Sometime early in the next century, human beings will move to Mars.They will live there for about a year, and then will be replaced with another group of pioneers.Building the base on Mars will advance our knowledge of the solar system and aid in our understanding of the earth.
We already know that Mars resembles the earth in many aspects: general size, presence of water, length of day, range of temperatures.These resemblances have caused many people to consider a centuries-long project: to terraform Ma
rs.Terraforming means altering a planet’s surface so that Earth’s life forms can survive there.This concept, previously found only in science fiction is now being seriously considered b
y scientists.
Terraforming Mars is theoretically simple: add nitrogen and oxygen to the atmosphere; pump water to the surface; and add the earth’s plants and animals in the order in which they developed on Earth.But it will take at least 300 years.
Some people think that such a project is too huge for humans to undertake, but there are very good reasons to make the attempt.The earth now contains some 6 billion people, and no one has any idea of how many humans the earth can support.Our very existence and numbers are threatening many other species.We also have had some experience with terraforming our own planet: altering the landscape, the atmosphere and the climate.Currently terraforming Earth has become a wiser activity as we try to control global warming, air and water pollution, and preserve some natural living places.
Small as the possibility of such a project is, it is not impossible.Even if earth-bound societies come and go in the next 300 years, the project can continue through the work of the Mars settlers without the need for constant backing from the earth.
The future existence of all the people in our world may very well depend upon our ability to terraform Mars.What would be the best title for this passage?
A.Terraforming Mars. | B.Saving the Earth. |
C.Travelling to Mars. | D.A Newly-found Place. |
What does the underlined word “altering” mean in the second paragraph?
A.Warming. | B.Changing. | C.Planting. | D.Building. |
According to the passage the main purpose of terraforming Mars is to _____.
A.do some scientific research work |
B.find out its similarity to Earth |
C.avoid the dying away of many other species |
D.find on Mars living place for the increasing human beings |
The main reason for causing many people to consider terraforming Mars is that _____.
A.there are some resemblances between Earth and Mars |
B.terraforming Mars is theoretically simple |
C.we have had some experience with terraforming our own planet: Earth |
D.the development of science and technology is very rapid |
The Museum of Childhood is spread over 4 floors, with the first floor acting like a balcony around the edge of the building, so you can look down over the ground floor central hall with the shop, Information Desk and Benugo Café.The museum of Childhood is housed in a large Victorian building in east London. It has been on this site since 1872. It has undergone refurbishment (翻新) and reopened in 2006 and an elevator now makes all floors accessible.
This is not a quiet place and children are allowed to have fun here. Child safety is extremely important and a member of staff remains by the front door at all times. Also, note the “Code of Behavior” notice, which includes: children under 12 must be supervised by an adult; no eating in the galleries and no running.
Toy exhibits are in glass cases and there are plenty of low-level exhibits for younger children to see. The glass cases have lots of thought-inspiring questions on them to encourage discussion between adults and children. When you or the children need some quiet time, there are sofas at either end of the second floor with reading books available.
Pros: Many free activities for kids
Cons: Can be too warm insideVisit Duration: 1.5 hours
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Last admission is 5:30 p.m.
The Museum is closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January every year.
Admission: Admission the Museum is free. There is a small charge for some activities.
48. In the Museum of Childhood, _______.
A.people can reach any floor by elevatorB.there are sofas at either end of the first floor
C. there are exhibits on the museum history D.the Information Desk can be found on each floor
49. The Museum of Childhood may be attractive to _______.
A. parents who only have children under 12
B. children who are fond of toy exhibits
C. parents and children who need quiet time
D. kids who like playing games with their parents
50. What is the disadvantage of the museum?
A. Low-level exhibits are too boring. B. Children may feel slightly hot in it.
C. Parents have to stay with their kids. D. No staff members attend to the kids.
51. What information can we get about the museum?
A.All the activities for children are free.
B.The museum is located in west London.
C.Children are allowed to enter after 5:30.
D.The museum is unavailable on Christmas Day.
When she looked ahead, Florence Chadwick saw nothing but a solid wall of fog. Her body was numb(全身麻木). She had been swimming for nearly sixteen hours. Already she was the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. Now, at age 34, her goal was to become the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast.
On that fourth of July morning in 1952, the sea was like an ice bath and the fog was so dense she could hardly see her support boats. Sharks cruised toward her lone figure, only to be driven away by rifle shots. Against the cold sea, she struggled on ---- hour after hour ---- while millions watched on national television.
Alongside Florence in one of the boats, her mother and her trainer offered encouragement. They told her it wasn't much farther. But all she could see was fog. They urged her not to quit. She never had … until then. With only a half mile to go, she asked to be pulled out.
She told a reporter hour later, "Look, I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen land I might have made it." It was not tiredness or even the cold water that defeated her. It was the fog. She was unable to see her goal.
Two months later, she tried again. This time, despite the same dense fog, she swam with her goal clearly pictured in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind that fog was land and this time she made it! Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel, eclipsing(超出) the men's record by two hours!
44. Florence Chadwick was the first woman to swim across ________.
A.the English ChannelB.the Catalina Channel
C.the California coastD.Catalina Island
45. Florence failed on her first trial mainly because of _______.
A. the sharks B. the tiredness C. the cold water D. the bad weather
46. The underlined word “then” in this passage refers to the period when _______.
A. she had swum nearly sixteen hours B. sharks swam toward her
C. she couldn’t see her support boats D. millions of people watched her on TV
47. We can infer from the passage that it was ______ that resulted in her success.
A. her family’s encouragementB. her iron will
C. her swimming skills D. the good weather
第二部分阅读理解(共25小题。第一节每小题2分,第二节每小题1分;满分45分)
第一节 阅读下列短文,从媒体所给的四个选项(A,B,C,D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。(共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
Students who say they never or hardly ever used dictionaries may speak English well but usually write poorly, because they make many mistakes.
The students who use dictionaries most do not learn especially well either. The ones who look up every new word do not read fast. Therefore they do not have time to read much. Those who use small two-language dictionaries have the worst problems. Their dictionaries often give only one or two words as translations of English. But one English word often has many translations in a foreign language and one foreign word has many translations in English.
The most successful students are those who use large college edition dictionaries with about 100,000 words but do not use them too often. When they are reading, these students first try to get the general idea and understand new words from the context. Then they reread and use the dictionary to look up only key words that they still do not understand. They use dictionaries more for writing. If they are not sure how to spell a word, they always use a dictionary. Also, if they think a noun might have an unusual plural form, they check this in a dictionary.
41. According to the passage, which of the following is WRONG?
A. Dictionaries have little effect on learning to speak English.
B. Whatever new words you meet while reading, never use dictionaries.C. Small two-language dictionaries have serious shortcomings.
D. Reading something for the first time, you’d better not use dictionaries.
42. This passage mainly tells us .
A. that students shouldn’t use small two-language dictionaries
B. what were the shortcomings of small two-language dictionaries
C. why students should use large college edition dictionaries
D. what dictionary students should choose and how to use it
43. Which is NOT mentioned in this passage?
A. How to make good use of a dictionary. B. When to use a dictionary.
C. How to improve spoken English.D. How to practice reading fast.
The new automobile fuel economy standards formally adopted by the Obama administration on Thursday will produce a series of benefits: reduced dependence on foreign oil, fewer greenhouse gas emissions(排放), and consumer savings at the pump.
This was truly a moment to celebrate. But it was tempered by the fact that some in Congress are trying to cancel the laws that made the new standards possible.
The standards will require automakers to build passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles and minivans that average 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 — a 30 percent increase over today’s cars, and the biggest single jump in fuel economy since the original standards were adopted in the 1970s. Cars will cost more, but the government estimates that consumers will save an average of $3,000 in fuel over the life of a new vehicle.
The standards will also place the first-ever limits on automobile greenhouse gas emissions, and are expected to reduce emissions by 21 percent by 2030 compared with what the output would have been without the standards. Because emissions from passenger vehicles represent about one-fifth of America’s greenhouse gases, this is a step forward for the planet.
The automakers, who fought the rules until they went broke(破产), have come to accept this as a step forward as well. A single national standard provides regulatory certainty, and they’ve got to get more efficient to survive.
However, some in Congress seemed determined to roll back the laws that got us here. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, and several other senators have added a challenge to the federal government’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act — not just from automobiles but from other sources. The Supreme Court gave the Environmental Protection Agency that authority three years ago, and the new emissions standards would have been impossible without it.
There has also been talk in the Senate of eliminating California’s special authority under the Clean Air Act to set more aggressive motor vehicle standards than the federal limits. California used that authority to pass a law in 2002 setting greenhouse gas emissions limits for cars sold there. It was the first law of its kind in this country, and it provided the drive and the foundation for the new nationwide standards.
What all of these opponents mean to do is to roll back history and the hard-won environmental protections it has produced. That would be a huge mistake.
66. The following are the benefits of the new automobile economy standards EXCEPT ________.
A. reduced dependence on foreign oil
B. cancelling some of the laws
C. fewer greenhouse gas emissions
D. consumer savings at the pump
67. What goal is set for the year 2016?
A. Cars will cost more so fewer people will buy them.
B. There is a 30 percent increase in car manufacturing.
C. An average vehicle can go 35.5 miles with one gallon of gas.
D. Consumers will save an average of $3,000 in fuel per car.
68. The underlined word “it” in paragraph six refers to ________.
A. The Clean Air Act
B. The Supreme Court
C. The Environment Protection Agency
D. The federal government’s authority
69. What seems to be the root of the new automobile fuel economy standards?
A. California’s motor vehicle standards.
B. The Environment Protection Agency.
C. Some Senators, like Lisa Murkowski.
D. Greenhouse gas emissions.
70. According to the writer, the new automobile fuel economy standards will probably lead to the result that ________.
A. everyone wins
B. more cars will be sold
C. it would be a big mistake
D. nobody agrees
Schools have banned cupcakes, issued fatness report cards and cleared space in cafeterias for salad bars. Just last month, Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood fatness promised to get young people moving more and restore school lunch, and drink makers said they had cut the number of liquid calories shipped to schools by almost 90 percent in the past five years.
But new research suggests that interventions(干预) aimed at school-aged children may be, if not too little, too late.
More and more evidence points to essential events very early in life — during the child years, babyhood and even before birth, in the womb(胎) — that can set young children on a fatness path that is hard to change by the time they’re in kindergarten. The evidence is not ironclad, but it suggests that prevention efforts should start very early.
Among the findings are these:
The fat angel-like baby who is growing so nicely may be growing too much for his or her own good, research suggests.
Babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are at risk of becoming fat, even though the babies are usually small at birth.
Babies who sleep less than 12 hours are at increased risk for fatness later. If they don’t sleep enough and also watch two hours or more of TV a day, they are at even greater risk.
Some early interventions are already widely practiced. Doctors recommend that overweight women lose weight before pregnancy rather than after, to cut the risk of fatness and diabetes in their children; breast-feeding is also recommended to lower the obesity risk.
Like children and teenagers, babies and toddlers have been getting fatter. One in 10 children under age 2 is overweight. The percentage of children ages 2 to 5 who are fat increased to 12.4 percent in 2006 from 5 percent in 1980. But most prevention programs have avioded intervening at very young ages, partly because the school system offers an efficient way to reach large numbers of children, and partly because the rate of fat teenagers is even higher than that of younger children — 18 percent.
Scientists like Dr. Birch worry about what are called epigenetic changes. The genes taken over from mother and father may be turned on and off and the strength of their effects changed by environmental conditions in early development. Many doctors are concerned about women being fat and unhealthy before pregnancy because the womb is the baby’s first environment.
Experts say change may require abandoning some treasured cultural attitudes. “The idea that a big baby is a healthy baby, and a crying baby is probably a hungry baby who should be fed, are things we really need to rethink,” Dr. Birch said.
61. What is NOT included in Michelle Obama’s campaign?
A. To restore school lunch.
B. To get young people moving more.
C. To issue fatness report cards.
D. To end childhood fatness.
62. Why should fatness prevention efforts start very early?
A. Because children now are growing too much for their own good.
B. Because there is too much liquid calories in drinks for children.
C. Because experiences even when in the womb can affect a child.
D. Because fat children cannot be healthy ones when they grow up.
63. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “ironclad” in paragraph three?
A. right B. protectiveC. objective D. positive
64. Which of the following is NOT right?
A. 18% of the younger children are fatter than fat teenagers.
B. 10 % of the children under age 2 gain too much weight.
C. 12.4% of the children ages 2-5 were overweight in 2006.
D. In 1980, only 5% of the children ages 2-5 were too fat.
65. What does Dr. Birch’s statement mean in the last paragraph?
A. Feeding the baby when it is crying is not right.
B. Fat babies may not be so healthy as people think.
C. Parents should take responsibility for fat babies.
D. Lovely babies shouldn’t be so fat as people think.