A green house is a building made of glass which is used for keeping warm when the outside temperature is low. In a similar way there are several gases in the atmosphere (mixture of gases that surround the earth) which trap the heat produced by the sun and prevent it from escaping. These gases are known as “greenhouse gases”. And the way in which they trap heat in the atmosphere is called the “greenhouse effect”. This is not simply air pollution. Most of the main greenhouse gases exist naturally in small amounts in our atmosphere, and without them the earth would be 30 degrees colder and human life would not exist. In other words, the greenhouse effect is a natural course which is to some degree helpful to us.
The problem is that in the last century and a half, we have been putting too many of these gases into the earth’s atmosphere by burning large quantities of coal and oil and by cutting down forest. The rapid increase in greenhouse gases is making the world warmer. The world’s temperature has already gone up by half a degree this century, and the sea level has risen by 10 centimetres. If the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere doubles, there will probably be a rise in the earth’s temperature of between I and 4℃;. This may seem a small increase, but it would be enough to cause major changes in geography and agriculture. Large areas of the world would be flooded, and some areas would become dry and unable to produce crops. It is important, too, to consider that there may be a delay of about 30 years in the greenhouse effect. This means that we are probably experiencing only now the effect of the gases put into the atmosphere before the 1960s. Since then, our use of these gases has greatly increased. According to the passage, we can know “greenhouse effect” means_______.
| A．the way in which gases are used for keeping plants warm |
| B．a natural course that is to a certain degree useful to us |
| C．the way “greenhouse gases” trap heat on the earth |
| D．the whole course in which greenhouse gases prevent heat |
If there were no greenhouse effect,_______.
| A．all plants would not grow on our planet |
| B．soil would reduce the temperature by 30 degrees |
| C．man would breathe the cleaner air |
| D．people couldn’t live in the earth |
Which of the following is not true?
| A．Burning too much coal and oil produces lots of greenhouse gases. |
| B．It has become warm on the earth now than in the past. |
| C．Gases put into the atmosphere now will affect the earth years later. |
| D．The temperature in a greenhouse is as high as that in the atmosphere. |
Suppose the earth’s temperature rose by 3 degrees, _______.
| A．great harm will be done to mankind |
| B．the sea level would go up by 10 centimeters |
| C．all the land in the world would be flooded |
| D．crops would be unable to grow on the earth |
This passage mainly deals with ________.
| A．the concept (概念) and the harm of the greenhouse |
| B．the relation between greenhouse gases and man |
| C．the concept and change of greenhouse effect |
| D．the effect of the rise of the earth’s temperature |
Bright red post boxes, the Queen and queuing—what do they all have in common? They are all important parts of British life. At least I thought so.
However, the ability to queue for long periods of time, once believed to be a traditional characteristic of the British, is no longer tolerated by people in the UK, according to a survey done for British bank Barclays.
Once upon a time, queuing was seen as normal. During World War II, everyone had to queue up to receive their daily supply of foods. In fact, if you didn't stand up and wait in line with all the others, it was seen as uncivilized(不文明的)．
The famous English doubledecker buses, with only one entrance, might also help explain why queuing was seen as a part of British line. Almost always, there is a queue to get on.
But perhaps the British are tired of being pushed past by the Spanish, the Italians or the French as they queue up to get a table at a restaurant. The people of these other European countries have more than one entrance to their houses, which explains their more relaxed attitude to the queue.
Two minutes is now the longest time most British people are prepared to stand and wait. But could it be that the Internet, which allows us to carry out tasks quickly, is the main reason why British people are no longer prepared to queue?
“Used to buying without delay, customers are even giving up purchases rather than wait their turn，” says Stuart Neal of Barclaycard. “Shoppers are also less likely to queue for long if the item they are buying is of low value.”
Perhaps I will have to replace “queuing” with “impatience” in my list of things I relate to the British.What can we learn about the tradition of queuing in Britain?
| A．It was a product of the slow pace of life. |
| B．It was a long time tradition as old as the Queen. |
| C．It was considered a symbol of a civilized behavior. |
| D．It has made the British different from other Europeans. |
According to the passage, the British gradually stopped queuing because___.
| A．they prefer shopping online |
| B．they follow the example of foreigners |
| C．British buses have more than one entrance |
| D．the Internet has changed their way of life |
It can be learned from the text that________.
| A．the British get impatient with queuing for long |
| B．the British have to queue to receive food |
| C．the British like to eat in foreign restaurants |
| D．the British prefer to take doubledecker buses |
The author's main purpose of writing the passage is______.
| A．to tell us the influence of the Internet on the British ways of life |
| B．to compare the cultural difference between Britain and other countries |
| C．to talk about the changes in the attitude to queuing in Britain |
| D．to report his research on the British ways of life |
If you were a pilot flying a plane, and suddenly the engine failed, would you eject(跳出), or stay in? For a pilot, the choice is very difficult. If he ejects, he is safe, but the plane crashes. If he stays in the plane, he risks his life.
Recently, Chinese Air Force pilot Li Feng, 38, faced this choice during a training exercise. It was March 7 and he was flying a Jian-10 (Fighter-10) at 4,500 meters. A warning appeared on the plane’s computer screen. He realized the plane might fail at any moment.
Li Feng did a quick check of the engine and asked the base if he could return. When the fighter was 7 km away from the airport, however, the engine stopped working. The plane began to fall at a speed of 25 meters a second at an altitude of 1,160 meters.
Under Air Force rules, fighter pilots may eject if their aircraft loses engine power below 2,000 meters and can't be restarted. Before Li lost contact with the control tower, the commander in the air base asked him to eject. But Li Feng insisted on having another try.
“I knew where the deadline (to give up the aircraft) was and was prepared for the ejection, but I decided not to give up unless the fighter was totally out of control,” Li recalled during a recent television interview.
After 104 seconds, Li was able to bring the fighter to a safe landing. The plane only suffered slight damage.
“You are a hero! Congratulations!” Li's teacher, Xu Yongling wrote in a text message to him after the landing. He said Li was a cool-headed pilot and very professional.
Li's brave and calm act not only saved the 200 million yuan aircraft but also gave him invaluable first-hand experience of dealing with an engine emergency.
For his outstanding performance, the Air Force recently awarded him a gold medal.
When the engine stopped working, Li Feng.
| A．was flying a Jian-10 at 4,500 meters |
| B．saw a warning appear on the plane's computer screen |
| C．decided not to give up the plane |
| D．was asked to stay in, but he ejected |
When the fighter plane loses engine power below 2,000 meters.
| A．pilots must restart it as soon as possible |
| B．pilots should repair it as soon as possible |
| C．pilots may eject for safety |
| D．pilots should bring it to a safe landing |
According to the passage, what kind of person is Li Feng?
| A．He is cool-headed. |
| B．He is confident. |
| C．He is fearless and cool under pressure. |
| D．All of the above. |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．Flying the Fighter Correctly |
| B．When to Give up the Aircraft |
| C．How to Deal with an Engine Emergency |
| D．Bring the Fighter to a Safe Landing |
The Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is a palatial park on the central California coast and a National Historic Landmark．It was designed by architect Julia Morgan for William Randolph Hearst from 1919 until 1947．In 1957 , the Hearst Corporation donated thefortune to the state of California．Since that time it has been maintained as a state historic park where the estate and its considerable collection of art and antiques are open for public tours．Despite its location far from any urban center, the site attracts roughly one million visitors per year．
Guided Tours
There are several tours which highlight various parts of the castle and gardens．
●Tour One is recommended for first time visitor．It now includes the movie, Hearst Castle Building the Dream．
●Tour Two gives visitors a closer look at the main house's upper floors, Mr. Hearst's private suite, the libraries, and the kitchen．
●Tour Three looks at the Castle's North Wing, guest rooms and guest house Casa Del Monte．
●Tour Four features the impressive gardens and grounds, the largest guesthouse, the wine basement, and the Hidden Terrace．
●The evening tour is a special tour that allows visitors to experience the Castle at night as one of the Hearst's own visitors might have．
Ticket Prices
Hearst Castle accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover．Free day use parking is available for automobiles, motorcycles, tour buses and recreational vehicles．
| TOURS |
ADULT |
Ages 6 – 17 |
| Experience Tour |
$24 |
$12 |
| Tours 2, 3 or 4 |
$ 24 |
$ 12 |
| Evening tour |
$30 |
$15 |
* Children under 6 are free when accompanied by a paying adult．
Reservation Information
While tickets may be purchased at the Visitor Center upon arrival, tour reservations are strongly recommended and may be reserved online now or by calling 1 - 800 - 444 - 4445, see below for times．
| Reservation Call Center Hours |
||
| Dates |
Monday-Friday |
Saturday-Sunday |
| March-September |
8AM to 6PM |
8AM to 6PM |
| October-February |
9AM to 5PM |
9AM to 3PM |
Visit www. Hearstcastle. org for more information．If you are quite interested in wine, which tour will you choose?
| A．Tour One． | B．Tour Two． |
| C．Tour Three． | D．Tour Four． |
If a young couple take Tour One with their 5-year-old son, how much will they pay for the tickets?
| A．36． | B．60． | C．48． | D．75． |
Which of the following is the available time to book tickets by phone?
| A．At 8 AM on Monday in February． |
| B．At 9 AM on Sunday in March． |
| C．At 7 PM on Friday in September． |
| D．At 6 PM on Saturday in October． |
Christmas is perhaps the most important holiday in American culture. On Christmas Eve, children sit out with parents in the living room hanging stockings, setting up a Christmas tree, eating candy canes, and setting up milk and cookies for Santa Claus. Perhaps the most beloved figure in American history, Santa Claus has become an important icon for Christmas.
I remember believing in Santa when I was a very young girl. However, as I grew older, I learned many facts that “proved” his existence as false. Always inquisitive by nature and very keen on the scientific method of experimentation, I was determined to use tests and observations to determine whether Santa Claus was real.
The first year of tests happened when I was 5. I decided that if I stayed up all night on Christmas Eve, I could see if Santa really did come down the chimney. However, that was a futile attempt, I fell asleep that year. The next year, I was able to test if location was an issue with Santa’s deliveries. That year, my family spent Christmas with the family of one of my mother’s friends. At the time, I decided that if Santa was all-knowing he would know I wasn’t home. Sure enough, there was a pretty pink package waiting for me the next morning. At age 7, I came up with my ultimate test to see if Santa was real. That year, I didn’t send out my Christmas letter to Santa. On Christmas Eve, my mother dragged me to our local Wal-Mart and led me around the toy section. I refused to say a word, but did let my eye linger on a ballet set. I figured that “Santa” wouldn’t know what to get me because he shouldn’t be able to read my mind. However, mother would know everything that caught my eye in the store. If I got the ballet set the next morning, I would have my evidence. Christmas morning, there was the ballet set, sitting under the tree. As I didn’t use it much, mother ended up returning it a few days later. She claimed Santa was generous enough to leave a receipt. That was the end to my mission to discover the existence of Santa.
Now, I can look back on all of these with fond nostalgia(怀旧). The magic and mystery of it all made Christmas a fun time. Santa was a big part of my childhood.Children do all the things on Christmas Eve except______
set up a Christmas tree
hang stockings and eat candy canes
prepare milk and cookies for Santa Claus
wait for Santa Claus with their parentsThe underlined word “futile” means____
| A．unreal | B．unusual |
| C．unsuccessful | D．unreasonable |
How did the writer prove the existence of Santa Claus as false?
| A．He stayed up all night on Christmas Eve and saw Santa come down the chimney. |
| B．He found that Santa was all-knowing and could make the deliveries accurate |
| C．He didn’t send out his Christmas letter but still got his Christmas present |
| D．He used the receipt left by Santa to return his present |
The writer wants to tell us that_____
| A．He proved the existence of Santa Claus as false. |
| B．Christmas and Santa is a part of his life as well as his child |
| C．Christmas plays an important role in American culture |
| D．Santa Claus is the most popular figure in American history |
If you can see the magic in a fairytale, you can face the future.” —Danielle Steel
Who have not read fairytales? We all have had the experience of reveling in the beauty and innocence of fairytales. May it be Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty... fairytale is a word which cannot be new to us. But have you ever traveled ages back to the earliest of times and uncovered the fascinating facts about these stories? Well, if not, then here are some mystical finds I discovered when I undertook this journey.
A fairytale or fairy story is a fictional tale that usually features folkloric characters (such as fairies, talking animals). A fairytale often stars transformed princes, princesses, animals, as in “fairytale ending” where the humble but heroic princes defeat the wicked enemies or as in “fairytale romance” where after much ado the beautiful princesses marry their Prince Charming.
One distinct feature of fairytales is that, they take place “once upon a time”. The history of the fairytale is particularly difficult to trace. The oral tradition of the fairytale came long before the written page. The oldest known fairytales stem from ancient Egypt around 1,300 B.C and now, after traveling through various periods of time, they have grown and matured in various aspects and have become the most popular genre of stories for young children.
The most famous authors of fairytales are the Grimm Brothers whose works include Cinderella, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and many more; The Grimm Brothers collected their tales from farmers and edited them to suit their audience.
But whatever may the form be, fairytales are after all fairytales! G. K. Chesterton said, “Fairytales do not tell children the dragons exist; they tell the dragons can be killed.” This quote has great weight. Every child believes in fairies, dragons, etc. They do not need fairytales to tell them that. Instead fairytales tell that good always succeed over evil. So fairytales are necessary for young minds.
Fairytales are narrated to children when they are young. This is very essential indeed, for if in the beginning of our lives our minds are touched by the beauty, innocence and the morals in these tales, we will be able to trace the optimistic side of happenings. The fairies are like our wildest dreams, which seem unreachable but we can make them plausible（真实的）.What does paragraph 2 mainly tell us?
| A．The definition of fairytale. |
| B．The characters in the fairytale. |
| C．The brief introduction of fairytale. |
| D．The plot of the fairytale. |
What implies in the passage?
| A．The fairytale first appeared as a written form. |
| B．The spoken form of fairytale came earlier than the written form. |
| C．The fairytale came from ancient Egypt and hasn’t changed much since then |
| D．The fairytale always begins with “once upon a time”. |
By saying “Fairytales do not tell children the dragons exist; they tell the dragons can be killed.”, G. K. Chesterton meant________.
| A．the dragons are evil things |
| B．good always win over evil |
| C．every child believes the existence of the dragon |
| D．every child can know how to kill a dragon from the fairytale |
What does the writer think about the fairytale?
| A．He believes that we can make fairytale come ture. |
| B．He thinks the fairytale makes no difference to our lives. |
| C．He feels doubtful of the fairytale. |
| D．He thinks the fairytale is unreachable. |