First published in 2001, the book Life of Pi written by Canadian author Yann Martel won the Man Booker Prize and an Asian American Prize for Literature. It is the story of a young boy named Pi who spends 227 days at sea with a small group of animals after disaster strikes their ship and is an account of his journey of survival and hardship.
Piscine “Pi” Molitor Patel, on whom Life of Pi is based, is a young boy living in Pondicherry, India, where his father owns a zoo. The story starts when Patel’s family decide to move to Canada, along with their zoo animals for their new home.
However, because of the bad weather, the ship sinks. Pi along with an orangutan (猩猩), an injured zebra, a hyena (鬣狗) and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker are the only survivors who take shelter in a small lifeboat. Both the injured zebra and the orangutan are soon killed and eaten by the hyena. The tiger in turn kills and eats the hyena, leaving just the two of them alone on the boat now.
In an effort to avoid being eaten by Richard Parker, Pi acts himself as the head of the group and remains safe from harm. Since he does not want the tiger to die for fear of going mad by being alone on the boat, he fishes and feeds the two of them in order to stay alive.
The life of Pi then enters its third stage when their lifeboat washes up on the shores of Mexico and the tiger escapes into a nearby forest leaving Pi alone. After the Mexicans refuse to believe Pi’s story, he changes his tale by replacing the animals with his mother, a cook and a sailor and asks the Mexicans which one they prefer. They prefer hearing the first story though they do not believe a word of it.
In my view, Life of Pi is a must read book for all those who love reading.We can learn that the book Life of Pi _____.
| A．was written in 2001 |
| B．was awarded two prizes |
| C．tells a story about friendship |
| D．is based on the author’s personal experience |
In the book Life of Pi the hyena is killed by _____.
| A．Pi |
| B．the zebra |
| C．the orangutan |
| D．Richard Parker |
How does Pi escape being eaten by the tiger?
| A．By catching fishes for the tiger. |
| B．By locking the tiger in a cage. |
| C．By being the leader of the two of them. |
| D．By fighting with the tiger. |
What happens after Pi arrives in Mexico?
| A．The tiger dies. |
| B．He tries to escape. |
| C．The Mexicans feel sorry for him. |
| D．The Mexicans doubt his experience. |
Three Chinese astronauts on June 24 successfully completed a manual docking between the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft and the orbiting Tiangong-1 lab module, the first such attempt in China's history of space exploration. It means China has completely grasped space rendezvous and docking technologies and the country is fully capable of transporting humans and cargo to an orbiter in space, which is essential for building a space station in 2020.
Astronaut Liu Wang, assisted by his teammates Jing Haipeng and Liu Yang, controlled the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft to dock with the Tiangong-1 space lab module at 12:48 p.m., which were reconnected about seven minutes later. About one and a half hours before the docking, Shenzhou-9 parted from Tiangong-1 to a berth point 400 meters away from the module. To leave room for adjustments, engineers set up four berth points for the spaceship on the same orbit 5 km, 400 meters, 140 meters and 30 meters away from the orbiting lab.
“The manual docking was beautifully conducted. The manual docking was completed in only 7 minutes, 3 minutes faster than the automatic docking.” said Liu Weibo, who is responsible for China's astronaut system.
Liu explained to Xinhua the three factors behind today's manual docking success. Firstly, Liu Wang has grasped the sophisticated manual docking technologies very well and his psychological status has been sound. Secondly, the three astronauts were in close cooperation. Thirdly, the domestically-made docking system was reliable, he said.
The astronauts, 343 km away from Earth, were also greeted by Chinese oceanauts from the Mariana Trench, 7,020 meters beneath the Pacific Ocean, where they just broke the country's dive record in a manned submersible on Sunday morning.
"We hope the manual docking is a great success and wish for brilliant achievements in China's manned space and manned deep-sea dive causes," read the message sent by the three oceanauts aboard the manned submersible Jiaolong.
Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's manned space program, said Sunday the manual space docking was "a complete success." She told a press conference in Beijing that the three Chinese astronauts had already re-entered the space lab module to continue their scientific experiments.
The manual docking is a significant step for China's manned space program that celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, as China has fully grasped space travel, space walk and space rendezvous and docking technologies that are essential to building a space station. China is the third country, after the United States and Russia, to acquire technologies and skills necessary for space rendezvous and docking and be able to supply manpower and material to an orbiting module via different docking methods.What does the underlined part refer to in the first paragraph 1?
| A．space exploration |
| B．Three Chinese astronauts in space |
| C．the successful manual docking |
| D．building a space station |
Which of the following is not right according to the passage?
| A．China is completely able to transport humans and cargo to an orbiter in space. |
| B．The manual docking was completed in almost the same minutes as the automatic docking. |
| C．Engineers set up four berth points for the spaceship in order to leave room for adjustments. |
| D．The astronauts received greetings from Chinese oceanauts from beneath the Pacific Ocean. |
According to Liu Weibo, which of the following is not the factor contributing to the successful docking?
| A．Liu Yang has grasped the sophisticated manual docking technologies very well |
| B．The astronaut’s psychological status has been in good condition. |
| C．The three astronauts cooperated with other closely. |
| D．The domestically-made docking system was reliable. |
The successful manual docking means a lot to China except______.
| A．It is essential for building a space station in the future. |
| B．Chinese people can wish for more brilliant achievements in China's manned fields. |
| C．China can compete with the US and Russia to be the best in the world. |
| D．China can use another way to supply manpower and material to an orbiting module. |
The largest known outbreak of the lethal Ebola（埃博拉）virus in West Africa is prompting authorities as far away as Asia to take preventive measures, although scientists say a global spread of the disease is unlikely.
At South Korea's Incheon International airport, a major hub for air travel in Asia, quarantine inspections of arriving passengers are being enhanced. Authorities say all passengers are being recorded by an infrared camera to detect fevers because Ebola is becoming a big concern.
The incubation period（潜伏期）of the Ebola virus is between two and 21 days, during which time an infected person might not show any signs of infection. In Hong Kong, the Center for Health Protection says public hospitals will begin to report and test all those who developed fever who, within the past 21 days, traveled to the three affected African countries.
Singapore's health ministry is urging the public there "not to be alarmed." It has issued a statement deeming Ebola to pose "a low public health risk to Singapore," in part because "there is low travel connectivity to West Africa where the current outbreak remains limited to."
Some airlines have suspended flights into the affected region. But health authorities say there is little risk of passengers contracting the virus on a flight from an infected person.Dr. Day, a tropical medicine researcher, explains Ebola is only spread through direct contact with blood, saliva and other bodily fluids.
Since March, there have been more than 1,200 confirmed Ebola cases in West Africa. This is believed to be a new strain of the virus and nearly 700 of those infected in this worst-known outbreak have died.There is no known cure for Ebola. It was first recognized in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1976. There is no approved vaccine, but at least four are under development.The passage may come from _____.
| A．a school magazine | B．a travel booklet |
| C．a newspaper | D．a textbook |
According to the passage, which of the following about Ebola virus is true?
| A．It has become a global spread. |
| B．people show some signs of infection once infected. |
| C．It is only spread through direct contact with blood, saliva and other bodily fluids. |
| D．There are at least four approved vaccines for it now. |
Why does Singapore's health ministry urge the public not to be alarmed?
| A．Because people in Singapore are healthy enough to resist the virus. |
| B．Because there is low travel connectivity between West Africa and Singapore. |
| C．Because there are some cures for the virus. |
| D．Because Singapore has no connection with countries in West Africa. |
What is the author's purpose of writing the text?
| A．To tell people not to travel any more. |
| B．To introduce the character of the virus |
| C．To find cures for the virus |
| D．To make people aware of the severity of the virus |
The surgeries went well, and not long afterwards, my sister and I were allowed to go in to visit. Dad was in a great deal of pain but, again, all he could talk about was Mom, who donated her kidney to him. Was she okay? How was she feeling? As they were wheeling Mom out of the recovery room, they rolled her into a separate place in Dad’s to visit him. It was like a dream to see both our parents hooked up to IVs and machines and trying to talk to each other through tears. The nurses allowed us to present the diamond ring, which was purchased by Dad before the surgery, to Mom so that Dad could watch her open it. Everybody was crying, even the nurses.
As I stood with digital camera in hand, I tried to keep the presence of mind to document the moment. My dad was having a hard time fighting back emotion, and suddenly my parents reached out to hold each other’s hands. In my nearly 35 years of existence, I’d never seen my parents do that, and I was absorbed in. I snapped a picture and later rushed home to make sure I’d captured that enormous, life-defining moment. That photo of my parents’ hands said everything. After so many years of quarrels, it was apparent to me that they finally understood how much each loved the other actually .
It’s as if the transplant healed our whole family. Dad is far gentler, and he has more patience now. He’s not condescending(高人一等) to my mother anymore. Mom, too, has loosened up, since she’s not dealing with all that anger. There’s a closeness that they didn’t have before, and the experience has deepened their faith.
For Christmas, my sister and I gave them two framed photos linked together by hooks. The top photo is of their clasped hands on their wedding day, August 7, 1965. It says, “For better or worse, for richer or poorer.” The second photo is of that day in the recovery room. Their hands are intertwined and it says, “In sickness and in health, till death do us part.” What’s the true feeling of the author when he saw both his parents in the recovery room?
| A．terrible | B．worried |
| C．incredible | D．moved |
What does the underlined sentence imply in the second paragraph?
| A．The photo of my parents is very important. |
| B．The moment that parents shook hands is valuable. |
| C．The parents love each other indeed. |
| D．Nothing is more important than the photo. |
What can be inferred about the author's family before the transplant?
| A．His father was a bad-tempered man. |
| B．His parents didn't love each other at all. |
| C．His parents had a good relationship. |
| D．His mother was easy to get along with. |
From the story of the author’s parents we can conclude that_____.
| A．Illness is part of daily life. |
| B．Quarrels can’t be avoided between parents. |
| C．The relationship between parents affects children greatly. |
| D．Suffering can better people’s relationship as well. |
You are young and free. It’s sometimes hard to see how the decisions you make in your 20′s affect the rest of your life. The truth is, your 20′s are the foundation for the rest of your life. Here are 4 mistakes 20-somethings should stop making now to ensure a bright future.
Stop wasting time.
You can waste time in many ways, especially before establishing your future. With your entire future ahead of you, it often can seem like there are unlimited amounts of time. It’s not the case. Use your time to do things that matter to you. Spend time on things like traveling, networking, building relationships and climbing the corporate ladder.
Stop wasting money.
Too often, in our 20′s, we want stuff. From expensive designer clothes, to fancy electronics, and many other possessions that take up a huge chunk of our income. Stop wasting money on these things. They are going to be out of date and out of style quicker than you imagine. Take your disposable income and invest in your future to ensure you have great experiences.
Stop staying in bad relationships.
Your first love can be hard to get over. And bad relationships can linger much too long. Stop spending time with people who don’t make you a better person. When you’re in a bad relationship, it will make the rest of your life more difficult. Evaluate your relationships .
Stop__________________
Whether it’s depending on your parents for bills or relying on your co-workers , your 20′s are a time to become more independent. Take help when you need it, but start working towards financial independence.From the passage we know that________.
| A．It’s easy to see how the decisions you make in your 20′s affect the rest of your life. |
| B．Your 20′s are the basis of the rest of your life. |
| C．It often can seem like there are limited amounts of time. |
| D．Evaluate your relationships because they always make your life difficult. |
Time can be used to spend time on the following things except________.
| A．Traveling |
| B．Surfing the Internet |
| C．Building relationships |
| D．Struggling for future |
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “disposable”？
| A．available | B．accessible |
| C．acceptable | D． affordable |
Which of the following can be best suitable for the blank?
| A．depending on your parents |
| B．relying on your co-workers |
| C．relying too much on others |
| D．depending less on others |
It never occurred to Sun Yukun that the decision he made four years ago would have an impact on his career. When the 22-year-old entered college in 2009, he decided not to change his rural residence to a students’ collective one. But when he finished college and was offered a job with a state-owned enterprise in Beijing, Sun was told that he couldn’t accept the offer unless he had an urban hukou (household registration record). This time, he had no choice but to change his residence status.
Transferring hukou to a university became optional in 2003, and many students are confronted with the dilemma of whether to do so or not. Professionals suggest they make the decision based on their current situation and future plans.
‘I regret transferring my hukou’
Wang Jinbi, 20, is an accounting major at Beijing Union University. Coming from Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, she transferred her hukou when she enrolled at university.
“I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Wang says. “Since I’m registering under an urban hukou, it doesn’t matter whether it’s in Beijing or Inner Mongolia, I thought.”
What Wang didn’t expect, however, is that she would regret her decision later. “After two years of study, I’ve figured out my future plans. I want to return to my hometown and make a living there,” she says. That means Wang needs to transfer her hukou back again, which she worries will be a troublesome procedure.
“I have a friend who graduated last year. She spent a lot of time and energy transferring her hukou back to her hometown again due to complicated paperworks,” says Wang.
Guidelines for transferring hukou
Wang’s experience is not uncommon. Many students don’t know what their decision means for their future.
In order to help these students, Xie Yongqiang, from the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Justice, posted a guideline for transferring hukou on a micro blog. According to Xie, students should firstly think about where they’re going to stay. “If you like the city where you’re studying and are considering staying there after graduation, then you should transfer your hukou,” he wrote.
Students should also transfer their hukou if they intend to participate in an exchange program. According to Ju Haojie, deputy director of the household registration department at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, when applying for exchange programs, it saves a lot of trouble if students have a collective hukou registered under the university.
But Xie also made suggestions for students with a rural registration. “If your family has land and a house, it’s possible that you’ll get a share of compensation in the event of a forced relocation. For those students, I would recommend them not to transfer their hukou,” he wrote. This doesn’t affect students in terms of receiving medical insurance and other benefits at university.
‘I want to stay in Beijing’
Sometimes, students abandon their rural hukou for the prospect of a better future. Tang Yanwei is one of them. The 23-year-old from Yantai, Shandong province, had a rural hukou but transferred it after enrolling at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
Although there are a lot of preferential policies for rural residents, for Tang, an urban hukou in Beijing is attractive. “I want to stay in Beijing, so a students’ collective Beijing urban hukou is a promising start,” he says. “I’ll do anything that could help me stay here. After all, there’s no turning back for me now.”How many examples are mentioned in the passage?
| A．Two. | B．Three |
| C．Four. | D．Five. |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．Sun Yukun thinks the decision he made four years ago would have an effect on his career. |
| B．Wang Jinbi regrets transforming her hukou and she wants to stay at home. |
| C．Xie Yongqiang says if someone likes the city where they’re studying and are considering staying there after graduation, then he should transfer Hukou. |
| D．Tang Yanwei wantsto stay in Beijing, so he transforms his hukou. |
Under which circumstance can we NOT transfer our hukou?
| A．If you want to stay at the city where you are studying. |
| B．If you want to participate in an exchange program. |
| C．If you want a better future. |
| D．If your family has land and a house and will get a share of compensation due to a forced relocation. |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．Sun Yukun had to change his residence status for he liked Beijing. |
| B．Wang Jinbi wants to transform her hukou back, because she wants to make a living in her hometown. |
| C．Xie Yongqiang says there is no need for students to transform their hukou. |
| D．Tang Yanwei wants an urban hukou in Beijing, for there are plenty of preferential policies. |
What is the best title of the passage?
| A．We Students Should Transform Hukou |
| B．Transform Hukou for a Better Future |
| C．Hukou Brings Tricky Choice |
| D．It’s Troublesome to Transform Hukou |