【推荐1】Shakespeare once wrote that all the world is a stage, but these days it's more like a movie set. Get to know some films to find fantastic film locations(地点) you should check out on your travels.

The Sound of Music

Austria's hills are certainly alive with the sound of music and tourists. Mozart may have been born in Salzburg, but The Sound of Music really put it on the map and now about 70 percent of people visit it because of the movie. Cross Residenzplatz Square and visit the Palace of Leopoldskron where the children in the film fell into the lake.

Troy

Although the Palace of Troy was filmed on sets built at Shepperton Studios in the UK, most of the 2004 movie was shot in Malta and Baja California, Mexico. Malta with historic sites and beautiful blue waters was a good choice to replace Greece. Troy was shot at a host of locations, including Golden Bay, Hal Far as well as Fort Ricasoli(where the city of Troy was constructed). The Trojan horse from the film is now lying on the waterfront in Canakkale, Turkey.

Bridget Joneses Diary

Bridget Jones is brought to life as we watch the work and romance in London. Her special corner flat is above the Globe Tavern by Borough Market, one of the city's oldest and biggest food markets. According to The Telegraph, it would be highly unlikely that she could afford to buy a place like that today since it has risen in value by more than 240 percent.

Harry Potter

J. K. Rowling started writing the Harry Potter books while she was living in Edinburgh, Scotland, so it's no surprise that she set most of the story there. The Hogwarts Express travels through the Scottish Highlands and along the 31 meters high Glenfinnan Viaduct. The second highest waterfall in the UK, Steall Falls can be seen during Quidditch matches.

1. Which of the following films makes Salzburg famous?

A．The Sound of Music.	B．Troy.
C．Bridget Jones's Diary.	D．Harry Potter.

2. Where was the city of Troy built?

A．In Hal Far.

B．In Fort Ricasoli.

C．In Canakkale.

D．In Golden Bay.

3. What is the similarity of the last two films?

A．Their theme is mainly about romance.	B．Their authors lived in the same house.
C．Most of their stories were set in the UK.	D．They cause the prices of houses to rise.

【推荐2】Tourism probably started in Roman times. Rich Romans visited friends and family who were working in another part of the Roman Empire. But when the empire broke down, this kind of tourism stopped.

In the early 17th century, the idea of the "Grand Tour" was born. Rich young English people sailed across the English Channel（英吉利海峡）. They visited the most beautiful and important European cities of the time, including Paris in France, and Rome and Venice（威尼斯） in Italy. Their tours lasted for two to four years, and the tourists stayed a few weeks or months in each city. The "Grand Tour" was an important part of young people's education—but only for the rich.

In the 18th century, tourism began to change. For example, people in the UK started to visit some towns, such as Bath to "take the waters". They believed that the water there was good for their health. So large and expensive hotels were built in these towns.

In the 19th century, travel became much more popular and faster. When the first railways were built in the 1820s, it was easier for people to travel between towns, so they started to go for holidays by the sea. And some started to have holidays in the countryside as cities became larger, noisier and dirtier. Traveling by sea also became faster and safer when the first steamships were built. People began to travel more to faraway countries. The 20th century saw cars become more and more popular among ordinary people. Planes were made larger, so ticket prices dropped and more people used them.

Thus tourism grew. In 1949, Russian journalist Vladimir Raitz started a company called Horizon Holidays. The company organizes everything—plane tickets, hotel rooms, even food and tourists pay for it all before they leave home. The package tour（跟团游）and modern tourist industry was born.

The first travel agency（旅行社）in China was set up as early as 1949. But tourism did not take off until 1978. In 2002, the industry was worth 500 billion yuan and became an important part of China's social development.

1. Modern tourism was born___________.

A．in Roman times	B．in 1949
C．in the early 17th century	D．in the 19th century

2. __________played the most important role in the tourism development.

A．Transportation	B．Education
C．The first travel agency	D．People' s ideas

3. The underlined phrase "take off" in the last paragraph means____________.

A．a plane rising into the air

B．develop very fast

C．remove hats and clothes

D．bring down the prices

【推荐3】As weather cools across the United States, a growing number of Americans visit farms. They harvest fruits, enjoy hay wagon rides and walk in the fields. These people are called “agri-tourists.” They improve the economy of rural areas and help farmers increase their profits.
School children are walking in a corn field maze. The corn is cut into tricky passageways that make it difficult to find a way out. The children are from Yorktown Elementary School in Bowie Maryland. They have traveled to Montpelier Farms in Prince George’s County which is also in Maryland. The farm is about 40 kilometers from The White House.
Debbie Pierson is the student’s teacher. “We go on these kind of field trips so that the children will have a hands-on experience of what it’s like to be on a farm,” Pierson said.
In Loudoun County Virginia, there are farms where grapes are grown for use in making wine. Many of the farms let people visit, and drink the wine that is made there. Bill Hatch owns the Zephaniah Farm Vineyard. He holds wine tastings in his home. “We are doubling the number of visitors to our farm every year. We have an average of 250 people on a weekend,” Hatch said.
As more people visit farms, more farmers are adding activities in which visitors can take part.
Malcolm Baldwin owns WeatherLea Farm and Vineyard in Loudoun County. Six years ago, he began letting people be married at his farm. They can also sleep at the farm overnight. Mr. Baldwin says the money he makes from these activities let him keep his small farm operating. “But without the animals, and without the vines, the wedding business wouldn’t be as profitable (有利可图的), because people like to see the vines. They like to see the animals and without which I don’t think this will be a popular place,” Baldwin said.
1. We can infer from the first paragraph that people always go for field trips in _______.

A．Spring

B．Summer

C．Autumn

D．Winter

2. The underlined word “maze” in the passage is similar to “_______”.

A．puzzle

B．trip

C．house

D．activity

3. On Malcolm Baldwin’s farms, visitors can ________.

A．taste the wine made in the USA

B．raise and hunt animals

C．do wedding business

D．have fun as well as bring him money

【推荐1】For sports fans, nothing could be better than watching a live event on TV or at a sports field. But there’s nothing worse than that event being called off because of bad weather. Bad light, a water-logged court or too much heat can cause matches to be postponed. But according to the latest research, extreme weather might be disturbing the sporting calendar more than ever in the future.

In one sport, golf, major tournaments like The Open, are already predicted to be victims of our changing climate. In the UK, an organization called The Climate Coalition says that golf courses such as St Andrews could be under water by the end of the century if sea levels rise even slightly. It told the BBC that its research predicts "cancelled football matches, flooded cricket grounds and golf courses sinking into the sea."

The threat to sporting events from climate change has been further highlighted in a new report, officially approved and licensed by the Rapid Transition Alliance. Writing about this for the BBC, Matt McGrath says that "By 2050, it's estimated that almost one in four English football league grounds can expect flooding every year." This will mean fewer matches played, less opportunity to watch the beautiful game and reduced government taxation from ticket sales.

Cricket also faces huge challenges globally as temperatures rise in places like India, Australia and the West Indies. The report says that stadiums in Adelaide and Perth will see a 60% increase in days with temperatures over 40 degrees centigrade over the next decade.

Of course, we know that the solution lies with reducing our carbon footprint. We could travel less to attend sports events, and reduce our waste when we do go. But this latest report finds that sports leaders are generally failing to address the issue seriously. However, because sport is universally popular and can be very influential, maybe it should be players, teams and their sponsors as well as fans who should promote a wide low carbon message to help protect sporting fields—before it’s 'game over'.

1. What is the latest research above mainly concerned with?

A．the forbidden sporting events	B．the influential climate change
C．the severe environmental pollution	D．the rising sea level

2. What influence will the extreme weather have on the sports?

A．Football fans cannot afford the entrance fee.

B．Overheat will largely affect the cricket calendar.

C．The golf games will thoroughly disappear due to rising sea level.

D．Sports leaders will face bigger challenges to lead their teams to win.

3. What does the underlined part “the issue” refer to in the last paragraph?

A．the constant increase in sea level	B．the fading popularity of sport events
C．the changing attitude of sponsors.	D．the effective reduction of carbon footprint

4. The research is introduced to us mainly to ___________.

A．inform the readers of the worsening global climate change

B．require governments’ protection of sporting fields

C．promote awareness of low carbon life on sports

D．urge financial support from sponsors

【推荐2】The Associated Press gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently reported about the many pictures of strangely shaped tomatoes sent to her from fans of her gardening advice. She said people sometimes question if the tomatoes are okay to cook. “The good news,” Damiano said, “is that their unusual appearance does not affect their taste or nutritional value.”

If you have ever cut open a tomato, you know they are divided into internal parts, called locules (子房室), which contain seeds and a substance called gel (凝胶). Most tomatoes have about four or five locules; other kinds of the fruit, like cherry tomatoes, contain two or three. But when a plant experiences temperature extremes, cell division in the developing fruit can go off track. Temperatures over 32℃ during the day and 27℃ overnight can lead the tomato to form an extra locule. But there is not enough room inside a tomato for the extra part, so it grows on the outside of the fruit. Not every tomato on an affected plant will be strange, however.

“Under the right conditions, this could affect one or two tomatoes per plant, depending on where they are in the development process and what the conditions are,” said Timothy McDermott. He is an assistant professor and extension educator at Ohio State University. “The likelihood of one of your tomatoes developing a locule oddity is estimated to be about one in a thousand,” McDermott said.

The extra-locule change is not the only strange looking caused by extreme heat. Conditions including flower drop, halted fruit formation and ripening can also arise when plants are grown outside their usual temperature limit.

Attach a piece of 40 to 50 percent shade cloth to sticks put into the ground around the plant. Leave it in place from 12 to 4 p. m., when the sun is at its strongest. Then remove it to avoid problems caused by a lack of sunlight. And, when harvesting your crop, remember: the funny-looking tomatoes taste just as good!

1. Why do fans send Jessica Damiano strange-looking tomatoes?

A．To confirm their security.	B．To acquire their formation.
C．To inquire their cooking way.	D．To make business deals with her..

2. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A．The functions of the locules.	B．The causes of unusual shapes.
C．The classification of tomatoes.	D．The process of tomatoes’ growth.

3. In what aspect will tomatoes be heavily affected?

A．Their size.

B．Their value.

C．Their shape.

D．Their taste.

4. What does the author suggest people do in the last paragraph?

A．Remove the shade at noon.	B．Put sticks around the plant.
C．Provide shelter if necessary.	D．Throw away the strange ones.

【推荐3】There was a time when the word “surgery” used to scare people, and they would try their best to avoid a surgical procedure. The feeling is understandable, as the idea of a large cut on your body is discomforting in many ways. However, thanks to the advances in medical science, surgical techniques have improved considerably.

Compared with the traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery (微创手术)has several benefits to offer. Not only is the procedure quick and less painful, but also ensures rapid recovery. Now, surgical procedures, either big or small, are done within a few minutes to a few hours. The best part about the minimally invasive surgery is the painless procedure. The advanced techniques are helping with quality treatments to patients who have to undergo (进行) surgical procedures.

Unlike the traditional open surgery that requires a large cut, a surgeon makes multiple tiny cuts of less than an inch. For the process, the surgeon uses small surgical instruments, such as a tiny tube with a mini camera at one end. Once the surgeon marks the cuts, he then passes the tiny tube through one of the cuts. The doctor monitors the images taken by the mini camera on the screen and uses them as a reference. These images give the surgeon a clear picture of the area undergoing the surgery. After the surgery, the surgeon cleans the cuts and sometimes places a bandage for additional support.

Minimally invasive surgery has become the first choice of patients with multiple medical conditions. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that these surgeries are now the standard surgical procedures for many routine operations. Whether you have a minor issue or want a surgical intervention for a major health condition, it is the best option.

1. What makes people afraid of surgery?

A．The large cut.	B．The great risk.
C．The high expense.	D．The slow recovery.

2. What can surgeons use as a reference in the surgery?

A．The previous treatment plan.

B．The images by the mini camera.

C．The standard surgical procedures.

D．The advice from other surgeons.

3. Who might benefit most from the minimally invasive surgery?

A．Patients in need of additional support.

B．Patients lack of regular checkups.

C．Patients with several medical conditions.

D．Patients scared of surgical instruments.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards minimally invasive surgery?

A．Disapproving.	B．Objective.
C．Doubtful.	D．Supportive.

5. Where is the passage probably from?

A．A medical magazine.

B．An online medical forum.

C．A technique discovery.

D．An advertisement for a medical product.

【推荐1】In the classic marriage vow (誓约), couples promise to stay together in sickness and in health. But a new study finds that the risk of divorce among older couples rises when the wife－not the husband－becomes seriously ill.

“Married women diagnosed with a serious health condition may find themselves struggling with the impact of their disease while also experiencing the stress of divorce.” said researched Amelia Karraker.

Karraker and co-author Kenzie Latham analyzed 20 years of data on 2,717 marriages from a study conducted by Indiana University since 1992. At the time of the first interview, at least one of the partners was over the age of 50.

The researchers examined how the onset (发生) of four serious physical illnesses affected marriages. They found that, overall, 31% of marriages ended in divorce over the period studied. The incidence of new chronic (慢性的) illness onset increased over time as well, with more husbands than wives developing serious health problems.

“We found that women are doubly weak when their marriage breaks up in the face of illness,” Karraker said. “They’re more likely to be widowed, and if they’re the ones who become ill, they’re more likely to get divorced.”

While the study didn’t assess why divorce is more likely when wives but not husbands become seriously ill, Karraker offers a few possible reasons. “Gender roles and social expectations about caregiving may make it more difficult for men to provide care to sick spouses.” Karraker said. “And because of the imbalance in marriage markets, especially in older ages, divorced men have more choices among potential partners than divorced women.”

Given the increasing concern about health care costs for the aging population, Karraker believes policymakers should be aware of the relationship between disease and risk of divorce.

“Offering support services to spouses caring for their other halves may reduce martial stress and prevent divorce at older ages.” she said. “But it’s also important to recognize that the pressure to divorce may be health-related and that sick ex-wives may need additional care and services to prevent worsening health and increased health costs.”

1. What can we learn about marriage vows from the passage?

A．They can help couples get through hard times.

B．They are not taken seriously any more.

C．They are as binding as they used to be.

D．They may not guarantee a lasting marriage.

2. What did Karraker and co-author Kenzie Latham find about elderly husbands?

A．They can develop different kinds of illness just like their wives.

B．They are more likely to get serious illness than their wives.

C．They are generally not good at taking care of themselves.

D．They are more likely to be divorced in the face of illness.

3. Why is it more difficult for men to take care of their sick spouses according to Karraker?

A．They think it more urgent to take on their social role.

B．They find it much easier to find another partner.

C．They are more accustomed to receiving care.

D．They expect society to do more of the job.

【推荐2】The custom of celebrating from the end of January until mid-February has long been popular in Quebec City, Canada. The first large Winter Carnival here, in the world’s snow capital, took place in 1894. Faced with winter’s hardships, the city’s population made this popular tradition into a winter celebration that warmed the hearts of all people.

Interrupted by two wars and then the economic crisis of 1929, the Carnival was held from time to time until the second half of the century. In 1954, a group of business people re-started the festivities. That year, Bonhomme was born and was elected the event’s representative.

The next year the first official Quebec Winter Carnival took place. The Carnival snowballed into a big event and was important for tourism and economic activity in the city.

From one winter to the next, the Carnival enriched its activity program. We have since added even more popular activities, such as winter sports, snow sculptures, and activities based on the traditional Quebec lifestyle, such as dogsled races. The Quebec Winter Carnival is the largest winter carnival in the world today, and is third on the list of Top Carnivals after the famous carnivals in Rio and New Orleans.

1960

The people living along Rue Sainte-Therese created many snow or ice sculptures, and this location became known as Carnival Street.

1964

The name of Bonhomme Carnival and his image became registered trademarks.

1970

A new tradition was born: closing the event with a firework display.

1975

A new activity, called The Break, was created, on Friday from noon till midnight. Many employers gave their employees time off so they could go dancing at the Quebec City Convention Centre. The event continued to be held until 1986, sometimes late into the night.

1977

Until 1991, the Carnival offered a children’s sculpture competition.

1987

The snow bath became part of the program.

1999

Because of the importance of volunteers, the human resources department was created to improve organization.

1. The Quebec Winter Carnival     .

A．is held from mid-February to the end of March

B．is an encouragement for the local people in winter

C．is the second largest carnival in the winter

D．has as many activities as when it was first held

2. The first official Quebec Winter Carnival was held in ____.

A．1894

B．1895

C．1954

D．1955

3. In 1976, which of the following activities were held during the Quebec Winter Carnival?
①The snow bath ② The Break ③ A children’s sculpture competition ④A firework display at the end of the event

A．①②

B．①①

C．②④

D．①④

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．History of the Quebec Winter Carnival.

B．Welcome to the Quebec Winter Carnival.

C．Activities during the Quebec Winter Carnival.

D．Importance of the Quebec Winter Carnival.

【推荐3】Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best. For example, to absorb heat from the sun to heat water, you need large, flat, black surfaces. One way to do that is to build those surfaces specially, on the roofs of buildings. But why go to all that trouble when cities are rub of black surfaces already, in the form of asphalt （柏油） roads?
Ten years ago, this thought came into the mind of Arian de Bondt, a Dutch engineer. He finally persuaded his boss to follow it up. The result is that their building is now heated in winter and cooled in summer by a system that relies on the surface of the road outside.
The heat-collector is a system of connected water pipes. Most of them ran from one side of the street to the other, just under the asphalt road. Some, however, dive deep into the ground.
When the street surface gets hot in summer, water pumped through the pipes picks up this heat and takes it underground through one of the diving pipes. At a depth of 100 metres lies a natural aquifer （蓄水层） into which several heat exchangers （交换器） have been built. The hot water from the street runs through these exchangers, warning the ground-water, before returning to the surface through another pipe. The aquifer is thus used as a heat store.
In winter, the working system is changed slightly. Water is pumped through the heat exchangers to pick up the heat stored during summer. This water goes into the building and is used to warm the place up. After performing that task, it is pumped under the asphalt and its remaining heat keeps the road free of snow and ice.
1. Which of the following is true according to the first two paragraphs?

A．Arian de Bondt got his idea from his boss.

B．Large, flat, black surfaces need to be built in cities.

C．The Dutch engineer's system has been widely used.

D．Heat can also be collected from asphalt roads.

2. For what purpose are the diving pipes used?

A．To absorb heat from the sun.

B．To store heat for future use.

C．To turn solar energy into heat energy.

D．To carry heat down below the surface.

3. From the last paragraph we can learn that __

A．some pipes have to be re-arranged in winter

B．the system can do more than warming up the building

C．the exchangers will pick up heat from the street surface

D．less heat may be collected in winter than in summer.