Iusedtothinkofmyselfasafairlyo-优题课

B
Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now，one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it，say some scientists.
Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids(流星)that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don't threaten us. But there are also thousands whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth.
Buy $ 50 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $ 10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one，the scientists say，we'll have a way to change its course.
Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn't be cheap.
Is it worth it? Two things experts consider when judging any risk are: 1) How likely the event is; and 2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 500，000 years. Sounds pretty rare-but if one did fall，it would be the end of the world. “If we don't take care of these big asteroids，they'll take care of us，”says one scientist. “It's that simple.”
The cure，though，might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth? “The world has less to fear from doomsday(毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them，” said a New York Times article.
1. What does the passage say about asteroids and meteoroids?
[ A ]. They are heavenly bodies different in composition.
[ B ].They are heavenly bodies similar in nature.
[ C ].There are more asteroids than meteoroids.
[ D ].Asteroids are more mysterious than meteoroids.
2. We can conclude from the passage that_____ .
[ A ].while pushing asteroids off course nuclear weapons would destroy the world
[ B ].asteroids racing across the night sky are likely to hit Earth in the near future
[ C ].the worry about asteroids can be left to future generations since it is unlikely to happen in our lifetime
[ D ].workable solutions still have to be found to prevent a collision of asteroids with Earth.
3. Which of the following best describes the author's tone in this pass age?
[ A ]. Optimistic. [ B ]. Critical. [ C ]. Objective. [ D ]. Arbitrary.

A
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or sleep restfully. It is a problem to nearly everyone at some time .A person may be awake for an hour in the middle of the night and then , next morning, feel that he hardly sleep all night Normally, worry about not getting enough sleep is the worst aspect of most insomnia. If insomnia is recurrent, however, it is important to find its causes and try to correct them, with the help of a doctor if necessary.
Any of a large number of simple factors may take it difficult for someone to fall asleep or remain asleep. His matters may be too soft or too hard. If there are too many blankets on a hot night, he may be too warm; if the bedclothes are too light he may feel cold during the night. If it is not dark enough, or too noisy, this may cause difficulty in sleeping. Eating shortly before going to bed also be responsible for insomnia. Stimulating drinks, such as tea or coffee, can also keep people awake.
Inability to fall asleep is sometimes a symptom of emotional or mental disorders. Insomnia may also be caused by pain and, very rarely, it can be a symptom of a physical disease.
The cause of insomnia may be easy to correct. The sufferer should check the mattress, bedclothes and bedroom temperature, and make any necessary changes. An eye mask keeps out the night and ear-plugs shut out sound. He should relax for an hour or two before bedtime, perhaps by reading a book; watching TV, or taking a warm bath. If he wakes during the night he should try turning on the light and reading for a while. Taking warm milk and a biscuit or two may be helpful. Above all, he should try not to worry about sleeplessness when someone is tied enough he nearly always falls asleep.
If necessary, a doctor may prescribe tranquillizers or sleeping pills. Take only the dosage he prescribes; any more is dangerous.
1. According to the writer, insomnia is ______.
[ A ] a rare problem [ B ] a sign of illness
[ C ] a common complaint [ D ] a modern disease
2. People who have difficulty sleeping should sleep in_____.
[ A ] a light room [ B ] a dark room
[ C ] a cold room [ D ] a warm room
3. Insomnia need’t be taken seriously because_______.
[ A ] people can catch on sleep during the day.
[ B ] many people sleep far too much.
[ C ]it can easily be cured by doctors.
[ D ]it is cured naturally by tiredness.
4. The main cure for insomnia is_____.
[ A ] not to read too much at night
[ B ]not to eat too much for supper
[ C ] not to watch too much television
[ D ] not to get too anxious about sleeping

There are two basic ways to see growth: one as a product, the other as a process. People have generally viewed personal growth as an external （外在的） result or a product that can easily be identified and measured. The worker who gets a rise, the student whose grades improve, the foreigner who learns a new language—all these examples of people who have measurable results to show for their efforts.
By contrast （对照）,the process of personal growth is much more difficult to determine, since it is a journey and not the specific signposts or landmarks along the way. The process is not the road itself, but the attitudes, feelings people have, and their caution or courage, as they meet with new experiences and unexpected difficulties. In this process, the journey never really ends；There are always new ways to experience the world, new ideas to try, new challenges to accept.
In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to face the unknown, and to accept the possibility that they may “fail” at first. How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is necessary for our ability to grow. Do we see ourselves as quick and curious? If so, we tend to take more chances and be more open to unfamiliar experiences. Do we think we’re shy and indecisive? Then our sense of fear can cause us to hesitate, to move slowly, and we think we are slow to adapt （适应） change or that we’re not smart enough to deal with a new challenge. Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.
These feelings of insecurity （不安全） and selfdoubt are both unavoidable and necessary if we are to change and grow. If we protect ourselves too much, then we stop growing. We become trapped inside a shell of our own making.
1.In the author’s eye, one who views personal growth as a process would ______.
A. succeed in climbing up the social ladder
B. grow up from his own achievements
C. face difficulties and take up challenges
D. aim high and reach his goal each time
2. Which of the following can be viewed as the process of personal growing?
A. Our manager was always willing to accept new challenges.
B. Jane won the first prize in the speech competition.
C.J erry picked up French during his stay in Paris.
D. Father’s salary rose from 5000 to 7000.
3.For personal growth, the author is in favor of all the following EXCEPT ______.
A. being curious about more changes
B. being quick in self-adaptation
C. having an open mind to new experiences
D. staying away from failures and challenges
4. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. It is not so easy to measure personal growth.
B. To try and fail on the new road facing the unknown is unavoidable.
C. There are only two ways to see a person’s growth.
D. If you are too shy to take any risks in life, you cannot grow up.
5. The best title for this passage should be ______.
A. Facing New Challenges
B. Growth—Product or Process
C. Two Basic Ways of Growth
D. Overcoming Internal Fears

For hundreds of years, artists have used cartoons to criticize bad rulers or landowners. As early as the 19th century, people produced and read books of drawings. In many ways, they were similar to modern comics（漫画）. They contained stories of naughty children and playful animals. The owl and the elephant were usually wise animals, ready to give advice. The lion and tiger were brave. The fox and wolf were cunning, greedy and dangerous.
A century ago, an American newspaper published the first-color comic strip. It was so popular that sales of the newspaper, Morning Journal, increased quickly. Since then, newspapers throughout the world have included comic strips.
In modern time, comics are popular in China, Japan, the USA and almost everywhere. Not even video games or CD-ROMs have reduced their popularity. Names such as Snoopy, Woodstock and Garfield are well known in dozens of countries. The Peanuts comic strip appears in over 2,000 newspapers and in more than 25 languages.
Perhaps one day, you may like to create your own comic strip and become a millionaire. First, you must think of a good plot. It should be funny, exciting or interesting in some way. It should have plenty of action. Moreover, the language must be realistic and simple. The words should suit the characters in your story.
Furthermore, the characters in your story must be clear to readers. They should be obviously good or bad. In many comic strips—especially those showing crime of adventure—there should also be a hero or heroine. This will attract the reader to keep on reading the story.
1. Which of the following is NOT the name of a cartoon character?
A. Snoopy B. Garfield C. Peanuts D. Woodstock
2. We can know from the first paraphaph that rulers ________.
A. asked the artists to draw cartoonsB. probably did not like cartoons about them.
C. often drew cartoons many years ago.D. used cartoons to give people advice.
3. According to the passage, what makes a popular and successful comic strip?
A. Good plotB. suitable language C. clear charactersD. All of above
4. The underlined word “plot” is similar in meaning to ______.
A. placesB. storiesC. events D. characters

One winter evening, a storekeeper was going to close up his shop. Suddenly he saw Seth, a lazy, good-for-nothing fellow grab a pound of fresh butter and concealed it in his hat. No sooner had the storekeeper seen the act than he hit upon exactly the right revenge. He would punish the thief, and satisfy his own appetite for fun.
Seth had his hat on his head, and the butter in his hat. He was anxious to leave. However, the rightful owner of the butter offered him a cup of hot drink, took him by the shoulders and planted him in a seat close to the stove. The grocer stuffed in the stove as many sticks of wood as he could possibly fit inside.
Seth already could feel the butter settling down closer to his hair, so he jumped up, declaring that he must go. “Sit down; don’ t be in such a hurry,” replied the grocer, pushing him back into the chair again.
Streak after streak of the butter came pouring from under the poor man’s hat. The fun-loving grocer kept on stuffing wood into the stove. Then, as if surprised, he remarked, “You seem to be perspiring (排汗) as if you were warm! Let me put your hat away for you.”
“No!” exclaimed poor Seth at last, unable to stand it a moment longer. “No, I must go; let me out.”
A greasy (油腻的) waterfall of butter was now pouring down the poor man’s face and neck, soaking (浸泡) into his clothes, and trickling down his body into his boots. He was bathed in oil from head to toe.
Just as his victim darted out the door, the grocer said, “I reckon (估计) the fun I’ve had out of you is worth the money, so I shan’t charge you for that pound of butter in your hat.”
1．Why did Seth put the butter in his hat?
A. Because he just wanted to play a trick on the grocer.
B. Because he had nowhere to put the butter but in the hat.
C. Because he wanted to revenge himself on the grocer.
D. Because he didn’t want to pay for it.
2．What is not the action that the grocer took as a revenge?
A. The grocer offered Seth a cup of hot drink.
B. The grocer forced Seth to take a seat near the stove.
C. The grocer overcharged Seth for the butter.
D. The grocer offered to take off Seth’s hat.
3．What was the purpose of the grocer’s hospitality?
A. He wanted to make friends with Seth.
B. He wanted to be kind to him.
C. He wanted to take his revenge on Seth by making the butter in his hat melt.
D. He wanted to sell more of his goods.
4．What is the best title of the passage?
A. Great fun B. The right revenge C. A fun-loving grocer D. A foolish customer

A．fast and effortless	B．challenging but rewarding
C．hopeless but beneficial	D．meaningful but fruitless