Every year, on the International Volunteers Day, the world thinks highly of the work of millions of people who give their time to help others. The work they are doing is important. As Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations said“…each contribution—no matter how small—can help make a difference.” Lu Hao and Meng Yu are just two examples of the 13.5 million young Chinese Volunteers who want to make a contribution to society.
Lu Hao is a middle school student, who joined the “1 helps 1” scheme1 of the Youth Volunteer Community Development Project last year. Every Tuesday and Friday he visits an elderly gentleman who lives alone. “Mr. Zhao is weak and cannot do much for himself, so I help with shopping, do jobs in the house, or read the newspaper to him. With his help, Mr. Zhao’s health has improved, and he feels more energetic. Lu Hao has also found their relationship beneficial2. In the past history was his weakest subject, but it is one which greatly interests Mr. Zhao and they often discuss it. Mr. Zhao has encourages Lu Hao to study history lessons harder and his grades have improved a great deal.
Meng Yu is studying for her master’s degree in Canada. She has a busy timetable, but still finds time for voluntary activities during the weekends. “Last month I took part in an event to help starving children in some of the least developed countries. Twenty-two of us went without food for 30 hours! It was a challenge. We wanted to improve awareness3 of hunger because every day children are dying of starvation. It was a great success. The local newspaper and TV reported it and we received many money.” Meng Yu and her classmates organized this activity to raise money for a good cause, and in the process she formed strong friendships.
Lu Hao and Meng Yu are helping to make other people’s lives better, and they also make great friends, gain new skills and increase their chances of getting the job of their dreams. Would you like to make a difference by becoming a volunteer?
阅读短文，回答问题。According to the text, what is the reason why young people choose to do voluntary work?
_______________________________________________________________________________Lu Hao has chosen to volunteer on two evenings every week . How has Meng Yu chosen to give her time? Why has she made a different choice?
_______________________________________________________________________________What benefits has his voluntary work brought Lu Hao?
_______________________________________________________________________________What benefits did MengYu’s voluntary work bring the starving children?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Someday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the Website you’ve visited，Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchases or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.
In fact, it’s likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girl friend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen --- the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked.
Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that it's important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times.But few boundaries remain. The digital bread crumbs (碎屑) you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret.
The key question is: Does that matter?
For many Americans, the answer apparently is “no.”
When opinion polls ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found an overwhelming pessimism about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”
But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny fraction of Americans change any behaviors in an effort to preserve their privacy. Few people turn down a discount at tollbooths (收费站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessandro Acauisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will surrender personal information like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-off coupon (优惠卷).
But privacy does matter - at least sometimes. It’s like health: When you have it, you don’t notice it. Only when it’s gone do you wish you’d done more to protect it.What does the author mean by saying “the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked” (Lines 3-4, Para. 2)?
| A．People's personal information is easily accessed without their knowledge. |
| B．In the 21st century people try every means to look into others’ secrets. |
| C．People tend to be more frank with each other in the information age. |
| D．Criminals are easily caught on the spot with advanced technology. |
What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?
| A．Friends should open their hearts to each other. |
| B．Friends should always be faithful to each other. |
| C．There should be a distance even between friends. |
| D．There should be fewer disputes between friends. |
Why does the author say “we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret” ( Line5, para. 3)?
| A．Modern society has finally evolved into an open society. |
| B．People leave traces around when using modern technology. |
| C．There are always people who are curious about others’ affairs. |
| D．Many search engines profit by revealing people’s identities. |
What do most Americans do with regard to privacy protection?
| A．They change behaviors that might disclose their identity. |
| B．They use various loyalty cards for business transactions. |
| C．They rely most and more on electronic devices. |
| D．They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it. |
According to the passage, privacy is like health in that .
| A．people will make every effort to keep it |
| B．its importance is rarely understood |
| C．it is something that can easily be lost |
| D．people don’t cherish it until they lose it |
Riding School:
You can start horse-riding at any age. Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.(3:30 p.m. on Saturdays). There are 10 kilometers of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country. You will need a riding hat.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6754 Fax: (412)396—6752
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification. You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid. Have fun with other course member, afterwards in the clubroom. There are 10 weekly two-hour 1essons (Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.).
Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6644 Fax: (412)396 — 6644
Diving Centre:
Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week, in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely. You only need your own swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6312 Fax: (412)396—6706
Medical Center:
The staff of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university. The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal wit h a broad range of medical problems. Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation. Also, all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours: 24 hour from Monday to Sunday
Phone: (412)396--6649 Fax: (412)396—6648
Watersports Club:
We use a two-kilometer length of river for speedboat racing, and water-skiing, A beginners’course consist s of ten 20-minute lessons. You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently, but must be able to swim. The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9 a.m to 4 p.m, with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m.— 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6899 Fax: (412)396—6890 If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous, you should join.
| A．Watersports Club | B．Diving Centre | C．Sailing Club | D．Riding School |
If you want to experience a new activity in the countryside in the mornings, you may fax.
| A．(412)396—6648 | B．(412)396—6706 | C．(412)396—6752 | D．(412)396—6876 |
If you are planning to explore the ocean depths, you should attend your lessons at.
| A．24 hour from Monday to Sunday |
| B．Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. |
| C．Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.— 8:00 p.m. |
| D．Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m.— 8:30 p.m. |
You want to do an activity one evening a week and get a certificate in the end, you can go to.
| A．Watersports Club | B．Diving Center | C．Sailing Club | D．Riding School |
Which is NOT the convenience that the Medical Center provides?
| A．Good equipment. | B．Well trained staff members. |
| C．Various less expensive medicines. | D．Nursery for newly-born babies |
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of natural disasters over the past few years，and it is assumed that global warming and climate change could cause even more disasters in the future.Some of the world’s leading cities are facing disasters like floods and heat waves.
London
London’s flood defences are getting older. Since 1982, the Thames Barrier(水闸) has protected the city from the threat of flooding，but it was only designed to last until 2030 and close once every two or three years. About 21 years later the barrier now closes five or six times a year and according to Environment Agency predictions, by 2050 the barrier will be closed on almost every tide if the problem is not addressed.
There are 26 underground stations, 400 schools, 16 hospitals, an airport and 80 billion worth of property in London's flood risk area, so large scale flooding would be disastrous.
Paris
Over a sixweek period in July and August 2008，more than 11400 — mainly elderly people — died in France from dehydration (脱水) and extremely high body temperature in a deadly heat wave. Heat waves of similar intensity (强度) are expected every seven years by 2050, so what can be done to make sure such a disaster does not happen again?
One solution is to have airconditioners installed in elderly care homes. But this is considered a shortterm solution, as the increase in demand for electricity also increases carbon emissions.
In Paris the local authorities are encouraging architects to design new types of buildings such as the building “Flower Tower”, which uses a covering of bamboo to act as a natural airconditioner.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the fastest growing city on Earth. It has a population of 18 million and is only 4 meters above sea level. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 20 cm within the next century.
An estimated 250,000 people move to Shanghai every year in search of work, placing extra demands on energy consumption. China relies heavily on coalfired power stations, but these emissions increase temperatures and, in turn, warmer seas increase the risk of typhoons.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Big Cities Facing Big Disasters | B．Big Disasters in the Future |
| C．The Increase of Natural Disasters | D．Solutions to Natural Disasters |
What problem should be settled now in London?
| A．How to protect the city’s property. |
| B．Where to build its flood defences. |
| C．How to use the Thames Barrier to protect the city. |
| D．How to improve the function of the old flood defences. |
Which of the following measures can’t solve the heat wave disaster in Paris?
| A．Putting up new types of buildings with a covering of bamboo. |
| B．Having airconditioners installed in elderly care homes. |
| C．Forbidding the city to build “Flower Tower”. |
| D．Encouraging architects to design new types of buildings. |
The major threats to Shanghai are ________.
| A．increasing population and coalfired power stations |
| B．rising sea levels and typhoons |
| C．extremely high temperature and rising sea levels |
| D．extra demands on energy consumption and typhoons |
The purpose of the passage is ________.
| A．to tell us how to protect the big cities |
| B．to give advice on how to defend natural disasters |
| C．to explain what causes flood and heat waves |
| D．to warn us of the increasing natural disasters in big cities |
In 1970, my five brothers, my sister and I lived in the housing projects of Toronto with our parents. My father was a factory worker, and my mother stayed at home. Each year my father would dress up as Santa Claus and go through the streets of the projects sharing joy and candies with the children there. He loved it as much as they did!
But around the Christmas in 1970, my father was out of his job and money was tight. In fact, there was no money for Christmas and my parents weren’t sure what they’d provide for us.
That Christmas Eve, however, as usual, my father left the house dressed as Santa Claus. He knew that even though our Christmas would be hard, he could not disappoint the other kids in the neighborhood.
As my father left the house and went down the walkway, Santa Claus was walking up, with a great sack full of gifts for us! He said nothing, only smiled a sweet smile at my father, and wished him a Merry Christmas. The happy man handed Dad the sack and walked away down the block.
We never knew who the man was and who showed us great kindness on a snowy Christmas night. We do know, however, that without him we would have had nothing under the tree. His kindness gave my parents hope and showed us in a very real way the true meaning of Christmas.
Our family has never forgotten this kind stranger. Each year we tell the story of the mysterious Santa Claus and try to repay his gifts by giving gifts to others in need.The author’s father ________.
| A．was once the richest man in his hometown |
| B．was working in a government office |
| C．had to support a family of 9 people |
| D．looked like Santa Claus most |
What happened in 1970?
| A．The author’s father was out of work. |
| B．The author’s mother lost her job. |
| C．They had a little money left for Christmas. |
| D．They had the worst Christmas in their lives. |
The author’s family knew ________.
| A．who the mysterious Santa Claus was |
| B．why the mysterious Santa Claus helped them |
| C．how they could repay the mysterious Santa Claus |
| D．they could find the mysterious Santa Claus one day |
It can be inferred（推断）that ________.
| A．the mysterious Santa Claus was one of their relatives |
| B．the mysterious Santa Claus was a rich man in the area |
| C．the sack from the mysterious Santa Claus was very expensive |
| D．the author’s family were all thankful to the mysterious Santa Claus |
The Gold Coast family holidays are always great fun whether you are from Australia or from abroad. There are beautiful beaches, adventure parks, nature parks and so much more.
There are so many sights to see here. It is a pity to drive in a car and you’ll miss a great part of it. Australia is home to many animals and birds that can only be seen when moving slowly and going into the areas that they live.
When you are on a bicycle, you have the advantage of being able to stop whenever you want to see an interesting animal or bird that you have never seen before. It is a quieter mode （方式） of transportation as well, so you might even be able to take a picture. When you are on the beach, you can breathe that clean air and view the beauty of the water and sand. It is a totally different experience from either simply sunbathing or passing it in a car.
There are many choices of hiring a bicycle to experience the Gold Coast attractions. There are stores that will fit a bike perfectly to your size. These bikes for both adults and children are in many styles and colors to please any taste. If you have ever wanted to try a tandem bike （双人单车）, now is your chance, because they have those too.
A bicycle hire on Gold Coast is something that everyone should try at least once. This is a wonderful chance for anyone who likes to cycle and it is also a cheap way to travel with your family.You’d better not drive in a car on Gold Coast because ________.
| A．you will break the traffic rules |
| B．you will cause much noise |
| C．you can’t enjoy the beautiful sights well |
| D．you can’t drive into some parks |
The following advantages of hiring bikes are mentioned EXCEPT that ________.
| A．you can take photos of animals |
| B．it is a cheap way of traveling |
| C．you can get a clearer sight of animals |
| D．it is a good way to do sunbathing |
What is paragraph 4 mainly about?
| A．How to hire bikes on Gold Coast. |
| B．What kinds of bikes there are in stores. |
| C．What bikes are the most popular. |
| D．Who can hire bikes on Gold Coast. |
What’s the author’s attitude towards a bike hire on Gold Coast?
| A．He supports it very much. |
| B．He thinks it’s a personal choice. |
| C．He doesn’t like this way of traveling. |
| D．He thinks it’s only good for adults. |