Though the facts that too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year are not in argument, we always begin the discussion of "population as global issue" with what most persons mean like this. It was quite right to compare demographic growth to "a long, thin powder fuse(导火线)that bums steadily and hesitatingly until it finally reaches the charge and explodes".
To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history, we find that populations have been virtually stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. There was high fertility(生育)in most places, but this was usually balanced by high mortality. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, while infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death rates could exceed their birthrates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent extinction of the human race.
This pattern is important to notice. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden
enthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high mortality.
Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8000 B.C. till approximately 1650 A.D. In the first period of some 9,600 years, the population increased from some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and 1975, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And the population reached 6.2 billion throughout the world by the year 2000, One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000 B.C. and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the world's population, At present, this number is added every six hours. The increase is about 800000,000 persons annually.
1.The underlined word "demographic" in Paragraph l means .
A. extinction of human
B. statistics of human population
C. death rate of human
D. development of human population
2.Which of the following demographic growth patterns is most similar to the long thin powder fuse?
A. A slow growth for a long time and then a period of rapid, dramatic increase.
B. Too many people on earth and a few rapid increases in the number added each year.
C. A virtually stable or slightly decreasing period and then a sudden explosion of population.
D. A long period when death rates exceed birthrates and then a short period with higher fertility and lower mortality.
3. During the first period of demographic history, societies were often in danger of extinction because .
A. only one in ten persons could live past 40.
B. our ancestors had little enthusiasm for more children
C. there was higher mortality than fertility in most places
D. it was too dangerous to have babies due to the poor conditions
4.The author of the passage intends to .
A. warn people against the population explosion in the near future
B. find out the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years
C. present us a brief and clear picture of the demographic growth
D. compare the demographic growth pattern in the past with that after 1650
Are you sometimes a little tired and sleepy in the early afternoon? Many people feel this way after lunch. They may think that eating lunch is the cause of the sleepiness. Or, in summer, they may think it is the heat. However, the real reason lies inside their bodies. At that time - about eight hours after you wake up - your body temperature goes down. This is what makes you slow down and feel sleepy. Scientists have tested sleep habits in experiments where there was no night or day. The people in these experiments almost always followed a similar sleeping pattern. They slept for one long period and then for one short period about eight hours later.
In many parts of the world, people take naps in the middle of the day. This is especially true in warmer
climates, where the heat makes work difficult in the early afternoon. Researchers are now saying that naps are good for everyone in any climate. A daily nap gives one a more rested body and mind and therefore is good for health in general. In countries where naps are traditional, people often suffer less from problems such as heart disease.
Many working people, unfortunately, have no time to take naps. Though doctors may advise taking naps,
employers do not allow it! If you do have the chance, however, here are a few tips about making the most of your nap. Remember that the best time to take a nap is about eight hours after you get up. A short sleep too late in the day may only make you feel more tired and sleepy afterward, This can also happen if you sleep for too long. If you do not have enough time, try a short nap - even ten minutes of sleep can be helpful.
1.If you get up at 6:30 am, what is the best time for you to take a nap?
A. About 12:30 pm. B. About l:30 pm.
C. About 2:30 pm. D. About 3:30 pm.
2.What can we infer from the passage?
A. Your body temperature's going down also makes you feel sleepy besides eating lunch:
B. Taking a nap whenever you want will do good to your health.
C. You will feel less sleepy if you sleep for a long time,
D. You will feel sleepy at regular intervals.
3. What would be the best title for the text?
A. Just for a Rest
B. All for a Nap
C. A Special Sleep Pattern
D. Taking Naps in Warmer Climate
1.If Jack, a 12-year-old, is interested in adventure, what film may he see alone?
A. Film directed by Gary Rydstrom
B. Film directed by Ken Kwapis.
C. Film directed by Tyler Perry.
D. Films directed by Brad Peyton.
2. What does the underlined phrase "down-on-her-luck" in Film Three mean?
A. wealthy B. unlucky
C. stubborn D. selfish
3.In Film Four, we can infer that.
A. audiences can also enjoy its 3D edition freely
B. adventurer Sean is also a Greenpeace volunteer
C. the kids may find it hard to catch its language
D. Sean makes a fortune by discovering the treasure
4.What can we learn from the passage?
A. Film Three lasts longest and release earliest of the films,
B. Wesley Deeds fell in love with Lindsey at first sight.
C. Film Two is mainly a film meant for adults only.
D. Shawn develops a secret friendship with Arrietty.
Each spring brings a new blossom of wildflowers in the ditches(沟渠)along the highway I travel daily to work.
There is one particular blue flower that has always caught my eye. I've noticed that it blooms only in the morning hours; the afternoon sun is too warm for it. Every day for approximately two weeks, I see those beautiful
flowers.
This spring, I started a wildflower garden in our yard. I can look out of the kitchen window while doing the dishes and see the flowers. I've often thought that those lovely blue flowers from the ditch would look great in that bed alongside other wildflowers. Every day I drove past the flowers thinking, "I'II stop on my way home and dig them." "Gee, I don't want to get my good clothes dirty.,." Whatever the reason, I never stopped to dig them. My husband even gave me a folding tool one year for my trunk to be used for that expressed purpose.
One day on my way home from work, I was upset to see that the highway department had removed the ditches
and the pretty blue flowers were gone. I thought to myself, "Way to go, you waited too long. You should have done
it when you first saw them blooming this spring."
A week ago we were shocked and sad to learn that my oldest sister-in-law has a serious brain disease. She is20 years older than my husband and unfortunately, because of age and distance, we haven't been as close as we all would have liked. I couldn't help but see the connection between the pretty blue flowers and the relationship between my husband's sister and us. I do believe that God has given us some time left to plant some wonderful
memories that will bloom every year for us.
And yes, if I see the blue flowers again, you can bet I'll stop and transplant them to my wildflower garden.
1. Why does the writer want to start a wildflower garden in her yard?
A. Because the flowers bloom only in the morning hours.
B. Because she can see the flowers every day for two weeks.
C. Because the flowers can remind her of her oldest sister-in-law.
D. Because she enjoys the way of life in company with the flowers.
2. Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?
A. The blue flowers in the ditches always draw my attention.
B. We don't get on well with the sister-in-law in practice.
C. I never stopped to dig the flowers for some reason.
D. The sister-in-law lives far from us.
3.According to the passage, the writer will .
A. stop to find the flowers whenever she drives along the highway
B. plant a variety of flowers in the garden in her yard in future
C. get as wonderful memories with the sister-in-law as before
D. get more close to the sister-in-law in the following days
4.What is the theme of the story?
A. Actions speak louder than words.
B. No sweets without sweat.
C. Time and tide wait for no man.
D. Opportunity belongs to whoever is prepared.
--- _____you interrupt now? Can't you see I'm on the phone?
--- Sorry Sir, but it's urgent.
A. Must B. Should
C. Can D. Would
The reason____ Spielberg could not go to the Film Academy was his grades were too low.
A. that; that B. why; that
C. why; because D. that; because
