Mars( 火星) appears to be flowing with small streams of salty water, at least in the summer, scientists reported Monday. "It suggests that. it would be possible for there to be life today on Mars," NASA's science mission chief, John Grunsfeld, said at a news conference on September 28, 2015.
The streams are about 12 to 15 feet wide and 300 feet or more long, scientists said. "What we're dealing with is wet soil. thin layers of wet soil, not standing water," said Aifred McEwen of the University of Arizona at Tueson ! the principal scientist for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's high-resolution imaging experiment.
Because liquid water is essential to life, the findings could have major implications for the possibility of Martian life. The researchers said further exploration is needed to determine whether microscopic life exists on the planet.
The presence of liquid water could also make life easier for astronauts visiting or living on Mars. Water could be used for drinking and for creating oxygen and rocket fuel. NASA's goal is to send humans there in the 2030s.
The evidence of flowing water consists largely of dark, narrow streaks(条痕) on the surface that tend to appear and grow during the warmest Martian months and fade the rest of the year.
Mars is extremely cold even in summer, and the streaks are in places where the temperature is as low as minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. But salt can lower the freezing point of water and melt ice.
The source(源头) of the water is a mystery. Scientists noted it could be melting ice. It could be an underground aquifer, which is rock or sand that can hold water. It is possibly water vapor from the thin Martian atmosphere, Or it may be a combination.
Michael Meyer, lead scientist for NASA's Mars exploration program, said the only definitive way for now to determine whether there's life on Mars is to collect rocks and soil for analysis on Earth - something a U. S. lander set for lift-off in 2020 will do.
What would be the best title for the text?
A Streams of Water Spotted on Mars
B. Astronauts will Land on Mars
C. NASA's Mars Exploration Program
D. A Breakthrough in the Exploration of Mars
According to John Grunsfeld, there seems to be on Mars.
| A．salty water |
| B．standing water |
| C．rocket fuel |
| D．human beings |
Scientists are uncertain about the of the water on Mars.
| A．state |
| B．source |
| C．temperature |
| D．taste |
What matters to the existence of liquid water on Mars?
| A．The distance from the sun. |
| B．The favorable climate. |
| C．The gravity of the earth |
| D．The salt in it． |
Hi, everybody.Over the past couple months, most of the political headlines you’ve read have probably been about the government shutdown and the launch of the Affordable Care Act(平价医疗法案).And I know that many of you have rightly never been more frustrated with Washington.
But if you look beyond those headlines, there are some good things happening in our economy.And that’s been my top priority（优先考虑）since the day I walked into the Oval Office.
After decades in which the middle class was working harder and harder just to keep up, and a punishing recession（衰退）that made it worse, we made the tough choices required not just to recover from crisis, but to rebuild on a new foundation for stronger, more durable economic growth.
Five years later, we have fought our way back.Our businesses have created 7.8 million new jobs in the past 44 months. Another 200,000 Americans went back to work last month.
The American auto industry has come back with more than 350,000 new jobs –-- jobs putting out and selling the high-tech, fuel-efficient cars the world wants to buy. And they’re leading the charge in a business that has added jobs for the first time since the 1990s –-- a big reason why our businesses sell more goods and services “Made in America” than ever before.
We decided to stop our addiction to foreign oil.And today, we produce more renewable energy than ever, more natural gas than anybody, and for the first time in nearly 20 years, America now produces more oil than we buy from other countries.
We decided to fix a broken health care system.And even though the task has been rough, so far, about 500,000 Americans gain health coverage starting January 1st.And by the way, health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in 50 years.
And one more thing: since I took office, we’ve cut our deficits (赤字) by more than half.And that makes it easier to invest in the things that create jobs –-- education, research, and so on.
Imagine how much farther along we could be if both parties were working together.Think about what we could do if the few didn’t hold the economy hostage (人质) every few months, or waste time on dozens of votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act rather than try to help us fix it.
In the weeks ahead, I’ll keep talking about my plan to build a better bargain for the middle class.Good jobs.A good education.A chance to buy a home, save, and retire.And yes, the financial security of affordable health care.And I’ll look for any willing partners who want to help.
Because of your hard work and tough sacrifices over the past five years, we’re pointed in the right direction.But we’ve got more work to do to keep moving that way.And as long as I’m President, I’ll keep doing everything I can to create jobs, grow the economy, and make sure that everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead.Thanks, and have a great weekend.Which of the following is not the reason for people’s frustration with the government?
| A．The government shutdown |
| B．Unemployment rate |
| C．The addiction to foreign oil |
| D．Cancelling the Affordable Care Act |
Why does the president mention more goods and services “Made in America”?
| A．To show that American goods and services are very popular. |
| B．To indicate that American people should be dependent on themselves. |
| C．To show that the employment rate has been increased. |
| D．To show that American auto industry enjoys high technology. |
What’s the meaning of the underlined word “repeal”?
| A．put an end to | B．try hard to fix | C．make stronger | D．get accustomed to |
According to the speech, which of the following can be implied?
| A．American people have every reason to feel frustrated with the government. |
| B．Health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in 50 years. |
| C．The president feels sorry that the economy is not moving in the right direction. |
| D．Some government officials don’t agree with the president on the medical care system. |
Suppose you work in a big firm and find English very important for your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen. Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English, especially your spoken English. Here are some advertisements(广告) about English language training from newspapers. You may find the information you need.
Global English Centre
General English in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
3-month (700 yuan), 6-month (1,200 yuan) and one-year (2,000) courses.
Choice of morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day. Mon.~Fri.
Experienced college English teachers.
Close to city centre and bus stops.
Tel: 67605272
Add: 105 Zhongshan Road, 100082
Modern Language School
Special courses in English for business, travel, banking, hotel management and office skills.
Small classes (12~16 students) on Sat. & Sun. from 2:00~5:00 p.m.
Native English teachers from Canada and USA.
Language lab and computers supplied.
3-month course: 1,050 yuan; 6-month course: 1,850 yuan.
Write or phone: Modern Language School, 675 Park Road, 100056
Tel: 67353019
The 21st Century English Training Centre
We specialize in effective teaching at all levels.
We offer morning or afternoon classes, both of which last three months and a half at a cost of 800 yuan.
We also have a six-week TOEFL preparation class during winter and summer holidays.
Entrance exams: June 1 and Dec. 1.
Only 15-minute walk from city centre.
Call 67801642 for more information.
The International House of English
Three/Six-month English courses for students of all levels at a very low cost: 60 yuan for 12 hours per week, convenient (方便的) class hours:
9:00~12:00 a.m. and 2:00~5:00 p.m.
A four-month evening programme for developing speaking skills (same cost as day classes).
Well-trained Chinese and foreign teachers with experience in teaching English as a second foreign language.
Free sightseeing and social activities.
Very close to the Central Park.
For further information call 674322308.You work from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day. Which school will you choose?
| A．Global English Centre and Modern Language School. |
| B．Global English Centre and The International House of English. |
| C．Modern English Centre School and The 21st Century English Training Centre. |
| D．The 21st Century English Training Centre and The International House of English. |
The 21st Century English Training Centre is different from the other three schools in that___.
| A．its teaching quality is better |
| B．it is near to the city centre |
| C．its courses are more advanced |
| D．it requires an entrance examination |
You will probably prefer to go to The International House of English because it________.
| A．offers free sightseeing and social activities |
| B．has a special course in spoken English |
| C．costs less than the other schools |
| D．has native English teachers |
If you take the evening programme at The International House of English, you will pay____.
| A．60 yuan | B．240 yuan | C．720 yuan | D．960 yuan |
Where was I? The room was dark and quiet. My head hurt really badly. I shouted, “Help! Help! Can anybody help me?”
After a while somebody came in. The room was so dark that I couldn’t see his face clearly. The man turned on the light and said with a sharp voice, “Ah! Sweetie, do you still remember who I am?” I was shocked. Oh, my God! I cried, “You are Michael Zey, the man I charged with murder! Why are you here? You should be in prison!”
“You never thought about the result of charging a gang（犯罪团伙）leader, did you? Because of you, I was in prison for 15 years. You ruined my life!” His voice was very cold. My face was pale with fear. He was here to take revenge（报复）!
“Please, let me go! Don't hurt me! Please!” I asked him. “Dr. Calment, you are smart enough to know it is impossible. Now, I give you two choices. One is shooting your head. It is the quickest way. The other is cremation（火葬）. Your husband and you will be together forever. It’s quite romantic. Don't you think?” He spoke angrily. “What? My husband? He is innocent!” I shouted at him.
Suddenly, he took hold of my head and said, “You will pay for what you have done to me.” He took out a gun from his bag.
“Help! Help! Can anybody help me?”What might have happened to the writer before the man came in?
| A．She had taken his place and become a gang leader. |
| B．She had come to this place to see her husband. |
| C．She wanted to pay for what she had done to Michael Zey. |
| D．She had been beaten terribly. |
Which of the following words can best describe how the writer felt when the story happened?
| A．Surprised. | B．Terrified. | C．Amazed. | D．Puzzled. |
What does the underlined word “it” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
| A．To let her go. | B．To hurt her. | C．To take revenge. | D．To stay in prison. |
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 kilometres 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. ~ 8:30p.m.
Phone: (412) 396-6754 Fax: (412) 396-6752
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage Sailing qualification. You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid. Have fun with other course members afterwards in the clubroom. There are 10 weekly two-hour lessons (Tuesdays 6p.m.~ 8p.m.)
Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00p.m.~ 8:00p.m
Phone:( 412)396-6644Fax: (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 a swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30p.m.~ 8:30p.m
Phone: (412)396-6312Fax: (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 with 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 hours from Monday to Sunday
Phone: ( 412)396-6649Fax: (412) 396-6648
Watersports club:
We use a two-kilometre length of river for speedboat racing， and water-skiing. A beginners’ course consists 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: 9:00a.m.~ 4:00p.m
Phone: (412)396-6899 Fax: (412) 396-6890If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous， you should join _______ .
| A．Sailing Club | B．Riding School |
| C．Watersports Club | D．Diving Centre |
If you are planning to explore the ocean depths， you should attend your lessons at_______ .
| A．24 hours 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. |
If you want to do an activity one evening a week and get a certificate in the end， you can go to _____ .
| A．Sailing Club | B．Diving Centre |
| C．Watersports Club | D．Riding School |
Do you love holidays but hate the increase weight that follows? You are not alone.
But every day I went to see the doctor, I had to wait about 50 minutes. He would see two or three patients at the same time, and often stop treating one so as to see another. Yet he charged me $115 each time .The final examination report consisted of ten lines, and it cost me $215.
With proper planning, though, it is possible to control your weight. The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don't have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy. The following suggestions may be of some help to you.
Do not miss meals. Before yon leave home for a feast(宴会),have a small, low-fat snack(小吃). This may help to keep you from getting too excited before delicious foods. Begin with clear soup and fruit or vegetables. A large glass of water before you eat may help you feel full. Use a small plate; a large plate will encourage you to have more than enough.
Better not have high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy have much fat in them.
Choose lean meat(瘦肉 ).Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables.
If you have a sweet tooth, try mints (薄荷) and fruits. They don’t have fat content as cream and chocolate.
Don’t let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off excess(过多的) calories.Holidays are happy days with pleasure but they may ______
| A．bring weight problems |
| B．bring you much trouble in your life |
| C．make you worried about your foods |
| D．make you hate delicious foods |
In order to really enjoy your holidays without putting on weight, you'd better__
| A．drink much water and have vegetables only |
| B．not eat the food in high fat |
| C．not accept invitations to feasts |
| D．turn away from delicious foods |
According to the passage, ___ is a necessary part to stop you from putting on weight.
| A．Vegetables | B．Water | C．calories of energy | D．physical exercise |
Many people can't help putting on weight after the holidays because they _______ .
| A．can't control themselves |
| B．go to too many feasts |
| C．enjoy delicious foods |
| D．can't help turning away from the foods |