Nearing the age of 101 has not slowed down one Japanese woman.In fact,in the swimming pool—she is only getting faster.
Recently,a 100-year-old Japanese woman became the world’s first centenarian to complete a 1,500-meter freestyle swimming competition in a 25-meter poo1.
Her name is Mieko Nagaoka.Ms.Nagaoka set a world record for her age group at a recent Japan Masters Swimming Association event in the western city of Matsuyama.She swam the race in 1hour,15 minutes and 54 seconds.
By comparison,the overall female world record holder completed the same distance in just under 15 and a half minutes.But that swimmer,Katie Ledecky,is only 17 years old.And Ms.Nagao.ka was not competing against her.In fact,Ms.Nagaoka was the only competitor in the 100-104 year old category.Her race was not a race of speed but of endurance,or not giving up.
Breaking swimming records is nothing new to Ms.Nagaoka.So far she has broken 25 records.But she began competing when she was much younger—at 88.
Ms.Nagaoka sufferred a knee injury in her 80s,so she began swimming to help her body recover.Since her first international swimming competition,she hasn’t looked back,except maybe to see if her competition is catching up.
In 2002.at a masters swim meet in New Zealand,Ms.Nagaoka took the bronze medal in the 50-meter backstroke.In 2004,she won three silver medals at an Italian swim meet.
Masters swimming is a special class of competitive swimming to promote health and friendship among participants.Swimmers compete within age groups of five years.
Japan has a large number of people who live beyond 100 years old.Until she passed away this month,the oldest person in the world was also from Japan.Misao Okawa was born in 1 898.She said her secrets for longevity,or long life,were good genes,regular sleep,sushi and exercise.The underlined word“centenarian”refers to someone who is____.
A.from Japan | B.100 or older |
C.an old competitor | D.a new swimmer |
Which is possibly the age category of the masters swimming competition?
A.82 to 87 years old. | B.93 to 97 years old. |
C.95 to 99 years old. | D.106 to 110 years old. |
It can be inferred from the passage that_____.
A.some people are born with longevity genes |
B.people who like swimming live longer |
C.the Japanese are interested in swimming |
D.woman usually live much longer than men |
Which can best explain the spirit of Ms.Nagaoka?
A.Not to advance is to go back. |
B.After a storm comes a calm. |
C.The early bird catches the worm. |
D.Keep on going,never give up. |
As computers become more popular in China , Chinese people are increasingly relying on computer keyboards to input Chinese characters . But if they use the computer too much , they may end up forgetting the exact strokes(笔画)of each Chinese character when writing on paper . Experts suggest people , especially students , write by hand more .
Do you write by hand more or type more ? In Beijing , students start using a computer as early as primary school . And computer dependence is more widespread among university students . Almost all their assignments and essays are typed on a computer .
All the students interviewed say they usually use a computer .
It’s faster and easier to correct if using a computer . And that’s why computers are being applied more and more often to modern education . But when people are taking stock in computers increasingly , problems appear .
“ When I’m writing with a pen , I find I often can’t remember how to write a character , though I feel I’m familiar with it .”
“ I’m not in the mood to write when faced with a pen and paper .”
Many students don’t feel this is something to worry about . Now that it’s more convenient and efficient to write on a computer , why bother to handwrite ?
Many educators think differently . Shi Liwei , the headmaster of a famous primary school in the capital said “ Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic(审美的)value . But those characters typed with computer keyboards only maintain their practical value . All the artistic beauty of the characters is lost . And handwriting contains the writer’s emotion . Through one’s handwriting , people can get to know one’s thinking and personality . Beautiful writing will give people a better first impression of them .”
To encourage students to handwrite more , many primary schools in Beijing have made writing classes compulsory(必修的)and in universities , some professors are asking students to turn in their homework and essays written by hand .Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage ?
A.The Importance of Handwriting and Typing . |
B.To Type or to Handwrite . |
C.Writing by Computer Will Replace Writing by Hand |
D.Practical and Aesthetic Value of Chinese Characters |
The students interviewed prefer to write using a computer mainly because .
A.they are usually asked to email their homework and essays |
B.they can correct the mistakes they make quickly and conveniently |
C.they find it not easy to remember how to write a character |
D.computers have become a trend and fashion in China |
Which of the following statements is NOT true of the advantages of handwriting ?
A.Handwriting contains the writer’s emotion . |
B.The writer’s thinking and personality are shown in his or her handwriting . |
C.Handwriting can impress people well and build one’s self-confidence . |
D.Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic value . |
The underlined expression “ taking stock in ” ( Paragraph 4 ) probably means .
A.getting bored with | B.getting dependent on |
C.becoming crazy about | D.getting curious about |
We can draw the conclusion from the passage that .
A.more and more students will give up writing on a computer |
B.writing by hand will give way to typing by computer one day |
C.more and more students will pay attention to handwriting |
D.the typing article better expresses one’s emotion and quality |
Have you ever dreamed about sending a letter to yourself or your friends in the future ? While express mail representing efficiency and speed is prevalent(盛行的)in China , there is another type of mail appearing as a new business : “ Future Mail ” . “ Future Mail ” service can make people slow down and let them understand the meaning of “ time ” in another way . And “ Future Mail ” letters are “ reminders of affection , friendship and love ”.
Lin Xiao fan , a senior high school student in Hefei , wrote a letter to her mother in advance to express her love to her mother for next Mother’s Day . Feng Xiao , a youth who feels pressure despite of some achievements in her career decided to write a letter to herself on her 25th birthday and have it delivered five years later on her 30th birthday through a “ Future Mail ” . She expressed her thoughts about her present life and her expectations for the future to encourage herself to face up to the challenges of her life with courage .
While “ Future Mail ” is gaining popularity , some people are concerned about what happens if the postal address of the receiver changes or if the company goes broke before letters are delivered . Actually , customers required to complete an acceptance form and make an assessment so they can be compensated if their letters or goods are lost or damaged .
Most of the business’s customers are college students and young white-collar workers . Psychologists said young Chinese might be given a vent(发泄)to their negative feelings through the service . Most people put their hopes and wishes in the letters so they can experience the connection between “ past ” and “ present ” while they receive the letters . It can help people reunderstand the meaning of “ time ” .The underlined word in Para . 3 probably means .
A.paid | B.changed | C.bought | D.repaired |
Which of the following is NOT true ?
A.People can express their thoughts and feelings to themselves or others through a “ Future Mail ” . |
B.The “ Future Mail ” business is not perfect . |
C.Only young people accept the new “ Future Mail ” service . |
D.“ Future Mail ”service can let people reunderstand the meaning of “ time ” . |
You can read this article in newspaper’s part .
A.sports . | B.science | C.leisure | D.policy |
Which is NOT the purpose of Feng Xiao’s letter ?
A.To encourage herself to face up to the challenges . |
B.To express her thoughts about her present life . |
C.To express her expectations for the future . |
D.To remind herself of something she must do . |
The best title of this article should be .
A.The Different Kinds of Letter |
B.“ Future Mail ” Business Taking off in China |
C.The Advantage of “ Future Mail ” |
D.The Letter in Future |
Animals are being killed by hunters in America in a cruel way, says an animal protection organization. There are about 1,000 hunting farms across America whose owners offer hunters an opportunity to kill animals that are kept in fenced areas.
Russian boar, zebra, deer, antelope and many other species are raised just to be killed. Farm owners charge hunters thousands of dollars for animals that they kill, many of which are close to extinction (灭绝).
The Humane Society of the United States says this type of hunting should be stopped because it is not fair to the animals. Many owners raise their animals. Others buy from animal dealers or from zoos and circuses that no longer want them. This means that the animals are not afraid of humans and they are easy to be shot by hunters.
Owners of small ranches (牧场) keep their animals in fenced areas so that the hunters can get close to the animals before shooting at them. On large farms hunters are taken to areas where the animals are fed sometime of the day. This also makes it easy to kill the animals.
The hunters want to keep the heads and chests of the animals they kill to hang as trophies (战利品) on their walls. This means that the animals are usually shot in parts of the body. That means they will suffer a slow and painful death.
The hunting is allowed across most of America but some parts of the country have stopped or restricted it. The Humane Society of the United States hopes that it won’t be too long before the rest parts of the country also give up this cruel sport.What can be the best title for the passage?
A.Fenced Animals Are in Danger |
B.Animals Are Easy to Kill |
C.Hunters Pay to Kill Fenced Animals |
D.Animal Hunting Should Be Banned |
One of the main reasons why these animals are easy to be shot is that _______.
A.they don’t run very fast |
B.they are not afraid of humans |
C.they don’t know how to escape |
D.the hunters are good at shooting |
What can we learn from the passage?
A.Many animals can run away when hunters want to shoot them. |
B.It is very cruel to kill the animals in the way mentioned in the passage. |
C.The Humane Society of the United States considers this kind of hunting as a good sport. |
D.The animals are usually hung on the walls after being shot. |
It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
A.no measures have been taken to prevent this kind of hunting |
B.the animals usually get really hungry before dying |
C.in most parts of America this kind of hunting has been stopped |
D.people who do this kind of hunting are probably very rich |
Almost every girl wants to be healthy and beautiful. They try every means to make themselves look smarter. “What are the best ways?” Many girls may have this question in mind.
Here is some advice that is very important for girls to follow.
Keep fit. Check with your doctor for your proper weight range and work to get and stay within it. Exercise, eat properly, and drink plenty of water to achieve that weight and be as healthy as you can be. As long as you’re in your healthy range, you’ll look great.
Mind your style, from top to bottom. There are two things that can make or break your look: your hair and your shoes. Look through hair magazines and talk with your hairstylist about what will look good with your face structure. Always keep your hair clean and styled. Wear clean, feminine shoes. That doesn’t mean you always have to wear high heels. Make sure you can walk comfortably in them.
Be fashionable. Learn about your body type, height, skin and preferences. Discover yourself, and fashion will come to you. You don’t have to wear designer clothes, especially if you can’t afford them. You can look through fashion magazines, pick your favourites and then find the similar ones that you can afford.
Smile, and do it like you mean it. Smile, be merry and people will notice that. It will help you in many ways.
Be nice to others. Looking pretty doesn’t give you the right to look down on others or treat them badly. Only having good appearance doesn’t mean you are beautiful.
However, in order to get slim and beautiful, some girls can easily be absorbed in losing weight, resulting in eating disorders. Keep in mind that being healthy is more important than being thin. So try to eat healthy food, take regular exercise and keep a good mood.What does the passage mainly talk about?
A.How to choose clothes and shoes. |
B.What is the real beauty for girls. |
C.What are the ways to keep fit for girls. |
D.How to be a healthy and beautiful girl. |
The passage suggests that girls _______ to be fashionable.
A.wear designer clothes that can make them more modern |
B.wear clothes according to their body shape and preferences |
C.wear the clothes that other beautiful girls like to wear |
D.wear the clothes that are recommended in the fashion magazines |
Which way is NOT recommended in the passage for the girls?
A.Eating little to get slim. |
B.Making efforts to stay fit. |
C.Paying attention to the style. |
D.Being happy and warm-hearted. |
What can we learn from the passage?
A.Girls should follow hairstylists’ advice to change their hairstyles every day. |
B.Girls should wear high heels though they might be uncomfortable. |
C.Trying to be healthy is more important than trying to be thin. |
D.Having a good hairstyle is more important than wearing fashionable shoes. |
My Uncle Dave posed an interesting question to my wife and me when he came to visit us the other day. He asked: “What do you think the world will be like in 50 or 100 years, in terms of technology and society and so on?”
He says he asks many of the people he meets this question to see what their thoughts are. His point is that no one really knows. I mean, in 1945, could people have even imagined surfing the net or sending e-mails as we do? No way. And the pace of technological innovation(创新) is incredible (难以置信的). We’re on a more different curve than we used to be.
One thing I’m looking forward to is real software agents. There is so much information out there, but I want something that can help me find what I really want. For instance, in about ten years, I think, there will be no longer recorded music, and there will be some big databases from which you can download music onto your hard drive or whatever. At that point, there will be so much music to choose from and you’ll be able to sample things before you buy them. But the question will be how I find what I’m looking for and how I do find the music that might interest me. Or more generally, how do I find information that I want without spending all the time myself surfing the net? How do I find people who are like-minded (具有相似目的), with whom I might really want to communicate? I want to find those people but it’s hard to do. In the future I think that one will be able to build a community of like-minded people who live all over the globe. It’s going to be very interesting, I think.No one really knows what the future will be like because _____.
A.there is too much information for us to choose from |
B.technological development is too fast |
C.people live in different countries |
D.no one is intelligent enough to answer such a question |
The function of the first paragraph is to _____.
A.explain the question given in this paragraph |
B.put forward the topic in this passage |
C.show Dave is a foolish man to ask such a question |
D.describe a picture about what the future will be like |
The writer is looking forward to some real software agents so as to _____.
A.earn a lot of money |
B.communicate with some like-minded people |
C.help find the correct information needed |
D.spare some time for surfing the Internet |
The best title of this passage should be _____.
A.What the Future Will Be Like |
B.Listen to Music Through the Internet |
C.Music and Software Development |
D.How to Live a Happy Life in the Future |