Recreational tree climbing is taking root in the ecotourism industry, and it's sending guys like Tim Kovar to far off reaches of the globe. Kovar, a tree-climbing instructor, recently returned to the U.S. from Brazil, where he spent time developing a tree-climbing operation thanks to the "slow travel" movement.
Slow travel, is like the slow food movement, the practice of giving fast food in favor of homegrown cooking—the kind that takes hours to prepare and enjoy. Likewise, slow travel urges visitors to experience a place's natural surroundings and learn about the ecology in a way not afforded by extreme games.
"Tree climbing is a slow activity," says Kovar. "It's not something you do quickly and then you're on to the next thing or event." There is no such thing as a quick climb, especially for beginners. This wasn't a race against the clock or the fellow climbers. In fact, tree climbing is unlikely to ever become a feature of the extreme games. Many climbers refuse competition. There has already been so much competition in the world.
"When you stand below the tree, it can be amazing," Rusel DeMaria says, looking affectionately up at Michael's Triumph, a 150-foot-tall tree. But reaching the treetop, he adds, is an entirely different feeling. Likewise, his wife, Viola Brumbaugh, kneels on the ground and asks Michael's Triumph for permission to climb. "It goes a lot smoother that way, "She says.
And climbing has been included into many educational programs. New Tribe offers guided climbs through its school, Tree Climbing Northwest, where "we teach enough tree biology and forest ecology to raise awareness in our students," says New Tribe present Sophis Sparks. "We know that the tree climbing experience deepens personal appreciation for trees. After climbing, people value trees more and are motivated to support preservation. This is not just to preserve their playground."
Perhaps that is why he struggles with the term "recreational tree climbing," saying, "I prefer to call it inspirational tree climbing."What do slow travel and the slow food movement have in common?
A.They take people a long time. | B.They are related to the eco-tourism industry. |
C.They advocate protecting nature. | D.They cost people little money |
What do we know about tree climbing from the passage?
A.People compete to see who can climb to the top first. |
B.It favors the experience of enjoying nature. |
C.It is a kind of extreme sport and needs a lot of effort. |
D.People view it as a challenge to climb the tallest tree in a forest. |
Brumbaugh kneels on the ground before climbing trees to ___________________.
A.beg for the safety of climbing | B.Expect to climb faster than her husband |
C.Show respect for the tree | D.ask for permission of her husband |
Sophia Sparks prefers the term "inspirational tree climbing" because it ____________.
A.provide people with more chances to play outside |
B.bring a lot of pleasure to life |
C.Deepens personal lo![]() |
D.Makes people realize they should protect trees |
What's the best title for the passage?
A.Tree-climbing travelling | B.Slow travel movements |
C.Dangers of climbing | D.Respect for nature |
TODAY, Friday, November 12
JAZZ with the Mike Thomas Jazz Band at The Derby Arms. Upper Richmond Road West, Sheen.
DISCO Satin Sounds Disco. Free at The Lord Napier, Mort lake High St., from 8a. m. to 8p. m. Tel: 682—1158.
SATURDAY, November 13
JAZZ Lysis at The Bull’s Head, Barnes. Admission 60p.
MUSICAL HALL at The Star and Garter, Lower Richmond Road, Putney, provided by the Aba Daba Music Hall company. Good food and entertainment fair price. Tel: 789—6749.
FAMILY night out? Join the sing-along at The Black Horse. Sheen Road, Richmond.
JAZZ The John Bennett Big Band at The Bull’s Head, Barnes. Admission 80p.
THE DERBY ARMS, Upper Richmond Road West, give you Joe on the electric accordion(手风琴). Tel: 789—4536
SUNDAY, November 14
DISCO Satin Sounds Disco, free at The Lord Napier, Mort Lake High Street, from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m.
FOLK MUSIC at The Derby Arms. The Short Stuff and residents the Norman Chop Trio. Non-remembers 70p. Tel: 688—4626.
HEAVY MUSIC with Tony Simon at The Bull, Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen.
THE DERBY ARMS, Upper Richmond Road West, give you Joe on the electric accordion.Where and when can you hear the Norman Chop Trio?
A.At the Bull’s Head on Sunday. |
B.At the Derby Arms on Sunday. |
C.At the Bull on Saturday. |
D.At the Black Horse on Saturday. |
Where and when can you hear the Mike Thomas Jazz Band?
A.At the Derby Arms on Friday. |
B.At the Black Horse on Friday. |
C.At the Star and Garter on Saturday. |
D.At the Derby Arms on Sunday. |
You want to enjoy the electric accordion on Saturday. Which telephone number do you have to ring to find out what time it starts?
A.789—6749. | B.789—4536. |
C.682—1158. | D.688—4626. |
You want to spend the Saturday by joining the entertainment with your family. Where should you go?
A.Disco at The Lord Napier. |
B.The sing-along at The Black Horse. |
C.The electric accordion at The Derby Arms. |
D.Jazz at The Bull’s Head. |
You want to spend the same day at two different places and don’t want to cross any street. Which of the following is your best choice?
A.The sing-along at the Black Horse and Jazz at The Bull’s Head. |
B.The sing-along at The Black Horse and Folk Music at The Derby Arms. |
C.Folk Music at the Derby Arms and Heavy Music with Tony Simon at The Bull. |
D.Musical Hal lat The Star &Garter and Disco at The Lord Napier. |
“You have cancer” are the three words you never want to hear. Unfortunately, over 5, 000 people in North America do hear those words --- every single day. Even worse, cancer has become the second leading cause of death for Americans. America’s health practitioner (从业人员), David Brownstein, M. D., has spent much of his medical career studying cancer, and learning the best ways to avoid becoming its victim.
And Dr. Brownstein does not shy away from (回避) the hard truth. Statistics demonstrate we are not winning the war on cancer. Far from it. In fact, cancer death rates have remained nearly unchanged over the last 80 years. Plus, traditional cancer treatments have been a terrible failure. Because the only big winner in the cancer treatment story to date has been the cancer industry’s multibillion-dollar profits, Dr. Brownstein has just released a free video documentary revealing some of his startling (令人吃惊的) findings.
In this video, you’ll discover five specific signs that you will be diagnosed (诊断) with cancer during your lifetime. Even more important, you’ll see:
*Seven simple but smart steps to prevent cancer from taking over your body.
*How to help your body naturally kill cancer cells.
*Easiest ways to avoid known cancer-causing factors.
*The little-known relationship between iodine (碘) and cancer.
*And much, much more…
According to Dr. Brownstein, nearly all of US have cancer cells in our bodies at various times during our lives. The trick is to avoid letting those cells increase and defeat the body’s natural defenses.
The good news is that you and your loved ones do not need to become cancer victims. With the simple methods revealed in Dr. Brownstein’s eye-opening video, you can take steps to prevent this deadly disease.
Newsmax Health managed to bring it directly to you free of charge. Click here to start watching this powerful video about preventing cancer immediately. With so many people dying needlessly, there’s no time to waste.We can learn from Paragraph 1 that ________.
A.David Brownstein makes no progress in preventing cancer |
B.cancer is the leading cause of death for Americans |
C.David Brownstein himself is suffering from cancer |
D.cancer victims are increasing in North America |
What do we know about cancer in America?
A.Cancer death rates are dropping. |
B.Cancer industry is very profitable. |
C.Traditional cancer treatments are effective. |
D.Cancer medicine was invented 80 years ago. |
What does the underlined part “the hard truth” refer to in Paragraph 2?
A.David Brownstein’s video is unpopular. |
B.It needs another 80 years to cure cancer. |
C.People don’t know cancer death rates. |
D.People’s inability to defeat cancer. |
What does Dr. Brownstein’s video include?
a. Some signs that you’ll get cancer.
b. Some people who are fighting against cancer. ’
c. Some ways to avoid factors that can cause cancer.
d. Some steps to prevent cancer controlling your body.
A.abc | B.bcd | C.acd | D.abd |
What’s the purpose of the passage?
A.To recommend a video. |
B.To introduce some doctors. |
C.To teach US how to make a video. |
D.To give US some tips on dealing with cancel. |
During the last fifteen years of my mother's life she suffered with Alzheimer's disease (老年痴呆). Until then she had been a bright, cheerful woman deeply interested and involved in the world around her. I would go home to visit her in Virginia and she would look at me in a puzzled way and ask, “Who are you?” I would answer, “I'm your son.” “Where do you live?” She would ask. “In California”, I would tell her. “Isn't that interesting,” she would say, “I have a son in California.”
She seemed simply forgetful and confused at the beginning of the disease, but later on she would go through periods of intense anxiety. She would pace through the house she had lived in most of her life crying uneasily that she wanted to go home. Or she would leave home and wander away if she were unattended for a short time.
Hoping to please her and put her mind at ease, I would take her for a drive, visiting sites where she had lived as a child. In the yard of the hillside house in Shipman I sat in the car and admired the view of the old oaks and long green lawn. I pictured my mother there was a little girl playing with the pet lamb she had been so fond of. I looked to her for some response. She shook her head and said “ I want to go home.”
Over the years I have decided that what my mother was calling home was not a place, but a time. I suspect it was a time when she was much younger, when her children were still underfoot, when her husband was still vigorous and attentive.
Watching my mother's suffering set me wondering where I would have gone in mind if someday I couldn’t find home and wanted to go there. In this family we tend to be long-lived and we grow fuzzy (糊涂的) minded as the years go by. At eighty I have already noticed some alarming symptoms. My doctor says the forgetfulness is only natural and that it comes with age. Still the fear of Alzheimer's is haunting there. Someday if and when I become even more cloudy minded than I am now, unable to drive and unable to tell you where "home" is, my dear son, I expect I will ask y to take me home, I know you will do your best to find the place I need to be. I leave these notes for your guidance.What's the main idea of the first two paragraphs?
A ou. The author’s mother suffered with serious Alzheimer's disease.
B. The author’s mother forgot who’s his son.
C. The author didn’t know how to cure his mother.
D. The author’s mother couldn’t find her home.What is not the symptom of the author’s mother ?
A.cheerful | B.confused |
C.forgetful | D.uneasy |
What’s the meaning of the underlined word “pictured”?
A.photographed | B.appeared |
C.described | D.painted |
What can you infer from the third paragraph?
A.The author cares much about his mother. |
B.The author’s mother was fond of pet lambs. |
C.The author saw a little girl playing with a pet lamb. |
D.The author’s mother didn’t like her usual home. |
What’s the best title of the passage?
A.Take Mother Home. |
B.Everyone will suffer with Alzheimer's disease. |
C.A story about a son and a mother. |
D.Where Is Home? |
My students often tell me that they don’t have “enough time” to do all their schoolwork.
My reply is often a brief “You have as much time as the president.” I usually carry on a bit about there being twenty-four hours in the day for everyone, and suggest that “not enough time” is not an acceptable explanation of not getting something done.
Once in graduate school(研究院), I tried to prove to one of my professors by saying that I was working hard. His answer to me was, “That’s irrelevant. What’s important is the quality of your work,Since then I have had time to think carefully about the “hard worker” dodge (诀窍), and I have come to some conclusions — all relevant to the problem of how much time we have.
If you analyze(分析) the matter, you can identify two parts of the problem: There is, of course, the matter of “time”, which we can think of as fixed. Then there is the problem of “work” during that time. But, as my professor suggested, it’s not how hard one works but the quality of the product that’s important.
That led me to a new idea: the quality of the work. That concept is perhaps best explained by a sign I once saw on the wall in someone’s office: “Don’t work harder. Work smarter.” There is a lot of sense in that idea.
If you can’t get more time, and few of us can, the only solution is to improve the quality of the work. That means thinking of ways to get more out of the same time than we might otherwise get. That should lead us to an analysis of our work habits. Since “work” for students usually means “homework”, the expression “work habits” should be read as “study habits”.
Then, as a smart student, you will seek to improve those skills that you use in study, chiefly reading and writing. If you learn to read better and write better, there are big benefits that pay off in all your studies.From the passage, we know that the author is probably _______ .
A.an educator | B.a poet |
C.a novelist | D.an engineer |
We can infer from the second paragraph that we students still _______ .
A.can meet the president |
B.have enough time |
C.can get everything done well |
D.should accept the explanation |
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word in paragraph 2?
A.unnecessary | B.different |
C.irrelated | D.funny |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The author’s students make good use of their time to do all their homework. |
B.The author tried to tell the professor that he/she (author) had done a good job. |
C.You’ll try to improve your skills in reading and writing if you’re a clever student. |
D.You can’t improve the quality of the work if you can’t get more time. |
What’s the passage mainly about?
A.Don’t work harder; work smarter. |
B.Students don’t have enough time. |
C.No one can get more time. |
D.Read better and write better. |
A new study has found some secrets of people’s understanding of large numbers.
Researchers studied a group of people who were born deaf and never learned any spoken language or a formal sign language, but they have developed a gesture system to communicate with people around them. The gestures let them express approximate amounts, but not exact numbers.
“Up to three, they’re fine,” says Elizabet Spaepen, a researcher at the University of Chicago and an author of the study. “But past three, they start to fall apart.” In one test, Spaepen would knock her fist against a study participant’s fist a certain number of times and then ask them to respond with the same number of knocks. “If I were to knock four times on their fist, they might knock on my fist five times,” she says.
The finding offers a clue to just how much language affects our understanding of numbers. That has been a big question since 2004, when other researchers published data on two tribes in the Amazon whose members also lack words for big numbers. “What they have are words that mean one and two,” Spaepen says, “and then they have a word to mean many.”
Members of the Amazonian tribes also had trouble matching numbers larger than three or four. But some scholars felt that these earlier studies failed to prove that language was the reason. They pointed out that the tribes lived in groups that didn’t use money and had no need for exact numbers.
The new research appears to answer that criticism. “It proves that the kinds of problems in understanding numbers that we found in the Amazonian tribes are not due to just the cultural or environmental circumstances,” says Peter Gordon of Columbia University, one of the researchers involved in the earlier studies.The participants of the new study ______.
A.cannot communicate with one another |
B.use a formal sign language to express numbers |
C.have some physical disability |
D.come from a distant tribe |
According to the passage, the new study _______.
A.ignored the cultural influence on the participants |
B.is doubted by many people |
C.has found it is harder to learn numbers than learning a sign language |
D.has shown that our understanding of numbers is influenced by our mastering of language. |
The tribes involved in earlier studies _________.
A.often dealt with big numbers. |
B.didn’t use money in their daily life |
C.didn’t have their own language |
D.often made trouble for the researchers |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A.Peter Gordon is a researcher of the University of Chicago. |
B.Peter Gordon thinks less of the new study than his earlier studies. |
C.Peter Gordon believes people’s understanding of numbers has nothing to do with cultural circumstances. |
D.Peter Gordon is in favor of the finding of the new study. |
In which part of a newspaper would you most probably find this passage?
A.Science | B.Health |
C.Politics | D.Lifestyle |