Think about the different ways that people use the wind. You can use it to fly a kite or to sail a boat. Wind is one of our cleanest and richest power sources, as well as one of the oldest. Evidence shows that windmills began to be used in the ancient Iran back in the seventh century BC. They were first introduced to Europe during the 1100s, when armies returned from the Middle East with knowledge of using wind power.
For many centuries, people used windmills to grind(磨碎)wheat into flour or pump water from deep underground. When electricity was discovered in the late 1800s, people living in remote areas began to use them to produce electricity. This allowed them to have electric lights and radios. However, by the 1940s when electricity was available to people in almost all areas of the United States, windmills were rarely used.
During the 1970s, people started becoming concerned about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity. People realized that the supply of coal and gas would not last forever. Then, wind was rediscovered, though it means higher costs. Today, there is a global movement to supply more and more of our electricity through the use of wind.From the text we know that windmills _______.
| A．were invented by European armies |
| B．have a history of more than 2,800 years |
| C．have rarely been used since electricity was discovered |
| D．used to supply power to radio in remote area |
The underlined word in Paragraph 2 probably means________.
| A．making something cleaner |
| B．making something flow freely |
| C．making something flow in a particular direction |
| D．making something into small parts |
One of the reasons wind was discovered in the 1970s is that_______.
| A．it is one of the oldest power sources |
| B．wind power is cleaner |
| C．it was cheaper to create energy from wind |
| D．coal and gas failed to meet the needs |
What would the author probably discuss in the paragraph that follows?
| A．The global trend towards producing power from wind. |
| B．The design of wind power plants. |
| C．The worldwide movement to save energy. |
| D．The advantages of wind power. |
Elizabeth Blackwell was born in 1821 in England.She was the fourth of nine Blackwell children.Later,two of her brother and six of her sisters died.So did her eight cousions. Elizabeth vowed to become a doctor for babies and women.
When she was eleven,the family moved to America.After her father passed away,16-year-old Elizabeth had to work,so she and her mother opened a small primary school for black children.At the same time,she studied hard to attend medical school.
After several refusals,she was finally accepted by Geneva Medical College,but other students laughed at her and told her to leave. Elizabeth didn’t leave!In fact,she worked so hard that she finally graduated with high honors in 1849.Then she went abroad to learn more about medicine.
Later, Elizabeth opened the first real hospital for women in the world.Then she severed for another forty years as a “champion for women’s rights”.She became the first woman doctor in the United States in 1889.She also opened a medical college for women and organized the National Health Society.Most importantly she fought for women’s rights to attend medical colleges.
Elizabeth died in 1910,but she had opened a world of opportunities for women.In 1949 the Elizabeth Medal was set up.It is given to women who have made great achievements in the practice of medicine.She will always be remembered as a great woman.In which year did Elizabeth Blackwell begin to work?
| A．1837 | B．1832 | C．1849 | D．1910 |
Why did Elizabeth Blackwell vom to become a doctor?
| A．Because there were a lot of babies and women in her family. |
| B．Because the death of her brothers and sisiters made her sad. |
| C．Because she wanted to open a medical school for black children. |
| D．Because her mother asked her to support the family after her father died. |
The Blackwell Medal was set up to____.
| A．show the achievements that women had made |
| B．encourage more women to become doctors |
| C．praise excellent women in the field of medicine. |
| D．fight for women’s rights to attend medical school. |
Which is TURE according to the passage?
| A．Elizabeth vowed to become a doctor for her family. |
| B．She was accepted by Geneva Medical College at first. |
| C．Elizabeth opened the first real hospital for women in the world. |
| D．Elizabeth set up the Elizabeth Medal in 1949. |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．Women could attened medical school just like men before 1849. |
| B．There were no special hospitals for women in American before 1849. |
| C．Elizabeth’s classmates asked her to leave her school because she was a girl. |
| D．Elizabeth was the first woman to win the the Elizabeth Medal. |
It was a year when the snow was so deep that the tops of tall pine tree appeared to be short bushes.Farmers Planahand’s girlfriend had begged him for a winter wedding(婚礼)，and Farmer Planahead was well prepared to make her wishes come true.
Farmer Planahead spent many weeks digging a passage through the snow down to the door of his house.On the day before his wedding,he chose his two finest horses for his sleigh(雪橇).Off he rode,to fetch his bride(新娘)Editha,who lived a day’s journey eastward.
Farmer Planahead sped along and left his village far behind.He covered many miles,enjoying the soft,smooth movements of the sleigh on the snow,until suddenly,a strange and low sound broke the silence.He felt a rush of warm air on his neck.The chinook—the hot wind the Native Americans called“snow eater”—was upon him.
The dutiful farmer ordered his horses to spend up but the wind was too fast.Behind him,the trees grew taller by the minute as the chinook’s warm breath ate up the snow.Faster than anything the farmer had ever seen,the snowy path turned to dirt,and his sleigh came to a stop.Stuck far from any village,Farmer Planahead could do nothing but wait until the snow fell again.
Many days later,when snow had fallen and he could move the sleigh ,the tired but happy farmer arrived at his bride’s house.“My daughter despaired when you didn’t arrive ,”her father said, “and now she’s gone and married Farmer Planahead He took her away in his carriage(马车)after the snow disappeared”.
Farmer Planahead returned home,sadder but wiser.Next time he would choose a girl who wanted a summer wedding.What do we know about Farmer Planahead?
| A．He hated snowy winters. |
| B．He missed his bride’s house. |
| C．He was getting ready for a wedding. |
| D．He borrowed two horses from another farmer. |
What happened after the Chinook arrived?
| A．A hot summer came. |
| B．Plants began to grow. |
| C．The horses were eaten up. |
| D．The snow quickly disappeared. |
Finding Farmer Planahead didn’t arrive on time,Editha felt____.
| A．bored. | B．disappointed |
| C．worried | D．doubtful |
We can infer from the last paragraph that Farmer Planahead_____.
| A．married Editha in the summer |
| B．returned home in his carriage |
| C．failed to realize his mistake. |
| D．became a very wise man. |
What lesson can we learn from Farmer Planahead?
| A．Pepared yourself for the future |
| B．Act according to the situation. |
| C．Never give up your dreams. |
| D．Don’t fear trouble. |
Many people believe that classical music is not relevant music is not relevant to young people today . However, this issue (问题) frequently causes heated debate.
Some people say that classical music is associated only with old people .For example, if you look at the audience at a classical concert , the majority is over the age of fifty.
Others say it is more popular than we first imagine. Many young people listen to classical music without realising. It is often used in films and advertisements. For example, a famous piece of classical music was used as the theme music for the 1990 World Cup . Not many people could have given its name, but millions enjoyed it.
Also, some people point out that young people produce new music based on classical ideas: for example, it is said that rap(说唱)music was invented by a classical musician in 1912, but it is now used by young people in pop music.
However, young people point to the fact that classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. To play a classical instrument, such as a violin, you need to study hard and practise for hours. Nowadays, you don't need to get aching arms from practising. A teenager can write and make music using a computer program in the comfort of their own bedroom.
A final point to in mind is that the term "classical music" is used to refer to a great variety of music, from jazz to pieces for large orchestras(管弦乐队).This makes it even more difficult to say whether classical music is relevant to young people.
So, it may be only a minority of young people who play classical instruments, but when it comes to enjoying classical music, it depends on the piece of music. It may be more relevant to young people in the modern world than they realise!What is the best title of the passage ?
| A．Classical music and young men. |
| B．Classical music belongs to the old. |
| C．A debate about whether classical music is relevant to the young. |
| D．Is classical music loved by young people today? |
How many opinons are mentioned in the passage?
| A．Four | B．Five | C．Six | D．Seven |
Where is classical music often found according to Paragraph 3?
| A．At a concert | B．In the computer |
| C．In pop music | D．In films and advertisements |
What can you learn from Paragraph 5?
| A．Classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. |
| B．Beethoven played his famous music with a piano. |
| C．A pianist doesn't need to get aching arms from practicing . |
| D．It is so easy to make music now that any one can do it well using a computer. |
What’s the conclusion of the heated debate?
| A．Classical music may still be enjoyed by young people. |
| B．Only a small amount of young people like it. |
| C．One man's meat isanother man's poison. |
| D．There’s no definite conclusion. |
The expression, "everybody's doing it," is very much at the center of the concept of peer pressure. It is a strong influence of a group, especially of children, on members of that group to behave as everybody else does. It can be positive or negative. Most people experience it in some way during their lives.
People are social creatures by nature, and so it is hardly surprising that part of their self-respect comes from the approval of others. This instinct is why the approval of peers, or the fear of disapproval, is such a powerful force in many people's lives. It is the same instinct that drives people to dress one way at home and another way at work, or to answer "fine" when a stranger asks "how are you?" even if it is not necessarily true. There is a practical aspect to this: it helps society to function efficiently, and encourages a general level of self-discipline that simplifies day-to-day interaction.
For certain individuals, seeking social acceptance is so important that it becomes like an addiction: in order to satisfy the desire, they may go so far as to abandon their sense of right and wrong. Teens and young adults may feel forced to use drugs, or join gangs that encourage criminal behavior. Mature adults may sometimes feel pressured to cover up illegal activity at the company where they work, or end up in debt because they are unable to hold back the desire to buy a house or car that they can't afford in an effort to "keep up with the Joneses."
However, peer pressure is not always negative. A student whose friends are good at academics may be urged to study harder and get good grades. Players on a sports team may feel driven to play harder in order to help the team win. This type of influence can also get a friend off drugs, or to help an adult take up a good habit or drop a bad one. Study groups and class projects are examples of positive peer groups that encourage people to better themselves.
Schools try to teach kids about the dangers of negative peer pressure. They teach kids to stand up and be themselves, and encourage them to politely decline to do things that they believe are wrong. Similarly, it can be help fill to encourage children to greet the beneficial influence of positive peer groups. What is peer pressure ？
| A．It refers to the strong feelings that you must do things the way other people of your age do. |
| B．It is “Keeping up with the Joneses”. |
| C．Only children or teenagers can feel the pressure. |
| D．It can be positive or negative. |
What ’s the main idea of Paragraph 2?
| A．Self-respect comes from the approval of others. |
| B．People are social creatures by nature. |
| C．Peer pressure drives people to dress up when going out to work. |
| D．A practical function of peer pressure. |
Which one of the following is positive influence?
| A．over-consumption |
| B．criminal offence |
| C．good grades |
| D．abandon their sense of right and wrong |
What does “ decline” mean in the passage?
| A．grow worse |
| B． politely refuse to accept it or do it. |
| C．go down |
| D．becomes less in quantity, importance, or strength. |
How does the author think of the peer pressure?
| A．negative |
| B．positive |
| C．objective |
| D．The article didn’t mention it. |
Nowadays the cost of a new car has fallen in real terms so that it is cheaper than ever to own one, and better road conditions have also attracted more drivers. The result is overcrowding on the road system, which is one of the problems the local governments are faced with.
When people travel to other towns, the problem might be relieved by getting them to park outside the town. Buses could be provided to take them into the centre. These Park and Ride projects are increasingly popular in the UK. At Southerton, for example, a council-funded project led to a 15% drop in city centre traffic over five months.
What the council found, though, was that the project proved somewhat unpopular with shop owners in the area outside the centre. Many of their shops relied on passing car drivers for some of their trade. As the number of people driving past dropped, so did their incomes.
Making car driving expensive is another way of encouraging people to use public transport more. Road taxes tend to mean that people use their cars less. Fining drivers who are in areas where cars have been banned can also tend to encourage them to leave their cars behind.
However, one thing has to be got right for any solution to succeed. If we expect people to give up the habit of driving, we must give them an alternative they can rely on. Constant delays, unannounced changes to the timetable and sudden cancellations all discourage people from using public transport. People will only see it as a real choice if the buses and trains are on time. What causes overcrowding on the road system according to Paragraph 1?
| A．The reduced/lowed cost of a new car and better road conditions |
| B．The reduced/lowed cost of a new car |
| C．better road conditions |
| D．People are wealthier than before. |
What should people do when traveling to other towns according to the Park and Ride projects?
| A．They should park in the park, and take a taxi to the centre. |
| B．They should take the bus to other towns instead of driving. |
| C．They should park outside the town, and take the bus to the centre. |
| D．If they don’t use public transport, they’ll be fined. |
What are some shop owners’attitude to the project?
| A．supportive | B．objective |
| C．opposed | D．subjective |
Why are people unwilling to use public transport according to Paragraph 5?
| A．Because buses constantly delay and even sudden cancellations. |
| B．Because the timetable changes without announcement. |
| C．Because they want to show off their cars and driving skills. |
| D．Because public transport can not satisfy the passengers. |
How many ways are mentioned to solve the overcrowding?
| A．Two | B．Three | C．Four | D．Five |