Apologizing the Right Way to a Friend Wh...

    Historians and archaeologists have defined periods of human history for centuries by the technologies or materials that made the greatest impact on society. This includes the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. But what age are we in now? That question can be answered with one word for some researchers. Plastics.

“Plastic has redefined our material culture and the artifacts we leave behind. It will be found in stratified(分层的) layers in our trash deposits(沉积层). ” That’s according to John Marston, an archaeologist.

The wide variety of synthetic polymers(合成聚合物) would not exist if it weren’t for human action. About six billion tons of plastics have been made and spread around the planet. They have been spread from forests to oceans ever since the first plastic polymers were invented.

Plastics are one of the most significant changes that humans have made to the Earth’s makeup. Most plastics don’t easily degrade. This only adds to the problem. Recycling isn’t an adequate solution. Not all types of plastic are easily recyclable. And there are only a few recycling plants that can process all varieties of plastic.

According to Debra Winter, writer for The Atlantic, this means that many of the materials thrown into recycling bins can cross the planet several times before they are processed. They are made into rugs, sweaters, or they are used to make other bottles. Millions of tons of plastics are recycled every year, but millions more end up in landfills or the ocean. The problem has reached the point where it’s possible that in just a few decades there might be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fishes.

“Plastics have a supposed lifespan of over 500 years, so it’s safe to say that every plastic bottle you have used exists somewhere on this planet, in some form or another，” Winter writes.

The damage may already be done. It may be too late for human populations worldwide to change their plastic using ways. So the Plastic Age might soon take its place next to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age in the history of human civilization.

1.Why do people call our age the Plastic Age?

A.Because plastics are not naturally made.

B.Because humans create plastics.

C.Because plastics influence the world greatly.

D.Because historians and archaeologists think so.

2.According to the passage, how are most plastics dealt with currently?

A.They are recycled.

B.They are degraded.

C.They are thrown away.

D.They are made into bottles.

3.What is the author’s attitude to the Plastic Age?

A.Negative. B.Ambiguous.

C.Favorable. D.Unconcerned.

4.What is the main idea of this passage?

A.Plastics have ruined our environment.

B.We must stop using plastics altogether.

C.Human beings are in the Plastic Age.

D.Plastics are significant to human development.

    While an entire month free of homework or tests may sound too good to be true, that is exactly what the students at Sturenskolan School in Boden, Sweden were treated to in April. What’s more, if the results of the experiment prove encouraging, starting 2019, the middle schoolers will never have to worry about after－school work or tests, aside from the national examinations, which are compulsive for students across the country.

The school’s principal, Petronella Sirkka, who came up with the idea, said, “We are constantly receiving new reports that our children feel bad. And that’s because they have a high level of stress all the time. This is our way of trying to reduce that stress.”

The educator says that while banning homework and tests sounds radical(激进的), it makes sense given the changes in the curriculum and approaches to education. While in the past students were primarily subjected to memorizing facts, learning today is all about reflection and analysis. As a result, it is often harder for kids, especially those with little support at home, to comprehend the material by themselves.

Sirkka is not the only one who believes after－school work does not help students learn.  In March 2018, another principal in Canada also decided to do away with homework. They hope parents will spend the extra time reading to their kids.

While the long－term impact of the recent decisions made by the two educators remains to be seen, the experiment has already proved successful in Finland which has done away with homework, grades, and even teaching by subjects for many years. Yet, Finnish students always rank high in the PISA(Programme for International Student Assessment) tests especially in math and science but they have the least homework! Hopefully, it will only be a matter of time before US educators follow their lead and ban after－school work as well!

1.The students at Sturenskolan School had no homework in April because ________.

A.the headmaster was experimenting with her idea

B.they needed to do some experiments during the month

C.they were busy preparing for the national examinations

D.the headmaster had to carry out the government’s policy

2.What makes children’s learning hard nowadays?

A.Children have to do more analyzing.

B.The approach to education is complex.

C.Children get no support at home and school.

D.There are more facts to memorize.

3.What does Petronella Sirkka most likely advise parents to do?

A.Help children with their homework.

B.Free children from after－school housework.

C.Spend more time reading to their children.

D.Communicate with teachers from time to time.

4.What can we infer about the students in Finland?

A.They study the hardest at school.

B.They have a more relaxing school life.

C.They enjoy great success after graduation.

D.They all have a talent for math and science.

    Looking back on my childhood, I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made.

Although we were all brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental maths.

I have only the unmemorable memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal clear memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local birds, and above all the insects.

I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil while reading about other people’s observations and discoveries. Then something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books, which some might honour with the title of scientific research.

But curiosity, a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist：One of the outstanding and essential qualities required is self­discipline, a quality I lack. A scientist requires not only self­discipline but all training, determination and a goal. A scientist, up to a point, can be made. A naturalist is born. If you can combine the two, you get the best of both worlds.

1.What impressed the author deeply during his childhood?

A.Wildlife. B.Music.

C.Languages. D.Literature.

2.Why can’t the author remember his relatives clearly?

A.He didn’t live with them for long.

B.The family was extremely large.

C.He was fully occupied with observing nature.

D.He was too young when he lived with them.

3.According to the author, what personality should a born naturalist have first of all?

A.Being knowledgeable.

B.Being self­disciplined.

C.Being full of ambition.

D.Being full of enthusiasm.

4.Why does the author say he is a naturalist, not a scientist?

A.He thinks he lacks some quality required of a scientist.

B.He thinks he has much trouble doing mental arithmetic.

C.He thinks he comes up with solutions in a most natural way.

D.He thinks he just reads about other people’s observations.

1.What is the cost for two nights of accommodation for two people at the Yakamoz Hotel with the Lonely Planet guide book discount?

A.￡88. B.￡80.

C.￡72. D.￡64.

2.Rail holidays are available for ________.

A.North America, Europe and Australia

B.North America, South America and Asia

C.Australia, Asia and Europe

D.North America, South America and Australia

3.How many advertisements offer holidays to Peru?

A.One. B.Two.

C.Three. D.Four.

你校美国交换生 Clement很喜欢中华成语故事，看到下面的图片，想了解关于此图片的具体信息，请你用英语给他写一篇短文。内容包括：

1. 描述画面；

2. 概述其含义；

3. 谈谈个人感想。

注意：

1.词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

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