From July to October every year, about a quarter of the world’s blue whales feed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. But the whales currently face a major threat in their favorite feeding area. Ships carrying cargo (货物）sail in the same area at the same time. All too often, the whales’ paths and the ships’ travel lines overlap (重叠), and a ship will hit a whale.
According to a new study, these ship strikes have become a serious threat to the overall population of the world’s blue whales. Only about 10,000 of the creatures still exist worldwide. Blue whales are the largest known animals ever to live on Earth. Even so, if hit by a container ship, a blue whale will likely die from its injuries.
In 2007 alone, large ships killed five blue whales in the waters off San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that because there are so few whales already, losing three to five from the California whale population every year is a significant loss. “The estimated population of blue whales in this part of the Pacific is 2,500”, says Sean Hastings, a NOAA analyst. “So every whale counts toward this species moving off the endangered-species list.”
Now, marine scientists must figure out how to protect the whales from the giant container ships. One very simple program is already under way in the Santa Barbara Channel, a waterway that separates mainland California from the nearby Channel Islands.
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary has asked large container ships passing through the area to voluntarily slow down. Sailing slower will allow the ships‟ crew (船员）more time to change course before hitting a whale.
Several of the world’s largest shipping lines are set to participate in the new program. For every ship that passes through the Santa Barbara Channel at or below the reduced speed of 12 knots (海里/小时）, the company that owns the ship will be paid $2,500.
1.From Paragraph 1, we can know that_____.
A. people intend to illegally hunt blue whales for money
B. large ships often carrying goods may pollute the sea
C. the container ships may hit the blue whales frequently
D. there is fewer fish in blue whales‟ favorite feeding area
2.Why is the death of several whales regarded as significant loss to the world's blue whales?
A. Because the number of the blue whales is so small.
B. Because other blue whales will be scared away.
C. Because blue whales are the largest animals in the world.
D. Because many blue whales get killed throughout the year.
3.According to Sean Hastings, it’s inferred that .
A. the number of the blue whales is decreasing sharply.
B. the blue whales are still on the endangered-species list.
C. most of the world’s blue whales live in the Pacific Ocean.
D. blue whales are often disturbed by other endangered creatures.
4.What are the last three paragraphs mainly about?
A. The basic responsibility of a sailor.
B. Measures to protect the blue whales.
C. The world’s largest shipping lines.
D. Ways to slow down the speed of the ships.
People who play computer games to train their brains might as well be playing Super Mario, new research suggests.
In a six-week study, experts found people who played online games designed to improve their cognitive(认知的) skills didn’t get any smarter.
More than 8,600 people aged 18 to 60 were asked to play online brain games designed by the researchers to improve their memory, reasoning and other skills, for at least 10 minutes a day, three times a week.
They were compared to more than 2,700 people who didn’t play any brain games, but spent a similar amount of time surfing the Internet. All participants were given an “IQ test” before and after the experiment.
Researchers said the people who did the brain training didn’t do any better on the test after six weeks than people who had simply been on the Internet.
“If you’re(playing these games) because they’re fun, that’s absolutely fine,” said Adrian Owen, assistant director at Britain’s Medical Research Council. “But if you’re expecting these games to improve your IQ, our data suggests this isn’t the case.”
Computer games that are supposed to improve memory, reasoning and other cognitive skills are played by millions of people worldwide, though few studies have examined if the games work.
“There is precious little evidence to suggest the skills used in these games transfer to the real world,” said Art Kramer, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois, US.
Instead of playing brain games, Kramer said people would be better off getting some exercise. He said physical activity can help produce new brain cells.
Other experts said brain games might be useful, but only if they weren’t fun.
“If you set the level for these games to a very high level where you don’t get the answers very often and it really annoys you, then it may be useful,” said Philip Adey, a professor of psychology at King’s College in London.
If people are enjoying the brain games, Adey said they probably aren’t being challenged and might as well be playing a regular video game.
He said people should consider learning a new language or sport if they really want to improve their brain power. “To stimulate(激发) the intellect, you need a real challenge,” Adey said, “Getting smart is hard work.”
1.According to the article, which of the following is NOT useful to develop brain power?
A. Learning a language. B. Getting some physical exercise.
C. Playing challengeable games. D. playing fun games.
2.What can we infer from the first two paragraphs?
A. Playing brain games is as effective a means of improving the brain as Super Mario.
B. Playing Super Mario is a better means of improving the brain.
C. Playing brain games can’t improve cognitive skills.
D. Playing computer games can train the brain.
3.Which of the following statements is true?
A. Many studies show that brain games are an effective means of improving cognitive skills.
B. The skills used in brain games can be transferred to real life.
C. Participants took IQ test twice during the research on the effectiveness of brain games.
D. Surfing the Internet is a more effective means of improving cognitive skills than video games.
4.Which is another way of summing up Adey’s argument in the last paragraph?
A. Practice makes perfect. B. Where there is a will, there is a way.
C. No pains, no gains. D. A bad beginning makes a bad ending.
Oh my God, the robots are taking over! We’re doomed! Doomed! Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, it’s become clear that while we may or may not be doomed, the robots are taking over. The latest example is the government’s new guidelines for self-driving cars.
Tesla, Google and Uber are already testing driverless cars in cities across America. Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick is among those predicting that by 2021, self-driving cars will play a big part in urban settings.
Nearly 40,000 people died last year in this nation in automobile-related accidents, and we believe driverless cars can save tens of thousands of lives annually.
It makes sense. Robot drivers are less likely to get drunk, drive without a license, text while driving or feel agitated at the scene of a traffic jam. On the other hand, I wonder how these highly sensitive cars will react with walkers constantly dashing into the street. Will they jam on the brakes every 10 seconds?
But there’s a bigger picture. Not only are robots replacing humans behind the wheel, but behind the work desk, in warehouses, senior homes, you name it. Robots aren’t just taking over in the workplace.
The question is, where can’t a robot function better than a human? How about writing songs? A robot can go through every combination of notes in record time and come up with a pleasing melody. The lyrics might be a different story. Is a Grammy-winning song co-written by Hank Human and R-3071 in our future?
Finally, it’s only a matter of time until we have robot politicians and presidential candidates. Why not? They can be programmed to be experts in world and domestic affairs and come up with the best solutions without corruption and bad humors.
Actually, it’s too bad such technology isn’t available in 2018. Pretty sure the robot would win in a landslide.
1.What does the underlined word “agitated” in Paragraph 4 mean?
A. Exhausted. B. Embarrassed.
C. Disappointed. D. Anxious.
2.What doubt does the writer have about self-driving cars?
A. How passengers behave in it.
B. How robot drivers get the license.
C. How they respond to walkers on a busy street.
D. How they avoid crashing into other cars.
3.The last question asked in Paragraph 6 reflects the writer’s .
A. eagerness to listen to songs written by robots
B. doubt about robots’ ability to write songs
C. confidence in robots’ winning Grammy Awards
D. curiosity about the future Grammy songs
4.What might be the most suitable title for the text?
A. Robots will control the world in every field.
B. Robots can drive cars and write music.
C. Robots are being used in our daily life.
D. Robots are coming but not soon enough.
Some students prefer a part-time job after class to earn some money and improve themselves. Here are some good companies:
IN-N-Out Burger
It is the best hamburger shop in the west of America. Regarded as one of the best employers, it offers flexible hours and the highest part-time salaries(薪水). Above all, the company treats its employees the way they would like to be treated:like family. However, there is no discount offered to its employees.
Position: selling assistant (experience required)
Website: www.in-n-out.cm
Starbucks Coffee
Starbucks has been at the forefront(前沿) of the United States’ coffee revolution. Working hours are flexible. Fit twenty hours of work into your week. There is also a 30% discount and a free pound of coffee or box of tea every week.
Position: assistant coffee taster(experience required)
Website: www.Starbucks.Com
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market is the world’s largest natural and organic food selling company. With its focus on organic ingredients, Whole Foods Market is all about health. Working hours are flexible. Benefits include paid-time off and a 20% discount so you can eat like a king or at least like a top chef in training. There are also training courses on health and food every week.
Position: secretary
Website:wwww.wholefoodsmarket.com.
Lands’ End
Lands’ End is a Wisconsin-based clothes store that focuses on casual comfort and warmth for the great outdoors. Employees(even part-time employees) have the chance to go to a company-owned entertainment centre and get a 25% discount on theme parks and movies, and an invitation to the yearly company picnic. Besides, for part-time employees,working hours are flexible and they can come to work anytime they like as long as they work for 4 hours a day.
Position:salesperson
Website:www.landsend.com
1.Which company offers its employees the best discount?
A. In-N-Out Burger. B. Whole Foods Market.
C. Starbucks Coffee. D. Lands’ End.
2.Which website should you visit if you are interested in selling clothes?
A. www.in-n-out.com. B. www.landsend.com.
C. www.wholefoodsmarket.com. D. www.starbucks.com.
3.What do the four companies have in common?
A. Training courses are offered. B. Working hours are flexible.
C. Related experience is required. D. Employees can get high salaries.
假定你是李华，刚进入高中学习，你得知学校校报正在征文，题为If I am a teacher.请你给校报投稿，内容包括：
1、你对教师这个职业的认识；
2、你会做一名什么样的教师。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯
If I am a teacher
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1、每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2、只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
I am Li Bing and studying in Guang Ming Middle School. I want to be the member of the Youth Volunteer Organization. I like all sport very much,especially basketball. I’m also interested in read and I am good at English. I thought friendship is very important to us,but I like making friends.
At school,I' m a member of the“one help one”study project in which I help others and get help others. I was used to give books and money to the children in poor areas. I hope you can get more opportunities to serve others and develop my abilities. So I will do that I can to help other.
