高三十月天天练（science and technology 科技 & Society 社会）
选自China Daily
Under dazzling sunlight, a 20-story-tall Long March 2F carrier rocket roared to life at the scheduled ignition time of 11:14 am and soon soared into clear skies.
Clad in spacesuits, mission commander Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo, Lieutenant Colonel Tang Shengjie and Lieutenant Colonel Jiang Xinlin are sitting inside the Shenzhou XVII spacecraft on top of the rocket.
They are expected to fly for about six-and-a-half hours until they reach the Tiangong space station, now orbiting about 400 kilometers above Earth, and their spaceship will then connect with the front port of the Tianhe core module, the main body of Tiangong.
The Shenzhou XVII team will then float into the space station to meet their Shenzhou XVI mission peers, who have been in orbit for nearly five months.
Both crews will spend about four days together as the previous team hands over their work to the new team. Tang Hongbo and his crew will then take over Tiangong, and the Shenzhou XVI crew will fly back to Earth.
The Shenzhou XVII astronauts are scheduled to live and work inside the space station for around six months before they return to Earth around April.
The new crew's tasks will include carrying out scientific experiments and technological demonstrations, conducting spacewalks to install equipment and maintain the massive orbital outpost, checking the space station's operational performance and obtaining relevant data, and helping review the support capabilities of ground facilities, according to Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency.
In addition to these routine tasks, there will be a new assignment for the Shenzhou XVII crew members — they will perform experimental repair operations during their spacewalks, the official said on Wednesday at a news conference at the launch center.
Tang Hongbo is one of the nation's second-generation astronauts. His first space mission was on board the Shenzhou XII, which concluded two years and one month ago. With his return trip to Tiangong with the Shenzhou XVII mission, he is the first Chinese astronaut to participate in two space missions in such a relatively short period of time. He will also be the first astronaut to return to Tiangong.
Tang Shengjie and Jiang are two of China's third-generation astronauts, and the Shenzhou XVII mission is their first to the Earth's orbit. With an average age of 38, the three-member team will become the youngest Chinese crew ever in space.
1. What is the expected duration of the Shenzhou XVII mission inside the space station
- A. 3 months
- B. 6 months
- C. 9 months
- D. 12 months
Correct Answer: B
2. What is the current orbit of the Tiangong space station above the Earth
- A. 200 kilometers
- B. 300 kilometers
- C. 400 kilometers
- D. 500 kilometers
Correct Answer: C
3. Who will the Shenzhou XVII crew meet upon arriving at the space station
- A. Shenzhou XIII crew
- B. Shenzhou XIV crew
- C. Shenzhou XV crew
- D. Shenzhou XVI crew
Correct Answer: D
4. What new task will the Shenzhou XVII crew perform during their spacewalks
- A. Maintenance of communication systems
- B. Repair operations
- C. Conducting biological experiments
- D. Installing solar panels
Correct Answer: B
5. What is the average age of the Shenzhou XVII crew members
- A. 34
- B. 36
- C. 38
- D. 40
Correct Answer: C
The neighborhood is where China anchors to survive and thrive. The neighborhood is therefore always on top of China's diplomatic agenda. Way back in 2013, President Xi stressed that the basic principle of China's neighborhood diplomacy is to pursue friendship and partnership with our neighbors, help build an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, and follow a neighborhood policy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness.
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, successive central leaderships have attached great importance to neighborhood diplomacy and put forward a series of strategic visions and policies. Developing amicable and friendly relations with neighboring countries has always been high on China's diplomatic agenda. Such policies were mainly practiced on the bilateral level before the mid-1980s, and began to gain in weight since the launch of reform and opening-up, when concepts like "close neighbor", "neighboring country" and "neighbors facing each other across the sea" appeared increasingly in China's diplomatic discourse, and "neighborhood countries" and "neighborhood relations" became an integral part of China's overall diplomatic agenda.
Throughout this process, the term "neighbor" has not only referred to the geographical proximity between China and the countries that share the same mountains and rivers, and those with which China has had close contacts in history, but also represented the good-neighborly foreign policy, that is, basic principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and treating each other as equals. The good-neighborly foreign policy gradually developed into one that pursues friendship and partnership with neighbors, and culminates in the policy of fostering an amicable, secure, and prosperous neighborhood.
Under the guidance of these policies, China succeeded in normalizing relations with all neighboring countries, completing negotiations on the delimitation of most of its land borders, and properly handling territorial disputes and issues over maritime rights and interests.
In addition, China has used the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue as a starting point to build the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, promote East Asian cooperation together with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Southeast Asian countries, and played a leading role in the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. By 2010, China and its neighbors had jointly built the Asia-Pacific region into a new center of economic growth and forged a peaceful and stable neighborhood.
In the new era, China's neighborhood strategy and work faced new challenges as the neighborhood underwent profound changes. It was against this backdrop that in 2013, for the first time in the history of the People's Republic, the meeting on neighborhood diplomacy was held where the principle of "amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness" in neighborhood diplomacy made its debut. It is fair to say that this is a core concept, embodying the Chinese vision of neighborhood diplomacy, which had been taking shape over decades of neighborhood diplomacy.
1. According to President Xi's 2013 speech, what principle does China's neighborhood diplomacy emphasize
- A. Hostility and competition
- B. Amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness
- C. Exclusion and dominance
- D. Isolation and protection
Correct Answer: B
2. Before the mid-1980s, how were China's policies towards neighboring countries primarily practiced
- A. Unilateral confrontation
- B. Economic coercion
- C. Bilateral cooperation
- D. Political isolation
Correct Answer: C
3. What did the term "neighbor" represent in China's foreign policy, according to the passage
- A. Geographical proximity only
- B. Historical connections only
- C. Good-neighborly foreign policy
- D. Political alliances
Correct Answer: C
4. What did China and its neighbors jointly build by 2010
- A. European Union
- B. North American Free Trade Agreement
- C. Asia-Pacific region as a center of economic growth
- D. African Union
Correct Answer: C
5. When was the principle of "amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness" in neighborhood diplomacy first emphasized
- A. 2000
- B. 2005
- C. 2010
- D. 2013
Correct Answer: D高三十月天天练（Society 社会 & Culture 文化）选自China Daily
The city of Suzhou in Jiangsu province has long been a dream destination for lovers of Chinese history and culture.
Dating back some 2,500 years, the city evokes a sense of elegance and charm with its picturesque canals, traditional gardens and ancient streets.
Suzhou is home to numerous alleyways and old houses, with its graceful willow trees bringing a sense of calm to visitors and residents.
At the heart of the city lies Pingjiang Road. Situated in Gusu district, the thoroughfare is a living testament to a glorious past and thriving future.
Pingjiang Road is located alongside the Pingjiang River, and the Pingjiang Road Historical Block is the city's best-preserved area.
The road's layout has basically remained unchanged since the days of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
President Xi Jinping emphasized during his visit to Jiangsu in July that Pingjiang Road is a precious treasure for the inheritance and promotion of traditional Chinese culture, and the road should be used well and protected.
It is not only important to inherit the road in material forms, but also in people's hearts, he said.
The authorities in Suzhou have invested heavily to preserve the city's ancient architecture, customs and fascinating stories that have emerged through the ages. Pingjiang Road stands as a shining example of the city's commitment to such efforts.
In March 2019, the first phase of the Suzhou Ancient City Revival Architectural Design Workshop, jointly organized by the Suzhou Municipal People's Government and the China Architecture Society, officially started.
No 30 Jianxin Lane was selected for a research project. By using a strategy of "preserving the old while introducing the new", fresh technologies were applied to old properties in the lane, and traditional garden aesthetics were integrated with future lifestyles, providing new methods to revive the ancient city.
However, as the protection work gradually progressed, problems arose, with urban renewal and protection of the ancient city becoming an extremely complex project.
The Leading Group for the Protection of Suzhou National Historical and Cultural City was formed in April last year to efficiently coordinate and resolve various issues regarding protection work in the city. The group is headed by the main leaders of the municipal Party committee and the municipal government.
Fang Wenbang, Gusu district chief, who also heads the Suzhou National Historical and Cultural City Conservation Zone's Party Working Committee, said: "In the past, we vigorously developed the new city while protecting the ancient one, laying the foundation for Suzhou's integration of old and new. We now need to promote the conservation of the ancient city from a higher perspective and with a broader vision."
1. Which dynasty saw the layout of Pingjiang Road in Suzhou established
- A. Ming Dynasty
- B. Tang Dynasty
- C. Qing Dynasty
- D. Song Dynasty
Correct Answer: B
2. What is the main focus of Suzhou's preservation efforts, as highlighted in the passage
- A. Natural landscapes
- B. Modern architecture
- C. Ancient architecture and customs
- D. Industrial developments
Correct Answer: C
3. What approach did the Suzhou Ancient City Revival Architectural Design Workshop adopt for the preservation project
- A. Complete demolition of old structures
- B. Pure preservation without any modifications
- C. Integrate traditional aesthetics with modern living
- D. Relocation of historical landmarks
Correct Answer: C
4. When was the Leading Group for the Protection of Suzhou National Historical and Cultural City formed
- A. April 2019
- B. May 2018
- C. March 2020
- D. February 2021
Correct Answer: A
5. Who leads the Leading Group for the Protection of Suzhou National Historical and Cultural City
- A. Municipal Party committee leaders
- B. National government officials
- C. International conservationists
- D. Local community representatives
Correct Answer: A
Australia returned two precious cultural relics and a fossil and donated an artifact and an art piece to China in a handover ceremony on Wednesday at the Chinese embassy in Canberra.
The items included a ceramic figure of a person riding a horse, a gilded bronze Buddhist statue that can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) or the Northern Dynasty (386-581), and a dinosaur fossil dating back to the late Jurassic or early Cretaceous period.
In addition, the Australian National Art Gallery donated a hairpin from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and a xizun, an ox-shaped bronze ceremonial vessel, to the Chinese government. Chinese experts said the vessel could be from the Ming (1368-1644) or Qing Dynasty, or even the contemporary period.
Since 2020, the Chinese National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Chinese embassy in Australia have worked closely with the Australian Office for the Arts to facilitate the return of illegally imported cultural relics, art items and fossils.
Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said the return of the cultural relics demonstrates the shared commitment of the Chinese and Australian governments to the preservation of cultural heritage.
It also serves as a significant event in cultural heritage exchange and friendly cooperation between the two nations, Xiao said.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, cultural heritage exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have grown, playing a positive role in advancing the development of bilateral ties, Xiao added.
Australian Minister for the Arts Tony Burke, noting that China possesses a rich historical and cultural heritage, said Australia places a high importance on the issue of stolen cultural relics and is committed to following international museum standards to facilitate their return to their countries of origin.
Burke said he hoped that the items returned on Wednesday can be displayed in museums to enhance the public's understanding of history and the friendship between the peoples of China and Australia.
China and Australia signed a memorandum of understanding on cultural heritage protection in 2009. In 2015, Australia returned a cultural relic to China.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that China appreciates the return of the items. She said this was another example of successful collaboration between China and Australia in the field of cultural heritage protection and the return of lost cultural relics.
The return of the items also serves as a vivid example of the close ties between the peoples of China and Australia, Mao said.
1. Which country returned the cultural relics and fossil to China
- A. Canada
- B. Australia
- C. United States
- D. France
Correct Answer: B
2. What was the donated item from the Australian National Art Gallery to the Chinese government
- A. Painting from the Tang Dynasty
- B. Hairpin from the Qing Dynasty
- C. Calligraphy piece from the Ming Dynasty
- D. Ceramic vase from the Song Dynasty
Correct Answer: B
3. According to Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian, what does the return of the cultural relics demonstrate
- A. Political rivalry
- B. Commitment to trade agreements
- C. Shared commitment to cultural heritage preservation
- D. Expansion of military cooperation
Correct Answer: C
4. When did China and Australia sign a memorandum of understanding on cultural heritage protection
- A. 2005
- B. 2009
- C. 2013
- D. 2017
Correct Answer: B
5. What did Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning emphasize about the return of the items
- A. Political implications
- B. Economic benefits
- C. Cultural exchange and cooperation
- D. Military collaboration
Correct Answer: C高三十月天天练（Animals 动物）选自New Scientist
Roosters act differently when faced with another chicken versus just their own reflection. This may mean that the birds can recognise themselves in a mirror, a key test of self-awareness in animals. The way researchers tailored this mirror test to roosters may open up new methods of determining self-recognition in a diversity of animal species.
In the traditional mirror self-recognition test, developed in 1970, researchers place a mark on an animal’s body in a spot that it could only see reflected in a mirror. They note if the animal inspects or touches the mark while examining its reflection, suggesting it understands the reflection represents its own body. Precious few non-human species have passed this test, but those that have include some great apes, dolphins, elephants and magpies. In recent years, a few researchers have claimed other species – such as penguins, horses, cleaner wrasse fish and manta rays – have passed the test, but not without controversy.
Results from this test are often highly variable. Sonja Hillemacher at the University of Bonn in Germany and her colleagues wondered if this has less to do with the animals not recognising themselves, and more to do with the fact that there is little natural motivation for many animals to investigate the marks. Looking at behaviours relevant to a species’ day-to-day life may give more reliable insights, she says.
The team designed a modified mirror test specifically for roosters, taking into account their natural behaviors and social interactions. They introduced two scenarios: one where the rooster encountered another rooster, and the other where it faced its own reflection. Surprisingly, the roosters displayed distinct behaviors in the two situations, indicating a recognition of self versus other.
When facing another rooster, the test subjects exhibited aggressive postures and vocalizations, attempting to establish dominance or defend their territory. In contrast, upon encountering their own reflection, the roosters showed signs of self-exploration, such as extended inspection of their appearance, gentle pecking at the mirror, and even attempts to preen themselves in response to perceived imperfections.
These nuanced responses suggest that roosters possess a level of self-awareness, enabling them to differentiate between their own reflection and another member of their species. Further studies are now underway to determine the cognitive mechanisms underlying this ability and whether it extends to other aspects of their social behavior.
Hillemacher and her team believe that this tailored approach to mirror testing could revolutionize the assessment of self-recognition across various animal species. By customizing the methodology to suit the specific behavioral patterns and cognitive capacities of different animals, researchers may uncover a more comprehensive understanding of self-awareness in the animal kingdom. This groundbreaking research not only sheds light on the cognitive abilities of roosters but also paves the way for a more inclusive and accurate evaluation of self-awareness in diverse species.
1. What is the significance of roosters acting differently when faced with another chicken versus their own reflection
- A. Their aggressive behavior is a sign of fear
- B. It indicates their ability to recognize themselves in a mirror
- C. They are displaying territorial behavior
- D. They are responding to a threat from their own reflection
Correct Answer: B
2. In the traditional mirror self-recognition test, where do researchers typically place a mark on the animal's body
- A. A spot visible only to the animal
- B. On the animal's face
- C. On the animal's back
- D. On the animal's leg
Correct Answer: A
3. What did the modified mirror test designed for roosters involve
- A. Introducing them to other animals
- B. Observing their feeding behavior
- C. Presenting them with their own reflection and that of another rooster
- D. Monitoring their sleep patterns
Correct Answer: C
4. What behavior did the roosters exhibit when encountering their own reflection in the modified mirror test
- A. Fearful retreat
- B. Vocalization for attention
- C. Aggressive confrontation
- D. Signs of self-exploration
Correct Answer: D
5. According to the article, what potential impact could the tailored approach to mirror testing have on the study of self-recognition in animals
- A. No significant impact
- B. Limited applicability
- C. Revolutionize assessment across various species
- D. Remain controversial and unproven
Correct Answer: C
The lethal form of bird flu that has been killing millions of wild birds around the world has spread south to the Antarctic region, where it is feared it will have a devastating impact on seals and whales as well as birds such as penguins and albatrosses. It could even lead to extinctions.
“There are species on some of the Antarctic islands and sub-Antarctic islands that are unique to those islands, and only occur in small numbers, in hundreds or thousands,” says Thijs Kuiken at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. “If the virus reaches those populations, they are in threat of extinction.”
If the virus spreads around Antarctica, there is also a risk of migratory birds carrying it to New Zealand and Australia for the first time, says Kuiken.
The highly pathogenic form of H5N1 bird flu that has been killing many wild birds in Europe, Asia and Africa since 2020 was carried across the Atlantic to North America in 2021. In October 2022, it was detected in South America.
There it is known to have killed thousands of marine mammals as well as hundreds of thousands of birds of many different species, and the true numbers are likely to be much higher. By December 2022, it had spread to the southern tip of South America.
In recent days, researchers at a British Antarctic Survey station on Bird Island, just off the larger island of South Georgia, found some sick brown skuas and giant petrels, and sent samples back to the UK for testing.
“The test came back yesterday, and they were indeed positive,” says Norman Ratcliffe, a seabird ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey.
So far, only 30 dead birds have been found, but the fear is that H5N1 could spread rapidly in the large and dense bird colonies on Bird Island and South Georgia.
1. What is the potential impact of the lethal bird flu in the Antarctic region, as stated in the passage
- A. Endangering marine life only
- B. Harmful to penguins and albatrosses only
- C. Extinction of seals and whales
- D. Risk of extinctions among various species
Correct Answer: D
2. According to Thijs Kuiken, what populations are particularly vulnerable to extinction if the virus reaches them
- A. Migratory bird species
- B. Small, unique island species
- C. Large, densely populated bird colonies
- D. Seals and whales
Correct Answer: B
3. Where could the spread of the bird flu potentially be carried by migratory birds
- A. Europe and Asia
- B. North America and South America
- C. New Zealand and Australia
- D. Africa and Antarctica
Correct Answer: C
4. What was the recent finding of researchers at the British Antarctic Survey station on Bird Island
- A. Detection of sick penguins
- B. Discovery of infected seals
- C. Presence of sick skuas and petrels
- D. Identification of sick whales
Correct Answer: C
5. What is the concern related to the spread of H5N1 on Bird Island and South Georgia, as stated in the passage
- A. Containment within the local bird population
- B. Limited impact on the ecosystem
- C. Potential rapid spread among diverse bird colonies
- D. No evidence of further transmission
Correct Answer: C
