When did you last see a polar bear? On a trip to a zoo, perhaps? If you had attended a winter activity in New York a few years ago, you would have seen a whole polar bear club. These "Polar Bears" are people who meet frequently in the winter to swim in freezing cold water. That day, the air temperature was 3℃, and the water temperature was a bit higher. The members of the Polar Bear Club at Coney Island, New York are usually about the age of 60. Members must satisfy two requirements. First, they must get along well with everyone else in the group. This is very important because there are so many different kinds of people in the club. Polar Bears must also agree to swim outdoors at least twice a month from November through February.
Doctors do not agree about the medical effects of cold-water swimming. Some are worried about the dangers of a condition in which the body's temperature drops so low that finally the heart stops. Other doctors, however, point out that there is more danger of a heart attack during summer swimming because the difference between the air temperature and water temperature is much greater in summer than in winter.
The Polar Bears themselves are satisfied with the benefits (or advantages) of cold-water swimming. They say that their favorite form of exercise is very good for the circulatory system（循环系统）because it forces the blood to move fast to keep the body warm. Cold-water swimmers usually turn bright red after a few minutes in the water. A person who turns blue probably has a very poor circulatory system and should not try cold-water swimming.
The main benefits (or advantages) of cold-water swimming are probably mental. The Polar Bears love to swim year-round; they find it fun and relaxing. As one 70-year-old woman says. "When I go into the water, I pour my troubles into the ocean and let them float away."
1.The members of the Polar Bear Club must meet the following requirements except that ___.
A. they must reach the age of 60
B. they should be easy to make friends with
C. they must swim outdoors at least 8 times in the four cold months
D. they must agree to swim outdoors from November through February
2.Doctors __________.
A. encourage people to take part in cold-water swimming actively
B. point out the possible danger of blood illness during cold-water swimming
C. believe swimming is helpful both in winter and in summer
D. have different ideas about the medical effects of cold-water swimming
3.The Polar Bears like to swim all the year round, for __________.
A. they can remain young
B. it is an easy way to keep the body warm in winter
C. they find it enjoyable and interesting
D. they might meet fewer troubles in life
4.The passage is mainly about __________.
A. a group of cold-water swimming lovers
B. the polar bears' life
C. doctors' ideas about cold-water swimming
D. the requirements of the Polar Bear Club
475 Riverside Drive
New York N.Y. 10027
Jan.15, 2011
Dear John,
I'm sorry you didn't get the part you tried out for in that play. I know how much you wanted to be in the play. Now you feel that maybe acting isn't the right future for you. I think you're wrong. You're a good actor. Do you remember when you played Caesar in your summer theatre group's play? You were excellent . People clapped(鼓掌)every time you walked on stage（舞台). Even the other actors loved you.
All actors have to get used to being turned down for a job. It's part of an actor's life. Even famous actors don't get every part they want. I think you should give acting another chance. You love it so much, and you're good at it. Don't be discouraged because you lose one part in the play. Wait a bit, and try for another one. After all , you can always give up some other time.
Love,
Jane
1.Jane wrote this letter because____.
A. she wanted John to get a part in the play he was trying out for
B. she wanted to tell John that he shouldn't give up acting.
C. she wanted to tell John how to become an actor.
D. she was unhappy with John.
2.Jane talks about other actors to show John that ____.
A. they are as bad as he is
B. acting is a hard life
C. they sometimes get turned down for parts they want
D. they are lucky enough
3.What does Jane think of John?
A. He is a good actor, and some day he will be successful.
B. He is too easily discouraged to become a good actor.
C. He is a better actor than the person who has got the part.
D. He is as unlucky as the other actors.
4.The person who wrote this letter probably ____.
A. is an actress.
B. cares about John
C. wants to be an actress some day
D. envies at John's success
Whenever we hear about “the homeless”, most of us think of the Developing world. But the is that homelessness is everywhere. For example, how many of us would expect to see people living on the streets of a country like Germany?
Kurt Muller and his wife Rita have spent eleven years making for the homeless of Berlin, Germany's capital. They first one long hot summer when most Germans were on holiday. Kurt and his wife stayed at home, made sandwiches, a table in the street and gave food to the homeless.
The Mullers soon realized that food and clothing weren't . “What these people also need is warmth and ,” says Rita. The Mullers didn't to give their phone number to the street people and told them to phone anytime. Rita there was somebody at home to answer the phone and their home was always to anyone who couldn't face another night on the street.
The couple were soon all their time and money, so Kurt visited food and clothing companies to donations. Today, over thirty companies donate food and other goods to the cause and volunteers help to them to the homeless. The public also give clothes and money and a shoe producer new shoes.
Kurt and Rita receive no for their hard work. “We feel like parents,” says Rita, “and parents shouldn't money for helping their children. The love we get on the streets is our salary.” Though Rita admits she often gets . She says she will continue with her work because she likes the feeling of having made a in the world.
1.A. result B. idea C. reason D. truth
2.A. traditional B. developing C. wealthy D. typical
3.A. preparations B. meals C. house D. suggestions
4.A. began B. met C. called D. left
5.A. asleep B. alone C. away D. across
6.A. brought up B. put aside C. set up D. gave away
7.A. enough B. necessary C. helpful D. expensive
8.A. caring B. freedom C. courage D. fame
9.A. pretend B. agree C. hesitate D. intend
10.A. make sense B. make sure C. found out D. worked out
11.A. near B. crowded C. noisy D. open
12.A. costing B. wasting C. spending D. taking
13.A. pay for B. ask for C. look into D. carry out
14.A. regularly B. calmly C. completely D. roughly
15.A. advertise B. sell C. deliver D. lend
16.A. collects B. produces C. designs D. donates
17.A. permission B. payment C. direction D. support
18.A. borrow B. raise C. expect D. save
19.A. tired B. excited C. surprised D. amused
20.A. profit B. rule C. decision D. difference
—Everybody is going to climb the mountain . Can I go too , mom ?
— ______ Wait till you are old enough ,dear.
A. Will you B. Why not ?
C. I hope so D. I’m afraid not
—I wonder how much you charge for your services.
—The first two are free the third costs $30.
A. while B. until C. when D. before
No sooner ____ to the station ____ the train left.
A. had I got, when B. I had got, than
C. had I got，than D. did I get，when
