While only about 200 astronauts have had the excitement of looking down at Earth and commanding systems on the International Space Station, actually thousands of everyday middleschool students have experienced by Middle School Students, or EarthKAM, a camera system.
EarthKAM is an educational activity and outreach(扩展)investigation that also results in remote Earth sensing and observation. Using the Internet, the students control a special digital camera fixed aboard the space station, enabling them to photograph the Earth's coastlines, mountain ranges and other geographic items of interest from the unique advantage point of space.
While EarthKAM offers a powerful way for students to investigate Earth from the unique perspective of space, it is also inspiring the next generation of flight controllers for space programs—involving university students to control and operate the camera system and related activities from the ground.
In the interview, Brion Au, one of the investigation developers at NASA's Johnson Space Centre, said，“EarthKAM is a payload(有效载荷)by students, for students. They are in charge. This system provides a viewpoint that the astronauts have...it's just aweinspiring！”So far, students have captured more than 40,000 photos of the Earth from the space station as it orbited the Earth once every 90 minutes, traveling at 17,500 miles an hour. The team at EarthKAM posts these photographs online for the public and participating classrooms around the world to view.
Au explains that this education investigation is inspiring students to explore the world by examining Earth, while promoting social studies, art, geography, science, technology, and math, among other important lessons involving research and teamwork. EarthKAM was started by Dr. Sally Ride, originally flying on the shuttles. The camera is located in the window Observational Research Facility, also known as the WORF, one of many the station's research facilities.How have thousands of students experienced similar excitement as astronauts?
| A．In the space station. | B．In the spaceship. |
| C．Using a camera system. | D．Teaming up with astronauts. |
What equipment should the students need for the research?
| A．Computer. | B．Recorder. | C．Telephone. | D．Radios. |
What doesn't belong to the next generation of flight controllers for space programs?
| A．University students' controlling the camera system. |
| B．University students' operating the camera system. |
| C．University students' related activities from the ground. |
| D．University students' investigating Earth from space. |
Who are responsible for EarthKAM?
| A．The astronauts. | B．The students. |
| C．The investigation developers. | D．The teachers. |
What's the main idea of the last paragraph?
| A．DR.Sally Ride explains the details of EarthKAM |
| B．Why the team at EarthKAM posts these photographs online. |
| C．EarthKAM provides a viewpoint that the astronauts have. |
| D．Brion Au explains the details of EarthKAM. |
Thomas Alva Edison (爱迪生)was awarded more patents（专利） on inventions than any other American. When he died in 1931, Americans wondered how they could best show their respect for him. One suggestion was that the nation observe a minute or two of total blackout(关闭，中断). All electric power(电源) would be shut off in homes, streets, and factories. Perhaps his suggested plan made Americans realize fully what Edison and his inventions mean to them. Electric power was too important to the country. Shutting it off for even a short time would have led to complete confusion（混乱）. A blackout was out of the question.
On the day of Edison’s funeral (葬礼),many people silently dimmed(使暗淡) their lights. In this way they honoured the man who had done more than anyone else to the great force of electrity This says that Thomas Edison __________.
| A．was the only important American inventor |
| B．received the first American patent |
| C．received more patents than any other American |
| D．was the first American inventor |
People decided to honor Edison when ________.
| A．he made the first electric light | B．electric power was 100 years |
| C．the country realized electricity’s importance | D．he died in 1931 |
The suggested plan was to _________.
| A．turn off the lights in factories | B．observe a few minutes of total silence |
| C．dim all electric lights | D．shut off all electricity for a short time |
The plan was never carried out because________.
| A．not everyone wanted to honor Edison |
| B．it was too difficult |
| C．electric power was too important to the country |
| D．it honored only one of Edison’s inventions |
"Depend on(依靠) yourself" is what nature says to every man. Parents can help you. Teachers can help you. But all these only help you to help yourself.
There have been many men in history. But many of them were very poor in childhood, and no uncles, aunts or friends to help them. Schools were few. They could not depend upon themselves for an education. They saw how it was and set to work with all their strength to know something. They worked their own way till they became well known.
One of the most famous teachers in England used to tell his pupils, "I can not make worthy men of you, but I can help make men of yourself."
Some young men don't try their best to make themselves valuable to the human beings. They can never gain achievement(成就) unless they see their weak points and change their course. They are nothing now, and will be nothing as long as they live, unless they accept the advice of their parents and teachers, and depend on their own efforts. Which of the following titles fits this article best?
| A．What Nature Says to Every Man. | B．How to Be Famous. |
| C．Men Must Help Each Other. | D．Depend on Yourself. |
According to the famous teacher in England, a teacher can________.
| A．make his pupils worthy men |
| B．help his pupils find a way to be famous |
| C．help his pupils make themselves useful men |
| D．make his pupils men of strength and courage |
From this article we can learn the writer ________.
| A．sings highly praise for parents and teachers |
| B．is a man of strong character |
| C．thinks highly of those who are struggling or success |
| D．feels it the most important of all to accept the advice of others |
The clock struck（敲）eleven at night. The whole house was quiet. Everyone was in bed except me. Under the strong light, I looked sadly before me at a huge pile of that troublesome stuff they call “books”. I was going to have my examination the next day. “When can I go to bed?” I asked myself. I didn’t answer. In fact I dared not(不敢).
The clock struck twelve. “Oh, dear!” I cried. “Ten more books to read before I can go to bed!” We students are the most wretched creatures in the world. Dad does not agree with me on this. He did not have to work so hard when he was a boy.
The clock struck one. I was quite desperate now. I forgot all I had learned. I was too tired to go on. I did the only thing I could. I prayed, “Oh God, please help me pass the exam tomorrow. I do promise to work hard afterwards, Amen.” My eyes were so heavy that I could hardly open them. A few minutes later, with my head on the desk, I fell asleep. The underlined word “wretched” in Paragraph 3 probably means ____________.
| A．happy | B．disappointed |
| C．unhappy | D．hopeful |
Reviewing his lessons that night didn’t help him because ____________.
| A．it was too late at night |
| B．he was very tired |
| C．his eyelids were so heavy that he couldn’t keep them open |
| D．he hadn’t studied hard before the examination |
What do you suppose probably happened to the author the next day?
| A．He went to a church to pray again. | B．He passed the exam all by luck. |
| C．He failed in the exam. | D．He was punished by his teacher. |
The best title for the passage would be ____________.
| A．The Night Before the Examination | B．Working Far into the Night |
| C．A Slow Student | D．Going Over My Lessons |
Americans plan parties for many reasons. As in other cultures, many Americans attend parties for weddings and religious or national holidays. But some parties are especially American. For example, a group of neighbors may gather on their street to eat food, play music and visit with one another. This is called a block party. A woman might invite a group of women to a party called a baby shower for a friend who is about to give birth. Guests bring presents for the new baby.
Americans also attend tailgate parties. A tailgate is the back end of a truck or other vehicle that opens down. The tailgate parties are a big part of sports culture in the United States. Friends bring food and drink to a sports event. They eat together in the parking area of the sports stadium.
Birthday parties are also very popular. Many parents organize a party for their child around a theme. Birthday parties usually include gifts and a birthday cake with candles. In many parts of the United States, cupcakes have become a popular replacement for cakes.
Birthday parties can be low cost or very costly. Some parents take their children’s birthday parties very seriously, even when the child is too young to fully understand the celebration.
One group of parents started a website called Birthdays Without Pressure. They decided that some parents were under too much social pressure to plan costly parties for their children. The group sees this movement as an example of America’s culture of “too much stuff”. The group’s website gives suggestions on how to keep birthday celebrations simple, meaningful and fun without spending a lot of money. Their advice may be very helpful during this period of economic recession（萧条）.. What can be the best title for the passage?
| A．Reasons for parties |
| B．Birthdays without pressure |
| C．American parties |
| D．Different parties in the world |
. How many kinds of parties does the passage mention?
| A．5. | B．6. |
| C．7. | D．8. |
. Eating together in the parking area of the sports stadium belongs to _________parties.
| A．block | B．baby shower |
| C．sports | D．tailgate |
. The purpose of Birthdays Without Pressure is to advise people to _________.
| A．relieve people’s pressure |
| B．have meaningful birthday parties with low cost |
| C．make birthday parties meaningful and costly |
| D．spread America’s culture |
.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．Block party is especially American. |
| B．Some parties in America are the same as in other countries. |
| C．There’s a party for the mother before her new baby is born. |
| D．Birthday parties are the most popular in America. |
Riding School：
You can start horse—riding at any age．Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9 a．m．and 8：30 P．m．(3：30 p．m．on Saturdays)．There are 10 kilometers of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country．You will need a riding hat．
Opening Hours：Monday through Friday：9：00 a．m．—8：30 p．m．
Phone：(412)396—6754 Fax（传真）：(412)396—6752
Sailing Club：
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification（资格）．You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid．Have fun with other course members , afterwards in the clubroom．There are 10 weekly two-hour 1essons (Tuesdays 6 p．m．～8 p．m．)．
Opening Hours：Tuesdays：6：00 p．m．—8：00 p．m． Phone：(412)396—6644 Fax：(412)396—6644
Diving Centre： Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving（潜水） for beginners．There are two evening lessons a week，in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely．You only need swimming costume and towel．Reduced rates for couples．
Opening Hours：Monday and Friday：6：30 p．m．—8：30 p．m．
Phone：(412)396—6312 Fax：(412)396—6706
Medical Center：
The staff(员工) of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university．The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal with a broad range of medical problems．Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation（咨询）．Also，all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores．
Opening Hours：24 hours from Monday to Sunday
Phone：(412)396--6649 Fax：(412)396—6648
Water sports Club：
We use a two-kilometer length of river for speedboat racing，and water-skiing，A beginners’ course consists of ten 20-minute lessons．You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently，but must be able to swim．The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9 a．m to 4 p．m，with lessons all through the day．
Opening Hours：Monday through Friday：9：00 a．m．—4：00 p．m．．If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous，you should join ________ ．
A Diving Centre B. Water sports Club
C．Riding School D．Sailing Club．If you want to experience a new activity in the countryside in the mornings，you may fax _____________________________ ．
| A．(412)396—6752 | B．(412)396—6648 |
| C．(412)396—6876 | D．(412)396—6706 |
．If you are planning to explore the ocean depths, you should attend your lessons at ______ .
| A．Monday through Friday：7：00 a．m．—10：00 p．m． |
| B．24 hour from Monday to Sunday |
| C．Tuesdays：6：00 p．m．—8：00 p．m． |
| D．Monday and Friday：6：30 p．m．—8：30 p．m． |
．You want to do an activity one evening a week and get a certificate（证书） in the end，you can go to __________________________．
| A．Diving Center | B．Sailing Club |
| C．Riding School | D．Water sports Club |
．Which is NOT the convenience that the Medical Center provides?
| A．Well trained staff members． | B．Nursery for newly-born babies |
| C．Good equipment． | D．Various less expensive medicines． |