1.Part of northern California had become an inferno(火海) in the latest big fire. A nearby town, Paradise, was reduced to ash. Nearly 50 people are confirmed dead and over 200 missing. Six of the ten most destructive fires in California's history have occurred in the past decade. Last year was the most destructive year on record, until this year. Why is the Golden State so flammable?
2.There are three reasons why California has been surrounded by flames. First, the climate is becoming warmer. This has led to snow melting earlier, drier landscapes and a longer season when fires are likely to occur.
3.A second reason is that more people live in flammable places. Since the 1990s 60% of new homes in California, Washington and Oregon have been built in spaces next to nature. These areas, which environmentalists call the "wildland-urban interface", are at higher risk of wildfire.
4.A third reason is that there is more fuel. Before western settlers arrived, fires used to happen often and naturally, which made less fuel available for future fires. For the past century fires have been controlled well. This has led to a build-up of dry brush, and makes the average wildfire much likelier to turn into a big one.
5.Putting out the flame is the most immediate task for California, but not the last. Many survivors will want to rebuild their homes exactly where they were. Californians will also want to ensure that utility companies(公用事业公司) are acting and investing responsibly. Investigations into what caused the fire are still going on, but some reports suggest it may have begun with sparks (火花) from lines owned by an electricity company.
1.What may directly cause the big fire in California?
A. The warm climate. B. Living too close to nature.
C. Too much fuel. D. Sparks from electric wire
2.What does the underlined sentences in Paragraph 1 suggest?
A. The fires in California are all very destructive.
B. The latest big fire in California is very destructive.
C. California suffered from destructive fires most last year.
D. There have been six destructive fires in California in the past 10 years.
3.What does the text mainly talk about?
A. The reasons why California suffered a destructive fire recently.
B. The reasons why California suffered destructive fires frequently.
C. The facts that California is a place easily suffered destructive fires.
D. The opinions that California is a place easily suffered destructive fires.
4.What is the structure of the text?
A. 1//2-3// 4-5 B. 1-2// 3-5
C. 1//2-4// 5 D. 1// 2-5
Lemurs are cute animals that live on the island of Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world. Lemurs have big eyes, long noses, and long tails(except for the Indri) and live high in the trees of Madagascan forests. Lemurs are quite intelligent. They are the cousins of monkeys and look quite similar. They also swing through the trees and live in family groups.
There are different species of lemurs. Some lemurs (the Indri) sing like a whale, and some (the Sifaka) walk like a ballet dancer. Some lemurs are very small, like the Pygmy Mouse Lemur which weighs only 25-30 grams. Others, like the Indri, can weigh up to ten kilograms. Some lemurs are nocturnal, being awake at night and sleeping during the day, and some are not nocturnal but diurnal. Generally, the smaller lemurs are nocturnal, while the bigger ones are diurnal. All the species are unique to Madagascar.
However, all of the lemurs are endangered species. Many species have already disappeared in the last few centuries. There are not many of lemurs left. People in Madagascar have been destroying the forests where lemurs live. Local people also hunt lemurs for food. Some of the local people see lemurs as bringers of bad luck, so they kill lemurs.
At the moment, there are about 85 lemur species left. But many people fear that the number of species will fall quickly. Soon there may be no lemurs left if we do not make serious efforts to protect them.
1.What are Lemurs a lot like?
A. They are like human beings because they can dance ballet.
B. They are like whales because they sing loudly in a similar way
C. They are like mice because they are very small weighing only 25-30 grams.
D. They are like monkeys because they swing through the trees and live in family groups.
2.What does the underlined word “nocturnal” mean?
A. Sleeping at night and being awake during the day .
B. Being awake at night and sleeping during the day.
C. Being awake day and night.
D. Sleeping day and night.
3.What can we infer from this text?
A. Lemurs can be killed because they may bring bad luck to people in Madagascar.
B. People in Madagascar have realized they shouldn’t destroy the forest where lemurs live.
C. There is a good chance that lemurs will soon be extinct if people do nothing to help them.
D. We should raise lemurs somewhere else besides Madagascar to keep them from dying out.
4.What’s the best title of the text?
A. Save Madagascar’s forest B. A Good Pet Lemurs
C. People’s Friends D. Lemurs of Madagascar
Everyone knows about New York City's most popular attractions, but here are some activities you might not think about doing on your NYC( New York City) vacation. Surprise yourself with some great things to do in New York City.
Looking for something thrilling to do while you visit New York City? For over ten years, Trapeze school New York has been teaching people how to fly on the trapeze. Their beginner classes last two hours and cost $50-70, plus one-time $22 registration fee. From April to October, their outdoor location on the Hudson River offers a spectacular setting for the experience, but they also have an indoor location that is open year-round.
Learn to Surf
Rockaway Beach is a popular destination for East Coast surfers, but even if you’ve never surfed, there are plenty of folks happy to teach you at Rockaway Beach. Locals Surf School offers two-hour group lessons starting at $80, including all the vehicles you need. Frank from Rockaway Beach also offers surfing lessons.
Get Kissed by a Sea Lion
Sign up for a Sea Lion Encounter at the New York Aquarium, and you' ll have the chance to get to get up close and personal with the Sea Lions after the show. After a short orientation, participants will each get a chance to pose for a photo and get a kiss from a sea lion. Sea Lion Encounters cost $20 and are offered after Sea Lion Celebration shows. Participants must be at least 5 years old, and those who're 5-7 years old must be held by their parents/caregivers during any animal interaction (互动).
Experience Fall Leaves
Although New York City doesn't have as many colorful leaves as New England, there are still some great ways to enjoy the changing leaves during a fall visit to New York City, both in the city and beyond. Whether you want to walk around one of New York City's great parks or take a fall leaves sightseeing cruise up the Hudson River, you can get a taste of the beautiful fall colors when you visit New York City.
Know where to go!
Sign up for our daily tips to make your best vacation.
1.How much will a beginner pay at least to learn to fly on the trapeze?
A. $94. B. $72 C. $82 D. $92
2.What is recommended to those who would like to explore surfing experience?
A. Rockaway Beach. B. Locals Surf School.
C. The New York Aquarium D. The Hudson River.
3.Where do you probably read the text?
A. A historical magazine. B. A scientific report.
C. A travel review. D. A travel guidebook
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.With whom did the speaker visit Charles Bridge?
A. His friends. B. His family. C. His colleagues.
2.When was the bridge first built?
A. In 1356. B. In 1357. C. In 1457.
3.Which of the following does the speaker like the most?
A. A concert B. Street artists' paintings. C. Street musicians' playing.
4.What does the speaker think of his trip to the bridge?
A. He dislikes it. B. It was worth visiting. C. It cost him lots of money.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How old is the man now?
A. 22. B. 27. C. 28.
2.What does the man think has become a serious problem in his city?
A. Air pollution. B. House prices. C. Heavy traffic.
3.How does the woman feel the life in the city?
A. The life is interesting. B. The life is tiresome. C. The life is satisfying.
4.Where does the woman most want to live?
A. In a big city. B. In the countryside. C. In a smaller city.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the conversation probably take place?
A. In a classroom. B. In the school office. C. At the student’s home.
2.How long is one course?
A. Four weeks. B. Fourteen weeks. C. Twenty-three weeks.
3.When does the second course begin?
A. On July 3rd. B. On July 27th. C. On August 1st.
