Do you enjoy seeing the stars twinkling at night ? Or do you love the ocean and sea, diving and racing with lovely dolphins? With heavy burdens on their shoulders, teenagers find it hard to pull out. Even if they are free, they prefer to occupy themselves with computer games or watching TV. How to get children away from screens is a great concern for parents. Now there is some good news for those concerned parents and teachers.
A campaign is being launched to encourage children to surrender 30 minutes of screen time a day to head for the great outdoors.
The newly formed Wild Network – a collaboration of nearly 400 organizations – is attempting to attract youngsters away from television and computer screen and into fields, woods and parks.
Organizers say it is the UK's biggest ever campaign to reconnect children with nature and outdoor play, and claim it could help improve fitness, mental alertness and general well–being.
A documentary film, Project Wild Thing, will herald the launch at more than 50 cinemas across the UK from Friday. It looks at the increasingly fragile link between children and nature.
Members of the network include the National Trust, RSPB, Play England and the NHS sustainable development unit.
Andy Simpson, chairman of the Wild Network, said: "The tragic truth is that kids have lost touch with nature and the outdoors in just one generation. Time spent outdoors is down, roaming ranges have fallen drastically, activity levels are declining and the ability to identify common species has been lost."
Suggestions of how to get more time in nature include collecting conkers(板栗), camping or snail racing, and observing autumn colour on trees.
From January, the network will aim to make suggestions to politicians on how government can do more to get children muddy and bright-eyed.
This is not the first time the message of less screen, more play has been brought up. Children in the 1980s were entreated to do the same by the BBC TV series Why Don't You, which somewhat confusingly called on its viewers to "switch off your TV set, and go do something less boring instead".What is the main purpose of the campaign in UK?
| A．To save 30 minutes for watching TV programme each day. |
| B．To encourage children to play outdoors. |
| C．To see the documentary film, Project Wild Thing. |
| D．To teach students how to learn more efficiently in schools. |
According to the organizers of Wild Network, there will be many advantages from the campaign except _______.
| A．improving health conditions |
| B．keeping touch with nature |
| C．learning more about wildlife |
| D．teaching children how to make full use of their spare time |
The underlined part “ to get children muddy and bright-eyed ” means “_______ ”.
| A．to make children covered with mud |
| B．to urge politicians to do more things for children |
| C．to encourage children to take part in outdoors activities |
| D．to help children identify common species |
Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?
| A．A new campaign. | B．Less screen, more play outdoors. |
| C．A newly formed Wild Network. | D．Children get to know wild things. |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Dear God,
Now that I am no longer young, I have friends whose mothers have passed away. I have heard these sons and daughters say they never fully appreciated their mothers until it was too late to tell them.
I am blessed with the dear mother who is still alive. I appreciate her more each day. My mother does not change, but I do. As I grow older and wiser, I realize what an extraordinary person she is. How sad that I am unable to speak these words in her presence, but they flow easily from my pen.
How does a daughter begin to thank her mother for life itself? For the love, patience and just plain hard work that go into raising a child? For running after a toddler, for understanding a moody teenager, for tolerating a college student who knows everything? For waiting for the day when a daughter realizes how wise her mother really is?
How does a grown woman thank a mother for continuing to be a mother? For being ready with advice (when asked) or remaining silent when it is most appreciated? For not saying, “I told you so”, when she could have said these words dozens of times? For being essentially herself -- loving, thoughtful, patient, and forgiving?
I don't know how, dear God, except to bless her as richly as she deserves and to help me live up to the example she has set. I pray that I will look as good in the eyes of my children as my mother looks in mine.
A daughterAccording to the passage, the writer’s friends ________ before their mothers died.
| A．could tell them their appreciation |
| B．never completely said “thank you” to their mothers |
| C．lived to their mother |
| D．were very thankful |
What does the writer think of her mother?
| A．Changing. |
| B．Happy. |
| C．Loving, thoughtful, and forgiving. |
| D．Outstanding. |
Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．She has said “thank you” to her mother dozens of times. |
| B．The writer’s mother is still alive. |
| C．The writer has been a mother. |
| D．She wishes God to bless her mother. |
The underlined expression “flow easily from my pen” means ________.
| A．express easily in words |
| B．move out of her pen easily |
| C．write out without any difficulty in ink |
| D．speak the words as soon as possible |
Why does the daughter write the letter?
| A．She feels sorry to her mother. |
| B．She wants to tell God how much she loves her mother. |
| C．She expects God to retell her appreciation to her mother. |
| D．She wants to pray for her mother. |
Born in 1952, Park Geun-hye, who was born in 1952, made history in South Korea, when she became the first female president of the country.
Park is really a determined, persistent and powerful lady. It’s believed that she may have inherited（继承）such qualities from her father, the late president Park Chung-hee. Such determination and persistence will play an important part if she is to solve the country’s series of challenges at home and abroad.
In South Korea, what challenges her most is to perform what she has promised her people, But slow economic growth in the country may discourage such big reforms as social welfare expansion, more jobs for the young, and reducing the power of the strong family-run companies. Actually Park has found herself under great pressure to slow down a health-care project for lack of enough money.
But after all, Park is no doubt a great barrier sweeper. When she was studying in France, her mother was shot dead by a Korean-Japanese killer aiming for her father. Pushed to act the role of the first lady at age 22, she quickly learned how to greet foreign high officials properly and conduct affairs of the state. Unexpectedly, her father was shot dead just five years later. In the following years, Park disappeared from public view, and returned back in 1998 as a candidate for Parliament（国会）. In 2006, an angry voter knifed her in the face during an election campaign. In spite of such great hardship, Park has led her Party to win a number of election victories, including the recent one in December, when she defeated her competitor Moon and became president of the country. Park, an unmarried powerful woman, who often claims that she has married the country, will continue to build a reputation as a tough-minded politician in the world. 
Which statement about Park is TRUE?
| A．Park disappeared from the public after her mother’s death. |
| B．Park’s greatest dream is to speed up the health-care project. |
| C．Park promised to stop the power of state-run business firms. |
| D．Park is similar to her father in her character such as persistence. |
Park Geun-hye was only ______when Park Chung-hee was killed.
| A．54 | B．46 | C．27 | D．22 |
The author’ s main purpose of the last paragraph is to tell the readers that______.
| A．Park is good at politics because she remains single |
| B．Park won many elections because of her reputation. |
| C．Park was knifed in the face by her competitor Moon. |
| D．Park hardly gives in to tough situation and difficulties. |
What can best describe the author’s attitude towards Park Geun-hye?
| A．The author admires and respects her. |
| B．The author disagrees with her policies. |
| C．The author advises her to get married. |
| D．The author worries about her reputation |
Have you ever wondered when people will make up their minds to become friends? Dr. Leon answered the question in his book, “During their first four minutes together! Whenever you meet someone in a social situation, remember to focus your undivided attention on him for four minutes. That would change a lot of people’s whole lives.”
When you are introduced to new people, you are supposed to appear friendly and self-confident to attract them. Generally speaking, “You like those who like you.” On the other hand, it’s unwise to make others think you are too sure of yourself.
You may not sure about such advice, saying, “But In reality, I’m not either friendly or self-confident. That’s not my nature. Wouldn’t it be dishonest for me to behave that way?” For that question, Dr. Leon would tell you that a little practice can help you feel comfortable about changing your social habits. You will get used to any changes you choose to make in your personality(性格). “It’s like getting used to a new car. It may be unfamiliar at first, but it goes much better than the old.”
However, you may still wonder if it’s dishonest to give the appearance of friendly and self-confidence while you don’t actually feel that way. Perhaps, but according to Dr. Leon, “Entire honesty” is not always good for social relationships, especially during the first few minutes of two strangers’ being introduced to each other. There is a time for a certain amount of play-acting may be the best choice for the first few minutes of contacting a stranger. That is not a suitable time to complain about one’s health or to mention shortcomings you find in other people. It is not the right time to tell the whole truth about one’s opinions and impressions.
The author also makes it clear that that interpersonal(人际的) relations need to be regarded as a required course in every school, along with reading, writing, and mathematics. In his opinion, success in life depends mainly on how you get along with other people. That is at least as important as how much you know.Introduced to a new person, you are supposed to _______.
| A．be sure of yourself without caring about the other’s feelings |
| B．be honest and always tell the whole truth even if it hurts |
| C．look friendly and confident at least for the first few minutes |
| D．directly point out faults you find in the other person |
The author will probably agree that interpersonal relations ________.
| A．should be treated as a required course in schools |
| B．are more important than other courses in school |
| C．play an equal part as other courses in some schools |
| D．are the only secrets to lead you to success in life |
The underlined word “play-acting” in Para 4 means _________.
| A．being totally honest |
| B．being a little dishonest |
| C．acting out what one feels |
| D．acting a role in a play |
The best title for the passage could be __________.
| A．The Key to Success |
| B．Best Ways to Make Friends |
| C．Personal Relations |
| D．The First Four Minutes |
Earthquakes belong to disasters that we human beings cannot avoid. The 9.0magnitude earthquake, which centered near the east coast of Japan, about 230 miles northeast of Tokyo, was the most powerful one in its recorded history, whose great effect was only beginning to be felt.
The quake creating 30foot walls of water caused huge losses of life and property. Waves were strong enough to reach as far as about six miles inland in Prefecture on the east coast, sweeping across rice fields and tearing cars and boats into pieces. It destroyed entire towns by dragging houses onto highways. A train had left its rail and governments had lost contact with four trains in coastal areas. Electricity was cut off, affecting six million households, more than 10% of the total in Japan. In fact, there was no rail service overnight in Tokyo, highways were shut early on Saturday and the streets were crowded with displaced people.
What’s worse, there were still hundreds of deaths even when lucky survivors were pulled from roofs and carried to safety by military helicopters.
It was shocking that hundreds of more people were missing and tens of thousands of people were homeless. Naoto Kan said he had got used to earthquakes during his 30 years living in Japan but never experienced what he felt like that on Friday. “Buildings shook strongly and fell into pieces, setting off flames and fires. I was afraid the world was coming to an end,” he said afterwards.
It’s reported that the earthquake occurring at 2:46 pm, caused great terror and the US National Weather Service released tsunami (海啸) warnings for more 50 countries.
This passage mainly describes about_____ of Japan’s 9.0magnitude earthquake.
| A．the causes | B．the impact |
| C．the rescue work | D．people’s feelings |
What Naoto Kan said suggested that he was ________.
| A．terrified | B．calm |
| C．angry | D．disappointed |
Which statement about the Japan’s 9.0magnitude earthquake is TRUE?
| A．It created six miles high waves. |
| B．It burnt tens of thousands of houses. |
| C．It was centered on the east coast of Japan. |
| D．It caused the most deaths in recorded history. |
According to the US National Weather Service, we know ________.
| A．weather would greatly change after the earthquake |
| B．other countries would not be directly hit by a tsunami |
| C．Prefecture would be most seriously hit by the tsunami |
| D．more countries were likely to be struck by a tsunami |
Vacation
| Vacation News Welcome to Plymouth to spend your school holidays at a country hotel, a drive away from the sea. The comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the quiet countryside with beautiful scenery. Simple but nice food is offered. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season. |
| The Green Center A mountain climbing lesson is provided for young people in the Green Center. We charge only￡57 for a week for beginners, equipment, food and rooms included. Don’t worry about walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. Be prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a real mountain climbing adventure. So keep good health if you want to sign up for the center. |
| The Wonderful World Sea Trip Our Wonderful World Sea Trip of 2015 will be different from any other holidays you have ever experienced before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking waiting and traveling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. You will be well taken care of once you get on board the ship. You may expect first-class meals and comfortable cabins like your home. During the trip, you can either rest on deck(甲板)or enjoy yourself in the games rooms. Dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful plays when evenings fall. You will visit all the places most people only dream about – from Venice and Hawaii to Macau and Cape Town. Come on! For a few thousand pounds, all you are dying for can be yours. |
If you want to go on holidays with pets, you are likely to ______.
| A．Join the Wonderful World Sea Trip |
| B．Go to the Green Centre. |
| C．Choose the holiday in Plymouth. |
| D．Visit Venice and Hawaii. |
In what way is the Green Centre different from the other two holidays?
| A．It provides a sport lesson. |
| B．It holds family gatherings. |
| C．It serves you with good food. |
| D．It offers comfortable room. |
What is special about the Wonderful World Sea Trip?
| A．You can have free meals on deck every day. |
| B．You can sleep on a ship and tour many places. |
| C．You will have chances to watch and act in a play. |
| D．You have to do your own packing and unpacking. |
At the Green Centre, ￡57 covers the following EXCEPT .
| A．food | B．rooms |
| C．body exercises | D．walking shoes |