Singapore Flyer was launched in 2008 and states to hold the current title for the world’s biggest observation wheel, full 30 meters taller than the London Eye observation wheel in London! Soaring 165 meters, Singapore Flyer offers a whole view of Singapore’s important tourist attractions including the scenic Marina Bay.
Singapore Flyer is also popular for providing an attractive range of shopping and dining choices. Among its greatest dining choices is the Singapore Flyer Sky Dining, one of the most exciting dining experiences you will ever come across.
Singapore Flyer Sky Dining is the first ever in the world to offer a full service in the sky. To top it all you are presented with best menus created by award-winning cooks from all over the world.
The sky dining doesn’t stop from there. You will gain fast boarding flights, in other words, no more waiting in line to board an observation capsule (机舱). You can enjoy the service of an in-flight host along with a nice three-course fine dining menu.
Be ready to enjoy yourself in the air-conditioned glass capsule where you will be served a welcome drink, an appetizer (开胃品) along with the main course. From the capsule you will see the night skyline of Marina Bay, Merlion Park, Raffles Place, Empress Place and Padang, bathed in exciting colors. And not just once but you will get to see these very interesting sights twice, during your almost one hour long special dining experience.
Up to five couples can book a small room and there are even choices to book an entire room for you and your partner. The sky dining experience begins from the VIP waiting room where you will be served with tasty desserts and drinks of your choice. You can see the Singapore Flyer conveniently from one of the top hotels in Singapore like M Hotel Singapore. At Singapore Flyer, tourists can ___________.
A.do some shopping and have dinner |
B.enjoy some interesting sights just once |
C.enjoy a wonderful 30-minute dining experience |
D.get a whole view of all the Singapore’s tourist attractions |
Which of the following statements is TRUE about Singapore Flyer?
A.It is the second biggest observation wheel in the world. |
B.The menus are created by native cooks. |
C.It provides fast boarding service. |
D.There are no special rooms for couples. |
The underlined phrase in the third paragraph probably means “___________”.
A.What’s more | B.At the top of it |
C.What’s worse | D.From top to bottom |
The three-course dining menu at Singapore Flyer usually includes the following EXCEPT___________.
A.a welcome drink | B.the main course |
C.an appetizer | D.tasty desserts |
Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?
A.Virtual Tourism | B.A Guide to Singapore Flyer |
C.Eating at Singapore Flyer | D.The future of Singapore Flyer |
Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821, on the island of St. Helena off the coast of Africa. He was 51 years old at the time. When doctors examined Napoleon’s body, they said that the former emperor of France had died from cancer of the stomach. That was the cause of death recorded in the official report. However, other doctors disagreed. One doctor who was present during the examination of the body said that Napoleon died of hepatitis. Other historians and medical experts have suggested that Napoleon died of syphilis, tuberculosis, or perhaps malaria. Now, after careful research, a British chemist thinks that Napoleon might have been poisoned -- not by a person, but by his wallpaper.
Napoleon was sent to the island of St. Helena in 1815 after he lost the battle of Waterloo. He was a prisoner on the island. Although he had servants to attend to him, he had to live in one small building. St. Helena is a very wet island, so the walls of the building were always covered with mold. Napoleon became ill from spending too much time inside his house. Almost constantly he had a fever, chills, and felt sick to his stomach. He often felt pain in his shoulders and in his side. His skin turned yellow. He got frequent headaches, and he would become dizzy and vomit(吐). None of the medicine that the doctors gave Napoleon seemed to help. They were not sure what was the matter. Finally, Napoleon was too weak to leave the house. One night, while he was sleeping, he went into a coma and died.
Many doctors who later reviewed the reports of Napoleon’s illness found that the symptoms(症状) did not show a man who suffered from stomach cancer. It seemed obvious that Napoleon had died from some other cause. In 1961, a Swedish doctor examined some of Napoleon’s hair and found a high level of arsenic, a chemical poison. Was Napoleon murdered? It is doubtful. Arsenic was used in many types of medicine during Napoleon’s time, so he might have taken the arsenic as a cure for his illness. Then, in 1982, Dr. David Jones from England began to look into the mystery and suggested that Napoleon might have breathed in arsenic which was in the air of his house. In the 1700s and 1800s, arsenic was used to make a kind of green paint used on cloth and wallpaper. If the paint was used on a wet wall, the arsenic would go into the air. A person in the room might breathe that air. After studying the wallpaper in the room where Napoleon died, Dr. Jones found high levels of arsenic in the green paint on the walls.Why did Napoleon live on St. Helena?
A.He owned the island. | B.He was a prisoner there. |
C.His family lived there. | D.He liked the island. |
The official report said that Napoleon died of____________.
A.cancer | B.a coma | C. mold | D.poison |
Napoleon suffered from the following symptoms except __________.
A. chills B. fever C dizziness D. bleedingAccording to Dr. Jones, how did the arsenic probably get into Napoleon’s body?
A.He drank it.. | B.He touched it. | C.He breathed it in. | D.He ate it |
The passage says that .
A.a British doctor thinks he has found the cause of Napoleon’s death |
B.many doctors have tried to guess the cause of Napoleon's death |
C.Napoleon could have died from poison |
D.all of the above |
There is a brown female(母的) Canadian duck that weighs only four hundred fifty grams. The duck had flown to the southern state of Florida for the winter.A hunter shot it on January fifteenth and took it to his home in the city of Tallahassee.He put it in the refrigerator(冰箱).Two days later the man’s wife opened the refrigerator door.The duck lifted its head and looked at her.It was alive!
The family took the duck to a doctor who treats animals.The doctor gave the duck to the Goose Creek Animal Sanctuary(动物保护区).Animal sanctuaries provide homes for animals and teach people about their care.
The doctor said it was easy to understand why people thought the duck was dead. He said ducks generally do not move a 1ot,especially after being shot.And he said its low body temperature helped it survive in the refrigerator.
That was enough to make the duck famous around the world.The Tallahassee newspaper published the story that was re-printed in many different countries.But that was not the end of the story.
Workers at the wildlife sanctuary named the duck Perky.And they got the doctor to give an operation to repair the duck’s damaged wing.During the operation,Perky stopped breathing--not just once but two times.The doctor tried to save Perky by giving her oxygen.But he finally said the duck had died.A few seconds later, however, Perky began to move.Reports say the people in the operating room were so happy that they cried.
Workers at the wildlife sanctuary say Perky will not have any more operations. It seems the drugs that were used had side-effects on her.Perky is expected to live at the sanctuary.And a local company has begun to sell T-shirts showing a picture of the lucky duck. Money from the sale of the shirts will help pay for Perky’s care.Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.Animal sanctuaries are homes specially for wounded animals. |
B.The hunter shot the duck in the wing. |
C.Ducks do not move at all for the whole winter. |
D.The hunter’s wife intended to free the duck in the refrigerator. |
The underlined Word “That” in the fourth paragraph refers to the fact that______.
A.the duck survived the shot and the cold in the refrigerator |
B.the hunter had saved the duck by freezing it |
C.the hunter shot the duck from Canada |
D.the Tallahassee newspaper published the story |
The duck in the story______.
A.was big and strong |
B.flew to Florida for food |
C.stayed in the refrigerator to keep its body temperature low |
D.was considered dead before being put in the refrigerator |
What is the best title for the passage?
A.Save the Duck | B.The Lucky Duck | C.Stop Killing Ducks | D.The Poor Duck |
It can be inferred from the passage that_______.
A.the local company will get large profits by selling the T-shirts |
B.it was illegal for me hunter to shoot the duck |
C.the duck is likely to be well cared for in the sanctuary |
D.Perky likes Florida better than Canada |
Having driven almost thirty hours, I decided to stay in South Carolina for a few days. The next morning, I purchased a three-day fishing license and bait (饵料) before heading to the lake.
Opening my trunk, I carefully took out my fishing gear (用具), put it on the lake’s edge, baited up and began to fish.
“Good morning,” said someone, walking up from behind me.
Turning around, I saw a game warden (猎场管理员) with a clip-board.
“Good morning,” I said, nodding my head.
“Catch any fish?” he asked.
“No sir, just relaxing and killing time.”
“Can I see your fishing license?”
I handed him the license I had purchased at the bait shop.
“Can I see your driver’s license, too?” he requested.
“I see the name on the driver’s license is spelled Kiser and the name on the fishing license is Kaiser,” said the warden.
“The gentleman at the bait shop must have written it wrong,” I told him.
“Well, I’m afraid I’ll have to write you up for fishing with an invalid license and take away your fishing gear.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” I responded, with a surprised look on my face.
Sure enough I was written up and my fishing gear taken away. I was told that I would have to pay a fine and that my stuff would be sold at auction(拍卖).
I stood there almost in tears as he drove away. Those rods and reels were very special to me. I had used them over twenty years, fishing with my friends, who were now all dead.
After returning home in Georgia, I telephoned South Carolina trying to explain the situation, but no
one would listen. I was told that the Department of Fish and Game had a “zero tolerance” for fishing and hunting violations. Finally, in tears I paid the fine and gave up the fight.
Nine months later, I received a letter. I had no idea who it was from as there was no return address. On a plain piece of notebook paper was written “Auction for the Department of Fish and Game held this Saturday at 11:00 am.”
On Saturday, at six in the morning I headed to South Carolina. By ten o’clock I had found the auction. There were numerous boats and piles upon piles of fishing equipment. All at once, there it was—my wonderful stuff all thrown in a pile as if it was worth nothing.
As the auction began I took my seat. In my wallet was twenty-seven dollars. For more than an hour I waited for my property to be brought to the auction block.
“We have three rods and reels here. I guess we will sell this as a unit,” said the auctioneer.
“50 dollars,” yelled someone in the crowd.
“51 dollars,” yelled another man.
I rose from my seat and walked out of the auction.
“66 dollars,” I heard as the bidding continued.
“100 dollars,” came another bid. The auction became silent.
“100 dollars once, 100 dollars twice, 100 dollars three times. Sold for 100 dollars,” went the auctioneer.
I walked to my truck, got in and just sat there. Suddenly I heard something hit the side of my truck. Turning around, I saw the back of a man putting my three rods and reels into my truck. It was the same game warden who wrote me the ticket almost a year ago!
As I got out of the truck he stuck out his hand and said, “I wasn’t wrong. It’s the law that is wrong.”
I shook his hand, thanked him and drove away. I cried as I crossed the South Carolina Georgia state line.Who wrote a letter to the writer telling him about the auction?
A.The Department of Fish and Game. | B.The game warden. |
C.A person unmentioned in the passage. | D.The auction organizers. |
Why did the writer walk out of the auction while it was going on?
A.He realized he was unable to get back his fishing gear. |
B.He was too nervous to stay inside till the auction ended. |
C.He couldn’t bear hearing people selling his fishing gear. |
D.He knew the game warden was waiting for him outside. |
What did the game warden mean by saying “It’s the law that is wrong”?
A.It didn’t make any sense to prohibit people from fishing freely in South Carolina. |
B.The writer did break the law by fishing with an invalid license whatever the reason. |
C.The writer should have been allowed a chance to explain and get his things back. |
D.The auction should not have been held to sell the boats and fishing equipment. |
After successfully serving their term for 4 years, military service men and women are given the choice to stay in the military or return to civilian(平民)life.
For some, having to readjust to civilian life is one of the most challenging assignments our returning soldiers and marines(水兵)will ever have to undertake. While people may think readjusting should be simple, they must take into consideration all the physical and mental stress our servicemen went through.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder(创伤后应急障碍), or PTSD, is a mental disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat(打仗).
Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. In the military, the marines are given a two-week course on how to return to civilian life.
Unfortunately, some will have stress reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD.
People who suffer from PTSD have difficulty sleeping because they are often reliving the experience through nightmares(梦魇)and flashbacks, and feel deserted or often stand off, and these symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly damage the person’s daily life.
Fullerton College, like most colleges, has its own Veteran’s(老兵)Office. Ray Bustos has been running the office for 3 years. Bustos acts as a liaison(联络) for the school and the veteran students. He makes sure the veterans returning to school get the right benefits. There are various types of financial aid for soldiers and marines. He strongly encourages the use of the Veterans Affairs website.
The website is very informative and extremely helpful for veterans as well as for friends and relatives of veterans who want to learn more.One purpose of the writer in writing the passage is ________________.
A.to introduce some methods to cure PTSD |
B.to instruct PTSD patients to return to civilian life |
C.to recommend a website for veterans and people concerned |
D.to give military service men and women advice on civilian life |
What problems will some returning soldiers and marines meet with?
A.How to readjust to civilian life. | B.How to get rid of mental diseases |
C.How to get along with PTSD patients | D.How to return to school for benefits. |
Which of the following is true about Ray Bustos?
A.He’s a veteran who has just come back from a military combat. |
B.He runs Fullerton College with a veteran office. |
C.He’s in charge of an office dealing with veteran affairs. |
D.He provides a lot of financial aid for soldiers and marines. |
The best title for the passage is __________.
A. PTSD: Killer of A Civilian Life. B. The Last Assignment For All Military Persons
C. How to Overcome PTSD. D. Ready for a Civilian Life?
Hee-haw! Scores of farms across the country are opening up to overnight guests. The best have all the appeal of a first-rate inn ----- plus here a moo, there a moo.
Sure, you and your kids plan to conquer the theme parks. In the meanwhile, why not make a little hay? Farm stays are fast becoming the great American alternative to the pre-packaged vacation.
LIBERTY HILL FARM
Rochester, Vt.; 802/767-3926; www.libertyhillfarm.com. Adults$75, teens $50,kids 12 and under $35, including breakfast and dinner; shared baths.
Beth and Bob Kennett run a farm straight out of a storybook. You’ll find Beth in the kitchen, rolling out dough(生面团) for a pie. Bob’s busy with other work. Guests sleep in seven sunny bedrooms right in the farmhouse and can participate in any of the farm jobs. Maybe you and your kids won’t be up at 6 a.m. to meet the milk truck, but you can help with the milking twice a day, collect eggs, and pick sweet corn and wild blackberries in season.
HULL-O FARM
Durham, N.Y.; 518/239-6950; www.hull-o.com; Adults $110, kids 10—14 $60, 5—9 $50, 2—4 $35, under 2 free, including breakfast and dinner; private baths.
It started in 1993 as a way to bring in some extra money at a time of falling milk prices. But soon after Frank and Sherry Hull opened their Catskill Mountains dairy farm to overnight visitors, they discovered they loved it. As you drive up, Sherry greets you on the porch(入口处)of the 1825 farmhouse with a cow-shaped cookie jar. Before long your kids are playing around with the cows, sheep, ducks, goats and getting ready for a hayride(乘坐装满干草的牛车出游).
MERAMEC FARM CABINS
Bourbon, Mo.; 573/732-4765; http://www.wine-mo.com Doubles with private bath $75, $10 per additional person. Trail and riding fees extra.
Climb onto the back of the Ford pickup and catch up with the herd. One gentle cow named Cricket will even let the kids sit on her back. At the barn(牲口棚), Carol will introduce you to the horses ---15 Missouri Fox Trotters --- and lead you on a trail ride over the hills and down along the spring-fed Meramec River, where everyone swims. Grab a fishing pole and head back to the river. When you have your fill of the wild, try Carol and Dave’s favorite restaurants or wineries(酿酒厂), within 20 miles of the farm.The underlined sentence in the first paragraph implies that ___________.
A.you can enjoy the best cuisine at the first rate restaurant |
B.some farm provide country experiences as well as good accommodations |
C.farm work is hard, but you can enjoy it a lot, playing with the animals |
D.if you want to hear a cow’s cry, please stay on a best farm |
We can learn from the three ads that _____________.
A.Hull-O Farm was not built for overnight visitors |
B.Frank and Sherry Hull run a farm out of a storybook |
C.kids can sit on a gentle cow’s back on Hull-O Farm |
D.you can’t milk a cow if you get up late on Liberty Hill Farm |
The Browns have a 13-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter. If they stay on Liberty Hill Farm for one night, how much will they pay?
A.$175. | B.$220. | C.$235. | D.$250. |
Who will be most likely interested in the webpage?
A.Kids who want to find pleasure in the theme parks. |
B.People who expect to be employed on the farm. |
C.Researchers who are interested in raising cows on farms. |
D.Those who plan to have family vacations on working farms. |