1 . Portugal’s white storks (鹳) were once a migratory bird (候鸟), known to leave the area each winter to travel to Africa’s warmer climate, but recently they have been staying put.

Surprisingly, though, the storks’ number has actually been on the rise. There are now thought to be more than 14,000 birds in Portugal in winter — a ten-time increase over the last 20 years. Any unusual change of an animal’s natural behavior often has negative influences.

It has been thought that their increase has a close relationship with a growing number of landfill sites (垃圾填埋场) in the area, providing the birds with a supply of fatty and dirty rubbish to eat, including junk food. Was it the junk food that stopped them migrating, or is Europe’s warming climate to criticize? Researchers sought to figure out exactly why their natural behavior had changed in this way. To understand, a team kept an eye on 48 white storks by equipping them with small GPS computers, which recorded their movements five times a day, checking how often they traveled to landfill sites as well as how fast they flew.

The conclusions were shocking. The birds also established more homes next to landfill sites — the team said that 80% of white storks were spending most of their time by the rubbish all year round, according to the results. The storks eat almost anything. “Every time after a truck with rubbish came, they collected what they could,” says Aldina Franco of the University of East Anglia in the UK. The storks have even been known to eat plastic, including old computer parts. “Really what they are trying to get at is rubbish that we throw away... like hamburgers, burnt meat and fish,” said Franco.

This rich and colorful supply of food will soon become hard to find, though, as new laws from European Union (EU) order that waste food be recycled. Open-air landfills will also be replaced by covered equipment, which birds will not be able to eat.

The white storks therefore face an uncertain future. Will they migrate to Africa as they had done for hundreds of years before, or will they stay put? No one knows. “I wonder what the Portuguese storks will do once the landfill sites are all closed, and we are going to continue to watch these storks and see how they will respond to the changes,” said Aldina Franco.

1. What do you know about the team’s research?

A．Researchers equipped 48 small computers on white storks.

B．The GPS computers were used to record white storks’ movements.

C．The conclusions the team got were the same as they predicted.

D．Researchers found Europe’s warming climate accounted for storks’ staying put.

2. What can be inferred from paragraph 4?

A．The landfill made the storks lose their homes.

B．The landfill helped increase the number of storks.

C．Open-air landfills will be replaced and storks will die out.

D．The landfill gave the storks food and in turn, influenced where they lived.

3. What can we learn from what Aldina Franco said?

A．He will continue to do research on white storks.

B．The Portuguese storks can eat whatever we throw away.

C．People should prepare more healthy food for white storks.

D．White storks will migrate to Africa if the landfill sites are closed.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．White Stork Will Migrate Again After Rubbish Is Recycled

B．White Storks’ Staying Put Contributed to Rubbish Recycling

C．White Storks’ Staying Put in Winter Concerned Scientists

D．Climate Change will Be the Test for White Storks’ Migration

2 . A 19-foot Burmese python-the longest snake ever recorded—was caught by local hunters in South Florida’s National Preserve this week. To put the catch into view, the snake is as long as an adult giraffe is tall.

It was caught on Monday by 22-year-old Jake Waleri, who brought the python to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in his hometown of Naples. Officials there measured the snake at 19 feet and 125 pounds, and said it set a new world record for length.

A video of Waleri’s record-breaking catch shows the python attacked Waleri as he pulls the snake by its tail. Waleri and the snake fought on the ground until others joined in to help. Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes on the planet. They’re also a species running uncontrollably through much of southern Florida. They’re threatening (威胁) the state’s native animal populations because they have no natural enemy, which is why Waleri spends his nights hunting them. “It’s surprising to be able to have an effect on South Florida’s environment,” he said. “We love this ecosystem and try to protect it as much as possible.”

The earlier record was set in 2020 by a python caught in the Everglades, 18 feet 9 inches long and 104 pounds heavy. The record for the heaviest python ever caught was set by one caught in 2022, at 215 pounds.

According to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, these pythons have such a big threat that hunters and local people don’t need a permit to kill them. The animals are, however, protected by anti-cruelty (反残暴) laws, which ask hunters to humanely kill the snakes. Burmese pythons feed on Florida wildlife big and small, from rabbits to foxes and white-tailed deer. And one video from 2022 shows Florida scientists removing a 5-foot-long crocodile from an 18-foot python.

The state hosts a yearly competition to keep the populations at bay. The competition attracts hunters, competing for prize money from $1,000 to $10,000.

1. Why does the author mention an adult giraffe in Paragraph 1?

A．To explain a fact.	B．To prove a view.
C．To introduce a topic.	D．To show a problem.

2. What can we learn about the 19-foot Burmese python?

A．It was at peace with native animals.

B．It was attacking and difficult to catch.

C．It was the biggest snake ever recorded.

D．It was caught in Naples of South Florida

3. What do we know from paragraph 5?

A．Pythons are in great need of protection.

B．Pythons threaten hunters and local people.

C．Pythons have a wide range of food options.

D．Pythons are not allowed to be killed by law.

4. What does the underlined words “keep the populations at bay” in Paragraph 6 mean?

A．Control the number of pythons.	B．Keep the living space of pythons.
C．Limit the food supply of pythons.	D．Protect the population of pythons.

3 . Wetlands, making up about 6% of Earth’s land surface, are found on every continent except for Antarctica.     1    .

Protecting against floods. Wetlands play a crucial role in protecting against floods. The plants and soil in wetlands act as natural sponges (海绵), storing excess water during heavy rainfall or storms.     2    .

Purifying (净化) water. Wetlands have exceptional abilities to purify water. Acting as natural filters, the plants, soil and micro creatures in wetlands remove sediments, excess nutrients and pollutants from water sources.     3    . And the water can be suitable for various uses such as drinking, irrigation and supporting aquatic life. Wetlands are particularly effective in removing harmful chemicals, heavy metals and excessive nitrogen and phosphorus (磷), which can otherwise cause water pollution.

    4    . Wetlands are incredibly productive ecosystems, providing habitats for a diverse range of plant and animal species. The complex and dynamic wetland environments support a lot of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Many of these species are dependent on wetlands for survival, using them as breeding grounds, feeding areas and nurseries. Wetlands also serve as important stopover sites for migratory birds, offering them crucial resting and feeding areas during their long journeys.

Fighting climate change. Aside from these vital functions, wetlands also play a significant role in fighting climate change.     5    . They act as carbon (碳) sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus mitigating the greenhouse effect and reducing the impacts of climate change. Moreover, wetlands help regulate local and regional climates by influencing the temperature, humidity and rainfall patterns. 1hey act as natural cooling systems, reducing heat island effects and moderating the local temperature.

However, the world’s wetlands are being lost at an alarming rate. Restoration and conservation projects offer hope that these ecosystems can be saved.

A．Supporting life

B．Protecting birds

C．This process helps to improve water quality

D．The water stored in wetlands can be drunk

E．Wetlands play an important role despite their small coverage

F．Wetland plants have remarkable carbon storage capabilities

G．Thus, wetlands can reduce the risk of flooding in surrounding areas

4 . Diving made my world bigger.     1     It took me three years and three tries to get certified, but I’m glad I persisted.

Learning to dive is a lot like learning to drive a car: You study the theory, practice with an instructor, and become qualified. From there, proficiency (熟练) depends on how often you dive, further training, and your own self-reliance. Regardless of your goals, diving is more accessible and wondrous than I ever imagined.     2    

But not everyone wants to or can dive, and that’s fair enough. Whether you’re a snorkeler (潜水员), surfer, or sailor or you simply enjoy dipping your toes into the sea while on holiday, you can still be aware of the life unfolding under that glittering blue cover and help protect it.

    3     Experts urge that at least 30 percent be protected to safeguard marine ecosystems, which in turn will help protect our health and well-being. The ocean supplies more than half our oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide, regulates our climate, and supports much of the world’s economy. We need it a lot more than it needs us.

Take Florida, for example, it’s bordered by North America’s only living coral barrier reef (礁石) and the third largest in the world.     4     It is also essential to its economy, generating an estimated $1.1 billion annually in tourism. The reef protects the coastline, too, since healthy coral reefs absorb 97 percent of a wave’s energy.

A study has found that 70 percent of Florida’s coral reefs are experiencing a net loss of reef habitat. Exactly facing these concerns is what I mean by seeing the sea — the good, the bad, the important.     5     We can use it to inform our choices, from traveling more carefully, to examining how we run our businesses. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. The ocean is a remarkable teacher, and it’s never too late to start learning.

A．Knowledge is power.

B．I didn’t take to diving immediately.

C．So I’d encourage anyone to give it a try.

D．Adventure sometimes involves pushing limits.

E．Marine life needs a safe ecological environment.

F．The reef is home to more than 500 species of fish.

G．Right now, less than 3 percent of the ocean is considered highly protected.

6 . When Purdue University researchers set out to develop a new paint, the goal was to create one that would reflect sunlight away from a building. It turns out they also set an official Guinness world record for the whitest paint on the planet.

“When we started this project about seven years ago, we had saving energy and fighting climate change in mind,” Professor Xiulin Ruan said.

The paint reflects 98.1% of solar radiation while also emitting infrared (红外线的) heat.

Because the paint absorbs less heat from the sun than it emits, a surface coated with this paint is cooled below the surrounding temperature without consuming power. Typical commercial white paint gets warmer rather than cooler, Paints on the market that are designed to reject heat reflect only 80%-90% of sunlight and can’t make surfaces cooler than their surroundings.

“Conventional air conditioners consume power that is often from burning fossil fuel. Meanwhile, while they move the heat from inside of a house to the outside, they turn the electricity into heat and leave even more heat to the surrounding and earth, further causing a heat island effect and warming up the Earth,” Professor Ruan told IFLScience.

“In contrast, our paint does not consume any power, and directly sends off all the heat to the deep space, thus helping cooling down the Earth. According to a previous model, painting 0.5-1% of the Earth’s surface (roofs, roads, cars, unused land, etc) with our paint will stop the warming trend. Painting many human made-structures would be a great way to fight the climate crisis in many ways. The paint is not yet available commercially and the scientists are working with a commercial company to speed up the paint production and put it on the market.

1. What’s the purpose of creating the whitest paint?

A．To make the street cleaner.

B．To help fight climate change

C．To remind people of climate warming.

2. What is unique to the whitest paint?

A．It sets an official standard for the whitest paint on the earth.

B．It turns the light into heat and makes the houses much cooler

C．It makes whatever it’s painted on much cooler than its surroundings.

3. How much solar radiation can the whitest paint reflect back?

A．About 80%.

B．About 90%.

C．About 98.1%.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．The World’s Whitest Paint

B．Paint the Earth White

C．A Wonderful Invention

8 . Wild beavers (河狸) are back! Experts say that the wild beaver families are doing well. The beavers are even boosting wildlife and the environment!

Over ten years ago, a family of beavers turned up in a part of the river Otter, in Devon. No one knew exactly where they came from. It was a big surprise wild beavers hadn’t lived in England for around 400 years!

In 2015, the government allowed the beavers to stay there as part of a test. They wanted to see if these animals could be reintroduced to the wild. The test ends in February. Some scientists from the University of Exeter already say the beavers help the wildlife in the area. One scientist called it “an amazing story”.

A lot of this is because of dams (水坝). Beavers build dams along the river. This creates deep pools in the riverbed and slows the water down. Scientists say this is perfect for many different types of plants and animals! Many plants are growing near the beavers. Different types of animals are also becoming more and more in the river. Beavers also help make flooding less, scientists say. The beavers’ dams slow down the speed of the river, especially after heavy rain.

Beavers aren’t the only animals that are being reintroduced to the wild! In 2019, red squirrels were brought back to an area of the Scottish Highlands. Further away, the world's rarest (罕见的) duck, the Madagascar pochard, is making a comeback. It was set free into the wild on the African island in 2019 and is doing well.

Who knows what other animals might be making a comeback?

1. The underlined word “boosting”in Paragraph 1 probably means “______”

A．building

B．spreading

C．helping

D．creating

2. Why did the government want a test first?

A．To reintroduce animals to the wild.

B．To introduce the beavers to the wild.

C．To build dams for the beavers in the river.

D．To grow more different plants along the river.

3. What can we know about the wild beavers?

A．They help plants grow.	B．They eat up the plants.
C．They do harm to animals.	D．They bring heavy floods.

4. How many kinds of animals have been reintroduced to the wild besides beavers?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

5. How does the writer feel about the news?

A．Worried.

B．Disappointed.

C．Tired.

D．Pleased.

9 . All living things on Earth need water to live. Yet humans are facing serious water problems. According to the United Nations, today over 663 million people live without a safe water supply close to home.

To remind people of the importance of water, the UN first set up World Water Day in 1993. It is on Mar 22 each year. From Mar 22 to 28 is also the China Water Week. The first year’s theme is “Waste water”. It tried to call people to reuse waste water instead of wasting it.

In Australia people make good use of waste water. Most Australians have a grass lawn around their home instead of washing the car in the street. Many of them wash it on the lawn to keep the grass longer so that it covers the ground and reduce evaporation.

Rainwater may seem useless to you. But you can also reuse it. People in Germany collect rainwater to wash their toilets. Most houses in the country that are built in the last few years have rainwater collection devices (设备). Rainwater is collected from the root, and then linked to the toilet. But if you don’t have the device just put a bucket (桶) under your roof when it rains.

Water makes up 71 percent of Earth’s surface. But we can only use a very small part of it. Only about 3 percent of the world’s water is fresh water. It’s in lakes, rivers and underground.

Over 80 percent of the waste water in the world goes back into the nature. It has not been cleaned and pollutes the rivers and lakes. Unsafe water makes around 842,000 people die each year.

By 2030, about half of the world’s population could be facing water problem. By 2050, as many as seven billion people across the world could not have enough water supplies. The world’s population might be 9.3 billion by then.

1. The China Water Week in 2017 tries to___________.

A．collect rainwater to wash their toilets

B．remind people of the importance of water

C．put a bucket under your roof when it rains.

D．call people to reuse waste water instead of wasting it.

2. The word “reduce” in Paragraph 3 most probably means “___________ .”.

A．sit down

B．cut down

C．put down

D．write down

3. What’s the writer’s purpose of writing the passage?

A．To share his rich knowledge about water.

B．To warn more people to save water.

C．To show how water problems change the world.

D．To tell people how to discover safe water supply.

4. Which of the following would be the title of the passage?

A．Water in the world has become less and less.

B．Unsafe water makes so many people die.

C．Our planet will face serious water problems.

D．Learning to save water to protect our planet.

10 . According to the World Food Program, one third of the food of the world is lost or wasted. It’s up to some 1.3 billion tons every year, worth about $1 trillion. Moreover, a report in 2021 Sugests that 8 to10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (排放) are associated with wasting food.

“For our parents and the older generations,‘clearing your plate’ is more about saving some food for a rainy day.”Liu Jichen, founder and CEO of Clear Plate, an anti-food wasting program, told us.

The idea for Clear Plate came to Liu after one dinner at a restaurant in late 2017. The customers who finished all the food they’d ordered would be given a card, and then they could exchange their cards for rewards. “Yet it was limited to one restaurant’s actions, so I thought, why not try it on a larger scale (规模)? And how?” Liu wondered. And then he teamed up with some of his friends,founded a startup and developed the Clear Plate applet.

“The Clear Plate team is trying to deal with the issue (问题) of food waste. After a meal, users of WeChat take photos of their clean plates, post these on WeChat, collect points, and then exchange their points for gifts or charity donations,” Liu explained.

Starting in 2018, Clear Plate has now more than 4.3 million users with about 45 million participations in anti-food wasting actions, reducing food waste by 1,700 tons and carbon emissions by 6,600 tons. Liu’s determination represents a small change of the Chinese lifestyle and more people are turning toward a healthier, greener and more low-carbon lifestyle.

1. How much food of the world is wasted every year according to the World Food Program?

A．About 1 billion tons.	B．About 1.3 billion tons.
C．About 8 billion tons.	D．About 10 billion tons.

2. What would customers get if they finished all the food they’d ordered according to Para.3?

A．A plate.

B．A point.

C．A photo.

D．A card.

3. In which year did Clear Plate start according to the text?

A．In 2016.

B．In 2017.

C．In 2018.

D．In 2021.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The program Clear Plate.

B．The World Food Program.

C．The world food wasting.

D．An introduction to WeChat.