A 27-year-old inventor, Joco Paulo Lammoglia, has come up with a new device named the AIRE mask, which is capable of converting the wind energy provided by the wearer’s breath into electrical energy. This means breathing has become a source of renewable energy. The inspiration for the invention came from his watching children blowing on pinwheels (纸风车).
The device is worn like a mask equipped with tiny wind turbines (涡轮) and it can work its magic even while people are sleeping, jogging or hanging around, since energy is created from one’s breath. The principle of this AIRE mask is simple. The invention uses the wind flow created by breathing and changes it into energy that can charge mobile phones and iPods. Simply put this mask connected to your mobile phone on your face. The rest takes place naturally through your breath that provides power to run turbines which produce electricity.
Lammoglia explained how useful he hopes the AIRE will become. He said, “I hope to bring the concept into production and reduce the carbon footprint. It can be used indoors or outdoors, while you’re sleeping, walking, running or even reading books.” Apart from saving energy and contributing to environmental protection, it also encourages the practice of physical exercise. This is an entirely all time renewable energy source. Its energy is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lammoglia explained why he thought the AIRE was so useful, saying, “Though many of our modern devices offer benefits, they tend to consume a high amount of electrical energy. This may cause problems for the environment, especially if the energy used by these devices is obtained from non-renewable sources.
The AIRE mask will be future’s cheaper source of charging mobile phones. It would save energy and allow people to never have to worry about their phone dying unless they stop breathing.
1.The word “converting” (para.1) is closest in meaning to _______.
A. charging B. convincing
C. exchanging D. transforming
2.After putting on the mask, how do people charge their mobile phones using the device?
A. Breathe out air-Drive turbines-Produce electricity.
B. Use wind-Pass through turbines-Produce electricity.
C. Breathe in air-Use turbines-Create energy.
D. Connect turbines-Produce wind flow-Create energy.
3.Lammoglia would most probably agree that the AIRE mask _______.
A. consumes a high amount of energy
B. will account for environmental damage
C. is a good solution to energy issues
D. is available in the shop now
4.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A. An electronic mask B. A breath-powered charger
C. A new renewable energy source D. An air purifying device
Something very strange and mysterious was going on in Sesemann’s house. Every morning, when the servants went downstairs, they found the front door wide open. During the first few days that this happened, every room and corner was searched in great alarm to see if anything had been stolen, but not a thing in the house had been touched. The door was doubly locked at night, and for further security the wooden bar was fastened across it; but it was no good – next morning the door again stood open. One servant even claimed he had seen a white figure standing at the top of the steps and then all in a minute it disappeared.
Mr. Sesemann told his old friend, a doctor, what had happened in his house. That evening they decided to wait for the ghost. One o'clock struck. There was not a sound. Suddenly the doctor lifted his finger. “Hush! Don't you hear something?” They both listened, and they distinctly heard the bar softly pushed aside and then the key turned in the lock and the door opened. They stepped into the hall.
“Who is there?” thundered the doctor in a voice that echoed through the hall, as the two men advanced with lights and weapons towards the figure. It turned and gave a low cry. There stood Heidi, with bare feet, staring with wild eyes and trembling from head to foot. The two men looked at one another in surprise. “Child, why did you come down here?” said Sesemann. White with terror, and hardly able to make her voice heard, Heidi answered, “I don't know.” The doctor gently took the child by the hand upstairs.
Then the doctor sat down besides her and asked her some questions in a kind voice. Later he went downstairs. “Sesemann,” he said, “let me first tell you that the child is a sleep-walker; Secondly, the child is consumed with homesickness. Something must be done at once.”
1.The door in Sesemann’s house was doubly locked at night in order to ___________.
A. know what the strange and mysterious things are going on
B. prevent the white figure from disappearing
C. make everybody in the house feel sure of their life
D. protect the house from being broken into
2.Which of the following words can best describe the doctor?
A. patient and professional B. brave and optimistic
C. adventurous and confident D. considerate and ambitious
3.What was Mr. Sesemann most likely to do with Heidi?
A. He would ask the doctor to offer her some pills.
B. He would blame her for all the trouble.
C. He would send her back to her hometown soon.
D. He would allow her to do whatever she wanted to do.
Brazil, the largest country in South America, is famous for the Amazon rainforest and soccer. But on the hottest days, people travel there for another reason – the Carnival. Full of excitement and fun, the Carnival is held annually in February or March. This year, the celebration runs from March 2nd to 9th .
It is a wild festival of food, music and dance. The word “Carnival” comes from the Portuguese “Carne Vale”, which means “farewell to meat”. In the early 1600s, the Portuguese brought European traditions to Brazil. Then they started their own carnival with dances and music, which were inspired by black people brought there by the slave trade.
With its beautiful floats (花车), attractive clothes and happy people, the Samba Parade is the most fantastic event of the Carnival. The Sambadrome is a special stadium for the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro with 80,000 seats where people can sit and enjoy the festival. Samba is said to be the soul of Rio. “This is where the passion for samba lies – the atmosphere is electric as even the oldest men and women sing and dance to the music,” travel guidebook Lonely Planet noted.
Top samba schools stand out in the main parade, with fantastic parades of floats and thousands of dancers. The parade goes on until dawn. The schools base their performances on certain themes from Brazilian history or on social and environmental problems, such as that of the Amazon rainforest.
Besides fun street parties, colorful costumes and energetic music, Carnival also offers plenty of tasty street food, such as Quindim – a dessert made of egg yolks and sugar.
Overall, it is traditionally a time to go a bit crazy with eating, dancing and dressing up.
1.What is true about the Carnival in Brazil?
A. It is annually celebrated from March 2nd to 9th.
B. It has attracted a large number of people.
C. It is held for people to stop eating meat.
D. It was brought to Brazil by black people.
2.It can be inferred that Samba is popular because _______.
A. it brought European tradition
B. it highlights top Samba Schools
C. it represents Brazilian passion
D. it reflects Brazilian history
3.What is the main purpose of the passage?
A. To tell the history of European settlers.
B. To attract more visitors to Brazil.
C. To introduce the Carnival in Brazil.
D. To show the attraction of Samba.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the general topic of this talk?
A. Returning to school.
B. Doing different jobs.
C. Paying for everyday life.
2.What is the main reason for people to go back to school?
A. They are not satisfied enough.
B. They want to make life different.
C. They want to learn new knowledge.
3.What challenge will older students face?
A. Renting a house.
B. Doing badly in school.
C. Spending a lot of money.
4.How are most people able to work and go to school?
A. They take night classes.
B. They have fewer classes.
C. They stop working full-time.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the woman’s older brother like?
A. He’s a good listener.
B. He always gets in trouble.
C. He’s very good with words.
2.What does the man really appreciate about his sister?
A. Her temper. B. Her patience. C. Her kindness.
3.Why does the man love his brother?
A. His brother doesn’t fight with him anymore.
B. His brother never argues with him.
C. His brother always supports him.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Who is the woman?
A. The man’s old classmate.
B. The man’s business partner.
C. The man’s former colleague.
2.What does the man do for a living now?
A. He teaches at a school.
B. He owns an educational agency.
C. He works for a design company.
3.Where did the man go last month?
A. The United States. B. Germany. C. England.
