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”

At long last, Stefano Boeri Architects’ brilliant Bosco Verticale towers are finally completed. The “world’s first vertical forest” consists of a fantastic pair of costly towers that add nearly 2.5 acres of lush vegetation to the sky line of Milan, a city notorious (声名狼藉的) for its air pollution. 1. Like a pair of green lungs, its forested appearance of 21,000 plants will absorb CO2, control noise pollution, lessen the urban heat island effect, and create oxygen and favorable micro-climates.

The Bosco Verticale mixed-use towers are constructed with a $2.5 billion public-private investment as part of the re-development of Milan’s Porta Nuova district. The towers, measuring 260 feet and 367 feet, house 800 trees between 9 and 30 feet tall, over 4,000 shrubs (灌木) and 15,000 ground cover plants. Bosco Verticale is created with LEED Gold Certification (绿色建筑黄金认证) in mind. 2.

The buildings shrub have welcomed their first residents. 3. A fast-growing bird population has already begun to nest in Bosco Verticale’s rich leaves, of which over a hundred different species of trees and shrubs are represented. 4.

The superstructure is also selected for the world famous International Highrise Building Award as one of the five most beautiful and original high-rises in the world that is completed. 5.

A. “We take great pride in this project, which may earn us an award” says Boeri.

B. Boeri is currently in China, where he plans to build another Bosco Verticale project.

C. It is also equipped with a gray water recycling and irrigation system.

D. However, Bosco Verticale will be more than just a beautiful sight to enjoy.

E. “The real key to this project is biodiversity,” says Boeri.

F. It is also well received by the Chinese experts in the field.

G. But those families aren’t the only ones to call the vertical forest home.

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had _______a beautiful sports car in a showroom, and knowing his father could well_______it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day came near, the young man awaited _______ that his father had bought the car. _______, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his_______ study room. His father told him how _______ he was to have such a fine son, and told him how _______ he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully_______ gift box.

Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and _______ a lovely, leather- bound (皮纸封面) Bible, ________ the young man's name pressed in gold. ________, he raised his voice to his father, and said “With ________ your money, you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in ________. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very ________, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him ________ that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram________ him his father had passed away, and gave all his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and ________things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden ________and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still gift — wrapped Bible ________ as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. Suddenly, a car key dropped from the back of the ________. It had a tag (标签) with the date of his graduation on it, and the words PAID IN FULL.

1.A. admired B. watched C. seen D. noticed

2.A. offer B. afford C. serve D. supply

3.A. marks B. supports C. signs D. promises

4.A. Finally B. Instead C. So D. Shortly

5.A. public B. hard C. lazy D. private

6.A. proud B. sad C. upset D. puzzled

7.A. many B. far C. much D. often

8.A. typed B. wrapped C. written D. painted

9.A. looked B. reached C. showed D. found

10.A. with B. while C. after D. when

11.A. Interested B. Pleased C. Angry D. Disappointed

12.A. none B. all C. little D. bit

13.A. business B. study C. city D. home

14.A. healthy B. strong C. young D. old

15.A. on B. until C. since D. after

16.A. telling B. showing C. saying D. talking

17.A. look for B. take care of C. care D. mind

18.A. excitement B. disappointment C. surprise D. sadness

19.A. but B. right C. just D. only

20.A. Bible B. bed C. desk D. door

1. (locate) in a mountainous region of Chengde city, the Jinshanling Great Wall section is the 2. (good) preserved part of the Great Wall from the Ming Dynasty with many 3. (origin) features.

Three towers are must-sees at the Jinshanling Great Wall. Each tower contains 4. own legend. The General Tower was named to commemorate Wu Guihua, a heroine who sacrificed herself to resist invasions 5. the north. The Black Tower and the Taochun Tower were named to commemorate two girls, Heigu and Taochun, 6. made great contributions to the construction of the Great Wall.

If you go, you will find yourself experiencing 7. (total) different scenery in four seasons. In spring, apricot flowers decorate the Great Wall. In summer, the winding dragon-shaped Great Wall 8. (surround) by a sea of green plants. In autumn, the Great Wall turns into a colorful place and in winter, heavy snow covers the Great Wall, 9. (add) a sense of magnificence and solemnity.

The annual Apricot Flower Festival kicks off at the beginning of April. If you have time, you should witness the true 10. (beautiful) of the China’s landmark.

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。

Dear Ralph,

I'm a senior student. I have be in love with a boy for three years. But he is a shy boy, so I wrote him a letter firstly to express my feeling. And he wrote back. In his letter he said, “We are students. Our task is study. Let us wait to see until we have any chance after graduation.” So after graduation I telephoned to him, asking him about go out . But he said he didn't want to. He just wanted to sleep and watched TV. How do you think I should do? Do you think I should continue to love him and give up.

假设你是某国际学校学生李华。你校学生会准备举办一次“海报创新设计比赛”。请你根据下面的提示，用英文写一则书面通知，并号召大家积极参与。

比赛目的：丰富校园生活，提高创新意识

参展地点：学生活动中心

展评时间：4月15日-18日

参考词汇：校园campus 海报创新设计 creative design of posters

注意：1.词数100左右

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯

Notice _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Global English Club

@ English training in four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

@ 4-month (800 yuan), 6-month (1,400 yuan) and one year (2,500 yuan) course.

@ Choice of morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day, Mon.—Fri.

@ All native teachers from Canada and USA.

@ Tel: 8872806 Add: 306 Xinhua Road

Body-building Club

@ On the top floor of Sunny Hotel.

@ Every evening from 6:00 to 9:00, Mon. —Sun.

@ Drinks and fruits ready for you during breaks.

@ Tel: 6353188

@ Add: 369 Dunhuang Road

Piano Club

@ One-to-one training on Sat. & Sun. From 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm(150 yuan per hour)

@ Experienced teachers.

@ Pianos supplied(设备) for free.

@ Convenient transportation.

@ Tel: 8756038

@ Add: 808 Park Road

1.In English training class you will have _____teachers.

A. French B. Canadian C. Chinese D. Italian

2.How much do you need to pay for one-to-one piano training every time?

A. 300 yuan B. 150 yuan C. 450 yuan D. 800 yuan

3.If Jim is exercising in the Body-building Club, where can you find him?

A. 306 Xinhua Road. B. 808 Park Road.

C. 696 Dunhuang Road. D. On the highest floor of Sunny Hotel.

4.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the advertisement above?

A. You have to pay 800 yuan for 4-month English training.

B. You can enjoy drinks and fruits after body-building exercises.

C. It is very convenient to get to the Piano Club.

D. You have to pay more for using the piano supplied in the class.

A ban on smoking in public places has come into effect in China — home to a third of the world’s smokers. The move is aimed at controlling the number of deaths from smoking-related diseases, running at a million a year. But the rules have been criticized, because they do not include punishments for those who choose to ignore them. Many business owners hate rules that force them to ban smoking because many customers do not like the rules and complain. The rules do not allow smoking in places like restaurants, hotels, railway stations or theaters, but not at the office. Employers have a duty to warn staff off the dangers of smoking but do not have to forbid them from lighting up at their desks.

Shanghai introduced similar rules a year ago, but people do not seem to take much notice of them. Often you find people smoking at the next table while you are eating your meal or having a drink in a bar. The problem is that the rules do not include punishments for businesses or individuals who ignore them.

It appears that many Chinese people are unaware of the dangers of smoking. Research suggests that only one in four knows the harm cigarettes of second-hand smoke can cause. Officials say they have to try to persuade people not to smoke to reduce the numbers dying from smoking-related diseases. But it is hard to deal with the problem and there is still a long way to go.

1.The number of smokers in China makes up about ______ of the world’s smokers.

A. 66% B. 44% C. 33% D. 55%

2.Why have the rules been criticized by some people?

A. Because those people don’t want to be punished.

B. Because they do not include punishments for those who ignore the rules.

C. Because the rules are ignored by all the people who smoke.

D. Because nobody takes notice of the rules.

3.What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?

A. How to punish those who ignore the ban.

B. What the dangers of smoking are.

C. Why it’s hard to ban smoking.

D. How the non-smokers suffer from second-hand smoke.

A Brown University sleep researcher has some advice for people who run high schools: Don't start classes so early in the morning. It may not be that the students who nod off at their desks are lazy. And it may not be that their parents have failed to make sure bedtime. Instead, it may be that biologically these sleepyhead students aren't used to the early hour. "Maybe these kids are being asked to get up at the wrong time for their bodies, " says Mary Carskadon, a professor looking at problems of adolescent sleep at Brown's School of Medicine.

Carskadon is trying to understand more about the effects of early school time in adolescents. And , at a more basic level, she and her team are trying to learn more about how the biological changes of adolescence affect sleep needs and patterns. Carskadon says her work suggests that adolescents may need more sleep than they did at childhood, no less, as commonly thought. Sleep patterns change during adolescence, as any parent of an adolescent can prove. Most adolescents prefer to stay up later at night and sleep later in the morning. But it's not just a matter of choice—their bodies are going through a change of sleep patterns.

All of this makes the change from middle school to high school—which may start one hour earlier in the morning—all the more difficult, Carskadon says. With their increased need for sleep and their biological clocks set on the "sleep late, rise late" pattern, adolescents are up against difficulties when it comes to trying to be up by 5 or 6 a. m. for a 7: 30 a. m. first bell. A short sleep on a desktop may be their bodies' way of saying, "I need a timeout. "

1.Carskadon suggests that high schools should not start classes so early in the morning because ________.

A. it is really tough for parents to ensure bedtime

B. students are so lazy that they don't like to go to school early

C. students work so late at night that they can't get up early

D. it is biologically difficult for students to rise early

2.The underlined phrase "nod off"(Paragraph l) most probably means "________".

A. turn around B. agree with others

C. fall asleep D. refuse to work

3.What might be a reason for the hard change from middle school to high school?

A. Adolescents depend more on their parents.

B. Adolescents need more sleep than they used to.

C. Adolescents sleep better than they did at childhood.

D. Adolescents have to choose their sleep patterns.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A. Changes in adolescent sleep needs and patterns.

B. Problems in adolescent learning.

C. Adolescent sleep difficulties.

D. Adolescent heath care.

A Guide to the University

Food

The TWU Cafeteria is open 7am to 8pm. It serves snacks(小吃), drinks and meals. You can pay with cash or your ID cards. You can add meal money to your ID cards at the Front Desk. Even if you do not buy your food in the cafeteria, you can use the tables to eat your lunch, to have meetings and to study with friends.

If you are on campus in the evening or late at night, you can buy snacks, fast food, and drinks in the Lower Café located in the bottom level of the Gouglas Centre. This area is often used for entertainment such as concerts, games or TV watching.

Relaxation

The Globe, located in the bottom level of McMillan Hall, is available for relaxing, studying, cooking, and eating. Monthly activities are held here for all international students. Hours are 10 am to 10 pm, closed on Sundays.

Health

Located on the top floor of Douglas Hall, the Wellness Centre is committed to physical health. A doctor and nurse is available if you have health questions or need immediate medical help or personal advice. The cost of this is included in your medical insurance. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to noon and 1;00 to 4;30pm.

Academic Support

All students have access to the Writing Centre on the upper floor of Douglas Hall. Here, qualified volunteers will work with you on written work, grammar, vocabulary, and other academic skills. You can sign up for an appointment on the sign-up sheet outside the door two 30 –minute appointments per week maximum. This service is free.

1.What can you do in the TWU Cafeteria?

A. Do homework and watch TV

B. Buy drinks and enjoy concerts

C. have meals and meet with friends

D. Add money to your ID and play chess

2.Where and when can you cook your own food?

A. The Globe, Friday B. The Lower Café, Sunday

C. The TWU Cafeteria , Friday D. The McMillan Hall , Sunday.

3.The Guide tells us that the Wellness Centre  _________.

A. is open six days a week B. offers services without pay

C. trains students in medical care D. gives advice on mental health

4.How can you seek help from the Writing Centre?

A. By applying online B. By calling the centre

C. By filling in a sign-up form D. By going to the centre directly