More than one billion pounds of pumpkins are grown in the U.S. every year, and after they’ve been used for Halloween decorations, millions of them—large, mini, orange, white—will end up in a landfill (垃圾填埋场).
“Driving around after Halloween, you see people with pumpkins on top of their garbage bins. All of that will go to a landfill and become methane gas which warms the atmosphere in a shorter amount of time than carbon dioxide,” says Kay McKeen, the director of an environmental education organization based in State of Illinois. “And landfills—where we send as much as 40 percent of the food we produce—contribute to 14 percent of U.S. methane emissions every year.” That’s why, in 2014, McKeen began Pumpkin Smash.
For this collection event, local people can bring their used pumpkins to 69 different locations to send them off to trash bins, and of course smash them to pieces. Though the event is currently limited to several towns, but by their own calculations, the event has saved 538 tons of pumpkins from the landfill. “It puts nutrients (营养物) back in our soil, it saves water, and it doesn’t make methane gas,” says McKeen.
Baking and cooking offers an easier solution. Pureed (糊状的) pumpkin is a common ingredient in baked goods like breads and pies. Actually, pumpkins are full of vitamins and fiber, making it a great source of human nutrition. And according to the American Kennel Club, pumpkin mixed into dog food can even help settle a dog’s upset stomach. “They love it mixed with their dry dog food, and it’s very good for them,” says Anne Meier, president of the club.
1. Out of what did McKeen start Pumpkin Smash?| A．Company profit. | B．Educational purpose. |
| C．Food saving. | D．Environmental concern. |
| A．It is widely accepted nationwide. | B．It reduces the use of pumpkins. |
| C．It needs further improvement. | D．It creates a win-win result. |
| A．Place more smashing bins around. | B．Use pureed pumpkins in baking. |
| C．Treat dog diseases with pumpkins. | D．Expand the source of nutrition. |
| A．A local newspaper. | B．A story collection. |
| C．A biology textbook. | D．An academic article. |
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【推荐1】Cyclist Alain Such has been dropped from the Ingotel cycling team for two years after a positive drug test at the Institute of Drug Free Sport. "I was flabbergasted, "said Vidier Garcia, from Team Ingotel. "Alain joined our team last month and we had no idea that he was being examined."
It’s a story that has become more and more familiar in recent years. Dr Mohammad Farnood, a leading sports scientist from Cairo, Egypt, said, "It is thought that some athletes will look for other ways to improve their performance in addition to using drugs."
However, it has not always been against the law. In the Olympics in 1994, Thomas Hicks won the marathon after using drugs in the middle of the race. In fact, the first one didn’t make him feel better for long, so he was given another and, as a result, he fell down soon after finishing and knew nothing. Another one may well have killed him.
Things are very different today. Some scientists are considering the possibility of using genetic engineering to further develop athletes’ abilities. "If it works with no risk of discovery, "said Dr Farnood, "then it’s likely to become common practice for athletes."
Researchers are looking at the possibility of identifying "athletic" genes and correcting weak ones. Put into practice, this would make a person healthier and stronger. Once scientists understand what the genes of top athletes look like, it might even become possible to identify "athletic" genes in young people, and then money could be spent on children who have the most promising genes.
"People are beginning to recognize that it can do good to our society, for example in saving lives and in creating better quality food for people," Dr Farnood said. "So, is it fair to use genetic engineering in sport? You could ask if it's fair for some runners to use the latest scientifically developed footwear. The key question is whether it’s available to everyone.’
1. What does the underlined word "flabbergasted" in Paragraph 1 mean?| A．Shy. | B．Proud. |
| C．Excited. | D．Surprised. |
| A．He was badly hurt in training. | B．He broke the law when running in a race. |
| C．He took drugs and almost got killed. | D．He lost the match in the Olympic Games. |
| A．Vidier Garcia. | B．Thomas Hicks. |
| C．Alain Such. | D．Dr Mohammad Farnood. |
| A．The possibility of identifying " athletic" genes has become available. |
| B．It’s not clear whether it is fair to use genetic engineering in sport. |
| C．The practice of using drugs in sport has a long history. |
| D．It’s dangerous to use drugs in sport. |
【推荐2】The British has obeyed the “keep to the left” rule for long. Have you ever wondered why? There is a historical reason for this: it’s all to do with keeping your sword hand free! In the Middle Ages you never knew who you were going to meet when travelling on horseback. Most people are right-handed, so if a stranger passed by on the right of you, your right hand would be free to use your sword if required.
Indeed the “keep to the left” rule goes back even further in time; archaeologists have discovered evidence suggesting that the Romans drove carts and wagons on the left, and it is known that Roman soldiers always marched on the left. This “rule of the road” was officially sanctioned in 1300 AD when Pope (教皇) Boniface Ⅷ declared that all pilgrims (朝圣者) travelling to Rome should keep to the left.
This continued until the late 1700s when large wagons became popular for transporting goods. These wagons were drawn by several pairs of horses and had no driver’s seat. Instead, in order to control the horses, the driver sat on the horse at the back left, thus keeping his whip hand free. Sitting on the left however made it difficult to judge the traffic coming the other way, as anyone who has driven a left-hand drive car along the winding lanes of Britain will agree!
In Britain there wasn’t much call tor these massive wagons and the smaller British vehicles had seats for the driver to sit on behind the horses. As most people are right-handed, the driver would sit to the right of the seat so his whip hand was free. Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated (并入) into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire.
1. What probably happened in the Middle Ages?| A．Passers-by walked on the right. | B．Strangers fought every time they met. |
| C．People would be attacked by strangers. | D．Tourists travelled everywhere without limit. |
| A．Recognized. | B．Designed. | C．Explained. | D．Postponed. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Indifferent. | C．Negative. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．What Is the “Keep to the Left” Rule? | B．Why Do the British Drive on the Left? |
| C．Where Was “Drive on the Left” Carried Out? | D．When Is the “Keep to the Left” Rule Popular? |
【推荐3】By now, we are all aware that social media has had a tremendous influence on our culture, in business, on the world-at-large. Social media websites revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the Web. However, aside from seeing your friend’s new baby on Facebook, or reading about Justin Bieber’s latest conflict with the law on Twitter, what are some of the real influences?
Social networks offer the opportunity for people to re-connect with their old friends and acquaintances, make new friends, share ideas and pictures, and many other activities. Users can keep pace with the latest global and local developments, and participate in campaigns and activities of their choices. Professionals use social media sites like LinkedIn to enhance their career and business development. Students can work together with their peers to improve their academic and communication skills.
Unfortunately, there are a few downsides too to social networking. If you are not careful, immoral people can target you for cyber bullying and disturbance on social sites. School children, young girls, and women can fall victim to online attacks which can create tension and suffering. If you are a victim of cyber bullying, do not take it lying down, but try to take appropriate legal action against the attacker.
Many companies have blocked social networks as addicted employees can distract themselves on such sites, instead of focusing on work. In fact, studies show that British companies have lost billions of dollars per year in productivity because of social media addiction among employees.
Also, what you carelessly post on the Internet can come back to trouble you. Revealing (泄露) personal information on social sites can make users vulnerable (易受伤害的) to crimes like identity theft, stalking, etc. Many companies perform a background check on the Internet before hiring an employee. If a potential employee has posted something embarrassing on social media, it can greatly affect their chances of getting the job. The same holds true for our relationships too, as our loved ones and friends may get to know if we post something undesirable on social networks.
Social media has its advantages and drawbacks as each coin has two sides. It is up to each user to use social sites wisely to enhance their professional and social life, and exercise caution to ensure they do not fall victim to online dangers.
1. Paragraph 2 mainly shows that social networks ________.| A．help students finish their homework | B．offer professionals good chances |
| C．benefit users in various ways | D．guide users to make right choices |
| A．forbid the use of social networks during work time |
| B．avoid posting embarrassing information |
| C．refuse to hire potential addicted employees |
| D．take legal action against the attackers |
| A．share experiences in using social media | B．remind people to wisely use social media |
| C．provide some advice on social problems | D．raise public awareness of social problems |
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
【推荐1】In Kenya, blind students and those with poor eyesight were still using Braille books for their studies until recently.
Kenyan schools for the blind are now beginning to use technology that provides material in an audible (可听见的) form. This has expanded possibilities for the students and taught them new ways to communicate with technology.
17-year-old Lucas Mwanzia has been attending computer classes at the Thika School for the blind for the past two years. He is in the eighth grade now. He started school at a later age because of his poor eyesight. But using the new technology, he can search the Internet for biology class. He says the technology bas opened doors that once were closed and Braille books are costly and you have to spend a lot of money to buy one. With computers, the books are available at little or no cost.
Zachary Muasya was born blind. He is now one of the school’s teachers. He has been teaching the students how to use the technology for about two years now. He says the technology opens up possibilities that can level the playing field for his students. “Assistive technology equips the learners with many skills that really make them independent in life,” says Muasya.
The assistive technology costs$1,000 to set up. But a non-governmental organization called InAble has provided it to the schools at no cost. Peter Okeyo, the program manager at InAble, says blind students using the technology may still face difficulties when they move to higher education. He says students who have used the technology through high school might not have it at the university they attend. Those students might have difficulties if they have to go back to Braille, he adds.
Four out of Kenya’s 11 schools for the blind are using the technology. InAble says it will provide the financing for the remaining schools to join the effort.
1. Why did Lucas Mwanzia start school so late?| A．His parents hadn’t enough money. | B．He was blind in both eyes. |
| C．He was too weak to walk. | D．His eyesight was poor. |
| A．difficult. | B．cheap. |
| C．challenging. | D．boring. |
| A．It must be learned for two years |
| B．It can improve blind students’ sight |
| C．It helps to make the playing field flatter |
| D．It makes blind students live by themselves |
| A．Peter Okeyo is a blind person who works at InAble. |
| B．InAble is an organization that belongs to American government. |
| C．Not all the schools for the blind are now equipped with technology. |
| D．Blind students using the technology can’t finish higher education. |
【推荐2】The groundbreaking Shaoxing Opera adaptation, New Dragon Gate Inn, captures the interest of a new generation and brings the ancient art form for contemporary lifestyles back to life.
Unlike the traditional framed stage, the theater is designed as an inn, with the audience becoming guests. They sit close to the performers, engaging with them, and immersing themselves in a unique and fascinating viewing experience. “This places new demands on our performers,” said Xu Yena, who acts in the show as the A cast of Jin Xiangyu, the landlady of the inn. “We need to abandon many of the stylized movements from traditional Shaoxing Opera and learn from drama and film performances, adopting a more natural, authentic, and subtle acting style.”
Upon leaving the theater, these audience members feel a sense of satisfaction that prompts them to willingly share short clips of the performance online. The fragmented (零碎的) content of performance has generated many streams and clicks, leading to high demand for show tickets, especially among young audiences. “Now, the ticket competition has become fierce and only those with fast internet access can get them,” said Chen Lijun, who plays the important supporting role of Jia Ting.
As both Xiaobaihua (a Shaoxing Opera troupe (剧团)) and Japan’s renowned Takarazuka Revue are all-female troupes, some internet users have drawn parallels between the two, likening Chen to “China’s Amami Yuki”, a former acclaimed male-role actress in the Japanese troupe.
In response, Chen said, “All good performances are worth learning from. Our two troupes share many similarities, but there are also fundamental differences, rooted in the cultural heritage of our respective theatrical traditions.”
A report by Xinhua News Agency states that Generation Z makes up 74 percent of consumers of guochao goods or China-chic goods last year. As a cultural product, New Dragon Gate Inn has successfully won the hearts of the young generation due to the contemporary nature of the show.
“Shaoxing Opera once borrowed and learned from Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera. Today, we draw inspiration from a broader range of artistic forms and expression techniques,” Xu said.
“New Dragon Gate Inn has successfully drawn many nontraditional theatergoers, particularly young people. Seeking novelty has always been what Shaoxing Opera has been doing.”
1. Who became a new challenge for the performers while they were acting in Shaoxing Opera?| A．The internet users making comparison online. |
| B．The other troupe performing more natural and authentic. |
| C．The audience positioned right next to the performers. |
| D．The guests immersing themselves on the central stage. |
| A．By joyfully accepting it. | B．By objectively clarifying it. |
| C．By politely denying it. | D．By respectfully using it. |
| A．Adaptation and advertisement. | B．Specially designed theater. |
| C．Actresses’ popularity online. | D．Integration and innovation. |
| A．Generation Z Dominates The Market of Guocao. |
| B．New Dragon Gate Inn Returns to Live Stage. |
| C．Shaoxing Opera’s Modern Twist Wows Youth. |
| D．Nontraditional Theatergoers Flood into Theater. |
There are four levels of sleep, each being a little deeper than the one before. As you sleep, your body relaxes little by little. Your heart beats more slowly, and your brain slows down. After you reach the fourth level, your body shifts back and forth from one level of sleep to the other.
Although your mind slows down, you will dream from time to time. Scientists who study sleep point out that when you are dreaming, your eyeballs begin to move more quickly (although your eyelids are closed). This stage of sleep is called REM, which stands for rapid eye movement.
If you have trouble falling asleep, some people suggest breathing very slowly and very deeply. Other people believe that drinking warm milk will make you drowsy. There is also an old suggestion that counting sheep will put you to sleep.
1. The text makes us know that not getting enough sleep might make you _________.
| A．suffer form poor health | B．enjoy more |
| C．dream more often | D．breathe quickly |
| A．you move restlessly |
| B．you start dreaming |
| C．your mind stops working |
| D．your eyeballs move quickly |
| A．lazy | B．sleepy | C．relaxed | D．pleased |
