Tayka Hotel de Sal
Where:Tahua,Bolivia
How much:About $95 a night
Why it’s cool:You’ve stayed at hotels made of brick or wood,but salt?That’s something few can claim.Tayka Hotel de Sal is made totally of salt—including the beds (though you’ll sleep on regular mattresses(床垫) and blankets).The hotel sits on the Salar de Uyuni,a prehistoric driedup lake which is the world’s biggest salt flat.Builders use the salt from the 4,633squaremile flat to make the bricks,and glue them together with a paste (糊) of wet salt that hardens when it dries.When rain starts to dissolve the hotel,the owners just mix up more salt paste to strengthen the bricks.
Green Magic Nature Resort
Where:Vythiri,India
How much:About $240 a night
Why it’s cool:Taking a pulley(滑轮)operated lift 86 feet to your treetop room is just the start of your adventure.As you look out of your open window—there is no glass!—you watch monkeys and birds in the rain forest canopy(罩篷).Later you might test your fear of heights by crossing the handmade rope bridge to the main part of the hotel,or just sit on your bamboo bed and read.You don’t even have to come down for breakfast—the hotel will send it up on the pulleydrawn “elevator”.
Dog Bark Park Inn B&B
Where:Cottonwood,Idaho
How much:$92 a night
Why it’s cool:This doghouse isn’t just for the family pet.Sweet_Willy is a 30foottall dog with guest rooms in his belly.Climb the wooden stairs beside his hind leg to enter the door in his side.You can relax in the main bedroom,go up a few steps of the loft(阁楼) in Willy’s head,or hang out inside his nose.Although you have a full private bathroom in your quarters,there is also a toilet in the 12foottall fire hydrant(消防栓) outside.
Gamirasu Cave Hotel
Where:Ayvali,Turkey
How much:Between $130 and $475 a night
Why it’s cool:This is caveman cool!Experience what it was like 5,000 years ago,when people lived in these mountain caves formed by volcanic ash.But your stay will be much more modern.Bathrooms and electricity provide what you expect from a modern hotel,and the white volcanic ash,called tufa,keeps the rooms cool,about 65in summer.(Don’t worry—there is heat in winter.)What do we know about Tayka Hotel de Sal?
| A.It is located on a prehistoric lake. |
| B.It should be protected against the rain. |
| C.Everything in the hotel is made of salt. |
| D.You have to cross a rope bridge to the hotel. |
What is the similarity of the four hotels?
| A.Being expensive. |
| B.Being comfortable. |
| C.Being natural. |
| D.Being unique. |
What does the underlined words “Sweet Willy” refer to?
A.The name of the hotel.
B.The name of the hotel owner.
C.The building of Dog Bark Park Inn B&B.
D.The name of a pet dog of the hotel owner.Which of the hotels makes you have a feeling of living in the far past?
A.Tayka Hotel de Sal.
B.Green Magic Nature Resort.
C.Dog Bark Park Inn B&B.
D.Gamirasu Cave Hotel.
People can be addicted to different things— e.g.alcohol, drug, certain foods,or eventelevision.People who have such an addiction are compulsive: they have a very powerfulpsychological need that they feel they must satisfy.According to psychologists, many peopleare compulsive spenders.They feel that they must spend money.This compulsion, like mostothers, is impossible to explain reasonably.For compulsive spenders who buy on credit, chargeaccounts are even more exciting than money.In other words, compulsive spenders feel thatwith credit, they can do anything.Their pleasure in spending large amounts is actually greaterthan the pleasure that they get from the things they buy.
There is even a special psychology of bargain hunting.To save money, of course, mostpeople look for sales, low prices, and discounts.Compulsive bargain hunters,however, oftenbuy things that they don't need just because they are cheap.They want to believe that they arehelping their budgets, but they are really playing an exciting game.When they can buysomething for less than other people, they feel that they are winners.Most people, expertsclaim, have two reasons for their behavior: a good reason for the things that they do and thereal reason.
It is not only scientists, of course, who understand the psychology of spending habits, butalso business people.Stores, companies, and advertisers use psychology to increase business.They consider people's needs for love, power, or influence, their basic values, their beliefs andopinions, and so on in their advertising and sales methods.
Psychologists often use a method called "behavior therapy(疗法)"to help individuals solvetheir personality problems.In the same way, they can help people who feel that they haveproblems with money.According to psychologists, a compulsive spender is one who spends large amounts ofmoney.
| A.and takes great pleasure from what he or she buys |
| B.in order to satisfy his or her basic needs in life |
| C.just to meet his or her strong psychological need |
| D.entirely with an irrational eagerness |
According to the passage, compulsive bargain hunters are often in search of the lowest possible prices.
| A.because they feel satisfied if they spend less money than others |
| B.because they like to show off their success in getting things for less money |
| C.because they have money problem |
| D.because they want to save money to help heir budget |
The passage is mainly talking about.
| A.the psychology of money-spending habits |
| B.the purchasing habits of compulsive spenders |
| C.a special psychology of bargain hunting |
| D.the use of the psychology of spending habits in business |
From the passage we may safely conclude that compulsive spenders or compulsive bargainhunters .
| A.are really unreasonable |
| B.need special treatment |
| C.can't be cured |
| D.can never get any help to solve their problems with money |
Dr.Sylvia Earle wants you to stop eating fish.It's not because fish are endangered,thoughwild fish stocks in many oceans are very low.It's not because they're bad for you, though fishin many areas are exposed to poisonous substances in the water.It's because they're smart.
"Fish are sensitive, they have personalities’,says the marine biologist.For Earle, eating afish would be like eating a dog or a cat.“I would never eat anyone I know personally.”
There's a lot more to fish than meets the eye: they talk to each other, they like to betouched, and they engage in behavior that can seem very human.They can remember thingsand learn from experience.Earle and a growing number of animal rights activists see these asstrong arguments against eating fish altogether.
The activists also point out that fish feel pain and fish suffer horribly on their way fromthe sea to the supermarket.“While it may seem obvious that fish are able to feel pain, likeevery other animal, some people think of fish as swimming vegetables,” says Dr. LynneSneddon. “Really,it's kind of a moral question.Is the enjoyment you get from fishing (oreating fish) more important than the pain of the fish?”
Fishermen and (fried) fish lovers are doubtful."I've never seen a smart fish," says MarieSwaringen as she finishes off a plate of fish at a Seattle seafood restaurant.“If they were verysmart, they wouldn't get caught."
“For years, everyone's been telling us to eat fish because it's so good for us,” says anotherdiner.‘‘Now I've got to feel guilty while I'm eating my fish? What are they going to think ofnext? Don't eat salad because cucumbers have feelings?"Dr.Sylvia Earle discourage people from eating fish because.
| A.there are not that many wild fish in the ocean |
| B.fish actually are sensitive and have personalities |
| C.some ocean fish contain poisonous substances |
| D.fish are like dogs or cats that people know personally |
We can infer from the passage that.
| A.all people don't agree with the idea to stop eating fish |
| B.people will be persuaded not to eat fish in the future |
| C.stopping eating fish will lead to people's not eating vegetables |
| D.we shouldn't care too much about the feeling of fish |
By saying "There's a lot more to fish than meets the eye, "the writer means.
| A.there are far more fish than other animals in the world |
| B.there are more fish in the world than people can see |
| C.people can see more fish if they pay more attention |
| D.fish are not that simple as they appear to people's eyes |
What is the writer's attitude towards people eating fish?
| A.Neutral. | B.Indifferent. | C.Approving. | D.Opposed. |
Being the head of a high school for many years, I grew tired of budget meetings, fundingcuts, and many other administrative chores and started to dream of retirement.Sitting in trafficon a weekday morning, I would find my mind wandering.I would imagine spending time withmy grandchildren, quiet evenings with my wife, traveling, or rediscovering some great books.Itold myself that I wouldn't sign myself up for any committees, any classes, or anythingrequiring a schedule.
My first day of retirement came at last! I cooked a great breakfast for my wife and me,leisurely read the paper, cleaned a bit of the house, and wrote a few letters to friends.On thesecond day, I cooked breakfast, read the paper …On the third day, ...This is retirement? Itried to tell myself that it was just the transition, that those golden moments were right roundthe corner, and that I would enjoy them soon enough.But something was missing.
A former colleague asked a favor.A group of students was going to Jamaica to work withchildren in the poorest neighbourhood.Would I interrupt my newfound "happiness" and returnto the students, just this once? One trip.That's all.My bags were packed and by the door.
The trip was very inspiring.I was moved not only by the poverty I saw but also by thesense of responsibility of the young people on the trip.When I returned home, I offered to workone day a week with a local youth organization.The experience was so positive that I was soonvolunteering nearly full-time, working with students across North America to assist them intheir voluntary work.
Now,it seems, the tables have turned .Some days I am the teacher, other days I am thestudent.These young people have reawakened my commitment to social justice issues bychallenging me to learn more about the situation in the world today, where people are still poorand suffer because of greed, corruption and war.Most importantly, they have given me theopportunity to continue to participate in helping to find solutions.In return, I help them do theircharitable projects overseas.I've gone from running one school to helping oversee theconstruction of schools in twenty-one countries!What did the writer expect to do after he retired?
| A.To stay away from busy schedules. | B.To write some great books. |
| C.To do some voluntary work. | D.To plan for his future. |
Why did the writer decide to go to Jamaica?
| A.He missed his students in that country. |
| B.He couldn't reflise his colleague's favor. |
| C.He was concerned about the people there. |
| D.He was not satisfied with his retired life. |
The underlined part "the tables have turned" (Paragraph 5 ) means that thewriter.
| A.improved the situation in his school | B.felt happy to work with students again |
| C.became a learner rather than a teacher | D.changed his attitude toward his retired life |
What does the writer think of his retired life now?
| A.Disappointing. | B.Troublesome. |
| C.Promising. | D.Meaningful. |
| INVITATION TO A GOING-AWAY PARTY Sunday, June12 Dear Li Yang and Lu Ming, You are invited to a party for our foreign teacher Miss Green’s return to England for her holiday. She leaves on June 21. The best part of the party will be when we sing and dance together. Party given by: Students’ Union Date: Saturday, June 18,2006 Time: 6:00p.m. to 9:30p.m. Place: The Students’ Dining Hall Reply by: Friday, June 17 Food and drinks will be provided at the party. Zhang Yu PS: This event is NOT to be missed! We hope to see you there! |
When will they have the party?
| A.On Sunday, June12th. | B.On Friday,June 17th. |
| C.On Saturday, June18th. | D.On Tuesday,June21th. |
How long will the party last?
| A.For three hours. | B.For two hours and a half. |
| C.For four hours and a half. | D.For three hours and a half. |
According to the invitation, which sentence is TRUE ?
| A.Miss Green leaves on Tuesday. | B.They are not going to sing. |
| C.They are not going to dance. | D.They can’t eat food at the party. |
Who are Li Yang and Lu Ming?
| A.Zhang Yu’s teachers. | B.Zhang Yu’s students |
| C.Zhang Yu’s schoolmates. | D.Zhang Yu’s sisters. |
Dick was born in a poor family. His father had a small boat and went fishing in the morning and sold the fish in the market in the afternoon. Then he bought some food for his family. When winter came, they were often hungry. One morning the hungry man fell into the river and wasn’t found. Dick’s mother left her three-year-old son without saying good-bye. His aunt had to look after him.
Twenty years passed. Dick became a tall, strong man. He found work on a farm. He worked hard and wanted to get more money. He often went to see his aunt with some nice presents. The woman was very happy but one day she died in a traffic accident. The young man was very sad. After he buried her, he decided to buy a beautiful tombstone(墓碑)for her. He went to town and came in a shop, but all the tombstones were too expensive. He asked, “Do you sell an old tombstone, sir?” “Yes, we do, sir, ” answered the shopkeeper. “Is it as expensive as the new one?”
“No, it’s much cheaper,” said the man. “But another name was engraved (刻) on it.” “It doesn’t matter, ” said Dick. “My aunt couldn’t read.” If , the family members were hungry.
| A.Dick’s father could catch no fish in winter |
| B.Dick’s father had a boat in winter |
| C.Dick’s father had to look after him in winter |
| D.no food was sold in winter |
Dick wanted to get more money to.
| A.marry a wife | B.give his aunt nice presents |
| C.buy a farm | D.build a house |
Dick often went to see his aunt because.
| A.she felt lonely | B.she was often ill |
| C.she had no children | D.with her help he grew up |
Dick wanted to buy an old tombstone because.
| A.he didn’t had enough money to buy a new one |
| B.his aunt couldn’t read whose name was engraved |
| C.his aunt wasn’t going to mind it |
| D.nobody knew what his aunt’s name was |