1 . There are few places on Earth that humans haven’t messed up. Now even Antarctica, the only continent with no permanent human inhabitants, is being altered by us. A study found that the increasing human presence in Antarctica is causing more snow melt-bad news for a frozen world already battling the effects of human-caused global warming.

Black carbon, the dark, dusty pollution that comes from burning fossil fuels has settled in locations where tourists and researchers spend a lot of time, scientists found. Even the smallest amount of the dark pollutant can have a significant impact on melting because of its very low reflectiveness: things that are light in color, like snow, reflect the sun's energy and stay cool; things that are dark, like black carbon, absorb the sun's energy and warm up.

“The snow albedo (反射率) effect is one of the largest uncertainties in regional and global climate modeling right now,” Alia Khan, a snow and ice scientist at Western Washington University, told CNN. “That’s one of the motivations for the study, to quantify the impact of black carbon on regional snowmelt, which is important for quantifying the role of black carbon in the global loss of snow and ice.”

“Antarctica is sitting there pretty much silently all year. But, if it weren’t there, in the state that it is meant to be, the balance that we have in the climate system will no longer be,” Marilyn Raphael, a geography professor said. “Antarctica’s sea ice is also important to maintain a balance in atmospheric circulation,” he added. As waters get warmer, some Antarctic creatures are finding their homes more and more unlivable.

“Everything we do has consequences,” Raphael said. “We need to educate ourselves about those consequences, especially in systems that we know relatively little about. We have to be careful that we don’t upset the climate balance.”

1. Why can the smallest amount of black carbon have huge impact on melting?

A．It is highly reflective.	B．Its dark colour absorbs heat.
C．It produces vast energy.	D．It causes much pollution.

2. According to Alia, which of the following is one reason for conducting the study?

A．To measure the impact of black carbon on melting.

B．To quantify the cost of battling against climate change.

C．To remove the uncertainties of global warming effects.

D．To urge people to pay more attention to melting problem.

3. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．The change caused by Antarctic melting.	B．The methods to stop Antarctic ice melting.
C．The significance of Antarctic being in its state.	D．The sufferings Antarctic creatures are experiencing.

4. What does Raphael advise people to do?

A．Reduce tourist numbers.	B．Face the consequences.
C．Acquire professional education.	D．Stop disturbing the climate.

2 . Since COVID-19 outbreak, many women have stepped up in the fight to end the epidemic (流行病).

Guo Xin is a volunteer from Shandong Province. She has been working as a volunteer in Wuhan since February 3. She is mainly responsible for helping to count the goods and materials donated (捐赠) to Wuhan.

According to Guo, her parents didn’t know she was coming to Wuhan. “I wasn’t sure if I should come as I didn’t know how difficult the situation was. I thought about it and decided to come. I have a sister. She is in college. My parents are healthy. If you overthink it, it becomes more difficult. But if you let it go, it’s much easier,” Guo said.

Behind the reports, there are still many unknown women workers. Among them, some businesswomen have spared no expense (不惜一切代价) in the production of protective equipment (设备) at the fastest speed for fighting against the epidemic. There are also women who are active in communities and on the streets, working hard for people. There are also policewomen, women reporters and drivers.

According to a survey, in Shanghai, half of the doctors on the front line of the fight against the outbreak are women and more than 90 percent of nurses are women. Women medical workers are heroes. They are soldiers who should not be neglected in the fight against the epidemic.

1. What is TRUE about Guo Xin?

A．She is a college student.

B．She made her own decision to go to Wuhan.

C．She comes from a city in Guangdong Province.

D．Her parents supported her in her decision to go to Wuhan.

2. What does Paragraph 4 mainly talk about?

A．Women are as strong as men.

B．The reports can’t tell all the truths.

C．A lot of women are trying their best to offer help.

D．People should pull together when facing difficulties.

3. What does the underlined word “neglected” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Discovered.

B．Changed.

C．Admitted.

D．Forgotten.

4. What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Being a volunteer is honorable

B．The importance of the volunteers

C．Remember the efforts of people during the epidemic

D．The important role of women in fighting against the epidemic

3 . When people mention Paris, they often talk of it as a "museum city". What they mean by that is that it hardly changes. But there are several brand new or totally improved museums opening - and all of them look like they're worth a visit. The biggest of the bunch is the Bourse de Commerce: a former exchange building near the Center Pompidou that's been turned into a vast contemporary art space. It will host several temporary exhibitions each year, featuring works from the collection of billionaire Francois Pinault.

Then there's the Hotel de la Marine on Place de la Concorde. This former navy headquarters dates back more than 250 years. In its earliest days, the site served as a storage place for the king's furniture. It will be open to the public for the first time this week.

The Maison de Serge Gainsbourg will welcome the public for the first time this autumn. The main attraction will be the large living area, with its piano and Gainsbourg’s huge collection of sculptures.

The other major museum coming to the city is the Musée Carnavalet. Built in 1548 and transformed by the famous architect Mansart in 1660, this maison (豪宅) became a museum in 1866. It offers an overview of the city's history through paintings, artefacts and 30 "period rooms" moved from elsewhere in the capital. Its five-year, 58 million repairs have been entirely financed by the Paris mayor's office. Now that's the kind of "museum city" we can get behind.

1. What can you do at the Bourse de Commerce?

A．Admire the king's furniture.	B．Study Mansart's design style.
C．Visit Gainsbourg's living area.	D．Enjoy a billionaire's collection.

2. Where can you learn about the rich history of Paris?

A．The Musée Carnavalet.	B．The Hotel de la Marine.
C．The Bourse de Commerce.	D．The Maison de Serge Gainsbourg.

3. What do the listed museums have in common?

A．They will reopen this year.	B．They are favored by architects.
C．They are the biggest in Paris.	D．They will be tourist attractions.