相关试卷

Plants have small populations of stem cells (干细胞) at the tips of their roots and shoots, which enable them to continuously grow and produce new tissues throughout their lifetime. These stem cells serve as ancestors for plant tissues and organs. However, any genetic faults present in the stem cells will continue to exist and be passed on permanently throughout the plant's life, which could last thousands of years.

Given the critical role of stem cells and their exposure to potentially dangerous environments at the growing tips of roots and shoots, safeguards are necessary to prevent stem cell faults from becoming fixed. Researchers Nick Fulcher and Robert Sablowski, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, aimed to uncover these protective mechanisms. Through experiments involving X-rays and chemicals, they discovered that stem cells were more sensitive to DNA damage compared to other cells.

When DNA damage occurs, the cells have the capacity to detect it and cause programmed cells to die, preventing the propagation of the damaged genetic code to the rest of the plant tissues. This process has similarities to the safeguard mechanism found in animal cells, which has been broadly studied due to its relevance in preventing cancer.

The identification of a similar protective system in plants is of great interest in the field of plant development. It also helps scientists develop plants that can better handle environmental stress. So knowledge of how plants deal with these stresses is of fundamental significance to agricultural science's response to climate change.

EarthX Eco-Art Competition

It invites young artists aged 5-22 to create 2-D or 3-D art that illustrates the theme: Protectors for the Planet. The theme can be interpreted in various ways, including individuals taking action towards a more sustainable planet, or highlighting the efforts of environmental leaders working to sustain ecosystems.

Deadline: March 8, 2024

The Children's Drawing Contest

Sponsored by International Certification Organization Network, the contest, whose theme this year is "Passing on Our Precious Earth to The Future", invites children aged 7-15 worldwide to draw the kind of natural environment they would like to live in. 48 winners will receive special memorabilia. All entrants will receive a participation prize. Medium: Drawings with any type of paint, pastel, etc.

Deadline: May 31, 2024

Science without Borders Challenge

The competition is open to children and young people under the age of 16. We welcome entries from both groups and individuals to create art to promote public awareness of the need to preserve, protect, and restore nature. The theme is "The Sixth Extinction" and you can focus on the protection of endangered species. Acceptable media include paint, pencil, marker, crayon, ink, felt, and oil pastel.

Deadline: March 4, 2024

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the longest-running literary and art competition in the US, provides opportunities and academic awards for creative young people to express their talent. The theme this year is "Tell Your Climate Story". Students in the 9th to 12th grades can submit poetry, fiction and nonfiction to show their understanding of environmental issues.

Deadline: June 10, 2024

Moving from urban New Jersey to the Pennsylvania woods was a dream coming true for me. My home was surrounded by nature, with the nearest neighbor miles away and no phone service. As a nurse, I used to be around people, but I found immense joy in solitude and wildlife, since my whole new life was closely connected to nature and I could never feel lonely with animals nearby.

One afternoon, I introduced a visiting friend to a deer I called Scarbelly, recognizable by an old wound running from her shoulder to her hip. "She had a baby last year, and she brings her baby around too," I said happily. "They seem to like you a lot!" she remarked as the deer inched closer. "I think so, but deer aren't easy to get close to," I replied, enjoying the peacefulness of my life in the woods.

That peaceful existence was disturbed one April morning. I woke to the sounds of birds but felt an unusual heaviness in my legs. Struggling to get up, I lost my balance and crashed into the doorframe. Something was seriously wrong: I even couldn't feel my left arm or fingers. Panic set in as my nurse training kicked in-could I be having a stroke (中风) at just 46? I needed help, but I had no neighbors and no phone.

Desperate, I muttered, "Well, God, I've got to do something here. I need help. Fast!" I tried to get dressed quickly and stepped outside, "Scarbelly!" I cried with all my strength. Scarbelly soon appeared on the deck, with several other deer crowding in behind her. They weren't the rescue team I'd imagined, but they were all I had.

Determined to reach the road at the top of the hill, I shuffled forward, the deer following closely. The vast lawn looming before me, I felt overwhelmed. Yet I pushed through, only to find myself at the gravel road, confused about how I'd made it that far. Scarbelly looked into my eyes, as if she had helped me along.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右;

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Suddenly, a car appeared in the distance, but when I waved, it sped past.

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As the driver drove off, the deer finally stepped away from the road.

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1. 时间和地点；

2. 活动内容；

3. 活动意义。

注意：

1. 词数80左右；

2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Getting Close to Artificial Intelligence

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Recently, researchers in China have found a new way to turn soil fertile, making possible for humans to develop agriculture on the moon. In September, special bacteria (introduce) into the soil and consequently they discovered that phosphorus, an important nutrient for plants, increased.

By the end of October 2024, the researchers had conducted numerous (experiment) and finally they made it. They grew a plant linked with the tobacco plant and used volcanic soil from the Changbai Mountains in Jilin province, is similar to lunar soil. They treated the moon-like soil with three different kinds of bacteria. By (compare), the plants raised in the bacteria-treated soil grew (well) than plants that grew in the soil without the bacteria.

Xia Yitong, co-author of the study, said carrying food, oxygen and water to people on the moon would be (incredible) expensive. He added, "A plant cultivation system on the moon will meet long-term food and oxygen requirements for humans, thus contributing the human life on the moon. Other plans to grow food on the moon that do not need soil are more costly as they require materials (transport) from Earth."

One morning, he stopped to1 the dog of a beggar outside a convenience store. "I'd seen this guy before and2 him. Regrettably, I just walked by him," Salk said. "3, that day, I just broke the4 because I noticed his dog had serious skin condition." He diagnosed and treated the dog's condition, and the animal was5. But for Salk, the man's6 was the real wake-up call: "Thank you for not ignoring me" were the words that7 his next chapter.

Soon after, Salk began to do more,8 small drop-in clinics to provide medical care for pets whose owners couldn't afford it and walking the streets looking for9 individuals whose pets needed help. Right away, he was10 by how much the unhoused owners cared for their beloved pets.

He also found many pet owners wanted to11 stories about their dogs with others. With their12, Salk's brother, Ian, began13 some of the work and personal stories to raise awareness about animal welfare.

His brother encouraged him to14 the news online and soon more like-minded volunteers jumped on board. Since he started, Salk and his team have offered15 to thousands of animals.

You cannot evaluate an argument that you do not understand. You may need to ask questions to clarify the person's claims and ask them to explain key terms, especially words with multiple meanings.

Once you understand what the person is saying, then you can consider whether it's true. You can figure this out by considering the source of the facts and whether the facts line up with what you already know about the topic. For a conflict, discover whether your understanding is incorrect or the new statement is wrong.

Critical thinking also involves examining people's motivations and assumptions. For example, a salesman will present facts that are selected to convince you to buy what he is selling. It's necessary that you recognize these factors to predict when someone else's statements might not be accurate or complete.

Poking holes in other people's arguments can be necessary, but you must acknowledge the possibility that your own beliefs sometimes can be wrong. By critically examining both your own and others' opinions, you can understand the way the world works and make decisions in light of the truth.

A. Analysing information requires critical thinking.

B. And he will leave out facts that don't help him reach that goal.

C. Thus, the first step to critical thinking must always be listening.

D. Because it's possible to draw incorrect conclusions from correct facts.

E. So learning about the common arguments and your own beliefs can help.

F. The most important question is whether the facts they state are actually true.

G. Critical thinking requires examining your own ideas and assumptions as well.

This decline is partly caused by the increasing commercialization of higher education, which values degrees based on job prospects and starting salaries. With dramatically increasing graduates owing over £100,000 in student loans, it is understandable that young people from lower-income backgrounds might think twice about taking a non-vocational (非职业类的) course. Applications for English studies have fallen steadily since 2012, when the tuition fees rose to £9,000.

Meanwhile, supposedly "dead end" university courses-those which fail to deliver an instant graduate reward in the job market are coming under increasingly aggressive inspection. This year, the Office for Students set out plans to remove funding for "low quality" courses, defined as those where less than 60% of participants go into good jobs or further study soon after graduating.

The overall approach is both wrong-headed and shortsighted. As Mr Graham points out, the arts and entertainment industry has become one of the few booming areas of the economy in which Britain can claim to be world-leading. Additionally, judging the worth of a course solely by labor market outcomes ignores other important values, such as personal growth and cultural contribution.

After a decade of marketisation, a seriously practical worldview is beginning to sweep over England's higher education sector. But the inner quality and worth of a course cannot be fairly judged by reference to employment statistics and labour market outcomes. Sheffield Hallam's decision must be a wake-up call for those concerned to preserve the future of the arts and humanities in our universities.

Our bodies release cortisol when we encounter a challenge, whether psychological or physical, real or imagined. Things like coming across a bear on a hike, receiving an annoying work email or delivering a public speech are the typical cases. Cortisol aids in energy supply and metabolism (新陈代谢) control. Its levels vary, peaking in the morning and reducing by night.

However, long-term stress can disturb this balance, leading to sustained high cortisol levels. Potential disadvantages are weakened immune (免疫的) system and high blood sugar, as well as mental illnesses like depression and PTSD. In extreme cases, too much cortisol production may lead to Cushing's syndrome, characterized by serious physical changes and requiring medical treatment.

Identifying cortisol-related issues requires professional evaluation, as self-assessment or at-home testing may not provide accurate results due to cortisol's dynamic nature. Experts suggest consulting healthcare professionals for a thorough check. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution for managing cortisol levels, research indicates that practices such as yoga, mindfulness, and moderate exercise can aid in regulating the body's stress response. These activities not only help in reducing stress but also in training the body to manage its stress response more effectively over time.

In conclusion, cortisol plays a key role in how our body handles stress and functions overall. However, saying that many health problems are just due to cortisol imbalances misses the complex interaction between hormones, stress and health. It's important to take aholistic approach to health, with professional guidance and personalized stress management strategies.

So one admirably organized mom, Rachael Hallett, from Australia, has shared her simple but highly effective solution to having to prepare their lunchboxes. Her tip recommends mass cooking, just like you might do with dinners. "School lunches can get boring," she admits. "You can cook a lot and freeze many items in advance. Sandwiches, sausage rolls, wraps and so on. These all freeze well." But she points out that any fillings that are water-based, like cucumber or tomato, should be avoided in case the bread or wraps become wet.

And Rachael, who has two primary school age children, doesn't stop there with the preparation. She also makes the decisions easily over what to give her children daily by drawing up a list of different foods to put in the boxes. She prefers lunchboxes with different parts that won't leak and each section is used for various items such as fruit or snacks. The wise mom sometimes even sends her kids into school with a food thermos for warm lunches. "You can really send almost anything," she shares.

But even Rachael has days when she just doesn't have the time or energy to make a meal for her little ones and she says on these occasions school dinners are definitely a suitable alternative. "Plan some money for a lunch order on your hardest weekdays. Usually school dinners aren't too expensive and taste good," she says.

Rachael is a co-founder of the hugely popular Facebook group Moms Who, which has over a million members. Lots of other members of the group thanked Rachael for sharing her tips which they intended to put to use in their routines.

If you're looking for ways to give back to your community, here are some volunteer opportunities available in your area this month.

Food Bank Helper

Local food banks are in urgent need of volunteers to help sort and distribute food to families in need. This role includes organizing food items, packing boxes, and handing out the packages to recipients. Volunteers are required from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Community Care Center

Location: 45 Maple Street

Contact: 123-456-7890

Animal Shelter Assistant

Are you an animal lover? The city animal shelter is seeking volunteers to assist with daily care for the animals, including feeding, cleaning, and exercising dogs and cats. No experience is required, but volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Shifts are flexible

Location: 78 Riverbank Road

Contact: 987-654-3210

Senior Center Activity Leader

Brighten the day of local seniors by running activities like bingo, art projects, or music sessions at the Senior Center. Volunteers will need to prepare simple materials and guide small groups of seniors during activities. This is a rewarding way to connect with the elderly and gain valuable community service experience.

Location: 123 Sunflower Lane

Contact: 555-112-2334

Park Clean-up Crew

Help keep our parks beautiful! Volunteers will clean up trash, plant trees, and perform simple maintenance tasks in various parks around the city. Anyone can join the weekend clean-up events. All equipment will be provided.

Location: Sign up at www.cleanparks.org

Contact: 777-333-8888

Looking to get involved? Contact the organizations above for more details or to sign up for a role that fits your schedule and interests. Make a difference in your community today!

A study in Nature suggests that while destroying digital aliens might seem unrelated to distinguishing between words, such action video games may help children at risk for developmental dyslexia—a genetic (遗传的, 基因的) language disorder that makes processing words difficult—by improving their ability to perceive spoken words and sounds.

In the study, 79 prereading children with family histories of dyslexia took several language tests, including listening for differences in made-up words—a task that can be challenging for dyslexic people. The kids were then split into four groups. One played Space Invaders Extreme 2, a second played a non-action video game, a third attended speech therapy (疗法), and a fourth received no intervention. Gamers played four times a week for 45 minutes each over a month and a half, and those in speech therapy attended 45-minute sessions twice weekly over about four months.

By the end of the trial more than 80 percent of the Space Invaders players were significantly better at the word-identification task than before, and they showed greater improvements than any of the other three groups. The researchers aren't sure why scores on the other language tests did not improve notably—but they say that this finding could be valuable. "If we can target these small cognitive (认知的) functions before children are older and lose some brain plasticity, then perhaps we can treat aspects of dyslexia before they've fully formed, " says Simone Gori, co-author of the study.

Dyslexia often goes untreated in Italy's overburdened public health and school systems, says Marilu Tempini, a behavioral neurologist at the University of California. She hopes to see larger future studies conducted in other languages as well. "Eyes are an extension of the brain, " she says, "so when we play video games, it's directly connected to our cognitive function—and there is so much research potential there. "

1. 推荐的公园：

2. 推荐该公园的理由。

注意：

1. 写作词数应为80个左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Dear James,

Glad to hear that you're planning to travel to China!

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Yours,

Li Hua

Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) was a French writer and pilot. As a young boy, he was obsessed with airplanes, (ride) in one for the first time at the age of 12. He spent much of his life flying and writing about his (adventure). Saint-Exupery's (successful) work, The Little Prince, is one of the best-selling books ever (publish). The story was (probable) inspired by his plane crash in the desert in 1935. Saint-Exupery nearly (die), and wandered around for four days before (rescue). In 1944, Saint-Exupery left on a wartime mission over occupied France, which he never returned. the remains of his plane were discovered in 2000, Saint-Exupery's body has never been found, the cause of his death remains unknown.

Students4 out answers ranging from eight ounces to a couple pounds.

She replied. "From my5, the absolute weight of this glass doesn't6. It all depends on how7 I hold it. If I hold it for a minute or two, it's8 light. If I hold it for an hour9, its weight might make my arm ache a little. If I hold it for a day straight, my arm will likely cramp up and feel completely numb and paralyzed, forcing me to10 the glass to the floor. In each11, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the12 it feels to me."

As the class13 their heads in agreement, she continued, "Your stresses and worries in life are very much like this glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them bit-longer and you begin to14 a little. Think about them all day long, and you will feel completely numb and paralyzed-15 of doing anything else until you drop them."

Create specific health goals. When you have specific goals you want to achieve, you'll be more motivated to implement healthy changes in your life. Identify what parts of your lifestyle you want to improve and set measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals that are specific to better guarantee your success.

Eat well. Choose nutritious foods and create a well-balanced diet. It's no secret that eating healthy is one of the keys to achieving a healthy lifestyle. When you follow a healthy diet, you reduce your risk for obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancers.

Practice mindful eating. Pay attention to your portion sizes and enjoy your meals. Eating mindfully, means being aware of and paying attention to what you're eating without any distractions. It also leaves you feeling full with less food, and make you more aware of your food choices.

Drink plenty of water.Make conscious effort to stay hydrated throughout the day. Water helps you digest food, keeps you hydrated, and flushes out toxins from your body. For adults, drink around 13 cups (3.1 L) of water a day to stay properly hydrated, though this amount can vary depending on your age, weight, environment, and physical activity level.

Take supplements as needed.Ask your doctor about taking supplements such as Vitamin C to get more nutrients. Taking dietary supplements is a good option when your diet isn't giving you enough of the vitamins and nutrients you need to stay healthy.

A. Come up with specific actionable goals to improve your health.

B. It's definitely possible to get all the nutrients you need purely from the food you eat, but there are still gaps to be filled.

C. By the end of this article, you'll be ready to star changing your life for the better.

D. A good night's sleep can help you avoid getting sick and focus better during the day.

E. Not only that, but healthy eating can also improve your mood and make you happier.

F. Just like nutritious food, water is essential to keeping your body healthy.

G. Solely focusing on the act of eating when you sit down for a meal helps promote better digestion.

Both men made dramatic transformations to their lives in order to reconnect with nature. As an official in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Tao felt conflicted over life at court. In 405, he quit the service of the court for good, expressing his unhappiness in the now famous line that he would not "bow like a servant in return for five dou of grain". He spent the next 22 years until his death, working the land in a poor, rural area.

While Tao's return to nature was a reaction to a lifestyle he was opposed to, Thoreau's was a personal decision to transform the way he lived. He had a decent quality of life, but he wanted to live in a simpler way. For two years, two months and two days, he lived in a cottage in the forest on the edge of Walden Pond, focusing on himself and his writing. He explained his reason for doing so in Walden: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life." Both men were happy to withdraw from contemporary life, seeking a harmonious relationship with nature in the quietness of their lives.

Although Tao and Thoreau do not treat nature in quite the same way, their works show its beauty and value. Tao's nature is a place of fields and villages, in other words, rural, and his animals are domestic ones, such as chickens and dogs. The calm and peaceful life he wrote about is in contrast to and critical of the depressive court life.

Beyond the dark and distance lies a village,

the smoke above reluctant to depart.

A dog is barking somewhere down the lane.

and chickens sit atop the mulberry tree.

Thoreau's descriptions of nature emphasized the beauty and purity of the wild areas around him. Devoting himself to observations of the natural phenomena, he recorded his detailed findings in his journals. Thoreau's writing aimed to convince people that animals and plants had a right to live and prosper, as we do. We should live with them in harmony and enjoy nature's gifts, as he describes in his journal:

Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Let them be your only diet, drink and botanical medicines.

It takes considerable courage to reject the easy and familiar and instead try to live closer to nature, as both Tao and Thoreau did. Their choices led them to quiet and reflective lives with fewer material desires.

Holding a scepter (权杖), Booth told confused locals and press that he made himself a "king" to encourage tourism and reviving the town's declining economy. Booth issued passports, stamps and currency for his new "nation". He would also later made his horse Goldie "prime minister" after a few too many drinks in the local pub. His fans and supporters would be awarded citizenship, and he would rule his self-declared kingdom until his death in 2019.

The bookseller's bold move for independence saved the town. "A lot of small towns were in decline at the time," explained Dr. Reg Clark, who worked for Booth in the 1970s. "People in rural areas would get an education, but then they would move out and get jobs elsewhere." Booth's marketing strategy changed everything. With a population of just 1,500, the town remains home to some 20-plus bookshops and hosts the United Kingdom's largest literary event, the annual Hay Festival.

In the middle of the Hay Festival, festival goers can taste local street food from pop-up food stands and market stalls in the surrounding street. However, it is the books that always keep visitors stand in line. The second-hand bookshops, antique stores and a fascinating map shop lining the main street are among the top choices for festivalgoers.

However, before Booth opened Hay-on-Wye's first bookstore in 1962, there was hardly any interest in books. By 1976 Hay-on-Wye had become known as the world's first "Town of Books" as bookshops sprang up on every street comer. Despite the harsh economic reality, Booth never quit his chosen career path. By announcing himself a king, Booth attracted publicity as crowds gathered to visit the strange "Town of Books" ruled by a king. Interestingly, the Hay festival was not the creation of Booth. In 1988, Booth even picked a fight with the just-founded Hay Festival, blaming the festival for focusing only on newly published books, thus damaging the local second-hand bookshops.

Booth passed away on 20 August 2019, but the "King of Hay" continues. Booth's real legacy isn't a flag or even a kingdom, but a lively, book-loving town. "As his friend, I knew that Richard loved Hay and he wanted the best for it. Not because it was his kingdom, but because he loved the community," said Clark.