It is believed that raisins (葡萄干) were discovered in the Middle East, where they were treasured. Any food that wouldn't spoil in the hot sun was very valuable. Prehistoric drawings in France show that raisins have been enjoyed in southern Europe for thousands of years. 1. In 1000 B.C. the Jews paid their taxes with raisins. Two jars of raisins in ancient Rome could buy one slave boy. 2.
In North America, the original mistake of leaving grapes to wither (枯萎) on the vine was not the only time raisins accidentally became popular. In the 1870s many people were growing grapes in California. 3. Most Americans had never heard of raisins at that time. In September, 1873 a severe heat wave struck the area. Before the growers could pick all their grapes, they withered on the vine. The grapes were lost. One grower took the dried grapes to a grocer in San Francisco. 4. The new accidental raisins grew into a major industry in California. Today almost all the raisins eaten in the United States are grown in California. California produces a third of the world's raisins.
5. Raisins also provide potassium, magnesium, calcium and certain B vitamins. Without added preservatives (防腐剂), raisins will stay fresh, delicious and nutritious if kept in a cool place. Raisins are tiny, portable and above all delicious.
A.They have been used for necklaces and as religious symbols.
B.Raisins are children's favorite snacks.
C.The grapes were either eaten as fresh fruit or were made into wine.
D.The grocer was unwilling to buy the dried grapes.
E.Raisins are high in iron, which is important to children's growing bodies.
F.Roman doctors believed raisins could cure anything from mushroom poisoning to old age.
G.The grocer's customers discovered that raisins made a delicious treat.
Driving a car is not just handling controls and judging speed and distance. It requires you to predict what other road users will do and get ready to react to something unexpected. When alcohol is consumed, it enters your bloodstream and acts as a depressant (抑制药), damaging eyesight, judgment and co-ordination(协调), slowing down reaction time and greatly increasing the risk of accidents. Even below the drink driving link, driving will be affected.
Alcohol may take a few minutes to be absorbed into the bloodstream and start action on the brain. Absorption rate is increased when drinking on an empty stomach or when consuming drinks mixed with fruit juice. To get rid of alcohol from the body is a very slow process and it is not possible to speeditup with any measures like taking a shower or having a cup of tea or coffee.
The present Road Traffic Ordinance states clearly that the limit of alcohol concentration is:
● 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood; or
● 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath; or
● 67 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of urine (尿液).
Drivers who cause traffic accidents, or who commit a moving traffic offence or are being suspected of drink driving will be tested.
Any driver found drinking beyond the limit will be charged. The driver declared guilty may be fined a maximum of HK $25,000 and be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison and punished for 10 driving-offence points; or temporarily banned from driving.
The same punishment applies to failing to provide specimens (样本) for breath, blood or urine tests without good excuse.
Drink driving is a criminal offence（违法犯罪行为）. Be a responsible driver, think before you drink. For the safety of yourself and other road users, never drive after consuming alcohol.
1.The first paragraph is mainly about ________.
A.the introduction of driving skills
B.the damage of drinking to your body
C.the effect of drinking on driving
D.the process of alcohol being absorbed
2.The underlined word “it” in the second paragraph refers to “________”.
A.alcohol B.absorption C.blood D.process
3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Drinking below the drink driving limit has no effect on driving.
B.Alcohol is taken in more quickly when drunk with fruit juice.
C.Having a cup of tea helps to get rid of alcohol from the body.
D.50 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of breath is below the drink limit.
4.A driver suspected of (被怀疑) drink driving ________.
A.should provide specimens for testing
B.will be forbidden to drive for 3years
C.will be punished for 10 driving-offence points
D.should pay a maximum fine of HK $25,000
A typical lion tamer (驯兽师) in people’s mind is an entertainer holding a whip (鞭子)and a chair .The whip get all of the attention , but it’s mostly for show .In reality , it’s the chair that does the important work .When a lion tamer holds a chair in front of the lion’s face , the lion tries to focus on all four legs of the chair at the same time .With its focus divided , the lion becomes confused and is unsure about what to do next .When faced with so many options , the lion chooses to freeze and wait instead of attacking the man holding the chair.
How often do you find yourself in the same position as the lion ? How often do you have something you want to achieve (e,g. lose weight , start a business , travel more ) –only to end up confused by all of the options in front of you and never make progress ?
This upsets me to no end because while all the experts are busy debating about which option is best , the people who want to improve their lives are left confused by all of the conflicting information .The end result is that we feel like we can’t focus or that we’re focused on the wrong things , and so we take less action , make less progress , and stay the same when we could be improving .
It doesn’t have to be that way .Anytime you find the world waving a chair in your face , remember this :All you need to do is focus on one thing .You just need to get started .Starting before you feel ready is one of the habits of successful people .If you have somewhere you want to go , something you want to accomplish , someone you want to become ….take immediate action .If you’re clear about where you want to go , the rest of the world will either help you get there or get out the way .
1.Why does the lion tamer use a chair?
A.To trick the lion.
B.To show off his skill .
C.To get ready for a fight.
D.To entertain the audience.
2.In what sense are people similar to a lion facing a chair?
A.They feel puzzled over choices.
B.They hold on to the wrong things.
C.They find it hard to make changes.
D.They have to do something for show.
3.What is the author’s attitude towards the experts mentioned in paragraph 3?
A.Tolerant
B.Doubtful
C.Respectful
D.Supportive
4.When the world is “waving a chair in your face”, you’re advised to_____.
A.wait for a better chance
B.break your old habits
C.make a quick decision
D.ask for clear guidance
MONTREAL (Reuters) – Crossing the US-Canada border（边界）to go to church on a Sunday cost a US citizen ＄10,000 for breaking Washington’s strict new security（安全）rules.
The expensive trip to church was a surprise for Richard Albert, who lives right on the Canadian border. Like the other half-dozen people of Township 15, crossing the border is a daily occurrence for Albert. The nearby Quebec village of St. Pamphile is where they shop, eat and go to church.
There are many such situations in these areas along the largely unguarded 5,530-mile border between Canada and the US-which in some cases actually runs down the middle of streets or through buildings.
As a result, Albert says he did not expect any problems three weeks ago when he returned home to the US after attending church in Canada, as usual. The US customs（海关）station in this are is closed on Sundays, so be just drove around the locked gate, as he had done every weekend since the gate appeared last May, following a tightening of border security. Two days later. Albert was told to go to the customs office, where an officer told him be had been caught on camera crossing the border illegally（非法）.
Ottawa has given out special passes to some 300 US citizens in that area so they can enter the country when Canadian customs stations are closed, but the US stopped a similar program last May. That forces the people to a 200-miledetour along hilly roads to get home through another border checkpoint.
Albert has requested that the customs office change their decisions on the fine, but he has not attended a Sunday church since. “I feel like I’m living in a prison,” he said.
1.We learn from the text that Richard Albert is .
A.an American living in Township 15
B.a Canadian living in a Quebec village
C.a Canadian working in a customs station
D.an American working in a Canadian church
2.Albert was fined because he .
A.failed to obey traffic rules B.broke the American security rules
C.worked in St. Pamphile without a pass D.damaged the gate of the customs office
3.The underlined word “detour” in paragraph 5 means .
A.a drive through the town B.a race across the fields
C.a roundabout way of travelling D.a journey in the mountain area
4.What wd be the best title for the text?
A.A Cross-country Trip B.A Special Border Pass
C.An Unguarded Border D.An Expensive Church Visit
Su Hua is studying at Cambridge, UK. She has bought a bicycle and is worried about security.
Her friend, Kate, found this article and sent it to her.
Introduction
A lot of crime is against bicycles. About 150, 000 bicycles are stolen every year and most are never found. You can prevent this happening by following a few careful steps.
Basic Security
Do not leave your bicycle in out-of-the-way places. Always lock your bicycle when you leave. Secure it to lampposts or trees. Take off smaller parts and take them with you, for example lights and saddles (车座).
Locks
Get a good lock. There are many different types in the shops. Buy one that has been tested against attack. Ask for a recommendation from a bike shop.
Marking
Security making your bike can act as a deterrent to a thief. It can also help the police find your bicycle. It should be clearly written and include your postcode and your house or flat number. This will provide a simple way to identify your bicycle.
Registration
There are a number of companies who will security mark your bicycle for you. They will then put your registration number and personal details on their computer database. Then if your bicycle is found it will be easy to contact you.
Finally
Keep a record of the bicycle yourself: its make, model and registration number. You can even take a photograph of it. This will prove the bicycle belongs to you.
1.Which part of the text gives you information on how to lock up your bicycle when you leave it?
A.Locks. B.Marking. C.Registration. D.Basic Security.
2.The article advises you to keep a record of your bicycle .
A.in the bike shop and your computer. B.in a police station and a security company.
C.in a security company and your university. D.by yourself and in a security company.
3.The main purpose of this article is .
A.to tell you what to do if your bicycle is stolen.
B.to suggest ways of keeping your bicycle safe.
C.to give you advice on where to buy a good lock.
D.to say why you shouldn't keep your bicycle in a quiet place.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.How much sleep should teenagers get?
A.8 hours a night. B.9 hours a night. C.10 hours a night.
2.Why is it difficult for teenagers to go to bed early according to the research?
A.They are unaware of the benefits of good sleep.
B.They work too hard at night.
C.Their bodies are changing.
3.What time do most American high schools start now?
A.At 8:00 a.m. B.At 8:30 a.m. C.At 9:00 a.m.
4.According to the talk, what should teens do to get a good night’s sleep?
A.Limit their screen time.
B.Find a school that starts later.
C.Do some reading before bedtime.
