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。

International Left-Handers Day is celebrated every year on August 13 in an effort     1     (recognize) the differences and uniqueness of left-handed individuals in our society. Most of us have grown up around right-handed people. Some of us have been taught that using our left hand to carry out some essential tasks     2     (be) disrespectful. Consequently, left-handed individuals often find     3     (they) in an awkward situation in a world that is mainly right-handed. Left-handers are often ignored when it comes to design and technology     4     are tuned to suit the requirements of the right-handed majority. Even simple chores like using     5     pair of scissors or using the ATM are inconvenient for most left-handers.

International Left-Handers Day     6     (observe) for the first time in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell. On this day, left-handers are confident that having a dominant left hand is     7     (absolute) normal. Left-handedness should be recognized     8     a unique strength instead of an oddity. This day is very significant as it spreads awareness about the importance of     9     (appreciate) left-handed persons across the globe. This ensures that the historical biases (偏见) against left-handers are corrected and that the world is made as     10     (comfort) for left-handed persons as it is for right-handers.

4 . Gear for Sleeping Outdoors

Whether you’re camping or backpacking, how can you increase the odds (n.机会) that you’ll sleep soundly in the outdoors? A good start is to have the right gear:

Sleeping bag: Choose a sleeping bag with a style and temperature rating (n.等级，级别) appropriate for your destination.

·Car camping bags are typically cut wider, offering homelike and more roll-around room but less efficiency for retaining body heat (not so good on extra-chilly nights).Some rectangular (adj.长方形的) styles can be unzipped (adj.未拉上拉链的) to use as a quilt on milder nights.

·Backpacking bags are mummy shaped for a closer, warmer fit, and are usually lighter in weight. Many are filled with goose or duck down, which compresses (v.压缩) more readily than synthetic( adj.合成的) fill.

Sleeping pad: There are three types of sleeping pads — self-inflating (adj.充气的), air and closed-cell foam (n.泡沫塑料). When car camping, weight is not an issue, so you can enjoy a thicker, wider pad or mattress for comfort. When backpacking, weight is crucial, so a super-lightweight air pad or closed-cell pad may be your first choice.

Pillows: Bring one from home or use a small foam or inflatable camp pillow. Some sleeping bags have a pocket to hold a pillow or folded up clothing, such as a down jacket or fleece sweater.

Eye mask and earplugs: Eye masks are especially helpful when camping in northern latitudes (n.纬度) in summer or in campgrounds with surrounding light. Earplugs block out noises ranging from your tent mate’s snoring to rustling sounds in the bushes.

1. Why do people choose car camping bags?

A．They have goose or duck down fill.

B．They are easy to carry in a car.

C．They are more comfortable.

D．They are good for retaining body weight.

2. What kind of sleeping pad can people choose when backpacking?

A．a wider pad.	B．Closed-cell pad.
C．a thicker pad.	D．Super-heavyweight air pad.

3. What do people use the earplugs for?

A．Blocking out noises from tent mate’s snoring.

B．Reducing noises from the wild animals.

C．Stopping the ambient light.

D．Protecting the ears from being hurt by the rustling sounds.

5 . Nick was troubled and aimless. Then one night, everything changed.

At first, it was just faint light as Nick drove past a two-story house. Then he realized the house was on fire. He immediately pulled up to investigate. _________ was climbing up the front porch. Hurrying out of the _________, he yelled, “Help, fire!” A car drove past and Nick tried to _________ it to stop, but in vain.

He ran to the back door, sure it would be _________. To his amazement, it swung open. Without _________, Nick ran inside, peering into rooms to see if anyone was home. He had just started climbing when he _________ and saw four faces emerge at the top of the stairs. After Nick’s warning, they came pouring down and rushed out.

“Anybody else in there?” Nick asked. When told a 6-year-old was still in, he ran back. By now, thewhole house was in flames. The smell was _________. The smoke was thick. He lifted his T-shirt to cover his mouth and nose. As he hesitated, he heard the kid crying _________. Nick stumbled into the blackness, _________ on smoke. His __________ stayed alert as he moved toward the sound. Then suddenly the kid was in front of him and Nick quickly grabbed her into his arms. The flames were __________ even closer. Nick took a few steps __________ and threw himself out of the window. Outside, the firefighters had arrived. He handed over the girl — crying, but miraculously uninjured __________ a cut on her arm — before collapsing on the sidewalk.

Nick’s burns have mostly healed, but other changes have been far greater. As news about his __________ spread, a GoFundMe account for his hospital bills exploded, reaching $600, 000. “It somehow feels like both a near-death experience and a __________.” Nick said.

1.

A．Air

B．Water

C．Mist

D．Smoke

2.

A．vehicle

B．house

C．bay

D．fire

3.

A．signal

B．put

C．break

D．take

4.

A．frozen

B．locked

C．wrapped

D．melted

5.

A．delay

B．interruption

C．motion

D．sympathy

6.

A．looked up

B．got up

C．looked down

D．got down

7.

A．dizzy

B．pleasant

C．intense

D．bitter

8.

A．desperately

B．patiently

C．tightly

D．precisely

9.

A．hesitating

B．spraining

C．collapsing

D．choking

10.

A．ankles

B．throats

C．ears

D．fists

11.

A．inching

B．skipping

C．sinking

D．fading

12.

A．forward

B．downward

C．upward

D．backward

13.

A．due to

B．instead of

C．as for

D．apart from

14.

A．realism

B．heroism

C．criticism

D．pessimism

15.

A．recovery

B．reputation

C．rebirth

D．reform

6 . Extreme land use combined with warming temperatures is pushing insect ecosystems toward collapse in some parts of the world, scientists reported Wednesday.

The study, published in the journal Nature, identified for the first time a clear and alarming link between the climate crisis and high-intensity agriculture and showed that, in places where those impacts are particularly high, insect abundance has already dropped by nearly 50%, while the number of species has been reduced by 27%.

These findings cause huge concerns, according to Charlotte Outhwaite, the lead author on the study and researcher at the University College London, given the important role of insects in local ecosystems, pollination (授粉) and food production, and note that losing insects could threaten human health and food security.

“Three quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators,” Dave Goulson, a professor of biology at the University of Sussex in the UK, previously told CNN. “Without insects, crops will begin to fail. We won’t have things like strawberries. We can’t feed 8 billion people.”

Scientists say, extreme land use has a link with the climate crisis. Clearing natural habitats for agriculture can dramatically change the area’s local climate and cause temperature extremes. Researchers found evident declines in insect populations in warmer areas, particularly in the tropics. They concluded that in areas with less agriculture, less climate warming, and a nearby natural habitat, insects only declined by 7%, compared to the 63% decrease in areas with less natural habitat cover.

Outhwaite told CNN there are things we can do to help prevent this crisis, like planting more native species and wildflowers, and reducing chemicals used in gardens. “It’s also probably a good idea to think about where the foods that we are buying are being sourced from,” Outwaite said. “So if they’re being sourced from tropical countries, there’s probably going to be a high impact on biodiversity there.”

1. Why does the author quote Dave Goulson’s words in the paragraph 4?

A．To emphasize the importance of insects to human life.

B．To provide evidence for the decline in insect populations.

C．To suggest potential solutions to prevent the decline of insects.

D．To show the importance of preserving natural habitats for insects.

2. Which of the following may contribute to the largest decline in insect population?

A．Making full use of land in colder areas.	B．Preserving habitats cover in colder areas.
C．Planting more native species in warmer areas.	D．Expanding agriculture production in tropics.

3. What does Outhwaite’s words mainly focus on in the last paragraph?

A．The efforts that have been made to protect insects.

B．The suggestions on how to protect the diversity of insects.

C．The reasons why we should preserve the diversity of insects.

D．The advice on what kind of products to buy to avoid insect crisis.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Agriculture Harms Ecosystems	B．Reasons for Endangered Insect Ecosystems
C．Insect Ecosystems Need Help	D．Efforts Made to Save Insect Ecosystems

7 . Homeless animals are usually left without a permanent home when their owners give them up or they’re found on the street. With millions of animals living in shelters every year, there aren’t enough people to take them in.     1     If you’d like to help homeless animals, then there are tons of ways to do so.

●   Adopt a pet

When you adopt an animal from a shelter or rescue group, you save two lives.     2    , but you’ve made room at the shelter for another homeless cat or dog. There’s nothing more rewarding than adopting a pet who knows what home life is like and has been missing it — until the day you bring that pet home. Adopting truly makes you a hero.

●       3    

Whether you like rolling up your sleeves and cleaning cages, socializing with a few of your kitten friends or working with numbers, your skills and interests can make a huge impact on the lives of homeless pets in your community.     4    . Shelters and rescue groups rely on foster (收养的) families to take in dogs and cats on a short-term basis. No matter what you like to do and what you’re good at, there’s a volunteer job for you.

●   Donate to the animals

    5    . Consider paying it forward by sponsoring (发起) a pet’s adoption or donating food, cleaning supplies, blankets or towels to your local rescue. You can also help animals right from your computer or phone by donating items from the Best Friends Amazon wish list.

A．Volunteer with animals

B．So, many animals don’t get the love and care that they need

C．Host an animal shelter talk at your school or workplace

D．Fostering is a fun way to get lots of helpful hands-on time

E．Not only can you feel good about saving the pet you adopted

F．You’ll find rescue groups for just about any type of pet

G．Whenever you give something to a shelter or a rescue group in your community, you’re helping to save lives

9 . The sound of my mother preparing breakfast fills the house — my morning alarm.

As I drag my body toward the kitchen, I’m greeted by my mother standing over the stove. She effortlessly cooks a dish that blends Western and Eastern styles, a beloved breakfast classic in our family. This is my grandmother’s recipe, which reflected her upbringing.

Since my grandmother’s passing, I’ve become more aware of my mother’s aging and her dedication (奉献) to cooking for us. She has cooked for her family for more than 30 years, dividing her time between three countries — Korea, Canada and Germany. When my parents visit us from Korea, they stay with us for several months. My mother helps around the house, showing her cooking skills to provide delicious meals for me, my partner and our kids. In alternating years, she and my dad will travel to Berlin to spend a couple of weeks with my sister and her partner.

According to Statista, most Canadians claim to spend between 31 and 60 minutes preparing an average weekday dinner for themselves and others in their household. Ten percent of respondents to the 2022 survey stated that they spend more than an hour preparing their evening meal. My mother belongs to that 10 percent.

Her cooking extends beyond the kitchen, starting with careful grocery shopping trips where she examines produce (农产品) and finds the best deals. She takes everyone’s preferences and needs into account. The meal she creates becomes a ritual (仪式), bringing the family together to connect and share. Helping her out in the kitchen demands a great deal of patience. Yet, I know it’s her way of expressing love.

As I chop the vegetables, she glances over and notices that my carrots are not equally sized. She pushes me aside to take over the task.

“Just do the dishes.”

1. What do we know about the author’s mother from the text?

A．She has three daughters

B．She has great cooking skills.

C．She lives with the author in Korea.

D．She invented the author’s beloved breakfast classic.

2. What’s the author’s purpose in mentioning statistics about meal preparation time?

A．To show her mother’s devotion.

B．To present a common issue.

C．To explain the reasons behind infrequent cooking.

D．To highlight the significance of home-cooked meals.

3. Why does the author say helping her mother in the kitchen requires patience?

A．Her mother is easily annoyed.	B．Her mother wants to teach her everything.
C．Her mother dislikes being disturbed.	D．Her mother expects perfection in cooking

4. Which would be the best title for the text?

A．Mother’s Love Needs to Be Responded to

B．Mother’s Recipe Is the Best in the World

C．Mother’s Kitchen Draws Us Closer Together

D．Mother’s Selflessness Inspires My Family