The vast jungles of the Amazon rainforest are home to tribes(部落)mostly isolated(隔绝的)from the outside world，whose way of life，largely unchanged for hundreds of years，is now increasingly threatened by modern civilization．
Now, scientists discover they can monitor these“uncontacted tribes”using satellites，which would allow inexpensive and safe tracking of these tribes in order to protect them from outside threats．
In order to help conserve these uncontacted Indians，researchers need accurate estimates of their populations．One way to collect this data involves flying over their villages，but such overflights are both expensive and could fill these native peoples with fear．Another strategy involves meeting individuals on the ground，but among other risks，scientists could accidentally spread disease to members of the tribes．
Instead，scientists investigated whether satellite imaging could monitor uncontacted tribes. The result was inspiring．They confirmed their locations and measured the sizes of their Village，houses and gardens．“We can find isolated vinages with remote sensing and study them over time．”Walker told Live Science．“We can ask：Are they growing?Do they move?”
Surprisingly，based on the sizes of the houses and Villages，the scientists find the population densities of these isolated villages are about 10 times greater，on average，than other villages of native Brazilian peoples．This may be due to the fact that they have to live closer together because they are not as good at clearing the forest，since they lack modern devices like chainsaws and tractors，the researchers said．The tribes may also be afraid of spreading out due to fear of being attacked by outsiders，Walker said.
The researchers now plan to focus on 29 more isolated villages to“look at their ecology—that is．distance from rivers and roads—and use this to model where else we can find more isolated villages，”Walker said．What is the main idea of the text?
| A．Amazon tribes are disappearing． |
| B．Scientists found isolated Amazon tribes． |
| C．Modern civilization is threatening Amazon tribes． |
| D．Isolated Amazon tribes are monitored with satellites． |
Scientists don't want to meet the Indians on the ground due to the fear that_______
| A．they can’t get accurate data |
| B．they will be attacked by the Indians |
| C．they could pass disease to the Indians |
| D．they will catch disease from the Indians |
What do scientists find about the tribes?
| A．They live close together． |
| B．Their population is dropping. |
| C．Thev live in distributed areas． |
| D．Their population is increasing fast. |
What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
| A．There are 29 Amazon tribes in total． |
| B．More isolated tribes are yet to be discovered． |
| C．It's easy for scientists to find isolated villages． |
| D．Isolated villages are distant from rivers and roads． |
Barack Obama urged congressional leaders on Monday to act quickly to pass a huge stimulus package for the U.S. economy. He met with a bipartisan (concerning or involving two different political parties) group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Later he met individually with Democratic and Republican House and Senate leaders and spoke to a bipartisan leadership gathering. In comments to reporters early on Monday, he emphasized the urgency of finalizing economic legislation (立法). “We have got an extraordinary economic challenge ahead of us,” he said, “We are expecting a sobering job report at the end of the week. Nancy Pelosi and her staff have been extraordinarily helpful in working with our team so that we can shape an economic recovery and reinvestment plan that starts putting people back to work.”
Mr. Obama wants tax cuts for individual Americans and businesses to make up a significant portion of expected legislation. This could involve as much as $300 billion of a bill that is likely to go beyond $700 billion and include aid to cash-poor U.S. states, and money for alternative energy and a range of infrastructure (基础设施) projects. Later, Mr. Obama said he expects to be able to sign legislation as soon as the end of this month, adding that quick action is necessary to “break the drive of the U.S. economic depression”.
Emerging later from bipartisan talks with Mr. Obama, Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers discussed with the president how to pass a stimulus package as quickly as possible. “An economic recovery package that will create jobs immediately and will grow the economy and that is what we talked about today,” said Nancy Pelosi. “How we could do this fast, deliberatively and to act upon it soon.” Just how soon that would be, Pelosi would not say.
How much support Democrats can obtain from Republicans will depend on the details. But the severity of the U.S. economic depression has created considerable bipartisan backing for quick action. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid said: “There are investments that we need to make on behalf of the American people to turn around this economy. We felt very good about the meeting; we are confident that we can do this and we have to do this.”
“I think the best thing I can do is to decline to comment on what they are going to do going forward,” said Dana Perino. “Obviously, we think that tax cuts were the right way to help our economy get out of the economic depression that this president inherited and we know that tax cuts can stimulate innovation.” Asked by reporters how large the economic stimulus package might be, Senate Majority Leader Reid said Obama indicated that all but one of some 28 economists advising him had said it should range from $800 billion to $1.3 trillion.Barack Obama urged congressional leaders and met with bipartisan leaders to _____.
| A．take over the White House |
| B．end economic decline |
| C．understand each other better |
| D．negotiate political issues |
If the stimulus package is passed quickly and successfully, it can _____.
| A．obtain support from Republicans |
| B．finalize economic legislation |
| C．enhance America’s international position |
| D．provide job opportunities |
What is the bipartisan leaders’ attitude towards this meeting?
| A．Uncertain. | B．Hopeful. | C．Disappointed. | D．Indifferent. |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．The best way out of the economic depression is tax cuts. |
| B．The Republic Party plays the key role in coping with the economic depression. |
| C．Democrats and Republicans will team up in the economic depression. |
| D．When the stimulus package will be passed is known to the lawmakers. |
Stewart Island Ferry Services
While most visitors spend at least one night on Stewart Island, it is also readily accessible by ferry as a day excursion from Invercargill and Bluff.
Experience Foveaux Strait in comfort and style on board our express catamarans. During the one-hour crossing between Bluff and Stewart Island keep a lookout for wildlife, especially seabirds. Watching mollymawks (albatross) soaring behind the ferry is a fantastic sight.
Interesting landmarks commonly seen include Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, Titi Islands and Mt Anglem - Stewart Island’s highest point.
Free tea and coffee on board
Interpretation handouts are available (English only).
Wheelchair access available
Personal baggage is carried free on the ferries - max. two bags per person (one stowed and one small carry-on). Additional baggage is by prior arrangement.
Vehicle parking available at Bluff (extra cost - reservations recommended)
| FERRY TO STEWART ISLAND Depart Bluff All year 9:30am Sep-May 5:00pm Oct –Apr 11:00am Jun –Aug 4:30pm Late Dec –mid Jan8:00am |
FERRY TO BLUFF Depart Stewart Island All year 8:00am Sep –May 3:30pm Oct –Mar 6:00pm Apr 5:00pm Jun-Aug 3:00pm Late Dec –mid Jan 9:30am |
| Other departures as locally advertised Duration 1hr Check-in 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. (Check-in and boarding gates are closed 10 minutes prior to times stated above.) |
“20% Multi-Purchase REWARD” on Return Ferry Services
Buy 2 or more different excursions and SAVE 20% off all lower priced!
Kids Go FREE on selected departures during NZ School Holidays!
Kids Go FREE for travel 20 April - 5 May 2013.If leaving a car at Bluff, a traveler had better _____.
| A．refer to the handouts first |
| B．use wheelchair access |
| C．make a reservation |
| D．park it 30 minutes before departure time |
John, who went to Stewart Island on Dec. 28th, got to the ferry dock at 7:55am. When did he most probably leave Bluff?
| A．At 8:00a.m.. | B．At 9:30a.m.. | C．At 11:00a.m.. | D．At 3:00p.m.. |
Which of the following is false about the ferry services?
| A．Tea and coffee are free for passengers. |
| B．Children go free for travel for about 15 days. |
| C．Travelers are sure to see some seabirds during the crossing. |
| D．Passengers have to pay extra cost for extra pieces of luggage. |
A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men aboard were able to swim to a small, desert-like island. Not knowing what else to do, the two survivors agreed that they had no alternativethan to pray to God.
However, to find out whose prayers were more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the island, and he was able to eat its fruit. But the other man’s parcel of land remained barren.
After a week, the first man became lonely and decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the island. But on the other side of the island, there was nothing.
Soon thereafter the first man prayed for a house, clothes and more food. The next day, like magic, all of these things were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship so that he and his wife could leave the island, and in the morning he found a ship docked at his side of the island.
The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island, considering the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings since none of his prayers had been answered.
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from Heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”
“My blessings are mine alone since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he doesn’t deserve anything.”
“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.”
“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”
“He prayed that all your prayers would be answered.”
For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us. So what you do for others is more important than what you do for yourself.The first man’s wife is _____.
| A．a swimmer who got to the island by accident |
| B．an angel sent by God to keep him company |
| C．a survivor from another wrecked ship |
| D．a native person on the desert-like island |
The underlined word “barren” in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to _____.
| A．isolated | B．unproductive | C．fertile | D．dry |
Which of the following is true about the second man?
| A．He didn’t deserve any blessing from God. |
| B．None of his prayers was answered by God. |
| C．He is not brave enough to tell God his needs. |
| D．His prayer helped his companion get out of trouble. |
What’s the moral of the story?
| A．Never judge a person by appearance. |
| B．Don’t lose heart in trouble. |
| C．Helping others is helping ourselves. |
| D．Greed is the root of all evil. |
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
The Internet has opened up a whole new online world for us to meet, chat and go where we have never been before.
But just as in face to face communication, there are some rules of behavior that should be followed when on line .__ ___ Imagine how you’d feel if you were in the other person’s shoes.
For anything you’re about to send : ask yourself , “Would I say this to the person’s face?” if the answer is no, rewrite and reread.__ _____
If someone in the chat room is rude to you , your instinct(本能)is to fire back in the same manner. But try not to do so.__ __ If it was caused by a disagreement with another member, try to fix the situation by politely discussing it .Remember to respect the beliefs and opinions of others in the chat room.
____ Offer advice when asked by newcomers , as they may not be sure what to do or how to communicate .When someone makes a mistake, whether it’s a stupid question or an unnecessarily long answer, be kind about it .If it is a small mistake , you may not need to say anything .Even if you feel strongly about it , think twice before saying anything. Having good manners yourself doesn’t give you license to correct everyone else.
______ At the same time ,if you find you are wrong , be sure to correct yourself and apologize to those that you have offended.
It is not polite to ask others personal questions such as their age,sex and marital status. Unless you know the person very well, and you are both comfortable with sharing personal information, don’t ask such questions .
| A．It’s natural that there are some people who speak rudely or make mistakes online . |
| B．Repeat the process till you feel sure that you’d feel comfortable saying the words to the person’s face. |
| C．Everyone was new to the network once. |
| D．The basic rule is simple : treat others in the same way you would want to be treated . |
E. When you send short messages to a person online , you must say something beautiful to hear.
F. You should either ignore the person,or use your chat software to block their messages.
G. If you do decide to tell someone about a mistake , point it out politely .
A new study shows one of the largest glaciers(冰川) in Greenland is becoming smaller and speeding to the sea faster than scientists expected. If it continues, Greenland itself could become much smaller during this century and global seas could rise as much as 3 feet.
The rates of change that we’re noticing are much higher than expected. If these rates continue, it is not likely that Greenland could shrink by several tens of percent this century. However, it’s not known how quickly this coastal response of the Greenland ice sheet melting will have an effect on the vast inland ice.
Greenland is the world’s largest island, covering area more than three times the size of Texas. Some 81 percent of it is covered by ice, and there are many glaciers. Glaciers are like slow-moving rivers of ice. Where a glacier meets the sea, its weight keeps it firmly resting on the bottom. A glacier’s front is the point where the water is deep enough that the glacier floats.
Since the 1970s, the front of Helheim stayed in the same place. Then it began melting rapidly, moving back 4.5 miles from 2001 through this past summer. It has also grown thinner, from top to bottom, by more than 130 feet since 2001. And over these past years, its trip to the sea has sped up from about 70 feet per day to nearly 110.
The melting is driven by a warmer climate. Temperatures in Greenland have risen more than five degrees Fahrenheit(华氏温度) in the last ten years. Since most of Greenland’s ice is on land, seas will rise as the ice melts. If all Greenland’s ice sheet melted, oceans would be 15-20 feet higher. Nobody expects that to happen any time soon.What can we know about the glaciers according to the passage?
| A．Glaciers only lie in Greenland. |
| B．Water in glaciers is more than sea water. |
| C．Glaciers sometimes float on the water. |
| D．Glaciers can increase the water level of lakes. |
According to the passage, we know that Greenland ___________.
| A．belongs to Canada |
| B．is the largest island in North America |
| C．is all covered with glaciers |
| D．is sinking under the sea level |
Which of the following may be the result of the disappearing of Greenland glaciers?
| A．The climate of the world will be warmer. |
| B．The glaciers in other areas will be bigger. |
| C．It will be easy for explorers to visit the island. |
| D．Some coastal cities may be under the sea. |