Electric cars are dirty. In fact, not only are they dirty, but they might even be more dirty than their gasoline-powered cousins.
People in California love to talk about “zero-emissions (排放) vehicles”, but people in California seem to be clueless about where electricity comes from. Power plants mostly use fire to make it. Apart from the few people who have their roofs covered with solar cells, we get our electricity from generators (发电机). Generators are fueled by something----usually coal, oil, but also by heat generated in nuclear power plants. There are a few wind farms and geothermal (地热) plants as well, but by far we get electricity mainly by burning something.
In other words, those “zero-emissions” cars are likely coal-burning cars. Because the coal is burned somewhere else, it looks clean. It is not true. It's as if the California Greens are covering their eyes----“If I can't see it, it's not happening.” Gasoline is an incredibly (极其) efficient way to power a vehicle; a gallon of gas has a lot of energy in it. But when you take that gas (or another fuel) and first use it to make electricity, you waste a nice part of that energy, mostly in the form of wasted heat--at the generator, through the transmission lines, etc.
A gallon of gas may drive your car 25 miles. But the electricity you get from that gallon of gas won't get you nearly as far---so electric cars burn more fuel than gasoline-powered ones. If our electricity came mostly from wind or geothermal, or solar, then an electric car truly would be clean. But for political, technical, and economic reasons, we don't use much of those energy sources.
In addition, electric cars' batteries which are poisonous for a long time will eventually end up in a landfill (垃圾填埋场). And finally, when cars are the polluters, the pollution is spread across all the roads. When it's a power plant, though, all the junk is in one place. Nature is very good at cleaning up when things are not too concentrated, but it takes a lot longer when all the garbage is in one spot.
1.Which of the following words can replace “be clueless about” in Paragraph 2?
A. be familiar with. B. fail to understand.
C. be curious about. D. show their interest in.
2.The electricity we get from a gallon of gas may make our car run _________.
A. at least 25 miles B. more than 25 miles
C. less than 25 miles D. as far as 25 miles
3.In the author’s opinion, compared with cars using gas, electric cars are more __________.
A. harmful B. expensive
C. efficient D. environmentally-friendly
4.It can be inferred from the passage that __________.
A. electric cars’ batteries are no longer poisonous in the landfill
B. electric cars are not clean since we get electricity mainly by burning something
C. zero-emissions vehicles should be chosen to protect our environment
D. now electric cars are used more than their gasoline-powered cousins
Being lonely in the crowd might seem ridiculous. But according to a recent survey, the situation is all too common. Loneliness and other anxiety problems – worrying about life’s pressures – can even lead to self-murder.
An article in China Daily gave no reason for this other than the usual blaming of the post-80s generation. According to a high level official, young people suffering from discouragement are mostly “spoiled and have not been taught to be independent, responsible and express ‘thank-you’.” Well, how do you like that? First, I don’t think China’s youth are exactly spoiled. They certainly have more things than their parents did, but a lot of the money spent on them is for their education including various extra classes.
Discouragement and anxiety are now the fastest growing challenges in modern societies. We sense a lack of close friends who can talk to honestly and openly. In 1985, a US study found that one in ten people did not have such a friend. In 2006, it was one in four. It’s easy to see the connection between loneliness and discouragement. But what actually causes this increasing loneliness?
Surely, with Internet social networking sites such as Kaixin, we have more friends than ever. A new study has shown that the more time teenagers spend in front of computers, the less close they are to friends and family. Kaixin or QQ may be fun but it lacks meaning, compared to personal connections in the real world.
And then there are those endless online games popular with young Chinese but increasingly there are more interesting choices. For example, new sports such as skateboarding are starting to catch on（流行） in bigger cities, as is playing music in a band. These creative hobbies are done in a group and thus friendship can be stronger. Hopefully young people will also be drawn out of the Internet cafes and interactive computer games that in fact fail to recreate a real and interactive experience.
1.According to the high level official, it is easy for teenagers lacking independence and responsibility to _______.
A. become spoiled
B. play endless online games
C. suffer from loneliness and anxiety
D. refuse to express gratitude
2.What does the writer think of the Internet social networking site Kaixin?
A. Open but ridiculous.
B. Honest and responsible.
C. Real and fun.
D. Interesting but meaningless.
3.It can be inferred in Paragraph 3 that _______.
A. it’s now more difficult for people to find close friends to have an honest chat with
B. parents focus mostly on children’s education rather than the personality building
C. young people have no idea of expressing appreciation because of being spoiled
D. teenagers will recreate a real and interactive experience to strengthen friendship
4.According to the text, which of the following can help us avoid being lonely in the crowd?
A. To stay long in Internet cafes.
B. To focus on extra courses.
C. To give up our own hobbies.
D. To play music in a band.
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the cold swimming hole behind his house.
In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he did not realize an alligator（短吻鳄）was swimming towards the shore. His mother in the house, looking out of the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In fear, she ran towards the water, yelling to the son as loudly as she could.
It was too late. The alligator reached him.
From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator got his legs. That began an incredible tug of war（拔河）between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother would not let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, ran from his truck, and shot the alligator.
Amazingly, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His leg were extremely scarred by the animal’s attack, and on his arms were scratches (抓痕) from mothers’ fingernails where she had tried to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs . And then, he proudly said to the reporter: “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom would not let go.”
You and I can identify with (理解) that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from alligator, or anything quite so dramatic . But the scars of a painful past. Some of those scares are ugly and have caused us deep regret.
But some wounds, my friend, are because someone has refused to let go. In your struggle, maybe someone has been there holding on to you.
1.Upon seeing the alligator getting close to her boy, the mother ________ .
A. dived into the cool water at once
B. was too afraid to move
C. shouted a warning to her boy
D. got ready to fight the crocodile
2.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text?
A. There were scars on the boy’s arms and legs.
B. The mother won the “match” because of her strength.
C. A farmer scared the alligator away by hitting it in the eyes.
D. A crocodile attacked the boy when he and his mother were swimming.
3.By saying, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too,” the boy really wanted to show ___________.
A. how deep the scars were
B. what a brave boy he was
C. how recently he had survived an attack
D. how great his mother was
4.According to the author, how are we all similar to the boy in the story?
A. We can be brave and never let go of our loved ones.
B. We may be faced with danger in our lives.
C. We may have to depend on the kindness of strangers.
D. We may have scars that come from pain and love.
Le Havre (2011)
Time: Oct.21, 23-25
Venue: China National Film Museum
Price: 40 yuan
Le Havre is a comedy-drama. It centers on a shoeshiner who takes pity on an immigrant child in the French port city Le Havre. He tries to save him by inviting him to his home. The film premiered(初次公演) in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where it received the FIPRESCI Prize.
Mia et le Migou (2008)
Time: Oct. 29
Venue: China Film Archive
Price: to be announced
Also known as Mia and the Migoo, this animated film describes the adventure of a young girl named Mia. Motivated by a premonition, Mia sets out on a journey across mountains and jungles to search for her father. The film won the European Film Award for Best Animated Feature. Director Jacques-Remy Girerd will also show up at China Film Archive.
Le Voyage dans la Lune (1902)
Time: Oct. 22, 24-25
Venue: China National Film Museum
Price: 20 yuan
Also known as A Trip to the Moon, this silent movie was inspired by the French novels From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon, by Jules Verne. It follows a group of astronomers who travel to the moon and explore it. They meet lunar inhabitants and capture one before returning to Earth.
Find schedule and ticket information about the French movie panorama at http://www. gewara.com/
The China Film Archive will also present a short lecture before each French movie on how to understand it.
1.If you are free on Oct.29, which venue would you like to visit?
A. China Film Archive B. China National Film Museum
C. China Film Museum D. International Cinema
2.On which day can you see the film whose theme is about adventure ?
A. Oct.21 B. Oct.23
C. Oct.25 D. Oct. 29
3.Where can you find the passage most likely?
A. Newspaper B. Magazine
C. Textbook D. Science fiction
Mr. Lang worked in a factory. As a driver, he was busy but he was paid much. His wife was an able woman and did all the housework. When he came back, she took good care of him and he never did anything at home. So he had enough time when he had a holiday. A few friends of his liked gambling(赌博) and he learned it soon. So he was interested in it and hardly forgot anything except gambling. He lost all his money and later he began to sell the television, watches and so on. His wife told him not to do it but he didn’t listen to her. She had to tell the police. He and his friends were punished for it. And he was hardly sent away. After he came out of lockup(拘所),he hated her very much and the woman had to leave him.
It was New Year’s Day. Mr. Lang didn’t go to work. He felt lonely and wanted to gamble again. He called his friends and they came soon. But they were afraid that the police would come. He told his five-year-old son to go to find out if there were the policemen outside. They waited for a long time and didn’t think the police would come and began to gamble. Suddenly a few policemen opened the door and came in. “I saw there weren’t any policemen outside, daddy,” said the boy, “so I went to the crossing and asked some to come.”
1.Mr. Lang was paid much because _______.
A. he was a worker
B. he worked in a factory
C. he had a lot of work to do
D. he had worked there for a long time
2.Mrs. Lang did all housework because _______.
A. she couldn’t find any work
B. she thought her husband was tired
C. her husband spent all time in gambling
D. she wouldn’t stop her husband gambling
3._______, so he was put into lockup.
A. Mr. Lang often gambled
B. Mr. Lang was late for work
C. Mr. Lang didn’t help his wife at home
D. Mr. Lang wasn’t polite to the police
4.The woman had to leave Mr. Lang because _______.
A. he didn’t love her any longer
B. he wouldn’t stop gambling
C. he had been put into lockup
D. he was hardly sent away by the factory
When we don’t understand each other’s language, we can talk with the help of signs.
A Frenchman was once travelling in England. He could not speak English at all. One day he went into a restaurant and sat down at a table. When the waiter came, he opened his mouth, put his fingers in it, and took out again. He wanted to say . “Bring me something to eat.” The waiter soon brought him a cup of tea. The man moved his head from side to side. The waiter understood him and took the tea away. In a moment he came with a cup of coffee. But the man again refused it. He shook his head whenever the waiter brought him something to drink, for drinks are not food. When the man was going away, another man came in. This man saw the waiter , and he put his hand on his stomach. That was enough. In a few minutes there was a large plate of meat and vegetables on the table in front of him.
So you see, we cannot understand the language of signs as well as we can understand the language of words.
1.According to the passage, when people do not understand each other’s language, they can talk with the help of ______.
A. a waiter
B. a teacher
C. an Englishman
D. their hands, heads and other parts of their bodies.
2.A Frenchman signed to the waiter_______.
A. to give him some medicine B. to bring him a cup of coffee
C. to ask him for food D. to tell him what he said
3.Another man saw the waiter, and put his hand on his stomach. He meant__________.
A. he had a stomachache B. he was hungry
C. he was very thirsty D. he was full
4.From this story we know_______
A. people can only understand the language of words
B. proper gestures can help to understand each other
C. waiters should understand body languages
D. it is important to learn foreign languages
