Students at Empire High School started class with no text books-but it wasn't because of money problems.
Instead, the school gave iBbooks-laptop computers to each of its 340 students, becoming one of the first US public schools to stop printed textbooks.
School officials believe that the electronic materials will make students enjoy learning more Empire High School was designed to have a textbook-free environment.
Students at Empire High School get the materials over the school's Internet network. The school has a central control system that limits what can be downloaded at the school.
“Students can hand in homework online. We have a web program that helps to check if you copy from others,” the headmaster Baker said.
In addition to offering up-to-date information, teachers can make the lessons more enjoyable. For example, lessons in history can include links to a person's daily life, his ideas, his discovery, and so on.
Social studies teacher Jeremy Gypton said the change was easier than expected. Gypton said he assigned reading based on websites, used online groups and message boards to keep the students connected. And he also asked them to comment on each other's work.
Julian Tarazon, a new student, said that it was kind of hard at first, because you had to put things in folders(文件夹). But after a couple of days, you got used to it. Another student Morgan Northcutt said the computer system had made it easier to do homework.
The school isn't completely paperless, however. It has a library, and students can read books in it.
“We're not trying to get rid of book,” Baker said. “We love books.”
1.What can a central control system help to control?
A.What to download. B.Why to download.
C.How to download. D.How much to download.
2.What is the biggest advantage of the homework online?
A.Students can do it anytime.
B.Information online is available.
C.There is a lot of reading based on websites.
D.It provides a platform for students to share ideas.
3.Why did the teachers at Empire High School begin to use iBooks?
A.They had money problems. B.They had limited network.
C.They wanted a web program. D.They wanted to improve their teaching.
Like all big cities, Paris has a traffic problem: lots of cars. lots of traffic jams and lots of pollution from exhaust fumes(废气). So the city began a scheme(计划)to improve the situation.
Under the Velib scheme ('Velib' comes from velo liberte, or 'bicycle freedom') people can take a bicycle, use it for as long as they want, and then leave it at the same or another bicycle station. The first half-hour-on the bike is free, but if you don't return it after 30 minutes, you have to pay. But it's only € 1 a day or € 29 a year! The bicycles are heavy (25kg), and they are all grey and have baskets. There are about 20,000 of them in the city, and around 1,450 bicycle stations. So there are a lot more Velib stations than the 298 subway stations!
Paris is not the first city to have a scheme like this. But not everybody thinks it's a great idea. One Parisian said. “These bicycles are only for short journeys. If people want to travel across the city, they won't use a bicycle-they'll still use their cars.”
A city spokesman said, “The bicycle scheme won't solve all our traffic problems, of course. But it might help reduce air pollution. Traffic, together with factory fumes, is a big problem. There aren't any simple answers to traffic problems and pollution in cities. But unless we do something now, there will be more traffic jams and temperatures will continue to rise, so the problems in our environment will get worse. The bikes might help people to lead a healthier life, too. “
1.What can we know about the Velib scheme?
A.Its bikes have no baskets. B.Its bikes are light and colorful.
C.It owns more stations than the subway. D.It aims to make traveling easier.
2.How much should you pay for using a Velib for one hour?
A.€1. B.€30. C.€29. D.No money.
3.Why do some people disagree with the Velib scheme?
A.The cost is rather high. B.It's not suitable for a long journey.
C.It's hard to find a Velib station. D.The distance between two Velib stations is long.
4.What's the city spokesman's attitude towards the bicycle scheme?
A.Doubtful. B.worried. C.Uncaring. D.Positive.
The science of physics today is as current as the morning newspaper. Indeed, as a result of new advances in physics and their rapid application to inventions designed to satisfy man's wants,the world itself has been changing rapidly. Space technology, industrial technology, and the technology of the home, the farm, the office, the bank, and the department store have all been revolutionized.
Clearly, every grown-up today would understand the world he lives in much better if he knew something about physics. Whether it be Congress(美国国会)voting huge sums of money for warships, space exploration, or atomic energy; the office staff learning to use a new computers; Son Bobby wanting to know about going to the moon; or the housewife learning to operate a electric stove, physics seems to be everywhere.
Teachers in thousands of schoolrooms in America are trying to communicate some of the excitement and importance of these new developments to their students. They know that some of their eager student will someday be scientists and will themselves then contribute to the development of new knowledge or its application to new things.
But in any case, they can be sure that if they bring a knowledge of science (any science) to their students in meaningful and stimulating ways, they have contributed much to helping each one live a more meaningful life.
1.The application of new advances in physics to inventions .
A.may solve all the problems in teaching
B.is intended to meet people's needs
C.can help people understand the meaning of life
D.makes people understand the voting rules of the Congress
2.What does the word “themselves” in Paragraph 3 refer to?
A.the teachers giving lessons B.the students in the classroom
C.some of the eager students D.all the scientists in physics
3.What do the first two paragraphs mainly tell us?
A.New advances in physics. B.The science of physics.
C.The use of physics in our life. D.Modern developments in science.
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
Ali and his younger sister, Zahra, lived with their parents in a poor neighborhood. Their mother was very sick and their father was struggling to find a job, and they had only a little money with which to buy food. As they had not paid the rent for several months, the landlord was breathing down their necks(盯着他们).
One day, Ali took Zahra’s shoes to a shoe repairman to be fixed, but he lost them on the way home. It wasn’t until he got home that he realized he had lost the shoes. He was afraid that his parents would be angry and disappointed, so he begged his sister to keep it secret. Zahra agreed and the two decided to share Ali’s running shoes. Zahra’s school hours were in the morning, so she would wear them first. After school, she would rush back and give them to Ali. He could then run to his school, which began in the afternoon. Although he ran as fast as he could, Ali often arrived late and was warned by the school.
Ali heard about a long distance race that was held for the boys in the city. When he learned that the third prize was a new pair of shoes, he decided to take part. He ran home excitedly and promised his sister that he would win her the new shoes.
The day of race arrived. Ali had a strong start, but halfway through the race he began to get tired and his legs began to ache. Getting more and more exhausted he thought only of Zahra and his promise to her. Dreaming of the new shoes he would win for his sister gave him strength, and he stayed right behind the two fastest runners, determined to finish third. Suddenly, as the finish line drew near, another runner collided(碰撞) with Ali from behind and he crashed to the ground.
注意：
1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2. 应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4. 续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
Ali looked up and saw the other boys rushing ahead. ______________________________________________
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Paragraph 2:
Filled with delight, Ali walked home quickly. __________________________________________________
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假如你是李华，你的新西兰朋友Henry想在中国给他的父母买生日礼物，向你发来邮件咨询在茶叶、小米手机和丝绸衬衫这三种应该选择哪种更好。请你回复邮件，并从中做出选择并讲述理由。
注意：1. 词数80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数；
4. 小米手机：MI cell phone
Dear Henry,
How nice it is to hear from you and I’m pleased to lend you a hand.
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Yours,
Li Hua
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
A CCTV journalist succeeded 1. arousing a heated discussion among citizens by asking people whether they were happy. There were 2. (variety) as to the responses, even some quite funny ones included. Although people played jokes on the answers, it did not take long 3.they began to figure out the true meanings of happiness.
It is certain that people’s views on happiness 4. (affect) greatly by their own life experience. Unfortunately, too many people refer to being rich as happiness and there is no sign of5. decrease in the number of the people who are voluntarily at the mercy of wealth. Some people whose intention is to make big money appreciate 6. (offer) any chance to multiply their income, believing that is 7. their happiness lies. Some are eager to inherit(继承)their parents’ property, especially those 8. are known as silver-spoon kids(富二代). Even worse, some would rather break the law to satisfy their financial desire or seek their fortune 9. (illegal).
In my opinion, we should make 10. clear that happiness is not about pursuing wealth merely but about admiring the beautiful things in life. Therefore, live your life to the fullest and be happy.
