The polar bear is found in the Arctic Circle and some big land masses as far south as Newfoundland.While they are rare north of 88°,there is evidence1they range all the way across the Arctic,and as far south as James Bay in Canada.It is difficult to figure out a global population of polar bears as much of the range has been2(poor) studied; however,biologists calculate that there are about 20,000~25,000 polar bears worldwide.
Modern methods3tracking polar bear populations have been employed only since the mid-1980s,and are expensive4(perform) consistently over a large area.In recent years some Inuit people in Nunavut5(report) increases in bear sightings around human settlements,leading to a6(believe) that populations are increasing.Scientists have responded by7(note) that hungry bears may be congregating(聚集) around human settlements,leading to the illusion(错觉) that populations are8(high) than they actually are.Of9nineteen recognized polar bear sub-populations,three are declining,six10(be) stable,one is increasing,and nine lack enough data.(2019全国Ⅰ卷)
A 90-year-old has been awarded “Woman of the Year” for1(be) Britain’s oldest full-time employee—still working 40 hours a week.Now Irene Astbury works from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.daily at the pet shop in Macclesfield,2she opened with her late husband Les.Her years of hard work have3(fnial) been acknowledged after a customer nominated(提名) her to be Cheshire's Woman of the Year.
Picking up her “Lifetime Achievement” award,proud Irene4(declare) she had no plans5(retire) from her 36-year-old business.Irene said,“I don’t see any reason to give up work.I love coming here and seeing my family and all the friends I6(make) over the years.I work not because I have to,7because I want to.”
Granddaughter Gayle Parks,31—who works alongside her in the family business—said it remained unknown as to who nominated Irene for the award.She said,“We don’t have any idea who put Grandma forward.When we got a call8(say) she was short-listed,we thought it was9joke.But then we got an offciial letter and we were blown away.We are so proud of her.It’s10(wonder) .”(2019全国Ⅱ卷)
Rock music consists of many different styles.Even though there is1common spirit among all music groups,they make very different music.Rock music developed in the 1950s and the early 1960s.
After they2(give) an invitation to appear live on BBC,the Beatles quickly became famous in Britain with nationwide tours.By mid-1963,the Beatles3(be) extremely popular in England.Even their hairstyles became major trends at that time.They held large concerts and performed at clubs.They became the4(hot) thing on the pop music scene in England.
They decided on a tour to the United States in 1964.They were not sure5the Americans would react to the new type of music.They performed their first concert in America and it was broadcast live,6(attract) the largest one-night audience in the history of television up to that time.The Beatles were described as a British7(invade) by local and nationwide newspapers at that time.Their victory in America was still remembered as a major8(turn) point in the history of rock and roll.Thanks to the Beatles,a lot of9(opportunity)were opened up to new faces on the market.Many rock bands were able to follow10the footsteps of the Beatles.(2019北京卷)
When travelling overseas,do you buy water in plastic bottles? Imagine you are wandering about on1Thai island.It’s hot so you grab a bottle of water from a local vendor(摊贩).It is the safe thing2(do),right? But maybe what’s inside is not so3(nature).Would you still be drinking it if you knew that more than 90 percent of all bottled water sold around the world contains microplastics(塑料微粒)?
That’s the conclusion of a4(recent) released study by Orb Media,which analyzed 259 bottles from 11 brands sold in nine countries,5(reveal) an average of 325 plastic particles per litre of water.These microplastics included a substance commonly known6PET and widely used in the manufacture of clothing,food and liquid containers.About a million bottles are bought every minute,not only by thirsty but also by many of the 2.1 billion worldwide7live with unsafe drinking water.
Confronted(面临) with this evidence,several bottle-water manufactures including Nestle and Coca-Cola8(undertake) their own studies using the same methodology.These studies showed that their water did contain microplastics,but far9(little) than the Orb study suggested.Regardless,the World Health Organization10(launch) a review into the potential health risks of drinking water from plastic bottles.(2019四级Ⅰ阅读A篇)
Millions of people travel by plane every single day.If you’re planning on being one of them soon,you might not be looking forward to the unpleasant feeling air travel often leaves you with.
Besides the airport crowds and stress,1(travel) at a high altitude(海拔高度) has real effects on the body.Although the pressure of the cabin(机舱)2(adjust) to prevent altitude sickness(高空病),you could still experience3(sleepy) or a headache.4(help) prevent headaches,drink plenty of water,and avoid alcohol and coffee.
Airplane food might not really be as tasteless as you5(original) thought.The air you breathe in a plane dries out your mouth and nose,6can affect your sense of taste.Perception of sweet and salty food dropped7almost 30 percent in a simulation of air travel.However,you can make your taste buds active again by drinking water.
Although in-filght infections thrive(盛行) in dry environments like8(airplane),your risk of getting sick from an airplane is actually low because of9air fliters(过滤器) used.Unless you’re sitting next to someone who is coughing or sneezing,you shouldn’t worry too much about getting sick.However,bacteria10(show) to live on cabin surfaces,so wash your hands frequently.(2019四级Ⅲ阅读A篇)
What is misinformation vs.disinformation?
Misinformation is information that is misleading or wrong,but not1(intention).It includes everything from the information that your friend reposted on Facebook2statements made by offciials or,yes,even journalists.
Compared to it,disinformation is3(deliberate) and is distributed with the purpose to confuse.It also includes some information4(share) through dishonest means,such as a fake Twitter account.A particularly deceptive (欺骗性的) form of disinformation5(be) “deep fake” videos,6(make) it appear that someone said or did something that he or she never said or did.
How can I fact-check a particular claim?
Fact-checking sites are springing up all over the Internet to help you do just this.Duke University’s Reporters’ Lab,run by the creator of PolitiFact,has listed such sites.
You can go directly to one of these sites and search for the claim you’re researching,or type the claim into Google along with the name of a7(recommend) site,to see8any of them have looked into it.
If it’s a photo you’re trying to confrim,9upside-down image search on Google can help to fnid its origin.Sometimes photos are reposted out of context,or with false information about the year,place,and event at which they10(take).(文章来源:The Christian Science Monitor,2020-4-30)
Impact of COVID-19 on global food system
Different contexts affect food production,marketing and1(consume).As a result of this,the food availability,affordability as well as consumers’ dietary behavior and nutritional status2(vary).One possible picture is presented here3(provide) an idea on how Covid-19 might impact the global food system.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Covid-19 is not likely to4(transmit) through food.However,workers can get infected by each other.Shortage of labor can not only infect food production,but also the processing and handling of food.On the other hand,non-perishable(不易腐烂的) food with5(long) shelf life may get prioritized over perishable food6(consider) the demand.
Around the world,millions of people depend on international trade either for their livelihood(生计)7food security.The virus outbreak might slow down global trade and marketing of food.As a result,countries8(depend) on imported food can face difficulties.The9(close) of ports and other supply restrictions will infect food supply.It means import may get more expensive and export may bring less money.On the other hand,10restriction in transport and supply can be the cause of food loss particularly for fresh fruits and vegetables.(文章来源:The Independent,2020-5-16)
Culture Insider: Dragon Boat Festival
The 5th day of the 5th month of1lunar year is an important day for the Chinese people.The day calledDuan Wu Festival,or Dragon Boat Festival,2(celebrate)everywhere in China.There are3(variety) customs in different areas of the country.
Dragon boat racing
At the center of the festival4(be) the dragon boat races.Competing teams drive their colorful dragon boats forward5the rhythm of the beating drums.These exciting races were inspired by the villagers’6(attempt) to rescue Qu Yuan from the Miluo River.This tradition has remained unbroken for centuries.
Eating zongzi
Most Chinese festivals are tied to a particular food,and the Dragon Boat Festival is no7(except).A very popular dish during the Dragon Boat Festival iszongzi.This tasty dish consists of rice dumplings with meat,peanuts,egg yolks or other fillings8(wrap) in reed leaves.The tradition ofzongziis meant to remind us of village fsihermen dropping rice across the river in order to comfort the fish.9,they would not eat Qu Yuan.
Hanging an image of Zhong Kui
Zhong Kui is a famous exorcist(驱魔人).His picture,a fierce-looking male brandishing a magic sword,is hung in Chinese houses10(scare) away evil spirits and demons,especially during the Dragon Boat Festival.(文章来源:China Daily,2020-6-25)