We hope you've finally made your peace with Pluto being downgraded from a planet to an ice dwarf (冰矮星)，because we have some more jarring news for you : It seems your teachers may have been wrong about the number of continents on the earth，too.
Earlier this year, scientists published a report in the journal of the Geological Society of America detailing an eighth continent called Zealandia, roughly the size of India and almost completely hid itself under the Pacific Ocean east of Australia. Covering all of New Zealand as well as several nearby islands, Zealandia likely spent the best of its above-water days as part of the supercontinent Gondwana before fragmenting off Australia and Antarctica some 80 million years ago. This lost, underwater continent is just beginning to reveal its secrets, making for one of the most promising scientific discoveries this year.
While researchers have been aware of the 1. 9 million-square-mile mass for two decades， Zealandia has only recently become the object of serious study since the Geological Society paper argued that it fits all the criteria for a proper continent, including a continental crust (地壳)that's distinctly separate from the seabed in terms of elevation, thickness, and geology. A team of 32 scientists from 12 countries just completed their first visit to six dig sites around Zealandia, where they drilled up more than 8,000 feet of sediment cores (沉积物岩心)that will help explain the lost continent's 80-million-year history.
Because there is no official body that formally recognizes continents, whether or not Zealandia ends up in future geography textbooks will come down to its acceptance by the scientific community at large, possibly with a little help from travelers like you.
1.Why does the author mention Pluto?
A. To express his or her pity.
B. To introduce the topic.
C. To go against the teachers»
D. To explain the ice dwarf.
2.What do we know about Zealandia in Paragraph 2?
A. It neighbors Australia.
B. It belongs to Gondwana now.
C. It is similar to Antarctica in size.
D. It has a history of over 80 billion years.
3.What can most probably help discover more secrets about Zealandia?
A. The sediment cores on Zealandia.
B. The wildlife in New Zealand.
C. The standard for a continent.
D. The seabed near Antarctica.
4.Where does the text probably come from?
A. A travel brochure.
B. An advertisement.
C. An geography magazine.
D. A science fiction.
72-year-old Darlene Mullins recently graduated from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Darlene left school nearly 55 years ago in the name of love. She was studying at the college and met her husband-to-be, John Mullins, in 1962, The two knew they would marry each other the moment they met. She finished her freshman year with 25 credits and married John in 1963. Her husband graduated in 1964 and began working.
Darlene took care of the household and was a stay-at-home mother to their son and daughter. The family lived in six states over the years, due to John's successful career in business. Darlene eventually began a career in retail as their children grew older. Though she remained busy, she always longed to finish school. She always told her children to make sure they finish what they started and she kind of felt it was time to live up to her own dream.
John was very supportive when she told him she was going back to school. He knew the day would come when she decided to finish her degree. He told her whenever she was ready they would go. The couple moved back to Nashville in 2013 when Darlene re-enrolled. She had to adjust to the technological advances in the classroom, saying that she was determined to finish no matter how long it took. After completing four years, Darlene graduated with a degree, “I feel like God has given me a second chance.” she said‘ She hopes that her story can inspire others to pursue a degree.
1.Why did Darlene decide to leave university early?
A. She was tired of school life.
B. She met a boy she loved a lot.
C. Her family was too poor then.
D. Her friend John Mullins left her.
2.What happened to Darlene during the 55 years after leaving school?
A. Her husband's career failed eventually.
B. The whole family lived in the same city.
C. She often longed to go back to school.
D. Her children advised her to finish school.
3.How did John respond to Darlene’s decision to go back to school?
A. He did his best to help her,
B. He managed to hold her back.
C. He told her that it was impossible.
D. He asked her to continue her career.
4.What does the author want to tell us?
A. Never leave school too early.
B. It's nothing to leave school early.
C. It's often great to put family first.
D. It's never late to return to school.
Volunteer With CarePartners
CarePartners volunteer opportunities cover a wide range of needs and areas，so whatever your interests, talents or skills are, we can find the fit that works for you.
Retail Volunteers
Interested in volunteer work at the Hospice Thrift Store or Estate Sales? Check out the list of opportunities, or sign up now. Volunteers are also needed to assist in Rehabilitation Hospital Gift Shop. For more information, please contact Sharon Peareon at 828-277 4888
Special Event Volunteers
Drums and Dragons — This is a brand-new fundraising event. Dozens of volunteers managed a dragon boat race. Visit the event website for Drums and Dragons. For updates about this unique and competitive event, please “like” our FaceBook page, Drums and Dragons. To join the race, please contact John Napolitano at 828-277-4816.
Little Trees Project — For over ten years, the Little Trees
Project has been delivering decorated trees to patients served by CarePartners programs. Last year, school children and adult volunteers decorated nearly 800 trees with handmade decorations and heartwarming notes. For more information, please contact Lynn Blankenship at 828-777-2827.
Hospice Volunteer Application Process
If you ’ re interested in becoming a Hospice volunteer, you will need to fill out an application ,sign a confidentiality agreement, and provide two references. Once your application is received, we will arrange a personal interview so that we can answer your questions and become more familiar with your interests and availability. If you are specifically interested in working with Hospice patients, call Danny Johnson at 828-274-9567.
1.Who can help you become a voluntary shop assistant?
A. Danny Johnson. B. Sharon Pearson.
C. John Napolitano. D. Lynn Blankenship.
2.Why do CarePartners members hold a dragon boat race?
A. To seek volunteers for the organization.
B. To improve the health of its volunteers.
C. To collect money far the organization.
D. To win “likes” for its FaceBook page.
3.What does the Little Trees Project mainly do?
A. Decorate trees for sick children.
B. Plant trees to help poor patients.
C. Produce handmade trees for decoration.
D. Present the patients with decorated trees.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the aim of the program?
A. To improve reading abilities,
B. To make lives rich and colorful.
C. To develop communication skills.
2.What activity is planned during the program?
A. Attending lectures. B. Going swimming. C. Having a test.
3.How long will the program last?
A. 8 days. B. 12 days. C. 20 days.
4.What should the listeners do to join the program?
A. Pay for the program.
B. Fill in an application form.
C. Write the name down on a piece of paper.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What class was Lucy having at 14:00?
A. English. B. Art. C. Math.
2.Who does Lucy like least?
A. Her Chinese teacher.
B. Her English teacher.
C. Her math teacher.
3.What does Lucy's English teacher tell them to pay more attention to.
A. Communicating. B. Listening. C. Memorizing.
4.What can we know from Lucy?
A. Her math teacher is quite old.
B. She has too many classes every day.
C. She doesn't have any English homework today.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the man complaining about?
A. The neighbors. B. The traffic. C. The noise.
2.What do we know about the road near the man's house?
A. It is under construction.
B. Its condition is not good.
C. Its construction has been completed.
3.What does the woman suggest the man do?
A. Show the truth to the media.
B. Hold a neighborhood meeting.
C. Collect money for the construction.
