The City of Christchurch, New Zealand was struck by a 7.1magnitude earthquake on the early morning of Saturday, September 4,2010.
No tsunami alert was reported. The country's army troops were on standby to assist victims and disaster recovery operation. New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, flew to the affected area to inspect and assess the situation of the damaged city. The Prime Minister said that the full assessment of the damages would possibly take months to know the severity of damages. Based from his assessment on what he saw in the area, it could cost at least 2 billion New Zealand dollars or US$1.4 billion for reconstruction.
“An absolute miracle that no one died，” Prime Minister John Key said. Two were seriously injured from this quake and thousands of local residents were awakened after being shaken at 4:35 a.m. of that Saturday.
There were people trapped inside the damaged buildings but fortunately none were reported dead from the rubble of the damaged buildings.
“We're all feeling scared—we've just had some significant aftershocks，” a survivor told TV One News. “Tonight we're just people in the face of a massive natural disaster, trying to help each other and we're grateful we haven't lost a life.”
GNS Science reported 29 aftershocks within the 14 hours after the quake, with strength from magnitude 3.7 to 5.4.
New_Zealand_is_no_stranger_to_earthquakes. The country experiences more than 14,000 earthquakes a year—but only about 150 are felt by people.
“Many buildings here were built with earthquake protection measures. However, in most cities in developing countries, people build how they want to and there're no building controls to force them to build to a higher standard that's safe，” Andrew Charleson, an architecture professor at Victoria University of Wellington told CNN.
1.How many people were killed in the New Zealand earthquake on September 4, 2010?
A. 250,000. B. 29. C. 2. D. 0.
2.After the earthquake, all of the following occurred EXCEPT that ________.
A. a number of aftershocks broke out
B. army troops were there to help
C. no people were injured or killed
D. the full assessment of the damages can't take in a short time
3.What does the underlined sentence mean?
A. Earthquakes break out frequently in New Zealand.
B. The earthquakes breaking out in New Zealand are very strange.
C. The earthquakes breaking out in New Zealand are unusual.
D. Earthquakes rarely hit New Zealand.
4.What's the main idea of the passage?
A. No one was ever killed in earthquakes in New Zealand.
B. A massive earthquake struck the city of Christchurch of New Zealand.
C. New Zealand has strict laws to guarantee the buildings' safety.
D. A miracle happened in the terrible earthquake.
Jim Denevan is an amazing artist whose work is admired by all, but owned by none — that’s because all of Jim’s art is created on an unusual canvas(画布)— the soft sand. He sometimes spends days working on a piece, only to see it washed away by the sea or a storm and that is just the way he likes it.
Denevan discovered his artistic talents about ten years ago, when he was wandering aimlessly on the beach with a stick. He ended up drawing a 12-foot-long fish. Since then, Jim has traveled over 1,800 miles while creating over 600 pieces of sand art.
Over the years, his drawings have become bigger, but the tools he uses haven’t changed — All he needs is a stick, a garden rake (耙子)and most importantly, his lively imagination!
Just like any good artist, Jim is quite particular about the “quality” of his canvas, sometimes walking for miles, looking for perfect sand. His latest piece of work, which is also the world’s largest freelance (自由职业的)drawing, was created in the desert sand of Nevada. It took Jim three trips, eight days and over 100 miles of walking to create this 3-mile work of art. It took the storm just one night to destroy it! However, Jim says he actually enjoys watching the waves or rain, wash his paintings away.
Jim’s art has become very popular over the years and was even the topic of a documentary named “Sandman” in 2015. Jim Denevan is not just about art in the sand — he is also an excellent chef and founder of an organization called “Outstanding in the Field”, whose mottois to celebrate food at its source. Accordingly, group dining events are held outdoors on farms, with the diners being treated to a delicious meal. The events, which are held in different farms throughout America, are always sold out the minute the schedule is announced.
1.What do we know about Denevan?
A. He used to be a chef.
B. He has a talent for creating sand art.
C. He puts his work on show regularly.
D. He showed artistic talents at a very young age.
2.It can be learnt from the passage that ___________.
A. Denevan walks a lot to complete his work
B. it is not hard for Denevan to find suitable sand to draw on
C. it usually takes long for the storm to destroy Denevan’s work
D. Denevan is very particular about his drawing tools.
3.Which of the following can best describe Denevan?
A. Generous. B. Kind-hearted. C. Imaginative. D. Traditional.
4.What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A. Denevan loses his interest in art soon.
B. Denevan is also popular as a chef.
C. Being a happy chef is Denevan’s final goal in life.
D. Denevan’s fame helps him with his chef job.
Off the Beaten Cart Path
The best-selling travel book which includes over 200 new places of interest, over 200 new full-color photographs, and all-new, up-to-date maps. It includes over 1,000 of the United States` most must-see destinations
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Parents
The most popular magazine for parents who want to raise smart and loving children. It has child development guidance, advice on your child’s health and safety, and the best way to encourage your child’s learning
Cover Price: $ 26.00 Our price: $ 12.60
Best Weekend Projects
The projects are chosen from 80 special ideas to create an unusual living space. They are practical, as well as creative. They will improve your home and yard and can be made on weekends. And the most important of all, they are easy to follow.
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Lucky
The shopping magazine with the best buys, and the fashion tips. You’ll need them before you go to the stores. What makes Lucky really special is that it gives you the information you need before anyone else has it.
Cover Price: $ 18.50 Our Price: $ 15.50
1.How much can you save to buy a copy of Best Weekend Projects now?
A. $ 3 B. $ 4.05 C. $ 10.2 D. $ 13.4
2.Which book can give you some advice on shopping?
A. Lucky B. Parents
C. Off the Beaten Cart Path D. Best Weekend Projects
3.Who may like the book Off the Beaten Cart Path most?
A. Ladies loving shopping
B. Parents with new-born babies
C. Persons loving traveling in America
D. Husbands wanting to improve their home
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.How many people will travel to Europe?
A. 2. B. 3. C. 4.
2.How long will they travel in Europe?
A. For 8 days. B. For 9 days. C. For 10 days.
3.How will they go to Southern France?
A. By train. B. By plane. C. By bus.
4.What does the speaker want to do in Switzerland?
A. Go diving. B. Enjoy sunshine. C. Go hiking.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the woman's good news for the man?
A. He can take part in a competition.
B. He's won a prize in a competition.
C. His city will become better.
2.What is the size of the man's ideal city?
A. Large. B. Medium. C. Small.
3.What does the man want people in his ideal city to do?
A. Use clean energy.
B. Plant a lot of trees.
C. Be friendly to others.
4.What is the prize?
A. A trip to Asia. B. A trip to Europe. C. A big sum of money.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What was the weather like when the woman was walking home?
A. Raining. B. Snowy C. Fine.
2.How did the man go back yesterday?
A. On foot. B. By car. C. By bus.
3.What's the woman's plan for tonight?
A. To copy notes.
B. To prepare for an exam.
C. To go swimming.
