My wife Laura and I were on the beach, with three of our children, taking pictures of shore birds near our home in Alaska when we spotted a bear. The bear was thin and small, moving aimlessly.
Just a few minutes later, I heard my daughter shouting, “Dad! The bear is right behind us!”An aggressive bear will usually rush forward to frighten away its enemy but would suddenly stop at the last minute. This one was silent and its ears pinned back—the sign (迹象) of an animal that is going in for the kill. And it was a cold April day. The bear behaved abnormally, probably because of hunger.
I held my camera tripod (三脚架) in both hands to form a barrier as the bear rushed into me. Its huge head was level with my chest and shoulders, and the tripod stuck across its mouth. It bit down and I found myself supporting its weight. I knew I would not be able to hold it for long.
Even so, this was a fight I had to win: I was all that stood between the bear and my family, who would stand little chance of running faster than a brown bear.
The bear hit at the camera, cutting it off the tripod. I raised my left arm to protect my face; the beast held tightly on the tripod and pressed it into my side. My arm could not move, and I sensed that my bones were going to break.
Drawing back my free hand, I struck the bear as hard as I could for five to six times. The bear opened its mouth and I grasped its fur, trying to push it away. I was actually wrestling (扭打) with the bear at this point. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the fight ended. The bear moved back toward the forest, before returning for another attack— the first time I felt panic.
Apparently satisfied that we caused no further threat, the bear moved off, destroying a fence as it went. My arm was injured, but the outcome for us could hardly have been better. I’m proud that my family remained clear-headed when panic could have led to a very different outcome.The brown bear approached the family in order to _______________.
| A．catch shore birds |
| B．start an attack |
| C．protect the children |
| D．set up a barrier for itself |
The bear finally went away after it _______________.
| A．felt safe | B．got injured |
| C．found some food | D．took away the camera |
The writer and his family survived mainly due to their _______________.
| A．pride | B．patience |
| C．calmness | D．cautiousness |
We can't tell a contestant is winning because he is really talented or because there is no comparison
Hunan Satellite TV is losing its leading position? There's a reason for saying this. In 2012, the reality talent show, the Voice of China, on the Zhejiang Television became the most popular program in China.
The reason for its popularity was really because of its excellent quality?
The administrative department really contributed a lot in the popularity of the Voice of China. In the past, there were no other draft shows(选秀节目) ranked as high as Super Girl and Super Boy. Even though there were some draft shows which seemed to share the popularity, it never turned out true. All the other draft shows were shadowed by the ones on Hunan TV. One example was that since draft shows of Hunan TV were broadcast on Friday night, the draft shows of other stations were shifted to Saturday or Sunday. However, Hunan TV didn't get their permission for broadcasting shows in 2012.
And if this were not bad enough, SARFT did a great favor for it. SARFT issued a regulation, saying that all draft shows should be broadcast after 10:30 pm at night. Zhejiang TV declared long before the regulation that since was “no audition(海选)， no PK, no rise in rank, no voting, no champion”, its program was never a draft show. So, in 2012, all the opponents of Zhejiang TV had to broadcast their draft shows after 10:30 pm while the Voice of China was permitted to be broadcast in prime time.
If you really think about it, there's no essential difference between a draft show and the Voice of China. It also selected people from all over the country, how did they say this was different from a draft show? No PK, really? PK doesn't mean one versus one! A team versus a team is called PK too. And “no rise in rank” is just a switch of concepts because at the end of every game, some left the stage and some stayed. If there was really “no champion”, how come there was only one “good voice of China” at the final round? All these were rising in rank, in disguise(隐性).
Under such circumstances, the Voice of China even got praise. We are not saying that it is not a good show; we are saying that there's regret about the show since it had no opponent.The following factors are important in making the Voice of China popular EXCEPT _______.
| A．the unique quality of the voice of China |
| B．the policy support from SARFT and the administrative department |
| C．the favorable broadcasting time |
| D．the shortage of good opponents |
The passage mainly tells us _______.
| A．the voice of China is not a real draft show |
| B．the draft shows of Hunan Satellite TV still cause our attention |
| C．the advantag2s of the Voice of China |
| D．the reasons why Hunan Satellite TV is losing its leading position |
What's the author's attitude towards the voice of China?
| A．supportive | B．doubtful |
| C．optimistic | D．hopeful |
Which is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．SARFT issued a regulation, saying that all draft shows should be broadcast after 10:30 pm at night. |
| B．Draft shows of Hunan TV were broadcast on Sunday night. |
| C．In the past, there were some draft shows ranked as high as Super Girl. |
| D．The Voice of China is a program of Hunan Satellite TV. |
There is growing concern about food insecurity in the developing world. Rising food prices, weather emergencies and political problems are deepening the struggle for families in many countries.
Three UN agencies have published a report recently, saying high prices are likely to continue. Gregory Barrow, who is with the World Food Program in Rome, says, “If you look at the places where the World Food Program works, particularly in developing countries, you see people who might be spending more than 60 percent of their salary in purchasing food for their families.”
East Africa is suffering its worst drought in years. In Kenya, at least three and a half million people are going hungry, mostly in the north. Yet food is going to waste in central Kenya. Now, farmers there want the government to buy their food and give it to those in need. Farmers say bad roads and lack of transportation make it difficult for them to get their produce to the market.
Mr. Barrow says, “It needs the government to make some arrangements such as providing transport. They can buy it at a good price, then give it to those people instead of asking for food from overseas, which is very bad. When we are throwing away food, they are asking for food from overseas.”
Economists say that imports reduce local food prices, decrease productivity(生产效率) and increase the dependency on other countries. Farmers in Kenya hope the government can pay higher prices for their crops so that they can feed more Kenyans.What is the best title for this passage?
| A．Kenya Imports Food from Abroad |
| B．A World Food Program in Rome. |
| C．The Poor Suffer from High Food Prices. |
| D．A Report Published by Three UN Agencies. |
What do we know about Kenya from the passage?
| A．The people in central Kenya are suffering from hunger. |
| B．At least three and a half million Kenyans lack food. |
| C．The Kenyan government wants to improve road conditions. |
| D．People in northern Kenya refuse to ask for food from overseas. |
What does “they” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
| A．The people of northern Kenya. |
| B．Government officials. |
| C．The farmers of central Kenya. |
| D．Kenyan economists. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to this passage?
| A．Gregory Barrow suggests that Kenya make good use of overseas food. |
| B．People in northern Kenya are suffering the drought less than the central. |
| C．Economists believe importing food from abroad may cause problems. |
| D．Kenyan government hopes to buy the native crops at higher prices. |
Modern Foreign Language Teacher
A successful, popular school in central South London has a new vacancy(空职) for an MFL Teacher of Spanish to start immediately after the Christmas holidays.
We required a specialist Spanish teacher; therefore Spanish should be your major language. Besides this, you need to make the lessons interesting and you should also have teaching experience.
Please contact Robert Eagle at 88143425.
General Manager
We are seeking a General Manager for our new workshop facility in Doha, Qatar. The successful individual should possess a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, along with 19 to 15 years' work experience in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Fertilizer or Marine industry and CNC machinery tools and equipment. A minimum of five years’; experience in a senior managerial capacity is essential. Candidates (候选人) that have work experience in Gulf countries or in the Middle East are encouraged to apply.
Please contact Brian Gambles at 88146725.
Finance Manager
The successful individual will be able to demonstrate substantial commercial experience working within a corporate, blue-chip environment. You will be able to interact with and present confidently to senior management. The business offers an excellent working culture and genuine opportunities for significant career advancement and development.
Please contact Mr. McMahon at 88147959.
HR Manager
We are looking for an HR Manager to join our project team who will be responsible for a new HR and Payroll project.
A minimum of three years' HR management experience is required for this position.
The successful individual will need to have managed HR teams and supported Payroll.
If you have the relevant experience and are available for a new assignment, contact Matt Ridley at 88146550.Who should you get in touch with if you want to be a Spanish teacher?
| A．Robert Eagle | B．Brian Gambles |
| C．Mr. McMahon | D．Matt Ridley |
We know from the ads that the position of General Manager requires a person who _______.
| A．has five years of work experience in the Marine industry |
| B．can support the senior management teams |
| C．has a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering |
| D．has teaching experience |
If you want to work in an excellent working culture, you should call _______ for an interview.
| A．88143425 | B．88146725 | C．88147959 | D．88146550 |
What is the minimum amount of experience required for the position of HR Manager?
| A．Five years | B．Six years |
| C．Ten years | D．Three years |
In 1826, a French man named Niepce needed pictures for his business. But he was not a good artist. He invented a very simple camera. He put it in a window of his house and took a picture of his garden. That was the first photo.
The next important date in the history of photography was in 1837. That year, Daguerre, another Frenchman, took a picture of his reading room. He used a new kind of camera in a different way. In his picture you could see everything very clearly, even the smallest thing. This kind of photo was called a Daguerreotype.
Soon, other people began to use Daguerre's way. Travelers brought back wonderful photos from all around the world. People took pictures of famous buildings, cities and mountains.
In about 1840, photography was developed. Then photographers could take pictures of people and moving things. That was not simple. The photographers had to carry a lot of films and other machines. But this did not stop them, for example, some in the United States worked so hard.
Mathew Brady was a famous American photographer. He took many pictures of great people. The pictures were unusual because they were very lifelike.
Photography also became one kind of art by the end of the 19th century. Some photos were not just copies of the real world. They showed our feelings, like other kinds of art.The first photo was a picture of Niepce's _______.
| A．business | B．house |
| C．garden | D．window |
The Daguerreotype was _______.
| A．a Frenchman | B．a kind of picture |
| C．a kind of camera | D．a photographer |
This passage tells us_______.
| A．how photography was developed |
| B．how to show you ideas and feelings in pictures |
| C．how to take pictures in the world |
| D．how to use different cameras |
What is an Oyster card?
Oyster is the easiest way to pay for journeys on the bus ，Tube ，tram，Docklands light Railway (DLR)，London Overground and National Rail journeys in London You can store your travel cards, Bus & Tram Pass，season tickets and credit to pay for journeys as you go.
Where to get an Oyster card?
There are a number of ways for you to get an Oyster card ：
• At over 3,900 Oyster Ticket stops
• At Tube and London Overground station ticket offices
• At some National Rail stations
• At London Travel information Centres
• Online at tfl. gov. uk/oyster
How to use an Oyster card?
To pay the correct fare on the Tube ，DLR，London Overground and National Rail services，you must always touch in on the yellow Oyster card reader at the start of your journey，and touch out at the end. if you don’t, a maximum cash Oyster fare will be changed When using the bus or tram, you must only touch in at the start, but not at the end of your journey.
What happens if I don’t visit London very often?
Don’t worry. Any pay as you go credit on your card will not expire (过期)，so you can keep it for your next visit or lend it to a friend.
Fares
Traveling by Tube from Central London (Zone l)to Heathrow (Zone 6)
Adult Oyster single fare
£ 4. 20 Monday to Friday 06:30 - 09:30 and 16:00一19:00
£ 2. 70 at all other times including public holidays
Adult single cash fare £ 5.00
For further information，visit tfL.gov. uk /fares.You can get an Oyster card at the following places EXCEPT_____
| A．at a post office | B．at an Oyster Ticket stop |
| C．on the website | D．at a Tube station |
If a person with an Oyster card takes the 7 o’clock Tube from Central London to Heathrow for a week (no public holiday in between)，he should pay_____.
| A．£ 18.90 | B．£ 29.40 | C．£ 26.40 | D．£ 21.90 |
The passage is probably taken from a_______
| A．journal | B．travel brochure | C．textbook | D．novel |