Have you heard of dodos (渡渡鸟)? The dodo was a large bird. But you might not think it was a bird at all, for the dodo could not fly. It was a member of the chicken family. It lived happily and safely until humans arrived in 1505. European sailors (水手) discovered the bird in 1507 on the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
When the sailors talked about the strange bird that could not fly, people found it hard to believe it. The Europeans on the Island of Mauritius and the pigs they brought with them found the birds very good to eat. So large numbers of dodos were killed and by 1681 no living dodos were found on the island. A few dodos were brought to England in the 17th century, but for 200 years none have been seen alive. The humans didn’t know how to protect the birds. They caused the dodos’ extinction (灭绝) . This is how the phrase “as dead as a dodo” came. Because they died out completely, dodos became very well-known. It gave humans a big lesson.European sailors discovered dodos in ________.
A.1505 | B.1507 |
C.1681 | D.1700 |
Which of the following about the dodo is TURE according to the passage?
A.It was born on the Island of Mauritius and could fly well. |
B.It lived a hard life until humans arrived in 1505. |
C.Its population became small only because pigs ate them. |
D.It was possible for humans to find a dodo on Mauritius Island before 1681. |
What’s the correct order about dodos?
a. Many people didn’t believe that dodos couldn’t fly.
b. European sailors discovered dodos on the Island of Mauritius.
c. The Europeans and the pigs found dodos very good to eat.
d. Large numbers of dodos were killed on the island.
A.a-b-c-d | B.d-c-b-a |
C.b-a-c-d | D.b-d-a-c |
The writer wrote the passage mainly to tell us that _____________.
A.the dodo could not fly |
B.the dodo was a chicken |
C.no living dodos were found |
D.it’s important to protect animals |
I love it at night. It’s peaceful. And when it cools down I sometimes do some ironing. I don’t really care for it. I work full-time and I am too busy for most housework. I remember the old woman who taught me to iron. I was about 15 and I had to get a job taking care of a woman to make a living. She had been an able-bodied, healthy woman until the accident that caused her to be paralyzed.
The woman sat in an electric wheelchair all day. She could only move her head and arms. She would tell me how to do things. She would teach me in great detail on the correct ways to do things. Her home was perfect and beautiful. She would follow me around in her electric wheelchair to make sure I did everything exactly right. I’m sure she had been a perfect homemaker. She would have me fold(折叠) everything, including socks. I would complain silently and wish terrible things on her. She taught me the right way to make the bed. I know sometimes she’d get frustrated(沮丧) and impatient with me. I knew she wanted to do it herself. But she never shouted or scolded. She
only insisted I do it right. I didn’t like it much, but I did it.
Today I can iron pretty well. I know where to start on a shirt and the right way to do the trousers. Now when I think about it, I don’t think she is an old lady. I think she might have been about my age now. Anyway, when I iron, I think of her and silently thank her for all the things I learned.The writer used to take care of the lady because ________.
A.she wanted to learn to do housework |
B.she was a friend of the lady’s |
C.she had to earn some money |
D.she couldn’t find a room to live in |
The underlined word ‘paralyzed’ in the first paragraph may mean ‘______’.
A.destroyed | B.deaf | C.seriously ill | D.unable to walk |
The little girl was ______ when the lady taught her how to do housework.
A.encouraged to learn | B.unwilling to learn |
C.delighted to learn | D.recommended to learn |
Now the writer ______.
A.is still afraid of the lady | B.hates the strict lady |
C.admires the disabled lady | D.is very grateful to the lady |
Suppose you work in a big firm and find English very important for your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen. Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English. Here are some advertisements about English language training from newspapers. You may find the information you need.
Global English Center General English in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. * 3-month (700 yuan ), 6-mo ![]() * Choice of morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day, Mon. ~ Fri.. * Experienced college English teachers. Tel: 67605272 Add: 105 Zhongshan Road, 100082 |
Modern Language School Special courses in English for business, travel, banking, hotel management and office skills. * Small classes ( 12~16 students ) on Sat. & Sun. from 2:00~5:00 p.m.. * Native English teachers from Canada and the USA. * Language lab and computers supplied. * 3-month course: 1,050 yuan; 6-month course: 1,850 yuan. Add: Modern Language School, 675 Park Road, 100056 Tel: 67353019 |
The 21st Century English Training Center We specialize in effective teaching at all levels. * We offer morning or afternoon classes, both of which last three months and a half at a cost of 800 yuan. *Entrance exams: June 1 and Dec. 1. Call 67801642 for more information. |
The International House of English A six-month English course for students of all levels at very low cost: 60 yuan for 12 hours per week. * Class hours: 9:00~12:00 a.m. and 2:00~5:00 p.m.. *Well trained Chinese and foreign teachers experienced in teaching English as a second/foreign language. Call 67353019 for further information. |
Mr. White works in the daytime every day and the place he will choose is ______.
A.Global English Center |
B.Modern Language School |
C.The 21st Century English Training Center |
D.The International House of English |
The 21s
t Century English Training Center is different from the other three. It ______.
A.has a language lab and computers | B.has more experienced teachers |
C.offers morning or afternoon classes | D.requires an entrance exam |
If you want to attend the course at the International House of English, you’ll pay about
______.
A.1,200 yuan | B.1,600 yuan | C.1,500 yuan | D.1,800 yuan |
Sometimes people come into your life and you know at once that they were sure to be there. They serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help find out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be: your classmate, neighbor, teacher, long-lost friend or even a real stranger. But you know that every moment they will affect (影响) your life in some serious way.
Sometimes things happen to you. At the time they may seem terrible, painful (痛苦的) and unfair. But later you realize that without getting over those difficulties you would have never realized your further ability and strength. Everything happens for a reason and nothing happens by chance or with good or bad luck.
The people you meet affect your life, and the successes and failure (失败) you experience, create who you are. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
Enjoy every day even every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and really listen. You should set your sights high, hold your head up, tell yourself you are a great one and believe in yourself.
You can make your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it. The people we meet.
A.all know where to find us | B.serve us on no purpose |
C.won't become our neighbor | D.will change us in some way |
From the passage, we know that bad things can make us.
A.terribly meet bad luck | B.realize our further ability |
C.find no serious success | D.possibly enjoy every moment |
The underlined word "poignant" in the passage means "".
A.平淡的 | B.明显的![]() |
C.深刻的 | D.艰苦的 |
The writer's advice is that we should.
A.never talk to strange people | B.learn as much as we can each day |
C.get over difficulties painfully | D.not believe in ourselves but others |
Which is the best title for the passage?
A.Create Your Own Life | B.Hold Your Head Up |
C.People You Meet in Life | D.Things Happen to You |
Welcome to Shawnee Mountain, a great place for skiing! All people can have a wonderful time here. For more information, you can visit www.shawneemt.com or call 570-421-7231. Shawnee Mountain is a wonderful place for___________.
A.staying | B.skiing | C.climbing | D.visiting |
Two parents and a child of 45cm tall will pay ___________for the lifts on weekend,
A.$100 | B.$86 | C.$50 | D.$43 |
If a soldier goes to the mountain, ___________should be shown for a lift ticket.
A.the proof of age | B.the college ID |
C.the phone number | D.the active duty ID |
It is known that people can go to Shawnee Mountain___________.
A.with expensive tickets at night | B.for 6 hours on Christmas Day |
C.from Mid December to March | D.just from Monday to Friday |
Which is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
A.There are 2 holiday periods during a winter. |
B.The prices now are not the same as last year. |
C.People over 70 are also welcome to be there. |
D.People can go to the mountain in the afternoon. |
Reporter: How long have you been a firefighter?
Wilson: For eight years. JP Reporter: How did you get started?
Wilson: First, 1 had to take a lot of tests in two weeks. Then, I went to the firefighter school for four months. 1 learned how to put out fires and how to use equipment I also
had a full-time training every day!
Reporter: How do you stay safe on the job?
Wilson: I wear special clothing. It helps keep me protected from fire. I also carry an oxygen tank (氧气瓶) and a mask (面具). They help me to breathe in a smoke-filled building. Reporter: Are there any new tools that firefighters use?
Wilson: We have a special camera that can see in the dark. It can find heat. That way, we can
exactly tell the place of a fire. Reporter: Do you save pets?
Wilson: Just three days ago, I helped save some cats. They were hiding under the beds. Pets
usually bide during a fire because they are afraid of danger. Reporter: Do you ever get afraid?
Wilson: No. There is no time to he afraid. I just think about what to do to put out the fire safely. Reporter: What do you like best about being a firefighter?
Wilson: Helping people! Kate Wilson has done her job for____________.
A. 2 weeks b. 3 days c. 4 months D. 8 yearsTo become a firefighter, Kate Wilson ____________at first.
A.took a lot of tests | B.le![]() |
C.saved some animals | D.used fire equipment |
Kate Wilson says she does not get afraid because_____________.
A.she has an oxygen tank | B.she knows how to fight fires |
C.she enjoys finding heat | D.she is too busy putting out fires |
As a firefighter, Kate Wilson likes____________ most.
A.wearing a mask | B.asking questions |
C.helping people | D.hiding in smoke |
What did the reporter make this interview for?
A.To tell people what a firefighter does. |
B.To teach people how to prevent fires. |
C.To make people want to be firefighters. |
D.To show people how a firefighter is trained. |