Be careful what you say around your dog. It might understand more than you think.
A border collie named Rico recognizes the names of about 200 objects, say researchers in Germany. The dog also appears to be able to learn new words as easily as a 3-year-old child. Its word-learning skills are as good as those of a parrot or chimpanzee(黑猩猩).
In one experiment, the researchers took all 200 items that Rico is supposed to know and divided them into 20 groups of 10 objects. Then the owner told the dog to go and fetch one of the items and bring it back. In four tests, Rico got 37 out of 40 commands right. As the dog couldn't see anyone to get clues, the scientists believe Rico must understand the meanings of certain words.
In another experiment, the scientists took one toy that Rico had never seen before and put it in a room with seven toys whose names the dog already knew. The owner then told Rico to fetch the object, using a word the dog had never heard before.
The correct object was chosen in seven out of l0 tests, suggesting that the dog had worked
out the answer by process of elimination(排除法). A month later, Rico remembered half of the new names, which is even more impressive.
Rico is thought to be smarter than the average dog. For one thing, Rico is a border collie, a breed (品种)known for its mental abilities. In addition, the 9-year-old dog has been trained to fetch toys by their names since the age of nine months.
It's hard to know if all dogs understand at least some of the words we say. Even if they do, they can't talk back. Still, it wouldn't hurt to sweet-talk your dog every now and then. You might just get a big, wet kiss in return! From paragraph 2 we know that __ .
A.animals are as clever as human beings |
B.dogs are smarter than parrots and chimpanzees |
C.chimpanzees have very good word-learning skills |
D.dogs have similar 'learning abilities as 3-year-old children |
Both experiments show that .
A.Rico is smart enough to get all commands right |
B.Rico can recognize different things including toys |
C.Rico has developed the ability of learning mathematics |
D.Rico won't forget the names of objects once recognizing them |
Which of the following statements is true?
A.The purpose of the experiments is to show the border collie's mental abilities. |
B.Rico has a better memory partly because of its proper early training. |
C.The border collie is world-famous for recognizing objects. |
D.Rico is born to understand its owner's commands. |
Which may be the best title of the passage?
A.Do dogs understand us? |
B.Does your dog understand you? |
C.Be careful with dogs. |
D.Be friendly to your dog. |
If you’re a male and you’re reading this, congratulations! You’re a survivor.According to statistics, you’re more than twice as likely to die of skin cancer than a woman, a nine times more likely to die of AIDS.Assuming you make it to the end of your natural term, about 78 years for men in Australia, you’ll die on average five years before a woman.
There’re many reasons for this——typically, men take more risks than women and are more likely to drink and smoke——but perhaps more importantly, men don’t go to the doctor.
“Men aren’t seeing doctors as often as they should,” says Dr.Gullotta.“This is particularly so for the over-40s, when diseases tend to strike.
Gullotta says a healthy man should visit the doctor every year or two.For those over 45, it should be at least once a year.
“When I finally saw him it had already spread and he has since died from lung cancer,” he says, “Earlier detection and treatment may not have cured him, but it would have prolonged his life.”
According to a recent survey, 95% of women aged between 15 and early 40s see a doctor once a year, compared to 70% of men in the same age group.
“A lot of men think they’re invincible,” Gullotta says.“They only come in when a friend drops dead on the golf course and they think, “Geez, if it could happen to him…”
Then there’s the ostrich approach.“Some men are scared of what might be there and would rather not know,” says Dr.Ross Cartmill.
“Most men get their cars serviced more regularly than they service their bodies,” Cartmill says.He believes most diseases that commonly affect men could be addressed by preventive check-ups.
Regular check-ups for men would inevitably place strain on the public purse, Cartmill says.“But prevention is cheaper in the long run than having to treat the diseases.Besides, the ultimate cost is far greater, it’s called premature death.”
72.Why does the author congratulate his male readers at the beginning of the passage?
A.They are more likely to survive serious diseases today.
B.Their average life span has been considerably extended.
C.They have lived long enough to read this article.
D.They are sure to enjoy a longer and happier life.
73.Which of the author’s statement is the most important reason men die five years earlier on average than women according to the passage?
A.Men drink and smoke much more than women.
B.Men don’t seek medical care as often as women.
C.Men aren’t as cautious as women in face of danger.
D.Men are more likely to suffer from fatal diseases.
74.What does Dr.Ross Cartmill mean by “the ostrich approach” ?
A.A casual attitude towards one’s health conditions.
B.A new therapy for certain psychological problems.
C.Refusal to get medical treatment for fear of the pain involved.
D.Unwillingness to find out about one’s disease because of fear.
75.What does Cartmill say about regular check-ups for men?
A.They may increase public expenses.
B.They will save money in the long run.
C.They may cause psychological strains on men.
D.They will enable men to live as long as women.
In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord (房东) can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartment. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent-controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.
Some experts argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low-paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics hold the opinion that an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.
Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages.
Economic theory predicts the results of economic decision, such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be corrected only if “other things are equal”. Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that there are no simple answers to economic questions.
67. There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may________.
A.cause a shortage of apartments
B.worry those who rent apartments as homes.
C.Increase the profits of landlords.
D.Encourage landlords to invest in building apartments.
68.We can safely say that rent control__________.
A.will always benefit those who rent apartments.
B.is unnecessary.
C.will probably bring inactive effects in the long run.
D.is necessary under all conditions
69.There will be the problem of unemployment if___________.
A.the minimum wage is set too high..
B.the minimum wage is set too early.
C.the workers are unskilled.
D.the maximum wage is set for poor workers.
70.The passage tells us abou__________.
A.the relationship between supply and demand.
B.the possible results of government controls.
C.the necessity of government control.
D.the urgency of getting rid of government control.
71.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. The results of economic decisions cannot always be predicted.
B. Minimum wage cannot always protect employees.
C. Economic theory can help predict the results of economic decision if other factors are not changing.
D. Economists usually have the same prediction about an economic decision.
In tough economic times, school counselors (顾问) don’t just wait for students to come to their offices in search of college brochures, health pamphlets or other help. These days, they are looking for at-risk kids to prevent personal or academic troubles before they arise. Nowadays, students and families need the guidance more than ever.
Counselors play a steadying role in schools as the economy weighs on families, college admission becomes even more competitive, immigration continues to reshape the population and state-testing pressures many students. They use computers to search through attendance data, grades and standardized test scores for kids who might need extra help.
Schlatter, director of guidance and counseling at Prince William County’s Woodbridge Senior High School, has checked attendance records against grades and test results to start peer groups (同年龄群体) for students who are failing classes but not skipping them. She said group counseling is another way to reach more students though it can be difficult. “Kids really do start helping and sharing with each other.”
At Fairfax High School, counselors found through surveys that students who transferred (转学) to the school after ninth grade enjoyed school significantly less than those who had been there all four years. The counseling staff set up a special program and group for new arrivals in response, said Marcy Miller, the school’s director of student services. Counseling staff members also have started small study groups for students to prepare for state Standards of Learning exams, which Miller said have helped raise test scores. She said that some of the newest counselors have had some of the freshest ideas.
63. We can learn from the passage that __________.
A. counselors wait for kids to come to ask for help now
B. counselors are trying to help people with economic problems
C. counselors have made college admission less competitive
D. counselors are trying to reach more kids in need of help
64.The author uses the example of Fairfax High School to show that.
A. counseling work is obviously effective
B. many students transfer there for help
C. new arrivals will no longer skip classes
D. counseling means little to new arrivals
65. What would the author most probably discuss in the following part?
A. What assistance they can offer.
B. The significance of their counseling job.
C. Other approaches to counseling at-risk kids.
D. The barriers of counseling the students with troubles.
66. Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?
A.Counselors Find New Ways
B.Small Study Groups Raise Test Scores
C.Transferred Students Need More Help
D.Tough Times See More At-risk Kids
This booklet is designed to help you and your family plan for and survive a major earthquake. By taking action to be prepared, you can lessen the impact of an earthquake on your family. Set aside some emergency supplies, and teach your family what to do at home during and after a disaster. You could be without help for up to 72 hours, so learn to cope for at least that long.
Movement of the ground is seldom the actual cause of death or injury. Most casualties(意外) result from partial building collapse and falling objects and debris, like toppling chimneys, falling bricks, ceiling plaster, and light fixtures. Many of these conditions are easily preventable.
Because earthquakes occur without warning, it’s important to take steps now to prepare, so that you know what you can do and how to respond — constructive, protective action is possible.
Have on hand for Any Emergency – Ideas for Home, Workplace, and Car.
Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake occurs, prepare a disaster supplies.
59.Who is the passage mainly written for ?
A.scientists B.parents C.the public D.teachers
60.How can we lessen the impact of an earthquake on our family?
A.Stay at home
B.Keep away from high buildings
C.learn some knowledge about the cause of earthquakes
D.know what to do in a disaster
61.What will the writer talk about next?
A.emergency supplies B.first aid
C.toppling chimneys D.ceiling plaster
62.which can be the best title of this passage?
A.Are You Prepared for the Next Earthquake
B.Earthquakes Occur without Warning
C.How to prevent earthquakes
D.Cause of Earthquakes
第三部分: 阅读理解 (共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A,B,C,D)中选出最佳选项
One of the most important aspects of an image is color. People are very sensitive to color, and different colors have different effects on people .
In general , red is an exciting color , which creates an image of action, energy and danger. Red is also the most frequently used color in flags .Eighty percent of the world’s flags contain red. A study in “Germany showed that football teams wearing red are more successful .Blue is a very calm color .Business executives usually wear dark blue suits .Blue is also a peaceful color. The flag of the United Nations is light blue .Yellow is associated with openness and freedom. Green is a very relaxing color .Surgeons nowadays wear green ,because it’s less tiring than white .Black creates an image of power and authority .It can also be a very threatening color .Gangsters and vampires often wear black .white is a pure and strong color .This is one reason why doctors wear white coats .We trust them more .Grey is a very anonymous color .People wearing grey don’t want other people to notice them .Brown is the opposite of black .It’s warm and friendly ,while black is threatening .
56.What does the author mainly talk about in the passage?
A.Color and Character B.Color and Image
C.Color and Occupation D.People are sensitive to color
57.Which of the following is true about color according to the passage?
A.Eighty per cent of the world’s flags contain green.
B.Brown is the opposite of pink, presenting warmth.
C.Red creates an image of energy , danger and freedom.
D.Blue is a peaceful and calm color.
58.The underlined word “anonymous” roughly means ______
A.outstanding B.beautiful C.exciting D.unknown