Without most people realizing it, there has been a revolution in office work over the last ten years. Before that time, large computers were only used by large, rich companies that could afford the investment. With the advancement of technology, small computers have come onto the market, which are capable of doing the work that used to be done by much larger and expensive computers, so now most smaller companies can use them
The main development in small computers has been in the field of word processors(处理器), or WPS as they are often called. 60% of British offices are now estimated to have a word processor and this percentage is growing fast.
There are many advantages in using a word processor for both secretary and manager. The secretary is freed from a lot of daily work, such as re-typing letters and storing papers. He or she can use this time to do other more interesting work for the boss. From a manager’s point of view, secretarial time is being made better use of and money can be saved by doing daily jobs automatically outside office hours.
But is it all good? If a lot of daily secretarial work can be done automatically, surely this will mean that fewer secretaries will be needed. Another worry is the increasing medical problems related to work with visual display units(显示器). The case of a slow loss of sight among people using word processors seems to have risen greatly. It is also feared that if a woman works at a VDU for long hours, the unborn child in her body might be killed. Safety screens to put over a VDU have been invented but few companies in England bother to buy them.
Whatever the arguments for and against word processor, they are a key feature of this revolution in office practice.Ten years ago, smaller companies did not use large computers because_________.
A.these companies had not enough money to buy such expensive computers |
B.these computers could not do the work that small computers can do today |
C.these computers did not come onto the market |
D.these companies did not need to use this new technology |
According to the writer, the main feature of the revolution in office work over the last ten years is __________.
A.the saving of time and money |
B.the use of computers in small companies |
C.the wide use of word processors |
D.the decreasing number of secretaries |
It is implied in the passage that with the use of word processors _________.
A.some secretaries will lose their jobs |
B.daily jobs can be done automatically outside office hours |
C.medical problems related to work with a VDU have increased greatly |
D.the British companies will make less money |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A.There are both advantages and disadvantages in using a word processor. |
B.The British companies care much for the health of the people using word processors. |
C.The technology in the field of computers has been greatly advanced over the last ten years. |
D.Using word processors, secretaries can get more time to do more interesting work for their bosses. |
It can be concluded from the passage that ________.
A.safety screens are of poor quality |
B.working at a VDU for a long time is good for one’s health |
C.more and more British offices will use word processors |
D.British companies will need fewer and fewer managers |
When I looked at the grade on my math paper my jaw almost dropped to the ground: a big “65” in bright red ink. I had never received such a terrible grade before.
I was so ashamed that when I got home that afternoon I lied to my dad. I told him I got 85 and that the report wouldn’t come until the end of the month. Dad smiled. His daughter would never lie about her grade, so he didn’t doubt the unusual delay of my report.
A month later, Dad casually asked me again about the report at the dinner table. He looked right into my eyes and asked for an answer. Having no choice, I told him that I had in fact got just 65 in my math final. I had lied because I didn’t want to let him down.
For a moment, he just looked at me. I would have preferred a telling off than that silence. Finally, Dad said, in a hurt voice, “You have already let me down, with your lie. I am not disappointed at your math score. That is no big deal – no one can be perfect all the time. But I am very disappointed in you. If you can’t be honest with your dad, who can you be honest with? It’s much easier to achieve a better grade than rebuild someone else’s trust in you.”
Dad’s words touched my heart. I couldn’t forgive myself for having hurt his feelings. I took out the report that I had been hiding for weeks, handed to him and apologized, sincerely. I realized that my honesty is not only important to me personally, but to those around me that truly care about my well-being.
In one of Shakespeare’s plays a character says: “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” After the crisis between Dad and me, I began to understand those words..The first paragraph may suggest that the author ______.
A.was punished by her father for a bad grade |
B.never expected teachers to give her bad grades |
C.usually got a higher grade |
D.was bad at math |
.The author lied to her father because ______.
A.she thought her father would believe her story |
B.she didn’t want to let her father down |
C.her father wouldn’t get her grade report |
D.her father got angry whenever she got a poor grade |
.Why did her father stay silent after his daughter told him that she had lied?
A.He didn’t understand what his daughter had said. |
B.He was angry that his daughter lied to him again. |
C.He was unhappy with his daughter’s bad score. |
D.He was hurt that his daughter had lied to him. |
.The purpose of the article is to tell us that ______.
A.dishonesty may work sometimes, but there is a price to pay |
B.sometimes a lie can make things easier |
C.we should study hard to make our parents happy |
D.we should accept the fact that we are not perfect |
In 1981, there were more than 1.3 million elephants in Africa. But in 1991, that number was cut down to 600,000. African elephants are hunted for their valuable ivory tusks(象牙). More have been killed by poachers(偷猎者). Poachers are hunters who kill animals illegally. An adult(成年) elephant eats as much as 300 pounds a day. In their search for food, elephants oft
en move great distances. When they cannot find the grasses they prefer, they may strip(剥光) the land of trees.
Today, the area in which elephants herds live is smaller than it used to be. Many areas in their path have been turned into farms. And some elephants have been killed by f
armers for trampling(践踏)their crops.
What can we do here in our country about a threatened animal that lives so far away? Our government has passed a law to protect it. People cannot import or bring in items made from ivory or any part of the elephant’s body.
Most countries throughout the world have also stopped ivory imports. It is hoped that the ban(禁令) on the sale of ivory will help save the African elephant. But the world’s largest land animal needs other help. The countries where these animals live are often poor and unable to manage the herds. If the elephant is to survive, this animal is going to need our support for many years to come.The number of the elephant in Africa in 1991 was .
A.the same as that ten years ago | B.more than that ten years ago |
C.a little less than half of that in 1981 | D.a little more than half of that in 1981 |
African elephants have been killed mainly because _____.
A.they eat a lot | B.they have beautiful tusks |
C.poachers kill for fun | D.there are too many of them |
The areas where African elephants live are much smaller today because ___.
A.they tend to live in herds |
B.there are not so many of them today |
C.many of these areas have been t![]() |
D.farmers have been killing them to save their crops |
It is mentioned in the passage that our country has ____.
A.officially stopped ivory imports |
B.banned the killing of elephants in Africa |
C.threatened the elephants that live far away |
D.helped the African countries where elephants live |
Which of the f
ollowing statements is TRUE?
A.Poachers have a license(执照) to hunt for animals. |
B.Elephants do a lot of good for the![]() |
C.We live too far away to help to save the African elephants. |
D.The African elephant needs the world’s support for its s![]() |
It was on a warm day last summer. I was walking by the sea. The waves came and went. But I didn’t see them. I was lost in my thoughts.
A row of small holes soon caught my eyes. They lay in the sandy earth by the side of a road. In a minute I would have stepped on them.
What are these holes? I wondered. It had an answer soon. A fat, hairy insect crawled up from the earth. It had a wide tail. It was using the tail to dig in the ground.
The insect moved round and round in one spot(地点). Soon it had made another hole. When it was finished, the insect hid at the bottom. It covered its head with sand.
By now my thoughts of the early morning had gone. This new hole and the insect were all my world. So I sat quite still by the side of the road. And I waited.
As I watched, a small ant crossed the road. It passed my foot, and then it crossed the sandy earth. In a little while it reached the edge of the hole. I saw it start to fall in. The ant tried to turn back. But it couldn’t.
And then I knew. I knew why the holes were there. For just then the fat insect came up out of the hole. It ate the ant who was trapped there.
Later I learned the insect’s name. It’s called ant lion. It digs holes to catch ants.
I’ll never forget that day. The holes looked so small to me. But to the ant and the ant lion they were the whole world.
I took my walks by the sea that summer. But I never again learned as much as I did on the one.
What did the ant lion use to dig holes?
A.Its tail | B.Its feet. | C.Its head | D.Its whole body |
Why did the ant lion hide in the hole?
A.To keep the sun away | B.So no one would catch it. |
C.So the ant wouldn’t see it | D.To ke![]() |
Why did “I” sit down by the side of the road?
A.To think | B.To eat her lunch |
C.To watch the little holes | D.To catch ants. |
Why did the ant lion dig the holes?
A.To play a game | B.To catch its food |
C.To hide its eggs | D.To hide from its enemy |
Why did “I” never forget that day?
A.Learned something | B.Had a nice time |
C.Saw the ant lion whenever she took a walk | |
D.Felt sorry for the ant. |
Dick was a twenty-year-old man. His father was a teacher and taught chemistry in a middle school and his mother worked in a shop. They lived a happy life until his parents died one night when suddenly an earthquake broke out. Luckily his sister took him to see their aunt in the city and they did not stay at home. Everything was destroyed in the earthquake and the two children got into trouble. Thanks to their aunt who was not rich enough, they grew up but they lived a hard life. His sister was so sad that she became a nun(修女). After he finished middle school, he was introduced to an owner of a hotel and began to work there.
One day the young man fell to the ground while he was cleaning a window on the second floor. He was sent to the hospital and the doctor looked him over. One of his legs was broken and he had to be in hospital. He said to the nur
se, “I’m a poor man, madam. Arrange a third-class ward(病房) for me, please.”
“Can’t anybody help you?”
“No, madam,” answered Dick. “I have only a sister. She’s a nun and she’s poor, too.”
“I don’t think so,” the nurse said angrily. “Nuns usually marry God. And God is the richest in the world, you know!”
“Well, then,” Dick said with a smile. “Please arrange a first-class ward for me and post the bill(账单) to my brother-in-law(姐夫).Dick’s parents died _____.
A.in an accident | B.in the war | C.in the earthquake | D.from the disease |
Dick and his sister escaped from the earthquake because ____.
A.they played outside | B.they were in a safe place |
C.their parents saved them | D.the aunt saved them |
The sister and brother lived a hard life because ____.
A.they lost all | B.they were too young |
C.they were hurt in the earthquake | D.they had to look after themselves |
After Dick finished middle school, ____.
A.he stayed at home | B.he began to look for a job |
C.he broke his leg | D.he began to work in the hotel |
Which of the following is true?
A.The nurse would arrange a third-class ward for Dick. |
B.![]() |
C.The nurse would post Dick’s bill to God. |
D.Dick had a rich brother-in-law. |
What does “getting along” with your teacher mean? “Getting along” means that both you and your teacher have a way of communicating and getting what you need from the relationship. In your teacher’s opinion, he or she wants to make sure that you are paying attention, being polite, and trying your best to learn. In your opinion, you want a teacher who is respectful to you, answers your questions, and tries to help you learn. You can get along and learn without being friends with your teacher, although it’s nice if that happens.
In every school, kids will say that some teachers are mean or strict, but don’t judge a teacher until you are in his or her class and can see for yourself. A strict teacher may be someone who feels strong about getting his or her job done — teaching you the subject you are supposed to learn. It’s also important to remember that making mistakes is a part of learning. By pointing out your mistakes and helping you correct them, a teacher is teaching you. Remember, in most cases, your teacher is on your side.
Even if a teacher isn’t your favorite, you can still have a successful relationship, especially if you carry out your responsibilities as a student. Here are some of those responsibilities:
●Attend class ready to learn. Be prepared for class with the right pencils and books.
●Listen carefully when your teacher is talking.
●Do your best, whether it’s classroom work, homework, or a test.The main idea of this passage is about _______.
A.learning from your teacher |
B.making friends with your teacher |
C.getting along with your teacher |
D.understanding your teacher |
If you get along with your teacher, _______.
A.your teacher will have to answer your questions |
B.both of you will benefit from the relationship |
C.your teacher will have to be respectful to you |
D.you will have to try your best to learn |
What does the underlined sentence in the second paragraph mean?
A.Your teacher is teaching you to learn the subjects. |
B.The teacher has the responsibility to be strict with students. |
C.Pointing out your mistakes is also a way for a teacher to teach. |
D.The teacher is there to help you. |
According to the passage, which of the following is NOT the responsibility of a student?
A.Learning by making mistakes. | B.Attending class ready to learn. |
C.Listening to your teacher carefully. | D.Trying your best to learn. |