Ship tourism to Antarctica is on the rise: More than 35,000 tourists are expected to visit Antarctic this summer. In 1992-1993, 6,750 visited Antarctica, according to the Antarctica Treaty. All of this tourism, however, is putting both tourists and the environment in great danger.
Among the tourist ships that visit the continent, the Explorer, a Canadian ship, was one of the first. Put to use in 1969, it was built to carry tourists to Antarctica. Last week, however, it became the first commercial passenger ship to sink beneath the waters. Fortunately, all of the passengers and crew members were rescued from the ship. However, the sunken ship endangered the Antarctic’s fragile(脆弱的) environment. The ship was estimated to be holding 48,000 gallons of fuel.
The accident was not unexpected. Both the US and UK had warned a conference of the Antarctic Treaty member countries in May that the tourism situation in this area was a potential disaster. The US said in a paper, people “should take a hard look at tourism issues now, especially those related to ship safety.” Although the Antarctic seas are relatively(相对地) calm, floating ice causes a potential threat to ships. The owner of the Explorer blamed the sinking on a fist-like hole in the ship created by ice.
Many of the other large ships now visiting Antarctica are not designed especially against thick ice. Such ships generally can only come to the continent in summer. But the tourist rush is pushing ships into dangerous situations. “The increasing number of ships operating in Antarctic means that the ship are under great pressure to get there in time for the key visiting sites,” the British government wrote in a paper at the meeting of member countries.
As a natural frontier, Antarctica is in a messy legal situation. There are no obvious answers as to who is responsible for dealing with the threat that tourist may cause to human life and the environment.
There is no coast guard for Antarctica. Do we want it to become Disneyland, or do we need some controls?Which of the following is true according to this passage?
| A．Antarctica tourism has a history of about 17 years |
| B．The number of tourists to the Antarctic is over 5 times as large as that of 17 years ago. |
| C．The tourism boom has caused holes in the floating ice in the Antarctic. |
| D．The Antarctica Treaty is responsible for the problem. |
The sinking of the Explorer____________.
| A．led to a conference about the tourism situation in the Antarctic. |
| B．was caused by the rough seas |
| C．had been predicted |
| D．did harm to the Antarctic. |
It can be inferred from the passage that_________.
| A．a Disneyland will be built in the Antarctic |
| B．fewer people are visiting the Antarctic because of the warnings given |
| C．not all the ships are suitable to go to the Antarctic |
| D．some ships take risks visiting the Antarctic in other seasons rather than in summer |
In this passage, the writer suggests that___________.
| A．people had better not make a tour of the Antarctic |
| B．ships to the Antarctic should be built strong enough |
| C．there should be legal controls over tourism in the Antarctic |
| D．the Antarctic’s environment is fragile |
What attitude does the writer hold towards Antarctic tourism?
| A．Supportive. | B．Positive. | C．Indifferent. | D．Anxious. |
My husband and children think they are very lucky that they are living and that it’s Christmas again. They can’t see that we live on a dirty street in a dirty house among people who aren’t much good. But Johnny and children can’t see this. What a pity it is that our neighbours have to make happiness out of all this dirt. I decided that my children must get out of this. The money that we’ve saved isn’t nearly enough.
The McGaritys have money but they are so proud. They look down upon the poor. The McGarity girl just yesterday stood out there in the street eating from a bag of candy（糖果）while a ring of hungry children watched her. I saw those children looking at her and crying in their hearts; and when she couldn’t eat any more she threw the rest down the sewer（下水道）. Why, is it only because they have money? There is more happiness than money in the world, isn’t there?
Miss Jackson who teaches at the Settlement House isn’t rich, but she knows things, she understands people. Her eyes look straight into yours when she talks with you. She can read your mind. I’d like to see the children be like Miss Jackson when they grow up.This passage mainly suggests that the writer ______.
| A．is easy to get along with |
| B．is unhappy with the life they are living |
| C．is good at observing and understanding |
| D．is never pleased with her neighbours |
What do you think of the McGarity girl?
| A．She is proud and hungry | B．She is selfish and cruel |
| C．She is lonely and friendless | D．She is unhappy and misunderstood |
In this text, the writer tries to tell us that______.
| A．money is the key to everything |
| B．the more money you have, the less happy you’ll be |
| C．there is something more important than money |
| D．when talking to people we should look into their eyes |
Pick out the one that does NOT describe the writer’s view on money.
| A．Why, is it only because they have money? |
| B．There is more to happiness than money. |
| C．Miss Jackson isn’t rich, but she knows things |
| D．The money we have saved isn’t nearly enough |
Berlin---China’s endeavor(efforts) to enhance(step up) environmental protection, energy-saving and gas emission-cut(减排) and build a resource-conserving society is of great significance to the world, said Klaus Toepfer, former chief of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in a recent interview with Xinhua.
“Such a move is in the interest of the entire world, and meets the need of the global sustainable development（可持续性发展）,” he added.
ACHIEVEMENTS
“As a member of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), I have seen the strong determination of China’s leadership,” said Toepfer.
“The performance of the Chinese central and regional governments during the process of urbanization(城市化进程) also makes me believe that it has become the consensus（共识）of all the governments to protect the environment, save energy, cut greenhouse gas emission, and to build an resource-conserving society.”
The expert took Shanghai as an example. “The Shanghai government is fully aware of the importance of an energy-saving and resource-efficient structure.”
To make Shanghai an eco-friendly city, the municipal government（市政府）has taken measures such as building more sewage processing facilities（污水处理设备）, limiting the number of cars to help ease traffic jam and improve air conditions, he said, describing them as quite impressive.
He also noted many changes in the government’s policies concerning manufacturing and service industries（加工、服务业）, an indication of China’s new approach to environmental protection and energy conservation.
For instance, China has given higher priority（优先）to the proper handling of carbon dioxide emission. The country has also actively been engaged in the research and development of electricity-powered cars and cars that use alternative energy.
MORE TO BE DONE
However, despite the positive results, more needs to be done in China, the former UN environment chief said.
China still needs to make tremendous efforts to tackle tough challenges such as to protect water resources, reduce air pollution and enhance energy efficiency, he added.
Toepfer suggested that China introduce advanced new technologies on environmental protection and energy-saving from other countries, and actively participate in international cooperation projects on environmental protection and energy conservation as the country already has a strong scientific and economic capability.
On the negative impacts of the ongoing financial crisis on environmental protection and energy conservation, Toepfer said the impacts are obvious, but only of short duration. As governments’ measures to stabilize financial markets take effect, environmental protection and energy conservation will again become the world's major concern, he said.
67. The passage may probably be entitled ______.
A. China's environmental protection crucial (至关重要的)to the world
B. China’s achievements and tasks in environmental protection
C. China’s contributions to the sustainable development of the world
D. China’s determination in face of the ongoing financial crisis
68. In Toepfer’s opinion, the major concern at present is ______.
A. energy conservation B. environmental protection
C. carbon dioxide emission D. financial crisis
69. Toepfer’s attitude towards the ongoing financial crisis is ______.
A. contradictory B. negative C. optimistic D. pessimistic(悲观的)
70. Which of the following statements is true referring to the passage?
A. Regional governments’ work is not so efficient.
B. Efforts made by China have won the appreciation of the world.
C. The present financial crisis will last for several years at least.
D. At present China should introduce new technologies on production.
Tess still stood hesitating like a swimmer about to make his dive, hardly knowing whether to return or move forward, when a figure came out from the dark door of the tent. It was a tall young man, smoking.
He had an almost black face, though red and smooth. His moustache was black with curled points, though he could not be more than twenty-three or –four. There was an unusual force in his face, and in his daring rolling eyes.
‘Well, my beauty, what can I do for you?’ said he, coming forward. And seeing that she was quite at a loss: ‘Never mind me. I am Mr. d’Urberville. Have you come to see me or my mother?’
This differed greatly from what Tess had expected. She had dreamed of an aged and dignified face. She tried to keep calm and answered---
‘I came to see your mother, sir.’
‘I am afraid you cannot see her---she is ill in bed,’ replied the representative of the house; for this was Mr. Alec, the only son of the noble family. ‘What is the business you wish to see her about?’
‘It isn’t business---it is ---I can hardly say what!’
‘Pleasure?’
‘Oh no. Why, sir, if I tell you, it will seem--- ’
Tess’s sense of a certain ridicule was now so strong that, despite her general discomfort at being here, her rosy lips curved(弯曲) towards a smile, much to the attraction of the young man.
‘It is so foolish’, she stammered(结结巴巴地说); ‘I fear I can’t tell you!’
‘Never mind; I like foolish things. Try again, my dear,’ said he kindly.
‘Mother asked me to come,’ Tess continued; ‘and, indeed, I was in the mind to do so myself. But I did not think it would be like this. I came, sir, to tell you that we are of the same family as you.’
‘Ho! Poor relations?’
‘Yes.’
‘Stokes?’
‘No; d’Urbervilles.’
‘Ay, ay; I mean d’Urbervilles.’
‘Our names are worn away to Durbeyfield; but we have several proofs that we are d’Urbervilles. The local scholars hold the view that we are, ---and ---and we have an old seal(印章) and a silver spoon marked with the same castle as yours. So mother said we ought to make ourselves known to you, as we’ve lost our horse by a bad accident; we can hardly make a living.’
‘Very kind of your mother, I’m sure.’ Alec looked at Tess as he spoke, in a way that made her uneasy. ‘And so, my pretty girl, you’ve come on a friendly visit to us, as relations?’
‘I suppose I have,’ looking less confident and uncomfortable again.
‘Well---there’s no harm in it. Where do you live? What are you?’
---Tess of the d’Urbervilles By Thomas Hardy
63. How does Tess feel in the whole course of the meeting with Alec?
A. Excited and hopeful. B. Nervous and uncomfortable.
C. Surprised but comfortable. D. Pleased but embarrassed.
64. In the eyes of Tess, Alec is ______.
A. forceful and daring B. unfriendly and talkative
C. a gentle and reliable man D. older than she had expected
65. Why does Tess pay the visit to the d’Urbervilles?
A. To see Alec himself.
B. To see Alec’s mother.
C. To confirm that they are of the same family.
D. To make known their relationship and seek help.
66. Alec appears quite friendly to Tess mainly because ______.
A. Tess is his distant relation B. Tess looks polite to him
C. Tess is a pretty girl D. Tess looks ridiculous
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. bestD. 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
| Short Story Contest : Win $8,000 First Prize $5,000 in Cash Writers Creative Writing Correspondence Program offers non-professional authors an opportunity to have a novel, book of short stories, volume of poetry, or a work of creative non-fiction, critiqued(评论) by professors and professionals. Second Prize $2,000 / Third Prize $1,000 |
Short Story Contest Rules
·The contest begins at 9 am Friday, November 29, 2008 and ends at 4 pm Thursday, January 17,2009.
·The contest is open to all residents of Ontario who are at 16 or over, except for employees, judges, and anyone living with any employee of the sponsors or judges.
·The author’s name, address, phone number, and a 25-50-word self-introduction must be included with each entry on a separate sheet of paper. The name of the author should not appear in the story itself.
· Stories must be original and unpublished up to the time the winners are declared on June 23, 2009.
·Stories must be written on a computer or typewriter, be double-spaced and no longer than 2,500 words. Total word count should be printed on the front page of the story.
· No changes to a story are allowed once the Star receives your entry. Manuscripts will not be returned.
· A $5 entry fee must accompany each entry. Cheques or money orders should be made out to the Sunday Star Short Story Contest. Please do not send coins.
·Winners will be informed by telephone between 9 am and 5 pm on June 23, 2009.
·Professors from the writing Centre at Ryerson University will complete the first round of judging. Another group of professional writers will select the final three.
SEND YOUR STORY TO:
SHORT STORY CONTEST, THE SUNDAY STAR ONE YONGE STREET, TORONTO, Ontario M5E1E6
Full contest rules are available at www.the star.com / contests Tel: 416 – 367 – 2000
56. Which of the following is allowed to be written on the front page of the story?
A. The total word count. B. The author’s name.
C. The author’s self-introduction. D. The author’s phone number.
57. From the above advertisement, we can find out ______.
A. the topic of the stories
B. the number of winners
C. the money the sponsors give to the organizer
D. the total number of contestants
58. It can be learned from the passage that ______.
A. Winners will get a book of short stories besides the money
B. Citizens over 16 living in Ontario can compete in the contest
C. Contestants should send printed stories to the organizer
D. Professors from universities will decide the winners