【推荐1】There are many superstitions(迷信) in Britain, but one of the most widelyheld is that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder—even if it means stepping off the pavement into a busy street!

①Walking under a ladder

If you must walk under a ladder you can avoid bad luck by crossing your fingers and keeping them crossed until you've seen a dog. Alternatively, you must lick your finger and make a cross on the toe of your shoe, and not look again at the shoe until the mark has dried.

②Umbrella

Another common superstition is that it is unlucky to open an umbrella in the house—it will either bring misfortune to the person that opened it or to the household. The superstition could date from the old time when its purpose was to act as a sunshade. If opened indoors, it might be considered to be an attack on the sun. Anyone opening an umbrella indoors in fine weather is unpopular, as it inevitably brings rain!

③Number 13

The number 13 is said to be unlucky for some, and when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday, anyone wishing to avoid an inauspicious event had better stay indoors.

④Seven years bad luck

The worst misfortune that can befall you is caused by breaking a mirror, as it brings seven years of bad luck! The superstition is supposed to have originated in ancient times, when mirrors were considered to be tools of the gods.

⑤Black cat

In the UK, black cats are generally considered lucky in the UK, even though they are connected with witchcraft(巫术)：You are said to be lucky if a black cat crosses your path.

1. Which experience is considered to be lucky according to the passage?

A．walking under a ladder

B．opening an umbrella in the house

C．breaking a mirror

D．a black cat crossing your path

2. Which of the followings is RIGHT in UK according to the passage?

A．Opening an umbrella in the rain is not acceptable or unpopular.

B．Black cats are generally considered unlucky because they have something with witchcraft.

C．Bad luck brought by walking under a ladder cannot be avoided using certain ways.

D．If you are to open a clothes store on May 13 in Britain, you had better change the date.

3. Which two superstitions are related to history?

A．①②	B．②④
C．④⑤	D．③④

4. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.

A．breaking a mirror will cause bad luck because it shows your disrespect(不敬)for the God

B．crossing your fingers and keeping them crossed can help avoid bad luck brought by walking under a ladder

C．number 13 is always unlucky in any situation

D．opening an umbrella indoors might be considered to be an attack on the sun

【推荐1】Nickname: Hawaii’s Island of Adventure

Size: 4,028 square miles

Population: 148,677. The most heavily populated areas are Hilo on the east side and Kailua-Kona on the west.

Temperature: Averages between 71F and 77F year around.

Beaches: 47

Golf Courses: 20

Highest Peak: Mauna Kea, 13,796 feet

Agriculture: The bulk of Hawaii’s farming products are grown and processed on the Big Island, including coffee macadamia nuts and papaya

Lodging: 9,655 rooms total; nightly rates range from $35-$5,000.

Airports: Hilo International Airport on the east side and Kona International Airport on the west side.

Rental Cars: All of the nationally known rental car companies have locations at Hilo International and Kona International Airports as well as many resorts. In addition, Hilo, Kona and the major resort areas are serviced by taxis.

Resources: Call (800) 648-2441 to order a video, poster, brochures and maps from the Big Island Visitors Bureau. See www.bigisland. org for updated information.

Shopping: The large shopping centers are in Hilo, Kona, Waimea and the Kohala Coast.

1. The average population per square mile on the island is about ________.

A．28

B．32

C．37

D．44

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a traffic means to get around the Big Island?

A．By train.

B．By air.

C．By rental cars.

D．By taxi.

3. What can we infer from the passage?

A．You can see www.bigisland. org for updated information.

B．You can call (800) 648-2441 to order some food.

C．You can find some courses to play tennis on the island.

D．You may pay a high price for spending one night on the island.

【推荐2】The increase in primate (灵长类动物) ecotourism is causing stress-related behaviors in monkeys, according to a new study.

The study, led by the University of Portsmouth, looked at the impact of a single engine motor boat approaching a community of proboscis monkeys (长鼻猴). Those monkeys are unusual with their very long noses, which makes them appealing to tourists. And many of the boats carrying the tourists approach the primates quickly and loudly, often reaching the river banks just a few meters away from the wildlife.

The researchers conducted the experiment by approaching the monkeys in a motor boat with different speeds and travel distances — fast-close(approaching the monkeys for 10 seconds when 40 meters away at a speed of 14.4k m/hr), slow-close(approaching the monkey for 40 seconds when 40 meters away at a speed of 3.6 km/hr), and slow-far conditions(approaching the monkeys for 20 seconds when 100 meters away, at a speed of 3.6 km/hr).

The results showed that the monkeys displayed stress-related behaviors for longer in the fast-close and slow-close conditions and also reduced feeding as a result of the boat approaching in the fast-close condition. Once the boat started to approach, the proboscis monkeys showed repeated scratching (挠) and often moved quickly backwards to hide in the trees. This could potentially cause the monkeys to leave their safe sleeping sites and to go deep into the forest as it gets dark, where they could face a higher risk of predation (捕食行为).

“Collectively, our findings suggest that the approach of a single motor boat led to stress in proboscis monkeys when they were approached as closely as 60 meters from the other side of the river, regardless of the speed of approach,” said Dr Marina Davila-Ross, lead author of the study.

The researchers thus propose that guidelines for primate tourism in the riverside areas should include an approach speed of no more than 4 km/hr within 100 meters of the proboscis monkeys. They suggest it is also important to keep a distance, preferably no closer than 60 meters away, from the monkeys.

“Such information might be helpful for tourists, allowing them to modify (修改) their behaviors when visiting the primates and when encouraging guide s to follow the guidelines,” Dr Davila-Ross added.

1. What did the researchers’ experiment show about proboscis monkeys?

A．They found the slow-close condition most stressful.

B．They tended to go hunting when faced with danger.

C．They lost their sense of safety at the sound of motorboats.

D．They lost their way very easily at the sight of motorboats.

2. What do the researchers advise tourists to do?

A．To approach proboscis monkeys less frequently.

B．To avoid getting too close to proboscis monkeys.

C．To ask guides for more information about proboscis monkeys.

D．To behave themselves while trying to feed proboscis monkeys.

3. Which of the following may be the writer’s attitude towards primate ecotourism?

A．Concerns.

B．Confidence.

C．Disapproval.

D．Disinterest.

4. What can be the best title of the text?

A．Primate Ecotourism: a better understanding of primates

B．Primate Ecotourism: getting close to the primates

C．Primate Ecotourism: the conservation of primates

D．Primate Ecotourism: a negative effect on primate behavior

【推荐3】CROSS IT OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST!

Any time is the right time to visit Grand Central Terminal! Located at the intersection of Park Avenue and 42nd Street, the terminal is easily accessible on foot, by subway, by bus and by Metro-North train.

Please note that the terminal does not offer luggage storage. Please plan ahead.

Plan your visit & things to do

·Take a tour! You can see the most famous terminal.

·Head upstairs if you're looking for dinner under the stars at Cipriani Dolci or Michael Jordan's The Steak House N. Y. C. or a cocktail at The Campbell.

·Head downstairs if you're looking for a quick bite in the Dining Concourse.   Shake Shack burger or a memorable meal at the historic Oyster Bar & Restaurant, anyone?

·Head to Grand Central Market if you're looking for a unique shopping experience. Enjoy a great meal at local vendors(摊贩)like Murray' s Cheese, Eli Zabar's Farm to Table and Pescatore Seafood Company.

Accessibility: The terminal is accessible to visitors with disabilities, but does not provide wheelchair rentals.

Audio (声音的 ) tours

Orpheo's state-of-the-art audio device(设备) and headset comes with a map of the terminal for just   $9 per adult and $7 discounted(seniors, military, students, kids).

The audio tour is also available seven days a week(closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) at the tours office in the Graybar Passage. Hours are 9 am to 6 pm, but may be extended during the holidays. The self-guided tour can last as short as 30 minutes to just over an hour.

Docent-led (有讲解员带领的) tours

The tour lasts 75 minutes. The cost is $30 for adults or $20 for seniors(65+) , students and kids.   Hours are 9 am to 6 pm, but may be extended during the holidays. Space is limited.

1. Where can tourists go when visiting Grand Central Market?

A．The Campbell.	B．Cipriani Dolci.
C．Eli Zabar's Farm to Table.	D．The historic Oyster Bar & Restaurant

2. What can be offered by the terminal?

A．Luggage storage.	B．Free audio devices.
C．Wheelchair rentals.	D．Travel discount for students

3. What do audio tours and docent-led tours have in common?

A．Each of their tours is self-guided.

B．Each of their tours lasts less than an hour.

C．They are normally available for 9 hours each day.

D．They can be booked in advance during the holidays.