BUKHANNON, West Virginia—Two rescue teams slowly moved along a two-mile path on Monday night to the site of a coal mine (矿) explosion that trapped 13 miners, who had not been heard from since the early morning accident.
Meanwhile, at a nearby church, more than 250 family members and friends gathered, waiting for updates (最新报道) on the rescuers’ progress.
The miners were trapped at about 6:30 and many families weren’t informed of the accident until about 10 a.m.—more than three hours after it happened. “It’s very upsetting, but you’ve got to be patient, I guess,” said John Helms, whose brother, Terry, was trapped in the mine.
The trapped miners were about 260 feet underground and about 10,000 feet from the Sago Mine’s entrance, said Roger Nicholson, general counsel from International Coal Group.
At a late night news conference, Nicholson said one team had advanced about 4,800 feet in the four hours since entering the mine just before 6 p.m. Another team entered the mine about 30 minutes later.
He said the crew was very experienced, with some members having worked underground for 30 to 35 years. The miners were equipped with about one hour of breathable oxygen (氧气) each. The company has not released the names of the miners.
The teams test the air about every 500 feet, and have to remove the power to the phones they use to communicate with the surface before doing that. “We don’t want to be energizing (通电) anything if it’s in an atmosphere with burnable gases,” Kips said. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known. High levels of carbon monoxide (一氧化碳) were detected shortly after the explosion, which delayed rescue efforts, but those levels have since subsided (减退), authorities said. According to the passage, we can infer that ________.
| A．all the miners who were trapped underground were still alive |
| B．communication with the trapped miners was cut off |
| C．the two rescue teams entered the mine at the same time |
| D．the rescue started as soon as the accident happened |
If the first team advanced at an average speed, they could dig about ________ per hour.
| A．1,000 feet | B．2,400 feet | C．1,200 feet | D．4,800 feet |
Which of the following shows the position where the miners were trapped?
Where can the passage be seen?
| A．In a magazine. | B．In a newspaper. | C．In a science book. | D．On an advertisement. |
阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空。
Everyone had a childhood. And childhood experiences are often very funny. Children often make us (laugh). It’s true
children brighten up a home. They never turn off the lights.
I often recall my childhood, the years many interesting things happened. When I was a two-year-old child, both my parents were always very busy with their work. My mother worked
a sales manager in a company while my father served in
army. So I lived with my grandma in a village. I was always waiting for my parents at home. Once my father
(send) us a photo of his in a soldier’s uniform,
was posted on the table reminding me of him.
Once my mother came to see me and we went (shop) together. On the way we saw a group of soldiers. And when I saw them, I became very
(excite). I said in a ringing voice pointing to
, “This is my father, and this is my father, and that is my father, too!”
My mother said she would remember that moment all her life.
I am a strong believer that if a child is raised with approval (准允), he learns to love himself and will be successful in his own way. Several weeks ago, I was doing homework with my son in the third grade and he kept standing up from his chair to go over the math lines. I kept asking him to sit down, telling him that he would concentrate better. He sat but seconds later, as if he didn’t even notice he was doing it, he got up again. I was getting frustrated (受挫), but then it hit me. I started noticing his answers were much quicker and accurate when he stood up. Could he be more absorbed while standing up?
This made me start questioning myself and what I had been raised to believe. I was raised to believe that a quiet, calm child was a sure way to success. This child would have the willpower to study hard, get good grades and become someone important in life.
Now those same people perhaps come to realize that their kids are born with their own sets of DNA and personality qualities, and all you can do is loving and accepting them. As parents, throughout their growing years and beyond that, we need to be our kids’ best cheerleaders, guiding them and helping them find their way.
I have stopped asking my son to sit down and concentrate. Obviously, he is concentrating just in his own way and not mine. We need to learn to accept our kids’ ways of doing things. Some way may have worked for me but doesn’t mean we need to carry it through generations. There is nothing sweeter than being personal and unique (独特的). It makes us free and happy and that’s just the way I want my kids to live their own life.Time and again the author got his son seated in order to make him ______.
| A．work fast | B．go polite | C．stay relaxed | D．keep attentive |
The underlined “it” (in the first paragraph) probably refers to ______.
| A．his son’s doing better while standing up |
| B．his failure in keeping his son under control |
| C．his own experience as a school boy |
| D．his disappointment with his active child |
By this passage, the author attempts to tell other parents to ______.
| A．correct their kids’ manners from the early ages |
| B．respect and trust their kids’ ways of behaviors |
| C．develop a good relationship with their children |
| D．guarantee their children’s freedom at home |
Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?
| A．Parental help with teens’ study |
| B．Adult influence on teen growth |
| C．Kids’ success in their own styles |
| D．Friendship between generations |
In the second half of each year, many powerful storms are born in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean seas. Of these, only about a half a dozen generate the strong, circling winds of 75 miles per hour or more that give them hurricane status, and several usually make their way to the coast. There they cause millions of dollars of damage, and bring death to large numbers of people.
The great storms that hit the coast start as innocent circling disturbances (气旋) hundreds — even thousands — of miles out to sea. As they travel aimlessly over water warmed by the summer sun, they are carried westward by the trade winds. When conditions are just right, warm, moist (潮湿的) air flows in at the bottom of such a disturbance, moves upward through it and comes out at the top. In the process, the moisture in this warm air produces rain, and with it the heat that is switched to energy in the form of strong winds. As the heat increases, the young hurricane begins to turn around in a counter-clockwise motion (反时针方向).
The average life of a hurricane is only about nine days, but it contains almost more power than we can imagine. The energy in the heat released (释放) by a hurricane’s rainfall in a single day would satisfy the entire electrical needs of the United States for more than six months.
Water, rather than wind, is the main source of death and destroying in a hurricane. A typical hurricane brings 6-to-12-inch downpours resulting in sudden floods. Worst of all is the powerful movement of the sea — the mountains of water moving toward the low-pressure hurricane center. The water level rises as much as 15 feet above normal as it moves toward shore.An ordinary tropical storm is called a hurricane when ______.
| A．it occurs in the Caribbean seas |
| B．its winds reach 75 miles per hour |
| C．it makes its way to the coastline |
| D．its winds begin to circle on the sea |
What is the worst thing about hurricane?
| A．The rough water. | B．The violent winds. |
| C．The heat it gives out. | D．The length of its life. |
What does the third paragraph mainly talk about?
| A．The hurricane is extraordinarily powerful. |
| B．The hurricane is used to generate electricity. |
| C．The hurricane can otherwise offer an unusual sight. |
| D．The hurricane can give people an unforgettable experience. |
The counter-clockwise movement of the hurricane is caused by ______.
| A．the low-pressure area in the center of the storm |
| B．the force of waves of water |
| C．the increasing heat |
| D．the trade winds |
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
Many people think there is no need to take special care over home security.
“I’m all right, I’m insured (保险)”
Maybe—if you’re fully insured. Even then you can never recover the real value you place on your possessions. But you can’t insure against the upset and unhappiness that we all feel if our homes are torn apart by some stranger, our windows and doors broken, our precious possessions ruined.
“It won’t happen to me”
Won’t it? A home is broken into every minute or so of the day. The thefts of all kinds, including cars and property stolen from cars, happen twice as frequently.
“I’ve nothing worth stealing”
You may think not. But in fact everyone has something worth a thief’s attention. And we all have things of special value to us even if they’re worth little or nothing in cash terms.
“I’m just a tenant (房客) here”
The thief doesn’t care whether you’re a tenant or an owner-occupier. You’re just as likely to be robbed. Have a word with the owner of the house if you think extra locks and fastenings are necessary.
“They’ll get in anyway”
Most thieves are on the lookout for easy jobs. They are soon discouraged by houses they can’t get into in any quick and easy way. So it’s worth taking care.
“This booklet will help you”
It’s based on the practical experience of police forces throughout the country. Most of the suggestions will cost you only a few minutes extra time and thought. A few may involve some expense, but this is small compared with the loss and unhappiness you might otherwise suffer.
If you are in doubt, ask for free advice from the Crillle Prevention Officer at your local police station.Why do you still need to protect your possessions when you’ve already insured them?
| A．You tend to undervalue your possessions. |
| B．You cannot insure against damage to property. |
| C．A robbery can affect your moods at home. |
| D．It takes a long time to recover your belongings. |
What should a tenant do if he is worried about the security of his home?
| A．Fix new locks on all the doors. |
| B．Discuss the matter with the owner. |
| C．Check it up with the police. |
| D．Keep careful watch of the house. |
The advertisement says that most thieves ______.
| A．prefer stealing from offices |
| B．like causing a lot of damage |
| C．break into any places they desire |
| D．get prevented by perfect guard equipment |
This advertisement aims to influence people who ______.
| A．have little sense of security |
| B．are not properly insured |
| C．are worried about home security |
| D．have their houses broken into |
You put a great deal of effort into reaching the college of your choice. It’s time to get started. But what’s next? Beginning college can be an exciting but awkward time. Follow these tips to adjust to your new life rapidly and make the most of your college experience.
● To save time and money, use the college’s bus system. Taking the bus to school is quick, easy and free in most college towns. You won’t have to locate or afford a place to park either. It’s also a good way to be environmentally aware.
● Save pennies on books by waiting until class starts. You might not even need all of the recommended books. New textbooks cost an arm and a leg. Try buying used textbooks — it’s a surefire way to save money and serves the purpose as well.
● Do never look at college life as an endless series of parties and social activities. But there is a whole lot more to college if you’re serious about graduating. Having a good college experience is all about balancing work and fun.
● Be aware that your living environment can largely affect your academic success. If the dorm doesn’t suit you, consider living at home with your family or renting your own apartment. The best location for your studies isn’t always your dorm. Find a quiet area, like the library, to do your work. Alternatively, buy some headphones that block out noise.
● Be mindful of your diet. Make healthy food choices and watch what you eat. Avoid foods that are processed or high in sugar. The “freshman 15” is real. Many college students gain at least 15 pounds during their freshmen year.
● While electives (选修课) can be helpful when figuring out your major, you shouldn’t entirely rely on them. Clubs and other organizations exist around. Get involved. Make sure, though, that you still have time to study. Having too much on your plate can hurt your grades.Which of the following ideas can be financially wise?
| A．Driving your own car. | B．Buying used books. |
| C．Renting an apartment. | D．Attending activities. |
In the text, freshmen are repeatedly warned against ______.
| A．academic failures | B．physical problems |
| C．traffic accidents | D．social activities |
The “freshman 15” tells the fact that some freshmen ______.
| A．attend limited activities on campus |
| B．have little regular physical exercise |
| C．focus less on their academic work |
| D．take relaxed attitudes to their diets |
The underlined phrase “having too much on your plate” probably refers to ______.
| A．using too much money for meals |
| B．eating too many unhealthy foods |
| C．taking part in too many after-class activities |
| D．taking an elective that has too many students |