Water runs downhill from mountaintops to streams to rivers to oceans. But downhill isn’t the only way that water moves .A new study measures how water travels from country to country for human consumption. This flow isn’t the type we usually think about .These scientists looked at the water used to grow and make the products which get shipped from nation to nation as imports or exports. They call this a flow of“virtual water(虚拟水)”.
We typically think about water as the liquid that flows from a tap. However,92%of the water used by people goes into growing crops,according to water researcher Arjen Hoekstra. He recently studied the hidden travels of virtual water used in products made from things like crops and meats .These products are shipped around the world.
For example.consider a sugary soft drink. Hoekstra estimated that to produce one half-liter of the drink requires between 170 and 310litersofthewater—about 95%—is used to grow and process the ingredients(原料).Another 4%goes into the packaging and labeling. In Hoekstra’s calculation, when one country produces a half-liter of soda and sells it abroad,it exports as much virtual water as would fill a large refrigerator.
According to Hoekstra’s new report,dry countries like Israel and Kuwait,both in the Middle East, get the majority of their virtual water from other countries,through imported products. More surprisingly, some wetter countries,like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, also get the majority of their virtual water from other places. That means that most of the water used to grow or produce the products and food consumed in those countries came from other countries.
In the United States most of the virtual water used comes from American sources .In China even less of the water associated with its productsWhat is the best title for the passage?
A.Crops and Virtual Water | B.Import and Export of Water |
C.Benefits of Virtual Water | D.Water’s worldwide travels |
The first paragraph is intended to talk about__________.
A.how water flows |
B.what virtual water is |
C.where virtual water exists |
D.why water is imported and exported |
The example of a sugary soft drink in Paragraph 3 is given to show_________.
A.how drinks are made | B.how virtual water is used |
C.how virtual water is exported | D.how drinks are shipped |
In which countries does most part of virtual water come from outside?
A.lsrael and America | B.America and the Netherlands |
C.China and the United Kingdom | D.Kuwait and the Netherlands |
The passage is most probably a_________.
A.science news report | B.book review |
C.newspaper advertisement | D.science fiction story |
I was never very neat, while my roommate Kate was extremely organized. Each of her objects had its place, but mine always hid somewhere. She even labeled (贴标签)everything. I always looked for everything. Over time, Kate got neater and I got messier. She would push my dirty clothing over, and I would lay my books on her tidy desk. We both got tired of each other.
War broke out one evening. Kate came into the room. Soon, I heard her screaming, “Take your shoes away! Why under my bed! ” Deafened, I saw my shoes flying at me. I jumped to my feet and started yelling. She yelled back louder.
The room was filled with anger. We could not have stayed together for a single minute but for a phone call. Kate answered it. From her end of the conversation,I could tell right away her grandma was seriously ill. When she hung up, she quickly crawled (爬)under her covers, sobbing. Obviously, that was something she should not go through alone. All of a sudden, a warm feeling of sympathy rose up in my heart.
Slowly, I collected the pencils, took back the books, made my bed, cleaned the socks and swept the floor, even on her side. I got so into my work that I even didn’t notice Kate had sat up. She was watching, her tears dried and her expression one of disbelief. Then, she reached out her hands to grasp mine. I looked up into her eyes. She smiled at me, MThanks. ”
Kate and I stayed roommates for the rest of the year. We didn’t always agree, but we learned the key to living together: giving in, cleaning up and holding on.What made Kate so angry one evening?
A.She couldn’t find her books. |
B.She heard the author shouting loud. |
C.She got the news that her grandma was ill. |
D.She saw the authors shoes beneath her bed. |
The author tidied up the room most probably because .
A.she was scared by Kate’s anger |
B.she hated herself for being so messy |
C.she wanted to show her care |
D.she was asked by Kate to do so |
How is Paragraph 1 mainly developed?
A.By analyzing causes. |
B.By showing differences. |
C.By describing a process. |
D.By following time order. |
What might be the best title for the story?
A.My Friend Kate |
B.Hard Work Pays Off |
C.How to Be Organized |
D.Learning to Be Roommates |
Many of us mistakenly believe that it’s wrong to think we have any good qualities. We may spend a lot of time blaming ourselves for our negative qualities, thinking that self criticism is the key to improving our performance. However, a constant focus on our supposed shortcomings can stop our efforts to make friends with other people. How can we believe that others could like us if we believe our inner being is flawed?
If someone seems to dislike you, the reason for that dislike might have little or nothing to do with you. The person who doesn’t like you might be fearful, or shallow or busy or shy. Perhaps you and that person are simply a mismatch for each other at this particular time.
Don’t take yourself out of the game by deciding that your flaws are bigger than your good qualities. In fact, some of the very qualities you consider to be flaws may be irresistible to someone else. Although some factors that might cause one person to reject you, there are at least many factors that will work in your favor.
You might be thirty pounds over your ideal weight, but you may have a wonderful laugh and a real enthusiasm for life. There are many people who don’t mind your extra pounds. You may drive a shabby car, but you might be a great dancer and a loyal friend. There are people out there looking for loyalty, or fun, or sweetness, or wisdom, and the package it comes in is not important. If you are worried that you are not beautiful enough to attract friends, keep in mind that not everyone is looking for physical beauty in their friends. You can decide to feel inferior because you don’t have much money and you don’t drive a nice car. You can believe that this is the reason
that you don’t have many friends in your life. On the other hand, if you are very wealthy you may be suspicious that everyone is after your money and that nobody really likes you as a person.
The point is that you can focus on just about anything and believe it’s the reason you do not have friends and cannot make any.According to the passage, plays an important role in making friends.
A.admitting your shortcomings | B.self criticism |
C.modesty | D.confidence |
If you are not liked by a person, .
A.you should find the reason in yourself |
B.you’d better talk with the person face to face |
C.you may not be the one to be blamed |
D.you and that person misunderstand each other |
We can learn from the third paragraph that .
A.your good qualities may make you earn more money |
B.your weakness may also be your strengths in some way |
C.your negative qualities may cause you to lose friends |
D.you’ll have few friends if you don’t share the same interest |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the author?
A.It is important to lose weight. |
B.It is easier for a wealthy person to make friends. |
C.Inner qualities are more important than physical appearance. |
D.If you are not beautiful enough, try to improve your physical beauty. |
What do you think the author is most likely to suggest if he continues to write?
A.How to find your good qualities. | B.How to make friends. |
C.How to make self criticism. | D.How to keep fit. |
President Abraham Lincoln often visited hospitals to talk with wounded soldiers during the Civil War.Once,Lincoln went over to the bedside of a young dying soldier.
“Is there anything I can do for you?”asked the President. The soldier obviously didn't recognize Lincoln, and with some effort he was able to whisper, “Would you please write a letter to my mother?”
So the President carefully began writing down the soldier's words,“My dearest mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty. I'm afraid I'm not going to recover. Don't grieve too much for me, please. Kiss my sister Mary for me.May God bless you and Father.”
The soldier was too weak to continue, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and added, “Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln.”The young man asked to see the note and was astonished when he discovered who had written it.“Are you really the President?”he asked. “Yes, I am,”replied Lincoln quietly.Then he asked if there was anything else he could do.“Would you please hold my hand?”asked the soldier.“It will help to see me through to the end.”
In the quiet room, the tall gaunt (憔悴的)President took the soldier's hand and spoke warm words of encouragement until death came.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A.The dying soldier was filled with love. |
B.Lincoln only signed his name in the letter instead of the soldier's. |
C.The soldier was the only child in his family. |
D.Lincoln often wrote letters for the wounded. |
When the soldier's mother read the letter, she would probably be________.
A.sad but feel greatly relieved |
B.apologetic but grateful |
C.calm and thankful |
D.sorry and feel it unexpected |
The underlined word “grieve” in Paragraph 3 can be replaced by“________”.
A.feel worried | B.feel sad | C.cry | D.miss |
In writing the passage,the author intends to________.
A.tell us war is cruel | B.make us laugh |
C.draw our attention | D.tell us Lincoln was great |
On Boy's Day,children don't have to go to school.Every family with a boy hangs up huge carpshaped flags.The flags are usually three colors:black(representing the father),red (representing the mother)and blue(representing the son). Japanese parents believe that the flags will bring their boys good luck and give them courage and power.
May 5th is Japanese Children's Day. But since the festival is mainly celebrated by boys,it is usually called Boy's Day. The celebration of Boy's Day has a long history.It is said that the festival is derived from the Dragon Boat Festival in China.
On this day,Japanese boys eat a special kind of rice cake. It is covered with a leaf and filled with bean paste (豆酱).Children love to eat it. And eggs on leaves are another traditional food.
Japanese children are so happy that they have three festivals each year. In addition to Boy's Day,they also have Girl's Day and the 753 Festival.
Girl's Day is the girl's festival on March 3. It is also called the Doll's Festival because on that day,families get a set of dolls at home for their daughters. It is celebrated because the parents want their daughters to be strong and healthy.
The 753 Festival is for children aged three, five and seven years old. Japanese people think that these three ages are the luckiest ones in one's life. On that day, these children get special candies wrapped in beautiful bags.The candy is a symbol of a long and healthy life for these children. The 753 Festival falls in November.What is the BEST title for the passage?
A.Japanese 753 Festival |
B.Japanese Boy's Day |
C.Japanese Girl's Day |
D.Japanese Children's Day |
On Boy's Day,you may not see________.
A.eggs on leaves |
B.leaves filled with bean paste |
C.carpshaped flags |
D.dolls |
Which of the Days is said to come from a Chinese festival?
A.International Children's Day |
B.Boy's Day |
C.Girl's Day |
D.The 753 Festival |
According to the passage,why do the girls in Japan always receive dolls on Girl's Day?
A.Because girls themselves want dolls. |
B.Because doll factories want to send dolls to girls to celebrate Girl's Day. |
C.Because parents want their daughters to be healthy. |
D.Because parents believe dolls can bring them good luck. |
The arrival of autumn starts the traditional fall festivals which aim to welcome the new season. Here's a guide to several fall festivals that are held in the Roanoke region each year.
Boones Mill Apple Festival
It is held the third Saturday in September every year.The festival is hosted by the Boones Mill Lions Club and attracts(吸引) people from all over Virginia. The most important things of the festival include art shows, fried apple pies,and a high school band. There are lots of food,crafts,music,and games for every age group. Admission (入场费) is free. For more information, call 540-334-5975.
Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
Ferrum College hosts the festival as an October celebration of the harvest every year.The festival shows some farm fresh produce and the farming practices of the last year.Children can enjoy playing many of the games.The festival begins at 10:00 a.m.Admission is $ 10 for adults and $ 5 for children and senior citizens.You can call 540-365-4412 or visit the website:http://www,blueridgeinstitute.org.
Mountain Magic Fall Festival
The town of Buchanan on the outskirts of Roanoke is the place where the Mountain Magic Fall Festival is held.The festival is held in October and has two to four groups of crafters,antique dealers,and food vendors.Live Bluegrass music plays all day and children enjoy visiting the pet zoo. The auto show and farmers' market are also big attractions. Call 540-357-2509 for more information.
Vinton Fall Festival
A 5K walk, a truck ride, and a civil war group are just some of the exciting parts of the Vinton Fall Festival.The festival is held in October under the golden shade trees in downtown Vinton.Other attractions include hayrides,agriculture judging, health education,and children's activities.Phone: 540-343-1364.If a boy and his parents go to Blue Ridge Folklife Festival,they should pay________.
A.$5 | B.$10 | C.$15 | D.$25 |
By visiting the website you can learn more information about________.
A.Boones Mill Apple Festival |
B.Blue Ridge Folklike Festival |
C.Mountain Magic Fall Festival |
D.Vinton Fall Festival |
If your children want to see some animals,you probably should go to ________.
A.Boones Mill Apple Festival |
B.Blue Ridge Folklife Festival |
C.Mountain Magic Fall Festival |
D.Vinton Fall Festival |
Which would be the BEST title for this passage?
A.Autumn—the Season of Harvest in America |
B.Traditional Fall Festivals in the Roanoke Region |
C.Interesting History of Some Traditional Festivals |
D.The Differences Between the Traditional Festivals |