3 . A months-long rescue operation to save giraffes from Longicharo Island’s rising water in Kenya recently concluded after delivering the last two stranded giraffes to safety at the Ruko Community Wildlife Conservancy. Save Giraffes now partnered with Northern Rangelands Trust and local conservation agencies to transfer the Rothschild’s giraffes, one of the most endangered populations of giraffe.
To get the giraffes from the sinking island to the mainland nearly one mile away, community members built a “giraft”, a custom-made ship with tall sides, supported by 60 empty drums. The giraffes were transferred one at a time. “Water levels in Lake Baringo have been rising for some time, but in 2020 the rate of rise increased — flooding lakeshore homes, businesses, and threatening the lives of a small group of Rothschild’s giraffes on Longicharo Island, in Ruko Conservancy,” Northern Rangelands Trust said in a statement.
“At last, they can safely breed (繁殖) and bring back the population of the free-ranging Rothschild’s giraffes to their former home ranges in Baringo. It’s such a relief for all involved to have gotten them safely across to the mainland and we are sure they’re enjoying the space in their new home,” he said.
Rothschild’s giraffes were once widespread across Kenya, Uganda and southern Sudan, but numbers have decreased by 80%, leaving only 3,000 in the wild today. But there is hope, given by innovative (创新的) conservation teamwork such as this.
“Working with the communities in the area over the next several years, we will keep this combined group of giraffes safe, and as they breed, their numbers will grow over time, eventually rejoining their cousins in Uganda,” Save Giraffes Now said in a statement.
1. What does the underlined word “stranded” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Weak. | B．Trapped. |
| C．Lonely. | D．Frightened. |
| A．It is short of advanced equipment. |
| B．It operates very efficiently. |
| C．It works with the local government. |
| D．It aims to save all endangered animals. |
| A．Near Lake Baringo. |
| B．On Longicharo Island. |
| C．In Kenya, Uganda and southern Sudan. |
| D．At the Ruko Community Wildlife Conservancy. |
| A．The giraffes are endangered in Kenya. |
| B．Two giraffes have been saved in Kenya. |
| C．The Rothschild’s giraffes are finally found. |
| D．The population of giraffes decreased. |
4 . Agricultural scientists in Switzerland have demonstrated the long-term effect of organic farming methods. Organic farms use no man-made chemicals to increase crops or control insects and disease. The study showed that organic fields produced fewer crops, on average, than other fields. However, the scientists say the organic methods improved the health of the soil and used half as much energy.
The Swiss scientists compared the effects of organic and traditional farming methods over a period of more than twenty years. They grew crops on four fields of land in Switzerland. Two fields were grown using traditional farming methods. The others were grown using organic farming methods. The crops and soil use were similar in all the fields studied.
The study found that the organic fields produced about 20% fewer crops than the other fields. However, the farmers used less fertilizer and energy on the organic fields. They found the organic fields were healthier.
The scientists say the organic fields had more nutrients in the soil. The soils in the organic fields also had more biological activity than the other fields. The organic fields had more helpful organisms and a larger number of different organisms. The organic fields had almost two times as many insects, including helpful insects. In traditional farming, chemicals designed to kill harmful insects also kill helpful ones.
The researchers say the findings show that organic crop production rates change little over time, and that soil fertility increases. They say the finds suggest that organic farmers can help the environment by increasing soil fertility.
Organic farming is becoming increasingly popular in some countries. Many people believe that eating organic food is more healthful than eating food grown with chemicals. Some people are willing to pay more money to buy organic food.
1. What does the study show about the organic methods?| A．They have more output than other fields. |
| B．They benefit the health of the human and the soil. |
| C．They use more energy than traditional ones. |
| D．They can control diseases without using any chemicals. |
| A．Selecting the best seeds. | B．Using the latest technology. |
| C．Applying different methods. | D．Planting crops in special soils. |
| A．Its strengths. | B．Its products. |
| C．Its application. | D．Its shortage. |
| A．No insects exist in organic fields. |
| B．Organic farming is environment-friendly. |
| C．People can’t afford organic food at present. |
| D．Organic crop production rate increases rapidly. |
5 . Without school, organized activities, and camps to keep them busy last year, many children and teens have been feeling unhappy. But 14-year-old Macaire Everett and her 9-year-old little brother, Camden, found a special way to
Once a doodler (涂鸦手), Macaire never had enough time to
“If you look back at pictures of some of the older chalk art, you can see how much I’ve
And as the images kept coming, neighbors would come by too, to check out the
| A．pay | B．punish | C．protect | D．please |
| A．organization | B．community | C．school | D．team |
| A．studied | B．saved | C．bought | D．created |
| A．reporter | B．editor | C．artist | D．model |
| A．acted as | B．applied for | C．cut out | D．signed up |
| A．improve | B．quit | C．reduce | D．affect |
| A．name | B．stop | C．value | D．idea |
| A．date | B．task | C．topic | D．view |
| A．happy | B．rich | C．anxious | D．strong |
| A．enjoyed | B．missed | C．grown | D．forgotten |
| A．end | B．beginning | C．top | D．bottom |
| A．playing | B．watching | C．doing | D．reading |
| A．latest | B．first | C．best | D．largest |
| A．sign | B．cloth | C．hand | D．smile |
| A．suddenly | B．widely | C．slowly | D．secretly |
6 . This beautiful, quiet place is covered in sunshine and has mountains all around it. Its name is Machu Picchu. It lies on top of a mountain, 8,000 feet in the tropical forest. Even in the rain and fog, it’s wonderful to walk through the ruins (废墟).
Machu Picchu is more than 500 years old. According to scholars, Machu Picchu was built for the Inca king around 1450. In the late 1800s, explorers like Antonio crossed the grounds of the ruins without knowing where he was. Machu Picchu became known to the world upon the 1911 arrival of Hiram Bingham. In 1983, Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Machu Picchu is considered by many to be the most wonderful creation of the Inca Empire. It’s also full of cultural significance (意义). Its various sites and castles are connected with each other and with their environment. This is a great artistic achievement and also masterpiece of architecture. Everything is cultural and is related to each other, including the natural environment in which it is built.
Currently, Machu Picchu is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the New World; this promotes increased tourism in the area. Tourists of all nationalities travel to Peru with the intention of visiting the Lost City of the Incas. Machu Picchu is no longer quiet.
Some people in Peru hope that more tourists will come here. They think it will mean more business and money for the country. However, some worry that more visitors won’t be good for the environment. The truth is that parts of Peru are very poor, and tourists bring money to these communities. The lost city is no longer lost. The modern world is coming closer to this ancient world every day.
1. What is Machu Picchua like?| A．It sits high with mountains around. |
| B．It’s sunny all through the year. |
| C．It’s an ancient city covered with fog. |
| D．It sits at the bottom of the mountain. |
| A．In 1450. | B．In the late 1800s. | C．In 1911. | D．In 1983. |
| A．Its history. | B．Its design. | C．Its development. | D．Its value. |
| A．He is strongly against it. | B．He thinks it’s beneficial. |
| C．He is confident of its future. | D．He thinks it’s harmful. |
I went out to have lunch this morning to meet an old friend. We made a date in a small and peaceful restaurant. We hadn’t seen each other for some time. So I was looking forward to it, and thought it would be a lovely lunch and a wonderful conversation. I dressed myself in my favorite dress and did my hair up. Everything seemed perfect.
When my old friend and I were seated, we first ordered our meal. But there seemed to be something wrong with the lady who took our order. Her expression was horrible and she said rudely, “What’s your order?” “A dish of fish and some rice”, I told her our order in a gentle voice. She took my order and gave me the same unfriendly attitude as she had given to others.
The woman’s bad attitude made me uncomfortable. Considering that I didn't want anything to destroy the happy moods that we had, I didn't say anything else.
As my friend and I were having our meal and talking about the things that happened before, my mind didn’t focus on our talking. I just noticed the lady’s behaviors to other customers. She was not in a good mood and she got into a fight with a customer but I didn’t know why.
When it came to my turn to approach her, I thought to myself, “What can I do here to make her mood changed and make her smile?” And I didn’t want her attitude to spoil the whole warm atmosphere in this small peaceful restaurant.
Surely there must be something I could sincerely compliment (赞扬) her on. Then there it was and I knew instantly. I said to her, “Madam, I don’t know what made you so unhappy, but I know that you must have the most incredibly well spoken and clear voice. It is so good. Like incredibly good.” That was what I could compliment her on.
Paragraph 1:
When she heard what I had said, her whole face lit up.
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Paragraph 2:
I went back to my seat and I noticed the lady’s whole attitude changed.
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8 . The Benefits of Digital Art
Digital art is the process of creating artwork using computers and software.
Digital art is often quicker to finish.
Take oil paintings for example. If you create one in the traditional way, you will need all kinds of tools like paper, water, paints, etc.
A computer with the right apps and software might cost you $1, 000, but physical art is pretty expensive. Pencils, paper, paints, paintbrushes and all of the other things you need soon get expensive. And they all need replacing — things can easily reach that $1, 000 and beyond.
Digital art avoids using much space of your room.
Drawings and paintings can take up lots of physical space. I have many physical drawings which are stored in boxes in my room. Some of the drawings took me weeks to complete.
Digital art makes it easy to deal with mistakes.
Digital art gives you the wonderful ability to correct your mistakes. Any time you make a mistake, you can step back from it right away with a push of a button. As for traditional art, it’s not easy to correct a mistake. For example, when your pen accidentally falls on your painting, you may not be able to deal with it.
| A．Digital art helps save money. |
| B．These tools can be very important. |
| C．It takes time to prepare all of these. |
| D．And your painting will be destroyed. |
| E．Digital art will never be a paper killer. |
| F．But they never see the light of day now. |
| G．Compared with traditional art, digital art has some advantages. |
9 . “Your mind is a garden; your thoughts are the seeds. The harvest can either be flowers or weeds,” William Wordsworth wrote. In the above quote, William suggests that the process of gardening mirrors human life. Depending on what we “plant” in our lives, we bloom (生长茂盛) or don’t. Before you start to work in your garden, it’s necessary to have a vision for it. Thinking of what you want to grow in your garden and how to lay it out is a good first step in making your vision a fruitful reality. In life, you should consider what you want to create and what you want to achieve, because your mind-garden is like the white paper and the possibilities are endless.
Regardless of what you choose to plant, poor soil isn’t suitable for growth. This is why gardeners take the time and energy to upgrade the soil before planting. So, creating the right soil is important to the realization of your goals and dreams. Fortunately, there are countless ways to make your personal bedrock better. Getting an education is one of the most effective ways, which can help you enrich your life’s soil.
You don’t have to be an enthusiastic gardener to understand the meaning of “You reap(收获) what you sow.” When a gardener wants tomatoes, they just need to plant tomato seeds. It’s a very clear act that produces an expected result. Each of us has the power to decide which “life seeds” to plant. For example, if you plant ill seeds, it's likely that you’ll experience pain in return. Contrarily, if you plant seeds of kindness and understanding, your life will bloom with happiness and love.
A gardener’s truly arduous work begins after the seeds are in the ground because a garden requires a lot of care and attention. Regular watering and weeding are required for a healthy garden. So, to ensure your dreams take root, you should be devoted, aware, and present. After countless hours and energy spent, the crops have grown well and are finally ready to be harvested.
1. What is important before gardeners break ground in their gardens?| A．Receiving some training in planting. |
| B．Drawing up a good plan for their gardens. |
| C．Having the courage to accept the worst outcome. |
| D．Doing research on the common local garden plants. |
| A．Improving the condition of the soil. | B．Growing your most favorable plants. |
| C．Taking care of the plants in your garden. | D．Selecting proper goals in gardening work. |
| A．Your quality of life depends on your positive action. |
| B．Your experience can help you understand plants better. |
| C．Your choice of soil is an important part in your gardening. |
| D．Your knowledge of planting will make you a successful gardener. |
| A．Beneficial | B．Creative | C．Boring. | D．Tough |
10 . How do we rid ourselves of the negative (消极的) thoughts and return to a place of peace and acceptance? Read on for some expert-guided tips.
First, don’t suppress (抑制) the negative thought. “Research shows that it’s important not to suppress negative thoughts as this only makes it worse.
Don’t forget to breathe. “Close your eyes and breathe in for a count of four; then breathe out slowly to the count of four. When worries and stress begin to rise, be kind to yourself.
Try a positive message mantra (咒语). When negative thoughts get a hold on you, Manly recommends focusing on a positive message or mantra that feels strong and calming for you. “For example, your mantra might be, ‘All will be well.
| A．Things will work out. |
| B．Think of a peaceful image instead. |
| C．Don’t believe everything you think. |
| D．And then pause to relax and breathe. |
| E．Is there any evidence to support this? |
| F．Can you trace back to where this all started? |
| G．Instead, notice the negative thought and then let it float away. |
