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There is a famous story about British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He was writing a poem when he was interrupted by a knock at the door.
This was an age before telephones. Someone was delivering a message. When Coleridge got back to his poem, he had lost his inspiration. His poetic mood had been broken by the knock on his door. His unfinished poem, which could otherwise have been a masterpiece, would now never be more than a fragment.
This story tells how unexpected communication can destroy an important thought, which bring us to the cellphone.
The most common complaint about cellphones is that people talk on them to the annoyance of people around them. But more damaging may be the cellphone’s interruption of our thoughts.
We have already entered a golden age of little white lies about our cellphones, and this is by and large(大体上)a healthy, protective development. “I didn’t hear it ring” or “I didn’t realize my phone had shut off” are among the lies we tell to give ourselves space where we’re beyond reach.
The notion of being unreachable is not a new concept—we have “Do Not Disturb” sign on the doors of hotel rooms. So why must we feel guilty when it comes to cellphones? Why must we apologize if we decide to shut off the phone for a while?
Now time alone, or a conversation with someone next to us which cannot be interrupted by a phone, is something to be cherished. Even cellphone devotees(信徒), myself usually included, can’t help at times wanting to throw their phone away, or curse the day they were invented.
But we don’t and won’t, and there really is no need. All that’s required to take back our private time is a general social recognition that we have the right to it. In other words, we have to develop a healthy contempt for the rings of our own phones.
A cellphone call deserves no greater priority than a random word from the person next to us,though the call on my cellphone may be the one-in-a-million from Steven Spielberg—who has finally read my novel and wants to make it his next movie. But most likely it is not, and I’m better off thinking about the idea I just had for a new story, or the slice of pizza I’ll eat for lunch.
What is the point of the anecdote(轶事)about the poet Coleridge in the first three paragraphs?

A.To direct readers’ attention to the main topic.
B.To show how important inspiration is to a poet.
C.To emphasize the disadvantage of not having a cellphone.
D.To encourage readers to read the works of this poet.

What does the writer think about people telling “white lies” about their cellphones?

A.It is a way of signaling that you don’t like the caller.
B.It is natural to tell lies about small things
C.It is basically a good way to protect one’s privacy.
D.We should feel guilty when we can’t tell the truth.

According to the author, what is the most annoying problem caused by cellphones?

A.People get so obsessed (着迷) with the cellphone rings that they fail to notice anything else.
B.People feel guilty when they are not able to answer their cellphones.
C.Cellphones interrupt people’s private time.
D.With cellphones it is no longer possible to be unreachable.

What does the last paragraph suggest?

A.A person who calls us from afar deserves more of our attention.
B.Steven Spielberg once called the author to talk about the author’s novel.
C.You should always finish your lunch before you answer a call on the cellphone.
D.Never let cellphones disturb your life too much.
科目 英语   题型 阅读理解   难度 中等
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Recreational tree climbing is taking root in the ecotourism industry, and it's sending guys like Tim Kovar to far off reaches of the globe. Kovar, a tree-climbing instructor, recently returned to the U.S. from Brazil, where he spent time developing a tree-climbing operation thanks to the "slow travel" movement.
Slow travel, is like the slow food movement, the practice of giving fast food in favor of homegrown cooking—the kind that takes hours to prepare and enjoy. Likewise, slow travel urges visitors to experience a place's natural surroundings and learn about the ecology in a way not afforded by extreme games.
"Tree climbing is a slow activity," says Kovar. "It's not something you do quickly and then you're on to the next thing or event." There is no such thing as a quick climb, especially for beginners. This wasn't a race against the clock or the fellow climbers. In fact, tree climbing is unlikely to ever become a feature of the extreme games. Many climbers refuse competition. There has already been so much competition in the world.
"When you stand below the tree, it can be amazing," Rusel DeMaria says, looking affectionately up at Michael's Triumph, a 150-foot-tall tree. But reaching the treetop, he adds, is an entirely different feeling. Likewise, his wife, Viola Brumbaugh, kneels on the ground and asks Michael's Triumph for permission to climb. "It goes a lot smoother that way, "She says.
And climbing has been included into many educational programs. New Tribe offers guided climbs through its school, Tree Climbing Northwest, where "we teach enough tree biology and forest ecology to raise awareness in our students," says New Tribe present Sophis Sparks. "We know that the tree climbing experience deepens personal appreciation for trees. After climbing, people value trees more and are motivated to support preservation. This is not just to preserve their playground."
Perhaps that is why he struggles with the term "recreational tree climbing," saying, "I prefer to call it inspirational tree climbing."
What do slow travel and the slow food movement have in common?

A.They take people a long time. B.They are related to the eco-tourism industry.
C.They advocate protecting nature. D.They cost people little money

What do we know about tree climbing from the passage?

A.People compete to see who can climb to the top first.
B.It favors the experience of enjoying nature.
C.It is a kind of extreme sport and needs a lot of effort.
D.People view it as a challenge to climb the tallest tree in a forest.

Brumbaugh kneels on the ground before climbing trees to ___________________.

A.beg for the safety of climbing B.Expect to climb faster than her husband
C.Show respect for the tree D.ask for permission of her husband

Sophia Sparks prefers the term "inspirational tree climbing" because it ____________.

A.provide people with more chances to play outside
B.bring a lot of pleasure to life
C.Deepens personal love between each other
D.Makes people realize they should protect trees

What's the best title for the passage?

A.Tree-climbing travelling B.Slow travel movements
C.Dangers of climbing D.Respect for nature

The morning for our snowmobiling (雪上汽车) adventure finally arrived, and we set off on the hour-and-a-half drive to the resort. A fresh powder had fallen the night before, and everything was frosted white. We couldn’t have asked for more perfect conditions. The sun sparkled (闪光) on the snow, and the trails (路线) were completely empty – not another person or snowmobile in sight. We were thrilled at being the only people for miles around … until we got going.
As we drove through the deserted wilderness (荒野), my excitement became stone-cold fear. I had no idea what I was afraid of, or why I was afraid, but suddenly every turn, every hill, every steep (陡峭的) side of the mountain scared me to death. I kept picturing us crashing headlong into a tree or falling off the side of a drop. 
But after lunch things changed. We were the only humans who had been there since the snowfall. The peaceful place, the incredible beauty of the landscape, and the almost sacred experience of sharing a mountain with the wildlife touched my very core (核心). My mind cleared and quieted and my muscles relaxed.
As we drove the last leg of the run, I began to resent being afraid to drive. Deep down, I wanted to be in charge of the thing that scared me. It made me angry that fear was keeping me from something I really wanted to do. The day was coming to an end, and the resort was only a few miles away. I knew that if I didn’t take my chance now, I would regret it.
I signaled for my husband to pull over. I wanted to drive, although my heart pounded (重击). I stared off slowly and felt the wind in my face. I smiled and sped up a little. I let out a “Yee-haw!” and went full out, taking my husband on the best ride of the day.
We ended the day on that breathless, carefree, and I felt proud of myself – proud of overcoming my fear.
What is the story mainly about?

A.What the author loves about snowmobiling.
B.What difficulties the couple faced during their adventure.
C.What interested the author during her time snowmobiling.
D.How the author overcame her fear during her adventure.

What can be concluded from the article?

A.The author was confident as she was driving in the deserted wilderness.
B.The author didn’t get worried until they started to drive through the deserted wild.
C.Aware that she and her husband were the only people around, the author became anxious.
D.The author was so nervous that she almost crashed into a big tree.

According to the article, after lunch the author _____.

A.gradually calmed down
B.stopped to enjoy the beautiful scenery
C.saw some wildlife on the mountain
D.was afraid to continue her journey

The underlined word “resent” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _______.

A.consider B.appreciate C.hate D.recognize

What message does the story convey?

A.A person’s biggest enemy is his or her inner self.
B.It’s no use crying over the spilt milk.
C.Take time to enjoy the beauty of nature.
D.Respect and take pride in yourself.

He has vowed that he will not stop building his business until it is worth £100 million. But hard-working Owens can stop for at least a moment's celebration after making his first £1 million at the age of 16. Owens, who has used a computer since the age of seven, began teaching himself basic web design at the age of ten when he was given his first Mac computer. He used his pocket money to fund his first business project, website Mac Box Bundle at just 14 which has made £700,000 since its establishment in 2008. Mac Box Bundle sells a combination of popular Mac applications which are worth up to $400 together for under just $100 and donates 10 percent of the money to charities.
He then established an advertising company Branchr a year later and worked on the business after school and at weekends. Branchr made a surprising £500,000 in its first year. Branchr works as a platform for website owners to sell advertising.
Owens, from Northampton, currently employs eight staff---all adults---around the UK and America as sales and technical assistants. The young man lives with his parents. His mother who is a company secretary said he was inspired to go into business after observing the huge success achieved by Apple's chief executive officers(首席执行官) Steve Jobs.
Owens said, "I think everyone has business sense in them, and they just need to gain experience and be determined to make it. There is no magical formula(法则) for business, It takes hard work, determination and the drive to do something great. My aim is to become a leading name in the world of Internet and mobile advertising and push myself right to the top of the game.
The teenager insists his professional success has not affected his personal life, and says his interests include photography and playing the guitar. "My friends and I don't really talk about my success. To them I'm just a normal teenager and it doesn't change anything between us."
What can we know from Paragraph 1?

A.Owens' company is worth £1 million now.
B.Owens learned to use computers at the age of 10.
C.Owens made £700,000 from Mac Box Bundle in 2008.
D.Owens is successful and enthusiastic about public welfare.

From Paragraph 2 we know that Branchr _____________.

A.takes up all Owens' spare time
B.offers a platform for advertising business
C.designs practical software for website owners
D.takes up advertising business for Nac Box Bundle

Why did Owens come up with the idea of doing business?

A.Because eight adults were ready to help.
B.Because it was easy to establish web companies.
C.Because his parents wanted him to have a try.
D.Because he drew inspiration from Steve jobs.

Owens tends to think that ____________.

A.every person has potential talent for business
B.getting experienced in business needs determination
C.it is hard work for people to decide to do something great.
D.he is sure to play a leading part in the world of the Internet.

What do Ownes' friends think about him?

A.He sets a good example. B.He does quite well in music.
C.He is a common school boy. D.He puts friendship above anything else.

How to improve my life? Many people think that they have to accept whatever life throws at them. They'll say, "This is my fate, my destiny. I cannot change it."
Of course not! You don't have to suffer needlessly. Your destiny depends on you, not on any other external factors.
I know someone who says she just accepts what life gives her because she has done everything she can to improve it. Guess what her lifestyle is? She wakes up in the morning, goes to work, comes back home, relaxes, chats with people, watches TV, then goes to sleep. Next day, the same routine cycle follows.
Huh! Is this what she calls "doing her best"? She believes she has tried her best and just accepts it in her heart that this is the life that God has intended for her to live; that her luck can only change if God wills it. Of course God wants us to be happy and live our life to the fullest, but we have to do our share of exerting(运用) the effort to live the life of our dreams.
Remember that you reap what you sow. You just don't sit around and wait for a million dollars to fall from the sky. You have to get off the couch, get your eyes off the TV screen, get your hands off the phone. Don’t expect your luck to change unless you do something about it. If something goes wrong, don't just regard it as a temporary setback; but use it as feedback. Learn your lesson, make the most of the situation, and do something to solve the problem. It's not enough to think positively; you also have to act positively.
If someone's life is in the trouble, do you just hope and pray that things will turn out fine? Of course not! You get to do anything you can to save the person. So it is with your own life. It is not enough to hope for the best, but you have to do your best. In other words, don't just stand (or sit ) there, do something to improve your life.
According to the woman mentioned in Para.3, her life ____________.

A.Doesn't need improving B.couldn't be improved
C.will be better some day D.Will be worse in the future

What does the author think of the woman's life?

A.positive B.satisfying C.colorful D.passive

Which of the following statements is the author's opinion?

A.Your temporary problem is not discouraging.
B.Your luck can be changed by your efforts
C.You can only achieve success when God wills it.
D.You should treat yourself in the way you treat friends.

In Para.5, the author emphasized the importance of _____________.

A.positive action B.positive thinking C.hope for the best D.intention to succeed

The text is mainly written to advise you to ____________.

A.understand yourself B.improve your life
C.believe in yourself D.change your normal way

Sustainable development is applied to just about everything from energy to clean water and economic growth, and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put to use. This is especially true in agriculture, where sustainable development is often taken as the measure of progress without a proper appreciation of historical and cultural perspectives.
  To start with, it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedly throughout history, and will continue to do so. Medieval agriculture in northern Europe fed, clothed and sheltered a mainly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today. It had minimal effect on biodiversity, and any pollution it caused was typically localized. In terms of energy use and the nutrients captured in the product it was relatively inefficient.
  Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial revolution. Competition from overseas led farmers to specialize and increase yields. Throughout this period food became cheaper, safer and more reliable. However, these changes have also led to habitat loss and to reducing biodiversity.
  All this means that agriculture in the 21st century will have to be very different from how it was in the 20th. This will require thorough thinking. For example, we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are certainly more sustainable than new ones. We also need to abandon the notion that agriculture can be “zero impact”. The key will be to abandon the rather simple and static(稳定的)measures of sustainability, which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage. Instead we need a more dynamic interpretation, one that looks at the pros and cons of all the various way land is used. There are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield: energy use, environmental costs, water purity, carbon footprint and biodiversity. It is clear, for example, that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from Spain to the UK is less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting. But we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better for biodiversity.
  What is important is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production.
How do people often measure progress in agriculture?

A.By its impact on the environment B.By its contribution to economic growth
C.By its productivity D.By its sustainability

Specialization and the effort to increase yields have resulted in.

A.Localized pollution B.The shrinking of farmland
C.the decrease of biodiversity D.competition from overseas

What does the author think of traditional farming practices?

A.They are not necessarily sustainable   B.They have not kept pace with population growth
C.They have remained the same over the centuries D.They are environmentally friendly

What will agriculture be like in the 21st century?

A.It will abandon traditional farming practices   B.It will mainly keep traditional farming
C.It will go through complete changes    D.It will cause zero damage to the environment

What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

A.To remind people of the need of sustainable development.
B.To urge people to rethink what sustainable agriculture is.
C.To advance new criteria for measuring farming progress.
D.To suggest ways of ensuring sustainable food production.

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