How the Elderly Are Treated Around the World
How cultures view and treat their elderly is closely linked to their most prized values and qualities. 1.
In the US and UK, Protestantism (新教) is at play. Western cultures tend to be youth-centric, stressing qualities like independence. 2. It ties a person’s value to his or her ability to work – something that becomes weaker in old age. As their health becomes worse, the elderly in these cultures often move to old people’s homes and nursing homes.
In France, parents are protected by law. It is difficult to imagine an Elderly Rights Law being a focus in the laws of many Western cultures. France did, however, pass a similar law in 2004. 3. One was a group of official statistics showing France had the highest rate of pensioner suicides in Europe, and the other was the aftermath of a heat wave that killed 15,000 people, most of whom were elderly and had been dead for weeks before they were found.
4. Native American cultures traditionally accept death as a fact of life. In many Native American areas, elders are respected for their wisdom and life experiences. Within Native American families, it’s common for the elders to be expected to pass down their learning to younger members of the family.
The way to care for Chinese elders is changing. Chinese families traditionally view respect for one’s elders as the highest virtue, according to the Confucian tradition. Adult children are generally expected to care for their parents in their old age. 5. Nursing homes are beginning to become a more socially acceptable option for elderly care.
A. However, this tradition is beginning to break down due to rising lifetime and an aging population.
B. In the African-American area, death is seen as an opportunity to celebrate life.
C. Here’s what we can learn from other cultures about treating the elderly.
D. But China faces the unique problem of tending to an increasingly elderly population.
E. Native American elders pass down their knowledge.
F. It was only passed following two disturbing events, though.
G. This relates back to the Protestant work rules.
After decades of playing catch-up with the U.S. and Russian space programs, China did something neither nation nor any other had done this December: land a spaceship on the dark side of the moon.
Strictly speaking, of course, the moon has no dark side. But because of the way it orbits Earth, our natural satellite shows us only one side － the other is hidden from our view. No one even saw the far side until 1959, when the Soviet Luna 3 spaceship flew around for a look and sent back photos. No astronaut or spaceship went there until this December, when the China National Space Agency (CNSA) launched a 2,500-pound lander called Chang’e-4 to the southern end of the lunar far side.
Chang’e-4 operated a small rover (探测车) to survey the geography there for the first time ever. By examining the geography of its landing area, Chang’e-4 could solve longstanding puzzles about the moon, including how it formed 4.5 billion years ago. Chang’e-4 also carried a very small ―lunar biosphere (生态圈) ‖ containing silkworm eggs and a tiny greenhouse designed to grow potatoes in order to study the growth of the seeds on the moon.
Besides Chang’e-4, China plans to launch Chang’e-5 in 2019. Its mission will be to gather moon rocks using an orbiter, a lander or collector, an ascent stage (上升器) and a capsule that will separate from the orbiter and return the rocks to the earth. ―With these missions, the Chinese will have shown complete mastery of flight in the space between the earth and the moon,‖ said Paul Spudis, an experienced lunar researcher based in Houston.
CNSA has already outlined ideas for Chinese astronauts to follow the robots to the moon. Pei Zhaoyu, deputy director of CNSA’s Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center, told that China plans a permanent robotic lunar station in about 10 years and suggested a human presence on the moon another decade or so after that. Spudis said China’s ambitious Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-5 missions should send human’s plans for lunar return into rapid development.
1.What do we know about the dark side of the moon from the first two paragraphs?
A. Two western countries have taken its photos.
B. It is hidden from people’s view due to the earth’s orbit.
C. China is the first country to land a spaceship there.
D. It exists because the sun never shines there.
2.Why did Chang’e-4 operate a small rover?
A. To study the geography of the lunar dark side.
B. To grow potatoes on the moon.
C. To examine the growth of eggs and seeds.
D. To survey the lunar biosphere.
3.Which of the following can move apart from the orbiter of Chang’e-5?
A. The lander. B. The collector.
C. The ascent stage. D. The capsule.
4.What is Spudis’s attitude to China’s Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-5 missions?
A. Cautious. B. Disapproving.
C. Ambiguous. D. Favorable.
Think plants are just boring green things that you use for food and decoration? Think again! Plants are able to do some pretty awesome things that you’re probably totally unaware of.
Researchers have discovered that plants have the ability to communicate with an underground network made up of fungus (真菌) , which serves the plants in many ways. Tomato plants use the fungus web to warn each other of their own unhealthy conditions. Trees connected through the fungus network could move nutrients (养分) to and from each other. It is believed that larger trees move nutrients to smaller ones to help them to survive.
Not only that, but they can also damage unwelcome plants by spreading poisonous chemicals through the fungus. It sounds like the plant world had the Internet before we did.
Some plants have a rather impressive line of defense against being eaten. When sensing they are being swallowed, they give off a chemical into the air that attracts the insect’s natural enemy. The enemy attacks the bug, thus saving the plants. This is basically the plant kingdom version of getting your older brother to beat up that kid who steals your lunch money.
You might be aware that humans and animals have an internal clock. But did you know that plants also have this clock? This means they can prepare for certain times of day just like we do. Is it because they can react to light at sunrise? In a study, scientists found that plants use the sugars they produce to keep time, which help to regulate the genes responsible for the plant’s own internal clock. So, in a sense, ―wake up with petunias (矮牵牛) ‖ is just as valid as ―wake up with the chickens.‖
Nature is full of surprises. So for those of you who didn’t know the wonders of plants, now you do.
1.How many ways does the network of fungus serve the plants?
A. Two. B. Three.
C. Four. D. Five.
2.What does the underlined words ―your older brother‖ in Paragraph 4 refer to?
A. The chemical given off by plants. B. The insect’s natural enemy.
C. The bug attacked by the enemy. D. The plant to be eaten by the insect.
3.What helps the plant keep time?
A. The sugars produced by itself. B. Its own genes.
C. The time of sunrise. D. Its response to light.
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A. To show his love of different plants.
B. To share his study on some awesome plants.
C. To introduce the unknown abilities of plants.
D. To make people aware of plant protection.
A while back I caught a news report on something called ―couch surfing‖ and the network of trusting souls who make this phenomenon possible. They offer to put up travelers free of charge and help them on their ways. At first, it sounded unbelievable. I mean, inviting strangers into one’s home for one or two nights? Give me a break.
However, I was intrigued. I decided to investigate. The only way to truly learn about this phenomenon was to dive in. So I planned a trip to Finland, a country I’ve always wanted to explore. I would couch surf at every stop there.
If ever any anxiety existed when stepping into the unknown, it disappeared when my first host met me at the train station. Ari looked like my idea of a typical Finn: tall and blue-eyed. Finns were also supposed to be famously reserved (寡言少语的). Ari was anything but. He was a live wire, giving me an enthusiastic welcome and hiking with me to his apartment, where he showed me the sleeper sofa, served me tea, and engaged me in warm conversations. He also handed me a key to come and go as I pleased.
If this was what couch surfing was all about － trust and friendship － then I had gotten off to a good start. As I boarded my next train to continue my journey, I began to think about this couch-surfing idea. What urged these people to open their homes to strangers? I concluded that there was a desire to lend a hand to like-minded folks who might enrich their own lives.
Seven cities in 14 days. Seven hosts. Seven new friends. If couch surfing taught me anything, it’s this: Most people are good and generous. Where will couch surfing take me next? Who knows? But I can’t wait to find out.
1.Which of the following best explains ―intrigued‖ underlined in the second paragraph?
A. Relaxed. B. Disgusted.
C. Interested. D. Embarrassed.
2.What can we know about Ari?
A. He was reserved like most Finns. B. He talked less but he was friendly.
C. He treated the author as a friend. D. He saw off the author at the train station.
3.Why did people offer couch surfing to strangers?
A. To take an adventure with strangers.
B. To exchange houses for a short time.
C. To learn more about others’ family lives.
D. To enrich their own lives by helping others.
4.What can be the suitable title for the text?
A. Travel on Trust and Couches B. A Free Travel in Finland
C. Experiences in Strangers’ Houses D. A Plan for Couch Surfing
People You’ve Never Heard of Who Changed the World
It is a fact that most people live their lives unremarked by history. Whether by design or by accident, there are some pioneers whose achievements changed the course of history but whose names are unknown to us.
James Harrison
James Harrison has saved the lives of over two million people by donating his blood 1,173 times, a Guinness world record. His blood produces a rare antibody (抗体) which cures the otherwise deadly Rhesus disease in unborn children. It has also been used in the development of a medicine anti-D, which will cure the Rhesus disease in children forever.
Lewis Latimer
After helping Alexander Graham Bell obtain his patent for the telephone, Lewis Latimer patented a carbon filament (碳灯丝), which allowed light bulbs to burn for hours before burning out, much more useful than that invented by Thomas Edison. Latimer went on to invent many other useful devices, including a device which cooled and cleaned patients’ rooms in hospitals.
Maurice Hilleman
Not all achievements require bravery and self-sacrifice. Take Maurice Hilleman for example. He found another way to change the world. He developed the mumps vaccine (疫苗) after his daughter got the illness. And he didn’t stop there. In total, he has single-handedly developed over 40 vaccines, including eight commonly given to children. His work has saved millions of lives and prevented serious consequences due to the diseases.
Nils Bohlin
In 1959 Nils Bohlin patented a revolutionary design that has saved millions of lives － the three-point safety belt. After the initial resistance from drivers who hated being told what to do, and even for their own good, the three-point belt has become a standard feature in new cars around the world.
1.Whose patent allowed light bulbs to burn for hours before burning out?
A. Alexander Graham Bell. B. Lewis Latimer.
C. Thomas Edison. D. Nils Bohlin.
2.What’s the similarity between James Harrison and Maurice Hilleman?
A. They both had spirits of bravery and self-sacrifice.
B. Their contributions saved the lives of many children.
C. They devoted themselves to work because of family members.
D. They both set a Guinness world record.
3.What was drivers’ initial attitude to the three-point seat belt?
A. They refused to use it. B. They were satisfied with it.
C. They were surprised at it. D. They got excited about it.
假定你是李华，你在网站上看到英国留学生 Terry 发帖，希望找人辅导他学汉语，并且愿意教英语作为回报。请你给他写封邮件，内容包括：
（1）表示愿意帮助他学汉语；
（2）说明你能胜任辅导的理由；
（3）提出你学习英语的具体需求。
注意：1. 词数100 左右；2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Terry,
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Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
