A recent study, while showing a generally positive attitude toward science, also suggests a widespread worry that it may be “running out of control”. This idea is dangerous.
Science can be a force for evil as well as for good. Its applications can be channeled either way, depending on our decisions. The decisions we make, personally or collectively, will determine the outcomes of science. But here is a real danger. Science is advancing so fast and is so strongly influenced by businesses that we are likely to believe whatever decisions we come to will make little difference. And, rather than fighting for the best possible policies, we may step back and do nothing.
Some people go even further. They say that despite the moral and legal objections, whatever is scientifically possible will be done-somewhere, sometime. They believe that science will get out of control in the end. This belief is dangerous too, because it fuels a sense of hopelessness and discourages them from making efforts to build a safer world.
In our interconnected world, the lack of agreement in and out of the world of science can lead to the failure to control the use of science. Without a common understanding, the challenges of “controlling” science in this century will be really tough. Take human cloning for example. Despite the general agreement among scientists on its possible huge impact(影响) on traditional moral values, some countries still go ahead with the research and development of its related techniques. The outcomes are hard to predict.
Therefore, discussions on how science is applied should be extended far beyond scientific societies. Only through the untied efforts of people with hope, can we be fully safe against the misuse of science and can science best serve mankind in the future.What can we conclude from the recent study?
| A．People think highly of science. |
| B．People hold mixed opinions about science. |
| C．Science is getting dangerously out of control. |
| D．Science is used for both good and bad purposes. |
According to the passage, what will happen if we hold that science is getting beyond control?
| A．The development of science will hopelessly slow down. |
| B．Businesses will have even greater influence on science. |
| C．The public will lose faith in bringing about a bright future. |
| D．People will work more actively to put science under control. |
The discussion should reach beyond scientific societies because_______
| A．scientists have failed to predict the outcomes |
| B．the ties between different areas need strengthening |
| C．united efforts are necessary for the development of science |
| D．people need to work together to prevent the bad use of science |
What is the main idea of the passage?
| A．Science and its applications bring us many dangers. |
| B．The development of science mostly lies in people's attitudes. |
| C．Mankind can largely take control of science with their efforts. |
| D．The future of science will be influenced by the dangerous ideas. |
"Hey, don't read in the hallway. Your eyesight will be damaged." You must have heard such warnings many times. “Don’t read in poor light!” This is one of the common beliefs that are supposed to help us live a healthy life. Such beliefs are, however, without scientific basis(根据), according to a paper published recently in the British Medical Journal.
Do you believe in the following sayings?
Reading in poor light ruins your eyesight.
In poor light, you might blink (眨眼) more, suffer from drying and have trouble focusing. But most of eye experts believe it is unlikely to do any damage forever.
We must drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
In 1945, the Nutrition Council in US suggested that people need to drink 2.5 litres of water a day. But the water contained in food, particularly fruit and vegetables, as well as in milk, juice and soft drinks, also counts towards the total.
We only use 10 percent of our brains.
This idea appears as early as 1907. People have long argued about our power of self-improvement and our brains’ possible abilities. But X-rays show that no area of the brain is silent or inactive.
Shaving your legs causes hair to grow black faster and thicker.
This theory is also illusion. Studies say that shaving has no effect on the thickness or rate of hair growth. Just over time, the edge of hair gets worn away and thus the edge of long hair becomes finer (更细). What does the paper say about some common beliefs?
| A．They are useful knowledge in life. |
| B．They help us live in healthy ways. |
| C．They are well-known theories. |
| D．They do not have scientific basis. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage ?
| A．People use 90 percent of their brains. |
| B．Shaving your legs will give you thicker hair. |
| C．Reading in poor light does harm to people’s eyes. |
| D．People need not less than eight glasses of water a day. |
The underlined word “illusion” in the last paragraph probably means “_________”.
| A．a wrong idea | B．a powerful evidence |
| C．an interesting story | D．a clear instruction |
This passage is most likely to be found in __________ .
| A．a newspaper | B．a guide book |
| C．a history textbook | D．an advertisement |
I was riding my special motorbike this past weekend and stopped at a store. As I was getting my wheelchair off the back, a man watched me from his car and I noticed a wheelchair in his back seat. We spoke for a moment and I asked him about the wheelchair. He answered that it was for his daughter. “Well, do you think she would like to go for a ride on my motorbike with me?” I asked. He seemed shocked that a total stranger would ask him this. He thought about it for a second and said, “OK, as long as I can follow you.”
He introduced me to Amy and he sat her on my back seat. Her father followed me for a few miles and she talked non-stop about what she wanted for Christmas.
As we came back to the store she said, “This ride is the best Christmas present I could ever receive. I have been in a wheelchair my whole life and didn’t know I could do this.”Then she turned to him and said, “Oh Daddy, I’m going to be OK. Mr. Bryant does all kinds of things —and I will, too.” Her father hugged me and said, “I was sitting here praying for a gift for Amy that would encourage her. She often felt that her life was dull compared to other children. God answered my prayer(祷告) just now. Now I pray that God will bless you for your gift to Amy today.” Being kind and thoughtful to others, we can be an answer to prayer.How did the father feel at first when the author invited his daughter for a ride?
| A．Anxious. | B．Embarrassed. | C．Surprised. | D．Moved. |
What can we know about the author?
| A．He was a disabled man. | B．He usually drove too fast. |
| C．He worked in a store. | D．He often helped people in trouble. |
According to the passage, the girl _____.
| A．was not allowed to do some sports |
| B．used to be a completely healthy person |
| C．was unwillingly to communicate with a stranger |
| D．usually felt sad about life because of her disability |
What did the author’s gift refer to according to the girl’s father?
| A．The motorbike. | B．The wheelchair. | C．The ride. | D．The prayer. |
| HOLIDAY HOMES IN MALLORCA Sailing and fishing in summer season. Beautifully situated houses with sights of sea and mountains, yet near to shops and restaurants. Cars and bicycles for hire. Sailing and sports clubs nearby. |
| ITALY IN COMFORT Coach trips of Italy with 21 days to visit five Italian cities. Start from London 1st May, 1st September. The trips are guided by Professor Martin Davis, head of Italian Studies, London University. See the arts and culture of historic Italy. |
| KIBBUTZ HOLIDAYS IN ISRAEL Working holidays on a kibbutz (co-operative farm)in Israel. All nationalities welcome for one to three months, if prepared to work with kibbutz members. Rooms, food and trips to historic sights all provided free—you pay only for the special low-cost return flight. |
| TWO WEEKS ON A CARIBBEAN ISLAND Two-week holidays in the Hotel Splendid, on a lovely beach with golden sands, warm sunshine and deep-blue sea. Tennis, golf, sailing and all water sports, trips around the island. Near to town of Castries with lively evening entertainment—dancing. 1 st November—31 st March£720 per person 1 st April—30 th October£850 per person |
Jack and his wife Mary, who have recently retired, want to see places of cultural and historic interest abroad, but Mary hates flying.
Peter and Maria, university students, want to travel as far as possible on little money, and would like to get to know a country by working there for three months with other young people.
Michael, a young computer programmer, has been working hard and needs a holiday to relax in winter. He would like to go somewhere warmer and sunny, where he can swim in the sea, and he enjoys sports and dancing. The best holiday for Jack and Mary would be_________ .
| A．the 21-day coach trip of Italy |
| B．the 2- week stay in the Hotel Splendid |
| C．the 14-day trip around a Caribbean island |
| D．1-3months’ holidays on a kibbutz in Israel |
The most suitable place where Peter and Maria can enjoy their holiday would be_____.
| A．an Italian city | B．a kibbutz in Israel |
| C．a Caribbean island | D．a port in Mallorca |
Michael would most probably go to ________ for his holiday.
| A．Italy | B．Israel | C．Mallorca | D．a Caribbean island |
Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE ?
| A．In Italy, one can travel with a guide. |
| B．In Israel, one can work with others. |
| C．In Caribbean, one needs to pay £720 in summer. |
| D．In Mallorca , one can hire a car for sightseeing. |
Young people can have problems with their minds. Some students become worried because they have to study very hard. Others have trouble getting on well with people like their parents and classmates.
Li Wen, a student from No.2 High School, could not follow his teachers in class and, therefore, was doing badly in his lessons. He was in such low spirits for a long time that he started to cut his finger with a knife.
Another student, 16-year-old Yang Fang from No.1 High School, was afraid of exams. Even though she was well prepared for an exam, when she looked at the exam paper, she couldn’t think of anything to write.
A recent survey from Jiefang Daily says about 18% of Shanghai teenagers have mental problems. Their troubles include being anxious and very unhappy, and having problems in learning and getting on with people.
Liang Yuezhu, an expert on teenagers from Beijing Friendship Hospital has the following advice for teenagers:
Talk to your parents or teachers often.
Take part in group activities and play sports.
Go to see a doctor if you feel unhappy or unwell.The students who often become worried or have trouble getting on with others may have ______.
| A．physical problems | B．mental problems |
| C．fights with their classmates | D．arguments with their parents |
Li Wen cut his finger with a knife because ______.
| A．he was afraid of his teacher |
| B．he was so worried about his studies |
| C．he wanted to frighten his parents |
| D．there was something wrong with his finger |
Liang Yuezhu’s advice tells us that ______.
| A．it’s necessary for the students to be with experts |
| B．only group activities and sports can help the students |
| C．it’s better for the students who have mental problems to join others |
| D．teachers and parents can’t do anything about the students’ mental problems |
Rock and roll music developed in the United States in the early nineteen-fifties. It was based on the music called rhythm and blues that was performed by African American musicians.
Early rock and roll singers developed their own kinds of music. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan were the most popular rock and roll musicians in the early 1960’s. All were American. Then, in 1964, a new rock and roll group from England invaded America: the Beatles.
Some people say the Beatles’ music shook America like an earthquake. The Beatles changed rock and roll forever. Their early songs were influenced by American rock and roll musicians, including Chuck Berry. But the Beatles looked different and sounded different from any musical group before them.
The Beatles released their first album in the United States in 1964, when all of the top five records in America were by the Beatles. In 1967, they released an album called “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” It was one of the first “concept” albums. That is, all the songs were linked by a common story or idea.
The popularity of the Beatles led the way for more rock and roll bands from England to become popular in America. The Rolling Stones was the most important of these bands. The Rolling Stones is one of the few groups from the 1960’s that is still performing and recording today. In 1965, the group recorded one of its most famous songs, “Satisfaction”.
The musical instrument most linked to rock and roll is the guitar. Experts say Jimi Hendrix was one of the most influential guitar players in rock and roll during the late 1960’s. His “Purple Haze” was liked by many people.
By the 1970’s, rock and roll music became known as rock music. It expanded into many new forms. For example, there was country rock, hard rock, acid rock, and heavy metal rock. Punk rock, jazz rock, and glitter rock.
In the middle 1970’s, experts say rock music regained some of the energy of early rock and roll. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band became popular with their album “Born to Run”. Springsteen’s music was like the lively rock and roll music of the early nineteen-sixties. Many of his songs were about social issues. He sang about the effects of unemployment and the war in Vietnam. The main topic of this passage is _______.
| A．the history of American music |
| B．the famous rock and roll groups |
| C．the new forms of rock and roll music |
| D．the development of rock and roll music |
Which of the following matches is NOT true?
| A．the Beatles — Chuck Berry |
| B．the Rolling Stones — Satisfaction |
| C．Jimi Hendrix — Purple Haze |
| D．Bruce Springsteen — Born to Run |
Whose songs were mainly about social problems like unemployment and war?
| A．Elvis Presley’s. | B．Bob Dylan’s. |
| C．Jimi Hendrix’s. | D．Springsteen’s. |
From the passage, we can know that _______.
| A．one of the Rolling Stones’ albums was called “concept” |
| B．rock and roll music had many different forms at the beginning |
| C．rock and roll music probably came from African American music |
| D．the Beatles and the Rolling Stones became popular at the same time |