Plastic is one of the most important technological discoveries of the 20th century. However, it may soon be replaced. The new development- liquid wood- can replace plastics in all branches of modern-day industries.
Plastic as a material enjoys the biggest demand in the modern world, but it does have a number of drawbacks. First and foremost, plastic isn’t recyclable. Secondly, it contains toxins (毒物) helping develop cancerous diseases. Finally, it’s made of oil and oil reserves aren’t endless.
The liquid wood technology is likely to replace plastic and providing mankind with new materials for many years ahead. Norbert Eisenfreich, a senior researcher at the Faunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology in Germany (ICT), said that arboform, the new material, is made of lignin(木素质）, which can be obtained from soft tissues of wood. Once mixed with several other matenals, it turns into solid and non-toxic alternative for plastics.
ICT team leader Emilia Regina Inone-Kauffmann said the wood-working industry separates wood into three basic components, including lignin. Lignin isn’t used for the production of paper. Specialists of ICT mixed lignin with several natural materials and thus invented the material which could be melted and molded (铸型）.
When solid, arboform looks like plastic and possesses tho qualitie of polished wood. It can be used for the production of any items. Arboform is already used for the production of car parts which require extra strength. In addition, liquid wood can be recycled repeatedly. The material preserved all of its qualities even if it’s reprocessed ten times.
However, the new invention doesn’t enjoy an extensive use due to the high content of sulfur(硫) in it. German researchers are sure to reduce the amount of sulfur by 90% very soon to make arboform usable for home needs.According to the passage, plastic .
| A．helps us to reduce the use of petrol |
| B．helps to protect our environment in some way |
| C．does harm to our society in some way |
| D．has been replaced by the newly discovered material |
What’s the advantage of arboform over plastic?
| A．It is easier made from natural oil. |
| B．It is more widely used in household |
| C．It is recyclable and friendly to environment. |
| D．It contains no poisonous materials. |
The underlined word “altemative” in Paragraph 3 means .
| A．lignin or arboform | B．soft tissues of wood |
| C．plastics or wood | D．mixture of several materials |
It can be concluded that German researchers will focus their future work firstly on .
| A．the material’s extensive use | B．the content of sulfur in arboform |
| C．the production cost of arboform | D．the qualities of liquid wood |
The main purpose of the text is to .
| A．introduce liquid wood which will replace plastic |
| B．show readers how to produce arboform |
| C．advertise the new material-arboform |
| D．advertise new products made of arboform |
When people want to know about the weather,they usually go to their radios,TVs, newspapers,or to the Internet.However,you can also find many weather signs among wildlife, because of their highly developed senses.Drops in air pressure(压力) produce an effect on small animals in many ways.Mice and deer are good weather indicators.People who spend a lot of time outdoors have observed that,before a storm,field mice come out of their holes and run around.Deer leave high ground and come down from the mountains.
Birds are especially good weather indicators because they also show the effect of a pressure drop in many ways.For example,some birds become irritable(急躁的) and quarrelsome and will fight over a piece of bread.Other birds chirp(叽叽喳喳) and sing just before a storm.It seems they know they won’t get another chance for an hour or two.Birds also seek safe places before a storm.You will sometimes see birds settling in trees or gathering together on a wire close to a building.Pre-storm low pressure makes the air so thin that birds have difficulty flying.
It is unusual to see many birds flying overhead in the summertime,rather than during the periods in the spring or autumn.Watch for other weather signs if you see this.If they fly in the wrong direction,they may be flying ahead of a storm.
By paying closer attention to some important signs in nature,we can become better prepared for any kind of weather.The word “indicators” in Paragraph 1 probably means______.
| A．maps | B．services |
| C．signs | D．stations |
There will be a storm if birds______.
| A．make more noise than usual |
| B．fly in different directions |
| C．come down from tall trees |
| D．share a piece of bread |
How can birds sense the coming of a storm?
| A．By feeling a drop in air temperature. |
| B．By noticing the change of wind directions. |
| C．By feeling a drop in air pressure. |
| D．By noticing the movements of other animals. |
The best title for the text would be______.
| A．Signs of a Storm |
| B．Drops in Air Pressure |
| C．Animals’ Sharp Senses |
| D．Nature’s Weather Signs |
Louis Armstrong had two famous nicknames(绰号).Some people called him Bagamo.They said his mouth looked like a large bag.Musicians often called him Pops,as a sign of respect for his influence(影响) on the world of music.
Born in 1901 in New Orleans,he grew up poor,but lived among great musicians.Jazz was invented in the city a few years before his birth.Armstrong often said,“Jazz and I grew up together.”
Armstrong showed a great talent(天赋) for music when he was taught to play the cornet(短号) at a boy’s home.In his late teens,Armstrong began to live the life of a musician.He played in parades,clubs,and on the steamboats that travelled on the Mississippi River.At that time,New Orleans was famous for the new music of jazz and was home to many great musicians.Armstrong learned from the older musicians and soon became respected as their equal.
In 1922 he went to Chicago.There,the tale of Louis Armstrong begins.From then until the end of his life,Armstrong was celebrated and loved wherever he went.Armstrong had no equal when it came to playing the American popular song.
His cornet playing had a deep humanity(仁爱) and warmth that caused many listeners to say,“Listening to Pops just makes you feel good all over.”He was the father of the jazz style(风格) and also one of the best-known and most-admired people in the world.His death,on July 6,1971,was headline news around the world.Armstrong was called Pops because he______.
| A．looked like a musician |
| B．was a musician of much influence |
| C．showed an interest in music |
| D．travelled to play modern music |
The third paragraph is developed______.
| A．by space | B．by examples |
| C．by time | D．by comparison |
Which statement about Armstrong is true?
| A．His tale begins in New Orleans. |
| B．He was born before jazz was invented. |
| C．His music was popular with his listeners. |
| D．He learned popular music at a boy’s home. |
Which would be the best title for the text?
| A．The Invention of the Jazz Music |
| B．The Father of the Jazz Style |
| C．The Making of a Musician |
| D．The Spread of Popular Music |
The literal meaning of philosophy is “love of wisdom”.But this meaning does not tell us very much.Unlike the other disciplines(学科)，philosophy cannot be defined by what you study,because it is actually unlimited.Anything can be the subject matter of philosophy: art, history, law,language,literature,mathematics,medicine,psychology,religion,science,and values.Philosophy is one of the world’s oldest subjects of study,and in fact,the other academic disciplines are directly related to philosophy.For this reason you get a Doctorate(博士学位) of Philosophy(Ph.D.) in biochemistry,or computer science,or psychology.
Two broad sub-fields of philosophy are logic and the history of philosophy.Logic is the science of argument and critical thinking.It provides sound methods for distinguishing good from bad reasoning.The history of philosophy involves the study of major philosophers and period in development of philosophy.
Of what use is philosophy?First it is useful in educational advancement.It is necessary for understanding other disciplines.Only philosophy questions the nature of the concepts used in a discipline,and its relation to other disciplines.And through the study of philosophy,one develops sound methods of research and analysis that can be applied to any field.
There are a number of general uses of philosophy.It strengthens one’s ability to solve problems,to communicate,to organize ideas and issues,to persuade,and to take what is the most important from a large quantity of data .These general uses are of great benefit in the career field,not necessarily for obtaining one’s first job after graduation,but for preparing for positions of responsibility,management and leadership later on.It is very short-sighted after all,to take a course of studies only for the purpose of getting one’s first job.The useful skills developed through the study of philosophy have significant long-term benefits in career advancement.No other discipline systematically follows the ideals of wisdom,leadership,and capacity to resolve human conflict.According to Paragraph 1,philosophy can best be described as the study of______.
| A．social sciences |
| B．natural sciences |
| C．both social and natural sciences |
| D．the subject matter of politics |
With the study of philosophy,you can_______.
| A．become a great leader |
| B．succeed in everything |
| C．find a good job soon after graduation |
| D．make progress in your career development |
According to the passage,which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．Philosophy is an independent discipline. |
| B．Logic helps you to become a better thinker. |
| C．The study of philosophy brings you immediate benefits. |
| D．The meaning of philosophy is too limited to define. |
From the passage,we can conclude______.
A.not all the subjects have to do with philosophy
B.a person will get a Ph.D.if he/she studies philosophy
C.philosophy can be helpful for the study of any other subjects
D.philosophy is the only solution to all the problems to the world
Brian Walker chews pens.He bites them so hard that his boss has warned him to stop or buy his own.Katie’s weakness is more acceptable—she is unable to walk past a cake shop without overeating.Sophia Cartier finds her cigarette habit a headache,while Alice’s thumb-sucking drives her boy friend crazy.Four people with very different habits,but they all share a common problem anxiety disorder or,in serious cases.Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD).
From nail-biting to too much hand-washing,overeating and internet addiction(上瘾)，OCD is widespread in almost every workplace and countless homes.“It is a relatively common form of anxiety,”says Dr.Mootee.“The main feature of OCD is the repetition of unwanted obsersive(过度的) thoughts such as worries that doors are left unlocked,gas or electrical appliances are left on.”In order to fight against the anxiety and distress caused by these obsessions,an OCD sufferer performs some form of repetitive act such as hand-washing,checking door locks and gas or electrical appliances.
Dr.Mootee says that repetitive washing,particularly of the hands,is the most common type of OCD.She has treated many patients who wash their hands up to 30 times a day.The technique Mootee uses to treat people with OCD is called cognitive-behavioral therapy(认知行为疗法).“It is based on the general idea that people have the ability to change the way they think and behave,”says Mootee.
But when does a habit become a problem?“It’s personal,”says Mootee.“Everyone has something unusual,but if you can’t put up with it,then it’s a problem and you need to do something to change it.”Mootee says many people resist going for treatment because they fear they are “crazy”.But as people become more knowledgeable about these problems they will go and get help.The only way to cure is to conquer.If a person suffers from OCD,he is likely to keep doing any of the following EXCEPT______.
| A．chewing pens | B．hurting himself |
| C．sucking fingers | D．biting nails |
According to the passage,a person suffering from OCD______.
| A．reduces his/her anxiety by taking drugs |
| B．gets into unwanted habits to relieve stress |
| C．has unwanted thoughts about habits |
| D．has unwanted thoughts because of illness |
Dr.Mootee’s treating technique is based on the idea that______.
| A．everyone has something different |
| B．people can put up with their problems |
| C．people can change their way of thinking and action |
| D．people tend to repeat their obsessive actions |
By saying“The only way to cure is to conquer.”Dr.Mootee suggests that an OCD sufferer______.
| A．has to be an extraordinary person |
| B．must cure his illness by himself |
| C．must overcome many physical illnesses |
| D．should have a right attitude towards the problem |
As a professor at a large American university,there is a phrase that I hear often from students:“I’m only a 1050.”The unlucky students are speaking of the score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test(SAT),which is used to determine whether they will be admitted to the college or university of their choice,or even if they have a chance to get a higher education at all.The SAT score,whether it is 800,1100 or 1550,has become the focus at this time of their life.
It is obvious that if students value highly their test scores,then a great amount of their self-respect is put in the number.Students who perform poorly on the exam are left feeling that it is all over.The low test score,they think,will make it impossible for them to get into a good college.And without a degree from a prestigious university,they fear that many of life’s doors will remain forever closed.
According to a study done in the 1990s,the SAT is only a reliable indicator of a student’s future performance in most cases.Interestingly,it becomes much more accurate when it is set together with other indicators-like a student’s high school grades.Even if standardized tests like the SAT could show a student’s academic proficiency(学业水平)，they will never be able to test things like confidence,efforts and willpower,and are unable to give us the full picture of a student’s potentialities(潜力).This is not to suggest that we should stop using SAT scores in our college admission process.The SAT is an excellent test in many ways,and the score is still a useful means of testing students.However,it should be only one of many methods used.The purpose of the SAT is to test students’______.
| A．strong will |
| B．academic ability |
| C．full potentialities |
| D．confidence in school work |
Students’ self-respect is influenced by their______.
| A．scores in the SAT |
| B．achievements in mathematics |
| C．job opportunities |
| D．money spent on education |
“A prestigious university” is most probably______.
| A．a famous university |
| B．a technical university |
| C．a traditional university |
| D．an expensive university |
This passage is mainly about______.
| A．how to prepare for the SAT |
| B．stress caused by the SAT |
| C．American higher education |
| D．the SAT and its effects |