Waterland, California, June 26,2001—two cars dropped from sight, falling into the bottom (底部) of a 400-feet deep sinkhole (陷洞) which appeared suddenly. At a town 12 miles from Waterland, two bedrooms of one house dropped into a hole 60 feet across and 35 feet deep part of the next house hung dangerously over the hole.
Sinkholes have been happening without warning in this part of California for years. So far there is no way to predict (预告) when or where one will appear. But when one does, others usually follow in the same area, usually along a straight line.
The worst sinkhole in recent appeared in 1996. It was 70 feet across and 150 feet deep. It destroyed in one house, damaged several others and broke the walls of a city block. One hole, 15-feet deep, opened up this year in the middle of a highway, 19 seconds after a car had driven by. Others in the same area took place at night damaging houses, swallowing up trees and parts of streets and making 23 frightened people run away from their homes in night clothes.
Sinkholes happen when the weather is dry. The earth at the surface begins to drop into empty space under the ground, like sand falling in huge hourglass (沙漏). This is how a sinkhole is formed.
71. From the text we know sinkhole do not happen ______.
A. during the period of wet weather B. in a straight line
C. in the dry season D. at night
72. When one sinkhole appears, others usually follow ________.
A. everywhere B. on straight highway only
C. nearby D. in the places far away
73. Sinkholes take place because ________.
A. there are large holes under houses
B. Waterland has an underground lake
C. there are too many heavy things on the surface of the earth
D. dry earth moves and fills underground holes
74. Which of the following is not talked about in the text?
A. Sinkholes cause car accidents B. Sinkholes destroy houses
C. Sinkholes kill people D. Sinkholes damage streets
75. This text mainly tells us that ________.
A. sinkholes always happen without any warning
B. sinkholes have been happening in the Waterland area, causing some damage
C. even drivers cannot keep away from sinkholes
D. why a sinkhole happens and how its name has been formed
As Amy Hagadorn rounded the corner across the hall from her classroom, she crashed with a tall boy from the fifth grade running in the opposite direction．
“Watch it, Squirt,” the boy yelled, as he dodged around the little third grader. Then, with an unfriendly smile on his face, the boy took hold of his right leg and mimicked the way Amy limped（跛行）when she walked．
Amy closed her eyes for a moment. ―Ignore him, she told herself as she headed for her classroom．
But at the end of the day, Amy was still thinking about the tall boy’s mean teasing． It wasn’t as if he were the only one． Amy was tired of it． Sometimes, even in a classroom full of other students, the teasing about her speech or her limping made her feel all alone．
Back home at the dinner table that evening Amy was quiet． That’s why Patti Hagdorn was happy to havesome exciting news to share with her daughter．
“There’s a Christmas Wish Contest on the radio station,” she announced. “Write a letter to Santa and you might win a prize. I think someone at this table with blond curly hair should enter.”
Amy giggled. The contest sounded like fun. She started thinking about what she wanted most for Christmas．
A smile took hold of Amy when the idea first came to her. Out came pencil and paper and Amy went to work on her letter. ―Dear Santa Claus, she began．
While Amy worked away at her best printing, the rest of the family tried to guess what she might ask from Santa. Amy’s sister, Jamie, and Amy’s mom both thought a 3-foot Barbie Doll would top Amy’s wish list. Amy’s dad guessed a picture book. But Amy wasn’t ready to reveal her secret Christmas wish just then. Here is Amy’s letter to Santa, just as she wrote it that night:
Dear Santa Clause,
My name is Amy． I am 9 years old． I have a problem at school． Can you help me, Santa? Kids laugh at me because of the way I walk and run and talk． I have cerebral palsy（大脑性瘫痪）． I just want one day where no one laughs at me or makes fun of me．
Love,
Amy
At radio station WJLT in Fort Wayne, Indiana, letters poured in for the Christmas Wish Contest． The workers had fun reading about all the different presents that boys and girls from across the city wanted for Christmas．
When Amy’s letter arrived at the radio station, manager Lee Tobin read it carefully． He knew cerebral palsy was a muscle disorder that might confuse the schoolmates of Amy who didn’t understand her disability． He thought it would be good for the people in Fort Wayne to hear about this special third grader and her unusual wish. Mr. Tobin called up the local newspaper．
The next day, a picture of Amy and her letter to Santa made the front page of the News Sentinel. The story spread quickly. All across the country, newspapers and radio and television station reported the story of the little girl in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who asked for such a simple, yet remarkable Christmas gift – just one day without teasing．
Suddenly the postman was a regular at the Hagadorn house． Envelopes of all sizes addressed to Amy arrived daily from children and adults all across the nation． They came filled with holiday greetings and words of encouragement．
During that unforgettable Christmas season, over two thousand people from all over the world sent Amy letters of friendship and support． Amy and her family read every single one． Some of the writers had disabilities; some had been teased as children． Many people thanked Amy for being brave enough to speak up． Others encouraged her to ignore teasing and to carry her head high． Each writer had a special message for Amy． Through the cards and letters from strangers, Amy glimpsed a world full of people who truly cared about each other． She realized that no amount or form of teasing could ever make her feel lonely again．
Amy did get her wish of a special day without teasing at South Wayne Elementary School． Additionally, everyone at school got an added bonus． Teachers and students talked together about how bad teasing can make others feel．
That year, the Fort Wayne mayor officially proclaimed December 21st as Amy Jo Hagadorn Day throughout the city． The mayor explained that by daring to make such a simple wish, Amy taught a universal lesson．
“Everyone,” said the mayor, “wants and deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and warmth．” The underlined word ―mimicked（Paragraph 2）can probably be replaced with ___________．
| A．struck | B．copied | C．blocked | D．declined |
According to Paragraph 4, the message is conveyed that ___________．
| A．Amy was often made fun of at school and she disliked the fact |
| B．loneliness always accompanied Amy because of the tall boy |
| C．some other students teased Amy made her think of the mean boy |
| D．Amy hated being laughed at in the classroom full of other students |
Amy’s mother shared the news of a Christmas Wish Contest that day because she knew ___________．
| A．her daughter was teased by a fifth grader |
| B．Amy’s disease went much worse than before |
| C．the contest would change Amy’s life |
| D．things weren’t going well with Amy at school |
The postman suddenly became a regular because ___________．
| A．he wanted to comfort Amy regularly |
| B．a number of letters needed delivering there |
| C．he used to be teased alike at school |
| D．holidays greetings were asked to give to Amy |
Amy learned through strangers’ cards and letters that ___________．
| A．the world was filled with care and love |
| B．she would take teasing as a present in life |
| C．some people were being teased similarly |
| D．everyone should be treated with kindness |
The passage talks about ___________．
| A．Everyone can do something remarkable |
| B．A small act makes a difference |
| C．A girl who was brave to speak her wish up |
| D．The disabled deserve respect |
More than four decades ago British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab． Since that ground-breaking moment, more than four million babies have been born through IVF and in 2010 his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine．
The prize for Dr Edwards, who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008, includes a ￡900,000 cheque． The Nobel Assembly described IVF as a "milestone in modern medicine"．
With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, the Manchester-born physiologist developed IVF — leading to the birth of the world's first test tube baby． Dr Steptoe died 10 years later but their work has transformed fertility treatment and given hope to millions of couples．
It was a scientific breakthrough that transformed the lives of millions of couples． They said: "His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility, a disease which makes human unable to have a baby． This condition has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind including more than 10% of all couples worldwide．"
Louise Brown, the world's first test tube baby, made international headlines when she was born in Oldham, Gtr Manchester, in 1978 to parents Lesley and John who had been fruitlessly trying for a baby since 1969．
Ivf-in-vitro fertilisation is the process whereby egg cells are fertilised outside the body before being implanted in the womb． After a cycle of IVF, the probability of a couple with infertility problems having a baby is one in five — the same as healthy couples who conceive naturally．
Professor Edwards, who has five daughters and 11 grandchildren, began his research at Cambridge University in 1963, after receiving his PhD in 1955．He once said: "The most important thing in life is having a child． Nothing is more special than a child．" With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, Prof． Edwards founded the Bourn Hall clinic in Cambridge shire, which now treats more than 900 women a year． Each year, more than 30,000 women in Britain now undergo IVF and 11,000 babies are born as a result of the treatment．
But his work attracted widespread criticism from some scientists and the Catholic Church who said it was "unethical and immoral"．
Martin Johnson, professor of reproductive（生殖的） sciences at the University of Cambridge, said the award was "long overdue"． He said: “We couldn't understand why the Nobel has come so late but he is delighted — this is the cherry on the cake for him．”
Professor Edwards was too ill to give interviews but a statement released by his family said he was "thrilled and delighted"．What is Robert Edwards’ contribution to science?
| A．Challenging a disease which stops human having a baby． |
| B．Seeing the wonder of the first tube baby growing. |
| C．Enabling millions of couples to live a better life． |
| D．Helping couples with infertility to have tube babies． |
What does the underlined word “afflicting”（Paragraph 4）most probably refer to?
| A．Troubling. | B．Developing. |
| C．Improving. | D．Confusing. |
Why did Professor Edwards begin his research on tube baby?
| A．Because he thought it of great significance to have a child in life． |
| B．Because the birthrate around the world was unexpectedly low then． |
| C．Because a special child did make a difference to an ordinary family． |
| D．Because his fellow scientist wanted to give hope to the unlucky couples． |
It can be inferred from Paragraph 8 and Paragraph 9 that ___________．
| A．some people envied Professor Edwards for his being awarded |
| B．different opinions were voiced on Professor Edwards’ finding |
| C．Professor Edwards deserved the prize for his breakthrough |
| D．the prize was late because the finding was first considered immoral |
What might be the best title for the passage?
| A．Life Stories of Robert Edwards |
| B．Preparations for Having a Baby |
| C．Nobel Prize for IVF Expert Edwards |
| D．Treatment of Infertility in a Lab |
When we asked Oprah to pick the 10 books she’s read in the past decade that have mattered to her most, she was momentarily stumped. For someone who describes herself as ―inspired, challenged, and sustained by books, it was almost impossible for Oprah to stay within our limit of 10. Still, she offered up the following, but she emphasized that it was only a sampler of delightful titles that have also managed to teach her — and all of us — a few things．
1. Discover the Power Within You
By Eric Butterworth
256 pages; Harper One
Advice from the internationally known spiritual teacher．
2. A New Earth
By Eckhart Tolle
316 pages; Plume
There’s a reason Oprah picked this for her Book Club in 2008 — and that she gave audience members Post-it pens along with their copies．So much wisdom, so little time! A real-life guide to living your best life．
3. The Poisonwood Bible
By Barbara Kingsolver
576 pages; Harper Perennial
This novel is about a family involved in the political trouble of postcolonial Africa. It established Kingsolver as one of our wisest observers of history, politics, and human nature．
4. Night
By Elie Wiesel
120 pages; Hill and Wang
A memoir（回忆录） of a childhood suffered in concentration camps during the Holocaust. It’s horrific butuplifting. ―I gain courage from his courage,‖ Oprah says．
5. A Fine Balance
By Rohinton Mistry
624 pages; Vintage
A Dickensian novel about India during the Emergency. Like the aftermath of September 11, it teaches us about cultures we haven’t understood. “It takes us out of our own little shell and exposes us to a whole other world out there.” Oprah say．
6. East of Eden
By John Steinbeck
608 pages; Penguin
This classic is about good and evil as played out in a late-19th-century California ranch family. If you didn’t read it in high school, read it now. If you did, reread it!
7. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
By David Wroblewski
576 pages; Harper Collins
A kind of Hamlet on the prairie, this is the wrenching（令人痛苦的） story of a mute boy and his dog． Oprah compares it to East of Eden and To Kill a Mickingbird．
8. The Pillars of the Earth
By Ken Follett
973 pages; Penguin
About the challenges of building cathedrals in 12th-century England. This novel couldn‘t be more different in setting, time, and plot from the author‘s breakthrough success, Eye of the Needle. Oprah declares it simply “great”．
9. The Bluest Eye
By Toni Morrison
224 pages; Penguin
How to choose among the great Morrison‘s novel? Start with this one about a girl who thinks she has to have blue eyes to be beautiful. Oprah considered it one of the best in a crowded Morrison field．
10. The Known World
By Edward P. Jones
400 pages, Harper Collins
When this book was published in 2003, it shocked everybody with its description of slave-owning blacks before the Civil War. A daring, unusual examination of race．The passage is mainly about _______．
| A．ten books that have made greatest difference to Oprah |
| B．an inspiring , challenging and sustainable woman |
| C．Oprah’s picks from what has taught her a few things |
| D．the unwillingness of Oprah to share books within a limit of 10 |
Why did Oprah add A Fine Balance to her list?
| A．She gained courage from it． |
| B．It tells about wisdom of human nature． |
| C．It’s a guide to living a best life． |
| D．Culture of a different world is exposed． |
What makes Oprah declare The Pillars of the Earth great?
| A．The advice on discovering the power． |
| B．The story of a mute boy and his dog． |
| C．The challenges of building cathedrals． |
| D．The good and evil in a California family． |
In which book the story was set before the Civil War?
| A．In The Bluest Eye. | B．In East of Eden. |
| C．In A New Earth. | D．In The Known World. |
Qixi Festival, the Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day that fell yesterday, was not only a disappointment for forgotten lovers, but also for businessmen left with empty pockets．
The cold reception has prompted cultural experts to seriously worry that the lovers’ festival, marked for generations since the Han Dynasty（206 BC-AD 220），is dying out． Some have even called for legislation to make the festival a legal ―Chinese Lovers’ Day, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar year．
But the effectiveness of such a measure is in doubt, although efforts to preserve traditional festivals deserve highly praise．
A growing number of traditional Chinese festivals, such as the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn
Festival, share the same fate of the Qixi Festival．
Young people are showing less interest in traditional culture as symbolized by these festivals．Even if all traditional festivals are finally made legal, the risk of them becoming purely formalized celebrations with little meaning is not removed．If the younger generation fails to identify with the cultural significance of these holidays, there is little that can be done．
While complaining about traditional festivals’ fading appeal, decision-makers should reflect on cultural protection. Undeniably, our country has done a bad job of preserving culture and traditional festivals, compared to neighbouring Japan and the Republic of Korea（ROK）．
The 2,500-year-old Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The traditional customs and ceremonies of the occasion, which originated in China, have been better preserved in the ROK．
Only a few years ago did China begin to realize the significance of preserving intangible（无形的）cultural heritage when the ROK planned to apply to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to list its version of the Dragon Boat Festival as an important example of intangible culture．
Concern about the traditional holidays also reminds people of the growing influence of foreign cultures as the country opens wider to the outside world. With traditional festivals becoming less important and imports such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day gaining widespread popularity, the public including cultural professionals have tended to measure traditional Chinese festivals in economic terms．
Business rather than culture has begun to play a dominant role. More and more people are preoccupied with how much money can be made during the holidays．
In fact what makes traditional festivals unique and what keeps them alive is their cultural elements. After all, it is unique culture that contributes to the world’s diversity with globalization．What makes Chinese cultural experts worry that the lovers’ festival is dying out?
| A．The disappointment for both businessmen and lovers． |
| B．The cold reacting of the public to Qixi Festival． |
| C．The failure to make traditional Chinese festivals legal． |
| D．The action to preserve culture and traditional festivals． |
The public look at the effectiveness of the legalization of the Qixi Festival with a(n） _______ attitude．
| A．indifferent | B．positive | C．doubtful | D．hopeful |
From Paragraph 5 we can learn that _______．
| A．traditional festivals are thought more highly of by the young people |
| B．legal celebrations reduce the risk of disappearing of traditional culture |
| C．the significance of traditional festivals should be more identified with |
| D．young people value traditional culture more while they can do little |
It is implied by the writer that traditional Chinese festivals should be measured _______．
| A．by legal decision | B．in economic ways |
| C．by professional rules | D．in cultural terms |
The writer’s purpose for writing this article is to _______．
| A．remind us that the cultural elements make traditional festivals live on |
| B．complain that Japan and ROK do a better job in preserving culture |
| C．inform the public of the dying out of traditional Chinese festivals |
| D．warn people against business role in celebrating traditional festivals |
In a world with limited land, water and other natural resources, the harm from the traditional business model is on the rise. Actually, the past decade has seen more and more forests disappearing and the globe becoming increasingly warm. People now realize that this unhealthy situation must be changed, and that we must be able to develop in sustainable ways. That means growth with low carbon or development of sustainable products. In other words, we should keep the healthy while using its supply of natural resources.
Today, sustainable development is a popular trend in many countries. According to a recent study, the global market for low-carbon energy will become three times bigger over the next decade. China, for example, has set its mind on leading that market, hoping to seize chances in the new round of the global energy resolution. It is now trying hard to make full use of wind and solar energy, and is spending a huge amount of money making electric cars and high-speed trains. In addition, we are also seeing great growth in the global markets for sustainable products such as palm oil(棕榈油), which is produced without cutting down valuable rainforest. In recent years the markets for sustainable products have grown more than 50%.
Governments can fully develop the potential of these new markets. First, they can set high targets for reducing carbon emissions(排放) and targets for saving and reusing energy. Besides, stronger arrangement of public resources like forests can also help to speed up the development. Finally, governments can avoid the huge public expenses that are taking us in the wrong direction, and redirecting some of those expenses can accelerate the change from the traditional model to a sustainable one.
The major challenge of this century is to find ways to meet the needs of a growing population within the limits of this single planet. That is no small task, but it offers abundant new chances for sustainable product industries.The traditional business model is harmful because of all the following EXCEPT that.
| A． it makes the world warmer |
| B． it consumes natural resources |
| C． it brings severe damage to future |
| D． it makes growth hard to continue |
What can we infer from Paragraph 2?
| A． China lacks wind and solar energy. |
| B． China is the leader of the low-carbon market. |
| C． High-speed trains are a low-carbon development. |
| D． Palm oil is made at the cost of valuable forests. |
To fully develop the low-carbon markets governments can ______.
| A． cut public expenses |
| B． forbid carbon emissions |
| C． develop public resources |
| D． encourage energy conservation |
We can learn from the last paragraph that businesses have many chances to _______.
| A． develop sustainable products |
| B． explore new natural resources |
| C． make full use of natural resources |
| D． deal with the major challenge |
What is the main purpose of the passage?
| A． To introduce a new business model |
| B． To compare two business models |
| C． To predict a change of the global markets |
| D． To advocate sustainable development |