Blue Planet II’s latest episode focuses on how plastic is having a disastrous effect on the ocean and slowly poisoning our sea creatures. Researchers recently also found that sea creatures living in the deepest place on Earth, the Mariana Trench, have plastic in their stomachs. Indeed, the oceans are drowning in plastic.
Though it seems now that the world couldn’t possibly function without plastics, consumer plastics are a remarkably recent invention. The first plastic bags were introduced in the 1950s; the same decade that plastic packaging began gaining in popularity in the United States. This growth has happened so fast that science is still catching up with the change. Plastics pollution research, for instance, is still a very early science.
We put all these plastics into the environment and we still don’t really know what the outcomes are going to be. What we do know, though, is disturbing. Ocean plastic is estimated to kill millions of marine animals every year. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by it. One in three leatherback turtles, which often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, have been found with plastic in their bellies. Ninety percent of seabirds are now eating plastics on a regular basis. By 2050, that figure is expected to rise to 100 percent.
And it’s not just wildlife that is threatened by the plastics in our seas. Humans are consuming plastics through the seafood we eat. I could understand why some people see ocean plastic as a disaster, worth mentioning to the same degree as climate change. But ocean plastic is not as complicated as climate change. There are no ocean trash deniers (否认者), at least so far. To do something about it, we don’t have to remake our planet energy system.
This is not a problem where we don’t know what the solution is. We know how to pick up garbage. Anyone can do it. We know how to dispose (处理) of it. We know how to recycle. We can all start by thinking twice before we use single----use plastic products. Things that may seem ordinary, like using a reusable bottle or a reusable bag----when taken collectively, these choices really do make a difference.
1.What’s the function of the author mentioning Blue Planet II’s latest episode in the first paragraph?
A. It serves as a comment. B. It serves as a background.
C. It serves as a lead-in. D. It serves as a conclusion.
2.Why is plastics pollution research still a very early science?
A. The plastics pollution research is too difficult.
B. Plastics have produced less pollution than coal.
C. The world couldn’t possibly function without plastics.
D. Plastics have gained in popularity too fast for science to catch up.
3.How did the author support his opinion in Paragraph 3?
A. By statistics.
B. By quotations from leading experts.
C. By using examples from his own experience.
D. By comparison and contrast.
4.What can we infer about climate change?
A. Climate change is caused by human activities.
B. Some people hold some doubts about climate change.
C. Climate change is less important than ocean pollution.
D. Ocean plastic is more complicated than climate change.
5.What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Ocean plastic is a global issue.
B. The oceans become choked with plastic.
C. Blue Planet II has left viewers heartbroken.
D. Plastics gain in popularity all over the world
Construction on Knolly’s Tunnel began in 1896, and it was opened on August 13th, 1898 by the man it was named after--Sir Clement C. Knolly, Acting Governor of Trinidad. It linked Rio Claro with Port of Spain. Its architecture is still admired and studied today, and many are amazed that Knolly’s Tunnel has stood up to the earth’s movement over so many years.
Much research is being done on the tunnel. At the top of Knolly’s Tunnel are cottages covered with leaves, where visitors can sit and enjoy the beauty of nature. Standing at the beginning of Knolly’s Tunnel, you can see nothing but the tiny light at the end. The train tracks have been removed and replaced with small stones. Visitors can drive through the tunnel or walk through, but should do so in groups for safety. In the old days, there were no lights, but now there are street lights on the way to the tunnel, though not inside.
On your way in, you may notice some manholes on the walls of the tunnel. These were there for individuals to step into for safety as the train passed. Knolly’s Tunnel can be accessed through Tabaquite and through Mitchell Gap. The road was recently improved, but is better when you enter from Tabaquite, and there are signs on the road directing you to Knolly’s Tunnel.
On the drive to Knolly’s Tunnel there are two other cottages where visitors can sit and just enjoy nature. At the site itself, there is nothing to purchase to eat or drink, but in Tabaquite there are several bars, a restaurant, and food outlets. A gas station and a health centre are also close by.
For those who admire architecture, Knolly’s Tunnel is a must-see when visiting Trinidad. For the nature lovers, there is no better place for them to be and for the historians, they can walk or drive through Knolly’s Tunnel knowing that many of our ancestors toiled (worked hard) on its structure. So when you visit Trinidad, don’t forget to take a look at Knolly’s Tunnel!
1.Knolly’s Tunnel is special in __________.
A. its environment B. its function C. its location D. its architecture
2.If you are visiting Knolly’s Tunnel, you can__________.
A. take a train tour through it B. buy some snacks in it
C. drive through it D. walk along the track through it
3.The underlined word “site” in the paragraph 4 refers to ________.
A. Trinidad B. Tabaquite C. Mitchell Gap D. Knolly’s Tunnel
4.What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To suggest a visit to Knolly’s Tunnel.
B. To introduce the history of Knolly’s Tunnel.
C. To evaluate the value of Knolly’s Tunnel.
D. To witness the change of Knolly’s Tunnel
5.The passage above is probably taken from ____________.
A. a geography textbook B. a travel journal
C. a sports report D. a health and fitness magazine
Last year I ruined my summer vacation by bringing along a modern convenience that was too convenient for my own good: the iPad. Instead of looking at nature, I checked my email. Instead of paddling a small boat, I followed my Twitter feed (推特简讯). Instead of reading great novels, I stuck to reading four newspapers each morning. I was behaving as if I were still in the office. My body was on vacation but my head wasn’t.
So this year I made up my mind to try something different: withdrawal (退出) from the Internet. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, since I’m bad at self-control. But I was determined. I started by giving the iPad to my wife.
The cellphone signal at our house was worse than in the past, making my attempts at cheating a frustrating experience. I was trapped, forced to go through with my plan. Largely cut off from e-mail, Twitter and my favorite newspaper websites, I had few ways to connect to the world except for radio and how much radio can one listen to, really? I had to do what I had planned to all along: read books.
This experience has had a happy ending. With determination and the strong support of my wife, I won in my vacation struggle against the Internet, realizing finally that it was I, not the iPad, that was the problem. I knew I had won when we passed a Starbucks and my wife asked if I wanted to stop to use the Wi-Fi. “I don’t need it,” I said.
However, as we return to post -vacation life, a harder test begins: Can I continue when I’m back at work? There are times when the need to know what’s being said right now is great. And I have no intention of giving up my convenience completely. But I hope to resist the temptation (诱惑) to check my e-mail every five minutes, which leads to checking my Twitter feed and a website or two.
I think a vacation is supposed to help you reset your brain to become more productive. Here I hope this one worked.
1.What do we know about the author’s last summer vacation？
A. He was determined to enjoy the beautiful view.
B. He felt satisfied that he had stuck to his usual timetable.
C. He was regretful for acting as if he were at work on vacation.
D. His iPad ruined his plan of finishing a great novel.
2.What did the author do to keep away from the Internet this year？
A. He cut off his cellphone signal.
B. He handed his iPad to his wife.
C. He refused to cheat in his house.
D. He listened to the radio most of the time.
3.When back at work, the author will probably choose to_______.
A. continue to read more and more books.
B. stay away from the Internet for ever.
C. stop checking what is being said right now completely.
D. keep control of when and how to use the Internet.
4.What is the author’s opinion of a great vacation in the passage？
A. A vacation means a change of pace to make one more creative and efficient.
B. A vacation is a period of time to do whatever one wished to.
C. A vacation is having nothing to do but read all day.
D. A vacation proves that a life of pleasure is overvalued.
5.How does the author sound when telling the story?
A. Curious B. Anxious C. Cautious D. Humorous
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man think of listening when students learn a language?
A. Easy. B. Hard. C. Interesting.
2.What can exhaust us most about listening?
A. Understanding our native language.
B. Understanding a foreign language.
C. Understanding a foreign language with accents.
3.What should we do if we don’t catch every word most of the time?
A. We should try not to worry.
B. We should try to understand everything.
C. We should ask the speakers to repeat everything.
4.How do most people feel when they are asked to repeat themselves?
A. Afraid. B. Pleased. C. Annoyed.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What information does the man ask about?
A. The parking fees.
B. The way to the town centre.
C. The shops in the town centre.
2.How much is it to the town centre by taxi?
A. About 2 pounds. B. About 12 pounds. C. About 16 pounds.
3.How long is the bus ride to the town centre?
A. About 5 minutes. B. About 10 minutes C. About 15 minutes.
4.What is the woman?
A. The man’s wife. B. A travel agent. C. A policewoman.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the man going to throw into the trash?
A. The hard bread. B. The soft tomato. C. Vegetables.
2.Why does the woman want the soft tomato and the hard bread?
A. To fill in her trash. B. To waste less food. C. To cook supper for the man.
3.What does the woman think of the meat?
A. It goes bad. B. It turns hard. C. It doesn’t look fresh.
