Your four-legged friends may soon have their own channel. DogTV, cable TV’s first channel for dogs, is mostly about keeping lonely dogs calm.
There are about 78 million canines(犬) in the United States. DogTV is aimed at the many of these that are left alone for long periods. Dogs are social animals and often grow anxious when left on their own. They may bark, chew shoes, and generally get into trouble. DogTV, which was launched last February, is designed to help ease their boredom and anxiety.
Creators of the cable service approached their task scientifically. The sounds, colors, and camera angles have all been adjusted for canine senses. For instance, colors are made more vivid so that dogs can see objects clearly. DogTV does not, as you might think, show Scooby-Doo and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Rather, there are three types of DogTV “shows.” The first aims to relax dogs. These segments show dogs resting to the sound of calming music. The second kind shows pleasant (for a dog) day-to-day settings, like riding in a car or walking down a street. The third type is meant to stimulate ---like a scene of two dogs playing in a field. “Dogs love watching other dogs being active on the screen,” says Beke Lubeach, a DogTV spokesperson. She says that birds, monkeys, and zebras also make dogs take notice.
Not everyone is buying it. “I think a lot of this is to make us feel better as opposed to making the pet happier,” says Dr. Ann. E. Hohenhaus of New York’s Animal Medical Center. She tells The New York Times, “Your pet needs adequate exercise and an interesting environment.” You cannot just turn on the TV and hope your dog is going to get better.
On the other hand, the Humane Society animal shelter in Escondido, California, tried out DogTV at its shelter. Sally Costello, the director, says workers observed that dogs exposed to the channel were calmer and barked less.
DogTV has been seen only in Southern California so far. But it is scheduled to go national soon. Owners of the commercial-free channel hope to charge about $5 a month for their service.
The following programs are often broadcast on DogTV EXCEPT________.
| A．Dogs resting to the sound of calming music. |
| B．Programs like Cliff ford the Big Red Dog. |
| C．A scene of two dogs playing in a field |
| D．Dogs riding in a car or walking down a street |
What does Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus agree according to the fourth paragraph?
| A．Everyone who owns dogs will buy the service. |
| B．DogTV can make your dogs happier and happier. |
| C．Dogs need more than a good animal channel. |
| D．DogTV makes people happier than pet dogs. |
Which of the following is RIGHT according to the passage?
| A．DogTV will only be seen in Southern California. |
| B．There will be many ads on the animal Channel. |
| C．Dog owners will enjoy the programs very much. |
| D．Dogs exposed to the channel will become calmer. |
Which of the following can serve as the best title for this passage?
| A．How to Make Your Dog Happier. |
| B．A New TV for Dogs |
| C．How to Keep Dogs Calm. |
| D．A New Channel to Calm Dogs Down |
Two friends have an argument that breaks up their friendship forever, even though neither one can remember how the whole thing got started. Such sad events happen over and over in high schools across the country. In fact, according to an official report on youth violence, “In our country today, the greatest threat to the lives of children and adolescents is not disease or starvation or abandonment, but the terrible reality of violence”. Given that this is the case, why aren’t students taught to manage conflict the way they are taught to solve math problems, drive cars, or stay physically fit?
First of all, students need to realize that conflict is unavoidable. A report on violence among middle school and high school students indicates that most violent incidents between students begin with a relatively minor insult. For example, a fight could start over the fact that one student eats a peanut butter sandwich each lunchtime. Laughter over the sandwich can lead to insults, which in turn can lead to violence. The problem isn’t in the sandwich, but in the way students deal with the conflict.
Once students recognize that conflict is unavoidable, they can practice the golden rule of conflict resolution: stay calm. Once the student feels calmer, he or slid should choose words that will calm the other person down as well. Rude words, name-calling, and accusation only add fuel to the emotional fire. On the other hand, soft words spoken at a normal sound level can put out the fire before it explodes out of control.
After both sides have calmed down, they can use another key strategy for conflict resolution: listening. Listening allows the two sides to understand each other. One person should describe his or her side, and the other person should listen without interrupting. Afterward, the listener can ask non-threatening questions to clarify the speaker’s position. Then the two people should change roles.
Finally, students need to consider what they are hearing. This doesn’t mean trying to figure out what’s wrong with the other person. It means understanding what the real issue is and what both sides are trying to accomplish. For example, a shouting match over a peanut butter sandwich might happen because one person thinks the other person is unwilling to try new things.Students need to ask themselves questions such as these: How did this start? What do I really want? What am I afraid of? As the issue becomes clearer, the conflict often simply becomes smaller.Even if it doesn’t, careful thought helps both sides figure out a mutual solution.
There will always be conflict in schools, but that doesn’t mean there needs to be violence. After students in Atlanta started a conflict resolution program, according to Educators for Social Responsibility, “64% of the teachers reported less physical violence in the classroom; 75% of the teachers reported an increase in student cooperation; and 92% of the students felt better about themselves”. Learning to resolve conflicts can help students deal with friends, teachers, parents, bosses, and coworkers. In that way, conflict resolution is a basic life skill that should be taught in schools across the country.This article is mainly about .
| A．the lives of school children |
| B．the cause of arguments in schools |
| C．how to analyze youth violence |
| D．how to deal with school conflicts |
From Paragraph 2 we can learn that .
| A．violence is more likely to occur at lunchtime |
| B．a small conflict can lead to violence |
| C．students tend to lose their temper easily |
| D．the eating habit of a student is often the cause of a fight |
Why do students need to ask themselves the questions stated in Paragraph 5?
| A．To make clear what the real issue is. |
| B．To get ready to try new things. |
| C．To find out who is to blame. |
| D．To figure out how to stop the shouting match. |
After the conflict resolution program was started in Atlanta, it was found that .
| A．more teachers felt better about themselves in schools |
| B．there was less student cooperation in the classroom |
| C．there was a decrease in classroom violence |
| D．the teacher-student relationship greatly improved |
The writer’s purpose for writing this article is to .
| A．complain about problems in school education |
| B．teach students different strategies for school life |
| C．inform teachers of the latest studies on school violence |
| D．advocate teaching conflict management in schools |
Someday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the Website you’ve visited，Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchases or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.
In fact, it’s likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girl friend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen --- the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked.
Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that it's important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times.But few boundaries remain. The digital bread crumbs (碎屑) you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret.
The key question is: Does that matter?
For many Americans, the answer apparently is “no.”
When opinion polls ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found an overwhelming pessimism about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”
But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny fraction of Americans change any behaviors in an effort to preserve their privacy. Few people turn down a discount at tollbooths (收费站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessandro Acauisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will surrender personal information like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-off coupon (优惠卷).
But privacy does matter - at least sometimes. It’s like health: When you have it, you don’t notice it. Only when it’s gone do you wish you’d done more to protect it.What does the author mean by saying “the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked” (Lines 3-4, Para. 2)?
| A．People's personal information is easily accessed without their knowledge. |
| B．In the 21st century people try every means to look into others’ secrets. |
| C．People tend to be more frank with each other in the information age. |
| D．Criminals are easily caught on the spot with advanced technology. |
What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?
| A．Friends should open their hearts to each other. |
| B．Friends should always be faithful to each other. |
| C．There should be a distance even between friends. |
| D．There should be fewer disputes between friends. |
Why does the author say “we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret” ( Line5, para. 3)?
| A．Modern society has finally evolved into an open society. |
| B．People leave traces around when using modern technology. |
| C．There are always people who are curious about others’ affairs. |
| D．Many search engines profit by revealing people’s identities. |
What do most Americans do with regard to privacy protection?
| A．They change behaviors that might disclose their identity. |
| B．They use various loyalty cards for business transactions. |
| C．They rely most and more on electronic devices. |
| D．They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it. |
According to the passage, privacy is like health in that .
| A．people will make every effort to keep it |
| B．its importance is rarely understood |
| C．it is something that can easily be lost |
| D．people don’t cherish it until they lose it |
Riding School:
You can start horse-riding at any age. Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.(3:30 p.m. on Saturdays). There are 10 kilometers of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country. You will need a riding hat.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6754 Fax: (412)396—6752
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification. You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid. Have fun with other course member, afterwards in the clubroom. There are 10 weekly two-hour 1essons (Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.).
Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6644 Fax: (412)396 — 6644
Diving Centre:
Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week, in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely. You only need your own swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6312 Fax: (412)396—6706
Medical Center:
The staff of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university. The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal wit h a broad range of medical problems. Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation. Also, all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours: 24 hour from Monday to Sunday
Phone: (412)396--6649 Fax: (412)396—6648
Watersports Club:
We use a two-kilometer length of river for speedboat racing, and water-skiing, A beginners’course consist s of ten 20-minute lessons. You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently, but must be able to swim. The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9 a.m to 4 p.m, with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m.— 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6899 Fax: (412)396—6890 If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous, you should join.
| A．Watersports Club | B．Diving Centre | C．Sailing Club | D．Riding School |
If you want to experience a new activity in the countryside in the mornings, you may fax.
| A．(412)396—6648 | B．(412)396—6706 | C．(412)396—6752 | D．(412)396—6876 |
If you are planning to explore the ocean depths, you should attend your lessons at.
| A．24 hour from Monday to Sunday |
| B．Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. |
| C．Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.— 8:00 p.m. |
| D．Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m.— 8:30 p.m. |
You want to do an activity one evening a week and get a certificate in the end, you can go to.
| A．Watersports Club | B．Diving Center | C．Sailing Club | D．Riding School |
Which is NOT the convenience that the Medical Center provides?
| A．Good equipment. | B．Well trained staff members. |
| C．Various less expensive medicines. | D．Nursery for newly-born babies |
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of natural disasters over the past few years，and it is assumed that global warming and climate change could cause even more disasters in the future.Some of the world’s leading cities are facing disasters like floods and heat waves.
London
London’s flood defences are getting older. Since 1982, the Thames Barrier(水闸) has protected the city from the threat of flooding，but it was only designed to last until 2030 and close once every two or three years. About 21 years later the barrier now closes five or six times a year and according to Environment Agency predictions, by 2050 the barrier will be closed on almost every tide if the problem is not addressed.
There are 26 underground stations, 400 schools, 16 hospitals, an airport and 80 billion worth of property in London's flood risk area, so large scale flooding would be disastrous.
Paris
Over a sixweek period in July and August 2008，more than 11400 — mainly elderly people — died in France from dehydration (脱水) and extremely high body temperature in a deadly heat wave. Heat waves of similar intensity (强度) are expected every seven years by 2050, so what can be done to make sure such a disaster does not happen again?
One solution is to have airconditioners installed in elderly care homes. But this is considered a shortterm solution, as the increase in demand for electricity also increases carbon emissions.
In Paris the local authorities are encouraging architects to design new types of buildings such as the building “Flower Tower”, which uses a covering of bamboo to act as a natural airconditioner.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the fastest growing city on Earth. It has a population of 18 million and is only 4 meters above sea level. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 20 cm within the next century.
An estimated 250,000 people move to Shanghai every year in search of work, placing extra demands on energy consumption. China relies heavily on coalfired power stations, but these emissions increase temperatures and, in turn, warmer seas increase the risk of typhoons.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Big Cities Facing Big Disasters | B．Big Disasters in the Future |
| C．The Increase of Natural Disasters | D．Solutions to Natural Disasters |
What problem should be settled now in London?
| A．How to protect the city’s property. |
| B．Where to build its flood defences. |
| C．How to use the Thames Barrier to protect the city. |
| D．How to improve the function of the old flood defences. |
Which of the following measures can’t solve the heat wave disaster in Paris?
| A．Putting up new types of buildings with a covering of bamboo. |
| B．Having airconditioners installed in elderly care homes. |
| C．Forbidding the city to build “Flower Tower”. |
| D．Encouraging architects to design new types of buildings. |
The major threats to Shanghai are ________.
| A．increasing population and coalfired power stations |
| B．rising sea levels and typhoons |
| C．extremely high temperature and rising sea levels |
| D．extra demands on energy consumption and typhoons |
The purpose of the passage is ________.
| A．to tell us how to protect the big cities |
| B．to give advice on how to defend natural disasters |
| C．to explain what causes flood and heat waves |
| D．to warn us of the increasing natural disasters in big cities |
In 1970, my five brothers, my sister and I lived in the housing projects of Toronto with our parents. My father was a factory worker, and my mother stayed at home. Each year my father would dress up as Santa Claus and go through the streets of the projects sharing joy and candies with the children there. He loved it as much as they did!
But around the Christmas in 1970, my father was out of his job and money was tight. In fact, there was no money for Christmas and my parents weren’t sure what they’d provide for us.
That Christmas Eve, however, as usual, my father left the house dressed as Santa Claus. He knew that even though our Christmas would be hard, he could not disappoint the other kids in the neighborhood.
As my father left the house and went down the walkway, Santa Claus was walking up, with a great sack full of gifts for us! He said nothing, only smiled a sweet smile at my father, and wished him a Merry Christmas. The happy man handed Dad the sack and walked away down the block.
We never knew who the man was and who showed us great kindness on a snowy Christmas night. We do know, however, that without him we would have had nothing under the tree. His kindness gave my parents hope and showed us in a very real way the true meaning of Christmas.
Our family has never forgotten this kind stranger. Each year we tell the story of the mysterious Santa Claus and try to repay his gifts by giving gifts to others in need.The author’s father ________.
| A．was once the richest man in his hometown |
| B．was working in a government office |
| C．had to support a family of 9 people |
| D．looked like Santa Claus most |
What happened in 1970?
| A．The author’s father was out of work. |
| B．The author’s mother lost her job. |
| C．They had a little money left for Christmas. |
| D．They had the worst Christmas in their lives. |
The author’s family knew ________.
| A．who the mysterious Santa Claus was |
| B．why the mysterious Santa Claus helped them |
| C．how they could repay the mysterious Santa Claus |
| D．they could find the mysterious Santa Claus one day |
It can be inferred（推断）that ________.
| A．the mysterious Santa Claus was one of their relatives |
| B．the mysterious Santa Claus was a rich man in the area |
| C．the sack from the mysterious Santa Claus was very expensive |
| D．the author’s family were all thankful to the mysterious Santa Claus |