The Haitian tsunami gave scientists a chance to find out how well vital and potentially life-saving warning systems were working.
Noaa’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory has developed a warning system that picks up signals of tsunamis directly from the sea-floor.
It is called Dart-the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis. If seismometers(地震仪) detect an earthquake, the Dart buoys（浮标） will determine what is happening to sea levels, and whether a big wave might be on the way. This information is then sent via satellite to a central location which can organize an alarm. Within 50 minutes of the Haiti earthquake, this system was able to issue an alarm to other countries in the Caribbean to say that a small tsunami had been caused to start, and that was unlikely to affect them.
Dr Bernard said, “The first 30 minutes following the earthquake, we have to rely on education.” The critical aspects of this are: do you feel the earthquake; do you see the ocean draw down; and do you hear that loud roar? If so, you should run for higher ground.
“But after the first few minutes, it’s crucial that we have the technology—the measurements to avoid unnecessary evacuation(疏散撤离)and tell people when it is safe to return.” Right now, there are 50 of these Dart buoys all over the globe—four of which are in the Caribbean.
Dr Bernard says that, with 75 to 100 buoys worldwide, this system could provide global tsunami warnings within one hour.
“That’s for everywhere we know that tsunamis have happened. If we wanted to go to half an hour detection, we could probably double or multiply by four times that number,” he said.
“In some countries, including Haiti, there may not be enough resources to support a specific tsunami warning centre for something that happens so infrequently.”
He said that this system was relatively inexpensive to fix and operate.
“To get it down to an hour for everywhere affected would cost $50m initial investment and then 10% of that to maintain it,” he said.
“That’s not a terribly expensive system considering the potential savings of lives.”
1.In which section would you probably read the passage in a newspaper?
A. Education and Society
B. Culture and Leisure
C. Science and Technology
D. Health and Medicine
2. How many buoys would at least be needed for global tsunami warnings within half an hour?
A. 150
B. 100
C. 75
D. 50
3.Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. The system can warn people of the coming of tsunami directly after the earthquake.
B. We can’t escape the danger of tsunami within 30 minutes following the earthquake.
C. Each country can easily afford a tsunami warning centre though it seldom happens.
D. It’s worthwhile to spend money on the warning system for possible savings of lives.
4. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A. Tsunami Assessment
B. Earthquake detecting
C. Disaster Warning System
D. Life Saving System
The New York Times announced Wednesday that it intended to charge frequent readers for access to its website, a step being debated across the industry that nearly every major newspaper has so far feared to take.
Starting in early 2011, visitors to NYTimes.com will get a certain number of articles free every month before being asked to pay a standard and fixed fee for unlimited access. Subscribers to the newspaper’s print edition will receive full access to the site.
But executives of The New York Times Company said they could not yet answer fundamental questions about the plan, like how much it would cost or what the limit would be on free reading. They stressed that the amount of free access could change with time, in response to economic conditions and reader demand. Still, publishers fear that money from digital subscriptions would not make up for the resulting loss of audience and advertising income.
NYTimes.com is by far the most popular newspaper site in the country, with more than 17 million readers a month in the United States, according to Nielsen Online, and analysts say it is the leader in advertising income, as well. That may make it better positioned than other general-interest papers to charge—and also gives The Times more to lose if the move produces an opposed result.
The Times Company has been studying the matter for almost a year, searching for common ground between pro-and-anti pay campaigns—a debate mirrored in dozens of media-watching blogs-- and the system will not go into effect until January 2011. Executives said they were not bothered by the possibility of absorbing barbs(挖苦) for moving cautiously.
“There’s no prize for getting it quick,” said Janet L. Robinson, the company’s president and chief executive. “There’s more of a prize for getting it right.”
1. What’s the function of the first paragraph?
A. It servers as a comment.
B. It serves as a background
C. It serves as a lead-in
D. It serves as a conclusion.
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Non-paying subscribers will get no access to NYTimes.com.
B. Readers will be charged more to read articles on NYTimes.com.
C. Readers will get more free online articles to log on NYTimes. com more often.
D. Subscribers to the paper’s print edition will also enjoy full access to the site.
3.Which of the words can best describe The Time Company’s attitude towards its announcement?
A. Unwilling.
B. Serious.
C. Hasty
D. Doubtful
4. What is the main idea about the passage?
A. The Times to offer free access to its web site.
B. The Times to increase audience to its web site.
C. The Times to attract advertisement to its web site
D. The Times to charge for frequent access to its web site.
Andy Tomas is proof of the typical case that life-changing disaster awaits the drunken driver.
“A lot of teachers say, ‘Don’t drink,’ but I’m not going to say that, because I know that students are going to do it,” Andy says. “I just say, ‘Don’t get in a car.’”
As an 18-year-old, he could be a classmate or a friend, and that familiarity adds to the power of his words. He has spoken to more than 2500 high school students so far, and he has noticed their unusual silence.
One year ago, Andy, having been with friends drinking, lost control of his car and was thrown into trees 20 feet away. He was found covered in blood, with many bones broken. He was diagnosed with a severe brain injury and remained in an unconscious state and on life support for nearly three weeks. His skull was opened to reduce pressure on his brain.
At Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, Doctor Erin Leahy initially found Andy unable to move the right side of his body. But by the end of his six-week stay, he was able to walk out of the building. Leahy called that an inspiration and a surprise.
Yet Andy’s recovery is incomplete. Brain and muscular therapy(治疗) has helped him regain movement in his right arm, but he still struggles with right hand.
In the process of recovery, Andy has thought deeply about what happened and why, and decided to share his story. Encouraged by his doctor, he began to attending meetings, delivering speeches.
He said he was nervous at first, but has grown used to the spotlight. “I feel like I know how to talk to people.” He said. And his recovery and visible injury help him draw serious attention from students.
Drunk driving, he tells students, is like playing gambles. “You might do it a bunch of times, but something is going to happen.”
Now his days are all about the therapy, work and going to the gym. Mentally, he says, “ I’m a lot happier in my life.”
1. What’s the main purpose of the author?
A. Warn students about the danger of drinking.
B. Tell readers the danger of driving a car.
C. Advise people not to drive a car after drinking.
D. Show readers Andy’s amazing recovery experience.
2.Why does the author say Andy’s story is powerful as an 18-year-old boy?
A. Because his family supported him and cared for him carefully.
B. Because he is just like one of our classmates or friends.
C. Because doctors and family never gave him up.[
D. Because his classmates and friends are familiar with him.
3.What does the underlined sentence mean?
A. Drunk driving will be fined a lot of money eventually.
B. Drunk driving will eventually have a serious accident.
C. Drunk driving is as adventurous and thrilled as gamble.
D. Drunk driving is banned even if you are an experienced driver.
4.What happened to Andy after the accident?
A. He made a full recovery and returned to his normal life.
B. He recovered quite well at an unbelievable speed.
C. He became more experienced and eager for more adventures.
D. He shared his stories with others to warn them not to try drunk driving.
Long queues at cinemas buying hot tickets for blockbusters(巨片) will become rare as Beijing residents will be able to order film tickets via cell phone networks in a month.
Film ticket circulation service on cell phone, also called the “Green channel of film tickets ordering”, is aiming at lowing the cost of ticket circulation and easing the ticket distribution pressure on such popular film-watching days as summer and winter vacations or Valentine’s Day.
“People log onto the net through cell phones, then choose cinema seats, watch trailers, browse information for new films and read cinema introductions,” said Guan Zheng, the publicity chief of Xingmei Digital Media Company Ltd., the service provider.
“Film fans can enjoy various discount prices if they order tickets via cell phones,” Guan said.
Meanwhile, the cell phone ticket circulation platform provides subscribers general mobile phone services like jokes, videos, flashes, phone ring downloads and games.
The service is about to be put into trial at the Beijing-based Xingmei International Cinema for a month before being putting into use at other cinema chains both in and outside Beijing, as the service is going to be improved through gradual expansion, said Guan.
China’s film industry that is being restored has seen more and more enthusiastic moviegoers. Up to the end of 2009, China has had more than 5,000 specialized cinemas, among which there are 2,243 modern cinemas with 3, 668 silver screens and 56 cinema chains.
Currently, many people buy film tickets on the Internet or by phoning the cinema’s ticket office or simply queuing at the cinema gate. More people want to buy tickets on popular days like May Day holiday, National Day holiday or Valentine’s Day. Yet the inefficient ticket circulation system contributes the most to the failure.
1.What can we learn from the passage?
A. The price of the ticket ordered via cell phone will be lower.
B. Ordering tickets through the net can get good seats.
C. Few people would like to watch films on the net.
D. More and more people like to watch films on the net.
2.What does the underlined part “watch trailers” in the third paragraph mean?
A. You can watch films after downloading them.
B. You can watch commercial ads free of charge.
C. You can watch short ads for new movies.
D. You can watch films on the net at home.
3.What does the passage imply?
A. The service is only intended to put into use at the cinema in Beijing for a month.
B. China’s film industry saw the decreasing number of moviegoers by the end of 2009.[
C. The traditional ticket selling system makes it hard to get film tickets on popular days.
D. The green channel of tickets ordering is aiming at provides general mobile phone services..
4.The best title for the passage would probably be ________.
A. Rare Beijingers to watch films on the net
B. Few Beijingers to buy film tickets in line
C. Beijingers to watch films via cell phone
D. Beijingers to order film tickets via cell phone
By Road Around the World
Nickname: Walker
Email: ragwani@hotmail.com
When to travel: May 2011-Aug 2011
Who am I: I am 55. From my childhood, have this dream to go around the world by hitch hiking. However this is now changed and I want to go by road.
My travel plans: Going throughout the world and study various people, culture, habits.
Who am I looking for: A female companion, and she must have similar interest as me.
Just for fun
Nickname: Stream
Email: qrutta@yahoo.co.uk
When to travel: Jan 2011-Dec 2011
Who am I: Young slim girl, looking to see Asia with anyone who wants to travel.
My travel plans: I most prefer a white man in his late30’s to have fun with me as he travels either on business or leisure trips
Whom am I looking for: Someone who is honest, friendly; good sense of humor, adventurous.
22yr old Australian looking for travel companion
Nickname: Angela
Email: alyssia_europe@hotmail.com
When to travel: March 2011
Who am I: a lovely girl, with fun, honest, caring.
My travel plans: I will be traveling to Europe cities, then the world!
Who am I looking for: An extremely fun and entertaining male/female, middle-aged, someone that I can enjoy every travel moment with.
★Fun and maybe more
Nickname: Sunnygirl
Email: sunnygirl2008@yahoo.com
When to travel: Jun2011-Aug2011
Who am I: Slender African girl in her late 20’s. Quite charming, loving, pretty,fun to be with.
My travel plans: Nothing in mind for sure, just looking to come with you.
Whom am I looking for: Looking for a white male between 40-50 years, someone who is full of energy and lively.
1.What way would Walker like to choose for his travel this time?
A. By plane.
B. By road.
C. By water.
D. By hitch hiking.
2.Stream will probably travel to ______ according to the ad.
A. France B. Egypt
C. Japan D. Australia
3.Who’s to travel for the shortest time with a companion?
A. Sunny girl B. Angela
C. Stream D. Walker
4.A middle-aged man wants to travel from June to August in 2011, he should send an email to _______ to find a travel companion.
A. sunnygirl@yahoo.com
B. alyssia_europe@hotmail.com
C. qrutta@yahoo.co.uk
D. ragwani@hotmail.com
Growing trees in the concrete jungle of Los Angels brings neighbors benefits beyond beauty.
As the 36 of TreePeople, a nonprofit organization he founded in 1973, Andy, now 54, has inspired hundreds of thousands of volunteers to 37 plant more than two million trees throughout Southern California.
Tree People 38 tools, blueprints, planting demonstrations, and tree-care supervisors free to all the participants, 39 me. “You will need their support,” Andy said, referring to my neighbors. “ 40
the community behind you, the trees you plant will die in five years.” So I started knocking on doors, hoping to share 41 I’d learnt in Tree People’s seminar(培训班) about the critical role of trees in removing smog from the 42 , cooling our homes and preventing water runoff.
Strange 43 it may seem, some people are afraid of trees. “The roots destroy sidewalks,” one neighbor said, “ 44 will ruin my pipes. And I don’t want leaves.” 45 told me.
When I called Andy about the 46 I was getting from my neighbors, he encouraged me to keep trying. So my son and my wife delivered cookies while I went door to door. It 47 us half a year to sign permission forms from 16 neighbors for 21 trees.
When the big day arrived, I was excited and 48 . What if I threw a planting tree and 49 else came? But as I set out shovels(铁铲), my son and wife made cakes and doughnuts, 50 started to gather. Friends brought friends. Neighbors came with cousins and grandchildren. A local middle school even 51 with half the seventh grade. More than 300 people joined us.
Then Andy led us in a 52 : welcoming each tree into the world and 53 it name. After the ceremony, as I shook hands with volunteers and my neighbors, I 54 help but feel we’d accomplished 55 great. After all, trees need people, and people need trees.
1.A. friend B. interviewer C. president D. volunteer
2.A. bravely B. actively C. anxiously D. generously
3.A. supports B. affords C. shows D. provides
4.A. including B. considering C. containing D. reminding
5.A. For B. Without C. With D. Except
6.A. what B. which C. that D. how
7.A. cloud B. wind C. sky D. air
8.A. while B. if C. however D. as
9.A. You B. I C. They D. It
10.A. The other B. Another C. Other D. Others
11.A. resistance B. acceptance C. agreement D. praise
12.A. spent B. paid C. took D. covered
13.A. moved B. disappointed C. surprised D. nervous
14.A. everybody B. nobody C. somebody D. anybody
15.A. volunteers B. journalists C. friends D. neighbors
16.A. made up B. took up C. showed up D. cheered up
17.A. ceremony B. march C. activity D. celebration
18.A. calling B. leaving C. making D. giving
19.A. wouldn’t B. shouldn’t C. couldn’t D. needn’t
20.A. anything B. something C. nothing D. everything
