The island Fiji has always been around me in my life. My parents met in Fiji when my father was a teacher as a Peace Corps volunteer and my mother a student. They taught me about its people, culture, foods and religious beliefs.
At the age of two, I made my first trip across the Pacific Ocean to Fiji. My mother and I made that trip unexpectedly because my grandma was ill and longed to see her American granddaughter. Although I have few memories of that first trip, I do remember grandma braiding (编辫子)my hair every day. The brush gliding through my hair is a feeling I will treasure forever because she passed away soon. I returned to America when I was five years old. This time I had a brother, Martin, who was two.
I resisted my third trip to Fiji when I was 15, being a teenager who did not want to spend the summer away from friends. It was this trip, however, that made me realize that Fiji is not just a place to visit but a part of who I am. The smells and sounds and sights came back to me, but the best part was getting to know my relatives.
Vishal was one cousin I quickly bonded with. Born two days before me, I had only known him through pictures before. Though raised oceans apart in different cultures, we talked and laughed about everything from American sports to Fijian dancing. I was able to form close ties with all my cousins, and when I talk about them now, it’s as if I have known them my whole life. Spending time with them helped me understand the traditions and values my mother grew up with. Hospitality and care and respect for family members are central values in Fijian culture.
I truly enjoyed learning about my roots during this trip. Fiji is just like a second home, and I will never forget the time I have spent there.
From the passage, we can learn that _______.
A.the author’s parents had been classmates before |
B.the author had lived in Fiji for about five years |
C.the author had no memories of her grandma |
D.people value family in Fijian culture |
The author resisted her third trip to Fiji because _____.
A.she didn’t want to separate from her brother |
B.she didn’t know her cousins there very well |
C.she didn’t want to separate from her American friends |
D.her grandma had passed away |
Which of the following is TRUE about Vishal?
A.He is younger than the author. |
B.The author had met him on her first trip to Fiji. |
C.He and the author had lots of common interests. |
D.He and the author held different opinions about Fijian culture. |
Among the more colorful characters of Leadville’s golden age were H. A. W. Tabor and his wife, Elizabeth McCourt, better known as “Baby Doe”. Their history is fast becoming one of the legends of the Old West.
Horace Austin Warner Tabor was a school teacher in Vermont. Then he moved west to the small Colorado mining camp known as California Gulch, which he later renamed Leadville when he became its leading citizen. “Great deposits of lead are sure to be found here.” he said.
As it turned out, it was silver, not lead, that was to make Leadville’s fortune and wealth. Tabor knew little about mining himself, so he opened a general store, which sold everything from boots to salt, flour, and tobacco. It was his custom to “grubstake” prospective miners, in other words, to supply them with food and supplies, or “grub”, while they looked for ore(矿石), in return for which he would get a share in the mine if one was discovered. He did this for a number of years, but no one that he aided ever found anything of value.
Finally one day in the year 1878, so the story goes, two miners came in and asked for “grub”. Tabor had decided to quit supplying it because he had lost too much money that way. These were persistent, however, and Tabor was too busy to argue with them. “Oh help yourself. One more time won’t make any difference,” He said and went on selling shoes and hats to other customers. The two miners took $17 worth of supplies, in return for which they gave Tabor a one-third interest in their findings. They picked a barren place on the mountain side and began to dig. After nine days they struck a rich vein of silver. Tabor bought the shares of the other two men, and so the mine belonged to him alone. This mine, known as the “Pittsburgh Mine,” made $1,300,000 for Tabor in return for his $17 investment.
Later Tabor bought the Matchless Mine on another barren hillside just outside the town for $117,000. This turned out to be even more fabulous than the Pittsburgh, yielding $35,000 worth of silver per day at one time. Leadville grew. Tabor became its first mayor, and later became lieutenant governor of the state.Leadville got its name for the following reasons EXCEPT that
A.Tabor became its leading citizen. |
B.great deposits of lead is expected to be found there. |
C.it could bring good fortune to Tabor |
D.it was renamed |
The underlined word “grubstake” in Paragraph 3 means
A.to supply miners with food and supplies |
B.to open a general stores |
C.to do one's contribution to the development of the mine |
D.to supply miners with food and supplies and in return get a share in the mine, if one was discovered |
We can infer that Tabor’s life career is.
A.purely lucky |
B.based on his managing theory of “grubstake’ |
C.through the help from his wife |
D.because he planned well and accomplished targets step by step |
Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A.Tabor’s Life. | B.A legend of the Old West |
C.Lead Makes Leadville’s Fortune | D.The Best Investment |
In a recent study, researchers have estimated the energy required to produce bottled water, including the energy required to manufacture plastic, make the plastic into bottles, process the water, fill and seal the bottles, transport the bottles, and chill the bottles for use. Combining all the energy input totals for treatment and distribution, researchers found that producing bottled water requires between 5.6 and 10.2 million joules(焦耳) of energy per liter, depending on transportation factors. That's up to 2, 000 times the energy required to produce tap water.
To break down the energy requirements, researchers found that producing the plastic bottles and transporting the bottles greatly dominated(控制) the energy input. Although some companies are experimenting with producing lightweight bottles or using recycled materials, the researchers calculated that the manufacturing cost is about 4 million joules of energy per plastic bottle weighing 38 grams, and the cap weighing 2 grams.
“Our previous work had suggested that bottled water production was an energy intensive process, but we were surprised to see the results, ” the researchers said.
Transportation costs vary depending on the distance and mode of transport and both factors depend on the type of bottled water. There are two main kinds of bottled water in the US:” spring water” which comes from an underground spring and “purified water”,which is city tap water that has received further treatment. For purified water distributed locally by truck within Los Angeles, the total transportation energy is about 1.4 million joules per liter. In the second situation, spring water shipped from Fiji (such as Fiji Spring Water) across the Pacific to Los Angeles, and then delivered locally by truck requires about 4 million joules per liter for transportation. For the spring water, the transportation energy equaled (in the case of Fiji) the energy required to produce the bottle.
With this data, the researchers hope that future studies will have the ability to make specific estimates for different situations, and possibly find ways to cut energy costs.From the first Paragraph we can know that the energy required to ______.
A.produce bottled water includes the energy required to drink it |
B.distribute bottled water includes the energy for producing the bottles |
C.distribute bottled water is much smaller than the energy for treating it |
D.produce bottled water is much smaller than the energy for producing tap water |
To reduce the energy required to produce bottled water, some companies are trying ______.
A.to fill tap water into the plastic bottles directly |
B.to replace the plastic bottles with metal containers |
C.to produce lightweight bottles with recycled materials |
D.to use bicycles to transport and deliver bottled water locally |
What's Paragraph 4 mainly talking about?
A.Treatment of bottled water needs no energy input at all. |
B.Bottled water production is an energy intensive process. |
C.Transportation of bottled water takes up the most energy input. |
D.Production of the plastic bottles greatly dominated the energy input. |
We can infer from the passage that ______.
A.there are two main kinds of bottled water in the US |
B.world consumption of bottled water has been increasing |
C.transportation costs have something to do with the mode of transport |
D.bottled water produced in Spring is more expensive than purified water |
What's the main purpose of the passage?
A.To help consumers themselves make more environmentally sustainable choices. |
B.To advise the government to take severe measures to stop producing bottled water. |
C.To urge the consumers to drink tap water instead of bottled water for the sake of the earth. |
D.To try the best to find ways to produce bottled water cheaply and quickly for the companies. |
While you may be doing everything right, ignoring just one or two steps in the process may keep you from getting a job, especially in this fierce market. Here is a checklist that covers some of the major links in the job-search chain.
THE RESUME --- Make sure it is up-to-date and tailored to the types of jobs you are seeking for. Have someone else look at your resume. If you cannot afford a career coach, give your resume to friends or family members to scrutinize. Have copies of your resume printed so that you are ready to hand them out at interviews.
COVERING LETTERS --- Maybe you’ve set up a few basic styles in advance, but that’s not enough. Each covering letter should be designed to suit the job for which you are applying.
THE WARDROBE(衣橱) --- Check your wardrobe to ensure that you have the appropriate professional dress, including shoes, ready for interview.
NETWORKING --- Don’t isolate yourself from others for days. Network through e-mail messages, phone calls, appointments and meetings keep you in touch with the outside world and prevent you from becoming depressed.
APPLICATION --- A glance at huge online job sites isn’t usually the best way to find a job. You are more likely to succeed through the people you know via networking.
THE FOLLOW—UP --- It is quite common to apply for job and never hear back from the company. Take measures, such as following up with a phone call a week or so after you apply. If you know someone at the company, check whether that person will put in a good word for you.
INTERVIEWS --- If you’ve got plenty of interviews but no return calls or job offers, take a look at your interviewing skills. This is one area where investing in a career coach may pay off. But if you can’t afford one, try to find a job group or service that conducts free mock(模拟) interviews.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS --- Finally, recognize that looking for job is rather difficult. Even at the best of times, a job hunt is often about rejection, and that can be hard to endure. Staying in touch with family, friends, professional networks and fellow job seekers can help you to maintain a positive attitude and a sense of perspective.The author’s purpose of writing this text is to _________.
A.suggest graduates should find suitable jobs |
B.tell people how to improve their interview skills |
C.teach people how to get ready for an interview |
D.give people some tips on searching for jobs |
The underlined word “scrutinize” in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by ________.
A.check | B.use | C.rewrite | D.criticize |
Which of the following methods is wrong according to the text?
A.You should have your resume read by your friends after finishing it. |
B.You should create different covering letters for the different jobs you apply for. |
C.Searching online is the most effective way to look for a job. |
D.You should wear professional clothes and shoes for the interview. |
What should you do if you don’t receive any calls after lots of interviews?
A.Ask a fellow job seeker to help you |
B.Carefully review your interviewing skills. |
C.Rewrite your resume as soon as possible |
D.Go to the managers’ offices to find out why. |
It is implied in the text that__________.
A.people often pay no attention to writing their resume |
B.the interview is the most difficult step for interviewees |
C.your social network may help you a lot in your job hunt |
D.a career coach often offers free mock interviews to interviewees |
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her three-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.
The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen. But complications arise during delivery. Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital.
The little girl gets worse. The doctor tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby — now they plan a funeral.
Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says. But kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. However, Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not.“If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.” She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. The head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now! " The mother, the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray”
Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.
"You never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away "
The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr.
Keep on singing, Michael. Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse as well as Karen.
Funeral plans are scrapped. The next, day — the very next day — the little girl is well enough to go home!
NEVER GIVE UP THE ONE WE LOVE!How did Michal’s feel when he knew that he was going to have a sister?
A.indifferent. | B.worried |
C.expectant. | D.disappointed. |
The doctor recommended the family ___________.
A.get ready for the worst result. |
B.wait for the hope in the near future. |
C.prepare much more money for the infant. |
D.prepare for another chance in other hospitals. |
Which word can best replace the underlined word in Paragraph 4?
A.pointed. | B.yelled. | C.whispered. | D.ignored. |
What happened when Michael sang to his little sister?
A.The little baby responded to his song and woke up immediately. |
B.The baby heard the song and burst into tears. |
C.The baby’s physical signs disappeared eventually. |
D.The baby recovered from the dangerous state of coma gradually. |
What could be the best title of the article?
A.An unexpected gift. | B.A miracle of love |
C.A iron-mother. | D.A medical success. |
Cutting global warming pollution would not only make the planet healthier, it would make people healthier too, new research suggested.
Cutting carbon dioxide emissions could save millions of lives, mostly by reducing preventable deaths from heart and lung diseases, according to studies released Wednesday and published in a special issue of The Lancet, a British medical journal.
"Relying on fossil fuels leads to unhealthy lifestyles, increasing our chances of getting sick and in some cases takes years from our lives," US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a telecast briefing from her home state of Kansas. "As greenhouse gas emissions go down, so do deaths from cardiovascular(心血管) and respiratory(呼吸道) diseases. This is not a small effect."
Instead of looking at the health ills caused by future global warming, as past studies have done, this research looks at the immediate benefits of doing something about the problem, said Linda Birnbaum, director of the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Some possible benefits seemed highly speculative, the researchers conceded, based on people driving less and walking and cycling more. Other proposals studied were more concrete and achievable, such as reducing cook stoves that burn dung(粪便), charcoal and other polluting fuels in the developing world.
And cutting carbon dioxide emissions also makes the air cleaner, reducing lung damage for millions of people, doctors said.
"Here are ways you can attack major health problems at the same time as dealing with climate change," said lead author Dr. Paul Wilkinson, an environmental epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Wilkinson said the individual studies came up with numbers of premature deaths prevented or extra years of life added for certain places.
For example, switching to low-polluting cars in London and Delhi, India, would save 160 lost years of life in London and nearly 1,700 in Delhi for every million residents, one study found. But if people also drove less and walked or biked more, those extra saved years would soar to more than 7,300 years in London and 12,500 years in Delhi because of less heart disease.What does the passage mainly talk about? _______.
A.How can people live longer? |
B.Cutting carbon dioxide emissions saves lives. |
C.Global warming threatens people’s lives. |
D.People should stop relying on fossil fuels. |
The new research differs from past studies in that _______.
A.it focuses on the immediate benefits of cutting carbon dioxide emissions |
B.it studies the bad effects arising from future global warming |
C.it is believed by more people |
D.it mainly targets at developing countries |
According to Kathleen Sebelius, _______.
A.sometimes it takes years to see the bad effects caused by consuming fossil fuels |
B.without greenhouse gas emissions, people would not die of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases |
C.the main reason why people get sick is that they rely on fossil fuels |
D.deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are closely related to greenhouse gas emissions |
Which of the following is the most practical way to cut carbon dioxide emissions according to the passage? _________.
A.Driving less |
B.Walking and cycling as much as possible. |
C.Stopping using fossil fuels |
D.Reducing the use of polluting fuels to cook. |
It can be inferred from the passage that _____.
A.London and Delhi have already benefited from reducing greenhouse gas emissions |
B.switching to low-polluting cars would save 160 lives in London each year |
C.walking and biking instead of driving will reduce the chance of heart disease |
D.attacking health problems and dealing with climate change are contradictory |