Thousands of years ago, people didn’t know that the Earth moved. They thought the sun really did move across the sky. The Greek god Helios was said to drive the sun around the sky with his chariot（战车）. But now, these ideas have all changed. Nowadays, it is the sun that drives our “chariot” around the sky.
So what does all this mean? Well, quite simply, there is now a plane （or “chariot”） that is powered by the sun. It has special parts in its wings. These parts absorb power from the sun. They absorb so much power that they can carry on flying at night. In the Greek myths（希腊神话）, Helios had to take a break at night. It seems we’re finally even more efficient than the gods themselves.
This plane is called Solar Impulse （“太阳驱动”号）. It will fly across the US in May. This is very important for the future of the world.
So why is solar energy so good for us? Well, other kinds of energy cause a few problems. If you live in China, you’ve probably noticed the pollution. This is caused by burning coal or gas to make energy. The heat and chemicals（化学制品）from this make things work. But if we use the heat from the sun, we don’t have to burn anything, and there’s no pollution.
Solar energy is not all there yet. It needs to be improved. But the best thing about it is that, unlike coal and gas, it doesn’t run out. Solar Impulse could keep flying forever. Well, actually, the sun will run out too, one day, but not for another 5 billion years. That’s a pretty long flight.
1.What does “chariot” really refer to in the last sentence of Paragraph 1?
A．The Earth. B．The Greek god. C．Solar Impulse. D．Birds.
2.Which of the following is TRUE of Solar Impulse?
A．It can only fly at night. B．It has already flown across the US.
C．It is powered by the sun. D．It needs gas to work.
3.In the passage, what is mentioned as the cause of pollution in China?
A．Overpopulation. B．Burning coal or gas.
C．Using solar energy. D．Heavy traffic.
4.What does the writer mean by “That’s a pretty long flight”?
A．It takes a lot of time to get Solar Impulse going.
B．Solar Impulse moves very slowly.
C．Solar Impulse will be in use for a long time.
D．Solar Impulse has a long way to go to take the place of the sun.
5.The passage is most probably taken from___________.
A．a Greek myth B．a science fiction C．a story-book D．a science magazine
A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms（习语）, though my teacher told us the importance again and again. But soon, the importance of English idioms was shown in an amusing experience.
One day, I happened to meet an Englishman on the road, and soon we began to talk. As I was talking about how I was studying English, the foreigner seemed to be surprised. Gently shaking his head，shrugging his shoulders, he said，“You don’t say!” “You don’t say!” I was puzzled. I thought, perhaps this is not a right topic. “Well, I’d better change the topic.” So I said to him. “Well, shall we talk about the Great Wall? By the way, have you ever been there?” “Certainly, everyone back home will laugh at me if I leave China without seeing it. It was wonderful.” He was deep in thought when I began to talk like a tourist guide. “The Great Wall is one of the wonders in the world. We are very proud of it.” Soon I was interrupted（打断）again by his words: “You don’t say!” I couldn’t help asking, “Why do you ask me not to talk about it?” “Well, I didn’t ask you to do so,” he answered, greatly surprised. I said, “Didn’t you say ‘you don’t say’?” Hearing this, the Englishman laughed to tears. He began to explain, “ ‘You don’t say’ actually means ‘really!’ It is an expression of surprise. Perhaps you don’t pay attention to English idioms.” I realized I had made a fool of myself. Since then I have been more careful with idiomatic expressions. Remember: what the English teachers said is always right to us students.
1.A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms because .
A．I had no interest in them
B．English idioms were very difficult
C．I did not realize the importance of them
D．my teacher didn’t tell us the importance of them
2.At first, on hearing “You don’t say,” I thought the foreigner meant .
A．I had talked too much B．I had to stop talking
C．he was not interested in the topic D．he was only interested in the Great Wall
3.“…was shown in an amusing experience.” The word “amusing” probably means .
A．interesting B．important C．terrible D．unlucky
4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A．The Englishman wanted me to act as his guide.
B．The Englishman left China without seeing the Great Wall.
C．The Englishman wanted to see the Great Wall after I talked about it.
D．The Englishman visited the Great Wall and thought it worth visiting.
5.After the Englishman explained the idiom, ___________.
A．I felt very silly B．the Englishman became a real fool
C．I became more careful in everything D．I thought the Englishman had made me a fool
Here is the content （目录）of a book.
|
Unit |
Readings |
Skills |
Words |
|
Unit 1 Music |
*Music & Feelings *Sad movies |
*Understanding main ideas *Predicting by title |
*Kinds of Music *Music stars |
|
Unit 2 Sports |
*National Sports *The ancient Olympic Games |
*Understanding main ideas *Guessing meaning of new words |
*Action verbs *Names of sports Sports tools |
|
Unit 3 Weather |
*Weather service *Weather and nature |
*Understanding main ideas *Guessing meaning of new words |
*Weather conditions *Weather information |
|
Unit 4 Culture |
*Travelling in India *Body language in the United States |
*Understanding main ideas *Predicting by title *Making inferences |
*Cultural studies *Culture and art |
|
Unit 5 Space |
*Living in space *The planets |
*Understanding main ideas *Understanding attitude |
*Space news *Space terms |
1.If you’re interested in music, you can read “__________”.
A．National sports B．Sad movies C．The planets D．Weather service
2.You can learn something about weather in _______.
A．Unit 1 B．Unit 2 C．Unit 3 D．Unit 4
3.Words about ________ are in Unit 5.
A．music stars B．weather conditions C．sports tools D．space news
4.If you like culture, you can read “__________”.
A．Living in space B．Travelling in India
C．Music & Feelings D．The ancient Olympic Games
5.In all the units, you can learn the skill of _________.
A．predicting by title B．understanding attitude
C．understanding main ideas D．guessing meaning of new words
“I can't believe what I'm hearing!” I thought to myself. Jeff was the last candidate （候选人） for president of Students’ Union. My best friend Tony came to me and said, “I'm 1 , Mike. I really thought you should be 2 .”
Later that day, I happened to pass Jeff in the dining room. I offered him a polite “ 3 ” and walked to my usual table. To my surprise, Jeff put his plate beside mine.
“I'm, er-I'm just wondering 4 you would…consider coming to work on my team,” he said 5 . “You are really smart, and you would be a great manager.”
“I don't think so,” I replied, feeling 6 .
“Well, if you change your mind, we are meeting tomorrow,” he said before moving to 7 table.
All that night, I thought about the offer from Jeff. Maybe being a part of the election process （选举过程）would give me a chance to make important changes at our school. I 8 to join them.
My first goal was to 9 an attractive advertisement. Within a few days, we designed a
10 with Jeff's pictures showing him in a number of activities. No one could walk through any hallway without passing Jeff's smiling face.
My next step was to 11 which new activities students would like to have at our school. Many of them wanted a chess club and a volleyball team. With the information I had collected, Jeff met with the headmaster. The headmaster 12 to add these activities to our school program.
With my help, Jeff and our ideas were well received at school.
An eighth grader said, “It'll be like attending a new school with Jeff as president.”
Hearing these words made my heart filled with 13 . I had wanted to become president of Student Council to make a difference. I achieved that and more by working as a member of Jeff's team. He became the most popular candidate and I was a large part of his 14 . The fact that it has made a（n） 15 in other people's lives is the real prize. What a great feeling!
1. A．lucky B．happy C．sorry D．angry
2. A．heard B．chosen C．invited D．followed
3. A．Good luck B．congratulations C．see you D．help yourself
4. A．how B．if C．when D．that
5. A．proudly B．quickly C．nervously D．shyly
6. A．unhappy B．uncertain C．unnecessary D．unfair
7. A．other B．the other C．another D．others
8. A．tried B．refused C．failed D．decided
9. A．print B．invent C．create D．copy
10. A．poster B．project C．programme D．perfomance
11. A．make sure B．look up C．work on D．find out
12. A．agreed B．offered C．expected D．managed
13. A．pride B．courage C．kindness D．hope
14. A．dream B．future C．life D．success
15. A．difference B．progress C．mistake D．effort
—Could you tell me ________________?
—I don’t know. It seemed to be cool, powerful and confident.
A．why “Carrier Style” is known to all in China
B．when was “Carrier Style” so popular in China
C．where “Carrier Style” is popular
D．how was “Carrier Style” well-known in China
―He’s never advised to achieve a balance between his job and hobbies, ________?
―_______. His parents and teachers often offer him advice to.
A．has he, Yes B．is he, Yes C．hasn’t he, No D．isn’t he, No
