Every year holidays Broughton teams up with Sopraviva Trekking to offer twelve days of unforgettable adventure in a tropical rain forest. Depending on where this year's rain forest adventure is located, you may be going to Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia, or even to the greatest rain forest of them all, the mighty Amazonian forest.
You will fly with your fellow adventurers to one of our special base camps at the edge of the forest, where you will be given five days of survival training, and talks on the local wildlife by trained and experienced experts. You will also go on walks which take you deeper and deeper under the forest canopy until on your final night you camp out in the rain forest itself.
Then you transfer by bus into the forest itself. If you go on one of the Asian holidays, you will have to walk the final five miles to the camp site itself, to avoid disturbing the local ecology. All of the Sopraviva sites have been carefully built to conform with the latest regulations, and to cause the minimal amount of disturbance to the local wildlife.
From the camp, you will go on daily walking tours to experience for yourself the beauty and diversity of the forests, and plants and vegetation that can be found nowhere else on the planet. Remember that these adventure holidays take you deep into the wilderness, and they are not suitable for families with young children or for anyone who is not physically able to meet the demands of this kind of adventure. Also remember that in order to preserve the delicate ecological system that you will be walking through, no more than two dozen guests can stay at any camp at one time, so if you want to go on one of these very special holidays, you will need to book early!If you want to go on the camp, you will first have to___________.
A.attend talks on the local wildlife | B.have survival training |
C.walk the final five miles | D.book beforehand |
What does the organizer of the camp mainly stress?
A.Disturbing the local ecology. |
B.Preserving the forest environment. |
C.Private possessions and possible dangers. |
D.The survival training. |
Go on daily walking tours and you’ll enjoy___________.
A.the wilderness | B.the Amazonian forest |
C.the Asian forest | D.the forest canopy |
Which of the following people is/are allowed to enter the forest?
A.A family with young kids. |
B.A person with physical problems. |
C.Walking tourists |
D.Cyclists. |
Which of the following is true of the holiday camp?
A.It is free of charge. |
B.It lasts 12 days. |
C.It is organized by Broughton. |
D.It attaches little importance to ecology. |
A year ago August, Dave Fuss lost his job driving a truck for a small company in west Michigan. His wife, Gerrie, was still working in the local school cafeteria, but work for Dave was scarce, and the price of everything was rising. The Fusses were at risk of joining the millions of Americans who have lost their homes in recent years. Then Dave and Gerrie received a timely gift — $ 7,000, a legacy (遗产) from their neighbors Ish and Arlene Hatch, who died in an accident. “It really made a difference when we were going under financially.” says Dave.
But the Fusses weren’t the only folks in Alto and the neighboring town of Lowell to receive unexpected legacy from the Hatches. Dozens of other families were touched by the Hatches’ generosity. In some cases, it was a few thousand dollars; in others, it was more than $100,000.
It surprised nearly everyone that the Hatches had so much money, more than $3 million — they were an elderly couple who lived in an old house on what was left of the family farm.
Children of the Great Depression, Ish and Arlene were known for their habit of saving. They thrived on (喜欢) comparison shopping and would routinely go from store to store,checking prices before making a new purchase.
Through the years, the Hatches paid for local children to attend summer camp when their parents couldn’ t afford it. “Ish and Arlene never asked if you needed anything.” says their friend Sandy Van Weelden, “They could see things they could do to make you happier, and they would do them.”
Even more extraordinary was that the Hatches had their farmland distributed. It was the Hatches’ wish that their legacy — a legacy of kindness as much as one of dollars and cents —should enrich the whole community and last for generations to come.
Neighbors helping neighbors — that was Ish and Arlene Hatch’ s story.According to the text, the Fusses ________.
A.were employed by a truck company |
B.were in financial difficulty |
C.worked in a school cafeteria |
D.lost their home |
Why would the Hatches routinely go from store to store?
A.They decided to open a store. |
B.They wanted to save money. |
C.They couldn’t afford expensive things. |
D.They wanted to buy gifts for local kids. |
According to Sandy Van Weelden, the Hatches were________.
A.understanding | B.optimistic |
C.childlike | D.curious |
What can we learn from the text?
A.The community of Alto was poor. |
B.The summer camp was attractive to the parents. |
C.Sandy Van Weelden got a legacy from the Hatches. |
D.The Hatches would like the neighbors to follow their example. |
What is the nature of the scientific attitude, the attitude of the man or woman who studies and applies physics, biology, chemistry, geology, engineering, medicine or any other science?
We all know that science plays an important role in our societies. However, many people believe that our progress depends on two different aspects of science. The first aspect is the application of the machines, products and systems of knowledge that scientists and technologists develop.The second is the application of the special methods of thought and actionthat scientists use in their work.
What are these special methods of thinking and acting? First of all, it seems that a successful scientist is curious — he wants to find out how and why the universe works. He usually pays attention to problems which he notices have no satisfying explanation, andlooks for relationships even if the data available seem to be unconnected. Moreover,he thinks he can improve the existing conditions and enjoys trying to solve the problems which this involves.
He is a good observer, accurate, patient and objective (客观的) and uses the facts he observes to the fullest. For example, trained observers obtain a very large amount of information about a star mainly from the accurate analysis of the simple lines that appear in a spectrum (光谱).
He does not accept statements which are not based on the most complete evidence available. He rejects authority as the only basis for truth. Scientists always check statements and make experiments carefully and objectively.
Furthermore,he does not readily accept his own idea, since he knows that man is the least reliable of scientific instruments and that a number of factors tend to disturb objective investigation.
Lastly,he is full of imaginationsince he often has to look for relationships in data which are not only complex but also frequently incomplete. Furthermore,he needs imaginationif he wants to guess how processes work and how events take place.
These seem to be some of the ways in which a successful scientist or technologist thinks and acts.Which of the following statements about a curious scientist is TRUE?
A.He doesn’t find confidence and pleasure in work. |
B.He is interested in problems that are explained. |
C.He makes efforts to investigate potential connections. |
D.He looks for new ways of acting. |
Which word can be used to describe the data that a good scientist uses?
A.Complete | B.Objective | C.Complicated | D.Accurate |
What does the passage mainly discuss?
A.Application of technology. |
B.Progress in modern society. |
C.Scientists' ways of thinking and acting. |
D.How to become a successful scientist. |
Where is it possible to drive from Rome to Moscow, Madrid, Paris, Vienna, and Stockholm without going to Europe? The answer is in the state of Maine!
Throughout the United States there are many towns and cities that have been named after not only European cities but other countries as well, such as China, Poland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Just how many New World place names are recycled from the Old World names has never been tallied, but one researcher found forty-one Londons, fifty-six Berlins, twenty-four Dublins, thirty-two Athenses, and twenty-seven Moscows, among others!
Reasons for European place names differ. Some were in memory of settlers’ former homes, others in honor of historic events. Founded in 1818 by John Coffee, Robert Beaty, John D. Carroll, and John Read, Athens is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the State of Alabama. The town was first called Athenson, and the name was then shortened to Athens, after the ancient city in Greece. More interestingly, some names were given by mistake. For instance, the people of Moscow, Kansas, wanted their city to follow the name of the explorer Moscoso. They shortened his name to Mosco, and an official in Washington, thinking the Kansans couldn't spell, added a ‘W’.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A.In the state of Maine there are many different European cities. |
B.You can drive to many European cities from the state of Maine. |
C.All the settlers in the state of Maine came from Europe. |
D.The state of Maine has many cities named after European cities. |
The word “tallied” (Line 4, Paragraph 2) is closest in meaning to ________.
A.built | B.believed | C.added | D.visited |
What might have made the official in Washington change Mosco into Moscow?
A.Moscow was a world-famous city name. |
B.He thought Moscoso would prefer Moscow. |
C.He believed Moscow was a far better name. |
D.He thought Kansans couldn't spell very well and made a mistake. |
The best title for the passage is ________.
A.The Story of Moscow, Kansas |
B.American Cities and Their Names |
C.Interesting Names |
D.Old World Place Names in America |
Crystal Ear
One day a friend asked my wife Jill if I wanted a hearing aid. “He certainly does,”replied Jill. After hearing about a remarkable new product, Jill finally got up the nerve to ask me if I’d ever thought about getting a hearing aid. “No way,”I said. “It would make me look 20 years older.”“No, no”she replied. “This is entirely different. It’s Crystal Ear!”
Jill was right. Crystal Ear is different –––– not the old-styled body worn or over-the-ear aid, but an advanced personal sound system so small it’s like contacts for your ears. And Crystal Ear is super-sensitive and powerful, too. You will hear sounds your ears have been missing for years. Crystal Ear will make speech louder, and the sound is pure and natural.
I couldn’t believe how tiny it is. It is smaller than the tip of my little finger and it’s almost invisible when worn. There are no wires, no behind-the-ear device. Put it in your ear and its-ready-to-wear mold fits comfortable. Since it’s not too loud or too light, you may even forget that you’re wearing it! Use it at work or at play. And if your hearing problem is worse in certain situation, use Crystal Ear only when you need it.
Hearing loss, which is typically prior to teenage years, progresses throughout one’s lifetime. Although hearing loss is now the world’s number-one health problem, nearly 90 percent of people suffering hearing loss choose to leave the problem untreated. For many millions, treating hearing loss in a conventional way can involve numerous office visits, expensive testing and adjustments to fit your ear. Thanks to Crystal Ear, the “sound solution”is now convenient. Almost 90 percent of people with mild hearing loss, and millions more with just a little hearing dropoff, can be dramatically helped with Crystal Ear. Moreover, its superior design is energy-efficient, so batteries can last months. Crystal Ear is now available to help these people treat their hearing loss with a small hearing amplifier(扩音器).Why did the writer refuse to wear a hearing aid at first?
A.It would make him look like an old man |
B.He did not get the nerve to wear one |
C.It looked old-styled. |
D.It was too costly |
We can infer from the passage that ____
A.Crystal Ear can signal where it is in case you cannot find it |
B.you can wear Crystal Ear any time you like |
C.you can even clean Crystal Ear yourself |
D.you can even wear while swimming |
What does the writer say about hearing loss?
A.About 10 percent of people wear hearing aids |
B.About 90percent of people suffer hearing loss |
C.It is one of the most painful diseases in the world |
D.Hearing loss is the world’s most frequent health problem |
When it comes to success in business and success in life, there are few qualities as important as confidence.
People naturally have different levels of confidence. Some have a higher level of confidence than others do, but even those whose confidence is lacking can learn to build their level of confidence and reach their most important goals. Increasing self confidence is one of the most common reasons people give for seeking the help of psychologists and other professionals.
One of the many places where a greater level of confidence is useful is in the workplace. We all know how difficult it can be, for instance, to ask the boss for a raise. This process can be extremely difficult for those who lack confidence in their own abilities. After all, if you are unsure about your own abilities, how will you ever convince your boss that you deserve more money for the work you do?
Even if you are not asking for that big raise, having plenty of confidence in your abilities is important to success. If you are certain of your abilities, chances are that those around you, whether they are your coworkers, your colleagues or your superiors, will see that confidence, and that will help to assure them that you are the best at what you do.
Being thought of as the person to go to, and being seen as an expert in your chosen field, is naturally very important to success on the job. If you can make yourself the person people go to for guidance and advice, you will help to protect yourself from the ever present danger of downsizing. After all, if you are a recognized expert at the office, you will be regarded as an indispensable member of the team.
Having a high level of confidence, after all, does not mean overlooking the places where you could improve. Knowing what you do well and where you need help will help you enjoy increased success and confidence.What is the passage mainly about?
A.The influence of confidence on one’s life. |
B.The importance of confidence to success. |
C.The difference of people’s confidence. |
D.The judgment on one’s confidence. |
Psychologists and other professionals can offer help to those _____.
A.who think their goals are hard to reach |
B.who expect to give guidance to others |
C.who want to ask the boss for a raise |
D.who dream to be recognized experts |
What does the underlined word indispensable in Paragraph 5 probably mean?
A.important | B.attractive | C.outgoing | D.energetic |
What message does the author want to convey in the last paragraph?
A.To overlook one’s disadvantages. |
B.To make full use of one’s advantages. |
C.To have great confidence in one’s abilities. |
D.To make objective evaluations of one’s abilities. |