Air pollution is a leading cause of cancer and classified among top human carcinogens (致癌物质), said the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is the World Health Organization's (WHO) cancer agency, on Oct 17,2013.“Our task was to evaluate the air everyone breathes rather than focus on specific air pollutants,” the IARC's Dana Loomis said in a statement. “The results from the reviewed studies point in the same direction the risk of developing lung cancer is significantly increased in people exposed to air pollution.”
In 2010, lung cancer resulting from air pollution killed 223,000 people worldwide, and there was also convincing evidence that it increases the risk of bladder (膀胱) cancer. Loomis said people in Asia, Eastern North America, some places in Central America and Mexico, as well as North Africa have relatively high exposure(暴露). Developing countries with large populations and booming manufacturing sectors, such as China, are particularly at risk. This week, Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang province, became the first Chinese city to officially suspend classes due to serious smog, really good for teachers and students.
Many developed countries face similar problems, although to a lesser(较少的、次要的) degree than most developing nations. Between 91 and 96 percent of Europeans living in cities are exposed to levels of PM2.5—tiny particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers—that are higher than the WHO safety limits.
Although both the composition and levels of air pollution can vary dramatically from one location to the other, the IARC said its conclusions apply to all areas of the world. “Given the scale of the exposure affecting people worldwide, this report should send a strong signal to the international community to take action without further delay,” said Christopher Wild, director of the IARC.What’s the main task of IARC?
A.To focus on cancer-causing substances. |
B.To evaluate the air quality. |
C.To study the developing risk of cancer. |
D.To send signals to the international community. |
The underlined word “suspend” in Paragraph 2 probably means ______.
A.accelerate | B.acknowledge |
C.delay | D.decline |
Why should the international community take action without further delay?
A.A large number of people worldwide are exposed to air pollution. |
B.More and more people in developing countries are exposed to air pollution. |
C.Developed countries face air pollution, the level of which is higher than the safety limits. |
D.The composition and levels of air pollution vary from place to place. |
What might be the best title of the passage?
A.PM2.5,bad effect. |
B.Safety limits of air pollution. |
C.Signals of air pollution. |
D.Air pollution, cancer risk. |
“Sesame Street” has been called “the longest street in the world”. That is because the television program by that name can now be seen in so many parts of the world. That program became one of American’s exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.
In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more than half the nation’s pre-school children, from every kind of economic(经济的), racial(种族的), and geographical group.
Although some educators object to certain elements in the program, parents praise it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems arise when first graders who have learned from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.
Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional(偶然的) viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in o
rder to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.
The programs all use songs, stories, jokes, and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate letters.
Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other children’s shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories(理论) of its creators, the support by the government and private(私人的) businesses, and the skillful use of a variety of TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.
40. “Sesame Street” is actually _______.
A. a street in the US B. a program for children
C. a program for teachers D. a program for students
41. Children who often watch the program _______.
A. can have problems in school
B. will find it a great help
C. will take no interest in their studies
D. will be well educated
42. Why is “Sesame Street” so popular in the world?
A. Because it is supported by the government and businesses.
B. Because it uses a variety of skillful tricks.
C. Because mothers watch it along with their children.
D. Because it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.
43. The best title for this passage can be _______.
A. TV Programs B. Educating Children
C. Sesame StreetD. A Great Success
In the United States, it is important to be on time , or punctual , for an appointment , a class, a meeting, etc. However, this may not be true in all countries. An American professor discovered the difference while teaching a class in a Brazilian(巴西的) university. The two-hour class was scheduled to begin at 10 A.M. and end at 12. On the first day , when the professor arrived on time, no one was in the classroom. Many students came after 10:30 A.M. Two students came after 11 A.M. Although all the students greeted the professor as they arrived, few apologized(道歉)for their lateness.Were these students being rude? He decided to study the students’ behavior.
The professor talked to American and Brazilian students about lateness in both an informal and a formal situation:at a lunch with a friend and in a university class, respectively.He gave them an example and asked them how they would react, If they had a lunch appointment with a friend,the average American student defined lateness as 19 minutes after the agreed time,On the other hand.the average Brazilian student felt the friend was late after 33 minutes.
In an American university, students are expected to arrive at the appointed hour.In contrast, in Brazil,neither the teacher nor the students always arrive at the appointed hour.Classes not only begin at the scheduled time in the United States,but also end at the scheduled time.In the Brazilian class, only a few students left the class at 12:00;many remained past 12:30 to discuss the class and ask more questions.While arriving late may not be very important in Brazil , neither is staying late.
36. The word‘punctual’most probably means________.
A.1eaving soon after class B.coming early
C.arriving a few minutes late D.being on time
37. Why did the professor study the Brazilian students’behavior?
A.He felt puzzled at the students’ being late.
B.He felt angry at the students' rudeness.
C.He wanted to make the students come on time later.
D.He wanted to collect data for one of his studies.
38. It can be inferred from the professor’s study of lateness in the informal situation that____.
A.American students will become impatient if their friend is five minutes late
B.neither Brazilian nor American students like being late in social gatherings
C.being late in one culture may not be considered so in another culture
D.Brazilian students will not come thirty-three minutes after the agreed time
39. From the last paragraph we know that in Brazil____.
A. it is important to arrive at the appointed time
B.it is rude to keep the professor staying after class
C.it is normal for students to leave during lectures
D.it is acceptable for professors to be late for class.
Today about 70 countries use Daylight Saving Time (DST). Daylight Saving was first introduced during World War I in Australia. During the world wars, DST was used for the late summers beginning January 1917 and 1942, and the full summers beginning September 1942 and 1943.
In 1967, Tasmania experienced a drought(干旱). The State Government introduced one hour of daylight saving that summer as a way of saving power and water. Tasmanians liked the idea of daylight saving and the Tasmanian Government has declared daylight saving each summer since 1968. Persuaded by the Tasmanian Government, all states except two passed a law in 1971, for a test use of daylight saving. In 1972, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria joined Tasmania for regular daylight saving, but Queenslan
d did not do so until 1989.
Tasmania, Queensland and South Australia have had irregular plans, often changing their dates due to politics or festivals(节日). For example, in 1992, Tasmania extended(延长)daylight saving by an extra month while South Australia began extending daylight saving by two weeks for the Adelaide Festival. Special daylight saving plans were made during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
The differences in daylight saving in Australia continue to cause serious problems in transport and many other social activities. It also reduces the number of hours in the working day that are common to all centers in the country. In particular, time differences along the east coast cause major differences, especially for the broadcasters of national radio and television.
57. Daylight Saving Time was introduced in Tasmania _______________.
A. to stop the drought in 1967 B. to support government official
C. to pass a special law in the state D. to save water and electricity
58. According to the text, which state was the last to use DST?
A. Victoria. B. Queensland. C. South Australia. D. New South Wales.
59. What can we learn about DST in some Australian states?
A. It doesn’t have fixed dates. B. It is not used in festivals.
C. Its plan was changed in 2000. D. It lasts for two weeks.
60. What do we know about the use of DST from the last paragraph?
A. There exists some undesirable effects. B. It helps little to save energy.
C. It brings about longer working days. D. Radio and TV programs become different.
Remembering names is an important social skill. Here are some ways to master it.
Recite and repeat in conversation.
When you hear a person’s name,repeat it. Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips. You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial.
Ask the other person to recite and repeat.
You can let other people help you remember their names. After you’ve been introduced to someone,ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you. Most people will be pleased by the effort you’re making to learn their names.
Admit you don’t know.
Admitting that you can’t remember someone’s name can actually make people relaxed. Most of them will feel sympathy if you say. “I’m working to remember names better. Yours is right on the tip of my tongue. What is it again?”
Use associations.
Link each person yon meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual. For example,you could make a mental note: "Vicki Cheng -- tall, black hair. " To reinforce your associations, write them on a small card as soon as possible.
Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.
When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering every one. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way is to limit yourself to learning just first names. Last names can come later.
Go early.
Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometimes just a few people show up on time. That's fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to others—an automatic review for you.
53. How will most people feel when you try hard to remember their names?
A. They will be moved. B. They will be annoyed.
C. They will be delighted. D. They will be discouraged.
54. If you can't remember someone's name, you may __
A. tell him the truth B. tell him a white lie
C. ask him for pity D. ask others to help you
55. When you meet a group of people, it is better to remember __
A. all their namesB. a couple of names first
C. just their last names D. as many names as possible
56. What does the text mainly tell us?
A. Tips on an important social skill. B. Importance of attending parties.
C. How to make use of associations. D. How to recite and repeat names.
Nervous suspects (嫌疑犯) locked up in Britain's newest police station may feel relieved by a pleasant yellow color on the door. If they are close to confessing(供认,坦白) a crime, the blue on the wall might tip the balance.
Gwent Police have abandoned colors such as grays and browns of the 20th-century police cell (牢房) and have used color psychology(心理学) to decorate them.
Ystrad Mynach station, which recently opened at a cost of £5 million, has four cells with glass doors for prisoners who suffer from claustrophobia(幽闭恐怖症). Designers have painted the frames yellow, which researchers say is a calming color. Other cells contain a royal blue line because psychologists believe that the color is likely to encourage truthfulness.
The station has 31 cells, including 12 with a “live scan” system for drunken or disturbed prisoners, which detects the rise and fall of their chest. An alarm alerts(报警
) officers if a prisoner's breathing stops and carries on ringing until the door is ope
ned.
Designers and psychologists have worked for years on color. Blue is said to suggest trust, efficiency, duty, logic, coolness, thinking and calm. It also suggests coldness and unfriendliness. It is thought that strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft colors will calm the mind and aid concentration.
Yellow is linked with confidence, self-respect and friendliness. Get the color wrong and it could cause fear, depression and anxiety, but the right yellow can lift spirits and self-respect.
Ingrid Collins, a psychologist who specializes in the effects of color, said that color was an “energy force”. She said: “Blue does enhance communication but I am not sure it would enhance truthful communication.”
Yellow, she said, affected the mind. Red, on the other hand, should never be considered because it could increase aggression(攻击性). Mrs. Collins praised the designers for using colors in the cells. Gwent is not the first British force to experiment with color to calm down or persuade prisoners to co-operate. In the 1990s Strathclyde Police used pink in cells based on research carried out by the US Navy.
49. The expression “tip the balance” in paragraph 1 probably indicates that the blue might _____.
A. let suspects keep their balanceB. help suspects to confess their crimes
C. make suspects cold and unfriendly in law courtD. enable suspects to change their attitudes to colors
50. Which of the following colors should NOT be used in cells according to the passage?
A. Pink.B. YellowC.
Blue.D. Red.
51. Which of the following helps alert officers if someone stops breathing?
A. Scanning equipment.B. Royal blue lines. C. Glass doors. D. Yellow frames.
52. The passage is mainly concerned with _____.
A. the relationship between colors and psychology
B. a comparison of different functions of colors
C. the use of colors in cells to affect criminals’ psychology
D. scientific ways to help criminals reform themselves in prison