.
According to official statistics released by the Chinese government, China is expected to run out of water around the year 2030. In its directive on water use, the State Council (国务院) has stated, “Taking into full account water-saving, by 2030 our country’s water use will reach or approach the total volume of exploitable water resources (可利用的水资源总量), and the drought-fighting situation will be increasingly serious.” Such statements are certainly serious, and every man, woman and child in China must consider the situation and how it relates to their lives.
So, will China run out of water completely? The news is not all bad. Although there are serious concerns, there are some reasons to be hopeful. One of the simplest is just to consider that China has had a long history of water problems. From flooding to drought, balancing water needs has always been an issue in China; it is something that many public projects are already addressing. Some of these projects need time before their long-term value can be properly seen, but there is reason to hope that they will prove useful.
Another reason for hope lies in what seems at first to be a terrible fact: nearly 70% of China’s water is so contaminated that it is not only unsuitable for drinking but is also not useful for individual purposes. How can this be good news? Well, in recent years, the terrible situation has motivated the government and the public to become more and more committed to cleaning up these contaminated sources. Several projects have already been successful in partially cleaning these water sources. As this commitment increases, more and more of China’s water is being cleaned and made available for use.
Finally, the international community, particularly NGOs (Non Government Organizations) and the corporate community, have begun to focus on ways to help China stretch its limited water resources. Several business and NGOs are already studying the issue and investing in solutions.
It is certainly important for everyone in China to understand the situation and to take part in conserving water. Thankfully, however, the situation is not hopeless. Through the cooperation of the government, the people, NGOs and business, China can continue to find the water it needs.
72. What does the first paragraph tell us?
A. China is seriously short of water now.’
B. We still have enough water for drink and use.
C. China will be faced with serious water shortage in two decades.
D. We needn’t consider the situation for the moment.
73. Which of the following reasons to be hopeful is not mentioned?
A. Many in the international and corporate community have begun to help China.
B. China has dealt with many water problems.
C. The government and the public are becoming more and more committed to cleaning up the contaminated sources.
D. The Chinese have enough confidence and courage to overcome the difficulty.
74. Which of the following can replace the underlined word contaminated in Paragraph 3?
A. cleaned B. wasted C. polluted D. purified
75. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to this passage?
A. The international community and the corporate community have begun to help China develop it limited water resources.
B. All China’s water is so contaminated that it is unsuitable for both drinking and industrial purposes.
C. Several business and NGOs had already studied the issue and invested in solutions.
D. There is no hope for China to find the water it needs.
The United States government wants to know what the public think about its findings on the safety of cloned animals.
The Food and Drug Administration says meat and milk from clones of adult cattle, pigs and goats are safe to eat. An F.D.A. official called them "as safe to eat as the food we eat every day." And when those clones reproduce sexually (有性繁殖), the agency says, their offspring (后代) are safe to eat as well. But research on cloned sheep is limited. So the F.D.A. suggests that sheep clones not be used for human food.
The United States this year could become the first country to approve the sale of foods from cloned animals. First, however, the public will have ninety days to discuss three proposed documents. On December 28th the F.D.A. released a long report, called a draft risk assessment, along with two policy documents.
The agency says it must receive the public’s opinion by April second. The F.D.A. seemed ready to act several years ago, but an advisory committee called for more research. For now, the government will continue to ask producers to honor a request that they not sell foods from cloned animals.
Clones are still rare. They cost a lot and are difficult to produce.
The F.D.A. says most food from cloning is expected to come not from clones themselves, but from their sexually reproduced offspring. It says clones are expected to be used mostly as breeding animals to spread good qualities.
Public opinion studies show most Americans do not like the idea of food from cloned animals. But this research also shows the public knows little about cloning.
Cloning differs from genetic engineering. A cell taken from a so-called donor animal is grown into an embryo in the laboratory. Next, the embryo is placed into the uterus (子宫) of a female animal. If the process is successful, the pregnancy reaches full term and a genetic copy of the donor animal is born.The main purpose of the text is to __________.
A.tell an interesting story |
B.give some advice on foods |
C.give a report |
D.compare different opinions |
From the passage we know that ___________.
A. foods from cloned animals are popular in America
B. according to F.D.A., some cloned adult animals are safe to eat
C. cloned animals will be easy to produce
D. most foods from cloning is expected to take place of other foodsWho believe that foods from cloning are safe to eat?
A. Most Americans B. An advisory committee
C. CriticsD. The F.D.A.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that __________.
A.cloning has much in common with genetic engineering |
B.not every cell taken from a donor animal can grow into a genetic copy |
C.the donor animal should be a female one |
D.cloned animals grow faster than normal ones |
Which of the following is TRUE about foods from cloning?
A. They come from the sexually reproduced offspring of cloned animals.
B. The government is in favor of foods from cloning now.
C. Only F.D.A. has the right to sell the food.
D. Many countries have sold foods from cloned animals.
BAD weather, bad food and grumpy people – that’s what some people think of first when they think about Britain. Many online commentators even joke that Britons are so grumpy precisely because it constantly rains and they are always hungry.
In fact, many believe that Britons are inherently negative, in contrast to their neighbors across the Atlantic Ocean.
“Americans are more optimistic, due to the fact that they are told they can become the next president of the United States,” Ricky Gervais, a British comedian, told online forum Big Think. “British people are told, it won’t happen to you. And they carry that. They carry that with them. We champion the underdog .”
It’s no wonder that Britons hold the reputation of having a “stiff upper lip” – being cold and not showing any emotion.
Britain’s reputation as a grumpy country may, however, simply be the result of a cultural misunderstanding. According to the BBC, British actor Michael Caine once said: “I think what is British about me is my feelings and awareness of others and their situations. English people are always known to be well-mannered and cold, but we are not cold – we don’t interfere in your situation. If we are heartbroken, we don’t scream in your face with tears – we go home and cry on our own. It’s completely to do with your comfort – we don’t intrude on your space. That’s very English.”
A BBC reader noted that the perceived coldness of British people is actually their way of dealing with hardship. Remembering the terrorist attacks in London on July 7, 2005, Stuart Colley, who lived in the capital at the time, said: “It seemed to me that most people’s response was a ‘cruel’ determination to carry on and not to ‘fall’ into an over-emotional outpouring of grief or anger – despite what many of us felt inside. Our stiff upper lip seems to be something that gives us strength as a society when we most need it.”What is the author’s main purpose in writing the article?
A.To list common stereotypes about the UK. |
B.To fight common misunderstandings about the UK. |
C.To analyze what makes British people grumpy and negative. |
D.To list some differences between Americans and British people. |
Which of the following statements might Ricky Gervais agree with?
A.Britons like challenging the underdog more than Americans do. |
B.Americans are more optimistic and realistic than British people. |
C.Britons are more comfortable with life’s losers than Americans. |
D.Bad weather in the UK is the main thing that makes Britons grumpy. |
The underlined phrase “interfere in” in the second-to-last paragraph is closest in meaning to ______.
A.think about | B.benefit from |
C.get in the way of | D.have a positive effect on |
Why does Michael Caine think British people are not cold?
A.They can be heartbroken, and they cry too. |
B.They are well-mannered and unwilling to disturb others. |
C.They care a lot about what other people think of them. |
D.They are taught to face hardships by themselves. |
With the example of the terrorist attacks in London on July 7, 2005, the author intends to ____.
A.explain why British people tend to be cold |
B.reveal that Britons don’t intrude on others’ space |
C.present an example in which British people hide their emotions and feelings |
D.show how not giving in to emotions can help one to get through a tough time |
Babysitter Wanted
I am seeking a babysitter for my 6-month-old son. A few hours on Saturdays and Sundays to help me and then additional times as needed. Applicant should be over 18, responsible, loving, warm, drug-free, and have experience caring for babies. A college student looking for a part-time job is also OK. The pay is $ 10 an hour.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, please reply to: rebecharv @ aol.com or call 800-4964. It is urgent!
Office Manager wanted
A company is looking for a full-time manager to be in charge of the business aspects. Strong skills are needed in organization and business management. The office manager is responsible for keeping financial records, so he/she should be familiar with computer.
Please send your resume to jim @ californiaaquatics. com or call 800-6978.
Waiter/ Waitress wanted
Specialty Restaurant is looking for an experienced and well seasoned waiter/ waitress. A knowledge of wines and fine dining experience are necessary. Must work well under pressure and understand the basics of fine dining and customer service.
If you're interested, please reply to job-tkupe 1329358152 @ craigslist. org.
This is a part-time job. Please, no phone calls about this job!
Office Cleaner Wanted
Looking for Part-time work?
Position available in the Mississauga area!
Part-time 4 hours per day from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Duties include:
--Clean Washrooms
--Dust Furniture
-- Mopping floors
--Other general cleaning
Some experience is necessary
Pay: $ 15 per hour
Reply to: job-p3b7u-1365632206 @ craigslist.org or call 800-8197The position of a(n) ___________ is full-time job.
A.babysitter | B.office manager |
C.waiter/ waitress | D.office cleaner |
Where can you send e-mail as a college girl?
A.job-p3b7u-1365632206 @ craigslist.org |
B.job-tkupe 1329358152 @ craigslist. org. |
C.jim @ californiaaquatics. Com |
D.rebecharv @ aol.com |
Which of the following is the most important for waiter/ waitress job?
A.Being familiar with computers. |
B.Having a knowledge of wines. |
C.Knowing more about menus. |
D.Working well under pressure. |
Group–buying in China
Modeled after US hot website Groupon.com, group buying websites are now popular in China. These websites use the power of group buying to get competitive discounts (打折)for a daily deal on some best stuff to do, see, eat and buy in the cities across China. Discounts are available within just one click. Zhao lei, a software engineer in Beijing, loves the one-hour lunch break at noon, as it is the best time for him to check “today’s special” at his favorite group buying websites . Sometimes he searches for great deals at directory sites devoted to the new shopping space. Zhao spends around 800 yuan ($117.65) on group buying every month, mostly to buy food coupons (优惠劵)for eating at some nice restaurants and occasionally to find something fun to do. ‘‘I love group buying. In addition to the competitive discounts it offers, it helps me get something fun, exciting and new, and such surprises give me a reason to try something new,” he said. When he finds a really good bargain, he will send the link to friends or colleagues through MSN,QQ, or e-mail, or share the information at some social networking websites. In doing so, he often gets a certain cut off the price. At some sites, buyers are invited to leave notes about what they want to buy and the website will consider it if similar applications(申请)reach a certain number. That is how Zuo got her digital camera after waiting for two months. “It is cool. I want to buy a new digital camera for my trip to Switzerland this winter, but I never expected such cheap prices!” Zuo said.We can learn from the passage that________.
A.China is the first country to start group buying |
B.the price of group buying depends on the market |
C.you can’t get the best you need through group buying |
D.group buying is becoming popular in China |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Zhao Lei has to spend about 800 yuan on group buying per month. |
B.Zhao Lei never surfs at other directory sites for group buying. |
C.Zhao Lei finds it easy to do group buying. |
D.Zhao Lei can’t buy food coupons to eat at a nice restaurant. |
What is the passage mainly about?
A.Zhao Lei’s online purchasing life. |
B.Group buying |
C.The US hot websites |
D.A new digital camera |
Zhao Lei succeeded in getting a certain cut off the price by__________.
A.bargaining face to face |
B.discussing with the sellers |
C.providing the link to others |
D.inviting others to talk about the price |
I was never very neat, while my roommate Kate was extremely organized. Each of her objects had its place, but mine always hid somewhere. She even labeled (贴标签 ) everything. I always looked for everything. Over time, Kate got neater and I got messier. She would push my dirty clothing over, and I would lay my books on her tidy desk. We both got tired of each other.
War broke out one evening. Kate came into the room. Soon, I heard her screaming, “Take your shoes away! Why under my bed!” Deafened, I saw my shoes flying at me. I jumped to my feet and started yelling. She yelled back louder.
The room was filled with anger. We could not have stayed together for a single minute but for a phone call. Kate answered it. From her end of the conversation, I could tell right away her grandma was seriously ill. When she hung up, she quickly crawled (爬 ) under her covers, sobbing. Obviously, that was something she should not go through alone. All of a sudden, a warm feeling of sympathy rose up in my heart.
Slowly, I collected the pencils, took back the books, made my bed, cleaned the socks and swept the floor, even on her side. I got so into my work that I even didn't notice Kate had sat up. She was watching, her tears dried and her expression one of disbelief. Then, she reached out her hands to grasp mine. I looked up into her eyes. She smiled at me. “Thanks.”
Kate and I stayed roommates for the rest of the year. We didn't always agree, but we learned the key to living together: giving in cleaning up and holding on.What made Kate so angry one evening?
A.She couldn't find her books. |
B.She heard the author shouting loud. |
C.She got the news that her grandma was ill. |
D.She saw the author's shoes beneath her bed. |
The author tidied up the room most probably because ________.
A.she was scared by Kate's anger |
B.she hated herself for being so messy |
C.she wanted to show her care |
D.she was asked by Kate to do so |
How is Paragraph 1 mainly developed?
A.By analyzing causes. | B.By showing differences. |
C.By describing a process. | D.By following time order. |
What might be the best title for the story?
A.My Friend Kate | B.Hard Work Pays Off |
C.How to Be Organized | D.Learning to Be Roommates |