While it may seem as if there are more earthquakes occurring, there really aren’t. The problem is what’s happening above ground, not underground, experts say. More people are moving into big cities that happen to be built in quake zones, and they’re rapidly putting up buildings that can’t withstand (经受) earthquakes, scientists believe. And around-the-clock news coverage (报道) and better earthquake monitoring(监测) make it seem as if earthquakes are ever-present.
“I can definitely tell you that the world is not coming to an end,” said Bob Holdsworth, an expert in tectonics (筑造学) at Durharn University in the UK.
A 7.0 magnitude quake in January killed more than 230,000 people in Haiti. Last month, an 8.8 magnitude quake--- the fifth-strongest since 1900—killed more than 900 people in Chile. And two weeks ago, a 6.0 magnitude quake struck rural eastern Turkey, killing at least 57 people.
On average, there are 134 earthquakes a year that have a magnitude between 6.0 and 6.9, according to the US Geological Survey. This year is off to a fast start with 40 so far—more than in most years for that time period.
But that’s because the 8.8 quake in Chile generated a large number of strong aftershocks, and so many quakes early this year skews (扭曲) the picture, said Paul Earle, a US seismologist (地震学家).
Also, it’s not the number of quakes, but their devastating impacts(破坏性的影响) that gain attention, with the death tolls (死亡人数) largely due to construction standards (building standard) and crowding, Earle added. “The standard mantra (咒语) is earthquakes don’t kill people, buildings do, ” he said.
There have been more deaths over the past decades from earthquakes, said University of Colorado geologist Roger Bilham. In an opinion column last month in the journal Nature, Bilham called for better construction standards in the world’s big cities.
Of the 130 cities worldwide with populations of more than 1 million, more than half are prone (倾向于) to earthquakes, Bilham said.
Developing nations, where populations are growing, don’t pay attention to earthquake preparedness, Bilham said.” If you have a problem feeding yourself, you’re not really going to worry about earthquakes.”
Another reason quakes seem worse is that we’re paying attention more. The Haiti earthquake quickly followed by the 8.8 in Chile made everyone start to think.
But it won’t last, said US disaster researcher Deniis Mileti. “People are paying attention to the violent planet we’ve always lived on,” Mileti said.” Come back in another six months if there has been no earthquakes, most people will have forgotten it again. ”
1. What is the main idea of the article?
A.The number of earthquakes is increasing this year. |
B.The reasons why earthquakes are so devastating. |
C.The reasons why recent earthquakes have struck large cities. |
D.Why earthquakes seem to be more serious this year. |
according to the article?
A.Greater underground activity. |
B.A larger number of buildings prone to damage during earthquakes. |
C.Around-the-clock news coverage. |
D.Better earthquake monitoring. |
A.there is an evil force beneath the world’s surface |
B.large cities are always built in quake zones |
C.enough attention has been paid to reducing the impact of earthquakes |
D.the earthquake in Chili caused many aftershocks. |
A.the occurrence of larger earthquakes |
B.not enough warnings about earthquakes |
C.poor construction standards and overcrowding |
D.an increase in large cities |
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【推荐1】My son and I were trying to sell the house we had repaired but in the barn(谷仓)there were bats(蝙蝠)and they would not leave. The barn was their home. They told us so in their own way. They hung there in the barn and seemed determined to stay for the season. Don’t worry about it, Dad, " Patrick said. They keep down the mosquitoes(蚊子).”
Unfortunately they also kept the buyers away. when we had asked a person to sell the house for us he had refused to show it because of the bats. Bats are popular, “Patrick comforted me. They’re ecological(生态学的).”Isn’t there a machine you can buy that produces high frequency sounds to keep bats away?” “I don’t know,” said Patrick. But I like bats, and whoever buys this house will probably like them too. “Probably?” I hated that word. “How many bats are there ,anyway?” “I counted about 90 last night,” said Patrick. “They were dropping out from under the edge of the roof.” “You mean there are more — outside?” “They’re everywhere, Dad. But look at it this way. When the cold weather comes, they’ll be off to Mexico. Maybe in the spring we can keep them out. Don’t worry about it,” he said for the hundredth time. “It’s not a problem.”
The bat expert I called was even more active than Patrick. I think you’ve got a large number there,” he said in wonder, I’ve been trying to attract bats to our house for 25 years. A single bat eats up his weight in mosquitoes and black flies three times every night. You’re a very lucky man.” I offered to share my luck with him. He could take them away. Bats have a remarkable homing instinct(本能),”he said, “They’d fly straight back even if I transported them 100 miles. Once they have settled, you can’t stop them from coming back.” I was silent.
Finally we managed to rent “(出租)the house to a young family, who were also interested in buying it. What about the bats?” I said to Patrick.
“Oh, they love the bats,” he said. “No mosquitoes. No black flies. It’s one of the things that attracted them.”
“Do you think they will really buy the blouse?”
“Probably.”
“Probably? Well, if they do ,I suppose I’ll have to admit that I was wrong.”
“You mean you’re going to eat your words?”
“Yes, I am.”
1. What was the problem the author had with his house?A.Bats were living in the barn and wouldn't go away. |
B.The author and his son couldn't sleep well because of the bats. |
C.The author and his son might be able to stay for the season. |
D.The house was still badly in need of repair. |
A.He should buy a high frequency machine. |
B.He should move them one hundred miles away. |
C.He should reduce the number of mosquitoes. |
D.He should close the barn in the spring. |
A.He felt sure about the situation. |
B.He found out that it would be impossible to remove the bats. |
C.He learned that he would be able to share his luck with the expert. |
D.He liked the advice given by the expert. |
A.Some people agreed to rent the house. |
B.The author failed to find anybody who wanted to live in the house. |
C.The bat expert made the decision to buy the house. |
D.The bats left the house for Mexico in the spring. |
A.He felt sorry for the bats. |
B.He might be mistaken about being unable to sell the house. |
C.He realized he might be wrong about the bats’ actions. |
D.He was happy about selling the house. |
【推荐2】Humans have a lot of emotions. Expressing anger over a broken promise or a lost opportunity is as healthy as expressing joy and sadness and should be encouraged. However,if anger is frequently expressed, it can prove to be harmful for many reasons.
Try positive exercises. When you feel the obvious signs of your anger building up, try to focus on positive practices like deep breathing to calm yourself down.
Reach out to loved ones. Just as you would open up to loved ones over the pain of heart break or the joy of a promotion, calling loved ones when you're about to lose control of your temper is a healthy way of dealing with the emotion.
See a psychologist. Sometimes you feel that your emotions are too strong and unstable to be contained through self-help.
A.Keep a mood journal. |
B.Note all the thoughts in your mind. |
C.Seeking professional guidance is your best choice |
D.Repeat the exercise until your anger is controlled. |
E.They can act as a support group, calming you down. |
F.But joy is a necessary part of your well-being in life. |
G.So learning to deal with this emotion becomes important. |
Recently, a psychologist has claimed that Father Christmas is “the perfect fantasy” for children. According to Professor Anthony Clare, children love the character of Father Christmas because he is like an ideal father: he loves children and gives them presents, but he never criticizes them, is never angry, and children do not even need to thank him for the presents. Other writers, however, point out that Father Christmas can be a frightening character to some children. Jane Bidder says that some children are terrified of this fat, bearded old man. It can certainly confuse many children. As parents, we warn our children to be careful of strangers and never to let them into the house, and yet we tell children that a strange man will come into their bedroom at night! Some children can become very worried about this idea and fear that he is a kind of burglar.
Most children, however, understand from their parents and from the media that Father Christmas is basically a benign character, and look forward to his annual visit with joy and excitement.
1. The main point of the first paragraph is that .
A.Father Christmas is an important part of Christmas |
B.the tradition of Father Christmas is a modern idea |
C.Father Christmas is a magical figure who can fly |
D.the legends about Father Christmas are not true |
A.wants to make it clear that these things are impossible |
B.is describing the history of St Nicholas |
C.wants everyone to believe that Father Christmas is real |
D.is explaining the modern legend of Father Christmas |
A.It shows us that historians know very little about him. |
B.This story explains why parents give secret presents to children. |
C.It supports the writer’s main point that Father Christmas is based on an untrue story. |
D.This story explains why we celebrate Christmas in December. |
A.religious | B.friendly |
C.frightening | D.unreal |
A.Is Father Christmas Dangerous? |
B.The True History of St Nicholas |
C.The Legend of Santa Claus |
D.The Traditions of Christmas |
The question has caught many interviewees off guard.Even Mo Yan who recently won a Nobel Prize,responded by saying:“I don’t know”.
While the question has become a buzz phrase and the Internet plays host to heated discussions,we ask:What exactly is happiness ?And how do you measure it?
In the 1776 US Declaration of Independence,Thomas Jefferson set in writing the people’s unalienable right to“Life,Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.Last year,235 years on,China’s Premier Wen Jiabao told the nation:“Everything we do is aimed at letting people live more happily.”At last year’s National People’s Congress,officials agreed that increasing happiness would be a top target for the 12th five-year plan.
US psychologist Ed Diener, author of Happiness:Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth describes happiness as “a combination of life satisfaction and having more positive than negative emotions”,according to US broadcasting network PBS.This may sound straight forward enough,but it still doesn’t explain what determines people’s happiness.
Many argue that happiness is elusive and that there is no single source.It also means different things to different people.For some,happiness can be as simple as having enough cash.
Researchers believe happiness can be separated into two types:daily experiences of hedonic(享乐的)well-being;and evaluative well-being, the way people think about their lives as a whole.The former refers to the quality of living,whereas the latter is about overall happiness,including life gods and achievement.Happiness can cross both dimensions.
Li Jun,a psychologist and mental therapy practitioner at a Beijing clinic,says:“Happiness can mean both the most basic human satisfaction or the highest level of spiritual pursuit. It’ s a simple yet profound topic .”
Chen Shangyuan,21,a junior English major at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics,said his idea of happiness always evolves.“At present it relates to how productive I am in a day,”he said.“It might be linked to job security or leisure time after I graduate.”
Then there is the question of measuring happiness.Does it depend on how many friends we have,or whether we own the latest smart phone? Is it even quantifiable?
Economists are trying to measure happiness in people’s lives.Since 1972,Bhutan’s GDP measurement has been,replaced by a Gross National Happiness index.It is calculated according to the peoples’sense of being well-governed,their relationship with the environment,their satisfaction with economic development,and their sense of national belonging.
In 2009,US economist Joseph Stiglitz proposed “to shift emphasis from measuring economic production to measuring people’s well-being”.But is well-being more easily measured?
1. From what Thomas Jefferson and Wen Jiabao mentioned in the passage,we know_______.
A.people’s happiness is determined by great people |
B.people’s happiness is an important target for the development of a country |
C.people in all countries have the right to ask the government for a happy life |
D.People both in China and America are living a happy life |
A.CCTV journalists are concerned about people’s happiness out of sympathy. |
B.the question has led to heated discussions about who are the happiest people in China, |
C.Bhutan’s new index shows that people there are the happiest in the world |
D.it is not easy for us to decide what determines people’s happiness |
A.Available. | B.Easy to get. |
C.Hard to understand. | D.Accessible. |
A.Are You Happy? | B.The Measurement of Happiness |
C.GDP and Happiness | D.The Secret of Happiness |
【推荐2】Going through life can be very challenging at times. When we were young, no one told us how hard it would be in the future. But here we are. One of the biggest problems of adult life is having self-doubt. It is tiresome and can kill your confidence levels if not controlled from the get-go.
We will all experience self-doubt. That is natural. It happens to us during normal days or whenever we are going to start a new task, or a new relationship, anything new in life will make you self-doubt. This sort of feeling forces you into a dark abyss (深渊) where nothing seems to go right and you might feel like giving up. That is the time to be strong.
There are some people out there that mistake self-doubt for something else. Self-doubt is when you are unsure about one or more parts of yourself. For example, when starting a new job, you might feel inexperienced or might think that you are not fit enough for the job, this is an example of self-doubt.
Self-doubt isn’t all that bad. A low level of self-criticism is actually good for you. It motivates you and pushes you to be better in life, to become greater than yesterday. This type of feeling will push you to work harder and faster than before and will also increase your productivity, but it should be a low level of self-criticism. You don’t want to punish yourself over things that are beyond your control.
In order to be a better version of ourselves, tough love can be a good motivator but we don’t need to become drill sergeants (教官) while doing that. Over-criticizing ourselves actually does more harm than good, and I say this from experience. Overworking and a fear of failure only lead to self-damage.
1. What is the author’s view about self-doubt in paragraph 2?A.It can happen anywhere at any time. |
B.It is an unnatural thing for all of us. |
C.It only makes us weak and disappointed. |
D.It can be easily avoided with our efforts. |
A.To state how hard it is to start it. |
B.To stress it needs previous experience. |
C.To cite a situation where self-doubt starts. |
D.To show the common reactions to get it. |
A.you overwork yourself |
B.you keep it in a proper level |
C.you feel sorry for your deeds |
D.you increase your productivity |
A.Disapproval. | B.Doubtful. |
C.Dismissive. | D.Tolerant. |
【推荐3】All students have bad times. What do they usually do when they get into trouble?
My mom is like my friend. I talk about everything to her. Whenever I have some trouble, I can get good advice from her. I have another good friend — my diary. It knows all my secrets. Talking with my two friends always makes me feel better.
—— Linda
Laughing helps me when I’m upset. I usually watch funny movies and TV shows. I also love spending my hard time with my best friend Dave. He is humorous and always makes me laugh.
—— Peter
Every time I feel bad, I go climbing alone. The study says exercising can help cheer one up (精神振奋). And the beautiful view at the top of the mountain makes me forget all my troubles. Sometimes I shout at the mountain top. It feels fantastic.
—— John
1. Linda’s ________ knows all her secrets.A.sister | B.teacher | C.diary | D.computer |
A.quiet | B.funny | C.careful | D.serious |
A.goes climbing | B.watches movies |
C.talks with his friends | D.reads books |
A.Linda often asks her teacher for advice. |
B.Dave often helps Peter with his homework. |
C.John likes climbing mountains with his friends. |
D.Exercising can help people feel good. |
【推荐1】Even though we may believe that it’s important to say thank you, sometimes expressing gratitude is easier said than done. We might find ourselves getting hung up on the best way to deliver the message.
However, it’s possible that we might be making our thanks more complex. In a paper, researchers compared the effects of expressing thanks in person, over a video call, and over text. And, while people generally expect an in-person thank you to be the most effective, what happened in reality was quite different: Sending a thank-you over text was almost as effective as that. Additionally, texting may be especially well-suited for situations where we feel awkward or embarrassed about expressing our appreciation.
In the study, 219 college students participated in a gratitude activity in which they wrote about three things they were grateful for over a two- week period. After writing, the students were asked to actually thank the persons involved. Some connected with the gratitude recipients (接受者) in person, others via video call, and others via text. At the beginning and end of the two weeks,participants completed surveys measuring their feelings of well-being, connections with others, loneliness and happiness.
The researchers found that people who expressed gratitude gained increased happiness, with only a few differences for the different methods of gratitude expression. Overall, video calls were just as beneficial as meeting in person. Texting was slightly less effective than video calling- it didn’t make people feel more connected and happier, while video calling did. However, participants who sent their thanks over text still experienced benefits: Texting improved their well- being and reduced their loneliness.
Overall, however, the message is that we shouldn’t worry about finding just the “best” way to express our gratitude. In fact, you re better off sending a quick thank you shortly after you receive the kindness than waiting for an occasion to schedule an in-person visit. Don’t put it off just for finding the best way—many times our gratitude goes unsaid because we spend too much time on the details.
1. What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 2 refer to?A.Making a video call. | B.Sending a text message. |
C.Expressing thanks in person. | D.Writing a thank-you letter. |
A.To find the effect of expressing thanks on them. |
B.To measure their physical health. |
C.To collect a lot more ways to express thanks. |
D.To know their views on gratitude. |
A.In-person gratitude was less likely to be accepted. |
B.Expressing gratitude could benefit mental health. |
C.Ways of gratitude expression should be improved. |
D.Texting made the gratitude recipients much happier. |
A.Search for the best way. | B.Wait for an in-person visit. |
C.Express gratitude in time. | D.Make careful preparations. |
【推荐2】When nine-year-old Zion Harvey was two, he lost both his hands and his legs below the knees due to a life-threatening infection. The infection also damaged his kidneys and he receive a healthy kidney donated by his mom, Pattie Ray.
In the first few years of his life Zion had more medical hardship than most of us in a lifetime. That didn’t kill his spirit, though. Last year he became the first child to receive a double-hand transplant in the US. NBC News checked with him to see just how he was doing after the operation.
“I will be proud of the hands I get, ”he told NBC News. “Now I can do many things most people take for granted. When I got my hands, it’s like, here’s the piece of my life that was missing. Now my life is complete.”
When his mom Pattie talks about him, you can see the pride in her eyes, but you also see her strength. You can tell she’s helped her child develop his unbelievable spirit. The two are clearly a team, and seeing them together would make any person’s heart overflow.
“One of the major concerns I have for him is his being able to do certain things in his life,” Ray explains. “Without my mom, I would not be right here right now,” Zion says. “She helped me get through the most difficult times of my life. She is the best mom in the world.”
Zion Harvey is an amazing spirit, and wise well beyond his years.
1. Zion lost his hands ________.A.at the age of nine | B.owing to a medical failure |
C.because of being seriously infected | D.after a kidney transplant operation |
A.NBC News went to give him encouragement | B.he took what he got for granted |
C.he joined a team with his mother | D.he was content with his life |
A.Whether he can succeed. | B.Whether he can manage on his own. |
C.How he can suffer less hardship. | D.How he can keep high spirits. |
A.Appreciation. | B.Excitement. | C.Surprise. | D.Satisfaction. |
【推荐3】A heartwarming letter written by Yuan Longping, known as “the father of hybrid rice”, has caught people’s eyes as the nation is mourning (悼念) over his passing away. In 2010, at the age 80, Yuan wrote this letter in memory of his late mother, Hua Jing, and many are deeply touched by its sincerity (真情).
In the letter, entitled“The Rice is Ripe (成熟), Mom”, Yuan recalled the old days with his mother in Anjiang town in Central China’s Hunan province, where his mother was buried in 1989.
Born in a wealthy family in Yangzhou, eastern China’s Jiangsu province, Hua Jing was well educated and open-minded. She taught Yuan English when he was very young. Having never worked in the fields, Hua moved to Anjiang town to support her son’s family and research.
“Mom, the rice is ripe and I come back to Anjiang to see you... Every time when I was able to deliver a speech to the audiences from around the world or take a prize in my study, I always thought of you. You made me who I am. People say I’ve changed the world with one tiny rice seed but mom, I know you sowed (播种) the seed in me when I was a little boy.”
1. Why did Yuan Longping write a letter in 2010?A.To honor his mother. | B.To attract people’s eyes. |
C.To comfort his mother. | D.To public his achievements. |
A.The seed. | B.The emotion. | C.The speech. | D.The education. |
A.She was born in a poor family. | B.She used to work in the fields. |
C.She didn’t get any schooling. | D.She moved to Anjiang for her son. |
A.The speech to the audience. | B.The growth in Anjiang. |
C.The seed of Yuan’s mother. | D.The prize in his study. |
【推荐1】Many people have discovered that hobbies can be profitable as well as fun. Some people have such fine collections of bottles, flags, buttons or shells that others are willing to pay to see them or they offer to buy their collections for large sums of money.
Some of the best collections are owned by people who started their hobbies as young boys or girls. Some of the things that American children like to collect are stamps and dolls. Older people also save stamps, but they collect coins and things made of glass more often than dolls.
Painting, writing and taking photographs are the best examples of hobbies that may become occupations. Every writer, artist and photographer probably started as a hobbyist before becoming a professional.Other hobbies that could be profitable include cooking, sewing and making things out of wood.
Many doctors believe that hobbies help to make our lives more enjoyable. They believe that people who raise fish or collect recorders are too busy to spend their time worrying. Doctors also think that an active person, such as a baseball player, should have a restful hobby such as reading, while a person who sits at a desk all day should have lively hobbies such as tennis, golf or swimming. Most people in the United States agree with the doctor. It is difficult to find an American who does not have a favorite hobby.
1. The underlined word “occupations”(paragraph3) can be replaced by _______.A.lives | B.jobs | C.collections | D.things |
A.worry too much about themselves | B.are very busy in their lives |
C.don’t have time to worry | D.work busily in their business |
A.starts his hobby during his childhood |
B.has a favorite hobby |
C.spends a lot of money on the lively hobby |
D.follows the doctors’ advice to have a hobby |
A.Hobbies can cause us a lot of trouble . |
B.Football players should have lively hobbies |
C.All of the people started their hobbies from childhood. |
D.A writer should have tennis , golf or swimming as his hobbies. |
How do the blind take their photographs? Some rely on assistants to set up and then describe the shots (镜头) , and others just point and shoot in the right place."Just like any good artists," says McCulloh."They have their unique ways of operating." One participating photographer is Pete Eckert, an artist with multiple degrees in design and sculpture who only turned to photography after losing his vision in the mid-1990s.He opens the shutter (快门) on his camera and then uses flashlights, lights, and candies to paint his scene on film.A former fashion photographer in Chicago, Weston, lost his vision due to AIDS in 1996 and focuses on images of destruction and disability.His photos are also a star of the show.
What do gallery-goers say? "I was very impressed by it.The technique and experience was amazingly different," says John Hesketh, a printmaker in Anaheim."You never have a sense of feeling sorry for these people because they've worked very hard to prove their value."
Beyond the praise, however, the exhibition also makes a great example for disabled people everywhere.That point was explained in early May during a discussion on the TV show.At the very end of the talk, one attendee expressed his opinion."This exhibition is extraordinary and revolutionary for many reasons.I think that by being an artist with a disability, you are continuing the work of those people who fought for basic civil rights to gain access and to have a voice.In that way, it's so wonderful that your photographs say it all."
1. From the passage we know that some blind people take photos by______
A.describing the things to their assistants |
B.holding the camera and shooting randomly |
C.opening the shutter with the help of others |
D.using special equipment designed for them |
A.were not born blind | B.do jobs related to art |
C.focus on different subjects | D.like photos of destruction |
A.They admire the blind photographers' hard work. |
B.They feel really sorry for those blind photographers. |
C.They think some have good techniques while others not. |
D.They can understand the real meaning of each photograph. |
A.the California Museum of Photography receives praises for holding the show |
B.the public have a chance to know what the blind people are concerned about |
C.the blind photographers have a good place to show their works |
D.the exhibition can be very inspiring to the blind in the world |
【推荐3】For most of us, our house is our home base, and having a happy and pleasant vibe (氛围) in all of our rooms is important.
1. Adding color to any room can help you feel more cheerful, and it can be done pretty quickly! Consider painting just one wall a lively color. A bright red, a peaceful green or even a lively yellow completely changes the feel.
2. First of all, think flower power! Fresh flowers are very easy to get at your local grocery market, and they make any room seem more alive. Plants have the same positive effect. Another way to celebrate life is to surround yourself with images of friends and family. Don’t keep your photos in albums or in your computer. Put them up on the walls to remind yourself of your favorite times and your favorite people.
3.The more points of light in any room, the better it will be. Especially as the days are getting shorter, having warm lighting will help you feel full of energy and alive through the winter months. In your bedroom, put a lamp on either side of your bed. Installing dimmers (调光器) is also a simple and inexpensive way to make the mood of a room easy to change. At dimmers.net, for example, you can get a dimmer for just $17.75.
4. You begin and end almost every day in your bedroom, so make the room comfortable! Have proper bedding and pillows (枕头). Keep your bedroom as tidy as possible, and remove anything that will interfere with your sleep. Get your new pillows and bedding at bedbathandbeyond.com.
5. Take control It’s this simple: Clear space =" A" clear mind. Keep desktops, countertops and tabletops open. Put the papers, files and other things away. Not only will your home feel cleaner, it will feel a whole lot bigger!
1. What’s the purpose of this passage?A.To tell us what is a good life. |
B.To tell us how to decorate our houses. |
C.To give us some tips on how to have a better mood. |
D.To tell us how to have a happy and comfortable home. |
A.Get in the way of. | B.Protect from. |
C.Deal with. | D.Keep away from. |
a. Get comfortable.
b. Celebrate life.
c. Let there be light.
d. Color your way to happiness.
A.1-d 2-c 3-a 4-b | B.1-a 2-b 3-c 4-d |
C.1-d 2-b 3-a 4-c | D.1-d 2-b 3-c 4-a |
A.Teaching. | B.Family. | C.Housing. | D.Life. |