Most of the people who appear most often and most gloriously in the history books are great conquerors (统治者) and generals and soldiers, while the people who really helped civilization forward are often never mentioned at all. We do not know who first set a broken leg, or launched a seaworthy boat, or calculated the length of the year, or manured (施肥)a field; but we know all about the killers and destroyers.
People think a great deal of them, so much that on all the highest pillars (纪念柱)in the great cities of the world you will find the figure of a conqueror or a general or a soldier. And I think most people believe that the greatest countries are those that have beaten in battle the greatest number of other countries and ruled over them as conquerors. It is just possible they are, but they are not the most civilized. Animals fight; so do savages(野蛮人); so to be good at fighting is to be good in the way in which an animal or a savage is good, but it is not to be civilized. Even being good at getting other people to fight for you and telling them how to do it most efficiently — this, after all, is what conquerors and generals have done — is not being civilized. People fight to settle quarrels. Fighting means killing, and civilized peoples ought to be able to find some ways of settling their d
isputes other than by seeing which side can kill off greater number of the other side, and then saying that the side which has killed most has won. And not only has it won, but, because it has won, it has been in the right. For that is what going to war means; it means saying that power is right.
This is what the story of mankind has on the whole been like. Even our own age has fought the two greatest wars in history, in which millions of people were killed or mutilated (disabled). And while today it is true that people do not fight and kill each other in the streets — while, that is to say, we have got to the stage of keeping the rules and behaving properly to each other in daily life — nations and countries have not learnt to do this yet, and still behave like savages.In the opening sentence, the author indicates that .
A.most history books were written by conquerors, generals and soldiers |
B.history book tell us far more about conquerors, generals and soldiers than actual creators of civilization |
C.those who rally helped human civilization forward is not mentioned in history books at all |
D.conquerors, generals and soldiers should be least mentioned in history books |
According to the passage, most people believe that the greatest countries are those that .
A.built the highest pillars for their conquerors |
B.were ruled by the greatest number of conquerors |
C.won the greatest number of battles against other countries |
D.were beaten in battle by the greatest number of other countries |
In the author’s opinion, the countries that conquered a large number of other countries are
.
A.certainly both the most powerful and most civilized. |
B.neither the greatest nor the most civilized in any way. |
C.possibly either the most civilized or the most powerful in a way. |
D.likely the most powerful in some sense but not the most civilized. |
The meaning of the last sentence in Paragraph 2 is that .
A.fighters believe that the winner is right and the loser wrong. |
B.only those who are powerful have the right to go to war. |
C.those who are right should fight against those who are wrong. |
D.only powerful nations might win the right to rule weak ones. |
Five years ago, David Smith wore an expensive suit to work every day. “I was a clothes addict,” he jokes. “I used to carry a fresh suit to work with me so I could change if my clothes got wrinkled (皱的).” Today David wears casual clothes — khaki pants and a sports shirt — to the office. He hardly ever wears a necktie. “I’m working harder than ever,” David says, “and I need to feel comfortable.”
More and more companies are allowing their office workers to wear casual clothes to work. In the United States, the changes from formal to casual office wear have been slow. In the early 1990s, many companies allowed their workers to wear casual clothes on Friday (but only on Friday).This became known as “dress-down Friday” or “casual Friday”. “What started out as an extra one-day-a-week benefit for workers has really become an everyday thing,” said business adviser Maisly Jones.
Why have so many companies started allowing their workers to wear casual clothes? One reason is that it's easier for a company to attract new workers if it has a casual dress code. “A lot of young people don't want to dress up for work,” says the owner of a software company, “so it's hard to hire people if you have a conservative dress code.” Another reason is that people seem happier and more productive when they are wearing comfortable clothes. In a study made by Levi Strauss and Company, 85 percent of employers said that casual dress has a side effect on work. Supporters of casual office wear also say that a casual dress code helps them save money. “Suits are expensive, if you have to wear one every day,” one person said. “For the same amount of money, you can buy a lot more casual clothes.”David Smith refers to himself as having been “a clothes addict” because ______________.
A.he often wore khaki pants and a sports shirt |
B.he couldn't stand a clean appearance |
C.he wanted his clothes to look tidy and clean all the time |
D.he didn’t want to spend much money on clothes |
David Smith wears casual clothes now, because ______________.
A.they make him feel at ease when working |
B.he cannot afford to buy expensive clothes |
C.he looks handsome in casual clothes |
D.he no longer works for any company |
According to this passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A.Company workers started to dress down about thirty years ago. |
B.Dress-down has become an everyday phenomenon since the early 1990s. |
C.“Dress-down Friday” was first given as a favor from employers. |
D.Many workers want to wear casual clothes to impress people. |
D. he no longer works for any company
According to this passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A.Company workers started to dress down about thirty years ago. |
B.Dress-down has become an everyday phenomenon since the early 1990s. |
C.“Dress-down Friday” was first given as a favor from employers. |
D.Many workers want to wear casual clothes to impress people. |
A recent study of ancient and modern elephants has come up with the unexpected conclusion that the African elephant is divided into two distinct(不同的) species.
The discovery was made by researchers at York and Harvard Universities when they were examining the genetic relationship between the ancient woolly mammoth and mastodon to modern elephants — the Asian elephant, African forest elephant, and African savanna elephant.
Once they obtained DNA sequences(序列) from two fossils(化石), mammoths,and mastodons the team compared them with DNA from modern elephants. They found to their amazement that modern forest and savanna elephants are as distinct from each other as Asian elephants and mammoths.
The scientists used detailed genetic analysis to prove that the African savanna elephant and the African forest elephant have been distinct species for several million years. The divergence of the two species took place around the time of the divergence of Asian elephants and woolly mammoths. This result amazed all the scientists. There has long been debate in the scientific community that the two might be separate species, but this is the most convincing scientific evidence so far that they are indeed different species.
Previously, many naturalists believed that African savanna elephants and African forest elephants were two populations of the same species, despite the elephants’ significant size differences. The savanna elephant has an average shoulder height of 3.5 metres while the forest elephant has an average shoulder height of 2.5 metres. The savanna elephant weighs between six and seven tons, roughly double the weight of the forest elephant. But the fact that they look so different does not necessarily mean they are different species. However the proof lay in the analysis of the DNA.
Alfred Roca, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, said, “We now have to treat the forest and savanna elephants as two different units for conservation purposes. Since 1950,all African elephants have been conserved as one species. Now that we know the forest and savanna elephants are two very distinctive animals, the forest elephant should become a bigger priority(优先) for conservation purposes.”One of the fossils studied by the researchers is that of _____.
A.the Asian elephant | B.the forest elephant |
C.the savanna elephant | D.the mastodon elephant |
The researchers’ conclusion was based on a study of the African elephant’s _____.
A.DNA | B.height |
C.weight | D.population |
What are Alfred Roca’s words mainly about?
A.The conservation of African elephants. |
B.The purpose of studying African elephants. |
C.The way to divide African elephants into two units. |
D.The reason for the distinction of African elephants. |
Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A.Naturalists’ Beliefs about Elephants |
B.Amazing Experiments about Elephants |
C.An Unexpected Finding about Elephants |
D.A Long Scientific Debate about Elephants |
Blind imitation (模仿)is self-destruction. To those who do not recognize their unique worth, imitation appears attractive;to those who know their strength. Imitation is unacceptable.
In the early stages of skill or character development, imitation is helpful. When I first learned to cook, I used recipes (菜谱) and turned out some tasty dishes. But soon I grew bored. Why follow someone else’s way of cooking when I could create my own? Imitating role models is like using training wheels on a child’s bicycle; they help you get going, but once you find your own balance, you fly faster and farther without relying on them.
In daily life, imitation can hurt us if we subconsciously (下意识地) hold poor role models. If, as a child, you observed people whose lives were bad, you may have accepted their fear and pain as normal and gone on to follow what they did. If you do not make strong choices for yourself, you will get the results of the weak choices of others.
In the field of entertainment, our culture glorifies celebrities. Those stars look great on screen. But when they step off screen, their personal lives may be disastrous. If you are going to follow someone, focus on their talent, not their bad character or unacceptable behaviors.
Blessed is the person willing to act on their sudden desire to create something unique. Think of the movies, books, teachers, and friends that have affected you most deeply. They touched you because their creations were motivated by inspiration, not desperation. The world is changed not by those who do what has been done before them, but by those who do what has been done inside them. Creative people have an endless resource of ideas. The problem a creator faces is not running out of material; it is what to do with the material knocking at the door of imagination.
Study your role models, accept the gifts they have given, and leave behind what does not serve you. Then you can say,” I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors tragedies and declare victory, and know that they are cheering me on.Imitation proves useful when you .
A.know you are unique |
B.lose the balance of life |
C.begin to learn something new |
D.get tired of routine practice |
To avoid the bad result of imitation, we should________.
A.forget daily fear and pain | B.choose the right example |
C.ask others for decisions | D.stay away from stars |
The trouble a creator faces is .
A.the lack of strong motivation |
B.the absence of practical ideas |
C.how to search for more materials |
D.how to use imagination creatively |
What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
A.To highlight the importance of creatively. |
B.To criticize the characters of role models. |
C.To compare imitation with creation. |
D.To explain the meaning of success. |
The word advertising refers to any kind of public announcement that brings products and services to the attention of people.Throughout history, advertising has been an effective way to promote(促进)the trading and selling of goods.In the Middle Ages,merchants employed “town criers” to read public messages aloud to promote their goods.When printing was invented in the fifteenth century, pages of advertisements (ads) could be printed easily and were either hung in public places or put in books.
By the end of the seventeenth century, when newspapers were beginning to be read by more people, printed materials became an important way to promote products and services.The London Gazette was the first newspaper to set aside a place just for advertising. This was so successful that by the end of the century several companies started businesses for the purpose of making newspaper ads for merchants.
Advertising spread quickly throughout the eighteenth century.Ad writers were starting to pay more attention to the design of the ad text.Everything,from clothes to drinks,was promoted with clever methods such as repetition of the firm’s name or product, words organized in eye-catching patterns,the use of pretty pictures and expressions easy to remember.
Near the end of the nineteenth century, companies that were devoted to the production of ads came to be known as “advertising agencies (广告商)” . The agencies developed new ways to get people to think of themselves as members of a group.Throughout the twentieth century, advertising agencies promoted consumerism(消费主义)as a way of life,spreading the belief that people could be happy only if they bought the “right” products.What was advertising like in the Middle Ages?
A.Merchants were employed to promote products. |
B.Ad messages were shouted out in public places. |
C.Product information was included in books. |
D.Ad signs were put up in towns. |
What does the word “This” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.Advertising in newspapers. | B.Including pictures in ads. |
C.Selling goods in markets. | D.Working with ad agencies. |
The l8th century advertising was special in its______.
A.growing spending | B.printing materials |
C.advertising companies | D.attractive designs |
Which of the following might be the best title for the text?
A.The Story of Advertising |
B.The Value of Advertising Designs |
C.The Role of Newspaper Advertising |
D.The Development of Printing for Advertising |
LIPITOR
ABOUT LIPITOR
Lipitor is a prescription (处方) medicine. Along with diet and exercise, it lowers “bad” cholesterol (胆固醇) in your blood. It can also raise “good” cholesterol.
Lipitor can lower the risk of heart attack in patients with several common risk factors, including family history of early heart disease, high blood pressure, age and smoking .
WHO IS LIPITOR FOR?
Who can take LIPITOR:
•People who cannot lower their cholesterol enough with diet and exercise
•Adults and children over l0
Who should NOT take LIPITOR:
•Women who are pregnant, may be pregnant, or may become pregnant. Lipitor may harm your unborn baby.
•women who are breast-feeding. Lipitor can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby.
•People with liver (肝脏) problems
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF LIPITOR
Serious side effects in a small number of people:
•Muscle (肌肉) problems that can lead to kidney (肾脏) problems, including kidney failure
•Liver problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start Lipitor and while you are taking it.
Call your doctor right away if you have:
•Unexplained muscle pain or weakness, especially if you have a fever or feel very fired
•Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing
•Stomach pain
Some common side effects of LIPITOR are:
•Muscle pain
•Upset stomach
•Changes in some blood tests
HOW TO TAKE LIPITOR
DO:
•Take Lipitor as prescribed by your doctor.
•Try to eat heart-healthy foods while you take Lipitor.
•Take Lipitor at any time of day, with or without food.
•If you miss a dose (一剂), take it as soon as you remember. But if it has been more than 12 hours since your missed dose, wait. Take the next dose at your regular time.
Don’t:
•Do not change or stop your dose before talking to your doctor.
•Do not start new medicines before talking to your doctor.What is a major function of Lipitor?
A.To help quit smoking. | B.To control blood pressure. |
C.To improve unhealthy diet. | D.To lower “bad” cholesterol. |
Taking Lipitor is helpful for _________.
A.breast-feeding women |
B.women who are pregnant |
C.adults having heart disease |
D.teenagers with liver problems |
If it has been over 12 hours since you missed a dose, you should _________.
A.change the amount of your next dose |
B.eat more when taking your next dose |
C.have a dose as soon as you remember |
D.take the next dose at your regular time |
Which of the following is a common side effect of taking Lipitor?
A.Face swelling. | B.Upset stomach. |
C.Kidney failure. | D.Muscle weakness. |