Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品) of technological developments in the space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?
A.To express his doubts |
B.To compare different ideas |
C.To introduce points for discussion |
D.To describe the conditions on earth. |
What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?
A.Humans are nature-born to do so. |
B.Humans have the tendency to fight |
C.Humans may find new sources of food. |
D.Humans don’t like to stay in the same place. |
The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.
A.survival chances | B.potential resources |
C.unexpected benefits | D.physical possessions |
What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?
A.Our genetic makeup. |
B.Resources on the earth. |
C.The adaptive ability of humans |
D.By-products in space exploration. |
Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?
A.Space exploration has created many wonders. |
B.Space exploration provided the best value for money. |
C.Space exploration allows resources to be found. |
D.Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth. |
Scientists say the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere has begun to affect plant and animal life a
round the world. Scientists from the University of Hanover in Germany reported their findings in Nature. They say global warming is affecting endangered species, sea life, and the change in seasonal activities of organisms. Global warming is caused by carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere.
Studies show that the Earth’s climate has warmed by about six tenths of one degree Celsius during the past one hundred years. Most of the increase has taken place in the last thirty years. German scientists have studied different animal and plant population around the world during the past thirty years. They say some species will disappear because they cannot move to new areas when their home climate gets too warm.
The scientists say one of the biggest signs of climate change has been the worldwide decrease in coral reefs. Rising temperatures in the world’s warm ocean waters have caused coral to lose color and die. In the coldest areas of the world, winter freezing periods are now happening later and ending earlier. Researchers say these changes are having severe effects on animals such as penguins, seals, and polar bears.
Changes in temperature and wetness in the air can also affect the reproduction (繁殖) of some reptiles(爬行动物) and amphibians(两栖动物). For example, the sex of baby turtles is linked to the average temperature in July. Scientists say even small temperature increases can threaten the production of male turtles.
In Europe, scientists say warmer temperatures are affecting the spring and autumn seasons. This is affecting the growth of plants and delaying the flight of birds from one place to another.
Scientists are concerned about invasions of warm weather species into traditionally colder areas. Rising temperature has been linked with the spread of diseases in areas such as Asia, East Africa, and Latin America.
44. The best title for this passage would be __________.
A. Effects of Global Warming B. Temperature and Animals
C. Global Warming and the Environment D. A Study on the Environment
45. According to the passage, global warming is affecting all of the following, EXCEPT _________.
A. endangered speciesB. sea life
C. activities of organismsD. the color of turtles
46. We can learn from this passage that _________.
A. the speed of the earth’s warming is faster now than 50 years ago
B. more animal species will soon come into being
C. animals will refuse to move to warm places in the future
D. cold areas have gained more heat than warm places
47. If the temperature in the Arctic Ocean keeps going up, which of the following will be most likely to happen?
A. More and more people will come to live near the Arctic Ocean.
B. More crops will be grown near the Arctic Ocean.
C. Animals from warm areas will come to live in the Arctic Ocean.
D. There will be more and more fish in the Arctic Ocean.
Recently a Beijing father sent in a question at an Internet forum (论坛) asking what "PK" meant. "My family has been watching the 'Super Girl' singing competition TV program. My little daughter asked me what 'PK' meant, but I had no idea," explained the puzzled father.
To a lot of Chinese young people who have been playing games online, it is impossible not to know this term. In such Internet games, "PK" is short for "Player Kill", in which two players fight until one ends the life of the other.
In the case of the "Super Girl" singing competition, "PK" was used to refer to the stage where two singers have to compete with each other for only one chance to go up in competition ranking.
Like this father, Chinese teachers at high schools have also been finding their students' compositions using Internet jargons (行话) which are difficult to understand. A high school teacher from Tianjin asked her students to write compositions with simple language, but they came up with a lot of Internet jargons that she didn't understand.
"My 'GG' came back this summer from college. He told me I've grown up to be a 'PLMM'. He always took me to the 'KPM'," went one composition.
"GG" means Ge Ge (Chinese pinyin for brother). "PLMM" refers to Piao Liang Mei Mei (beautiful girl). "KPM" is short for KFC, Pizza Hut and McDonald's.
Some specialists welcome Internet jargons as a new development in language. If you do not even know what a Kong Long (dinosaur, referring to an ugly looking female) or a Qing Wa (frog, referring to an ugly looking male) is, you will possibly be regarded as a Cai Niao!
40. By writing the article, the writer tries to ________.
A. expose some Internet languageB. suggest common Internet language
C. laugh at the Beijing father D. draw our attention to Internet language
41. What does the writer think about the term "PK"?
A. Fathers can't possibly know it. B. The daughter should understand it.
C. Online game players may know it. D. "Super Girl" shouldn't have used it.
42. The examples of the Beijing father and the Tianjin teacher are used to show
that Internet jargons________.
A. are used not only online B. can be understood very well
C. are welcomed by all the people D. cause trouble to our mother tongue
43. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. A puzzled father B. Do you speak Internet-ish?
C. Keep away from Internet-ish D. Kong Long or Qing Wa?
第二部分:阅读理解 (共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
第一节:阅读下列文章,根据文章内容,从文后所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳答案。
Last year my wife and I spent a most interesting month in Turkey. Before we left, we were reminded of the difficulties of driving in Turkey. We certainly did not find this to be the case and, except for a few places in faraway mountain areas, the roads were wide, and well-paved (铺). We drove for 12 days along the Western Coast of Turkey and had no problems at all. We found the Turkish drivers most polite and well educated. We also found that eating lunch in the smaller towns was difficult so we picnicked almost every day.
The following day after our arrival was Turkey’s Children’s Day, started by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Ataturk loved children and he often said, “Children are a new beginning of tomorrow”. He even dedicated the day 23rd of April to the children. Today, it is celebrated as Children’s Day as well as the date when the Republic of Turkey was founded.
On that day certain children are picked to take over the places of the government, and a lucky kid will be the president of Turkey for a whole day. He can decide what’s going to happen and whether or not he is going to have the president sit next to him. There are a very large number of things you can do but some shops aren’t open because they are celebrating as well.
All in all, it was a more enjoyable trip. I would recommend a trip to Turkey to anyone with an adventurous spirit!
36. Before the author and his wife went on a trip to Turkey, they were told that
_____.
A. it was difficult to travel in Turkey
B. it was not easy to drive in Turkey
C. the streets in Turkey were dangerous
D. there were many mountainous roads
37. Which of the following is TRUE, according to the first paragraph?
A. Places in mountain areas were difficult to reach.
B. The couple drove for 12 days during their journey.
C. The Turkish drivers had good manners.
D. It was difficult to eat meals in Turkey.
38. The underlined word “he” in the third paragraph refers to ______.
A. every one of us B. the government
C. the president of Turkey D. the lucky child
39. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. The couple had no difficulty making their way in Turkey.
B. Turkey’s National Day was the 22nd of April.
C. The author joined in celebrating Children’s Day.
D. On Turkey’s Children’s Day everyone had a holiday.
American researchers say drinking tea may help strengthen the body’s defense system against infection(感染).Doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston,Massachusetts,did the study.The team studied a chemical found in black,green,oolong and pekoe tea This chemical is an amino acid(氨基酸)called L-theanine.The scientists say it may increase the strength of Gamma delta T cells,which are part of the body’s defenses.
First,the researchers mixed some of these cells with antigens(抗原)found in the amino acid Antigens help the body react to infection.Then the scientists added some bacteria(细菌).
Within twenty-four hours,the cells produced a lot of interferon,a substance that fights infection Cells not mixed with the antigens did not produce interferon.
In the second part of the study,eleven people drank five to six cups of black tea every day.Ten other people drank the same amount of instant coffee.That is dried coffee mixed with hot water.
Two weeks later,and again two weeks after that,the researchers tested the blood of all twenty-one people.They also looked at what happened when they added bacteria to the blood cells.They found that the tea drinkers produced five times more interferon after they started drinking tea The coffee drinkers did not produce interferon.
Doctor Jack Bukowski led the study He says the antigens added to the Gamma delta T cells were responsible for the increased reaction to the bacteria.He says the study also showed that the cells were able to remember the bacteria and fight them again the next time.
Earlier research already has found that tea can help prevent heart disease and cancer Doctor Bukowski says the new study must be repeated with more people.If the findings prove to be true,he says,then tea drinking might also help protect against bacterial infections.He says the amino acid L-theanine could be removed from tea and used as a drug to strengthen the body’s defenses.
73.We may know from the text that can be found in different kinds of tea.
A.Gamma delta T cells B.L-theanine
C.interferon D.bacteria
74.Tea may help strengthen the body’s defense system because it helps.
A.the body to produce more interferon
B.the body to produce more Gamma delta T cells
C.to add some bacteria to the blood cells
D.to mix antigens with some of the cells in the body
75.According to Dr Bukowski,.
A.the findings of the study have already proved to be true
B.he bas taken some amino acid L-theanine from tea and made a drug with it
C.further study is needed to prove the findings true
D.he is not sure whether tea can help prevent heart disease and cancer
Jeanne Calment, a French woman, became a record breaker on 17 October of 1995, when at the age of 120 years and 238 days, she became the longest-lived human being on record. A Japanese man died in 1986 at the age of 120 years and 237 days.
Jeanne Calment lives in a small old people’s home in the south of France; her husband, her only child and her grandson have all died. She is nearly blind and deaf and is always in a wheelchair, but her doctor describes her as being more like a 90-year-old in good health than someone of 120.She still has a lively sense of humor. When asked on her 120th birthday what she expected of the future, she replied: A very short one. She also remarked that she thought the good Lord had forgotten all about her.
So what is the key to a long life? According to some doctors, diet, exercise and no smoking are the three important factors. Jeanne Calment has followed two of the tips(窍门). She has always eaten a healthy diet, and she used to do exercises every day until she broke her leg at the age of 115.However, until recently she drank two glassed of strong red wine a day, and she does smoke (now only a little). Besides, Jeanne Calment might have got very good genes(基因) from her parents. Her father lived to the age of 94 and her mother to 86.
A local lawyer bought her house when she was 80 under an agreement that he would pay her some money every year until her death. It must have seemed a good move at the time, but so far the lawyer has paid her at least three times the value of the house. Every year on her birthday Jeanne Calment sends him a card saying:
Sorry, I’m still alive!
69.How does Jeanne Calment feel about her old age?
A. She is miserable and unhappy.
B. She is cheerful and humorous.
C. She would like to live much longer.
D. She feels she is going to die very soon.
70.Jeanne Calment owes her good health and long life to _______.
A. smoking only a little every day
B. her giving up smoking and drinking
C. drinking two glasses of strong red wine every day
D. the good genes from her parents, a healthy diet and some exercises
71.Which of the following could best replace the word “move” in the fourth paragraph?
A. deal B.trick C.march D.sport
72.Why does Jeanne Calment say “Sorry, I’m still alive” to the local lawyer every year on her birthday?
A. Because she had an agreement at 80 with the lawyer which was to her advantage.
B. Because she has asked the lawyer to pay her more rent than they first agreed.
C. Because the lawyer has paid her much more money than the value of the house.
D. Because the house she sold to the lawyer isn’t worth the money he has already paid.