Modern man has cleared the forests for farmland and for wood, and has also carelessly burned them. More than that, though, he has also interfered (干涉) with the invisible bonds between the living things in
the forests. There are many examples of this kind of destruction. The harmfulness of man's interference can be seen in what happened many years ago in the forest of the Kaibab plateau (凯亚巴布高原) of northern Arizona. Man tried to improve on the natural web of forest life and destroyed it instead.
The Kaibab had a storybook forest of large sized pine, Douglas fir, white fir, blue and Engelmann spruce. In 1882 a visitor noted," We, who... have wandered through its forests and parks, have come to regard it as
the most enchanting region it has ever been our privilege (特权) to visit." This was also the living place of the Rocky Mountain mule deer. Indians hunted there every autumn to gather meat and skins. The forest also had
mountain lions, timber wolves and bobcats that kept the deer from multiplying too rapidly.
Then, in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt made the Kaibab a national game preserve. Deer hunting was forbidden. Government hunters started killing off the deer's enemies. In 25 years' time, 6,250 mountain lions, wolves and bobcats were killed. Before the program, there were about 4,000 deer in the Kaibab, by 1924, there were about 100,000.
The deer ate every leaf and twig they could reach. But there was not nearly enough food. Hunting of deer was permitted again. This caused a slight decrease in the deer herd (鹿群),but a far greater loss resulted from starvation (饥饿) and disease. Some 60 percent of the deer herd died in two winters. By 1930 the herd had dropped to 20,000 animals. By 1942 it was down to 8,000. The destruction of the environment of the Kaibab resulted from _____.
| A.turning the forest into cultivated land |
| B.interfering with natural cycle of forest life |
| C.forest fires caused by man's carelessness |
| D.cutting the trees for building materials |
"Engelmann spruce"(Para. 2) is most likely the name of _____.
| A.a tree |
| B.an animal |
| C.a mountain |
| D.a game |
The number of the deer in the Kaibab had increased enormously in _____ years' time.
| A.25 |
| B.6 |
| C.18 |
| D.12 |
Years later, large numbers of deer in the Kaibab died mainly because of _____.
| A.the cold |
| B.the organized kill |
| C.the shortage of food |
| D.the poor management |
Erica McElrath calls herself “ The Happy Lady”. And by now, you may have caught her singing and dancing with her mp3 player on any of several city street corners. “ I don’t want money,” said McElrah, 40, of St. Louis. “ I come out here to make people smile.”
McElrah lost her full-time job in January. Since then, she has spent her days doing what she loves-dancing in the street. Her message to people in hard times: do something that you enjoy, no matter what your circumstances. “ Life isn’t that bad,” she said. “ If you’re working 40 hours a week, you shouldn’t be complaining.”
McElrah graduated from parkway Central High School and has spent the past 21 years working as a nursing assistant, She began singing and dancing publicly on her days off a few years ago to help her through the pain of her second divorce.
Her favorite spot is the northwest corner of Chouteau Avenue and South Grand Boulevard near St. Louis University. McElrah’s mp3 player is loaded with hundreds of classic rock hits and 80’s pop songs, including those by Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond and Toto. But her favorite artist, by far, is Stevie Nicks.
Videos of McElrah have appeared on YouTube, a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. “People think I’m crazy, but I don’t care,” She said. “ I can dance a little. I just go with the music.” Even a rude gesture from a passing motorist doesn’t bother her either. “ I just smile and wave,” she said.
McElrah’s show of bravery recently earned her a job opportunity with Liberty Tax Service, which temporarily offered her a job as a dancer Statute of Liberty to promote a new place near Grand Center starting in January.
“ Just be happy and do what you love,” she said. “The money will come.”At first McElrah began singing and dancing in public in order to _____.
| A.make a living |
| B.entertain the public |
| C.rise to fame |
| D.encourage herself |
Erica McElrah’s actions are _______.
| A.popular with others |
| B.stopped by her family |
| C.supported by passers-by |
| D.laughed at sometimes |
Erica McElrah was offered a job because of _____.
| A.her beautiful voice |
| B.her positive behavior |
| C.her lively dancing |
| D.her competitive spirit |
Which of the following about Erica McElrah is TRUE?
| A.She doesn’t care others’ comments on her. |
| B.Her favorite artist is Joe Cocker. |
| C.She once worked as a doctor. |
| D.She has been divorced once. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A.Ways To Be Happy |
| B.Learn To Do What You Love |
| C.Happy Lady’s Singing and Dancing Life |
| D.What Made The Happy Lady Famous? |
“Iris scan (虹膜扫描), please,” the bank’s computer voice tells you. You step up and the computer reads your eye, comparing it to the stored file it has of your iris. The images had better match---otherwise, you won’t be able to get your money.
Iris scanning and other technologies, such as fingerprint and voice scanning, have appeared in many science fiction movies in the past. Today, these advanced technologies are part of the real world. They are common at work, the bank, the airport, and your local prison. The iris scan, fingerprint scan, and voice scan are all examples of biometrics(生物测定学), a fast developing area of automatic personal identification technology. Basically, biometrics uses various ways to verify a person’s identity, based on the individual’s unique characteristics, including fingerprints, signature, and so on.
Biometrics identification systems have a number of advantages over password systems. The primary advantage is that an individual has to be physically present in order to be identified. Another important advantage is that there are no passwords to remember, forget, lose, or steal.
The voice scan is the simplest and most affordable form of biometrics. It only requires a computer, a microphone, and the correct software. The software records a subject’s voice and then compares it to a stored voice sample for identification purpose.
For additional safety, fingerprint and handprint scans can also be employed. Fingerprint scans take the image of a fingerprint and compare it to a stored file of prints. Handprint scans identify the unique features of a hand.The first paragraph serves as a(n) ________.
| A.example | B.explanation |
| C.comment | D.conclusion |
The underline word “verify” in Paragraph 2 probably means “________”.
| A.protect | B.confirm |
| C.develop | D.change |
Which is the most accurate form of biometrics?
| A.The voice scan |
| B.The fingerprint scan |
| C.The iris scan |
| D.The facial scan |
What is the author’s attitude towards the future of biometrics?
| A.He is uncertain about it. |
| B.He feels doubtful about it. |
| C.He is worried about it. |
| D.He feels hopeful about it. |
What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
| A.To explain the importance of identification technology. |
| B.To discuss the potential of biometrics systems. |
| C.To introduce the technology of biometrics. |
| D.To show the advantages of iris scanning. |
People in their sixties should go to university to retrain because they will be expected to work for longer before retirement, the Government has suggested.
Older workers who take courses to keep their skills up-to-date will be more likely to keep their jobs, claims David Willetts, the higher education minister. He said the age limit on student loans to cover tuition fees had been lifted, making a degree course “great value” for older people. His comments followed a government report which found that the country's future economic success would depend on the skills and contributions of older workers.
One in four people will be older than 65 by 2033 and economists have warned thatthe ageing population will place a heavy burden on taxpayers unless more people work for longer. The state pension age is to rise to 67 by 2028. Ministers have warned that they have no idea when younger workers in their thirties will be able to retire.
Mr Willetts, who is accompanying David Cameron in India, urged workers older
than 60 to give further education serious consideration.“There is certainly a
pressure for continuing to get retrained and upskilled,”he said.“Higher education has an economic benefit in that if you stay up-to-date with knowledge and skills you will be more employable.”
Mr Willetts said a university course had “wider” benefits, making people more likely to lead healthy lives.“Education is such a good thing that it is not reserved for only younger people,” he said.“ There will be people of all ages who will want to study. There is great value in lifelong learning.” Under previous rules, students in England would get a loan to cover tuition fees only if they were younger than 54.
Latest figures showed that only 1,940 undergraduates starting courses last year were older than 60, out of a total of 552,240 students in Britain. Some 6,455 were aged between 50 and 60, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency.We can learn from Paragraphs 1 & 2 that older workers ________.
| A.have no chance to get a loan to cover tuition fees |
| B.may hold back the country's future economic success |
| C.are encouraged to go back to university and retrain |
| D.should be retrained after retirement |
According to the passage, a person who is over ________ years old can draw a
pension in 2028 in Britain.
| A.54 | B.67 | C.65 | D.60 |
What does Mr Willetts think of education?
| A.People of all ages can receive different education. |
| B.There is no need for workers older than 60 to receive further education. |
| C.University courses have nothing to do with a healthy life. |
| D.Education is only provided for younger people. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A.Britain: entering the ageing state |
| B.Over60s are told: go back to university and retrain |
| C.The situation of education in Britain |
| D.The system of pension in Britain |
Wanted, Someone for a Kiss
We’re looking for producers to join us in the second of London 100FM. You’ll work on the station’s music programmes. Music production experience in radio is necessary, along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply in writing to Producer Vacancies, Kiss100.
Father Christmas
We’re looking for a very special person preferably over 40, to fill our Father Christmas suit.
Working days: Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December17 to December24 except Sunday, 10:30—16:00
Excellent pay.
Please contact(联系)the Enterprise Shopping Center, Station Parade, Eastbourne.
Accountants Assistant
When you join the team in our Revenue Administration Unit, you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division, dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience.
Wealden District Council
Software Trainer
If you are aged 24-45 and have experience in teaching and training, you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in programme writing. You will be allowed to make your own decision, and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of £15,000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV (简历) to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.which position is open to recent school graduates?
| A.Producer, London Kiss. |
| B.Father Christmas. |
| C.Accountants Assistant |
| D.Software Trainer |
Who should you get in touch with if you hope to work in a radio station?
| A.Producer Vacancies, Kiss 100 |
| B.Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited. |
| C.The Enterprise Shopping Centre |
| D.Wealden District Council. |
We learn from the ads that the Enterprise Shopping Centre needs a person who __________________.
| A.is aged between 24 and 40 |
| B.may do some training work |
| C.should deal with general duties |
| D.can work for about a month |
What kind of person would probably apply to Palmace Limited?
| A.One with GCSE grade C level. |
| B.One with some office experience. |
| C.One having good computer knowledge |
| D.One trained in producing music programmes. |
There is no better way to enjoy Scottish traditions than going fishing and tasting a little bit of whisky(威士忌)at a quiet place like the Inverlochy Castle. When Queen Victoria visited the castle in 1873, she wrote in her diary, “I never saw a lovelier spot ,” And she didn’t even go fishing.
Scotland is not easily defined. In certain moments, this quiet land of lakes and grasses and mountains changes before your very eyes. When evening gently sweeps the hillside into orange light ,the rivers, filling with fish, can turn into streams of gold . As you settle down with just a fishing pole and a basket on the bank of River Orchy, near the Inverlochy castle , any frustration(烦恼)will float away as gently as the circling water. It’s just you and purple , pink ,white flowers, seeking a perfect harmony . If you are a new comer to fishing, learning the basics from a fishing guide may leave you with a lifetime’s fun. For many, fishing is more than a sport; it is an art.
Scotland offers interesting place where you can rest after a long day’s fishing. Set against a wild mountain and hidden behind woodland , the beautiful Inverlochy Castle Hotel below the Nevis is a perfect place to see the beauty of Scotland’s mountains . Ben Nevis is the highest of all British mountains , and reaching its 1342-metre top is a challenge . But it’s not just what goes up that matters; what comes down is unique . More than 900 metres high, on the mountain’s north face, lies an all-important source of pure water. Its name comes form the Gaelic (盖尔特) language “usqueb” or “water of life”; And it is the single most important ingredient(原料) in Scotland’s best-known drink: whisky.How is Paragraph 2 mainly developed?
| A.By giving descriptions. |
| B.By following time order. |
| C.By analyzing causes. |
| D.By making comparisons. |
What is Ben Nevis special for?
| A.The Inverlochy Castle Hotel. |
| B.The beauty of its surroundings. |
| C.The water from the mountain. |
| D.The challenge up to its top. |
What is the main purpose of the passage?
| A.To introduce Scottish traditions to tourists. |
| B.To show the attractions of Scotland to readers. |
| C.To explore geographical characteristics of Scotland. |
| D.To describe the pleasures of life in Scotland。 |
The story of Queen Victoria is to show that _____.
| A.the Queen is rich in tour experience |
| B.the Castle is a good place to go in Scotland |
| C.tasting whisky is better than going fishing |
| D.1873 is a special year for the Queen |