1 . For almost all of human history, the Earth's population has tended to be younger. But since the last World Population Day on July 11, a major shift occurred: There are now more people aged 65 and older than there are under age five.

World Population Day was established by the United Nations Development Program in 1989 to bring attention to population issues. Having more people on the planet is not the only concern, though, since a population's age structure matters too.

Increased lifetime is a remarkable human success story, but having more elderly people also creates a number of socioeconomic concerns. The global population will continue to age as these two groups grow in opposite directions. By 2100, the percentage of the population aged 65 and older will rise to nearly 25 percent — about five times that of children under five.

“Most developed countries have been aging for a century, giving them time to prepare for the changes. But developing countries will become old before they become rich,” says researcher Toshiko Kaneda. Many countries in Latin America and Asia are aging much faster and have less time and resources to prepare health-care systems.

What are the consequences of an older global population? Supporting elderly people is more expensive than caring for young ones. Pressing issues arise like how to provide long-term care, and maintain a labor force. In developed regions like Europe, where 10 percent of the population over age 50 is childless, elderly care is a major worry.

“Not a single country has been able to change declining trends in fertility (生育) despite government requests for people to reproduce as has been done across Europe and in Japan,” Kaneda says. “The aging trend is continuous. ”

But declining fertility rates can have positive effects too, says Kaneda. When fertility rates decline but the population hasn't aged yet, governments can spend more on secondary and higher education, and benefit the economy. Both Thailand and South Korea have seized the opportunity during this ideal period.

1. What do we know about the global population?

A．It tended to be younger until now.

B．People are living longer and having fewer kids.

C．Age structure matters more than population size.

D．Developed countries are facing tougher challenges.

2. Which chart shows the global trend in the percentage of children under five?

A．	B．
C．	D．

3. What's Kaneda's attitude towards the global population issue?

A．Critical.

B．Objective.

C．Optimistic.

D．Doubtful.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The declining trend in the fertility rates.

B．The consequences of the aging population.

C．The establishment of World Population Day.

D．The present situation of the global population.

2 . 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。

Generally, the US     1     (refer) to as a melting pot. More than 44 million people     2     (live) in the US are from other countries. People from all over the world go there in search     3     opportunities.

These immigrants tend to move to certain areas. This may be for     4     number of reasons. Some want to move somewhere with plenty of job opportunities, while others want to live somewhere with a large community of immigrants from the same place that can make it easier     5     (adapt) to life in America.

America’s melting pot cities tend to concentrate in states     6     make up part of the country’s southern border. California metro areas account for 12 of the 25 cities on the list. Texas with five and Florida with two     7     (be) another two states with     8     (variety) metro areas to rank among America’s melting pot cities. Many of these cities are popular destinations for Americans as well as immigrants.

In America’s melting pot cities, people from Mexico make up the largest share. Mexican immigrants account for about a quarter of all the American residents     9     (bear) in foreign countries. However, more immigrants     10     (move) to the US from both India and China than Mexico in the past years.

3 . As the global population grows and shifts towards urban living, the land available in our cities is being under increasing pressure.In order to be sustainable, cities need to find ways to minimize their urban expansion.One option is to build upwards; another is to dig down.

In Montreal, constructed underground to relieve overcrowding in the city streets is RESO —one of the largest underground complexes in the world.It is a network connecting everything from shops and banks to flats and hotels.This shows how going underground can meet human needs whilst also bringing certain environmental benefits.Underground transport can reduce traffic jam above ground, thereby improving air quality.Furthermore, thanks to their relatively constant climate throughout the year, underground spaces consume less energy for heating and cooling.

When planning underground construction projects, developers must consider existing structures on or near the site, such as the remains of historic buildings.Designers must also ensure any underground space intended for human use has good air quality.One example is the forthcoming LDN Hotel,an underground hotel beneath the streets of London.Designers are using a wide range of plans to help keep the air inside clean,together with a state-of-the-art ventilation system (通风系统).

Light is another key consideration.In New York, plans for the world's first underground park Demonstrate novel ways of bringing natural rays beneath the surface.By employing solar technology light is to be reflected down through a series of pipes into the terminal below.This light would be sufficient for photosynthesis (光合作用) to occur and the park's plants to grow naturally.

Today's architects are developing innovative ways to make underground spaces functional and comfortable.The question remains whether they can provide sustainable and realistic options for the future.Besides practical considerations, there exists the challenge of building a positive perception of “going underground".Yet, the obvious challenges of constructing habitable underground spaces must be weighed against the urgent issue of housing the world's ballooning population.One day, it will feel as natural to live and work underground as it does to do so over 100 storeys high.

1. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 2?

A．To advertise the underground complexes.

B．To give suggestions on relieving crowdedness.

C．To explain how the underground network works.

D．To introduce the benefits of building underground.

2. How does the author develop his opinion?

A．By giving examples.

B．By listing study findings.

C．By making comparisons.

D．By quoting others' words.

3. Which of the following will the author agree?

A．Going underground can solve the problem of global warming.

B．Good air quality is superior to other factors.

C．Natural light is not necessary for underground plants.

D．The future of going underground calls for people's positive attitude.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Ways to house the world population.

B．Concerns for the urban expansion.

C．Why and how to build underground.

D．The promising future of our cities.

4 . 阅读下面短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个恰当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Today, there are groups of native people around the world that still live a traditional lifestyle. Some live in remote parts of South America,     1     way of life is in danger of disappearing. The Korubo are native people who live in the Amazon rainforest. They make their own tools, grow their own crops, and hunt and fish. Their main weapons are clubs and poison-tipped arrows, used     2     both hunting and protecting their territory against     3    (outsider).

5 . I remember when Kamala Harris became Joe Biden's running mate. It seemed funny how many people pronounced her name incorrectly. On one occasion, a news host became upset when being corrected, and purposely called her Kumbaya.

I am no stranger to this issue as many of my students are from Asian and Middle Eastern countries, and sometimes their names are difficult for me to pronounce, even after asking them how to say it. Many students seem unwilling to correct me when I attempt to learn their names correctly. The other thing I’ve seen in growing numbers is students “adopting” an English name.

It's much more common than many think, for people to change their names in order to fit in.

This is especially the case when it comes to seeking jobs. Racial and cultural minorities often attempt to avoid discrimination hiring by hiding racial cues on the resume including changing their name. This is referred to as “resume whitening”. Research shows almost 50 percent of black and Asian job applicants did so.

Xian Zhao from the University of Toronto researches ethnic (种族的) name pronunciation, saying that many people don’t understand that habitually pronouncing an unfamiliar name inaccurately is a form of indirect discrimination. It sends a message that “you are the minorities” says Zhao. “You are not important in this environment, so why should I take time and my effort to learn it?”On the other end, those with ethnic names frequently don’t correct people, even when their name is pronounced wrong repeatedly, feeling it is better just to keep the peace and not stand out for being difficult.

It is important to try to pronounce everyone’s name as they pronounce it. This communicates respect of them as a person and their culture. There is nothing wrong with asking someone to repeat their name so that you can learn to pronounce it properly. This is usually appreciated.

1. When their names are incorrectly pronounced, the author’s Asian students

A．attempt to laugh at it	B．tend to accept it
C．offer to correct the author	D．agree to change their names

2. Which of the following can be seen as “resume whitening”?

A．An application for a better job.

B．A change in work environment.

C．A ban on racial discrimination in workplace.

D．A practice of using Western names in job seeking.

3. In his research, Xian Zhao finds that

A．ethnics accept their names being mispronounced to save trouble

B．ethnics fight effectively with the discrimination against their names

C．many westerners pronounce ethnic names incorrectly on purpose

D．many westerners make efforts to pronounce ethnic names correctly

4. What’s the author’s attitude toward pronouncing ethnic names correctly?

A．Critical.

B．Uncaring.

C．Reserved.

D．Supportive.

6 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. double          B. intense          C. pressures       D. stock          E. agriculture       F. trapped G. withdrawal     H. availability   I. drive             J. expanding     K. rising

Throughout history, people have fought bitter wars over political ideology, national sovereignty and religious expression. How much more     1     will these conflicts be when people fight over the Earth’s most indispensable resource water? We may find out in the not-too-distant future if projections about the     2     of water in the Middle East and other regions prove correct.

Less than three percent of the planet’s     3     is fresh water, and almost two-thirds of this amount is     4     in ice caps, glaciers, and underground aquifers too deep or too remote to access. In her book, Pillars of Sand-Can the Irrigation Miracle Last, Sandra Postel outlines three forces that     5     tension and conflict over freshwater. Using up the water “resource pie”. In India, the world’s second-most populous nation, with over 1 billion inhabitants, the rate of groundwater     6     is twice that of recharge, a deficit higher than in any other country. Although water is a renewable resource, it is not a(n)     7     one. The freshwater available today for more than 6 billion people is no greater than it was 2,000 years ago, when global population was approximately 200 million. (The current U.S. population is 287 million.)

Global     8     accounts for about 70% of all freshwater use. In five of the world’s most water-stressed, controversial areas the Aral Sea region, the Ganges, the Jordan, the Nileland and Tigris-Euphrates population increases of up to 75% are projected by 2025. With the fastest rate of growth in the world, the population of Palestinian territory will more than     9     over the next generation. Most experts agree that, because of geography, population     10     and politics, water wars are most likely to break out in the Middle East, a region where the amount of available freshwater per capita will decrease by about 50% over the next generation.

7 . I have five months to travel before I write! I’m going to some countries where I can practice speaking English. Where am I going to start?

	Canada It’s the Rockies for me in November! There are mountains and beautiful lakes everywhere. I’d like to visit Nunavut, the home of the Inuit in the north of Canada, but unfortunately I’m not going to get there.	Australia Australia is very hot from November to March. I love hot weather, so I’m going to arrive in Sydney in December. I’m going to sight see in Sydney—there are so many interesting buildings in the city.
	India Rajasthan is the perfect introduction to India with its festivals and monuments (古迹). There are also exciting markets, with beautiful clothes and jewelry. I’m going to spend the month of January there.	South Africa South Africa offers safaris (狩猎旅行) and the chance to see wild animals. It also has a wonderful coastline, so, after the safari, I’m going to find a beach and go swimming there. I’m going in February.

1. If you enjoy mountains, you can go to ________.

A．Canada

B．Australia

C．South Africa

D．India

2. What’s the perfect introduction to India?

A．The Rockies.

B．Rajasthan.

C．The buildings.

D．The safaris.

3. What can we know from the text?

A．There is a wonderful coastline to visit in India.

B．The author is going to visit Nunavut in December.

C．It is very cold from November to March in Australia.

D．The author will have a chance to see wild animals in South Africa.

8 . The old Berlin was known for its fine music, food, and art. Its streets were full of historical buildings and there were beautiful views everywhere. However, for 28 years, from 1961 to 1989, the city was divided into East and West Berlin by the Berlin Wall. This wall separated two areas that were controlled by different powers. During this time, Berlin lost some of its liveliness.

Nowadays, however, the city has many immigrant groups and a rising art and music culture. Berlin has become one of the most lively, multicultural cities in Europe. Today, about 3.5 million people live there. A half million of these people were not born in Germany. These immigrants have come from 185 different countries. Many live in communities with other people from their homelands. Each of these neighborhoods is a great place to see and each has a very different look and feel.

Kreuzberg

Many people from the country of Turkey now live in the area of Kreuzberg. This is a lively, happy area. In addition to all the special foods from Turkey and the bookstores, you also find nightclubs here. In these clubs, young people from many different cultures come together to play music and dance all night.

Art Mile

In the recent past, most artists lived and worked in West Berlin. But today everything has changed. The “Art Mile” was an area in East Berlin that wasn't very interesting in the past. It is now the city's lively art center. Berlin has two international art events in the “Art Mile.” These events attract thousands of visitors from around the world each year,

Prenzlauer Berg

Visitors love the neighborhood called Prenzlauer Berg. Its streets are jumping with the energy of all the musicians, artists, and designers who live and work there. But there are also quiet, restful shops where people drink tea, read books, or write their own stories.

1. What does the underlined word “immigrant” in the second paragraph most probably mean?

A．Exchange students who are studying further.	B．People passionate about German art and music.
C．Staff who are engaged in working together.	D．A person coming to live in another country.

2. From the passage we can learn that the “Art Mile”_________.

A．used to be popular	B．lies in West Berlin
C．is now the art center	D．isn't interesting as before

3. Which of the following does the author mainly talk about?

A．Shocking changes of Berlin.	B．Uniqueness of new Berlin.
C．How people view Berlin.	D．Why people chose Berlin.

4. What method does the author mainly use in writing the passage?

A．Providing facts.	B．Comparing differences.
C．Listing numbers.	D．Making a summary.

9 . An immigrant is a person who has come to live permanently in a country that is not their own. More than 145 million immigrants live outside their native countries.

    1    Some people move because of war, political or economic problems, or natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Some immigrants move to be with family members, to marry, or to find better living conditions.

Where are immigrants moving from?     2     One of the largest immigration flows is from Latin America and Asia to the United States. Another immigrant flow is from Eastern Europe, the former Soviet republics and North Africa to west Europe.    3     In countries such as Saudi Arabia, 90% of the total population is now foreign born.

When immigrants arrive in a new country, they often live in urban neighborhoods. As a result of immigration, many city neighborhoods change.    4    For example, the historic Esquilino neighborhood in Rome is now the home of a large number of Chinese immigrants. There are also many new immigrants from Albanian, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. In some schools in Athens, 50% of the children are foreign born.    5    In Los Angeles, 37% of the population is foreign born, and children in the public schools speak 82 different languages. In New York, 40% of the population is foreign, and children speak 140 different languages in the schools.

A．And what countries are they moving to?

B．Immigrants move to other countries for different reasons.

C．Immigrants have contributed to British culture in many ways.

D．Immigrants open new stores, restaurants, and other businesses.

E．Many immigrants also move from Africa and Asia to the Middle East.

F．Moreover, Los Angeles has a track record of successfully accepting immigrants.

G．Los Angeles and New York are two cities in the US with very large immigrant populations.

10 . The capital of a country is often a very populated city where much history has been made due to the high-level political and economic functions that occur there. However, sometimes government leaders decide to move the capital from one city to another. Capital relocation has been done hundreds of times throughout history. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Chinese changed their capital frequently.

Some countries choose new capitals that are more easily defended in a time of invasion (侵略) or war. Some new capitals are planned and built in previously undeveloped areas to promote development. Countries sometimes change their capital because they expect some type of political, social, or economic benefit. They hope and expect that the new capitals will surely develop into cultural treasure and hopefully make the country a more stable place.

Here are capital relocations that have occurred in approximately the last few centuries.

Asia	Japan	from Kyoto to Tokyo — 1868
	Turkey	from Istanbul to Ankara — 1923
	Israel	from Tel Aviv-Jaffo to Jerusalem — 1950
Europe	Poland	from Krakow to Warsaw — 1596
	Finland	from Turku to Helsinki — 1812
	Italy	from Turin to Florence to Salerno to Rome — 1871
The Americas	The US	from New York to Washington — 1800
	Jamaica	from Port Royal to Spanish Town to Kingston — 1872
Oceania	New Zealand	from Auckland to Wellington — 1865

1. Why did some countries decide to move the capital?

A．To further expand their land.

B．To uncover ancient treasure.

C．To develop undeveloped areas.

D．To declare war on another country.

2. Which country was the earliest to move its capital?

A．Turkey.	B．Poland.
C．The United Sate.	D．New Zealand.

3. What do Italy and Jamaica have in common?

A．They moved the capitals more than once.

B．Their capitals were destroyed in the war.

C．They moved their capitals in the same year.

D．Their capitals moved because of the economy.