A new study（研究）warns that about thirty percent of the world’s people may not have enough water by the year 2025.
A private American organization called Population Action International did the new study. It says more than three hundred thirty-five million people lack enough water now. The people live in twenty-eight countries. Most of the countries are in Africa or the Middle East.
Population Action International researcher Robert Engelman says by the year 2025, about three thousand million people may lack water. At least 18 more countries are expected to have severe water problems. The demand for water keeps increasing. Yet, the amount of water on earth stays the same.
Mr. Engelman says the population in countries that lack water is growing faster than in other parts of the world. He says population growth in these countries will continue to increase.
The report says lack of water in the future may result in several problems. It may increase health problems. Lack of water often means drinking water is not safe. Mr. Engelman says there are problems all over the world because of diseases, such as cholera, which is carried in water. Lack of water may also result in more international conflict. Countries may have to compete for water in the future. Some countries now get sixty percent of their fresh water from other countries. This is true of Egypt, the Netherlands, Cambodia, Syria, Sudan and Iraq. And the report says lack of water would affect the ability of developing to improve their economies. This is because new industries often need a large amount of water when they are beginning.
The Population Action International study gives several solutions to the water problem. One way, it says, is to find ways to use water for more than one purpose. Another way is to teach people to be careful not to waste water. A third way is to use less water of agriculture.
The report also says long-term solutions to the water problem must include controls on population growth, It says countries can't provide clean water unless they slow population growth by limiting the number of children people have.
1. According to the writer’s opinion, the first serious problem caused by lack of water is ______.
A. health problem B. war C. economy D. industry
2.Robert Engelman may be _______.
A. an Englishman B. an American C. a Japanese D. an Australian
3.Which of the following is NOT the way to solve the water problem?
A. To control population growth
B. To teach people not to waste water.
C. To find ways to use water for only one purpose.
D. To use less water of agriculture.
4. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. How to get more water in the future. B. Problems caused by water
C. The Lack of water D. A new study of water
Creativity(创造力) is the key to a brighter future, say education and business experts. Here is how schools and parents can encourage this important skill in children.
Creativity is not something one is just born with, nor is it necessarily an indicator(标志) of high intelligence(智力). Just because a person is highly intelligent does not mean that he uses it creatively. Creativity is the matter of using his resources to produce new ideas that are good for something.
It is important to let children choose. From an early age, children should be allowed to make decisions and understand their results. Even if it's choosing food for lunch, making decision helps thinking skills. As children grow older, parents should let their children decide how to use their time or spend their money, but not help them too much if they make the wrong decision. The child may have a hard time, but that is all right. This is because the most important characteristic of creative people is a very strong desire to find a way out of trouble.
1.Creativity is something ______.
A. that people are born with
B. that depends on intelligence
C. that is a way of using what one has learnt to work out new problems
D. that is not important
2. What should the parents do when their children decide how to spend their money?
A. Try to help them as much as possible.
B. Take no notice of whatever they do.
C. Help them if their decision is wrong, but not too much.
D. Leave them as they are.
3.What is the proper title of the passage?
A. The Problems in Education B. Let Children Choose
C. Children Need Creativity D. A Brighter Future
Pressure too much?
In our daily life we are used to hearing these words, “I can't wait for my holiday,” “I wish I could stay home today” And “I'm very tired.” These words come from pressure at work. Now the “iron rice bowl”(铁饭碗) is being broken into pieces. Workers may be fired if they don’t perform their duties well. They have to do their jobs better.
People feel pressure not only because they might find themselves out of work but also because they get no real pleasure from their work. For most of the workers, work is just a way of earning money. It appears to be meaningless and worthless.
But pressure is a natural part of work. There is no way to keep away from it. We should face up to it.
Work should be a cause of happiness and pride rather than a punishment or a burden .In fact, a certain amount of pressure can provide challenge and chance for learning. To a modern man who is worried and low in spirit, developing a hobby and finding a new interest is of first importance. I like listening to pop music, which makes me calm and gives me pleasure.
If pressure becomes difficult to deal with, we should turn to our friends or families. We can have a drink with our friends and talk about the problem. We should always discuss our problems with our families. Good advice, warmth and happiness that families bring to us can reduce our pressure and encourage us to smooth away all difficulties.
1.Peopel feel pressure at work mainly because ______.
A. they will lose their jobs
B. most of them find less interest in their work
C. they can make more money after work.
D. they want to stay at home.
2.Which of the following is WRONG in the writer’s opinion?
A. Where there is work there is pressure.
B. Work shouldn’t be regarded as punishment or burden.
C. All modern men are worried and low in spirit.
D. A certain amount of pressure is necessary.
3.From the text we can know that when pressure is too big, ________.
A. we should drink coffee with our friends
B. we can get help and comfort from our friends or families.
C. we can go home because it is warm
D. to talk out the problem to our friends and families is the best way.
When my son, Mark, was in the third grade, he saved all his pocket money for over three months to buy holiday presents for those he loved. He had 36 twenty dollars.
The third Saturday in December, Mark said he had 37 his list and had his money in his 38 . I drove him to a 39 supermarket. Mark picked up a hand basket and went off on his own 40 I waited patiently reading a book at the front of the store. It 41 Mark over 45 minutes to choose his presents. When he came up to the checkout, the smile on his face was truly 42 . The clerk rang up his purchase as I 43 looked at the other way. Mark kept 44 his budget and 45 into his pocket for his money. 46 was not there! There was a hole in his pocket, but no money. Mark stood 47 the store holding his basket, tears rolling down his cheeks. His whole body was 48 with his sobs. Then a(n) 49 thing happened. A 50 shopping in the store came up to Mark. She knelt down and took him 51 her arms. “You would do me the favor if you let me 52 your money,” said the woman. “It would be the most wonderful present you could ever give me. I only ask you could 53 . One day, when you grow up, I would like you to find someone you can help. I know you feel as good about it 54 I do now when you do help other people.” Mark took the money, tried to dry his 55 and ran to the checkout as fast as he could go.
|
1.A. collected |
B. gathered |
C. spared |
D. saved |
|
2.A. wrote |
B. made |
C. had |
D. shown |
|
3.A. wallet |
B. purse |
C. pocket |
D. backpack |
|
4.A. nearby |
B. close |
C. near |
D. distance |
|
5.A. while |
B. when |
C. though |
D. as |
|
6.A. spent |
B. took |
C. cost |
D. needed |
|
7.A. disappointing |
B. upset |
C. joyful |
D. surprising |
|
8.A. impatiently |
B. unbelievably |
C. worriedly |
D. politely |
|
9.A. in |
B. within |
C. out of |
D. over |
|
10.A. put |
B. reached |
C. turned into |
D. stretched |
|
11.A. It |
B. There |
C. They |
D. That |
|
12.A. at the front of |
B. at the back of |
C. in the middleof |
D. outside |
|
13.A. breathing |
B. worrying |
C. frightened |
D. shaking |
|
14.A. interesting |
B. happy |
C. dramatic |
D. amazing |
|
15.A. customer |
B. clerk |
C. stranger |
D. guard |
|
16.A. by |
B. with |
C. in |
D. on |
|
17.A. reply |
B. return |
C. give |
D. pay |
|
18.A. pass it on |
B. pass it down |
C. continue it |
D. keep it |
|
19.A. that |
B. as |
C. what |
D. which |
|
20.A. sweat |
B. pocket |
C. presents |
D. tears |
Some problems ___ in the lecture by Mr.Smith are very popular in our school, such as the waste of electricity, water and food, etc...
A. referring B. referred to C. referring to D. were referred
His report was so exciting that it was interrupted by applause(鼓掌).
A. constantly B. constant C. seldom D. never
