Human beings are the most intelligent of all animals because we are gifted with the ability to think and reason logcally. Scientists and even common people with special intelligence have made a lotol inventions and contributions to modern lifestyle in the past. "Houses" have been the most popular area for discoveries and inventions in the past and even now.
Many household items have been the result of people who desired better functioning of the existent products.Every indivicdual has intelligence and if it is used properly for the right purpose it leads to invenaion of a new tool or device.Many new household inveritions are made almost every day and there are specific companies, which particularly keep a record of all these inventions.
A lot of inventions have been made recently in the household field. These products are pa- tented(专利的) and have trade mark licenses(许可) . The patented sliding cinch is a very simple but effedtive method to prevent shoulder stress and injury for those who work before computers all day long. Vanity PC is a type of computer fumiture that speciflcally hides all the computer wires and keeps; a clean and good look. All the outdoor dust, mud and snow can be kept out of the house by installing(安装) the dirt drain(排水管) at the entrance of the door. Another important invention is the automatic toilet night-light, in which a small light starts when the lid of the toilet seat is opened and closes as soon as the lid is closed.
These are some of the new household inventions invented mostly by common people. Thus, a variety of new household items are invented every day, which helps in a better functioning of household chores and in a more useful manner.The first paragraph tells us the importance of
| A．the particular changes in houses |
| B．the advantages of modern lifestyle |
| C．the difference between human beings and animals |
| D． human being role in making inventions |
What plays the most impoltant role in causing people to invent new things?
| A．To improve the present living conditions. |
| B．To earn more money and gain awards. |
| C．To be recorded by some special companies. |
| D．To meet the new demands of new science. |
It can be inferred that the sliding cinch is used to
| A．prevent your shoulder from being over-pressured |
| B．keep your shoulder safe and sound when you are in an accident or an operation |
| C．help you practice your shoulder more often and reduce shoulder pains |
| D．cover your shoulder and make it stronger to resist the outside strike |
Common people can also make good inventions because
| A．some inventions are easy to be made and can be mastered by common people |
| B．common people have a strong desire to do something for science research |
| C．wisdom and in spiration sometimes come from everyday life |
| D．success is often connected with hardship and bitter experience of common people |
The passage is mainly talking about _______.
| A．the correct use of household facilities |
| B．household inventions and their influence |
| C．different ideas about household inventions |
| D．the history of household inventions |
A recent study of ancient and modern elephants has come up with the unexpected conclusion that the African elephant is divided into two distinct(不同的) species.
The discovery was made by researchers at York and Harvard Universities when they were examining the genetic relationship between the ancient woolly mammoth and mastodon to modern elephants — the Asian elephant, African forest elephant, and African savanna elephant.
Once they obtained DNA sequences(序列) from two fossils(化石), mammoths，and mastodons the team compared them with DNA from modern elephants. They found to their amazement that modern forest and savanna elephants are as distinct from each other as Asian elephants and mammoths.
The scientists used detailed genetic analysis to prove that the African savanna elephant and the African forest elephant have been distinct species for several million years. The divergence of the two species took place around the time of the divergence of Asian elephants and woolly mammoths. This result amazed all the scientists. There has long been debate in the scientific community that the two might be separate species, but this is the most convincing scientific evidence so far that they are indeed different species.
Previously, many naturalists believed that African savanna elephants and African forest elephants were two populations of the same species, despite the elephants’ significant size differences. The savanna elephant has an average shoulder height of 3.5 metres while the forest elephant has an average shoulder height of 2.5 metres. The savanna elephant weighs between six and seven tons, roughly double the weight of the forest elephant. But the fact that they look so different does not necessarily mean they are different species. However the proof lay in the analysis of the DNA.
Alfred Roca, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, said, “We now have to treat the forest and savanna elephants as two different units for conservation purposes. Since 1950，all African elephants have been conserved as one species. Now that we know the forest and savanna elephants are two very distinctive animals, the forest elephant should become a bigger priority(优先) for conservation purposes.”One of the fossils studied by the researchers is that of _____.
| A．the Asian elephant | B．the forest elephant |
| C．the savanna elephant | D．the mastodon elephant |
The researchers’ conclusion was based on a study of the African elephant’s _____.
| A．DNA | B．height |
| C．weight | D．population |
What are Alfred Roca’s words mainly about?
| A．The conservation of African elephants. |
| B．The purpose of studying African elephants. |
| C．The way to divide African elephants into two units. |
| D．The reason for the distinction of African elephants. |
Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
| A．Naturalists’ Beliefs about Elephants |
| B．Amazing Experiments about Elephants |
| C．An Unexpected Finding about Elephants |
| D．A Long Scientific Debate about Elephants |
Blind imitation (模仿)is self-destruction. To those who do not recognize their unique worth， imitation appears attractive；to those who know their strength. Imitation is unacceptable.
In the early stages of skill or character development, imitation is helpful. When I first learned to cook, I used recipes (菜谱) and turned out some tasty dishes. But soon I grew bored. Why follow someone else’s way of cooking when I could create my own? Imitating role models is like using training wheels on a child’s bicycle; they help you get going, but once you find your own balance, you fly faster and farther without relying on them.
In daily life, imitation can hurt us if we subconsciously (下意识地) hold poor role models. If, as a child, you observed people whose lives were bad, you may have accepted their fear and pain as normal and gone on to follow what they did. If you do not make strong choices for yourself, you will get the results of the weak choices of others.
In the field of entertainment, our culture glorifies celebrities. Those stars look great on screen. But when they step off screen, their personal lives may be disastrous. If you are going to follow someone, focus on their talent, not their bad character or unacceptable behaviors.
Blessed is the person willing to act on their sudden desire to create something unique. Think of the movies, books, teachers, and friends that have affected you most deeply. They touched you because their creations were motivated by inspiration, not desperation. The world is changed not by those who do what has been done before them, but by those who do what has been done inside them. Creative people have an endless resource of ideas. The problem a creator faces is not running out of material; it is what to do with the material knocking at the door of imagination.
Study your role models, accept the gifts they have given, and leave behind what does not serve you. Then you can say,” I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors tragedies and declare victory, and know that they are cheering me on.Imitation proves useful when you .
| A．know you are unique |
| B．lose the balance of life |
| C．begin to learn something new |
| D．get tired of routine practice |
To avoid the bad result of imitation, we should________.
| A．forget daily fear and pain | B．choose the right example |
| C．ask others for decisions | D．stay away from stars |
The trouble a creator faces is .
| A．the lack of strong motivation |
| B．the absence of practical ideas |
| C．how to search for more materials |
| D．how to use imagination creatively |
What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
| A．To highlight the importance of creatively. |
| B．To criticize the characters of role models. |
| C．To compare imitation with creation. |
| D．To explain the meaning of success. |
The word advertising refers to any kind of public announcement that brings products and services to the attention of people．Throughout history, advertising has been an effective way to promote(促进)the trading and selling of goods．In the Middle Ages，merchants employed “town criers” to read public messages aloud to promote their goods．When printing was invented in the fifteenth century, pages of advertisements (ads) could be printed easily and were either hung in public places or put in books．
By the end of the seventeenth century, when newspapers were beginning to be read by more people, printed materials became an important way to promote products and services．The London Gazette was the first newspaper to set aside a place just for advertising. This was so successful that by the end of the century several companies started businesses for the purpose of making newspaper ads for merchants．
Advertising spread quickly throughout the eighteenth century．Ad writers were starting to pay more attention to the design of the ad text．Everything，from clothes to drinks，was promoted with clever methods such as repetition of the firm’s name or product, words organized in eye-catching patterns，the use of pretty pictures and expressions easy to remember．
Near the end of the nineteenth century, companies that were devoted to the production of ads came to be known as “advertising agencies (广告商)” . The agencies developed new ways to get people to think of themselves as members of a group．Throughout the twentieth century, advertising agencies promoted consumerism(消费主义)as a way of life，spreading the belief that people could be happy only if they bought the “right” products.What was advertising like in the Middle Ages?
| A．Merchants were employed to promote products． |
| B．Ad messages were shouted out in public places． |
| C．Product information was included in books． |
| D．Ad signs were put up in towns． |
What does the word “This” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
| A．Advertising in newspapers． | B．Including pictures in ads． |
| C．Selling goods in markets． | D．Working with ad agencies． |
The l8th century advertising was special in its______．
| A．growing spending | B．printing materials |
| C．advertising companies | D．attractive designs |
Which of the following might be the best title for the text?
| A．The Story of Advertising |
| B．The Value of Advertising Designs |
| C．The Role of Newspaper Advertising |
| D．The Development of Printing for Advertising |
LIPITOR
ABOUT LIPITOR
Lipitor is a prescription (处方) medicine. Along with diet and exercise, it lowers “bad” cholesterol (胆固醇) in your blood. It can also raise “good” cholesterol.
Lipitor can lower the risk of heart attack in patients with several common risk factors, including family history of early heart disease, high blood pressure, age and smoking .
WHO IS LIPITOR FOR?
Who can take LIPITOR:
•People who cannot lower their cholesterol enough with diet and exercise
•Adults and children over l0
Who should NOT take LIPITOR:
•Women who are pregnant, may be pregnant, or may become pregnant. Lipitor may harm your unborn baby.
•women who are breast-feeding. Lipitor can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby.
•People with liver (肝脏) problems
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF LIPITOR
Serious side effects in a small number of people:
•Muscle (肌肉) problems that can lead to kidney (肾脏) problems, including kidney failure
•Liver problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start Lipitor and while you are taking it.
Call your doctor right away if you have:
•Unexplained muscle pain or weakness, especially if you have a fever or feel very fired
•Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing
•Stomach pain
Some common side effects of LIPITOR are:
•Muscle pain
•Upset stomach
•Changes in some blood tests
HOW TO TAKE LIPITOR
DO:
•Take Lipitor as prescribed by your doctor.
•Try to eat heart-healthy foods while you take Lipitor.
•Take Lipitor at any time of day, with or without food.
•If you miss a dose (一剂), take it as soon as you remember. But if it has been more than 12 hours since your missed dose, wait. Take the next dose at your regular time.
Don’t:
•Do not change or stop your dose before talking to your doctor.
•Do not start new medicines before talking to your doctor.What is a major function of Lipitor?
| A．To help quit smoking. | B．To control blood pressure. |
| C．To improve unhealthy diet. | D．To lower “bad” cholesterol. |
Taking Lipitor is helpful for _________.
| A．breast-feeding women |
| B．women who are pregnant |
| C．adults having heart disease |
| D．teenagers with liver problems |
If it has been over 12 hours since you missed a dose, you should _________.
| A．change the amount of your next dose |
| B．eat more when taking your next dose |
| C．have a dose as soon as you remember |
| D．take the next dose at your regular time |
Which of the following is a common side effect of taking Lipitor?
| A．Face swelling. | B．Upset stomach. |
| C．Kidney failure. | D．Muscle weakness. |
Along the river banks of the Amazon and the Orinoco there lives a bird that swims before it can fly, flies like a fat chicken, eats green leaves, has the stomach of a cow and has claws (爪) on its wings when young. They build their homes about 4.6m above the river, an important feature for the safety of the young. It is called the hoatzin.
In appearance, the birds of both sexes look very much alike with brown on the back and cream and red on the underside. The head is small, with a large set of feathers on the top, bright red eyes, and blue skin. Its nearest relatives are the common birds, cuckoos. Its most striking (显著的) feature, though, is only found in the young.
Baby hoatzins have a claw on the leading edge of each wing and another at the end of each wing tip. Using these four claws, together with the beak (喙), they can climb about in the bushes, looking very much like primitive(原始的) birds must have done. When the young hoatzins have learned to fly, they lose their claws.
During the drier months between December and March hoatzins fly about the forest in groups of 20 to 30 birds, but in April, when the rainy season begins, they collect together in smaller living units of two to seven birds for producing purposes.What is the text mainly about?
| A．Hoatzins in dry and rainy seasons. |
| B．The relatives and enemies of hoatzins. |
| C．Primitive birds and hoatzins of the Amazon. |
| D．The appearance and living habits of hoatzins. |
Young hoatzins are different from their parents in that_________ ．
| A．they look like young cuckoos |
| B．they have claws on the wings |
| C．they eat a lot like a cow |
| D．they live on river banks |
What can we infer about primitive birds from the text?
| A．They had claws to help them climb. |
| B．They could fly long distances. |
| C．They had four wings like hoatzins. |
| D．They had a head with long feathers on the top. |
Why do hoatzins collect together in smaller groups when the rainy season comes?
| A．To find more food. | B．To protect themselves better. |
| C．To keep themselves warm. | D．To produce their young. |