People have been making and flying kites for about 2, 000 years. 1. Some historians believe that the ancient Chinese may have started kite flying 2, 000 years ago. It is still a popular hobby in China, Japan and South Korea and in other countries of the Far East where beautifully decorated kites appear in different colours. In China there is even a special Kite Day on which children and adults fly kites. In Japan, families fly fish kites on Children’s Day.
Kites are made in many different sizes, colours and shapes. 2. It flies because air flows over and under the kite’s wing. The pressure under the wing helps the kite lift into the air.
3. Early scientists sent kites up into the air to measure temperature at different heights. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin used a kite to prove that lightning was a form of electricity. He attached a metal key to the string of a kite. When lightning hit the kite, electricity passed down the string and Franklin got an electric shock. It was a very dangerous experiment that you shouldn’t copy.
Kites were also used to develop airplanes. The Wright Brothers experimented with kites before they flew the first airplane. 4. In World War I the Germans developed a large kite that could transport people to a submarine (underwater ship). Kites were also used to carry radio signals over long distances.
5. Kite festivals are organised in many cities in all parts of the world.
A. Today most people fly kites as a hobby.
B. Kites are usually made by paper or cloth.
C. Kites have also been used in experiments.
D. No one knows for sure who invented the kite.
E. The name comes from a graceful bird called kite.
F. A flat kite is the oldest and simplest type of kite.
G. In the past kites were used to take part in wars.
Riding School
You can start horse-riding at any age. Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9 am and 8 : 30 pm (3 : 30 pm on Saturdays). There are 10 kilometers of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country. You will need a riding hat.
Opening Hours : Monday through Friday : 9 : 00 am---8 : 30 pm
Phone : (412) 396-6644 Fax : (412) 396-6752
Sailing Club
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification. You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid. Have fun with other course members, afterwards in the club-room. There are 10 weekly two-hour lessons.
Opening Hours : Tuesdays : 6 : 00 pm---8 : 00 pm
Phone : (412) 396-6644 Fax : (412) 396-6644
Diving Center
Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week, in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely. You only need a swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday 6:30 pm---8:30 pm
Phone : (412) 396-6312 Fax : (412) 396-6706
Medical Center
The staff(全体职工) of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care for students and staff of the university. The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal with common medical problems. All staff here are available for consultation. Also, all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours: 24 hours from Monday to Sunday
Phone : (412) 396-6649 Fax : (412) 396-6648
Water-sports Club
We use a two-kilometer length of river for speedboat racing and water-skiing. A beginners’ course is made up of ten 20-minute lessons. You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently, but must be able to swim. The club is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours : Monday through Sunday : 9 : 00 am---4 : 00 pm
Phone : (412) 396-6899 Fax : (412) 396-6890
1.If you want to experience activities in the countryside, you may fax_____________.
A. (412) 396-6706 B. (412) 396-6648 C. (412) 396-6890 D. (412) 396-6752
2.When can you attend your lessons if you want to explore the ocean depths?
A. Monday through Friday : 7 : 00 pm---10 : 00 pm.
B. 24 hours from Monday to Sunday.
C. On Monday and Friday : 6 : 30 pm---8 : 30 pm.
D. On Tuesdays : 6 : 00 pm---8 : 00 pm.
3.What convenience can the Medical Center provide?
A. A certificate in medicine. B. Reduced rate for groups.
C. Nursery for newly-born babies. D. Various less expensive medicines.
One of the hardest things in life is sticking to a healthy diet. Experts recommend you plan your meals in advance, so you aren’t attracted when faced with less-than-healthy choices. It’ s estimated(评估) that the average American eats almost 25 percent of their daily calories from snacking alone, and snacking is the leading cause of childhood obesity.
Therefore, there are two choices available(ready for use)：stop snacking (hard) or snack healthier (simple). But, for many of us, telling apart what’s “healthy” and how much to consume(消耗)are two different things. But, if you don’t keep the amount in check it can seriously ruin your diet. It’s easy to consume double or triple (增至三倍) the amount. If you’re struggling to keep you and your family’s snacking under control, you may be interested in the new online store called NatureBox. com, offering a new service delivered right to your front door on a monthly basis.
After you sign up on their website and provide some information about your taste preferences and anything else, the company sends you a box every month containing a delicious choice of healthy snack foods. A box includes 12-15 servings across 4 to 5 different NatureBox snacks---enough to last you and your family for a month.
Each box costs just under $ 20 and shipping(delivering) is always free. NatureBox is meant to fit your lifestyle by providing you with snacks you’ll enjoy and look forward to eating. You can easily order what you want to receive based on the snacks you love most. And now, NatureBox is offering an immediate 25% off their first order. Just enter the code “livehealthy” when you join.
Click here to sign up for your risk-free order.
1.How many percents of calories from snacks do the average American eat each week?
A. Nearly 52. B. About 25. C. More than 125. D. 175 or so.
2.What does the phrase “in check” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A. In control. B. In danger. C. In need. D. In store.
3.According to the passage what is NatureBox?
A. A box. B. An online store. C. A code. D. A service.
4.Where is the passage probably taken from?
A. A website. B. A newspaper. C. A textbook. D. A science magazine.
People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father’s Day, on the third Sunday in June.
Mother’s Day was announced a day for national celebration by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. Ann Jarvis from Grafton, West Virginia, had started the idea to have a day to honor mothers. She was the one who chose the second Sunday in May and also began the custom of wearing a carnation(康乃馨).
In 1909, Mrs. Dodd from Spokane, Washington, thought of the idea of a day to honor fathers. She wanted to honor her own father, William Smart. After her mother died, he had the responsibility of raising a family of five sons and a daughter. In 1910, the first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane. Senator Margaret Chase Smith helped to establish Father's Day as a national memorial day, in 1972.
These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care to their children.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother's Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery(burying ground). On these days families get together at home, as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father's Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
1.According to the passage, which of the following about the second Sunday in May is not true?
A. It is a day to show love to mothers.
B. It is a day to wear carnations.
C. It is a day for all people to visit the cemetery.
D. It is a day for many people to attend religious services.
2.Choose the right time order of the following events.
a. The first Father's Day was celebrated.
b. Mother’s Day was announced a day for national celebration.
c. Father’s Day became a day for national celebration. ·
d. The idea of honoring fathers was brought up.
A. a b c d B. d a b c C. b a c d D. d a c b
3.From the passage, we know in the US____________.
A. one should wear a red carnation if one’s mother passes away
B. on Mother’s Day, families often go out to have barbecues
C. on Father’s Day, people often stay at home to celebrate the special day
D. The purpose to have these two special days is to show love to parents
4.The author’s purpose of writing this passage is to _________.
A. call on people to love and respect their parents
B. introduce Mother’s day and Father’s Day
C. tell the time between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
D. show how important fathers and mothers are
Whenever she goes, Molly leaves her mark. Without saying a word, she speaks to people with her kind eyes. Even when she walks away, she leaves an impression. Molly’s mark is a smile, stamped into the ground by the horseshoe at the bottom of her false leg.
A few years ago, Molly was badly attacked by a dog. The dog bit all four of Molly’s legs and left large cuts in her face. Molly’s owner, Kate Harris, took her to an animal hospital. Doctors there were able to save Molly’s life, but soon one of her legs became very infected (感染的).
At first, doctors thought Molly would have to be put to sleep. But Molly changed their minds. This pony, doctors noticed, changed her weight, and rested her good legs from time to time. Doctors knew that Molly had amazing intelligence, and that she wanted to live.
Several doctors operated on Molly, and removed her infected leg. A false leg was made for her. The leg was a hollow cast (铸模) with a pole at the bottom for balance. Doctors gave Molly a special horseshoe at the bottom of the leg. This horseshoe she had had a stamp of a smile face in it!
After the operation, Molly walked around on all four legs, as if nothing had ever happened to her! Now, with every step she takes, she stamps a smile in the dirt. But she leaves her mark in other ways, too.
Kate Harris took Molly to the false leg center. There were children there who, like Molly, had artificial arms or legs. They were amazed to see a pony with a false leg. Molly made them smile and gave them hope. Soon, Molly began to visit schools, nursing homes, army bases and hospitals. A book was even written about Molly!
1.Molly is the name of a ____________.
A. dog B. horse C. parent D. child
2.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Molly can speak to people in kind words.
B. Molly sometimes leaves smiling Marks on people’s faces.
C. In the beginning, doctors had planned to end Molly’s life.
D. Kate Harris took Molly to a children’s hospital after the attack.
3.What is special about Molly?
A. Molly ran a race and won the first prize.
B. Molly often visits places such as schools and parks.
C. Molly has become a symbol of hope for people of all ages.
D. Molly has a false leg with a horseshoe having a smiling face stamp.
4.Which is the best title for the passage?
A. A False Leg. B. A Book on Molly.
C. Leaving Her Mark. D. A Successful Operation.
1.It is amazing that the little girl can swim across the river measures 50 meters wide.
2.Tom, together with his parents, go to the park every Sunday.
3.The book you referred just now is not in the library. Someone may have borrowed it.
4.We have made great progresses in English study in the past few years.
5.The room was empty apart from one man sitting besides the fire.
6.Before you write your report on the life of Washington, you should make sure your facts.
7.The radio is old; but, it is in good order.
8.There are less boys than girls in my class.
9.The escaped prisoner was close to be shot by the police.
10.I find that the new pen is easy to write.
