Do you ever wonder why trees begin to bud (发芽) earlier in some cities? Scientists finally found the answer but it’s not very pleasant. New science suggests a relationship between light pollution and the timing when trees produce buds, which signals the arrival of the spring season.
Light pollution is defined by the Lighting Research Center as the unwanted consequence of outdoor lighting such as street lights. Excessive (过多的) man-made light at night results in disturbed natural cycles, and also prevents the observation of stars and planets at night. But its effect on the environment goes beyond that.
By studying some trees, researchers found out that trees that are more exposed to artificial lighting at night bud up to 7.5 days earlier than those at the natural nighttime setting. And they found out that light had a more significant effect than temperature when the buds came out. The early budding may cause problems for insects, which feed on leaves, and the birds which then feed on them in turn. Professor Richard Ffrench-Constant, who helped lead the research, explained that more than the budding of trees, the study implies the danger to the balance of the ecosystem. “At the moment, caterpillars (毛毛虫) are timed to hatch to make the most of the opportunities to feed on freshly budded leaves, and birds hatch in time to feed on the young caterpillar,” he said.
Migratory (迁徙的) birds are also negatively affected by light pollution. The glare might confuse them and make them lose their flying sense. The phenomenon might explain why some birds accidentally knock into buildings.
Such results stress the need to pursue studies that aim to measure the effect of light pollution. If the issue were left to continue, it is estimated that by 2100, spring would begin almost a full month earlier than it does today.
1.What will happen if there is too much man-made light?
A. People’s eyesight will be damaged.
B. The ecosystem will likely lose its balance.
C. No stars or planets may be observed at night.
D. Animals’ living habits may change suddenly.
2.How does the early budding affect insects or plants?
A. It will cause the rising number of insects.
B. It could lead to trees growing fewer leaves.
C. It may result in some insects going hungry.
D. It might push insects to hatch more slowly.
3.What does the author want to tell us in the last paragraph?
A. The effect of light pollution is destructive.
B. The spring of 2100 will become much longer.
C. Light pollution should be taken seriously.
D. A further study on light pollution is scheduled.
4.What is the suitable title for the passage?
A. Why spring comes earlier in some cities
B. Why light pollution needs to be studied
C. How trees’ early budding takes place
D. How much light is “too much”
Under new rules posted by the Civil Aviation (航空) administration of China on Friday, pilots will have to pass a “level four” test of Mandarin Chinese, China’s official language. Those who speak with an accent that “often impedes” comprehension will not pass. These rules take effect in January 2016.
China’s 56 ethnic groups speak more than 80 languages and dialects. Even native Mandarin speakers can have trouble communicating with each other depending on the strength of their accents, which can be mutually unintelligible (难理解的).
One flight trainer illustrated the scope for linguistic confusion, especially when common English aviation terms are used. Asked if there is a problem on board, a Chinese pilot might answer in the negative with the words mei you, or “there isn’t.” But someone speaking with a heavy Sichuan accent would pronounce mei you as “May day” — unconsciously parroting the universally recognized distress call (遇难信号).
Like their international counterparts (对应物), Chinese aviators have developed codes to avoid confusion resulting from homonyms (同音异义字) or near-homonyms. They use the terms yao for one and guai for seven, which are otherwise pronounced yi and qi respectively and easily confused.
The new rule could affect all pilots, who must renew their license every six years, and adds to a growing list of burdens for the profession.
1.What does the underlined word “impedes” in Para 1 mean?
A. improves B. helps
C. misleads D. limits
2.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Sichuan dialect has the contrary meaning to Mandarin.
B. Native Mandarin speakers can understand each other well.
C. It isn’t necessary for a pilot to pass the test before January 2016.
D. “May day” is a distress call in our everyday life.
3.What is the purpose of the Chinese aviators using the terms yao for one and guai for seven?
A. To avoid misunderstanding.
B. To communicate with their international counterparts.
C. To pass the test.
D. To avoid their accents.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A. Chinese Pilots Told to Get Rid of Regional Accents
B. Chinese Pilots
C. Rich Chinese Languages
D. Hard to Be a Chinese Pilot
Anne LaBastille was born in New York City and grew up in New Jersey. Her first experience with the wilderness was in the Adirondacks in the northeast of New York, where she worked at a summer resort to earn money for college tuition by caring for the horses, giving riding lessons, and working as a waitress. And she has many chances to begin her adventure in the Adirondack wilderness.
Anne returned to school in the fall, but she continued to spend as much time as she could in the Adirondacks. She grew to love her time alone in the mountains. Anne graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in conservation of natural resources and began working for the National Audubon Society in Florida as a wildlife tour leader.
Although Anne took great pleasure in showing people the animals living in the Florida Keys and the Everglades National Park, she longed for the mountains in the northern parts of New York. Eventually, she decided to build a cabin near Black Bear Lake. Over the years, however, more and more tourists began hiking near her cabin. As a result, Anne decided to build another cabin deeper in the woods at Lily Pad Lake.
Anne lived in the woods for most of her life. She enjoyed living alone in the woods, and her life was far too busy for her to be lonely. When she was not writing books, she wrote articles for National Geographic, Reader’s Digest, and other magazines. In her later years, Anne conducted research in Guatemala on an endangered bird called the grebe. She also lectured nationwide about ecology. Besides, Anne worked with a number of organizations dedicated to conservation.
As a respected guide, author, and conservationist, Anne not only loved the land but also had found a way to become part of it.
1.Anne’s work at the summer resort _________.
A. showed her love for long tours
B. helped her to explore the wilderness
C. earned her high admiration in college
D. gave her a chance to learn horse riding
2.Anne built her cabin at Lily Pad Lake in order to ________.
A. live in the mountains
B. enlarge her living space
C. settle in a more beautiful place
D. get away from increasing numbers of tourists
3.We can conclude from the text that Anne _________.
A. felt very lonely living in the woods
B. made the wilderness a part of her life
C. tried to make more people aware of the grebe
D. longed to be an editor of National Geographic
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A. The life of Anne LaBastille.
B. The achievement of Anne LaBastille.
C. Anne LaBastille’s adventures in the wilderness.
D. Anne LaBastille’s pioneering work in wildlife ecology.
In Washington, Virginia and Maryland, the final months of the year have many festivals. Whether you are into a theatre environment, medieval times or a book festival, there is an event for you.
1. Maryland Renaissance Festival
The festival, now in its 38th season, features 12 stages and hundreds of costumed actors offering entertainment such as music and theatre performance, sword swallowing and a human chess match. Sept. 21 through Oct.19.
2. Baltimore Book Festival in Maryland
This three-day fair features talks and book signings from more than 275 locally and nationally known authors, including Alice McDermott and Andre Dubus III. The festival also includes live music and literary hands-on projects for kids. Sept. 26-28.
3. Middleburg Film Festival in Virginia
The festival offers a relaxed theatre environment, and the events include a dancing party, an orchestra performance of horror film music by Marco Beltrami, and a discussion with Colleen Atwood, who is a famous costume designer. Oct. 30 through Nov.2.
4. Temple Hall Corn Maize and Fall Festival in Virginia
The 286-acre farm offers a lot of family-friendly entertainment, including pig races, farm animals and camel rides. Grab seasonal goods at the farmers’ market, take part in the corn harvest, and hear live bluegrass and folk music. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 26 through Nov.2.
5. Kids Euro Festival in Washington
Here is a chance to celebrate and experience European arts and Culture, no passports required. Twenty-eight European countries will be represented during the multicultural children’s event, which features more than 200 performances and workshops. The festival is for children ages 2 through 12, librarians and educators. Activities include puppet shows, cooking and theatre workshops. “It really brings Europe to the children, ” said organizer Sandi Auman. Oct. 24 through Nov. 9
1.When can you enjoy the performance of sword swallowing in a festival?
A. Oct. 30 through Nov.2. B. Oct. 24 through Nov. 9.
C. Sep. 26 through Nov. 2. D. Sept. 21 through Oct. 19.
2.In the Temple Hall Corn Maize and Fall Festival, you can ________.
A. raise pigs in person
B. play bluegrass music
C. work in the corn fields
D. learn how to train camels
3.Both the Baltimore Book Festival and the Kids Euro Festival ________
A. offer live music B. invite famous writers
C. have activities for kids D. show European culture
假定你是李华，你和同学组建了一个名为“Starry Skies”的乐队。你的朋友美国留学生Mike擅长吉他演奏，请你给他写一封电子邮件，邀请他加入乐队。内容要点如下：
1.写信目的； 2.乐队介绍； 3.排练时间和地点。
注意：1.词数100左右； 2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯； 3.开头语已为你写好。
Dear Mike,
How are you doing?
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有
10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均限一词;
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
Last winter vacation, my parents and l went back to our hometown, where I spend my childhood. Walking slow in the quiet small town reminded me of the good old day. I went from street to street, in the search of my childhood footprints. Suddenly, I found me at the gate of the primary school on which I studied for six years. As I entered, I was surprised find that the old classroom building was gone. But it was filling with my childhood memories! I felt such sad that tears ran down my checks. It was just like the feeling I had while a good friend left me forever.
