Skeptics are a strange lot. Some of them refuse to admit the serious threat of human activities to the environment, and they are tired of people who disagree with them. Those people, say skeptics, spread nothing but bad news about the environment. The “eco-guilt” brought on by the discouraging news about our planet gives rise to the popularity of skeptics as people search for more comforting worldviews.
Perhaps that explain why a new book by Bjorn Lomborg received so much publicity. That book, The Skeptical Environmentalist, declares that it measures the “real state of the world” as fine. Of course, another explanation is the deep pockets some big businesses with special interests. Indeed, Mr. Lomborg’s views are similar to those of some Industry-funded organizations, which start huge activities though the media to confuse the public about issues like global warming.
So it was strange to see Mr. Lomborg’s book go largely unchallenged in the media though his beliefs were contrary to most scientific opinions. One national newspaper in Canada ran a number of articles and reviews full of words of praise, even with the conclusion that “After Lomborg, the environmental movement will begin to die down.”
Such one-sided views should have immediately been challenged. But only a different review appeared in Nature, a respected science magazine with specific readership. The review remarked that Mr. Lomborg’s “preference for unexamined materials is incredible (不可信的)”。
A critical (批判的) eye is valuable, and the media should present information in such a way that could allow people to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, that is often inaccessible as blocked by the desire to be shocking or to defend some special interests. People might become half-blind before a world partially exhibited by the media. That’s a shame, because matters concerning the health of the planet are far too important to be treated lightly. According to the passage, which of the following may be regarded as “skeptics”?
| A．People who agree on the popularity of “eco-guilt”. |
| B．People who disbelieve the serious situation of our planet. |
| C．People who dislike the harmful effect of human activities. |
| D．People who spread comforting news to protect our environment. |
Which of the following can be a reason for the popularity of Lomborg’s books?
| A．Some big businesses intend to protect their own interests. |
| B．The book challenges views about the fine state of the world. |
| C．The author convinces people to seek comforting worldviews. |
| D．Industry–funded media present confusing information. |
The author mentioned the review in Nature in order to_____.
| A．voice a different opinion |
| B．find fault with Lomborg’s book |
| C．challenge the authority of the media |
| D．point out the value of scientific views. |
What is the author’s main purpose in writing the passage?
| A．To encourage the skeptics to have a critical eye. |
| B．To warn the public of the danger of half–blindness with reviews. |
| C．To blame the media’s lack of responsibility in presenting information. |
| D．To show the importance of presenting overall information by the media. |
A
On the first day of the 11th grade, our new math teacher Mr Washington asked me to go to the blackboard to do a math problem. I told him that I couldn’t do it. He asked, “Why not?” I paused, and then I said, “Because I’m educable mentally retarded (可教育智能迟滞).”
He came from behind his desk and looked at me. “Don’t ever say that again. Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality,” he said.
It was a very special moment for me. Doctors said that I was educable mentally retarded in the fifth grade, and I was put back into the fourth grade. When I was in the eighth grade, I failed again.
But Mr Washington changed my life. This person always gave students the feeling that he had high expectations of them, and then all of the students did their best to live up to what those expectations were. He often said, “You have greatness within you.”
One day, I caught up with him in the parking place and said, “Mr Washington, is there greatness within me, sir?”
He said, “Yes, Mr Brown.”
“But what about the fact that I failed English, math, and history? What about that, sir? I’m slower than most kids.”
“It doesn’t matter. It just means that you have to work harder. Your grades don’t determine who you are or what you can produce in your life.”
“I want to buy my mother a house.”
“It is possible, Mr Brown. You can do that.” And he turned to walk away.
“Mr Washington?”
“What do you want now?”
“Uh, I’m the one, sir. One day you’re going to hear my name. I’m the one, sir.”
School was a real struggle for me. Mr Washington put many demands on me. He made me believe that I could do it. At the end of that year, I was on the honor roll for the first time in my life.
Years later, I produced five programs on public television. When one of my programs was shown on the educational television channel, I had some friends call him. I was sitting by the phone waiting when he called me. He said, “May I speak to Mr Brown, please?”
“Oh, Mr Washington, is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me. You were the one, weren’t you?”
“Yes, sir, I was.”What does Mr Washington mean by saying “Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality”?
| A．You needn’t have the same opinion as others. |
| B．You should believe what other people say. |
| C．What other people say about you may not be correct. |
| D．The doctor made a mistake. |
What happened to the author at last?
| A．He entered a good university. | B．He earned much honor. |
| C．He got a good job. | D．He made television programs. |
In the passage, the author implies that _________.
| A．people shouldn’t believe what doctors say |
| B．no one can be successful with hard work and confidence |
| C．no one is really educable mentally retarded |
| D．a good teacher can change a student’s life |
The best title for the passage would be “__________”.
| A．Don’t believe others | B．I am the one |
| C．My best teacher | D．I succeeded at last |
D
Weall know about “Brother Sharp” , “King of Calm” and “Brother Buckteeth”----names that netizens(网民) have given those with special characteristics, or who have done something special.
Recently, a new name has been added to that list----“Brother Banner(横幅)”. What did he do to get the name?
“Brother Banner” is Chen Yihua, a Senior 1 student at Guangzhou No.16 High School. On the afternoon of May 4, he made a banner, dressed in school uniform, and stood outside a Line 1 subway station in Guangzhou.
Chen was protesting(抗议)Guangzhou Metro(地铁) Company’s renovation(整修) project for the line.
The company was planning to renew 16 stations on the line over three years. It said that the station would be renovated in similar styles, and the cost of the project would be 92.27 million yuan.
The banner that Chen held said: “The special features of Line 1 stations will disappear. The program is also a waste of resources. I hope you will help my protest be signing my subway petition(请愿) against the renovation .”
His action attracted the attention of passers-by. In three days, Chen collected more than 300 signatures(签名) from the public.
The metro company also noticed Chen, and responded to him, three times, over the following week.
On May 6, the company announced that the project was to replace aging equipment that has been running for a long time, because it had “safety risks”. The public was unsatisfied with the response.
The next day, the company met with Chen and gave further details of the project. Chen remained unconvinced.
The company made a 180-degree turn in its third response to Chen’s protest on May 10.
Zhong Xuejun, spokesman for the company, said the renovation would be based on the principle of saving energy and being economical. It would focus on the old equipment and the look of the stations wouldn’t be changed much.
Finally, Chen’s voice had been heard.What do “Brother sharp”, “King of Calm” and “Brother Buckteeth” have in common?
| A．They’re handsome. |
| B．They only exist in the net. |
| C．They’re characters(角色,特征) of a novel. |
| D．They have done something special or have special character. |
How many times has the metro company responded？
| A．1 | B．2 | C．3 | D．4 |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．“Brother Banner” is a Senior 1 student. |
| B．“Brother Banner” collected more than 300 signatures in three days. |
| C．“Brother Banner” has made a difference through his action. |
| D．“Brother Banner” is not a normal student. |
C
We all love festivals. But since culture develops differently in many places, some festivals are, to us, very strange. Let’s take a look at some unique(独特的)festivals around the world.
Cheese Rolling Festival (England)
The festival started in the 15th century in May. When a round cheese is rolled, competitors run down the hill and try to catch it before it reaches the bottom. As the cheese can reach speeds of up to 112 km/h, it’s rare that someone catches the cheese. First to the bottom wins the cheese. But running down a very steep(陡峭的) hill behind a cheese can be dangerous. Eight people were injured in 1992.
Roswell UFO festival (New Mexico, US)
The Roswell UFO festival celebrates the anniversary(纪念日) of the “Roswell Incident”, when a UFO was said to have crashed(坠毁) nearby. Every year in July, experts, authors, researches and lecturers come to discuss the incident. The celebration also includes an alien parade, an alien costume contest, and an alien hot air balloon ride.
Hemingway Days (Florida, US)
This festival has normal stuff (材料，东西) like short-story readings and exhibits about the author. But the highlight (亮点) of the festival is definitely (一定地) the Hemingway look alike contest.
Imagine walking into a bar and being greeted by 20 middle-aged men who all look alike: stocky with thick white beards. The festival takes place in mid-July every year.Which festival takes place in mid-July every year?
| A．Cheese Rolling Festival. | B．Roswell UFO festival. |
| C．Hemingway Days. | D．All of the above. |
Which festival may cause injuries according to the passage?
| A．Cheese Rolling Festival. | B．Roswell UFO festival. |
| C．Hemingway Days. | D．None of the above. |
Which of the following is right according to the passage?
| A．All the three festivals are celebrated in America. |
| B．It’s common that someone catches the cheese in Cheese Rolling Festival. |
| C．It’s said that a UFO once crashed in New Mexico, US. |
| D．In Hemingway Days, you’ll see 20 old or young Hemingways |
B
When I was about 10 one day, I was walking down the street with my mother. She stopped to speak to Mr. Lee. I knew I could see Mr. Lee anytime around the neighborhood, so I just stood there. After we passed him, my mother stopped and said something unforgettable, “You let that be the last time you ever walk by somebody you know without opening your mouth to speak, because even a dog can wag its tail when it passes you on the street.” That sentence sounds simple but it made me become who I am.
At work, I used to say hello to the president of the company and ask him how our business was doing. But I also spoke to the people in the café and people who cleaned the buildings, and asked them how their children were doing, for every single person deserves to be accepted, no matter how humble(低微的) they are. I remember that after a few years of passing by the president, I had the courage to ask him for a chat. We had a great talk. At some point, when I asked him how far he thought I could go in his company, he said that if I wanted to, I could get all the way to his seat.
I’ve become vice-president, but that hasn’t changed how I treat people. I speak to people wherever I am. Speaking to people creates a pathway into their world, and it lets them come into mine, too.
The day you speak to someone who has his head down and then see him lift it up and smile, you will realize how powerful it is just to open your mouth and say hello.What is the best title for this passage?
| A．The Power of Being Talkative |
| B．My Mother’s Influence on Me |
| C．The Power of Saying hello |
| D．My Way to Become Vice-President |
It is implied in the first paragraph that____.
| A．the writer didn’t know Mr. Lee |
| B．the writer didn’t say hello to Mr. Lee on that occasion |
| C．the writer didn’t get along well with his mother |
| D．the writer’s mother stopped to say hello to everyone she met |
What can we learn from the second paragraph?
| A．The writer didn’t say hello to everyone in the company. |
| B．The writer made a very good impression on the president of the company. |
| C．The president of the company thought the writer was much better than him. |
| D．The president of the company actually didn’t like the writer at all. |
For the writer, saying hello to others_______.
| A．is a way to get what he wants |
| B．has become a habit and a way of life. |
| C．is a way to show respect for his mother |
| D．is important in making him remembered. |
According to paragraph 3, in the writer’s opinion, speaking to others can______.
| A．make our world much better |
| B．make people much happier every day. |
| C．help people understand each other better |
| D．help people work much better |
A
Car needs gas to run as your body needs food to work for you. Eating the right kinds of food is very important. A good eating habit can help your body grow strong if you take care of what you eat.
There are four main food groups altogether. The dairy group has food like milk, cheese and sour milk. The other three groups are the meat and fish group, the fruit and vegetable group, and the bread and rice group. Each meal should have at least one food from all four main groups. With all of these foods together, you will be given enough energy during the day.
It is easy to get into bad eating habits. You may eat your breakfast in a hurry to get to school on time or you may not have time for a good lunch. It may be easier to eat fish and chips for your supper all the time. But you will find yourself tired and you will not be able to think quickly.
Watching what you eat will help keep your body healthy and strong. It is also good to take some exercise. It will help you eat more if you take a walk or play games in the open air. Having good eating habits with some exercise is the key to your health.According to the passage, which of the following diets do you think is the best one?
| A．Eggs, tomatoes and chicken. |
| B．Milk, bread, cabbages and beef. |
| C．Corn, fish, ice cream and pork. |
| D．Rice, beancurd(豆腐)，fish and chicken. |
Which of the following is a good eating habit?
| A．Going to school without any breakfast. |
| B．Eating fish and chips for supper all the time. |
| C．Having at least food from one of the four groups each meal. |
| D．Having different food from all four food groups. |
In this passage the writer mainly tells us that____.
| A．every person needs food to grow well. |
| B．taking exercise can keep your body strong. |
| C．the right kind of food with exercise will keep you healthy. |
| D．enough energy helps people think more quickly. |
The underlined word “dairy” in the second paragraph means_____.
| A．the food made out of cows such as milk and butter |
| B．the shop that sells milk and butter |
| C．a farm where cows are kept |
| D．a place where milk products are made |