The World Health Organization raised the pandemic(流行病) flu alert(警戒) to six, the highest level, which means that the H1N1 swine flu is spreading world-wide.
The WHO will ask all countries, including the countries that haven’t yet reported any cases, to make plans to control this disease.
“It was reported that about 35,000 people infected with the H1N1 virus in 74 counties,” Margaret Chan, an officer of the WHO, said on Thursday. “Further spread of the disease is possible,” Ms Chan said. So far, WHO doesn’t expect a sudden jump in the number of serious or dead cases reported.
In Australia, the number of people who got the flu became more than three times as many as before in the past week, reaching 1,263 on Thursday, when three new ones were reported in this country. It recorded its first case of the disease on May 9. “Australia tells us not because of the number of cases, but because of the strong facts of community transmission(群体性传播),” said the spokesman for the World Health Organization. He said the WHO is also watching on similar evidence in the UK, Spain, Japan and Chile.
In Hong Kong, the government on Thursday ordered the nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools to close for two weeks after a dozen students at one school tested positive for swine flu. Elsewhere in Asia, health officials in Thailand found 30 new H1N1 cases, raising the total there to 46.
54. How many levels does WHO use to warn people against the pandemic flu?
A. Five. B. Six. C. Seven. D. Eight.
55. WHO raised the pandemic flu alert to the highest level because .
A. all countries in the world have reported dead cases
B. there is a sudden jump in the number of cases reported
C. there is no medicine to cure this flu
D. it is spreading in the world
56. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. The number of people who got the flu has dropped slightly in the past week in Australia.
B. The WHO ask the countries that have reported cases to make plans to control the disease.
C. The number of people who got the flu reached more than 1,000 in Australia on Thursday.
D. The Hong Kong government ordered all schools to close for two weeks on Thursday.
57. This passage mainly tells us something about .
A. WHO’s raising the pandemic flu alert
B. how to prevent this kind of flu
C. people who got the pandemic flu
D. the ways to avoid the serious pandemic flu
Abuse can be defined as “to treat wrongfully or harmfully”. There are different categories of abuse that have been recognized and within our case study there appear to be two distinct forms of abuse, family abuse and child abuse. These can be subdivided into terms of physical abuse and psychological abuse. Physical abuse is the intentional physical injury or harm or deliberately not preventing harm occurring. The minimum physical signs seen in our study of James are bruises but they might feel more painful to his heart than the more serious invisible injuries. Emotional abuse is the continual failure to meet basic emotional needs. Emotional development is prevented and well-being harmed. The emotional signs in our case study can be seen in James by his actions of being withdrawn and non-communicative. The behavioural sign to abuse taking place to James is his aggressive behaviour.
The short term effect of physical abuse on James is physical pain. In the long term, injuries that often happen can result in secondary illness and complications, permanent scars or even disabilities. His emotional effects in the short term are a fear of people, withdrawal, and poor relationship with others. The long term emotional effects could be low self-respect, depression, inability to form relationships.
Abuse can arise for many reasons and there are a number of theoretical views which may be useful in clarifying why the abuse has taken place. The female view believes that sex and family roles give approval to a culture of abuse. Considering the historical and fixed ideas, men have power and control. In James’ case he lives in a re-constructed family with the father being rude and a heavy drinker. From a psychological angle, alcohol misuse can bring mental health problems which may increase aggression in the person and so James is more at risk from abuse by his stepfather. The relationship between the mother and James involves a dependency of James on his mother. With other problems in James’ mother’s life, this leads to increasing stress and the inability of his mother to cope with and manage a family with four children borne by two mothers. The attachment theory states that significant separations of a child from the carer in the early years can have an effect on their emotional development and can lead to psychological and social difficulties in later life. The loss of both his father and his half sister’s father with whom he lives may have contributed to his behaviour.
Abusive behaviour can sometimes be the result of mental health problems, brain damage or being abused themselves. By becoming the abuser they believe they are taking control; some even believe that they are not doing anything wrong and cannot stop themselves. When working with individuals who have abused, it is important to be aware that they may go on to abuse again and there is a need to protect the community from the abuser. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “bruises” in Paragraph 1?
| A．Slight injury | B．Deep Cut | C．Body disability | D．Inner wound |
According to the writer’s case study, which of the following cases can be defined as abuse?
| A．A father scolds his son because he doesn’t pass the exam in school. |
| B．A car knocks down a woman but the driver doesn’t take her to hospital. |
| C．A father never talks to his daughter and shows no interest in what she does. |
| D．A husband is angry with his wife when she stays out late into the night. |
From the passage we can infer that ______________.
| A．James’ step father doesn’t show any concern for his mother |
| B．James’ mother gave birth to a girl in the re-constructed family |
| C．James’ stepfather is rude to all the children in the family |
| D．James’ mother loves her husband more than her own son |
Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?
| A．Categories of Abuse | B．How to Prevent Abuse |
| C．Abuse and Its Causes | D．Effects Caused by Abuse |
A chocolate printer that allows sweet lovers to create 3D desserts by themselves is to go on sale at a cost of 2,500 pounds.
The machine squirts (喷射) out chocolate and, via computer instructions, allows the user to build any shape they like out of the food. But makers Choc Edge have missed the Easter rush. Even so, they hope the printer will be snapped up by retailers (零售商) immediately they come to the market. Britain’s biggest chocolatiers Thornton’s have already said they are interested. Because of the high cost, however, few individuals are likely to buy one. But thedevicecould one day allow people todesigntheir own 3D objects after submitting their designs on a website. Dr Hao, founder of Choc Edge came up with aprototype (原型)last year and has only just perfected it so that it can now go on sale. “We’ve improved and simplified the machine, so now it is really easy to use,” he told the BBC. “You just need tomeltsome chocolate, fill asyringe (注射器) that is stored in the printer, and get creativeprinting of your chocolate.”
3D printing is a technology where a threedimensionalobjectis created by building up successive layers of material. The technology is already used in industry toproduceplasticand metal products, but this is the first time the principles have been applied to chocolate. The research has presented many challenges. Chocolate is not an easy material to work with because it requires accurateheating and cooling cycles. Dr Hao said, “What makes this technology special is that users will be able todesignand make their own products. From reproducing the shape of a child’s favourite toy to a friend’s face, the possibilities are endless. It could be developed to help consumers design many products from different materials, but we’ve started with chocolate as it is easilyavailable, low cost and harmless.” “There is also no wastage as anyspoilage (损坏物)can be eaten.” Dr Hao added, “Eventuallywe may see manymass-produced products replaced byuniquedesigns created by the customer.”
EPSRC chiefexecutiveProfessor Dave Delpy said, “This is a good example of howcreativeresearch can be applied to create new manufacturing andretailideas. By combining developments in engineering with the commercialpotentialof the digital economy，We can see the new market prospect (前景)—creating new jobs and, in this case, the chocolate printer is called sweet business opportunities.”Which is the advantage of the chocolate printer?
| A．It is easilyavailable, low cost and harmless. |
| B．It mainly produces children’s favourite toys. |
| C．The user can build the shape they like via computer instructions. |
| D．The designs made by it are the same as many mass-produced products. |
What can we conclude from the passage?
| A．The printer sold well during last Easter. |
| B．The technology of 3D printing promises a good future. |
| C．The printer was perfected and went on sale many years ago. |
| D．It’s the first time that the technology has been used in industry. |
Dave Delpy’s attitude towards the chocolate printer is __________.
| A．doubtful | B．supportive | C．negative | D．critical |
We can conclude that this passage is a __________.
| A．science fiction | B．book review | C．news report | D．travel guide |
Nicknames for Los Angeles
A nickname is a shortened form of a person's name. A nickname can also be a descriptive name for a person, place or thing. Many American cities have nicknames. These can help establish an identity, spread pride among citizens and build unity. Nicknames can also be funny.
Los Angeles, California is the second largest city in population, after New York City. Los Angeles has several nicknames. One is simply the city’s initials, L.A. It is also called the City of Angels because Los Angeles means “the angels” in Spanish.
Los Angeles often has warm, sunny weather. So another nickname is City of Flowers and Sunshine. New York is called The Big Apple. So Los Angeles is sometimes called The Big Orange because of the fruit that grows in that city’s warm climate.
The American motion picture and television industries are based in Los Angeles. So it is not surprising that it is called The Entertainment Capital of the World. Many films are made in the area of Los Angeles called Hollywood. Millions of people visit the area. No trip to Los Angeles is complete without seeing the word "Hollywood" spelled out in huge letters on a hillside.
Many movie stars live in Los Angeles. The city is sometimes called Tinseltown. This nickname comes from the shiny, bright and often unreal nature of Hollywood and the movie industry.
Another nickname for Los Angeles is La-La Land, using the first letters of Los and Angeles. This means a place that is fun and not serious, and maybe even out of touch with reality.
The city of Los Angeles is part of Los Angeles County. There are many smaller cities in the county. Beverly Hills, with its rich people, is one of them. So is Pasadena, with its Rose Parade each New Year's Day. So are the coastal cities of Santa Monica and Malibu, where people like to ride surfboards on the Pacific Ocean waves.
A good place for watching unusual-looking people is Venice, an area on the west side of Los Angeles. A system of waterways designed after the Italian city of Venice has been built there.
Many people love Los Angeles for its warm sunny weather, beautiful mountains and beaches, and movie stars. That includes Randy Newman, who sings about his hometown.A nickname of a place can have the following functions except ___________.
| A．building up identity |
| B．entertainment |
| C．bringing pride to the locals |
| D．uniting surrounding cities |
The underlined sentence can best be replaced by __________.
| A．Your trip to Los Angeles is not perfect if you miss the big letters "Hollywood" on a hillside |
| B．Not seeing the word "Hollywood" on a hillside means you haven’t been to Los Angeles. |
| C．If you visit Los Angeles you should first pay a visit to "Hollywood" s on a hillside. |
| D．Seeing the big letters "Hollywood" on a hillside means you’ve been really to Los Angeles. |
How many nicknames have been given to Los Angeles?
| A．4 | B．5 | C．6 | D．7 |
Which of the following is conveyed in this article?
| A．Los Angeles is most famous for its nicknames. |
| B．Hollywood alone adds fame to Los Angeles. |
| C．All the nicknames increase the charm of Los Angeles. |
| D．Los Angeles was built after the Italian city of Venice. |
I was feeling a little blue because my mother had been laid off from her job and she had lots of bills to pay. It left me wondering what was going to happen to us now. But it reassured me some when my mother told me she was relieved to be leaving since her boss wasn't the nicest person to be around.
I got off the college shuttle bus and started walking. That's when I heard piano music and singing rising above the noise of the people and the traffic. I walked a little slower so I could find out where it was coming from. Through the crowd I saw a young lady sitting at a piano with a carriage next to her.
She was singing songs about love, keeping on trying, and not underestimating the power within yourself. The way she was singing comforted me a bit. I stood there watching her play for about fifteen minutes, thinking that it must take courage to perform on your own in the middle of a crowded New York ferry terminal.
So I stood there listening.
She must have felt my presence because she would occasionally look in my direction. By now I was telling myself that if she could perform in front of hundreds of people she didn't know then I could at least tell her how good she sounded. I walked over and put some money in her carriage and she said, "Thank you." Instead of continuing my way home, I said to her, "I have been going through a rough time lately, but you've made me hopeful again."
"I'm happy that I could help," she replied. "Why are you so sad?"
"Well, my mum told me she had got fired from her job, and that made me sad. I'm not so sure what to do ..."
"You see, here's the problem," she explained. "The way you were walking, your head was down. Don't look defeated, because opportunity comes in different ways and if your head is down you might never see it. You should smile more ... lift your head up."
I smiled faintly, amazed by how she was encouraging me. So, I asked her, "Why are you playing the piano in the middle of a crowded place? I've seen you do this more than once."
She explained to me that she sees a lot of negative people in the world and she tries to alleviate the pain and bring more positivity by sharing motivational music. She told me that when she wasn't making music she studied psychology. So, that was how she knew some of the things she was telling me.
I smiled a little wider because I knew that she was doing a good thing. So, after that we parted, my heart touched and lightened by a musical soul!We can learn from Paragraph 3 that the young lady sang to _________.
| A．show her love for life |
| B．rid herself of low spirits |
| C．earn money for her schooling |
| D．inspire others to live positively |
Which word may best describe the young lady?
| A．helpful | B．outgoing | C．ambitious | D．humorous |
Which do you think is the best title of the passage?
| A．An Unforgettable Experience |
| B．A Heart Touched By A Musical Soul |
| C．Music Can Do Wonders |
| D．A Good Deed Helped Me Out |
Celebrating sleep
World Sleep Day, observed on 21 March, was created to bring attention to the growing number of sleep problems worldwide. Sleep is a natural part of human life, but many people in the modern world ignore its importance. As a result, sleep problems are increasingly common.
In 2002, scientists at the University of Athens in Greece conducted a survey of over 35,000 people in 10 countries around the world, including China, Belgium and South Africa. Of the people that responded to the survey, 24 percent said that they did not sleep well, and based on their responses, 31.6 percent were diagnosed (诊断)with insomnia（失眠）and another 17.5 percent were diagnosed with borderline insomnia. In addition, 30.7 percent of survey respondents reported visiting a doctor for help with sleep problems and 11.6 percent said that they felt very sleepy during the day.
Overall, the survey found that ninny people suffer the effects of poor quality sleep, some examples of which are being unable to fall asleep and waking up in the middle of the night. The main factors causing these problems are pressure from school or work and a fast pace of life, but noise pollution and light pollution also interfere with sleep and contribute to poor quality sleep. The survey’s findings are particularly troubling because large numbers of people were found to have difficulty sleeping at night. The short-term effects of this are tiredness and trouble concentrating. If this happens for a long time, the risk of putting on weight and having a heart attack may increase.
There are many things you can do to improve the quality of your sleep. First, you should have regular sleep habits. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. You also need to make your bedroom a cool, dark, quiet place to sleep so that heat, light and noise do not disturb you. At night, you should also avoid things that contain caffeine, such as chocolate, coffee, tea and many soft drinks, as caffeine may keep you from sleeping.
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for everyone. By following the advice above, you can rest better at night and work better during the day.
Title: Celebrating Sleep
| Topic |
Context |
| World Sleep Day |
Due to ignorance of the importance of sleep problems, people observe Mar. 21, World Sleep Day to bring (78) ▲to the problem. |
| Responses of the survey |
1). Of 3, 5000 people in 10 countries in the world, there were 24 percent of the people saying they didn’t sleep well. 2). 31.6 percent were diagnosed with insomnia and another 17.5 percent were on the borderline of sleeplessness. 3). The (79) ▲of the people feeling sleepy during the day is 11.6. 4) 30.7 percent reported (80) ▲to a doctor for sleep problems. |
| (76) ▲causing sleep problems & their consequences |
1).Under (81) ▲from school or work, people may have sleep problems. 2). Noise or light pollution（82)▲to poor quality sleeps. 3).Sleepless people may easily (83)▲weight and have a heart attack. 4). Feeling fired and sleepy, people find it (84) ▲ to concentrate. |
| (77) ▲to take to improve sleep quality |
1). Have regular sleep habits. 2). Make your bedroom cool, dark and quiet. 3). Avoid things (85) ▲caffeine. |