The latest data from Nature's Calendar shows that the butterflies, newts and nest-building blackbirds have been spotted months before they would normally appear. An analysis of the conditions in 2019 found that all but one of the 50 spring events the scheme (计划)tracks were early last year, as a result of warmer winter temperatures. The Woodland Trust, which runs the Nature's Calendar scheme, warns that many species are losing their seasonal cues (提示)as winters warm and seasons shift.
Increasingly unstable weather could tempt some animals out of hibernation (冬眠)too soon, only to be hit by sharply dropping temperatures. And some birds appeared to be breeding too late to make the most of vital food sources that appear earlier than normal, the Trust said.
Lorienne Whittle, at the Woodland Trust, said, “It seems that last year we almost lost winter as a season — it was much milder and our data shows wildlife is responding, potentially putting many at risk.”
And she said, “It appears that some species are able to adapt to the advancing spring better than others. Oak trees respond by producing their first leaves earlier and caterpillars seem to be keeping pace. But blue tits, great tits and pied flycatchers are struggling to react in time for their chicks to take advantage of the peak amount of caterpillars— the food source on which they depend.”
Active newts were recorded in late December in Cheshire and a blackbird was spotted building a nest at the beginning of January. Accordingly, a report for The Wildlife Trust suggested that hedgerows (树篱)be protected from being cut during the nesting season.
1.What does the underlined word “tempt” in paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.help. B.attract. C.guide. D.threaten.
2.Why are oak trees mentioned in the text?
A.To explain why plants respond to the climate change.
B.To prove some species fit in with the climate change better.
C.To show how caterpillars react to the changing environment.
D.To suggest plants adapt to warmer winters better than animals.
3.How is the text mainly developed?
A.By listing environmental damages. B.By offering practical suggestions.
C.By making striking comparisons. D.By presenting tracking results.
4.What can be the best title of the passage?
A.Warmer winters: Wildlife under threat B.A practical scheme: Protection under way
C.A big danger: Birds' dying out D.A hard journey: Plants' struggling to survive
Katie always knew she wanted to be a performer. She was fond of Disney movies from an early age and would often sing along with her mom, Karen.
When Katie was nine years old, her happy childhood took a turn when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. When the doctor informed the Whetsell family that Keren's disease was terminal, they made a decision. Disney World had been a longtime dream vacation for Karen. So in November 1997, the family packed up and headed to Disney World. Katie says she'll never forget the moment that changed her life on that trip: After a long day at the parks, the Whetsells decided to see one of Disney World's many nightly light shows. While watching, a Disney cast member performing in the parade came up to her mom and rested her hand on Karen's shoulder. They exchanged smiles and, to this day, Katie remembered how at peace her mom looked. The whole family was touched and moved to tears. This was the day Katie decided she wanted to work for Disney.
After graduating from college, Katie went on to pursue performing for a living. She struggled for years, working as a waitress and trying to make it as an actor. Her hard work and passion finally paid off when she was hired to work on Disney Cruise Lines in 2009. Katie's favorite friend in the Disney World is Dory in “Finding Nemo the Musical”. She says that Dory has taught her the value of living in the present moment and to “just keep swimming.”
Katie has never lost sight of the fact that she and others who work for the company bring joy to the lives of many every day. “Everything we do at the parks makes a difference to many families. It's a way for us to help them forget. It's amazing to be able to comfort others.” When asked what her mother would think of her working at Disney World, she takes a deep breath and allows the tears to flow. “I just feel like she'd be so proud. I can feel her presence often and I feel her having a part in what I do. It's perfect.”
1.Why did the Whetsell family decide to go to Disney World in November 1997?
A.The Disney World has always been a good place for vacation.
B.Karen was seriously ill and Disney World was what she had dreamed for.
C.The Whetsell family were all fond of Disney characters.
D.Katie always wanted to go to the Disney World to be a performer.
2.What happened during the Disney trip that changed Katie's life?
A.A performer in the Disney parade brought comfort to her mom.
B.The whole family enjoyed themselves in the nightly light shows.
C.Katie took part in the parade performance and realized her dream.
D.Karen was invited to perform with cast members and she felt satisfied.
3.What's the purpose to mention Katie's favorite friend Dory?
A.To inform us more of Katie's struggling life.
B.To introduce another Disney character named Dory.
C.To imply Katie's understanding of life.
D.To tell us the importance to keep going.
4.Which of the following can best describe Katie's personality?
A.Intelligent and honest. B.Hard-working and dependent.
C.Selfless and sympathetic. D.Persistent and positive.
Make 2020 your most adventurous year yet by signing up for one of these trips of a lifetime. Sail to Aldabra Atoll for a fascinating journey, hike along the frontiers of Georgia, explore different habitats of human and animals: These journeys are unlike any trip you've ever taken before.
Exodus Travels
This once -in-a- lifetime journey visits Aldabra Atoll, one of the most remote UNESCO World Heritage sites on the planet. Hidden away from the impact of humans, Aldabra has managed to sustain a population of 152,000 giant tortoises. This is the trip for wild life enthusiasts: The clear waters of the Seychelles are home to 850 species of brilliantly colored fish that you'll visit on snorkel and dive excursions （旅行）.
Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel
Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel's Georgia Walking Tour showcases the country's wild side, with plenty of hikes in the Svaneti Mountains mixed with cultural experiences like a visit to the remote village of Adishi, home to just 12 families.
Natural Habitat Adventures
A nine-day adventure centered around Natural Habitat's unique luxury base camp near the edge of the Greenland ice sheet. You'll be in one of the world's most remote locations （with a maximum of only 11 other travelers in your group）, but still have access to hot showers and well-prepared meals. You'll spend your days exploring the surrounding water, meeting the local Inuit villagers, kayaking （独木舟）,and more.
Mountain Travel Sobek
Accompanied with expert guides, you'll track gorillas through Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, getting a rare chance to see these majestic creatures up close. You'll also focus your search on another rare creature—the golden monkey.
1.Who will be most likely to choose Aldabra Atoll as a perfect destination?
A.A UNESCO officer. B.An experienced hiker.
C.A passionate animal lover. D.An active environmentalist.
2.What can we learn about the Natural Habitat Adventures?
A.Travelers don't have to prepare a folding tent. B.Travelers have to make dinners alone.
C.Travelers enjoy a cold bath. D.Travelers will meet local Indian villagers.
3.Where is the passage most probably taken from?
A.A culture report. B.A reference book.
C.A tourism magazine. D.A geography textbook.
最近，你和你的同学针对高一学生对老师、学校及家长的诉求做了一次调查。请你根据下列情况用英语写一篇100词左右的短文，向你们的英语内行校长倾诉心声：
要求学校创造良好的校园环境，多倾听学生的心声；老师给予学生更多自主思考的时间；家长多理解我们，我们应该学会独立自主。
Dear president:
As a Senior 1 student, I have many things in mind to speak out.
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Last winter, when I was heavily pregnant, I was visiting my sister and sister-in-law's house and had to park in a nearby parking lot because they didn't have accessible parking. The snow was extremely heavy and there was lots of ice on the ground — not many people had ventured out that evening! When I returned to my car around 11 pm, I noticed that I was the only car left. Nervously, I jumped into the car and let it warm up a bit. When I finally tried to drive away, my wheels began to spin. I was stuck! I spun and spun and wondered what to do.
All of the sudden, in my rear view mirror, I saw four teenaged boys approaching my car. They were walking side-by-side in a line and dressed a bit like gang members — at least I thought that’s what they looked like. My car was in a very isolated area and I began to panic. I was certain they were coming to my car to harm me. Terrified, I just froze. One of the young men tapped on my window and said ''Excuse me, Ma’am, can we help you? You seem stuck.'' Still afraid and fearing the worst, I said ''I am stuck.'' And the young man said ''It's okay, stay in your car and we'll push you out of the snow.'' And they did!
When they finally got me out of the snow, they smiled and waved. I rolled down my window and thanked them, embarrassed to have judged them so poorly.
1.Which of the following words can best describe the four young men?
A.Impolite. B.Warm-hearted.
C.Unfriendly. D.Ill-mannered.
2.Why did the author just freeze when the four kids walking toward her car? Because she _________.
A.was cold indeed in that freezing evening
B.sat in her car for too long a time
C.was afraid of being harmed
D.knew they would rob her of the car
3.Which of the following is true according to the text?
A.One of the four teenagers was a gang member.
B.The kids wanted to help the author out of trouble.
C.The author would have a baby in her car.
D.The young men enjoyed pushing cars out of the snow.
Dazzling (眼花缭乱) with their bright colors and eye — catching displays, fireworks light up our night skies during the holidays. However, these crowd -pleasers can have some damaging side effects. Once a firework is set off, it only takes a couple of seconds before smoke, dust and harmful chemicals are let out into the atmosphere. The loud booming noises are caused by gunpowder. While the sounds may excite some people, they can be frightening to domestic and wild animals — as well as some humans.
The pretty colors you see are a result of more chemicals. Barium, added to make green, is known for its poisonous and radioactive qualities. Blue comes from copper compounds. Cadmium, lithium and lead — all found in fireworks — have been linked to diseases, such as allergies and skin rashes in both humans and animals. Acid rain has been linked to gases given off by fireworks, which sometimes go beyond the toxin (毒素) limits of the United States Clean Air Act.
Once all those chemicals come back down to the ground, they can cause problems too. Debris (碎片) from the fireworks falls to the ground, where animals can bum their paws or noses on piping hot pieces. Humans also are at risk of stepping on or picking up something sharp or hot. Meanwhile, debris that finds its way into waterways can damage animal habitats and water supply sources. Instead of setting off fireworks, try to come up with some new ways for fun. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Sky lanterns — a tradition that originated long ago in the most-populated Asian country.
Party crackers — a favorite in the United Kingdom — give you noise and surprises without the mess of fireworks. You can make your own or buy eco-friendly crackers.
Want noise excitement with less volume? Consider a fireworks sound recording beforehand or break out the party horns (号角) and blow up a storm!
1.The advantages of fireworks can be seen below EXCEPT that _________.
A.the special sounds of fireworks excite people
B.the pretty and bright colors add to the beauty of night skies
C.fireworks are enjoyed as one of the crowd-pleasers
D.debris from fireworks can even find its way into water
2.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A.Chemicals in fireworks are both poisonous and dangerous.
B.Too much gases from fireworks can result in acid rain.
C.Copper compounds are needed to make green in fireworks.
D.Chemicals in fireworks are harmful in the air and on the ground.
3.What is implied from the passage?
A.Gunpowder in fireworks makes loud booming noises.
B.It must be Indians who first started to hang sky lanterns.
C.Fireworks can even break the balance of nature.
D.Fireworks does less harm in the air than on the ground.
4.What can be concluded as the writer’s attitude towards fireworks?
A.It is not allowed to set off fireworks except during the holidays.
B.Night is the best time to set off fireworks and see the pretty colors.
C.You cannot set off fireworks unless you come up with new ways.
D.Fireworks should be banned and replaced by some other means.
