【推荐1】In 1993, eight-year-old Brandon Keefe sat in a corner at the Hollygrove Children’s Home, waiting for his mother to finish talking. He heard that Hollygrove Home needed a library, but all they had was an empty space and lots of kids without books.

The next day, when Brandon’s teacher asked the students to come up with ideas for a community service project, Brandon remembered what he had heard. An idea occurred to him at once. What about all the books he had read? He had many that he was too old for, and knew his friends had some, too. What if they gave them to the Hollygrove Home to create a library? Brandon started a project to collect books, and soon he had 847 books. The big empty room at Hollygrove was filled, and every child had a book to take to bed at night.

When Brandon entered 7th grade, he, as well as his friends, began another book project. In one week, the school collected 5,000 books. The Hollygrove library couldn’t handle them all. A local public school, Limerick Elementary, became the next new library created by Brandon and his friends. The headmaster realized that Brandon’s idea was simple and effective. She began sharing it throughout the schools in Los Angeles.

Brandon was surprised when, one day, a photographer from the Los Angeles Times called him out of class. They wrote about him in the newspaper, which led to some local community service awards. Then he was invited to appear on the very popular TV program Oprah. Brandon said, “After appearing on Oprah, many people knew about us and we were able to set up a non-profit organization called BookEnds.”

By 2001, the 60,000 volunteers had collected around 150,000 books for BookEnds. They had completed 46 libraries, with 32 more under development, helping more than 40,000 children who didn’t have books before.

Brandon feels especially good that BookEnds is growing. “There are 60,000 people involved and I’m just one of them. It’s great to know you’ve made a difference and that things are going to change because of what you’ve done.”

1. According to the text, the Hollygrove Children’s Home ________.

A．had many disabled children

B．only had an empty library

C．had no books in the beginning

D．was established by Brandon’s mother

2. Brandon came up with the great idea because __________.

A．he had so many useless books

B．his teacher asked him to do it

C．his friends promised to donate their books

D．he wanted to help the Hollygrove Home

3. Why was Brandon invited to attend the program Oprah?

A．He helped create a library in the Hollygrove Home.

B．He won some local community service awards.

C．He was recommended by a public school headmaster.

D．He set up a popular non-profit organization.

4. What do we know about BookEnds from the passage?

A．The final purpose of the organization is to make a profit.

B．It was established and is operated by the local community.

C．More than 40 thousand children have benefited from it.

D．It doesn’t need to grow and develop in the future.

【推荐3】I must have always known reading was very important because the first memories I have as a child deal with books. There was not one night that I don't remember mom reading me a storybook by my bedside. I was extremely inspired by the elegant way the words sounded.

I always wanted to know what my mom was reading. Hearing mom say, “I can’t believe what’s printed in the newspaper this morning,” made me want to grab it out of her hands and read it myself. I wanted to be like my mom and know all of the things she knew. So I carried around a book, and each night, just to be like her, I would pretend to be reading.

This is how everyone learned to read. We would start off with sentences, then paragraphs, and then stories. It seemed an unending journey, but even as a six-year-old girl I realized that knowing how to read could open many doors. When mom said, “The C-A-N-D-Y is hidden on the top shelf,” I knew where the candy was. My progress in reading raised my curiosity, and I wanted to know everything. I often found myself telling my mom to drive more slowly, so that I could read all of the road signs we passed.

Most of my reading through primary, middle and high school was factual reading. I read for knowledge, and to make A’s on my tests. Occasionally, I would read a novel that was assigned, but I didn’t enjoy this type of reading. I liked facts, things that are concrete. I thought anything abstract left too much room for argument.

Yet, now that I’m growing and the world I once knew as being so simple is becoming more complex, I find myself needing a way to escape. By opening a novel, I can leave behind my burdens and enter into a wonderful and mysterious world where I am now a new character. In these worlds I can become anyone. I don’t have to write down what happened or what technique the author was using when he or she wrote this. I just read to relax.

We’re taught to read because it’s necessary for much of human understanding. Reading is a vital part of my life. Reading satisfies my desire to keep learning. And I’ve found that the possibilities that lie within books are limitless.

1. Why did the author want to grab the newspaper out of mom’s hands？

A．She wanted mom to read the news to her.

B．She was anxious to know what had happened.

C．She couldn't wait to tear the newspaper apart.

D．She couldn't help but stop mom from reading.

2. According to Paragraph 3, the author’s reading of road signs indicates ________.

A．her unique way to locate herself

B．her eagerness to develop her reading ability

C．her effort to remind mom to obey traffic rules

D．her growing desire to know the world around her.

3. What was the author’s view on factual reading？

A．It would help her update test-taking skills.

B．It would allow much room for free thinking.

C．It would provide true and objective information.

D．It would help shape a realistic and serious attitude to life.

4. The author takes novel reading as a way to ________.

A．explore a fantasy land

B．develop a passion for leaning

C．learn about the adult community

D．get away from a confusing world

【推荐1】Can dogs and cats live in peace in the same home? People who are thinking about adopting a dog as a friend for their cat are worried that they will fight. A recent research has found a new way for success. According to the study, if the cat is adopted before the dog, and if they are introduced when still young (less than 6 months for cats, a year for dogs), it is highly probable that the two pets will get along swimmingly. Two­thirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog.

However, it wasn’t all sweetness and light. There was a reported coldness between the cat and dog in 25% of the homes, while attacking and fighting were observed in 10% of the homes. One reason for this is probably that some of their body signals are just opposite. For example, when a cat turns its head away it signals attack, while a dog doing the same signals admitting defeat.

In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully, researchers observed a surprising behaviour. They are learning how to talk each other’s language. It is a surprise that cats can learn how to talk “dog”, and dogs can learn how to talk “cat”.

What’s interesting is that both cats and dogs have appeared to develop their intelligence. They can learn to read each other’s body signals, suggesting that the two may have more in common than was previously thought. Once familiar with each other’s presence and body language, cats and dogs can play together, greet each other nose to nose, and enjoy sleeping together on the sofa. They can easily share the same water bowl and in some cases groom (梳理) each other.

The advantage of this research on cats and dogs may not only about pets — to people who don’t get along, including neighbors, colleagues at work, and even world superpowers. If cats and dogs can learn to get along, surely people have a good chance.

1. The underlined word “swimmingly” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to       .

A．early	B．sweetly
C．quickly	D．suprisingly

2. Some cats and dogs may fight when       .

A．they are cold to each other

B．they look away from each other

C．they understand each other’s signals in a wrong way

D．they are introduced at an early age

3. What is found surprising about cats and dogs?

A．They eat and sleep together.

B．They observe each other’s behaviors.

C．They learn to speak each other’s language.

D．They know something from each other’s voices.

4. What can we human beings learn from cats and dogs?

A．We should learn to live in peace.

B．We should know more about animals.

C．We should live in peace with animals.

D．We should learn more body languages.

【推荐2】The musician Moby once said, “Music has no form whatsoever--all it is is air moving just a little bit differently. It’s the only artform that you can’t touch.” It is true that we cannot touch music, but that does not mean that music is invisible. There is, in fact, away to “see” music.

How can we see music? Neuroscientists (神经科学家) use MRI machines to look inside the brain. These tools let them see the neurons, or braincells, which are in use when people are listening to music. Computer screens linked to MRIs show that when people listen to music, neurons light up in many parts of the brain.

Neuroscientists have ds covered that it isn’t necessary to hear music for the neurons to light up. Even when you just think about a song, these neurons light up. In addition, the same neural activity in the same part of the brain happens when people experience other pleasurable activities. For example, some of the same neurons light up when we eat something delicious or hug a love done. Negative feelings such as fear or anxiety make neurons in a different area light up. However, when an anxious or frightened person listens to pleasurable music, these neurons stop lighting up.

Why does music have so many benefits? The answer maybe because it uses so many different parts of the brain. According to neuroscientists, using many parts of the brain at one time gives your brain a good “workout.” Reading music while playing a musical instrument uses more parts of the brain simultaneously (同时地) than most other activities. It involves both physical movement and mental activity, much like playing a sport such as soccer.

So, although Moby is completely correct that we cannot touch music, it is possible to “see” music. There is still a lot to learn about the effects of music on our brain. However, there is no doubt that scientists have shown that music is an extremely powerful artform with many positive effects.

1. Why does the author mention Moby’s word?

A．To define what music is.

B．To call people’s attention to music.

C．To introduce the study of seeing music.

D．To confirm the invisible feature of music.

2. In what situation will the neurons linking to happiness probably light up?

A．When you are worried about your exam.

B．When you are busy with your presentation.

C．When you enjoy your favorite brand of coffee.

D．When you miss the deadline of your homework.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The advantages of music over sports.

B．The reasons for the benefits of music.

C．The causes of the neurons lighting up.

D．The various healing functions of music.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards effects of music?

A．Positive.

B．Critical.

C．Neutral.

D．Dismissive.

【推荐1】To learn to think is to learn to question. Those who don’t question never truly think for themselves. These are simple rules that have governed the advancement of science and human thought since the beginning of time. Advancements are made when thinkers question theories and introduce new ones. Unfortunately, it is often the great and respected thinkers who end up slowing the progress of human thought. Aristotle was a brilliant philosopher whose theories explained much of the natural world, often incorrectly. He was so esteemed by the scientific community that even 1,200 years after his death, scientists were still trying to build upon his mistakes rather than correct them!

Brilliant minds can intimidate up﹣and﹣coming thinkers who are not confident of their abilities. They often believe they are inferior to the minds of giants such as Aristotle, leading many to accept current paradigms instead of questioning them.

I, like many thinkers of the past, once believed in my mental inferiority. I was certain that my parents, my teachers﹣adults in general﹣were always right. They were like a textbook to me; I didn't question what was written on those pages. I respected them, and accepted whatever they told me. But that attitude soon changed. My mind’s independence was first stimulated in the classroom.

Astern,65﹣year﹣old elementary﹣school science teacher once told me that light is a type of wave. I confidently went through years of school believing that light is a wave. One day, however, I heard the German exchange student mention that light could be made up of particles. As the others laughed at his statement, I started to question my beliefs.

Maybe the teachers and textbooks hadn’t given me the whole story. I went to the library， did some research and learned of the light﹣as﹣a﹣wave versus light﹣as﹣a﹣particle debate. I read about Einstein’s discovery of the dual nature of light and learned the facts of a paradox （悖论） that puzzles the world's greatest thinkers to this day. Light behaves as both a particle and a wave, it is both at once. I realized I had gone through life accepting only half of the story as the whole truth.

Each new year brought more new facts, and I formulated even more questions. I found myself in the library after school, trying to find my own answers to gain a more complete understanding of what I thought I already knew. I discovered that my parents and teachers are incredible tools in my quest for knowledge, but they are never the final word. Even textbooks can be challenged. I learned to question my sources, I learned to be a thinker. I once believed that everything I learned at home and at school was certain, but I have now discovered to re﹣examine when necessary.

Questions are said to be the path to knowledge and truth, and I plan to continue questioning. How many things do we know for sure today that we will question in the future？ At this moment, I know that our sun will burn for another five billion years, and I know nothing can escape the gravity of a black hole. This knowledge, however, may change in the next 20 years﹣maybe even in the next two. The one thing we can control now is our openness to discovery. Questions are the tools of open minds, and open minds are the key to intellectual advancement.

1. In the first paragraph, Aristotle is taken as an example to show that .

A．he is the greatest and respected philosopher of all time

B．huge influence of great thinkers may block human thought

C．advancements are made when thinkers question theories

D．great thinkers often make mistakes and then correct them

2. What does the underlined word “intimidate” in Paragraph 2 mean？

A．Frighten.

B．Encourage.

C．Strength.

D．Persuade.

3. We can conclude from the last paragraph that .

A．the author is not quite sure about his future

B．we human beings don’t dare to predict future

C．theory of black holes will change in two years

D．questioning is necessary to promote advancement

4. What does the passage mainly talk about？

A．Following rules.

B．Challenging yourself.

C．Questioning giants.

D．Predicting future.

【推荐2】Old Problem, New Approaches

While clean energy is increasingly used in our daily life, global warming will continue for some decades after CO₂ emissions(排放) peak. So even if emissions were to begin to decrease today, we would still face climate change. Here I will stress some smarter and more creative examples of climate adaptation.

When it comes to adaptation, it is important to understand that climate change is a process. We are therefore not talking about adapting to a new standard, but to a constantly shifting set of conditions. This is why, in part at least, the US National Climate Assessment says that: “There is no ‘one-size fits all’ adaptation.” Nevertheless, there are some actions that offer much and carry little risk or cost.

Around the world, people are adapting in surprising ways, especially in some poor countries. Floods have become more damaging in Bangladesh in recent decades. Mohammed Rezwan saw opportunity where others saw only disaster. His not-for-profit organization runs 100 river boats that serve as floating libraries, schools and health clinics, and are equipped with solar panels and other communicating facilities. Rezwan is creating floating connectivity (连接) to replace flooded roads and highways. But he is also working at a far more fundamental level: his staff show people how to make floating gardens and fish ponds to prevent starvation during the wet season.

Elsewhere in Asia even more astonishing actions are being taken. Chewang Norphel lives in a mountainous region in India, where he is known as the Ice Man, The loss of glaciers there due to global warming represents an enormous threat to agriculture. Without the glaciers, water will arrive in the rivers at times when it can damage crops. Norphel’s inspiration came from seeing the waste of water over winter, when it was not needed. He directed the wasted water into shallow basins where it froze, and was stored until the spring. His fields of ice supply perfectly timed irrigation(灌溉) water. Having created nine such ice reserves, Norphel calculates that he has stored about 200,000 m³of water. Climate change is a continuing process, so Norphel’s ice reserves will not last forever. Warming will overtake them. But he is providing a few years during which the farmers will, perhaps, be able to find other means of adapting.

Increasing Earth’s reflectiveness can cool the planet. In southern Spain the sudden increase of greenhouses (which reflect light back to space) has changed the warming trend locally, and actually cooled the region. While Spain as a whole is heating up quickly, temperatures near the greenhouses have decreased. This example should act as an inspiration for all cities. By painting buildings white, cities may slow down the warming process.

In Peru, local farmers around a mountain with a glacier that has already fallen victim to climate change have begun painting the entire mountain peak white in the hope that the added reflectiveness will restore the life-giving ice. The outcome is still far from clear. But the World Bank has included the project on its list of “100 ideas to save the planet”.

More ordinary forms of adaptation arc happening everywhere. A friend of mine owns an area of land in western Victoria. Over five generations the land has been too wet for cropping. But during the past decade declining rainfall has allowed him to plant highly profitable crops. Farmers in many countries are also adapting like this—cither by growing new produce or by growing the same things differently. This is common sense. But some suggestions for adapting are not. When the polluting industries argue that we’ve lost the battle to control carbon pollution and have no choice but to adapt, it’s a nonsense designed to make the case for business as usual.

Human beings will continue to adapt to the changing climate in both ordinary and astonishing ways. But the most sensible form of adaptation is surely to adapt our energy systems to emit less carbon pollution. After all, if we adapt in that way, we may avoid the need to change in so many others.

1. What is special with regard to Rezwan’s project?

A．The project receives government support.

B．Different organizations work with each other.

C．His organization makes the best of a bad situation.

D．The project connects flooded roads and highways.

2. What did the Ice Man do to reduce the effect of global warming?

A．Storing ice for future use.	B．Protecting the glaciers from melting.
C．Changing the irrigation time.	D．Postponing the melting of the glaciers.

3. What do we learn from the Peru example?

A．White paint is usually safe for buildings.

B．The global warming trend cannot be stopped.

C．This country is heating up too quickly.

D．Sunlight reflection may relieve global warming.

4. According to the author, polluting industries should ______.

A．adapt to carbon pollution	B．plant highly profitable crops
C．leave carbon emission alone	D．fight against carbon pollution

5. What’s the author’s preferred solution to global warming?

A．Setting up a new standard.	B．Reducing carbon emission.
C．Adapting to climate change.	D．Monitoring polluting industries.