Dodder is an unusual and unwanted plant that attacks other plants. Except for its flowers, the plant looks like spaghetti, a kind of noodles in the shape of long thin pieces that look like string when they are cooked. Its almost leafless, thread-like stems（茎）hang down on top of other plants that dodder needs to stay alive. Dodder does not produce its own food. Instead, it steals food from other plants. It feeds by sucking juices from the plant which is wrapped around, often making its host very weak or even killing it.
Dodder can find other plants by their smell. When a young dodder plant starts growing, it follows the smell of plants it prefers, like tomato plants, potato plants, or other farm crops. Unlike most plants that usually grow in the direction of light or warmth, a dodder plant will grow in the direction of, for example, tomato smell-if a tomato happens to be growing nearby.
However, a young dodder plant must find a host plant quickly. It no longer needs its root once it is attached to the host and wrapped around it. If it cannot catch a smell of a potential host within a few days, it will dry up and disappear-even if there is plenty of water around. Once it finds a host, the young dodder plant will attach itself to it and start growing faster. At that point the dodder plant will drop its root.
Dodder is thus a difficult weed to manage and a real headache for farmers. When it does get out of hand, dodder can greatly reduce a farmer’s harvest or even destroy crops completely. Before sowing their produce, especially farmers in warm parts of the world often check to make sure no unwanted dodder seeds have mixed with their crop seeds. This is a good way to stop dodder plants from making their way to a crop field secretly.
1.Why does the author mention spaghetti in the first paragraph?
A. To analyze the content of some food.
B. To describe tie shape of dodder plants.
C. To explain where the dodder plants come from.
D. To argue that dodder plants can be used.
2.What will happen if a dodder plant starts growing where there are no other plants around?
A. It will die sooner or later.
B. It will grow deep roots.
C. It will attract other plants.
D. It will cover the entire area of soil.
3.What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Dodder does not produce its own food.
B. Dodder can affect farmers’ income.
C. Dodder can only survive in the shade.
D. Dodder only grows in the warm areas.
4.What is the main topic of the passage?
A. A new variety of farm crops.
B. Plants that are harmful to humans.
C. The special abilities of a dangerous plant.
D. Recent improvements in farming methods.
There are many places to go on safari in Africa, but riding a horse through the flooded waters of Botswana's Okavango Delta must rank as one of the world's most exciting wildlife journeys.
Several safari camps operate as the base for this adventure, providing unique rides twice a day to explore deep into the delta. The camps have excellent horses, professional guides and lots of support workers. They have a reputation for providing a great riding experience.
The morning ride, when the guides take you to beautiful, shallow lakes full of water lilies, tends to be more active. It is unlike any other riding experience. With rainbows forming in the splashing water around you and the sound of huge drops of water bouncing off your body and face. It is truly exciting. You are very likely to come across large wild animals, too. On horseback it is possible to get quite close to elephants, giraffes and many other animals. The sense of excitement and tension levels rise suddenly though, as does your heart rate, as you move closer to them.
In the evening, rides are usually at a more relaxed and unhurried pace. With golden light streaming across the grassy delta and the animals coming out to eat and drink. Sedate though they are, rides at this time of day are still very impressive. As the sun's rays pass through the dust kicked up by the horses, the romance of Africa comes to life.
Back at the camp you can kick off your boots and enjoy excellent food and wine. Looking back on your day, you will find it hard to deny that a horseback Safari is as close as you will ever come to answering the call of the wild.
1.What does the author find most exciting about a horse safari?
A. Seeing and feeling the real African life.
B. Enjoying good food and wine at the camp.
C. Hunting large animals just as our ancestors did.
D. Being part of the scene and getting close to animals.
2.What does the underlined word "sedate" probably mean?
A. Wild and romantic. B. Slow and peaceful.
C. Hurry and thirsty. D. Active and excited.
3.The author introduced the riding experience in the Okavango Delta mainly by ________.
A. following space order B. following time order
C. making classifications D. giving examples
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Which position does Orson apply for?
A. Publicity Manager. B. Operations Assistant. C. Sales Manager.
2.How long did Orson study economics in university?
A. Three years. B. Four years. C. Five years.
3.Where did Orson work first after his graduation?
A. Happy Holidays. B. XL Holidays. C. Sky Airlines.
4.Why does Orson want a new job?
A. He wants something new. B. He wants a higher salary. C. He wants good working conditions.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What happened to the woman?
A. Her car was broken into. B. Her car was lost. C. Her house was robbed.
2.What was in the woman’s handbag?
A. An MP3 player. B. A new iPhone. C. A set of keys.
3.What did the woman do this morning?
A. She went to the police. B. She had her locks changed. C. She repaired her car’s back window.
4.Who is the man probably?
A. A policeman. B. The woman’s colleague. C. The woman’s neighbor.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Which month is it now?
A. January. B. February. C. December.
2.What will the woman do during the vacation?
A. Have a family reunion. B. Prepare for her wedding. C. Travel abroad.
3.What does the man ask the woman to buy?
A. A china cup. B. A vase. C. A pair of glasses.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why did the man fail the exam?
A. He fell down to hurt. B. The questions were hard for him. C. He didn’t revise hard for it.
2.What will the man have to do?
A. Retake the exam next week. B. Find a good tutor tomorrow. C. Take the course again next year.
