Across the world, 1.1 billion people have no access to clean drinking water. More than 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation.(卫生设备)
The combination proves deadly. Each year, diseases related to inadequate water and sanitation kill between 2 and 5 million people and cause an estimated 80 percent of all sicknesses in the developing world. Safe drinking water is a precondition for health and the fight against child death rate, inequality between men and women, and poverty.
Consider these facts:
●The average distance that women in Africa and Asia walk to collect water is 6 kilometers.
●Only 58 percent of children in sub-Saharan Africa are drinking safe water. and only 37 percent of children in South Asia have access to even a basic toilet.
●Each year in India alone, 73 million working days are lost to water-borne diseases.
Here are three ways you can help:
1)Write Congress
Current U.S. foreign aid for drinking water and sanitation budgets only one dollar per year per American citizen. Few members of Congress have ever received a letter from voters about clean drinking water abroad.
2)Sponsor a project with a faith-based organization
Many U.S. religious groups already sponsor water and sanitation projects, working with partner organizations abroad. Simply put a single project by a U.S. organization can make safe water a reality for thousands of people.
3)Support nonprofit water organizations
Numerous U.S.-based nonprofits work skillfully abroad in community-led projects related to drinking water and sanitation. Like the sample of non-profits noted as follows, some organizations are large, other small-scale, some operate worldwide, others are devoted to certain areas in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. Support them generously.
1. The three facts presented in the passage are used to illustrate that________.
A. poverty can result in water-borne diseases
B. people have no access to clean drinking water
C. women’s rights are denied in some developing countries
D. safe drinking water should be a primary concern
2. The intended readers of the passage are________.
A. Americans
B. overseas sponsors
C. Congressmen
D . U.S.-based water organizations
3. The main purpose of the passage is to call on people to _________.
A. get rid of water-related diseases in developing countries
B. donate money to people short of water through religious groups
C. fight against the worldwide water shortage and sanitation problem
D. take joint action in support of some nonprofit water organizations
4. What information will probably be provided following the last paragraph?
A. A variety of companies and their worldwide operation.
B. A list of nonprofit water organizations to make contact with.
C. Some ways to get financial aids from U.S. Congress.
D. A few water resources exploited by some world-famous organizations.
A lot of teachers hate doodlers(乱写乱画的人)during classes.“Pay attention!”Teachers will often warn doodling students,sure that they must be daydreaming.
However, according to a recent study, doodling while listening to a boring lecture helps concentrate the attention:
Andrade,a psychology professor in England asked participants(参加者)to listen to a boring lecture. Half the participants were told to color in squares and circles freely on a piece of paper while listening to the lecture.The other half weren’t given a task.After it was over, the participants were asked to retell the lecture.
Those given the doodling task(color in squares and circles)remembered 29 percent more information than the non-doodlers.Andrade said.
“If someone is doing a boring task,like listening to a dull conversation,they may start daydream,”said Professor Andrade.
“Daydreaming distracts(使分心)them from the task,resulting in poorer performance.A simple task,like doodling,can stop them from daydreaming without affecting their performance at the task,”he said.
So the next time you’re doodling during a class,and you hear“pay attention”,you can tell the teacher with confidence that you’ve been paying attention to every word.Teachers hate doodlers because they thought.
A.doodlers are not good at study |
B.doodlers are doing no task |
C.doodlers pay no attention in class |
D.doodlers are not polite to them |
According to the text,it is helpful to doodle when.
A.a boring lecture is given |
B.an interesting story is told |
C.watching a long TV programme |
D.having a conversation with the teacher |
Professor Andrade thinks.
A.those given the doodling task can remember less information |
B.if you have daydream during classes you’ll have a good memory |
C.daydreaming is better than doodling |
D.doodling can stop us from daydreaming |
Win $ 50 in the Coolest Gadget of the Week
Look at what’s the coolest gadget (vote for a chance to win $ 50).
Cryo S: A Cool Netbook Cooler
Like the other devices of NZXT, the Cryo S was designed to provide a competitive advantage at PC gaming. It has two adjustable 120mm fans that provide powerful cooling.
The full post can be found onTrends Updates.
Starry Night Bed
Are you having trouble getting that good nights sleep that you’re needing? Well, not any more. Why not take a look at the Starry Night Bed? The Starry Night Bed is a great new invention which will revolutionize the way in which you sleep. Not only is this bed fashionable and comfortable but it’s also a gadget heaven. With this bed you get many added gadgets including anti-snore technology, movie projector with speakers, temperature control and many more.
The full post can be found onTech Styling.
Fugoo—talking gadgets
Fugoo gets all your appliances(装置,设备) talking to each other so your alarm clock could first wake you up and then tell the coffee machine to start working while checking traffic conditions online to tell you how long it will take you to get to work.
The full post can be found onDecide What to Buy.
Vote What is this week's coolest gadget?
〇 A Cool Netbook Cooler
〇 Starry Night Bed
〇 Fugoo—talking gadgetsWhere can you find the full post of the “Cryo S”?
A.Tech Styling. | B.Super Cool Pets. |
C.Decide What to Buy. | D.Trends Updates. |
If you buy a Starry Night Bed, you can get all the following gadgets EXCEPT ___________.
A.temperature control | B.movie projector |
C.adjustable fans | D.anti-snore technology |
From this passage, we learn that Fugoo can_________.
A.check traffic conditions | B.wake you up |
C.take you to work | D.make coffee |
Where does this advertisement probably come from?
A.A magazine. | B.A website. | C.A newspaper. | D.A textbook. |
I’m a 20-year-old boy, and the following is my story.
A month after I graduated from high school in August,2007,I was coming home from swim practice in the training centre of the city and was involved in a car accident. I was so seriously injured that I was in a coma for more than two months at Prince Georges Hospital.
I suffered a lot from the experience of dying eight times during my coma and I couldn’t open my mouth to talk or to communicate when I eventually came around.At that time,it seemed that walking was never going to happen again due to all the extreme injuries. Just like my body,my dreams were completely destroyed. But I was not going to let my injuries stop me from realizing my dreams.
After receiving a total of 15 operations and 36 blood transfusions, I had to make every great effort to learn to talk,eat,walk,shower,and live on my own again.When I was out of hospital,I still had to go to outpatient therapy in Waldorf, Maryland.After I spent a few months in a wheelchair, I took baby steps to walk on my own.It was a miracle that I was able to walk again, but I still wanted to prove that I could not only walk, but also run. When it came true, I wanted to get back into the pool again.After having a few lung tests,I was able to go in the pool a little bit each week.After a few months of swim training,I began my freshman year at Mary’s College of Maryland and then became a proud member of the swim team.
By telling my story, I want to make a positive influence on the world.I am just trying to 1ive every day to the fullest and inspire other people never to give up their dreams no matter how bad a situation is to them. I remember when I was still in my hospital bed,I would have my mom and dad push me round in my wheelchair to the other rooms to see the other patients and chat with them and their family members.I wanted to let them know that everything was going to be okay. Somehow,things would work out for the best.The underlined word “coma” in Paragraph 2 probably has the meaning of __________.
A.operation | B.unconsciousness | C.treatment | D.emergency |
According to Paragraph 3, it can be inferred that the author ________.
A.was unable to talk or communicate |
B.was in despair |
C.faced physical and mental challenges |
D.felt anxious about his state |
What is the correct order of the following events?
a.went to outpatient therapy
b.received membership of the swim team
c.was pushed around to visit other patients
d.walked 1ike a baby
e.1earnt to live all by himself
A.d,a,c,b,e | B.e,c,d,a,b | C.d,c,a,b,e | D.e,c,a,d,b |
In the last paragraph,the author mainly wants to show_______.
A.his positive influence on other patients |
B.his meaningful life |
C.his purpose of sharing his story |
D.his great achievements |
The best title for the passage would be“____________”
A.Attitude is everything |
B.Actions speak louder than words |
C.Everything happens for a reason |
D.A good beginning is half done |
Even if you are an experienced backpacker or climber,you need to know what to do if something goes wrong.It is not that Alaska is that much more dangerous than other places.It is no more hazardous than elsewhere,as long as the proper precautions(预防措施)are taken.So, being prepared is crucial to ensure a safe trip.
First of all,make sure you pack everything you will need for your trip.Even if you are traveling by car,pack clothes and gear for backpacking.Because of the bad weather, cars break down frequently. Pack a survival(生存)kit full with:a down coat, boots ,mittens, a hat, snow-pants,sleeping bags,candles,a flashlight,and high-energy food. If you are traveling by car , also pack extra belts, a shovel, and a chain.
If you are camping or hiking,make sure you know how to avoid bears.If you are lost in the wilderness, there is no doubt you will encounter them.
However,there is no need to be nervous.Just take these precautions:make noise as you walk,bears will avoid you;cook your food away from where you sleep,and store your food away from where you sleep,so the bears are not attracted.Both of these should keep the bear away.However,if you do encounter a bear,there are two different schools of thought.One is to make noise and scare the bear away.The other is to stand still and speak softly to get the bear to leave.If you are dealing with a brown bear,you can climb a tree,since it cannot follow.But,black bears can climb.If for some reason the bear attacks,play dead.Try to protect your head and neck,and hopefully the bear will leave its“dead” prey.The underlined word “hazardous” in Paragraph l most probably means________.
A.interesting | B.dangerous | C.wonderful | D.important |
The author seems to tell us in Paragraph 2 that________.
A.it is more dangerous to travel by car |
B.the weather is always bad while traveling |
C.it is necessary to take whatever you need |
D.the car breaks down often while traveling |
Yon should prepare your food away from where you sleep so that________.
A.the bear can’t find you by the smell of the food |
B.you can have a better sleep at night |
C.the bear can’t find out your food easily |
D.you can protect the food you bring with you |
All the following can most probably protect you EXCEPT that________.
A.you can try to make noise as possible as you can |
B.you can say something in a soft voice to the bear |
C.you can try to learn to climb up a tall tree nearby |
D.you can pretend to be dead when you are in danger |
Which of the following is the main idea of this passage?
A.There are some tips to survive in Alaska’s wilderness. |
B. The bears in Alaska’s wilderness are very dangerous. |
C.Something should be taken along while traveling by car. |
D.You should learn how to protect yourself. |
How often do you change your hairstyle or ask for new dresses? You may try to follow trends in Western countries,but your peers(同龄人)in the United States don't care as much about fashion(时尚)as you do.
A recent survey among high school students in China,Japan,South Korea and the US found that Asian teenagers care more about their looks than young people in the US.
This survey was held in 156 high schools in the four countries. More than 7,000 teenagers were questioned about their view on life and the world.
South Koreans, at 83 percent, cared most about their appearance. They were followed by the Chinese and Japanese while US students showed the least interest in fashion at only 33 percent.
“The different results show differences of cultural background,” said Sun Yunxiao from the China Youth and Children Research Centre.
He explained that in the US there are many different standards of beauty, so teens are more likely to be confident about their appearance.
US teenagers’ high self-confidence is showed in survey. About 85 percent are happy with themselves. The percentage of self-confident Chinese students stands at only 30 percent.
Strong ambition( 雄心) is seen in Chinese high schools. Only two in five high school students are satisfied with “an average living”. Koreans are next at 48 percent,Japanese come in at 66 percent and Americans are at 71.
“According to the survey,Chinese students are happy. But Chinese students need to be more independent and learn how to relax.”said Sun.According to the survey,_________ cared little about their appearance.
A.the Chinese teenagers |
B.the American teenagers. |
C.the Korean teenagers |
D.the Japanese teenagers |
Sun Yunxiao’s words means ___________.
A.the different standards of beauty cause the different attitudes toward fashion |
B.the Chinese teens should have a stronger desire to make a difference. |
C.the Chinese students are satisfied with the society most |
D.the Chinese students agree that they should follow their own interests rather than those of others |
The underlined word “standards’’ in the sixth paragraph means __________.
A.rules | B.backgrounds | C.values | D.interests |
From the 8th paragraph we may 1earn that __________.
A.Asian teenagers care more about their looks than young people in the US |
B.US students showed the most individuality(个性)among the four countries |
C.Chinese students need to be more independent and learn how to relax |
D.American students have the least ambition among the four countries |
What does the passage mainly talk about?
A.A survey about the attitudes towards the fashion. |
B.How Asian teenagers care more about their looks than young people in the US. |
C.Why Chinese students are happy. |
D.Why Chinese students should be more independent and learn how to relax |