B
Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now，one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it，say some scientists.
Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids(流星)that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don't threaten us. But there are also thousands whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth.
Buy $ 50 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $ 10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one，the scientists say，we'll have a way to change its course.
Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn't be cheap.
Is it worth it? Two things experts consider when judging any risk are: 1) How likely the event is; and 2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 500，000 years. Sounds pretty rare-but if one did fall，it would be the end of the world. “If we don't take care of these big asteroids，they'll take care of us，”says one scientist. “It's that simple.”
The cure，though，might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth? “The world has less to fear from doomsday(毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them，” said a New York Times article.
1. What does the passage say about asteroids and meteoroids?
[ A ]. They are heavenly bodies different in composition.
[ B ].They are heavenly bodies similar in nature.
[ C ].There are more asteroids than meteoroids.
[ D ].Asteroids are more mysterious than meteoroids.
2. We can conclude from the passage that_____ .
[ A ].while pushing asteroids off course nuclear weapons would destroy the world
[ B ].asteroids racing across the night sky are likely to hit Earth in the near future
[ C ].the worry about asteroids can be left to future generations since it is unlikely to happen in our lifetime
[ D ].workable solutions still have to be found to prevent a collision of asteroids with Earth.
3. Which of the following best describes the author's tone in this pass age?
[ A ]. Optimistic. [ B ]. Critical. [ C ]. Objective. [ D ]. Arbitrary.
Besides containing attractive flowers, trees and other plants that beautify the community, ecofriendly rain gardens are healthy for the environment and the people living and working nearby.
A rain garden is not very different from a traditional garden. It is just a far more ecofriendly garden. Usually it is built lower than the ground. Rain gardens make smart use of rain and storm water by temporarily holding water from rain and storms and letting it soak(浸入)slowly into the ground before it runs into streams or enters the public drinking water supply.
Thus, a rain garden keeps the water, allowing it to be used as needed by plants in the rain garden, rather than flowing immediately into nearby streams and going unused. The water will soak slowly into the ground within a day or two. This creates an advantage that the rain garden does not allow mosquitoes to breed. This is a simple, attractive, and ecofriendly “green” way to treat storm water.
What’s more, planting a rain garden helps reduce pollution and improve the environment. Without using expensive machinery and chemicals, rain gardens remove harmful chemicals in the rainwater and cut down on the amount of pollution reaching streams and rivers by up to 30%.
Native plants are recommended for rain gardens because they are more used to the local climate, soil, and water conditions. They may attract local wildlife such as native birds. Water your rain garden immediately after planting and once a week, unless you have had at least an inch of rain during the week. Once native plants establish the necessary root system, they will require little care.
Often, local governments and private businesses develop large rain gardens in their yards and in public parks as a way to improve the environment and solve flooding problems. However, you don’t need to be a professionally environmental engineer to create a rain garden. As long as you’re ecoconscious homeowners, you can help the environment by building smaller rain gardens in your yards.Which of the following is NOT true for the function of rain gardens?
| A．They are good for living conditions. |
| B．They increase pollution. |
| C．They can beautify the community. |
| D．They improve the environment. |
Which of the following is the ecofriendly function of rain gardens discussed in Paragraph 4 ?
| A．They can help reduce the pollution problem. |
| B．They can keep the rain and storm water. |
| C．They can be healthy for the people around. |
| D．They can make the environment more beautiful. |
One of the main reasons why native plants are recommended is that.
| A．they cost less and are much easier to get |
| B．they may attract local wildlife to come |
| C．they require little care from the local gardener |
| D．they are more used to the local growing conditions |
What do we know about rain gardens?
| A．They need little water after all the plants are planted. |
| B．They may attract local birds and change the local climate. |
| C．They usually need at least an inch of rainwater a week. |
| D．They may reduce the water pollution problem by 70%. |
A sure way to destroy your chances of learning how to write skillfully is to believe that writing is a “natural gift” rather than a learned skill. People with such an attitude think that they are the only ones for whom writing is unbearably difficult. They feel that everyone else finds writing easy or at least tolerable. Such people often say, “I’m not any good at writing” or “English was not one of my good subjects.” They imply that they simply do not have a talent for writing while others do. The result of this attitude is that these people try to avoid writing, and when they do write, they don’t try their best. Their writing fails chiefly because they believe that they don’t have the “natural talent” needed to write. Unless their attitude changes, they probably will not learn how to write effectively.
A realistic attitude about writing must build on the idea that writing is a skill. It is a skill like driving, typing, or cooking; and, like any skill, it can be learned. If you have the determination to learn, you will develop your writing skills by practicing extensively.
Many people find it difficult to do the active thinking that clear writing demands. It is frustrating to discover how much of a challenge it is to transfer thoughts and feelings from one’s head onto a sheet of paper. But writing is not an automatic process: We will not get something for nothing — and we should not expect to. For almost everyone, skillful writing comes from hard work — from determination and sweat. The good news is that the skill of writing can be mastered, and if you are ready to work, you will learn what you need to know.Why do some people think writing is difficult?
| A．They have no time to practice writing. |
| B．They believe few people can write well. |
| C．They have no good teachers to help them. |
| D．They don’t think writing can be learned. |
It can be inferred from Para. 1 that ______.
| A．“natural gift” is the determining factor in one’s success |
| B．diligence can result in success |
| C．a person without “natural gift” is sure to fail in writing |
| D．attitude determines what one will be |
What is the topic of the passage?
| A．Why writing is important. |
| B．Whether writing is a born gift. |
| C．Benefits of essay writing. |
| D．How to improve writing skills. |
Scientists have discovered a special biological behavior in dolphins（海豚） that could lead to a treatment for late-onset diabetes（晚发的糖尿病） in humans. Studies on dolphins found that healthy dolphins switch into a diabetic-like state overnight when they are not feeding, but return to normal when they eat the following morning.
The extraordinary finding has led scientists to suggest that dolphins have “genetic switch” that allows them to imitate diabetes while they are not feeding for a night, without suffering any ill effect.
If researchers can identify a similar genetic pathway in human, they may be able to develop drugs to effectively switch off diabetes. Some 2.2 million people in Britain have type 2 (or late-onset) diabetes, a figure that is expected to reach 4 million by 2025 as a consequence of rising levels of obesity（肥胖）.
The tissues of people with type 2 diabetes have become resistant to insulin（胰岛素）so they lose the ability to control sugar levels in their blood. The condition can damage the heart, eyes, kidneys（肾脏） and nerves and contribute to 5% of all deaths, according to the World Healthy Organization.
Dolphins appear to imitate diabetes to keep high levels of blood sugar when food is rare. Like humans, dolphins need some sugar in their blood for their brains to function normally. Venn-Watson’s team analyzed 1,000 blood samples（样本） from 52 dolphins while they didn’t eat anything overnight and fed in the morning. At night time, the dolphins’ metabolism（新陈代谢）changed greatly and showed similar characteristics to that seen in people with type 2 diabetes.
“It is our hope that this discovery can lead to new ways to prevent, treat and maybe even cure diabetes in humans,” said Stephanie Venn-Watson, director of clinical research at the National Marine Foundation in San Diego.What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．Humans get some idea of treating diabetes from dolphins. |
| B．Dolphins can switch into a diabetic-like state overnight. |
| C．Humans can suffer the same disease as dolphins. |
| D．Dolphins should be fed regularly to avoid diabetes. |
The key to applying the finding to curing human diabetes lies in ____________.
| A．producing insulin in a larger amount |
| B．developing drugs from healthy dolphins |
| C．identifying a similar genetic pathway in human |
| D．analyzing more blood samples from hungry dolphins |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Scientists have found a similar genetic switch in humans. |
| B．More British people will suffer type 2 diabetes due to obesity. |
| C．2.2 million people with type 2 diabetes die in Britain every year. |
| D．Dolphins imitate diabetes to avoid a high blood sugar level. |
What will happen to dolphins if not fed for a night according to Venn-Watson?
| A．Their metabolism breaks down. |
| B．They become resistant to insulin. |
| C．Their heart and kidneys are damaged. |
| D．They keep high levels of blood sugar. |
Each Sunday, people can hear the music of the Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco. The Spanish missionaries（传教士）built the church in 1791. It was the start of a special kind of neighborhood: the Mission District.
The area is a place with a long and varied history. One community member says that it’s important for people to understand the many levels of history in the neighborhood. He feels that this knowledge is a big part of understanding what it means to be a real San Franciscan.
One of the most interesting parts of the district is its people. Over the years, immigrants have come to the area from Ireland, Germany, and Italy. But the most recent immigrants are mainly from Latin America. It’s easy to see the style that these recent additions give to the neighborhood. You can see it in the art on the walls, taste it in the food, and hear it in the music!
Juan Pedro Gaffney, the director of the Spanish Choir（唱诗班）of San Francisco, says that the people there share the pain and the happiness of their friends and family members and that music has always been a basic part of cultural identity in the district. He feels that the music of the district is colorful and lively.
But it isn’t just its music that’s colorful and lively. Its art is full of life as well.
The local art community stays close to the area’s culture and tradition. A local arts organization often leads people on walks through the district. They visit streets like Balmy Alley, which is famous for its murals （壁画）. Even though the meanings behind the murals are always changing, they are still very powerful. One artist explains that they are fighting for fairness in the community and to help the environment through murals. Apparently, they’re something the community likes.
Many of these artists feel that the district is a successful neighborhood where new immigrants are welcome. “People see that they’re not so different from each other,” says one artist. “There are a lot of things that bind（捆绑）the immigrants through culture and tradition.”The underlined phrase “this knowledge” in Paragraph 2 refers to ____________.
| A．having memories of the Spanish missionaries |
| B．knowing the history of the Mission Dolores Basilica |
| C．realizing what it means to be a real San Franciscan |
| D．understanding the many levels of history in the neighborhood |
The author shows the multi-culture of the Mission District from the aspects of ____________.
| A．literature and sports |
| B．music and murals |
| C．buildings and clothes |
| D．customs and festivals |
It can be inferred from the passage that in the Mission District ____________.
| A．immigrants from different cultures live in harmony |
| B．Latin American music and foods are the most attractive |
| C．the Spanish Choir stands out in the competition of different cultures |
| D．new immigrants have to give up their own culture to be welcome |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．The Mission Dolores Basilica |
| B．A Special Type of Neighborhood |
| C．Music of the Mission District |
| D．The Spanish Choir of San Francisco |
There’s always a lot to do to get the kids ready to go back to school, let alone trying to get them excited about the idea. To help your kids get ready, save a few dollars in the process and have some fun with them in the dying days of summer, try a few of these fun filled activities.
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UP-CYCLING
Every student needs school supplies. But a lot of what they need is already littering around your house. If you don’t have reusable school supplies at home, you might have the materials to make them.
Try up-cycling with your kids and change old or useless products into new ones.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
●Sew blue jeans into pencil cases.
●Turn shoeboxes into arts storage boxes.
●Use an old belt as a books belt.
●Wrap book covers in old posters.
Up-cycling is a great way to develop artistic talent and creative thinking in your children.
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PLAN TO PACK AHEAD
Most teachers and schools reward green behavior among students. To help your kids stay green, be sure to have these items on hand so you can pack them litter-less lunches.
Here’s what you need:
●Reusable lunch containers.
●A firm lunchbox and thermos（水瓶）.
●Reusable napkins（餐巾）.
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MAP IT OUT
Across the country, kids are thinking about how they’ll get to school. Do I walk? Do I bike? Either way, avoid driving them if at all possible.
Kids need to stay active and want to connect with other local kids on the way to school. Help your children map out their route or get them involved with a local walking school bus. A walking school bus is groups of children walking to school with one or more adults.
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We hope these activities will help you and your kids get ready for the new school year, and that you’ll have some fun in the process. Last but not least, some activities may require encouragements … may we suggest some organic chocolate ice cream.What do the suggested activities have in common?
| A．Having fun and saving green. |
| B．Saving money and obeying school rules. |
| C．Offering food and training skills. |
| D．Bringing teachers together and saving money. |
The activities of UP-CYCLING bring benefits of ___________.
a. making old products into creative school supplies
b. making friends with local kids on the way to school
c. bringing fun of cooperation between parents and kids
d. packing litter-less lunches to school
e. developing kids’ artistic talent and creative thinking
| A．a, c, d | B．b, c, d |
| C．b, d, e | D．a, c, e |
Which of the following is TRUE about the MAP IT OUT activity?
| A．Parents are forbidden to be involved in the activity. |
| B．Children can learn to read a map and take a correct school bus. |
| C．Parents are expected to drive their kids to school if possible. |
| D．Children walk to school together accompanied by one or more adults. |
The passage is most probably intended for ___________.
| A．teachers | B．parents |
| C．children | D．headmasters |