阅读理解(每小题2分,满分10分)
Instead of hitting the beach, fourteen high school students traded swimming suits for lab coats last summer and turned their attention to scientific experiments.
The High School Research Program offers high school students guidance with researchers in Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.Jennifer Funkhouser, academic adviser for the Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management, directs this four-week summer program designed to increase understanding of research and its career potential (潜能).
Several considerations go into selecting students, including grades, school involvement and interest in science and agriculture.And many students come from poorer school districts, Funkhouser says.“This is their chance to learn techniques and do experiments they never would have a chance to do in high school.”
Warner Ervin of Houston is interested in animal science and learned how to tell male from female mosquitoes (蚊子).His adviser, Craig Coates, studies the genes(基因) of mosquitoes that allow them to fight against malaria and yellow fever.Coates thought this experience would be fun and helpful to the high school students.
The agricultural research at A&M differs from stereotypes(模式化,老一套).It’s “molecular (分子) science on the cutting edge,” Funkhouser says.The program broadened students’ knowledge.Victor Garcia of Rio Grande City hopes to become a biology teacher and says he learned a lot about chemistry from the program.
At the end of the program, the students presented papers on their research.They’re also paid $ 600 for their work—another way this program differs from others, which often charge a fee.
Fourteen students got paid to learn that science is fun, that agriculture is a lot more than milking and plowing and that research can open many doors..The research program is mainly designed for ______.
A.high school advisers from Houston |
B.college studen![]() |
C.high school students from different places |
D.researchers at the College of Agriculture and Life Science |
.It can be inferred from the text that the students in poorer areas ____.
A.had little chance to go to college |
B.could often take part in the program |
C.found the program useful to their future |
D.showed much interest in their high school experiments |
.When the program was over, the students ______.
A.entered that college |
B.wrote research reports |
C.paid for their research |
D.found way to make money |
.The underlined expression “on the cutting edge” in paragraph 5 means “on the most _____ position.”
A.important | B.favourable | C.astonishing | D.advanced |
.What would be the best title for the text?
A.A Program for Agricultural Science Students |
B.A Program for Animal Science Students |
C.A Program for Medical Science Lovers |
D.A Program for Future Science Lovers |
The Media Village and Media Hotel for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will provide a collection of convenient services to the host broadcasters, rights holding broadcasters, and other media this summer.
Located near the Beiyuanlukou North Station of the Line 5 subway, the Media Village is northeast of the Olympic Green and the Olympic Forest Park in the north of the city -- just five kilometers(km) from the Main Press Center (MBC) and two km from the International Broadcast Center (IBC).
It will take just 15 minutes by car to reach the National Stadium and other core stadiums. In addition, shuttle buses to the different stadiums will run daily. Journalists will be able to pass the security check for their destination stadium when they get on the buses and be able to enter the stadium upon arrival.
The Media Village is being completed in two phases (阶段). Composed of two sections, the 640,000-sqm Media Village will accommodate 7,000 journalists. The project can continue to adopt changes according to the requirements of the Olympics.
Journalists staying at the Media Village will enjoy an attractive selection of services, including completely furnished rooms, a 24-hour media workroom, ADSL, 24-hour dining service, UPS delivery service, banking, Olympic licensed product store, newspaper and magazine booth, dry cleaning, post office, and gym.
In line with the concepts of " Green Olympics," " Hi-tech Olympics," and " People's Olympics," the Media Village makes use of green construction materials and surpasses the city's energy-saving standards by 60 percent.
Completed last May, the Media Village is undergoing decoration and outside greening at present. It is scheduled to be open from July 25 to August 29, 2008.
73. The Media Village is _______.
A. in the northeast of the Olympic Forest Park
B. five kilometers from the Main Press Center
C. two kilometers from the International Broadcast Center
D. a-quarter car ride from the National Stadium
74. Journalists staying at the Media Village must receive security check when_______.
A. entering any destination stadiums before their arrival
B. getting on the buses or entering any stadiums
C. getting on the buses to their destination Stadium
D. entering any destination stadiums upon their arrival
75. As for the Media Village, we know from the passage that _______.
A. Journalists at the Media Village will enjoy all kinds of services they need
B. It is designed to provide excellent services and built with higher standards
C. The Media Village reaches 60 percent of the city' s energy-saving standards
D. It will be completed in May, 2008 and will be open in July or August, 2008
76. What does the whole passage tell us about the Media Village?
A. Its convenience, accommodations and decoration.
B. Its function, safety, standards and transportation.
C. Its location, security, services and construction.
D. Its importance, security check and use.
Music died here last spring, or rather, it was killed by members of the school committee who ignored the importance of music and drama as part of the high-school curriculum.
The committee decided that teaching students how to take a standardized test is more important than a curriculum in which students can explore their interests in the arts as well as academics. Because the school system is running out of funding, it needs to make sure that students pass the mastery test or even more money will be lost. If students fail the state standardized test, it is not the fault of drama and music classes - they are failing because the "academic" classes are not sufficient.
It is painful to think of how many students will be discouraged from singing, acting, and playing instruments because school programs are no longer offered. Many families cannot afford private music lessons, and many potential musicians and artists may not find their calling if they are not exposed to it in school. The fact that the school committee thinks the arts are not worth the investment will certainly make some students believe the arts are not worth their time or support and the cycle will continue.
Teaching for a test does not shape students into complete, well-rounded people. It blocks the natural sense to create and express feelings through art - there is more to life than the analytical thinking that math and English provide. What happens after a test? Sure, a student might graduate, but they will have limited knowledge - certainly not a good preparation for the real world.
69. Music and drama are not included in the high-school curriculum mainly because_______.
A. the school committee pays no attention to them
B. the school is afraid of losing financial support
C. the students are not interested in both of them
D. the state standardized test is more important
70. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The sufficiency of the classes determines students' performance in the mastery test
B. Quite a few students are discouraged from music and art in today' s school system
C. Students can be musicians and artists only if they can afford private music lessons
D. The school committee completely influences students' attitude towards the arts
71. We can learn that music and art can _______.
A. motivate students in creativity and expression
B. make students round-shaped people in future
C. provide students with analytical thinking
D. prevent students graduating from high school
72. The best title of the passage can be _______.
A. "Who Killed Music and Drama?" B. "Can Curriculum Go Without Music?"
C. "Why is Music So Important?" D. "How To Prepare For the Real World?"
Four Insurance Policies You Can' t Do Without
A single gap in insurance coverage could wipe out the money that yon' ve earned for many years through your hard work.That' s why it' s important to give yourself a yearly insurance checkup, whether you buy your policies through an agent or from one of the growing number of insurance companies.
Health.Before selecting a policy from your employer or deciding among Medicare options, review your current health,predictable medical needs, and family status.This review should help you avoid a plan that fails to cover a necessary treatment or paying for services that you know you'll never use.
Disability. Your chances of becoming disabled before you retire are far greater than your chances of dying. So every working person needs some kind of disability coverage. If you are working for an employer who offers less than that, you can buy an individual policy to promote your coverage.
Homeowners or renters. Make sure you have replacement-cost coverage that would pay the current costs of rebuilding your home and replacing your personal possessions. A policy that would only pay for the decrease in value of these items isn' t good enough, because you could end up recovering just a small part of their costs. Don' t forget flood and/or earthquake insurance if you live in a locate that has a possible tendency to these types of disasters.
Life. Empty nesters and retirees may. no longer need life insurance at all. But if you have dependents who would suffer financially if you died, it' s still a must.
65. To have your insurance checkup every year is mainly because _______.
A. the gap in insurance coverage could cost you a large sum
B. the gap in insurance coverage could bring you benefits
C. some insurance agencies cover few of your policies
D. too many insurance companies prefer to sell coverage
66. _______ can be ignored while deciding among Medicare choices.
A. Your necessary treatment. B. Your personal health at present.
C. Your social status. D. Your predictable medical needs.
67. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Workers needn' t buy personal disability coverage if their bosses offer that
B. Insurance companies can secure the full value of private possessions
C. Earthquake insurance can cover replacement-cost caused by the disaster
D. Divorced or retired people may need life insurance for their dependents
68. We can infer that demand for insurance_______.
A. varies due to individual needs of coverage
B. stays the same whether you are working or not
C. increases when we move to a new place
D. decreases if we have a large family to support
第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
I have recently been diagnosed with an addiction-to coffee. And I am not alone. This is a problem among Americans of all ages. The coffee shop has become a social feature in our culture. Its appealing smell, cozy and inviting atmosphere are difficult to resist, especially if you struggle with an addiction like alcohol.
But, when you look past the leather couches and coffees named after European cities, all you'll find is coffee, milk, and a little sugar. Anyone can buy a Coffeemaker and a container of Coffee Mate and try to create the same drink as a coffee shop does. The only difference between your homemade coffee and coffee shops is that they put it in a cute cup and throw on some whipped (泡沫状的) cream to convince us that we are treating ourselves to a worthy relief from the fast pace of everyday life. And we believe them, silly for the idea that drinking their coffee improves our quality of life.
So, next time this "white chocolate" begins echoing in your mind, you'll have to make a decision: Will you continue to be one of the millions of brainwashed Americans who live for their next trip to a coffee shop, or will you just walk away and ignore it? My advice is -- dare to resist and just say no.
61. The major features of a coffee shop are the following EXCEPT its _______.
A. attractive smell B. comfortable surrounding
C. pleasant atmosphere D. alcohol-like addiction
62. The coffee from coffee shops differs from homemade coffee mainly because it _______.
A. is mixed with whipped cream B. is usually served in a cute cup
C. offers a feeling of precious relief D. can improve the quality of life
63. "White chocolate" in the last paragraph probably means _______.
A. coffee with cream B. chocolate with coffee
C. brainwashed Americans D. addiction to shop coffee
64. The author's attitude towards "white chocolate" is _______.
A. positive B. uncaring C. negative D. optimistic
For years scientists have been concerned about the effects of air pollution on the earth's natural conditions. Some believe the air inside many houses may be more dangerous than the air outside. It may be one hundred times worse.
Indoor air pollution can cause a person to feel tired,to suffer eye pain, headache and other problems.Some pollutants(污染物)can cause breathing disorders,diseases of blood and even cancer. Most scientists agree that every modern house has some kind of indoor pollution.People began to notice the problem in the early 1970s.It is said that when builders began making houses and offices they did not want to waste energy.To do this,they built buildings that limited the flow of air between inside and outside.They also began using man-made building materials.These materials are now known to let out harmful gases.As the problem became more serious, scientists began searching for a way to deal with it.They discovered a natural pollution control system for building-green plants.Scientists do not really know how plants control air pollution.They believe that a plant's leaves absorb or take in the pollutants.In exchange the plant lets out oxygen through its leaves and through its tiny organizations on its roots.Scientists suggest that all buildings should have one large plant or several small plants inside for every nine square metres of space.Studies of different plants show that each absorbs different chemicals.So the most effective way to clean the air is to use different kinds of plants.Having green plants inside your house can make it a prettier and healthier place.
77.What is the topic of the passage?
A.Air pollution.
B.Green plants indoors.
C.Indoor air pollution.
D.Environment protecting.
78.What makes indoor air pollution more harmful than that of the air outside?
A.The limited flow of air indoors.
B.Man-made building materials.
C.Fewer green plants inside houses.
D.The energy-saving materials indoors.
79.The most effective way to clean the air is to use different kinds of plants because______.
A.they can make houses pettier and healthier
B.they may let out oxygen which people need
C.they can take in all kinds of indoor pollutants
D.they can absorb different harmful indoor chemicals
80.Which of the following is implied but NOT stated?
A.keep windows open and let fresh air in.
B.Scientists have a clear idea how plants control air pollution.
C.Oxygen is let out through the leaves and roots of the plants.
D.Green plants are a natural pollution control system for building.