No one can fail to stand in awed（令人敬畏的）admiration of the great discoveries of history-Newton’s laws of motion , Kepler’s principles of planetary movement , Einstein’s general theory of relativity . Equally awe-inspiring are artistic creations in painting , theatre , music , and literature , which have also been brought about by discovery through personal efforts . What do these extraordinary achievements of well-known scientists and artists have to do with problem solving ?
A great scientific discovery or a great work of art is surely the result of problem-solving activity . The solution to a problem , we are told , often comes to thinkers in a “ flash of insight（顿悟）” , although they may have been turning the problem over in their minds for some time . As a particular form of problem solving , these creative acts are based on the broad knowledge gained in the past , whether this be of the “ public ” sort known to science , or of the “ private ” sort known to the artist .
Many creative thinkers state that they have completely devoted themselves to the subject matter of the problem , often over fairly long periods of time . Indeed , it would be strange if they had not done this . Nothing in such statements supports the idea that there is anything very different about the problem solving that leads to discoveries of the great contributions to the society . The act of discovery , even in the relatively predictable（可以预见的）sense that it occurs in everyday learning , involves（涉及）a “ sudden insight ” which changes the problem situation into a solution situation . As we have seen , everyday discovery also requires that the learner have the knowledge of the rules gained in the past , which is involved in the solution .
1.Newton , Kepler and Einstein are mentioned in the first paragraph to .
A. bring about the subject of the discussion B. explain that scientists are more creative
C. show the difference between science and arts D. prove that arts require more personal efforts
2.While knowledge from the past plays an important role in their achievements , thinkers sometimes also depend on their .
A. artistic tastes B. sudden insight
C. admiration of discoveries D. scientific experiments
3.What does the underlined word “ this ” refer to ?
A. Great contributions to the society . B. Long-time study of the subject matter .
C. Various statements about problem solving . D. Complete devotion to artistic creation .
4.We may conclude from the passage that .
A. it is more likely to make scientific and artistic discoveries in everyday learning
B. a sudden insight and knowledge from the past are required in making discoveries
C. scientific discoveries or artistic creations are usually unpredictable in nature
D. knowledge of the rules in the past is often developed in the changes of situation
The scene in the Hollywood movie The Day After Tomorrow , where global warming could soon turn the global climate（气候）into a new ice age , may never occur , according to new research .
The next ice age could be 15,000 years away , say European scientists who last month announced a continuous record of 740,000 years of climate date（数据）obtained from the Antarctic ice .
Scientists from 10 nations have now almost
completely drilled through a 3,000-meter depth of ice high in the Antarctic
mainland . They figure out that the area where summer temperatures can fall to 
, has at least 900,000 years of snowfalls , kept as
neatly as the growth rings of a tree . And the ice and air caught in each layer（层）have begun to answer
questions about the climates in the past .
The results show that there have been eight ice ages in the past 740,000 years and eight warmer periods . And by comparing the pattern of global conditions today with those of the past , the researchers reported in Nature that the present warm period could last another 15,000 years .
Research suggests that there is a very close connection between greenhouse gas levels and global average temperatures . It also shows that carbon dioxide（二氧化碳）levels are the highest for at least 440,000 years .
“ If people say to you : the greenhouse effect is a good thing because we would go into an ice age otherwise , our date say no , a new ice age is not hanging over our heads , ” said Eric Wolff from the British Antarctic Survey . “ Now we have eight examples of how the climate goes in and out of ice ages … and you can learn what the rules are that go into the climate models that tell us about the future . ”
Scientists found that whenever temperatures rose in the frozen record , so did carbon dioxide level . “ In 440,000 years we have never seen greenhouse gas get as thick as it is today , ” said Dr Wolff .
1.In drilling through the ice in Antarctica , scientists have found that .
A. the lowest temperature there is B. the depth of ice
is 3,000 meters
C. the ice has existed for 15,000 years D. snowfalls are kept in certain patterns
2.The information of the global climate conditions in the past can be obtained
through .
A. separating carbon dioxide from the air B. examining the growth rings of trees
C. comparing temperatures in different areas D. studying the ice and air caught in each layer
3.We can infer from Eric Wolff’s words that .
A. there is something wrong with the data B. greenhouse effect is always a bad thing
C. a new ice age will not come in the near future D. greenhouse gas will get thick in the future
4.What would be the best title for the passage ?
A. Research over the Antarctic area . B. Warm period to last about 15,000 years .
C. Report on the eight ice ages in the past . D. Hollywood movies and the global climate .
The house was quiet at 5 am and Tim’s mother was asleep . Only the sound of the big freezer broke the quiet . He’d dreamt of the cave last night . The purring（轻微颤动声）of the freezer had been the sea .
Tim pulled on a sweater and put some apples into his schoolbag . It was too early for breakfast . He’d eat after he’d been through the cave , sitting on the rocks and staring at the sea .
He wished he had a proper pack . His schoolbag would have to do . What else ? Sandwiches—but his mother might wake up if he started pulling out bread for sandwiches , she’d want to know why he had to leave so early . He settled for some biscuits , and left a note stuck to the table :
Gone to Michael’s. Back tonight. Tim.
The sky was high and soft and light outside , though the sun still wasn’t up . Even the highway up the hill was quiet as he made his way down the street . The wind from the sea was fresh and sweet .
The sandhills still breathed heat from yesterday’s sun , though the top of the sand was cool . He ran down to the beach impatiently , but there was no one , just dry sand dancing in the early wind and seabirds marching up and down watching the waves .
The light changed suddenly . The first rays of sunlight stretched（延伸）across the sea . The sun was pushing its way over the edge of the world .
Over the first rocks , along to the point . Tim glanced back . The beach was still empty . The sun sailed higher in the sky .
He could see the cave now , even darker in the morning light . The sand turned silver then dark gold as the water flowed away from it . He had to force himself to go closer . Why was it so much more mysterious（神秘的）now ? But it would be silly to go back now after so much trouble . He needn’t go in all the way …
1.What did Tim do at the beginning of the story ?
A. He left the house quietly . B. He had breakfast at home .
C. He left a note on the freezer . D. He put a sweater in his schoolbag .
2.“ He settled for some biscuits ”（in Paragraph 3）means that Tim .
A. had to leave the biscuits on the table B. liked biscuits better than sandwiches
C. had to take biscuits instead of sandwiches D. could only find some biscuits in the kitchen
3.What made it possible for Tim to see the entry to the cave ?
A. The height of the first rocks . B. The ups and downs of the waves .
C. The change in the position of the sun . D. The vast stretch of the sunlit beach .
4.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the story ?
A. The sea looked like a piece of gold . B. Seabirds flew away when Tim arrived .
C. Tim was the only person on the beach . D. The sky got dark as Tim reached the cave .
5.In the story , Tim’s mood（心情）changed from .
A. loneliness to craziness B. anxiousness to excitement
C. helplessness to happiness D. eagerness to nervousness
Lack of parent willpower may contribute more to juvenile obesity than under-exercising or overeating .
Research suggests that having overweight parents is a big influence（影响）upon a child’s weight , with one study finding that children with overweight parents were four times more likely to be overweight themselves .
The findings add heat to an already fierce political debate（争论）over childhood obesity . The Prime Minister , John Howard , last week decided that ＄116 million be used for programs to deal with obesity , while the Opposition Leader , Mark Latham , recently announced that his party would move to protect children from unhealthy food advertisements .
Clare Collins , a senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle , believes such programs will definitely fail unless they influence the way of life of whole families . “ If we can’t get parents to take action against their own weight problems , then we can’t expect to influence their kids , ” she said .
However , Professor Louise Baur from the Children’s Hospital at Westmead , doubts whether adult education programs offer any solution to weight problems . “ Many parents know they need to lose weight and they know it influences their kids , but they lack the willpower to do anything about it . ”
The 10-year study of 150 American children found two-thirds of children with overweight parents became overweight . Only one in six children whose parents were of average weight became overweight .
The president of the Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity , Associate Professor Gary Wittert , said parents needed help in doing their job and the Opposition Party’s policy（政策）might be on the right track .
“ We know that driving without a seat belt is unsafe , so we make law against it , ” he said . “ Obesity is a major public health concern , so why shouldn’t we change the law regarding unhealthy food ads ? ”
1.What does the underlined phrase “ juvenile obesity ” mean ?
A. Adult education . B. Childhood overweight .
C. Parents’ influence . D. Growing pains .
2.What is TRUE about the programs supported by the Prime Minister ?
A. Debates on them will become less fierce .
B. They will be effective in dealing with obesity .
C. A large sum of money will be spent on them .
D. They will influence people’s way of life .
3.Both Collins and Baur believe that overweight parents .
A. will come up with better solutions B. will help with their children’s education
C. should be more active in reducing weight D. should carry out at least 10 years’ study
4.According to some experts , the Opposition Party’s policy .
A. can help fight against unemployment B. may protect kids from unhealthy food ads
C. should be brought back to the right track D. will work well to prevent traffic accidents
Everyone’s at it , even my neighbors . I thought I might be the only person left in the world who hadn’t done an eBay deal . So , I decided to try my hand at online auction（网上拍卖）.
Buying for beginners : Sign up on www. ebay .co. uk . Most items（e.g. tables , computers , and books）ready for auction will come with a picture and a short description ; others may be marked with “ Buy It Now ” and have a fixed price . You can buy these right away .
If the item is being auctioned , you offer the highest price you are prepared to pay and eBay bids（出价）for you . The bid will be increased little by little until it goes beyond your highest bid , then you are emailed and asked if you would like to bid again . Auctions last up to 10 days and when they finish you get an email telling you whether you have won the item .
How to pay : Sellers decide how they would like to be paid and you need to check this before placing a bid as you might not want to post a cheque or postal orders . The easiest way is through PayPal , an online payment system that takes the money away from your credit card（信用卡）.
Selling made simple : If you plan to sell on eBay , it helps to include a picture of the item . I followed my friends’ advice and put up the items I wanted to sell for a 10-day auction , starting on a Thursday . This way buyers had two weekends to bid .
The big things in life : It’s easy to post a small item , but furniture is a big part of eBay and this has to be collected or sent by deliverymen . Check the ways of delivery before you bid .
1.What is the passage mainly about ?
A. How to make payment online . B. Ways of making delivery online .
C. Advantages of an online-auction system . D. How to use an online-auction system .
2.After bidding for an item , a buyer .
A. will get what he wants in ten days B. should make payment immediately
C. has chances to make higher bids D. may check its picture and description
3.The easiest way of making payment mentioned in the passage is .
A. through an online payment system B. through a local banking system
C. by sending the money to the seller D. by paying the deliveryman directly
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
Having left the town , the girl stopped the car at the landing near the entrance of the bay（海湾）. She stepped into the 1and rowed out silently . The tide was rushing to the entrance and 2to the wild open sea . She had to row across the bay to reach 3side . The waves struck against the side of the boat , 4and uneven ; it became 5difficult to row . If she 6for a moment , the tide would push the boat back towards the 7.
She wasn’t even halfway , 8she was already tired and her hands 9from pulling on the rough wooden oars（船桨）. “ I’m never going to 10it ” , she thought . She rested the oars on her knees and 11her head helplessly , then looked up as she 12the boat shift（晃动）against the tide .
The east wind , which had swung（旋转）around from the south-west , 13her help and pushed the boat towards the mountains . It was going to be 14. Her hands weren’t so painful . Her chest didn’t feel as if it was about to burst 15.
The lights of the town became 16. One of the oars banged against the side of the boat and she 17it with a start . Had she been asleep , or just 18? She looked over her shoulder . She was almost on the beach . The girl gave one last 19on the oars to ground the boat , and then lay back against the seat . She listened to the waves 20and knew she had come home . Far across the moonlit bay the lights were no more than a sparkling chain .
1.A. car B. boat C. ship D. sail
2.A. beside B. before C. behind D. beyond
3.A. another B. other C. either D. the other
4.A. deep B. calm C. gentle D. rough
5.A. more B. less C. as D. least
6.A. slept B. continued C. rested D. rowed
7.A. home B. mountains C. south-west D. entrance
8.A. if B. so C. but D. since
9.A. hurt B. ruined C. troubled D. broke
10.A. get B. make C. keep D. take
11.A. turned B. dropped C. cocked D. raised
12.A. saw B. made C. heard D. felt
13.A. got to B. came to C. sent for D. reached for
14.A. difficult B. serious C. all right D. certain enough
15.A. any more B. still more C. no more D. once more
16.A. brighter B. bigger C. closer D. smaller
17.A. destroyed B. threw C. repaired D. seized
18.A. dreaming B. guessing C. inventing D. expecting
19.A. blow B. hit C. pull D. strike
20.A. anxiously B. happily C. sadly D. carefully
