BEIJING – Alarmed by the overreaching ambitions of many Chinese provinces to grow at all cost, China’s top economic chief is calling on officials to calm down and spare a thought for the environment.
Zhang Ping, who heads China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the central economic planning agency, said only five or six of China’s 30 provinces are targeting annual economic growth of 8 percent or 9 percent.
The remaining provinces are aiming for growth rates of more than 10 percent this year, with some wanting to double economic output in the coming five years.
“China has a planned energy supply of about 4 billion cubic tons of coal equivalent (等量的) for the next five years, and this is not enough to meet demands for economic growth to double,” he was quoted as saying on the news portal Sina. com.
Beijing is increasingly concerned with the ambitions of Chinese provinces across the country to chase high growth despite the central government’s urgent request for a more moderate and sustainable (可持续的) pace of expansion.
Years of rapid economic growth have taken a toll on China’s environment, with Beijing trying to remove some of the damage now. It has an annual growth target of 7 percent for the next five years, well down from last year’s 10 percent.
Zhang said Beijing has asked local governments to take into account the supply of “energy, environment, water and land” to set more reasonable growth target.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The supply of the coal in China is not sufficient for the next five years. |
| B．Zhang Ping is an expert and economic chief from www. sina.com. |
| C．Few Chinese provinces are aiming for economic growth rates of less than 10%. |
| D．Many Chinese provinces are alarmed by Beijing. |
The underlined phrase “taken a toll on” in the sixth paragraph means “_______”.
| A．improved | B．done damage to | C．restored | D．attached importance to |
The general idea of the whole passage can be that _________.
| A．China’s economy is increasing at a fast speed. |
| B．China’s top chief lays more emphasis on the environment |
| C．economic high growth should go hand in hand with environment concern. |
| D．all Chinese provinces should slow down their economic growth rates |
What could be the best title for the news?
| A．Economic Development | B．Energy Supply |
| C．Environment | D．Sustainable Development |
It was a Saturday morning, a day I believed would end in victory. For weeks, I had been preparing for the match at the county fairgrounds, sponsored(赞助) by our local riding club. My horse, Tonka, and I could run faster than any kid in the county, and I hoped to bring home a blue ribbon.
My mother usually drove me to the riding events, but on this day, my father planned to drop us off at the fairgrounds with the horse trailer(马车) .
Although we never discussed it, my father’s struggle with alcoholism had become the silent center of our family life. My mother was paralyzed (瘫痪的) with fear and indecision. Her salary as a part-time nurse couldn’t possibly support four children. No one talked about alcoholism in those days, and it was my family secret.
We climbed on the trailer and my father pulled out of our driveway and headed toward the fairgrounds, picking up speed once we hit the main road. It wasn’t until we felt a big bump that I realized the trailer was out of control. The dream of my riding winner disappeared. Tonka lay on the floor, completely still. No words were possible. I knew he was dead.
Suddenly a man appeared. “Are you all right?” he asked. “Yes.”I answered, although I knew that nothing was all right. “Sit here on the grass,” he said. He bent down to look into the trailer. Tonka remained still. He touched Tonka and then turned to face me. “He is going to be OK. He has just been knocked unconscious.” He rubbed Tonka’s cheeks and gently pulled his ears. Tonka rose to his feet.
Our father was talking to a police officer. He was upset and in pain and took little notice of me. I looked back; the man was gone.
I never forgot him. He gave me strength and a sense of hope in a dark and frightening moment.The writer went to the fairgrounds because he wanted to ________.
| A．take part in a horse racing |
| B．buy Mum a blue ribbon |
| C．join the local riding club |
| D．train his horse there |
We can learn from the third paragraph that ________.
| A．the family kept silent at home |
| B．the family lived a secret life |
| C．Father was addicted to alcohol |
| D．Mum was physically disabled |
What does “he” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
| A．Father | B．The stranger |
| C．The horse | D．The winner |
What does the author want to tell the readers through the story?
| A．Once formed, bad habits are difficult to break. |
| B．Unexpected kindness is a light that shines in the darkness. |
| C．However mean your life is, meet it and live it. |
| D．Family is a place of encouragement, a safe harbor in the storms. |
Robots make me nervous-especially the ones which seem to think for themselves．I was embarrassed to admit this till I heard that Bill Gates，the founder of Microsoft，felt the same way．Gates said in an interview with the website Reddit：“I am in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence．First the machines will do a lot of jobs for us and not be super intelligent．That should be positive if we manage well．A few decades after that though the intelligence is strong enough to be a concern．”
Well，maybe I don’t have to worry about my laptop and kitchen appliances yet．After I use them I can always pull the plug．But in the future，machines might find a way to prevent us from switching them off．There’s a scary thought!
Professor Stephen Hawking warned a few months ago about the possibility that artificial intelligence could evolve and end up beyond human contro1．He suggested that machines could“spell the end of the human race”．
Maybe the problem with computers too clever for us is not that they are evil or rebellious．What could put us in danger is that they might be too efficient．That’s what philosopher Nick Bostrom from the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University believes．He says that machines are indifferent to humans and in pursuit of their own goals，the destruction of people might be just collateral(附带的)damage．A machine would not take pity on you．
I’m glad my machines at home are“dumb”．All my vacuum cleaner wants to take over is the carpet in my living room．Let’s hope they don’t create an appliance which wants to take over the world!We can conclude from Gates’statements that ___________．
| A．he is embarrassed that he is afraid of robots |
| B．he doesn’t think machines are intelligent |
| C．machines should be fully employed |
| D．machines’super intelligence should be a concern |
The underlined word“spell”in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to _____________．
| A．record | B．cause | C．explain | D．develop |
Why are computers dangerous according to Nick Bostrom?
| A．They are too evil and rebellious． |
| B．They are indifferent to humans． |
| C．They show pity on humans. |
| D．They are too clever and efficient． |
What can be inferred about the author?
| A．He doesn’t agree with Bill Gates． |
| B．He is not content with the present kitchen appliances． |
| C．He is scared about the super intelligence of machines． |
| D．He expects that machines will take place of humans． |
A lot of small business owners put themselves in an embarrassed position in their own companies．Consider this scene：the company owner who has thirty individuals working for him in the business does all the work．
Stop the actual wrong belief that you’re the only one who can do the JOB!
You are an individual．A robot or machine must rest, or be changed．The best way to replace yourself is not through someone else，but with a System! A system or program doesn’t always make reference to something high-tech．It’s more about the actual administration process flow that gets issues running smoothly．
Systemizing your business is vitally important for the success of the company．About 80％of what’s completed in your business can be systemized．Take a moment to determine all of the routine things that are done in your company．Now record the best way to achieve these duties．
However，creating systems isn’t enough．You have to ensure that the methods are simple to follow，and easy to complete．If you do not allow it to be easy，it won’t be done，or at best it won’t be consistent．
With systems and processes in position．it’s simply using a few people to operate individual systems．A great number of companies that possess established systems have made great achievements through the years．Burger King is a good actual life example．
To construct a great business，replace yourself with a good program right now!What does“an embarrassed position”in Paragraph 1refer to?
| A．The employees are made to do all the work． |
| B．Business owners get caught in the trap of doing everything． |
| C．Nobody would like to work for business owners． |
| D．There are not enough employees in the company． |
What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 imply?
| A．It’s necessary for the company owner to do all the work． |
| B．A robot or machine shall not keep working． |
| C．The company owner should learn to rest． |
| D．A system is important for the company． |
Which of the following is true about“A system”?
| A．It can deal with a11 the routines in the business． |
| B．It is simple to follow or complete a system． |
| C．Your company will be successful so long as you have a system. |
| D．It will help a company run smoothly． |
What is the best advice to the business owners?
| A．Doing all the work by themselves． |
| B．Buying advanced robots or machines． |
| C．Using a good system to operate a company． |
| D．Introducing higher technologies． |
Around four years ago, I received a call from the principal of our school as to the “Parents View” talk the next morning. He asked me to speak to the group. After the call, my whole body became feverish and panicky. The time from his call to the next morning seemed like years. The whole night, I could not sleep with many ominous apprehensions in mind. One of them was to call the principal with regret and tell him that I could not come. Finally, I gathered some courage. I thought, “If I miss this opportunity, surely the school will never invite me again to any of their programs.”
I reached the school in time. Before my turn came, my whole body was trembling. When my turn came and I started speaking, my heartbeat increased and my mouth went dry. I wasn’t even able to read the written speech properly. I was not aware of where I was standing and what I was reading. That was the day when I realized my biggest weakness, Public Speaking.
After my speech, I met with the principal and explained what happened to me. He told me that this happens to everyone. Even great speaker, faced the same things when they started. He suggested that I come again next time.
Around one month later, I was invited to refer to a topic on Motivation. This time I was feeling comfortable. My speech was not only appreciated by the principal as well as the teachers, because I was able to get my idea across to them. They encouraged and praised my efforts.
After delivering is successfully, I became more confident .l said to myself, “If I can speak in front of such a learned audience, like the principal who educates others, I can now speak in front of others too.”
I started delivering lectures in my plant, on various topics like Self Motivation, Personality Development, Personal Excellence, Spoken English and Presentation Skills. This has become a passion for me. I learned that everything is possible if we have the courage to take the first step. Which of the following is the hest title for the passage?
| A．Practice Makes a Man a Better Speechmaker |
| B．Public Speaking Makes a Man Embarrassed. |
| C．Principal Provides the Best Chances. |
| D．Spoken English Develops in Malting Speeches. |
The author had bad feelings before the speech because______.
| A．he disliked the idea of giving a lecture |
| B．he had got a high fever before that |
| C．he regretted accepting the invitation |
| D．he feared he couldn't perform it properly |
What does the underlined part “ominous apprehensions” in the first paragraph mean?
| A．Unlucky opportunities. |
| B．Negative ideas. |
| C．Curious views. |
| D．Happy comments. |
What can we conclude from the passage?
| A．Nothing is to be got without pains but poverty. |
| B．Knowledge makes humble, ignorance makes proud. |
| C．A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. |
| D．Necessity is the mother of invention. |
Delta College starts Street Fair
San Joaquin Delta College will introduce its new Summer Street Fair, which runs from noon to 8 p. m every Friday stating this week through Aug. 9 in Delta’s L-l parking lot near Pacific Avenue and March Lane. The fair goes with Delta’s weekend flea market.
This week’s featured performers are guitarist Travis Matsumoto from noon to 3 p.m., and Julio and his Jazz Trio from 3 to 6 p.m.
Lode Farmers Market opens
The Angels Camp Certified Farmers Market begins its yearly run from 5 p.m. to dusk this Friday in Utica Park in downtown Angels Camp. Opening night will feature wine tasting from award-winning Four Winds Cellars, and live music by guitarist Nicholas Leffler. Visitors will find fresh, locally grown produce and specialty foods. There will also be barbecue and California-
Mexican fusion cuisine.
Join River Rafting for a good cause
Whitewater enthusiasts can participate in Mokelumne Rive, Rafting Adventures on June 16 in Mokelumne Hill. Local outfitter O.A.R.S. is donating its services to help with the event. Departures are at 8 a.m., noon, or 4 p.m. The trip should last about three hours.
The trip is appropriate for those 7 and older, and the ability to swim is not required. The cost is $ 70 per person.
Films center on paddling water
The festival is an annual contest that awards winning films that focus on paddling in rivers, lakes and oceans in a variety of locales. Tickets to the film festival are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, and are also available online at ticketriver.com/event/7002-reel-paddling-film-festival.
The evening also includes a drawing. Prizes include whitewater trips on the South Fork of the American River.If you want to go to the Summer Street Fair, .
| A．you must be a student from Delta College |
| B．you can go there on the afternoon of Friday |
| C．you should live near the Pacific Avenue |
| D．you must give a performance in the market |
If you want to enjoy the tasty foods, you can go to____.
| A．the new Summer Street Fair of Delta College |
| B．Lode Farmers Market |
| C．Mokelumne River Rafting Adventures |
| D．the film festival centering on paddling water |
If you are interested in paddling in rivers.
| A．you can know all the American rivers |
| B．you must try hard to get many prizes |
| C．you can get tickets from a website |
| D．you must keep silent in the evening |