1 . When you think about ways to fight pollution, you likely don’t think about bacteria. However, researchers led by Northwestern University and Lanza Tech have discovered a type of bacteria that can break down waste carbon dioxide to make valuable industrial chemicals, according to a press release by Northwestern published Monday. The breakthrough could revolutionize how we deal with carbon dioxide and climate change.

“The accelerating climate crisis, combined with rapid population growth, pose some of the most urgent challenges to humankind, all linked to the continuous release and accumulation of CO₂ across the entire biosphere,” said Northwestern’s Michael Jewett, co-senior author of the study. “By partnering with biology to make what is needed, where and when it is needed, on a sustainable and renewable basis, we can begin to take advantage of the available CO₂ to transform the economy.”

In their work, the researchers engineered a bacteria strain that can transform CO₂ into acetone and Isopropanol (IPA), avoiding traditional methods that use fossil fuels for the creation of these chemicals. Better yet, the new gas fermentation (发酵) process also removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The researchers undertook a life-cycle analysis and found that their process could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 160% as compared to conventional processes if this method were to be broadly adopted.

“This discovery is a major step forward in avoiding a climate catastrophe,” said Jennifer Holmgren, Lanza Tech CEO. “Today, most of our industrial chemicals are obtained absolutely from new fossil resources such as oil, natural gas, or coal. Acetone and IPA are two examples with a combined global market of $10 billion. The acetone and IPA pathways developed will accelerate the development of other new products by closing the carbon cycle for their use in multiple industries.”

The researchers believe their process will translate to industrial scale and could even be applied to create streamlined processes for developing other valuable chemicals.

1. What can we learn from paragraph 1?

A．The bacteria can produce CO2 and industry chemicals.

B．A revolutionary way was found to deal with climate crisis.

C．The researchers focus primarily on how to deal with bacteria.

D．The discovery changed people’s attitude towards climate change.

2. What does Michael Jewett say about the study?

A．Challenges to humankind cause climate crisis.

B．We can make what we need at will using CO2.

C．CO2 can play a positive role in transforming economy.

D．The way of releasing CO2 is changed by partnering with biology.

3. What’s an advantage of the new method compared to traditional ones?

A．It will have a potential market of $10 billion.

B．It will accelerate the development of other new products.

C．It will develop other valuable chemicals on large scales.

D．It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions without using fossil fuels.

4. Where can the text be found?

A．In a biology textbook.	B．In a Lab guidebook.
C．In an academical paper.	D．In a science newspaper.

2 . Many Americans sleep in a room that’s stopped occasionally with some form of artificial light — whether it’s coming from a TV, a jumble of electronics or a streetlight. New research suggests that one night of sleep with just a moderate amount of light may have negative effects on health.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, senior author of the new study and director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine at Northwestern University, conducted an experiment so far, which indicates being exposed to light at night may be adverse in a variety of ways and could lead people to chronic diseases. For the study, all the participants spent their first night sleeping in a dark room. The next night, half of them slept in a lighted room. Meanwhile, the researchers ran tests on the sleepers: they recorded their brainwaves, measured their heart rates and drew their blood every few hours, among other things.

The results show several clear differences between the two groups. Unlike those who spent both nights in the dark, the group exposed to the light had increased heart rates throughout the night.

The study’s findings that metabolic (代谢的) health suffered aren’t entirely surprising. “This is enough to suggest that if people sleep under light, even a little light, it may pose a threat to their health, particularly cardiovascular (心血管的) health, and increase the risk of disease.” says Dr. Charles Czeisler, chief of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and a professor at Harvard Medical School.

In fact, the report did not control for the effects of sleep duration and other potential factors. It’s worth noting that researchers still had a indistinct definition of whether light can affect insulin (胰岛素) changes in the body, but it’s safe to say that even a little light can be bad for your health.

1. What does the underlined word “adverse” mean in paragraph 2?

A．Stressful.

B．Harmful.

C．Different.

D．Disordered.

2. How did Dr. Phyllis Zee get the results?

A．By comparing test data.	B．By monitoring light sources.
C．By analyzing sleeping patterns.	D．By recording emotional changes.

3. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The value of the experiment.	B．The prospect of the experiment.
C．The limitation of the experiment.	D．The application of the experiment.

4. Which of the following can be the best title?

A．Sleeping with the Lights on: Is it ever OK?	B．Light Theropy Improve Sleeping: Have a try?
C．How does a Lighter Sleeper Get More Rest?	D．Does Bedroom Lighting Improve Sleep Quality?

3 . In high school, she was bullied. After college, it was difficult to find a job. But through all the difficult times, Collette Divitto, has had one thing that makes her happy: baking. Divitto, who has Down syndrome (唐氏综合征), decided to channel her passion into a career, opening her own cookie company.

“So actually, I always loved baking, since I was 4 years old. From high school, I had been taking baking classes,” said Divitto, 31. “It was a hard time for me. I had no friends. I didn’t have a social life. I got bullied. I got picked on. And that’s why I had been taking baking classes.”

After high school, Divitto went to Clemson University in South Carolina, but after graduating, it was difficult for her to find jobs. So, she turned to her mom, who helped her create her own job: CEO of Collettey’s Cookies.

“There’re lots of amazing things happening,” Divitto said of the opportunities coming her way. She says her favorite part about running her business is hiring people with disabilities. Collettey’s Cookies helps people with disabilities prepare for their careers, by offering workshops and guidance.

In 2020, just 17.9% of people with a disability were employed. But Divitto believes many want to work, federal law does not require employers to pay them minimum wage. That means companies can pay people with disabilities whatever they think they’re worth — something Divitto is working to change.

She has appealed to society to help create more jobs for people with disabilities, which she hopes gets the attention of Congress. Collettey’s Cookies now has 15 employees, and about half of them are people with disabilities. And they have a strong leader to look up to. “No matter who you are, you can make a great difference in this world,” Divitto said. “Don’t let people bring you down... Do not focus on your disabilities. You only need to focus on your abilities.”

1. What drove Divitto to start her business?

A．Her being bullied.

B．Her mother’s help.

C．Her Down syndrome.

D．Her failure to land a job.

2. Which of the following best describes Divitto’s attitude towards the disabled?

A．Merciful.

B．Generous.

C．Considerate.

D．Tolerant.

3. What does Divitto want to work to change?

A．The salary the disabled get.	B．The fedal law about the disabled.
C．The working conditions of the disabled.	D．The role the disabled plays in the Congress.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．The disabled act as leaders in her company.	B．The government shows no care for the disabled.
C．Disabled people have potential to achieve success.	D．Employees show respect for Divitto in her company.

4 . Speed reading software can be useful not only for professionals who are required to be efficient readers in their line of work, but also for students who need advanced reading skills in order to excel in their tests and school work. Below we will list several of the best speed reading software.

Eye Q

Eye Q is a software created by Infinite Mind. A neat thing about Eye Q, besides having a clever name, is that they have training courses that are specifically designed for different categories. In order to access the courses from Eye Q, users will have to pay $89 as a monthly fee.

The Reader’s Edge

The Reader’s Edge not only focus on helping individuals read faster and more efficiently, but they also help users comprehend more and get the most out of a reading experience. There are two versions of the Reader’s Edge; basic and advanced. The advanced version costing $80 has far more features than the basic one which costs you almost half as much.

Spreeder

Spreeder is available on both iOS and Android. Starting off at a rather low speed, the app flashes words one by one. Gradually, as the user becomes more comfortable, the speed increases. Slowly, the user is trained to speed read without having to skip any words. This app records the reader’s reading improvements, recording the overall reading time and speed, which is unique to Spreeder. You can download and buy Spreeder for around $90.

Iris Speed Reading

Iris Speed Reading focuses primarily on teaching speed reading by using video courses. While all of the following programs can be used by individuals five years and older, this software is designed more for professionals, college students, and advanced readers. Iris Speed Reading software is unique as they only provide courses. They have three different courses, each costing $55. You can also choose to purchase all three courses for $149.

1. Which of the following provides two versions?

A．Eye Q.

B．The Reader’s Edge.

C．Spreeder.

D．Iris Speed Reading.

2. What is special about Spreeder?

A．Costing users the least money.	B．Offering users testing programs.
C．Tracing users’ reading progress.	D．Satisfying users of different ages.

3. How much can be saved if you buy all three courses of Iris Speed Reading at a time?

A．$16.

B．$55.

C．$94.

D．$149.

5 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

My ex-husband had made some very bad choices in his life, and I did not want my children to pay for them all their lives, so the boys and I talked and we decided to move. We moved 2,700 miles from home. We had a small car that pulled a small U-haul over the Rocky Mountains. I could barely read a map (my 8-year-old reads them great, I learned).

We arrived in our new town three days later, and found an apartment. I started the boys in their new school and went to our new home to unload the U-haul. I had brought all the clothes, dishes, blankets and toys that I could fit in the U-haul. As I began unloading, a lady whom I had briefly met the day before was driving down the road and she stopped to help me unload and carry everything up the three flights of stairs. After getting moved in, I was blessed two days later when I found a job.

Things were going great. The boys went to the Boys & Girls Club after school, and I would pick them up after work. In December, two months after moving, the manager of the Boys & Girls Club called me and said that there was a group of people who wanted to choose a family for Christmas and would I mind if they chose our family. My first thought was no, because we had all the love we needed for the holidays, but then he said that my children had told him that there was no furniture in the house, and this group had a lot of used furniture, and that the boys and I would be making them very happy. So I agreed.

They called me and asked what the boys wanted for Christmas and I told them that anything would be appreciated, and I told them what their favorite toys were.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

They showed up on December 23.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My children and I have supported a child every year since then.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Yao Zhongyu, a student of Beihang University from Taiwan, told his parents in a video     1    (post) online that he would not be able to spend the Spring Festival with     2    (they) as he volunteered for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

“Beijing is such a big stage and I have missed out on many of the big events that     3    (take) place in the past few years. It is a     4    (significance) opportunity to participate as a volunteer in such an international event,” Yao said.

In order     5    (select), Yao had passed the College English Test before he signed up as a volunteer, attended the Red Cross rescue training,     6     was organized by Beihang University, and obtained a corresponding certificate.

“My parents think that it is an honor     7     me to be a part of the Beijing 2022 and they     8    (true) take pride in me,” Yao said.

Yao worked as a volunteer in the Yanqing competition zone in the suburban area of Beijing.

According to Yao, the mainland has done     9     great job in COVID-19 prevention and control, and Beijing has many policies to support students from Taiwan to start businesses and find jobs. He plans to pursue his career in the mainland after     10    (complete) his studies.

7 . The fourth-graders walk up to a mirror — one after another — at a school in southwest Atlanta.

“I’m a good person!” a boy _______ a face mask adds.

Another boy follows, “I’m strong and _______,” before hurriedly walking away. In the background, their teacher, Acker, holds up the mirror in front of the kids and _______ them on. “Yes! Louder! Love it!” she calls out.

Acker teaches science at Gideons Elementary School, and she’s on a _______ to boost her students’ confidence and _______. The kids returned to school this month after a year of virtual learning, and said their _______ words every morning before class starts.

Acker _______ this with her 5-year-old daughter since she developed verbal language skills, and loved how they both felt _______. “The best part about doing the affirmations is the feeling after I say them,” Acker says. “And the feeling I see my students feel or that they _______ after they do it. Their attitude is better, their self-confidence is ________ and we have a better day.”

Mental health issues are ________ among children nationwide as they struggle with ________, uncertainty and pandemic. Many adults report that the pandemic has been hard on their mental health. For kids, some experts say, it has become a(n) ________.

And more so this year, kids “need all of the kindness and compassion we can ________,” says Dr. Marcuetta, a psychologist.

Children develop their ________ based on how grown-ups speak to them, making teachers a key influence and positive affirmation a crucial first step, she adds.

1.

A．playing

B．wearing

C．making

D．finding

2.

A．mean

B．indifferent

C．independent

D．common

3.

A．keeps

B．fixes

C．calls

D．cheers

4.

A．promise

B．mission

C．way

D．permission

5.

A．self-love

B．sympathy

C．self-discipline

D．wisdom

6.

A．surprising

B．positive

C．unique

D．unreliable

7.

A．denied

B．shared

C．practiced

D．concluded

8.

A．afterward

B．forward

C．eventually

D．initially

9.

A．express

B．reply

C．create

D．question

10.

A．suspected

B．checked

C．lifted

D．separated

11.

A．rising

B．improving

C．moving

D．leading

12.

A．personality

B．imagination

C．curiosity

D．anxiety

13.

A．opportunity

B．success

C．choice

D．crisis

14.

A．think

B．offer

C．rid

D．hide

15.

A．languages

B．arguments

C．doubts

D．beliefs

8 . We’ve all been there—watching late-night TV and a commercial comes on for something that looks positively mouthwatering. Maybe it’s yummy pizza, a refreshing beer, or steamed chicken wings. We think “how I wish I could get my hands on that right now” but instead settle for a bowl of instant noodles or some biscuits and cheese.

A Japanese professor wants to change that, and has developed a prototype for a lickable television screen device that can imitate food flavors.

According to a report from Reuters, the device is called Taste the TV (TTTV) and it uses a moving belt of flavor canisters (气雾罐) that spray in combination to imitate the tastes of particular foods. The device works by releasing flavor from 10 canisters onto a sheet of film that is rolled over the TV or tablet screen, which users can lick.

“The goal is to make it possible for people to have the experience of something like eating at a restaurant on the other side of the world, even while staying at home,” Homei Miyashita, a professor at Meiji University in Tokyo, told Reuters, adding that it could be beneficial for people who want to interact with foods from around the world during the pandemic.

According to a demonstration video, researchers mixed various foods and used sensors to “taste” them. The video shows other ways the TTTV could be used. For instance, you could add flavoring to toast, or make one food taste like something else entirely. The canisters can spray different flavors, which mix them together to create the desired taste profile.

Miyashita told Reuters the device could also be helpful for distance learning classes for cooks or chefs, or could be used for tasting games and quizzes.

1. What is the function of Paragraph 1?

A．To introduce the topic.	B．To draw a conclusion.
C．To strike a comparison.	D．To inform readers of a commercial.

2. What does the underlined word “prototype” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Model.

B．Habit.

C．Method.

D．Style.

3. What’s the main idea of the third paragraph?

A．The usage of the canister.	B．The origin of its name.
C．The reason for the invention.	D．The working principle of the invention.

4. What can TTTV be used for?

A．Ordering food.	B．World tours.
C．Fighting hunger.	D．Distant teaching.

9 . On many days I admit that I feel depressed, days when it seems that the efforts, the struggles, and the sacrifices of so many people fighting for social and environmental justice, fighting prejudice and racism, are fighting a losing battle.

But without hope, all is lost. It is a crucial survival character that has supported our species from the time of our Stone Age ancestors. Certainly, my own improbable journey would have been impossible if I had lacked hope.

Like all people who live long enough, I have been through many dark periods and seen so much suffering. I was in New York on that terrible day in 2001. I still can remember the disbelief, the fear, the confusion as the city went quiet except the whistles of the police cars and ambulances on the streets emptied of people.

It was ten years after that day that I was introduced to the Survivor Tree, a Callery pear tree discovered a month after the collapse of the towers. All that was left was half a trunk that had been burned black, with roots that were broken and only one living branch.

She was almost sent to the dump, but the young woman who found her, Rebecca Clough, begged that the tree be given a chance. And so she went to be cared for in a nursery in the Bronx. Bringing that seriously damaged tree back to health was not an easy task, and it was touch-and-go for a while. But whenever you give her a chance, nature returns. Eventually the tree made it. In the spring, her branches are bright with blossoms. I’ve seen people looking at her and wiping away tears. She is a symbol of the resilience (适应力) of nature — and a reminder of all that was lost on that terrible day 20 years ago.

The Survivor Tree, brought back from the dead, had not only put out new leaves herself but also nurtured (养育) the lives of others. Now do you understand how I dare hope?

1. What can we know about the author?

A．She wanted to fight for justice.

B．She once lost hope in her journey.

C．She felt hopeful despite many difficulties.

D．She planned to remove prejudice and racism.

2. Which of the following can best describe the author’s feeling on the terrible day in 2001?

A．Scared and annoyed.	B．Frightened and shocked.
C．Thrilled and desperate.	D．Disappointed and puzzled.

3. What happened to the Survivor Tree after the towers fell down?

A．The tree was slightly damaged.	B．The tree nearly got abandoned.
C．The tree was destroyed on the spot.	D．The tree got nothing but a trunk left.

4. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To call on people to protect nature.

B．To show the great strength of a tree.

C．To expect people to care for damaged trees.

D．To share the author’s reasons to keep optimistic.

10 . Fort Street Hotel

Fort Street Hotel is located in a beautiful historic building in Auckland CBD (Central Business District). Facilities include free coffee, a sauna, a rooftop kitchen with beautiful views of the city and harbor. Free daily activities include walking tours and barbecue events.

Fort Street Hotel is within a 10-minute walk from Spark Arena, Sky Tower and Viaduct Harbor. It is a 5-minute walk to Britomart Train Station and Queen Street is just around the corner.

You can relax in the sauna, then head down to the bar, located on Darby Street, to meet fellow travelers from all over the world. Free Wi-Fi is available 24 hours a day in the common area on Level 1.

Great location: 16-20 Fort Street, 1010 Auckland, New Zealand — show map

Most popular facilities

#Non-smoking rooms     # Free Wi-Fi       #Free parking     #24-hour front desk     # Laundry

Room Types	Sleeps	Today’s Price	Your Choices
Budget Double Room without Window 1 full-size bed       12 m² Private Bathroom / TV / Free Wi-Fi / Shower / Hairdryer / Fan / Towels / Sheets (extra fee) / Upper floors accessible by elevator / Toilet paper	Maximum: 2 people	USD 237 USD 225 Includes taxes and fees	•Non-refundable •Pay in advance •Only 4 rooms left on our site
Standard Twin Room with Shared Bathroom 2 twin beds       20 m² Free Wi-Fi / Shower / Toilet paper / Shared bathroom	Maximum: 4 people	USD 303 USD 287 Includes taxes and fees	•Free cancellation until 11:59 pm on April 2, 2022 •Pay in advance •Only 6 rooms left on our site
Triple Room with Shared Bathroom 3 twin beds     30 m² Free Wi-Fi / Shower / Toilet paper / Shared bathroom	Maximum: 6 people	USD 483 USD 358 Includes taxes and fees	•Free cancellation until 11:59 pm on April 2, 2022 •Pay in advance •Only 5 rooms left on our site

1. What is an advantage of this hotel?

A．Free laundry.	B．Favorable location.
C．Independent smoking space.	D．A unique underground kitchen.

2. How much should the Smiths with 2 kids pay for 2 nights at this hotel?

A．USD 574.

B．USD 358.

C．USD 606.

D．USD 450.

3. Where does the text probably come from?

A．A magazine.	B．A travel guide.
C．A web page.	D．A reference book.