Many people have heard stories of the California gold rush during the 19th century, when lots of people went there in search for gold. Panning (淘洗) for gold has a rich and interesting history. Nowadays some people continue to pan for gold in California. Although it cannot be regarded as a method for earning income, taking on gold-panning as a hobby can give you a feeling of being in the old west and get you out into nature.
The only tool that is required to pan for gold is a gold pan. You can use a regular old flat pan, but “officially” gold pans are quite cheap so you may as well buy one that is made for the task. Most sold pans come in either plastic or medal.
Once you have your pan you will want to start practicing your gold panning technique. Panning for gold works because gold is much heavier than most rocks. To pan for gold you add rock and dirt form the bottom of a stream to your pan and then gently let water flow through the pan. The lighter-weight rocks are slowly swept away while any gold will be left behind in the pan.
To start panning for gold, first you will need to find a good location. Try checking maps of your area and old history books to find location where there were gold mines in the past. Even though most of the gold have already been removed, there are likely to be small leftovers that you can find. Once you have found an area that looks promising, look for any small stream or river where you can try out panning for gold.
Panning for gold requires patience and it may be a long time before you hit anything of value. However, it is an enjoyable hobby and provides a great opportunity to get outdoors, so don’t give up too quickly.What is Paragraph 4 mainly about?
| A．Where to pan for gold. |
| B．How gold-panning works. |
| C．What tools are needed. |
| D．A promising area for panning. |
What is the author’s attitude toward modern gold-planning?
| A．Opposed. | B．Indifferent . | C．Positive. | D．Neutral . |
In which part of a newspaper would you probably find this article?
| A．Lifestyle. | B．Health. | C．Travel. | D．Sports. |
Over 500 dogs being delivered to a butcher house were saved by a Chinese animal protection organization.
The incident then triggered debate among Chinese netizens about the necessity of pouring so much money and efforts into saving dogs.
On Friday, a truck loaded with over 500 dogs were stopped by volunteers from animal protection organization on Jingha Expressway Beijing section.
Beijing Times reported these dogs were being delivered to slaughter houses in the city of Changchun, northeast Jilin Province and would be eventually served on dinner tables.
After negotiations with the truck driver, pet service provider Leepet Holding Corp. and a philanthropic foundation, Shang shan Foundation purchased these dogs, each paying 50,000 yuan. Dogs were then delivered to the eadquarter of China Small Animal Protection Association (CSAPA), being taken care of and waiting for adoption.
After the “dog saving mission” was reported, Chinese net users debate over whether saving dogs worth so much efforts and money while there are still many poor and needy people in China lacking assistance.
Some net users argue the “dog saving mission” is placing overt attention to animals while lots of needy people are still left unattended.
A microblogger “Xiaowulaitajie” said on China's twitter like website, weibo.com, “Dogs are saved, adopted and they attracted media spotlight. We'd better spend such money and take such efforts in helping the needy people.”
Another microblogger, Liluping, said “We poured such huge sum of money into saving dogs. I would rather the money be spent on disaster relief.”
Some applaud volunteers' actions and show eagerness of offering their helping hands to those saved dogs.
Still many disapprove those “saving dogs” critics, but they argue that such act nonetheless promotes social progress.
A microblogger named “broken bridge” said, saving dogs does not run counter to taking care of people. Such enthusiasm in public affairs will help raise social awareness in helping the needy.
I think people and animals are created equal. Attention should be paid to people as well as animals.Where did the article come from?
| A．A storybook. | B．A novel. |
| C．Internet. | D．A magazine. |
Which one has the similar meaning to the underlined phrase “run counter to” in the last but one paragraph?
| A．meet with | B．go against |
| C．agree with | D．come across |
Whose opinion is closest to the writer's?
| A．Some net users'. | B．Broken bridge's. |
| C．Liluping's. | D．Xiaowulaitajie's. |
The following statements are TRUE except _______.
| A．All the people don't think it right to save these dogs with so much money. |
| B．More than 25,000,000 yuan was given to the truck driver to purchase these dogs. |
| C．These dogs were finally saved and sent back to their owners. |
| D．Some people think it better to spend the money in helping the needy people. |
Would it surprise you to learn that, like animals, trees communicate with each other and pass on their wealth to the next generation?
UBC Professor Simard explains how trees are much more complex than most of us ever imagined. Although Charles Darwin thought that trees are competing for survival of the fittest, Simard shows just how wrong he was. In fact, the opposite is true: trees survive through their co-operation and support, passing around necessary nutrition “depending on who needs it”.
Nitrogen（氮）and carbon are shared through miles of underground fungi（真菌）networks, making sure that all trees in the forest ecological system give and receive just the right amount to keep them all healthy. This hidden system works in a very similar way to the networks of neurons（神经元）in our brains, and when one tree is destroyed, it affects all.
Simard talks about “mother trees”, usually the largest and oldest plants on which all other trees depend. She explains how dying trees pass on the wealth to the next generation, transporting important minerals to young trees so they may continue to grow. When humans cut down “mother trees” with no awareness of these highly complex “tree societies” or the networks on which they feed, we are reducing the chances of survival for the entire forest.
“We didn't take any notice of it.” Simard says sadly. “Dying trees move nutrition into the young trees before dying, but we never give them chance.” If we could put across the message to the forestry industry, we could make a huge difference towards our environmental protection efforts for the future.What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Old Trees Communicate Like Humans |
| B．Young Trees Are In Need Of Protection |
| C．Trees Contribute To Our Society |
| D．Trees Are More Complex Than You Think |
In Simard's opinion, trees _______.
| A．compete for survival | B．protect their own wealth |
| C．depend on each other | D．provide support for dying trees |
We can learn from the passage that.
| A．“mother trees” are usually of no use to other trees. |
| B．Charles Darwin had the same thought as Simard. |
| C．if “mother trees” are cut down, the survival for the entire forest will be affected. |
| D．people know much about the complex “tree societies”. |
The underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refers to .
| A．how “tree societies” work |
| B．how trees grow old |
| C．how forestry industry develops |
| D．how young trees survive |
Everyone's at it, even my neighbors. I thought I might be the only person left in the world who hadn't done an eBay deal. So I decided to try my hand at online auction.
Buying for beginners: Sign up on www.eBay.co.uk. Most items (e.g. tables, computers, and books) ready for auction will come with a picture and a short description; others may be marked with “Buy It Now” and have a fixed price. You can buy these right away.
If the item is being auctioned, you offer the highest price you are prepared to pay and eBay bids for you.The bid will be increased little by little until it goes beyond your highest bid, then you are emailed and asked if you would like to bid again. Auctions last up to 10 days, and when they finish you get an email telling you whether you have won the item.
How to pay: Sellers decide how they would like to be paid and you need to check this before placing a bid as you might not want to post a cheque or postal orders. The easiest way is through PayPal, an online payment system that takes the money away from your credit card.
Selling made simple: If you plan to sell on eBay, it helps to include a picture of the item.I followed my friends' advice and put up the items I wanted to sell for a 10-day auction, starting on a Thursday.This way buyers had two weekends to bid.
The big things in life: It's easy to post a small item, but furniture is a big part of eBay and this has to be collected or sent by delivery men.Check the ways of delivery before you bid.The passage suggests that a buyer ________.
| A．has more than one chance to bid |
| B．should make payment immediately |
| C．can only buy one item |
| D．must give the credit card to the seller |
The easiest way of making payment mentioned in the passage is ______.
| A．through an online payment system |
| B．through a local bank system |
| C．by sending the money to the seller |
| D．by paying the delivery man directly |
Which of the following statements is true?
| A．Big items can't be sold on eBay. |
| B．Including a picture of the item for sale helps make the selling simple. |
| C．Sellers can only be paid in one way. |
| D．Most items ready for auction don't have a picture. |
What is the passage mainly about?
| A．How to make payment online. |
| B．Ways of making delivery online. |
| C．Advantages of an online auction system. |
| D．How to use an online auction system. |
Last week I was riding my special motorbike and then stopped at a convenience store. As I was getting my wheelchair off the back, a man watched me from his car and I noticed a wheelchair in his back seat. We spoke for a moment and I asked him about the wheelchair. He answered that it was for his daughter. “Well, do you think she would like to go for a ride on my motorbike with me?” I asked. He seemed shocked that a total stranger would ask him this. He thought about it for a second and said, “OK, as long as I can follow you.”
He introduced me to Amy and he sat her on my back seat. Her father followed me for a few miles and she talked non-stop about what she wanted for Christmas. As we came back to the convenience store, she said, “This ride is the best Christmas present I could ever receive. I have been in a wheelchair my whole life and didn't know I could do this.” I told her about some of the other things I do (ski, travel the world by myself, etc.). As her father was taking her off my bike, she turned to him and said, “Oh Daddy, I'm going to be OK. Mr. Bryant does all kinds of things, and I will too.” Her father turned away as a tear of joy rolled down his cheek. He hugged me and said, “I was sitting here praying for a gift for Amy that would encourage her. She often felt that her life was dull compared to other children. God answered my prayer just now. Now I pray that God will bless you for your gift to Amy today.” I believed what he said. Being kind and thoughtful to others, we can be an answer to prayer.How did the father feel at first when the author invited his daughter for a ride?
| A．He was happy because his daughter could gain excitement. |
| B．He was moved because the author offered to help his daughter. |
| C．He felt surprised because he didn’t know the author. |
| D．He felt nervous because he was worried about his daughter's safety. |
According to the passage, the girl ____________.
| A．used to be a completely healthy person |
| B．was inspired by the author's experiences |
| C．was satisfied with her life |
| D．was unwilling to communicate with a stranger |
What was the author's gift to Amy according to the girl's father?
| A．The motorbike | B．The wheelchair |
| C．The blessing | D．The ride |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．The author usually drove too fast |
| B．The author worked in a convenience store |
| C．The author often offered strangers a ride on his motorbike |
| D．The author was a man with disability |
For one tired out from work, autumn is one of the best times to step into the open air to kick back and enjoy some great music. And that’s what many Beijingers have done this past weekend.
Family, friends, laughter; beautiful grass, fresh air and live music echoing (回响) off the forest and the Great Wall that surround this place. A weekend in this music paradise（乐园） just seems too short. Besides, a brand new world-class outdoor theater has just been open at this year’s festival, which will surely make the festival a better and more permanent experience.
A full house is before the new outdoor amphitheater (圆形剧场). Even the thunderstorm couldn’t break up the crowd completely absorbed in the music. Thanks to the new theater, this year’s Great Wall Forest Festival offers even more superb acoustics（音效的）and an overall outdoor theatrical experience, even though the project is still half complete.
The festival is now in its fourth year. Since its first show in 2010, the festival has seen a steady increase in festival-goers and has expanded its length from two days to four days, divided over two weekends. It has also been experimenting with a variety of styles, from classical to pop, with this year’s theme “Celebrating 20 Years of Chinese Folk Song.” Folk Song legend Lao Lang explains how folk songs have helped encourage more amateur folks to express themselves through music.
“Before music was reserved for the professionals. But folk songs made young people realize that they can express themselves through music as well. And that’s what characterizes folk songs. It’s popular music and it always has a story.” said Lao Lang.
Unlike some of the other outdoor festivals, the Great Wall Forest Festival appeals to a wide range of audiences. It’s a rare place where teens, parents and families can all enjoy the outdoors and have a great time.
Great music and scenery aside, many children’s workshops, master music classes, and interactive art activities have also been introduced this year. If music is the reason to come to the festivals, you’ll find even more reasons not to leave.What is the meaning of the underlined phrase “kick back” in Paragraph 1?
| A．to hit with legs. | B．to work harder |
| C．to relax oneself | D．to make people leave |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．The place where the Festival is held is near the Great Wall. |
| B．The completed project adds to the attraction of this year’s Festival. |
| C．The audience attending the festival bury themselves in the music. |
| D．The year 2010 saw the beginning of the Great Wall Forest Festival. |
The 2014 Great Wall Forest Festival has got improved in the following aspects except that _________.
| A．it has included different types of music |
| B．it has attracted a wide range of audiences |
| C．it has introduced more activities besides music |
| D．it has been expanded from 2 days to 4 days in a week |
According to Lao Lang, we can know that _________.
| A．folk songs can help amateur singers become famous easily |
| B．folk songs are the ones just intended for the professionals |
| C．a folk song, always with a story, belongs to popular music |
| D．popular songs are used by the young to express themselves |