Geography is the study of Earth and its climates. Scientists use it to study global warming and track the weather. Governments use it to learn where people live and work and to plan what to do with the land. It is now easier than ever to use geography because of a science called space technology.
The United States launched its first satellite in 1958. Some space missions that followed were geographical studies. In fact, earth science is a big part of the work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Astronauts looked out of the space shuttle. They decided to take photographs of Earth from their vantage point. Over the years, picture quality improved. Shuttle photography now shows land features, such as rivers. It can even show the streets of large cities. Photos of the same places at different times show how the land is changing.
NASA does not use just photographs, though. In 1958 it launched TIROS (the Television Infrared Observation Satellite). This first use of a satellite to study Earth was effective in giving weather forecasts. It led to the creation of new space tools to use in geography.
The Landsat Program began in 1972. This satellite sent detailed views of Earth from space. The pictures were so precise that scientists could count the number and kinds of crops in a field. Landsat showed where Earth’s surface had faults along which earthquakes might happen. This information helped in the planning of new cities and factories. Landsat also made discoveries. In Antarctica it located ranges of unknown mountains. It pinpointed small lakes in Virginia that were no ton maps. Landsat, now more advanced, still flies today.
Another space tool is Earth Observing-1 (EO-1). This spacecraft flies right behind Landsat. It takes pictures of the same sites. The two sets of pictures, viewed together, show how cities grow and how other places, such as rain forests, become smaller over time. This helps scientists learn how people affect geography.
One of the newest space tools is the Geographical Information Systems (GIS). GIS is computer software that helps scientists to study Earth. GIS is different from earlier space tools. Businesses, schools, and even average people — not just the government —can use it to show them how changes in the planet might affect them.
1.Why do governments study geography according to the passage?
A.To improve the environment. B.To make the land use plan.
C.To make new discoveries. D.To count the crops in a field.
2.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A.The U.S. satellite program began in 1972. B.Landsat was able to take pictures of other planets.
C.TIROS was successful in giving weather forecasts. D.GIS can only be used by the government.
3.From the passage, we can infer that ________.
A.GIS is the newest computer to study Earth
B.NASA only depends on photos to study Earth
C.satellite pictures can give more detailed information
D.recent U.S. satellites are as advanced as the old ones
My daughter is a single parent, whose life is very hard because she has three young sons. She plans her money carefully and manages to get something expensive that many people can buy easily.
When her eldest son, David wanted a bicycle so that he could do an after-school job, the family saved up and soon he was the proud owner of a good second-hand bicycle. One afternoon my daughter asked David to go shopping. He rode his bicycle, but carelessly left it outside the shop without putting on the lock. When David came out of the shop, it was gone. He walked home in tears and then, together with his angry mother, went to the local police station to report the theft.
Imagine their joy when they arrived at the station, a car parked out front had David’s bike in the boot (后备箱). The driver told my daughter how he’d seen a group of kids go for the bike once my grandson had gone inside the shop. The driver had called out to them to leave the bike alone. Instead, one of the kids in the group had jumped on the bicycle and ridden it away while the others followed.
The driver got in his car, drove after them and brought the stolen bike back. He was happy to be able to return it to my grandson together with a lesson about the mistake of failing to use the bike lock. Then, in all the excitement, he drove away without even giving his name or telephone number.
1.How is the writer’s daughter’s life?
A.Very busy. B.Very hard. C.Very simple. D.Very hopeless.
2.David lost his bike because ________.
A.many people stole things B.the lock was broken
C.bikes were needed by all D.he was too careless
3.Who helped David find his lost bike?
A.His mother. B.A driver. C.His grandmother. D.A policeman.
Some top students are giving advice.
Bill, Canada
When taking tests, relax. If you’re worried that you’ll fail the test, you’re sure to get a low score. If you studied for it long enough that you know the information, then you shouldn’t be worried about getting a low grade.
Lily, America
Remember the most important advice to getting good grades is very simple; do well on tests to get an A or an A-. Do what your teacher says, and the chances are fairly good that you’ll get an A+. Don’t stress yourself. Act cool.
Betty, Britain
Write good notes. Colored pens are fun to write with if you want to get more creative with your notes, but use them only for sections of your notes that you feel will be on a test or that are important. It makes them stand out. Go over your notes before you take the exams.
Tom, Australia
In order to get good grades, try to do your homework immediately after school. Time management is important. If you’re told to do the homework next week, get started the same day you know it. Before you start, you’d better make clear what to do and how to do it.
1.Lily is from ________.
A.America B.Australia C.Britain D.Canada
2.Who gives advice on homework?
A.Betty. B.Bill. C.Lily. D.Tom.
3.The top students are giving advice on ________.
A.how to start learning B.how to get good grades
C.what to do when taking tests D.what to take when going to school
Something caught my eyes when I was walking down the street. Two silver coins were shining in a melting( 溶化的）snow bank, so I dug through the snow looking for more.
Of course, I just ended up with really cold hands. I put the two________ into my pocket and went home, colder but richer. I began to think about how to spend the money.
Two days later, Mary and her little sister Sue were ________ the snow banks. "Finders are keepers" was my first thought. I didn't want to hand them out even though Sue was already_________. "I dropped them right here，"she said between tears. Her hands were cold and red for digging in the snow. "Maybe they slid（滑落） down the street with the melting snow. Let's dig over there." Mary's ________ sounded confident.
"They'll never know" was my second thought，and I walked past them. "Phil，have you seen two silver coins?" asked Mary. Sue looked up from digging. Her eyes were__________.
"Tell a lie" was my third thought. "As a matter of fact " I hesitated ( 犹豫），"I dug two coins out of that snow bank just a few days ago. I_________who might have lost them. " Sue hugged me with a big smile, "Oh, thank you, thank you. "
Wealth got through dishonest means（方法，手段） does not bring happiness.
If you get your money by taking advantage of others or by______ others, you will not be happy with it. You will think you are a base person.
Many people think that when they become rich and successful, happiness will_________follow. Let me tell you that nothing is further from the truth. Now I feel happy and satisfied.
1.A.coins B.bills C.checks D.notes
2.A.watching B.cleaning C.searching D.making
3.A.worrying B.crying C.exciting D.shouting
4.A.voice B.talk C.speech D.reason
5.A.thankful B.hopeful C.careless D.fearless
6.A.imagined B.expected C.wondered D.remembered
7.A.shaming B.forcing C.controlling D.hurting
8.A.gradually B.quietly C.actually D.naturally
— Could you please tell me yesterday?
— In the bookshop nearby.
A.Where you bought the book B.Where you buy the book
C.Where did you buy the book D.Where do you buy the book
Many tall buildings in Fangshan last year.
A. are built B. were built C. built D. build
