How could we possibly think that keeping animals in cages in unnatural environments — mostly for entertainment purposes — is fair and respectful?
Zoo officials say they are concerned about animals. However, most zoos remain “collections” of interesting “things” rather than protective habitats. Zoos teach people that it is acceptable to keep animals bored, lonely, and far from their natural homes.
Zoos claim to educate people and save endangered species, but visitors leave zoos without having learned anything meaningful about the animals’ natural behavior, intelligence, or beauty. Zoos keep animals in small spaces or cages, and most signs only mention the species’ name, diet, and natural range. The animals’ normal behavior is seldom noticed because zoos don’t usually take care of the animals’ natural needs.
The animals are kept together in small spaces, with no privacy and little opportunity for mental and physical exercise. This results in unusual and self-destructive behavior called zoochosis (动物精神病). A worldwide study of zoos found that zoochosis is common among animals kept in small spaces or cages. Another study showed that elephants spend 22 percent of their time making repeated head movements or biting cage bars, and bears spend 30 percent of their time walking back and forth, a sign of unhappiness and pain.
Furthermore, most animals in zoos are not endangered. Captive breeding of endangered big cats, Asian elephants, and other species has not resulted in their being sent back to the wild. Zoos talk a lot about their captive breeding programs because they do not want people to worry about a species dying out. In fact, baby animals also attract a lot of paying customers. Haven’t we seen enough competitions to name baby animals?
Actually, we will save endangered species only if we save their habitats and put an end to the reasons people kill them. Instead of supporting zoos, we should support groups that work to protect animals’ natural habitats.
1.How would the author describe the animals’ life in zoos?
A.Dangerous. B.Unhappy.
C.Natural. D.Easy.
2.In the state of zoochosis, animals _________.
A.remain in cages B.behave strangely
C.attack other animals D.enjoy moving around
3.What does the author try to argue in the passage?
A.Zoos are not worth the public support.
B.Zoos fail in their attempt to save animals.
C.Zoos should treat animals as human beings.
D.Zoos use animals as a means of entertainment.
4.Although the author argues against zoos, he would still agree that _________.
A.zoos have to keep animals in small cages
B.most animals in zoos are endangered species
C.some endangered animals are reproduced in zoos
D.it’s acceptable to keep animals away from their habitats
With climate change and overfishing threatening our oceans, it is becoming increasingly important for researchers to closely observe and check sea animals and plants. However, it’s almost impossible to make it since human presence scares the animals. Now, thanks to the robot, aka SoFi, researchers may be able to solve the problem.
Built by MIT’s laboratory, the snow-white remote-controlled robot simulates fish, complete with a flexible tail that moves from side to side and two “fins (鳍)”.
When the robot is under the sea, a motor is pumping water into a pair of balloon-like rooms located in the robot’s tail. These rooms operate similarly to the key parts in engines. As one room expands, the tail bends to one side; when the motor pushes water to the other channel, the tail bends in the other direction. Thus the robot gains the ability to move to where it wants to go.
SoFi solves many of the issues that have affected the usefulness(有效性) of previous robots --- some types of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
AUVs traditionally often have had to be tied to a boat because radio frequency communications do not work well underwater. So researchers use sound waves. The new technology can travel greater distances, allowing drivers, by using a controller, to pilot SoFi from up to 50 feet away. SoFi can move around the ocean, unaffected by ropes. Also limiting traditional AUVs’ usefulness is the risk of hitting something, like hard stones. With the outside made of rubber(橡胶) and plastic that can keep its built-in electronics dry, SoFi can efficiently avoid hitting. So a soft robot is more likely to survive a potential crisis.
During test dives in Rainbow Reef, SoFi swam alongside the unsuspecting(无疑心的) ocean life at depths of 50 feet for up to 40 minutes at a time, obtaining high-quality photos and videos. More importantly, it was able to do so without causing any disturbance. Researchers say sometimes the fish would swim alongside the strange-looking robot in curiosity, while at other times they appeared to completely ignore its existence. “It’s not perfect, but we’re improving it. Our efforts will pay off,” says Robert Katzschmann.
1.The robot SoFi is created to ________.
A.observe climate change B.help to monitor sea creatures
C.catch fish and observe them D.prevent overfishing in oceans
2.What does the underlined word “simulates” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.Is modeled after. B.Is designed for.
C.Is combined with. D.Is applied to.
3.What’s Paragraph 3 mainly written to show?
A.The shape of SoFi. B.The application of SoFi.
C.The structure of SoFi’s tail. D.The theory of SoFi’s movement.
4.What’s Robert Katzschmann’s attitude towards SoFi?
A.Satisfied. B.Negative. C.Hopeful. D.Neutral.
One rainy afternoon, I was on a crosstown bus when a young woman jumped on. She had a child with her who was about three or four years old. The bus was full, bumpy(颠簸的), and it soon got noisy, as her kid began crying — he was upset that he couldn't sit next to his mother. She looked embarrassed.
Then another woman, a little older, stood up and moved so that the mother and child could sit together. The mum smiled as a thank-you. And then three words came out of the older woman's mouth that raised the entire energy of that bus ride: “I've been there.”
Simple, undramatic, and honest. In that moment, it seemed to unite the diverse people of the city. Why? Because almost all experiences are shared human experiences. They're universal. We forget that as we go through life, focused on our own troubles and needs — which are actually less unique than we think.
Sometimes painful past experiences prevent us from wanting to open up to others because we don't want to revisit our own history. But a wonderful way to honor your past hurt is to help comfort another's current pain.
When I was a little girl, we lived on donations from local families and clothing from the " lost and found" baskets. It was shameful for me at the time — I lived in fear of being caught in a friend' s cast-off item.
Even when it was warmer, I refused to take off a layer in the classroom for this reason. Now I don't meet people who are in this exact situation, but I do notice when someone is struggling with financial shame or feels less than other people they meet. And I'm quick to say some version of, "I've been there."
Can the essence of these three words help you make a small difference right now? It can be as simple as volunteering your seat, sharing some helpful advice, or even lightening the mood with a joke when you notice that someone's uncomfortable — because we're all in this together.
1.What influence did the older woman's words have on the people around?
A.Causing discomfort. B.Breaking long silence.
C.Creating a heated debate. D.Inspiring common feelings.
2.What does the author think of personal troubles and needs?
A.They are mostly shared experiences. B.They don't really matter to anyone'
C.They will be forgotten with time. D.They are unique to each individual.
3.Why did the author refuse to take off the coat in the classroom?
A.Because she had the same sweater with others.
B.Because she stole the sweater from someone'
C.Because she liked wearing the coat in summer.
D.Because she felt embarrassed wearing others' clothes.
4.What's the best title for the text?
A.Painful Experiences Are No Big Deal B.The Best Way to Honor Your Past Hurt
C.True Happiness Comes from Helping Others D.Three Little Words That Bring Us Together
Dreaming of summer picnics filled with family and fun? We’ve come up with 4 of the top picnic areas across the US.
Cumberland Islands, Georgia
Just a few hours south of Savannah, this national seashore is a wonderful picnic place. It’s an unspoiled place in the Deep South with over 50 miles of hiking trails (小径). Covered in Spanish moss, the trails are lined with trees and since it’s still a rural area, the stars line up for a grand show at night and create the perfect evening starlit picnic opportunity.
Grant Park, Chicago
If you are looking for delicious food in Chicago, go for a taste of a 20-day, lake-front, foodie festival that happens in October each year. Grab a spot near the fountain to enjoy your picnic, appreciate the city scenery and lake views and relax with family and friends. If you are there on July 4th, be sure to plan the day to include the fireworks display at the Navy Pier.
Cranberry Islands, Maine
Here, you’ll enjoy natural picnics with island views. The islands are a delightful group of islands about 20 minutes offshore from Acadia National Park. You can visit the islands by private boat or ferry service. Bring a picnic basket along for the ride as it’s a romantic picnic area to take your special someone or go for a family outing to visit the islands.
Big Sur, California
The Point Lobos State Reserve is a small gem. Besides the coastal wildlife there are rare plant communities, and unique geological formations. It’s good to have a picnic there. We recommend bringing a telescope, because much of the wildlife can be seen only at a distance.
1.Why does the writer advise us to go to Cumberland Islands?
A.Because they are just next to Savannah.
B.Because they have a grand show every night.
C.Because they are almost covered in Spanish moss.
D.Because they keep their original ecology (生态).
2.Where can you enjoy observing wildlife with a telescope?
A.At the Navy Pier. B.At the Point Lobos State Reserve
C.At Acadia National Park. D.In the Deep South.
3.Where can we most probably read this passage?
A.In a personal dairy. B.In a science report.
C.In a geography textbook. D.In a travel magazine.
假定你是李华，你校交换生Jake得知学校最近将举行一次茶文化节，发邮件向你询问有关信息。请你回复邮件，内容包括：
1. 活动时间和地点；
2. 活动安排；
3. 发出邀请。
注意：
1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Jake,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
下面短文中共有10处语言错误，请在有错误的地方增加、删除或修改某个单词。
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: 在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意: 1、每句不超过两个错误；
2、每处错误及其修改均限一词；
3、只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
I was walking to school this morning when I caught sight of a old woman lie on the ground. I quick ran over to help her up and asked her that was wrong. She told me she slipped and fell because heart trouble. I was worried or decided to take her to a hospital nearby. And then I contacted my family. Soon her son and daughter came to the hospital. I was told them some informations about the incident. They thanked and praised me for my kindness. Although I was late for school today, I felt very proud of what I have done.
