Edward Nino Hernandez is 24 years old. In many ways，he is a traditional Colombian (哥伦比亚的)man. He loves to dance, dreams of owning a fast car and wants to see the world. However, he has just been officially certified as the world's shortest living man by Guinness World Records with a height of 27 inches( ≈0. 7m).
Although he has cataracts (白内障)in both of his eyes that require an operation that the family can't afford, he said, “ I feel happy because I'm special. ” He also said he has a girlfriend. Nino works part time as a dancer. Recently, he has won a part in a new film, playing a drug thief. Nino said there are some disadvantages of being the world's smallest man. “It bothers me that people are always touching me and picking me up,"he said.
Nino's mother, Noemi Hernandez，has 5 children and Nino is the oldest. She said, “ He hasn't grown since he was 2 years old. ” She added that doctors could not explain why Nino was so small. She said Nino weighed just 3. 3 lb( 1. 5kg) when he was born and was just 15 inches long. Doctors at first wondered why he was so small and studied him until he was three years old, but then" lost interest" . She and her husband lost a daughter who was born similarly small in 1992. Their youngest child, Miguel Augel, 11, stands 37 inches tall. The other three boys are of normal height and appearance. Nino had to repeat several years of school before dropping out (退学)when he was about 13. His mother said he loves to travel, though he hasn't been outside Colombia.
The former smallest man in the world was He Pingping of China ，who was 1. 5 inches taller than Nino and recognized by Guinness as the shortest man. He died in March. The underlined word" certified" in the first paragraph may mean
“__________”
| A．recognized |
| B．ignored |
| C．set |
| D．won |
Nino feels annoyed in his daily life because __________.
| A．he finds it difficult to talk with others |
| B．he is not high enough to carry heavy things |
| C．he is often made fun of by other people |
| D．nobody wants to pick him up |
What was the height of He Pingping?
| A．27 inches. |
| B．37 inches. |
| C．28. 5 inches. |
| D．38. 5 inches. |
From the text we can know __________.
| A．why Nino is so short |
| B．all Nino's family are very short |
| C．Nino didn't grow after the age of 2 |
| D．Nino finished school at the age of 12 |
Aggressive pedestrians are in fact as dangerous as careless drivers. They cause traffic accidents, injury and death.
These dangerous walkers can be seen in any big city all over the world. About 69% of last year’s pedestrian deaths in the US occurred in urban areas. They cross streets ignoring “DON’T WALK” signals, suddenly appear without warning from behind parked vehicles, walk slowly at crossroads with cell phones attached to heads, blocking traffic.
These pedestrians and drivers share a common disregard for the rules of the road, both for selfish reasons. The drivers believe in the power of their machines. If their machines can go faster, they believe they have the right to go faster. If their machines are bigger, they believe they have the right to push smaller vehicles aside. Aggressive pedestrians, on the other hand, believe in the primacy(首位) of the individual, the idea that they are first in any environment, under any circumstances, even when they are on foot in a roaring tide of steel and rubber.
Last year, an estimated 5,220 pedestrians died in traffic accidents. Some 69,000 pedestrians were injured. On average, that worked out to one pedestrian killed in a traffic crash every 101 minutes, and one injured every eight minutes.
The good news is that the accident rate is dropping. For example, the number of pedestrians killed last year was 24 percent less than the number killed in traffic accidents a decade earlier. The bad news is that the basic causes of pedestrian deaths remain pretty much the same----disregard for traffic signals, inattention and crossing roads under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Alcohol, in fact, was involved in 46 percent of the traffic accidents that resulted in pedestrian deaths. Of those, 31 percent of the pedestrians were found to be drunk.
The bottom line is that the pedestrians must do more to protect their lives as well as the lives of other road users. They can start by obeying traffic signals, using marked cross-walks and calling a cab when they’ve had too much to drink.The passage is mainly about _____.
| A．how aggressive pedestrians cause traffic accidents |
| B．why so many Americans were killed on roads last year |
| C．what the traffic rules of the road about pedestrians were |
| D．who are to blame for pedestrian deaths, drunk drivers or the aggressive pedestrians |
What is the pedestrians’ selfish reason for traffic jams?
| A．They know all drivers are skilled and with great care. |
| B．They believe individuals are always first. |
| C．They think traffic rules have nothing to do with them. |
| D．They guess all vehicles will slow down at crossroads. |
What was NOT the basic cause of pedestrian deaths in the US a decade ago?
| A．Disregard for traffic signals | B．Paying no attention to surroundings. |
| C．Crossing roads drunk. | D．Overspeeding driving. |
What word can best describe the author’s attitude to the traffic accidents caused by pedestrians?
| A．Excited. | B．Cold. | C．Concerned | D．Unconnected. |
We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change for I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears (ancestors) prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now, for man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forbears fought are still at issue around the globe, the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs（继承人）of that first revolution.
Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe (enemy) alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge (promise solemny) and more.
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility. I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the Freedom of Man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.What should friends and foes know?
| A．That the United States is powerful. |
| B．That a new generation of Americans are responsible for their government. |
| C．That the United States is governed by liberals. |
| D．The rights of man come from the hand of God. |
What is Kennedy’s promise to the world?
| A．To support liberty. |
| B．To abolish all forms of human poverty. |
| C．To visit each country at least once. |
| D．To support and friend. |
What should citizens of the world ask of America?
| A．How America can help them. |
| B．If America plans to invade their country. |
| C．What they can do for freedom. |
| D．What they can do for America. |
Which of the following statement is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．Human beings have the power to put an end to all forms of poverty. |
| B．We should remember we are the first revolution. |
| C．Our nation has always been committed to human rights. |
| D．We should assure the survival and the success of liberty. |
The right to die
It was 3:45 in the morning when the vote was finally taken. After six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hot parliamentary(议会的) debates, Australia’s northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably sick patients who wish to die.
The measure passed by the convincing vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, executive director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on via the group's on line service, Death NET. Says Hofsess: "We posted bulletins all day long, because of course this isn't just something that happened in Australia. It's world history."
The NT Rights of the Terminally III law has left physicians and citizens alike trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste of its passage（通过）.
But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia - where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part, other states are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia(安乐死). In the US and Canada, where the right to die movement is gathering strength, observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling.
Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can request death, probably by a deadly injection or pill, to put an end to suffering. The patient must be diagnosed(诊断) as terminally ill by two doctors. After a "cooling off" period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54-year-old Darwin resident suffering from lung cancer, the NT Rights of Terminally III law means he can get on with living without the haunting fear of his suffering: a terrifying death from his breathing condition. "I'm not afraid of dying from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I'd go, because I've watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks," he says. This passage is mainly about ________.
| A．the development and function of euthanasia |
| B．the passage（通过）of a law on euthanasia and its worldwide influence. |
| C．some successful examples about euthanasia |
| D．conditions and procedures to perform euthanasia in Australia. |
What does “observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling” mean?
| A．Observers are taking a wait-and –see attitude towards the future of euthanasia. |
| B．There is a possibility of similar bills being passed in the US and Canada. |
| C．Observers are waiting to see the movement end up in failure. |
| D．The process of the bill taking effect may finally come to a stop. |
During a “cooling off” period, a patient will _________.
| A．wait for two doctors’ diagnosis |
| B．sign a certificate of request |
| C．think over his decision of euthanasia |
| D．turn to his doctors for more advice |
What’s the author’s attitude towards euthanasia?
| A．Hostile | B．doubtful | C．Favorable | D．Indifferent |
| Volunteers Mentors are needed Volunteer Centre Westminster is looking to recruit enthusiastic volunteer mentors. Mentoring training will be provided, support & supervision is in place For more information please contact Yohannes Hagos On 0207 087 4351 Email johnnes@volunteer.co.uk Mobile 07501227795 |
| Join Us for the ABC 2011 Challenge A 6 day Hike or Bike in South Africa. 21st-31st October in support of child burns victims. For more information check out our website www.abc2011 challenge.com To join our team and receive a free welcome pack email ABC2011@crippssears.com The Phoenix Burns Project Registered Charity No:NPO:57-154 PBO:930031313 |
| Volunteer for Advance and help us to Improve quality of care that older people receive in care homes. Advocacy in Barnet Volunteer Volunteer Advocate Advocacy in Barnet offers a free, independent and confidential advocacy service to all people over the age of 18 living in the Borough of Barnet. Advance-a voice for old people through Advocacy provides advocacy to older people living in care homes and other residential settings and accessing day centres on a weekly basis. Advance does this by recruiting volunteers over 50 years of age and training them to become advocates. To APPLY:www.advocacyinbarnet.org.uk or Heena/Janet-0208 201 3415 or heena@advocacyinbarnet.org.uk Next training round for introduction to Advocacy-end of August 2011 followed by one day trainings in Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights |
| Wanted: Volunteer Appropriate Adults to support Vulnerable Adults at Kingston Police Station Kingston Advocacy is currently looking for new volunteers to act as appropriate adults. Volunteers act as appropriate adults for vulnerable adults who come into contact with the police. The appropriate adults sit with the vulnerable person when they are being interviewed by the police to ensure that the interview is conducted fairly and to facilitate communication between the police and the vulnerable person. Unpaid Volunteers are required 7 days a week and the scheme operates from 0900hrs to 2330hrs. No Experience Necessary! We will provide you with preparation and support. Further information please contact Peter Pritchard, Scheme Coordinator Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road Kinston upon Thames Surrey KT2 6LX Tel no: 0208 549 1028 Email: peter@kag.org.uk or rights@kag.org.uk Website: www.kag.org.uk |
Which of the following does NOT provide training?
| A．The ABC 2011 Challenge. | B．Advance. |
| C．The Volunteer Centre Westminster. | D．The Kingston Advocacy. |
We learn from the ads that Advance wants volunteers who ______.
| A．are over 18 years old | B．have relevant experience |
| C．can come to help every week | D．need only one day of training |
What kind of person might apply to Kingston Advocacy?
| A．One who hoped to be paid. |
| B．One interested in doing interviews. |
| C．One curious about police life. |
| D．One who can work late into the night. |
Annalisee Brasil, a 14-year-old girl, is one of the brightest kids of her generation. When Annalisee was 3, her mother Angi noticed that she was stringing together word cards into correct sentences. After the girl turned 6, her mother took her for an IQ text. Her IQ is above 145, placing the girl in the top 0.1% of the population. Annalisee should be the star pupil at school. She is witty and pretty, and it’s easy to imagine she would get along well at school. But Annalisee’s parents couldn’t find a school willing to take their daughter. So her mother homeschooled Annalisee.
But Angi felt something was missing in her daughter’s life. Annalisee didn’t have a rich social network of other kids. She had trouble getting along with others. She described herself as a “perfectionist” and said other students sometimes were jealous of her.
What’s needed is a new model for gifted education. That’s the idea behind the Davidson Academy of Nevada. At the academy, all the kids are skipping ahead quickly. However, the academy’s most important gift to its students is social, not academic. One of the main functions of the school is to provide a good social setting for the highly gifted.
Last year the school enrolled Annalisee, which has been good for her. She has made friends at the academy. She has also developed an interest in calculus(微积分) and biochemistry(生物化学). Socially, Annalisee is finally learning to get along with others. “It’s been interesting having to deal with that and getting used to the judgments of other kinds,” she said. “We get into arguments a lot, because we’re all really smart people with opinions, and it doesn’t always turn out that great. Sometimes I take things a little too personally.”
What is the passage mainly about?
Annalisee Brasil——the star pupil at school.
A smart girl who entered a proper school and benefited from gifted education.
A smart girl who had trouble getting along with others.
A girl who was too smart to find a suitable school.The word “perfectionist” in paragraph two probably means a person who _________.
| A．is smarter than others |
| B．is always favored by teachers |
| C．can do everything well and has strong demands |
| D．is accepted by others as a good leader |
According to the passage, which of the following is true?
| A．At the age of 3, Annalisee took an IQ test, in which she scored above 145. |
| B．Finding no school willing to take Annalisee, her father had to homschool her. |
| C．The Davidson Academy of Nevada emphasizes social gift more than academic gift. |
| D．After being enrolled by the academy, Annalisee enjoyed her school life without ant argument with her classmates. |
What can you infer from the passage?
| A．Annalisee has realized her problem and is gradually changing her attitude towards others. |
| B．One of the main functions of the gifted education is to provide a good social setting for the highly gifted. |
| C．Without the academy, Annalisee couldn’t have learnt so much. |
| D． Like Annalisee, many other smart kids also have the similar trouble. |