One of our biggest fears nowadays is that our kids might some day get lost in a “sea of technology” rather than experiencing the natural world. Fear-producing TV and computer games are leading to a serious disconnect between kids and the great outdoors, which will change the wild places of the world, its creatures and human health for the worse, unless adults get working on child’s play.
Each of us has a place in nature we go sometimes, even if it was torn down. We cannot be the last generation to have that place. At this rate, kids who miss the sense of wonder outdoors will not grow up to be protectors of natural landscapes. “If the decline in parks use continues across North America, who will defend parks against encroachment (蚕食)?” asks Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods.
Without having a nature experience, kids, can turn out just fine, but they are missing out a huge enrichment of their lives. That applies to everything from their physical health and mental health, to stress levels, creativity and cognitive (认知的) skills. Experts predict modern kids will have poorer health than their parents—and they say a lack of outside play is surely part of it; research suggests that kids do better academically in schools with a nature component and that play in nature fosters (培养) leadership by the smartest, not by the toughest. Even a tiny outdoor experience can create wonder in a child. The three-year-old turning over his first rock realizes he is not alone in the world. A clump of trees on the roadside can be the whole universe in his eyes. We really need to value that more.
Kids are not to blame. They are over-protected and frightened. It is dangerous out there from time to time, but repetitive stress from computers is replacing breaking an arm as a childhood rite(仪式)of passage.
Everyone, from developers, to schools and outdoorsy citizens, should help regain for our kids some of the freedom and joy of exploring, taking friendship in fields and woods that cement (增强) love, respect and need for landscape. As parents, we should devote some of our energies to taking our kids into nature. This could yet be our greatest cause.
51. The main idea of Paragraph 2 is that __________.
A. Richard Louv is the author of Last Child in the Woods
B. children are expected to develop into protectors of nature
C. kids missing the sense of wonder outdoors
D. parks are in danger of being gradually encroached
52. According to the passage, children without experiencing nature will _________.
A. change wild places and creatures for the better
B. keep a high sense of wonder
C. be over-protected by their parents
D. be less healthy both physically and mentally
53. According to the author, children’s breaking an arm is ___________.
A. the natural experience in their growing up
B. the fault on the part of their parents
C. the effect of their repetitive stress from computers
D. the result of their own carelessness in play
54. In writing this passage, the author mainly intends to ________.
A. show his concern about children’s lack of experience in nature
B. blame children for getting lost in computer games
C. inspire children to keep the sense of wonder about things around
D. encourage children to protect parks from encroachment
During my visit to China, I stayed in several hotels. I would like to say something about fire regulations(条例) in these hotels.
When I was in Beijing in a hotel, I checked the nearest fire escape to my room, as I usually do, I found that the exit(出口) out of the buildings was on the ground floor, chained and locked! If there was a fire, people wouldn’t be able to escape. In some other places, I did not find any notice about the procedures.
In most hotels in my country, there is a notice on the back of the door of every guestroom. In Japan the porter(门卫)actually points out the escape route when bringing your bag to your room. I hope Chinese hotels will improve their safety procedures. The foreigner suggests that ____________.
A.all the exits should not be always chained and locked |
B.all the exits should be always chained and locked |
C.fire regulations(规程,规章)should be paid enough attention to in some hotels in China |
D.the fire regulations should not be strict |
Nobody would get away if there were a fire in the building ____________.
A.if the porter doesn’t tell people the escape route |
B.with the exit chained and locked |
C.before people found the notice about safety procedures |
D.when too many people try to escape at the same time |
The nearest escape to the writer’s room in a hotel in Beijing was _____________.
A.nowhere to be found | B.not far from his room |
C.next to his room | D.on the ground floor |
In Japan a guest is told how to get away in time of fire when he ____________.
A.arrives at a hotel | B.is traveling in the country |
C.reaches the country | D.says hello a porter |
The climate of any place is the kind of weather. It usually has over a long period of time. The houses we live in, the clothes we wear, the foods we eat depend on the climate of the place where we live.
Climate is a pattern that is not nearly as simple as we think, and it is affected by many factors. The distance to the North or South Pole(极,极点,) or the equator (赤道) really matters a lot. If you live near either of the poles, you live in a cold climate, for the place where you live does not get as much or as direct sunshine as a place farther away from the poles. In places close to the equator, the climate is very hot, for they are the parts where the sunshines almost straight down.
Whether rain or snow falls makes a great difference to the climate. In hot, dry deserts, little rain falls, but in a hot rainforest, the amount of rainfalls is far larger than that in a desert, for there is a heavy rain almost every day, even several times per day. Though a rainforest and a desert may be the same distance from the equator, their climates are rather different from each other.
How much rain or snow falls are considered by some to be determined by the winds, the surrounding mountains and the currents(水流)in nearby seas and so on . In short, it is a very complex natural phenomenon(现象).This passage mainly talks about .
A.weather | B.different climates |
C.climate and its determining factors | D.the difference between weather and climate |
The difference of the climates between a tropical (热带的)desert and a tropical rainforest affected by .
A.the amount of rainfalls |
B.the winds and the surrounding mountains |
C.the currents in near seas |
D.how much sunshine the two different places can get |
From the context, we can guess that the word “complex” is and it .
A.a noun; means a simple thing |
B.an adjective; means being easy to understand |
C.an adverb; has almost the same meaning of “rather” |
D.an adjective; means being difficult to understand |
Are you nervous about climbing because you think it's too dangerous? Do you feel you're not fit enough to climb? Do you know how to start climbing?
Let's consider the idea that climbing is dangerous.Being afraid is natural, but if you use suitable ropes and other climbing equipments you will feel completely safe.Climbers are usually very careful because they know what they are doing is dangerous.Accidents happen, but when they do, they tend to attract a lot of publicity.As a result, people think there are many more accidents than there are in reality.
You cannot expect to start climbing straight away.Climbing is a challenge and challenges take time.It is necessary first of all that you achieve a good level of fitness.Begin as soon as you become interested in climbing ?go to the gym, go swimming, take up jogging and continue to do so throughout your training period.
Discover as much as you can about climbing.Visit the library and find book, especially for beginners or buy climbing magazines and look for articles which describe your situation.Look up information on the Internet.Find out about equipment, methods and places to go.
Next, take a course on a climbing wall.There are plenty of climbing walls all over the country which have trained and qualified people as instructors.Call your local leisure centre to find out if there is one in your area. These training sessions are a quick way to get experience and you are likely to meet other beginners. After this, you can do an outside course of join a club where you can meet climbers of all abilities and eventually join in group-climbing events.
At first you may not understand the importance of a good training period, but after you have completed your first climb and you are standing safely at the top of a rock feeling thrilled, then you will know it was the right thing to do.
62.The article is written by .
A.a doctor B.an experienced climber
C.a beginner D.a fitne3ss instruetor
63.The writer thinks a new climber should .
A.begin by becoming fit
B.have the courage to meet the challenges
C.be aware of the causes of the accidents
D.do enough sports to get interested in climbing
64.By climbing walls you can .
A.join a club y ou like
B.gain contorlled experience
C.become qualified instructors
D.take part in group-climbing events
65.The underlined word “it” in the last paragraph probably means .
A.the climb B.the training C.the equipment D.the achievenment
In February 2006, Lydia Angyiou and her two sons were walking through their village in northern Canada.The sound of children shouting made her turn around.To her horror, Lydia saw a 700-pound polar bear behind her eyeing her seven-year-old son.Getting between the bear and her child, Lydia yelled at the children to run away.She then began hitting and kicking the animal as hard as she could.A neighbor who heard all the noise came and shot the bear.But everyone agreed it was Lydia who had saved her children's lives.A local policeman described it this way: "…I guess when your back is up against the wall, …we come up with super-human strength."
Where does this "super-human strength" , courage and quick thinking come from? Experts say it comes from stress! In stressful situations, the body releases chemicals that prepare it to take action.These chemicals give people the speed and strength they need to fight danger or run away from it.
When we think of stress, we usually think of its negative effects.Studies, though, show that moderate levels of stress are actually helpful.In fact, the way we perform is usually affected by the amount of stress we feel.
Stress causes the brain to release adrenaline (肾上腺素) which in turn increases our energy and excitement.The chemical gives us clearer minds and helps us to do more.This is why some people say they work better under a deadline.
Adrenaline that is not released for long periods of time can cause us to increase and strengthen our abilities instead of weakening them.We sometimes turn out our very best work when we push ourselves to the limit.Stress can also make us more confident.Handling small amounts of stress now prepares us for handling serious situations in the future.Who knows? Today's stress may even prepare for the next polar bear that comes along!
55.In the first paragraph, the case of Lydia Angyiou is mentioned to ______.
A.introduce the topic to be followed
B.praise Lydia Angyiou for her bravery
C.remind us of the unexpected danger of life
D.show the importance of super-human strength
56.What does the policeman probably mean by saying "your back is up against the wall"?
A.You are helped. B.You are inspired.
C.You are confident. D.You are cornered.
57.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Brave Mother B.The Cause of Stress
C.The Benefit of StressD.Super-human Strength
三、阅读理解(共两节,40分)
第一节(共15小题;每小题2分,共30分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项A、B、C、D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
When you go to St.Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem large.If you are short of time, or just want to make sure to hit the highlights, these are the top must-see sights in St. Petersburg.
1.The Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St. Petersburg. There are lots of different paintings by the old masters in the Hermitage. Prepare to come face-to-face with classie Western artists.
2. Kizhi Island
Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture from the Karelia Region of Russia. These impressive structures are made entirely without nails - the wood fits together with joints and grooves(沟槽).
3. Peterhof
Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun. You’ll be charged for admission, but go to Petethof when the fountaions are working—during the day in the summer. They are shut off in winter evenings.
4. The Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
Love it or hate it, the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood in St. Petersburg is an enthralling must-see sight. The beautiful look may make y our eyes brighten, and the painting sinside the church will make you say “Wow!”
5. The Bronze Horseman Statue
The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and a symbol of St. Petersburg. Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great’s influence on the Russian idce of greatness.
51.If you are interested in pairtings, you’d better go to .
A.Peterhof and Kizhi Island
B.the Hcrmitagee Museum and Peterhof
C.Kizhi lsland and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
D.the hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
52.We can learn from the passage that .
A.visitors can visit Peterhof for free
B.the buildings of Kizhi Island are made of wood
C.the fountains in Peterhof can be seen all year round
D.the largest collection of Russian arts is in the Hermitage Museum
53.The main purpose of the passage is to .
A.show the wonderful history of Russia
B.persuade artists to study St. Petersburg
C.recommend the famous buildings in Russia
D.introduce the must-see sights in St. Petersburg
54.The underlined phrase (in Para 1) “hit the highlights” means .
A.to save more time B.to learn more knowledge
C.to go to the high buildings D.to visit the most interesting sights