阅读理解
Can you believe everything that you read? It seems as if every day, some new articles come out about a new discovery about this or that. For example, water is bad for you, or good for you. The answer depends on which scientific study has just come out. People cannot decide which food items are healthy, how pyramids were constructed, and why dinosaurs disappeared. When we look for answers we sometimes can believe persuasive researches and scientists. But how trustworthy are they really? Here are two examples of scientific hoaxes (骗局).
As far back as 1726, Johann Beringer was fooled by his fellow scientists into thinking he had made an amazing discovery. The fossils of spiders, lizards, and even birds with the name of God written on them in Hebrew were unlike anything that had been found before. He wrote several papers on them and was famous for those only to have it revealed that they were planted by jealous colleagues to ruin his reputation.
When an early human being was discovered in 1912, scientists at this time were wild with excitement over the meaning it had for the theory of evolution. There were hundreds of papers about this Piltdown man over the next fifty years until it was finally discovered to be a complex hoax. The skull (头骨) of a man had been mixed with the jawbone of an orangutan (猩猩) to make the ape (猿) man.
The next time you read the exciting new findings of a study of the best scientist, do not automatically assume that it is true. Even qualified people can get it wrong. Though we certainly should not ignore scientific research, we do need to take it with a grain of salt. Just because it is accepted as the truth today does not mean it will still be trustworthy tomorrow.
1.What is the reason why Johann Beringer was fooled?
A. His fellow scientists wanted to make fun of him.
B. His workmates are eager to become famous too.
C. These scientists made a mistake because of carelessness.
D. His colleagues was jealous of him and did so to destroy his fame.
2.The excited scientists thought that this Piltdown man ________.
A. was in fact a complex hoax
B. was a great scientific invention
C. contributed to the theory of evolution
D. had the skull like that of an ape
3.What does the underlined phrase “with a grain of salt” in Paragraph 4 mean?
A. Happily. B. Generally.
C. Doubtfully. D. Completely.
4.What can we learn from the passage?
A. Hebrew is probably a kind of language.
B. Truths of science will never be out of time.
C. People believe scientists because they are persuasive.
D. We are advised to believe famous scientists.
阅读理解
More students than ever before are taking a gap-year (间隔年) before going to university. It used to be called the “year off” between school and university. The gap-year phenomenon originated with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.
This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by University and College Admissions Service (UCAS).
That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible,” he said.
But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students(NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship –young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their
education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university with up to £15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods,” he said.
1.What do we learn about the gap year from the text?
A. It is flexible in length.
B. It is a time for relaxation.
C. It is increasingly popular.
D. It is required by universities.
2.According to Tony Higgins, students taking a gap year_________.
A. arc better prepared for college studies
B. know a lot more about their future jobs
C. are more likely to leave university in debt
D. have a better chance to enter top universities
3.What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?
A. Attend additional courses.
B. Make plans for the new term.
C. Earn money for their education.
D. Prepare for their graduate studies.
阅读理解
The China Daily newspaper group is looking for English-language senior business editors, senior copy editors, copy editors and graphic designers to strengthen its international team. We offer a competitive salary package,
accommodation with furniture paid for 90 percent, medical reimbursement(报销), a seven-day paid leave, eleven-day public holidays and a return ticket to the country of residence.
Senior Business Editor
You must:
(1) Assist the business editor in setting goals and working on achieving them;
(2) Be an excellent team person who can generate ideas and think creatively and be able to rewrite totally if needed;
(3) Ideally have been working or have worked in a position of responsibility and understand what leadership intends;
(4) Have had at least five years’ editing experience working on editing the Business Desk and be familiar with industry software.
Senior Copy Editor
You must:
(1) Work on shifts in the Business Desk and usually have the last word before the page is sent to print;
(2) Edit or rewrite copy and give smart headlines and captions;
(3) Have had at least two years’ editing experience working on editing desks and be familiar with industry software.
Copy Editor
You must:
(1) Be good at editing or rewriting copy and writing smart headlines and captions;
(2) Be able to work on shifts for different pages, and usually have the last word before the page is sent to print;
(3) Have two years of editing experience working on copy desks, and be familiar with industry software.
Graphic Designer
You must:
(1) Have excellent skills in information graphics;
(2) Be good at illustrations and freehand drawings;
(3) Be experienced in newspaper or magazine layouts;
(4) Have a good sense of typography (活版印刷术);
(5) Have good new judgment;
(6) Be fluent in English.
For enquiries or to apply, write to job @chinadaily.com.cn.
1.What is the purpose of this passage?
A. To describe the positions of the China Daily newspaper group.
B. To tell you how to become part of this group.
C. To describe the working conditions of the China Daily newspaper group.
D. To advertise for employing some good employees.
2.What is not required about Graphic Designer?
A. Be expert in illustrating newspapers.
B. Writing smart headlines and captions.
C. Have excellent skills in information graphics.
D. Having a good sense of typography.
3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The workers there can enjoy a seven-day leave without pay.
B. Free accommodations are available to the workers.
C. The senior business editor’s only job is to help the business editor to set goals.
D. Senior copy editors can decide on sending the page to print.
完形填空
I was in Houston a few weeks ago, and needed to be back home in Austin by the early morning the next day. So I ______ to leave that morning. ______ my tire blew out on the way. I ______ a small parking lot. Then I ______ the doors and picked up my phone to call a tow truck (拖车). Soon a man ______ on my driver’s side window and asked if he could help me. From his ______ and behavior, I knew he was far more ______ to rob (抢劫) than help me, so I ______refused and told him the tow truck was due any minute. He asked again, but again I gently shook my head. He finally said, “ Ma’am, you need ______. A tow truck in Houston will arrive anywhere between 45 minutes and approximately ______(which I knew was true), and you are not going anywhere until you have that tire______.”
I looked hard, straight into his _____, and instinctively (凭直觉) saw someone different from the ______ person he appeared to be at first glance. So, against all reasonable ______, but trusting my instincts, I got out. He looked______, but got right to work, trying to find the ______ tire. It took a while since it was stored under the van (车厢).
He changed the tire, ______ the seat to its place and said, “Thank you for letting me help you. You gave me a ______ when most people would never open the door to someone like me. Would it be okay if I gave you a hug?” When I______, I gave him a giant hug. I left with a new tire and a renewed ______ in human nature.
1.A. wanted B. happened C. hoped D. had
2.A. Expectedly B. Unfortunately C. Strangely D. Undoubtedly
3.A. pulled into B. walked around C. broke into D. looked around
4.A. opened B. fixed C. locked D. broke
5.A. hit B. knocked C. climbed D. checked
6.A. words B. personality C. height D. appearance
7.A. willing B. anxious C. likely D. pleased
8.A. politely B. stubbornly C. repeatedly D. hurriedly
9.A. money B. water C. gas D. help
10.A. forever B. now C. never D. already
11.A. balanced B. changed C. moved D. sold
12.A. mind B. eyes C. head D. heart
13.A. violent B. intelligent C. cold-hearted D. hurriedly
14.A. arguments B. judgments C. decisions D. expectations
15.A. surprised B. disappointed C. touched D. depressed
16.A. flat B. free C. spare D. worn
17.A. showed B. left C. held D. returned
18.A. lesson B. job C. gift D. chance
19.A. recovered B. discovered C. awoke D. wondered
20.A. pride B. delight C. faith D. interest
--- The little girl is a talented pianist.
--- Everyone in her family is musical. __________.
A. It’s a nightmare. B. I really appreciate it.
C. It’s just in their blood. D. That’s not the point.
I’d like to start my own business next year – that’s __________ I will face my big challenge in life.
A. why B. when C. which D. what