African swine fever has wiped out a third of China's pig population. Now government officials are discussing dramatic steps to stabilize the world’s largest pork market. Pork is a huge deal in China. The country is home to half of all the pigs on the planet .The meat is a staple of the Chinese diet, which means its scarcity could damage China's social stability. The outbreak of swine fever also threatens the global pork supply chain.
While Chinese authorities have already made plans to support the pig farms and families who may struggle with soaring prices, they re stepping up efforts to deal with the crisis.
The price sellers pay for pork has risen nearly 70% in the last year. And the average price that distributors pay suppliers was up 90% in the last week of August compared to a year ago, according to government data. Analysts say prices could yet go even higher.
The government on Wednesday announced more measures to encourage pig farmers and producers to breed more baby pigs. But they may need to go even further to fill the gap. Authorities have promised to release the government's emergency reserves of frozen pig meat if necessary. Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said last week that the agency will “closely monitor market developments” before it makes such a decision.
It's difficult to overstate the scale of the problem. As of July, China had lost more than 100 million pigs in the last year, according to the data released Tuesday by the country’s agricultural ministry. Part of the problem is that farmers aren’t refilling their pig farms after the sick animals die, according to China’s agricultural ministry. That has pressured Chinese authorities to explore ways to encourage farmers and producers to breed more baby pigs. The finance and agricultural ministries on Wednesday asked local governments to free up money that could be used for artificial insemination (人工授精) technology.
The ministries also called on local officials to accelerate the distribution of subsidies (补贴) to farms where pigs have been killed because of sickness. And the Beijing government plans to increase loan support and insurance coverage for pig producers nationwide.
1.What is the possible consequence of the reduction in China’s pig population?
A.A lack of diversity of meat.
B.Dramatic drop in the pork price.
C.Instability of the Chinese society.
D.The boom of global pork supply chain.
2.Which is a measure of the government to address the problem?
A.To release the emergency reserves of fresh meat.
B.To fund artificial insemination technology.
C.To offer free loan support to pig farmers.
D.To limit the pork price at the market.
3.What can be inferred from Paragraph 5?
A.China has lost a large majority of its pigs.
B.The swine problem is not that serious at present.
C.Farmers are unwilling to raise more pigs for fear of further loss.
D.The problem can surely be solved by future technological advance.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A.Swine fever threatened the pork supply in the world.
B.China makes efforts to solve the swine problem.
C.China is home to half of all the pigs on the planet.
D.Chinese authorities encourage farmers to breed more baby pigs.
Maple syrup (枫糖浆) is a sweetener from maple tree sap (树汁). Many people use it in baking in place of sugar or other sweeteners, some use it in tea instead of honey and it is frequently used as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast foods. Since true maple syrup is rather expensive, a wide range of false maple syrup exist.
This sweetener originated in the northeast region of North America, and it is in this region that most of the world’s maple syrup is still produced. Vermont, New Hampshire Maine, and the eastern portion of Canada are all known for their fine syrup, each with slightly different flavor qualities.
This sweetener is produced by tapping maple trees to release and collect their sap. A tree's sap is the liquid that, much like blood in animals, carries water and food to different parts of the tree to keep it nourished. A mature maple produces about ten gallons of sap in a given season, after which the tree will wall off the channel that has been tapped, so that a new tap has to be drilled the next season. Maples are not tapped for syrup until they are at least 40 years old and have reached a certain size, to ensure that no harm comes to the tree through the tapping process .
An immense amount of sap is required to produce maple syrup because the watery sap must be reduced to achieve the proper thickness and taste. Although the exact amount depends on the sweetness of the sap, in general it takes about 40 times as much maple sap to produce a portion of syrup. This may be further reduced to create thicker delicacies, such as maple butter, maple cream , and maple sugar.
In the Us, there are grade A and Grade B syrups, with three sub-divisions of Grade A: light amber, medium amber, and dark amber. Grade B is even darker than Grade A dark amber. Many people assume that the grading system is also indicative of quality, but in reality, it only helps to differentiate the color and taste of the syrup, which is a matter of personal preference. The tastes are different, but to say one is objectively “better” than another would be incorrect.
1.What do we know about the maple syrup from the first two paragraphs?
A.It can be a substitute of sugar and honey.
B.It varies greatly in flavor qualities.
C.It is produced in the northeast of the US.
D.It is too expensive to gain popularity.
2.The underlined word "nourished" in paragraph 3 can be replaced by “__________”.
A.warm. B.healthy.
C.complete. D.mature.
3.Why is a large amount of sap needed?
A.Because it is widely used in most delicacies.
B.Because it helps to protect old trees from harm.
C.Because it needs to be concentrated to make maple syrup.
D.Because the more sap is used, the better maple syrup tastes.
4.What's the main purpose of writing the text?
A.To teach people how to make maple syrup.
B.To attract more people to buy maple syrup.
C.To introduce basic knowledge of maple syrup.
D.To help people choose maple syrup of good quality.
My wife and I were at a crowded grocery store not long ago. It was a weekday evening, cold and wet and tense. People were carelessly blocking aisles, complaining and cutting one another off with their carts. At one point, two women quarreled for several minutes after colliding in the freezer section.
Things got worse at the checkout line.The cashier scanned a man's discount card, but he misread the savings on her screen as an additional charge. He decided she was acting intentionally and began to argue.
Other customers looked away as the cashier tried to reason with him. She called a manager, who took him to customer service. Shaken , she moved to the next customer in line.
We’ve all witnessed uncomfortable scenes like this in public places. My reaction when I see them is both personal and professional. I am a data analyst and sociologist who studies how and why people interact with one another--or why they choose not to. To me, the grocery scene was another example of how our trust in others has faded. But it was also a teachable moment on how we can rebuild our faith — starting with just one person.
Therefore, my wife and I reached the disturbed cashier. I grabbed a bottle of water from a nearby cooler and handed it to her. We learned her name was Beth.
“We felt bad about how that man treated you and wanted to buy this for you.” I said.
Beth’s face lit up, and we talked as she scanned our items.She told us she had been working that evening through severe foot pain and would be having surgery later that week. We wished her well in her recovery, and she thanked us as we left.
That is the balancing act, the moment of countering social and emotional pain with healing, that will add up to restore trust across the United States. You can start that pattern in someone else's life , even in a place as ordinary as the neighborhood grocery store.
1.By describing the arguments, the author wants to show__________.
A.the job as a cashier is not easy. B.people in the U.S are unfriendly.
C.arguments in public are very common. D.confidence in each other has worn off.
2.How did Beth probably feel when the couple gave her a bottle of water?
A.Sad and regretful. B.Sorry and wronged.
C.Cheerful and rewarded. D.Grateful and relieved.
3.What's author's attitude towards Americans' regaining trust?
A.Doubtful. B.Optimistic.
C.Uncaring D.Cautious
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.A Miserable Cashier. B.A Helping Hand.
C.Learning to Trust Again. D.Starting a new life.
Listed below are some of the classic local hiking challenges. Most of these hikes are along the Long Trail (路径),the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States: initiated in 1910.
SUNSET LEDGE 2924’ 2.2 MILES
Perfect for kids.Popular! Park at the lop of Lincoln Gap and head south on the long Trail. Views over Addison County to Lake Champlain and the Adirondack range. About an hour round trip, plus the time you spend enjoying the view.
GENERAL STARK 3662' 3.2 MIlES
A local's favorite with fantastic views.Start from the App Gap and head South on the long Trail up steep Stark's Wall all and follow the Long Trail to the Stark's Nest Shelter at the top of the Single Chair. Or start from the Mad River Glen ski area and hike the service roads up to the same spot. About 3 hours round trip.
CAMEL'S HUMP 4080' 7.4 MILES
This most challenging 7.4 miles round trip hike takes you above the trees to Vermont's highest undeveloped peak. Spectacular views and an unparalleled feeling of accomplishment. Budget 5 hours. About a 40 minutes drive from the Mad River Valley to railhead either in Duxbury or in Huntington.
MT.ABRAHAM 4000' 5.2 MILES
This is a 4-hour hike if you are a normal human being and the views are spectacular. Mt.Abr is one of Vermont's 5 peaks over 4000’, with 360° panoramic views. Part of the Monroe Skyline Park at Lincoln Gap and head North on the Long Trail. If you hike in the summer, hike down Upper Jester and ride the Super Bravo chair to Sugarbush base area.
TO ENSURE A GREAT HIKE
These hikes are challenging: do not underestimate the journey. Be prepared. Always bring a good, printed trail map; Map Adventures is the best (at The Tempest Bookshop or local gear shops). Trail markers are not always visible and estimated hiking time is based on fit individuals. Always wear hiking shoes, carry a backpack with more water than you think you will need, some calorie-rich foods, and a flashlight; bring an extra layer for warmth or rain. Sunscreen might be a good idea depending on the season.
1.Which trail are professional hikers most likely to go to?
A.Sunset Ledge B.General Stark
C.Camel's Hump D.Mt.Abraham
2.Before these hikes, you should__________.
A.go to a local gear shop. B.bring extra clothes in case.
C.invite a friend to go with you. D.wear more sunscreen than necessary.
3.What do these hikes have in common?
A.A Journey along the Long Trail. B.Magnificent views.
C.A more than 3 hours' trip. D.A kids-friendly trail.
阅读下面材料,根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。续 写的词数应为150左右。
Christmas was hanging around. Six-year-old David was thinking what presents he could get from Santa. He wanted slippers; he wanted a silk tie; he wanted some toys. And school starting soon, he also hoped to get something about schooling. In order to get Santa to know what he needed, he thought he would write a letter to Santa, which he believed would bring him those presents. He found a sheet and made a list of the items on it, and then bent down to post the letter up the chimney, waiting for the winds to take it up.
David got up very early on the Christmas morning. He searched his room carefully, but to his disappointment, he didn't find the presents he hoped for. Hadn't Santa received the letter? Was he too busy to send him the gifts? Although feeling a little upset, David was convinced that Santa would not forget him and he was bound to receive the items.
Many years had passed and 2019 came. In an old house, a young builder, Lewis Shaw was removing the fireplace with his colleagues when he suddenly found a small piece of paper, which was still in perfect condition even if it had turned yellow. He picked it up and unfolded it. It was a letter written to Santa. The touching hand-written note read：
Dear Father Christmas ,
Please can you send me a drum , box of chalks , slippers , silk tie , pencil box , any little toys you have to spare.
Love
David
It was then signed off with lots of kisses.
This was the very letter written by David and the house was where he had lived during his childhood! The letter struck Shaw so much. How simple Christmas once was! David didn't ask for much, just the things he just needed. Nowadays kids always wanted expensive gifts and took it for granted.
注意：
所续写短文的词数应为 150 左右；
至少使用 5 个短文中标有下划线的关键词；
续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
Shaw decided to find out the author of the letter. He shared a photo of the note on Facebook. He also
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Paragraph 2:
A great surprise was on the way. After a pleasant chat,
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假如你是李华，你的美国朋友Jim对中文名字非常感兴趣，并且很想拥有一个中文名字。现请你给他写一封电子邮件，包括以下内容：
1.介绍中文名字的特点；
2. 帮他起一个中文名字，并给出理由；
3. 询问他的意见。
注意：1. 词数80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 文中不要出现自己的真实姓名。
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