1 . Before 2019, an estimated 500 million plastic straws (吸管) were used in the U.S. alone every single day, according to the National Geographic. Since then, they have been banned in numerous states, encouraging many businesses to offer paper alternatives in an attempt to cut plastic waste.

But, according to a new study, published in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants, these straws come with their own problems.

“Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic,” Thimo Groffen, an environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp in Belgium who is involved in the study, said in a statement. “However, the presence of PFAS (全氟和多氟烷基物质) in these straws means that’s not necessarily true.” After analyzing 39 different brands, Groffen and his team found that paper straws were more likely to contain toxic-forever chemicals than those using other materials.

These forever chemicals, known as PFAS, can be found in a range of everyday products. And they can lead to increased blood cholesterol and blood pressure, reduced immunity and an increased risk of certain cancers. Not only are these chemicals dangerous to human health, but they can build up in the environment too.

Of the brands tested, 90 percent of paper straws contained these chemicals, compared to 75 percent made of plastic and 40 percent of glass. They were not detected in any of the steel straws investigated.

The study did not test whether the PFAS could leach out into (浸入) the surrounding liquid so further tests are needed to determine the full impact of these products. While more work is needed, the study has highlighted that paper and bamboo straws are perhaps not as “clean” as they claim to be.

1. Why have plastic straws been banned in many states?

A．They are likely to get dirty.	B．They contain PFAS chemicals.
C．They are not sustainable and eco-friendly.	D．They can lead to increased blood pressure.

2. What does Paragraph 4 intend to highlight?

A．The origin of PFAS.	B．The ways to cope with PFAS.
C．The brief introduction of PFAS.	D．The potential risks associated with PFAS.

3. Which type of straw was found to have the highest percentage of containing PFAS?

A．Paper straws.	B．Plastic straws.
C．Glass straws.	D．Steel straws.

4. What is the main point of the study mentioned in the article?

A．Plastic straws are the most dangerous to human health.

B．PFAS chemicals can leach out into the surrounding liquid.

C．Paper straws might not be better for you or the environment.

D．Paper and bamboo straws are more sustainable than plastic straws.

2 . A dust box, also known as a dust bath or dirt bath, is an important part of backyard chicken keeping. It’s an area where chickens can engage in (从事) natural behaviors like dust bathing, which helps keep them healthy and clean.

Why do chickens need a dust box?

Chickens love to dust bathe.     1    . This behavior helps them maintain healthy skin and feathers, as the dust absorbs excess oils and moisture that can lead to skin irritations and infections. It also helps control external parasites(寄生虫)like mites and lice, which can be harmful to the birds.

    2    ?

A good dust box should be filled with a mixture of dry soil, sand, and wood ash.     3    , the sand helps absorb moisture, and the wood ash helps repel parasites. Some chicken keepers also add herbs (药草) like lavender to the mix, which can have calming and insect-repelling properties.

How do I encourage chickens to use a dust box?

Chickens will naturally attracted to a dust box if it’s easily accessible and filled with the right materials. Try placing the box in a shaded area with a roof to keep it dry and keep it clean and well-maintained.     4    .

How do I make my own dust box?

◎ Choose a shaded area with a roof.

◎ Build or choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep.

◎ Mix dry soil, sand, and wood ash together in a ratio (比率) of 2:1:1.     5    .

◎ Pour the mixture into the container until it is at least 6 inches deep.

A．What should I put in a dust box

B．Where should I place a dust box

C．The soil provides a base for digging

D．Don’t forget to add herbs like lavender

E．The water prevents the chicken from being thirsty

F．It includes digging a shallow hole and covering themselves in dirt and dust

G．You can also encourage your chickens to use the dust box by placing treats or a favorite toy inside

3 . 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。

Cui Chenxi became China’s youngest ever Asian Games gold medalist on Wednesday after the 13-year-old skateboarder won the women’s street event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The teenager,     1     is the Chinese national team’s youngest athlete, won the gold medal by scoring 242.62 points. Cui said this victory means a lot to her. “I always wanted to win gold. This competition is different from other competitions, so I     2     (particular)wanted to win this one.”

    3     (ask) if she was nervous before the competition, she shook her head and said, “My dad told me     4     (stay) relaxed, enjoy the competition and show my skills. As long as I give it my all, I have no regrets.”

Skateboarding, which is rooted     5     street culture and closely tied to lifestyles and attitudes of young people, is a sport that stresses freedom and personal techniques.

Cui only     6     (take) up skateboarding in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic did not allow her to practice rollerblading. However, her father,     7    skateboarding enthusiast, suggested that she try skateboarding at home instead.

“I remember the day I stepped onto the board for the     8     (one) time. It felt incredibly smooth. It was love at first sight,” Cui said.

In skateboarding, injuries are unavoidable, but when     9     (discuss) the pain and the setbacks, Cui displayed a level of     10     (determine) beyond her age. “I realized people receive a lot of injuries while skateboarding. But that is where the spirit of skateboarding lies,” she said.

4 . Chad Nelson’s five-minute animated film (动画片), called “Critterz”, was shown online this week and introduces viewers to furry creatures that live in an imaginary jungle. It’s an early example showing the possibilities and dangers of using artificial intelligence (AI) in film-making, a development that both excites and worries Hollywood.

Nelson, an independent visual artist, didn’t use AI for the whole production. He wrote the script himself, and invited actors to record the audio and animators to bring the creatures to life. It would normally take a large group of members six full months to create the kinds of high-quality images (图像) in “Critterz,” its movie director Nelson said. But using OpenAI’s Dall-E, the process went much faster, only one week.

Independent film-makers and Hollywood studios have been early users of AI tools, which can create texts, images and videos based on plenty of data. These increasingly advanced products can save time and resources, their supporters say.

But the appearance of these tools is causing trepidation. A recent report said AI could have a great influence on the global economy and subject 300 million jobs to automation (自动化). Actors, such as Keanu Reeves, are raising alarm bells, saying the rise of generative AI (such as Dall-E and ChatGPT) is “scary” and could be a way for managers not to pay artists fairly.

Many Hollywood studios see this technology as a way to cut costs when making movies. Greg Brockman, the president and co-founder of OpenAI, which makes ChatGPT, has argued that AI will improve cinema, allowing people to have interactive (互动的) experiences with art. He gave the example of the ending of HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”

Nelson said, “It’s likely that AI will replace (取代) some jobs in Hollywood while also potentially creating more.” He mentioned the appearance of computer-editing software, and how that replaced more traditional movie-editing jobs and processes.

1. What do we know about the film “Critterz”?

A．It was produced by HBO.	B．It is the first film to use AI.
C．Its images took seven days to make.	D．Its script was completely created by AI.

2. What does the underlined word “trepidation” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Concern.

B．Justice.

C．Curiosity.

D．Excitement.

3. Why was “Game of Thrones” mentioned in paragraph 5?

A．To explain the functions of AI.	B．To show the trouble caused by AI.
C．To introduce the company OpenAI.	D．To praise the advantages of using AI.

4. What did Nelson think of using AI in film-making?

A．It may open up new job opportunities.

B．It may improve people’s job performance.

C．It may change the development of the computer.

D．It may inspire Hollywood to create more movies.

5 . The Giant Ferris Wheel is one of Vienna’s symbols. Almost 65 meters tall, it offers a breathtaking view of the city. It was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel from 1920 until 1985.

According to the unwritten rule for all visitors to Vienna, if you haven’t done a round on the Giant Ferris Wheel, you haven’t been in Vienna. The Giant Ferris Wheel was built in 1897 to mark the 50th year of Emperor Franz Joseph’s accession to the throne (王位). It has been enduring feature of the city’s skyline ever since. If you want to know everything about the Giant Ferris Wheel, head to the Panorama Museum in the entrance area of the Giant Ferris Wheel.

The entire iron structure weighs 430 metric tons. The wheel of the Giant Ferris Wheel turns at a speed of 2.7 km/h. The Giant Ferris Wheel is the oldest ferris wheel of its type still in existence anywhere in the world and famous throughout the world.

Prices

Adult	€13.50
Child (aged 3-14 years)	€6.50
Family tickets	2 Adults + 2 Children €34.00 2 Adults + 3 Children €39.50 2 Adults +4 Children €45.00

You can find more information about The Giant Ferris Wheel at office@zumriesenrad.at or +43 1 729 54 30. Our office times are Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 08:00 am to 04:30 pm.

1. What do we know about The Giant Ferris Wheel?

A．It has a history of fifty years.	B．It turns at a speed of 2. 7 m/h.
C．It is the oldest Ferris wheel of its type,	D．It is the tallest Ferris wheel in the world.

2. How much do a couple and their two kids aged 6 and 8 pay at least?

A．€25.5.

B．€27.

C．€34.

D．€40.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a history book.	B．In a travel brochure.
C．In a science fiction.	D．In an art magazine.

6 . 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。

I’d lived next door to Debbie and her 84-year-old mother, Nan, for about six months and we’d become fast friends. Nan was blind and was also hard of hearing. One day, when Debbie was at work, she asked me to check on her mother. She fixed some baby monitors (监控器) and gave me a receiver.

I was glad to help. But I also felt a little funny about it. After all, what could I do? I’ve been born blind, too. In fact, at 54, I’d come to wonder if I had much value anymore.

At 9:00 pm I grabbed up my cane (手杖) and headed over to Debbie’s. After a brief check, I felt everything was fine, so I said goodnight to Nan. Then I locked the door and found my way home. I sat on my chair, switched on the receiver and laid it on an end table. However, Minutes later I heard a sound. It was Nan on the receiver. She was walking slowly across the floor. A door opened. Maybe she’s heading to the bathroom. Then I heard something strange, something I couldn’t identify. Had she turned on the shower? Why? Maybe the sound was something else. Something catching fire?

The monitor was one-way. I couldn’t call her. I reached for my cane and starting to get worried. I got out of my chair and headed for the door. “Jim! Jim!” I heard over the monitor. “The house is on fire! Help!”

I went as fast as I could to Debbie’s. I had to get Nan out. But how? I wasn’t even sure where Nan was, let alone how I would get to her. One thing I knew: There wasn’t much time. When getting to the front door, I could smell heavy and thick smoke. I reached for my key and unlocked the door. “Nan!” I called. No sound. Was I too late?

“Here, Jim. Help!” Her voice was weak.

“Nan, where are you? Keep talking!”

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。

“Here, Jim, here!” Sounded as if she’s right in front of me.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I tapped with my cane until we found the front door.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . When she was 21 years old, Laura Carstensen went to a concert with some co-workers. After the concert she ended up in a car driven by a young man who was drunk. As they were driving back to town, the driver was weaving across lanes and Carstensen asked him to slow down. Suddenly, she found herself lying on the side of the road outside of the car. The driver had driven off the road and the car had rolled down the hill. Carstensen had been thrown out of a window and was badly injured.

Fortunately, a truck pulled up near Carstensen and two men got out to help her. She told them she was cold and they went back to the truck to get a blanket for her. Carstensen was in shock and thought that she would ruin the blanket with her blood, but the men reassured (安抚) her that it didn’t matter. They laid the blanket on her and showed kindness and care during a challenging moment.

Carstensen spent months in the hospital recovering from her injuries, which included more than 20 broken bones. She is grateful to have survived and to be able to walk again. The kindness shown by the truckers that night has always stayed with her. She was touched by the fact that they cared enough to help her with her immediate challenge of feeling cold, even though it was the least of her troubles.

Carstensen remembered, “It was a gentle gesture. And I’ve always kept a blanket in my trunk ever since then, just in case.”

1. What happened to Laura Carstensen when she was 21 years old?

A．She fought with her co-workers.	B．She broke over 20 bones at home.
C．She was involved in a car accident.	D．She was helped by a drunken driver.

2. Why did Carstensen think the truckers’ blanket would get ruined?

A．The blanket might get burnt by gas.	B．The blanket might get dirty by mud.
C．The blanket might get broken by the car.	D．The blanket might get dirty by her blood.

3. How did Carstensen feel about the truckers’ gesture?

A．Unnecessary.

B．Grateful.

C．Indifferent.

D．Confused.

4. Why does Carstensen keep a blanket in her trunk?

A．To use in case of emergencies.	B．To remind herself of the accident.
C．To remember the two truck drivers.	D．To keep herself warm during cold weather.

8 . Bailey, a recently adopted dog ran away from her new owner. The adoptive family had searched for it for several days, but ______.

They ______ to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso for help. The rescue center put out an alert (警报) to ask local residents to be on the ______ for Bailey. What the center and its adoptive family didn’t ______ at the time was that Bailey was making a roughly 10-mile ______ through busy intersections over a two-day span back to the animal rescue center, using only her nose and a ______ map of the area.

Bailey ______ the center at night and summoned (召唤) her ______ caretakers by ringing the doorbell.

“At 1:42am Bailey is ringing the doorbell like, ‘I’m ______,’ ” said Loretta Hyde, founder of the league. “The ring camera kept ______ off and off and off … and you’ll see in the video that Bailey’s running out there, ______ for somebody to come.”

Hyde ______ over to the location to bring Bailey inside. “She slept so ______ the whole night,” Hyde said. “The next ______, she was like, ‘You can serve my breakfast over there. I’ll get it in a minute.’ Without proper food and water for such a ______ time, she was making up for her rest.”

Bailey is now home with her new family.

1.

A．in trouble

B．in vain

C．at risk

D．under attack

2.

A．jumped

B．brought

C．turned

D．took

3.

A．watch

B．exhibition

C．business

D．sale

4.

A．believe

B．change

C．expect

D．hope

5.

A．flight

B．drive

C．length

D．journey

6.

A．mental

B．digital

C．local

D．good

7.

A．left

B．reached

C．abandon

D．adopt

8.

A．new

B．former

C．old

D．forever

9.

A．tired

B．fine

C．honored

D．home

10.

A．going

B．singing

C．falling

D．shouting

11.

A．reaching

B．crying

C．waiting

D．waving

12.

A．got

B．took

C．blew

D．rushed

13.

A．hard

B．aloud

C．far

D．little

14.

A．night

B．evening

C．afternoon

D．morning

15.

A．special

B．long

C．critical

D．short