In 1909 an English newspaper offered £ 1,000 to the first man to fly across the English Channel in an aeroplane. Today, modern jets cross it in minutes. But at that time it still seemed a good distance. The race to win the money soon became a race between two men. Both were very colourful.
One was Louis Bleriot. He owned a factory in France that made motor car lamps. He was already well known as a pilot because he had had accidents several times. Some people laughed at him. One man said, “He may not be the first to fly across the Channel but he will certainly be the first to die in an accident!” But Bleriot was really a good and brave pilot. He also had many good ideas about aeroplane design.
The other man was Hubert Latham. He was half French and half English. He took up flying when his doctors told him he had only a year to live. “Oh, well,” he said, “if I’ m going to die soon, I think I shall have a dangerous and interesting life now.” Latham was the first to try the flight across the Channel. Ten kilometres from the French coast, his plane had some trouble. It fell down into the water and began to sink under the water. A boat reached Latham just in time. He was sitting calmly on the wing and was coolly lighting a cigarette. Bleriot took off six days later. He flew into some very bad weather and very low cloud. He somehow got to the English side and landed in a farmer’s field. When he did so, a customs (海关) officer rushed up to his plane. Planes have changed since then, but customs officers have not. “Have you anything to declare(报关)?” The officer demanded.
Bleriot was well known as a pilot because ____ .
| A.he was unusually brave |
| B.he was quite rich |
| C.he had many good ideas about aeroplane design |
| D.he had had a few accidents |
Why did Hubert Latham want to fly across the Channel?
| A.He thought he could manage it easily. |
| B.He wanted to be the first one to cross the Channel. |
| C.He knew he only had a year to live. |
| D.He had always been interested in flying. |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A.Latham became a pilot on the doctor’s advice. |
| B.He was told he could live another year. |
| C.His plane had some trouble. |
| D.He was saved by a boat when his plane was sinking. |
第二部分.阅读理解(共25小题。第一节每小题2分,第二节每小题1分满分45分)
第一节阅读下面五篇短文,从每题后所给的四个选项中选出最佳答案。
Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are a major cause of climate change, and now a new study has confirmed that atmospheric CO2 is also affecting the ocean chemistry and potentially harming sea life.
Montana State University scientist Robert Dore has been researching the water in the Pacific Ocean for almost two decades.
"We've been going to the same spot in the Pacific Ocean, and we try and characterize long-term change in the open ocean environment. And one of the key things that we measure is CO2 levels. And we've been able to record this increasing quantity of atmospheric CO2 into the ocean."
Scientists expected that as atmospheric CO2 increased, more and more of the carbon dioxide would be absorbed into the ocean, affecting the chemical balance of the sea water, with a potentially harmful impact on shellfish and coral in particular.
"As carbon dioxide dissolves(溶解) in the water, or seawater in this case, it forms a weak acid, carbonic acid," Dore explains. "And therefore, as the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere goes up and that exchanges with the surface seawater, it drives the pH down, and makes it more acidic."
The seawater Dore and his colleagues have analyzed confirms what the theory predicts.
The effect was particular striking at about 250 meters down, and again at 500 meters. Dore and his colleagues came up with two possible explanations. It could be that surface water picked up CO2 and then moved to those depths. Or there could be a biological explanation.
"It's important to realize that the oceans are really becoming acidic. And it can have negative impacts on a whole variety of sea life from fish to coral. It's potentially catastrophic."
1.What can be the best title of the passage?
A.Sea Life Facing Danger B.Climate Change Affecting Seawater
C.Oceans Becoming More Acidic D.Scientist Researching Seawater
2.Which of the following shows the process of the impact of atmospheric CO2 on sea life?
a.Sea life is endangered.
b.CO2 goes into the surface water.
c.The ocean chemistry is affected.
d.CO2decreases the PH and makes the seawater more acidic.
e.CO2 levels in the atmosphere go up.
A. a → b → c → d → e
B. e → b --→ c → d → a
C. a → e -→ b → c → d
D. e → d -→ c → b → a
3.Scientist Robert Dore came to the conclusion based on .
A.his research and analysis
B.a major cause of climate change
C.some former theory
D.the expectation of other scientists
4.What does the passage want to tell us most?
A.It takes time to make a scientific study.
B.Atmospheric CO2 is doing harm to sea life.
C.Robert Dore is a committed and serious scientist.
D.Measures should be taken to prevent the potential catastrophe.
E
If you are afraid of the dark,it’s not a big deal.It’s perfectly normal to feel afraid. After all,animals do too. “Fear matters,”says Karen Warkentin,an ecologist.“It’s a good thing,” she adds, “because fear makes you do things that keep you alive.”
Like kids,many animals experience fear and they respond to the feeling in a variety of ways.A frightened turtle pulls its head and legs inside its shell.A small fish will swim away when a big,hungry fish approaches.
Some animals respond to fear in ways you might not expect.The first example is that the fear of being eaten can scare some frogs right out of their eggs. Warkentin made the surprising discovery while studying red—eyed tree frogs in Costa Rica.
In this species,female frogs attach jellylike clumps(果冻一样的块状物)of their eggs to the undersides of leaves.The leaves hang on branches that dangle(悬挂)over ponds.After they hatch from the eggs,the tadpoles(蝌蚪)then fall into the water,where they eventually grow into adult frogs.
Tree frog eggs usually grow for 6 days before hatching.If they sense that a hungry snake is about to attack,however,they can hatch up to 2 days ahead of schedule. As the snakes are unable to swim,by falling into the water early,the tadpoles can escape.
If hatching early helps protect red—eyed tree frogs from snakes,you might wonder why their eggs don’t always hatch sooner.It turns out that hatching early brings its own danger.Once tadpoles land in the water,hungry fish and other animals like to eat them too.Staying in their eggs for a full 6 days, then, allows frog embryos(胚胎)to grow big and strong.This extra growth improves their chances of surviving in the water.
1.It can be inferred from the passage that fears________.
A.help animals grow bigger and stronger
B.are less common among young animals
C.help animals move a lot to fit the environment
D.are more or less important in order for animals to survive
2.We are told in the passage that tree frogs_______.
A.face danger both inside their eggs and in the water
B.will grow fast if they fall into the water later
C.are surprisingly clever when inside their eggs
D.stay in their eggs longer if they are frightened
3.What do you think would be discussed in the following paragraph?
A.Further explanations as to why tree frogs hatch ahead of schedule.
B.How the unborn frogs know when a snake is about to attack them.
C.Another example of animals that responds to fear in an unexpected way.
D.How tree frogs improve their chances of survival before falling into the water.
If you are a male and you are reading this ,congratulations: you are a survivor .According to statistics, you are more than twice as likely to die of skin cancer than a woman ,and nine times more likely to die of AIDS. Assuming you make it to the end of your natural term, about 78 years for men in Australia, you will die on average five years before a woman.
There are many reasons for this-typically, men take more risks than women and are more likely to drink and smoke but perhaps more importantly, men don’t go to the doctor.
“Men aren’t seeing doctors as often as they should, ” says Dr. Gullotta, “This is particularly so for the over-40s,when diseases tend to strike.” According to a recent survey, 95%of women aged between 15 and early 40s see a doctor once a year, compared to 70% of men in the same age group.
“A lot of men think they are invincible (不可战胜的),”Gullotta says. “They only come in when a friend drops dead on the golf course and they think, Geez, if it could happen to him……”
Then there is the ostrich(鸵鸟) approach, “ Some men are scared of what might be there and would rather not know, ” says Dr. Ross Cartmill.
“Most men get their cars serviced more regularly than they service their bodies,” Cartmill says .He believes most diseases that commonly affect men could be addressed by preventive check-ups. “Prevention is cheaper in the long run than having to treat the diseases. Besides, the final cost is far greater, it is called premature death.”
1.Why does the author congratulate his male readers at the beginning of the passage?
A. Their can live longer than they expected.
B. They are sure to enjoy a longer and happier life.
C. They have lived long enough to read this article.
D. They are more likely to survive serious diseases today.
2. Which of the author’s statements is the most important reason that men die five years earlier on average than women according to the passage?
A. Men drink and smoke much more than women.
B. Men don’t seek medical care as often as women.
C. Men are more likely to suffer from deadly diseases.
D. Men aren’t as cautions as women in face of danger.
3. Which of the following best completes the sentence “Geez, if it could happen to him,…’?
A. it could happen to me, too
B. it would be a big misfortune.
C. I should avoid playing golf.
D. I should consider myself lucky.
4. What does Dr. Ross Cartmill mean by “the ostrich approach”(in para.5)
A. A casual attitude towards one’s health conditions.
B. A new theatment for certain psychological problems.
C. Refusal to get medical treatment for fear of the pain involved.
D. Unwillingness to find out about one’s disease because of fear.
5. What does Cartmill say about regular check-ups for men?
A.They may increase public expenses
B.They will save money in the long run
C.They may cause psychological strains on men
D.They will enable men to live as long as women
The Harvard Student-led Walking Tour
Let a student show you Harvard … on a free walking tour.
We welcome our neighbors to stop by the Harvard University Events & Information Center, located in the Holyoke Center Arcade at 1350 Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge.
Let a student take you and your family,school,or organization on an engaging,hour-long free historical tour of the Harvard campus.The tours leave from the Events & Information Center. Not only will you discover the location of fascinating exhibitions and programmes on campus,you will also see Harvard’s rich sampling of American history and architecture from the Colonial period to the present.
Schedule of Tours
Tours leave the Events & Information Center at 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday, and at 2 pm on Saturday through the academic year(February 4 through May 2;September 23 through December 16). Summer tours(June 24 through August 15)are offered at 10 am,11:15 am,2 pm,and 3:15 pm Monday through Saturday.Reservations for special tours of 20 or more people may be made by calling the Events & Information Center at(617)495—1573 or emailing icenter@camail. Harvard. edu. Tours are stopped March 23 through April 2 for Spring break,May 3 through June 23 for Spring intercession(祷告), and August 16 through September 22 for Summer intercession.
NOTE:Prospective(未来的)students may take tours originating at the Harvard Admissions Office,located at Byerly Hall on 8 Garden Street in Cambridge.The Admissions staff will conduct information sessions.For more information,please call at(617)495—1551.
Harvard University Events & Information Center
Location:Holyoke Center Arcade,1350 Massachusetts Avenue,Cambridge MA 02138
Phone:(617)495—1573
1.If you want to join in a tour,you can go on______.
A.May 2 B.June 23 C.August 20 D.September 1
2.How can you book special tours of 20 people?
A.By calling at(617)495—1573
B.By calling at(617)495—1551
C.By visiting the Harvard Admissions Office.
D.By calling the Events & Information Center any time.
3.A student who wants an information session may_________for more information.
A.call(617)495—1573.
B.call(617)495—1551
C.email icenter@camail. Harvard.edu
D.go to the Events & Information Center
4.The above ads is mainly intended for__________.
A.foreign visitors B.high school students
C.new students in the university D.those living near Harvard University
Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are a major cause of climate change, and now a new study has confirmed that atmospheric CO2 is also affecting the ocean chemistry and potentially harming sea life.
Montana State University scientist Robert Dore has been researching the water in the Pacific Ocean for almost two decades.
"We've been going to the same spot in the Pacific Ocean, and we try and characterize long-term change in the open ocean environment. And one of the key things that we measure is CO2 levels. And we've been able to record this increasing quantity of atmospheric CO2 into the ocean."
Scientists expected that as atmospheric CO2 increased, more and more of the carbon dioxide would be absorbed into the ocean, affecting the chemical balance of the sea water, with a potentially harmful impact on shellfish and coral in particular.
"As carbon dioxide dissolves(溶解) in the water, or seawater in this case, it forms a weak acid, carbonic acid," Dore explains. "And therefore, as the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere goes up and that exchanges with the surface seawater, it drives the pH down, and makes it more acidic."
The seawater Dore and his colleagues have analyzed confirms what the theory predicts.
The effect was particular striking at about 250 meters down, and again at 500 meters. Dore and his colleagues came up with two possible explanations. It could be that surface water picked up CO2 and then moved to those depths. Or there could be a biological explanation.
"It's important to realize that the oceans are really becoming acidic. And it can have negative impacts on a whole variety of sea life from fish to coral. It's potentially catastrophic."
1.What can be the best title of the passage?
A.Sea Life Facing Danger B.Climate Change Affecting Seawater
C.Oceans Becoming More Acidic D.Scientist Researching Seawater
2.Which of the following shows the process of the impact of atmospheric CO2 on sea life?
a.Sea life is endangered.
b.CO2 goes into the surface water.
c.The ocean chemistry is affected.
d.CO2decreases the PH and makes the seawater more acidic.
e.CO2 levels in the atmosphere go up.
A. a → b → c → d → e
B. e → b --→ c → d → a
C. a → e -→ b → c → d
D. e → d -→ c → b → a
3.Scientist Robert Dore came to the conclusion based on .
A.his research and analysis
B.a major cause of climate change
C.some former theory
D.the expectation of other scientists
4.What does the passage want to tell us most?
A.It takes time to make a scientific study.
B.Atmospheric CO2 is doing harm to sea life.
C.Robert Dore is a committed and serious scientist.
D.Measures should be taken to prevent the potential catastrophe.