A new report says sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is melting more quickly than expected. American scientists say the ice is melting even faster than computer programs had estimated.
Scientists know that climate change has a major effect on the Arctic Ocean partly because sea ice is disappearing. They also know that areas of open seawater are expanding. Such areas are known to take in sunlight and increase temperatures. Scientists say this has helped to cause the loss of the Arctic’s ice cover.
For the study, the American scientists compared eighteen computer programs with observations made by satellites and other instruments. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change used the computer programs to prepare its 2007 estimates of climate change.
The computer programs gave estimates of the amount of ice in the Arctic Ocean in the month of September. September is when the Arctic has the least ice, after the warm, summer months. The computer estimates suggested an ice loss of two and a half percent for every ten-year period between 1953 and 2006.
Newer studies of the Arctic have used information gathered by aircraft, satellites and ships. This information showed a loss of September ice cover of almost eight percent for every ten-year period between 1953 and last year. This means the ice is disappearing about thirty years faster than the computer programs estimated.
The scientists say the programs might not have recognized the full effect of increased carbon dioxide and other gases in Earth’s atmosphere. They say their study suggests the gases may have more of an effect than had been thought.It is reported that sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is melting more quickly than expected mainly because _________.
| A．climate change | B．sea ice’s disappearance |
| C．seawater’s expansion | D．the loss of the Arctic’s ice cover |
How did the scientists draw the conclusion that sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is melting more quickly than expected?
| A．The scientists have been observing the Arctic Ocean for many years. |
| B．The scientists have compared the computer programs with observation made by satellites and other instruments. |
| C．The scientists have figured out many numbers with the help of computer. |
| D．The scientists have found that the seawater take in sunlight and increase temperatures. |
If the ice melts at the present speed, by the end of this century the ice loss in the Arctic Ocean will be _________ according to newer studies.
| A．22.5% | B．35% | C．72% | D．100% |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The figures of the computer estimates are wrong. |
| B．Scientists study climate change through studying sea level. |
| C．Newer studies show gases may have more effect on sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. |
| D．The ice is melting even faster than satellites have estimated. |
This report mainly warns human to _________.
| A．prevent the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean from melting any more |
| B．pay more attention to the loss of the Arctic’s ice cover |
| C．take necessary steps to protect the environment of our earth |
| D．stop summer sea ice in the Arctic from disappearing so fast |
Pure Yoga (菩尔瑜伽）is devoted to serving the yoga community in Asia and beyond，offering a wide variety of classes such as Hatha Yoga，Hot Yoga，Yin Yoga Vinyasa，etc. Our yoga classes are offered and taught by nearly 200 professional yoga teachers. Private Yoga is also available for learners of all levels. Pure Yoga constantly invites world-known teachers to lead guest teacher workshops.
Class Booking
Class bookings can be made 2 days in advance of the class. It is important that you book your class in advance since some classes are more heavily attended than others.
We also limit our class sizes so that they are not overcrowded. If a class you wish to take is full, we will place you on the wait list and inform you of an opening as soon as possible. To create the best experience for yourself and others，please follow these guidelines：
No talking
The yoga studio is a silent room. Please do not talk while in the studio and studio corridors(走廊).
No eating
Do not eat in the studio.
No shoes
Remove your shoes before entering the practice rooms. Keep your shoes in your locker (寄存柜).Shoe lockers are also available for rental.
No mobile phones
Turn your mobile phones off or to “vibrate”（震动）mode. Do not take phones into the practice rooms.
Personal Belongings
Daily lockers are not for overnight use. Locks from any daily lockers that are kept overnight will be cut.Who will teach general learners yoga?
| A．favorite yoga teacher. |
| B．professional yoga teacher. |
| C．world-known yoga teacher. |
| D．private yoga teacher. |
When should you book your class?
| A．One month ahead of time. |
| B．Two months ahead of time. |
| C．Two days ahead of time. |
| D．One day ahead of time. |
In the practicing room，you can_____ .
| A．keep your shoes in the locker |
| B．wear any shoes you like |
| C．talk with your friends on the phone |
| D．eat some snacks if you are hungry |
Take That Tiger Mom
In the ongoing battle between Tiger Moms, French Mamas, and everyone else who wants to know what is the best way to raise their kids, a new study adds evidence that the extreme Tiger-style may do more harm than good.
Authoritarian parents are more likely to end up with disrespectful children with violent behaviors, the study found, compared to parents who listen to their kids with the goal of gaining trust.
It was the first study to look at how parenting styles affect the way teens view their parents and, in turn, how they behave.
The study considered three general styles of parenting. Authoritative parents are demanding and controlling while also being warm and sensitive to their children’s needs.
Authoritarian parents, on the contrary, are demanding and controlling without the appearance of caring, attachment and receptiveness. They take a “my way or the highway” approach to their kids.
Permissive parents, the third group, have warm and receptive qualities, but they set few boundaries and carry out few rules.
Using data on early 600 kids from an ongoing study of middle school and high school students in New Hampshire, researchers from the University of New Hampshire were able to find “my way or the highway” parenting with more violent behaviors like robbery, drug-taking, and attacking someone else with the intention of hurting or killing.
Firm but loving parenting, on the other hand, led to fewer lawbreakers. Permissive parenting, surprisingly, didn’t seem to make much of a difference either.
To explain the link between parenting style and behavior in kids, the researchers suggested that what matters most is how reasonable kids think their parents’ power is. This sense comes when kids trust that their parents are making the best decisions for them and believe that they need to do what their parents say even if they don’t always like how their parents are treating them.
When kids respect the power of their parents, the researchers reported in the journal of Adolescence, their behavior is better. Previous research has also linked firm but caring parenting with kids who have more self-control and independence.
“When children consider their parents to be the reliable figure, they trust the parents and feel that they have a duty to do what their parents tell them to do,” said lead researcher Pick Trinkner. “This is very important as the parent doesn’t have to rely on a system of rewards and punishments to control behavior and the child is more likely to follow the rules when the parent is not physically present.”Tiger Moms and French Mamas are mentioned in the passage to _______.
| A．give an example of authoritarian parenting |
| B．show the advantage of parenting |
| C．compare two types of parenting |
| D．introduce the topic |
According to the research, what kind of parenting style is likely to cause children’s criminal behaviors?
| A．Caring parenting. | B．Permissive parenting. |
| C．Authoritarian parenting. | D．Authoritative parenting. |
Which of the following probably belongs to the action of the permissive parents?
| A．Allowing the kids to stay up late at weekends as the kids like. |
| B．Beating the kids if the kids don’t follow their instructions. |
| C．Listening to the kids’ request and giving their demands. |
| D．Setting some rules and checking the kids’ behaviors. |
According to the passage, children are more likely to obey the rules when _______.
| A．their parents listen to them totally |
| B．they believe in and accept their parents |
| C．their parents are sensitive to their needs |
| D．their parents demand and control their behaviors |
What Is Self-tracking All about
Have you ever monitored something about yourself? Perhaps you’ve tracked how many kilometers you’ve run, how many hours you’ve slept or how many calories you’ve eaten in a day.
If so, you’ve taken part in a movement called the “Quantified Self Movement.” Individuals gather information about their daily activities in this popular movement, also called self-tracking. This may sound difficult, but technology is making the process easier.
Perhaps you’ve wanted to change a bad habit but couldn’t. Self-tracking may be your answer. The idea is to take information about your everyday activities and analyze them to help form a healthier lifestyle.
Recently, tools such as smartphones, journals and apps, along with newly published wearable things, are making self-tracking extremely easy. Today, one can use Fitbit, the Jawbone Up, Google Glass or a smart watch to record personal data including sleeping hours, stress levels, heart rate and mood.
So why does a person self-track? Someone may be trying to lose weight or improve their sleep patterns. Another person feels tired after eating. Self-tracking could help him to know what foods make him sleepy and watch his diet.
Monitoring daily activities isn’t a new concept. In years past, athletes and their coaches kept notes detailing nutrition, training and sleep patterns in order to achieve an athletic goal. Similarly, doctors have also helped patients to record parts of their lifestyles and eating habits to help fight allergies, headaches and other health problems. However, it wasn’t until 2007 that magazine editors Gary Wolf and Kim Kelly, who started tracking every move they made, coined the term “Quantified Self.” Wolf says that the new tools will change our sense of self with the purpose of making us more effective in the world.
Although self-tracking has many advantages, Dennis Nash, president of Data Speaks Health Solutions, says self-tracking has its drawbacks. Once people start tracking their daily activities, it can become an addition people like to do often. Also, they might begin to worry too much about their health.
While self-tracking doesn’t guarantee that one’s quality of life will improve, it can highlight the importance of eating well and exercising daily. After all, the Quantified Self Movement’s focus is motivating people to apply enough energy to make healthier choices.People choose self-tracking because _______.
| A．it collects personal data and leads to self-improvements |
| B．it records how many hours you sleep a day |
| C．it watches your eating habits |
| D．it increases your movement |
The writer mentions tools such as smartphones and apps in Paragraph 4 to show _______.
| A．we depend too much on them |
| B．it is easier to do self-tracking |
| C．they do harm to people’s health |
| D．equipment is necessary to do self-tracking |
Self-tracking was firstly put forward by _______.
| A．scientists of Data Speaks Health Solutions |
| B．athletes and their coaches |
| C．doctors and their patients |
| D．two magazine editors |
You can find this article in the part of _______.
| A．Education | B．Entertainment | C．Health | D．News |
Papa’s Straw Hat
Papa was a ranger. He worked with horses. He always wore clean clothes with a hat even when he worked. His hat was always the same kind of a cowboy hat- large black hat of heavy wool. He wore his hat full and high. I think he wanted to look taller than he really was.
Mama was proud of the way he looked when he wore his hat and his best clothes. But in some way she got the idea that papa would lose his hair if he kept wearing a heavy wool cowboy hat in the hot weather. She began to talk about his hats.
“Papa,” she said one day, “why don't you get a nice cool straw hat? That heavy wool cowboy hat may cause losing hair!” Papa laughed at her and explained that the horses wouldn’t recognize him if he changed the hat. But she didn’t believe him.
Mama talked and talked about the hat all summer long. At last papa answered, a little angry, “It would not the cowboy hat but a wife’s talking about the hat that makes me lose my hair.”
Mama had a very serious look on her face. She went straight out and later came home with a straw hat. It was a bad year for ranger and we didn't have much money. She thought that if she spent the money for a straw hat, papa would wear it. When papa saw the hat, his face got red. Without a word, he pulled the straw hat down over his head until it hid his eyes and went on to train the horses.
He was a good ranger and gentle to his horses. But as papa got close to the horses this time, they jumped high into the air, raising their front feet. All of them ran around in the rounded field and then raced toward the barn. Papa began to shout “Woo boys. Steady boys, steady.” But there was nothing equal to.
Papa walked back straight to the stove in the kitchen, pushed the straw hat deep down into the fire then turned to mama, in a way that even frightened me. “Now listen to me, mama. Understand this I will never wear a straw hat or any other kind of hat my horses do not like.” Then he put on his wool cowboy hat and walked out of the house.
I never heard mama talk any more about hats. Perhaps, that is why when papa died many years later, there was a round spot on the top of his head where there was no hair.According to the passage, a ranger is _______.
| A．a person wearing a woolen hat |
| B．a position requiring clean clothes |
| C．a person training horses for some purpose |
| D．a person riding a carriage with horses |
Mama bought papa a straw hat because _______.
| A．most cowboys preferred to wear it |
| B．she was worried about his health |
| C．a woolen one didn’t suit papa |
| D．it was cheap and she could save money |
What quality can we learn from papa?
| A．Gentle. | B．Patient. | C．Committed. | D．Modest. |
It can be learned from the story that _______.
| A．this family were not rich but diligent |
| B．papa didn’t love the straw hat and mama |
| C．protecting hair was very important |
| D．a cowboy hat was useful on farming |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
Tips for Getting the Most out of a “Photo walk”
Photo walks are a great way to get out and get clicking, either by yourself, with a couple of friends, or with a group of people. They can be wonderful for seeing a neighborhood or wild space with new eyes, getting inspired to be more creative with angles and subjects, as well as simply spending time with fun people. Here are a few tips for making sure you get the most out of a photo walk.
Pick a spot with lots of interest
A photo walk is a perfect excuse to go exploring a new area. However, if you’ve never been to the scene before, you might be disappointed at the final photos. Base your chosen spot on what you feel like photographing---whether that is buildings, people, busy streets, a festival, nature and so on, and make sure the place you’re heading for is filled with what you most want to shoot. It will pay off in a satisfying walk if you research your chosen spot beforehand and know what to expect.
Invite anyone, no matter what their skill level is
You’ll be surprised at what you learn from people who seem to know nothing about photography. Even with a simple camera, they can catch some outstanding photos. So bring Aunt Betty or your 10-year-old nephew or anyone else whose company you might enjoy on a walk and keep an open mind.
Don’t forget them
Be sure to take the important small things, such as an extra memory card (or two), an extra fully charged battery, comfortable shoes and clothing. And remember a notepad and pen for taking down notes about places, times, conditions, the names and information of people you meet and any other information you might want to remember about certain shots.
Keep an eye out for danger
Apart from watching the sky for rain, you’ll want to watch out for other people as well. Smartphones are always a target for thieves but they have become much clearer about the value of digital cameras. Don’t make yourself a target by standing for a very long time holding your camera out in front of you. If you’re in an area that is really busy or you aren’t super comfortable, then just be careful about when to use your camera. Imagine your shot in your head before holding up your camera, or use a camera belt wrapped around your wrist or shoulder.To choose a place for a photo walk, you are suggested to _______.
| A．spend time discussing with fun people |
| B．decide the place on your interest |
| C．choose famous places |
| D．find a new area |
The people you go photo walking with _______.
| A．must know the area well |
| B．have learned photography |
| C．would like to explore the places for you |
| D．enjoy walking with you and keep an open mind |
You are supposed to hold the camera around your wrist or shoulder in case _______.
| A．it is stolen by a thief |
| B．it gets wet in the rain |
| C．it loses some information |
| D．it falls down on the ground |