Every pet owner loves his pet. There is no argument here.
But when we asked our readers whether they would clone their beloved animals, the responses were split almost down the middle. Of the 228 readers who answered it, 108 would clone, 111 would not and nine weighed each side without offering an opinion.
Clearly, from readers’ response, this is an issue that reaches deeply into both the joy and eventual sadness of owning a pet. It speaks, as well, to people’s widely differing expectations over the developing scientific procedure.
Most of the respondents who favored the idea strongly believed it would produce at least a close copy of the original; many felt the process would actually return an exact copy. Those on the other side, however, held little hope a clone could never truly recreate a pet, many simply didn’t wish to go against the natural law of life and death.
Both sides expressed equal love for their animals. More than a few respondents owned “the best dog/cat in the world”. They thought of their pets as their “best friend”, “a member of the family,” “the light of my life.” They told moving stories of pets’ heroism, intelligence and selfless devotion.
Little wonders the loss is so disturbing—and the cloning so attractive. “People become very close to their animals, and the loss can be just as hard to bear as when a friend or family member dies,” says Gary Kowalski, author of Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet. “For me, cloning feels like an attempt to turn death away…It’s understandable. Death is always painful. It’s difficult to deal with. It’s hard to accept.”
But would cloning reduce the blow? This question seemed to be at the heart of this problem.So far as the cloning of pets is concerned, a recent survey shows that, of all pet owners, __________.
| A．a lot more of them are for it |
| B．a lot more of them are against it |
| C．very few of them are willing to tell their opinions |
| D．about half of them are for it and the other half against it |
While talking about the respondents from the readers, the expression “eventual sadness of owning a pet” refers to _________.
| A．the death of one’s pet |
| B．the high cost of owning a pet |
| C．the troubles one has to deal with in keeping a pet |
| D．the dangers involved in the cloning of a pet |
In spite of their differences on the problem of cloning, it seems that ________.
| A．all pet owners try to go against the natural law of life and death |
| B．all pet owners love their pets very much |
| C．people who support cloning love their pets more |
| D．people who dislike cloning love their pets more |
From what Gary Kowalski says, we can know that he _________.
A．has never thought about the problem of cloning |
| B．is going to write another book on pets |
| C．is in favor of the idea of cloning pets |
| D．is all against the cloning of pets |
What is the key question at the heart of the problem of cloning pets?
| A．Can pet owners afford the cost of cloning? |
| B．Can cloning make the pain one suffers less when a pet dies? |
| C．Does cloning go against the law of nature? |
| D．How reliably does cloning produce an exact copy of one’s pet? |
Soft Police Jumbo Set
Model No.:1530
Product Specifications:
This soft play set features soft toys that will not hurt your precious babies. It does not include any small parts or accessories（附件）that can be easily swallowed. It boosts your children’s imagination and creativity. The colorful appearance of the items can surely attract kids. Suitable for children aged over 1.
Baby Toys
Model No.:MSM-12LL1
Product Specifications:
This set of soft toys is suitable for children of all ages. It features two sleeping mice, lying on each other, creating a warm and intimate image. One of the pieces is designed in a circular shape, which can serve as a baby’s neck rest. Can be your children’s bedside companion. Safe for children. Comfortable and soft to touch.
Hanging Decoration for Babies
Product Specifications:
The featured item is a hanging decoration for babies. It is usually hung on ceilings or above baby cots. Comes in separate pieces. Easy assembling. Rotating（旋转的）umbrella with music. Decorations consist of several stuffed toys. For babies of 0-12 months.
Baby Pulling Toys
Product Specifications:
This is a series of baby pulling to toys. They are decorated with stuffed mini dolls like bears, sheep and rabbits. When the babies pull strings, the toy is wound. When the pulling toy is released, the toy contracts back and produces different sounds. Made of polyester（涤沦）. Suitable for children of 1,2,3,4, or above.
Hello Kitty Doll with Swing Chair
Model No.:62558
Product Specifications:
38cm doll with swing chair. This foldable swing chair with the cutest Hello Kitty is perfect for all lovely infants under one. It has adorable printing that can surely appeal to babies. It is also strongly constructed and designed to ensure maximum safety. Made of high quality material.
Soft Dinosaur 5pcs Set
Model No.:1801
Product Specifications:
The soft and smooth texture offers a pleasure touch. Absence of small parts makes it safe for kids. Attractive to kids with the colorful appearance. Suitable for children aged over 1. An excellent and playful household decoration.If you want to buy toys to be put by children’s bed, you may choose______.
| A．Model No. 1530 | B．Model No. MSM-12LL1 |
| C．Hanging Decoration for Babies | D．Baby Pulling Toys |
In what way are Model No. 1530 and Model No. MSM-12LL1 similar to each other?
| A．Both of them have colorful appearance | B．They are for children aged over 1 |
| C．They are the same in shape | D．They are both soft and safe |
If you want to pull babies’ attention with images and sound, you may choose___________.
| A．baby pulling toys | B．a hanging decoration |
| C．Model No. MSM-12LL1 | D．Model No. 1530 |
What do we know about Model No. 62558 and Model No. 1801?
| A．Model No. 62558 is much safer than Model No. 1801. |
| B．Model No. 62558 is more suitable for babies of 0-12 months. |
| C．Model No. 1801 is more attractive in appearance. |
| D．Model No. 1801 is made up of many small parts. |
Last Sunday I made a visit to some new neighbors down the block. No specific purpose in mind, just an opportunity to sit at the kitchen table, have some tea and chat. As I did so, it occurred to me how rare the Sunday visit has become.
When I was a kid in the New Jersey of the 1960s, Sunday visits were routine. Most stores were closed and almost nobody worked. My family normally traveled eight city blocks to the home of my grandmother, where adults would sit on the front porch and chat while we children played hide-and-seek.
The Sunday visit was something to desire strongly. It was the repetition to church, our reward for and hour of devotion, and opportunity to take advantage of the fact that Dad was not at work, we were not in school, and there were no chores that couldn’t wait until Monday. Sunday was, indeed, which means that there was one day when everyone seemed to have time for everybody else.
Sunday as a day of rest is, or was, so deeply rooted in the culture that it’s surprising to consider that, in a short span of time, it has almost entirely lost this association.①In my childhood, it was assumed that everyone would either be home or visit someone else’s home on Sunday. But now the question is, “What do you plan to Do this Sunday?” The answer can range from going to the mall to participating in a road to jetting to Montreal for lunch. If one were to respond, “I’m making a Sunday visit to family,” such and answer would feel strange, an echo from another era.
I suppose I should be grateful to live in Maine, a state of small towns, abundant land tight relationships. Even though folks work as hard here as they do anywhere else, the state’s powerfully rural cast（特质）still harbors at least remnants（剩余部分）of the ethic of yesterday’s America, where people had to depend on one another in the face of economic vagaries（反复无常的情况）and a challenging environment.②The writer’s general impression of the Sunday in the past was a day when_________.
| A．everyone would pay a visit to some relative far away |
| B．everyone seemed to be free and could have some leisure |
| C．Dad was not at work while Mom was busy cleaning the house |
| D．nearly every adult would go to church and children were not at school |
What can we learn from the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?
| A．People nowadays prefer staying at home on Sunday |
| B．People in the city dislike being disturbed on Sunday |
| C．Such answers are rarely heard in our modern society |
| D．Visiting someone on Sunday might take a lot of time |
From the last paragraph we may infer that people in Maine____________.
| A．suffer more from economic depression and the changed environment |
| B．have abandoned their tradition and lived an absolute new life |
| C．have tense relationships with each other |
| D．always help each other when they are in need |
What is the writer’s attitude towards the Sunday today?
| A．Unsatisfied | B．confused | C．Respectful | D．Thankful |
Usually, when your teacher asks a question, there is only one correct answer． But there is one question that has millions of correct answers． That question is “What’s your name?” Everyone gives a different answer, but everyone is correct．
Have you ever wondered about people’s names? Where do they come from? What do they mean?
People’s first names, or given names, are chosen by their parents． Sometimes the name of a grandparent or other member of the family is used． Some parents choose the name of a well-known person． A boy could be named George Washington Smith; a girl could be named Helen Keller Jones．
Some people give their children names that mean good things． Clara means “bright”; Beatrice means “one who gives happiness”; Donald means “world ruler”; Leonard means “as brave as a lion”．
The earliest last names, or surnames, were taken from place names． A family with the name Brook or Brooks probably lived near a brook （小溪）; someone who was called Longstreet probably lived on a long, paved road． The Greenwood family lived in or near a leafy forest．
Other early surnames came from people’s occupations． The most common occupational name is Smith, which means a person who makes things with iron or other metals． In the past, smiths were very important workers in every town and village． Some other occupational names are: Carter—a person who owned or drove a cart; Potter—a person who made pots and pans．
The ancestors of the Baker family probably baked bread for their neighbors in their native village． The Carpenter’s great-great-great-grandfather probably built houses and furniture．
Sometimes people were known for the color of their hair or skin, or their size, or their special abilities． When there were two men who were named John in the same village, the John with gray hair probably became John Gray． Or the John who was very tall could call himself John Tallman． John Fish was probably an excellent swimmer and John Lightfoot was probably a fast runner or a good dancer．
Some family names were made by adding something to the father’s name． English-speaking people added –s or –son． The Johnsons are descendants of John; the Roberts family’s ancestor was Robert． Irish and Scottish people added Mac or Mc or O． Perhaps all of the MacDonnells and the O’Donnells are descendants of the same Donnell． Which of the following aspects do the surnames in the passage NOT cover?
| A．Places where people lived． | B．People’s characters． |
| C．Talents that people possessed． | D．People’s occupations． |
According to the passage, the ancestors of the Potter family most probably _______．
| A．owned or drove a cart | B．made things with metals |
| C．made kitchen tools or containers． | D．built houses and furniture． |
Suppose an English couple whose ancestors lived near a leafy forest wanted their new-born son to become a world leader, the baby might be named ________．
| A．Beatrice Smith | B．Leonard Carter |
| C．George Longstreet | D．Donald Greenwood |
WELCOME
Welcome to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world． Windsor is one of the official residences（住所） of the Queen, who sometimes stays here．
Audio tours
Free audio tours are available on leaving the Admission Centre at the start of your visit． There is a descriptive audio tour for blind and poor-sighted visitors．
Guided tours
Visitors can explore the history of the Castle through a tour of the Precincts with an expert guide． Tours depart at regular intervals throughout the day from the Courtyard and finish at the entrance to the State Apartments．
Visitors with children
For those visiting with children, a special family tour and various activities are offered during school holidays and at weekends． Please note that, for safety reasons, pushchairs are not permitted in the State Apartments． However, baby carriers are available to borrow．
St George’s Chapel
Visitors arriving at the Castle after 15:00 from March to October are advised to visit St George’s Chapel first, before it closes．
Shopping
Shops offer a wide range of souvenirs designed for the Royal Collection, including books, postcards, china, jewellery, and children’s toys． Please ask at the Middle Ward shop about our home delivery service．
Refreshments
Bottled water can be purchased from the Courtyard and Middle Ward shops． From April to September ice cream is also available． Visitors wishing to leave the Castle for refreshments in the town may obtain re-entry permits from the castle shops． Eating and drinking are not permitted in the State Apartments or St George’s Chapel．
Photography and mobiles phones
Non-commercial photography and filming are welcomed in the Castle． Photography, video recording and filming are not permitted inside the State Apartments or St George’s Chapel． Mobile phones must be switched off inside the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel in consideration of other visitors．
Security
As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, visitors and their belongs should get through airport-style security checks． For safety and security reasons a one-way system operates along the visitor route． A visitor can apply for a free audio tour _______．
| A．in the Courtyard |
| B．in the State Apartments |
| C．at the Admission Center |
| D．at St George’s Chapel |
What is specially offered to visitors with kids?
| A．A security guard． | B．A pushchair |
| C．A free toy． | D．A baby carrier． |
Who can get re-entry permits?
| A．Visitors wishing to eat outside the Castle． |
| B．Visitors buying gifts in the castle shops． |
| C．Visitors buying water from the Courtyard． |
| D．Visitors eating outside St George’s Chapel． |
Why are visitors required to turn off their mobile phones?
| A．To ensure the safety of others． |
| B．To ensure the security of the Castle． |
| C．To prevent them from disturbing others． |
| D．To prevent the use of the built-in cameras． |
Ask someone what they have done to help the environment recently and they will almost certainly mention recycling． Recycling in the home is very important of course． However, being forced to recycle often means we already have more material than we need． We are dealing with the results of that over-consumption in the greenest way possible, but it would be far better if we did not need to bring so much material home in the first place．
The total amount of packaging increased by 12% between 1999 and 2005． It now makes up a third of a typical household’s waste in the UK． In many supermarkets nowadays food items are packaged twice with plastic and cardboard．
Too much packaging is doing serious damage to the environment． The UK, for example, is running out of areas for burying this unnecessary waste． If such packaging is burnt, it gives off greenhouse gases which go on to cause the greenhouse effect． Recycling helps, but the process itself uses energy． The solution is not to produce such items in the first place． Food waste is a serious problem, too． Too many supermarkets encourage customers to buy more than they need． However, a few of them are coming round to the idea that this cannot continue, encouraging customers to reuse their plastic bags, for example．
But this is not just about supermarkets． It is about all of us． We have learned to associate packaging with quality． We have learned to think that something unpackaged is of poor quality． This is especially true of food． But it also applies to a wide range of consumer products, which often have far more packaging than necessary．
There are signs of hope． As more of us recycle, we are beginning to realize just how much unnecessary material we are collecting． We need to face the wastefulness of our consumer culture, but we have a mountain to climb．What does the underlined phrase “that over-consumption” refer to？
| A．Using too much packaging． |
| B．Recycling too many wastes． |
| C．Making more products than necessary． |
| D．Having more material than is needed． |
The author uses figures in Paragraph 2 to show _____．
| A．the tendency of cutting household waste |
| B．the increase of packaging recycling |
| C．the rapid growth of supermarkets |
| D．the fact of packaging overuse |
According to the text, recycling ______．
| A．helps control the greenhouse effect |
| B．means burning packaging for energy |
| C．is the solution to gas shortage |
| D．leads to a waste of land |
What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?
| A．Unpackaged products are of bad quality． |
| B．Supermarkets care more about packaging． |
| C．It is improper to judge quality by packaging． |
| D．Other products are better packaged than food． |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
| A．Fighting wastefulness is difficult． |
| B．Needless material is mostly recycled． |
| C．People like collecting recyclable wastes． |
| D．The author is proud of their consumer culture． |