What if we could replace oil with a fuel which produced no pollution and which everybody had equal access to?The good news is that we can, In fact, we are swimming in it—literally.
Hydrogen is one of the building blocks of the universe ,Our own sun is basically ,a big ,dense cloud of the stuff ,And hydrogen can be used to create electricity for power ,heat and light.
The problem is that hydrogen is everywhere and nowhere at the same time , It does not exist as a material on its own ,but is always part of something else, So it has to be separated before it can be used.
Most commercial hydrogen in use now is created from natural gas , As oil will start to run out in around the year 2030.,it makes sense to produce as much hydrogen as possible as soon as we can ,But natural gas supplies will also begin to run out soon after, Another source is needed.
Researchers are now using electricity to make water into hydrogen ,Companies are working on the problem in their own areas ,The first commercial hydrogen ,”fuel cells”for computers and mobile phones have already come on to the market ,Auto companies have also invested over US ＄2billion in the production of hydrogen fuelled cars
Thd nations of a hydrogen fuelled planet would not fight over evergy recourses, There would be a great reduction in pollution ,The only by-product of creating hydrogen is pure drinking water—something that is very scarce in many parts of the world ,But that is not where the good news ends, Once the costs of producing hydrogen have been brought down ,it will possibly provide power for a third of the Earth ‘s population that has no electricity.
And electricity creates wealth, In South A frica over the last decade there has been a large programme of electrification, Thanks to the programme, people do not have to spend their days looking firewood to burn for heat, And with electric light , they can work long into the night.
Some scientists see radical changes in the way the human race co-operates, Hydrogen creates clectricity, and is also created by it. With dual use fuel cells, everyone who consumes energy could also produce it ,Late at night, a man drives home in London and connects his car into the “world-wide hydrogen web”, which it supplies with electricity ,A few hours later, a man in Beijing uses that electricity to power the hydrogen cell in his car, Hydrogen could be the first democratic energy source.
Like all dreams of the future, it seems very far away, But the threat of war and terrorism in the Middle East has made governments and businesses more aware of the need to edn oil dependency and spend more time and money on hydrogen resource, So maybe the threat of war is not a completely bad thing for the future of the human race.
1.What does the underlined word “it”in the last but one paragraph refer to?
A、wealth B、hydrogen C、electricity D、fuel
2.What is the problem with using hydrogen as energy?
A、It has by-products
B、It has to be separated from other materials
C、It will make energy too cheap
D、It is too far away from us
3.Why does the author give the example in the last but one paragraph?
A、To tell us that we produce energy while using hydrogen power
B、To tell us that hydrogen power does not produce pollution
C、To show hydrogen power can stop war
D、To show hydrogen power is cheap
4.What is the author’s attitude about the future?
A、skeptical B、negative C、indifferent D、positive
5.What is the passage mainly about?
A、war and energy
B、the future of hydrogen as an energy resource
C、the disadvantages of oil
D、How to end war
The high cost of living in Sydney causes city parents to worry more about their children.
New research by the Financial Services Council (FSC)shows that 75% of metropolitan mums and dads say their ability to earn is important to the well-being of their kids, Tet a greater proportion(比例)of Sydney parents think children suffer emotionally by having two full-time working parents .AS a result 46%of Sydneysiders feel their Kids could be happier , against 38%of both Melbourne and regional New South Wales mums and dads.
The FSC research ,which interviewed 1200 parents across the country ,also shows 66% of Sydneysiders believe the happiness of their children would be greatly affected if they or their partner couldn’t work.
The FSC undertook the survey as part of its Lifewise campaign ,to encourage Australians to protect themselves against financial hardship.
Chairman of the Lifewise campaign John Crosswell said：“The research findings quite clearly highlight that Sydney parents prioritise (优先考虑)their ability to earn money and yet because they are so busy doing so, it seems that their ability to spend time with their family is affected .Sydney parents are dedicated to earning money but as a consequence, perhaps they don’t have the time to enjoy spending it with their family.”
In sydney ,the top factor for creating an ideal childhood is financial security ,at 92%.Fewer parents rate having a tigh-knit family(89%)or living near friends and family (85%)as important.
David and Ari Dearnley ,of North Manly ,said money pressure was hard to avoid in Sydney ,They both work and said family finances would be severely hard if one of them couldn’t
But only Mrs Dearnly has income-protection insurance, “I think that I don’t really need it yet”,Mr Dearnly ,37, said.
“I think he’s mad”,Mrs Dearnly ,also 27 ,said,“If David couldn’t work it would have a huge impact on our lifestyle.”
“Looks like I’ll be getting it tomorrow,”Mr Dearnly responded.
1.What is the main idea of the passage?
A、The findings of a study on how Sydney people go through financial hardship with their family
B、A survey on the factors that may have influences on Sydney children’s happy childhood
C、a survey on the relations between children’s happiness and their parents’ability to earn in Sydney
D、A comparison between Sydney people and those of other cities on their views about earning money
2.From the passage we can infer that
A、Three quarters of Sydney parents think children may have emotional problems
B、less than half of Sydney parents think their children now are not as happy as they expect
C、Most Sydney parents think family finances are the only factor that impact children’s childhood
D、A bout two thirds of Sydney parents think children would be happier if they could‘t work
3.What does Lifewise campaign aim to?
A、Encouraging Australian people avoid the harm of financial problems
B、Helping Sydney parents find a suitable job?
C、Making Australian people improve their ability to earn
D、A ttracting Sydney people to buy insurance
4.According to John Crosswell, we can learn that
A、Income-protection insurance has an impact on the lifestyle of a Sydney family
B、If moe of the parents couldn’t work their family finances will be clearly affected
C、Sydney parents are in a dilemma of devoting to work and enjoying family life
D、Sydney parents now can make a balance between their work and family life
5.What does “it ”underlined in the last paragraph refer to?
A、Work B、Insurance C、Income D、Pressure
Babies who are slow to gain weight in the first months of their lives generally catch up to their peers by age 13,a large UK study shows, Researchers said the results would make parents whose babies fail to put on weight quickly less worried.
The researchers looked at data from ,11,499 children who took part in a large study, It showed that 507 who were slow to gain weight in the first eight weeks of life recovered fairly quickly and had almost caught up by age 2. Another group of 480 who were slow to gain between eight weeks and nine months continued to put on weight slowly until they were seven years ,but then had a sudden increase and caught up by age 13, The different pattems of recovery between the two groups were likely due to different reasons for slow weight gain ,the researchers said, All the children were still lighter and shorter than their peers by the time they were teenagers ,but within the normal range.
The findings highlight the importance of monitoring a baby’s weight and height gain during the first few weeks and months ,but not creating anxiety with parents of slow-growing babies, said the study leader Prof Alan Emond from the University of Bristol.
“In the past, a lot of parents have been caused unnecessary anxiety by heaith professionals and this is a positive and reassuring message.”He said in many cases of slow growth where children do not follow the standard’curve’(曲线)it is just because they are following their genetic potential.
Dr Simon Newell, vice-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said he broadly agreed with the concluslons of the researchers but stressed that poor weight gain was something that needed to be monitored closely, “I would encourage parents to use growth charts but if measurements show your baby is smaller than averager it may be completely normal, ”he said.
1.What can we know from the findings of the research?
A、All the cases of slow weight gain in the first months of the babies’ lives are caused by the same reason
B、Slow-growing babies will have the same height and weight with their peers by age13
C、Many cases of children whose growth don’t meet the growing standard curve cannot be treated as abnormal
D、The findings won’t cause parents’ anxiety so monitoring a baby’s growth from his/her birth is unnecessary
2.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A、It’s important to monitor a baby’s weight and height gain for new parents
B、New parents should feel anxious about their baby’s weight and height gain
C、Researches still couldn’t find the reasons for slow weight gain
D、All the children’s weight and height became normal by age 13
3.What does the underlined word in the fourth paragraph mean?
A、Making sure something is certain to be true
B、Making someone calmer and less anxious
C、Confirming something is to happen again
D、Being sure that someone can be attracted
4.Which of the statements would Dr Simon Newell agree to?
A、To some degree, growth charts can help parents monitor their babies’ weight gain
B、It’s abnormal for babies are smaller than average
C、He agreed with the researchers completely
D、Babies’ weight gain can only be monitored and measured by using growth charts.
5.The writer wrote this passage in order to
A、tell us how to help babies grow faster
B、explain why babies are gain weight slowly
C、report on the findings of a research
D、reduce the anxiety of some parents
As rain begins to fall from the clouds, it is very pure. However, as it falls through the air it dissolves some of the gases in the air ,It also collects bits of dust and microbes(微生物)that are floating in the air, When the rain reaches the ground it begins to pick up more dust and dirt, Many kinds of mineral substances dissolve in the water ,Sand and nud cannot dissolve in water.
Since water is so important to us, it is very important that the water we use should be clean , Otherwise, we might get some of the diseases that are carried by water Many microbes are harmful ,They are so small that we cannot see them ,These microbes must be removed or killed before the water is not clean, people who drink this water may get these diseases, Thus , to provide people with clean water, the government purifies the water.
Purification is a long process and consists of three stages: storing ,purifying and distributing ,The first stage is storing , Man-made lakes called reservoirs are used for this purpose ,Water from the rains ,other lakes, streams and rivers is collected in the reservoirs ,This water is usually dirty and muddy.
In the second stage shich is purifying , water from the reservoirs is filtered in a special pond, Stones, sand and other unwanted tiny things are caught in it, After that, tiny microbes are still present in the water ,These microbes are removed by “airing ”the water and by adding a chemical substance called chloring(氯)to the water ,This kills all the microbes in the water ,A fter this the water can be safely used for drinking.
The third stage is the distribution of the purified water to homes ,hospitals, offices ,factories and other places, This is done through a network of pipes of various sizes, These pipes must be make of a suitable material.
1.From Paragraph 1, we can learn that
A、Rain has contained gases when it forms in the clouds
B、Dust and microbes are dissolved in rain when rain falls on the ground
C、The closer rain is to the ground, the more impure things it contains
D、Sand and mud are things rain collects when it falls through the air
2.According to Paragraph 2 ,the following statements are wrong except that
A、All the microbes in water are harmful so water must be purified
B、some diseases can spread through drinking water if it is not clean
C、Water is safe to drink if only harmful microbes are removed from it
D、it is the govrnment’s responsibility to make drinking water clean
3.What can we know about man-made lakes?
A、It is used through the whole process of purification
B、Only rain water can be collected and stored in it
C、Water collected can be stored and filtered in it
D、Water from them contains a lot of impure substances
4.What is the function of the chemical substance chlorine?
A、to air the water B、to catch tiny things
C、to kill microbes D、to remove harmful gases
5.What is probably this passage?
A、A news report B、A book review C、A magazine article D、A school paper
Two years ago ,Hannah Mighall ,then 13, survived a great white shark attack on Tasmania’s north-east coast, but despite the terrible scars ,the shy yet courageous teenager is determined to get back into the water.
It’s been a long journey back for the brave girl, whose life was changed forever as she was on her surfboard 60 metres offshore at Binalong, Bay ,Tasmania.
Her cousin ,32-yeaf-old syb Mundy ,was surfing nearby, “Suddenly, everything went quiet ,”Hannah ,now15,recalls of the day she almost lost her life, “I look down into the water and noticed a dark shadow under my board I knew instantly it was a shark.”
As Syb watched in horror, the five-metre shark put hundreds of sharp teeth onto Hannah’s right leg,throwing her from her board, “I was attached to my leg-rope as the shark stared to pull me under the water”,She shakes, “I was lying on my back with one leg under the shark’s body and the other still in its jaws.”
Syb desperately punched (猛击)the shark’s nose and reached out to grab Hannah as the monster bit a huge chunk（大块）from the surfboard, “I was still attached to my board and was dragged back under the water again,”she says ,When she came up for air, Hannah dog paddled(爬泳)to Syb’s board and he dragged her from the water to lie on his back ,”We looked down and saw the shark circling beneath us,”Hannah says.
Hannah was rushed to the hospital by helicopter ,She needed more than 400 stitches(针)on her leg and spent two weeks in hospital.
Modest about her remarkable courage, Hannah owes her survival to Syb’s bravery and the fact that great whites,despite their reputation as man-eaters, typically don’t target humans ,After the attack ,Hannah earned the Sea Shepherd award for courage for speaking in defence of the shark “I was in his territory, she wasn’t in mine,”she smiles.
1.Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A、Courage Can Beat Any Difficulty
B、How to Escape from a Shark Attack
C、A Survival from a Shark Attack
D、Sharks Can Target Humans Sometimes
2.What is the correct order of the following events happening to Hannah?
a、She was bit and pulled by the shark d、She was dragged from the water
b、She swam to Syb’s board e、She was pulled under the water again
c、She came up to take a breath f、She noticed the change of the things around her
A、f,a,b,e,c,d B、f,a,e,c,b,d C、a,e,c,b,d,f D、a,c,b,e,d,f
3.From the passage, which statement is mentioned about Hanah?
A、was so brave that this experience didn’t have any influence on her life
B、didn’t hesitate to get hack into the water to surf immediately she recovered
C、thought it is a common thing to be attacked by a shark in the ocean
D、didn’t blame the fact that sharks are known as man-eaters for her being attacked
4.How was Hannah sent to the hospital.?
A、She was went to the hospital by Syb
B、She was went to the hospital by local people
C、She was went to the hospital by helicopter
D、She was went to the hospital by the Sea Shepherb
5.The reason why Hannah was awarded is that .
A、She was brave to speak for the shark although she was severely injured by it
B、She successfully escaped from a dangerous situation because of her courage
C、She was courageous enough to go deep into sharks’territory and survived
D、She has been determined to go hack into the sea where there are sharks
A young and successful executive was traveling down a street , going a bit too fast in his new car; He was for kids rushing out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
his car passed a brick the car’s side door, He pressed hard the and spun the car back to the from where the brick had been thrown,.
He jumped out of the car, a kid and pushed him up a parked car,shouting,”what was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?” more and more angry, he wen on “That’s a new car and that brick you threw is gonna a lot of money, Why did you do it?””Please ,mister,please,I’m sorry, Ididn’t know what else to do!” the youngster, “It’s my brother”,he said ,”He fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t him up”,Sobbing ,the boy asked the executive, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair?”He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.”
beyond words, the driver tried to the rapidly swelling lump(块)in his throat, He the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his and wiped the scrapes (擦伤)and cuts, to see that everything was going to be okay.
“Thank you ,sir, And God bless you,”the child said to him ,The man then watched the little boy bis brother to the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long slow walk back to his car, He never did the side door ,He kept the dent(凹痕)to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your .
1.A、looking B、watching C、caring D、waiting
2.A、Before B、After C、as D、while
3.A、hit B、blocked C、dropped D、scratched
4.A、hit B、brakes C、brick D、wheel
5.A、spot B、which C、that D、this
6.A、saw B、found C、stopped D、grabbed
7.A、on B、in C、against D、towards
8.A、Remaining B、Growing C、Building up D、Making up
9.A、cost B、spend C、use D、take
10.A、begged B、required C、asked D、wondered
11.A、get B、pick C、lift D、put
12.A、Worried B、Depressed C、Moved D、Surprised
13.A、chew B、melt C、spit D、swallow
14.A、helped B、pulled C、held D、took
15.A、medicine B、handkerchief C、belt D、money
16.A、demanding B、expecting C、checking D、wanting
17.A、delighted B、sad C、helpless D、grateful
18.A、push B、bring C、hand D、raise
19.A、recovery B、repair C、reform D、record
20.A、information B、help C、attention D、notice
