science project Darwin’s Ark.
For the project, participants were given a battery of surveys to fill out about their dogs. They then received a DNA kit to collect their dogs’ saliva (唾液) and send it back to the lab for DNA testing. The information was stored in a large database that was freely shared with researchers around the world. In return, curious dog owners were sent a DNA and breed (品种) profile of their dogs.
With the data provided to them by citizen scientists, Morrill and her team presented a number of interesting findings, but the biggest was this: Breeds offer little predictive value for individuals, explaining just 9% of variation in behavior.
The researchers broke down dog behavior into eight categories: comfort level around humans, case of stimulation or excitement, affinity (喜爱) toward toys, biddability (also known as response to human training), how easily the dog is affected by a frightening stimulus, comfort level around other dogs, engagement with the environment, and desire to be close to humans. Of these behavioral characteristics, biddability and toy affinity were most linked with breeds, but the associations were slight.
The study’s findings call into question laws that target specific, supposedly “dangerous”, breeds. More than 900 cities in the U.S. currently have some breed-specific laws.
“We now have demonstrated that breed-specific laws are ineffective at protecting the public or reducing dog attacks,” Elinor Karlsson, a senior author of the study, said. “Any dog has the potential to be dangerous, regardless of its size or breed background. Because of this, dogs should not be declared dangerous based on their appearance. Instead, they should be assessed as individuals based on their behavior.”
1. How did the researchers carry out the project?| A．By using survey responses. |
| B．By interviewing dog owners face to face. |
| C．By analyzing the data offered by the university. |
| D．By comparing breed profiles of different dogs. |
| A．Engagement with the environment. | B．Response to human training. |
| C．Ease of stimulation or excitement. | D．Comfort level around humans. |
| A．A dog’s behavior is more individualistic. |
| B．Breed-specific laws should be carried out effectively. |
| C．Dog attacks have posed a deadly threat to humans. |
| D．Categorizing dogs should be based on their appearance. |
| A．Don’t ignore your dogs | B．Don’t raise dangerous dogs |
| C．Don’t judge a dog by its breed | D．Don’t evaluate a dog by its behavior |
6 . Joseph Bologne, also known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, is perhaps the most famous musician and composer you’ve never heard of.
Bologne was born in 1745 on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, son of an enslaved (使成为奴隶) Senegalese woman and a white plantation owner. Bologne’s father was eager for him to acquire a good education and he was sent to France to be schooled in literature and fencing. As well as showing great skill in sport, Bologne was intelligent and appealing.
As if being handsome, clever and a champion athlete wasn’t enough, Bologne was also a seriously skilled musician and composer. His main instrument was the violin, and in 1761, he was made a member of the Royal Guards as a soldier and musician. It is around this time that he became known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges in recognition of his skill as a fencer and horseman. He was then invited to join the incredibly distinguished Concert des Amateurs as the first violinist and became its leader in 1773.
Although things were going very well for Bologne, he still experienced apparent racism. Some of the opera s leading women campaigned against having what they called “a mixed-race person” in charge of the opera. Despite this attempt to undermine his career, he fell into favour with the influential playwright Madame de Montesson, who put him in charge of her private theatre and introduced him to her husband, the Duke of Orleans. When the French Revolution (革命) broke out in 1789, Bologne sided with the revolutionaries. However, he was later imprisoned for 18 months and ultimately died in 1799 due to a severe leg injury.
Shortly after Bolognes death, Napoleon reinstated slavery in the French colonies and also banned Bologne’s music in an attempt to erase him from French history. However, Afro-Caribbean communities in France, and on Guadeloupe and Martinique have been working tirelessly to keep his legacy alive and Joseph Bologne is now enjoying a long overdue and richly deserved revival.
1. What can we learn from paragraph 2 about Bologne?| A．He was a man of determination. |
| B．He was passionate about literature. |
| C．He received great support from his father. |
| D．He had a difficult and troubled childhood. |
| A．His military service. |
| B．His exceptional athletic abilities. |
| C．His noble birth. |
| D．His musical achievements. |
| A．Bologne faced significant discrimination. |
| B．Bologne’s talents were a threat to the opera. |
| C．Bologne shouldn’t have joined the private theatre. |
| D．Bologne’s leadership suffered from a lack of foresight. |
| A．It’s being recognized and celebrated. |
| B．It’s receiving conflicting opinions. |
| C．It’s leading to a revolution in music. |
| D．It’s still being overlooked in France. |
7 . Sharks
Engage yourself in the world of Sharks! In this great exhibition created by Australian Museum experts, visitors will go back in time to meet sharks’ ancient ancestors, come face-to-face with life-size shark models ranging from the 50cm epaulette shark to the 8m whale shark, explore the contents of a shark’s stomach, play with a whale shark and uncover its extraordinary adaptation with interactive displays.
Visitors are advised to pre-book their preferred session time in advance to avoid disappointment.
Purchase your tickets now at Ticketek.com.au.
Ticket prices
Adult: $29
Child (3-15 years old): $17.50
Family (admits 4) 2A+2C / 1A+3C: $76
AM Member: 50% off; first visit FREE
Exhibition highlight
Extraordinary adaptations
In your mouth, you have 16 teeth in one neat row. The white shark has 300 teeth in five rows and can easily replace teeth lost while hunting and eating.
And what do you know about sharks amazing skin? It’s not skin at all. Sharks are covered in tiny denticles, which are closer to teeth than anything else!
You’ll see:
• The biggest fish - a life-size model of a whale shark, which can grow to 16m long.
• The fastest shark-a life-size model of the shortfin mako shark, which can reach speeds of up to 70km/hour and jump as high as 9m out of the water.
• A wet sample of the third-smallest shark-the Moller’s Lanternshark, reaching just 46cm long.
• A life-size model of the 270-million-year-old Helicoprion, known as the buzzsaw shark.
• Real, touchable shark samples from the Australian Museum collection.
1. What can visitors do in the exhibition?| A．Take part in making shark models. |
| B．See what’s inside a shark’s stomach. |
| C．Interact with an epaulette shark in person. |
| D．Consult Australian Museum experts about sharks. |
| A．$35. | B．$58. | C．$76. | D．$93. |
| A．The whale shark. | B．The buzzsaw shark. |
| C．The shortfin mako shark. | D．The Moller’s Lanternshark. |
8 . A petting zoo is also called a children’s zoo. It is a place with domesticated (家养的) animals and some wild species.
Petting zoos have a long history. In addition to independent petting zoos, many general zoos have a petting zoo. In 1938, the London Zoo included the first children’s zoo in Europe and the Philadelphia Zoo was the first in North America to open a special zoo just for children.
Some petting zoos are also mobile (流动的) and will travel to a home for a child’s party or event. One of the first mobile petting zoos in Australia was Kindifarm. Because of its popularity, many Australians use the term “kindy farms” to describe petting zoos. In Australia, mobile petting zoos are allowed in schools and child care centers.
Petting zoos are popular with small children, who like feeding the animals. Food is supplied by the zoo.
| A．Not all animals are friendly. |
| B．It may help improve animals’ health. |
| C．After all, some foods don’t suit animals. |
| D．Visitors can feed them and even touch some of them. |
| E．People should protect themselves from the health effects of petting zoos. |
| F．For many children, these petting zoos give them the first chance to see and touch animals. |
| G．During the 1990s, Dutch cities began building petting zoos in many neighborhoods. |
9 . Dairy (奶品场) packaging has been changing a lot for so many years. Now, businesses are using technology to create more sustainable (可持续的) packaging options along the whole supply chain.
Ian Olmstead, program manager at Dairy Australia, says, “We’re trying to make sure the plastics we use are designed in a way that allows them to be recycled. Then we have partnerships in place that support the processes for recycling, and seek to increase the food-grade recycled content that can be used again in dairy packaging.”
Brownes Dairy — Australia’s oldest dairy has worked with Tetra Pak to make its next change. Brownes’ senior marketing manager, Nicole Ohm, says it has been important to create a product that not only is recyclable, but starts life in a sustainable way, too. “The start of life is just as important as the end of life,” she says. “Being able to make an effective change at the start of life just makes for a greener result.”
Milk packaging is made of three covers. Recyclable cardboard sits in the middle, with polyethylene (聚乙烯) plastic on both sides acting as a protection. Historically, these outer covers have been made from plastic, but Brownes’ new packaging will use a renewable resource: sugarcane, a kind of plant. “The plant-based protections behave in the same way,” Ohm says, “and so does the recyclability.” “Being Australia’s oldest dairy carries a level of responsibility,” Ohm says. “Even though we are very old, we are not at all traditional—we are very advanced.”
When it comes to plastic packaging, the dairy industry faces many challenges. Recyclable material must be food safe, for example. And one plastic milk bottle might contain a number of different plastics, from the bottle itself to its cover. Even the glue on the label becomes part of the recycling challenge that needs to be got over.
Dr Stephanus Peters is a managing partner at PEGRAS, a global technical solutions consulting company. Peters explains the problem PEGRAS has been asked to solve: make it easier to take away non-recyclable parts from milk bottles to avoid pollution. “You always have a little bit of glue left,” he says. “We have to take away the glue before the bottle can be recycled. If successful, this advance could be used in every industry.”
1. What change does Nicole Ohm expect to happen in dairy packaging?| A．It will be of excellent quality. | B．It will help keep the milk fresh. |
| C．It will reduce the cost of products. | D．It will be environmentally friendly. |
| A．It has more covers. | B．It is much more protective. |
| C．It uses plant-based materials. | D．It has a renewable middle cover. |
| A．The recycling may require a lot of steps. | B．The recycling may cause more pollution. |
| C．The recycling may take a mass of money. | D．The recycling may impact on food safety. |
| A．Set up a plastic-free dairy business. | B．Make its company a sustainable one. |
| C．Rid packaging of non-recyclable parts. | D．Come up with a type of recyclable glue. |
10 . Lisa St. Coeur Cormier, a high school science teacher in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, found a tree root. When she took a closer look, she found the shape was very strange. She realized it wasn’t a tree root though it shared the same color. She felt it was hard to break and noticed an impression of bones of what looked like some kind of animal.
Cormier sent a photo of the find to Laura MacNeil who used her knowledge in this field to confirm that what Cormier had seen really was a fossil (化石). MacNeil runs tours of sites where prehistoric fossils have been found and also helps people identify fossils. She visited the site of Cormier’s find to take more photos of it.
MacNeil contacted John Calder, a scientist, who examined the fossil and led a team of scientists to study it. John Calder said it could be as much as 300 million years old. He said it’s probably from a reptile (爬行动物) of some kind — likely one that is unknown to scientists. Scientists spent 5.5 hours carefully digging out the fossil from the ground so they could study it more in-depth and find out exactly what kind of animal it is. That research could take a year or more.
“This is an important discovery here on Prince Edward Island. It is the second of the only two articulated skeletons (关节相连的骨头) found on PEI,” Laura MacNeil said. “This creature lived about 300 million years ago. This find tells us there is a great possibility for future scientifically important fossils that could be discovered on PEI. It will lead to more researchers paying a visit.”
1. How might Cormier feel when looking at the root carefully?| A．Satisfied. | B．Surprised. | C．Concerned. | D．Proud. |
| A．The scientists will have a detailed study on the fossil. |
| B．The scientists have identified the species of the fossil. |
| C．The scientists will keep the fossil under the ground. |
| D．The scientists discovered the first articulated skeleton. |
| A．Its long history. | B．Its wide popularity. |
| C．Its scientific value. | D．Its economic importance. |
| A．A scientist’s research on fossils | B．PEI is attracting more researchers |
| C．Cormier’s unforgettable tour in PEI | D．A science teacher discovered a fossil |
