Motorists used to listening to the radio or their favorite tunes on CDs may have a new way to entertain themselves, after engineers in Japan developed a musical road surface.
The Hokkaido Industrial Research Institute has built a number of “melody roads”, which use cars as tuning forks to play music as they travel.
The concept works by using grooves(凹槽). They are cut at very specific intervals(间隔) in the road surface. The melody road uses the spaces between to create different notes(音符).
Depending on how far apart the grooves are, a car moving over them will produce a series of high or low notes, and designers are able to create a distinct tune.
Patent documents for the design describe it as notches “formed in a road surface so as to play a melody without producing simple sound or rhythm and reproduce melody-like tones”.
There are three musical roads in central and northern Japan---one of which plays the tune of a Japanese pop song. Reports say the system was invented by Shizuo Shinoda. He scraped some markings into a road with a bulldozer(推土机) before driving over them and found that they helped to produce all kinds of tones.
The optimal speed for melody road is 44 kph, but people say it is not always easy to get the intended sound.
“You need to keep the car windows closed to hear well,” wrote one Japanese blogger. “Driving too fast will sound like playing fast forward, while driving around 12 mph (20 kph) has a slow-motion effect, making you almost car-sick.”
59. According to the passage, to create different notes, melody roads use ______.
A. cars B. grooves C. spaces between internals D. bulldozers
60. We can learn from the passage that the highness of notes is dependent on ______.
A. how far the grooves are B. how big the grooves are
C. the number of the grooves D. the speed of the car
61. The underlined word “optimal” in the passage might mean ______.
A. fastest B. possible C. best D. suitable
62. In order to hear the music well, you have to ______.
A. drive very fast B. drive slowly
C. open the window wide D. keep the window closed
In many societies, there is often greater acceptance of light skin than dark skin. Light skin may be seen as a mark of beauty, intelligence and success. These beliefs can lead to social pressure even within the same racial group. As a result, more and more people with dark skin are using skin-lightening products, even if they may face health risks.
Many people believe that having whiter skin will improve their lives. They think they will have a better chance of getting a job or marrying into a better family. Or they want to look like what their society generally considers beautiful.
Some beauty care products contain chemicals that make skin lighter. This process is also called bleaching (漂白). But some of the chemicals are extremely dangerous. One chemical has been linked to kidney (肾) damage and some kinds of cancer. It also causes low birth weight in babies when used by mothers-to-be.
At first, bleaching products make the skin color lighter. But after long-term use they can cause problems. The chemicals in the products block and break down the natural process that gives color to skin. The skin loses its natural barrier to protect against sunlight. Then the skin can become thick and discolored. Usually the person will use more of the product in an effort to correct the problem, but this only makes it worse.
Fatimata Ly treats skin problems in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. Doctor Ly says skin bleaching has become a problem throughout Senegal. She says the chemicals are now more dangerous because they are stronger. Some cases have resulted in blackened fingernails, infections and permanent skin damage.
And these are not the only risks. Experts say some people who change their skin color suffer emotional damage. They feel regret and sadness. They feel that instead of risking their health, they should have learned to love and accept their skin color as it was.
63. Why has skin lightening become popular all over the world?
A. There are many ways to help change skin color.
B. Many people with dark skin have no confidence.
C. Light skin seems to bring more advantages than dark skin.
D. People with dark skin are facing the pressure from their family.
64. According to the passage, people using bleaching products would risk .
A. thinner skin B. low weight C. lung cancer D. emotional damage
65. Which of the following is NOT true about bleaching products?
A. Some of them contain dangerous chemicals.
B. They will not make the skin color lighter.
C. They may cause skin damage.
D. They are likely to bring health risks.
66. The writer's attitude toward using bleaching products is ________.
A. supportive B. positive C. uncertain D. negative
Amelia Earhart's (1897-1937) childhood was not the typical girl’s. She liked nothing better than to explore the banks of the Missouri River, where she climbed trees and hunted rats with her rifle (步枪). She also built her own roller coaster(过山车 ).
The exciting life of the American aviation (航空)pioneer is dramatized in the movie Amelia, which is due to come out on October 23.
After Earhart paid a pilot $1 to take her up for a short fly in his plane, aviation became her love and career.
As she later explained, “Never do things others can do and will do, if there are things others cannot do or will not do.”
Earhart found herself a flying teacher and started to learn to fly. She took all sorts of jobs to pay for the lessons and to buy a second-hand plane on her 24th birthday.
In 1932, Earhart flew solo across the Atlantic. She became the first woman to make the solo crossing. She also made a flying suit for women and went on to design other clothes for women who led active lives. “Now and then women should do for themselves what men have already done —— occasionally what men have not done ——thereby establishing themselves as persons, and perhaps encouraging other women toward greater independence of thought and action.” she said.
When she was nearly 40, Earhart was ready for a final challenge—to be the first woman to fly around the world. However, in mid-flight, she and her navigator (导航员) disappeared in bad weather.
Earhart will be forever remembered as a brave pioneer for both aviation and for women.
59. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
A. A movie about Earhart’s exciting life has come out.
B. Earhart never did things others could and would do.
C. Earhart’s love for aviation came after she flew a plane for a short time.
D. In Earhart's opinion, women should think and act more independently.
60. The underlined word in paragraph 2 means ____.
A. presented B. adopted C. published D. created
61. From the passage we can know that ____.
A. Earhart showed most interest in adventure trips to the Missouri River during her
childhood
B. Earhart s ambition was to fly across the Atlantic
C. Earhart challenged herself constantly
D. Besides flying, Earhart also designed planes and clothes
62. You can probably find this article in .
A. a booklet B. a newspaper C. a guide book D. an advertisement
Today’s teens have a knowledge of the Internet that often surpasses(超过) that of their parents. Because so many teens are Internet savvy(了解, 常识), it is important that they also have an understanding of the dangers that exist online and how to deal with them. Watch teens share their own “Real-Life Stories” about issues affecting them on the Internet such as cyberbullying (网络欺凌), online enticement(诱惑), and giving out too much personal information. 
| NSTeens - Terrible text |
| Some teens say and do terrible things to each other online because they don’t see the direct effects of their actions. So what should you do if you're cyberbullied? Watch the NSTeens in their latest video, "Terrible text," about a young girl who is troubled when a cyberbully sends mean text messages to her cell phone at all hours of the day and night. Visit NSTeens.org. |
| NetSmartz411 |
| NetSmartz411 is a parent and guardian’s premier, online resource for learning about Internet safety, computers, and the Web. Search our knowledge base for answers to all of your questions about the online world! If you can’t find what you’re looking for, use the “Ask the Experts tab ”to send us a question. Your question will be answered by professionals who know a lot about Internet safety —— the real-life analysts at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. We handle daily reports about the online exploitation of children; and well show you the steps you can take to keep the children and teens in your life safer online. Visit NetSmartz411.org. |
| CyberTipline Report |
| The CyberTipline is the place to report any incidents of Internet exploitation. If you find yourself in a situation where you need help, visit cybertipline.com and make a report. If you fear that you are in immediate danger, contact your local law enforcement (执法部门). |
| Real-Life Stories |
| Watch real-life stories told by teens who have been victims of Internet exploitation. Real-Life Stories |
| NetSmartzKids |
| Are you concerned about your younger brothers or sisters safety online? Visit NetSmartzKids.org with them to help them learn how to avoid the dangers that exist on the Internet. |
55. The ad is intended for _______.
A. kids loving to play games online
B. only victims of Internet use
C. kids and their parents who want to learn about the safety online
D. pre-school students who know little about Internet
56. If you visit the website, you can ________.
A. share your friends “Real-life Stories” about issues affecting them on the Internet
B. have an understanding of the dangers that exist online and how to deal with them
C. say and do terrible things to each other online
D. ask for help when you have difficulty with your study
57. If you visit cybertipline.com, you can _______.
A. contact your local law enforcement
B. search our knowledge base for answers to all of your questions about the online world
C. report any incident of Internet use
D. help your brothers or sisters siblings learn how to avoid the dangers that exist on the
Internet.
58. Which of the following stories you can share on the Real-Life Stories?
A. Teen murdered by man she met in chat room.
B. Problem of losing weight.
C. Left home alone.
D. Hurt by second hand smoke in the Internet cafe.
Aren’t they all our children?
There are few things in this life more difficult to experience than the loss of one’s child. Jim Wallis, in WHO SPEAKS FOR GOD, tells a story that happened during the war in Sarajevo. A reporter who was covering the violence in the middle of the city saw a little girl shot by a gunman.
The reporter rushed to the aid of a man who was now holding the child. He helped them both into his car and sped off to a hospital.
“Hurry, my friend,” the man urged, “my child is still alive.” A moment or two later he pleaded, “Hurry, my friend, my child is still breathing.” A little later he said, “Hurry, my friend, my child is still warm.”
When they got to the hospital, the young girl was gone. “This is a terrible task for me,” the distraught man said to the reporter. “I must go and tell her father that his child is dead.”
He looked at the man in surprise and said, “I thought she was your child.”
The man replied, “No, but aren't they all our children?”
I think that is one of the great questions of our age that deserves an answer.
Aren’t they all our children? Those on our side of the border as well as those on the other side? Those of our nation no more or less than those of another?
Aren’t they all our children? The well-educated and the under-educated? The well-fed and the under-fed? Those who are secure and those who are at risk?
Aren’t they all our children? if we say yes, can we ever again pit them against each other? “If we have no peace,” said Mother Teresa, “it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
There may be no greater question for our generation. And how we answer that question will determine the shape of our world for years to come.
51. What was the reporter doing when the shooting took place?
A. Telling a story. B. Having a meeting.
C. Reporting an event. D. Helping the wounded.
52. From the text we know the girl died .
A. in the hospital B. with nobody in front
C. soon after the shooting D. far away from her home
53. How many people experienced the sad story?
A. Three. B. Four. C. Five. D. Six.
54. Which can best express the point of a yes to the question “Aren’t they all our children?”
A. Health. B. Love. C. Wealth. D. Peace.
D
THE situation seemed hopeless．
From the day he started at my junior-high，Willard P.Franklin lived in his own world，shutting out his classmates and me, his teacher．My attempts at establishing a friendly relationship with him were met with complete indifference(冷淡)．Even a “Good Morning Willard” received only a very low grunt(咕哝)．I could see that his classmates got on no better Willard was completely a loner who seemed to have no desire or need to break his barrier(障碍)of silence．
Shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday，we received word of the annual Christmas collection of money for the less fortunate people in our school district．
“Christmas is a season of giving,” I told my students．“There are a few students in the school who might not have a happy holiday season．By contributing to our Christmas collection，you will help buy food，clothing and toys for these needy people．We start the collection tomorrow．”
When I called for the contributions the next day，I discovered that almost everyone had forgotten，except for Willard P. Franklin．The boy dug deep into his pants pockets as he walked up to my desk．Carefully, he dropped two quarters into the small container.
“I don’t need any milk for lunch,” he said very quietly. For a moment，just a moment, he smiled．Then he turned and walked back to his desk．
That night，after school．I took our meager contributions to the school principal(校长)．I couldn’t help sharing the incident that had taken place．
“I may be wrong，but I believe Willard might be getting ready to become a part of the world around him，”I told the principal．
“Yes, I believe it sounds hopeful．”he nodded．“And I think we might do well to have him share a bit of his world with us．I just received a list of the poor families in our school who most need help through the Christmas collection．Here, take a look at it．”
As I gazed down to read．I discovered Willard P. Franklin and his family were the top names on the list．
72. From the second paragraph, we can see that the teacher___________
A. established a friendly relationship with Willard
B. tried hard to pull Willard out of his own world
C. found Willard got on better with his classmates
D. was positive that Willard would gradually open his heart
73. What do we learn about the collection of money at Christmas?
A. It is intended for the poor families in their school district.
B. Everyone except Willard was willing to contribute to the Christmas collection.
C. Students were encouraged to buy food, clothing and toys for needy people.
D. It is collected every year to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.
74. What does the underlined word 'meager' in Paragraph 7 mean?
A. Great.B. Generous. C. Huge.D. Small
75. Which of the following can best describe Willard?
A. Poor but proud. B. Lonely but loving.
C. Indifferent and sad. D. Bright and hopeful.