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Why does the giant squid（乌贼）have eyes as large as a football? Why do more than 350 species of fish produce their own electricity? Why do dogs become more optimistic after two weeks of plentiful sniffing（嗅）? 

The mysteries and miracles of animal senses are revealed in this year's winner of Royal Society Trivedi science book prize. An Immense World by Ed Yong is an exploration of the unique sensory world of other creatures, from tree hoppers to singing frogs, who sense the world in vastly different ways to humans. 

Yong has interviewed many kinds of scientists during his writing but sensory biologists are his favourite. "There's a surprising number of sensory biologists who are themselves neuro-atypical—they have something like face blindness or colour blindness, " he says. "Their different than"normal way of experiencing the world themselves might help them better empathize（共情）with other creatures who have those experiences. The core of this book is curiosity and empathy, understanding and valuing animals for their own benefit, and trying to put ourselves in the shoes of creatures who are very different to us. "

Yong's book carries an important message about how our lack of understanding of the sensory worlds of other animals is hugely destructive. Studies have shown that LED lights are particularly damaging to bats and insects. Flowers illuminated（照亮）by bright lights receive 62%fewer visits from insects. Meanwhile, low-frequency noise in oceans has risen 32-fold since the Second World War because of global shipping-damaging whales' ability to communicate. 

Unfortunately, reducing noise and light pollution is nowhere near the political agenda. "It's understandable why it's not on the political agenda because it's not a visceral（强烈的）problem like a plastic-ridden beach or chemicals billowing from a smokestack, "says Yong. "Light and sound don't produce the same kind of horror. Light especially feels like an entirely good thing-we want more light in our lives；light is knowledge, safety, beauty and goodness. So just raising awareness that these are problems that could be tackled is an important first step and one I hope An Immense World moves people further towards taking. "

African grey parrots（鹦鹉）help their peers complete tasks despite no immediate benefit to themselves, researchers have found in the first study to show that birds display such apparently "selfless" behaviour.

Writing in the journal Current Biology, Brucks and colleagues report how they tested African grey parrots in a task that involved the birds passing a token, in the form of a metal ring, through a hole in their section to a neighbouring bird of the same species. This token could then be passed by the second bird to a human, via another hole, who would exchange it for a piece of nut. 

The team found African grey parrots helped their neighbours by passing tokens to their neighbour when a human held out their hand, allowing the second bird to drop it through-the hole and receive a tasty treat. 

The same behaviour was seen when the roles of the birds were reversed（颠倒）. The more tokens a bird had previously given, the more they received in return. 

However, the team stress previously the birds did not know that their favour would be rewarded, suggesting it is something of a "selfless" act. 

The team say it may be due to African grey parrots gathering in huge flocks at night but splitting into smaller groups during the day to forage（觅食）. Brucks said such behaviour is thought to require strong social cognitive（认知）abilities, adding that being helpful might help the birds gain a good reputation with their peers, making it more likely they would team up for foraging and other tasks. 

Dr Manon Schweinfurth, an expert in animal behaviour, said evidence of reciprocal（互惠的）behaviour in African grey parrots is quite interesting. "It has been thought that it is so cognitively demanding that only humans can show it. But we now get more and more evidence from other animals that they are able to show reciprocity, " she said. 

Shortly before he turned 60, Mark Fuhrmann realized what he wanted. He, now, at 65, has just returned from a second voyage. His 6, 835 mile-round trip from Nova Scotia took in the great lakes of the US, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. 

Fuhrmann started these journeys "to kickstart retirement" from the maritime PR business he ran in Oslo for the past 30 years. Before he set off, in June last year, he swapped（交换）his house for a flat, and greatly reduced his possessions. "It was good to get rid of all of those things and say: ‘This isn't a phase; this is a new season, '" he says.

Amazingly, he didn't plan his trip, beyond committing to fundraise for Medecins Sans Frontières. "I thought: ‘I'll try to:do 40km each day. ' But I never knew where I was going to lay down my head. "

The challenges were psychological, physical, and sometimes life-threatening. In Florida, he was chased by an alligator（短吻鳄）, but narrowly escaped from it. In the Boston area, he saw"a black fin moving towards me like a snake". He lay his oar（划桨）across his lap and waited. "If a great white shark can swim leisurely, that's exactly what it did. It just passed me, " he says. Ten minutes later, Fuhrmann pulled his kayak（小艇）into a cove, where he ran into a man who invited him into his home for coffee and apple pie. His whole trip was filled with these switchbacks and moments of connection with strangers, which Fuhrmann experienced as"a call to authenticity". 

What does he mean? "Nature is born within us. If you avoid that, you avoid experiencing something that is vital to who you are as a person. I want real things-life isn't about having more. I think we need to accept where we are at this stage of life, at 60 or 65. "

"I look at retirement as a season, " he says. He started his latest voyage because "I wanted to have a better understanding of who I was. I wanted to have time for my thoughts to wander, to restart, to discover the value and power within myself. "

Welcome to Buckler's Hard

Fun facts about Buckler's Hard

A former ship-building village on the River Beaulieu in the New Forest. The setting is lovely, two rows of well-preserved red-brick workers' cottages-separated by a lawn-lead down to the water's edge where boats glide past. Attractions include a maritime（航海）museum telling the story of warships built for Nelson's navy and other moments in seafaring history. 

Costumed volunteers are on hand to answer questions and entertain children with, say, a game of coits or explain how families lived in the Shipwright's Cottage. In summer hop on a boat for a cruise（漫游）up the river（extra charge）. 

Getting there

Take the M27, exit at junction 2 and follow the tourist signs towards nearby Beaulieu motor museum-from there Buckler's Hard is signposted. The car park is an extra £6-£10. Train to Brockenhurst then taxi-or hire a bike and cycle the three miles through the New Forest. 

Value for money?

Yes. The amount of time you take will likely depend on the weather. On a sunny day you could easily spend an afternoon for a reasonable £6. 90 (adult), £4. 70 (child 5-16) or £21 (family ticket for four). 

Opening hours

10am-Spm every day, except Christmas Day. 

In the town of Greenfield, a group of three adventurous spirits—Jack, Simon, and Lucas—had discovered an ancient map in Jack's grandfather's house. The map, yellowed with age, described a mysterious island that had the legendary(传说的) Silver Falcon, a statue that was said to award its finder enormous wisdom and fortune.

As typical eighth graders with the excitement of discovery and dreams of greatness, they decided they would be the ones to discover this hidden treasure. They agreed to start this search during the up-and-coming spring break, keeping their plans a secret from the adults who would undoubtedly discourage such a dangerous adventure. 

The days that followed were filled with preparation. They read books on survival, learned about the stars for navigation, and tested their courage in smaller woods. The boys were united by their unshakable resolve and the promise of an adventure that could change their lives forever. 

As spring break began, they set out just as the sun painted the sky with colors of orange and gold. They felt a mixture of excitement and slight nervousness. They carried backpacks filled with supplies and the ancient map that they hoped would lead them to glory. 

The beginning of their journey was full of laughter and songs around the campfire, but as days passed, the trip's reality set in. The path grew more dangerous, and the maps guided them through thick woods and muddy wetlands. They learned to work together as their friendship was tested by constant challenges. Slowly, the island drew nearer. 

A conflict arose when they reached the foot of Mount Veritas, the final barrier before reaching the island. Lucas twisted his ankle, and the slightest movement sent sharp pains shooting through his leg. With time running out, Jack and Simon had to make a choice: should they push on and risk Lucas' well-being or turn back after coming so far?

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。

At crossroads, Jack and Simon exchanged knowing glances. 

When reaching the Silver Falcon, the three boys found no fortune there at all. 

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 Peter, 

Yours sincerely, 

Li Hua

In recent years, China has been working hard to improve living conditions in rural areas through a program called the New Rural Development Initiative.  goal of this initiative is to improve infrastructure (基础设施), modernize farming practices, and enhance the overall quality of life for those  (live) in the countryside. 

One important aspect of the initiative is the improvement of rural infrastructure includes the construction of better roads, bridges, and watering systems  (improve) the efficiency of transportation and agricultural activities. 

Another key focus is the promotion of modern agricultural (technique). By introducing advanced farming methods and technologies, such as organic farming and the use of machinery, farmers are able to increase their productivity and income  damaging the environment. 

Furthermore, the initiative emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional culture and heritage in rural communities. Efforts (make) to regenerate local traditions, which not only enriches the cultural  (diverse) of the countryside but also creates new opportunities for cultural tourism and sustainable development. The initiative also aims to enhance the living environment in rural areas through the restoration of traditional houses  the construction of public facilities. 

Through the initiative, China is working hard to create a more prosperous (繁荣的) and  (harmony) countryside, providing its rural residents with better opportunities and an improved quality of life. 

In 2008, Calvin Lowe's four-year-old son Tyler needed to have a serious surgery. 

On the appointed day of the 1 , he and his wife brought Tyler to Children's Hospital Colorado in Denver. "As we sat in the waiting room, waiting for someone to2 us back to the surgery area, there was a lot of3 in our hearts, " Lowe remembered.

When a nurse called the family back, Lowe's fears 4 . A young doctor walked into the room and told the couple that he would be 5 the surgery. As the doctor began to 6 how the surgery would proceed, Lowe's mind went to the worst possible7 , But then the doctor did something 8 . He looked both Lowe and his wife in the eye, put a9 hand on each of their shoulders, and said, "Today, your son is my son. "

After the surgery was over, the 10 came back out to the family with a big smile and said, "Our son is just fine, and you can11 him here in a few minutes. "

Tyler is now 19 years old and hopes to become a professional photographer. All these years after the surgery, Lowe still12 the young doctor's kindness. "I will never forget that, " Lowe said. "Because that was indeed a 13 of stress then. I can't tell you how 14 we both were for what he said to us that day. It was very15 and meaningful. "

Pursue Your Dreams Today, Not Tomorrow

Have you caught yourself daydreaming about your dreams? We often postpone our dreams, trapped in a cycle of delay. But why wait? You don't have to take a huge, life-changing step. You can take minute steps toward a brighter future. And start right now.

If you never try, you're going to be weighed down by your regrets. You're always going to wonder how your life would've turned out if you actually took a chance on yourself. Don't let your future self be disappointed by your present self.

It doesn't matter how old you are or how many people have warned you that you're never going to succeed. Even the most successful people have had their hesitations about whether they had what it took to make it in their field. Embrace a mindset of determination, knowing that success is within your reach.

At the end of the day, you need to carve out a path for yourself that will lead to the most satisfaction. If you allow your fear to get the best of you, you're never going to forgive yourself. . It's what you would encourage your friends to do, so why aren't you giving yourself that same push?

Sometimes, following your passion means spending a lot of your time each day. It may require making slight adjustments to your schedule, but you don't have to sacrifice everything to follow your hearts. Try to strike a balance between your current life and your dreams.

Pursue your dreams now, even though that means you might need to break out of your comfort zone, and even though it means entering the unknown. 

A. Ask yourself what would be worse. 

B. Starting small is completely acceptable. 

C. You owe it to yourself to go after your dreams. 

D. New opportunities may lead to personal growth. 

E. If things go well, you can gradually make further shifts. 

F. You need to move past your insecurities and explore your full potential. 

G. Hard as it is, it's crucial to wave off the doubts in the back of your mind.

Recently, I accidentally found a set of Hanfu l only wore once from the bottom of the cupboard. I remember buying them simply to match the ancient-style hair accessories (配饰) a friend gave me. It occurred to me that 1 had been trapped in the "birdcage effect".

"Birdcage effect" means that when you get an item one day, you will prepare more things to match it. Weeks ago, I was in the company of friends engaged in shopping. One said that she wanted to buy a good writing pen to match the delicate notebook that her sister gave her, so that she would fall in love with taking notes on reading, and thus love reading, not just reading. I joked that she must have fallen for the "birdcage effect". But the friend said with a smile: "Why not use the ‘birdcage effect' instead?"

For the first time, I heard that the "birdcage effect" can be used in reverse (逆向). However, this can't help but remind me of middle school, and I seem to have used the "birdcage effect". Passing by a bookstore one day, I purchased a magazine and saw the call for contributions published in the magazine, so I started writing with eager hands, and then I fell in love with writing.

After shopping with my friends that time, I began to proceed to use the "birdcage effect". I bought a small fresh tablecloth to decorate my desk, and a beautiful notebook to record my inspiration. When everything was ready, I started writing again.

But how can we get rid of the "birdcage effect" in many things, and even use the "birdcage effect" in the opposite way? Various "birdcages" unavoidably appear in life, but we can distinguish them. If it is not in line with the actual situation, it is a "negative birdcage", then we must learn to stop losses in time and maintain a heart of abandonment and separation. If it is a "positive birdcage" that motivates us to develop upward, we can clarify our goals, shop or decorate appropriately, and motivate ourselves to move towards our goals. At this time, you will find that the "birdcage effect" is actually not so terrible!