A. Eco-tourism Creates a False Impression
B. Merits and Demerits of Eco-tourism
C. Doubts about Benefits of Eco-tourism
D. Eco-tourism Leads to Romantic Destruction
E. Eco-tourism Is Environmentally Risky
F. No Local Benefits from Eco-tourism
_____________________________________
The trend towards eco-tourism holidays, presented as sustainable, nature-based and environmentally friendly, is now subject to considerable controversy. Governments as well as the tourism industry promote eco-tourism, resulting in an estimated world-wide annual growth of 10-15%, with its claims of economic and social sensitivity. But there are well-founded concerns that it lacks adequate scientific foundations, and is not practicable as a solution to the world’s social and environmental problems.
_____________________________________
Many eco-tourism claims concerning its benefits are exaggerated, or owe more to labelling and marketing than genuine sustainability. Not only are such projects repeatedly planned and carried out without local approval and support, but they often threaten local cultures, economies, and natural resource bases. Critics regard eco-tourism as an “eco-façade”---a strategy concealing the mainstream tourism industry’s consumptive and exploitative practices by “greening” it.
_____________________________________
Eco-tourism may have some advantages, but one of its most serious impacts is the expropriation(征用) of` “virgin” territories---national parks, wildlife parks and other wilderness areas---which are packaged for eco-tourists as the green option. Eco-tourism is highly consumer-centered, catering mostly to urbanised societies and the new middle-class “alternative lifestyles”. Searching for untouched places “off the beaten track” of mass tourism, travellers have already opened up many new destinations.
Mega-resorts, including luxury hotels, condominiums(公寓), shopping centres and golf course, are increasingly established in nature reserves in the name of eco-tourism. Such projects build completely artificial landscapes, tending to irretrievably(不可换回的) wipe out plant and wildlife species---even entire eco-systems.
_____________________________________
Diverse local social and economic activities are replaced by an eco-tourism monoculture. Contrary to claims, local people do not necessarily benefit from eco-tourism. Tourism-related employment is greatly overrated: locals are usually left with low-paying service jobs such as tour guides, porters, and food and souvenir vendors. In addition, they are not assured of year-round employment: workers may be laid off during the off-season. Most money, as with conventional tourism, is made by foreign airlines, tourism operators, and developers who repatriate profit to their own economically more advanced countries.
_____________________________________
Eco-tourism’s claim that it preserves and enhances local cultures is highly insincere. Ethnic groups are viewed as a major asset(优点) in attracting visitors; an “exotic” backdrop to natural scenery and wildlife. The simultaneous romanticism and destruction of indigenous cultures(本土文化) is one of eco- tourism’s ironies. Given a lack of success stories, and sufficient evidence of serious adverse effects, the current huge investments in eco-tourism are misplaced and irresponsible. Research, education, and information for tourists are needed, as well as the countering of eco-tourism’s demeaning of local cultures.
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Everyone needs a break, and vacations are not meant for serious study. ____ The Spring Festival is coming up so this is the perfect time to discuss some great English language literature to take on a long train journey.
Before getting into the recommendations, you need to determine your English reading comprehension level. If you’re at the beginner level, there are two options: reading a children’s book or reading a book that you’ve read in Chinese translation. ____ If you’re at the intermediate level, popular books like pop fiction, mysteries and thrillers are good options. For advanced readers, classic works of literature or modern prize winners (Nobel, Pulitzer) are good options.
____ When I pick up a book I like, even though the first few chapters are really hard to get through, I would try to get accustomed to the language the author uses. Generally, after the first few chapters, things get a lot easier, especially if I get involved in the story.
Another great way to keep yourself motivated is to find a friend who’s interested in reading the same book. You can make goals that you both want to achieve. ____
Some quick recommendations: Harry Potter, start with the first book and go on from there; the Narnia series; anything by US writer Michael Crichton; and if you like horror, US writer Stephen King is always unusual and fun. ____ Happy reading!
| A．If you pick a book which is so challenging, it will be too stressful. |
| B．The most important thing is to pick a book that you’re really interested in. |
| C．You may also enjoy your reading when hanging out with your family. |
| D．You should just find a topic or author you’re interested in, and the rest will go from there. |
E. You can also discuss plot lines or vocabulary issues with each other by SMS or e-mail.
F. Instead, they’re a great way to take a break and enjoy a good book.
G. This will help you get over any unfamiliar words or phrases, since you’re already familiar with the story.
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余选项。
Choosing to Study Overseas
Every year, thousands of students choose to study in another country for a semester, the summer, or a year. Studying overseas can be an exciting experience for many people.
Living in another country can help you to learn a language, and about another culture.
Overseas study may also look good on your future resume. Many companies today want employees who speak a second language, or have experienced living or working in another country.
Making the right choice
Once you decide to study overseas, you have to make some choices. To choose the right country or school. Ask yourself: Where do I want to go and why? How much do I want to pay? Do I want to live with a host family, with roommates, or alone?
Getting ready to go
Get your passport and visa early! Learn about the money. Bring some of it, and a credit card, with you.
Once you are there
After the first few weeks overseas, many students will feel a little homesick. They may miss their family, friends, and familiar ways of doing things. When you feel sad or homesick, try to talk to others, or write about your feelings in a notebook.
| A．Why do it? |
| B．You should improve your mother tongue before you go. |
| C．Large number of students can’t afford to study overseas. |
| D．How long do I want to study overseas? |
E. Remember that it takes time to get used to a new place, school, and culture.
F. You will see the world in a new way, and learn more about yourself.
G. Before you go, learn some of the language, and read about some common customs in your host country.
根据短文内容，选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项。选项中有一项为多余选项。
| A. Travel as often as possible B. Provide great value to the world C. Work hard and face great challenges D. Make the very best of every situation E. Spend time with friends who improve you F. Work on something every day that moves you |
Everyone hopes to live a long life. But how can you make your long life happy and meaningful? You can read on to find answers. Go traveling wherever you want and go to see one part of the world you’ve never seen before. You will not regret it. Traveling has less to do with seeing things, as it does with experiencing them. It has less to do with discovering something, as it does with discovering yourself. You run into all the good things and bad things about yourself on a daily basis if you travel to new places, and you are provided with the opportunity to grow far beyond your years.
You can go through life and make new friends anytime, but no one can take the place of those persons who truly improve you. They are the most important people you will ever meet because they tear down the invisible walls you have built in your mind. In other words, they come into your life and help you develop your potential that you would never have been aware of without them.
The road to greatness is far from easy. You can be absolutely certain that when you feel you are getting weaker from struggle, you are in fact growing stronger than you ever have been before. The more difficulties you meet and solve on your lifelong journey, the more meaningful your life story will be.
One of the great secrets of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is doing the best you can with what it done to you. It’s all about how you choose to respond to different situations. This simple choice makes a world of difference. If you find your situations tolerable, by all means tolerate them; if you find them intolerable, break through them. Eventually you are free because you alone are responsible for your thoughts and how you use them to improve your growth.
The best way to get ahead in this world is not to complete with others, but to serve them. If you want to get a promotion at work, be good to your boss. If you want to build a successful business, be of service to your potential customers. Provide unmistakable value. Value is what makes relationships, businesses, and personal efforts grow. At any age, in any situation, for every possible life path, there is value you can provide. Success and happiness will come when you choose to work for the world.
根据短文内容，从短文后的七个选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
There is distinction between reading for information and reading for understanding. _________
The first sense is the one in which we read newspapers, magazines, or anything else. _________ Such materials may increase our store of information, but they cannot improve our understanding. And clearly we don’t have any difficulty in gaining the new information, for our understanding was equal to them before we started. Otherwise, we would have felt the shock of puzzlement.
The second sense is the one in which we read something that at first we do not completely understand. Here the thing to be read is at the first sight better or higher than the reader. The writer is communicating something that can increase the reader’s understanding. __________ Otherwise one person could never learn from another. Here “learning” means understanding more, not remembering more information.
What are the conditions in this kind of reading? First, there is inequality in understanding. __________ Besides, his book must convey something he possesses and his potential readers lack. Second, the reader must be able to overcome this inequality in some degree. And he should always try to reach the same level of understanding with the writer. If the equality is approached, success of communication is achieved.
__________ It is the least demanding and requires the least amount of effort. Everyone who knows how to read can read for entertainment if he wants to. In fact, any book that can be read for understanding or information can probably be read for entertainment as well.
| A．The writer should have a better communicating skill. |
| B．Such communication between unequals must be possible. |
| C．We can get access to the content of those materials easily. |
| D．The writer must be “superior” to the reader in understanding. |
E. Thus, we can employ the word “reading” in two distinct senses.
F. Reading for entertainment is capable of increasing our understanding for information.
G. Besides gaining information and understanding, there’s another goal of reading—entertainment.
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。(请将此题的答案写在答题纸上！)
How to Avoid Weight Gain Over Holidays
Do you love the holidays, but hate the pounds that follow? You are not alone. Holidays are times for feasting and celebrating. Many people are worried about their weight. Whether you are celebrating at the office party or sitting down for the traditional family dinner, regard eating as a time for tasting a variety of foods. The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don’t have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy.
Here are some tips for preventing weight gain and maintaining physical fitness:
Don’t skip meals.
Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack.
Control portions.
Use a small plate (about 10 inches) and put aside the large ones that may encourage you to “load up.” Once you have your “tasting” serving, move away from the dining table. Doing so will make it less tempting (吸引人的) to be eating constantly as your appetite is inspired by the sight of food.
Begin with soup and fruit or vegetables.
Fill up beforehand with water-based soup and raw fruit or vegetables. Or drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you feel full.
Stick to physical activity.
_A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off additional calories.
__ Dishes that look oily or creamy may have a large amount of fat. Choose lean meats. Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. Use lemon juice instead of dressing or butter.
| A．This may help to avoid getting too excited before delicious food. |
| B．You had better turn your attention away from delicious foods. |
| C．With proper planning, though, it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays. |
| D．You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist. |
E. Avoid high-fat foods.
F. Don’t let exercise take a break during the holidays.
G. You’d better remember the Dos and Don’ts for keeping fit and slim.