Scientists in the United States say plant life has increased on Earth in the past twenty years and that in every area of plant growth the increase is the result of weather conditions.
Eight scientists from across the United States did the study. The space agency NASA and the Department of Energy paid for it. The findings were published in the magazine Science.
The researchers spent one and a half years examining weather satellite information. The information was recorded from 1982 to 1999. That period was one of the warmest on record. Researchers found that rainfall generally increased during that time.
The satellites measured the number of leaves on plants and the amount of sunlight taken in. The scientists used that information to estimate what is called net primary production. This is the total amount of carbon stored in land plants.
The scientists report a 6% increase in stored carbon since 1982. They say gains were high in equatorial areas, especially around the Amazon River in South America. The area alone had a 1 % increase in the net primary production.
The study was led by Ramakrishna Nemani of the University of Montana in Missoula. He says reduced cloud cover led to the growth in Amazon area. He also says the lack of clouds allowed more sunlight to get through. More sunlight meant increases in photosynthesis(光合作用）. That is the process by which plants use energy from sunlight to produce the chemicals they need to grow.
Northern Canada, the north-central United States and northern Europe were second in increased plant growth. Ramakrishna Nemani says a rise in temperature helped plants there.
All together, the report says 25% of areas of plant life on Earth experienced increases. But the scientists also note the increase in the number of people on Earth and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Ranga Myneni of Boston University in Massachusetts, another study scientist says humans use about half the net primary production on Earth. And he notes that the world population grew by 36% during the period of time studied. What's the main cause of the plant growth put forward by the study?
| A．Growth in population. |
| B．Regional features. |
| C．Seasonal variation. |
| D．Weather conditions. |
Which of the following is in charge of the study?
| A．The space agency NASA of the US. |
| B．The Department of Energy of the US. |
| C．Ramakrishna Nemani in Missoula. |
| D．Ranga Myneni in Massachusetts. |
Why do scientists believe that reduced cloud cover has led to the plant growth in the Amazon area?
| A．Because plants could take in more sunlight. |
| B．Because plants could get more rainfall. |
| C．Because plants could enjoy cooler air. |
| D．Because plants suffer less from natural disasters. |
Which of the following descriptions about the years from 1982 to 1999 is TRUE?
| A．It was the warmest on record. |
| B．Rainfall decreased little by little. |
| C．World population grew by 25%. |
| D．Stored carbon increased by 6%. |
PGL kids everywhere, will tell you that we are the best when it comes to thrills, challenges and adventures - all rolled into one fantastic holiday! Children leave PGL with loads of more friends and interests and feel more confident - they’ll be counting the days until their next PGL holiday! For childcare voucher(代币券) information, please click here.
Climbing Adventure
This holiday will teach you how to independently climb! At the end of the week you’ll get to use all your new skills when you visit a local cliff for some outdoor crag climbing. We make the best use of all our activities including Climbing, Abseiling, Trapeze, Zip Wire and Jacob’s Ladder to teach you all the right rope work and climbing skills. Throughout the holiday you will work towards the National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme and by the end of the holiday you will have achieved Level 2.
Cook’s Academy
Our brand new holiday for 2013! Come along and learn how to cook with a top chef! Whether you’ve never cooked before or are a bit of a pro, this holiday will have you cooking a variety of tasty dishes and treats. No experience is required as our professional chef will pass on their knowledge so you can develop from any level of experience. What’s more, you’ll get your very own recipe book containing everything you’ve learnt and will be able to take a dish home to impress your friends and family.
Dance
This holiday is an excellent opportunity to try loads of different dance styles. You’ll spend half of each day learning different types of dance, everything from salsa to ballroom dancing and street dance to jive. Throughout the week your instructors will give you lots of tips and advice as well as helping you prepare a dance routine to impress your friends when you perform at the end of the week.
Film Making
You and your group will be able to choose what type of film to make - adventure, fantasy, thriller or comedy and then you’ll become a film crew, creating your own blockbuster ready to show to everyone else at the end of the week. You will find out what’s involved in directing a movie and have the chance to edit your film using professional editing software. What’s more, you’ll have your film on DVD to take home with you too!Which is the new PGL holiday for 2013?
| A．Film Making. | B．Dance. |
| C．Climbing Adventure. | D．Cook’s Academy. |
What will you do during the Climbing Adventure holiday?
| A．You will go outdoors with your friends to practice climbing. |
| B．You will visit many local dangerous cliffs. |
| C．You will learn climbing both indoor and outdoor. |
| D．You will only learn climbing skills during the holiday. |
In which two holidays can you take something home?
| A．Climbing Adventure and Cook’s Academy |
| B．Film Making and Climbing Adventure |
| C．Cook’s Academy and Film Making |
| D．Dance and Film Making |
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
| A．Parents are looking forward to the next PGL holiday. |
| B．You need experience when taking Cook’s Academy holiday. |
| C．You will spend every day learning all kinds of dances. |
| D．You can create your own film in Film Making holiday. |
Tony Bennett, the American singer recently touring Britain, can’t remember how many times he has sung his standard hit “I left My Heart in San Fransisco”. He sang it again to his audience at the London Palladium last night.
“I never get tired of singing it.” He said. “I like it too much . It’s a great city and it’s a good song.”
Bennett is to record a TV program with American singer Lens Home while he is here. And a new LP recorded by him in London for Philips titled “Listen Easy” will be published in June.. “I like it here.” He added quietly over whiskey. “I would like to live here so many months of the year.”
He already keeps a large flat in Grosenor Square, where he is staying with his actress wife Sandie Grant and their three-year-old daughter Joanna. It has a studio where he likes to paint. Tony plans to have his first exhibition later in the year and he has already sold one picture for $4000. At the end of the year Tony is to star in a musical film , which has been specially written for him called “Two Bits”, an informal expression for 50 cents. It’s about an Italian immigrant who goes to America , but he becomes a failure.
“In many ways it’s very close to my life the way the story has been written,” said Bennett. “My father, an Italian ,was ill and died when I was nine. He always wanted me to sing, but he never lived long enough to be a part of my success. The underlined phrase “standard hit” most nearly means______
| A．Bennett’s favourite song but it’s not very popular. |
| B．a song that is always popular |
| C．a song which makes him standard |
| D．a song which is like a heavy blow to his audience |
What does Tony Bennett want to do?
| A．Buy a house and live in England. |
| B．Stay with his wife and daughter in England. |
| C．Live part of each year in England |
| D．Leave American and settle in England |
What’s Tony’s hobby?
| A．Singing | B．Drinking | C．Playing | D．Painting |
What can we learn about Tony’s father from this passage?
| A．He liked his son’s singing. |
| B．He was born in Italy and died when Tony Bennett was a small boy |
| C．He was a part of Bennett’s achievement |
| D．He was glad that his son became famous. |
What kind of man is Tony Bennett？
| A．hardworking and humorous |
| B．family-centered and hardworking |
| C．outgoing and kind |
| D．ambitious and trustworthy |
Saturday, March 24th
We have arrived in the hot, wet city of Bangkok. This is our first trip to Thailand（泰国）. All the different smells make us want to try the food. We are going to eat something special for dinner tonight. The hotel we are staying in is cheap, and very clean. We plan to stay here for a few days, visit some places in the city, and then travel to Chiang Mai in the North.
Tuesday, March 27th
Bangkok is wonderful and surprising. The places are interesting. We visited the famous market which was on water, and saw a lot of fruits and vegetables. Everything is so colorful, and we have taken hundreds of photos already! Later today we will leave for Chiang Mai. We will take the train north, stay in Chiang Mai for two days, and then catch a bus to Chiang Rai.
Friday, March 30th
Our trip to Chiang Rai was long and boring. We visited a small village in the mountains. The village people here love the quiet life—no computers or phones. They are the kindest people I have ever met. They always smile and say “hello”. Kathy and I can only speak a few words of Thai, so smiling is the best way to show our kindness. I feel good here and hope to be able to come back next year.The diaries above show the writer’s ______ days in Thailand.
| A．3 | B．7 | C．15 | D．8 |
It seems that visitors _________ in Bangkok.
| A．often feel hungry | B．can’t take any photos |
| C．can have a good time | D．feel a little bored |
Which of the following is TRUE?
| A．Chiang Mai is a beautiful city in the south of Thailand. |
| B．The writer left Chiang Mai for Chiang Rai by bus. |
| C．The writer is traveling alone in Thailand. |
| D．The writer will take a bus to Chiang Mai. |
The people in the village ________.
| A．are friendly to others | B．like to speak English |
| C．hope to live in the cities | D．live a very busy life |
What is the best title（标题）for the whole diary?
| A．My First Travel | B．The Outside World |
| C．Traveling in Thailand | D．My Trip to Chiang Mai |
Having friends may well keep you healthier and help you deal with stress better. Some studies show that people with close friends have a greater ability to fight disease than people who are alone.
Place friendship in the first place. Find the time to be with friends even if it means letting the lawn go unmowed or the dishes unwashed for a while. When you can’t get together, use the phone to keep in touch.
Open up to close friends. Keeping a deep friendship requires a level of “heartfelt” intimacy (亲密).Don’t be afraid to express your inner fears and disappointments. Listen to your friends when they have problems，but offer advice only when it’s wanted. Help raise friends’ selfesteem when they are sad about a job loss, or other such events.
Have different friends for different activities, such as going to the movies，singing in a choir，and joining in a bowling league.
Don’t wait for a friend to ask for helps. When a friend has the flu，offer to go to the store or drive his or her children to their afterschool activities.
Never take a friendship for granted. Like a good marriage，friendship needs care and patience. Become a joiner. Find a group that matches your interests.
Talk to strangers. Conversations started in museums, laundry rooms，or bookstores can lead to firm friendship.
Enroll in an adulteducation course. A classroom is an ideal place to meet others with similar interests.People with close friends have aability to fight disease than people who are alone.
| A．less | B．greater | C．poorer | D．little |
According to the passage，you’d better offer advice to your friends.
| A．at any moment |
| B．only when they are happy |
| C．only when they want it |
| D．only when you are glad |
What we should do to have friends according to the author?
| A．Make friendship a priority. |
| B．Open up to close friends. |
| C．Never take a friendship for granted. |
| D．All the above. |
Which of the statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．You should have different friends for the same activities. |
| B．You should wait for a friend to ask a favor. |
| C．You should avoid talking with strangers in museums, laundry rooms, or bookstores. |
| D．You should never take a friendship for granted. |
The underlined word “enroll” in the last paragraph means .
| A．give | B．join | C．get | D．catch |
In order to know a foreign language completely, four things are necessary. First, we must understand the language when we hear it spoken. Secondly, we must be able to speak it ourselves, correctly with confidence and without hesitation (犹豫). Thirdly, we must be able to write it. We must be able to make sentences that are correct in grammar. There is no short way to succeed in language learning. A good memory is a great help, but it is not enough only to memorize the rules from a grammar book. It is no much use learning by heart long lists of words and their meanings, studying the dictionary and so on. We must learn by using the language. If we are pleased with a few rules we have memorized, we are not really learning the language. We must “Learn through use”. Practice is important. We must practise speaking and writing the language whenever we can.The most important things to learn a foreign language are .
| A．understanding and speaking |
| B．hearing, speaking, reading and writing |
| C．writing and understanding |
| D．memorizing and listening |
Someone hears and writes English very well, but he speaks it very badly. This is because.
| A．he doesn’t understand the language when he hears it spoken |
| B．he doesn’t have a good memory |
| C．he always remember lists of words and their meanings |
| D．he often hesitates to practise speaking it |
One can never learn a foreign language well only by .
| A．much practice | B．studying the dictionary |
| C．learning through use | D．using the language |
Which of the following is the most important in learning a foreign language?
| A．A good memory. | B．Speaking. |
| C．Practice. | D．Writing. |
“Learn through use” means.
| A．we use a language in order to learn it |
| B．we learn foreign language in order to use it |
| C．we can learn a language well while we are using it |
| D．both B and C |