A characteristic of American culture that has become almost a tradition is to respect the self-made man —the man who has risen to the top through his own efforts, usually beginning by working with his hands. While the leader in business or industry or the college professor occupies a higher social position and commands greater respect m the community than the common laborer or even the skilled factory worker, he may take pains to point out that his father started life in America as a farmer or laborer of some sort.
This attitude toward manual (体力的) labor is now still seen in many aspects of American life. One is invited to dinner at a home that is not only comfortably but even luxuriously (豪华地) furnished and in which there is every evidence of the fact that the family has been able to afford foreign travel, expensive hobbies, and college education for the children; yet the hostess probably will cook the dinner herself, wil serve it herself and will wash dishes afterward, furthermore the dinner will not consist merely of something quickly and easily assembled from contents of various cans and a cake or a pie bought at the nearby bakery. On the contrary, the hostess usually takes pride in careful preparation of special dishes. A professional man may talk about washing the car, digging in his flowerbeds, painting the house. His wife may even help with these things, just as he often helps her with the dishwashing. The son who is away at college may wait on table and wash dishes for his living, or during the summer he may work with a construction gang on a highway in order to pay for his education.
From paragraph 1, we can know that in America _____.
A. people tend to have a high opinion of the self-made man
B. people can always rise to the top through their own efforts
C. college professors win great respect from common workers
C. college professors feel it painful to mention their fathers as labors.
According to the passage, the hostess cooks dinner herself mainly because ______.
A.servants in American are hard to get |
B.she takes pride in what she can do herself |
C.she can hardly afford servants |
D.It is easy to prepare a meal with canned food |
The expression “ wait on table” in the second paragraph means “______”.
A.wait for others on a table | B.keep accounts in a restaurant |
C.wait to lay the table | D.serve customers in a restaurant |
How does the author support his opinion?
A.By analyzing causes and effects | B.By giving examples |
C.By reasoning and concluding | D.By telling stories |
Some scientists say that animals in the ocean are increasingly threatened by noise pollution caused by human beings. The noise that affects sea creatures comes from a number of human activities. It is caused mainly by industrial underwater explosions, ocean drilling, and ship engines. Such noises are added to natural sounds. These sounds include the breaking of ice fields, underwater earthquakes, and sounds made by animals themselves.
Decibels(分贝) measured in water are different from those measured on land. A noise of 120 decibels on land causes pain to human ears. In water, a decible level of 195 would have the same effect.
Some scientists have suggested setting a noise limit of 120 decibles in oceans. They have observed that noises above that level can frighten and confuse whales.
A team of American and Canadian scientists discovered that loud noises could seriously injure some animals. The research team found that powerful underwater explosions were causing whales in the area to lose their hearing, which seriously affected the whales’ ability to exchange information and find their way. Some of the whales even died. The explosions had caused their ears to bleed and become infected(感染的).
Many researches whose work depends on ocean sounds disagree with a limit of 120 decibels. They say such a limit would mean an end to important industrial and scientific research.
Scientists do not know how many and what kinds of noises are harmful to ocean animals. However, many scientists suspect that noise is a greater danger than they previously believed. They want to prevent noises from harming creatures in the ocean.The second paragraph mainly tells us that the noises on land and in water .
A.are both from human activities. |
B.both do harm to sea animals |
C.are measured differently |
D.have the same effect on humans |
As to(依据) the effects of noises on whales, which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.They are deaf to noises. |
B.Noises at a certain level may hurt them. |
C.They are easily confused by noises. |
D.Noises will limit their ability to reproduce. |
Many researchers think that the noise limit of 120 decibels would .
A.protect whales from noises |
B.benefit them a lot in their research work |
C.do good to their health |
D.increase industrial output |
What will scientists most probably do in the future?
A.Count the number of sea animals. |
B.Stop their research on the ocean. |
C.Study the effect of different noises. |
D.Protect sea creatures from harmful noises. |
The type of things we remember are different. Although we tend to remember good things in our lives, bad things have a way of sneaking up (悄悄接近) on us. One such thing I remember happened when I was 10 years old.
I decided to ride my bicycle over a near-by stream. I carefully planned the adventure, and asked my friends to go there and have a watch. This was going to be my moment! I started riding down the hill, picking up speed and then pulled up on the handlebars (自行车把手) at the precise moment and landed face-first into the muddy stream! That painful moment is one that I will never forget. As long as I live, I will remember the pain and embarrassment at that moment. When we do something stupid or thoughtless, it has a way of sticking with us. Fortunately, good momories have a way of over-riding the bad ones. I have memories that I gladly remember, like what happened today.
I had my first conversation with my son today. It was not anything profound. It was a simple connection between father and son. It was one of those bonding moments that you can’t plan or force. They just happen on their own. I was walking into the living room where my son sat in bed watching television attentively. Then he looked up at me and pointed to the television and babbled (含糊的说) something. I asked him if he was watching SpongeBob (海绵宝宝) and he nodded his head and said,“Yes”. It was at that moment that his eyes lit up and it was as if we both realized we had communicated. And how happy I was! Sure, at eighteen months, he probably did not realize what communication was like, but his joy at that moment was evident. It was a moment I will remember all my life.
Good or bad, memories can last a lifetime. As for an unpleasant memory, though we can’t forget it we can get lessons from it and it is like a mirror that will warn us against making such mistakes again. As for a good memory, we should try our best to enjoy it during our lifetime. Such moments are the treasures that we store up forever.The author will always remember what happened when he was ten because he .
A.drew up a careful plan before taking a ride |
B.made a fool of himself in face of his friends |
C.hurt himself seriously while riding down the hill |
D.succeeded in taking a big adventure over a stream |
The underlined word “profound” in Paragraph 3 probably means “ ” .
A.needing much thought |
B.simple and easy to solve |
C.very funny or interesting |
D.that often takes place |
Why was the author so happy when hearing his son’s answer “YES”?
A.Because his son respected the author and was very understanding. |
B.Because it was the fist time he communicated with his little son. |
C.Because his little son didn’t make trouble and behaved quite well. |
D.Because his son could understand the meaning of SpongeBob. |
The author mainly tells us in the last paragraph that .
A.one’s memories can last all one’s lifetime. |
B.we should forget the unpleasant memories. |
C.good memories are the treasures of our life. |
D.how we should deal with our memories. |
Tired of all the pushing in supermarkets? Fed up with waiting in endless lines to pay for what you have bought? Angry at wasting time in traffic jams only to find no parking spaces when you eventually arrive at the store? If this is you, then online shopping is the answer to your dreams of trouble-free shopping.
Online shopping brings its own challenges. Here are a few things to bear in mind when browsing (浏览) various websites. The claim (声称) made by online sites is that shopping online is a safe and secure way to make purchases. The evidence challenges this. In any case, you only have to be the victim(受害者) of fraud (欺骗) once to experience all the problems that come with this form of stealing. Use only sites that have a trusted history and an excellent reputation(名声).
Another problem is that the appearance of items in reality is often quite different from what you see on your computer screen. This might not be a problem if you are buying washing up powder but could be a major disappointment when that beautiful blue dress you ordered turns up in green. Also, product descriptions are sometimes simply untrue! Perhaps the wisest plan is to purchase items whose design and color are not essential to customer satisfaction.
Some even argue that online shopping indirectly contributes to global warming. Yes, your car can stay parked but how are online goods delivered? Often by some large van pouring out carbon monoxide and adding to our already desperate traffic problems. You are also by now becoming increasingly irritated(使烦恼) by the fact that the delivery is late !
Without question, online shopping is here to stay and it has its benefits. However, perhaps it is not as wonderful as some of its supporters claim it to be.How can online shoppers avoid fraud?
A.By choosing big websites. |
B.By collecting shopping evidence. |
C.By seeking advice from the police. |
D.By using only trusted websites. |
What does the author tell us about online shopping in Paragraph 3?
A.Don’t believe product descriptions easily. |
B.Product appearances are always not good. |
C.It is usually wise to buy colorful products. |
D.It is normal for a blue dress to change into green. |
The author agrees with the fact that .
A.online shopping is a safe way to make purchases |
B.customers are never satisfied with products |
C.online shopping has nothing to do with global warming |
D.delivery delay often makes online shoppers unhappy |
What is the author’s attitude towards online shopping?
A.It is very popular. |
B.It is a wise choice. |
C.It is a double-edged sword(双刃剑). |
D.It is a waste of time. |
First Lady Michelle Obama is a big fan of volunteering. Volunteering means working for free to help someone else. Mrs. Obama says volunteering is very important. “It should be part of everyone’s life, ” she says.
Many teens agree. They say that helping others feels great and makes a difference. These days, more teens volunteer than work for pay. Teens clean up parks, walk dogs at animal shelters , visit the elderly and more.
Some cities ---- including Seatle, Chicago, and Washingtong,D.C. ----require high school students to volunteer. Students must volunteer in order to graduate. The student volunteers learn new skills and help their communities (社区).
Many parents are in favor of the idea ---- they say volunteering helps teens build job skills. But most teens don’t want to be forced to volunteer. They say they are busy. And they say volunteering is only fun if it’s a choice.
Read both sides of the debate (辩论) and decide.
YES
●Volunteering can help teens get into college or get a job.
●Many cities and towns need help. Volunteers can help keep important programs going.
●Not all teens will volunteer if it isn’t required. Schools should repuire students to do all they can to get ready for adult life.
NO
●Most teens are already very busy with classes, homework, jobs and sports. Forcing them to do more isn’t fair.
●It should be up to each person. Helping out doesn’t feel as good if you have to do it.
●Finding a volunteer job isn’t always easy. Students shouldn’t be kept from graduating because of something they can’t control.The writer mentions Michelle Obama in order to ,
A.introduce the topic of the text |
B.explain what volunteering is |
C.tell what she does for the US |
D.show she enjoys volunteering |
According to the text, in Chicago, .
A.finding a volunteer job is quite easy |
B.more people would rather work for pay |
C.volunteering is a must for high school students |
D.college students have to volunteer before graduation |
The underlined part “are in favor of “ in the text means”.
A.drop | B.develop | C.catch | D.like |
Which question does the text mainly discuss?
A.Is volunteering good for students? |
B.What is the best time to volunteer? |
C.Should students be required to volunteer? |
D.Which volunteer jobs should students do? |
Moving in with a boyfriend causes women to eat more unhealthily and put on weight. But the opposite is true for men, whose long-term health benefits when they move in with a female partner.
Dieticians at Newcastle University said both partners try to please one another, and so change their dietary habits to suit their other half.
It leads men to eat more light meals, such as salads, fruit and vegetables, while women choose to make creamier, heavier dishes like curry or rich pasta sauces, which may please their partner.
Women still have the strongest long-term influence over the couple’s diet and lifestyle, as they still have the traditional role of shopper and cook in most households.
The report, by Newcastle University’s Human Nutrition Research Centre, reviewed the finding of a variety of research projects from the UK, North America and Australia, which looked at the eating and lifestyle habits of couples.
The research shows that women are more likely to put on weight and increase their consumption of foods high in fat and sugar when they move in with their partner.
Women also use food as a comfort when dealing with emotional stress and have been found to gain weight when a relationship ends, while the same finding has not been observed in men.
Many couples reported food as being central to their partnership, and eating together in the evening was particularly important to many.
Report author and registered dietician Dr. Amelia Lake said, “The research has shown that your partner is a strong influence on lifestyle and people who are trying to live healthier lives should take this factor into consideration.”The underlined word “light” (in Paragraph3) probably means _______.
A.not very heavy | B.gentle | C.less in fat and sugar | D.not serious and important |
According to the report by Newcastle University’s Human Nutrition Research Centre,
______.
A.eating together in the evening is a good way to communicate for couples |
B.women put on weight only because they want to suit their other half |
C.when men are faced with emotional stress, they will change their dietary habits |
D.it is wrong to change your dietary habits to suit your partner |
According to the passage, moving in with a girlfriend, men _______.
A.have to eat more unhealthy food |
B.have few changes of their dietary habits |
C.don’t like foods high in fat and sugar at all |
D.try to eat foods that their girlfriends like |
What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Don’t be silly any more, women! | B.Dr. Amelia Lake and his study |
C.Boyfriends make you fat. | D.Which are better dietary habits? |