THIS was the year the Earth struck back.
Earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, snow storms, landslides and droughts killed at least a quarter of a million people in 2010 – the deadliest year in more than a generation. More people were killed worldwide by natural disasters this year than have been killed in terrorism attacks in the past 40 years combined.
"It just seemed like it was back-to-back and it came in waves," said Craig Fugate, who heads the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency. It handled a record number of disasters in 2010.
And we have ourselves to blame most of the time, scientists and disaster experts say.
Even though many catastrophes have the ring of random chance, the hand of man made this a particularly deadly, costly, extreme and weird（古怪的） year for everything from wild weather to earthquakes.
Poor construction and development practices conspire to make earthquakes more deadly than they need be. More people live in poverty in vulnerable（脆弱的） buildings in crowded cities. That means that when the ground shakes, the river breaches, or the tropical cyclone hits, more people die.
Disasters from the Earth, such as earthquakes and volcanoes "are pretty much constant," said Andreas Schraft, vice president of catastrophic perils for the Geneva-based insurance giant Swiss Re. "All the change that's made is man-made."
The January earthquake that killed well more than 220,000 people in Haiti is a perfect example. Port-au-Prince has nearly three times as many people - many of them living in poverty - and more poorly built shanties than it did 25 years ago. So had the same quake hit in 1985 instead of 2010, total deaths would have probably been in the 80,000 range, said Richard Olson, director of disaster risk reduction at Florida International University.
In February, an earthquake that was more than 500 times stronger than the one that struck Haiti hit an area of Chile that was less populated, better constructed, and not as poor. Chile's bigger quake caused fewer than 1,000 deaths.
Climate scientists say Earth's climate also is changing, bringing extreme weather, such as heat waves and flooding.
In the summer, one weather system caused oppressive heat in Russia, while farther south it caused flooding in Pakistan that inundated 161,200 square kilometers, about the size of Wisconsin. That single heat-and-storm system killed almost 17,000 people, more people than all the worldwide airplane crashes in the past 15 years.
Scientists have calculated that the killer Russian heat wave—setting a national record of 43.9℃—would happen once every 100,000 years without global warming.
1.What is responsible for the most human deaths in 2010?
A．Natrual disasters. B．Terrorist attacks.
C．Poor buildings. D．Too rapid developrnent.
2.According to Andreas Schraft, .
A．earthquakes are happening more often because of human beings
B．earthquakes are causing more damage because of human beings
C．stronger houses should be built to limit storm damage
D．Port—au—Prince is now overpopulated
3.The main point of the article is to
A．list the natural disasters that occurred in 2010
B．give the details of some natural disasters of 2010
C．warn that more natural disasters are to strike
D．blame humanity for not helping those affected by the disasters
Each time I see a balloon, my mind flies back to a memory of when I was a six-year-old girl. It was a rainy Sunday and my father had recently died. I asked my mom if Dad had gone to heaven. "Yes, honey. Of course." she said.
"Can we write him a letter?"
She paused, the longest pause of my short life, and answered, "Yes."
My heart jumped. "How? Does the mailman go there?" I asked.
"No, but I have an idea." Mom drove to a party store and returned with a red balloon. I asked her what it was for.
"Just wait, honey. You'll see." Mom told me to write my letter. Eagerly, I got my favorite pen, and poured out my six-year-old heart in the form of blue ink. I wrote about my day, what I learned at school, how Mom was doing, and even about what happened in a story I had read. For a few minutes it was as if Dad were still alive. I gave the letter to Mom. She read it over, and a smile crossed her face.
She made a hole in the corner of the letter where she looped (缠绕) the balloon string. We went outside and she gave me the balloon. It was still raining.
"Okay, on the count of three, let go. One, two, three."
The balloon, carrying my letter, darted upward against the rain. We watched until it was swallowed by the mass of clouds.
Later I realized, like the balloon, that Dad had never let his sickness get him down. He was strong. No matter what he suffered, he'd persevere, dart up, and finally transcend (超越) this cold world and his sick body. He rose into sky and became something beautiful. I watched until the balloon disappeared into the gray and white and I prayed that his strength was hereditar. I prayed to be a balloon.
1.When the girl asked her mother if they could write to her father, her mother _________.
A．felt it hard to answer B．thought her a creative girl
C．believed it easy to do so D．found it easy to lie
2.When the girl was told that she could send a letter to her father, she _________.
A．jumped with joy B．became excited
C．started writing immediately D．was worried that it couldn't be delivered
3.In the eyes of the author, what was the rain like?
A．An incurable disease. B．An unforgettable memory.
C．The hard time her father had. D．The failures her father experienced.
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A．An unforgettable experience B．The strong red balloon
C．Fly to paradise D．A great father
A TAXI driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and expectation. Inspiring speakers charge thousands of dollars to give his kind of training to corporate directors and staff. It cost me only a ＄12 taxi ride.
I had flown into Dallas just for the purpose of calling on a client. Time was important and my plan included a quick turn – around trip from and back to the airport. A clean taxi pulled up.
The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As be got in the driver’s seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy.
Well! I looked around for a “Candid Camera!” Wouldn’t you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, “Obviously you take great pride in you work. You must have a story to tell.”
“You bet,” he replied, “I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my right position in life, somewhere I could feel proud of being the best I could be.
I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day’s work and done it well. I evaluated my personal property and, I became a taxi driver!
One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I jus have to meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXEED the customer’s expectations! I like the sound of being ‘great’ better than just being ‘average’. ”
Did I tip him big time? You bet!
The taxi driver taught me a great life lesson: Go an extra mile when providing any service to others. And there is no good or bad job you can make any job good.
1.What lesson did the author learn from the taxi driver?
A．How to make the best use of time.
B．How to do better in the service business.
C．How to turn an interest into your career.
D．How to become a motivational speaker.
2.Why did the author look around for a “Candid Camera”?
A．Because he was afraid he would be photographed in the cab.
B．Because he was worried what the driver could be up to.
C．Because he was amazed by the way the driver was treating him.
D．Because he wasn’t interested in the tapes offered by the driver
3.It can be inferred from the story that .
A．the taxi driver couldn’t accept just being average
B．the author was anxious to get back to meet a client
C．when the author waited for a taxi at the airport, he was not in a rush
D．the taxi driver loved to play his favorite music during rides
4.According to the story, the taxi driver .
A．was dissatisfied wit his present job
B．was once often rewarded for being a model worker
C．enjoyed offering his customers more than they expected
D．was forced to become a taxi driver to support his family
What is red but green, open but closed and old but new?
The answer is: London’s new double-decker（双层）buses.
Red double-deckers are a symbol of the city. Their status was sealed (确定) in 2008 when one bus made the longer-than-usual trip to Beijing to collect a special passenger: the Olympic Flame.
On November 11, a life-size model of the new bus was shown to the media. The Guardian reported that the new design shares some of the features of the much-missed double-decker Routemaster bus. The original Routemaster was introduced in 1956 but December 2005 saw the end of the old bus’s general service. It was because the bus was difficult for some passengers to use and not environmentally friendly. But it can still be seen on two heritage routes in the city.
Its replacements —boxy, modern double—deckers—have failed to win Londoners’ affection.
London mayor Boris Johnson told the BBC that the new buses were “a combination of nostalgia（怀旧）and the latest technology”. “Standing on the back platform of this bus brings a sense of nostalgia but also shows the best part of the latest technology and design, making this bus fit for the 21st Century,” he said.
The new bus also returns to the driver—and—conductor model—a key feature of the original version. It will be quieter than the old type and have a platform offering passengers the traditional hop—on hop—off service.
The first five new buses will be seen on the roads by early 2012.
1.Which of the following shows that red double—deckers are a symbol of London?
A．They have a long history and are seen everywhere in London.
B．They have nothing in common with the traditional Routemaster bus.
C．One such bus went from London to Beijing to collect the Olympic Flame.
D．They carried British athletes from London to attend the Beijing Olympics.
2.Which of the following is true of the original Routemaster?
A．The bus came into use in the 1960s.
B．The bus was banned because it was harmful to the environment.
C．Passengers didn’t like the bus because it was slow.
D．Visitors to London cannot see such buses on the roads any more.
3.According to London mayor Boris Johnson, the new Routemaster .
A．has not been as well received as was expected
B．will be widely used in London in 2012
C．is the most environmentally friendly bus in the UK
D．combines the latest technology with key traditional features
4.What is the characteristic of the new red double – deckers?
A．The buses will make no noises.
B．The buses will have no conductors.
C．They will be equipped with air – conditioning.
D．The bus platform will offer passengers a traditional service.
完型填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36—55各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
LAST weekend, I helped my friend Alex get money for poor children at Crossroads Mall He 36 needed volunteers, especially of the female. I decided that this was a pretty good 37 , so the next day I got ready to go.
I arrived at Crossroads about five minutes 38 , and helped Alex and 39 of the volunteers. There were only three 40 at first, and we figured we might as well get started 41 just waiting for more to arrive. I held the 42 , and suddenly felt extremely shy. I did not 43 asking people for donations. In fact, I’m usually one of those people who try to 44 those boring stands and ask you for a little contribution. For heaven’s sake, I can contribute to a few, 45 I cannot alone 46 every single cause in the world!
I really didn’t like the idea of asking anyone for donations to our cause. 47 , I watched my friends speak to the strangers, and noticed that they were extra polite to everyone—no matter whether they 48 . I realized that 49 I wasn’t pushy（强求的）, it would be okay, and my conscience could be 50 .
I pasted on a large smile, and started asking people passing by. My mouth tripped over words, and I continually said “um” while I thought of the correct terms. 51 I talked to more and more people. Not only improved, but also started noticing small 52 . Instead of saying “donate”, which made most people walk away 53 .I started suing the word “contribute”. I added the phrase “every little bit counts”, and people started to donate small amounts in larger quantities. As the day went on, I learned how to pull on the hearts of the 54 , and I became a successful fundraiser.
At the end of the day, we all gathered at Alex’s house and 55 how much money we raised. I was so surprised; We raised over $300! We celebrated, and went home tired, but satisfied that we helped a great cause.
1.A．every B．much C．desperately D．too
2.A．cause B．business C．affair D．career
3.A．earlier B．early C．later D．late
4.A．the other B．others C．another D．the rest
5.A．passers—by B．teachers C．volunteers D．people
6.A．instead of B．but C．in spite of D．in place of
7.A．signal B．signature C．sing D．symbol
8.A．appreciate B．like C．want D．need
9.A．annoy B．flee C．meet D．avoid
10.A．and B．but C．or D．so
11.A．do B．support C．make D．create
12.A．What’s more B．Besides C．Whatever D．However
13.A．donated B．gave C．came D．passed
14.A．as soon as B．as far as C．as long as D．as short as
15.A．at ease B．with happiness C．in silence D．in surprise
16.A．As B．Before C．Since D．During
17.A．actions B．hoopes C．wishes D．trends
18.A．slow B．fast C．slower D．faster
19.A．goers B．passers-by C．students D．strangers
20.A．thought B．looked at C．counted D．decided
—Let me help you cross the street.
— ! I’m not that old.
A．Take your time B．No way C．Come on D．Of course
