Humankind has tried to improve its standard of living since the very beginning of civilization. Back then, as well as today, providing food and security was the basic task for a person. However, nowadays the range of required goods has expanded significantly. People feel the need for not only some primary things, such as a piece of bread and a roof over their heads, but also for various facilities and luxuries. Providing humanity with these things is connected to the use of natural resources, which requires energy. In turn, the common sources of energy we use today cause pollution, so economic growth is almost unavoidably associated with environmental damage.
Economic growth is the increase in numbers of goods and services produced over time by an economy, and it is calculated in terms of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Before growth is calculated, inflation (通货膨胀)is adjusted in order to take into account its misleading effect on the price of goods and services. Economic growth can also be explained as the increase in expected output, which results from an increase in actual output, or total demand.
There are certain aspects of economic growth which affect the environment. The first of these is the fact that in order to produce more goods and products, at a faster rate, the construction of large industrial plants is required. These plants produce a lot of waste, leading to the pollution of water and the atmosphere, which may cause negative long term health effects to nearby populations of animals, or people. They also lead to global warming.
Industrial manufacturing leads to the constantly increasing energy consumption. The traditional energy sources, which are commonly used nowadays, are considered to be the greatest polluters to the environment. There also exist so-called eco-friendly sources of energy. They are sometimes preferred but replacing the traditional sources with them also requires time, during which people have to make some sacrifices to support these undertakings.
In order to produce economically practical energy, a sometimes significant transformation of the natural site is often inevitable. This is expensive and, has harmful effects on the environment. Application of wind energy would block airflows’ natural speed which is the reason for their decrease in strength, after crossing the windmill. Consequently, the pressure balance that is brought about by this current will be affected, and it is important to remember that the environment and weather conditions are directly affected by atmospheric pressure.
For these reasons, bringing about economic growth without any resulting environmental damage, whatsoever, is impossible.
1.What does the passage mainly talk about?
A． Pollution caused by plant construction.
B． Effects of windmills on the environment.
C． Economic growth and human civilization.
D． Economic growth and environmental damage.
2.What does the underlined word “They” in the third paragraph refer to?
A．Goods and products B．The industrial plants
C． Water and atmosphere D．Negative health effects
3.According to the passage, the author holds the opinion that ______.
A． economic growth should be calculated in terms of GDP
B． use of natural resources causes no damage to the environment
C． industrial manufacturing may cause damage to the environment
D． a windmill is a perfect way to produce economically practical energy
4.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?
There is a famous story about British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He was writing a poem when he was interrupted by a knock at the door.
This was an age before telephones. Someone was delivering a message. When Coleridge got back to his poem, he had lost his inspiration. His poetic mood had been broken by the knock on his door. His unfinished poem, which could otherwise have been a masterpiece, would now never be more than a fragment.
This story tells how unexpected communication can destroy an important thought, which bring us to the cellphone.
The most common complaint about cellphones is that people talk on them to the annoyance of people around them. But more damaging may be the cellphone’s interruption of our thoughts.
We have already entered a golden age of little white lies about our cellphones, and this is by and large(大体上)a healthy, protective development. “I didn’t hear it ring” or “I didn’t realize my phone had shut off” are among the lies we tell to give ourselves space where we’re beyond reach.
The notion of being unreachable is not a new concept—we have “Do Not Disturb” sign on the doors of hotel rooms. So why must we feel guilty when it comes to cellphones? Why must we apologize if we decide to shut off the phone for a while?
Now time alone, or a conversation with someone next to us which cannot be interrupted by a phone, is something to be cherished. Even cellphone devotees（信徒）, myself usually included, can’t help at times wanting to throw their phone away, or curse the day they were invented.
But we don’t and won’t, and there really is no need. All that’s required to take back our private time is a general social recognition that we have the right to it. In other words, we have to develop a healthy contempt for the rings of our own phones.
A cellphone call deserves no greater priority than a random word from the person next to us，though the call on my cellphone may be the one-in-a-million from Steven Spielberg—who has finally read my novel and wants to make it his next movie. But most likely it is not, and I’m better off thinking about the idea I just had for a new story, or the slice of pizza I’ll eat for lunch.
1.What is the point of the anecdote(轶事)about the poet Coleridge in the first three paragraphs?
A．To direct readers’ attention to the main topic.
B．To show how important inspiration is to a poet.
C．To emphasize the disadvantage of not having a cellphone.
D．To encourage readers to read the works of this poet.
2.What does the writer think about people telling “white lies” about their cellphones?
A．It is a way of signaling that you don’t like the caller.
B．It is natural to tell lies about small things
C．It is basically a good way to protect one’s privacy.
D．We should feel guilty when we can’t tell the truth.
3.According to the author, what is the most annoying problem caused by cellphones?
A．People get so obsessed (着迷) with the cellphone rings that they fail to notice anything else.
B．People feel guilty when they are not able to answer their cellphones.
C．Cellphones interrupt people’s private time.
D．With cellphones it is no longer possible to be unreachable.
4.What does the last paragraph suggest?
A．A person who calls us from afar deserves more of our attention.
B．Steven Spielberg once called the author to talk about the author’s novel.
C．You should always finish your lunch before you answer a call on the cellphone.
D．Never let cellphones disturb your life too much.
Birds have long been known to be the disease carries for years, but now they are receiving so much pressure due to Avian Bird Flu. Bird cause health danger to humans and animals in or around their droppings.
Bird Buffer Q2, is designed to protect your facility from unwanted troublesome birds naturally, and is especially effective for sparrow control. When birds keep coming back and you’ve tried everything imaginable, it’s time for Bird Buffer Q2.
Bird control is now safe, easy, and economical with Bird Buffer. The Bird Buffer is also simple to operate. Just hang it with Bird Buffer cables or set it on the roof. Fill it with the specially?prepared liquid, and turn it on. It is that simple. Bird Buffer Q2 is a permanent, automatic and cost?effective commercial process for indoor and outdoor bird control. Contact Bird Buffer LLC ＠www. Birdbuffer.com or call 866－557－4274.
Bird Buffer Q2 Frequently Asked Questions:
a) How does Bird Buffer Q2 work?
It is operated by an electrically?controlled sprayer(喷雾器）to spread the vapor at 90 mph over larger areas. A time releases the vapor every 2 minutes into the air to keep fresh vapor in the area for birds. When birds fly through the area, the tiny particles（颗粒） of vapor enter the birds breathing system, making the birds fly away. When the birds come back, they once again breathe the particles and fly away. After a few weeks, birds remember their responses and stay away.
b) How much water is needed per month?
About one gallon a mouth
c) How long does it take to get bird control?
Usually two weeks is enough to control flocks of birds from the treated area. It takes time for the birds to find a new home and new feeding grounds.
1.It can be inferred that the text is used_________. .
A．to promote the product
B．to warn people not to go near birds
C．to remind people of the present situation of bird control is
D．to inform people what the present situation of bird control is
2.Where can Bird Buffer Q2 be most likely used?
A．In basements. B．In wild forests.
C．In wildlife zoos. D．In outdoor restaurants.
3.Which of the following words can best describe Bird Buffer Q2?
A．Attractive B．Inexpensive C．Time?saving D．Dangerous
4.All of the following aspects of bird control using Bird Buffer Q2 are mentioned except_______.
A．the time taken B．the amount of water needed
C．the way it works D．the side effects brought about
The Man was very sad. He knew that the Cat's days were numbered. The doctor had said there wasn’t anything more that could be done, and that he should take the Cat home and make him as comfortable as possible.
A tear rolled down the Man’s cheek and landed on the Cat’s forehead, The Cat gave him a slightly annoyed look. “Why do you cry, Man?” the Cat asked. “Because you can’t bear the thought of losing me? Because you think you can never replace me?” The Man nodded “yes”.
“Pick up that piece of string from the floor. There, my ‘toy’. The Man reached over and picked up the string. It was about two feet long and the Cat had been able to entertain himself for hours with it. “Now take each end of the string in one hand,” the Cat ordered. The Man did so.
“The end in your left hand is my birth and the end in your right hand is my death. Now bring the two ends together,” the Cat said. The man did so. Then the Cat continued, “You have made a continuous circle. Does any point along the string appear to be different, worse or better than any other part of the string?” The Man inspected the string and then shook his head.
“Close your eyes.” the Cat said. “Now lick your hand.” The Man widened his eyes in surprise. “Just do it,” the Cat said. “Lick your hand, think of me in all my familiar places, and think about all the pieces of string.”
Licking his hand, he discovered what a cat must know, that licking a paw is very calming and allows one to think more clearly. He continued licking and the corners of his mouth turned upward into the first smile he had shown in days. He waited for the Cat to tell him to stop, and when he didn’t, he opened his eyes. The Cat’s eyes were closed. The Man stroked(轻抚) the warm, brown fur, but the Cat was gone.
One day, not long after, there was a new cat on his lap. She was a lovely white cat. It is very different from his earlier beloved Cat and very much the same.
1.Why did the Cat give the man a slightly annoyed look?
A．Because the man’s tears made the Cat really anxious.
B．Because the Cat didn’t know what made the man burst into tears.
C．Because the Cat couldn’t go to sleep when the man was in low spirits.
D．Because the man didn’t have to be so sad and concerned.
2.According to the text, which of the following is the reason why a cat licks paws?
A．Licking paws can make a cat remain calm and have a clear mind.
B．Licking paws will make a cat happy and energetic.
C．Licking paws will make a cat find out many unknown secrets.
D．Licking paws can make a cat stay tidy and healthy.
3.What does the underlined word “string” in paragraph 3 stand for?
A．Life. B．Birth. C．Hope. D．Power.
4.What's the main idea of the passage?
A．Pets play an important part in our life.
B．Life has no end and death is just a new beginning.
C．We should take a positive attitude towards life and live life to its fullest.
D．It gives us some suggestions on how to relieve ourselves when a pet passes away.
Overweight has been a great concern for some people. In an attempt to keep normal weight, people have 48 tried various methods. Nevertheless, not all the ways are 49 when it comes to health. For weight loss, many people 50 the high-protein, low-carbohydrate(碳水化合物)diets. However, such diets might have 51 harmful long-term effects on the colon (结肠), a small study indicates.
On average, the study found when the men were on the high-protein diets, they had higher levels of substances known as N-nitrous compounds that have been 52 cancer. And when they were on the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, they had lowered amounts of fiber-originated compounds thought to be protective against 53 .
The findings 54 that people should be aware of consuming too much protein and too little fiber over a long period. In general, experts 55 that adults get about 28 grams of fiber per day though—it’s not known whether that’s enough for someone on a high-protein weight-loss diet.
1. A．successfully B．painfully C．occasionally D．immediately
2. A．helpless B．cheap C．useless D．beneficial
3. A．make up B．come across C．turn to D．get on
4. A．potentially B．additionally C．frequently D．definitely
5. A．taken from B．linked to C．held up D．based on
6. A．health B．diet C．cancer D．protein
7. A．hope B．accept C．suggest D．doubt
8. A．recommend B．offer C．demand D．agree
The car, running along the well-lit road now sank in darkness. I broke the 36 on purpose, for fear that the driver was too tired to drive. “When do you go back home in the evening?”“9 o’clock after this trip.” Then when do you come out in the morning?”I 37 another question. “9 o’ clock, too—just as if I worked at an office.” His easiness surprised me, because every time I ride a taxi, what I 38 from the driver are only complaints that they have to work from morning till night, it’s hard to earn money, they’re often 39 by the police, or that their leaders are seated 40 , enjoying the fruits. But this driver told me, “I find it 41 to be a section chief as I was before. I like driving just for pleasure. It’s fortunate that I 42 drive without a passenger. So I earn two or three thousand Yuan a month with ease. Yes, I never 43 an empty taxi. If it goes southward, I go northward. If it goes along a highway, I turn into a narrow street…”
His words showed his 44 with his life and the pride he 45 in his
job. Such feelings are so 46 among people nowadays as oxygen in high mountain. How many people nowadays can show high ideals by simple living and go far with a calm mind? I couldn’t help feeling moved when finding such a state of mind in a stranger on a cold 47 .
1. A．window B．car C．silence D．promise
2. A．threw out B．gave away C．put up D．led to
3. A．suffer B．request C．benefit D．hear
4. A．detected B．ordered C．fined D．seized
5. A．noisy B．lazy C．tired D．hungry
6. A．exciting B．disappointing C．tiring D．amazing
7. A．hardly B．usually C．actually D．immediately
8. A．follow B．admire C．envy D．meet
9. A．intelligence B．satisfaction C．competition D．honesty
10. A．made B．held C．caught D．took
11. A．rare B．comfortable C．special D．unique
12. A．morning B．night C．moment D．season
