The oldest and most common source of renewable energy known to man, biomass（生物质） is one of the most important forms energy production in the United States and elsewhere. Since such a wide variety of biomass materials is everywhere —- from trees and grasses to agricultural and city —- life wastes —-biomass promises to play a continuing role in providing power and heat for millions of people around the world.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists(UCS), biomass is a kind of renewable energy source that produces no carbon dioxide(二氧化碳), because the energy it contains comes from the sun. When plant matter is burned, it gives off the sun’s energy. In this way, biomass serves as a sort of natural battery(电池) for storing the sun’s energy. As long as biomass is produced continuously —-with only as much grown as is used— the “battery” lasts forever.
According to the Energy Information Administration, biomass has been one of the leading renewable energy sources in the United States for several years running through 2007, making up between 0.5 and 0.9 percent of the nation’s total electricity supply. In 2008—-although the numbers aren’t all in yet—-wind power probably took over first place because of the rapid development of wind farms across the country.
Producing power from biomass helps reduce some 11 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. Some homeowners also try to make their own heat by using biomass materials. Such practice may save homeowner’s money, but it also produces a lot of pollution. So, the best way is to encourage power plants to use it.Why is biomass considered as “ a sort of natural battery”?
| A．It burns merely plant matter. |
| B．It keeps producing electricity. |
| C．It stores the energy from the sun. |
| D．It produces zero carbon dioxide |
We learn from the text that in 2008 ______.
| A．Wind power would be the leader of renewable energy. |
| B．there was a rapid growth of electricity production |
| C．biomass might become the main energy source |
| D．0.5~0.9 of power supply came from biomass |
Why does the author encourage power plants to use biomass?
| A．To prevent the waste of energy. |
| B．To increase production safety. |
| C．To reduce pollution. |
| D．To save money. |
Where does the text probably come from?
| A．A research plan. | B．A science magazine |
| C．A book review. | D．A business report. |
Danielle Steel, America’s sweetheart, is one of the hardest working women in the book business. Unlike other productive authors who write one book at a time, she can work on up to five. Her research before writing takes at least three years. Once she has fully studied her subjects, ready to divide into a book, she can spend twenty hours nonstop at her desk.
Danielle Steel comes from New York and was sent to France for her education. After graduation, he worked in the public relations and advertising, industries. Later she started a job as a writer which she was best fit for. Her achievements are unbelievable: 390 million copies of books in print, nearly fifty New York Times best-selling novels, and a series of “Max and Martha” picture books for children to help them. Deal with the real-life problem of death, new babies and new schools. Her l998 book about the death of her was shot to the top of the New York Times best-selling list as soon as it came out. Twenty-eight of her books have been made into film. She is listed in the Guinness Books of World Records for one of her books being the Times best-seller for 381 weeks straight.
Not content with a big house, a loving family, and a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Danielle Steel considers her readers to be the most important resource and has kept in touch with them by e-mail. While she is often compared to the heroines of her own invention. Her life is undoubtedly much quieter. But if she does have anything in common with them, it is her strength of will and her inimitable style. There is only one Danielle Steel.Danielle Steel is different from other writers in that.
| A．she is one of the most popular American women writers |
| B．she often does some research before writing a book |
| C．she can write several books at the same time |
| D．she can keep writing for quite a long time without a break |
One of Danielle Steel’ achievements is that .
| A．her picture books attracted a lot of young men |
| B．one of her books became a best-seller in 1998 |
| C．some TV plays were based on her books |
| D．she wrote the Guinness Book of World Records |
We can learn from the passage that Danielle Steel.
| A．lives an exciting life |
| B．is pleased with her achievements |
| C．writes about quiet women |
| D．values her readers a lot |
What does the underlined word “inimitable” mean?
| A．hardworking | B．attractive |
| C．strange | D．unique |
Kuala Lumpur is an exciting capital city in Malaysia. Here are the top 4 budget hotels there:
The Chinatown Inn (About $30 per night)
Just a block from the railway station, located in Chinatown’s open market. It has clean beds, central air conditioning, hot water for coffee and tea, and a hall with a big screen TV. Wi-Fi is good on the first 4 floors, but a little weak on Floor 5. Many guests like the Chinatown Inn. Their complaint is that the air condition is too cold, so make sure you get a room with a window. You can open it to let some warmth in.
Ancasa Express (About $45 per night).
The hotel is above the sky-train station. That makes it convenient to get to other parts of the city. From the station, take the elevator to the 5th floor to reach the hotel lobby (大厅). The rooms are clean and nice. There is a flat screen TV, the strongest Wi-Fi, and a very hot rainfall shower. The guests’ complaint is that the cafe is only open for breakfast and dinner, and not 24 hours.
Central Hotel (About $35 per night)
This hotel is just two blocks from the Central Station, which is the heart of all transportation in the city—buses, trains and sky-trains all meet here. Central is where the airport-link trains will take you to the airport. From Central you can walk 2 blocks to the beautiful Central Hotel, in which rooms are small but nice and clean, and have common Wi-Fi.
Ocean 77 (About $25 per night)
On Petaling Street in Chinatown, this brand new hotel is most spotlessly clean. There is a flat screen TV and good Wi-Fi in each room. The location is good, in the heart of the Petaling Street market. No cafe in the hotel, but many nearby on the street.In the Chinatown Inn you are told to choose a room with a window .
| A．because the light in the room is dim |
| B．so that you can breathe the fresh air |
| C．so that you can let some warm air in |
| D．so that you can have a good view from it |
If a guest likes surfing the Net very much, which of the following would be his first choice?
| A．Ancasa Express | B．Central Hotel. |
| C．Ocean 77. | D．The Chinatown Inn. |
What is the unusual characteristic of Ocean 77?
| A．It is the cheapest, newest and cleanest. |
| B．Its location is in the heart of the city. |
| C．It is located in the street in Chinatown. |
| D．There is a flat screen TV and good Wi-Fi. |
What can we learn from this passage?
| A．Wi-Fi in the Chinatown Inn is good in each room. |
| B．Only one of the four hotels is air-conditioned. |
| C．The café in Ancasa Express is open all day long. |
| D．Central Hotel is in the heart of all transportation. |
A holiday is any day when people lay aside their ordinary duties and cares. The word comes from Old English. At first, holidays honored some holy(神的) events or persons. People in Great Britain and other countries speak of holidays as Americans speak of vacations.
Every nation has its special holidays. China observes New Year’s Day(January 1), May Day and National Day as legal(法定的) holidays, as it was on Oct. 1, 1949 that People’s Republic of China was founded. The Chinese have long celebrated the Chinese lunar year. In the United States, congress（国会） has declared several as legal days such as New Year's Day (January1), Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and so on. Some holidays celebrate special events in the development of a country, such as Greece’s Independence Day, Italy’s Liberation Day and India’s Independence Day.
In the United States, banks and schools usually close on a legal holiday. When such a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is often observed. Schools and organizations often observe days known as traditional holidays, although schools and businesses do not close then. Those holidays include Valentine's Day and Halloween.Which of the following holidays has nothing to do with a country’s development?
| A．China’s National Day |
| B．America’s Independence Day |
| C．Italy’s Liberation Day |
| D．Valentine’s Day |
From the passage we can infer that _________.
| A．Chinese will no longer observe the Spring Festival |
| B．Chinese and Americans share at least one holiday |
| C．students don’t have to go to school on any holiday |
| D．Americans can easily draw money from banks on legal days |
If a legal holiday falls on Sunday, people usually celebrate on_________.
| A．Sunday | B．the following Sunday |
| C．the following Monday | D．the following Tuesday |
This could be the perfect gift for the partner, who embarrasses you on the dance floor. Smart socks, which can teach to dance, may be the answer for anyone with two left feet.
The socks have been developed as a running tool to help runners improve their skills. Thanks to the socks, users can accurately (精确地)record not only know far and fast they run but also how well. It means the user maximizes(最大化)their performance, and reduces damage to body and prevents hurt. The hi-tech socks are made of special fibers(纤维) that watch the movements of your feet. They look, feel and can be washed like normal clothes.
Sensors (传感器) record each movement and send it by an ankle transmitter (脚踝发射器) to a smart phone. Then a “virtual coach” application shows the information and can tell the user what they are doing wrong, and help to improve skill in any task with feet.
The socks should be useful to athletes and weekend joggers. “People think running is so easy and of course everybody can do it but not necessarily safely and well,” Dr Davide Vigano said. A recent study showed that between 60 and 80 percent of runners got hurt per year. This is pretty much more than any other human activity. Researchers say the technology can also be developed to teach people how to dance, play sports such golf, or even to help to teach women to walk better in high heels.
Mr. Vigano said, “People could all benefit from the idea. We have had interest from all sorts of sports, like skiing, football, cycling and golf. Anything where you have to use your feet can use it. It could even be put in high heels to help women walk in them safely.”
Socks are just the start, and the technology could be used in gloves, hats and boots. The socks, anklet and software package, are expected to be sold for around £120, which will go on sale in March.What does the underlined part “anyone with two left feet” refer to ?
| A．People who are disabled |
| B．People who are interested in dancing |
| C．People who are not good at dancing |
| D．People who invented the socks |
What’s special about fibers that the socks are made of ?
| A．They feel much softer than normal clothes. |
| B．They can monitor the movement of feet. |
| C．They are expensive to produce. |
| D．They act as a smart phone for users. |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the socks?
| A．They can improve the skill of running |
| B．They can help women walk better in high heels. |
| C．They can teach people to dance well. |
| D．They can be worn for days without washing |
According to Dr Vigano, _____
| A．everyone can make good use of the smart socks |
| B．users can run as fast as they like with the socks |
| C．60 to 80 percent of runners would like to buy the smart socks |
| D．no runners will get hurt, thanks to the socks |
One morning more than thirty years ago, I entered the Track Kitchen, a restaurant where everyone from the humblest(卑微的) to the most powerful came for breakfast. I noticed an empty chair next to an elderly, unshaven man, who looked somewhat disheveled. He was wearing a worn-out hat and was alone. I asked if I might join him. He agreed quietly and I sat down to have my breakfast.
We cautiously began a conversation and spoke about a wide range of things. We never introduced ourselves. I was concerned that he might have no money and not be able to afford something to eat. So as I rose to go back to the counter and buy a second cup of coffee, I asked,
“My I get you something?”
“A coffee would be nice.”
Then I bought him a cup of coffee. We talked more, and he accepted another cup of coffee. Finally, I rose to leave, wished him well, and headed for the exit. At the door I met one of my friends. He asked,
“How did you get to know Mr. Galbreath?”
“Who?”
“The man you were sitting with. He is chairman of the Board of Churchill Downs.”
I could hardly believe it. I was buying, offering a free breakfast, and feeling pity for one of the world’s richest and most powerful men!
My few minutes with Mr. Galbreath changed my life. Now I try to treat everyone with respect, no matter who I think they are, and no matter another human being with kindness and sincerity.What does the underlined word “disheveled” mean?
| A．Unfriendly | B．Untidy | C．Gentle | D．Kind |
How did the author probably feel after he talked with his friend?
| A．Proud | B．Pitiful |
| C．Surprised | D．Regretful |
Which of the following statements is right?
| A．Mr. Galbreath was eating his breakfast when the writer came in the restaurant. |
| B．Though he was rich, Mr. Galbreath had no money to buy himself a breakfast that day. |
| C．Though they talked a lot with each other, Mr. Galbreath and the writer didn’t know each other very well. |
| D．From that day, Mr. Galbreath and the writer have become very good friends and Mr. Galbreath has helped the writer a lot. |
What is the message mainly expressed in the story?
| A．We should learn to be generous. |
| B．It is honorable to help those in need. |
| C．People in high positions are not like what we expect. |
| D．We should avoid judging people by their appearances. |