| A．exterior | B．integral | C．subtle | D．humble |
| A．constantly | B．consequently | C．competitively | D．competently |
| A．ponder | B．invest | C．compete | D．expand |
| A．confusing | B．confused | C．convincing | D．convinced |
| A．motivate | B．clarify | C．approve | D．facilitate |
6 . The second experiment on how to grow crops on Mars and moon soil simulant(模拟装置)has given a surprising outcome. As a result of what the researchers of Wageningen University & Research center in the Netherlands learned from their first experiment, they were able to grow ten different crop species. Tomatoes, peas, rye, garden rocket, radish and garden cress were harvested.
A few improvements have been made since the first experiment. Researcher Wieger Wamelink said, “We used trays instead of original small pots and added organic material (fresh cut grass) to the Mars and moon soil simulant. This solved the problem we had with watering in the first experiment and also added manure(肥料)to the soils.” In particular, the crop growth on the moon soil simulant showed improvement. While in the first moon soil experiment most plants died, in the next round they flourished, and the researchers could harvest from the same species as on the Mars soil simulant and the Earth potting compost(混合肥料)control.
The production of biomass(生物量)on the Mars soil simulant was lower than on Earth control, but it was a minor difference and caused by one of the trays that showed less growth. It was also not statistically different from the Earth control. “That was a real surprise to us,” comments Wamelink. “It shows that the Mars soil simulant has great potential when properly prepared and watered. The biomass growth on the moon soil simulant was less than on both other soils, about half of the biomass. Only the spinach(菠菜)showed poor biomass production.”
Although the researchers harvested several eatable crops, they did not eat them. The soils contain heavy metals like lead, arsenic and mercury and also a lot of iron. If the components become available for the plants, they may be taken up and find their way into the fruits, making them poisonous. Further research on this is necessary and that is one of the reasons why a crowdfunding(众筹)campaign has been started to finance the third experiment that will be all about food safety. If the crops prove to be safe enough to eat, the funders will be invited for dinner where a ‘Martian meal’ will be served that includes the harvested crops; at least for those who dare!
1. What do the researchers gain from the first experiment?| A．They can harvest ten crop species. |
| B．They learn what the organic material is. |
| C．They’re sure that they will succeed next time. |
| D．They learn they have to change the plant containers. |
| A．The process of how to plant crops on soil simulant in the experiment. |
| B．In spite of some drawbacks, the Mars soil simulant has great potential. |
| C．The reasons why the production of biomass on the Mars soil simulant was lower. |
| D．The production of biomass on the Mars soil simulant is obviously different from that on the Earth control |
| A．What they harvested was not eatable. |
| B．They haven’t got enough funding support. |
| C．The crops may contain various poisonous substances. |
| D．The production of the crops was lower than that on the Earth control. |
| A．Crops Grown on Fake Mars and Moon Soil |
| B．Time to Crowdfund Eatable Crops |
| C．Growing Plants on Mars and the Moon |
| D．Colony in Outer-space Becomes Reality |
7 . Massive snowstorms and a blast of chilly air swept across northern China in the first week of November, leaving many people shaking in the freezing cold. At the same time, a global conference on climate change - COP 26 - was held in Glasgow, Scotland, where the key topic was how to control the trend of global warming.
So why are we experiencing such a freezing winter on a warming planet?
The cold snap (寒潮) and global warming, two seemingly opposing forces, are not contradictory, Zhou Bing, chief expert at the China Meteorological Administration’s National Climate Center, told China Daily.
Global warming does not appear evenly, but causes more extreme heat and cold, Zhou explained. Against the backdrop of a warming planet, China has seen a growing average temperature in winter, which has increased by 0.41℃ every decade since 1961. But in some cases, the country has also experienced freezing cold - for instance, the icy weather that hit the country in early 2008.
Global warming has changed the patterns of Earth’s atmosphere circulation, affecting the local climate via sea-air or land-air interaction. In October, La Nina, the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial (赤道的) Pacific, started to affect China, bringing more cold air to the country, said the National Climate Center. Between 1951 and 2020, a total of 15 La Nina events occurred in China. Ten of them brought lower-than-average winter temperatures, according to the National Climate Center.
Another reason for the chilly weather is the warming Arctic. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as any other place on Earth, according to NPR. The polar vortex (涡流)- a rotating pool of cold, dense air - weakens as the temperature goes up, pushing the cold Arctic air southward.
So will this winter be particularly cold? Unlike a series of cold waves that cool down the nation gradually, people will experience the quick freeze effects several times, and a cold winter is likely, a Beijing-based climate expert told Global Times.
The official forecast also said that northern China will see more snow than average and southern China less rainfall than average.
1. What does the underlined word “contradictory” in paragraph 3 probably mean?| A．opposite | B．common | C．similar | D．connected |
| A．freezing winters are rare in China |
| B．it is becoming warmer in winter |
| C．global warming is not as serious as we thought |
| D．global warming can cause extreme cold |
| A．A rise in temperature. | B．Less rainfall. |
| C．Colder winters. | D．Big storms. |
| A．To describe the phenomena and causes of La Nina. |
| B．To explain the connection between the cold snap and global warming. |
| C．To predict if this winter will be particularly cold. |
| D．To discuss the importance of stopping global warming. |
8 . Two years ago I was very lonely and didn’t talk with anyone about my feelings. At the time I didn’t have many friends. I wanted someone to share my experiences and secrets with. I wanted someone to understand me. I started to imagine this friend. Often I imagine our conversations and what we would do, but I didn’t give my imagination a face.
Some weeks later I started a new project in school and I was working with one of my schoolmates. We had never worked together before but we got along well. After the project we started to spend some time together in school. One day we decided to take a walk. Ever since that walk we’ve been friends. We listened and really understood each other.
I had wished for a best friend, but the universe gave me so much more. I have met one of my soul mates. We can sense each other, and it just takes one look and we know what the other is thinking. I didn’t think our friendship could grow much stronger. But now we have known each other for two years and our friendship is growing all the time.
It hasn’t only been easy. We have gone through both easy and hard times. But I’m grateful for the hard times, because they have forced me to grow and taught me a lot. My best friend has changed me. She has made me believe in myself. And I am now focusing on achieving one of my biggest dreams. Without her, I wouldn’t even have realized what my biggest dream is.
I know there are soul mates out in the world for you. I am so lucky to have met one of mine. Believe in them, and your paths will cross.
1. What did the author do before meeting her soul mate?| A．She chose to stay alone. |
| B．She spent time with other friends. |
| C．She told others about her feelings. |
| D．She pictured a friend in her mind. |
| A．By taking a walk. |
| B．By attending a party. |
| C．Through a school project. |
| D．Through a friend’s introduction. |
| A．Their friendship is still developing. |
| B．She is the author’s only soul mate. |
| C．They are trying hard to realize their dreams. |
| D．She has little confidence in their friendship. |
| A．Vague. | B．Thankful. | C．Intolerant. | D．Critical. |
If you live in Shanghai, you might have to take a lesson in sorting garbage.
More cities are introducing similar regulations,
Apart from China, many other foreign countries also
10 . London and Paris are two of Europe’s biggest tourist destinations, just a few hours away from each other by road or rail and an hour’s distance by air. What about the train-ferry combination that many recall fondly from their childhoods? Well, though it’s budget-saving, this option is too time-consuming today, so better leave it to your memories. Since the UK is not part the Schengen Area, passengers need to go through passport control prior to boarding.
Air trips
Though flying between London and Paris is by no means recommended, there are still a few people traveling between the two dynamic cities by air. A very low one-way fare is possible through advanced booking, but of course it’s rare, and that doesn’t include the taxi and rail fares traveling to and from the airports.
* One-way fares from Paris can be as low as 49;
* From London, Air France flies with fares as low as £39(46), and British Airways as low as £48 (56).
Rail trips
The only direct train between London and Paris is the Eurostar, which travels 15 -17 times per weekday. Eurostar’s 2015 edition trains can make the journey in two hours at speeds of up to 320 km/h. Besides, they offer good seating space.
* Fares begin at a reasonable £58(68), round trip;
* The earlier you book, the more you save.
Bus trips
The bus is by far the least expensive and longest way to travel between Paris and London. Eurolines and OUIBUS are two major bus lines traveling between the two capitals. The journey takes between seven and nine hours. Both lines advertise free Wi-Fi.
* One-way Eurolines fares begin at 15;
* One-way OUIBUS fares begin at 15 too, but early bird sales can even lower the fare.
1. Which way is probably the cheapest for a round trip?| A．By train-ferry. | B．By air. | C．By rail. | D．By bus. |
| A．Free booking. | B．Taxi pickup. |
| C．Good seating space. | D．Free Wi-Fi. |
| A．There are different competing companies. |
| B．They are cheaper if booked ahead of time. |
| C．They are more expensive from the Paris end. |
| D．There are still additional fees to be included. |
