We experience different forms of the Sun’s energy every day. We can see its light and feel its warmth. The Sun is the major source of energy for our planet. It causes the evaporation (蒸发) of water from the oceans and lakes. Sunlight also provides the energy used by green plants to make their own food. These green plants then provide food for all organisms(生物) on the Earth.
Much of the energy that comes from the Sun never reaches the Earth’s surface. It is either reflected or absorbed by the gases in the upper atmosphere. Of the energy that reaches the lower atmosphere,30% is reflected by clouds or the Earth’s surface. The remaining 70% warms the surface of the planet, causes water to evaporate, and provides energy for the water cycle and weather. Only a tiny part, approximately 0.023%, is actually used by green plants to produce food.
Many gases found in the atmosphere actually reflect heat energy escaping from the Earth’s surface back to the Earth. These gases act like the glass of a greenhouse in that they allow energy from the Sun to enter but prevent energy from leaving. They are therefore called greenhouse gases.
When sunlight strikes an object, some of the energy is absorbed and some is reflected. The amount reflected depends on the surface. For example, you’ve probably noticed how bright snow is when sunlight falls on it. Snow reflects most of the energy from the Sun, so it contributes to the low temperatures of winter. Dark-coloured surfaces, such as dark soil or forest, absorb more energy and help warm the surrounding air.
1.According to the passage, the root( 根本的) cause for weather changes on the Earth is .
A.the atmosphere surrounding the Earth
B.water from oceans and lakes
C.energy from the Sun
D.greenhouse gases in the sky
2.Only a small part of the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s surface because most of it is .
A.absorbed by the clouds in the lower atmosphere
B.reflected by the gases in the upper atmosphere
C.lost in the upper and lower atmosphere
D.used to evaporate water from the oceans and lakes
3.We learn from the passage that .
A.all living things on the Earth depend on the Sun for their food
B.a forest looks dark in winter because it absorbs solar energy
C.only 0.023% of the energy from the Sun is made use of on the Earth
D.greenhouse gases allow heat energy to escape from the Earth’s surface
Do’s and Don’ts in Whale(鲸) Watching
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has developed guidelines for whale watching in Johnstone Strait, where killer whales are found on a daily basis each summer.It is strongly recommended that vessel(船只) operators follow these guidelines for all kinds of whales.
● Approach whales from the side, not from the front or the back.
● Approach no closer than 100 meters, then stop the boat but keep the engine on.
● Keep noise levels down—no horns, whistles or racing of engines.
● Start your boat only after the whales are more than 100 meters from your vessel.
● Leave the area slowly, gradually moving faster when you are more than 300 meters from the whales.
● Approach and leave slowly, avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction.
● Avoid disturbing groups of resting whales.
● Keep at low speeds and remain in the same direction if travelling side by side with whales.
● When whales are travelling close to shore, avoid crowding them near the shore or coming between the whales and the shore.
● Limit the time spent with any group of whales to less than 30 minutes at a time when within 100 to 200 meters of whales.
● If there is more than one vessel at the same observation spot, be sure to avoid any boat position that would result in surrounding the whales.
● Work together by communicating with other vessels, and make sure that all operators are aware of the whale watching guidelines.
1.For whom is this text written?
A.Tour guides. B.Whale watchers.
C.Vessel operators. D.Government officials.
2.When leaving the observation areas, the vessel should _____.
A.move close to the beach
B.increase speed gradually
C.keep its engine running slowly
D.remain at the back of the whales
3.When going side by side with whales, the vessel should .
A.keep moving in the same direction
B.surround the whales with other boats
C.travel closer and closer to the shore
D.take a good viewing position
4.What is the shortest safe distance from the whales?
A.400 meters. B.300 meters. C.200 meters. D.100 meters.
A volcanic eruption in Iceland has sent ash across northern Europe. Airlines have stopped or changed the flights across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving hundreds of passengers stuck in airports.
Grimsvom is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Europe. What makes Grimsvom different is that it lies under a huge glacier(冰川)of ice up to 12 maters thick. The hot volcano heats up the ice above it, which then forms a layer(层)of water between the glacier and the volcano This layer of water puts pressure on the volcano, keeping it stable, As the water flows out from under the glacier, the pressure lifts. The lava(岩浆)from the volcano then comes up to the surface. This is exactly what happened today.
Now, airlines have to make changes to their flights so as not to fly through the clouds of volcanic ash. According to KLM. one of Europe’s biggest airlines, airplanes cannot go under the cloud or over it. Going through the cloud can result in ash getting stuck in the airplane’s engines, causing damage to the plane.
The eruption has also caused problems for animals in Iceland. The volcano left ash and sharp. Glass-like rocks all over the countryside. Farmers are keeping their animals inside to stop them from eating ash- covered grass to the sharp object.
1.What makes Grimsvom different from other volcanoes?
A.It is below ice. B.It lies under the sea
C.It is the largest volcano D.It is lava affects the airlines
2.What keeps Grimsvom still?
A.The slow flow of water B.The low water temperature
C.The thick glacier D.The water pressure
3.Which of the following is the result of the volcanic eruption?
A.People stop traveling in Europe
B.Airlines suffer from the loss of planes
C.It becomes dangerous for animals to eat outside
D.Farmers have lost many of their animals
4.This text is most probably taken from_____
A.a research paper B.a newspaper report
C.a class presentation D.a geography textbook.
My name is Amanda LaMunyon. I have Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism (自闭症). I don’t see myself as a person with a disability. I share who I am when I paint, sing and write.
I started writing poetry because I wanted to tell people what it was like to have Asperger’s syndrome. I don’t know how my life would be different without Asperger’s, but I know I look at the world differently than most people. I’m also learning that you don’t have to be like everybody else. You just have to be confident in who you are.
I discovered I could paint when I was 7. My math teacher Mrs. Brock loved one of my paintings so much that she hung it on the wall in her bedroom. I was so encouraged by her and since then my life has changed greatly.
Soon after, people asked me to show my art for charity events. I began to donate prints of my work for charity auctions (拍卖). I was glad that I really made a difference. I learned that when you give, you receive happiness.
I think it is very important for teens to express themselves. It’s a way to know yourself more clearly. You can turn your thoughts and feelings into a piece of artwork or a poem.
For example, when you paint, colors can help you express different emotions. When you write a poem, you have to get really honest with yourself and not be afraid to write down what you feel.
Creativity makes you unique and sets you apart from others. Creative ideas also help you make your dreams come true. They help you look at things in a new way.
I hope my story helps people to believe they can overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams. I like to encourage others. I know what encouragement has meant to me.
1.The author mentions Mrs. Brock because she ______.
A.taught the author how to paint
B.found the author had a gift for painting
C.influenced the author’s later life greatly
D.encouraged the author to change her life
2.The author advises teens to ______.
A.learn more about themselves B.express themselves in art
C.show their thoughts to others D.dream big and go for it
3.Which of the following words can best describe the author?
A.Lucky. B.Hardworking. C.Positive. D.Humorous.
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A.Power of art B.Happiness of giving
C.Importance of creativity D.Wonder of encouragement
My grandson is seven now. He lives 100 miles away. He 36 my mobile phone number when he was only four. 37 , he has called me every night.
He also 38 calls me at other times during the day just to 39 a happy or sad moment. Many times he is holding a basketball with one hand, or 40 with a friend about something I don’t quite 41 , or crying about something. I just 42 and laugh or cry with him — just share his emotion. I always let him be in 43 of the conversation, the emotion, and the amount of time he’s on the 44 with me. Many times I just listen to him 45 or listen while he does his homework aloud.
The 46 time I take control of the conversation is when he’s 47 to say goodbye at night. Then I say, “I love you, baby”. One 48 I thought maybe he was 49 of hearing those words, so I didn’t say them. He immediately called me back and told me that I 50 to say the sentence! Since then I have never 51 saying it again!
All my friends know he takes precedence over (比……重要) all other things. If I’m at a place where I really can’t take his 52 , I always excuse myself and 53 tell him I’ll call him back in a few minutes. I want him to know that he takes first place in my 54 .
Every child needs at least one 55 in their life to listen and share with. I am glad to give my grandson the love he needs.
1. A.memorized B.kept C.noticed D.wrote
2. A.Once again B.Since then C.Later on D.Shortly after
3. A.briefly B.directly C.instantly D.frequently
4. A.express B.discuss C.share D.mark
5. A.comparing B.laughing C.studying D.quarrelling
6. A.understand B.enjoy C.believe D.remember
7. A.look B.talk C.sit D.listen
8. A.charge B.need C.support D.face
9. A.conversation B.phone C.way D.game
10. A.play B.sleep C.lie D.act
11. A.last B.only C.perfect D.right
12. A.willing B.determined C.ready D.eager
13. A.day B.night C.weekend D.morning
14. A.afraid B.tired C.aware D.ashamed
15. A.decided B.learnt C.agreed D.forgot
16. A.escaped B.failed C.missed D.denied
17. A.invitation B.call C.help D.attention
18. A.naturally B.politely C.simply D.happily
19. A.work B.brain C.appointment D.heart
20. A.friend B.grandparent C.adult D.teacher
—Peter, let’s check what we still have left.
—Well, _____ is no use evaluating the total loss before the typhoon leaves.
A.one B.that C.it D.this