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The Haitian tsunami gave scientists a chance to find out how well vital and potentially life-saving warning systems were working.
Noaa’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory has developed a warning system that picks up signals of tsunamis directly from the sea-floor.
It is called Dart-the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis. If seismometers(地震仪) detect an earthquake, the Dart buoys(浮标) will determine what is happening to sea levels, and whether a big wave might be on the way. This information is then sent via satellite to a central location which can organize an alarm. Within 50 minutes of the Haiti earthquake, this system was able to issue an alarm to other countries in the Caribbean to say that a small tsunami had been caused to start, and that was unlikely to affect them.
Dr Bernard said, “The first 30 minutes following the earthquake, we have to rely on education.” The critical aspects of this are: do you feel the earthquake; do you see the ocean draw down; and do you hear that loud roar? If so, you should run for higher ground.
“But after the first few minutes, it’s crucial that we have the technology—the measurements to avoid unnecessary evacuation(疏散撤离)and tell people when it is safe to return.” Right now, there are 50 of these Dart buoys all over the globe—four of which are in the Caribbean.
Dr Bernard says that, with 75 to 100 buoys worldwide, this system could provide global tsunami warnings within one hour.
“That’s for everywhere we know that tsunamis have happened. If we wanted to go to half an hour detection, we could probably double or multiply by four times that number,” he said.
“In some countries, including Haiti, there may not be enough resources to support a specific tsunami warning centre for something that happens so infrequently.”
He said that this system was relatively inexpensive to fix and operate.
“To get it down to an hour for everywhere affected would cost $50m initial investment and then 10% of that to maintain it,” he said.
“That’s not a terribly expensive system considering the potential savings of lives.”
In which section would you probably read the passage in a newspaper?

A.Education and Society
B.Culture and Leisure
C.Science and Technology
D.Health and Medicine

How many buoys would at least be needed for global tsunami warnings within half an hour?

A.150
B.100
C.75
D.50

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A.The system can warn people of the coming of tsunami directly after the earthquake.
B.We can’t escape the danger of tsunami within 30 minutes following the earthquake.
C.Each country can easily afford a tsunami warning centre though it seldom happens.
D.It’s worthwhile to spend money on the warning system for possible savings of lives.

Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?

A.Tsunami Assessment
B.Earthquake detecting
C.Disaster Warning System
D.Life Saving System
科目 英语   题型 阅读理解   难度 中等
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South Korean Films
An audience can view five new South Korean films, all with Chinese subtitles(字幕) until April 19 at the Tuixin Cinema in the Beijing National Library grounds.
Two other South Korean films completed their full runs at the Tuuixin Cinema earlier this month.
Location: Tuixin Cinema, Beijing National Library, 39 Baishiqiao Road, Haidian District.
Tel: 86415566
“My Love My Bride”
April 15: 9:00, 13:00, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30
“Kim’s War”
April 16: 9:00, 13:30, 18:15
“Because You Are a Woman”
April 17: 13:30, 18:15
“Marriage Story”
April 18: 9:00, 13:30, 15:30, 18:15
“Sopyoneje”
April 19: 9:00, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30
Leon’s show
Hong Kong pop stat—Leon Lai will give a personal performance at 7:30pm from tomorrow through to September 21 at the Shanghai Gymnasium. The show is to celebrate the opening of the 93rd Huangpu Tourism Festival.
Tickets: 60, 90, 120, 180 yuan RMB, available(有票) at 66 Jiangning Road.
Address: Shanghai Gymnasium, 1111 Gaoxi Road N.
Tel: 29189188, 29171145, 49384952, 29197113
Russian concert
The Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra(管弦乐队) will put on some excellent Russian Orchestra works at 7:15pm on September 26 and 27 at the Shanghai Concert Hall. They will sing Russian folk songs and mass under a Russian Conductor who is very famous for conducting choirs(歌唱队) and has given a successful choral concert in Beijing.
Tickets: 6, 8, 10, 12 yuan RMB, available at the hall’s ticket office.
Address: 523 Yan’an Road W. Shanghai.
Tel: 32275694.
Korean songs
The Song and Dance Troupe of North Korea will give a song and dance show at 7:30pm tonight at the Shanghai Center Theater.
Tickets: 10, 20, 30 yuan RMB, available at the theater’s ticket office.
Address: 1376 Nanjing Road W. Shanghai.
Tel: 29798663
64. ____ will be on April 18. The cinema’s telephone number is ____.
A. Kim’s War; 9798663 B. My Love, My Bride; 32275694
C. Because You Are a Woman; 29189188 D. Marriage Story; 86415566
65. An audience can watch the performance given by Leon Lai from tomorrow through to September 21 in ____.
A. Beijing B. South Korea C. Shanghai D. Hong Kong
66. The address of the Shanghai Center Theater is ____.
A. 1111 Caoxi Road N B. 1376 Nanjing Road W
C. 523 Yan’an Road W D. 66 Jiangning Road
67. According to the advertisement, a six-yuan ticket is for ____.
A. Russian concert B. Korean songs C. South Korean films D. Leon’s show


He met her at a party. She was so outstanding, with many boys around her, while he was so normal, with nobody paying attention to him.
At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him. She was surprised, but due to being polite, she agreed. They sat in a nice coffee shop. He was too nervous to say anything, and she felt uncomfortable, thinking, “Please let me go home.”
Suddenly he asked the waiter, “Would you please give me some salt? I’d like to put it in my coffee.”
Everybody stared at him—so strange!His face turned red, but, still, he put the salt in his coffee and drank it.
She asked him curiously, “Why do you have this hobby?”
He replied, “When I was a little boy, I was living near the sea. I liked playing in the sea, and I could feel the taste of the sea, just like the taste of the salty coffee. Now every time I have the salty coffee, I always think of my childhood. I miss my hometown so much. I miss my parents who are still living there.” While saying that tears filled his eyes. She was deeply touched. That’s his true feeling, from the bottom of his heart. A man who can tell out his homesickness, he must be a man who loves home, cares about home, and has responsibility of home. Then she also started to speak, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was a really nice talk, also a beautiful beginning of their story.
They continued to date. She found that actually he was a man who meets all her demands; he was kind-hearted, warm and careful. He was such a good person but she almost missed him! Thanks to the salty coffee! Then the story was just like every beautiful love story, the princess married the prince, then they were living a happy life… And, every time she made coffee for him, she put some salt in the coffee.
After 40 years, he passed away, leaving her a letter which said, “My dearest, please forgive my whole life lie. This was the only lie I said to you—the salty coffee.”
“Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous at that time. Actually I wanted some sugar, but I said salt. It was hard for me to change so I just went ahead.”
“I tried to tell you the truth many times in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I have promised not to lie to you for anything.”
“Now I’m dying, I’m afraid of nothing so I tell you the truth: I don’t like the salty coffee. What a strange bad taste! But I have had the salty coffee for my whole life!”
“Since I knew you, I never feel sorry for anything I do for you. Having you with me is my biggest happiness for my whole life. If I can live for a second time, I still want to know you and have you for my whole life, even though I have to drink the salty coffee again.”
Her tears made the letter totally wet.
Someday, someone asked her, “What’s the taste of salty coffee?”
“It’s sweet,” she replied.
60. After ordering some salt to put into the coffee, the young man must have felt ___.
A. touched B. satisfied C. disappointed D. embarrassed
61. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Salt coffee is more delicious and sweeter than sugar coffee.
B. The man ordered the salt coffee in order to create a chance to date with the girl.
C. The man had to have the salty coffee all his life to keep his word.
D. The woman hardly believed the man’s explanation at the first date.
62. From the passage we can see that the man is ___.
A. caring and kind-hearted B. shy and sly
C. dishonest but responsible D. warm and understanding
63. It is implied in the passage that the woman ___ when reading the letter left by her husband.
A. was cheated by his husband’s behavior
B. was touched by his husband’s white lie
C. felt sorry to know the truth too late
D. felt angry about his dishonesty


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和D)中,选出最佳选项。
It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word “congratulations”. I don’t remember ever smiling so wide.
Then I looked at my financial package.
The cost of Dream School’s tuition, room and board was around $40,000— an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren’t as famous as my first choice.
In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn’t sure what to do.
One of the schools that offered me a full ride had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents’ financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food ,listen quietly. But I surprised myself.
At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus(including guest lectures and social gatherings). He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring.
As the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door, a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there.
In all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my “dream” university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me.
56. How did the author feel when he started to read the letter?
A. He was full of joy. B. He was lost in his dream.
C. He was worried about the money. D. He was uncertain which school to go to.
57. We can learn from the passage that the parents were _______.
A. honest B. strict C. supportive D. decisive
58. In Paragraph 5, “offered me a full ride” can be replaced by “_______”.
A. would pay for transport to the school
B. would show me around the campus
C. would offer free meals at all events
D. would charge me nothing for tuition
59. What does the author mainly want to say?
A. Your second-choice college may actually be your best fit.
B. You should consider comfort in your choice of schools.
C. You should try your best to attend your dream school.
D. Your choice of schools should be based on their fame.


Machines in the home have a short history. Sewing machines, washing machines and tumble dries are common enough today, but a hundred years ago few people could even imagine such things. However, inventors have designed and built a wide range of household machines since then. In most cases the inventor tried to patent(申请专利)his machine, to stop anyone copying it. Then he tried to produce a lot of them. If the machine became popular, the inventor could make a lot of money.
In 1790 the first sewing machine was patented. The inventor was an Englishman called Thomas Saint. There was nothing to match his machine for forty years, and then someone built a similar device. He was a Frenchman, Bartelemy Thimonier. However, neither of these early machines worked very well. It wasn’t until 1846 that an inventor came up with a really efficient sewing machine. He was an American, Elias Howe and his machine was good enough to beat five skilled sewing women. He didn’t make much money from it, however. The first commercially successful sewing machine was patented by Isaac Singer five years later.
Today, we take washing machines for granted, but there was none before 1869. The revolving drum(旋转桶)of that first machine set a pattern for the future, but it was crude by today’s standards. The drum was turned by hand, and needed a lot of effort. Eight years passed before someone produced an electric washing machine. The world had to wait even longer for a machine to dry clothes. The first spin-drier was another American invention, patented in 1924; but it was 20 years before such machines were widely used.
It was yet another American, called Bissell, who introduced the carpet sweeper. He patented the original machine back in 1876. It didn’t pick up dirt very well, but it was quicker than a dustpan and brush. Thirty-six years later, even the carpet sweeper was old-fashioned: modern homes now have a vacuum cleaner(吸尘器)with an electric motor to suck the dust.
72. Whose sewing machine could do as much as,or even more than the work of five skilled sewing women?
A. Thomas Saint’s. B. Bartelemy Thimonier’s.
C. Elias Howe’s. D. Isaac Singer’s.
73. According to the article, modern inventors __________ .
A. follow the pattern of the first revolving drum but improve it much
B. only imitate (模仿)the first washing machine
C. power the first ever-made washing machine by electricity
D. have to wait for the first spin-drier for a long time
74. The underlined word “crude” in the sentence “but it was crude by today’s standards” probably means __________ .
A. useless B. ugly-looking C. rough D. not skillfully made
75. The article mainly tells us about __________ .
A. the great inventors in the world
B. the important inventions in the world
C. the short history of household machines
D. the importance of the machines used in the home


Advice to “sleep on it” could be well founded, scientists say. After a good night’s sleep a problem that seemed impossible to solve the night before can often appear more manageable, although no evidence has proved this by now. But researchers at the University of Luebek in Germany have designed an experiment that shows a good night’s sleep can improve insight (洞察力) and problem-solving.
“If you have some newly acquired memories in your brain, sleep acts on these memories and restructures (重构) them, so that after sleep the insight into a problem which you could not solve before increases,” said Dr. Jan Born, a neuroscientist (神经科学家), at the university. To test the theory, they taught volunteers two simple rules to help them put a string of numbers into a new order. There was also a third, hidden rule, which could help them increase their speed in solving the problem. The researchers divided the volunteers into two groups: half were allowed to sleep after the training while the rest were forced to stay awake. Born and his team noticed that the group that had slept after the training were twice as likely to figure out the third rule as the other group. “Sleep helped.” Born said in a telephone interview. “The important thing is that you have to have a memory representation in your brain of the problem you want to solve and then you sleep, so it can act on the problem.” But Born admitted that he and his team don’t know how restructuring of memories occurs or what governs it. Pierre Marquette and Pierre Ruby of the University of Liege in Belgium said the experimental evidence supports the suggestion that sleep can help develop creative thinking. Although the role of sleep in human creativity will still be a mystery, the research gives people good reason to fully respect their periods of sleep, they added.
68. The underlined phrase “sleep on it” in Paragraph 1 probably means _____.
A. to put something to be solved aside until the next day
B. to get as much sleep as possible
C. to go on sleeping without being disturbed
D. to sleep till you usually get up the next morning
69. Jan Born and his team carried out the experiment through _____.
A. interview B. comparison C. surveyD. imagination
70. It can be inferred from the passage that _____.
A. sleep is the only way to solve hard problems
B. people should sleep so long as they have time
C. people know how sleep reconstructs memories
D. people have various periods of sleep
71. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. How Sleep Works B. No Evidence, but Well Founded
C. Sleep Helps Solve Problems D. Born’s Discovery On Sleep

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