第二部分:阅读理解
Shanghai—Shanghai officials are welcoming a new national-water law that they say will help them protect the upper reaches of the Huangpu River and other water ways in Shanghai.
The new law, which came into effect yesterday, updates a law enacted(颁布) in 1988 that focused on supplying water to needy areas, but didn’t pay a great deal of attention to environmental protection.
The previous law, for example, gave local authorities power over waterways in these areas, but didn’t pay attention to the sources of those rivers and lakes. So, Shanghai was responsible for cleaning and protecting the lower reaches of the Chang Jiang River but had no say in how the river’s upper reaches, which feed into Shanghai, are maintained.
The new law will make it easier to control the amount of waste that ends up in local rivers and reduce inefficient use of waterways, said Zhang Jia-yi, director of the Shanghai Water Affairs Bureau, on the bureau’s website commenting on law yesterday.
Zhang said the new law focuses on the efficient use of water sources and emphasizes the harmonious development of China’s population, its economy and environment.
Zhang also emphasizes the city will crack down on companies and individuals that pollute the city’s water sources. The bureau sets up a special force to investigate(调查) water pollution in March.
So far this year, the bureau has published more than 3 million in fines on various polluters, Zhang said.
36. The best title for the news report should be ______.
A. A new Law Is Born
B. A New Water Law to Protect Rivers
C. Is it Necessary to Protect the Rivers
D. Make Full Use of Water Sources
37. The underlined phrase “crack down on” means _____.
A. bring up carefully B. speak highly of
C. deal with seriously D. destroy completely
38. Which of the following is NOT true?
A. The law in 1988 is suitable for the new requirements.
B. The new law will stop waste being poured into the Chang Jiang River.
C. A lot of polluting units have been fined this year.
D. The new law and the old one are the same in protecting the environment.
39. We can infer from the passage that _____ .
A. the problem of protecting the water sources wasn’t paid much attention to
B. no laws were carried out to manage the water sources in Shanghai.
C. the new law mainly emphasizes how to make use of the water sources.
D. companies or individuals that polluted the water sources didn’t get fined.
阅读下面短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。
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.www.
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 |
阅读下面短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。
“Have you ever been out on a boat and felt it lifted up by a wave? Or have you jumped in the water and felt the rush of energy as waves came over you?” asked Jamie Taylor of the Wave Energy Group at the University of Edinburgh.“There is certainly a lot of energy in waves,” he said.Scientists are working to use that energy to make electricity.Most waves are created when winds blow across the ocean.“The wind starts out by making little ripples(涟漪), but if they keep on blowing, those ripples get bigger and bigger and turn into waves,” Taylor said.“Waves are one of nature’s ways of picking up energy and then sending it off on a journey.” When waves come toward the shore, people can set up dams to block the water and send it through a large wheel called a turbine(涡轮机).The turbine can then power an electrical generator to produce electricity.
“The resource is huge,” said Janet Swain of the World Watch Institute.“We will never run out of wave power.” Besides, wave energy does not create the same pollution as other energy sources, such as oil or coal.Oceans cover three quarters of the Earth’s surface—that would make wave power seem ideal for creating energy throughout the world, though there are some weak points yet to overcome.
Swain said that wave power still costs too much money.She also said that its effects on sea animals are still unknown.What is more, wave power could affect fishing and boat traffic.Traditional sources of energy like oil and gas may someday run out.“Demand for energy to power our TVs and computers, drive our cars, and heat and cool our homes is rising rapidly throughout the world,” Swain said.In the future when you turn on a light, an ocean wave could be providing the electricity!The writer uses the two questions at the beginning of the passage to .
A.test the readers’ knowledge about waves |
B.draw the readers’ attention to the topic |
C.show Jamie Taylor’s importance |
D.invite the readers to answer them |
The underlined phrase “picking up” is closest in meaning to .
A.starting again |
B.speeding up |
C.improving |
D.gathering |
We can make better use of wave energy if we .
A.shorten its journey to thousands of homes |
B.build more small power stations on the oceans |
C.reduce the cost of turning it into electric power |
D.quicken the steps of producing electricity |
It can be inferred that someday we might not worry about .
A.our power supply |
B.our boat traffic |
C.air pollution |
D.our supply of sea fish |
A shopkeeper sent his son to learn about the secret of happiness from the wisest man in the world.The boy walked a long way, and finally came upon the beautiful castle where the wise man lived.
On entering the main room of the castle, the boy was quite surprised: tradesmen coming and going, people chatting in the corners, and a small orchestra playing soft music.The wise man talked with everyone, and the boy had to wait for two hours before it was his turn.
The wise man listened carefully to the boy’s explanation of why he had come, but told him that he didn’t have time just then to explain the secret of happiness.He suggested that the boy look around the palace and return in two hours.
“Meanwhile, I want to ask you to do something,” said the wise man, handing the boy a teaspoon that held two drops of oil.“As you wander around, carry this spoon with you without allowing the oil to spill.”
The boy began to walk up and down stairs of the palace, keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon.After two hours, he returned to the wise man.
“Well,” asked the wise man, “Did you see the Persian tapestries(挂毯)in the hall? Did you see the garden that took the master gardener ten years to create?” The boy was embarrassed, and replied that he had observed nothing.His only concern had been not to spill the oil.
“Then go back and observe the wonders of my world,” said the wise man.The boy picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace.This time he observed all of the works of art on the ceilings and the walls.When he returned, he described in detail everything he had seen.
“But where are the drops of oil?” asked the wise man.Looking down at the spoon he held, the boy saw that the oil was gone.
“Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you,” said the wise man.“The secret of happiness is to see all the wonders of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.”When the boy arrived at the castle, he .
A.received a warm welcome from the wise man |
B.had already missed his chance to talk to the wise man |
C.was shown around the palace by the local people |
D.didn’t expect to see so many people around |
The wise man gave the boy two tasks in order to .
A.show him how to observe the wonders in the world |
B.teach him the secret of happiness |
C.make him learn from his mistakes |
D.let the boy enjoy his palace and garden |
We can infer from the article that “the drops of the oil on the spoon” probably refer to .
A.the beauty of one’s nature |
B.the fortune a person possesses |
C.the responsibilities one has to take on |
D.the great opportunities in life |
What would be the best title for the article?
A.Lesson about Happiness |
B.The Secret of Happiness |
C.Learning about Happiness |
D.Searching for Happiness |
You know eating fruit and vegetables does good. But do you know it can also make you look good? People who increased their intake over just six weeks developed a healthy glow and appeared more attractive, researchers found. Scientists at St Andrews University found eating them slightly increased yellow and red pigments in the volunteers' skin. They monitored the food intake of 35 people and took pictures of their faces, arms and hands using a sensitive camera at the start, and after three and six weeks. Increasing their intake of greens by 2.9 portions a day was found to make the person look more healthy and an extra 3.3 portions could enhance their attractiveness, when their photographs were rated by others.
Fruit and vegetables are rich in carotenoids(类胡萝卜素),which are known to protect against cell damage from pollution and UV rays, and can also prevent age-related diseases including heart disease and cancer. But while it was known eating extreme amounts of certain vegetables such as carrots could turn skin orange,it was not known a small increase was perceptible(被觉察)to others—and was seen as appealing.
A camera measured changes to the skin's redness, yellowness and lightness, and found it significantly changed in people who naturally increased their intake. These changes were not evident in three weeks. Using light sensors, the researchers showed these red and yellow hues were linked with the levels of carotenoids in their skin. There are hundreds of carotenoids but those thought to have the most dramatic effect are lycopene(番茄红素)—which gives tomatoes and red peppers their red colour—and beta-carotene found in carrots as well as broccoli, squash, and spinach. Skin colour is also affected by chemicals called polyphenols(多元酚),found in apples, blueberries and cherries, which cause blood rush to the skin surface.What do we know from the research?
A.If you take in a little more fruit and vegetables, you will obviously look more attractive in three weeks. |
B.People who increased their intake of greens by 3.3 portions a day were found the most attractive after six weeks. |
C.Increasing your intake of greens by 2.9 portions a day can greatly improve your health. |
D.The researchers took the pictures of the 35 people in the research at different stages. |
Which of the following is NOT the function of carotenoids?
A.They can protect against cell damage from pollution and UV rays. |
B.They can prevent heart disease and cancer. |
C.They can keep you in good health. |
D.They can prevent age-related diseases. |
34.Which of the statements is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
A.We've already known eating extreme amounts of carrots can turn skin orange. |
B.We knew in the past that eating a few more carrots could make us look appealing. |
C.The research showed the improvement in skin is linked with the levels of carotenoids in it. |
D.Among hundreds of carotenoids, lycopene is thought to have the most dramatic effect |
Which can be the best title of the passage?
A.Eating fruit and vegetables does good. |
B.Eating fruit and vegetables makes you look good. |
C.How to become attractive? |
D.Fruit and vegetables are rich in carotenoids. |
Would you want a doctor who got high marks in medical school just for trying hard? Apparently many college students would have no problem with that. They believe students are owed a good grade simply because they put a lot of effort into a class.
The researchers asked more than 800 undergraduates if they agreed or disagreed with some statements. For example: "If I have completed most of the reading for a class, I deserve a B in that course." And: "A professor should not be annoyed with me if I receive an important call during class."
Just 16 percent thought it was OK to take that phone call. But 66 percent agreed that a professor should consider effort and not just the quality of a student's work when deciding grades. And 40 percent thought they should get a B, the second highest mark, just because they did most of the reading for class.
Some experts are not surprised that students often see no difference between effort and results. Social critics like to say that in children's activities these days everyone gets an award just for trying, so no one will feel rejected.
Yet competition to get into the best colleges is fiercer than ever. Students may worry that low grades will keep them out of graduate school or a good job.
And there may be another explanation: pressure from parents to get a good return on the family's investment. These days, college can cost more than a house.
A former teaching assistant recently wrote to the New York Times about his experience with grade expectations. He would try to explain it this way when students asked for a top grade just for studying hard in chemistry class:
What if a baseball player came to spring training and worked harder than all the others, but still could not play well? Would the team accept him anyway, just because he tried so hard?
The students would say no. But most of them would still ask for an A.What does the passage mainly discuss?
A.Whether students deserve high marks just for trying hard. |
B.Whether students are allowed to answer calls in class. |
C.How students can get a good grade in the course. |
D.Why students put a lot of efforts in their studies. |
According to the research, most of the students _______.
A. thought it was all right to answer the call during class.
B. thought they did most of the work for class and should get a B.
C. objected to deciding grades only by the quality of a student’s work.
D. agreed that they should be given top grades because of their hard work.Which of the following opinions do social critics agree to about children’s activities?
A.Those who are active in the activities can get an award. |
B.Only by playing an important role in the activities can you get an award. |
C.Whoever takes part in the activities can get an award. |
D.An award is prepared for anyone who performs best in the activities. |
From the sixth paragraph we can learn that _____.
A.it costs much more to build a college than to buy a house. |
B.the costs of studying at college are much more than staying at home. |
C.the costs of sending a child to college are much more than buying a house. |
D.it is difficult for parents to send a child to college. |