Cities in Europe and around the world may be growing “bike trees” in the near future. Invented by Japan’s JFE Engineering Corp, the invention proved useful in the busiest parts of this nation’s crowded cities.
Local governments of Japan have struggled for ways to encourage people to park their bikes considerably, particularly close to big stations, but that may block some roads and entrances to homes and businesses. “Our cities do not have a lot of space for any kind of parking, including bicycles.” said Mitsuharu Oshima, a spokesman for JFE Engineering. The bike tree comes in two types: one in a tower that is above ground and on the contrary, the other in an underground structure.
A cyclist registers with the operator of the equipment, pays a monthly fee and pushes the wheels of his bicycle into restraints(管理处) at the base of the bike tree. Each bicycle is fitted with an electronic card with the owner’s details. A mechanical arm then pulls the bike into the base of the tower and moves it to a free location inside. To collect the bike later, the cyclist puts his card through a reader and his bike is automatically returned to him in seconds. “The science of the equipment has been difficult —— even though they may look quite simple —— because bikes come in many different shapes and sizes.” said Oshima.
As well as clearing away the road, bicycles cannot be stolen from a bike tree. There are presently versions at seven sites in Japan and two others are under construction, while work is under way on an even larger version —— with room for 9400 bicycles —— in Thailand. And Oshima believes that the idea could catch on in Europe, particularly in countries such as France, Holland and Denmark , where cycling is so popular.
1. Cities build this kind of “bike trees” so that they can _______.
A. ask more people to ride bikes B. provide more jobs for people
C. make more money than before D. save more room for people
2.Which is the right order of the following things when you use the bike tree?
① the wheels of the bicycle are put into restraints at the base .
② the card is read and the bike is automatically returned .
③ an electronic card with the owner’s details is given
④ the bike is pulled and moved to a free location inside .
A. ③②①④ B. ③①④② C. ②①④③ D. ②④③①
3. What made it difficult to design “bike trees”?
A. The location of “bike trees”. B. The method of finding enough bikes.
C. The differences of the bikes. D. The importance of traffic safety
4. From the passage, we can know that _______.
A. countries with many cyclists in Europe will like the idea of “bike trees”
B. there are seven “bike trees” used for holding bikes in Japan
C. local government of Japan encourage people to ride bikes
D. cyclists can use “bike trees” for free in Japan.
While reading a book in English, every few lines, you run across a word or two that you don't know. You look up every new word in the dictionary. Bad move. All that does is slow you down. Even electric or CD-ROM dictionaries can get in the way of your reading progress. A dictionary is like a road map. It can help you if you get lost and point you in the right direction. But if you stop to look at the "map" each time you take a step, you'll get nowhere fast.
On your English learning "journey", a dictionary can be a helpful "travel companion"—if it's not overused. To help you start thinking in English, use an English-to-English dictionary. Otherwise, you'll always depend on your native language and end up translating in your head.
A good dictionary can help you do more than just find the meaning of a word. It can help you verify (test and check) spelling, check word forms and grammar usage, find example sentences and learn pronunciation. Some dictionaries even provide exercises to teach you how to use their resources.
Take time to get to know your dictionary. Learn the pronunciation symbols. Understand what the abbreviations(缩写字) mean. Become familiar with the grammar codes that explain the usage for each word. Look for charts, diagrams and lists that might be useful in the future. You'll discover how rewarding it can be to make friends with your dictionary. And as they say, "A friend in need is a friend indeed".
1. The underlined word "that" used in the last paragraph refers to ________.
A. chart, diagrams and lists
B. abbreviations and the usage for each word
C. the meaning of a word, spelling and grammar usage
D. pronunciation symbols and grammar codes
2. Why do you want to buy a good English-to-English dictionary?
A. Because it is a good friend if we use it often.
B. Because it can help us to find the right direction if we get lost.
C. Because it can help us to start thinking both in English and in Chinese.
D. Without it we'll depend on our native language and end up translating in our head.
3. Which of the following statements does the writer lead you to believe?
A. The more you use a dictionary, the better you can understand the article you read.
B. The more you use the resources in the dictionary, the more you can benefit from it.
C. The more you use a dictionary, the faster you may read.
D. The better a dictionary is, the more expensive it is.
4. The best title of the passage may be _______.
A. Dictionary is Like a Road Map While We Are Traveling
B. Use a Dictionary When Necessary
C. How Important a Good English-to-English Dictionary is
D. A Dictionary is a Friend Indeed
BRITAIN is a popular tourist place. But tours of the country have pros and cons.
Good news
Free museums. No charge for outstanding collections of art and antiquities.
Pop music. Britain is the only country to rival (与……匹敌) the US on this score.
Black cabs. London taxi drivers know where they are going even if there are never enough of them at weekends or night.
Choice of food. Visitors can find everything from Ethiopian to Swedish restaurants.
Fashion. Not only do fashion junkies love deeply and respect highly brand names such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander Mc Queen; street styles are justly loved, too.
Poor service. “It’s part of the image of the place. People can dine out on the rudeness they have experienced,” says Professor Tony Seaton, of Luton University’s International Tourism Research Center.
Poor public transport. Trains and buses are promised to defeat the keenest tourists, although the over crowded London tube is inexplicably (不可理解的) popular.
Lack of languages. Speaking slowly and clearly may not get many foreign visitors very far, even in the tourist traps.
Rain. Still in the number one complaint
No air-conditioning. So that even splendidly hot summers become as unbearable as the downpours.
Overpriced hotels. The only European country with a higher rate of tax on hotel rooms is Denmark.
Licensing hours. Alcohol (酒) is in short supply after 11 p.m. even in “24-hour cities.”
1. What do tourists complain most?
A. Poor service. B. Poor public transport. C. Overpriced hotels. D. Rain.
2. What do we learn about pop music in Britain and the US through this passage?
A. Pop music in Britain is better than that in the US.
B. Pop music in Britain is worse than that in the US.
C. Pop music in Britain is as good as that in the US.
D. Pop music in Britain is quite different from that in the US.
3. When is alcohol not able to get?
A. At 12:00 p.m.. B. At 10:00 p.m.. C. At 11:00 p.m.. D. At 9:00 p.m..
“Tomorrow is another day”---- this line has impressed various people at various times. It's now 70 years after it appeared in the film, but it still seems to hold its power especially during an economic downturn.
The phrase comes from a film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's successful 1936 novel Gone With the Wind. It's set in the American South and tells the story of a strong heroine, Scarlett O' Hara, who struggles to find love during the Civil War and, afterwards, of her strength in surviving the war and its hardships.
Love story
In a moment of despair, Scarlett finally realizes that her love belongs to Rhett Butler. For many audiences, it is the theme of love and struggle that has kept the movie alive. While the burning of Atlanta might seem irrelevant(不相关的) to today's viewers, the timeless theme of love keeps its ability to touch people.
With a promise to her lover still in her mind, Scarlett chooses to stay in the midst of war and take care of Melanie. But her heart is broken when Rhett just walks away, leaving the woman that he once loved with cruel words, "Frankly, dear, I don' t give a damn."(毫不在乎)
Great epic (史诗)
The film shows the love-hate relationship of these characters, but also American history, the fall of the Confederacy and the following period of Reconstruction in the South. The background made this film a true classic in the epic genre.
When the film opened after World War II, French viewers loved it, and it reminded them of their fight against the Nazis. In 1940 Shanghai, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression(侵略), people stood in line for hours to watch this film, and saw the same suffering they were having as well as the hope and possibility of building a new homeland from the ruins.
Each nationality could identify with the story and see it as a victory. In fact, Gone With the Wind never lost its charm and ability to inspire and amaze.
Biggest of all time
The film had five directors, 15-plus screenwriters, and an unexpected $3.9 million budget. The film brought in $ 200 million, which makes it the biggest selling film of all times in North America. It also won 10 Academy awards in 1940.
1.The underlined "it" in the first paragraph refers to _______.
A. the novel Gone with the Wind B. "tomorrow is another day"
C. the movie Gone with the Wind D. the Academy Award
2. The text is written mainly to _______.
A. celebrate the anniversary of Margaret Mitchell
B. introduce how the film was directed and filmed
C. throw light on the charm of the movie "Gone with the Wind"
D. inspire people to struggle the economic downturn
3. It can be concluded that Scarlett O' Hara is _______.
A. optimistic and lucky B. childish and realistic
C. caring and stubborn (固执的) D. strong-minded and persistent (坚毅的)
4. The passage mentions Shanghai in order to _______.
A. prove that the background of the movie touched viewers
B. describe how popular the movie was at that time
C. point out that Shanghai was a center of entertainment
D. tell us that Chinese were suffering the War then
Though there is much to be concerned about, there is far, far more for which to be thankful. Though life’s goodness can at times be overshadowed (黯然失色), it is 41
outweighed.
For every single act that is senselessly destructive, 42 are thousands more small, quiet acts of love, 43 and sympathy. For every person who seeks to hurt, there are many, many more who 44 their lives to helping and to healing.
There is a goodness to life that 45 be denied. In the most remarkable views and in the smallest details, look 46 , because that goodness always comes shining through. There is no 47 to the goodness of life. It 48 more abundant(充裕的) each time you feel it. The 49 you experience and appreciate the goodness of life, the more there is to be lived.
Even 50 the cold winds blow and the world seems to be 51 in foggy shadows, the goodness of life lives 52 . Open your eyes, open your heart, 53 you will see that goodness is everywhere. Though the goodness of life 54 at times to suffer hardships, it is always going on there. For in the 55 moment, it becomes more clear that life is a 56 treasure. And so the goodness of 57 is made even stronger by the very things that would go against it.
Time and time again when you feared it was 58 forever, you found that the goodness of life was really only a / an 59 away. Around the next corner, inside every moment, the goodness of life is there to surprise and 60 you.
1. A. always B. never C. often D. usually
2.A. there B. here C. they D. those
3.A. worry B. anxiety C. kindness D. upset
4. A. make B. put C. contribute D. devote
5.A. needn't B. mustn't C. can’t D. won't
6.A. suddenly B. closely C. roughly D. simply
7.A. limit B. denying C. doubt D. point
8. A. loses B. grows C. plants D. goes
9. A. less B. fewer C. more D. most
10. A. when B. if C. though D. before
11. A. shone B. covered C. decorated D. suffered
12. A. with B. by C. through D. on
13. A. yet B. or C. and D. still
14.A. seems B. looks C. proves D. appears
15. A. shortest B. darkest C. brightest D. fastest
16.A. priceless B. valueless C. useless D. worthless
17.A. heart B. life C. wealth D. health
18.A. disappeared B. lost C. gone D. left
19.A. hour B. mile C. month D. moment
20. A. delight B. regret C. shock D. disappoint
假设你是李华，作为访问学生在加拿大南玻特中学学习了10天，寄住在Mr. Wallence家里，刚回到国内。回国后你发现自己的一本英语词典遗忘在他家，因此给他写一封信，请他帮助寄回词典。信的主要内容如下：
* 感谢在加拿大期间他所提供的帮助。 * 一本英语词典忘记带回。
* 词典是一位加拿大朋友送的，非常珍贵。 * 词典很可能丢在卧室的书架上。
* 邮资自己付。
注意：1、词数100左右；信的开头和结尾已为你写好。
2、可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。 3、参考词汇：邮资—postage
Dear Mr. Wallence,
Yours,
Li Hua
