A new factory that turns used wine bottles into green sand could revolutionize the recycling industry and help to filter(过滤)the nation's drinking water.
For the last 100 years special high grade white sand quarried(开采)at Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire has been used to filter tap water to remove bacteria and impurities—but this may no longer be necessary.
The green sand has already been successfully tested by water companies and is being used in 50 swimming pools in Scotland to keep the water clean.
Backed by one million pounds from the European Union and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(Defar),a company based in Scotland is building a factory to turn beverage bottles back into the sand from which they were made.
The idea is not only to avoid using up increasingly scarce sand in Scotland and avoid any further quarrying but also to solve a crisis in the recycles only 750 000 tones of it.
Howard Dryden, the scientist and managing director of the company has spent six years working on what he calls Active Filtration Meadia, or AFM, the recycled glass. He says he needs bottles that have already contained drinkable liquids to be sure that drinking water would not be polluted.
"The fact is that tests show that AFM does the job better than glass, it is easier to clean and reuse and has all sorts of properties that make it ideal for other applications, "he claimed. He also thinks the market will be able to take 250 000 tones of green sand a year. The plan is to build five or six factories in cites in UK where the bottles come from to cut down on transport.
The factory will be completed this month and is expected to go into full production on January 14 next year. Once it is providing a "regular" product, the government's drinking water inspectorate will be asked to perform tests and approve it for general use by water companies.It may no longer be necessary to use high-grade white sand to keep water clean because_____.
| A.there is no need to keep water clean |
| B.A new factory has been set up |
| C.The green sand has been used to keep the water clean |
| D.White sand is being use up |
According to the passage ,the new idea can do the following except_____.
| A.avoiding using up increasingly scarce sand |
| B.avoiding further quarrying of white sand |
| C.solving the crisis in the recycling industry |
| D.cutting down the cost on transport |
Tests show that ______ in keeping the water clean.
| A.AFM is more efficient than white sand |
| B.AFM is more efficient than glass |
| C.glass is more efficient than AFM |
| D.white sand is more efficient than green sand |
The underlined word "Backed" in the third paragraph can best be replaced by"_____".
| A.Allowed | B.Opposed |
| C.Supported | D.Forbidden |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A.Revolution in the Recycling for the Industry. |
| B.Modern Technology an New Markets. |
| C.Revolution in Environmental Protection. |
| D.Unlocking the Benefits of Green Sand. |
American researchers have developed a technique that may become an important tool in fighting AIDS virus from attacking its target-cells in the body's defense system.When AIDS virus enters the blood,it searches for blood cells called T4 lymphocytes(淋巴细胞).The virus connects to the outside of T4 lymphocytes.Then it forces its way inside.There it directs the cells' genetic material to produce copies of the AIDS virus.This is how AIDS spreads.
Researchers think they may be able to stop AIDS from connecting to T4 ceils.When AIDS virus finds a T4 cell,it actually connects to a part of the cell called CD4 protein.
Researchers want to fool the virus by putting copies or clones of the CD4 protein into the blood.This way the AIDS virus will connect to cloned protein instead of the real ones.Scientists use genetic engineering methods to make the clones.Normally a CD4 protein remains on the T4 cell at all times;the AIDS virus must go to it.
In a new technique,however,the cloned CD4 protein is not connected to a cell.It floats freely,so a lot more can be put into the blood to keep the AIDS virus away from real CD4 protein on T4 cells.One report says the.AIDS virus connects to cloned protein just as effectively as it connects to real protein.That report was based on tests with blood cells grown in labs.The technique is just now beginning to be tested in animals.If successful,it may be tested in humans within a year.The new technique can.
| A.cure AIDS |
| B.kill the AIDS virus |
| C.prevent the AIDS virus from spreading |
| D.produce new anti-AIDS cells |
When the AIDS virus enters the blood,it is reproduced by.
| A.itself |
| B.the blood cells |
| C.the CD4 protein |
| D.the genetic material of T4 lymphocytes |
The AIDS virus connects to cloned protein instead of the real CD4 protein because.
| A.cloned protein stays On the T4 cells |
| B.it connects to cloned protein more effectively |
| C.cloned protein is made by genetic engineering methods |
| D.cloned protein floats freely,and many more can be put into the blood |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A.The new technique has been tested in labs. |
| B.The new technique is being tested in animals. |
| C.The new technique may be tested in humans. |
| D.The new technique is now under clinic test. |
The best title for this passage is.
| A.AIDS-a deadly disease |
| B.A new technique in fighting AIDS |
| C.The spread of AIDS virus |
| D.The cloned CD4 protein |
Elderly adults who regularly drink green tea may stay more active and independent than their peers over time,according to a Japanese study that covered thousands of people.
Green tea contains antioxidant chemicals that may help ward off the cell damage that can lead to disease.Researchers have been studying green tea's effect on everything from cholesterol(胆固醇)to the risk of certain cancers,with mixed results so far.
For the new Japanese study,researchers decided to examine the question of whether green tea drinkers have a lower risk of frailty and disability as they grow older.
Tomata and his colleagues followed nearly 14,000 adults aged 65 or older for three years.
They found those who drank the most green tea were the least likely to develop “functional disability”,or problems with daily activities or basic needs,such as dressing or bathing.
Specifically,almost 13 percent of adults who drank less than a cup of green tea per day became functionally disabled,compared with just over 7 percent of people who drank at least five cups fl day.
The study did not prove that green tea alone kept people active as they grew older.
Green-tea lovers generally had healthier diets,including more fish,vegetables and fruit,as well as more education.lower smoking rates,fewer heart attacks and strokes,and greater mental sharpness.
They also tended to be more socially active and have more friends and family to rely on.
Although it's not clear how green tea might offer a buffer(缓冲剂)against disability,Tomata's team did note that one recent study found green tea extracts(提炼物)seem to increase leg muscle strength in older women.
While green tea and its extracts are considered safe in small amounts,they do contain caffeine and small amounts of vitamin K,which means it could block drugs that prevent blood thickened.Which of the following can summarize the passage best?
| A.Green tea makes you less active. |
| B.Green tea makes you less disabled. |
| C.Green tea makes you more friendly. |
| D.Green tea makes you more educated. |
The underlined word“ward off”in Paragraph 2 probably means.
| A.form | B.absorb | C.remove | D.prevent |
Tomata and his colleagues wanted to.
| A.prove whether the Japanese study is correct |
| B.know if green tea drinkers are independent |
| C.help nearly 14,000 adults aged 65 or older |
| D.study green tea's effect on cholesterol |
Which of the following is NOT the advantage of green tea?
| A.Reduce functional disability. |
| B.Keep old people active. |
| C.Make more friends. |
| D.Suffer fewer heart attacks. |
It can be inferred from the last paragraph.
| A.green tea is safe to drink |
| B.green tea should be drunk properly |
| C.green tea is poisonous for old people |
| D.vitamin K is helpful to us |
WASHINGTON——Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington,February 13,2012.Vice-President Xi Jinping said he would explore important problems in an active and practical manner with his America hosts on Monday during his five-day official trip here after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in the afternoon.
In a written statement given upon his arrival,Xi said as the international situation experiences complex and complete changes,China and the United States have more extensive common interests and shoulder more important common responsibilities on the present world stage.
The purpose of the current visit is to “carry out the important consensus reached by President Hu with President Obama during his visit to the United States in January last year and to advance the building of the China—US cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit”,said Xi.
According to Xi,bilateral(双边的)relations have moved forward in spite of some twists and turns during the past several decades.
“This has brought enormous benefits to our two countries and two peoples,and has had a positive, far-reaching impact on peace,stability and the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large”.
Xi said that“whether we can seize opportunities,tackle challenges and build a cooperative partnership at the new historical starting point matters to the future of our two countries and the world as a whole.”
Xi said he looks forward to engaging in extensive dialogue and exchanges with Americans from various sectors to enhance cooperation and strengthen friendship.
Xi is scheduled to meet US senior government officials,including Henry Kissinger,Brent Scowcroft,Zbigniew Brzezinski,Madeleine Albright and Henry Paulson this evening to listen to their advice on China-US ties.
Meetings between Xi and US Vice-President Biden and President Obama are scheduled on Tuesday.The passage mainly tells us.
| A.Xi's five-day official trip |
| B.China-US cooperative partnership |
| C.Xi is set to discuss important bilateral problems |
| D.China and the US have more common interests |
It can be inferred from the second paragraph that.
| A.the current world stage remains peaceful |
| B.China and US should build the cooperative partnership |
| C.Xi himself wrote a statement about his arrival |
| D.China and the US have the equal rights |
The underlined word“consensus”in Paragraph 3 means.
| A.agreement | B.opinion | C.partnership | D.benefit |
According to tile passage,bilateral relations between China and US have experienced.
| A.enormous dialogues | B.extensive exchanges |
| C.rnany challenges | D.various hardships |
What is Xi's attitude towards the visit?
| A.Respectful. | B.Optimistic. | C.Approving. | D.Expectant. |
The personal computer has overtaken the family dog as man's best friend.according to a study.
Researchers found that just 6 per cent of us believe that“ most people rely more on their dog than they do on their PC”,while 67 per cent think the opposite to be true.
Even 38 per cent of dog owners admitted to relying more on their PC than on their dog, although 36 per cent disagreed.
And 71 per cent of 18 to 24-year-old dog owners said they relied more on their computer.
Paul Allen,editor of Computeractive magazine said:“These days you can even you’re your PC for fl walk,provided you have a laptop or tablet.”
“It's only a matter of time until the first PC that fetches your slippers.”
Researchers questioned 2,000 British adults to find out the change modern technology has brought to their home life.
They found that male dog owners are almost twice as likely as female owners to rely on their computer than a canine companion.
Mr.Allen said:“With broadband bringing them global news and newspaper sales falling,the family dog even misses out on the pleasure of taking the paper to his owner.”
But it's not all bad news for obedient dogs.
“The family PC has given dog owners access to a wealth of resources and information that can help with the long-term care that a dog needs,”Mr.Allen said.Who are most likely to rely on computers?
| A.Teens. |
| B.People in their early twenties. |
| C.People in their early thirties. |
| D.People in their early forties. |
What is the general idea of the passage?
| A.The personal computer has replaced the dog as man's best friends. |
| B.The computer and the dog as man's best friends. |
| C.Modern technology has brought changes to people's home life. |
| D.The dog as a pet will disappear completely from people's life. |
The advantage of dogs as pets over the personal computer now is that
| A.the dog can go out for a walk with people |
| B.the dog can help people fetch something |
| C.the dog can bring people more pleasure |
| D.the dog is more likely to follow its owner's orders |
The underlined word“canine”in Paragraph 8 probably means
| A.human | B.pet | C.family | D.dog |
According to Mr. Allen,the personal computer
| A.won't have effect on newspaper sales |
| B.can't help people take better care of the dog |
| C.will drive the dog as a pet out completely |
| D.will be able to help people fetch something |
George, when your big brother and your little dog and I walked you up to school today, you had no idea how I was feeling.
You were so excited. You had packed and unpacked your pencils and safety scissors in your backpack a dozen times. I am really going to miss those lazy mornings when we waved your brother and sister off to school.
Because you are my youngest, I had learned a few things by the time you came along. I found out that the seemingly endless days of babyhood are gone like lightning. I blinked(眨眼), and your siblings(兄弟姐妹) were setting off for school as eagerly as you did this morning, I was one of the lucky ones; I could choose whether to work or not. By the time it was your turn, the shining prizes of career advancement and a double income had lost their brightness. A splash(溅水)in the pool with you in your bright red boots or "just one more" rereading of your favorite book, Frog and Toad Are Friends, meant more. You didn't go to preschool and I hope that doesn't hold you back. You learned numbers by helping me count the soda cans we returned to the store.
I have to admit that in my mind’s eye, an image of myself while you're in school has developed, I see myself updating all the photo albums and starting that novel I always wanted to write. As the summer wound down and more frequent quarrels erupted(爆发) between you and your siblings, I was looking forward to today. And then this morning, I walked you up the steep hill to your classroom and you gave me one of your characteristically fierce, too-tight hugs. This time you were ready to let go before I was.
Maybe someday you will deliver a kindergartner to the first day of school. When you turn at the door to wave good-bye, he or she will be too deep in conversation with a new friend to notice. Even as you smile, you'll feel something warm on your cheek.What does the author mean by the underlined sentence in the 3rd paragraph?
| A.She gave up the job with a big salary and prizes. |
| B.She could only recall her good job at home now. |
| C.Many good jobs with better pay attracted her but she didn’t take them. |
| D.Compared with bringing up the baby, work seemed to fade to her. |
Which statement is NOT TRUE about George's family according to the letter?
| A.George's parents gave birth to three children. |
| B.The Georges is a double income family. |
| C.They recycled soda cans. |
| D.The children had more arguments during the summer. |
The passage tries to show us ________.
| A.how excited a child will be on his first day to school |
| B.how deeply a mother loves her child |
| C.how many efforts a mother has made to raise a child |
| D.how a mother plans her future life after her children go to school |