1 . Just as British people are always proud to say that they have “green fingers”, people in the US use about 34 billion liters of water on their gardens almost each day. At the same time, however, much of this country is experiencing a ten years’ drought (干旱). People in Florida, California and much of the western United States can’t water their lawns — or can’t water them as often as they’re used to. These lawns may not die, but neither will they look as green as grass lands in other places.

Both homeowners and researchers have been looking for solutions. Brooke Moffis, a graduate student at the University of Florida, works with Basil Iannone in the school’s lab on the ecology of living area, aiming to save water. Iannone says one way to do that is to fill a lawn with a variety of native plants. He recommends focusing on ones that can adapt to dry conditions, rather than keeping those thirsty English grasses.

People often regard lawns as grass and nothing else. When a lawn is planted with just one kind, it’s called a monoculture (单一栽培). “But we don’t need it to be a monoculture to serve the function of a lawn,” Iannone says. Adding native plants, including those that are considered as weeds, can make for a healthier outdoor space, Iannone added.

Imagine you’re a hungry insect. If you eat nectar (花蜜) — as many bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, ants and other insects do—a grassy lawn isn’t going to feed you. It would be like going to the grocery store and finding only one kind of food for a long time. But it’s a food you either can’t eat or don’t like.

A garden growing a variety of flowering plants would instead seem like a welcome buffet with a variety of food. The different nectar in these many flowers would make sure you and other nearby insects had plenty to choose and eat. That’s the idea behind adding flowering plants to existing lawns, such as clover, purslane or pennywort.

1. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?

A．Lawns in western California die easily.	B．Americans take good care of their lawns.
C．Some areas in the US lack water for lawns.	D．The British suffer from natural disasters.

2. Why does Iannone disagree on growing English grasses?

A．They can’t make lawns green.	B．They aren’t suitable for research.
C．They can’t survive in the United States.	D．They can’t grow well without enough water.

3. What do people usually think of lawns?

A．Lawns are just made of grass.	B．Lawns show American garden culture.
C．Lawns should include functional plants.	D．Lawns with weeds make healthier space.

4. Why does the author mention buffet in the last paragraph?

A．To indicate nectar is good for insects.

B．To introduce different ways to feed insects.

C．To show the benefits of growing various plants.

D．To suggest bringing nearby insects into the lawns.

2 . In October, Mediterranean fruit flies were discovered in an area of Los Angeles. California is a big farming state, and this was serious news for farmers. The key to the problem may seem a little unusual: releasing millions more of the flies.

The Mediterranean fruit fly, often known as the “Medfly”, is one of the most serious threats faced by farmers worldwide. Once the pest makes its way into an area, it can be very hard to remove. The flies lay their eggs in over 300 kinds of fruits and vegetables. When the eggs hatch, they turn into worm-like larvae (幼虫) that can destroy these products.

Three Mediterranean fruit flies were discovered in a Los Angeles neighborhood called Leimert Park in October. To stop the problem from spreading, the government set up a large quarantine (隔离) area, which means that no produce (fruits, nuts, or vegetables)can be moved out of that area. The quarantine area is 90 square miles.

That may seem extreme, since only three Medflies were found, but experts believe there are probably more out there. “It’s really important to get on top of this fast,” said Jason Leathers. Luckily, California has developed a program to control Medflies, and it’s been working well for 30 years. The plan involves using planes to drop millions of Medflies over the area. That may sound like a bad idea, but it’s actually a good way to make sure that Medfly numbers go down.

The airplanes only drop male flies, and all of them have been treated so that they can’t help produce new fruit flies. The males are sterile (不育的). This means that even though they can mate with female fruit flies, the eggs produced will never grow or hatch. The plan has worked well in the past. The government says that the number of flies has been cut by over 90%. To deal with the problem near Leimert Park, the government will be dropping two airplane loads of sterile Medflies every week.

1. Why is the figure mentioned in Paragraph 2?

A．To show farmers require more help.	B．To stress the great harm done by the Medfly.
C．To remind people to be particular about health.	D．To appeal for urgent concerns about the Medfly.

2. Why was a large quarantine area founded?

A．To destroy the native produce.	B．To limit the spread of the Medfly.
C．To kill the Medfly completely.	D．To reduce the losses of local farmers.

3. What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?

A．California values the control of Medflies.	B．Using planes to drop Medflies saves money.
C．Jason Leathers is in charge of Medflies’ study.	D．The public care little about killing Medflies.

4. What is the text?

A．A research article.

B．A short story.

C．A news report.

D．An agricultural research.

3 . Most of us look forward to the weekend as a time to relax, connect with friends and family, and handle items from a to-do list that gets unnoticed during the work week. But as the weekday does come to an end, many of us are missing out on enjoying the weekend and instead experiencing a sense of anxiety and even fear for the upcoming week. Experts call this phenomenon Sunday scaries.

Sunday scaries, also known as the Sunday blues, arise when individuals expect the upcoming work week with a combination of various factors such as work-related concerns, unfinished tasks, the end of weekend relaxation, and the pressure to start the new week. As a result, individuals may find it challenging to unwind and relax before the new week begins.

A clinical psychologist, Renée Goff, said, “Sunday scaries are more than a physical heaviness for them, but they could even jump out of their skins due to the upcoming week. The negative emotions associated with Sunday scaries can have a significant impact on one’s mental well-being and overall productivity.”

“As a matter of fact, such anticipatory anxiety is a natural response that happens in preparation for anything that can cause pain or discomfort,” explains psychotherapist Angela Ficken. “Sunday scaries might even start bubbling up as early as Saturday, but tend to become less intense by the time Monday morning rolls around when you start your work week. This doesn’t mean we leave them unchecked.”

To battle anticipatory anxiety for the upcoming week, individuals can adopt self-care practices that promote relaxation and stress reduction. This may include engaging in hobbies, spending time in nature, exercising, practicing mindfulness or simply dedicating time to disconnect from work-related thoughts. Additionally, we can organize tasks for the upcoming week in advance to create a sense of control, reduce the Sunday scaries and promote a healthier work-life balance.

1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?

A．To lead in the topic of the text.	B．To tell background for the text.
C．To offer suggestions to readers.	D．To stimulate readers to imagine.

2. How does Renee Goff find Sunday scaries?

A．Avoidable.

B．Imaginary.

C．Normal.

D．Harmful.

3. What can be inferred about Sunday scaries from Angela Ficken’s words?

A．They strengthen on Monday morning.

B．They tend to die down before Saturday.

C．They should be brought to our attention.

D．They will in no case disappear naturally.

4. What does the last paragraph focus on?

A．Theoretical basis for Sunday scaries.

B．Approaches to fighting Sunday scaries.

C．Positive aspects of anticipatory anxiety.

D．Extreme suffering from Sunday scaries.

4 . Many Silicon Valley parents are becoming more concerned about preventing their children from using screens. Some parents think that even a little screen time can be extremely addictive, so it is better if their children avoid using or seeing these devices completely. However, it is difficult for working adults in the 21st century to give up using a phone at home. So, it’s simpler to employ someone to do this.

“Silicon Valley nanny (保姆)”, who takes children back to a time without screens every day is widely needed. From Cupertino to San Francisco, it’s widely agreed that screen time is harmful to youngsters. Therefore, parents are requesting nannies to keep phones, tablets and computers in a hidden place. Others even offer no-phone agreements.

Research shows that spending too much time on technology can harm young minds. For example, teenagers who use social media frequently are more likely to feel depressed and anxious. Insomnia (失眠) rates have also increased amongst this age group, and an increasing number of children display the signs that they can’t focus attention. These seemingly minor (轻微的) problems could become significant challenges for future generations.

“Many parents come back home and focus on their smartphones, ignoring whatever their children are trying to say,” said Shannon Zimmerman, who works as a nanny in San Jose for families that forbid screen time. “As a nanny, I also call on more parents to spend more time with their kids.”

1. Why are the Silicon Valley nannies greatly needed according to the text?

A．To help parents and children balance work and life.

B．To teach children how to use technology responsibly.

C．To keep children away from screens.

D．To encourage children to exercise.

2. What is the result of spending too much time on screens for teenagers?

A．Feeling confused.

B．Feeling anxious.

C．Feeling bored.

D．Feeling nervous.

3. What does Shannon suggest parents do?

A．Encourage their children more.	B．Play games with their children.
C．Stop using smartphones at home.	D．Spend more time with their children.

4. What is the text about?

A．Parents concern about screen time for children.	B．Children are addicted to screen time.
C．All parents limit children to phones.	D．Science has no effects on young minds.

5 . The most obvious dog fetish (迷恋) today is the longing for cuteness. Almost every day you can see adorable pictures of dogs and other animals that will make you smile and say, “How cute!”

It is a cultural phenomenon that the media scholar James Meese calls the “cute economy” which exists primarily on social media, is user-generated, and is heavily dominated by pictures of animals, especially pets. The goal is to generate a positive response, probably followed by a tap on the screen to “like” and “share”. We can click through image after image of cute animals doing cute things, feeling a little boost of good cheer.

The marketing researchers have identified some of the most common categories of cuteness in online pet content: animals doing silly things; animals of extreme size; animals with unusual looks; and animals behaving in ways that seem human-like. Dogs and other animals in the “cute economy” are often further humanized by being dressed in clothing and accessorized (装饰) with hats, jewellery, nail polish and fur dyed a rainbow of colors. Users who post successfully and with some strategies can make money by doing so. Thus, certain dogs have become cuteness celebrities, with millions of devoted followers and paid content from advertisers.

Unfortunately, the price of the “cute economy” comes at a serious cost. The cutest and most popular breeds tend to be those with the most significant risk of health and behavioral problems. Cuteness is often coupled with their discomfort. People are drawn to the cuteness of dogs with extremely foreshortened skulls and extremely short legs and awkwardly long bodies, such as the French bulldog and the corgi.

Actually, there are well-established health issues. We should treat the “cute economy” with caution, like resisting the commodification (商品化) of appearance by opting out of social media channels promoting the “cute economy”. We can also choose not to “like” or “share” images of dogs whose cuteness is linked with discomfort. Although we are biologically attracted to dogs that are super cute, we should be mindful in our “impulses”.

1. What is the key to the “cute economy” according to the text?

A．Taking photos of different animals.

B．Cute animals’ attractive appearance.

C．Pets’ owners’ liking adorable pictures.

D．Posting cute animals’ pictures on social media.

2. Which kind of cuteness is most likely to be the online pet content?

A．A normal-sized dog is eating bones.

B．A white cat is quietly lying next to its owner.

C．A monkey is attentively taking care of its baby.

D．A parrot dressed in a suit is singing and dancing.

3. What is the side effect of the “cute economy”?

A．It will change the animals’ nature.

B．It may make the animals not so cute.

C．It may cause health problems to the animals.

D．It will result in a decline in animal population.

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

A．The Cute Economy and Its Price	B．Share Pictures or Not
C．Happiness from Pets	D．Marketing Strategy — Cuteness

6 . Check your drawer, and you may find several electronic device chargers, many of which you no longer use. The European Union proposed a new regulation that would solve this problem by requiring all small electronics (including phones and cameras) to have the one-size-fits-all charging port (端口). All such electronics sold in the EU would need to switch to the USB-C standard within two years.

Officials claim this standard not only increases convenience for consumers but also cuts down on e-waste. Critics claim the move will stifle innovation. The true impact of the new regulation, however, may not be as simple as either side suggests.

“The relative reduction in the amount of e-waste is probably going to be relatively small,” says Callie Babbitt, a professor of sustainability. “But the bigger potential is that this will require producers to think about the design that is user-friendly.”

There are two benefits of this strategy. The first is the direct benefit of no longer having to throw away a charger. The bigger benefit might be more indirect: This is potentially something that might enable a change in consumer behavior. If your charger still works, maybe that’s a sign that the product still works, and you can keep using it. And there might be some indirect benefit on consumers continuing to repair and to extend the lifespan of the products.

How can standardization have this indirect benefit? With standardized components, all the parts are the same. In my lab, we have an enormous bench full of tools of all sizes and shapes—because that’s what’s needed to access the components inside electronics. Without design standardization, a business trying to work in the reuse field has to spend more on labor and costs to do the valuable work.

No single policy can effectively address the problem of e-waste. It will take a joint effort. Policy plays a key role. Producers play a key role. But we also have to change the way products can be repaired. And we have to educate consumers on how to participate in the system.

1. What does the underlined part “one-size-fits-all” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Ordinary.

B．Unique.

C．Common.

D．Suitable.

2. What is the benefit of the EU’s strategy for charging port according to the text?

A．It might promote innovation.

B．It might prolong the service life of products.

C．It will result in a significant decrease in e-waste.

D．It will help charger producers reduce the costs of production.

3. What’s the writer’s purpose in mentioning the bench in his lab?

A．To show how complicated their work is.

B．To indicate the necessity for standardization.

C．To demonstrate the difficulty of doing valuable work.

D．To provide a means for accessing electronic components.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Standardized Design Is Beneficial

B．The EU’s New USB-C Standard Port Is Necessary

C．The Problem of E-waste Is in Need of a Joint Effort

D．The Chargers of All Small Electronics Should Be Harmonized

7 . Josie, who is 17 years old, said, “Why do my parents do the same things they tell me not to do? For example, my mum stops me from shouting through the walls and asks me to go and speak to her face-to-face, but she always shouts through the walls to me. What can I do?”

That is a very good point. Parents can be completely inconsistent (不一致), and usually they don’t realize it. You see this a lot in many things like smartphones. Parents always say to their kids, “Oh, you can’t use that. That device (设备) is bad for you, so stop using it at the table. It’s harmful.” But then they are on theirs continually. So what do you expect teenagers to do?

The whole “Do as I say, not as I do” thing is an annoyance, especially for a teenager who is dying for independence and respect but isn’t getting them.

What can teenagers do with it? I would say you should point it out by calmly saying something like “You tell me not to scream through the walls, but you do it to me, so you can understand where I’m coming from. That’s not ideal.” They might object to it, but I think most parents who care about being parents would logically say, “That’s a reasonable point.”

There are a lot of conflicts (矛盾) going on between teenagers and their parents, but a lot of studies show that the conflicts are resolved a lot more when they turn into a dialogue.

If you can talk at a time when you’re both feeling a bit calmer, like just in the kitchen or doing something unimportant, then go in and say, “Can I just mention it? You tell me not to do this, but you do it too.” If you can approach it in a more calm and stress-free manner, most parents will respond positively.

1. How did Josie feel according to her words in paragraph 1?

A．Hopeful.

B．Bored.

C．Proud.

D．Confused.

2. What does the underlined word “theirs” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．The parents’ smartphones.	B．The tables in the house.
C．The devices in the house.	D．The teenagers’ points.

3. What should teenagers do with their parents’ inconsistency?

A．Object to it personally.	B．Complain of it continually.
C．Talk with their parents calmly.	D．Do some studies differently.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the last paragraph?

A．To list a fact.	B．To offer a suggestion.
C．To show a result.	D．To ask a new question.

8 . Many of us have a secret, internal timeline we’re always measuring ourselves against: the ideal age we’d like to get that degree, get married, reach a certain title at work. Our fantasy timetable hasn’t evolved much over the years. A 2018 Stanford University study found that all generations agreed around 26 is the right age to get married, 27 the time to buy a house and 28 the moment to start a family.

What if it’s not? Struggling to competing with the Boomers (生育高峰出生的人) in the job market and overwhelmed by rising social pressure, many millennials (千禧一代) just can’t reach the milestones as planned.

Younger generations are increasingly pushing back everything from the age they start a full-time job to when they begin saving for retirement, says Laura Carstensen, director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. There are some downsides to the delay. Give up buying a home and you could miss out on a massive house. Put off saving for retirement and you may face financial insecurity down the line. You body might not be suitable to have babies forever, and it will age.

However, we’re also living longer: 30 extra years, on average, over the last century. So, instead of rushing through all the big stuff, only to face a long period of stagnation at the end of our lives, why not spread out the milestones?

Working as a lawyer in Rochester, N.Y., Danielle Ponder would frequently Google, “Did anyone make it after the age of 35?” A gifted singer, she chose a career in law because she wanted the stability of steady work. She tried to make out some time for shows between court dates instead of committing to music full time.

Five days before her 40th birthday, she quit her job, which led to a bestselling solo album, television appearances and sold-out shows. “I don’t know if I could make this happen to me at 19,” she says.

1. Why does the author mention the study of Stanford University?

A．To illustrate a popular belief.	B．To recommend a study.
C．To support his argument.	D．To give a scientific theory.

2. What does the underlined word “stagnation” refer to in the third paragraph?

A．A state without life goals.	B．A state without balance.
C．A state without leisure.	D．A state without limitation.

3. What can we know about Danielle Ponder?

A．She became a lawyer at 35.	B．She misses her youthhood.
C．She regrets about her past life.	D．She is a successful singer now.

4. What does the text seem to advocate?

A．One should set life goals when young.	B．One should succeed the earlier the better.
C．One should not set time limits to life goals.	D．One should pursue a changeless life.

9 . The topic of photo copyright has been widely discussed recently. It started with a photographer called Dai Jianfeng receiving an email from the Visual China Group (VCG), saying that he used photos from VCG without permission (许可). However, the photos were taken by the photographer himself. It turned out to be a misunderstanding. Dai’s photos were then removed from the VCG website.

Copyright protects an author’s original works. Works are original when they are independently created by a human author and show creativity.

“In a sense, companies like VCG protect photographers’ rights,” said Shen Ran, a 26-year-old photographer who knows Dai. After signing with photographers, these companies sell the rights to use the images on their platforms. They may keep up to 70 percent of the pictures’ proceeds (收益). Users also need to follow certain rules when using the images.

If companies find out that people are using their copyrighted images without permission, then “they can file lawsuits (诉讼),” Shen said. In this way, the platforms enforce (执行) photographers’ ownership rights. Without the help of these companies, it can be difficult for photographers to know if their pictures are being misused and even harder for them to take legal (法律的) action in response.

Meanwhile, there are many cases of people using photographers’ pictures without permission on online platforms. And the platforms’ attitude sometimes makes it worse. “There used to be a fake (虚假的) account claiming to be me on Douyin,” said Ji Zixuan, a 17-year-old photographer in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. “Because I don’t have an account there, Douyin refused to remove the fake account at first.”

A lack of effective online content moderation (内容审核) means it can be time-consuming for photographers to defend their rights. It leads to many photographers feeling apathetic (无动于衷的) about the copyright of their pictures.

1. What is the purpose of Paragraph 1?

A．To introduce the VCG company.	B．To defend Dai’s photo copyright.
C．To lead in the topic of photo copyright.	D．To warn people to use photos legally.

2. What is Shen Ran’s attitude toward VCG?

A．Supportive.

B．Negative.

C．Doubtful.

D．Subjective.

3. What is Paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The permission of using images.	B．The lawsuits of the platform.
C．The function of companies like VCG.	D．The legal actions of photographers.

4. How is the passage mainly developed?

A．By giving explanations.	B．By making comparisons.
C．By showing data.	D．By raising examples.

10 . Humans have long known that being in nature is good for the mind and body. From indigenous (本土的) adolescents completing the adult ceremony in the wild to modern East Asian cultures taking “forest baths”, many have looked to nature as a place for healing and personal growth. But the question still remains. How can nature make it?

There is no doubt that being in nature reduces the physiological symptoms of stress in our bodies. What this means is that we are less likely to be anxious and fearful in nature, and therefore we can be more open to other people and creative patterns of thought. Also, nature often leads to awe, wonder and respect, all these emotions facilitating everything from physical to mental health. There is also some evidence that exposure to nature impacts the brain. Viewing natural beauty makes specific reward circuits in the brain associated with dopamine release, a chemical that gives us a sense of purpose, joy and energy to pursue our goals.

But, regrettably, people seem to be spending less time outdoors and less time in nature than before. It is also clear that, in the past 30 years, people’s levels of stress and sense of “busyness” have risen dramatically. These joint forces have led environmental writer Richard Louv to coin the term “Nature Deficit Disorder”—a form of suffering that comes from a sense of disconnection from nature and its powers.

Perhaps we should take note and try a course corrective. The 19th century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote about nature, “There I feel that nothing can befall me in life—no disgrace, no calamity.” The science speaks to Emerson’s intuition. It’s time to realize that nature is more than just a material resource. It’s also a pathway to human health and happiness.

1. Why are “indigenous adolescents” and “modern East Asian cultures” mentioned in paragraph 1?

A．To clarify a viewpoint.	B．To answer the question below.
C．To present the natural scenery.	D．To show the cultural differences.

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

A．Restricting.

B．Exposing.

C．Promoting.

D．Covering.

3. What is the tone of the author in writing paragraph 3?

A．Uneasy.

B．Indifferent.

C．Humorous.

D．Proud.

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

A．Is It Time to Challenge Yourself in Nature?

B．Do You Know Nature Is a Material Resource?

C．Why Do We Care about the Natural Environment?

D．What Can Happen When We Connect with Nature?