1 . A narrow region of the eastern Pacific Ocean has been getting colder for the past 30 years, challenging global trends and confusing many scientists. Over at least three decades, the region has cooled by roughly half a degree, which has been causing scientists to wonder how long that will hold.

The unusual phenomenon, known as the “cold tongue” is affecting a vast area of ocean west of South America. Scientists are not entirely certain what is keeping the “cold tongue” cool. Richard Seager, from the Earth Observatory at Columbia University, said one factor appears to be trade winds in the equatorial (赤道) region, which carry warm water away from the surface, stimulating cooler water to rise. “The trade winds blow from east to west across the tropical Pacific Ocean,” Seager said. “As the waters are driven away from the surface, water flows up from below. And since the waters below the surface are cold, this creates the ‘cold tongue’.”

Yet despite the effect of these winds, the “cold tongue” has puzzled scientists, because advanced climate computer models suggest that the waters should have been warming for decades at a faster rate than the rest of the Pacific due to rising greenhouse gas emissions (排放).

Pedro DiNezio of the University of Colorado Boulder, considers “It’s the most important unanswered question in climate science”. Scientists can’t predict when it will end or start warming since the cause is unknown. According to New Scientist, this has huge worldwide implications, including determining California’s permanent drought and Australia’s wildfires. More profoundly still, “it could even alter the extent of climate change globally”, the site said, “by understanding how sensitive Earth’s atmosphere is to rising greenhouse gas production”.

Despite this, the overall ocean temperatures are rising. Solving the puzzle of the “cold tongue” isn’t about proving climate models wrong. Rather, the “cold tongue” is the last big piece of the puzzle. Fit that in and we can build a more accurate picture of how life will change in a warming world-and how best to prepare for that future.

1. What may be the cause of the “cold tongue”?

A．The arrival of ocean currents.

B．Trade winds in the equatorial regions.

C．The change in the direction of water flow.

D．The temperature differences between sea and land.

2. Why are scientists confused about the “cold tongue” phenomenon?

A．It has lasted for many years.	B．It forms a minor ocean ecosystem.
C．It contradicts the global warming trend.	D．It mirrors increasing carbon emissions.

3. What makes solving the “cold tongue” puzzle important?

A．It can help predict droughts in California.

B．It contributes to adjusting ocean temperatures.

C．It can help improve the accuracy of climate models.

D．It offers insights into dealing with future climate events.

4. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To stress the effect of climate change.

B．To introduce an unusual phenomenon.

C．To explain reasons for strange natural disasters.

D．To appeal to people to pay more attention to the ocean.

2 . 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。

Maisie and her car

Maisie usually goes swimming every morning before she goes to work. She leaves home at 5:30 am and drives to the swimming pool. She swims for an hour, and then hurries home for a shower and breakfast before she leaves for work at 8 am.

One Thursday morning, Maisie drove to the swimming pool as usual. She did not feel happy because she had a quarrel (争吵) on the phone with a co-worker the night before. She was still thinking about it and feeling so depressed that she did not want to go to work.

“Swimming may make me feel better. Come on,” Maisie said to herself. She parked the car opposite the sports center, took her sports bag from the back seat and walked to the building, forgetting to put on the handbrake (手刹).

While Maisie was swimming, a strong wind came and the car started to move. Very, very slowly the car moved out of the car park and across the road. It was early morning so the road was empty. There were no people walking around and no other cars on the road.

A few moments later, there was a sudden announcement on the loud speaker system. “Is the owner of a white Honda, number plate XJY436, in the pool?”

“XJY436! That’s my car,” thought Maisie. She swam to the side of the pool and climbed out. A lifeguard was standing next to the pool. Maisie ran up to him. ”That’s my car, “she said.” Did I leave the lights On? “No,” said the lifeguard, laughing. “Come and see.” Maisie followed the lifeguard out to the entrance of the sports center. “Look!” said the lifeguard when he pointed to the big entrance door. “Oh, no!” shouted Maisie. Her car was in the doorway. It was half inside the building and half outside. No one could go in or out of the sports center.

注意：1续写词数应为 150左右；
2.请按如下格式在相应位置作答。

“Do you have your car key?” asked the lifeguard.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Maisie’s entire face instantly turned red.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 . 阅读下面短文,在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号肉单词的正确形式。

Oracle bone script (or jiaguwen), the earliest-known Chinese characters     1     (carve) on tortoise shells (龟壳) and animal bones, today has made its way into modern life. Chen Nan, an     2     (enthusiast) professor with the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University, is among those responsible for its resuscitation (复兴).

The protection of Chinese character culture     3     (achieve) good progress in recent years. And the ancient characters have also gained growing global influence. In 2017, the script     4     (official) entered the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. Oracle bone script calligraphy exhibitions even took place in Morocco and Japan in 2018-19. International experts, too, have participated     5     the research on and promotion of the characters. One such expert is Adam D. Smith from the U.S., who said he once visited Anyang     6     (see) the unearthed script and further introduced the ancient characters through lectures and workshops abroad. He suggested     7     (take) the research online so     8     more people can better understand the roots of Chinese culture.

For Chen, the global promotion of oracle bone script culture is far from sufficient, given people from other cultural     9     (background) may still consider it mysterious and abstract. “I hope modern designs can break down cultural barriers,” said Chen,     10     newly made designs have been published and exhibited overseas.

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.    1    , as if you’re running away from all your worries in life.

It’s good exercise.

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.     2    

It helps build your confidence.

There is no denying the fact that healthy and fit people are confident with their bodies.    3    Nevertheless, surfing promotes confidence that isn’t necessarily rooted in how you look or boost your ego (自我). It takes time to learn and even master.

    4    

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.    5    With surfing, you’re able to observe nature from a different viewpoint. This is an ideal time to be one with nature, so grab the chance to broaden your horizons (视野) as a part of this beautiful planet we live on.

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.

2. Which of the following is most related to breeds?

A．Engagement with the environment.	B．Response to human training.
C．Ease of stimulation or excitement.	D．Comfort level around humans.

3. Which statement did Karlsson agree with?

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.

4. What is the best title for the text?

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.

2. What earned Bologne the name Chevalier de Saint-Georges?

A．His military service.

B．His exceptional athletic abilities.

C．His noble birth.

D．His musical achievements.

3. What did the campaign of some women in the opera imply?

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.

4. What is happening to Bolognes music now?

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.

2. How much would a couple with two primary school children pay for admission?

A．$35.

B．$58.

C．$76.

D．$93.

3. Which of the following is known for its speed?

A．The whale shark.	B．The buzzsaw shark.
C．The shortfin mako shark.	D．The Moller’s Lanternshark.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What degree did the speaker do at university?

A．Psychology.

B．Computer programming.

C．Art and design.

2. What does the speaker say about Purple Moon?

A．It was a big challenge for him.

B．It provided a multi-player experience.

C．It was the most successful one of all his games.

3. What is the hardest part about designing a game?

A．Creating a great experience.

B．Setting its difficulty level.

C．Coming up with new ideas.

4. What is the most important quality of a good game designer?

A．Communication.

B．Creativity.

C．Devotion.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What was the woman asked about in the street?

A．Her TV show preferences.

B．Her opinions about traffic conditions.

C．Her attitude towards a construction plan.

2. What did the woman think of the man doing the survey today?

A．He was too curious.

B．He was very helpful.

C．He was a bit impatient.

10 . One early morning, I was wiping down the shower curtain, as well as its liner. My budget was_________, so I was forced to scrub a two-dollar plastic liner because I didn’t have a few extra dollars to buy a(n)_________one.

_________ isn’t how I would normally choose to start the day. To _________and continue the day a bit more optimistically, I _________the chores(家务)for later and set out for my daily walk.

Along the way, something on the sidewalk caught my_________. I picked it up. Upon _________ it turned out to be a small paper bag with no _________. I looked inside the bag for more _________. It was a shower curtain liner!__________, I turned it over many times. It was a brand-new shower curtain liner.

It took me a few minutes to __________what to do next. Were it a more__________item, I would’ve taken it to the police station, but it was just a two-dollar liner. For a moment, I wanted to__________the liner. However, I couldn’t persuade myself to __________ something that did not belong to me.

Finally, I took the bag to the police station. On my way home, my bad mood __________ and I was ready to finish scrubbing my liner.

1.

A．limited

B．balanced

C．personal

D．annual

2.

A．ordinary

B．expensive

C．new

D．special

3.

A．Ouarreling

B．Complaining

C．Explaining

D．Fighting

4.

A．cheer up

B．keep up

C．clean up

D．move up

5.

A．chose

B．began

C．discovered

D．left

6.

A．meaning

B．reflection

C．attention

D．imagination

7.

A．touch

B．question

C．discussion

D．examination

8.

A．markings

B．prices

C．warning

D．comments

9.

A．evidence

B．opinion

C．impression

D．information

10.

A．Helpless

B．Sad

C．Worried

D．Ashamed

11.

A．confirm

B．predict

C．consult

D．decide

12.

A．suitable

B．valuable

C．normal

D．useful

13.

A．buy

B．repair

C．keep

D．deliver

14.

A．demand

B．accept

C．announce

D．waste

15.

A．disappeared

B．followed

C．migrated

D．reproduced