4月12日托福考试落下帷幕，考情速递也已经出炉了！
大风吹来了稳赢局！旧题覆盖率报表！这场考生天选“气运之子”
同学们觉得这次考得如何？期待备考同学们都能顺利上岸！
阅读
R 1
Maya Population in the Classic Period
文章围绕古典时期玛雅人口展开。介绍了玛雅人居住建筑特点，以及考古学家通过统计房屋土丘数量、结合陶片年代来估算人口的方法，但这种估算存在诸多不确定性，比如家庭规模和建筑用途的差异会影响估算准确性，“隐形建筑” 问题也会导致人口规模估计偏差。
尽管估算方法有局限，古典玛雅城市及农村地区人口密度在当时都较高，西方城乡区分不适用于玛雅世界。还提到古典晚期部分玛雅遗址人口变得密集，一些大型遗址可能有超 10 万人口，且这些地方有相应运输和水利设施 。
R 2
Costs and Benefits of Social Life
文章主要探讨群居与独居动物在进化上的优劣。多数人认为群居动物更高级、更适应环境，但实际在多数物种中，独居类型平均留下更多存活后代。群居存在诸多劣势，如动物需耗费精力竞争社会地位，还易面临繁殖干扰，存在食物竞争加剧、易感染寄生虫和疾病等问题。
群居动物虽有对捕食者更好的保护等优势，像蓝鳃太阳鱼群居合作驱赶天敌，但与之相关的独居南瓜太阳鱼也进化出自身防御方式，独居筑巢对其也是适应性策略。在某些条件下，独居生活成本效益更高，即便小型群体也充满竞争 。
R3
Adaptations of Marine Mammals
本文围绕吸热动物在冷水中的生存特点及应对机制展开。吸热动物，例如海洋哺乳动物，在冷水中相比变温动物具备显著优势，然而它们维持体温需消耗更高能量。
为有效减少热量流失，海洋哺乳动物历经漫长进化，发展出了一系列独特机制。遵循伯格曼规则，它们的体型逐渐增大，以北极熊和海獭为例，二者在各自同类物种中体型堪称最大，如此一来，得以降低表面积与体积的比值，减少热量散发。海獭拥有极其厚密的毛层，每平方厘米毛发数量高达约 15 万根，这些毛发能够有效锁住空气，形成良好的隔热层，只是在潜水时，该隔热效果会大打折扣；北极熊则主要依靠厚实的脂肪层来抵御寒冷。
此外，依据艾伦法则，寒冷地区的动物通常肢体较短，海獭便呈现出鼻子钝、尾巴短的特征，通过缩短附肢来减少热量散失，以此更好地适应寒冷的生存环境。
R4
The European Freshwater Fish Crisis
文章围绕 18 世纪以来欧洲淡水鱼变化及其影响展开。18 世纪欧洲人口增长致布料需求增加，“分包制” 兴起，在此过程中建设的水坝和拦河坝影响了淡水鱼栖息地，阻碍洄游鱼迁徙。水坝和拦河坝捕捉洄游鱼，减少其产卵地，使鱼类数量下降，中世纪晚期相关法规显示影响严重。
为应对淡水鱼减少，11 世纪法国兴起水产养殖并传播至欧洲，鱼塘建设虽保障了精英阶层鱼类供应，却破坏洄游鱼栖息地，减少洄游鱼种类。
拦截溪流建鱼塘阻碍洄游鱼迁徙、降低水质，虽有益常驻物种但无法弥补洄游物种及产卵地损失。最终，淡水洄游鱼减少促使欧洲在 14、15 世纪转向海洋捕鱼，海洋鱼类在考古遗址鱼骨中占比达 60% 至 80% 。
R5
eyes
本文围绕眼睛起源的探索与界定展开。从对眼睛的定义出发，若将眼睛定义为多细胞器官，那么它最早现身于多细胞动物当中。不过，众多单细胞原生生物同样具备感光能力，并且它们的形态与古老沉积岩里其祖先的形态极为相似，这无疑表明光感知能力存在的时间极为久远。回顾地球生物发展历程，在前寒武纪，那时动物数量极为稀少，相应的化石更是罕见。但到了寒武纪大爆发时期，动物化石数量却急剧增多。
以加拿大的伯吉斯页岩为例，其中保存的软体生物化石展现出复杂的眼睛结构，诸如类似甲壳类的茎眼、三叶虫的多面复眼以及具有五眼结构的奥帕比尼亚。鉴于伯吉斯动物的眼睛已然较为复杂，科研人员由此推测，眼睛的起源时间应更早，大致处于 6 亿年前（寒武纪大爆发起始之时）至 5.3 亿年前（伯吉斯动物出现之际）这一时间段之间 。
R6
木星的卫星
本文围绕旅行者号对木卫一独特地质现象的探测发现展开。旅行者号探测显示，木卫一的表面布满火山，却不见撞击坑，其背后的原因在于木卫一持续不断的火山喷发，将其表面反复更新。深入探究木卫一地质活跃的能量来源，发现其得益于潮汐加热机制。
木卫一沿着椭圆轨道绕木星运行，在此过程中，木星强大的引力对木卫一产生拉扯作用，致使木卫一内部物质相互摩擦进而生热，这就如同在现实中反复弯曲金属线，金属线会因摩擦而发热一样。
R7
Measuring Climate Change on Mountains
文章围绕气候变化展开，阐述了其与温室气体的关系、相关证据。气候变化与大气中温室气体有关，水蒸气虽为最丰富温室气体但人类影响小，主要的二氧化碳和甲烷因人类活动浓度增加且影响长期。1958 年起美国夏威夷毛纳罗亚峰对二氧化碳浓度的连续测量表明其逐年增加，显示人类活动致全球气候变化。
山地是气候变化关键证据地，一方面全球冰川因气温升高和黑碳沉积加速缩小，冰川监测方式不断发展，数据显示缩小速度加快，欧洲阿尔卑斯山和喜马拉雅山都有体现；另一方面，20 世纪初和 1990 年代对瑞士阿尔卑斯山峰植物种类的测量对比发现，山顶植物种类显著增加，与地区气候变化相关 。
R8
Opera从贵族专享发展到大众商业
本文围绕歌剧从贵族专享到大众商业的历程展开，历经不同阶段发展，受多种因素推动，如今仍受大众关注，是重要文化现象 。
听力
第一套
Conversation
1、学生和老师讨论演讲内容
2、学生要准备体育考试，和老师交流学校能训练的位置
3、重新安排即将到来的课程
Lecture
1、艺术保护领域，针对一群古代绘画有着多种保护手段。对绘画所处环境的把控，严格控制温度、湿度等因素。例如在博物馆中，会运用专业设备将温度恒定在适宜范围，湿度也保持在特定数值，以防止绘画因温湿度问题产生干裂、褪色等状况。对光照的管理，避免强光直射，因为紫外线会加速颜料的老化与分解，通常会采用低照度、无紫外线的照明设备。在日常维护中，专业人员会定期对绘画进行清洁，使用特殊的工具和试剂，轻轻去除表面的灰尘与污垢，同时不会对绘画造成损伤，以此确保古代绘画能够长久保存。
2、动物行为研究中，观察到某一特定海龟物种存在独特的交流方式。在繁殖季节，雄性海龟会通过肢体动作来吸引雌性海龟的注意，比如摆动鳍肢，以特定的频率和幅度进行挥舞，这种动作带有明确的求偶信号。它们还会利用声音进行交流，在水下发出特定频率的低频声音，传达自身的位置以及健康状况等信息。在群体活动时，海龟之间能通过身体接触来协调行动，例如在迁徙过程中，年长的海龟会轻触年轻海龟，引导其前进方向，通过这种交流方式，该海龟物种得以更好地生存和繁衍。
3、工作室艺术讲座中，着重讲解了拼贴画（collage）。拼贴画创作包含6步排序。第一步是素材收集，艺术家需要广泛收集各类材料，像报纸、布料、照片等，这些素材将成为创作的基础。第二步是构思布局，依据创作主题，在脑海中规划不同素材在画面中的位置与组合方式。第三步是裁剪素材，按照构思，把收集来的材料裁剪成合适的形状与大小。第四步是排列素材，将裁剪好的素材在画布上进行初步排列，不断调整位置，以达到理想的视觉效果。第五步是粘贴固定，使用胶水等工具将排列好的素材牢固粘贴在画布上。第六步是完善细节，对粘贴好的拼贴画进行最后的修饰，添加一些小元素或者调整局部色彩等，完成整个拼贴画的创作。
4、地球科学范畴，微下击暴流（Microburst）是一种特殊天气现象。它是一种强烈的下沉气流，通常在雷暴云底部形成。当微下击暴流发生时，气流会以极高的速度垂直冲向地面，随后向四周扩散。其水平尺度相对较小，一般在4公里以内。微下击暴流所产生的强大风力，能够对地面物体造成严重破坏。例如在农田地区，可将农作物大面积吹倒；在城市中，能损坏建筑物、吹倒电线杆等。而且它会对航空安全构成巨大威胁，飞机在起飞或降落过程中遭遇微下击暴流，可能会因风向和风速的突然剧烈变化而失去控制，引发飞行事故。
口语
TASK 1 独立口语题
套题1
Some people say that school should teach modern music together with classical music in music classes. Do you agree or disagree with this?
套题2
When new electronic products are first released, they are usually expensive, but then they get cheaper. Do you prefer to get them right away, or wait until they drop in price?
套题3
Do you agree or disagree with the statement that watching sports programs on TV is not a good use of time? (重复3.29日题目)
TASK 2 校园题
套题1
暂无资源
套题02
Children's Swimming Program at Campus Pool
套题03
Change to Funding Policy for Student Clubs
TASK 3 学术讲座题
套题1
暂无资源
套题02
Intellectual Property（知识产权）
套题03
Costly Signal
TASK 4 学术讲座题
套题1
暂无资源
套题02
2 situations where speciation may occur.
套题03 【强化B组第三套】
Using points and examples from the lecture, explain two advantages of being in a business network.
写作
第一套
综合写作
The decline of the Southern Resident orcas has raised concerns among scientists, who have proposed several hypotheses to explain this phenomenon. However, the lecturer argues that none of these hypotheses fully account for the population decline.
Firstly, the reading suggests that chemical pollution, specifically PCBs, may be inhibiting the orcas' ability to reproduce. While it is true that Southern Resident orcas ingest PCBs through their diet, the lecturer points out that other orca communities in the same region consume larger prey, such as seals, which contain higher levels of PCBs. Despite this, those other communities are not experiencing reproductive issues, indicating that PCBs are likely not the primary cause of the Southern Resident orcas' decline.
Secondly, the reading mentions noise pollution from whale-watching boats as a potential factor affecting the orcas' ability to find food through echolocation. However, the lecturer explains that studies have shown the noise from these boats is comparable to that of a rainstorm, which orcas regularly encounter. Since rainstorms do not hinder the whales' echolocation abilities, the noise from boats is unlikely to be a significant problem.
Lastly, the reading proposes that bacterial infections could be contributing to the decline. While the lecturer acknowledges the presence of staphylococcus bacteria in the whales' exhaled mist, he emphasizes that small amounts of bacteria can be tolerated by animals without causing illness. To establish a link between bacteria and the orcas' health, there must be observable signs of illness, which have not been confirmed in these whales.
学术讨论
Your professor is teaching a class on management. Write a post responding to the professor's question. In your response, you should do the following.
Express and support your opinion.
Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
Dr. Achebe
This week, we'll be discussing the composition of a work team within a company. A diverse workforce refers to a group of employees of different types.These employees may have different cultures,backgrounds, and even genders. Consider the following question: If a company hires a diverse workforce and allows them to work together in the same workplace, what kind of impact will this have on the company's productivity? A positive or negative impact? Why?
Kelly:
I think having a diverse workforce work together in the same workplace can have a positive impact on the company's productivity. By working together, employees can interact with different individuals and have more fun and joyful work experience.
Andrew：
I believe that having different employees working together will have a negative impact on the company's productivity.
Employees with different cultural backgrounds may misinterpret each other, causing disagreements in viewpoints and approaches. This could lead to a decrease in the company's efficiency.
第二套
综合写作
The vampire squid is a unique cephalopod that has been the subject of debate regarding its feeding habits. The reading passage presents three main objections to the theory that vampire squids primarily feed on marine snow, which is composed of organic debris that drifts in the ocean. However, the lecturer provides counterarguments that support the idea that vampire squids do indeed feed on marine snow.
First, the reading suggests that vampire squids would struggle to survive in minimum-oxygen zones where marine snow is found. However, the lecturer argues that vampire squids do not need as much oxygen as other predators because they do not chase prey. Instead, they passively feed on marine snow that flows down to them, allowing them to thrive in these low-oxygen environments.
Second, the reading claims that feeding on marine snow would make vampire squids vulnerable to predators. The lecturer counters this by explaining that vampire squids are dark-colored, making them difficult for predators to spot in the dim light of deep waters. Additionally, they can produce bioluminescent light, which can startle predators and provide an effective means of defense while they feed.
Lastly, the reading points out that the feeding behavior of vampire squids is unusual compared to other cephalopods, which typically hunt living prey. The lecturer acknowledges this difference but emphasizes that it is advantageous for the vampire squid. By feeding on marine snow, the vampire squid can inhabit areas of the ocean where competition for food is minimal, allowing it to find sufficient nourishment without competing with other squids.
学术讨论
Your professor is teaching a class. Write a post responding to the professor's question. In your response, you should do the following.
Express and support your opinion.
Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
Dr. Achebe:
With so many opportunities to connect nowadays, some people believe that no matter which country we come from, we have more similarities than we have differences. However, others have observed that differences between themselves and people from other countries are growing. In your view, are differences between people from different countries increasing, or are they diminishing? Why?
Andrew：
I think the differences among us are decreasing as our exposure to products from other countries grows. We can enjoy food from any country. We can watch movies made in far away places. We can go to a store and buy authentic goods from around the world. These things become part of our normal life and make our differences seem smaller.
Kelly：
I understand what Andrew is saying, but for some people, being exposed to differences makes them retreat into their own corner even more. Look at social media. We are exposed to many different people and ideas, but a lot of people talk to only those they agree with and ignore the rest. This only makes the differences between people increase.
第三套
综合写作
The reading passage discusses the challenges faced by vanilla farmers in Madagascar, highlighting issues such as theft, fluctuating market prices, and competition from artificial vanilla. In contrast, the lecturer presents several solutions that could help
ensure the sustainability of vanilla farming.
Firstly, the reading mentions that theft is a significant problem for farmers, as thieves often steal vanilla pods before they can be harvested. However, the lecturer explains that farmers are implementing anti-theft measures, such as marking their pods with identification codes. This allows stolen pods to be traced back to their original farmers, and the introduction of stricter penalties for thieves has also reduced theft significantly, from nearly 80% to less than 20% of the crop.
Secondly, the reading points out that farmers struggle to earn enough profit due to the low market value of vanilla, which can fluctuate greatly. The lecturer counters this by stating that farmers are now selling their vanilla directly to large food companies instead of through traders. This change allows farmers to receive a much larger share of the profits—up to 60% of the market value—compared to the mere 5% they previously received when selling to traders. This increase in profit will help farmers sustain their businesses even when market prices drop.
Lastly, while the reading highlights the competition from artificial vanilla, the lecturer notes that consumer preferences are shifting towards natural ingredients. In countries like the United States, there is a growing trend against artificial additives, which could make it difficult for companies to sell products made with synthetic vanilla. As a result, the demand for real vanilla may continue to grow, providing a more stable market for farmers.
学术讨论
Your professor is teaching a class. Write a post responding to the professor's question. In your response, you should do the following.
Express and support your opinion.
Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
Dr. Achebe:
In our discussion this week, we are going to discuss the subject of course selection during high school.As we all know, education plays a crucial role in shaping our future. Choosing the right courses can be challenging given the variety of options, but there are certainly key courses that could be more beneficial. As students in the secondary school stage, or in high school, which course do you think is the most important and should be made compulsory? And why do you think so?
Andrew：
In my opinion, Math should be a compulsory course in high school. Nowadays, people are too reliant on using apps and machines; technological advancements have weakened their math skills in daily life so math should be a compulsory subject. It is beneficial for students' future financial planning and other arrangements.
Kelly：
I would argue that biology should be made compulsory.
Biology is very commonly used. Without knowledge of biology, students might not even know how to use medications.
Studying biology helps us with everyday things, like understanding basic health care and making good choices about our environment.
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