Critical Reading
Critical reading applies to non-fiction writing in which the author puts forth a position or seeks to make a statement. Critical reading is active reading. 1. . Here are the things you should do to be a critical reader.
Consider the context of what is written.
You may be reading something that was written by an author from a different cultural context than yours. Or, you may be reading something written some time ago in a different time context than yours. 2..
Question opinions made by the author.
Don't accept what is written at face value. 3. . Look for facts, examples, and statistics that provide support. Also, look to see if the author has involved the work of authorities.
4..
Assumptions are whatever the author must believe is true in order to propose opinions. However, in many cases, you must read carefully in order to identify any indirect assumption. Once you identify an assumption, you must decide whether or not the assumption is valid.
Evaluate the sources the author uses.
In doing this, be certain that the sources are credible as well as relevant. 5. . For example, studies done by Einstein in the early 20th century may not be appropriate if the writer is discussing the current state of knowledge in physics.
A. Analyze assumptions made by the author
B. What is written may very well reflect the author’s position
C. Before accepting it, be certain that the author provides abundant support for any view made
D. Look to see that what is written is consistent with what others have written about the subject
E. It involves questioning, evaluating and forming your own ideas about what the author is saying
F. Moreover, if the author is writing about a subject in its current state, be sure that the sources are current
G. In either case, you must take into account any differences between your values and attitudes and the author’s
An international team of researchers from the University of Oxford have found that the way people use the Internet is closely tied to the seasonal movements in the natural world. Their online species searches follow the patterns of seasonal animal migrations (迁徙).
Migratory birds ( 候 鸟 ) flood back to where they reproduce every spring. That migratory behavior is accompanied by some human behavior. “In English-language Wikipedia ( 维基百科), the online searches for migratory species tend to increase in spring when those birds arrive in the United States,” said the lead author John Mittermeier.
And not just birds. Mittermeier and his team surveyed nearly 2.5 billion Wikipedia search records, for 32,000 species, across 245 languages. They also saw variable search rates for insects, horsetails and flowering plants. Seasonal trends seemed to be widespread in Wikipedia behavior for many species of plants and animals.
This finding suggests new ways to monitor changes in the world’s biological diversity. It also shows new ways to see how much people care about nature, and which species and areas might be the most effective targets for conservation.
Mittermeier is encouraged by the search results. He commented, “I think there’s a concern among conservationists (生态环境保护者) that people are losing touch with the natural world and that they’re not interacting with native species anymore. And so in that sense, it was really exciting and quite unexpected for me to see people’s Wikipedia interest closely related to changes in nature.” Richard Grenyer, Associate Professor from the University of Oxford, says search data is useful to conservation biologists, “By using these big data approaches, we can direct our attention towards the difficult questions in modern conservation: which species and areas are changing, and where are the people who care the most and can do the most to help.”
1.What have researchers found about species searches?
A.They strengthen ties among people. B.They affect the animal movements.
C.They reflect animal migration seasons. D.They differ in language backgrounds.
2.What is the purpose of writing Paragraph 3?
A.To further support the research findings.
B.To show the variety of species searches.
C.To summarize the research process.
D.To present researchers’ heavy work load.
3.How does Mittermeier feel about the search results?
A.Sad about people’s not getting close to nature.
B.Worried about Wikipedia behavior.
C.Amazed at people’s care about nature.
D.Satisfied with Wikipedia’s service.
4.From which is the text probably taken?
A.A scientific magazine. B.A biology textbook.
C.A biography. D.A travel brochure .
Today, we are told, children don’t spend enough time in the fresh air. Many of them are addicted to a screen either on a computer or a TV—they seem to be living in a virtual world. They have lost touch with nature.
But now 400 organizations in the UK, from playgroups to the National Health Service, are encouraging children to have some“wild time”. They want kids to swap at least 30 minutes of watching TV or playing computer games for time playing outside. Activities such as building dens, climbing trees, and playing hide and seek are just some of the things kids can do. Even if they live in a city, they can go on adventures in the garden or the park.
Children often need a helping hand from mum and dad. They need to be shown what to do and where to go. Andy Simpson from National Health Service says, “We want parents to see what this magical wonder product does for their kids’ development, independence and creativity, by giving wild time a go”.
So despite the complicated world that young people grow up in now, it seems that going back to basics and experiencing“nature’s playground”is what modern children need. David Bond from Project Wild Thing says, “We need to make more space for wild time in children’s daily routine， freeing this generation of kids to have the sort of experiences that many of us took for granted”．
This might sound a bit old fashioned to you or maybe, like me, it’s made you think about sticking on your boots, getting outdoors and reliving your childhood. There’s no age limit on enjoying yourself!
1.Which of the following activities are children not encouraged to do?
A.building dens. B.climbing trees.
C.playing hide and seek. D.watching TV.
2.According to Andy Simpson，what information can we get?
A.wild time is hard to design.
B.wild time is beneficial for children.
C.parents know the importance of wild time.
D.parents like keeping their children indoors.
3.How is the passage mainly developed?
A.By following time orders B.By comparing.
C.By listing examples． D.By giving explanations．
4.What is the exact meaning for the underlined word ?
A.interesting things B.the same and repeated stuff
C.terrible matters D.disappointing events
My six-year-old granddaughter stared at me as if she were seeing me for the first time. “Grandma, you are an antique(古董),” she said. “You are old. Antiques are old. You are my antique.”
I was not satisfied to let the matter rest there. I took out the Webster’s Dictionary and read the definition to Jenny. I explained, “An antique is not only old, it’s an object existing since or belonging to earlier times...a work of art... a piece of furniture. Antiques are treasured,” I told Jenny as I put away the dictionary. “They have to be handled carefully because they sometimes are very valuable. In order to qualify as an antique, the object has to be at least 100 years old.”
“I’m only 67,” I reminded Jenny.
We looked around the house for other antiques, besides me. There was a desk that was handed down from Rone aunt to another and finally to our family. “It’s very old,” I told Jenny. “I try to keep it polished and I show it off whenever I can. You do that with antiques."
There was a picture on the wall bought at a garage sale. It was dated 1867. “Now that’s an antique,” I said with pride. “Over 100 years old.” Of course it was marked up and scratched (刮坏) and not in very good condition. “Sometimes age does that,” I told Jenny. “But the marks are good marks. They show living, or being around. That’s something to display with pride. In fact, sometimes, the more an object shows age, the more valuable it can become.” I believed this was important for my own self-worth.
Our tour of antiques continued. There was a vase on the floor. It had been in my house for a long time. I was not certain where it came from but I didn’t buy it new. One thing about antiques, I explained to Jenny, was that they usually had a story. They’d been in one home and then another, handed down from one family to another, traveling all over the place. They’d lasted through years and years. They could have been thrown away, or ignored. or destroyed, or lost. But instead, they survived.
For a moment, Jenny looked thoughtful. “l don’t have any antiques but you,” she said. Then her face brightened. “Could I take you to school for show and tell?”
“Only if I fit into your backpack,” I answered. And then Jenny’s antique lifted her up and embraced her in a hug that would last through the years.
1.Grandma read the definition of “antique” to Jenny in order to ________.
A.express her disappointment at being called “antique”
B.change Jenny’s shallow understanding of antiques
C.tell Jenny the importance of protecting antiques
D.list all the important characteristics of antiques
2.Which of the following information did grandma express to Jenny?
A.The desk reminded her of her dear relatives.
B.There was usually a sad story behind each antique.
C.The spots on the picture showed its age and value.
D.She planned to buy a new vase to replace the old one.
3.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.Grandma was too old to lift Jenny up.
B.Jenny was too young to know grandma’s humor.
C.Jenny had a strong desire for grandma’s love.
D.Grandma had a deep long-lasting love for Jenny.
4.What can be the best title for the passage?
A.Jenny’s Antique B.Grandma’s Antique
C.A Tour of Antiques D.A Story of Antiques
BKLYN
House Hotel
This hotel features works by Brooklyn artists. The 116 rooms are good value and Manhattan is only 20 minutes away by taxi or subway. The immediate surroundings feel urban — the hotel is by a high-rise public housing project while the nearest commercial street is under elevated(高的) subway tracks — but Bushwick’s best bars and cafes / restaurants are nearby.
Doubles from $99, room only. Tel: 718 388 4433
Archer Hotel
Visitors eager to stay in the heart of Manhattan should try one of the bargain-priced rooms at this hotel. Rates vary from great value to expensive; some start from as low as $179 a night (if prepaying in full). Rooms are small but tasteful, with nice touches such as exposed brick. Some have close-up views of the Empire State Building.
Doubles from $199, room only. Tel: 212 719 4100
Pod 39 Hotel
In an elegant brick building in Manhattan’s Murray Hill, this excellent budget option opened following the success of its sister hotel, The Pod. The rooms are called pods given for their small size and may not suit everyone. But with prices among the most competitive in Manhattan, budgeters will be happy.
Doubles from $95, room only. Tel: 212 865 5700
CitizenM New York Times Square
This is the first US location for a Netherlands-based concept hotel chain — CitizenM. The hotel features self check-in at its 230 little but comfortable rooms via touch screen “MoodPads”. There’s a rooftop bar, a 24-hour grab-and-go cafeteria and an area with public iMac workspaces. Although New Yorkers avoid nearby Times Square, all the lights, cameras and action can make it a fun tourist experience.
Doubles from $170, room only. Tel: 212 319 7000
1.What can we know about BKLYN House Hotel?
A.It has the most rooms. B.It is located in Manhattan.
C.It is Bushwick’s best hotel. D.It is decorated with some art works.
2.Which hotel might attract those who have a tight budget?
A.Archer Hotel. B.Pod 39 Hotel.
C.BKLYN House Hotel. D.CitizenM New York Times Square.
3.What is the advantage of living in CitizenM New York Times Square?
A.Regulars can enjoy a certain dis count.
B.Visitors will get a “MoodPads” as a gift.
C.Visitors can enjoy themselves in a rooftop bar.
D.Visitors can have a good view of the Empire State Building.
假设你是晨光中学高二(1)班的班长李津， 得知美国学生Chris 作为交换生， 下学期将到你班学习。请你根据以下提示， 给他写封邮件：
(1) 表示欢迎 (2) 介绍与本地生活相关的信息（如天气， 饮食等）
(3) 介绍本班情况 (4) 希望Chris做哪些事情， 以增进中美学生之间的了解和友谊
注意：
(1) 请勿提及与考生相关的真实信息。 (2) 可适当加入细节， 使内容充实，行文连贯。
词数不少于100； 开头已给出， 不计入总词数。
(1) 参考词汇： 交换生 exchange student
Dear Chris,
I’m Li Jin, monitor of Class One, Grade Eleven.
