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Way back in 1662,John Evelyn,a brilliant Englishman known for his detailed diaries,wrote about disastrous effects of coal-burning on the city of London .In it,he described an infernal scene of smog.air filled with “Columns and Clouds of Smoke’’given out by small industries and residences that burned coal for fuel.
I found the description in the 2003 book When Smoke Ran like Water,by epidemiologist(流行病学家)and environmental advocator(倡导者)Devra Davis.In it,Davis looks back at several historic pollution events and their disastrous effect on human human health-and at how these phenomena were often Ignored or even actively covered up by then people in charge at that time.
As Davis points out,John Evelyn was ahead of his time when writing about how London’s polluted air affected  the well-being of its residents.It wasn’t  until nearly 300 years later,after what became well-known as the Great Smog of 1952,that the government began to address the problem in a systematic way.
For four days.Between December 5th“and 9th“,due to all accident of the weather pattern,the city was buried in a heavy fog .People were still burning coal for fuel,and low-grade coal at that time, because 0f wartime condition.A temperature inversion(转向)trapped the smoke from the city’s fires, creating a black cloud in which people could barely find their way down the most familiar streets
Some tried to protect themselves,but most people simply went about their business. But l952’s fog was far worse than any other in memory.In the same week of the previous year, 1852 people had died in London;inl952,that number was 4703 And the deaths didn’t stop when the weather changed and the fog lifted.Davis and her colleagues analyzed data from the next several months and found that about 13000 more people died between December and March than one would have predicted from historical averages Many of them died of pneumonia(肺炎).The government,she writes.Tried to blame a bad flu season.Her detailed analysis found that explanation simply did
not pan out.
Davis writes that even today in this country ,we still have not completely absorbed the lessons of similar events.Sixty years the killer fog lifted in London,people are dying preventable deaths and suffering life.changing illnesses,simply because they must breathe the air of the cities where they live
The passage is written to     

A.warn people of the danger from air pollution
B.introduce London’s Great Smog of l952
C.blame the government for the smog
D.explain the reasons for air pollution

The underlined word‘‘infernal” in the first paragraph probably means“    ”

A.imaginary B.adventurous C.unbelievable D.annoying

One of the reasons for the Great Smog of l952wasthat——

A.people burned wood for fuel
B.a forest fire created a black cloud over the city
C.the government ignored the smog
D.most people went abouttheirbusine00

How does the writer feel about the present air condition in London?
A. lndifferent   B Concerned    C.Hopeless.D. Panic

科目 英语   题型 阅读理解   难度 中等
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Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成)as human beings.What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival.Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for.Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger.With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的)resources to be found.Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later.Resources may be more than physical possessions.Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration.The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives.We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems.Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品)of technological developments in the space industry!
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us.While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers.The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive.Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets.It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?

A.To express his doubts. B.To compare different ideas.
C.To introduce points for discussion. D.To describe the conditions on Earth.

What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?

A.Humans are nature-born to do so. B.Humans have the tendency to fight.
C.Humans may find new sources of food. D.Humans don't like to stay in the same place.

The underlined word "spin-offs" in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.

A.survival chances B.potential resources C.unexpected benefits D.physical possessions

What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

A.Our genetic makeup. B.Resources on the earth.
C.The adaptive ability of humans. D.By-products in space exploration.

Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?

A.Space exploration has created many wonders.
B.Space exploration provided the best value for money.
C.Space exploration can benefit science and technology.
D.Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

Growing up, I wanted to be just like my mom. She was kind. People always seemed to feel comfortable in her presence. For years, she was a volunteer in our community. I loved going to the local nursing home with her where she taught a ceramic class.
On one summer day, Mama told me to get changed and meet her at the car.
I had planned to spend the day at the lake with friends. Why did she have to ruin everything? I imagined the cool lake water. Irritated, I climbed into the car and slammed the door shut. We sat in silence. I was too upset to make conversation.
“Tasha, would you like to know where we are going?” Mama asked calmly.
“No,” I said.
“We are going to volunteer at a children’s shelter today. I have been there before and I think it would benefit you,” she explained.
When we reached the shelter, Mama rang the doorbell. Moments later, we were greeted by a woman. She led us to the front room where all of the children were playing. I noticed a baby whose body was scarred with iron marks. I was told it was because she wouldn’t stop crying. The majority of the children had noticeable physical scars. Others hid their emotional wounds.
As I took in my surroundings, I felt a gentle tug on my shirt. I looked down to see a little girl looking up at me. “Hi. You want to play dolls with me?” she asked. I looked over at Mama for reinforcement. She smiled and nodded. I turned back and said, “Sure.” Her tiny hand reached up and held mine, as if to comfort me.
My mom taught me a valuable lesson that summer. I returned to the shelter with her several times. During those visits, some of the children shared their troubled pasts with me and I learned to be grateful for what I had. Today as I strive to instill (逐渐灌输) these values in my own child, I reflect back to that experience. It was a time that I will never forget.
The author admired her mom for ________.

A.her kindness to others B.her excellent teaching
C.her quality of honesty D.her positive attitude to life

According to Paragraph 3, when she was asked to go out with her mom, the author was ________.

A.excited B.angry C.surprised D.worried

From the passage we learn most children in the shelter ________.

A.were often punished by staff B.weren’t allowed to go outside
C.were once treated badly D.all suffered from mental illness

The underlined word “reinforcement” in the passage is closest in meaning to “________”.

A.truth B.help C.comfort D.support

What lesson did the author learn from her experience?

A.To value what you take for granted. B.To play with children is fun.
C.To love others is to love yourself. D.To do as what your parents do.

When I was seven years old my mom was diagnosed(诊断) with cancer. For this type of cancer the survival rate was low. My family was extremely upset and shocked. I was too young to understand. I had no idea that everyday with my mom had to be the absolute best because we didn’t know if it would be our last. I didn’t understand why everyone was suddenly taking time out of their busy lives to come over and sit on our couch.
The doctors told us my mom might survive with surgery(外科手术). But it could also kill her. She agreed to have it. The surgery was scheduled for the day after the Columbus Day. The day before the surgery I had off from school, and my mom planned the best day of my life. The day began with her waking me up saying, “Kate, I have a surprise for you. Come see.” The surprise was a doll I had wanted for the longest time. Throughout the day, she told me everything that she thought I would need to know to grow up and be a good person; she told me to be the best I could be and that I would always make her proud. The day was filled with laughter. For the first time in a long time I could see she was happy. Really happy.
The day passed and the next day, it was time for the surgery. There were no tears; I think I understood that I could lose my mom, because they did tell me she could die. We waited all day for news from the doctor. Everyone jumped when a door opened or anyone walked into the waiting room. Finally the doctor came in, and the news was what we had prayed (祈祷) for.
The experience that my family went through was truly a roller coaster. I will never forget that day together, and how her illness pulled our family closer. I understand now how lucky we were. I truly appreciate life and honor my mom for being so strong.
After the author’s mother fell ill, people _____.

A.took turns to look after the author
B.tried to spend more time on their work
C.spared more time to stay with the mother
D.asked the doctors to operate on the mother at once

It can be inferred that the author’s mother ______.

A.tried to show her love to her daughter before the operation
B.didn’t agree to have the operation
C.had always been happy before the operation
D.was very nervous the day before the operation

What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A.How the doctors operated on the mother.
B.How the family prayed for the mother.
C.How the mother struggled against cancer.
D.How the family waited for the operation result.

What does the author mean by the underlined sentence in the text?

A.Life is always full of hardships.
B.Life is full of both pain and happiness.
C.Life is always filled with pleasure.
D.Life is fair for everyone all the time.

Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist and one of the most famous scientists of her time. Together with her husband Pierre, she won the Nobel Prize in 1903, and another one in 1911.
Marie Sklodowska was born in Warsaw on 7 November 1867, the daughter of a teacher. In 1891, she went to Paris to study physics and maths at the Sorbonne where she met Pierre Curie, professor of the School of Physics. They married in 1895.
The Curies worked together studying radioactivity(放射性), building on the work of the German physicist Roentgen and the French physicist Becquerel. In July 1898, the Curies announced the discovery of polonium(钋). At the end of the year, they announced the discovery of another, radium(镭). The Curies, along with Becquerel, won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903.
Pierre’s life was cut short in 1906 when he was knocked down and killed by a carriage. Marie took over his teaching post, becoming the first woman to teach at the Sorbonne, and devoted (献身于) herself to continuing the work that they had begun together. She received a second Nobel Prize, for Chemistry, in 1911.
The Curies’ research was important in developing X-rays in surgery. During World WarⅠ, Marie helped fixed X-ray equipment, which she herself drove to the front lines. She helped train doctors for the International Red Cross.
Although she achieved much success, men scientists in France were still against Marie, and she never received any financial help from her work. By the late 1920s her health was beginning to become worse. She died on 4 July 1934 from her dangerous research. The Curies’ eldest daughter Irene was a scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
All the following people contributed to Marie’s first Nobel Prize EXCEPT _____.

A.Irene B.Pierre C.Becquerel D.Roentgen

We can know from the text that Marie’s work______.

A.won her respect from men scientists
B.brought her some financial help
C.had a bad effect on her health
D.had no influence on her children

Which is the right order of the following events?
①Marie became a teacher at the Sorbonne.
②Marie helped train doctors.
③The Curies discovered polonium.
④The Curies won the Nobel Prize for Physics.
⑤The Curies discovered radium.

A.①④⑤③② B.③⑤④①② C.⑤④①③② D.②③⑤①④

Which of the following about Marie is NOT true?

A.She married at the age of 28.
B.Her parent was a teacher.
C.She was the first woman teacher at the Sorbonne.
D.She helped the International Red Cross fix X-ray equipment.

During communication, “words” express only 7% of meanings between people. About 23% of meanings are from the “tone of voice” and 70% of meanings come from “body language”. So next time you want someone’s attention—try body language instead.
Everyone does it, and most interestingly—most do it unconsciously. You may wonder: “Does that mean I have to study psychology to succeed in reading body language?” The answer is “no” because most people are already body language readers.
It’s a skill developed since we’re babies—think of how most babies can recognize facial expressions and get attention without saying anything. That is, you needn’t spend most of your time practicing some of your body language cues(暗示)!
However, you should know that the context(语境) is king. It suggests that, depending on the context of the situation, people will hide body language cues. So sometimes cues can be tricky: a woman who locks her arms may think you are boring—or she may just feel cold. You must learn to read into the context as well as the cues. Sometimes people care more about their body language cues. For example, poker(扑克牌戏) players will consciously hide more of their body language cues.
The first place to start when reading a person’s body language is the face. The easiest way to hide your feelings is to cover your face. This is why it’s sometimes hard to tell if an Islamic girl likes you.
If the eyes are the windows of the mind, the eyebrows(眉毛) are the windows of the eyes. So, notice how a person’s eyebrows will generally rise when they meet someone, see something they like or are surprised at. Eyes generally smile along with the mouth when someone is happy, so everyone knows “^ . ^”.
The first paragraph is mainly to show _____.

A.how to express your meanings clearly
B.how to draw other’s attention
C.the importance of body language
D.the role of words in communication

Most of the time in our daily life, we ______.

A.find body language very interesting
B.don’t realize we’re using body language
C.hardly use any body language
D.use body language on purpose

What does the saying “the context is king” suggest?

A.The context results from body language.
B.The context makes body language difficult.
C.The context helps when reading body language.
D.The context is more important than body language.

Who will hide their body language cues on purpose according to the text?

A.Scientists B.Farmers. C.Teachers. D.Poker players.

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