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    Some of the world’s most significant problems never hit headlines. One example comes from agriculture. Food unrest and hunger make news. But the trend lying behind these matters is rarely talked about. This is the decline in the growth in production of some of the world’s major crops. A new study by the University of Minnesota and McGill University in Montreal looks at where, and how far, this decline is occurring.

The authors study the four most important crops: rice, wheat, corn and soybeans. They find that the improvement in yields that took place before the 1980s slowed down in the 1990s and 2000s.

There are two worrying features of the slowdown. One is that it has been particularly sharp in the world’s most populous (人口多的) countries, India and China. Their ability to feed themselves has been an important source of relative stability both within the countries and on world food markets. That self-sufficiency cannot be taken for granted if yields continue to slow down.

Second, production growth has been lower in wheat and rice than in corn and soybeans. This is problematic because wheat and rice are more important as foods, accounting for around half of all calories consumed. Corn and soybeans are more important as feed grains. The authors note that “We have preferentially focused our crop improvement efforts on feeding animals and cars rather than on crops that feed people and are the basis of food security in much of the world.”

The report qualifies the more optimistic findings of another new paper which suggests that the world will not have to dig up a lot more land for farming in order to feed 9 billion people in 2050, as the Food and Agriculture Organisation has argued.

Instead, it says, thanks to slowing population growth, land currently ploughed up for crops might be able to revert (回返) to forest or wilderness. This could happen. The trouble is that the forecast assumes continued improvements in production, which may not actually happen.

1.What does the author try to draw attention to?

A.Food riots and hunger in the world.

B.News headlines in the leading media.

C.The decline of the grain production growth.

D.The food supply in populous countries.

2.Why does the author mention India and China in particular?

A.Their self-sufficiency is vital to the stability of world food markets.

B.Their food yields have begun to decrease sharply in recent years.

C.Their big populations are causing worldwide concerns.

D.Their food self-sufficiency has been taken for granted.

3.What does the Food and Agriculture Organization say about world food production in the coming decades?

A.The growing population will greatly increase the pressure on world food supplies.

B.The optimistic prediction about food production should be viewed with caution.

C.The slowdown of the growth in yields of major food crops will be reversed.

D.The world will be able to feed its population without increasing farmland.

4.How does the author view the argument of the Food and Agriculture Organisation?

A.It is built on the findings of a new study.

B.It is based on a doubtful assumption.

C.It is backed by strong evidence.

D.It is open to further discussion.

Does Fame Drive You Crazy?

Although being famous might sound like a dream come true, today's stars, feeling like zoo animals, face pressures that few of us can imagine. They are at the center of much of the world's attention. Paparazzi(狗仔队) camp outside their homes, cameras ready. Tabloids(小报) publish thrilling stories about their personal lives. Just imagine not being able to do anything without being photographed or interrupted for a signature!

According to psychologist Christina Villarreal, celebrities—famous people—worry constantly about their public appearance. Eventually, they start to lose track of who they really are, seeing themselves the way their fans imagine them, not as the people they were before everyone knew their names. “Over time，” Villarreal says, “they feel separated and alone.”

The phenomenon of tracking celebrities has been around for ages. In the 4th century B．C., painters followed Alexander the Great into battle, hoping to picture his victories for his admirers. When Charles Dickens visited America in the 19th century, his sold­out readings attracted thousands of fans, leading him to complain(抱怨) about his lack of privacy. Tabloids of the 1920s and 1930s ran articles about film­stars in much the same way that modern tabloids and websites do.

Being a public figure today, however, is a lot more difficult than it used to be. Superstars cannot move about without worrying about photographers with modern cameras. When they say something silly or do something ridiculous, there is always the Internet to spread the news in minutes and keep their “story” alive forever.

If fame is so troublesome, why aren't all celebrities running away from it? The answer is there are still ways to deal with it. Some stars stay calm by surrounding themselves with trusted friends and family or by escaping to remote places away from big cities. They focus not on how famous they are but on what they love to do or whatever made them famous in the first place.

Sometimes a few celebrities can get a little justice. Still, even stars who enjoy full justice often complain about how hard their lives are. They are tired of being famous already.

1.It can be learned from the passage that stars today ________.

A.are often misunderstood by the public

B.can no longer have their privacy protected

C.spend too much on their public appearance

D.care little about how they have come into fame

2.What is the main idea of Paragraph 3?

A.Great heroes of the past were generally admired.

B.The problem faced by celebrities has a long history.

C.Well­known actors are usually targets of tabloids.

D.Works of popular writers often have a lot of readers.

3.What makes it much harder to be a celebrity today?

A.Availability of modern media.

B.Inadequate social recognition.

C.Lack of favorable chances.

D.Huge population of fans.

4.What is the author's attitude toward modern celebrity?

A.Sincere. B.Sceptical.

C.Disapproving. D.Sympathetic.

    When emergency workers arrive at an old firehouse in New York City, the way they greet each other is not what you might expect. These first responders say," Ni Hao! " "Ni Hao" means "hello" in Mandarin Chinese.

First responders are the first emergency workers to arrive at a fire, traffic accident or other emergency. Some first responders are fire fighters, while others can be Emergency Medical Technicians.

In Brooklyn, New York, over 20 first responders are studying Mandarin Chinese for about two hours a week. The class is the first of its kind. It is offered by the New York City Fire Department Foundation.

The U. S. Census Bureau recently reported that some New York neighborhoods are made up mostly of immigrants. Some people have predicted that the Chinese community is likely to become New York's largest immigrant group. They think the city will have the largest Chinese community outside of Asia.

The Census Bureau also found that almost 200 languages are spoken in the city. So, knowing different languages is important, especially if you are a first responder.

Lieutenant(中尉,少尉) Steve Lee is president of the Fire Department's Phoenix Society. He says that first responders must be able to communicate quickly and effectively when an emergency happens. He explains that first responders enter neighborhoods and communities to assist regardless of where they are from. Many times first responders do not speak the same language as the people they are called to help. He adds that it is vital, or very important, that first responders are able to communicate with the people calling for help.

Without help from homeowners and others, Lee adds, discovering exactly where a fire is burning can be a real problem. First responders need to ask questions such as "What building? What address? What apartment?" And the most important question," Is there anybody left in the building and where?"

1.Who are first responders according to Paragraph 2?

A.People first learning the disaster. B.Persons leading the emergency rescue.

C.Rescuers first reaching the disaster D.People first find the disaster.

2.Why are the first responders in New York studying the Chinese language?

A.To show respect to the Chinese immigrants.

B.To learn about Chinese cultures much better.

C.To meet the rapid growth of Chinese population.

D.To find a better job in Chinese community.

3.What do first responders concern most?

A.The place where the fire occurs. B.The people trapped in the fire.

C.The language to communicate. D.The distance covered to the fire.

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A.Mandarin Being a Must for Emergency Workers

B.New York's Emergency Crews Learning Mandarin

C.Language Problem Disturbing First Responders' Work

D.Importance of Languages Used in Emergency Rescue

    Everyone fancies a bargain; if it is free, everyone loves it even more! Those who do not believe in a free lunch can now eat their words because it is possible to get things for free in Singapore without any conditions attached. Let me introduce you to some tips on where and how to gain some free presents, all without even touching your  wallet.

Food

Go search for food festivals and fairs. These food sellers usually put out a lot of small samples for all to try. Famous ones include the Singapore Food Festival held annually in the month of July at various locations including the Takashimaya Square and Plaza Singapura.

Haircuts

There are well-known hair salons every month that require hair models for apprentices(学徒) to exercise their skills or for their hair stylists(发型师) to experiment with new styles. Unbelievable as it might sound, most people come out of this experience satisfied and addicted to more of such deals. Free Internet

Most hotels offer free wifi. There are also many cafes in Singapore that offer free wireless surfing. However, order a coffee to avoid unfriendly stares from the staff. Popular spots include the McDonald’s, Starbucks and

Cafe Galilee outlets throughout our island. Free City Tour If you are a traveler in Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board has arranged for you to enjoy a free two-hour city tour that offers you a choice to enjoy a Sentosa Island tour or a small-boat experience.

Living and traveling in Singapore is expensive, but sometimes all it takes is a closer look at all the little sheltered comers of this island to appreciate the occasional treasures that are given to those who seek.

1.Which of the following best explains the underlined part “all without even touching your wallet”？

A.Free of charge. B.Free of worry.

C.Free of pain. D.Free of tax.

2.From which way does free “Haircuts” benefit hair salons?

A.Advertising their products.

B.Attracting more customers.

C.Developing their staff’s skills.

D.Building their reputation.

3.In which part of a magazine can we read this text?

A.Health. B.Economy.

C.Education. D.Travel.

    Britain’s first zero-carbon homes are being built—and they look like something from a science-fiction movie.

There are 25 eco-friendly homes currently being built in Southmoor, near Abingdon, Oxon. Buyers are able to have the final say on floor layouts，kitchens and bathrooms. One three-bedroom home is on the market for￡801 ,000,with a custom build available to suit your own specification. These eco-friendly houses are powered entirely by electricity from solar panels around the houses. They also have advanced ventilation (通风) systems, making sure that temperatures inside the building don’t go beyond 25℃ for more than 10% of hours annually, as well as mini heat pumps to generate (产生) the heating and hot water on-site. Part of the cooling design includes avoiding east-or west-facing windows, and window shading.

And they’re in high demand. Ian Pritchett, of Ssassy Property, thinks the Government should do more to promote the construction of this type of housing. “Unfortunately, the Government relaxed the proposed 2016 zero-carbon targets after being lobbied(游说)by house builders,” Ian explained. “At present, the main house-building corporations control the land and only build at the rate they are sure will sell, keeping the UK’s housing shortage so that the normal rules of ‘supply and demand’ don’t apply. When there is a shortage of housing, buyers have to purchase what is available rather than what they might want.”

In any sensible society, we would expect the planning system to actively encourage zero-carbon houses，and he tough on anyone failing to deliver the necessary standard. Instead, we have a planning system that focuses on other aspects such as numbers of bedrooms, garden sizes, and parking places. These are important aspects, but they pale into insignificance compared to the catastrophic consequences of climate change.

1.What can a purchaser do before buying the type of housing?

A.Negotiate its price. B.Choose where to build it.

C.Decide how the inside of it looks. D.Design its ventilation.

2.How do people react to the zero-carbon homes?

A.Welcome. B.Uncaring.

C.Skeptical. D.Demanding.

3.What do house-building companies intend to do?

A.Balance the “supply and demand” of houses.

B.Purchase more land to stop climate change.

C.Build more houses powered by the sun.

D.Make it more difficult to buy houses.

4.What’s the author’s attitude to the Government’s planning system?

A.Satisfied. B.Disapproving.

C.Worried. D.Ambiguous.