Experts say the American state of Hawaii has been invaded (入侵)by a small frog called the coqui (ko--kee). There may be millions of the small frogs in Hawaii. However, they do not belong there. They are normally found in the southeastern United States. The coqui frogs are harming Hawaii’s environment. And the extremely loud noise they make is causing problems for Hawaiian citizens and visitors.
The coqui invaders arrived in Hawaii about ten years ago. They were believed to have been brought in accidentally in shipments of plants from Florida. Their number has sharply increased. They have quickly spread around the Hawaii Islands hidden in plants.
The coqui is a brown frog about five centimeters long. During the day, the frogs hide in wet protected areas, such as under plant leaves. At night, the frogs move onto trees to feed, call to females and mates. The call of the male coqui sounds like. Ko kee! Ko kee!
In the southeastern United States, local people celebrate coqui frogs. But in Hawaii, the foreign frog has been considered as a harmful animal. The coqui frogs are a major danger to Hawaii’s environmental system. The frogs eat thousands of insects (昆虫)every night. These insects are important for the reproduction of plants. The insects also are important food for Hawaii’s native rare birds. The frogs also are affecting the tourism industry in Hawaii. Increasing numbers of hotels, visitors and local people have been annoyed by the loud calls made by male coqui frogs to female frogs. At night, the noise often makes it difficult for people to sleep.
The frogs do not have any natural enemies in Hawaii to reduce their population size. The warm weather permits them to lay eggs all year long. There are many efforts in Hawaii designed to stop the spread of the coqui. It is a crime to transport ,sell or release(释放)the frogs there.
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is trying to find an effective chemical that can be safely used to kill the frogs. For now, the frogs may only be caught by hand. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture says the greatest danger to the economy and environment of the state is from harmful species, like the coqui.The statement that can best summarize the main idea of the passage is .
A.the coqui invaders have seriously affected the tourism industry in Hawaii |
B.it is not permitted to transport, sell or release the coqui frogs in Hawaii |
C.the coqui invasion has serious effects on the economy and environment in Hawaii |
D.great efforts have been made by the Hawaii people to kill the coqui |
The coqui frogs originally arrived in Hawaii .
A.by chance | B.at the request of all the local citizens |
C.as a gift | D.as goods demanded in the local market |
Visitors to Hawaii don’t like the coqui frogs mainly because .
A.they are a big danger to the environmental system there |
B.the loud noise made by the frogs bother their rest at night |
C.they affect the reproduction of the local plants and insects |
D.visitors could no longer see the native rare birds because of them |
The two factors leading to the rapid spread of coqui frogs in Hawaii are .
A.the frogs’ habit and the environment in Hawaii |
B.the large number of the insects and the plants in Hawaii |
C.the geographic location of Hawaii and its tourism industry |
D.the warm weather there and the frogs’ lack of natural enemies |
A car needs gas to run and your body also needs food to work for you. Eating the right kind of food is very important. It can help your body grow strong to take care of what you eat.
There are four main food groups altogether. The dairy group has food like milk, cheese and sour milk(酸奶). The other three groups are the meat and fish group, the fruit and vegetable group, and the bread and rice group. Each meal should have at least one food from all four main groups. With all these food together, you will be given enough energy during the day.
It is easy to get into bad eating habits. You may eat your breakfast in a hurry to get to school on time. Or you may not have time for a good lunch. It may seem easy to finish your supper with fish and chips all the time. But you will find yourself tired in these days and you can not think quickly.
Watching what you eat will help keep your body healthy and strong. It is also good to take some exercise. It will help you eat more if you take a walk or play games in the open air. Having a good eating habit with some exercise is the key to your health.Which of the following is a good eating habit?
A.Going to school without any breakfast |
B.Eating fish and chips for supper all the time.. |
C.Having at least one food from all four groups each meal. |
D.Having different food from all four food groups. |
In this passage the writer mainly tells us that _____.
A.every person needs food to grow well |
B.taking exercise can keep your body strong |
C.the right kind of food with exercise will keep you healthy |
D.enough energy helps people think more quickly |
The underlined word “dairy” in the second passage means _____.
A.the food made out of cows such as milk and butter |
B.she shop that sells milk and butter |
C.a farm where cows are kept |
D.a place where milk products are made. |
The best title for this passage is _____.
A.The Four Food Groups | B.A Healthy Diet |
C.Your Body And Food | D.Food And Your Health |
After Christmas, I took a job in the clothes department at Graham’s for the first fortnight of the January sale. I can’t say that I enjoyed it, but it was an experience I’ll never forget.
I could never understand why there were so many things in the sales. Now I know the secret! Firstly, there is the special winter stock and the stock that people buy all the year round. Some of these things are slightly reduced. Secondly, there are the summer clothes they couldn’t sell last year; these are heavily reduced to clear them. Thirdly, there are cheap clothes bought in especially for the sales; these are put out at high prices ten days before the sale begins and then are reduced by 60% in the sale. Lastly, they buy in “seconds” for the sale and they are sold very cheaply.
When I arrived half an hour before opening on the first day of the sale, there was already a queue around three sides of the building.
When the big moment arrived to open the doors, the security guards, looking less confident than usual, came up to them, keys in hand. The moment they had unlocked the doors, they hid behind the doors for protection as the noisy crowd charged in. I couldn’t believe my eyes; this wasn’t shopping. It was a battlefield! One poor lady couldn’t keep her feet and was knocked over by people pushing from behind.
Clothes were flying in all directions as people searched for the sizes, colors and styles they wanted. Quarrels broke out. Mothers were using their small children to crawl through people’s legs and get hold of things they couldn’t get near themselves.
Within minutes I had half a dozen people pushing clothes under my nose, each wanting to be the first served. Where had the famous English queue gone? The whole day continued like that, but I kept my temper! I was taking money hand over fist and began to realize why, twice a year, Graham’s were happy to turn their expensive store into a battlefield like this.
In the sale fever, people were spending money like water without thinking if they needed what they were buying. As long as it was a bargain, it was OK.
You won’t believe this, but as soon as I got home, I crashed out for four hours. Then I had dinner and went back to bed, fearing the sound of the alarm which would tell me to get ready for the second day of the sale.What kind of clothes is likely to be sold only a little cheaper according to the passage?
A.Last summer’s clothes. | B.Clothes not in perfect condition. |
C.Clothes bought in specially for the sales. | D.Clothes for winter. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The customers gave up the queuing as soon as the sale began. |
B.The customers kept their temper while looking for clothes they wanted. |
C.Small children were not helpful to their mothers in the sale. |
D.The security guards of the clothes department were as confident as usual. |
Before you leave for the airport
Ensure that you have your passports (and any necessary visas), tickets and money in your hand luggage.
If packing medicines, ensure that they are in their original packaging as this will avoid delays or prevent them from being taken away at customs.
Do not wrap presents as they may have to be unwrapped by security staff or customs.
The Department of Health has devoted a section of their site to health advice for traveling abroad.
Getting to the airport
Always allow plenty of time to reach the airport. You should arrive there 2 hours before the take-off for international flights and one hour before the take-off for domestic flights.
If you are driving to the airport, ensure that you have booked airport parking in advance.
If you are being driven by a friend who wants to see you off, ensure that he / she knows where the short stay parking is located.
If taking a taxi, ensure that the firm you intend to use has taxis available at the time you wish to travel.
At the airport
Be aware that increased security has considerably lengthened the time it takes to go through check in and security.
Make sure you keep your baggage with you at all times and alert any member of airport staff to any unattended package.
Never look after baggage belonging to other people or carry anything onto the aircraft for someone else.
Keep a close eye on the display boards announcing which gate flights depart from.
In the air
If on a long flight, move your feet around, or get up and walk around regularly if you can.
Avoid dehydration (脱水) by drinking plenty of water or other non-alcoholic drinks.
Don’t eat too heavily before or during a long flight as this will help to avoid indigestion and hypertension (高血压).
To reduce jet lag (时差反应), have some extra sleep before the trip, get some sleep during the flight and try to make mealtimes the same as the time of meals at your destination. Before leaving for the airport, you should NOT ______.
A.make sure that you have all the necessary things with you |
B.ensure that any packed medicines are in their original packing |
C.wrap presents up tightly for the safety |
D.know some advice for traveling abroad from the website |
You should ensure that you have booked the airport parking in advance if _______.
A.you are going on an international flights | B.you drive to the airport yourself |
C.a friend drives you to the airport | D.you take a taxi to the airport |
When waiting for your flight at the airport, you should pay the most attention to _______.
A.the display boards showing which gate the flight departs from | |
B.baggage belonging to other people | |
C.unattended package | D.the time it takes to go through check in and security |
During the flight you should follow the following advice EXCEPT _______.
A.always to sit on a long flight | B.to drink enough water to avoid dehydration |
C.not to eat too much so as to avoid indigestion and hypertension | |
D.to make mealtimes the same as the time of meals at your destination |
Do your spirits soar (猛增) on a sunny day? Do you relax at the sound of flowing water?
Some scientists suggest that these contacts with nature are good for your health. In one study, hospital patients with a view of trees had shorter hospital stays and less need for pain medications. Another study indicated that prisoners with a view of the outdoors had fewer doctor visits.
“Why do we desire nature? Maybe we’re programmed to need it, since our ancestors’ survival was so dependent on their connection with nature,” suggests biologist E.O. Wilson.
Want to find out if contact with nature improves your outlook on life? Try a few of these ideas.
Hang out a bird feeder and watch the birds that visit it.
Sit down in the backyard or a nearby park. Close your eyes. What do you hear? Birds singing? The wind in the trees? Crickets (蟋蟀) chirping?
Find an anthill. Sit down and watch the ants work.
Take a walk right after a rainstorm. What looks different? Smells different?
Go barefoot on a sandy beach.
Open the curtains and the window, if the weather allows it.
On a windy day, watch the trees.
Go to a creek, river or park fountain. Listen to the sound of water in motion.
Camp out in the backyard or at a nearby state park. Use a tent or sleep on the ground.
Find a wide-open space to study the stars. Learn about the different constellations (星座).
Raise a garden. Or plant some seeds in a flowerpot.
Go hiking with your family. Talk about all of the colors you see in nature.
Take a camera and capture your nature experience.From Paragraph 2 we can learn that ______.
A.prisoners don’t like to go to the doctor when ill | B.trees can be used as pain medications |
C.prisoners should often get out of prison to come into contact with nature | |
D.contacts with nature are very helpful for hospital patients |
According to E.O. Wilson, we desire nature probably because ______.
A.it can help us feel relaxed |
B.we have inherited (继承) from our ancestors who were dependent on nature |
C.people have lived with nature for thousands of years |
D.contacts with nature can improve a person’s outlook on life |
The author gives us many ideas in order to let us ______.
A.find out if contacts with nature improve our outlook on life | |
B.hear birds sing and watch ants work | |
C.talk about the colors we see in nature | D.capture our experience in nature |
From the passage, we can learn that ______.
A.studying the constellations is important to everyone | |
B.you can know all the colors only by going hiking | |
C.nature is quite important to us | D.walking in a rainstorm can be very helpful |
What is the best title of the passage?
A.Go hiking with your family. | B.Let nature nurture you. |
C.Visit your doctor less. | D.Watch the trees more often. |
The unknown world’s mystry
The sea is the biggest unknown part of our world. It covers seventy-one percent of the earth. There is still much to be discovered about this vast blanket of water. If the waters of the ocean could be removed, the sea floor with its wide valleys, irregular mountains and rivers in the sea would be an unbelievable sight.
Tourism under the deep blue sea
Tourists can now explore the world beneath the waves without ever getting wet. From tourist submarines (潜艇) to underwater dining, undersea tourism is making a big splash.
Tourist submarines
The popularity of submarine tours has grown rapidly in the last decade. Now, tourist submarines operate in more than 20 locations worldwide, including the waters around Okinawa and Taiwan’s Green Island. The submarines carry nearly 2 million tourists each year. Large windows offer passengers spectacular views as the submarines explore colorful coral reefs and sunken ships. Most one-hour tours cost about US $80.
Under water dinning
For a more upscale experience, tourists can enjoy fine dining under the sea. Last summer the Hilton Maldives Resort opened the world’s first underwater restaurant, Ithaa. Diners walk down a staircase into the restaurant, which rests 35 feet beneath the waves of the Indian Ocean. Transparent walls surround the dining area, and you can treat guests to a panoramic (全景) ocean view.
But this excellent view doesn’t come cheap. The tasting menu costs US $200 per person. Be sure to make reservations early, too. The restaurant seats only 14 people.What does the author want to tell us in Paragraph 1?
A.The sea is the biggest unknown part of our world. | B.The sea covers 71% of the earth. |
C.Some information about the sea floor. | D.The reasons for researching undersea tourism. |
What does the author really mean by saying “undersea tourism is making a big splash” in Para2 ?
A.Undersea tourism is a new fashion in travelling. | B.Your clothes will be made wet by the water splash. | C.Undersea tourism is dangerous. | D.There is still a long way for undersea tourism to go. |
Which of the following statements about tourist submarines is RIGHT?
A.Tourist submarines only have a history of about 10 years. |
B.There are tourist submarines in every part of the world now. |
C.Tourist submarines have carried about 2 million tourists so far. |
D.People can enjoy tourist submarines in the waters around Okinawa. |
The walls of the restaurant Ithaa are most probably made of .
A.stone | B.brick | C.glass | D.steel |