Handshaking, though a European practice, is now often seen in big cities of China. Nobody knows exactly when the practice started in Europe. It is said that long long ago in Europe when people met, they showed their unarmed (无武器的) hands to each other as a sign of goodwill. As time went on and trade in cities grew rapidly, people in cities began to clap each other’s hands to make a deal or to reach an agreement. The practice was later changed into shaking hands among friends on meeting or leaving each other. “Let’s shake (hands) on it” sometimes means agreement reached.
Do the Europeans shake hands wherever they go and with whomever they meet? No. Sometimes the Chinese abroad reach out their hands too often to be polite. It is really very impolite to give your hand when the other party, especially when it is a woman,
shows little interest in shaking hands with you and when the meeting does not mean
anything to him or her. Even if, for politeness, he holds out his unwilling hand in answer to your uninvited hand, just touch it slightly. There is generally a misunderstanding(误解) among the Chinese that westerners are usually open and straightforward, while the Chinese are rather reserved (保守的) in manner. But in fact some people in western countries are more reserved than some Chinese today. So it is a good idea to shake hands with a westerner only when he shows interest in further relations with you.In the old days in Europe, people put out their unarmed hands to each other.
A.to make a deal | B.to greet each other |
C.to show friendliness | D.to reach an agreement |
The first paragraph mainly tells us ______.
A.where handshaking was first practised |
B.how handshaking came about |
C.about the relationship between handshaking and trade |
D.about the practice of handshaking both in Europe and in China |
According to the text, which of the following statements is true?
A.Westerners are more reserved than the Chinese. |
B.Westerners are unwilling to shake hands. |
C.We should make a judgement before shaking hands. |
D.We shouldn’t shake hands with European women. |
The main purpose of the text is______.
A.to tell us some differences between the East and the West |
B.to offer us some important facts about handshaking |
C.to introduce us to some different customs in the West |
D.to give us some advice before we travel abroad |
The virus “Ebola” is named after the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That’s where the virus was discovered in 1976. A person can only get Ebola through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, for example, sweat or spit. Additionally, the virus can get into your body through your eyes and mouth if those areas come into contact with something that contains the bodily fluids of an infected person. That’s why health care workers are supposed to keep themselves completely covered while treating patients.
The deadliest Ebola outbreak is spreading fast in Western Africa, taking over 900 lives so far. The health systems in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are severely lacking in resources, and health care workers may not have access to adequate protective clothing when working in rural clinics, where the proper protections are lacking. Since Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia share a border; it’s easier for people to move from one country to another, increasing the risk for disease spread.
For now, all doctors can do is treat the symptoms and provide supportive care like monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing while making sure the patients’ fluids are supplied. Sometimes patients are given antibiotics(抗生素) to treat other possible infections. The hope is to make the patient pull through the infection so their immune system can eventually clear the virus. The people who survive Ebola have created enough antibodies to kill it.
There are several promising drugs and vaccines in development, but since Ebola is less common—and research about it is not well funded — there is no drug or vaccine that has been approved for use in humans. Many of the other drugs and vaccines have not yet been tested in humans. The WHO (World Health Organization) is meeting next week to discuss whether experimental treatments should be used during this outbreak.According to the passage, Ebola only spreads through _________.
A.patients’ sweat | B.bodily fluids |
C.people’s spit | D.your body |
Which is the possible reason why Ebola spreads in West Africa quickly?
A.The Ebola river is polluted by the virus. |
B.There aren’t any protections. |
C.The protective clothing is adequate. |
D.Three western countries share a border. |
Why have there been no cures used for Ebola in humans so far?
A.There are not enough drugs for the infected people. |
B.Ebola is rare and its research money is lacking. |
C.The people have enough antibodies to kill Ebola. |
D.The WHO has decided not to use them. |
Which of the following can be the best title?
A.The Prevention from Ebola. |
B.No Cure for the Virus “Ebola”. |
C.The Deadliest Ebola in Africa. |
D.Introduction to the Virus “Ebola”. |
Answering the Community Needs of Our City
The Silver City Council recognizes that citizens have certain needs. To better meet your needs, we have made several changes to community facilities in 2014. The followings show how we have tried to make your life better.
Transport
☆Three stations for the suburbs have been added to the western train service.
☆20 new buses for the southern line were purchased in January.
☆50 per cent of city bus-stops have been upgraded.
Communication
☆Broadband cable is now available to all parts of the city.
☆All of the new Government buildings are smart-wired for better computer service!
Medical Facilities
☆The new state-of-the-art Nightingale Hospital was opened in June.
☆To overcome a shortage of trained medical staff at Dover Hospital, 10 doctors have been employed from overseas.
☆Some facilities at Station Street Hospital have been upgraded.
Education
☆Textbooks will be free to all primary students in 2014 !
☆Rental for private schools has been reduced.
Protection and Security
☆Extra police now patrol (巡逻 ) the tourist areas.
☆50 new police officers graduated in July and have taken up duties in the city area.
Entertainment / Recreation
☆The new Central Community Building opened in May.
☆5,000 new fiction books were bought for the Silver City Library.What is the purpose of the changes in Silver City?
A.To satisfy all the needs of the citizens. |
B.To better the citizens’ life. |
C.To make public service upgraded. |
D.To meet the needs of the Silver City Council . |
What’s the notice mainly about?
A.The work carried out by the people of Silver City. |
B.The facilities available in Silver City. |
C.Some improvements in Silver City. |
D.Information for interested tourists. |
What can we learn from the passage?
A.Travel books are provided in the new library. |
B.More bus lines and stops are bought in Silver City. |
C.Free medical treatment is available at Station Street Hospital. |
D.There are more police officers on duty now. |
The public notice is from_______.
A.the community | B.the local government |
C.the Silver City Library | D.a travel agency |
(Reuters) --- A stampede killed at least 36 people during New Year's Eve celebrations in Shanghai, authorities said, but the police denied reports that it was caused by people rushing to pick up fake money thrown from a building overlooking the city's famous waterfront.
It was the worst disaster in the modern city since 58 died in an apartment building fire in 2010.
The cause of the crush has still to be confirmed, though state media and some witnesses have said it was at least partly aroused when people rushed to pick up coupons that looked like bank notes.
A man named Wu said the fake money had been thrown down from a bar above the street as part of the celebrations.
"This incident happened after the stampede," police said in a brief statement, without saying what the real cause was.
Another witness said there had been a problem away from the area where the fake bills were thrown, with people trying to get on to a raised platform overlooking the river.
Xinhua news agency said that people had been trampled on after falling down on the steps up to the platform.
Authorities had shown some concern about crowd control in the days leading up to New Year's Eve. They recently canceled an annual 3D laser show on the Bund, which last year attracted as many as 300,000 people.
On New Year's Eve, Beijing also canceled a countdown event in the central business district, Chinese media said, due to police fears about overcrowding.
The Shanghai government said on its official microblog that an inquiry had begun, and that all other New Year events had been canceled.
In 2004, 37 people died in a stampede in northern Beijing, on a bridge at a scenic spot, during the Lunar New Year holiday.According to the passage, why did people go to the Bund?
A.To meet their old friends and relatives. |
B.To pick up bank notes. |
C.To watch an annual 3D laser show. |
D.To celebrate the New Year’s Eve. |
Which of the following statements is true from the passage?
A.The incident had connection with the throwing of fake money. |
B.People got on the platform to watch a countdown event. |
C.The cause of the crush is being looked into. |
D.The disaster during the New Year’s Eve was the worst in Shanghai. |
What can be inferred according to the passage?
A.The local government had shown their worry about overcrowding. |
B.People like 3D laser show better than any other events. |
C.Some possible measures had been taken by authorities. |
D.The celebrations in Beijing were influenced by this stampede. |
What’s the passage about?
A.A countdown event in Beijing. |
B.A laser show on the Bund. |
C.An apartment fire in Shanghai. |
D.A stampede on New Year’s Eve in Shanghai. |
There were smiling children all the way. Clearly they knew at what time the train passed their homes and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they rushed towards Penang. Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on the trains were their favorite relatives. This is the simple village people of Malaysia. I was moved.
I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car, so this was the first time I was on a train. I did not particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread. I looked about the train. There was not one familiar face. I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.
It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia. Johore Baru was just another city like Singapore, so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past. As we went beyond the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green. Then the first village came into sight, immediately I came alive; I decided to wave back.
From then on my journey became interesting. I threw my magazines into the waste basket and decided to join in Malaysian life. Then everything came alive. The mountains seemed to speak to me. Even the trees were smiling. I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.
The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry. I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 3: 00 pm. Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth. I looked at the people all around me. They all looked beautiful. When my uncle waved with a smile, I threw my arms around him to give him a warm hug. I had never done this before. He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed up with a huge smile. We walked arm in arm to his car.
I looked forward to the return journey.The author had expected the train trip to be _________.
A.adventurous | B.pleasant |
C.boring | D.exciting |
What touched the author during the train trip?
A.The mountains along the way. |
B.The friendly country people. |
C.The crowds of people in the streets. |
D.The simple lunch served on the train. |
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “relish” in Paragraph 2?
A.dislike | B.enjoy | C.release | D.choose |
What can we learn from the story?
A.Smiles brighten people up. |
B.Pleasure of living in the country. |
C.Reading gives people delight. |
D.Comfort in traveling by train. |
Enjoy an unforgettable day in the French capital on this luxury day trip from London to Paris,with an included Champagne lunch at the Eiffel Tower! Travel on Eurostar from St Pancras International and enjoy a panoramic(全景的)sightseeing tour taking in Paris’top sights.
Highlights
/Romantic experienee,perfect for couples
/Round—trip fares
/Travel by boat and see the sights from the water
/Lunch included
Make your own way to St Pancras International station and meet your professional guide.The departure time is 6 am.Board the Eurostar and relax as it takes you to Paris in Just over 2 hours.If you wish,upgrade to 1st Class and enjoy breakfast served on board and dinner on your return joumey.
Once you arrive in Paris ,join your guide on an air-conditioned coach for a patioramic sightseeing tour.See top Paris attractions such as the Champs-Ėlysées,Arc de Triomphe and Opera House as you hear fascinating facts about the city.
Next,arrive at the Eiffel Tower for your Champagne lunch.Skip the possible long admission lines with your fast-aecess ticket and ride the elevator to the stylish 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant on the first floor.Take your seat and enjoy a glass of Champagne and delicious 2-course lunch with the full views of the city providing a truly magical baekdrop!
Afterward,enjoy a 1-hour sightseeing tour along the Seine River.Take photos and listen to the helpful commentary as you pass sights,such as soaring Notre Dame Cathedral and the island,Île de la Cité
Next,either choose to use some free time to shop or sightsee,or take a guided visit to the magnificent Louvre Museum(own expense)to see Leonardo da Vinci’s exquisite Mone Lisa and other masterpieces.
In the late afternoon,return to Gard du Nord,station and catch the Eurostar back to St.Pancras.Your tour ends when you arrive at around 8:30pm.Where will the tourists have their lunch?
A.At the Eiffel Tower. |
B.At St Pancras International. |
C.At the Champs Ėlysées |
D.On the Seine River. |
Who are most likely to show interest in the tour?
A.College students. | B.Champagne lovers. |
C.Loving couples. | D.Professional photographers. |
In order to enjoy the dinner on the Eurostar,you should______.
A.pay extra dinner fees |
B.place an order beforehand |
C.arrive earlier at Gard du Nord station |
D.upgrade to 1st Class of the Eurostar |
We can learn from the passage that________.
A.the back trip fares are not included in the total fees |
B.you should pay extra money for seeing Mona Lisa |
C.everyone should wait in line for the lunch |
D.the sightseeing along the Seine River will take the most time |