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Before we start a voyage, we usually try to find out more or less definitely where we are bound and how we are supposed to get there.
I happen to have the “Concise Oxford dictionary” on my desk and that will do as well as any other. The word I am looking for appears at the bottom of Page 344. edition 1912.
“Geography: the science of the earth's surface, form, physical features, natural and political divisions, climate, productions and population.”
I could not possibly hope to do better, but I still stress some of the aspects of the case at the expenses of others, because I intend to place man in the centre of the stage. This book of mine will not merely discuss the surface of the earth and its physical features, together with its political and natural boundaries. I would rather call it a study of man in search of food and shelter and leisure for himself and for his family and an attempt to his background or has reshaped his physical surroundings in order to be comfortable and well nourished and happy with his limited strength.
Among the two million human beings in the world, there is of course the widest possible range for all sorts of experiments of an economic and social and cultural nature. It seems that those experiments deserve our attention before anything else. For a mountain is after all merely a mountain until it has been seen by human eyes and has been walked on by human feet and until its slopes and valleys have been occupied and fought over and planted by a dozen generation of hungry settlers.
The Atlantic Ocean was just as wide and deep and as wet and salty before the beginning of the 13th century as after, but it took the human touch to make it what it is today—a bridge between the New World and the Old, the highway for the commerce between East and West.
For thousands of years the endless Russian plains lay ready to offer their abundant harvest to whoever should take the trouble to sow the first grain. But the aspect of that country today would he a very different one if the hand of a German or a Frank, rather than that of a Slav, had guided the iron-pointed stick that plowed the first furrows (犁沟).
The island of Nippon would shake and quake just as continually, whether they happened to be settled by Japanese or by the Tasmanian race, but in the latter case they would hardly be able to feed 60,000,000 people.
Generally speaking, I have paid more attention to the purely “human” side of geography than to the commercial problems which are so important in a day and age devoted to mass production.
In the first four paragraphs, the author wants to share with the readers ______.
A.his approach to planning a voyage |
B.his emphasis on using a dictionary |
C.his definition of the word “geography” |
D.his altitude to the earth's physical features |
Which of the following will the author NOT consider to be on experiment according to Paragraph 5?
A.Exploring a mountain. |
B.Climbing a mountain. |
C.Planting on slopes and valleys. |
D.Becoming hungry. |
The author mentioned the Russian plains and the island of Nippon to show that _____.
A.they both feed a lot of people |
B.they enjoy very good natural conditions |
C.different people may make the same place different |
D.their natural conditions haven't changed for many years |
How is the passage organized?
A.Topic ---Argument --- Explanation |
B.Introduction --- Supporting examples --- Conclusion |
C.Opinion --- Discussion --- Description |
D.Main idea --- Comparison --- Supporting examples |
In the past ten years, many scientists have studied the differences between men and women. And they all got the same answer: The sexes(性别) are different, because their brains are different. And this, the scientists say, makes men and women see the world in different ways.
Boys, for example, generally are better than girls at mathematical ideas. Boys also generally are better than girls at the kind of hand and eye movements necessary for ball sports. Girls, on the other hand generally start speaking earlier than boys. And they generally see better in the dark than boys and are better at learning foreign languages.
What makes men and women better at one thing or another? The answer is the brain. The brain has two sides connected by nerve(神经) tracks. The left side generally is used for mathematics, speech and writing. The right side is used for artistic creation(创造) and the expression for emotions(情感). In men and women, different areas in each side of the brain develop differently. In boys, for example, it’s the area used for mathematics. In girls, it is the area used for language skills. Another interesting difference is that the two sides of a man’s brain are connected by a smaller number of nerves than the two sides of a woman’s brain are.Which of the following is the best title of the article?
A.Research on the Brain |
B.Men and Women are Different in Brain |
C.People’s Different Brains |
D.Who Are Better, Boys or Girls |
__________ men and women think differently.
A.The different brains make |
B.Sex makes |
C.The different experiences make |
D.The influences(影响) of society make |
According to the article, girls are generally better than boys at __________ in your school.
A.mathematics | B.physics |
C.English | D.chemistry |
Which of the following is true?
A.The left side of brain in boys generally develops better than that in girls. |
B.The left side of brain in girls generally develops better than that in boys. |
C.Men are better than women in all things. |
D.The area in girls used for language skills develops better. |
It would be very exciting to be a reporter on a newspaper. As soon as a reporter’s boss gives him a story to write, the reporter is on the job. He keeps his mind on what he is going to do. He does not begin writing the story until he knows what he should find out. He must know why he should write the story.
At times a reporter must search hard to find all of the facts he needs for a story. The facts may not be right under his nose. To find the facts, he has to recognize important details. While gathering information for a story, he asks himself questions:Should I use this information? Is this an important fact?
A reporter writes the story as fast as he can, so it can go right away into the newspaper. The story also needs a headline, which tells very quickly what the news story is about and is printed bigger and blacker than the rest of the news story.
Every big newspaper has many reporters,because many stories are needed in the newspaper. Would you like to be one?A reporter writes the story as fast as possible because ________________.
A.he wants it to go into the newspaper quickly |
B.people prefer to buy today’s newspaper |
C.he wants to have a rest |
D.he is good at writing it |
Which statement is true according to the passage?
A.Being a reporter is a tiring job. |
B.It is easy for a reporter to find the facts. |
C.The headline must tell the details of the news story. |
D.A reporter begins to write when knowing what he should find out. |
Which is the writer’s opinion?
A.A reporter’s boss is usually very hard to his men. |
B.The job of a newspaper reporter is exciting but not easy. |
C.Everyone can write a good news story. |
D.No one likes to be a reporter. |
The passage is about ______________.
A.the job of a news reporter |
B.big newspapers in the world |
C.how to write the headline of all articles |
D.how to gather information for a news story |
Knowing about yourself not only means finding out what you’re good at and what you like, but also means discovering what you’re not good at and what you don’t like. Both help you to see your aim (目标)in life.
Although most students would be unhappy if they failed a very difficult physics examination, they have in fact learned a lot about themselves. They know that they should not become engineers or physical scientists. So failing can help a student to live a happier life if he learns something from it. They may then decide on their aims and choose the work they like and are fit for.
It is impossible to decide whether you like something until you have tried it. If you decide to play the piano, you need to take more than one lesson before knowing whether you are really interested in it or able to do well. It is not enough if you want to be a great pianist. You also have to like the hard practice and long training. If you enjoy being a great pianist but hate the work, forget it.
It’s a good plan to try as many ideas as possible when you are young. Then you will find out what your true interests are. If you say you really know yourself,_______________.
A.you know what you don’t like |
B.you know what you are good at |
C.you have no interest in your work |
D.you’ve got the whole picture of yourself |
Failing can turn into something good ______________.
A.if you have aim in life |
B.if your decision is fight |
C.if you lead a happier life |
D.if you learn something from it |
What can we learn from the second paragraph?
A.Failure is a better mirror |
B.Success is more helpful |
C.No one is fit for the job of a physical scientist |
D.Physics can help students live a better life |
There are 67 counties in the state of Alabama.Each county is rich with history and its own unique stories.Colbert County, located in the northwest corner of the state, has its share of exciting stories and claims to statewide fame.The county was created on February 6, 1867, and Tuscumbia became the county seat(the town in which the offices of the county government are located).
One of the most famous residents of Tuscumbia was Helen Keller.Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880.Her home was a white frame cottage built by her grandparents.Since ivy(常春藤)grew everywhere, the house was called Ivy Green.It was here, at the water pump in the backyard, that Keller learned the word “w-a-t-e-r” with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan.Visitors to Ivy Green can walk under boxwood trees that are 150 years old.The home has furniture that the Keller family used.It also has Keller’s Braille(盲文)books and her original Braille typewriter.
Spring Park is Tuscumbia’s most popular park and favorite tourist attraction.This park has the world’s largest manufactured waterfall called Coldwater Falls.The Spring Park Light and Water Show is an amazing sight to see.It takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at sundown.The water appears to dance to music and colored lights.The music played during the show is recorded by singers and musicians from Alabama.
Fame Recording Studios is in the city of Muscle Shoals in Colbert County.The studio is the first successful recording studio in Alabama.It is best known for creating “Southern rock,” “Southern soul,” and “county soul.” Well-known performers like Aretha Franklin and musical groups such as Alabama and Lynyrd have made recordings at this studio.
Visitors can continue to explore music in Alabama by visiting the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia.Built in 1990, this site recognizes the musical talents of more than 500 Alabama residents in a wide variety of musical styles, including country and rhythm and blues.
Truly, Colbert County has a lot of wonderful locations to visit.Guests will not be disappointed in a visit to this delightful place.Which of the following is TRUE about Alabama and music?
A.Alabama musicians have established exhibits for visitors. |
B.There are a great many talented musicians in Alabama. |
C.Music is the most important industry in Alabama. |
D.Alabama residents enjoy listening to music. |
How many locations related to music in Colbert County are mentioned in the text?
A.1. | B.2. | C.3. | D.4. |
The author writes the text mainly to persuade the reader __________.
A.to learn from Helen Keller |
B.to visit businesses in Alabama |
C.to stop for a visit in Colbert County |
D.to listen to Southern styles of music |
The text is most probably taken from __________.
A.a story book | B.a book review |
C.a personal diary | D.a travel magazine |
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NEMS |
NEWRI Environmental Master of Science |
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NEWRI: Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute |
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Be a leader in environmental science and engineering through the NEMS programme |
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NEWRI Environmental Master of Science (NEMS) is a primary graduate education and research programme conducted by Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU’s)NEWRI, with summer attachment at Stanford University.It aims to train engineers and scientists to meet the increasing environmental challenges for Asia and the wider region. |
NEWRI-Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute NEWRI is enabling Singapore to be a global center of environmental science and technology in providing technological solutions to the world.It is committed to environmental and water technologies through its ecosystem of education, research and developmental activities. NEWRI is trying its best to pull together NTU’s water and environment-related centers and institutes, gathering one another’s strengths for the benefit of industry and society. |
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Master of Science Applications ● Applications open now and close on 30 May 2013 for Singapore applicants. ● Graduates having relevant engineering or science background, including final-year students, are invited to apply. ● Applicants are required to have a certificate of GRE. Further information and application materials are available at the Website: http:// www.Cee.ntu.edu.sg/Graduate/NEMS |
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Highlights of Programme: ★ Students spend a full summer term at Stanford taking regular courses and continue with the rest of their academic programme at NTU. ★ It is a 12-month full-time course in environmental science & engineering. ★Students under NEMS will have opportunities to do research projects under NEWRI as well as to continue for the Doctor’s degree. ★ Graduating students receive the NTU degree and a certificate from Stanford for their summer attachment. |
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Scholarship for tuition grants and living expenses at both Stanford and NTU are available |
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Enquiry contact: Ms Christian Soh Tel:(65) 6861 0507 Fax:(65) 68614606 Email: nems@ntu.edu.sg Information on other graduate programmes available at: www.ntu.edu.sg/cee/program/postgrad.asp |
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If one wants to apply for the NEMS programme, it is essential for him to __________.
A.make contact with Ms Soh |
B.have passed the GRE test |
C.possess a university diploma |
D.major in engineering or science |
Students admitted to the NEMS Programme __________.
A.are required to obtain a Doctor’s degree |
B.will first have regular courses at Stanford |
C.needn’t be released from their regular jobs |
D.can receive degrees of both NTU and Stanford |
What’s the main purpose of the NEMS programme?
A.To offer scholarship for tuition grants and living expenses. |
B.To strengthen the cooperation between NTU and Stanford. |
C.To introduce Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute. |
D.To train experts on environmental science and engineering. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.30 May 2012 is the deadline for NEMS application. |
B.Applicants for NEMS should have relevant work experience. |
C.Other centers and institutes for environmental and water technologies also exist in NTU |
D.Singapore is the global center of environmental science and technology. |