A
The “April snow” is here! It’s not real snow—it’s catkins (柳絮) from willows in spring. For some people, this “snow” is not welcome. Catkins can cause trouble, making people’s noses, eyes, and skin (皮肤) uncomfortable.
In fact, there are two genders (性别) of willows: male (雄性) and female (雌性). In spring, the female willows grow lots of flowers. When these flowers finish growing, they begin to produce cotton-like seeds that fly in the air.
Luckily, scientists have found some ways to solve the problem of catkins. One is to change the gender of willows. People cut off the branches of female willows and change them with branches from male willows. This will cut down (减少) the number of catkins. However, this way is slow and expensive. A skilled worker can do the change on less than ten willows a day.
Another way is giving willows a special medicine. Just spray (喷洒) the medicine on willows right before the catkins form, and then it will quickly lower (降低) the number of catkins. Still, people need to be careful about how much of the medicine they use and when they use it, or they might harm the environment.
()1. What does the “April snow” refer to?
A. Cotton fields. B. Willow seeds.
C. White flowers. D. Spring snowfalls.
()2. Why do people cut off the branches of female willows?
A. To make willows beautiful. B. To collect the leaves of willows.
C. To stop the produce of catkins. D. To separate willows by genders.
()3. When is the best time to spray medicine on willows?
A. Before willows develop leaves. B. Before the forming of flowers.
C. After the flowers finish growing. D. After the changing of branches.
()4. What’s the main idea of the text?
A. How to move catkins. B. How to plant willows.
C. How to cut down catkins. D. How to protect willows.

A 1—4 BCCD

B
Rainforests are located (位于) around the equator (赤道). It is very warm around the equator. The rainforest stays at $75°\mathrm{F}-80°\mathrm{F}$ all year round. The rainforests are wet! Very wet! Because the rainforests are always warm and wet, plants grow all year long. The rainforest is home to more plants and trees than any other ecosystem in the world!
Count on Me, and I’ll Count on You
In the rainforest, plants, animals, and people need one another to live. Almost everything that falls to the forest floor is reused. When plants and animals die, they break down and feed living plants. In turn, those plants give food and shelter (住处) to people, animals, and other plants. Water in the rainforest is also reused. It evaporates (蒸发), forms clouds, and then falls back to earth as rain.
Gifts from the Rainforest
The rainforests may seem very far away, but you use something from them every day! For example, do you like chocolate? How about chewing gum (口香糖)?
Thank the rainforests! Rainforests are a huge source of food. Fruits such as mangoes and bananas come from the rainforests. So do many nuts, spices, and vegetables. Many medicines also come from the rainforests. About one-fifth of the world’s fresh water is in the Amazon Rainforest. The rainforests affect (影响) rainfall, which in turn affects climate around the world.
()1. What does the underlined phrase “Count on” in paragraph 2 mean in Chinese?
A. 帮助 B. 使用 C. 依靠 D. 合作
()2. What can we learn from the text?
A. The rainforests are far away from our lives.
B. Many plants and animals die in the rainforests.
C. The rainforests provide all the fresh water in the world.
D. The rainforests affect the rainfall and the climate around the world.
()3. What is the best title for this text?
A. Rainforests B. Living Plants C. Food Sources D. Earth Gifts

B 1—3 CDA