As we enjoy the summer ocean waves along the beaches, we may think nervously about Steven Spielberg's Jaws and the great fear that sharks inspire in us. Yet we are happy to see global efforts to protect the declining number of sharks. The world has realized that we need the species, like sharks, to keep a balanced ecosystem.
Sharks, in particular, are “in” these days. Thanks to good public policy and famous stars such as Jackie Chan and Ang Lee, killing sharks for fin soup is no longer cool.
The demand for shark fins has been rising for decades, threatening sharks with extinction -- up to 100 million sharks are killed each year just for their fins. But we have started to reverse the trend, particularly in many areas of the United States and overseas where restaurants once proudly provided delicious shark fins on the menu.
In California, a ban on the sale and possession of shark fin soup has gone into effect this year through the efforts of Wild Aid and other organizations.
Overseas marketing and public efforts featuring posters on public transportation systems and TV ads have been underway for the past few years. These efforts all show signs of success, on both the supply side and the demand side of trade in shark fins.
Actually, stopping the killing of sharks is part of a broader movement to stop the killing of wild animals and the buying and selling of wildlife products. These products come from hunting elephants, tigers and rhinos, besides killing marine life.
Whether it is shark fin soup or ivory piano keys, killing animals is big business. The hunting of elephants in search of ivory tusks for luxury（奢侈的）goods has become a full-scale war. The decrease of African elephant populations is alarming. Together with international partners, the United States is leading the worldwide effort to reduce demand for high-end products that rely on killing animals.
1. The underlined word “reverse” in Paragraph 3 probably means _______.
A. follow B. keep C. change D. show
2.From the passage, we know _______.
A. a lot of wild animals have been killed for products
B. Jackie Chan and Ang Lee make fin soup popular
C. Steven Spielberg's Jaws inspires us to protect sharks
D. the number of African elephants has been increased
3.What can we infer from the passage?
A. People have kicked the habit of having shark fin soup.
B. Shark fins will not be available any more in restaurants.
C. Global efforts have succeeded in stopping killing wild animals.
D. More animals for high-end products will be saved.
Many people rush into the commitment of bringing home a four-legged family member, only to find out that they are not ready for a pet. This often results in the dog being turned over to a shelter where it may not find another home. This can be avoided if potential pet owners take the time to figure out if they are truly ready for the responsibilities of pet ownership.
Being a responsible pet owner involves a financial commitment that goes beyond buying dog food. There are also parasite (寄生虫) prevention, boarding costs while traveling and the cost to care for the pet should it become ill or injured. That is not to say that one must be rich in order to have a dog, but it is important to be prepared for the expenses that come with being a pet owner.
Another consideration is the time commitment. An owner away from home for 14 hours every day is not an ideal situation for a dog. A potential dog owner must also consider the time it takes to care for his or her pet, the time it takes to feed, walk, play with, bathe and clean up. Also, dogs require attention. Be prepared to spend time each day petting and playing with it.
Dogs are dogs, and will act like dogs. This includes barking, digging, having accidents in the house and, possibly, destroying some of the owner’s prized possessions, such as furniture, shoes and cell phones. If the above would cause an owner to want to get rid of the dog, then he or she is not yet ready to be a pet owner. Many wonderful pets end up in shelters simply because they acted like dogs!
1.Who might be qualified to be a dog owner, according to the text?
A. Jim, who has a daughter sensitive to dog’s smell.
B. Dick, a jobless teenager who can hardly pay his rent.
C. Kari, a teacher who works eight hours a day.
D. Steven, a business man who travels a lot on business.
2.To be a responsible dog owner you need to do all the following EXCEPT _________.
A. finding a shelter for it when you are bored with it
B. buying dog food and feeding it
C. taking it to hospital when necessary
D. spending time each day playing with it
3.What does the underlined part in the first paragraph probably mean?
A. Rush to adopt a dog formally.
B. Decide to be a pet owner without thinking about it carefully.
C. Run into a pet shelter and take one home so quickly.
D. Commit to buy a dog and take it home.
4. What might be the best title for the text?
A. Dogs Are Dogs B. Pets Are Family Members
C. Have Time for a Dog? D. Ready for a Pet?
I will never forget the day--- September 10th 2009, when my class went on a field trip to the beach and I had so much fun. When we returned to school, my teacher told me to go to the headmaster’s office. When I got into the office, I saw a police officer. Suddenly, I realized something was wrong. The police officer told me what had happened and we went to pick my sister up. After that, we went to the hospital and waited. Time went slowly. Finally, we got to see our mother. It was terrible.
On the next day, the headmaster came and told my two teachers what had happened. I was taking a test that day. I knew it had something to do with my mother. I kept thinking that she either died or had gotten better. How I wished that she had gotten better. When my teacher took me outside, my sister ran up to me. She started crying, “She’s gone, Terresa, mommy’s gone. She’s dead.” I couldn’t believe it. We jumped into the car and drove straight to the hospital. Most of my family were there. The silence was terrible. I knew I had to say goodbye.
Today when I look back, I still miss my mother very much, but I know that I will live. My mother was a strong mother, who had the biggest heart. She was an angel walking on the earth. I will always remember her as a living. When someone is asked who their hero is, they usually say someone famous, like Michael Jordan or Britney Spears. When someone asks me who my hero is, I tell them, my mother. My mother lives everyday. That is what makes her a true hero.
1.Where was the writer when she learned her mother was sick?
A. On the beach. B. At the hospital.
C.At school. D. At home.
2.Who brought the writer the bad news that her mother was ill?
A. Her sister. B. The headmaster.
C.The police officer D. Her teacher.
3.What did the headmaster tell the two teachers on the next day?
A. Her father had been very ill.
B. Her mother had gotten better.
C. Her mother came to see her.
D.Her mother had been dead.
4.From the last paragraph of the passage we know that _____________.
A. the writer is afraid of her mother.
B. the writer feels sad about her mother.
C. the writer feels sorry for her mother.
D. the writer is proud of her mother.
假如你是李华,你的美国网友Jack想参加中央电视台的星光大道(Avenue of Stars)，特写信向你询问相关情况。请你根据所给要点提示给他写一封回信,告知相关事宜。
要点提示：
1.简单介绍星光大道：普通人展示才艺的舞台，深受观众喜爱；
2.参赛选手展示才艺：唱歌、跳舞等；
3.报名：网上提前报名；
4.建议：学一些简单的汉语。
注意：1.字数100字左右；2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯;3.书写整洁。
参考词汇：参赛选手 participant
Dear Jack,
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
短文改错 （共10小题，每小题1分，满分10分）
Dear Sam,
How was everything going? My parents and I plan to take a trip to Canada for a week between the summer vacation. We hope to make the full use of this opportunity to experience the naturally beauty of Canada and learn more about its culture. We don’t want to go to places where are full of tourists and shoppers. Because I am writing to ask for help. We hope you can tell them where to visit. Besides, can you give us many advice on how to find hotel which are not expensive but comfortable?
I would be grateful if you could give me early reply.
Yours,
Li Hua
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Autumn was coming to an end. All the insects and animals were working hard to store food for winter, except the grasshopper(蚱蜢), who spent his days 1. (jump) from leaf to leaf.
One day, an ant happened to pass by. She 2. (pull) a heavy grain of rice. “Could you give me 3. hand, Mr Grasshopper?” asked the ant. “My anthill is just a few trees away, but this is so heavy.”
“You come and play with me for some time, and then I shall gladly help you. Autumn is so beautiful . You should enjoy it,” the grasshopper replied.
“No, sir. You must also start preparing for the winter 4. you want to have enough to eat,” the ant said 5. (serious).
“Nothing doing. Right now it is time 6. (have) fun,” the silly grasshopper replied.
Hearing this, the ant shook her head and went on.
Winter came. The ant stayed 7. her warm anthill and enjoyed her food, 8. the grasshopper had to suffer from cold and hunger. He went out to hunt for food when it was9. (warm) than usual, but he could hardly find any food and soon became weak with hunger.
“Oh, why did I waste my 10. (day) playing? I should have listened to the ant,” he thought with regret.
