Watching some children trying to catch butterflies one hot August afternoon, I was reminded of an incident in my own childhood．When I was a boy of 12 in South Carolina, something happened to me that cured me forever of wanting to put any wild creature in a cage.
We lived on the edge of a wood, and every evening at dusk the mockingbirds would come and rest in the trees and sing. There isn’t a musical instrument made by man that can produce a more beautiful sound than the song of the mockingbird.
I decided that I would catch a young bird and keep it in a cage and in that way would have my own private musician.
I finally succeeded in catching one and put it in a cage. At first, in its fright at being captured, the bird fluttered about the cage, but eventually it settled down in its new home. I felt very pleased with myself and looked forward to some beautiful singing from my tiny musician.
I had left the cage out on our back porch, and on the second day of the bird’s captivity my new pet’s mother flew to the cage with food in her mouth. The baby bird ate everything she brought to it. I was pleased to see this. Certainly the mother knew better than I how to feed her baby.
The following morning when I went to see how my captive was doing, I discovered it on the floor of the cage, dead. I was shocked! What had happened! I had taken excellent care of my little bird, or so I thought.
Arthur Wayne, the famous ornithologist, happened to be visiting my father at the time, hearing me crying over the death of my bird, explained what had occurred. “A mother mockingbird, finding her young in a cage, will sometimes bring it poison berries. She thinks it better for her young to die than to live in captivity.”
Never since then have I caught any living creature and put it in a cage. All living creatures have a right to live free.Why did the writer catch a mockingbird when he was a boy of 12?
| A．He wanted it to sing for him | B．He had just got a new cage. |
| C．He liked its beautiful feather. | D．He wanted a pet for a companion. |
The mockingbird died because it ______.
| A．was frightened to death |
| B．drank the poisonous water by mistake |
| C．ate the poisonous food its mother gave it |
| D．refused to eat anything |
An ornithologist probably means ______.
| A．a religious person | B．a kind person | C．an expert in birds | D．a schoolmaster |
What is the most important lesson the writer learned from the incident?
| A．Be careful about food you give to baby birds. |
| B．All birds put in a cage won’t live long. |
| C．You should keep the birds from their mother. |
| D．Freedom is very valuable to all creatures. |
| PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER WANTED A well-known printing company, now well established in the UK and in the Far East, wishes to set up a manufacturing base in Europe. An experienced manager, responsible to the Production Director, is required to assist in setting up the department and will then take charge of the day-to-day work. The successful applicant will have had experience of modern methods and machines especially in the printing, multicolour work and finishing processes, he / she will have had at least three years' experience in cost-effective management. A good working knowledge of English is essential. We offer excellent pay and prospects, with 4 week's holiday a year plus public holidays, a company car, and a company pension scheme (养老金制度). Interviews will be arranged in the nearest city to applicant's home. Write, with CV, to the Personnel Manager, Box 32507, Daily News, Kemsworth Street, Comston. United Kingdom SG 186 37 AH. |
| ASSISTANT PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER An internationally recognized printing company is seeking to set up a manufacturing plant in Europe. We are appointing an assistant (male or female) to our Print Production Manager. The job-holder will carry out duties involving the buying of paper and of finishing equipment, will liaise (联络) with the supervisors of the various production lines, and will assist the Production Manager. At least three years' experience on one or more lines as well as supervisory experience is needed. A working knowledge of English is required to communicate with colleagues in the UK. We offer excellent pay, prospects, holidays, pension scheme, sick pay, etc. Write to the Manager, Box 3526. Broad Street, Northby, Millshire BK 57 PX. |
Both the printing companies have something in common with each other except that________.
A. they are to set up a manufacturing factory in Europe.
B. they require at least three years' experience
C. they offer excellent pay and sick pay
D they provide holidays According to the first advertisement, the applicant living in a small village will ________.
| A．get in touch with the Personal Manager by telephone |
| B．get the result on TV |
| C．be interviewed in a city |
| D．write to Box 3526 to get more information |
We can infer from the two advertisements that ________.
| A．the companies want to do business in Europe and Far East |
| B．applicants should have a good knowledge of English. |
| C．the companies haven't got telephones to save money |
| D．cars are necessary for the successful applicants |
Who is your role model? Normally the answer to this question would be anyone around you who you find truly inspiring. It could also be someone like J. K. Rowling or Martin Luther King. Jr. , who have proven to be strong and intelligent people.
However, in today’s world, stars are regarded as role models along with the heroes listed above, despite their intentions or actions. Teens attempt to imitate their actions for two major reasons. Firstly, to be fashionable and accepted by popular culture, and secondly because stars’ actions are so well documented by the media that it seems to grab our attention and turns it to following stars’ lives. Much of the reports about stars is shocking and exhibits bad morals or lifestyles that aren’t right for teenagers. In addition, almost everything stars do is described beyond truth to make a shocking story by taking it to the next level.
However, teens must take responsibility for their actions. We can’t always blame stars for influencing us. Only you have control over yourself and only you choose to do something. Our bodies and actions are in the hands of no one else.
Now, who ever said stars are role models? Whether they choose to be or not, stars set examples as soon as they step into the spotlight. With reporters following and recording every move they make, it is impossible not to be watched and then be imitated. These people influence teens whether or not they want to. Why should someone who doesn’t want to be setting an example set one? So，should we look up to them or to people who are true and good role models? It’s our responsibility as teens to know right from wrong, and it’s time for us to take responsibility for our actions. In doing so，we will lean toward those inspiring people that want to be setting an example, and follow in their steps to be like them.According to the first paragraph, _______ can usually be role models.
| A．political leaders |
| B．wealthy writers |
| C．people inspiring others |
| D．people with great intelligence |
What are the major reasons for the teens to imitate stars?
| A．Interest in stars’ life and expectation of getting rich. |
| B．Motivation for being fashionable and inspiration from popular examples. |
| C．Intentions to gain acceptance and encouragement from stars’ lifestyle. |
| D．Desires to be stylish and great influence from the mass media. |
The author writes the passage mainly to advise the teenagers to _______.
| A．have a control over their own bodies and actions |
| B．be responsible for their own choices and behaviors |
| C．follow fashionable stars’ steps to be more popular |
| D．choose right role models according to different reports |
It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
| A．stars have the responsibility for teenagers’ actions |
| B．not all famous stars choose to influence teenagers |
| C．teenagers choose those inspiring people as their role models |
| D．stars set examples immediately they stepped into the spotlight |
“When I grow up, I want to be...”
Almost all of us have thought about, or been asked to think about, our future careers. Our answers may differ greatly. Even now your aspirations may have changed from when you were in primary school.
However, it seems career options aren’t only based on personal taste. In a survey carried out by Teens, doctors, lawyers, and bankers were some of most popular careers that people said they hoped to follow. This is in line with a similar survey carried out in the UK in May 2011 by job website monster. Co.uk, in which medicine was the top choice among UK teenagers aged between 13 and 17.
Medicine and law are two of the oldest and best known professions. Their prestige (威望) may come from the fact that doctors and lawyers are some of the most esteemed members of society, and they make good money. Joining these high-profile professions is often seen as a sign of upward social mobility.
It is equally unsurprising that banking is now one of the most common career choices. Youngsters worldwide think of banking and see the money rolling in. Wealth is increasingly becoming one of the most important indicators of a successful career. British young men list the UK tycoon Alan Sugar, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg as their top role models “for their wealth”. Just as Chinese teenagers see being a banker as a good and fun pathway to “wealth”.
However, not every child has the makings of doctor, lawyer, or banker. They are those who see fulfillment and happiness in other areas, and many teenagers dare to ink more individuality into their career options. As the Teens’ survey discovered, a variety of unconventional jobs---coffee shop owner, gourmet(美食家)，waiter at a fast food restaurant---are among teenagers’ career choices. They can be equally interesting and rewarding jobs.
With every choice comes responsibility and challenge, and all career paths require specific education and training, you have to learn to balance optimism and confidence with being realistic about your particular talents and skills.What is the passage mainly about?
| A．Choosing a good job is very important. |
| B．Careers in teenagers’ mind. |
| C．Teenagers in the UK like doctors. |
| D．The choice of career needs challenge. |
According to the article, all of the following are the benefits of being a doctor except_____.
| A．respect from others | B．upward social mobility |
| C．high pay | D．the oldest profession |
What do youngsters think is increasingly becoming one of the most important indicators of a successful career?
| A．Prestige | B．Fulfillment | C．Happiness | D．Wealth |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
| A．According to your particular talents and skills, you can choose your favorite career. |
| B．Specific education and training can help get a good job. |
| C．Whatever career you choose, you should balance optimism and confidence with being realistic about your particular talents and skills. |
| D．Responsibility is the most important when you choose a good job. |
It was a comfortable sunny Sunday. I was going to meet an old university friend I hadn't seen for years, and was really excited to hear all his news.
My train was running a little late, but that was no big problem - I could text him to say I would be delayed. He would understand. But… where was my mobile phone? I had that familiar sinking feeling. Yes, I'd forgotten it at home.
No mobile phone. I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling anxious, on edge and worried when I don't have my phone with me. In fact, I know I'm not alone: two-thirds of us experience ‘nomophobia’, the fear of being out of mobile phone contact. That's according to a study from 2012 which surveyed 1,000 people in the UK about their relationship with mobile phones.
It says we check our mobile phones 34 times a day, that women are more ‘nomophobic’ than men, and that 18-24 year-olds are the most likely to suffer fear of being without their mobiles: 77% of them say they are unable to be apart from their phones for more than a few minutes.
Do you have nomophobia ?
· You never turn your phone off
· You obsessively check for texts, missed calls and emails
· You always take your phone to the bathroom with you
· You never let the battery run out
It's funny to think that around 20 years ago the only people with mobile phones would be businessperson carrying their large, plastic ‘bricks’. Of course, these days, mobile phones are everywhere. A UN study from this year said mobile phone subscriptions would outnumber people across the world by the end of 2014.
And when there are more phones than people in the world, maybe it's time to ask who really is in charge? Are you in control of your phone, or does your phone control you?
So, what happened with my university friend? When I arrived a few minutes late he just laughed and said: "You haven't changed at all – still always late!" And we had a great afternoon catching up, full of jokes and stories, with no interruptions and no nagging(唠叨的) desire to check my phone.
Not having it with me felt strangely liberating. Maybe I'll leave it at home on purpose next time.What does the passage talk about ?
| A．The history of mobiles. |
| B．The story of meeting an old university friend. |
| C．The addiction of playing mobile phone. |
| D．The terrible feeling of being without their mobiles. |
The underlined phrase “on edge”in the third paragraph probably means_______.
| A．nervous | B．energetic | C．crazy | D．surprised |
Which word is used to describe old mobile phones according to the passage?
| A．digital phone | B．cell phone | C．bricks | D．smart phone |
What’s the author’s attitude towards the using mobiles?
| A．Worried | B．Favorable | C．Neutral | D．Critical |
Cell phones: is there a cancer link?
Could your cell phone give you cancer? Whether it could or not, some people are worrying about the possibility that phones, power lines and Wi-Fi could be responsible for a range of illnesses, from rashes to brain tumors.
Some say there is evidence to support the growing anxieties. David Carpenter, a professor of environmental health sciences at the university at Albany, in New York, thinks there’s a greater than 95 percent chance that power lines can cause childhood leukemia(白血病). Also there’s a greater than 90 percent chance that cell phones can cause brain tumors. “It’s apparent now that there’s a real risk, ” said Carpenter.
But others believe these concerns are unjustified. Dr Martha Linet, the head of radiation epidemiology(流行病学) at the US National Cancer Institute, has looked at the same research as Carpenter but has reached a different conclusion. “I don’t support warning labels for cell phones, ” said Linet. “We don’t have the evidence that there’s much danger. ”
Studies so far suggest a weak connection between EMFs(电磁场) and illness— so weak that it might not exist at all. A multinational investigation of cell phones and brain cancer, in 13 countries outside the US, has been underway for several years. It’s funded in part by the European Union, in part by a cell phone industry group. The final report should come out later this year, but data so far don’t suggest a strong link between cell phone use and cancer risk. From the passage we can learn that some people are worried because _______.
| A．they have evidence that the use of cell phones can lead to cancer |
| B．they make a fuss over cell phone use |
| C．some experts have given a warning |
| D．cell phones are responsible for brain tumors |
By saying “I don’t support warning labels for cell phones, ” Dr Martha Linet has the idea that _______.
| A．the worrying is unnecessary |
| B．cancer-warning labels should be on cell phones |
| C．there is a link between cell phones and cancer |
| D．cell phones have nothing to do with cancer |
Which of the following best describes the attitude of the author towards the debate?
| A．Optimistic. | B．Objective. |
| C．Opposite. | D．Casual. ] |