D
You can deposit money in a building society and obtain yearly interest at a certain rate.You can also borrow money from a building society.What, then, is difference between a bank and a building society? In fact, a building society does not seem to be very different from a savings bank.Many people regularly save money by depositing small amounts monthly in a building society, just as other people regularly save money by depositing small amounts monthly in a savings bank.Some people deposit large amounts in a building society as an investment.They receive higher interest than they would receive from a savings bank; their money can be invested either in building society shares or in loans to the society.
These societies are controlled by law, but they are not government organizations.They were originally started to enable people to buy houses.One of their main purposes is to provide loans for buying or building houses.Many people prefer buying a house to paying rent, but some of them cannot afford to buy a house.To cover the cost they borrow the money from a building society.The loan plus the interest is paid back in monthly amounts over an agreed number of years.Probably the payments made in this way are no more than the rent of a rented house.But at the end of the stated period, when the debt is paid, the borrower becomes the owner of the house.To protect the building society from “bad debts” he must sign a statement to say that the house belongs to the society until the debt is paid.
A building society invests the savings of its shareholders in houses and property.Unlike a bank, it does not serve as a general clearing house (清算所) for every kind of exchange or business operation.Its activities are limited compared with those of a bank.
68.A building society is different from a bank in that ____.
A.the former is limited in its activities
B.the latter is limited in function compared with the former
C.a bank doesn’t serve as a general clearing house
D.a building society can protect itself from “bad debt”
69.Some people put large amounts of money in the building society because _______.
A.they can get more profit than they do in a bank.
B.they may choose between the form of building society shares and that of loans for their investment
C.they may enjoy shares and loans at the same time
D.they like the society
70.If you borrow money from the society to buy a house, ____.
A.you have to return the money to the building society the moment it is needed.
B.you have to sign an agreement to repay the loan after a number of years
C.what you pay back monthly for the loan would be less than the rent
D.the house doesn’t belong to you unless you have repaid all the debt
The library is one of the most popular places at a western university.Students turn to it for research,conversations about class,and many other services.
Compared with Chinese libraries,college libraries in the US and UK tend to offer more resources.A postgraduate at Yale University can borrow as many as 225 books at a time.
In addition to borrowing books,there are online and electronic resources.These include a database search of popular and academic material,such as LexisNexis Academic,which offers items from newspapers and magazines.
Although books and articles are the items that students ask for most frequently,some libraries provide audio and video recordings,maps and sheet music(活页乐谱).At some schools,teachers and tutors put electronic copies of their teaching PPTs on the library web to give easier access for students.
Another useful service in western college libraries is the Interlibrary Loan.This allows a student at one school to borrow books from another school.The loan request is made through the student’s college library,which gets the book,gives it to the user and arranges for its return.
Technology has brought more services to students and has made libraries attractive.Some universities have services for students to send messages through the computer or mobile texts to ask the library staff for information.
Earlier this year,Harvard University introduced a new Scan and Deliver service,allowing students to make requests for parts of books and articles.Requests made through the system are handled by library staff.The student receives an email with an Internet link to the scanned pages.The service is free and all material comes within four days.
It used to be that libraries didn’t allow food or drinks.But that rule is changing and many of them now contain a cafe so students can spend as much time as they want in the library.
Actually,some US university libraries are now allnight affairs,or have at least one study room open all night.In western college libraries a postgraduate can________.
A.have a free drink or a meal |
B.borrow as many books as they want |
C.ask questions and get answers from their tutors |
D.access not only books but other study resources |
LexisNexis Academic is the name of a ________.
A.guide |
B.library |
C.database |
D.university |
Which of the following are mostly needed by students in western libraries?
A.Books and articles. |
B.Audio and video recordings. |
C.Maps and sheet music. |
D.Tutors’ teaching PPTs. |
How can a college student borrow books from other colleges’ libraries?
A.By going to these libraries. |
B.By getting them through the Internet. |
C.By borrowing them through their own library. |
D.By sending messages through the computer or mobile texts. |
Are you nervous about climbing because you think it’s too dangerous? Do you feel you’re not fit enough to climb? Do you know how to start climbing?
Let’s consider the idea that climbing is dangerous. Being afraid is natural, but if you use suitable ropes and other climbing equipment you will feel completely safe.Climbers are usually very careful because they know what they are doing is dangerous. Accidents happen, but when they do, they tend to attract a lot of publicity. As a result, people think there are many more accidents than there are in reality.
You cannot expect to start climbing straight away.Climbing is a challenge and challenges take time. It is necessary first of all that you achieve a good level of fitness.Begin as soon as you become interested in climbing - go to the gym, go swimming, take up jogging and continue to do so throughout your training period.
Discover as much as you can about climbing. Visit the library and find books, especially for beginners or buy climbing magazines and look for articles which describe your situation. Look up information on the Internet. Find out about equipment, methods and places to go.
Next,take a course on a climbing wall. There are plenty of climbing walls all over the country which have trained and qualified people as instructors. Call you local leisure centre to find out if there is one in you area.These training sessions are a quick way to get experience and you are likely to meet other beginners.After this,you can do an outside course of joining a club where you can meet climbers of all abilities and eventually join in groupclimbing events.
At first you may not understand the importance of a good training period,but after you have completed your first climb and you are standing safely at the top of a rock feeling thrilled,then you will know it was the right thing to do.The text is probably written by a(n)________.
A.doctor |
B.experienced climber |
C.beginner |
D.fitness instructor |
The writer thinks a new climber should________.
A.begin by becoming fit |
B.meet the challenges right away |
C.be aware of the causes of the accidents |
D.do enough sports to get interested in climbing |
By climbing walls you can________.
A.join a club you like |
B.gain climbing experience |
C.become qualified instructors |
D.take part in groupclimbing events |
The underlined word “it” in the last paragraph probably means________.
A.the climb |
B.the training |
C.the equipment |
D.the achievement |
Founded in 1966,Seacamp,the first program dedicated to the education of youth in marine(海洋的) sciences,is the result of a cooperative effort of parents,scientists,businessmen and camp leaders.Preservation practices and a respect for the marine environment are the philosophy of the Seacamp.
Seacamp’s tropical marine location in the lower Florida Keys enables it to offer a truly unique marine science program.This program is the heart of Seacamp.Young scientists participate in a variety of courses under the guidance of academically trained marine science instructors and biologists.All science activities include studies in both the field and the laboratory.Each session,140 to 160 campers come to Seacamp,mostly from the US,but also from across the world.There are about 30 international campers each summer from an average of twelve countries.Many Seacamp program graduates have gone on to careers as environmental educators and marine scientists.
One of Seacamp’s unique aspects is that campers create their schedules.In addition to science classes,campers choose from a variety of programs to ensure that there is something interesting and exciting for everyone.Campers interested in journalism may work on the camp newspaper,SEASCOPE,which is published periodically during camp sessions.Arts activities are also included.Photography allows campers to take home memories of friends,wildlife,and underwater experiences.
Seacamp teaches the fun and skills of sailing.It’s an excellent way for future marine scientists to become familiar with the winds,tides and currents that are of primary concern in oceanography.Basic Red Cross certification is offered to beginners in sailing.The Red Cross course in advanced lifesaving is taught at Seacamp.The course is designed to increase the campers’ ability to recognize and avoid dangerous water conditions and practices and to use selfrescue skills to get out of dangerous situations.
Parents may bring campers by car to Big Pine Key.Counselors(顾问) also meet participants at the Miami International Airport on the opening day of camp and accompany them to Big Pine Key on a bus.The fee for roundtrip service is $90.To join the Seacamp adventure,interested campers should contact Seacamp for an application.
We love to talk about camp!For more information or to ask any questions you might have,please give our friendly staff a call and we’ll be glad to help!According to the text,Seacamp is designed to help campers ________.
A.have a good time at the seaside |
B.develop a sense of marine protection |
C.make a further study about sea life |
D.complete a course about marine wildlife |
What makes Seacamp different from other camps?
A.It has various kinds of activities. |
B.It has famous scientists as guides. |
C.The campers can choose their own activities. |
D.The campers can travel with their parents. |
What can we know about Seacamp?
A.Its other branches are all over the world. |
B.It can satisfy campers with different interests. |
C.Campers go to the camp by bus free of charge. |
D.Campers can apply for Seacamp adventure by phone. |
It can be learned from Paragraphs 3 and 4 that ________.
A.Seacamp offers many programs apart from science classes |
B.Seacamp is responsible for training marine scientists |
C.beginners in sailing should learn the advanced Red Cross course |
D.Seacamp provides traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts |
Humans are social animals,and most of us treasure our relationships with family and friends.A research suggests that relationships can keep us healthier.And a new study finds those social connections may also help us live longer.
This new study combined a large number of previous studies and concluded that a lack of social interactions may lead to smoking,obesity,and alcoholism(酗酒) as a risk factor for death.
Professor Julianne HoltLunstad,one of the authors of the study,pointed out several ways relationships can affect our health.They can help us deal with stress.They can help us keep healthy habits like eating well,exercising or seeing a doctor.And_there’s_increasing_research_that_show_a_direct_but_poorlyunderstood_link_between_relationships_and_physiological_processes_in_the_body.
“So for instance,our relationships have been linked to lower blood pressure,better immune(免疫的) function.”said HoltLunstad.“And so our relationships can influence our health in a variety of ways that are all very important.”
Even though HoltLunstad and her colleagues looked at almost 150 different scientific studies,most of them didn’t assess(评估) the quality of the relationships.
“And certainly relationship quality matters,and not all relationships are entirely positive,”she said.“And so it’s possible that the effects that we have reported may be conservative(保守的),and that the odds(几率) of survival associated with highquality relationships may actually be large.”
She said her research suggests that policy makers need to consider relationships as a health issue.So just as nosmoking zones have expanded over the years,she suggests that city planners,for example,should consider whether their decisions might promote the development of personal relationships.According to the text,a lack of social interaction may lead to ________.
A.serious illness |
B.mental problems |
C.drinking too much wine |
D.worrying too many things |
What does the underlined sentence mean in the third paragraph?
A.Relationships have nothing to do with physiological processes. |
B.People have known the indirect link between relationships and physiological processes. |
C.The link between relationships and physiological processes has not been studied. |
D.People haven’t fully understood the link between relationships and physiological processes. |
What does the author want to tell us in the last paragraph?
A.The government should improve people’s health. |
B.Policy makers should promote social interations. |
C.The government should encourage people not to smoke. |
D.Policy makers need to have good social communication. |
What would be the best title for the text?
A.A health issue |
B.Social interactions |
C.How to live longer |
D.Social interactions help you live longer |
If we bought only things we needed,there would be enough for everybody.What do we need?What you need depends on how old you are and your way of life.Rearrange the list of things you can buy and put the things you think we most need at the top of the list.
Coat
Designer jean
Water
CD player
Dental check up
Restaurant meal
Telephone
Jewelry
Food
Shampoo
MP3 player
Beer
Toothpaste
Bar of chocolate
Cushion cover
If we don’t need to buy so much,we don’t need to work so much.We can take parttime jobs or reduce our working day from eight hours to six hours.Some people are leaving very well paid jobs to live a healthier life in the countryside or a more exciting life abroad.Parents can spend more time with their children and the unemployed are given more opportunities to work.
If we start to respect saving the earth more than spending money,we will become“conservers”(保护者).When we are conservers,we try to choose environmentally friendly products that last a long time.We may find growing our own vegetables or making our own clothes more rewarding than buying them.
Next time you go shopping,think about what you really need to buy.Don’t deprive (剥夺) yourself of things you like,but decide what you should buy before you go out,so that you won’t be influenced by advertisements or promotions.If it is more expensive to buy goods that don’t have much packaging and things that are more durable (耐用的),buy less.If you can choose to work less,decide which things you would like to make,do or grow yourself.Even though you have less money,your life will become richer.From the passage,we can see the author suggests us consumers________.
A.find out more about a product instead of buying blindly |
B.consider what we really need before going shopping |
C.avoid regret at not buying enough |
D.find a real bargain |
The writer will agree with you if you buy products that are________.
A.beautifully packaged |
B.extremely cheap |
C.usable for a long time |
D.fashionable now |
According to the passage,if we don’t need to buy so much,the benefits will include________.
a.we will have more time enjoying life
b.the employment rate will increase
c.we will get better paid job
d.we as consumers will have more choices of what to buy
A.a,b,c |
B.a,b,d |
C.a,b |
D.a,d |
This passage is mainly written to________.
A.persuade people to buy less and buy environmentally friendly product |
B.put forward some questions so that you can become a smart buyer |
C.introduce some good ways to make a wiser choice when shopping |
D.criticize the consumer society in which people buy too much |