"Time is a problem for children," states a news report for a new Swiss watch．Children in some countries "learn time slowly" because "they don't wea
r watches" and "parents don't really know how to teach them time．" The children grow up with this handicap and become adults-and then can't get to work on time．Is there an answer to this problem? Of course-it's the Flick Flak, made by a famous Swiss watch company．
The Flick Flak is being marketed as something teaching watch for children aged 4 to 10．The watch itself does not teach children how to tell time, of course; it merely "takes their imagination" by presenting the "hour" hand as a beautiful red girl named Flak and the "minute" hand as a tall blue boy named Flick．Flick points to related "blue" minutes on the 
dial, while Flak points to "red" hour numbers．The characters and colors combined with parental help, are supposed to teach young children how to tell time．
The watch comes equipped with a standard battery and a nylon band （尼龙表带）．Peter Lipkin, the United States sales manager for the Flick Flak, calls it "childproof: if it gets dirty you can throw the whole watch in the washing machine．" The product is being sold in select department stores in Europe, Asia and the United States for a su
ggested price of $25．Parents who buy the watch may discover that it is one thing to tell time; it's quite another for them to be on time．From the news report we know that ____ .
| A．parents are patient when teaching children time |
| B．parents have little idea of how to teach children time |
| C．children are likely to learn time quickly |
| D．children enjoy wearing the Flick Flak watch |
The author doesn't seem to believe____ .
| A．children will be on time if they have not learnt how to tell time |
| B．a Flick Flak can help parents teach their children how to tell time |
| C．the Flick Flak can take children's imagination |
| D．children usually have trouble telling time if they don't wear watches |
The underlined word handicap （Para．1） means ____ .
| A．displeasure | B．discouragement |
| C．disappointment | D．disadvantage |
The United State sales manager calls the new watch “childproof” because ___ .
| A．it is designed to teach children to be on time |
| B．it proves to be effective in teaching children time |
| C．it is made so as not to be easily damaged by children |
| D．it is the children's favorite watch |
Outdoor air pollution leads to more than 3 million premature deaths each year, and more than two thirds of them occur in China and India, according to new research. The authors estimate that without government intervention, the total number of deaths could double by 2050.
The study, published in the journal Nature, identifies particulate matter(悬浮微粒) as the prime pollutant leading to premature mortality. Particulate matter, a substance formed as a combination of different materials released into the air, is thought to be harmful to human health once it exceeds 2.5 micrometers in diameter. Researchers also identified ozone as a contributor to dangerous air quality.
The causes of air pollution vary dramatically from place to place. In India and China, the study says, emissions from residential heating and cooking drive air pollution by creating unhealthy quantities of smoke. Overall, residential heating emissions cause one third of air pollution-related deaths worldwide.
In highly regulated areas, like the United States, Europe and Japan, emissions from agriculture tend to be primary contributors to air pollution. Fertilizer used in agriculture releases ammonia into the atmosphere, a process that creates harmful particulate matter. Globally, air pollution from agriculture kills more than 600,000 people annually, the study finds.
The findings are consistent with a 2014 report from the World Health Organization that suggested that 7 million deaths occur annually due to both indoor and outdoor air pollution.
The study’s conclusions give a sense of urgency to efforts to reduce air pollution but present challenges because of difficulty regulating heating activity in people’s homes, according to study author Jos Lelieveld. People who live in the most affected areas should be provided with information about less toxic heating methods, he said.
“It’s important to reduce emissions from residential energy use,” Lelieveld said on a conference call for journalists. “You can’t ask people to stop eating and cooking, but you can provide better technologies.”
Air pollution contributes to a variety of ailments that eventually lead to premature mortality like lung cancer, stroke and heart failure, according to the study. Another study published this week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives reached similar conclusions showing the devastating (毁灭性的) effects of pollution on individual health. Researchers found that chronic exposure to particulate matter increases the chance of early death by 3%. That risk is especially high for heart disease; the chance a person will die of heart disease increases by around 10% with chronic exposure to particulate matter.
Researchers found that the number of deaths is expected to double by 2050 without new government policies. Nearly all of the increase will occur in Asia, according to the report.Which of the following contributes to the air pollution?
A. Particulate matter. B. Ozone.
C. SmokeD. Both A and B.Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．Residential heating emissions cause two thirds of air pollution-related deaths worldwide. |
| B．7 million deaths occur annually due to air pollution. |
| C．Air pollution from agriculture kills more than 600,000 people annually. |
| D．The causes of air pollution vary dramatically from place to place. |
What might air pollution lead to?
| A．Lung cancer. | B．Stroke. |
| C．Heart failure. | D．All above. |
What can be inferred from the article?
| A．Residential energy use should be stopped. |
| B．Chronic exposure to particulate matter increases the chance of early death by 3%. |
| C．The number of deaths is expected to double by 2050 due to air pollution. |
| D．It is urgent for the government to take action. |
President Xi Jinping delivers a policy speech to Chinese and United States’ CEOs during a dinner reception in Seattle, Washington, September 22, 2015.
Beijing and Washington must read each other’s strategic intentions correctly, and have “less estrangement (隔阂，疏远) and suspicion in order to forestall (预先阻止) misunderstanding and miscalculation,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday night in his first major policy speech on China-US ties since he arrived in the US early Tuesday.
Xi called for more understanding and trust between the US and China, prior to his formal talks with President Barack Obama at the White House on Friday.
“China is ready to set up a high-level joint-dialogue mechanism with the United States on fighting cybercrimes,” he said, adding that the Chinese government was a firm defender of cyber security while also being a victim of cybercrime. The world’s two largest economies “should strictly base our judgment on fact, for fear that we become victims to hearsay, paranoia, or self-imposed bias”.
Xi made his remarks in a 40-minute speech, the only public speech during his US visit, at a dinner attended by more than 750 business leaders and other dignitaries (显要人物), including former secretary of State Henry Kissinger. It was sponsored by the National Committee on United States-China Relations and the US-China Business Council.
In addition to cyber security, Xi raised other issues of concern to some in the US audience, including China’s stock market and investment.
Xi said that the government had taken necessary steps to stabilize the stock market after recent turbulence (动荡) triggered wide concern. China’s central bank adjusted its currency exchange rate according to market supply and demand in August, which the president said has achieved “initial success” in correcting the currency rate deviation (货币汇率偏差).
Xi also reiterated (重申) China’s opposition to cyber theft, in spite of high tensions between the two countries because the US has blamed several cyber attacks on China recently.
“China is a strong defender of cybersecurity. It is also a victim of hacking,” Xi said. “The Chinese government will not, in whatever form, engage in commercial thefts or encourage or support such attempts by anyone. Both commercial cyber theft and hacking against government networks are crimes that must be punished in accordance with the law and relevant international treaties.”
Xi also shared the story of his hard and starving youth in a remote village to illustrate what a Chinese dream means for ordinary Chinese people.
Xi arrived at Seattle early Tuesday morning with his wife Peng Liyuan, and was warmly welcomed by Washington state business leaders and officials.
US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker said that while this week many significant deals will be announced during Xi’s visit, it exemplifies (例证) US companies’ commitment to support China’s development both with capital and world-class technology.
Kissinger, who played a major role with opening relations between China and the United States in the 1970’s, said Xi’s state visit is an important step in lifting the two countries’ relationship from the day to day solving of problems to the creating of a new world order.
Xi will take part in a round-table discussion with Chinese and American executives, visit Boeing and Microsoft offices and a local high school before flying to Washington on Thursday morning.
What can we know about Xi’s visit in US?
| A．He met President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday. |
| B．His major intention was to improve the China-US ties. |
| C．He will make a formal policy speech on China-US ties on Friday. |
| D．This was his first visit in US. |
What can we NOT know about the speech?
| A．President Barack Obama was at the dinner, too. |
| B．It was the only public speech during Xi’s visit there. |
| C．It was sponsored by the National Committee on United States-China Relations and the US-China Business Council. |
| D．It lasted 40 minutes and was made at a dinner. |
What did Xi talk about at the speech?
| A．The stock market in US. |
| B．China’s investment in Europe. |
| C．The cybersecurity in China and US. |
| D．His experience in New York when he was young. |
How will US companies support China’s development?
| A．By investing money. |
| B．By building factories in China. |
| C．By exporting top-level talents to China. |
| D．By providing China with high technology. |
Disneyland® Half Marathon presented by Cigna®
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Start time: 5:30 AM
Start/Finish: Disneyland® Resort
Catch all the Disney fun on the most magical course on earth!
It’s the moment you’ve been training for. Your 13.1 mile run on a magical course in the Happiest Race on Earth takes you through Disney California Adventure Park along legendary Main Street, U.S.A. In Disneyland Park, and then on to the streets of Anaheim. You’ll complete your Disneyland Half Marathon race with an exciting finish near the Disneyland Hotel. It all adds up to miles of smiles, unforgettable memories, and a perfect ending to a magical Disneyland.
The Disneyland Half Marathon Highlights
Timed Half Marathon race
13.1-mile course through Disneyland Resort and the City of Anaheim, California
Disney Characters and Entertainment on-course
Family Reunion Area with live entertainment and characters at the Finish Line
Race within walking distance when you stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel
Event transportation included when you stay at select Anaheim Area Hotels
Disneyland Half Marathon Race Participants Receive
Champion Short-Sleeved Tech Shirt in Women’s or Men’s Cut*
Half Marathon Finisher Medal*
Official Digital Event Guide*
iGiftBag
Personalized bib (Must register before June 2, 2015 for name to appear on bib)*
On-course and post-race refreshments
ChronoTrack B-tag timed race with live runner tracking signup for friends and family
Personalized results website and finisher certificate
To receive the Dumbo Double Dare Finisher Medal, you must register for the Dumbo Double Dare. Registering for the 10K and Half Marathon individually will not make you eligible (合适的) to receive the Dumbo Double Dare Finisher Medal.
To compete, you must be 14 years of age or older and able to complete the Half Marathon in three and a half (3.5) hours or less (16-minute mile pace).
Dates, times, prices and inclusions subject to change. All races are subject to capacity limits and may close at any time before the percentage can be updated. Registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable. Disney reserves the right to refuse the entry into, and/or revoke any registration for, any race for any reason in its sole discretion with refund of any applicable registration fees being the sole remedy of any such refusal and/or revocation.
*Participants must attend Packet Pick-up at the run Disney Health & Fitness Expo to receive their race packet, bib, and tech shirt. Finisher medals will be distributed to finishers during the race. None of these items will be mailed to registrants.You can read all the following except ______in the article.
| A．The course description of Half Marathon |
| B．The distance of the Half Marathon |
| C．The entry fee of the Half Marathon |
| D．The time limits of the completion of the Half Marathon |
We can infer from the advertisement that whoever runs the Half Marathon can get ______.
| A．the Dumbo Double Dare Finisher Medal |
| B．Half Marathon Finisher Medal |
| C．Personalized bib |
| D．iGiftbag |
Considering Australia' s size and the fact that early settlements were far apart, Australian society is remarkably homogeneous ( 同种的). Its citizens are fundamentally prosperous and the way of life in the major cities and towns is much the same however many miles divide them. It takes a sharp ear to identify regional accents.
However, there is some difference in lifestyle between city settlers and the country people. Almost 90 percent of the population lives in the fast-paced cities along the coast andhas little more than a passing familiarity with the desert. The major cities preserve images of colonial heritage, but on the whole the impression is modern, with new buildings reflecting the country' s youth. In contrast, the rural communities tend to be slow-moving and conservative. For many years, Australia was said to have "ridden on the sheep' s back" , a reference to wool being the country' s main money earner. However, it is no longer dominant ( 主宰的) . Much of Australia' s relatively sound economy is now achieved from natural coal and wheat, and by being the largest diamond producer in the world. Newer industries such as tourism and wine making are also increasingly important. Australians are generally friendly and relaxed, with a modest sense of humor.
Yet, contrary to widespread belief, very few Australians have true prisoner origins. Within only one generation of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, Australia had become a nation of immigrants. Originally coming almost entirely from the British Isles, today one in three Australians comes from elsewhere. Australia' s liberal postwar immigration policies led to a flowing of survivors from war-torn Europe. The emphasis has changed in recent years and today the majority of new immigrants are from Southeast Asia. Today Australia is a "mixture of nations" and although some racism exists, it has generally been a successful experiment and the country is reasonably proud to have one of the most harmonious multicultural communities in the world.What does the writer mean by saying "It takes a sharp ear to identify regional accents." in the first paragraph?
| A．Australians speak Standard English with no local accents. |
| B．You have to practice a lot to learn to understand the different accents. |
| C．The Australian regional accents are very difficult to understand indeed. |
| D．There is not much difference between the accents in different areas of Australia. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Most Australians have ancestors who were prisoners. |
| B．The Australian economy counts on sheep exports. |
| C．The pace of life is different in the city and in the country. |
| D．The majority of people living in Australia come from Europe. |
We can infer from the passage that ____.
| A．nothing about Australia' s colonial part in modem cities can be seen by visitors |
| B．tourism and wine making resulted in fast development in rural communities only |
| C．immigrants from Europe have brought racial problems |
| D．Australia' s recent immigration policy encourages immigrants from Southeast Asia |
This passage mainly focuses on Australia’s_______________.
| A．society | B．economy |
| C．racial problems | D．history |
A Korean wave is sweeping across China, with many Chinese women worshiping South Korean actors Kin Soo hyun and Lee Min ho as demigods(偶像)．Chinese netizens(网民) always have different opinions．Over South Korean TV dramas, but there is no doubt that programs from the neighboring country are now enjoying a new round of popularity in China, And a big part of the credit for that goes to You Who Came From The Star, the South Korean TV series which is on the air now．
You Who Came From The Star and The Heirs (继承者们) have been subjects of hot online discussions throughout Asia．Besides, the book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, read by the hero You Who Came From The Star was a hard to get item on Amazon for a while．
The two TV programs have several common elements (因素)：a tall, handsome, and rich hero who loves the heroine blindly and always protects her, and an equally handsome man madly in love with the same woman．Both programs describe the purity of love, which is expressed through a kiss or a warm hug．Perhaps that’s the secret of their success; perhaps people still like Cinderella type stories．
The widening wealth gap is a matter of social concern both in South Korea and China, and the challenges that young people face in their hope for a better life might have caused many ordinary girls to dream of marrying rich, caring men．This is precisely what the popular South Korean TV drams describe．In fact, South Korean TV dramas are tailored to meet the market’s demands．
Many netizens even said at an earlier time that South Korean TV dramas had become popular because of their stereotyped (模式化的) themes: traffic accidents, cancer and other incurable diseases．But all that has changed with the success of You Who Came From The Star and The Heirs, which Chinese directors can use as examples, as well as inspiration, to improve their productions．What is the main reason for a new round of popularity in China?
| A．The dramas are from the neighboring country North Korea． |
| B．Most of the Chinese netizens have voted for them． |
| C．The actors in the dramas are all gods． |
| D．It is because of You Who Came From The Star． |
Which is NOT included in the elements for the success of South Korean dramas?
| A．Charming pure love stories． |
| B．A tender kiss and a warm hug． |
| C．Handsome and rich heroes． |
| D．The heroine’s blind love with the rich． |
The underlined sentence in Paragraph 4 means that they are designed to _______．
| A．develop in a large scale |
| B．be measured to a certain size |
| C．meet popular taste purposely |
| D．be shown in a big market |
The main purpose of stereotyped themes in South Korean dramas is to________．
| A．present an idea | B．attract TV viewers |
| C．make them colorful | D．arouse some challenges |