While they were almost unknown twenty years ago, it seems that mobile phones these days are part of everyone’s life. However, as with other inventions such as the television and the computer, they are a double-edged sword, inviting both supporters and opponents, especially in regard to their use in public places like restaurants and cinemas.
One of the strongest arguments in favor of forbidding mobiles in public places is the trouble they cause to other people. For example, although we are often asked to turn off our phones when in a cinema, the film that we are watching is often interrupted by the sound of at least five rings. To make it even worse, some people insist on continuing their conversation, even though hundreds of people can hear what they say, which often drowns out the voice from the film. As a result, many people would welcome a ban on mobile phones in places where they might disturb other people.
On the other hand, there are a number of arguments against such a ban. It is difficult to stop people bringing with them their mobile phones in public places, making it almost impossible to call for a ban. Some people would see this as an infringement(侵犯)of their rights, while other people would say they need them in case of an emergency. Despite being asked to silence their phones, some people insist on leaving them on.
It seems to me that a ban on mobile phones would not have any result in the end. People will find a way to escape a ban. Nevertheless, people should be discouraged from using them in public places, unless it is highly necessary. They should be made to know that it is bad manners to use them in certain places or at certain times. Of course, there will always be someone who thinks their call is more important than others’ peace and quiet!
53. Why are many people for a ban on the use of mobiles in public places?
A. Because hundreds of people can hear them talk.
B. Because they are asked to turn off their mobiles.
C. Because other people’s peace and quiet is more important.
D. Because many people find a way to escape a ban.
54. Among those who are against a ban, some believe that __________.
A. they can turn off their mobiles when it is necessary
B. it is their right to use their mobiles in public places
C. a ban on mobiles would not have any result
D. they can silence their mobiles when in public places
55. The author of the text thinks that __________.
A. mobiles can be used in case of an emergency in public places
B. mobiles should be turned off in public places
C. mobiles should not be banned in public places
D. it is possible to ban the use of mobiles in public places
56. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A. Disadvantages of Mobiles in Public Places
B. Why Not Ban Mobiles in Public Places?
C. Should Mobiles Be Banned in Public Places?
D. Manners for Mobile Users in Public Places
The arrival of autumn starts the traditional fall festivals which aim to welcome the new season. Here's a guide to several fall festivals that are held in the Roanoke region each year.
Boones Mill Apple Festival
It is held the third Saturday in September every year.The festival is hosted by the Boones Mill Lions Club and attracts(吸引) people from all over Virginia. The most important things of the festival include art shows, fried apple pies,and a high school band. There are lots of food,crafts,music,and games for every age group. Admission (入场费) is free. For more information, call 540-334-5975.
Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
Ferrum College hosts the festival as an October celebration of the harvest every year.The festival shows some farm fresh produce and the farming practices of the last year.Children can enjoy playing many of the games.The festival begins at 10:00 a.m.Admission is $ 10 for adults and $ 5 for children and senior citizens.You can call 540-365-4412 or visit the website:http://www,blueridgeinstitute.org.
Mountain Magic Fall Festival
The town of Buchanan on the outskirts of Roanoke is the place where the Mountain Magic Fall Festival is held.The festival is held in October and has two to four groups of crafters,antique dealers,and food vendors.Live Bluegrass music plays all day and children enjoy visiting the pet zoo. The auto show and farmers' market are also big attractions. Call 540-357-2509 for more information.
Vinton Fall Festival
A 5K walk, a truck ride, and a civil war group are just some of the exciting parts of the Vinton Fall Festival.The festival is held in October under the golden shade trees in downtown Vinton.Other attractions include hayrides,agriculture judging, health education,and children's activities.Phone: 540-343-1364.If a boy and his parents go to Blue Ridge Folklife Festival,they should pay________.
A.$5 | B.$10 | C.$15 | D.$25 |
By visiting the website you can learn more information about________.
A.Boones Mill Apple Festival |
B.Blue Ridge Folklike Festival |
C.Mountain Magic Fall Festival |
D.Vinton Fall Festival |
If your children want to see some animals,you probably should go to ________.
A.Boones Mill Apple Festival |
B.Blue Ridge Folklife Festival |
C.Mountain Magic Fall Festival |
D.Vinton Fall Festival |
Which would be the BEST title for this passage?
A.Autumn—the Season of Harvest in America |
B.Traditional Fall Festivals in the Roanoke Region |
C.Interesting History of Some Traditional Festivals |
D.The Differences Between the Traditional Festivals |
Do you enjoy reading? Do you read newspapers or magazines? Chances are, if you do any of these activities, your preschool child is on his way to becoming a reader.
The process of learning to read is complex, and one of the most important things to know is that parents can help their children learn to read.As children have conversations with adults, they hear both new and familiar words and their vocabulary grows.
There are many opportunities for adults and children to talk together, such as when riding in the car or in a bus, doing housework like fixing dinner,or bathing and getting ready for bed. A major part of conversation is listening. When children talk, adults listen and respond.Then children listen and respond,and so the flow of conversation happens.
Have you watched your preschool child pretend to read to his younger sisters or brothers? Have you read his favorite story over and over?These experiences tell children that reading is fun.And when things are fun and they are repeated, your child will see letters. He begins to connect them to familiar words, especially the letters that make up his name.A natural next step for him to take is to write the letters.
When children see parents make a grocery list,they want to use a pencil and paper to make their own list. To encourage these beginning writing activities, have pencils, markers, crayons and scrap paper within your children's reach.
The more children get connected with talking,listening, reading and writing, the easier it is for them to become active readers. While you as a parent have a big influence on these early behaviors, it is important to remember that opportunities for literacy experiences happen when you and your child share in the basic routines(日常生活) of everyday life.The third paragraph tell us that parents can talk with their children________.
A.during daily routines |
B.only in quiet places |
C.in their spare time |
D.when they are eager to talk |
During the process of learning to read,children may ________.
A.copy the action of the adults |
B.prefer to talk with those of their own age |
C.show no interest in reading at all |
D.waste a lot of paper and other materials |
When do children want to learn to write?
A.When their parents ask them to do so. |
B.When they believe they can write well. |
C.When they know what they want to know. |
D.When they can connect letters with familiar words. |
The passage is written to________.
A.talk about parents' influence on their children's behavior |
B.encourage parents to set a good example to their children |
C.advise parents to make reading a part of their children's daily life |
D.make parents believe in the importance of early reading |
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 that 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. Prestorm 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.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 |
Watching television makes it easier for toddlers (学步的孩子) to kick and scream, according to a US study.Children under two should not watch any TV.The longer they sit in front of TV,the worse their behavior becomes.
Just having the TV on in the background, even if the child wasn't watching it,was also connected to troublemaking behavior although the relationship wasn't as strong, said the researchers.
“Parents should be smart about TV use,”researcher Jennifer Manganello from the University at Albany, New York, said.
“They should limit the time that children use TV, pay attention to the content of TV programs,and consider how TV is used throughout the home.”
The study looked at 3,128 women from 20 US cities who had a child between 2005 and 2008.
While there was some diversity(差异) of education among the women,onethird hadn't graduated from high school.
Twothirds of the mothers said their threeyearold children watched more than two hours of TV a day,and the average viewing time for children was around three hours.On average,the TV was on for about five additional hours on a common day.
After accounting for factors(因素) such as living in a violent neighborhood,scientists also found watching TV was strongly connected to behavior such as hitting others,having angry moods,being disobedient(不服从的),and screaming a lot.
The researchers thought that children may see violence on TV,and spend less time on positive development tasks such as reading or playing.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests no TV at all for children at two and younger,and two hours a day or less for older kids.What is the main idea of the passage?
A.Children should choose positive programs. |
B.Watching TV can make children violent. |
C.Children should keep away from TV. |
D.Parents should watch less TV. |
What can we learn from Paragraph 2?
A.Children can watch good programs. |
B.Children will be affected as long as the TV is on. |
C.It's OK that the TV is on if children don't watch it. |
D.Children's troublemaking behavior is mainly caused by watching TV. |
What can be learned about the study between 2005 and 2008 from the passage?
A.The women studied have different jobs. |
B.The TV was on for about three hours. |
C.Most women allowed their children to watch TV. |
D.Most women studied hadn't graduated from high school. |
Children who spend much time watching TV will ________.
A.become easily angry |
B.be influenced by others |
C.be popular with others |
D.know more about the neighborhood |
Heroes of Our Time
A good heart
Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa among great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship (奖学金)to study medicine—but Coach (教练) John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea.Dikembe became a star in the NBA,and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth,or the duty to share his fortune with others.He built a new hospital in his old hometown in the Congo. A friend has said of this goodhearted man:“Mutombo believes that God has given him this chance to do great things.”
Success and kindness
After her daughter was born, Julie AignerClark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipments, and began filming children's videos (录像) in her own house. The Baby Einstein Company was born,and in just five years her business grew to more than $ 20 million in sales.And she is using her success to help others—producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.Julie says of her new programs, “I believe it's the most important thing that I have ever done.I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe.”
Bravery and courage
A few weeks ago, Wesley Autrey was waiting at a Harlem subway station with his two little girls when he saw a man fall into the path of a train.With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks, pulled the man into the space between the rails(铁轨),and held him as the train passed right above their heads.He insists he's not a hero. He says,“We have got to show each other some love.”What was Mutombo praised for?
A.Being a star in the NBA.
B.Being a student of medicine.
C.His work in the church.
D.His willingness to help the needy.Mutombo believes that building the new hospital is ________.
A.helpful to his personal development |
B.something he should do for his homeland |
C.a chance for his friends to share his money |
D.a way of showing his respect to the NBA |
What did the Baby Einstein Company do at its beginning?
A.Produce safety equipments for children. |
B.Make videos to help protect children. |
C.Sell children's music and artwork. |
D.Look for missing and exploited children. |
Why was Wesley/Autrey praised as a hero?
A.He helped a man get across the rails. |
B.He stopped a man from destroying the rails. |
C.He protected two little girls from getting hurt. |
D.He saved a person without considering his own safety. |