The future of agriculture must achieve several goals at the same time.
First, it now appears that we will have to double world food production in the next 40 years due to population growth, increasing meat consumption and pressure from biofuels (生物燃料). We will also have to reduce the environmental impacts from our farming practices, which have caused widespread damage to soils, ecosystems, waters and even the atmosphere. In fact, agriculture’s impacts are as bad as climate change as an environmental concern. Besides, we will have to improve food security for the world’s poor. While the Green Revolution of the 1960s made it possible to feed hundreds of millions more people than in earlier eras, the number of the under-nourished in the world has started to rise again. Finally, we will have to increase the recovering ability of agriculture from shocks. Today, our high-efficiency, globalized world has many benefits, but it is vulnerable (易受伤的) to destruction, whether from droughts, diseases or sudden price rises. We must start building better food systems to better keep us away from future shocks.
Currently, there are two models of agriculture: local and organic agriculture vs. globalized and industrialized agriculture. Each has been strongly supported and severely criticized, but neither of these models, standing alone, can fully meet our needs.
Organic agriculture teaches us important lessons about soils, nutrition and pest management. Unfortunately, organic food provides less than 1% of the world’s calories, mostly to the wealthy. It is hard to imagine organic farming developing to feed 9 billion. Globalized and industrialized agriculture has benefits of high output and low labor demands. Without it, billions of people would have starved. However, it has come with enormous environmental and social costs, which cannot be sustained.
Rather than voting for just one solution, we need a third way to solve the crisis. Let’s take ideas from both sides, creating new, hybrid solutions that increase production, save resources and build a more sustainable agriculture.
There are many promising avenues to pursue. A new “third way” for agriculture is not only possible but also necessary. Our problems are huge, and they will require everyone at the table, working together toward solutions.
1.How many goals of agriculture are mentioned in the passage?
A. Three B. Four C. Five D. Six
2.Which is true according to the passage?
A. Organic agriculture can feed most people in the world now.
B. Industrialized agriculture does no harm to our environment.
C. Modern farming is criticized while organic farming is not.
D. The future agriculture can’t only depend on organic agriculture.
3.We can learn from the passage that _______.
A. everyone can afford to enjoy organic food at will
B. we will vote to decide which farming system to take
C. the writer is quite optimistic about future agriculture
D. only experts can find a better agricultural solution
4.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. Organic Agriculture Vs. Industrialized Agriculture.
B. The Goals of Future Agriculture and Its Way Out.
C. A Third Possible and Necessary Way for Agriculture.
D. Modern Globalized and Industrialized Agriculture.
Larry Walters is among the relatively few who have actually turned their dreams into reality. His story is true, even though you may find it hard to believe.
Larry was a truck driver, but his lifelong dream was to fly. After graduating from high school, he joined the Air Force in hopes of becoming a pilot. Unfortunately, poor eyesight disqualified him. So, as he sat there in his lawn chair, he dreamed about the magic of flying.
Then one day, Larry Walters got an idea. He went to the local Army-Navy store and bought a tank of helium (氦) and forty-five weather balloons. Back in his yard, Larry used straps to attach the balloons to his lawn chair, the kind you might have in your own back yard.
He fixed the chair to the ground and filled the balloons with helium. Then he packed some sandwiches and drinks and loaded a BB gun, figuring he could pop (打爆) a few of those balloons when it was time to return to earth.
Being ready, Larry sat in his chair and cut the fixing rope. His plan was to lazily float upwards and then lazily back down to land. But, things didn’t quite work out that way.
Instead, he shot up as if fired from a cannon! He climbed until he finally reached eleven THOUSAND feet! At that height, he could hardly risk shooting at any of the balloons, for fear of losing the balance! So, he stayed up there, sailing around for fourteen hours, totally at a loss as to how to get down. Eventually, an airliner pilot radioed the airport about passing a guy in a lawn chair at eleven thousand feet ... with a gun in his lap (腿面).
At nightfall, the winds on the coast made Larry drift out to sea. At that point, the Navy sent a helicopter to rescue him. Eventually they were able to fly over him and drop a rescue line with which they gradually get him back to earth.
On hitting the ground, he was arrested. When led away in handcuffs, a television reporter called out to ask, “Mr. Walters, why did you do it?” Larry stopped, eyed the man for a moment and replied, “A man can’t just sit around. What happens tomorrow depends on what you do today.”
Are you doing something to improve your life ... or just sitting around?
1.It is the fact that Larry .
A. was a qualified pilot B. was an amazing bus driver C. failed to become a pilot D. popped a few balloons
2.While pulled by the helium balloon, Larry took off to fly by _______.
A. shooting at the balloons to get the up-pushing power
B. using straps to attach the balloons to his lawn chair
C. fixing the chair to the balloons filled with helium
D. cutting the rope fixing his chair to the ground
3.Larry’s being arrested suggests that _______.
A. he is a wanted criminal by the police
B. it is against law to fly without a license
C. an air liner pilot found a gun in his lap
D. he intended to steal military information
4.What might the writer think of Larry?
A. He is stupid enough to get arrested.
B. He is wise enough to be a success.
C. He is brave enough to reach his goal.
D. He is violent enough to go against law.
Once when I was nine, I came down with a horrible case of tonsillitis (扁桃腺炎). I remember going to the doctor, feeling miserable and scared, but also knowing that this man would somehow fix me. As he declared his conclusion regarding my illness, he asked my mother “Is your daughter allergic (过敏的) to any medicine? ” My mom hesitated for a moment, while I was looking at her questioningly. Was I allergic to anything? What if I was? What would happen to me? My mother said no.
That evening after taking my pill, I began to shake uncontrollably. I complained of a terrible headache and continued shaking as my mother held me. She didn’t seem very concerned, yet I believed I was allergic to the pill. Before I fell asleep that night, I told my mom the medicine had made me sick and I wouldn’t take it anymore. The next morning, my mother had me drink a tall glass of iced tea that tasted funny. Later that afternoon, my mom asked me how I felt. I told her I was doing much better, and that was when she dropped the bomb on me. She told me she had mixed my ice tea that morning with my medicine. Guess what, no allergic reaction. I was never allergic to the pills, but my powerful subconscious (潜意识的) mind, accepted a mere suggestion by the doctor that I might be, and my body acted accordingly.
Most of us have no idea how powerful our minds are, and how incoming information continually affects our experience. When I took that pill, it had a negative effect on my mind. Researchers are finding more and more evidence that what we believe, or expect to happen medically, has a deep effect on what actually does happen.
In some medical trials, the patients never took any medicine, only sugar pills, but were told they had been given expensive medicine, and their conditions improved anyway. They simply believed they would get better. On the other side of the coin, people who believe they are going to die in an operation have a higher death rate than people who don’t.
What we expect often tends to get realized. The power of your mind to heal your body is absolutely fantastic. Take care in what information you choose to believe about your health and well-being. Think positively about your outcome in medical situations and allow your power of belief to help you heal.
1.The girl shook uncontrollably that evening because she .
A. had a horrible case of tonsillitis at the time
B. was allergic to the medicine she had taken
C. imagined the medicine was doing its harm
D. wanted to cheat her mother for more concern
2.The underlined “she dropped the bomb on me” can be understood as “ ”.
A. she told me the truth that awakened me
B. she beat me like a plane dropping a bomb
C. she scolded me with heart-breaking words
D. she hurt my pride by telling me the truth
3.We can infer from the passage that _______.
A. most people believe our minds can function powerfully
B. it’s harmful to our health to take in negative information
C. the powerful subconscious mind can cure all diseases
D. sugar pills with proper mind are as good as costly medicine
4.The passage is mainly about _______.
A. a nine-year-old girl’s experience B. people being allergic to medicine
C. a fantastic way to treat diseases D. the effect of the mind on the result
“My kids really understand solar and earth-heat energy,” says a second-grade teacher in Saugus, California. “Some of them are building solar collectors for their energy course.” These young scientists are part of City Building Educational Program (CBEP), a particular program for kindergarten through twelfth grade that uses the stages of city planning to teach basic reading, writing and math skills, and more.
The children don’t just plan any city. They map and analyze the housing, energy, and transportation requirements of their own district and predict its needs in 100 years. With the aid of an architect who visits the classroom once a week, they invent new ways to meet these needs and build models of their creations. “Designing buildings of the future gives children a lot of freedom,” says the teacher who developed this program. “They are able to use their own rich imagination and inventions without fear of blame, because there are no wrong answers in a future context. In fact, as the class enters the final model-building stage of the program, an elected “official” and “planning group” makes all the design decisions for the model city, and the teacher steps back and becomes an adviser.”
CBEP is a set of activities, games and imitations that teach the basic steps necessary for problem-solving: observing, analyzing, working out possible answers, and judging them based on the children's own standards.
1.The Program is designed to .
A. direct kids to build solar collectors
B. train young scientists for city planning
C. develop children’s problem-solving abilities
D. train kids to be future architects
2.An architect pays a weekly visit to the classroom to .
A. find out kids’ creative ideas B. discuss with the teacher
C. give children lectures D. help kids with their program
3.Who is the designer of the program?
A. An official. B. An architect. C. A teacher. D. A scientist.
4.The children feel free in the program because they .
A. can design future buildings themselves
B. have new ideas and rich imagination
C. are given enough time to design models
D. need not worry about making mistakes
Summer Holiday Fun 2010!
The summer holidays are upon us again. Here is our guide to summer holiday fun in Peterborough!
Peterborough Museum
The Age of the Dinosaurs’ is the museum’s main attraction this summer. Get up close to prehistoric creatures via some great hands-on exhibits! Watch out for monsters lurking around every ember! The museum is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Saturday, and from 12:00pm to 4:00 pm on Sundays in August.
Call 01733 864663 for details
Saxon Youth Club
School holiday fun: Young people aged 13—19 will be able to produce their own music, compete in spots activities, or try their hand at cooking at Saxon Youth Club, Saxon Community Centre, Norman Road. Peterborough every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00pm. PLUS an aero ball tournament will take place on Thursday 12th August between 3:30pm and 6:30pm.
Call 01353 720274 for details
Houghton Mill
Alice through the Looking Class—a new production of the family favorite on Monday 30th August. Bring rugs or chairs to sit on and a picnic if you wish to eat during the play. Gates open 5:30pm, performance 6:30pm—8:30pm. Tea room will be open until end of the interval. Adult ￡10. Child￡7. Family ￡20.
Booking advisable on 0845 4505157.
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
Farmland Gaines: From Wellie Wanging to Pretend Ploughing matches, come and join the Farmland Team. Collect your sporting stickers and create a colorful rosette that is fit for a winner! No need to book, just turn up between 12:00pm and 4:00pm on Thursday 19th August. Suitable for children aged four and above, each child should be accompanied by an adult and all activities are included in the normal admission price Tickets Cost￡7 per child.
For further information, call 01223 810080.
1.If you are interested in cooking, you can go to .
A. Peterborough Museum B. Houghton Mill
C. Saxon Youth Club D. Farmland Museum
2.You want to watch the new play with your parents, so it will cost you .
A. ￡7 B. ￡17 C. ￡27 D. ￡20
3.Which of the following activities needs parents’ company?
A. Playing farmland games. B. Watching a new play.
C. Competing in spots activities. D. Visiting the dinosaur exhibition.
4.If Tom comes to Peterborough for amusement on August 19, he will have activities to choose from for himself.
A. one activity B. two activities
C. three activities D. four activities
请阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项的标号涂黑。
I stood there listening to dad’s severe（严厉的） words. He gathered us into our yard and had the look on his face that told us one of us did something 1.
We stared down at the floor containing the art of a child’s 2in chalk. I suppose that was a no-no（不可接受的行为） for us, though I can’t say I quite 3the result when I was committing the crime. All the others denied. I stood there, 4inside. The only words that came from my mouth were, “Not me, dad.” I couldn’t find the 5to tell the truth. Lying was not 6for me. But the look on dad’s face scared me.
Without saying a word, dad 7for only a few minutes and came back with paper and a pencil. He was so 8to find the truth! “I want each of you to write 9what you see on the floor.” I was not a 10kid, though and when my turn came, I wrote the words 11. So when my dad compared the handwriting, he still 12tell the truth.
“ I will give you one more chance to confess (承认) ”, he said. Not 13, no one spoke up.
Should I say something? I guess he’ll be 14! So again, I held my 15. “Well, if someone came forward, there would be 16punishment.” he added. Oh, no! I’ve lost my last chance!
He took us into the house. “ 17none of you confessed, then you all get a spanking (打屁股).”
“I did it,” someone said. I looked around to see my sister come 18. My sister was going to get spanked. And I let it 19.
I didn’t tell the truth until years later. When I think back to that day, I know I learned the 20of family, of a sister who would do anything for me. And I would do the same for her now.
1.A. special B. funny C. wrong D. useless
2.A. handwriting B. map C. calculation D. playing
3.A. understood B. remembered C. forgot D. expected
4.A. cheering B. imagining C. trembling D. wondering
5.A. courage B. time C. way D. chance
6.A. unusual B. unfit C. normal D. difficult
7.A. walked B. disappeared C. hid D. escaped
8.A. afraid B. determined C. surprised D. proud
9.A. similarly B. carefully C. particularly D. exactly
10.A. smart B. stupid C. naughty D. lovely
11.A. differently B. strangely C. quickly D. quietly
12.A. would not B. might not C. could not D. need not
13.A. excitingly B. disappointingly C. interestingly D. surprisingly
14.A. mad B. curious C. delighted D. amused
15.A. breath B. face C. hand D. tongue
16.A. heavy B. much C. new D. no
17.A. Since B. Although C. Unless D. While
18.A. out B. forward C. in D. round
19.A. remain B. exist C. happen D. do
20.A. knowledge B. use C. sense D. value
