Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives (马尔代夫) are among the most beautiful islands in the world, with sandy white beaches, clear water, and amazing coral reefs (珊瑚礁). The country depends on tourism, fishing, and shipping. But the rising sea level and the carbon pollution causing warming oceans are threatening (威胁) their existence.
The Maldives have asked for international help. They are a tiny country. The World Bank, the United States, the European Union, and many other groups have offered money to develop safeguards against climate change.
To protect the islands, the Maldives have built sea walls and increased the elevation (海拔) of important buildings and services such as the two interactional airports, which lie just 165 feet from the coastline.
They're also building up islands such as the Hulhumale, The new island is surrounded by nine-foot sea walls. More than 40,000 people live there. The plan is to house 240, 000, providing new opportunities for jobs. The goal is an excellent planned community with sustainable housing and buildings sensitive to the environment and needs of the people.
The government will move people living on smaller, lower-lying islands to the new built-up islands. The new islands offer free houses, new schools, health hospitals, fresh water, and waste treatment. Depending on tourism, the country hopes to build 50 more tourist islands.
"Climate change is happening, but we are not leaving the Maldives to the sea," said Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim. The Maldives will protect their islands, people and tourism with new islands and ongoing island development against rising sea level.
1.What makes it difficult for the Maldives to exist?
A.Their tourism, fishing and shipping,
B.Their rising sea level and carbon pollution.
C.Their sandy white beaches and coral reefs.
D.Their distant islands and warning oceans,
2.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A.The Maldives are a small country.
B.Many groups have helped the Maldives.
C.240,000 people live on the Hulhumale now.
D.The Hulhumale is surrounded by 9-foot sea walls.
3.Which of the following will Thoriq Ibrahim agree with?
A.The Maldives will be protected
B.The Maldivians will leave all the islands.
C.The Maldives should give up tourism,
D.The Maldives will sink to the sea.
4.Which of the following is the best title for this passage?
A.The Maldives and their tourism.
B.The Maldives and their rising sea level
C.The Maldives and their climate change.
D.The Maldives and their fight against rising sea level.
The other day I was shopping at a local store and came across a lady from India squatting (蹲) on the floor looking for a certain product on the bottom shelf. She stood up quickly when she saw me as if to get out of my way. Feeling sorry, she explained that she was a cashier at a nearby store and was on her lunch break, trying to get a few needed things before her time was up.
I comforted her. “I am in no hurry. Go ahead and do what you need to do. I have plenty of time.” While she searched for something, she said that sometimes customers were rude to her at the store and she was really thankful for my kindness. I told her that I had noticed cashiers being treated rudely by some people and that those people needed to be more understanding.
She thanked me for being so nice and friendly. I told her, “The world would be a better place if we all acted kindly toward each other. Those who are rude may have bad karma (报应) coming after them finally for treating people badly.” She nodded and was surprised that I knew what karma was.
She asked me what karma meant. I gave her a simple answer. She looked puzzled, then broke out in a big smile and covered her mouth with her hand, laughing as she walked away.
It felt so good that I may have helped someone feel better for even a few seconds. In a brief exchange I showed her there are good and kind people in the world and may have added to her belief in humanity (人性). Maybe she thought about that later in the day, perhaps when someone was treating her unkindly.
1.Why did the lady squat on the floor?
A.To find a certain product.
B.To get out of the way.
C.To have a lunch break.
D.To explain that she was a cashier
2.Which of the following can best describe the writer?
A.Rude, B.Friendly.
C.Humorous. D.Brave.
3.What made the lady surprised?
A.She was treated rudely. B.The writer knew what karma was.
C.She was misunderstood. D.The writer comforted her.
4.What does the writer want to tell the readers?
A.No pains, no gains.
B.It's easier said than done.
C.Failure is the mother of success.
D.Kindness is the sunshine of social life.
Whether it's hanging the stockings or baking cookies, all of our favorite Christmas traditions have an interesting history. But no matter where or how you celebrate the holiday season, you might notice a rather unusual custom: finding oranges in your stocking on Christmas morning. As it turns out, there are several arguments as to why people began to put oranges in Christmas stockings.
According to the original story of St. Nicholas (now called Santa Claus), the saint gave three bags of gold to a poor man. The money helped the man pay for his daughters' weddings, and St. Nick has had a reputation for being generous ever since. Meanwhile, the oranges are thought to represent the gold he left the girls.
Some believe, on the other hand, that the practice began during the Great Depression. Because many families couldn't afford to buy Christmas gifts or candy, luxury (奢侈) foods, like oranges and walnuts were placed under the tree, instead.
Another explanation is that the oranges are a reminder to share what you have with others, as December is the season of giving. And finally, some think the oranges were once a "special treat" in the winter — especially for children living in the north. Therefore, there appeared oranges in the stockings.
1.What does the underlined word "reputation'' in paragraph 2 mean?
A.Great system. B.Future generation.
C.Big celebration. D.Good name.
2.Why are the oranges a reminder to share what you have with others?
A.Because December is the season of giving.
B.Because many families couldn't afford to buy Christmas gifts or candy.
C.Because the oranges are thought to represent the gold he left the girls.
D.Because the oranges were once a "special treat" in the winter.
3.How many arguments are there according to the passage?
A.2. B.3
C.4. D.5.
4.What can we learn from the passage?
A.People can only put oranges in Christmas Stockings.
B.Many families were rich during the Great Depression.
C.St. Nicholas helped the man pay for his daughters' weddings.
D.The oranges were not a ''special treat" in the winter for children living in the south.
Gattica
Samantha Wynter from Mexico finds this movie interesting because It examines the results of genetic engineering of humans in the future. It shows the struggles of Victor to succeed in a world of genetically-designed, perfect humans.
Central Station
Stella Tupinamba from Brazil reviews this excellent Brazilian film which was recently nominated (提名) for Academy awards. This movie which features the talented actress, Fernanda Montenegro is, in Stella's words, "like a prize" for Brazilians. It's a very special film. Don't miss it!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Masako Kanki from Japan is pleased to find the movie so faithful to the book, but a little disappointed in the lack of character development. However, she finds the movie fantastic and is eagerly looking forward to viewing more movies based on Hany Potter books.
Life is Beautiful
Akiko Tanaka from Japan feels this Italian movie is a very special one. She finds the story very beautiful but very sad. She tells us the basic story of this heart-breaking movie, which shows us we should never forget what happens during wars.
1.Which film will probably win Academy awards?
A.Gattica. B.Central Station.
C.Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. D.Life is Beautiful.
2.Who is a little disappointed about the film?
A.Samantha Wynter B.Stella Tupinamba.
C.Masako Kanki. D.Akiko Tanaka.
3.From which part of a magazine is the passage most probably taken?
A.Movies. B.Music.
C.Sports. D.Technology.
假定你是李华，你的英国笔友 Jim 想了解中国建国 70 年以来生活方式的变化，请你给他回复邮件，内容包括：
1. 生活方式的变化（至少写两点变化）
2. 变化给人们带来的好处
3. 你的感受
注意：1. 词数 100 左右
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Jim,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
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。
Know you are so fond of Chinese calligraphy, I would like to send you a book about this abstract and high-level form of art in an English edition, what is easy for you to understand. The book is entitled Appreciation of Chinese Calligraphy, included a fascinating collection of masterpieces. It not only presents a variety of calligraphy styles, but also provides beautiful illustrations, expert explanations and useful comment, since one’s handwriting is often viewing as a reflection of his and her personality. I am sure you will have a good knowledge of this form of art after you reading it and more willing to give it a try.
Could you please leave me your address so that I can mail them to you soon? I hope you will like the book and find it helpfully.
