Twothirds of the world's major rivers have now been disrupted with more than 50,000 dams in an attempt to store water and provide power.In the US,there are more than 85,000 dams,disrupting large and small rivers,and in most cases transforming natural flow.The most famous of these,the Hoover Dam,constructed in the 1930s,is mainly responsible for the fact that the Colorado River no longer reaches the ocean.
Dams,besides all their attractive benefits,also have negative impacts.Creating a reservoir means a large area must be flooded.Communities may lose their land,houses and culturally important sites.
Environmentally,the new reservoir can be a paradise for wildlife,especially birds;however,it can cause greenhouse gas emissions and poison the water.Also,the dramatic rise and fall of water levels during dam releases is too extreme for plants and animals to cope with,resulting in dead zones around the shores of reservoirs.Fish that lay their eggs in the shallows,for example,may find a few hours later that those sites are high and dry.
Downstream(在下游方向)of a dam,the flow may be reduced so that farmers cannot irrigate their fields.Many rivers run through national borders,which may cause conflict over precious water.Disputes have been continuing between India and Pakistan,and Turkey,Syria and Iraq,for example.
Dams don't just block the flow of water.They also prevent fish migrations,and dams are a barrier to sediment(沉淀物)flows.Instead of rushing downriver,sediments get backed up against the dam wall,which causes the reservoir level to increase over time.However,sediments which are rich in nutrients have become a problem.The fertility of the entire system can be influenced,with soils lost during seasonal rains not being replaced.
Perhaps the biggest problem can be seen in deltas,which are sinking into the oceans.Groundwater is being extracted to feed the city,causing the city to sink,and sediments washed away by the ocean are no longer being replaced.The result is that sea level rises in cities from Shanghai to Alexandria.The Hoover Dam is mentioned in the passage in order to show________.
A.dams play an important role in our life |
B.dams have impacted the flow of the rivers |
C.dams make people lose their land and houses |
D.dams have many benefits as well as side effects |
What effects does creating a reservoir have on people's life?
a.People will see fewer birds on the sides of the rivers.
b.Farmers will have less water to irrigate their fields.
c.Visitors can't visit some cultural relics any more.
d.More conflicts and wars over water will break out.
e.More kinds of fish will become extinct in future.
A.a,c | B.c,e |
C.b,e | D.b,c |
With many dams built across the rivers,fish ________.
A.will find more places to lay their eggs |
B.will face a dangerous habitat |
C.will be fed on more sediments rich in nutrients |
D.will find it easier to deal with the rise of water |
How can dams influence large cities like Shanghai?
A.Their entire system will be influenced. |
B.The rainy season will last longer. |
C.They will lie below sea level in future. |
D.Rich soils will be washed away. |
What does the passage mainly talk about?
A.Environmental loss of dams. |
B.Cultural loss of dams. |
C.Economic gain of dams. |
D.Environmental benefits of dams. |
Do you know the cold?
Everybody knows what happens when you catch a cold. First you sniffle(抽鼻涕) or get a more throat. Then you sneeze. After coughing and blowing your way through the next few days it’s over---until next time
Do you know what causes a cold, how it is spread or how to help prevent it? And which of the many medicines is best for your cold?
There is no known cure for the common cold. Once you catch a cold, your body usually produces antibodies(抗体) to the virus which caused the cold. These antibodies help the body develop resistance(抵抗力) to the virus if you catch it again. Unfortunately, over 200 different viruses cause the common cold. These viruses may change over time, so your resistance to them reduces. The large number of viruses and the fact that they change help explain why there is no cure for the common cold and why you will suffer colds in the future.
The colds increase in winter(usually between Septenber and March) but Not because of the cold! Cold weather has not been shown to increase the number of colds. People spend more time indoors in winter. They are therefore more likely to come into physical contact with each other and spread the disease. All these ideas remain to be proven. No one has been able to discover what really causes these colds
Common colds are spread by sneezes or by direct contact with a cold sufferer, usually when two people’ hands touch or an object is passed from one person to another. Sneezing spreads colds when someone sneezes near other people, or sneezes on objects which others later touch. A cold virus can survive up to three hours on hard surfaces.
The simplest and most effective way to lower the risk of catching a cold is to wash your hands frequently. Another important step in cold prevention is for cold sufferers to get rid of used tissues immediately after use.
1.From the passage, we can know____________.
A. a cold virus can survive up to four hours
B. most of people know how to cure a cold
C. there are more colds in November than in May
D. all of us catch more than one cold a year
2.According to the passage, people tend to catch a cold___________.
A. because they don’t take exercise in winter
B.if they stay outdoors in freezinf cold winter
C. if they stay indoors more often in winter
D.because the viruses of colds usually exist in winter
3.We can know colds sre spread through____________.
A. air and touching B. coughs and objects C.two people D. a person and his hands
第二部分:阅读理解(第一节20小题,第二节5小题;每小题2分,满分50分)
第一节:阅读下列短文, 从每题所给的四个选项 (A、B、C和D) 中, 选出最佳选项。
Being interested in a theme park since the time that I was a child, I have learned a thing or two over the years about packing for a day of fun. A trip to a theme park is always a adventure, but if you’re not prepared, your day of fun could easily turn into a tiny little nightmare(噩梦). It is important to pack long sleeved(带袖的) shirts or jackets for all members of your family. I is also a good idea to pack an extra pair of socks for each member of the family, especially the children, as those wonderful water rides can be fun, but wet socks that won’t dry aren’t so much fun.
You don’t want to pack too much food, as you will probably want to experience at least some of the food offered at the theme park of your choice(that’s half of the fun), but it’s always a good idea to bring some energy increasing snacks, such as fruit,trail mix,etc. This can mean the difference between spending a lot of money on snacks or a little money on one or two good meals.
Theme parks,while fun and exciting, can wear a person out,especially a child, so it’s important to keep hydrated(含水的). I would suggest packing one bottle of water per person, and possibly a couple of cans of soda or bottles of juice as well.
It’s a good idea to have at least two cell phones or even a set of “walkie-talkies” in the event that your family gets,separated in the park. It’s a good idea to give one of these things to the children and one to the parents and make sure that each of them knows how to use it. This could be the difference between trouble and a happy ending,
1.You should get well prepared before going to a theme park__________.
A. because the trip always costs much money
B.because there are always too many people in a theme park.
C. so as not to suffer from bad dreams when going back
D.so as to cut down your trip expenses and have more fun
2.From the passage, we can know_______________.
A.the author was fond of visiting theme parks when he was a child
B.wearing wet socks in a theme park will bring children much fun
C.it is terrible to have a taste of the food offered in a theme park.
D. we’d better bring enough food, clothing and water when going to a theme park
3.What does th underlined part”walkie-talkies” in the last paragraph probably refer to?
A. A kind of transportation toolB.A kind of musical instrument
C.A kind of CDplayer D.A kind of phone
4.How many types of things does the author advise us to pack for day trips to a theme park?
A Three B.Five C.Six D. Eight
Brazil has become one of the developing world’s great successes at reducing population growth-but more by accident than design. While countries such as India have made joint efforts to reduce birth rates, Brazil has had better result without really trying, says George Martine at Harvard.
Brazil’s population growth rate has dropped from 2.99% a year between 1951 and 1960 to 1.93% a year between 1981 and 1990, and Brazilian women now have only 2.7 children on average. Martine says this figure may have fallen still further since 1990, an achievement that makes it the envy of many other Third World countries.
Martine puts it down to, among other things, soap operas (通俗电视连续剧) and installment (分期付款) plans introduced in the 1970s. both played an important, although indirect, role in lowering, the birth rate. Brazil is one of the world’s biggest producers of soap operas. Globo, Brazil’s most popular television network, shows three hours of soaps six nights a week, while three others show at least one hour a night. Most soaps are based on wealthy characters living the high life in big cities.
“Although they have never really tried to work in a message towards the problems of reproduction, they describe middle and upper class values - not many children, different attitudes towards sex, women working,” says Martine. “They sent this image to all parts of Brazil and made people conscious of other patterns of behavior and other values, which were put into a very attractive package.”
Meanwhile, the installment plans tried to encourage the poor to become consumers (消费者). “This led to an enormous change in consumption (消耗、消费) patterns and consumption was incompatible (不相容的) with unlimited reproduction.” Says Martine.
1. According to the passage, Brazil has cut back its population growth ____.
A. by educating its citizens B. by careful family planning
C. by developing TV programs D. by chance
2. According to the passage, many Third World countries ______.
A. haven’t attacked much importance to birth control
B. would soon join Brazil in controlling their birth rate
C. haven’t yet found an effective measure to control their population
D. neglected the role of TV plays in family planning
3. Soap operas have helped in lowering Brazil’s birth rate because ____.
A. they keep people sitting long hours watching TV
B. they have gradually changed people’s way of life
C. people are drawn to their attractive package
D. they popularize birth control measures
4. What is Martine’s conclusion about Brazil’s population growth?
A. The increase in birth rate will increase consumption.
B. The desire for consumption helps to reduce birth rate.
C. Consumption patterns and reproduction patterns are contradictory (互相矛盾的)
D. A country’s production is limited by its population growth.
Stricter Traffic Law can Prevent Accidents
From the health point of view we are living in a marvelous age. We are immunized from birth against many of the most dangerous diseases. A large number of once fatal illnesses can now be cured by modern drugs and surgery. It is almost certain that one day remedies will be found for the most stubborn remaining diseases. The expectation of life has increased enormously. But though the possibility of living a long and happy life is greater than ever before, every day we witness the incredible slaughter of men, women and children on the roads. Man versus the motor-car! It is a never-ending battle which man is losing. Thousands of people the world over are killed or horribly killed each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen.
It has been rightly said that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel, his car becomes the extension of his personality. There is no doubt that the motor-car often brings out a man’s very worst qualities. People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind a steering-wheel. They swear, they are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-years-olds and utterly selfish. All their hidden frustrations, disappointments and jealousies seem to be brought to the surface by the act of driving.
The surprising thing is that society smiles so benignly on the motorist and seems to condone his behaviour. Everything is done for his convenience. Cities are allowed to become almost uninhabitable because of heavy tragic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is desecrated by road networks; and the mass annual slaughter becomes nothing more than a statistic, to be conveniently forgotten.
It is high time a world code were created to reduce this senseless waste of human life. With regard to driving, the laws of some countries are notoriously lax and even the strictest are not strict enough. A code which was universally accepted could only have a dramatically beneficial effect on the accident rate. Here are a few examples of some the things that might be done. The driving test should be standardized and made far more difficult than it is; all the drivers should be made to take a test every three years or so; the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put through stringent annual tests for safety. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood can impair a person’s driving ability. Present drinking and driving laws (where they exist) should be mad much stricter. Maximum and minimum speed limits should be imposed on all roads. Governments should lay down safety specifications for manufacturers, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned. These measures may sound inordinately harsh. But surely nothing should be considered as too severe if tit results in reducing the annual toll of human life. After all, the world is for human beings, not motor-cars.
1. The main idea of this passage is__________-
A. Traffic accidents are mainly caused by motorists.
B. Thousands of people the world over are killed each year.
C. The laws of some countries about driving are too lax.
D. Only stricter traffic laws can prevent accidents.
2.What does the author think of society toward motorists?
A. Society smiles on the motorists.
B. Huge car parks are built in the cities and towns.
C. Victims of accidents are nothing.
D. Society condones their rude driving.
3.Why does the author say:’ his car becomes the extension of his personality?’
A. Driving can show his real self.
B. Driving can show the other part of his personality.
C. Driving can bring out his character.
D. His car embodies his temper.
4.Which of the followings is NOT mentioned as a way against traffic accidents?
A. Build more highways.
B. Stricter driving tests.
C. Test drivers every three years.
D. raise age limit and lay down safety specifications.
5.The attitude of the author is
A. ironical B. critical C. appealing D. positive
Toronto---A pleasant attitude can do wonders for patients’ recovery, according to researchers who reviewed 16 studies that looked at patients’ attitudes toward health. The studies lasted 30 years and looked at patients’ attitudes after operation.
“In each case the better a patient’s expectations about how they would do after operation or some health procedure, the better they did,” said the author Donald Cole,
of the Institute for Work and Health in Toronto.
“This mind-body connection that we have been toying with for the past couple of decades really does have hard science behind it. The result shows that the power of positive thinking is real,” Cole said.
New York-A Pable Picasso painting sold at Christie’s auction house in New York Wednesday for 55-million dollars. The price set a new auction record for a Picasso, and is the fifth-highest price ever paid for any work of art at auction.
The painting---Woman with her arms crossed---was purchased by an telephone bidder(投标者).Painted in 1902 in Barcelona, the portrait is one of the best-known works from what is called Picasso’s blue period.
Christie’s says the painting by the famous Spanish artist is of a quality not seen on the market in more than 10 years.It sold for more than twice its pre-sale estimate.
Xinhua Agency---It had not come up until the very last minute in Premier Wen Jiabao’s two-hour press conference that concludes the annual sessions of the national legislature and political advisory body. But when it did it, it became an immediate catch phrase at home.
“I think fairness and justice are more glorious than the sun.” said Wen, responding to the laast question in yesterday’s press session. Which turned out to be the most-quoted lines in domestic media.
1.News Item 1 intends to make us believe that______.
A. positive thinking can make people healthy
B. a better attitude results in a better operation
C. researchers have observed 16 patients’ recovery during the past 30 years
D. great attention has been paid to how attitudes affect health
2.Which of the following is NOT true about the painting Woman with her arms crossed?
A. The painting was once thought to be worth around $25 million.
B. The painting is one of the most expensive pictures ever sold at auction.
C. The painting was purchased through telephone.
D. The painting has not been seen on the market for more than 10 years.
3. “I think fairness and justice are more glorious than the sun.” where does Wen say this?
A. At an online interview
B. At a press conference
C.At a meeting to all the leaders
D. At a speech in Beijing University