1 . As someone who often mans the 24-hour hotline, I’m accustomed to early morning calls reporting various marine mammal strandings (搁浅). Even still, I doubt whether I could have fully prepared for this call. August 9 at 8: 01 am was the first time my jaw physically dropped when manning the hotline. The harbormaster reported 30 stranded dolphins in one of the trickiest areas of Wellfleet. I immediately sent all workers we had and sent out the call for any additional help we could gather.
Our team gathered at our Rescue Operations Center, grabbing all the specialized equipment we possibly could. Our trained volunteer responders arrived on the scene shortly after the initial report to give me updated information — 45 dolphins in total, 43 of which were alive. With a stranding this large, it wasn’t feasible to pull all 43 animals from the mud, get them to our mobile veterinary clinic, and transport them for release at a more favorable open-ocean location all before the tide came in. The day was getting hotter, and the animals were already suffering from both heat and sun exposure.
Upon getting on the scene, there was no time to react to the sheer chaos that lay ahead. After a quick scan of the situation — 45 animals widely distributed, only a few staff members and several volunteers — there wasn’t a second more to wait. We began the hard process of getting as many animals as we could into special slings (吊带), onto the cart, and off the marsh as quickly as possible. This was not without its own challenges. The mud trapped and enveloped our feet, adding weight with each step, most animals were highly fractious (易怒的) when approached, and the heat became unbearable in dry suits. But none of that was going to stop us from doing all we could for these animals.
1. How did the author react to the call on the morning of August 9?A.He thought it was a joke. | B.He was shocked to the bone. |
C.He didn’t take it seriously. | D.He was at a loss what to do. |
A.Efficient. | B.Practical. | C.Urgent. | D.Remarkable. |
A.The tide was coming in very quickly. |
B.It was hard to find an open-ocean location. |
C.The volunteers failed to contact each other. |
D.There was deep mud around to walk through. |
A.A rescue effort. | B.A volunteer program. |
C.A festive activity. | D.A charity organization. |
2 . Cities, often seen as ecological wastelands, actually have the potential to produce exceptional biologists. While traditional biologists typically come from rural backgrounds, urban residents possess diverse skill sets that make them better ones.
Take myself as an example. Growing up in Philadelphia provided me with a unique angle to look at urban ecology. The city’s distinct seasons, plentiful squirrels, row homes, and festivals served as my first ecological classroom. It was there that I witnessed wild cats eating birds and rats, people driving bats from their homes, and snakes being killed by lawn mowers (割草机). This was ecology in action, as real as any observation in fields and forests.
The unique environment of urban areas encourages wildlife there to develop distinct feature s and behaviors that set them apart from their rural counterparts: they may be larger in size, be active at different times of the day, move differently, and even display different personalities. Some biologists argue they are even “smarter” because they balance more risks, such as exposure to roads, poisonous chemicals and diseases from domestic animals — with rewards, of course, like inhabitable parks and human-provided food.
As human residents of cities, we too adapt to the risks and challenges of urban living. This adaptation sharpens our intuition (直觉) — we learn which streets to avoid and lock our doors for safety. Our ability to assess threats and our awareness regarding safety influence our behaviors and choices, much as they do for urban wildlife. Shared experiences such as these enable us to better understand and appreciate urban wildlife.
Most of the world’s population now accesses green and blue spaces, as well as wildlife, within urban neighborhoods. Nature is no longer only untouched wilderness; it includes sounds of human laughter, trash trucks and fire alarms. We urban residents are resourceful and imaginative. We need more capacity, more participation, more energy and more innovation in science to create solutions to fight environmental degradation and reduce biodiversity loss. Identifying this talent across cities presents a practical approach.
1. What did growing up in Philadelphia teach the author?A.Philadelphia is uniquely rich in wildlife. |
B.Studying biology at school helps greatly. |
C.Urban wild creatures need protection too. |
D.Cities are far from ecological wastelands. |
A.Similar species. | B.Potential enemies. |
C.Natural resources. | D.Qualified biologists. |
A.Eco-friendly habits. | B.Risk-aware behaviors. |
C.Ill-informed choices. | D.Fast-paced urban life. |
A.Cities Build Better Biologists | B.What Makes Smarter Residents? |
C.Urban Areas Encourage Wildlife | D.Who Saves Ecological Wastelands? |
3 . Studies have shown that gardening and garden-based activities have positive impacts on childhood development, including better eating habits and stress relief.
Involve them from the very beginning
Take your kids to the store and give them options to pick from. This will allow them to select plants that they can handle and are appropriate for your home conditions. Then give them tasks suitable to their age. For example, younger kids can be assigned to water plants or just cut yellow and brown leaves.
Pick the perfect plant
To make sure your garden is a success, assess both your home environment and your kids’ attention span.
Instead, think about your goal: Growing something tasty? Filling your home with flowers? Then ask your kids to choose plants in their favorite colors.
Another way to get kids excited about gardening—and to raise lifelong nature lovers in the process—is to adopt eco-friendly methods. Seeds from ripe peppers or tomatoes can be saved and planted. Potato “eyes” can be planted and grow into potato plants.
Reuse household items as planting vessels (容器). Almost anything can be used as planters, from old food containers to kids’ toys.
A.Above all, let them make mistakes |
B.Use leftovers to feed hungry plants |
C.Make gardens environment-friendly |
D.Taking care of the plant is a great way to learn |
E.Gardening may even help them become better science students |
F.Just make sure that your planters will hold up in the environment |
G.Don’t just pick up a plant because you like how it looks or the price is right |
4 . Dad had been a lumberjack (伐木工). As the years passed on, he became angry whenever he couldn’t do something he had done as a(n)
My husband, Dick, and I invited Dad to live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh
I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon and back home with a dog.
When I reached the house, I helped my
Dad just ignored me, when suddenly the dog
It was the
A.older | B.younger | C.happier | D.luckier |
A.rushed | B.forced | C.kept | D.transformed |
A.consistent | B.fresh | C.gone | D.troublesome |
A.town | B.countryside | C.city | D.state |
A.cried | B.smiled | C.regretted | D.opposed |
A.depression | B.disappointment | C.fitness | D.confusion |
A.devotion | B.commitment | C.treatment | D.responsibility |
A.prize | B.company | C.burden | D.reward |
A.nearby | B.along | C.on | D.inside |
A.closed | B.barked | C.annoyed | D.neared |
A.anxiously | B.delightedly | C.patiently | D.bitterly |
A.bringing up | B.picking up | C.pulling up | D.catching up |
A.beginning | B.resolution | C.addition | D.display |
A.undisturbed | B.incredible | C.inseparable | D.unattended |
A.arose | B.decreased | C.restored | D.faded |
The sea was shining across the horizon as my husband, Michael, and I looked out over the rocky cliff(悬崖) of Gleesons Landing in Yorke Peninsula. "Careful Abby doesn't fall down the rocks here," Michael warned as he pulled out his fishing rod(鱼竿). Abby was our two-year-old rescue dog(搜救犬)we'd adopted one year earlier.
Leaving Michael to his fishing, Abby and I wandered off. We'd been walking for a while when we saw a small path that led down the side of the cliff towards the beach. Abby raced off and as I followed, my leg caught on a rock and I fell down the cliff. Landing three meters down, my left leg cracked violently. Shocked, I tried to keep myself calm. I couldn't feel any pain but when I tried to get up, my body just fell back down. "Go and get Daddy," I signaled to Abby as she paced nervously beside me. At first she refused to leave my side. But somehow she realized I needed her and raced off.
Alone and staring out to sea, my world faded to black. Staying awake some time later, I discovered Abby hadn't returned. Suddenly, I heard movement coming from above. "Sue?" Michael called out. Relief flooded through me as I looked up and saw Michael and Abby. "I think I broke my leg," I shouted back. "I'll go get help," he promised. "If I try to reach you myself, they'll be rescuing two of us."
Faint and tired, I held on to consciousness. Abbey came down to me and kept me company until the rescuers arrived. They carried me on a stretcher(担架) to a helicopter, where I was flown to hospital in Adelaide while Michael and Abby drove.
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。
At the hospital, the pain caused by the fall finally hit me.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“She led me to the exact spot where you were,” Michael explained.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6 . It was in the cold midwinter, and the homeless couple struggled through the night snow, seeking shelter. The father-to-be
That December night, Gus Kiebel, a county wildlife officer, was driving home from work when he
“You cannot put them
The Kiebels prepared a bed for the dogs on their warm home, where the
It’s a simple story, but it speaks to the
A.looked | B.headed | C.searched | D.figured |
A.companion | B.company | C.friend | D.effort |
A.scared | B.attracted | C.appealed | D.spotted |
A.scared | B.approached | C.attracted | D.appealed |
A.put | B.laid | C.made | D.stretched |
A.brought up | B.took out | C.warmed up | D.put down |
A.down | B.up | C.back | D.aside |
A.disappointed | B.lovely | C.unparalleled | D.exhausted |
A.afford | B.offend | C.intend | D.succeed |
A.turning | B.driving | C.signing | D.giving |
A.welcomed | B.received | C.adopted | D.presented |
A.pet | B.pair | C.family | D.reward |
A.bottom | B.basis | C.fundamental | D.best |
A.kindness | B.curiosity | C.generosity | D.patience |
A.achievement | B.miracle | C.career | D.job |
7 . In the vast desert plains of northwest Namibia, rhino (犀牛) trackers start a journey to monitor the desert-adapted black rhinos. These creatures, known for their poor eyesight, walk freely in this remote region.
Led by Sebulon Hoeb, the principal field office r of Save the Rhino Trust Namibia, the tracker carefully approach a grazing rhino named Matty 2. identified by his partner Ebson Mbunguha. Despite the windy conditions working in their favor, they maintain a safe distance, aware of the potential danger of encountering these massive animals.
Every day and night, devoted trackers and local community ranger s patrol (巡逻) the vast expanse of land, totaling 25, 000 square kilometers, where the desert-adapted black rhino thrives. Armed with extensive knowledge of the rhinos’ behaviors and characteristics, they carefully document their observations, contributing to conservation efforts and fighting poaching (偷猎), which remains a constant threat due to the high demand for rhino horns.
Despite challenges, Namibia’s community conservation model has succeeded in protecting the rhino population. By prioritizing the preservation of wildlife and ensuring local communities to benefit from their natural resources, Namibia has become a lighthouse of conservation efforts in Africa. Save the Rhino Trust, established in 1982, has played a vital role in this achievement, witnessing a remarkable recovery in the black rhino population.
The significance of community conservation is stressed by Namibia’s commitment to environmental protection, written in its constitution since gaining independence in 1990. With the establishment of shared conservancies covering over 20% of the country’s territory, Namibia has pioneered a sustainable approach that balances conservation with economic development.
For the rhino rangers who devote their lives to safeguarding these iconic creatures, the job is rewarding. Living under the vast southern sky, they bear weeks of tented living, braving the dangers of tracking rhinos on foot. Despite the challenges, their serious commitment ensures the continued survival of the desert-adapted black rhino, a testament to the power of community-driven conservation efforts in preserving Earth’s oldest mammals.
1. What is the primary role of the rhino trackers?A.To relocate rhinos to other habitats. |
B.To record the exact population of rhinos. |
C.To offer rhinos food when necessary. |
D.To learn about the current situation of rhinos. |
A.They favor windy conditions. | B.They will go extinct. |
C.They are easy to approach. | D.They can be violent. |
A.Limited. | B.Fruitful. | C.Inconsistent. | D.Unnoticed. |
A.The community-driven rhino conservation efforts. |
B.The challenges facing rhino trackers in Namibia. |
C.The history of rhino poaching in Africa. |
D.The dangerous situation of rhinos. |
Alice sat in the car while palm trees seemed to speed by the car window. Eight-year-old Alice began to get nervous, the way she always did in new surroundings. She felt a thin shine of sweat above her lip in spite of the car’s cool air. “The aquarium (水族馆) won’t be crowded, I bet, and people are going to notice me. I hate wearing this prosthesis leg (假肢).” She felt tears coming from behind her eyes. “Not being normal is the worst,” she thought to herself.
Entering the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, around a corner of a tank, she noticed an animal that looked unusual. “Is that a dolphin with a a prosthetic tail instead of a real tail?” she asked an aquarium staff member. He nodded and replied, “Yes, that’s Betty. She’s a very special dolphin.” “What happened to her?” “This girl dolphin was found off the coast of Florida, caught in a crab trap. The ropes from the trap cut off the blood circulation to her tail. So she lost her tail,” Alice caught her breath. “She’s just like me.” “But she struggled to survive. Now she wears a prosthetic tail to help her swim like a dolphin’s supposed to swim,” the staff member continued. “Every day, Betty shows us anything is possible if we believe.”
Alice felt her heart was touched. She waved at Betty. Looking at Alice, Betty raised her flippers(鰭), came to her and lifted her head. “She’s swimming right into my arms,” Alice said tearfully. They made eye contact. She seemed to be speaking to Alice: We’re the same.
Back home, all Alice talked about was Betty. For two weeks, she cried and begged her mother to take her back to Clearwater.
Unfortunately, another blow hit Alice. She fell on the hardwood floor at home and broke her other leg. Alice suffered the pain in her leg. After a through examination, the doctor explained bad news to them that she would need some surgery on her leg. Years of a living hell (地狱) came back to her.
She started fearing surgery again and refused to go to hospital for treatment.
注意:1.续写词数应为150左右;2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
“How can I persuade Alice to undergo the surgery?” Alice’s mom said to herself.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Encouraged by Betty, Alice changed her mind and did what her mother and doctor had told her to.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9 . My family went to London for visiting specialists. The day before we
Six weeks later, a
Finally, we made a
One cold morning eight months after, my father had a call from an old lady who said she was putting food out “for a very old dog”. My father’s eyes were lighted up with
A.sailed | B.parked | C.boarded | D.camped |
A.alive | B.away | C.accompanied | D.apart |
A.letter | B.story | C.service | D.test |
A.fallen ill | B.got stuck | C.lost life | D.run away |
A.confusing | B.shocking | C.moving | D.touching |
A.announced | B.advertised | C.posted | D.blogged |
A.Unfortunately | B.Luckily | C.Hopefully | D.Eventually |
A.attend to | B.take over | C.look around | D.search for |
A.decision | B.discussion | C.advice | D.plan |
A.as to | B.except for | C.instead of | D.due to |
A.lead | B.place | C.risk | D.pace |
A.silence | B.dissatisfaction | C.excitement | D.praise |
A.pulled up | B.drove off | C.stepped in | D.calmed down |
A.special | B.familiar | C.painful | D.empty |
A.expectation | B.creativity | C.generosity | D.determination |
10 . Sentry Mead, Isle of Wight
Sentry Mead is an ideal destination with nine beautifully decorated bedrooms. The attention to detail is exceptional. Hence, each room enjoys its own uniqueness. And guests delight in features such as piles of books, homemade cupcakes, chocolates and a pillow menu. Dogs are welcomed and are allowed everywhere except the dining room. Besides walks and treats, there are blankets for them too.
The Halfway Bridge, West Sussex
The Halfway Bridge, a welcoming village pub-with-rooms, is oriented (指向的) towards rural life, famous for its delicious local and fresh food —their burgers are particularly popular. Rooms are in a single-story block behind the pub, and offer contemporary rural style. Dogs can stay in select rooms with garden access. Treats for four-legged friends are available in the lounge (大厅) and bar and there’s always a water bowl to hand.
The Falcondale, Wales
The Falcondale is a romantic destination. Stay in a valley-view room and enjoy the teapot. coffeepot and shortbread available in all rooms. Dogs not only enjoy the landscape, but can sit with you in part of the restaurant. There’s a luxury Canine Retreat package available. Bowls, blankets, towels, mess bags, leads, a torch and an outdoor tap are provided, as well as treats, a temperature-controlled dog bat h and a dog dining menu.
The Traddock, Austwick
The place to go for walking, especially if you choose to bring the dog with you. The Traddock is a welcome country house in the Yorkshire Dales national park. Homely and warm, rooms are decorated in comforting style but with a clear sense of luxury too. Locally sourced food always takes center stage. The personal welcome extends to four-legged friends who will love the many surrounding walks and the peaceful garden. After a day outdoors, they can relax in the lounge and bar.
1. What is special about Sentry Mead?A.It welcomes dogs. | B.It is detail-focused. |
C.It has luxury rooms. | D.It has fine decorations. |
A.To have dogs examined. | B.To create a database of dogs. |
C.To take good care of dogs. | D.To promote some dog food. |
A.They are dog-friendly. | B.They are in the downtown. |
C.They have rural scenery. | D.They have dog shelters. |