A volcanic eruption in Iceland has sent ash across northern Europe. Airlines have stopped or changed the flights across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving airport hundreds of passengers stuck in airports.
Grimsvotn is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Europe. What makes Grimsvotn different is that it lies under a huge glacier(冰川) of ice up to 12 maters thick. The hot volcano heats up the ice above it, which then forms a layer of water between the glacier and the volcano. This layer of water puts pressure on the volcano, keeping it stable, As the water flows out from under the glacier, the pressure lifts. The lava(岩浆) from the volcano then comes up to the surface. This is exactly what happened today.
Now, airlines have to make changes to their flights so as not to fly through the clouds of volcanic ash. According to KLM, one of Europe’s biggest airlines, airplanes cannot go under the cloud or over it. Going through the cloud can result in ash getting stuck in the airplane’s engines, causing damage to the plane.
The eruption has also caused problems for animals in Iceland. The volcano left ash and sharp, glass-like rocks all over the countryside. Farmers are keeping their animals inside to stop them from eating ash-covered grass or the sharp object.
1.What makes Grimsvotn different from other volcanoes?
A. It is below ice. B. It lies under the sea
C. It is the largest volcano D. It is lava affects the airlines
2.What keeps Grimsvotn still?
A. The slow flow of water B. The low water temperature
C. The thick glacier D. The water pressure
3.Which of the following is the result of the volcanic eruption?
A. People stop traveling in Europe
B. Airlines suffer from the loss of planes
C. It becomes dangerous for animals to eat outside
D. Farmers have lost many of their animals
4.This text is most probably taken from_________.
A. a research paper B. a newspaper report
C. a class presentation D. a geography textbook.
Now, it’s time for some brief news items.
1 China wins women's 3,000m short track relay, S. Korea disqualified
VANCOUVER, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Twice Olympic champion Wang Meng led the Chinese short track speed skating team to the top podium of women's 3,000m relay with a world record at the Vancouver Winter Games here on Wednesday, as South Korea was later disqualified. Canada took the silver, with the United States picking up the bronze. South Korea's skaters had already started waving flags in joy after crossing the line but later the juges decided Kim Min-jung had impeded(阻碍) during an exchange push.
2 Severe drought cracks Airport's runway
China Daily(2010-03-18)-- Severe drought continues to plague southwestern China's Yunnan Province.
In the provincial capital Kunming, the surface of Wu Jiaba International Airport's only runway has been fractured(断裂的). Repairs have been going on since Tuesday. The airport is closed every day from midnight to seven-thirty in the morning. Airport authorities say the severe drought is the cause of the damage. The airport also needs to repair its plane taxiing and parking area. Chen Zhiwei, Security Dept., Kunming International Airport, said, "The drought has greatly lowered the underground water level. And this has affected the runway foundations. The damage to its surface is severe."
3 School Soldiers
Russian school students will have to do basic military training in their final year of school, the government has decided. The lesson will include learning to fire guns, marching drills and how to deal with a chemical, nuclear or biological attack. The activity is seen as part of a drive toward the education of their love for their country.
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Is it hard for you to get up early and get ready for classes? Some students at Winter Park High School just roll out of bed in their pajamas(睡衣)and go to class in their own bedrooms, Of course, their teachers and classmates do not see them because all their class work is on the computer. The Florida High School, the state’s only online program take classes in algebra, American government, chemistry, computer, economics, and web-page design. They also have to go to regular school to attend other classes.
1.Which country ranks fourth in the women's 3,000m short track relay according to the first news?
A. S. Korea. B. Canada. C. The USA. D. Not known.
2.Which of the following is correct according to the second news?
A. The airport has been closed since Tuesday.
B. Drought caused the trouble for repairs.
C. The underground water level became lower, and that’s why the Airport's runway cracked.
D. Wu Jiaba International Airport had another runway, and flights were not really stopped during the day.
3.Why will Russian school students have basic military training?
A. To get ready for a military parade. B. To learn to protect themselves.
C. To gain some military knowledge. D. To develop their love for the country.
4.The news from Florida can be given a title “________”.
A. Get up Late B. Online School C. The special pajamas D. The popular subjects
Fesil Mahand, a Pakistani-American citizen , is accused of driving the explosives-laden car into Big Square on Saturday evening. He__1__appear in court in New York later. Mr Mahand was__2__ at Kennedy Airport attempting to__3__ a flight to Debai. __4__from the US say Mr Mahand recently returned from a five-month visit to Pakistan.
A senior Pakistani security officer in Islamabad said that the authorities had no __5__of Mr Mahand. A car __6__a bomb made from fertiliser, fireworks, petrol and gas tanks __7__in Big Square on Saturday.The Nissan Pathfinder __8__with its engine running and lights flashing. The bomb was discovered __9__it could explode after a street-vendor noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and alerted police.
Mr Holder told a news __10__that investigators were pursuing "a number of leads", adding: "We will not rest until we have brought everyone responsible to__11__." He __12__the American people to "remain alert " and report anything __13__to the police. Mr Holder said the __14__car bombing "would have been a deadly attack __15__been successful".
He added: "It's clear that the intention __16__this terrorist act was to kill Americans."Big Square was full of __17__and theatregoers when the alarm was__18__. Police evacuated a wide area of the district and closed subway lines, while a controlled explosion was__19__. Officials said the bomb was crude, __20__could have sparked a "significant fireball".
1.A.is about to B.is due to C. is accustomed to D. has been to
2.A.aborted B. nearly C. arrested D. abandoned
3.A.aboard B.get off C.broad D. board
4.A. Reports B.Interviews C. Stories D. Research
5.A.meaning B.want C. knowledge D. message
6.A.including B. containing C.contained D. included
7.A.was missing B.were leaving C. left D. was left
8.A. was parked B.has been parked C. parked D. had parked
9.A.since B. until C. before D.unless
10.A.association B.communication C. media D. conference
11.A. law B. justice C. jail D.death
12.A.suggested B. warned C. urged D. advocated
13.A.special B.superior C.safe D. suspicious
14.A. attempted B.informed C.involved D. investigated
15.A.it had B.did it C.it has D. had it
16.A. behind B.back C.beneath D.above
17.A.persons B. terrorists C. tourists D.minsters
18.A. risen B. raised C.arisen D.announced
19.A.carried on B.put out C. brought out D. carried out
20.A. but B.and C.still D.otherwise
Little Tommy felt the bag, curious to know what it ____.
A. collected B. contained C. loaded D. included
The hotel in Nanchong wasn’t particularly good. But I ____ in many worse hotels.
A .was staying B. stayed C. would stay D. had stayed
It isn't cold enough for there _____ a frost tonight, so I can leave Lim's bike out safely.
A. would be B. being C. was D. to be
