【推荐1】When clouds of radiation began streaming into the air around the Fukushima nuclear plant, 160, 000 residents were told to simply cut and run. However, it seems only 159, 998 residents listened. The other two — Naoto Matsumura and Sakae Kato — remained. The two men would give up everything rather than let other beings starve.

Living within the 12.5-mile exclusion zone around the damaged reactor, the two men, unrelated to one another, both live alone while taking care of dozens of animals that were left behind when the evacuation order was given.

Reports from Reuters and DW state that 57-year-old Kato has 41 cats who live with him in his home in the mountains—along with a dog he adopted named Pochi. Kato says he will stay with his cats and ensure they are comfortable all through their lives.

Matsumura left the city at first, but returned shortly after for his own animals. Once returned, the now 55-year-old realized that everyone else's pets and livestock were still there, so he began taking care of a broad community of animals including pigs, cats, dogs, ponies, ostriches, and cows.

GNN reported that he went back inside the exclusion zone and realized local pet dogs had not eaten in several days. After it became clear that no-one was coming back to the neighborhood, he went around unchaining dogs from trees, letting cows out of their barns, and feeding anything in need, earning him the nickname the “Guardian of Fukushima's Animals”.

Everything both Kato and Matsumura are doing is risky. Though proud of what Kato and Matsumura have done, their friends and families hope that they can leave the dangerous area. Yet they seem to be determined in what they are doing and both plan to stay there with their animals, come what may.

1. What does the phrase “other beings” in paragraph 1 probably refer to?

A．Animals.

B．People.

C．Plants.

D．Residents.

2. What kind of person is Sakae Kato?

A．Curious.

B．Caring.

C．Ambitious.

D．Lonely.

3. What do we know about Naoto Matsumura?

A．He is 57 years old.	B．He knows Kato very well.
C．He has dozens of animals to look after.	D．He lives 12. 5 miles from the exclusion zone.

4. What can we infer about the two men from the text?

A．They will follow the advice of their families.	B．They will call on more people to protect animals.
C．They stay in the mountains to enjoy loneliness.	D．They have no regard for their own safety.

【推荐2】It was the homecoming parade in Rockwall, Texas, and cheerleader Tyra Winters was riding on one of the school’s floats (彩车). As it slowly made its way down the avenue, the 17-year-old enthusiastically waved at the crowd, all the while absorbed in the music, laughter, and applause.

Suddenly, a terrible scream came from the cheering crowd. Looking down, Winters saw a two-year-old on the sidewalk gasping for air and his mother desperately begging for help. The boy had been enjoying a piece of candy when it slid down the back of his mouth, sticking in his throat and blocking his windpipe (气管).

“I saw a little bright red face and his mom’s begging for help,” Winters told KTVT.

“There was no coughing; there was no breathing,” the mother, Nicole Hornback, later told news station NBCDFW. “He was just gasping for air. ” No one seemed to know how to help.

Except for Winters. A senior with dreams of becoming a doctor, she had learned the first-aid method of Heimlich maneuver and CPR. Knowing that the clock was ticking, she jumped off the moving float and ran to the child. By the time she got to him, his face had turned purple. “I got him!” she yelled to Nicole as she grabbed the boy from her. “I held him face down and gave a good three back pushes,” she told the local CBS station. Soon, the boy coughed up the piece of candy, and began breathing again. Without another word, Winters handed the boy back to his mother and ran back to her float before it could leave her behind.

It all happened so fast. Nicole never had time to thank the teen. “She didn’t need to,” says Winters. “I knew how she was feeling. I saw her tears. I saw her face. ”

And for Nicole, she says, “I don’t really have any words,” she says. “The words that you would say to anyone who does something for you is ‘thank you. ’ But that doesn’t seem good enough. ”

1. It can be learned from paragraphs 1-4 that ________.

A．the cheering crowd ignored the scream for help

B．Winters panicked at the mother’s desperate cry

C．the mother gave the boy first aid but in vain

D．the little boy choked on a piece of candy

2. What does Tyra Winters mainly talk about in the interview?

A．Her dream of being a doctor.	B．Her timely rescue of the boy.
C．Her enthusiasm for the parade.	D．Her cooperation with the crowd.

3. What does Nicole mean in the last paragraph?

A．The media’s attention to the matter left her at a loss.

B．The crowd’s concern for the boy deeply touched her.

C．Her memory of the unexpected incident made her speechless.

D．Her gratitude for Winters’ heroic actions was beyond expression.

【推荐3】An unusual trip to Hawaii brought two strangers closer and closer and their story deserves a wide spread.

As her plane sliced through the sky above the ocean, there came a sudden thunderstorm. Five minutes later, Uemoto and her copilot McMahon heard a strange sound. Then, without warning, they lost power to both of the engines. It took them a moment to process the fact that they might crash. The pilots powered through the items on the emergency checklist. Nothing worked. As the plane was falling, they jumped into the ocean.

By ten that night, their bodies began trembling uncontrollably in the cool night air. Something must be done to pull them through. Swimming on her stomach, Uemoto had McMahon wrap his arms around her knees so he could rest his head on the back of her legs. To be with someone else and to feel another person's comforting presence in the darkness somehow made the suffering bearable.

When the sun rose the next morning, they caught sight of the island of Hawaii, the destination they had dared dream! Suddenly, Uemoto saw a shark, which made her breath catch in her throat. "What do we do? What do we do?" Uemoto asked, panicked. "Just keep looking forward! If it comes close, I'll kick it in the eye!" said McMahon evenly. Unexpectedly, the shark circled them for about 30 minutes. Then, as quietly as it had appeared, it swam off. Uemoto and McMahon breathed a sigh of relief.

After struggling in the water for over 20 hours, there came a US Navy helicopter. It flew overhead and next banked towards them. Uemoto and McMahon burst into tears. Alone, either of them would have died. But together, they made it.

1. What caused the plane to crash?

A．A sudden thunderstorm hit the plane.

B．The engines of the plane broke down.

C．The pilots operated the plane improperly.

D．The emergency list failed to help the pilots.

2. What do we know about McMahon in paragraph 4?

A．He calmed his partner down.

B．He kicked the shark in the eye.

C．He was scared to death at the shark.

D．He managed to drive the shark away.

3. Which of the following best describes Uemoto and McMahon?

A．Ambitious and humorous.	B．Clear-headed and generous.
C．Demanding and appealing.	D．Strong-willed and considerate.

4. What may be the best title of the passage?

A．A Race against Death

B．A Test of Friendship

C．A Wonder Made by Joined Hands

D．A Struggle Fought in the Darkness

【推荐2】I start to wonder what else had changed since I’d been gone. My parents are in an awkward puzzle, wondering how to treat me now----whether to treat me—still their daughter—as one of them, an adult, or as the child they feel they sent away months earlier.
I run into two of my best friends from high school; we stare at each other, expressionless. We ask the simple questions and give simple answers. It’s as if we have nothing to say to each other. I wonder how things have changed so much in such a small amount of time. We used to laugh and promise that no matter how far away we were, our love for each other would never change. Their interests don’t interest me anymore, and I find myself unable to relate my life to theirs.
I had been so excited to come home, but now I just look at it all and wonder: Is it me? Why hadn’t the world stood still here while I was gone?   My room isn’t the same, my friends and I don’t share the same promise, and my parents don’t know how to treat me—or who I am, for that matter.
I get back to school feeling half-satisfied, but not disappointed. I sit up in my bed in my dorm room, surrounded by my pictures, dolls. As I wonder what has happened, I realize that I can’t expect the world to stand still and move forward at the same time. I can change and expect that things at home will stay the same. I have to find comfort in what has changed and what is new; keep the memories, but live in the present.
A few weeks later, I’m packing again, this time for winter break. My mom meets me at the door. I have come home accepting the changes, not only in my surroundings, but most of all in me.
1. What can we infer about the writer?

A．She is a high school student.	B．She is a college student.
C．She is a clerk in a school.	D．She is a traveler.

2. . What surprises the writer most?

A．The living conditions of her parents.

B．The decorations in her room.

C．The meeting with her best friends.

D．The things still staying the same.

3. What is this passage mainly about?

A．The writer’s curiosity about the changes.

B．The changes in the writer’s surroundings and in herself.

C．The writer’s disappointment about the changes.

D．The writer’s refusal to accept the changes.

【推荐3】We already know the fastest, least expensive way to slow climate change: Use less energy. With a little effort, and not much money, most of us could reduce our energy diets by 25 percent or more—doing the Earth a favor while also helping our wallets.
Not long ago, my wife, PJ, and I tried a new diet—not to lose a little weight but to answer an annoying question about climate change. Scientists have reported recently that the world is bending up even faster than predicted only a few years ago, and that the consequences could be severe if we don’t keep reducing emissions（排放）of carbon dioxide（CO₂）and other greenhouse gases that are trapping heat in our atmosphere. 21世纪We decided to try an experiment. For one month we recorded our personal emissions of CO₂^. . We wanted to see how much we could cut back, so we went on a strict diet. The average US household（家庭）produces about 150 pounds of CO₂ a day by doing common-place things like turning on air-conditioning or driving cars. That’s more than twice the European average and almost five times the global average, mostly because Americans drive more and have bigger houses. But how much should we try to reduce? For an answer, I checked with Tim Flannery, author of The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth. In his book, he had challenged readers to make deep cuts in personal emissions to keep the world from reaching extremely important _______, such as the melting（融化）of the ice sheets in Greenland or West Antarctica. “To stay below that point, we need to reduce CO₂ emissions by 80 percent,” he said.
Good advice, I thought. I’d opened our bedroom windows to let in the wind. We’d gotten so used to keeping our air-conditioning going around the clock. I’d almost forgotten the windows even opened. We should not let this happen again. It’s time for us to change our habits if necessary.
1. Why did the author and his wife try a new diet?

A．To take special kinds of food

B．To respond to climate change.

C．To lose weight

D．To improve their health

2. The underlined words “tipping points” most probably refer to .

A．freezing points

B．burning points

C．melting points

D．boiling points

3. It can be inferred from the passage that 2___. ..

A．it is necessary to keep the air-conditioning on all the time ..

B．it seems possible for every household to cut emissions of CO2

C．the average US household produces about 3,000 pounds of CO2 a month.

D．the average European household produces about 1,000 pounds of CO2 a month.

4. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?

A．Saving Energy Starts at Home	B．Changing Our Habits Begins at work
C．Changing Climate Sounds Reasonable	D．Reducing Emissions of CO2 Proves Difficult

【推荐1】Buster’s life had a big change after his handler Will’s presence because Will found he did extremely well in sniffing(嗅) tests. Will thought Buster had a special talent and decided to let him become a member of RAF police working dogs. Buster began working with Will in 2007, and the pair was sent to Afghanistan’s deadly Helmand province. There, Buster saved countless lives by sniffing out explosive devices (IEDs), as well as weapons. He joined his comrades (同志) repeatedly on foot patrols hunting Taliban terrorists and tracking down bombs. He also acted as a useful diplomatic tool, due to his friendly approach to local children. The RAF soon had a long train of children in tow, as Buster in his crowd and entertained them.

After his glittering service with the RAF, Buster retired in 2011, and died in 2015 at the age of 13 at the home of his handler, Will, in Lincolnshire where he had been enjoying retirement with his handler Will, his wife Tracy and their two will inherit (继承) their father’s career.

Over the course of his career, Buster is thought to have saved more than 1,000 lives. He also helped patrol British bases and searched vehicles at check points, and upon retirement was made the official RAF Police mascot (吉祥物). Buster’s brave exploits were even documented in Will’s book, which was published in January and soon became a best-selling one.

Buster completed five tours of duty in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq and earned a row of campaign medals, and it was because of his great efforts in these austere environments full of wars and confrontations that he would be remembered. It was the saving of countless lives by searching out IEDs that saw the honor of official lifetime mascot of the RAF Police bestowed (授予) upon Buster. The RAF police are now planning to commemorate Buster as part of a special event to celebrate RAF Police Working Dogs.

1. Which is NOT the achievement of Buster in Helmand province?

A．He managed to save a lot of people.

B．He sniffed out many explosives.

C．He was a great helper in hunting Taliban terrorists.

D．He became popular among local children and kept them safe.

2. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Buster was born at Will’s home in Lincolnshire.

B．Buster’s children will also be a member of RAF police working dogs.

C．Buster was bestowed the mascot during working in Afghanistan.

D．Buster’s death in a campaign is a great loss for the RAF Police.

3. Which word can best replace the underlined word “austere” in the last paragraph?

A．powerful.

B．brilliant.

C．vast.

D．serious.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．A heroic sniffer dog’s legendary life.

B．The requirements of being a lifetime mascot.

C．Buster’s cooperation with his comrades.

D．The love between Will and his dog.

【推荐1】Tall people are seen as life’s winners, the ones you want to be, the ones who get everything their own way. But it just isn’t the case. Rosamund Beattie (6ft 4in), a member of the Tall Persons Club—not a joke, they really do find life difficult—says it’s like being famous but without the money.

I’m not actually that tall—6ft 1in—but even I meet problems. Hotel beds are too short, train seats don’t have enough leg room, and I regularly have to bend at the knees to use mirrors. Clothing can be troublesome too. “Most shirts expose my navel(肚脐) when I stretch(伸展).” Trousers are a nightmare. “You’re desperately hoping you’ll find a pair of trousers that go all the way down to your shoes.” Then there’s the matter of relationships. How often do you see a woman with a man shorter than her? There’s exception but for most people it seems to be a no-no. Some tall women bend their shoulders in an attempt to hide their height. The habit never goes away, no matter how successful they become.

Yes, I know all this is going to sound admirable to someone of below average height. “I’ll swap places with you,” they’ll be saying. Fair enough. On balance I’d rather be 6ft 1 than 5ft 5. But it’s still true that, as so often, a supposedly desirable outcome in life is slightly less desirable than you might think. Before you look at a tall person and say you wish you were them, walk a mile in their shoes.

(Notes: 1ft≈0.3m; 1in ≈ 0.25m)

1. According to the text, what is tall people’s life like?

A．A life which is not always easy.

B．A fancy but less wealthy life.

C．A life of personal accomplishments.

D．A life suffering prejudice by short people.

2. It can be learned from the text that ________.

A．short people may buy clothing as they like.

B．short people may find train seats not enjoyable.

C．tall men usually feel comfortable sleeping in a hotel.

D．tall women usually prefer taller men to be their boyfriends.

3. What is the author’s purpose in writing this text?

A．To compare the life of tall people with that of short people.

B．To reveal that being tall is not always seemingly desirable.

C．To convey his wish to swap places with a short person.

D．To urge other people to stand in tall people’s shoes.

【推荐2】In the US, people prefer waiting for a table to sitting with people they don’t know. This means a hostess may not seat a small group until a small table is available, even if a large one is. If you are sitting at a table with people you don’t know, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without asking if it will disturb them.

At American restaurants and coffee shops you are usually served tap water before you order. You may find the bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill.

Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing time for stores or restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in large cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day.

Serving in restaurants is often large, too large for many people. If you can’t finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a “doggie bag”. It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows you’re taking the food for yourself.

Supper and dinner are both words for the evening meal. Some people have “Sunday dinner”. This is an especially big noon meal.

Tips are not usually added to the check. They are not included in the price of the meal, either. A tip of about 15% is expected and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In some restaurants, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change.

1. Which statement is true?

A．American people like sitting with people they don’t know.

B．A hostess always seats a small group at a large table.

C．American people never sit with people they don’t know.

D．American people will not light a cigarette if the people who sit at the same table mind their smoking.

2. What do American people always do when servings are too large for them?

A．They take the food home with a “doggie bag” for their dogs.

B．They leave the food on the table and go away.

C．They take the food home with a “doggie bag” and enjoy the food later.

D．They ask the waitress or waiter to keep the food for them.

3. What can you learn about “tips” according to the passage?

A．Customers often add tips to their check.

B．The price of the meal usually includes the tip.

C．People are not expected to pay tips in addition.

D．Tips are supposed to be left on the table when customers leave.

【推荐3】Seattle is home to one of the busiest ports, so many visitors have a short window to crowd in as much sightseeing as possible before getting on a ship. Here are four attractions you can see in a rush.

Space Needle

Regular tickets for the Space Needle are $10 cheaper from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Order tickets in advance so you can go straight in line for the elevators. At the top, you can read fun facts about the Needle and interact with a huge, touchscreen “SkyPad”—- not to mention admiring incredible 360-degree views of the city.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Located right next to the Space Needle, this exhibit features the work of Dale Chihuly. Walk through the Glasshouse to see one of his largest pieces: a 100-foot-long glass sculpture in colors of red, orange and yellow. Order your Space Needle and Chihuly tickets together for even more savings.

Pike Place Market

Just steps from the Space Needle, you can get on the bus to the famous Pike Place Market. Give yourself plenty of time to eat your way through this huge marketplace. Most places offer samples so you can try a wide variety of snacks before you buy.

Post Alley

Located under Pike Place Market, this street is home to Seattle’s stickiest attraction: the Gum Wall. This tradition started in the 1990s, when people waiting in line for Post Alley’s Market Theater would stick their chewed gum on the wall. Since then, thousands of others have added to the collection. The wall was swept clean in 2015, but you’d never know it now. It makes for a good photo opportunity—just don’t get too close.

1. What can you do at the Space Needle?

A．Taste some delicious snacks.	B．Overlook the whole city of Seattle.
C．See a wonderful glass sculpture.	D．Take the fastest elevators in the world.

2. What was Dale Chihuly?

A．An artist.	B．An actor.
C．An architect.	D．A professor.

3. What is the Gum Wall probably like now?

A．It is a place to stick photos.	B．It is as clean as other walls.
C．It is covered by chewed gum.	D．It is a part of Pike Place Market.