D
First the ground shook in Haiti, then Chile and Turkey. The earthquakes keep coming hard and fast this year, causing people to wonder if something evil (邪恶的) is happening underfoot.
It’s not.
While it may seem as if there are more earthquakes occurring, there really aren’t. the problem is what’s happening above ground, not underground, experts say.
More people are moving into big cities that happen to be built in quake zones, and they’re rapidly putting up buildings that can’t withstand (经受) earthquakes, scientists believe.
And around-the-clock news coverage (报道) and better earthquake monitoring make it seem as if earthquakes are ever-present.
“I can definitely tell you that the world is not coming to an end,” said Bob Holdsworth, an expert in tectonics (筑造学) at Durharn University in the UK.
A 7.0 magnitude quake in January killed more than 230,000 people in Haiti. Last month, an 8.8 magnitude quake--- the fifth-strongest since 1900—killed more than 900 people in Chile. And two weeks ago, a 6.0 magnitude quake struck rural eastern Turkey, killing at least 57 people.
On average, there are 134 earthquakes a year that have a magnitude between 6.0 and 6.9, according to the US Geological Survey. This year is off to a fast start with 40 so far—more than in most years for that time period.
But that’s because the 8.8 quake in Chile generated a large number of strong aftershocks, and so many quakes this early in the year skews (扭曲) the picture, said Paul Earle, a US seismologist (地震学家).
Also, it’s not the number of quakes, but their devastating (破坏性的) impacts that gain attention, with the death tolls (死亡人数) largely due to construction standards and crowding, Earle added. “The standard mantra (咒语) is earthquakes don’t kill people, buildings do, ” he said.
There have been more deaths over the past decades from earthquakes, said University of Colorado geologist Roger Bilham. In an opinion column last month in the journal Nature, Bilham called for better construction standards in the world’s big cities.
Of the 130 cities worldwide with populations of more than 1 million, more than half are prone (倾向于) to earthquakes, Bilham said.
Developing nations, where populations are booming, don’t pay attention to earthquake preparedness, Bilham said.” If you have a problem feeding yourself, you’re not really going to worry about earthquakes.”
Another reason quakes seem worse is that we’re paying attention more. The Haiti earthquake quickly followed by the 8.8 in Chile made everyone start to think.
But it won’t last, said US disaster researcher Deniis Mileti. “People are paying attention to the violent planet we’ve always lived on,” Mileti said.” Come back in another six months if there has been no earthquakes, most people will have forgotten it again. ”
73. What is the main idea of the article?
A. The number of earthquakes is increasing this year.
B. The reasons why earthquakes are so devastating.
C. The reasons why recent earthquakes have struck large cities.
D. Why earthquakes seem to be more serious this year.
74. Which of the following is NOT a reason for the seeming increase in earthquakes this year，
according to the article?
A. Greater underground activity.
B. A larger number of buildings prone to damage during earthquakes.
C. Around-the-clock news coverage.
D. Better earthquake monitoring.
75. According to the article, it is safe to say that ______.
A. there is an evil force beneath the world’s surface
B. large cities are always built in quake zones
C. enough attention has been paid to reducing the impact of earthquakes
D. the earthquake in Chili caused many aftershocks.
76. According to the article, the greater damage of earthquakes this year can be mainly caused by ______.
A. the occurrence of larger earthquakes
B. insufficient warnings about earthquakes
C. poor construction standards and overcrowding
D. an increase in large cities
In the 1960s, medical researchers Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe developed a checklist of stressful events. They appreciated the tricky point that any major change can be stressful. Bad events like "serious illness of a family member" were high on the list, but so were some helpful life-changing events like marriage.
When you take the Holmes-Rahe test you must remember that the score does not show how you deal with stress ---it only shows how much you have to deal with. And we now know that the way you deal with these events dramatically affects your chances of staying healthy. By the early 1970s, hundreds of similar studies had followed Holmes and Rahe. And millions of Americans who work and live under stress worried over the reports. Somehow the research got boiled down to a memorable message. Women's magazines ran titles like "Stress causes illness".
If you want to stay physically and mentally healthy the articles said avoid stressful events. But such simplistic advice is impossible to follow. Even if stressful events are dangerous, many — like the death of a loved one — are impossible to avoid. Moreover, any warning to avoid all stressful events is a prescription for staying away from chances as well as trouble. Since any change can be stressful, a person who wanted to be completely free of stress would never marry, have a child, take a new job or move. The idea that all stress makes you sick also takes no notice of a lot of what we know about people. It supposes we’re not active in the face of the difficult situation. But what about human ability and creativity? Many come through periods of stress with more physical and mental strength than they had before. We also know that a long time without change or challenge can lead to boredom and physical and mental pressure.The result of Holmes-Rahe’s medical research tells us _________.
| A．the way you deal with major events may cause stress |
| B．what should be done to avoid stress |
| C．what kind of event would cause stress |
| D．how to deal with sudden changes in life |
The score of the Holmes-Rahe test shows ______.
| A．how you can deal with life-changing events |
| B．how helpful events can change your life |
| C．how stressful a major event can be |
| D．how much pressure you are unde |
Why is “such simplistic advice” impossible to follow according to the author?
| A．No one can stay on the same job for long. |
| B．No prescription is effective in reducing stress. |
| C．People are sure to get married. |
| D．You could reduce stress by doing nothing. |
According to the passage people who have experienced ups and downs may become _______.
| A．nervous when faced with difficulties |
| B．physically and mentally tired |
| C．more able to deal with difficulties |
| D．cold toward what happens to them |
If you are interested to find a parttime job or learn something different during your spare time, you can have a look at the following jobs offered by the DC Public Library.
Teens of Distinction Program
The DC Public Library offers parttime jobs for teens through the Teens of Distinction Program. Teens work 10-12 hours per week all year long, helping the library with important tasks and projects. The Teens of Distinction Program is now hiring! To apply, you have to：
● be a DC resident
● have and maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average
● be 16 to 18 years old
● be able to work 10-12 hours per week
● be able to work for DCPL for at least 9 months
Oh, and of course you have to impress us with your wonderful personality!
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
If you want to earn community service hours for school, Youth202 is a good choice.
Youth202 is a radio program created by youth and for youth. You can learn radio production skills, interview people around you, and help keep other teens to learn news, events, and anything else you think is important.
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Every summer, teens can work here to help library customers organize books and learn lots of new skills, such as program planning, writing and media production.
On Friday, January 25 at 12:15 pm, the application for the 2014 SYEP will be open to teens between the ages of 14 and 21.
Applications will be processed on a firstcome, firstserved basis. Space is limited this year, so teens are encouraged to apply early, and remember not to miss the deadline, Saturday, February 16.Working for the Teens of Distinction Program, teenagers will ___．
①become a DC resident
②work 10-12 hours per week
③work for DCPL for at least 9 months
④have a wonderful personality
| A．③④ | B．②③ | C．①②③ | D．①③④ |
Who has the biggest chance to work for the 2014 SYEP?
| A．A teenager who applies early. |
| B．A teenager who is popular. |
| C．A teenager who is smart. |
| D．A teenager who gets high grades in exams. |
The aim of text is to ________．
| A．introduce the DC Public Library |
| B．describe the job of library workers |
| C．offer teenager parttime jobs in the DC Public Library |
| D．teach how to apply for parttime jobs |
When something goes wrong, it can be very satisfying to say, “Well, it’s so-and-so’s fault.” or “I know I’m late, but it’s not my fault; the car broke down.” It is probably not your fault, but once you form the habit of blaming somebody or something else for a bad situation, you are a loser. You have no power and could do nothing that helps change the situation. However, you can have great power over what happens to you if you stop focusing on whom to blame and start focusing on how to remedy the situation. This is the winner’s key to success.
Winners are great at overcoming problems. For example, if you were late because your car broke down, maybe you need to have your car examined more regularly. Or, you might start to carry along with you the useful phone numbers, so you could call for help when in need. For another example, if your colleague causes you problems on the job for lack of responsibility or ability, find ways of dealing with his irresponsibility or inability rather than simply blame the person. Ask to work with a different person, or don’t rely on this person. You should accept that the person is not reliable and find creative ways to work successfully regardless of how your colleague fails to do his job well.
Being a winner is all about creatively using your skills and talents so that you are successful no matter what happens. Winners don’t have fewer problems in their lives; they have just as many difficult situations to face as anybody else. They are just better at seeing those problems as challenges and opportunities to develop their own talents. So, stop focusing on “whose fault it is.” Once you are confident about your power over bad situations, problems are just stepping stones for success.According to the passage, winners .
| A．deal with problems rather than blame others |
| B．meet with fewer difficulties in their lives |
| C．have responsible and able colleagues |
| D．blame themselves rather than others |
The underlined word remedy in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to .
| A．avoid | B．accept |
| C．improve | D．consider |
When your colleague brings about a problem, you should .
| A．blame him for his lack of responsibility |
| B．find a better way to handle the problem |
| C．tell him to find the cause of the problem |
| D．ask a more able colleague for help |
When problems occur, winners take them as .
| A．excuses for their failures |
| B．barriers to greater power |
| C．challenges to their colleagues |
| D．chances for self-development |
Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
| A．A Winner’s Secret |
| B．A Winner’s Problem |
| C．A Winner’s Opportunity |
| D．A Winner’s Achievement |
Planning your holiday? Whether you’re going to Yunnan or UK, it’s important to make sure you’re well-prepared. Here’s a handy checklist to help you.
Location
The first thing you have to decide is where you want to go. Of course a lot will depend on your time and budget. Do you want to relax on a beach, visit some famous landmarks, or hike through some beautiful scenery? All these things are available in China, but if your budget stretches, why not look at somewhere else in Asia, or even farther.
Packing
There can be such a thing as being over prepared when traveling, but you don’t want to forget something important. It can be a good idea to wear pants with zipped pockets. In certain countries local thieves will target unsuspecting tourists for their money. It can also be worth packing some basic medical supplies. If you are going to be moving around a lot, buy a good backpack. Finally, remember to pack clothes that are going to be suitable for the weather.
Accommodation
There are several things to consider when picking where you want to stay. Location is often the most important. When staying in hotels, it is often a good idea to book your first night in a new city. After all, you will not be familiar with the surroundings and will want somewhere to leave your luggage. However, don’t spend more than a couple of days at the same hotel. When you get to a new place, you might soon discover there’s somewhere better to stay.
Don’t forget
The key to a good holiday is detail. When you’re traveling, especially in a foreign country, don’t forget to change some money before you leave. If you’re traveling somewhere tropical, you might need some injections or pills to avoid disease. And it’s always worth taking out travel insurance, just in case you find yourself in a spot of bother during the trip. Don’t forget to check the exchange rates. The strong yuan has made traveling abroad cheaper recently. It can also be a good idea to write down the phone number of the closest Chinese embassy, in case you need help while abroad.You have to take all the following into consideration EXCEPT _______ when deciding where to spend your holiday.
| A．culture | B．purpose | C．money | D．time |
Pants with zipped pockets are recommended mainly because _______.
| A．it’s a good measure in case of emergencies |
| B．you’ll be expected to buy a lot of souvenirs |
| C．you’ll carry many small things with you |
| D．it will help you guard against local theft |
As for accommodation, the writer’s tip is _______.
| A．to stay away from the downtown areas to get cheap places |
| B．to book one or two nights in the same hotel in case you don’t like it |
| C．to choose your location after you arrive at your destination |
| D．better not to leave your luggage in unfamiliar hotels |
It can be inferred from the last part that we should _______.
| A．choose the most suitable kind of travel insurance |
| B．use RMB in all foreign countries since the yuan is strong |
| C．check the exchange rates so as to decide what currency (货币) to buy |
| D．get in touch with Chinese embassy if we need help when abroad |
What’s the purpose of the passage?
| A．To attract the tourists to travel abroad. |
| B．To tell some travel information to tourists. |
| C．To help the tourists make good preparations for their holidays. |
| D．To remind tourists of the safety during their journey. |
Runners in a relay race pass a stick in one direction. However, merchants（商人） passed silk, gold, fruit, and glass along the Silk Road in more than one direction. They earned their living by traveling the famous Silk Road.
The Silk Road was not a simple trading network. It passed through thousands of cities and towns. It started from eastern China, across Central Asia and the Middle East, and ended in the Mediterranean Sea. It was used from about 200 B.C. to about 1300 A.D., when sea travel offered new routes. It was sometimes called the world’s longest highway. However, the Silk Road was made up of many routes, not one smooth path. They passed through what are now 18 countries. The routes crossed mountains and deserts and had many dangers of hot sun, deep snow and even battles. Only experienced traders could return safe.
The Silk Road got its name from its most prized product. Silk could be used like money to pay taxes or buy goods. But the traders carried more than just silk. Gold, silver, and glass from Europe were much found in the Middle East and Asia. Horses traded from other areas changed farming practices in China. Indian merchants traded salt and other valuable goods. Chinese merchants traded paper, which produced an immediate effect on the West. Apples traveled from central Asia to Rome. The Chinese had learned to graft(嫁接) different trees together to make new kinds of fruit. They passed this science on to others, including the Romans. The Romans used grafting to grow the apple. Trading along the Silk Road led to world-wide business 2,000 years before the World Wide Web.The people along the Silk Road did not share just goods. They also shared their beliefs. The Silk Road provided pathways for learning, diplomacy(外交), and religion (宗教). It’s probable that traders along the Silk Road needed ____________.
| A．to remember the entire trade route |
| B．to deal with a lot of difficulties |
| C．to receive certain special training |
| D．to know the making of products |
The Silk Road became less important because ____________.
| A．it was made up of different routes |
| B．silk trading became less popular |
| C．people needed fewer foreign goods |
| D．sea travel provided easier routes |
What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?
| A．Silk was the most prized product. |
| B．The Silk Road led to world-wide business. |
| C．People traded many goods along the route. |
| D．The Silk Road used to be the world’s longest highway. |
New technologies could travel along the Silk Road because people ___________.
| A．traded goods along the route |
| B．shared each other’s beliefs |
| C．learned from one another |
| D．earned their living by traveling |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．The Silk Road: East Meets West |
| B．The Silk Road: Past and Present |
| C．The Silk Road: Routes Full of Dangers |
| D．The Silk Road: Pathways for Learning |