A solar pump(太阳能水泵 ) was built in a desert small village. The pump used the deserts most common resource – sunlight, to increase its greatest need, water. Solar collectors were used to collect the sun’s r
ays. Flat collectors were used instead of concave (凹的) collectors. Flat collectors can be still and do not have moving parts, which can be broken in sandstorms. The system used the 20C temperature difference between the solar collectors and the ground water to work a steam engine which pumped water from under the ground.
Some of the social effects of the new pump were planed for. Children aged 6—15 used to meet the old men to receive the informal education there. In order to replace this, a school was also included in the project. But the project had not considered the traditional power structure of the village. As soon as the foreign experts left, the two richest men in the village took control of the pump and started selling water to everyone else. The result was that the majority of the people were poorer than before.
16. The basic function of the solar collectors is to ______
A. pump water B. gather the sun’s rays
C. start engine D. raise the temperature
17. According to the passage which of the following statements could be true?
A. Solar collectors were concave collectors
B. Flat collectors can be broken in sandstorms.
C. Concave collectors may be have moving parts.
D. A solar pump is a solar collectors.
18. The underground water is pumped by means of ______.
A. solar collectors B. the 20C temperature difference C. the system D. a steam engine
19. Another plan was also included that_____.
A. some new pumps were to built ,too
B. children from aged 6—15 were required to meet old men.
C. a new school would take the place of the informal education.
D. the richest men in the village would control the pump.
20. From this passage , it can be inferred that_____.
A. the project was good , but people there disliked it.
B. only few rich men supported the project.
C. the project was successful even though it only brought good social effects to fewer villagers.
D. the project was a complete failure, because the result was against its purpose.
One Canada, Two Languages
Canada is one of the few nations in the world to have two official languages: English and French. There are 10 provinces in the country but only one of these—Quebec is known as “French Canada”. This is because it was founded by French explorers while British adventurers discovered the rest.
Canada left the British empire(帝国) in 1867 to become an independent country and English and French have been recognized as the official languages ever since.
Most people speak English as their first language and the two national television networks broadcast in English throughout the country. Apart from in Quebec and a few places on the east coast, French television is very rare.
The same goes for traffic signs and menus, for example, outside of Quebec, there are only a few places where you’ll see traffic signs in French. In restaurants, it’s almost impossible to find French on the menu unless you are in the heartland (中心地带) of French Canada. However, all products sold in Canada must, by law, have labels (标签) and instructions in both languages.
In Canada’s English speaking provinces, official bilingualism (双语) means that students can choose to complete a special French language course. Under this program, they are taught most of their subjects in French.
If a student begins the course in kindergarten (幼儿园) or Grade One, it is likely that all their lessons will be in French. However, if they start at junior high school, 25 percent of the teaching will continue to be in English.How many provinces are there in Canada?
| A．Ten. | B．Nine. | C．Eleven. | D．Two. |
Which country controlled Canada before its independence?
| A．France. | B．Britain. | C．America. | D．Germany |
Where can you watch French television programs?
| A．Only in Quebec. |
| B．In Quebec and a few other places. |
| C．From the two national television networks. |
| D．All over Canada |
What do we know about the education in Canada?
| A．In English speaking provinces only English courses are offered. |
| B．If you choose a special French language course, most of the subjects are taught in French. |
| C．The courses in primary school are all taught in English. |
| D．Most of the courses in junior high schools are taught in English. |
Shane Thomas is a 10-year-old pianist from England. He’s being called the next Mozart because of his amazing abilities.
He has only been having piano lessons for four months, and practices four hours a week, but he has already played difficult classical pieces. He was just seven when he sat down at the piano, and could play at once. He also says he never gets nervous.
When Shane was three years old, he said that he could play the piano, but nobody took him seriously. At school, he could listen to the teacher and do his work while composing (作曲) in his head. Shame remembers all the melodies（旋律）,and when he gets home he plays them on the piano, while his father records them. Shane loves playing the piano, and when he grows up he wants to be a composer.
His tutor, Richard Goffin-Lecar, says he is like Amadeus Mozart, who lived during the 18th century in Salzburg, Austria, and was one of the most famous composers ever. Mr. Goffin-lecar says, “I don’t teach Shane very much. I just give him directions, then sit back and watch.”
His father, a single parent with two other children, says that although he has little money, he wants to send Shane to a good music school. “I’m a single father, but I have this gifted child. I don’t have much money, but I want to give him the best teachers, and also take him into a studio to record.”When did Shane tell others that he could play the piano?
| A．At age three. | B．At age ten. | C．At age seven. | D．At age four. |
Which of the following is TRUE about Shane?
| A．He feels nervous while playing the piano |
| B．He can compose in his head while doing his work. |
| C．He wants to be a piano tutor when he grows up. |
D．He doesn’t like to listen to the teacher at  school. |
What do we learn about Shane’s father?
| A．He also plays the piano well. |
| B．He’s a single father with two children. |
| C．He believes in Shane’s talent for music and will support him. |
| D．Not having enough money, he will ask the teachers for help |
Mexico City is truly one of the most amazing cities in the world with a mixture of both the old and new world. From the moment your plane starts to descend into this vast city, you know that your trip will be quite an adventure.
Once in your taxi and the moment you leave the airport, you are amazed at the large amount of slow traffic. The volume of the traffic can be stressful to some.
The "Paseo de la Reforma(改革大道)", running southwest across the city, is one of the major tourist and business areas in Mexico City with many high quality hotels only walking distance from great restaurants and other tourist attractions. The only problem you will have is trying to see all of these sites during your vacation time.
One of the most popular attractions in this area is the National Museum of Anthropology along the northwest part of the street. There are thousands of artifacts on display showing the history of the area and numerous items found from the many Aztec sites in the area. Walking southwest from the museum, you will soon reach the Mexico City Zoo, which is a great place to spend an afternoon.
Across the street from the museum is the Chapultepec Castle, once an important site in the Mexican-American war. It's also a good idea to take the train up the hill to where the castle is located as the hill is steep. It's important to keep in mind that Mexico City is over 7,000 feet above sea level and some feel it difficult to breathe when walking.
You can take a taxi to the Coyoacan market during the evening on a weekend. It's a great place to get some cheap souvenirs to bring back home and to enjoy some traditional Mexican cuisine. However, you must be careful where you eat and that the meat is well cooked.The tourists in Mexico City may not be satisfied with______.
| A．the high speed of the traffic | B．the heavy traffic of the city |
| C．the polluted air in the city | D．their safety in the city |
From the third paragraph, we can learn that______.
| A．the number of the city attractions can't meet the needs of the tourists |
| B．it is convenient for tourists to visit the city from where they stay |
| C．tourists have problems when visiting the sites in Mexico City |
| D．tourists often have their three meals in the high quality hotels |
Which of the following shows the correct positions of the following places?
P =" Paseo" de la Reforma M =" the" National Museum of Anthropology
C =" the" Chapultepec Castle Z =" the" Mexico City Zoo
Which of the following attractions may interest those who want to study the military (of thearmy) history of Mexico City?
| A．The National Museum of Anthropology. | B．The Coyoacan market. |
| C．The Chapultepec Castle. | D．The Aztec sites. |
Beginning in October, more than 13,000 McDonald’s (麦当劳)restaurants in America will use a new variety of cooking oil. McDonald’ s aims to make its French fries (油炸食品) and other fried foods healthier.
The change will not affect the taste or the number of calories in the food. But by changing the cooking oil, McDonald’s says, it hopes to cut by nearly half the amount of trans fatty acids (转换脂肪酸) in French fries and reduce the amount of saturated fats(饱和脂肪) by 16 percent. Scientists believe that trans fatty acids and saturated fats raise cholesterol(胆固醇) levels and increase the risk of heart disease.
McDonald’s new step is important because McDonald’s is an industry leader and other fast-food chains and food processors may follow the lead.
For McDonald’s ,the action comes at a time when Americans are becoming more and more concerned about; obesity (肥胖) and are increasing pressure on food companies to offer healthy and nutritious (有营养的) food to consumers.
After three years of study, McDonald’s officials say they are switching oil that is lower in saturated fats and trans fatty acids. McDonald’s says the change will not cause higher price for consumers.
Though there is some change, scientists say that the amount of trans fat in foods at McDonald’s and at other fast-food companies is still important.More than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants in America will use a new kind of cooking oil to ______________.
| A．lower the costs of the products |
| B．maker its food taste hatter than ever before |
| C．cure (治愈) the heart disease |
| D．do good to the health of consumers |
The underlined ward "switching" here has the same meaning as " _______".
| A．turning on | B．turning off | C．changing | D．studying |
The main idea of the passage is __________.
| A．McDonald’s is a pioneer in food products |
| B．McDonald’s is enlarging its restaurants in the world |
| C．fried foods can’t keep up with the development of modem society |
| D．McDonald’s is to use new cooking oil |
When a new kind of cooking oil is used in McDonald’s, ________
| A．the prices of McDonald’s foods will be a tot higher |
| B．consumers will find the taste of McDonald’s foods different |
| C．many other food companies will do what McDonald’s does |
| D．obesity will disappear in American society sooner or later |
People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father’s Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible(有责任感的) citizens. They give love and care. These two days make us think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother’s Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery(墓地). On these days families get together at home, as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father’s Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is “the thought that counts”. Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries, telephone companies, and other stores do a lot of business during these holidays.Which of the following is NOT a reason for children to show love and respect for parents?
| A．Parents bring up children. |
| B．Parents give love and care to children. |
| C．Parents educate children to be good persons. |
| D．Parents pass away before children grow up. |
What do you think “florists” do?
| A．They sell flowers. |
| B．They make and sell bread. |
| C．They offer enough room for having family parties. |
| D．They sell special gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. |
What do you know from the passage?
| A．Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both in May. |
| B．Fewer women worked outside the home in the past. |
| C．Not all the children respect their parents. |
| D．Fathers are not as important as mothers at home. |
On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, .
| A．people usually have family parties | B．everyone goes to visit the cemetery |
| C．children always go to parents’ home | D．hand-made cards are the most valuable gifts |