Keeping plants at home is a healthy and comfortable way of life. The following houseplants can create a most beautiful piece of green for your home.

Bird's Nest Fern (蕨)

The bird's nest fern is a good choice for anyone with a house that wouldn't support sun-loving species. It's a hardy fern variety adapting to living on forest floors, where the air tends to be cool and damp. It likes to be misted as well, but this doesn't always mean you need a misting bottle—spraying (喷洒) it in the sink or hanging it near a shower often works as well.

Chinese Money Plant

This is a flowering species that might be most appropriate for experienced plant gardeners looking for a new challenge. It prefers a moderate amount of indirect light, and tends to dry out slightly between watering sessions. It produces new plants easily without any input, directly from its root system. These can coexist in the same pot for a time.

Resurrection Plant

This native of the Mexican desert has adapted to surviving in extreme drought by curling (蜷缩) into a ball and remaining in seemingly lifeless state for years, if necessary. In this form, it can be transported by the wind across the dry landscape to areas with water. It will revive within hours in a shallow bowl of water, unfolding and transforming into a fresh and green moss (苔藓).

Snake Plant

This is a striking houseplant that can be an especially good option for new plant owners who you might not trust to keep a plant alive. It grows happily in almost any condition. While it prefers bright light, it doesn't mind shade or even artificial light. Plus, thanks to its thick, fleshy leaves, it stores water with remarkable efficiency, which makes it survive without water in the earth.

Given that cancer is one of the deadliest diseases out there, any new development in our fight against it is highly praiseworthy. The latest breakthrough was made by Heman Bekele in 2023, a 14-year-old student from Virginia. The student has created a bar soap to treat skin cancer. Now, his findings have earned him the title of America's Top Young Scientist.

Bekele remembers he always saw people who were constantly hit by the glaring sun as a child. As he grew up and began to realize the risks like skin cancer were associated with sun exposure, the boy decided to come up with solutions.

While similar treatments are available, Bekele hoped to work on a more affordable alternative, especially for those in developing countries. "I wanted to make my idea something that not only was great in terms of science but also could benefit as many people as possible," Bekele says. It is often the simple solutions that are the most effective because soap is a daily routine for most people.

With the guidance of Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist, Bekele made his soap by mixing regular soap with compounds (化合物) that slowly reactivate dendritic (枝状的) cells. When the soap is applied, it releases toll-like receptors into our skin. These receptors attach onto dendritic cells which reactivate them. The reactivated dendritic cells then join with TN io12 cells to fight cancer cells. Rather than a cure, Bekele's soap aims to help people's immune cells stay active while fighting skin cancer.

For now, the young scientist hopes to improve his invention and create a non-profit to distribute the soap among those who need it most. "I believe that young minds can make a positive impact on the world," Bekele said. "I have a strong desire to know how the physical world works and how to improve the lives of its inhabitants, and this challenge gives me the perfect platform to showcase my ideas."

Gathering a few close friends and embarking on a delightful stroll (闲逛) through the city streets has become a favored activity among young people in China.

Referred to  citywalk, this trend involves leisurely wandering around urban areas on foot. Participants follow unique and urban routes, immersing (使沉浸于) (they) in the atmosphere, discovering historic buildings and exploring authentic local snacks.

Citywalk can be a  (guide) tour for small groups or a relaxed stroll for individuals, with the common goal of steering clear of (避开) popular tourist spots and large crowds, ensuring  more inclusive experience of the visited places. Across various Chinese social media platforms, Citywalk hashtags and keywords have become  (significant) popular as more individuals seek to share their experiences and thoughts online.

 (originate) in prominent cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the citywalk phenomenon has begun to spread to second- and third-tier cities in China, inspiring greater  (participate) among both attendees and event organizers. Some organizers even invite folk culture enthusiasts and researchers to act as tour guides. Citywalk not only fosters a deeper connection between young individuals and the city but also offers a new social landscape  like-minded people can easily make friends.

In the past months, in certain regions like Beijing and Shandong Province, citywalk  (combine) with cultural tourism and leisure tour initiatives. Shanghai has launched citywalk routes that utilize public bus transportation, enabling day-trippers  (reach) far-flung districts easily and continue their exploration on foot.

Observing the natural world is a wonderful way of learning more about ourselves. Elisabeth Bailey found 1  from her tiniest and slowest friend from nature, a woodland snail (蜗牛).

You may not know a woodland snail's shell adds layers as it ages, and that it has 2,462 teeth. Bailey knew well about such 2 details about the tiny creature because for years, this woodland nail was her 3 companion.

At the age of 34, Bailey suffered a serious illness which 4 her in bed for a long time. As Bailey's ability to 5 declined, she had little choice but to 6 the slow lane (跑道) with the woodland snail that a friend had left on her bedside table.

"It had evolved its long 7 mechanisms (机制) and will probably be on Earth much longer than humans. Its 8 outweighs its figure: A snail can glide effortlessly right up a tree trunk or a wall without any other equipment," said Bailey.

On the days Bailey was unable to engage in the normal human world, she was 9  in the world of the snail. In the 10  space they both inhabited, Bailey witnessed the snail growing. She observed its habits, such as its 11  to sleep during the day and adventure at night.

And it was during this year of slowing down and 12 that the snail taught Bailey an important lesson. "This little animal had been 13 from its habitat, and it was able to 14 . Its such ability convinced me that I would eventually make it to adapt to my illness 15 ."

Our character will form without a guidebook and typically without our knowledge until we are faced with a situation that requires our intentional thought and action. These experiences can be a catalyst (催化剂) to our positive growth and impact who we are and what we become.

My regrettable "mean girl" moment happened when I was in eighth grade. As Halloween approached that year, my classmate Paisley, a shy yet kind girl, asked me if I would play trick-or-treat with her. I jumped at the invitation, until another more active and popular girl, Violet, invited me to join her group later. I was more inclined to join Violet because I thought I'd experience a more cheerful atmosphere. Then I made an unkind decision, lying to Paisley that my parents asked me to stay at home to pass out candy.

I remember that feeling of shame began to form in my heart as I delivered this dishonest excuse. However, that little voice of conscience quickly faded as I began to prepare my costume and plans for the evening. Unexpectedly, while we were playing trick-or-treat, I experienced a moment of pure embarrassment and shame when I found myself face to face with Paisley. The look of hurt and disappointment on her face when she saw me with another group of girls lingered in my mind.

In the days that followed, we didn't interact at school. I knew I had hurt her deeply. Her absence in my life made me realize just how much her friendship meant to me. The guilt weighed heavily on my conscience as I reflected on my selfish behavior.

One day, as I was sitting alone in the school cafeteria, I saw Paisley walk in. She looked hesitant, as if unsure whether to approach me or not. My heart raced with anticipation and nervousness as I watched her making her way towards my table. I prepared myself for her anger and disappointment.

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。

California's Water Resources Control Board recently approved new regulations in a unanimous (一致同意的) vote—toilet or shower wastewater will be recycled and pumped into the public drinking water system.

In 2023, more than 97% of California has been in moderate to severe drought, while water suppliers are struggling to keep up. A 2022 water supply and demand report indicated that around 18% of water suppliers were at risk of facing potential shortages. "The reality is that anyone out there on Mississippi River and on Colorado River, and anyone out there taking drinking water downstream is already drinking ‘toilet to tap'," said Esquivel, a director of the Board.

Early in the 1990s, the state was struggling to overcome the distaste its residents had toward drinking recycled water. Their efforts fizzled out when the phrase "toilet to tap" caught on and met with fierce resistance. The idea became too unpopular to be implemented. Despite the negative name, the regulations are the key to ensuring the supply of drinking water.

California's new regulations would let water agencies to treat wastewater, and then put it back into the drinking water system. It has taken officials more than 10 years to develop these regulations, a process that included several studies by independent groups of scientists. To put the scheme into effect and build huge water recycling plants, however, water agencies say they will need to prove to people that recycled water is not only safe to drink but also under monitoring.

The new regulations require the wastewater be treated for all bacteria and viruses. In fact, the treatment is so intense that it removes all of the minerals that make fresh drinking water taste good. That means the minerals need to be added back at the end of the process. "What we have here are standards, science, and importantly monitoring that allow us to have safe pure water, and probably better in many instances," said Esquivel. He added that it takes time and money to build these treatment centers. So, they will only be available for bigger cities at first.

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) refers to a policy approach where producers are given responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products throughout the product lifecycle. Based on the polluter pays principle, this approach requires producers to finance the costs of recycling or disposing of products that consumers no longer want. It aims to shift the costs associated with the management of dealing with solid waste away from the local government.

The term EPR was first coined in 1990 by a Swedish professor, Thomas Lindhqvist, who introduced the idea of producers being responsible for their products to the Swedish Ministry of the Environment. The first example of EPR came in Germany in 1991, where manufacturers picked up household packaging alongside municipal waste collections. Since 1990, countries around the world have adopted EPR policies around key sectors such as packaging, electronics, batteries, and vehicles.

EPR creates a financial motivation for producers to design products that last longer and can be recycled. This is because EPR places the end-of-life costs on the producer. EPR has historically been successful in the managing of products that pose risks to communities such as batteries, paint and old medicines. EPR has led many producers to redesign these items to reduce their risks. Finally, due to ERP closing the loop (循环) on materials management, this approach uses much less energy than it takes to produce items from the beginning.

However, critics of EPR have issues with producers adding recycling costs to the initial price tag of a product. Another disadvantage is that at the international level, it can negatively affect imports to countries that have strict EPR policies as producers in other countries will not want to be subject to extra fees from these policies. Additionally, it restricts competition at the local level as producers who take on the extra costs to accommodate EPR policies are at a competitive disadvantage to those who are able to bend the rules and get out of paying these costs.

Liu Ziqing fell in love with ballet as a little boy. But he never really got the 1  to practise it himself. Growing up in a poor family in a village. his main focus was always on helping his family and putting 2  on the table. Dancing was a 3  he could not afford. He 4  becoming a farmer but also worked as a street cleaner to make ends meet. But he never got over his love for ballet, and at age 53, he 5  to become a ballet dancer. 

Most people in their early 50s call themselves lucky if they can lightly jog a few times a week without 6  any pain, but ballet requires a degree of fitness and 7  that are almost impossible to 8  at a certain age without a lifetime of training. But Liu Ziqing wasn't going to let a small thing like age 9  between him and his dream. 

"I had been 10  dancing all those years. One day, I saw a ballet basic training course on TV, which inspired the idea that I should try to learn to dance," Ziqing  11 .

Becoming a ballet dancer at age 53 wasn't a（n）12  thing, especially since most of his friends just didn't 13  why he put himself through this hard training at his age. But Liu Ziqing 14  them all with the help of his family, who have always been very 15  of his passion. 

In the heart of the Indian state of Rajasthan lies a city that exudes（散发）a charm, （attract）visitors from around the world. With its warm hospitality（好客）, busy bazaars, and splendid （palace）, Jaipur is a treasure of history, culture, and architectural splendor. This fascinating city invites you on an unforgettable journey into the area of the Maharajas. 

The Aravalli Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, adds an appealing backdrop to Jaipur's landscape. The city's strategic location within the range provides it  a natural shield（屏障）, enhancing （it）historical and cultural significance. 

These hills not only contribute to the city's picturesque charm but also offer opportunities for adventure and （explore）. 

Above all, it is the special colour influencing so many aspects of this city and its people  sets Jaipur apart and gives it a unique appeal. The association of Jaipur with  colour pink dates back to 1876 when the city  63 （paint）in pink-considered the colour of hospitality—（celebrate）the visit of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, who would later become King Edward VI and Emperor of India. Since then, the colour （become）synonymous（同义）with Jaipur, earning it the nickname "The Pink City". 

Four Best Books of 2023

The Berry Pickers

by Amanda Peters

After their youngest daughter, Ruthie, disappears during a summer of berry-picking in Maine, a Micmac family from Nova Scotia struggles to move forward. Indigenous Voices Award winner Amanda Peters delivers an un-put-down-able novel of identity, forgiveness, and insistent hope. 

The House of Doors

by Tan Twan Eng 

This atmospheric novel, set in 1920s Malaysia, tells of a famous author bent on uncovering secrets for storytelling materials. Tan Twan Eng weaves love, duty, betrayal and colonialism into the narrative. 

The Revolutionary Temper: Paris, 1748-1789

by Robert Darnton 

This interesting history of the decades leading up to the French Revolution offers a populist account of a crazy political moment. Darnton goes beyond what everyday people thought and said to attract readers to what anxious Parisians read, wore, ate and sang on the way to toppling（推翻）the rule of Louis XVI. 

The Soul of Civility

by Alexandra Hudson 

What can the world's oldest book teach us about civility（礼 貌）today? Alexandra Hudson's thoughtful and fluent book on how to live well together draws on literature from The Teachings of Ptahhotep, written 4, 500 years ago in Egypt, to Martin Luther King Jr's Letter From Birmingham Jail.