Tuvalu, north of Fiji, is a tiny country in the Pacific Ocean.
Storms and huge waves are a constant threat and none of Tuvalu's nine little islands is more than five metres above sea level. Salt water is already entering the country's drinking water supply, as well as damaging plants that produce fruit and vegetable.It fears it will be swallowed up by the sea. Without urgent help, the country's days are numbered.
But Tuvalu is not the first place to face sinking into the sea. Venice, a historic city in Italy best known for its canals, has sunk about 24cm over the past 100 years. Experts say that it will have sunk another 20-50cm by 2050. A century ago, St. Mark's Square, the lowest point in the city, flooded about nine times a year. Nowadays, it happens more than 100 times.
While Venice is slowly sinking into the mud on which it stands, Tuvalu's rising sea level is caused by global warming.
The average global temperature has increased by almost 0.5 centigrade degree over the past century; scientists expect it to rise by an extra 1-3 degrees over the nex
t 100 years.
Warmer wea
ther makes glaciers melt, adding more water to the ocean. The warmer temperatures also make water expand, so it takes up more space, causing the sea level to rise. The sea level has risen about 10-25cm in the last 100 years.
People have been increasing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as CO2, through burning coal, oil and gas. This adds to the power of the greenhouse effect, making the planet even warmer.
Many scientists believe that, if the warming is not stopped, there will be huge climate changes. The sea level could rise by one metre this century.
Should this come true, millions of homes would be swallowed up by the sea and the world will be flooded with "climate refugees" looking for somewhere else to live. We can infer from Paragraph 2 that ______.
| A．Tuvalu is in danger of being swallowed up by the sea |
| B．all Tuvalu’s islands are about five meters above the sea level |
| C．drinking water in Tuvalu has been destroyed |
| D．Tuvalu is often flooded by storms and waves |
The author uses Tuvalu and Venice as examples in order to explain ______.
| A．they are the first places sinking into the sea |
| B．they are both sinking into the mud where they stand |
| C．they will disappear in the future |
| D．their trouble is caused by global warming |
What does the underlined word “refugees” mean?
| A．People forced away from their homeland. |
| B．Sudden changes caused by world climate. |
| C．Animals whose lives are closely connected with weather. |
| D．Bad effect of climate changes. |
Which of the following is NOT true according to the text?
| A．The main cause of global warming is human pollution. |
| B．The average global temperature has risen by 1-3 centigrade degrees over the past 100 years. |
| C．The warmer temperature causes the sea level to rise. |
| D．There will be huge climate changes unless the warming is stopped. |
According to the passage, the root cause of global warming is _______.
| A．the burning of coal, oil and gas | B．the position change of the solar system |
| C．human pollution | D．carbon dioxide emission |
As is known, it is a respectful job to be a teacher serving students heart and soul. And most people also compare a teacher to a gardener who takes great care of various plants. Ever since my high school days, my heart has been set on becoming a teacher. I am now studying at a teacher’s college, and I am making great efforts to study, because there are so many things to learn about education. But I thoroughly enjoy my studies, and every day I am amazed at the great influence education has on the human soul.
I think it is only natural that I have always aspired to become a teacher because my father and his father were also teachers. My father is now retired, following a brilliant career, and it has always been his dream to have me, his only son, follow in his footsteps. Although it sounds like my father’s dream that I will become a teacher, it is also my dream and I am quite willing to realize the dream. I still have one more year to go at university, and after I graduate, I will go to the western part of China to become a teacher at a village school.
I understand a teacher’s job will not make me a millionaire, but it is not the prospect of making a lot of money that has propelled my ambition to become a teacher. Rather, it is my sincere desire to assume a responsible role in society, and make as many people well—educated as possible through my hard endeavors. Education plays an essential and important role in our society. If everyone can receive a good education, it will not only do good to our country but also benefit individuals’ lives.
Ten years from now, therefore, I hope to be established as an excellent teacher with hundreds of thousands of students who have benefited from me and carry on the family tradition with efficiency and honour.What’s the author now?
| A．A doctor. | B．An actor. |
| C．A student. | D．A researcher. |
Which is not the reason why the author wants to be a teacher?
| A．To be a teacher is his own dream. |
| B．His father hopes that he can become a teacher. |
| C．He would like to be a responsible man. |
| D．His teacher encourages him to be an excellent teacher. |
What’s the meaning of the underlined word “aspired”?
| A．Inspired. | B．Desired. |
| C．Required. | D．Complained. |
What’s the best title of the passage?
| A．How can I be an excellent teacher? |
| B．Where do I see myself ten years from now? |
| C．Why do I follow in my father’s footsteps? |
| D．How can I make my dream come true? |
A young man returns to his hometwon of Aractataca, Colombia. He visits the house where he lived as a child. Here, he remembers the most important memories of his childhood. Standing in front of his old house, the young man makes an important decision. He says to himself, “I will start my life over again. I will become a writer.”
This man is the world famous writer. Gabriel Garica Marquez.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez was born on March 6,1928. During his early life, Garcia Marquez’s grandmother and grandfather told him many stories. His grandmother would tell him legends as if they were real. Garcia Marquez says that his grandmother’s way of storytelling later influenced his own methods.
When Garcia Marquez was about 20 years old, he left Aracataca and attended university in Bogota. He began studying law because this was what his father wanted him to study. However, Garcia Marquez was not happy.
During this time Garcia Marquez returned to Aracataca. It was on this visit that he realized he must stop studying law. And he recognized that he must return to the dream of his childhood-writing. For the next few years, Garcia Marquez wrote for many different newspapers. And in 1955, he published his first book called “Leaf Storm”.
For many years, Garcia Marquez knew he wanted to write about his grandfather’s house in Aracataca. To write this book, Garcia Marquez and his wife had to sell almost all of their possessions to survive. But their act was worth it. The book, “One Hundred Years of Solitude” was immediately successful. And this book created a path for Garcia Marquez’s future success.
In 1982, Gabriel Garcia Marquez was given the Nobel Prize in Literature for his book “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, making him the first Colombian and the fourth Latin American to win a Nobel Prize in Literature.Who influenced Garcia Marquez’s writing style?
| A．His grandfather. | B．His grandmother. |
| C．His father. | D．His wife. |
Garcia decided to take up writing .
| A．when he worked for a newspaper |
| B．under the influence of his family |
| C．when he graduated from college |
| D．after a visit to his hometown |
Garcia’s book “One Hundred Years of Solitude” .
| A．was written in the 1950s |
| B．enjoyed a quick success |
| C．helped Garcia lead a better life |
| D．was about Garcia’s grandfather |
What do we know from the text about Garcia Marquez?
| A．He is the first Latin American to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. |
| B．His book “Leaf Storm” marked his great success in literature. |
| C．He wrote for newspapers before publishing his own books. |
| D．He followed his father’s wish to become a writer. |
On Christmas morning, I went to the Cockhedge Mall. People there were all busy buying their last minute requirements. I needed to buy a birthday card for my son-in-law whose birthday is the 29th of December. Picking up a few more things as well as my card I went to join the line for the express checkout which was for people who only had a few items in a basket and not a trolley （小推车） load. This line was next to the Customer Service desk.
Seemingly waiting quite a long time, I was jogged out of my thoughts by a voice behind me making comments on the things I bought.
It was so funny when I realized that she was describing the contents of my basket. The owner of the voice was a very pretty young lady. I said to her that I was going to buy a box of Christmas cookies but the only ones left were not to my liking. The lady told me that just opposite Cockhedge in Superdrug they had lots of cookies. I said, “I’m not going to do it now . I had enough of shops and I’m going home. ”
The assistant from the Customer Service came across at this time saying “If there is anyone in the line with a few items in their basket, none of which needed to be weighed, I will check out what they buy at the desk.” Because I had the things which needed to be weighed, the young lady accepted the offer and walked away waving goodbye.
At last my turn came at the checkout. I was walking away when I met my new friend once again who handed me a beautiful box of Christmas cookies. With a big hug she said “Hope you have a lovely Christmas.” She had been into Superdrug to buy me the cookies while I was still queuing in Cockhedge.
What a generosity to a stranger! I was so surprised you could have knocked me down with a feather. My Good Samaritan would never know what a joyful Christmas day I had with my family. Telling them this story, as we ate around the table, kept everyone spellbound.The underlined word “spellbound” in the last paragraph probably means _______ .
| A．interested | B．disappointed |
| C．astonished | D．frightened |
Which of the following could be the best title of the story?
| A．A Piece of Lucky Feather |
| B．A Surprise Christmas Gift |
| C．The Boring Shopping Experience |
| D．The Unforgettable Big Hug |
How does the writer feel about the pretty young lady?
| A．Worried. | B．Satisfied. |
| C．Grateful. | D．Proud. |
What can we learn from the story?
| A．Nobody is sure what will happen the next moment. |
| B．A simple action can bring other people happiness. |
| C．Being patient will decrease the waiting time. |
| D．Life without hope and faith is a dull thing. |
Joker found one of the biggest diamonds in the world in his own backyard. He sold the stone to a diamond dealer for over three hundred thousand dollars. In New York, the diamond was resold，this time for almost eight hundred thousand dollars. The true value of a diamond is never known until it has been cut. Once cut successfully, its value can increase a thousand times. It’s easy to understand why the owner of the Joker diamond went to the best diamond cutter he knew, Kaplan. The cutter studied the diamond for twelve whole months.
When he felt he was ready to start work, he discovered a flaw （瑕疵）. He had to begin with his calculations all over again, or he might have made the stone useless. Six more months passed, and Kaplan finally said to the owner, “I am ready to start my work. There will be one excellent diamond that will be comparable to any in the world, plus eleven small diamonds of first-class quality. ” Kaplan waited a few more days until he felt he was in the best physical and mental （精神的） condition possible. He picked up his tools and held his breath as he made the first blow. The diamond split （切开） exactly as he promised.A diamond dealer is a person ______,
| A．in the diamond business | B．who stores diamonds |
| C．who cuts diamonds | D．who sells diamonds |
The owner of the Joker diamond thought that if the diamond was cut successfully, it might be worth ________.
| A．$300, 000 | B．$500, 000 |
| C．$300, 000, 000 | D．$800, 000, 000 |
Kaplan studied the diamond for ________.
| A．one year | B．more than half a year |
| C．over eighteen months | D．more than two years |
JOB WANTED
I’m Black, a 25 young man living in Shanghai and looking for a job in a variety of fields, web designer, teaching Spanish or English or working as a waiter or bar tender. I have a friendly and hard-working personality. If you have any job that you think I could do, please do not hesitate about contacting me. Backer1896@126. com
JOB OFFERED
EL house is a well-known English learning center for primary and high school students. We are looking for native English teachers who can teach the following subject(s) to our students who are planning to study abroad. The incumbent should meet the following requirements：
—Experienced in exam preparations （TOEFL, IELTS, SAT）
—Degree holder
—Experienced in teaching either mathematics, physics or business
—Excellent command of English in both oral and written
—Experienced in teaching higher academic level English
—Native English teachers or Bilingual teachers with native command of English JGHTR@gmail. com
SHARE
I’m Margaret, looking for a person with a positive outlook on life to share the bedroom in a wonderfully-located luxury apartment. That’s near everything and has everything, hard-wood floors, international TV, washer/dryer. Other two rooms already occupied by a French and a Kiwi woman, both professional.
Please contact me. MLCT@sina. com
FOR RENT
CNY 12, 000 / lovely apartment near West Nanjing Road
Layout：3 bedrooms，2 bathrooms
Size：120 sqm
Monthly rental：RMB 12, 000
Compound：First Block
Facilities：gym, tennis court, indoor swimming pool，children’s playground
LYG2560@sohu. comMargaret is now looking for _________.
| A．her lost cat | B．an apartment |
| C．a job | D．a roommate |
. Which of the following is NOT the requirement of EL house?
| A．Experienced in exam preparations. |
| B．Experienced in teaching Chinese. |
| C．Excellent command of English. |
| D．Degree holder. |
To look for a person to work in your restaurant，you can contact ________.
| A．LYG2560@sohu. com | B．MLCT@sina. com |
| C．Backer1896@126. com | D．JGHTR@gmail. com |
What does the underlined word “incumbent” mean?
| A．Businessman. | B．Student. |
| C．Employee. | D．Employer. |