In the face of rising gas costs, many consumers are beginning to consider the choice of a hybrid(混合动力的) vehicle--one which operates on both gas and electricity. All of the models of hybrid car will save money, but are they really effective when all of the costs of maintenance(维修) and other considerations are included in?
First of all, consider the cost of buying a hybrid vehicle. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 more than the traditional models. However, some say that as the hybrid cars become increasingly more available as a reflection of demand, the prices can be expected to drop, making them more cost effective when it comes to the initial investment(初始投资).
Also important to keep in mind is the fact that the hybrid cars have a much more specialized system than the standard vehicle, and will therefore require more specialized workers to repair them when they break down.
It seems as though, at least for the time being, the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the average consumer may not be the best choice when it comes to saving money. It is important to keep several things in mind, however, when considering purchasing a hybrid model. Many consumers are choosing to purchase these cars because they represent a significant development in terms of environmental concerns over standard models. They also mean that as a whole, Western nations will become less dependent on oil as the only means of power.
Finally, it is necessary to remember that the hybrid car is a very new technology. Developed only within the last few years, the technology is still in the starting stage, where costs will continue to be high. As time passes, the development of the hybrid technology will begin to push prices down to the point where hybrids are more competitive with the traditionally fueled models of the past.
72.What is the purpose of writing this article?
A. To tell the readers about the advantages of hybrid cars.
B. To warn the readers of the disadvantages of hybrid cars.
C. To advise people to think twice before buying hybrid cars.
D. To call on people to buy hybrid cars to protect the environment.
73.Which is the benefit of hybrid cars?
A. Consuming less gas. B. Being easier to drive.
C. Lower initial investment. D. Lower maintenance cost.
74.What do we know from the passage?
A. The hybrid technology is very new and mature as well.
B. It’s not easy to repair a hybrid car due to its special system.
C. Many average consumers can not afford to buy hybrid cars.
D. The traditional vehicles are much safer to drive than hybrid cars.
75.We can infer from the passage that in the future.
A. the traditional cars will gradually disappear
B. the hybrid vehicles will gradually disappear
C. the cost of hybrid cars will be more reasonable
D. the hybrid technology will bring oil prices down
C
Choosing the Right Resolution (决定)
Millions of Americans began 2014 with the same resolution they started 2013 with, a goal of losing weight. However, setting weight loss as a goal is a mistake.
To reach our goal of losing weight --- the output, we need to control what we eat --- the input ( 输入). That is, we tend to care about the output but not to control the input. This is a bad way to construct goals. The alternative is to focus your resolution on the input. Instead of resolving to lose weight, try an actionable resolution: “I’ll stop having dessert for lunch,” or “I’ll walk every day for 20 minutes.” Creating a goal that focuses on a well-specified input will likely be more effective than concentrating on the outcome.
Recently a new science behind incentives (激励) , including in education, has been discussed. For example, researcher Roland Fryer wanted to see what works best in motivating children to do better in school. In some cases, he gave students incentives based on input, like reading certain books, while in others, the incentives were based on output, like results on exams. His main finding was that incentives increased achievement when based on input but had no effect on output. Fryer’s conclusion was that the intensives for inputs might be more effective because students do not know how to do better on exam, aside from general rules like “study harder.” Reading certain books, on the other hand, is a well-set task over which they have much more control.
As long as you have direct control over your goal, you have a much higher chance of success. And it’s easier to start again if you fail, because you know exactly what you need to do.
If you want to cut down on your spending, a good goal would be making morning coffee at home instead of going to a cafe, for example. This is a well-specified action-based goal for which you can measure your success easily. Spending less money isn’t a goal because it’s too general. Similarly, if you want to spend more time with your family, don’t stop with this general wish. Think about an actionable habit that you could adopt and stick to, like a family movie night every Wednesday.In the long run, these new goals could become a habit.The writer thinks that setting weight loss as a goal is a mistake because_______ .
A.it is hard to achieve for most Americans |
B.it is focused too much on the result |
C.it is dependent on too many things |
D.it is based on actionable decisions |
In Roland Fryer’s research, some students did better than the others because _________ .
A.they obeyed all the general rules |
B.they paid more attention to exams |
C.they were motivated by their classmates |
D.they were rewarded for reading some books |
According to the writer, which of the following statements is a good goal?
A.“I’ll give up dessert.” |
B.“I’ll study harder.” |
C.“I’ll cut down my expense” |
D.“I’ll spend more time with my family” |
The writer strongly believes that we should ________ .
A.develop good habits and focus on the outcome |
B.be optimistic about final goals and stick to them |
C.pick specific actions that can be turned into good habits |
D.set ambitious goals that can balance the input and output |
B
People aren’t walking any more--- if they can figure out a way to avoid it.
I felt superior about this matter until the other day I took my car to mail a small parcel. The journey is a matter of 281 steps. But I used the car. And I wasn’t in any hurry, either, I had merely become one more victim of a national sickness: motorosis.
It is an illness to which I had thought myself immune(免疫的), for I was bred in the tradition of going to places on my own two legs. At that time, we regarded 25 miles as good day’s walk and the ability to cover such a distance in ten hours as a sign of strength and skill. It did not occur to us that walking was a hardship. And the effect was lasting. When I was 45 years old I raced –and beat—a teenage football player the 168 steps up the Stature of Liberty.
Such enterprises today are regarded by many middle-aged persons as bad for the heart. But a well-known British physician, Sir Adolphe Abrhams, pointed out recently that hearts and bodies need proper exercise. A person who avoids exercise is more likely to have illnesses than one who exercises regularly. And walking is an ideal form of exercise--- the most familiar and natural of all.
It was Henry Thoreau who showed mankind the richness of going on foot. The man walking can learn the trees, flower, insects, birds and animals, the significance of seasons, the very feel of himself as a living creature in a living world. He cannot learn in a car.
The car is a convenient means of transport, but we have made it our way of life. Many people don’t dare to approach Nature any more; to them the world they were born to enjoy is all threat. To them security is a steel river thundering on a concrete road. And much of their thinking takes place while waiting for the traffic light to turn green.
I say that the green of forests is the mind’s best light. And none but the man on foot can evaluate what is basic and everlasting.What was life like when the author was young?
A.People usually went around on foot. |
B.people often walked 25 miles a day |
C.People used to climb the Statue of Liberty. |
D.people considered a ten-hour walk as a hardship. |
The author mentions Henry Thoreau to prove that
A.middle-aged people like getting back to nature |
B.walking in nature helps enrich one’s mind |
C.people need regular exercise to keep fit |
D.going on foot prevents heart disease |
What is compared to “a steel river” in Paragraph6?
A.A queue of cars |
B.A ray of traffic light |
C.A flash of lightning |
D.A stream of people |
What is the author’s intention of writing this passage?
A.To tell people to reflect more on life. |
B.To recommend people to give up driving |
C.To advise people to do outdoor activities |
D.To encourage people to return to walking |
A
A Guide to the University
Food
The TWU Cafeteria is open 7am to 8pm. It serves snacks(小吃), drinks, ice cream bars and meals. You can pay with cash or your ID cards. You can add meal money to your ID cards at the Front Desk. Even if you do not buy your food in the cafeteria, you can use the tables to eat your lunch, to have meetings and to study.
If you are on campus in the evening or late at night, you can buy snacks, fast food, and drinks in the Lower Café located in the bottom level of the Gouglas Centre. This area is often used for entertainment such as concerts, games or TV watching.
Relaxation
The Globe, located in the bottom level of McMillan Hall, is available for relaxing, studying, cooking, and eating. Monthly activities are held here for all international students. Hours are 10 am to 10 pm, closed on Sundays.
Health
Located on the top floor of Douglas Hall, the Wellness Centre is committed to physical, emotional and social health. A doctor and nurse is available if you have health questions or need immediate medical help or personal advice. The cost of this is included in your medical insurance. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to noon and 1;00 to 4;30pm.
Academic Support
All students have access to the Writing Centre on the upper floor of Douglas Hall. Here, qualified volunteers will work with you on written work, grammar, vocabulary, and other academic skills. You can sign up for an appointment on the sign-up sheet outside the door two 30 –minute appointments per week maximum. This service is free.
Transportation
The TWU Express is a shuttle(班车) service. The shuttle transports students between campus and the shopping centre, leaving from the Mattson Centre. Operation hours are between 8am and 3pm. Saturdays only. Round trip fare is $1.What can you do in the TWU Cafeteria?
A.have meals and meet with friends |
B.Buy drinks and enjoy concerts |
C.Do homework and watch TV |
D.Add money to your ID and play chess |
Where and when can you cook your own food?
A.The Globe, Friday |
B.The Lower Café, Sunday |
C.The TWU Cafeteria , Friday |
D.The McMillan Hall , Sunday. |
The Guide tells us that the Wellness Centre _________.
A.is open six days a week |
B.offers services free of charge |
C.trains students in medical care |
D.gives advice on mental health |
How can you seek help from the Writing Centre?
A.By applying online |
B.By filling in a sign-up form |
C.By calling the centre |
D.By going to the centre directly |
D
OUR KIDS ARE AMAZING-especially compared with everybody else’s (who seem to cry all the time). How do you show your love for your kids this holiday season? With toys that are smooth and colorful, interactive and exciting. And with ones that have educational value-because you are the boss.
1.FLAX ART HOSPITAL PUZZLE AND PLAY SET
Here is a toy that doesn’t need power-and the kids have to put it together themselves. This 50-piece puzzle set is made of soft-edged hardwood and makes a complete hospital, with an X-ray room. It also includes eight patients, a car and a driver. $135; flaxart.com.
2.TINY LOVE ACTIVITY BALL
Sure, it’s cool, but this colorful baby toy also develops problem solving and motor skills. It has a head and legs, a magnetic(磁性的) hand and a tail. Suitable for little ones from 6 to 36 months. $19.95; tinylove.com.
3.ROBOSAPIEN
This small, remote-control robot is really powerful. It performs 67 preprogrammed functions, including throwing, kicking, picking up and dancing. You can even program your own function-which, sadly, does not include doing windows. $99; robosapienonline.com.
4.MINI PEDAL CAR
Want a Mini Cooper but can’t fit the family inside? Get one for the kids. They can jump into this Mini car, which comes in hot orange with a single adjustable seat, and ride away. But it could spoil them for that used car they’ll be driving when they turn 16. For ages 3 to 5. $189; mininss. com (click on “gear up,” then “Mini motoring gear”).Which toy is said to have the special design for children’s safety?
A.ROBOSAPIEN |
B.MINI PEDAL CAR |
C.FLAX ART HOSPITAL PUZZLE AND PLAY SET |
D.TINY LOVE ACTIVITY BALL |
Which toy are fit for three-year-old kids?
A.1 and 3. | B.2 and 4. |
C.1 and 2. | D.3 and 4. |
This passage is written for _______.
A.parents | B.children |
C.the writer | D.the boss |
C
How could we possibly think that keeping animals in cages in unnatural environments -mostly for entertainment purposes - is fair and respectful?
Zoo officials say they are concerned about animals. However, most zoos remain “collections” of interesting “things” rather than protective habitats. Zoos teach people that it is acceptable to keep animals bored, lonely, and far from their natural homes.
Zoos claim to educate people and save endangered species, but visitors leave zoos without having learned anything meaningful about the animals’ natural behavior, intelligence, or beauty. Zoos keep animals in small spaces or cages, and most signs only mention the species’ name, diet, and natural range. The animals’ normal behavior is seldom noticed because zoos don’t usually take care of the animals’ natural needs.
The animals are kept together in small spaces, with no privacy and little opportunity for mental and physical exercise. This results in unusually and self-destructive behavior called zoochosis. A worldwide study of zoos found that zoochosis is common among animals kept in small spaces or cages. Another study showed that elephants spend 22 percent of their time making repeated head movements or biting cage bars, and bears spend 30 percent of their time walking back and forth, a sign of unhappiness and pain.
Furthermore, most animals in zoos are not endangered.Captive breeding(圈养繁殖) of endangered big cats, Asian elephants, and other species has not resulted in their being sent back to the wild.Zoos talk a lot about their captive breeding programs because they do not want people to worry about a species dying out. In fact, baby animals also attract a lot of paying customers. Haven’t we seen enough competitions to name baby animals?
Actually, we will save endangered species only if we save their habitats and put an end to the reasons people kill them. Instead of supporting zoos, we should support groups that work to protect animals’ natural habitats.How would the author describe the animals’ life in zoos?
A.Dangerous. | B.Unhappy. |
C.Natural. | D.Easy. |
In the state of zoochosis, animals _________.
A.remain in cages |
B.behave strangely |
C.attack other animals |
D.enjoy moving around |
What does the author try to argue in the passage?
A.Zoos are not worth the public support. |
B.Zoos fail in their attempt to save animals. |
C.Zoos should treat animals as human beings. |
D.Zoos use animals as a means of entertainment. |
The author tries to persuade readers to accept his argument mainly by _________.
A.pointing out the faults in what zoos do |
B.using evidence he has collected at zoos |
C.questioning the way animals are protected |
D.discussing the advantages of natural habitats |