You may think that light pollution isn’t something extraordinarily important. You may believe that every other type of pollution has a larger impact on the environment that light pollution does. But light pollution is serious.
Light pollution, or “sky glow”, is the glow you can see at night above cities and towns. Light pollution is a problem that has been accompanying man ever since he started his first fire some 15,000 years ago. Light pollution is the light that comes from streetlights, buildings, parking lots and any other source of light that is reflected or directed into the atmosphere.
Urban light pollution means that one-fifth of the world’s population can no longer see the Milky Way(银河) with the naked eye(肉眼). Many city kids, even if they did look through the orange smog above their heads, would probably see only a handful of stars. We have lost our view of the stars, and we have mucked up our night-time environment as well. Astronomers are calling for the dark places on Earth to be preserved as national parks.
Lots of people find the ever-brightening night annoying, and animals that are programmed to prefer the dark may avoid a brightened habitat. Sea turtles can get lost searching for a beach to lay eggs, and their hatchlings(孵化的幼仔)may confuse over-lit beachfront resorts(度假胜地) for the ocean horizon, wasting precious energy needed to find the sea and escape predators(食肉动物). Because their necks aren’t yet long enough to see things far away, baby turtles rely on the mirror image of the moon to guide them to the sea, to begin their new life. A car may even hit a particular turtle, which was thinking the light from a nearby city was moonlight reflecting off the ocean waves. Birds that live in and around cities can die because of sky glow, too. The bright lights can blind them, leading to countless collisions with buildings and other tall structures.
On an individual level, people can help reduce much sky glow by using lighting only when necessary. The stars above us are priceless heritage— for not only for astronomers but for all humans. More of our children should be able to look up at night and see the Milk Way.According to Para.2, light pollution_________.
| A．doesn’t include the light coming from buildings |
| B．has existed for nearly a century |
| C．refers to the light shining directly into the atmosphere |
| D．is mainly caused by the light at night |
The underlined phrase “mucked up” in Para. 3 probably means_________ .
| A．protected | B．spoiled |
| C．blamed | D．praised |
To find the sea, baby sea turtles mainly depend on_________.
| A．the moon | B．the ocean waves |
| C．the sky glow | D．the mirrors |
The author mentions the Milk Way in the last paragraph to show that_________.
| A．we should take action to reduce light pollution |
| B．light pollution isn’t something important |
| C．most kids are looking forward to seeing the Milk Way |
| D．the Milk Way can’t be seen with naked eye |
Scientists are learning new things about Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth. For example, the Antarctic ice sheet is shrinking. A new study found that summer ice loss in parts of Antarctica was at its highest level in 1,000 years. The study showed that Antarctic ice was melting mostly from below ice shelves, where the water is warmer than the ice.
Eric Rignot is an earth system expert at the University of California, Irvine. He also works for the American space agency, NASA. There he serves as senior research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, also in California. He says ice melting from below is responsible for 55 percent of the shelf loss from 2003 to 2008. That is a much higher rate than scientists thought earlier.
Professor Rignot and his team used satellite observations, radar and computer models to measure features above the ice to learn what was going on below.
The measurements show differences from one area to the next around the continent. The major ice shelves are called Ross, Filchner and Ronne. They make up two-thirds of Antarctica’s ice shelves. But they are responsible for only 15 percent of the melting ice.
The professor says even small changes, like changes in ocean flow driven by wind, can make a huge difference in the melting of the ice shelf.
Sixty percent of the Earth’s fresh water is held in the huge Antarctic ice sheet. Professor Rignot says the study will help experts predict how the continent reacts to warmer ocean waters and helps to cause rising sea levels around the world. The study was published in the journal Science.What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．the Antarctic ice sheet is shrinking |
| B．the coldest place on earth |
| C．the major Antarctica’s ice shelves |
| D．the Atlantic Ocean are changing |
How did Eric Rignot and his team do the research?
| A．He serves as senior research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
| B．They used satellite observations, radar and computer models to know the things happening below the ice. |
| C．Small changes, like changes in ocean flow driven by wind, can make a huge difference in the melting of the ice shelf. |
| D．They melted 55% of the Antarctica’s ice to prove their theory is right. |
Which is true of the following statements?
| A．Ice melting from below is responsible for 35 percent of the shelf loss from 2003 to 2008. |
| B．The major ice shelves are called Ross, Filchner and Ronne, which make up one-third of Antarctica’s ice shelves. |
| C．Sixty percent of the Earth’s fresh water is contained in the huge Antarctic ice sheet. |
| D．Summer ice loss in Antarctica was at its highest level in 1,000 years. |
When will a plant be considered a weed? Experts have a simple answer: when the undesirable qualities outweigh (胜过，强过) the good qualities. Crops generally produce several hundred seeds from each plant. By comparison, each weed plant can produce tens or even hundreds of thousands of seeds. And some buried seeds can survive up to forty years or even longer. Eradicating weeds means that you have to remove all the seeds and roots so the weeds will die completely. But birds or the wind can reintroduce them to the land.
A common way to deal with weeds is to control them enough so that the land can be used for planting. Experts suggest using more methods to deal with weeds. Chemical weed killers or natural treatments like corn gluten (玉米麸) can suppress weed growth. Bill Curran is a professor of weed science. He says the most efficient method for suppressing weeds is dense planting. Dense planting of a crop can also act as a natural control. A dense and competitive crop that quickly shades the soil will help suppress many weeds. The weed seeds need light to grow, so cutting off sunlight will reduce weed growth.
Other controls include turning over the soil, pulling the weeds or covering them with mulch (地膜) made of wood, garden waste or other materials. But even mulch has its limits. Natural resource specialists point out that weeds can be transported in mulch. This is also true of soil, grain, hay and animals. Yet animals like sheep or goats eat weeds, so they can provide a biological control. Insects and other organisms can also act as biological controls.
Preventing the spread of weeds is an important part of weed management. Farm vehicles should be kept out of areas with weeds. If that is not possible, then clean off the equipment and your shoes when leaving. Some people bum weeds or bury them deep. Experts say the economical way is to make organically rich compost (有机堆肥). On the one hand, the process produces heat which can kill many weed seeds. On the other hand, the compost can be added to the soil to help plants grow.Why do people kill all the seeds and roots of weeds?
| A．Because the seeds and roots are bad in quality. |
| B．Because weeds have strong ability to live. |
| C．Because weeds take up too much space. |
| D．Because the seeds and roots will be eaten by birds. |
Which of the following methods of eradicating weeds can work best?
| A．Chemical weed killers. |
| B．Putting the com gluten in the field. |
| C．Dense planting. |
| D．Making use of mulch. |
How does dense planting affect weeds?
| A．The crops grow stronger than weeds. |
| B．The crops grow deeper in the soil. |
| C．The crops block sunlight the weed seeds need. |
| D．The crops compete with weeds for shade. |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．The weeds will surely die under mulch. |
| B．The buried weed seeds can’t come out. |
| C．Farm vehicles should be used to kill weeds. |
| D．People can make good use of weeds properly. |
Though the last book of the spectacular (壮观的) Harry Potter series was released seven years ago in 2007, the young wizard continues to be extremely popular with both kids and adults. Over the years, Harry Potter fans have been able to experience numerous aspects of the young wizard’s life, right down to his favorite drink — butter beer. Now thanks to a British hotel, they can also spend a night in the wizard’s Hogwarts Castle dormitory room.
The four-star Georgian Hotel in Central London, which recently opened its two wizard chambers(房间), is ideally suited to reproducing J.K. Rowling’s school of wizardry (巫术). That’s because the hotel, which is still run by the descendants of the original owners, dates all the way back to 1851. It still remains its original styles inside.
According to the owner of the 163-year-old Georgian Hotel, the idea originated as a way to create a kid-friendly environment in a hotel that is well-known for its Victoria Classic and Belgravia Boutique rooms.
The wizard chambers that have been refinished to resemble the Hogwarts Castle dormitory rooms are furnished with everything a wizard fan could think of — four-poster beds, stone wash basins, potion bottles, cauldrons (汽锅，大锅), spelling books and even study tables. In order to make them appear even more magical, the hotel owners have added their own special touches that include placing a wand in the hand of the Mona Lisa painting that is in one of the chambers.
As you may have guessed, these unique accommodations are not cheap. The rooms, breakfast included, cost about $350 for two people. Kids sharing the same room pay only an additional $40 each. Given that the big wizard chamber can contain up to five people, the overall cost is perfect for families that are all Harry Potter fans. Special packages include a Muggle Walking Tour that takes Harry Potter fans through the areas of the city where parts of the movies were filmed or a visit to Warner Brothers Studio, home of the Harry Potter films’ sets and props (道具).
The hotel is certainly generating a lot of buzz among Harry Potter fans!How long does the Georgian Hotel exist?
| A．It has been existing in London for three hundred years.. |
| B．It has a history of more than 160 years. |
| C．It has been there since 2007. |
| D．It has been visited by the Harry Potter fans since 1851. |
Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?.
| A．The hotel opening two wizard chambers originated as a way to create a kid-friendly environment. |
| B．All of the books of the spectacular (壮观的) Harry Potter series were released seven years ago in 2007. |
| C．As you may have guessed, these unique accommodations are very cheap. |
| D．The wizard chambers aren’t furnished as a wizard fan could think of. |
If Mr Green and his wife with three children want to stay in the hotel for a night, how much should they pay?
| A．$ 350. | B．$ 390. | C．$ 430. | D．$ 470. |
The best title of the passage is _______.
| A．Stay in the magical Harry Potter rooms |
| B．Play with Harry Potter |
| C．A recent Harry Potter Hotel |
| D．A Expensive Hotel |
D
It’s the dieting fad that is sweeping the world , and encourages fasting for two days of the week . But does it work ?
People are starving themselves to lose weight , with a dieting trend known as the “fast diet” growing in popularity .
The method is also known as the 5:2 diet , and consists of eating normally for five days of a week and cutting calories to about 25 percent of normal intake during other two days . Men consume just 600 calories on the two fast days , while women are limited to 500 calories.
Notably, the two fasting days should not be hack-to-back. The dieter should have at least one normal eating day in between.
In the best-selling book The Fast Diet: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Live Longer with the Simple Secret of Intermittent Fasting by Dr. Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer, the two authors claim that the 5:2 diet not only promotes weight loss, but also benefits health, offering protection from disease, improved cognitive function and increased lifespan.
The diet originated in the United Kingdom and became popular in the United States. Now, it is gaining popularity among the Chinese middle class.
Zhong Minghui, who is 178cm tall and used to weigh 100 kilograms, finds fasting effective in weight control. He works in the sales department of' a trade company and used to drink and eat a lot after work. After sticking to the fasting diet for five months, he managed to lose about 20 kilograms.
" Actually I did not exactly rely on the 5 :2 diet to lose weight. My fasting was more extreme. I almost completely cut off my supper every day and only ate some fruit. I also used an app to calculate the calories in the food I eat and was cautious of not eating any high-calorie food. I did about an hour's aerobic exercise every day. Fasting is definitely effective, but I think sports also help ,” he says.
"I do not really believe that fasting is the magical cure-all, but my high blood sugar has improved," he adds.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that although there is evidence that intermittent fasting diets may help prevent chronic disease, more research is needed.
Han Ting, a clinic nutritionist of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, says that people who suffer diabetes or eating disorders, pregnant women, kids, teens and frail seniors should not try fasting. She recommends a regular low-calorie diet, which is safer and less risky for health.
When on a fasting diet, on the weekly fasting days, Han recommends low-fat, low-sugar, low-protein food, such as vegetables, yogurt, non-fat milk, shellfish and fruit with high dietary fiber.According to the passage the practice of 5 :2 diet first begins in _________.
| A．China | B．the United States |
| C．the United Kingdom | D．the United Union |
What should be paid attention to when one goes on the 5:2 diet?
| A．The two fasting days should be arranged one after another. |
| B．The two fasting days should not be arranged continuously. |
| C．You should consume as many calories as possible during the five normally eating days. |
| D．Women must take in more calories than men during the two fasting days. |
According to the passage, Zhong Minghui _________.
| A．managed to lose about 20 kilograms by taking exercises |
| B．thought little of the 5:2 diet |
| C．owed his high blood sugar to the fasting diet |
| D．found it effective to lose weight via fast diet |
What does the underlined word "intermittent" mean ?
| A．Happening occasionally. |
| B．Motivating continuously |
| C．Increasing dramatically. |
| D．Changing sharply. |
C
Ah, Thanksgiving--- truly my favorite holiday. A day off with family and friends and football and an exorbitant amount of food .It doesn’t get much more American than that. Let's look at some interesting Thanksgiving traditions to shed light on this delicious American tradition.
How it started
The story: In the early 1620s, as the first English settlers ( called Pilgrims) arrived in America searching for a life free of religious persecution , they experienced very difficult harvests- as the climate was quite different from that of England. They eventually established (temporarily) good relations with the local Native Americans, called the Wampanoag tribe. The Wampanoag leader Squanto, along with his tribe of friendly Native Americans, helped the English settlers learn how to farm and fish in the harsh and rocky climate of Massachusetts. In 1621, they celebrated the Harvest Festival together. And the Thanksgiving tradition was born! It became an official American holiday under Abraham Lincoln amidst the turmoil of the American Civil War in 1863.
What it means now
Now, after the American colonists destroyed native cultures and sequestered them onto reservations, the current American Thanksgiving has hardly anything to do with a celebration of cordial relations between peoples. Today, we try to forget America's guilty past and celebrate our family, friends, and good health on this day. Americans celebrate Thanksgiving much like Chinese people do the Spring Festival - with family members pouring in from all directions to get reunion and break bread. We play football, watch football, and eat a hell of a lot of turkey.
American Turkey
Founding Father Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of America. In a letter to his daughter, he wrote that the turkey, in comparison to the eagle, was " a far more respectable bird" and a true native of America .
Additionally, he thought that bald eagles had a " bad moral character".
Presidential Pardon
The American president pardons one turkey every year. Every year since I947, the National Turkey Federation presents one live turkey to the President, and in 1987, President Ronald Reagan jokingly pardoned the live turkey. This became an official tradition in 1989. Pardoned turkeys are sent off to live the rest of their short lives. Lucky turkeys!
Black Friday
This is the most despicable of Thanksgiving traditions. A caveat(提醒)---many Americans don't take part in this activity of burning money. The Friday after Thanksgiving is called " Black Friday" , and all across America, people go out to their local stores to buy discounted everything, in packages of 36. Every year, a few people die from trampling as the doors to the store open. Thankfully, with the rise of e-commerce sites such as Amazon, people are moving more to online shopping to take advantage of Black Friday deals.Which of the following is the most extremely unpleasant tradition of Thanksgiving?
| A．American Turkey |
| B．Black Friday |
| C．Presidential Pardon |
| D．Thanksgiving decoration |
Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of America because____.
| A．turkey was much larger in comparison to the bald eagle |
| B．his daughter liked turkey more than the bald eagle |
| C．bald eagles were true natives of America |
| D．he thought highly of the bird |
The original meaning of Thanksgiving was____
| A．to celebrate the friendly relations between the first English settlers and the local Native Americans |
| B．to praise the local Wampanoag tribe for their useful instructions |
| C．to encourage the new settlers to learn how to farm and fish in the new world |
| D．to apologize to the local Native Americans for the wrongs that the first English settlers had done |
What's the author's purpose of writing this passage?
| A．To warn people of the bad influence of Thanksgiving. |
| B．To make people aware of the potential danger of Black Friday. |
| C．To introduce some interesting Thanksgiving traditions to people. |
| D．To remind people not to forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving. |