It is one of the greatest mysteries of nature. In case you haven’t noticed, all living things follow very definite, individual rhythms, all as regular as a clock, but what makes them regular?
Though many scientists maintain that these rhythms are the result of some outside force like gravity or radiation or both, the results of most scientific researches agree with other scientists who believe that each living thing has its own built-in biological “time clock.”
Take the mystery of migration for example. Scientists can’t really explain why many species of birds migrate in the autumn even though the temperature is still summery. The birds just seem to snub the comfortable weather that they are having. When a certain time comes, they travel south by the thousand. In spring time, they migrate northwards when though there probably is snow still covering the ground when they finally arrive. Something said “go”, and they did.
Animals that hibernate are obeying individual time clock, too. When their clock indicates the time to take a winter’s nap, they do, and nothing can stop them. At a certain time in the spring, they wake up and come out regardless of the weather outside.
Plants appear to have yearly rhythms, such as the sprouting(发芽)of seeds, and they also have daily rhythms. Notice sometimes that plants raise their leaves in daylight and lower them at night.
If you live along the California coast, you can easily observe a demonstration of this mysterious clock functioning regularly. There, from February to September, the highest tides occur exactly every fourteen and four-fifths days, and during these high tides, but at no other time, small silvery fish called grunions surf-ride a wave to the beach. There the female deposits her eggs in the sand and the male, fertilize them; then both hitch a wave-ride back to the sea. Exactly fourteen and four-fifths days later, never before or after, the tiny eggs hatch, and the high tide carries the new habits out to sea.
1.According to the passage, the mysterious rhythms result from ________.
A.the influence of gravity on living species
B.the effect of radiation on living species
C.the influence of a mysterious outer force on living species
D.the internal mechanism inside the living species
2.The underlined word “snub” in the third paragraph probably means ________.
A.fight B.ignore
C.symbolize D.criticize
3.Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?
A.Hibernating animals are obeying an internal time clock.
B.The positioning of the leaves of some plants is due to the daily rhythms.
C.The internal clock functioning is demonstrated in the reproducing habits of grunions.
D.The yearly hibernation is more because of the weather influence than the biological functioning.
4.The passage is mainly about ________.
A.the rhythms of life B.the reasons of mysterious hibermation
C.strange behaviors of species D.the timing for different events in the world of species
What is a vegan? What is veganism?
Veganism is a type of vegetarian diet that _________meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. Many vegans also do not eat foods that are _________using animal products, such as refined white sugar and some wines.
Vegan _________either a person who follows this was of eating, or the diet itself. That is, the word vegan can be an adjective used to describe a food item, as in, “This curry is vegan”, or, it can be used as a noun, as in, “Vegans like cookie, too.”
Although there is some _________ as to whether certain foods, such as honey, fit into a vegan diet, if you are cooking for other vegans, it is best to be cautious and _______ these foods. Most vegans _______ the definition of veganism to go beyond just food and will also avoid the use of all personal and household products tested on animals, and avoid _______ and using all animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur and wool.
What do vegans eat?
This is perhaps the most common question about veganism. A vegan diet includes grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and _______ or the nearly infinite number of foods made by combining them.
_______, many vegan versions of familiar foods are available, so you can eat vegan hot dogs, ice cream, cheese and vegan mayonnaise along with the more familiar veggie burgers. Many foods are ________ veganism, such as soy milk and tofu, but many non-vegans also enjoy tofu, and you certainly do not have to like tofu in order to eat vegan.
Vegans also eat many of the same common and ________ everyday foods such as a green salad, spaghetti, and chips and salsa which just about everyone eats. ________, a vegetarian burrito (玉米煎饼) without cheese or sour cream would be vegan, a vegetarian Thai curry made from coconut milk is vegan, pasta with tomato sauce non-meat and non-diary sauce is vegan, and most breads are vegan.
How can I become vegan?
So you have decided to become vegan. But now what? Some people easily go from eating meat to vegan right away, while others struggle with their new ________, or choose to go to vegetarian first and then ________ omit (去除) eggs and dairy. There is no right or wrong way to do it, but you may want to learn about what’s worked for other people. However, you do it, keep your ________ in mind and remember why you are choosing to adopt a vegan diet.
1.A.excludes B.includes C.involves D.favors
2.A.enjoyed B.consumed C.processed D.frozen
3.A.protests against B.refers to C.consists of D.searches for
4.A.analysis B.reason C.debate D.comment
5.A.cook B.choose C.test D.avoid
6.A.extend B.apply C.restrict D.offer
7.A.controlling B.purchasing C.distributing D.producing
8.A.eggs B.cheeses C.hot-dogs D.fruits
9.A.Otherwise B.Because C.Besides D.Thus
10.A.separated from B.ignored by C.associated with D.limited to
11.A.cheap B.familiar C.delicious D.healthy
12.A.As a result B.For example C.In a sense D.In particular
13.A.belief B.mission C.commitment D.trend
14.A.slowly B.easily C.essentially D.normally
15.A.goal B.request C.responsibility D.expense
Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper from of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
We can always bear voices comparing the education systems in China and the US. It’s true that there exist a lot of differences, but this cannot be an excuse 1. having a passive attitude toward studying in China.
When I came back from the US last year and 2. (continue) my senior high school education in China, I sensed many great differences. I thought that school in China was too hard, and that we didn’t do enough fun exercise except 3. (run) around playground together. I was not patient enough and I couldn’t help but cry to my mum. In short, I could not face the changes and the pressure.
My mum had a long talk with me. After that, I realized that 4. high school life in China is harder, it can give us more. The pressure helps us learn the true meaning of competition before we step into society, which gives us a 5. (determine) heart and teaches us to step forward no matter what the reality is. It’s like climbing a mountain, 6. might make you dizzy and nervous, but the top is always there waiting for you 7. you are strong enough to take one more step.
Meanwhile, 8.easy life is not always good for us. Even some of my American Friends call 9. “lazy Americans”, because the school in the US is not always easy. When they go to college, they also need to work very hard. We complain mainly because we can’t see the whole picture.
Sometimes we just simply listen to other’s words without thinking about 10. they are true. We can’t always complain. Instead, we all need to understand that success takes efforts and tears.
Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.
1.他说起意大利就好像亲自去过似的。（as if）
2.每天适度锻炼不仅能保持健康，还能使人精力充沛。（basis）
3.由于缺乏自律性，他在上网课的时候忍不住偷看手机。（help）
4.即便患有肺癌，他还是用两年的时间航游世界，其中四分之一的时间是在非洲度过的。（Despite）
Like many of my generation, I have a weakness for hero worship. At some point, however, we all begin to question our heroes and our need for them. This leads us to ask: What is a hero?
Despite immense differences in cultures, heroes around the world generally share a number of characteristic that instruct and inspire people. A hero does something worth talking about. A hero has a story of adventure to tell and a community who will listen. But a hero goes beyond mere fame.
Heroes serve powers or principles larger than themselves. Like high-voltage（电压） transformers, heroes take the energy of higher powers and step it down so that it can be used by ordinary people.
The hero lives a life worthy of imitation. Those who imitate a genuine hero experience life with new depth, enthusiasm, and meaning. A sure test for would-be heroes is what or whom do they serve? What are they willing to live and die for? If the answer or evidence suggests they serve only their own fame, they may be famous persons but not heroes. Madonna and Michael Jackson are famous, but who would claim that their fans find life more abundant?
Heroes are catalysts（催化剂） for change. They have a vision from the mountain top. They have the skill and the charm to move the masses. They create new possibilities. Without Gandhi, India might still be part of the British Empire. Without Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr, we might still have segregated（隔离的） buses, restaurants, and parks. It may be possible for large-scale change to occur without leaders with magnetic personalities, but the pace of change would be slow, the vision uncertain and the committee meetings endless.
1.Although heroes may come from different cultures, they .
A.generally possess certain inspiring characteristics
B.probably share some weaknesses of ordinary people
C.are often influenced by previous generations
D.all unknowingly attract a large number of fans
2.According to the passage, heroes are compared to high-voltage transformers in that .
A.they have a vision from the mountaintop
B.they have warm feelings and emotions
C.they can serve as empowering examples of noble principles
D.they can make all people feel stronger and more confident
3.Madonna and Michael Jackson are not considered heroes because .
A.they are popular only among certain groups of people
B.their performances do not improve their fans morally
C.their primary concern is their own financial interests
D.they are not clear about the principles they should follow
4.Gandhi and Martin Luther King are typical examples of outstanding leaders who .
A.are good at demonstrating their charming characters
B.can move the masses with the skill and the charm
C.are capable of meeting all challenges and hardships
D.can provide an answer to the problems of their people
5.The author concludes that historical changes would .
A.be delayed without leaders with inspiring personal qualities
B.not happen without heroes making the necessary sacrifices
C.take place if there were heroes to lead the people
D.produce leaders with attractive personalities
The Old Man and the Sea is the story of an epic struggle between an old, seasoned fisherman and the greatest catch of his life. For eighty-four days. Santiago, an aged Cuban fisherman, has set out to sea and returned ____ handed. So conspicuously unlucky is he that the parents of his young, devoted apprentice（徒弟） and friend, Manolin, have ____ the boy to leave the old man in order to fish in a more prosperous boat. ____, the boy continues to care for the old man upon his return each night. He helps the old man haul his gear to his ramshackle hut（破旧不堪的陋室）, secures food for him, and discusses the latest developments in American baseball, especially the trials of the old man’s hero, Joe DiMaggio. Santiago is ____ that his unproductive streak of failure will soon come to an end, and he ____ to sail out farther than usual the following day.
On the eighty-fifth day of his unlucky streak, Santiago does as promised, sailing his skiff（小艇） far beyond the island’s shallow coastal waters and ____ into the Gulf Stream. He prepares his lines and drops them. At noon, a big fish, which he knows is a marlin（青枪鱼）, takes the bait（鱼饵） that Santiago has placed one hundred fathoms deep in the waters. The old man expertly hooks the fish, but he cannot pull it in. Instead, the fish begins to pull to boat.
Unable to tie the line ____ to the boat for fear the fish would snap a taut line, the old man bears the strain of the line with his shoulders, back, and hands, ready to give slack should the marlin make a run. The fish ____ the boat all through the day, through the night, through another day, and through another night. The entire time, Santiago endured ____ pain from the fishing line. Whenever the fish lunges, leaps, or makes a dash for ____, the cord（绳） cuts Santiago badly. Although wounded and weary, the old man feels a deep empathy and admiration, for the marlin, his brother in suffering, strength, and determination.
As Santiago sails on with the fish, the marlin’s blood leaves a trail in the water and attracts sharks. The first to attack is a great make shark, which Santiago manages to kill with the harpoon（鱼叉）. In the ____, the old man loses the harpoon and lengths of valuable rope, which leaves him vulnerable to other shark attacks. Although he kills several sharks, more and more appear. They devour（吞噬） the marlin’s precious meat, leaving only skeleton, head, and tail, Santiago punished himself for going “out too far,” and for sacrificing his great and worthy ____.
The next morning, a crowd of ____ fishermen gathers around the skeletal carcass of the fish, which is still lashed（紧系） to the boat. Knowing nothing of the old man’s struggle, tourists at a nearby café observe the ____ of the giant marlin and mistake it for a shark. Manolin, who has been worried over the old man’s absence, is moved to tears when he finds Santiago safe in his bed. The boy fetches the old man some coffee and the daily papers with the baseball scores, and watches him sleep. When the old man wakes, the two agree to fish as ____ once more. The old man returns to sleep and dreams his usual dream of lions at play on the beaches of Africa.
1.A.second B.single C.empty D.first
2.A.made B.encouraged C.dissuaded D.forced
3.A.Nevertheless B.Therefore C.Furthermore D.Besides
4.A.confident B.depressed C.pessimistic D.proud
5.A.determines B.fails C.considers D.favors
6.A.venturing B.diving C.drowning D.securing
7.A.slow B.fast C.quick D.loose
8.A.drives B.steers C.pushes D.pulls
9.A.sustainable B.temporary C.constant D.instant
10.A.attempt B.control C.freedom D.damage
11.A.journey B.shock C.quarrel D.struggle
12.A.opponent B.master C.acquaintance D.hero
13.A.disappointed B.amazed C.terrified D.accomplished
14.A.remains B.meats C.ruins D.rests
15.A.seniors B.companies C.coaches D.partners
