Directions： Read the following passage. Complete the diagram by using the information for the passage.
Write NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.
The contemporary environmental movement is often said to have begun with the publication of Silent Spring by the zoologist and biologist Rachel Carson (1907–1964). This landmark work, which took Carson 4 years to complete, diligently detailed the relationship between animal death and the use— now understood as the abuse—of man-made chemicals used as pesticides, especially DDT. One of the claims of the book that she tried to demonstrate was that DDT had the effect of softening the eggshells of birds as well as interfering with their reproduction, and that such effects would lead to their extinction if use of DDT were to continue. It would eventually create a springtime of silence when the songs of birds would not be heard. Her studies also found DDT to be a cause of human cancers.
Born in Springdale, Pennsylvania, Carson graduated from the Pennsylvania College for Women in Pittsburgh (now Chatham College), where she majored in English until her junior year, when a course in biology inspired her to switch to zoology as her field of concentration. She earned a master’s degree in this area from Johns Hopkins University and became a biologist at the Bureau of Fisheries in 1936. During this time, she wrote for various national magazines, and her first book, Under the Sea-Wind, was published. Carson had concerns as early as 1945 about pesticides being used more and more by the government. But her cautionary claims in Silent Spring were met with anger by the pesticide and chemical industries. Her authority as a scientist were challenged, and it was held that her findings were just the roars of a hysterical(歇斯底里的) woman. She was even accused of being a member of the Communist Party. Some go so far as to say that she told a lie .
But She is often celebrated as the founder of the contemporary U.S. environmental movement. Yet her work in Silent Spring, warning about the misuse of pesticides and other chemicals, has not as yet taken firm hold. Americans likely use twice as much the volume of pesticides that they did at the time she published her seminal work, and globally, their use is ever increasing. Powerful pesticides are sold over the counter, and their use is so widespread that many environmentalists are fearful that chemical runoff into streams and rivers is still popullting the animals that humans eat and the water that they drink.
In short, while the main purpose of Silent Spring was to warn the public of the dangers of the overuse of pesticides and chemicals, nonetheless the public hasn’t refused such use. Isn't it time that we firmly said no to pesticides?
People say teenagers are no good. They make too much noise in shopping malls; they drive recklessly（不顾一切地） up and down America’s main streets; they carry chips on their shoulders as big as the Sears Tower. And at least some of the time those things are true. But we shouldn’t forget that there are hard moments in the life of a teenager too.
I watched such a moment not long ago at a woman’s funeral. I didn’t expect the event to affect me. Through much of the ceremony, in fact, I remained unmoved.
The teenage grandson stepped forward. With his very first deep breath, every heart in that church was achingly reminded of something we had all forgotten. Softly he began: “I want to share a few values that Nana taught me. She never failed to see light in any situation. When our family dog would truely attract her, what would Nana say? ‘oh, what beautiful barking that dog has!’ That was Nana. ”
“She was a strong woman who often lived in the shadow of my grandpa, who was a successful businessman in this city. But she was the one behind the scenes who provided the strength and support for my grandpa’s career,” he said, with a voice now trembling, “That was Nana’s way.”
Through a low sob, he continued, “Whenever she did anything worth recognition, you ’d have to hear about it from a different source, because she was never one to show off.”
Finally, in a voice breaking free of sorrow, he looked up and said, “Nana taught me courage. She put up an incredible fight to the end, when she died peacefully, which is how she lived her life. That was Nana’s way, and I hope I can carry on in the same manner.”
There are no hearts as sensitive as those of teenagers, because everything is happening to them for the first time. The trouble with teenagers is that they haven’t learned to be controlled.
When that boy rose to speak about the woman who surely had been his truest and dearest friend, his honest voice dragged each of us out into the open where we could no longer hide in the calm ceremony . He exposed us to the truth about this very real woman who believed in a boy who probably tried the patience of many adults. He reminded us that his grandmother was more than another dot on the chart of life and death.
All over again we felt those powerful losses crossing our own hearts, and we knew that when you say good-bye to something happy, something young in yourself. And that something never really returns, and the pain never really goes away.
1.In the first paragraph, the writer gave some examples to_____.
A. support his idea that young people are no good.
B. introduce his point of view about young people.
C. tell people every coin has its two sides.
D. young people often make mistakes.
2. From the boy’s speech, we know _____.
A. his grandmother had great influence on him.
B. they had a dog which often attacked people
C. people had forgotten her until the boy appeared..
D. his grandmother was so weak that she is always living in the shadow of his grandpa
3. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The boy ‘s speech moved no one present at the funeral except the writer.
B. The boy’s being good at expressing himself enabled him to draw everyone’s attention.
C. The boy was too grieved to accept the fact that his grandmother had passed away.
D. The writer didn’t expect the event would affect him.
4.What words can best describe grandmother’s quality?
A. weak, mild and modest.
B.. easygoing, cautious and considerate
C. sensitive and hard on others.
D, patient, optimistic, strong and helpful.
5.The passage tells the readers____.
A. facing certain bitter facts help young people to grow.
B. young people have to control themselves
C. the adults should learn from the young.
D. the adults should teach the young how to be brave
I started winning competitions. We still had very little money -- my father had to borrow $5,000 to pay for a trip to the International Young Pianists Competition in Ettlingen, Germany, in 1994, when I was 12. I realized later how much pressure he was under. Tears streamed down his face when it was announced that I'd won -- earning enough money to pay back our loan.
It was soo n clear I couldn't stay in China forever. To become a world-class musician, I had to play on the world's big stages. So in 1997, my father and I moved again, this time to Philadelphia, so I could attend The Curtis Institute of Music. Finally our money worries were easing. The school paid for an apartment and even lent me a Steinway（斯坦威钢琴）.At night, I would sneak into the living room just to touch the keys.
Now that I was in America, I spent two years practicing, and by 1999 I had worked hard enough for fortune to take over. The Chicago Symphony orchestra heard me play and liked me, but orchestra schedules were set far in advance. I thought I might join them in a few years.
The next morning, I got a call. The great pianist Andre Watts, who was to play the "Gala Benefit Evening" at Chicago's Ravinia Festival, had become ill. I was asked to replace him. That performance was, for me, the moment. After violinist Isaac Stern introduced me, I played Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. My father's mouth hung open throughout the entire song.
I played until 3:30 a.m. I felt something happening. Sure enough, it was a great success. Still, my father kept telling me, "You'd better practice!" But living in America with me was beginning to relax him. In Beijing I'd been fat -- he made sure I ate -- and he'd been skinny. Now I was getting thin. He wasn't.
My father and I had often practiced a piece called "Horses," a fun version for piano and erhu. One night in Carnegie Hall, after I played Chopin and Liszt, I brought Dad out on the stage, and we played our duet（二重奏）. People went crazy -- they loved it. My father couldn't sleep for days. He was too happy to sleep.
There have been lots of concerts in Carnegie Hall, but for me playing there was especially sweet when I remember the cold days in Beijing. Together, my father and I worked to reach the lucky place where fortune spots you, and lets you shine.
1.In the first paragraph his father cried when it was announced that he'd won mainly because__________.
A.his father was excited that his son succeeded at last.
B.his father was under too much pressure.
C.they could pay back the loan with the prize.
D.his father was proud of him.
2. Tell the order of the events.
a. He and his father moved to Philadelphia.
b. He was asked to replace the great pianist Andre Watts.
c. He and his father played “Horses” together.
d.The Chicago Symphony orchestra heard his performance.
e. The Curtis Institute of Music lent him a Steinway
A. a, e, c, b, d B. b, e, a, d, c C. d, a, e, b, c D. a, e, d, b, c
3. Which of the following statements agrees with the author?
A. The writer’s father had been very fat before they went to America.
B. The writer thought he would be one of them soon when he knew the Chicago Symphony orchestra heard him play and liked him.
C. The Curtis Institute of Music finally eased their money worries.
D. One can achieve his dream if he is lucky enough.
4. The underlined word there in the last paragraph refers to_________.
A. America B. Beijing. C. Carnegie Hall D. All the places he went to.
5. What is the best title of the passage?
A. I Took Off! B. When Fortune Spots Me.
C. No Pain, No Gain. D. My father and I
Too cold for recess? School policies vary as much as temps
When is it too cold for schoolchildren to go outside for recess（课间休息）? The answer varies widely based on where a school is located and what the kids are used to.
Consider: One northern Minnesota school says it has to be 15 below zero before kids are kept inside. But in areas along the East Coast, temperatures below 35 to 40 degrees could keep kids inside. Canceling recess because of the cold is no small issue considering that much of the USA is trembling through what may be its coldest winter in a generation, according to AccuWeather.
There is no national temperature standard for when to keep kids inside during the winter months, the U.S. Department of Education says. Decisions are made at the local level, either by principals or school districts.
Consequently, policies are all over the map:
• In International Falls, Minn., the self-described "Icebox of the Nation," where the average high temperature in January is 13 degrees, Falls Elementary School Principal Jerry Hilfer says, "if it's 15 below (or warmer), they go out, no matter what." "At 20 below, it gets iffy," he adds.
• In Wicomico County, Md., principals typically keep children indoors when temperatures drop below freezing, or if it's raining or snowing, says Susan Jones, the school system's director of elementary education.
"That's the bottom line," says Curtis Twilley, principal of Pemberton Elementary School in Salisbury, Md. Twilley says students get little exercise when recess stays indoors. At Pemberton Elementary, the students will typically play board games or computer games in a classroom because the school's gym is occupied with other classes, he says.
• For schools in Marquette, Mich., which averages about 12 feet of snow per season, school officials acknowledge students are probably a little more prepared than those in some more mild climates.
1.Which of the following is not true according to the passage_________.
A. No national temperature standard is made for when to keep kids inside during the winter months.
B. Susan Jones insists students get little exercise when recess stays indoors.
C. In Wicomico County, children are kept indoors when temperatures dip below freezing.
D. Mich has about 12 feet of snow per season on average.
2. Which place calls itself Box of Ice?
Wicomico County B. Marquette C.Salisbury D. Minn
3. Considering_______, canceling recess In USA because of the cold is a big issue.
A. different schools have different principles.
B. much of the USA has very cold winter.
C. physical activity can boost student performance.
D. decisions are made at the local level,
4. The underlined word iffy means _______.
A. uncertain B. surprising C. serious D. worse
5. What will be talked about next?
A. More school policies
B. The reasons why school policies vary.
C. Measures to improve the situation.
D. Necessities to improve the situation
Olympic building projects are at risk because skilled Polish workers are going back home and there are not enough skilled British workers to replace _1.__ . A quick training plan is being put in place to teach British people basic construction __2.__ specifically for Olympic projects. As the Polish builders are beginning to go back home, migrant workers from other parts of Eastern Europe are taking their places; __3.__, they don’t seem to be as well trained or have the same work ethics as the Polish workers. The Olympic Delivery Authority, the London Development Agency (LDA) and other partner organizations are going to spend ￡20 million —23 per cent of 4. training budget for London 2012 —in increasing the skills of the British workforce to _5._ the construction needs of the Olympics. They are also training electricians. A total of 1,500 workers nationwide will become fully skilled electricians _6.__ attending the program. These workers will then work on building the Olympic Village. Iain MacDonald, head of a training program, told TheTimes, "All the way along we have been holding the view 7. we can’t rely on migrant labour. We have to put in plans for the long term. We can’t rely on migrant labour all the time. Britain has become too dependent on the migrant labour force. It is better to develop the skills of the 8. population."
One winter during college in New York, I took an 8: 00 a.m. history class. The professor was very __36 in class. He just looked at his lecture notes and __37__ looked up at us. I felt that I needed to get rid of my boredom, so I created a little __38__ for myself. I tried to find something from his lecture to ask a question about, forcing me to __39__ rather than letting my eyes close. The first time I raised my hand, he was surprised, but obviously pleased to have a question to answer. __40__ , his answers were always interesting. I continued to do this every day in the course and found my-self ac tually __41__ the material. The professor became a bit more __42__ and some other students also joined me in asking questions. My little game had __43__ me from being bored, __44__ it was expected to do. I learned a lot about world history in the discussions with him. The professor obviously knew his material, but had a hard time __45__ it on to his undergraduates in an interesting way. On the last day of class we gathered our books and headed for the door for the last time. The shy professor stepped directly in front of me as I reached the door. "Thank you for making this class so interesting,"
he said. I was so surprised. To me, it had been a pleasant way to pass the time; I had no idea that my asking questions had an effect on him and the others at all. That moment has stayed with me for 30 years. Each of us can have a(n) __46__ not just on our own experiences, but on those of others, and I’ll never forget the professor who taught me a lesson about the power of acts of kindness, intended __47__ not.
1. A. peaceful B. accustomed C. nervous D. absent
2.A. frequently B. suddenly C. nearly D. rarely
3. A. game B. prize C. toy D. advantage
4. A. stare B. concentrate C. comment D. present
5. A. Therefore B. Otherwise C. In fact D. On the contrary
6. A. improving B. writing C. misunderstanding D. enjoying
7.A. relaxed B. graceful C. serious D. clever
8. A. separated B. saved C. awoken D. avoided
9.A. which B. since C. as D.what
10. A. carrying B. passing C. bringing D. putting
11. A. idea B. effect C. effort D. power
12. A. and B. so C. or D. but
