Plans to expand wind energy into the most scenic parts of Germany are meeting increasing opposition across the country.
Anti-wind campaigners are angry that areas including the forests made famous by the tales of the Brothers Grimm are among the targets for new turbines (涡轮机). For the first time they have formed a national opposition group to thwart the expansion. They say the expansion will damage forests and tourism across the country.
Germany has started a massive expansion of renewable energy since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 in Japan. The government decided to reduce atomic plants and instead increase the opportunities for green power. As a result, solar farms, biogas plants and wind parks are booming. In 2013, 22% of Germany’s electricity was generated by renewable energy. Wind has played a major part in this change, making up half of the renewable energy in 2013, and the public has been generally supportive. To date, a majority of the 23,000 wind turbines in the country have been built in the flat northern and eastern parts of the country. But now the focus of expansion is on the areas of dark forest in the central and southern areas of Germany.
One such region is the Rheinhardswald in the northern part of the state of Hesse. This is the home of the magical tales of Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and others, made famous in the books of the Brothers Grimm. This scenic place is a magnet, attracting hundreds and thousands of tourists from all over the world. But now there are also plans to build up to 200 turbines in this scenic place!
Ann-Kathrin Blankenberg is a PhD student and an opponent of the plans. “It is not because this is the area of Sleeping Beauty,” she says, “I want the green movement, I want green technology, I don’t want nuclear power--- but they should be made in the right way and not by destroying the forests.”
The campaigners argue that putting wind turbines in this area makes no sense. The wind speeds are low and the area is home to some extremely rare birds including the endangered black stork. Campaigners say building turbines here would be disastrous for the birds.The underlined word “thwart” can be replaced by_____.
A.support | B.prevent |
C.increased | D.promote |
Which of the following does NOT belong to green power? _____.
A.Solar energy | B.Wind energy |
C.Bio-energy | D.Atomic energy |
What percentage of Germany’s electricity was generated by wind in 2013? _____.
A.11% | B.22% | C.50% | D.60% |
What can be inferred from the passage? _____.
A.The author is against building more wind turbines. |
B.The public prefers wind energy to nuclear energy. |
C.Most Germans object to building wind turbines all over Germany. |
D.The central and southern areas of Germany are rich in wind energy. |
What is the main idea of the passage? _____.
A.Wind parks are increasing rapidly all over Germany. |
B.The Rheinhardswald is famous for the tales of Sleeping Beauty. |
C.Expanding wind energy into the land of Sleeping Beauty causes controversy. |
D.Building wind turbines in the land of Sleeping Beauty area makes no sense. |
四、阅读理解(共15小题,每小题2分,共30分)
第一节(共10小题,每小题2分,共20分):
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项A、B 、C 、D中,选出最佳选项,并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。
"S. H.E. is going to sing at the CCTV annual Spring Festival Evening Party, is that true?" cried out Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl in Shanghai and die-hard S. H.E. fan.
After checking it on the Internet, Peng quickly phoned friends to spread the news. For fans like her, S. H. E. ’s performance is perhaps the only part of the old fashioned evening to get excited about.
The Taiwanese band is made up of Selina, Hebe and Ella. Their name comes from the first letter of each of the singers' English names.
Last week S. H. E. announced they would perform in Las Vegas, US, over Christmas and then in Guangzhou on January 15.
At their Shanghai show on October 30, hundreds of parents waited outside the Hongkou Stadium. Inside, thousands of teenagers sang, cried and shouted as the band performed.
"I love their music, healthy image and everything related to them. Thank God that, although my parents don't understand why I love them so much, they still bought me a ticket for that show," said Peng about the Shanghai performance.
It is not just on the mainland that the three girls have made audiences much excited. In the past year the band has passed through Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Singapore and Malaysia.
When the three high school girls entered a singing contest in Taiwan in 2000, none of them ever dreamed of being a superstar. "We had never met before, and we didn't talk at all at the beginning," recalled Ella.
When asked about the secret of their success, she said, "Our average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep us close to our fans. We are happy to be the girls next door, your singing sisters."
"It's really a magical journey, from day-dreaming high school girls to singers performing on the same stage as our idols(偶像). Nothing but magical," she said.
1. How did the Taiwanese band get the name?
A. Their fans gave the name to them.
B. Their idols had a deep influence on them.
C. A singing contest gave their idea of the band name.
D. The first letters of Selina, Hebe and Ella form the band name.
2. Which is true about S. H. E. ?
A. The secret to their success is their pretty faces and lovely clothes.
B. They were close friends when they entered a singing contest.
C. They caused a storm of excitement in Southeast Asia.
D. They have well prepared to perform with their idols.
3. Which do you think is NOT the reason for S. H. E’s popularity among their fans?
A. Their music and their healthy image.
B. They can make audience much excited.
C. Their success meets their fans’ day dream of becoming others’ idols.
D. Their average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep them close to their fans.
A new study suggests that the more teenagers watch television, the more likely they are to develop depression as young adults.But the extent to which TV may or may not be to blame is a question that the study leaves unanswered.
The researchers used a national long-term survey of adolescent health to investigate the relationship between media use and depression.They based their findings on more than 4,000 adolescents who were not depressed when the survey began in 1995.
As part of the survey, the young people were asked how many hours of television or videos they watched every day.They were also asked how often they played computer games and listened to the radio.
Media use added up to an average of five and one-half hours a day.More than two hours of that was spent watching TV.
Seven years later, in 2002, more than seven per cent of the young people had signs of depression.The average age at that time was twenty-one.
Brian Primack at the University of Pittsburgh medical school was the lead author of the new study.He says every extra hour of television meant an eight per cent increase in the chances of developing signs of depression.
The researchers say they did not find any such relationship with the use of other media such as movies, video games or radio.But the study did find that young men were more likely than young women to develop depression given the same amount of media use.
Doctor Primack says the study didn’t explore if watching TV causes depression.But one possibility, he says, is that it may take time away from activities that could help prevent depression, like sports and socializing.It might also interfere with sleep, he says, and that could have an influence.
The study was just published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
In December, the journal Social Indicators Research published a study of activities that help lead to happy lives.Sociologists from the University of Maryland found that people who describe themselves as happy spend less time watching television than unhappy people.The study found that happy people are more likely to be socially active, to read, attend religious services and to vote.
51.According to the first paragraph,what remains unsolved in the new study?
A.Who is more likely to be influenced by TV
B.How much teenagers are depressed by TV
C.Whether teenagers are influenced by TV
D.What should be done to help to help the teenagers
52.More than 4,000 adolescents were chosen as the subjects of the study because they.
A.were free from depression
B.were keen on using the media
C.attached much importance to their health
D.could afford the time for the long term survey
53.What can be inferred from the seventh paragraph?
A.Depression is not related to the use of other media than TV
B.Every extra hour of media uses increases the chance of depression
C.Longer use of media other than TV doesn’t increase the chance of depression
D.The influence of movies,video games and radio on depression varies respectively
54.In the last sentence of the eighth paragraph, “It”refers to.
A.depressionB.watching TV C.lack of activitiesD.the result of the study
55.The study done by the sociologists from the University of Maryland was mainly intended to.
A.tell the difference between happy and unhappy people
B.prove the realationship between TV and depression
C.stress the importance of being socially active
D.provide a happy recipe(秘方)for all people
When I was learning calligraphy my teacher told me a story.
A calligrapher taught handwriting.One or his students who often practised handwritihg with old sheets of newspaper complained that he made very little progress though he had learned it with the calligrapher for a long time.His teacher said to him,“Try to use the best paper.Maybe you’ll write better.”
The student did as he was told.It really worked.He made headway not long afterwards and felt curious.He asked his teacher about the reason.The calligrapher answered,“When you used old newspaper to practise handwriting ,you would think you were writing a draft.It didn’t matter if you wrote badly as old newspaper was plenty in supply.In that case you wouldn’t pay much attention to it.Now you use the best paper and you ’ll treasure it.Each time you write you feel strongly about the rarity of chances and you’ll devote to it with all your heart and soul ; you’ll do the handwritihg much more attentively than practising.Of course you’ve made rapid progress.”
Indeed , we spend our ordihary days just as they are worthless “ old newspaper ”.We don’t care if we scrawl and waste it ,thinking that it will come endlessly---the “ old newspaper ” is inexhaustible.In such a mood we may each day pass by opportunities but fail to catch any of them.
Life is not a military exercise but an actual war in which real weapons are used .In everyday life there’s no chance for us to draft.That’s because what we call“draft” actually is the answer sheet we write that cannot be changed.
Every day of our life is something new.Let us take every day as a sheet of the best paper.
46.The calligrapher in the story told the student to write on the best paper because he thought.
A.the student would practise more carefully on the best paper
B.it was comfortable to write on the best paper
C.the student had enough money to buy the best paper
D.the student could write more on the best paper
47.The student didn’t make much progress at first because.
A.he regarded his writihg on old newspaper just as a draft
B.he was too poor to buy better paper to write on
C.he didn’t follow his teacher’s advice
D.he was not used to the calligrapher’s teaching manner
48.We learn from the passage that.
A.the student finally gave up
B.the student made rapid progress by practising more carefully
C.the caligrapher was strict with his students
D.old newspaper is not useful
49.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A.What teachers say is always true.
B.Success calls for attentiveness.
C.Handwriting is easy to practise.
D.New things are always better than old ones
50.The writer want to tell us that.
A.there are some good ways to practice handwriting
B.life is like old newspaper
C.we should learn from the student in the story
D.life will not give us a chance to draw a draft
III.阅读(共两节,满分40分)
第一节阅读理解(共15小题,每小题2分,满分30分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Until late in the 20th century, most Americans spent time with people of different generations.Now middle-aged Americans may not keep in touch with old people until they are old themselves.
That’s because we group people by age.We put our three-year-olds together in day-care centers, our 13-year-olds in schools and sports activities, and our 80-year-olds in senior-citizen homes.Why?
We live away from the old for many reasons.Young people sometimes avoid the old to get rid of fears of aging and dying.It is much harder to watch someone we love disappear before our eyes.Sometimes it’s so hard that we stay away from the people who need us the most.
Fortunately, some of us have found our way to the old.And we have discovered that they often save the young.
A reporter moved her family onto a block filled with old people.At first her children were disappointed.But the reporter baked banana bread for the neighbors and had her children deliver it and visit.Soon the children had many new friends, with whom they shared food, stories and projects.“My children have never been less lonely,” the reporter said.
The young, in turn, save the old.Once I was in a rest home when a visitor showed up with a baby, she was immediately surrounded.People who hadn’t gotten out of bed in a week suddenly were ringing for a wheelchair.Even those who had seemed asleep woke up to watch the child.Babies have an astonishing power to comfort and cure.
Grandparents are a special case.They give their grandchildren a feeling of security(安全) and continuity.As my husband put it, “My grandparents gave me a deep sense that things would turn out right in the end.” Grandchildren speak of attention they don’t get from worried parents.“My parents were always telling me to hurry up, and my grandparents told me to slow down,” one friend said.A teacher told me she can tell which pupils have relationships with grandparents: they are quieter, calmer and more trusting.
41.Now in an American family, people can find that _____.
A.children never live with their parents
B.not all working people live with their parents
C.aged people are supported by their grandchildren
D.grandchildren are supported by their grandparents
42.What may be the reason why old people are left alone?
A.The old don’t like to live in a big family
B.The young can’t get enough money to support the old
C.Different generations have different lifestyles
D.The old are too weak to live with the young
43.The fact the reporter told us shows that _____.
A.old people in America lead a hard life
B.old people in America enjoy banana bread
C.she had no time to take care of her children
D.old people are easy to get along with
44.Seeing a baby, the old people got excited because _____.
A.they had never seen a baby before
B.the baby was clever and beautiful
C.the baby brought them the image of life
D.the baby’s mother would take care of them
45.Why are some children quieter,calmer and more trusting?
A.Because they have relationships with their grandparents
B.Because their worried parents ask them to act like that
C.Because they have nothing to worry about
D.Because their teachers ask them to act like that
Below is a discussion on a website.
http://www.TalkingPoints.com/ |
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Stuck on a desert island? (被困荒岛) |
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Started on 23rd April by StevePosts 1 – 7 of 42 |
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Post 1 Steve USA |
Hi, everyone. What would you miss most and least if you were stuck on a desert island? For me, it would be the changing seasons in New England. I guess this will sound stupid but I'd probably miss the rain, too. I wouldn't miss getting up at six every day to go to work, though! What about you? |
Post 2 Tomas Germany |
Good question. Steve, I think I'd miss different types of bread, and shopping at the supermarket. I'd miss the food most. What would I miss least? My mobile phone ---- I'd like to be completely quiet ---- at least for a little while |
Post 3 Paola Italy |
I would miss the company of people because I know I'd like to have someone to share experiences with. I'd go mad on my own. And I sure wouldn't miss junk mail(垃圾邮件) ---- I hate coming home every evening and a pile of junk mail in my post box. |
Post 4 Miko Japan |
Hi, I would miss Manga cartoon, the internet and Japanese food, like sushi. I'd also miss TV shows and shopping for clothes… In fact, I'd miss everything. |
Post 5 Roger UK |
I would miss my daily newspaper and listening to the news on TV and radio. I'd feel very cut off if I didn't know what was happening in the world. What I'd miss least would be traffic jams in the city, particularly my journey to work. |
Past 6 Jayne |
Why hasn't anyone mentioned their family? I'd be lost without my husband and two kids. They're the most important for me. And I can't get started in the morning without a cup of black coffee. I wouldn't miss doing the housework! |
Post 7 Jaime Mexico |
It would have to be music. I couldn't live without my music. I wouldn't miss going to school at all or doing homework! |
1. Who would miss his or her family most?
A. Jaime B. Jayne C. Miko D. Paola.
2. Which of the following people would feel most uncomfortable without the news media?
A. Steve. B. Jaime C. Roger. D. Tomas
3. How many of them mentioned that they would miss food or drink?
A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four