Michael Fish may soon be replaced as a weather forecaster by something truly fishier---the shark(鲨鱼).
Research by a British biology student suggests that sharks could be used to predict storms.
Lauren Smith, 24, is close to completing her study on shark’s ability to sense pressure.
If her studies prove the theory, scientists may be able to monitor the behaviour of sharks to predict bad weather.
Miss Smith had previously studied the behaviour of lemon sharks in the Bahamas.
She then used their close relatives, lesser spotted dogfish, for further research at Aberdeen University.
Her work---thought to be the first of its kind to test the pressure theory ---- resulted from the observation that juvenile blacktip sharks off Florida moved into deeper water ahead of a violent storm in 2001.
Miss Smith said: “I’ve always been crazy about traveling and diving and this led me to an interest in sharks.”
“I was delighted to have been able to research in the area for my degree. I know there’s so much more we need to understand ---- but it certainly opens the way to more research.”
It has been discovered that a shark senses pressure using hair cells in its balance system.
At the Bimini Shark Lab in the Bahamas, Miss Smith fixed hi-tech sensors to sharks to record pressure and temperature, while also tracking them using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology.
In Aberdeen, she was able to study the effects of tidal(潮汐的) and temperature changes on dogfish----none of which were harmed. She also used a special lab which can mimic(模拟) oceanic pressure changes caused by weather fronts.
She is due to complete her study and graduate later this year. She says she will be looking for a job which will give her the chance to enrich her experience of shark research.
The passage is most probably taken from _____.
A.a short-story collection B.a popular science magazine C.a research paper D.a personal diary
A.Sharks may be used to predict bad weather. B.Sharks’ behaviour can be controlled. C.Michael Fish is not qualified for his job. D.Lauren Smith will become a weather forecaster.
A.removing hair cells from a shark’s balance system B.measuring the air pressure of weather fronts C.recording sharks’ body temperature D.monitoring sharks’ reaction to weather changes
A.A popular way of forecasting weather. B.A new research effort in predicting storms. C.Biologists’ interest in the secrets of sharks. D.Lauren Smith’s devotion to scientific research.
An old man who lived in a small back street of my hometown had to tolerate the nuisance of boys playing football and making a lot of noise outside his house at night.
One evening when the boys were particularly_16__,he went out to talk to them. He explained that he had just retired and was__17_when he could see or hear boys playing his__18__game,football. He would__19__give them ¥25 each week to play in the street at night. The boys got__20__,for they could hardly believe__21__they were being paid to do something they__22__.
The first two weeks had passed,the boys came to the old man’s house,and went away__23__with their 25 yuan. The third week when they came back,__24__,the old man said he hadn’t had much money__25__himself and sent them away with only 15 yuan. The fourth week,the man said he had not yet received his__26__from the government and gave them only 10 yuan. The boys were very disappointed,but there was__27__much that they could do about it.
At the__28__of the fifth week,the boys came back and__29__at the old man’s door,waiting for their__30__.Slowly,the door opened and the old man appeared.He__31__that he could not afford to pay them 25 yuan__32__he had promised,but said he would give them five yuan each week without__33__.
This was really too much for the boys. “You expect us to play seven days a week for merely five yuan!” they yelled.“__34__!”
They__35__away and never played on the street again.
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When Alice started to cycle home from Jenny’s house, she wasn’t nervous. She was certainly not afraid of the dark. 31 , it was only a 15-minute ride home. But halfway there, she began to wish that she hadn’t been so 32 .
As she rounded a sharp bend, it suddenly 33 cold — very cold. Alice’s breath became puffs of white cloud and her legs were so cold that it became hard to ride.
With her heart beating fast, she struggled so hard to move 34 that she didn’t hear the car which suddenly appeared beside her. She stopped by the road. The big black car also 35 . Slowly, the passenger-window began to slide down. Alice held her breath. In the soft light inside the car, something 36 . Then, the light brightened and Alice was staring at a sweet, grey-haired old lady. “Hello, dear,” said the old lady. “I need 37 . I’m afraid I’m lost. I need to find the nearest airport. I must be there in the next five minutes.”
“Airport? You 38 are lost,” Alice said. “You need to go back five kilometers 39 you reach the T-junction. Turn left and 40 for about another 10 kilometers to the main highway. From there, just follow the 41 to the airport. But I’m afraid there’s no 42you’ll get there in five minutes!”
“Thank you very much, dear,” replied the old lady. “Don’t worry — I’ll 43 in time.”
The 44 moved up and the car started off. A little way ahead, it 45 and with headlights flashing, it drove past Alice. But then, something 46 happened. The car began changing. First, its color 47from black to silvery-grey. Then, the wheels began disappearing, but the car continued to move forward, 48 just above the ground. As the car 49 into the dark sky, the big red tail-lights grew larger and larger and glowed more and more brightly. With a faint whistling 50 , the car was gone in seconds, leaving Alice shaking her head in disbelief…
A.Therefore B.Besides C.However D.Otherwise
A.curious B.excited C.brave D.stubborn
A.proved B.seemed C.fell D.grew
A.forward B.around C.aside D.backward
A.stayed B.stopped C.arrived D.started
A.gathered B.moved C.dropped D.existed
A.help B.water C.rest D.gas
A.necessarily B.certainly C.basically D.normally
A.if B.as C.unless D.until
A.drive B.march C.follow D.walk
A.guidance B.signs C.notices D.address
A.way B.room C.time D.doubt
A.finish it B.get it C.make it D.have it
A.wheel B.window C.headlight D.door
A.continued B.rushed C.turned D.passed
A.sensitive B.strange C.imaginable D.horrible
A.appeared B.developed C.spread D.faded
A.floating B.rolling C.drawing
A.returned B.pointed C.broke D.rose
A.voice B.tune C.sound D.tone
The passengers on the bus watched with sympathy as Susan made her way carefully up the steps.She paid the driver and then, using her hands to 36 the seats, settled in one of them.
It had been a year since Susan became blind.As the result of an accident she was suddenly thrown into a world of 37 .Susan’s husband Mark watched her 38 into hopelessness and he was 39 to use every possible means to help his wife.
Finally, Susan felt ready to 40 to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but she was now too 41 to get around the city by herself.Mark 42 to ride the bus with Susan each morning and evening 43 she could manage it by herself.
For two weeks, Mark 44 Susan to and from work each day.He taught her how to rely on her other 45 , specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new 46 .
At last, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip 47 .Monday morning arrived.Before she left, she hugged her husband 48 , her eyes filled with tears of gratitude(感激).She said good-bye and, for the first time, they went their 49 ways.Each day went perfectly, and a wild excitement 50 Susan.She was doing it!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work 51 .As she was getting off the bus, the driver said, “Miss, I sure 52 you.” Curious, Susan asked the driver 53 .
“You know, every morning for the 54 week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you until you enter your office building safely,” the bus driver said.
Tears of happiness poured down Susan’s cheeks.She was so lucky for he had given her a gift more powerful than 55 , That is the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.
A.touch B.grab C.count D.feel
A.weakness C.darkness D.sadness
A.run B.sink C.jump D.step
A.inspired B.determined C.honored D.pleased
A.return B.adjust C.contribute D.stick
A.tired B.astonished C.depressed D.frightened
A.volunteered B.attempted C.continued D.struggled
A.when B.as C.until D.after
A.drove B.directed C.accompanied D.sent
A.feeling B.organs C.skills D.senses
A.position B.environment C.status D.role
A.on her own B.in person C.to her benefit D.on foot
A.politely B.calmly C.briefly D.tightly
A.opposite B.separate C.fixed D.lonely
A.took charge of B.took place of C.took advantage of D.took hold of
A.as usual B.as a rule C.as well D.as a consequence
A.respect B.envy C.know D.support
A.what B.how C.why D.who
A.past B.same C.first D.next
A.courage B.will C.sight D.wisdom
Part Four: Writing
Section A (10 points)
Directions: Read the following passage. Complete the diagram by using the information for the passage.
The art of growing dwarf (short) trees, or “bonsai” as their Japanese planters call them, is increasing in popularity in the United States. Growing bonsai can make a fascinating hobby for anyone who enjoys plants and creating beautiful effects with them. However, how can we meet the goal of making such a kind of art? This maybe is the problem for many of us.
There are, in fact, four important guidelines to follow in growing bonsai. First, one must be careful in choosing the type of tree. Not all species of trees can be made into bonsai, since the growing conditions are unusual.
Second, one must be careful in choosing the size of the container the bonsai will be in. This is necessary because the major growth of bonsai is kept confined to the tree’s trunk and leaves, not its root system.
Another thing the bonsai-grower must do is to trim (修整) the roots and branches of the tree periodically (定期地)。 Unless this is done, the plants will look unnatural. The Japanese ideal for bonsai is not to have the proper proportions and will have trees which are just like normal trees in everything, but in small size.
The last thing one must do is to be careful to keep the miniature (small) tree well-watered, or it will die.
As one can see from above, the art of bonsai-growing is one which requires a certain amount of time and effort. The satisfactions that growing bonsai brings can be great, however. Imagine having such a tree in your living room and passing it down through several generations of your family. That is exactly what bonsai-growing is all about: establishing a tradition of beauty which lasts for years and years and is a symbol of the beauties of the natural world.
Title: 71. ___________
72. _________ |
To teach people how to grow bonsai |
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Guidelines |
Aspects |
73. ___________ |
The 74.___ of tree |
75. ___ species of trees can’t be made into bonsai |
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The size of the container |
The bonsai’s 76._____ is confined to its trunk and leaves |
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77. _____ trim |
It will make the plants look 78. _________. |
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Enough water |
It keeps the plants 79. _________. |
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80. ________ |
Bonsai-growing establishes a tradition of natural lasting beauty. |
第二节完形填空(共20小题;每小题1.5分,满分30分)
阅读下面短文,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并填在答题卡上。
Dear Kate,
It is very 36__ that you are coming to our school so soon. 37you arrive, let me introduce 38 you what our school life is like.
Our school is quite famous for its long history. It was 39 in the early 1920s. It is a good place 40__we can prepare ourselves well for the future. We have many wonderful teachers who are always ready to __41___help. __42___we pay a lot of attention to how well we do in lessons, achieving high scores is not the only reason to study. The teachers encourage us to try out new ideas and ask questions. __43__their help we have developed all kinds of interests in both Arts and Science. Students can choose to_44__ any school clubs they are _45___in. We can also choose the subjects that we want to study. Last term I selected American Literature, because I wanted to learn about famous American writers. This term I chose to attend music classes because my father bought me a piano_46__ a birthday present.
__47___, I was elected_ 48___ of my class, __49____it can be _50_ to be a monitor, __51__I have to do a lot of work and attend many meetings. _52 , being a monitor has taught me a lot, such as caring for others and taking responsibilities and so on. When my class was given the title of “Model Class”, I was __53___than ever before. So being a monitor _54____an important part in my school life .I’m very pleased with my work.
I love my school and hope that you will have a pleasant experience here too. I am looking forward to 55 you soon.
36. A. excited B. exciting C. excite D. excitement
37. A. When B .After C. Before D. As soon as
38. A. to B. for C. with D. in
39. A. finded B. found C. founded D. find
40. A. when B. where C. that D. which
41. A. gives B. offer C. donates D. ask
42. A. But B. Because C. Though D. So
43. A. Under B. With C. For D. By
44. A. attend B. join C. join in D. take part in
45. A. interest B. interesting C. interested D. interests
46. A. for B. as C. by D .with
47. A. On the way B. In the way C. By the way D. By way of
48. A. the monitor B. a monitor C. monitor D. monitors
49. A. sometime B. sometimes C. some time D. some times
50. A. tired B. tiring C. tire D. tires
51. A. for B. but C. so D. therefore
52. A. But B. However C . So D. And
53. A. proud B. more proud C. prider D. prouder
54. A. playB. takes C. makes D. plays
55. A.meet B. meeting C. meets D. met