Against the supposition that forest fires in Alaska, Canada and Siberia warm the climate, scientists have discovered that cooling may occur in areas where burnt trees allow more snow to mirror more sunlight into space.
This finding suggests that taking steps to prevent northern forest fires to limit the release of greenhouse gases may warm the climate in northern regions. Usually large fires destroyed forests in these areas over the past decade. Scientists predict that with climate warming, fires may occur more frequently over the next several centuries as a result of a longer fire season. Sunlight taken in by the earth tends to cause warming, while heat mirrored back into space tends to cause cooling.
This is the first study to analyze all aspects of how northern fires influence climate. Earlier studies by other scientists have suggested that fire in northern regions speed up climate warming because greenhouse gases from burning trees and plants are released into the atmosphere and thus trap heat.
Scientists found that right after the fire, large amounts of greenhouse gases entered the atmosphere and caused warming. Ozone（臭氧） levels increased, and ash from the fire fell on far-off sea ice, darkening the surface and causing more radiation from the sun to be taken in. The following spring, however, the land within the area of the fire was brighter than before the fire, because fewer trees covered the ground. Snow on the ground mirrored more sunlight back into space, leading to cooling.
“We need to find out all possible ways to reduce the growth of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.” Scientists tracked the change in the amount of radiation entering and leaving the climate system as a result of the fire, and found a measurement closely related to the global air temperature. Typically, fire in northern regions occurs in the same area every 80 to 150 years. Scientists, however, found that when fire occurs more frequently, more radiation is lost from the earth and cooling results. Specifically, they determined when fire returns 20 years earlier than predicted, 0.5 watts per square meter of area burned are soaked up by the earth from greenhouse gases, but 0.9 watts per square meter will be sent back into space. The net effect is cooling. Watts are used to measure the rate at which energy is gained or lost from the earth.According to the new findings, taking steps to prevent northern forest fires may __________.
| A．result in a warming climate |
| B．cause the forest fires to occur more frequently |
| C．lead to a longer fire season |
| D．protect the forests and the environment there |
The following are all the immediate effects after a forest fire EXCEPT __________.
| A．large amounts of greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere |
| B．the levels of ozone which is a type of oxygen increase |
| C．snow on the ground mirrors more sunlight back into space |
| D．ashes from the fire fall on the ice surface and take in more radiation from the sun |
Earlier studies about northern forest fires __________.
| A．analyze all aspects of how northern fires influence climate |
| B．indicate that forest fires will pollute the atmosphere |
| C．suggest that people should take measures to protect environment |
| D．suggest that the fires will speed up climate warming |
The underlined phrase “soak up” in the last paragraph most probably means __________.
| A．released | B．absorbed | C．created | D．distributed |
From the passage we can draw a conclusion that forest fires in Alaska, Canada and Siberia may __________.
| A．warm the climate as the supposition goes |
| B．allow more snow to reflect more sunlight into space and thus cool the climate |
| C．destroy large areas of forests and pollute the far-off sea ice |
| D．help to gain more energy rather than release more energy |
A
Are you a big fan of pirate（海盗） stories? Do you know how to talk like apirate? You can have fun on September 19th. This special holiday is called International Talk Like A Pirate Day. It was invented in 1995 by two young Americans, John Baur and Mark Summers.
These two good friends came up with this idea when they were playing racquetball, and began to talk like pirates. At that moment,theythought, “Young people are interested in pirate. But there is no such a chance for people to gettogether to share it. Why not have a day when everybody talks like a pirate?” They decided to make September 19th the date. Since then, Baur and Summers have tried hard to promoteTalk Like APirate Day. As Baur said, “We've talked like pirates, and encouraged several of our friends to do so every September 19th.”
At first, this day was only known by a few people. In 2002, Baur and Summers sent a letter about their invented holiday to Dave Barry. This columnist（专栏作家）really liked their idea. He promoted the holiday and made it known to more and more people. Now, it has really become an international holiday. On Talk Like A Pirate Day, you need to dress like apirate. You should wear a big hat or maybe cover one of your eyes.You can pretend to be any kind of pirate that you can find in any story or movie.
Having fun and being relaxedare not the only best things aboutthe holiday. Young peopleshare the same interest and childhooddreams that day. That's whyit is welcomed by so many people, especially young people.
Unlike traditional holidays, International Talk Like A Pirate Day is a brand new holiday which is invented by the youth themselves and celebrated by themselves too. Because of Baur and Summers' imagination and creativity,thousands of young people's pirate dream come true. Next time, when you have a good idea, why not share it with your fiends and insist on your belief? Maybe you can create another wonderful holiday for the youth in the future.
1. How did John Baur and Mark Summers invent the special holiday?
A. Many young people asked them to do it
B. They did it just for pleasure
C. They thought out the idea by chance and imagination
D. They did it in order to honor pirates
2. Why are the holiday become more and more popular？.
A. You can have fun and relax yourself freely.
B. young people can exchange ideas and dreams on the day
C. young people can have fun and be relaxed.
D. you can play the role of the pirate in the movie on the day
3. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A. It was Dave Barry who made more people know the holiday.
B. Talk Like A Pirate Day is a young, active and lively holiday
C. Thanks to John Baur and Mark Summers’ imagination and creativity, a lot of people realize their pirate dream.
D. The holiday has been popular since the birth of it.
4. According to the passage, which of the following can show that the holiday is special?
A. It has a long history.
B. It is a wonderful and instructive holiday.
C.It is a brand new holiday invented and celebrated by the youth themselves.
D. People can make their dream come true on this day.
5. Which of the following can serve as the best title of the passage？
A. Can you talk like a pirate?
B. Young people’s pirate dream
C. John Baur and Mark Summers
D. September 19th ,—a day in honor of pirates
D
When I was growing up, I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was badly crippled (跛脚), and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare, I would be ashamed of the unwanted attention. If ever noticed or bothered, he never let on.
It was difficult to walk together—and because of that, we didn’t say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, “You set the pace. I will try to follow you.”
Our usual walk was to or from the subway, which was how he got to work. He went to work sick, and even in bad weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make it to the office even if others could not. It was a matter of pride for him.
When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help... Such times my sister or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, N.Y., on a child’s sleigh to the subway entrance. Once there, he would try to grasp handrail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building, and he would not have to go outside again until we met him in Brooklyn on his way home.
When I think of it now, I am surprised at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to suffer from shame and disability. And I am also surprised at how he did it—without bitterness or complaint.
He never talked about himself as an object of pity, not did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a “good heart”, and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him.
Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don’t know exactly what a “good heart” is. But I know the times I don’t have one myself.
He has been away for many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my reluctance to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about my troubles, when I am envious of another’s good fortune, when I don’t have a “good heart”.
17. How did the man treat his father when he was young?
A. He helped his father happily.
B. He never helped his father.
C. He helped his father, but not very happily.
D. He only helped his father take a walk after supper.
18. As a disabled man, his father____.
A. didn’t work very hard
B. didn’t go to work from time to time
C. hated those who had good fortune
D. was happy and satisfied, and never lost hope
19. What does the underlined word “reluctance” mean in the article? It means ____.
A. anger B. sadness C. happiness D. unwillingness
20. How did the father get to work usually?
A. By subway. B. By bus. C. By wheelchair. D. By bike.
C
Dorothea Dix left home at an early age—of her own free will—to live with her grandmother.
At fourteen, Dorothea was teaching school at Worcester, Massachusetts. A short time after she had begun teaching, she set up a school for young girls in her grandparents’ home. Stress was placed on moral character at Dorothea’s school, which she conducted until she was thirty-three.
She was forced to give up teaching at her grandparents’ home, however, when she became ill a few years of inactivity followed.
In 1841 Dorothea began to teach again, accepting a Sunday school class in the East Cambridge, Massachusetts prison. Here she first came upon insane people (精神病人) locked up together with prisoners.
In those days insane people were treated even worse than prisoners. There were only a few madhouses in the entire country. Therefore prisons, poor houses, and houses of correction were used to keep the insane.
Dorothea Dix made a careful investigation of the inhuman treatment of the insane. It was considered unfeminine (不适合) for a woman to devote herself to such work at this time. But this did not stop Dorothea Dix from providing proper medical care for the insane.
Gradually, because of her investigations, conditions were improved. More than thirty mental institutions were founded or rebuilt in the United States because of her hard work. Dorothea also spread her investigations to England and to other parts of Europe.
During the Civil War, Dorothea served as superintendent (负责) of women hospital nurses in the Union army. When the war was over, she returned to her work of improving conditions for insane people.
1. This article is mainly about ________.
A.social problems of the nineteenth century
B.how Dorothea Dix got her education
C.how Dorothea Dix devoted herself to education
D.how Dorothea Dix devoted herself to the work of improving conditions for insane people
2. How did Dorothea Dix first realize the mistreatment of insane people?
A.Her grandmother treated the mistreatment of insane people.
B.She worked in an insane hospital as a young woman.
C.She taught Sunday school in a prison.
D.She was asked to investigate the problem.
3. The author implies Dorothea Dix’s work with the insane was interrupted because of ________.
A. an illness B. the Civil War C. her trip to England D. her grandmother’s death
4. How are the events of Dorothea Dix’s life presented in the passage?
A. In space order. B. In time order.
C. In alphabetical (字母的) order. D. From greatest to least important.
B
Jungle country is not friendly to man, but it is possible to survive there. You must have the right equipment and you must know a few important things about woodcraft. Then your chances of staying alive are very good.
No one should go into the jungle without the right equipment. You need light weight clothing, a good knife, and a compass. Fishhooks and a line, a rifle, matches in a waterproof container and a poncho are necessary too. So is a mosquito net to protect the head.
In the jungle you can get hopeless lost within five minutes after leaving a known landmark. That is why you should always carry a compass. In open country, during the day, you can tell which way o go by studying the sun. At night the stars are sure guides o direction. But in most places the jungle rooftop is so thick that it is impossible to see the sun or the stars. Again and again you must check your position by the compass.
Keep alert. Watch the ground in front of you carefully. Stop and listen now and again. Avoid haste, and rest often. In a place that is hot and humid, the person who sets a fast pace will soon become tired. A steady, even pace is wisest in the long run.
If you lose your way, don’t panic. Try to desire how long it has been since you were sure of your position. Mark the spot where you are with blazes on a tree. Put them on four sides of the tree, so that you will be able to see them from any direction. Then you can begin retracing your steps, knowing that you can always find the spot from which you started. Except in an emergency, never try to travel through the jungle at night.
Whenever possible, it is wise to follow streams and rivers that are going in your general direction. This may cause you many extra miles of travel. But in the end it will save time and energy. Nothing is more exhausting than hacking a trail cross-through umbrella jungle.
If a river is broad and deep and has no rapids, rafting is the best means of travel. Bamboo grows along the banks of many jungle streams. Since it is hollow and extremely strong, it makes a perfect raft.
Surviving in the jungle is a science. The jungle people have become perfect in this science, and you can too. Learn as much as you can about what to expect in the jungle. Make sure you have the right equipment. Then no part of the jungle will be able to “live off” it for a long time.
1. The author probably advises against traveling at night because ________.
A.one tends to move too slowly at night
B.some animals will attack you
C.emergencies occur most frequently at night
D.it is more difficult to check your position
2. Following streams and rivers will help you to ________.
A.avoid animal’s attacks
B.save many extra miles of travel
C.avoid crossing unbroken stretches of jungle
D.have a constant source of drinking water
3. The word “blazes” in Paragraph 5 means _________.
A. marks where bark (树皮) is removed B. light-colored spots
C.bursts of flame D. sides of knife
A
Orphans (孤儿) whose parents died of AIDS in Henan Province have been given new hope. Last week the provincial government answered the children’s cries by promising 60 million yuan to improve schools, orphanages (孤儿院) and living conditions. But without the efforts of Dr. Gao Yaojie, these cries may never have been heard.
“I’m a doctor and it’s my duty to cure diseases and save live,” said the 77-year- old grandmother. Gao was named one of the 2003 People of Year on February 20 by CCTV after millions of people took part in an online poll. But in 1996, when she started to promote AIDS awareness, using money from her own pocket, her actions were widely misunderstood.
“Although some of the children were born with HIV, 90 percent of them were not infected (被感染),” Gao said. “But people still reject them. Many orphans change their names after finding a foster family (领养家庭).”
The horror of Henan’s AIDS problem became known in 1996. Frequent and unsafe bloodselling by poor farmers in the late 1980s and early1990s had caused HIV to spread through dirty needles and infected blood use. As a doctor, Gao believed she should help: over the last eight years she has visited over 1 000 AIDS and HIV patients and published thousands of pamphlets on AIDS awareness. With her help, hundreds of orphans have returned to school or found foster families.
“It’s a disaster for the whole nation, not only for those innocent (无辜的) patients and their families,” she explained. Gao is delighted that so many childless families offer to foster orphans. But there is still much that can be done to support these children. “I hope that warm-hearted high school students will also reach out and offer a helping hand,” she said.
1. The passage mainly talks about _______.
A.the dangers of AIDS
B.how the government help those orphans
C.how Gao Yaojie helped the orphans
D.the serious AIDS problem in Henan
2. Gao Yaojie was named one of the 2003 People of Year because ________.
A.the government would not answer the children’s cry without her
B.she used her own money to start to promote AIDS
C.she is a doctor
D.she visited over 1 000 AIDS and HIV patients
3. The government promised 60 million yuan _______.
A.to reward Gao Yaojie
B.to help to treat HIV and AIDS patients
C.to help the children whose parents died of AIDS
D.to build new hospitals