Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment.
Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses (球场) in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas.
There are many environment-friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don’t need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and you don’t have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control.
Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be “green gyms”. They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it’s free.
72. The author thinks the golf is resource-hungry because of the following EXCEPT that _____.
A. Golf wastes large areas of countryside B. Golf runs out of much water
C. Keeping golf court in good condition needs too much energy
D. Golf is bad for people’s health
73. According to the passage, which of the following is an environment-friendly sport?
A. swimming in the pool B. hiking in the hills
C. playing basketball in the gym D. motor racing in the desert
74. The reason why the author uses power walking as an example mainly is that ______.
A. it improves our health B. it is an outdoor sport
C. it uses fewer resources D. it is recommended by experts
75. The passage is developed mainly by _____.
A. examples and explanation B. comparison and persuasion
C. facts and descriptions D. figures and conclusion
With the Indian economy predicted to grow by 7.5 percent this year, experts say it could be time for Western CEOs to learn some lessons from Indian CEOs.The key differences between Indian and Western bosses are:
Social purpose
One of the most important things is that Indian leaders lead with a sense of social purpose.Every leader in India gave a specific social purpose as being the goal of their business.Those purposes ranged from improving healthcare to getting cell phones to people who didn't have access to communication tools.Having a social purpose motivates workers.
Invest in employees
Indian firms invest an enormous amount in their employees' training and development.IT firms typically offer 60 days of formal training for newly hired workers and they even spend months training experienced workers.A study said that Western firms have largely abandoned investing in employees, seeing it as a waste if they quit.But Indian bosses believe that investing in employees ensures the quality of those who stay at the company.
Take the long view
Indian bosses stress far less on shareholders than it is typical at Western business.As a result they're more able to take a long-term view.Western companies can't just ignore their shareholders, but their CEOs can do more to protect their -employees from short-term financial pressures, letting them get on with their jobs.
Work fromtheir strengths
Western companies often think about strategy in terms of chasing customers or pursuing market opportunities, but Indian firms will more often start by identifying their strengths and customers’ needs, and then try to meet those needs.
Act as a role model
Being a personal role model for their employees is an amazing thing for a CEO.If Western bosses could think of themselves as role models, it would have a real impact on their workers.Indian CEOs use their sense of social purpose to _________.
A.improve the workers' healthcare system |
B.provide cell phones to people in need |
C.motivate and encourage their employees |
D.promote the development of communication systems |
Western firms have largely abandoned investing in employees’ training and development because _______.
A.it takes too long to complete the formal training of newly hired workers |
B.they often hire experienced workers who don't need much training |
C.they are afraid of the losses brought about by the resignation of employees |
D.they don't care about the quality of the employees in their firms |
Which of the following is TRUE about Western bosses?
A.They stress on![]() |
B.They always act as role models for employees. |
C.They are good at identifying their own strengths. |
D.They pay closer attention to market opportunities. |
It takes courage to stand up at work.Now more and more people are standing up when they are working on something important.Standing up is in fashion.Medical researchers have found that people who stand at work tend to be much healthier than those who sit.But I wasn't just looking for better health — standing would also improve how I work and relax my body.
In recent years, many office supply companies have begun to sell adjustable desks.These so-called "sit / stand" models are equipped with an electric motor that lets them shift from chair height to person height at the push of a button.Unfortunately, sit / stand desks tend to be expensive, hard to find and not very easy to test in person.
I discovered that when I worked standing up, my mind was clearer and new ideas kept coming to me.I suspect that this is because when you're standing, you feel a bit unchained from your desk.If I got stuck on a word or sentence as I wrote it, I found myself shaking my arms, bouncing (跳) on my feet or stepping away from the desk for a bit — things I couldn't do in a chair.Often, standing up seemed to relax my mind enough for me to get over creative barriers.
There's another thing about standing for a long time: I tend to get hungrier than I do when I sit on a chair.That feels like confirmation(证实) of the stand-up advocates’ belief that you burn more calories when you stand than when you sit.For this reason alone, I' m hoping that one day mass-market furniture companies can make many low-priced versions of sit / stand desks.We could all work with a bit more standing up.The author likes standing up while working because __________.
A.he wants to show that he has a lot of courage |
B.researchers say standing makes one healthier |
C.he intends to catch up the fashion trend |
D.he hopes to improve his work and relax himself |
It can be inferred from the text that ________.
A.adjustable desks are mass-produced now |
B.adjustable desks are easy to operate |
C.cheaper adjustable desks will soon be available |
D.adjustable desks can be tried out easily |
What is the main idea of the text?
A.Standing up at work is a better choice. |
B.Standing up at work takes courage. |
C.Standing up at work burns more calories. |
D.Standing up at work will replace traditional sitting. |
Is there a magic cutoff period when children become responsible for their own actions? Is there a wonderful moment when parents can become spectators (audiences) in the lives of their children and shrug, “It’s their life,” and feel nothing?
When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital passage waiting for doctors to put a few stitches(缝线) in my son’s head.I asked, “When do you stop worrying?” The nurse said, “When they get out of the accident stage.” My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
When I was in my thirties,I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked continually and disrupted the class.As if to read my mind, a teacher said.“Don’t worry.They all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them.” My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come home, the front door to open.A friend said, “They’re trying to find themselves.Don’t worry; in a few years, you can stop worrying.They’ll be adults.” My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
By the time I was 50, I was sick and tired of being weak.I was still worrying over my children, but there was a new wrinkle.There was nothing I could do about it.My mother just smiled faintly andsaid nothing.
I continued to suffer from their failures, and be absorbed in their disappointments.My friends said that when my kids got married I could stop worrying and lead my own life.I wanted to believe that, but I was haunted(萦绕心头) by my mother’s warm smile and her occasional “You look pale.Are you all right? Call me the minute you get home.Are you depressed about something?” Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry?
One of my children became quite anxious about me recently, saying, “Where w
ere you? I’ve been calling for three days, and no one answered.I was worried.”
I smiled a warm smile.The author intends to tell us in the passage that_______.
A.parents long for a period when they no longer worry about their children |
B.there is no time when parents have no worry about their children |
C.it’s parents’ duty to worry about their children |
D.there should be a period when parentsdon’t have to worry about their children |
We can infer from the underlined sentence “My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.” that ______.
A.her mother shared the same idea as the nurse |
B.her mother didn’t agree with the nurse |
C.her mother thought the nurse was lying |
D.her mother wouldn’t express her opinion upon the matter |
The author mentioned her ages of twenties, thirties, forties and fifty in order to show_______.
A.the hard times she experiences in her life |
B.the different stages of her children |
C.the support she received from her mother |
D.she had been worrying about her children in her life |
What can we infer from the last sentence?
A.The mother was happy that her child began to worry about her, too |
B.Finally the mother didn’t have to worry about her children |
C.At last the mother could live her own life without worry. |
D.The mother succeeded in turning her children into adults. |
Which of the following should be the best title?
A.Life | B.Parents | C.Worry | D.Children |
The cars were honking (鸣叫) on the road one morning as I was walking to the park.I walked on and soon found the cause — a little taxi that had got stuck in the middle of the road.There was sweat on the driver's face as he tried to start the engine again and again — nothing happened."No petrol,"
I said to myself and then found myself getting angry."Why doesn't the fool move his taxi to the side?" I thought, so did all the others who honked and shouted.
He got up tiredly, and the passenger in the taxi got out.He was a young man in a white shirt, who watched the driver try to push it to the side."Stupid guy!" I said."Can't he lend a helping hand?
I watched as the poor driver pushed it to the side.Cars, buses and trucks went past cursing (咒骂) the poor man.The young man took another taxi and went off.
The taxi driver began mending his taxi."Stupid passenger!" I said to him."He didn't help you!" The taxi driver slowly got up."Sir!" he asked, "Did you?" I looked at him guiltily, then looked away, and walked away fast, asking myself, "Did I help the poor man push his taxi?"
What had I been doing as the traffic jam took place? How had I helped deal with the problem? Did I help the poor man push his taxi? I’d done my bit, with my mouth.But never had I moved to solve the problem.I was shocked with guilt as I heard him asking, "Sir! Did you?"Why did a traffic jam happen on the road when the author was walking to the park?
A.There was too much traffic in the street. |
B.Truck drivers attempted to go ahead of others. |
C.A taxi driver couldn't start his engine. |
D.A young man wasn't good at driving. |
The author's attitude toward the passenger is that of __________.
A.anger | B.respect | C.sympathy | D.guilt |
Why did the author feel guilty?
A.Because he blamed the driver wrongly. |
B.Because he didn't help the driver, either. |
C.Because he tried to help but failed in the end. |
D.Because he didn't persuade the passenger to help. |
From the incident, the author learnt a lesson that we should _________.
A.criticize those who don't help |
B.hurt the self-respect of others no more |
C.think more of those who are in need |
D.stop talking and start to help |
阅读下列短文,根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格中填入恰当的单词。
注意:每个空格只填入一个单词。
About six years ago, I was eating lunch in a restaurant in New York City when a woman and a young boy sat down at the next table. I couldn’t help overhearing parts of their conversation. At one point the woman asked, “ So, how have you been?” And the boy---who could not have been more than seven or eight years old replied, “Frankly, I’ve been feeling a little depressed lately.”
This incident(小事) stuck in my mind because it confirmed my growing belief that children are changing. As far as I can remember, my friends and I hardly found out we were “ depressed” until we were in high school.
The evidence of changes in children has increased steadily in recent years. Children don’t seem childlike anymore. Children speak more like adults, dress more like adults and behave more like adults than they used to.
Whether this is good or bad is difficult to say, but it certainly is different. Childhood as it once was no longer exists. Why?
Human development is based not only on natural biological states, but also on patterns of access to social knowledge. Movement from one social role to another usually involves learning the secrets of the new situation. Children have always been taught adult secrets, but slowly and in gradual stages: traditionally, we tell sixth graders things we keep hidden from fifth graders.
In the past 30 years, however, a secret-revelation(提示) machine has been installed in 98 percent of American homes. It is called television. Television passes information, and indiscriminately (不加区分地), to all viewers alike, whether they are children or adults. Unable to resist the temptation(诱惑), many children turn their attention from printed texts to the less challenging, more vivid moving pictures.
Communication through print, as a matter of fact, allows for a great deal of control over the social information to which children have access. Reading and writing involve a complex code of symbols that must be memorized and practiced. Children must read simple books before they can read complex materials.
Title: _______ in Today’s Children
Main comparisons |
Contexts |
Different( |
Children in the past just did what they were |
Children today act as if they were |
|
Different |
Children in the past |
Sometimes sadness |
|
Different |
Children in the past got knowledge in |
Children nowadays get some knowledge by |