Snow is ice crystals. It forms when the air temperature is at or below 0℃. In order for it to snow, there must also be some water in the air. Scientists showed that no two snowflakes are the same. They come in all sizes and shapes. When it is between -2.8℃ and 0℃, snowflakes are six-sided. If it is colder, snowflakes will be shaped like needles and stars.
Countries including Russia, Canada and some parts of the US have heavy snow in winter. The most snow in one year in record fell in Mount Baker, US. Its total snowfall was 29 meters for the 1998 to 1999 season, according to USA Today. However, in some places, people have never seen snow, such as Singapore, some parts of India and most countries around the equator (赤道).
In China, there is more snow in the north than in the south. The Nanling Mountains, on the border of Guangdong and Hunan provinces, may be the southernmost point in China to have snow. People in provinces such as Hainan don’t get snow.
Other than snowstorms, snowfall is good for human being. Snow helps clean the environment. It cleans up the dust in the air and keeps the environment wet and comfortable.
Snow is also important to farmers. As the Chinese saying goes, “A fall of seasonable snow gives promise of a fruitful year.” Snow can keep the ground warm and protect crops from freezing. Melted (融化了的) snow gives enough water to crops. It also lowers the temperature of the ground, killing bad insects in the earth, which helps for a good harvest in the next year.
Snow is usually white. But sometimes you may see snow that is pink, brown, orange or red if the air is filled with dust, pollutants or sand. It was reported that orange snow fell in Siberia in 2007 and some parts of Russia were covered by pink snow in 2010.
1. When the air temperature is between -2.8 ℃ and 0℃, the snowflakes will be ________.| A．rounded | B．six sides | C．like stars | D．like needles |
| A．Russia | B．the US | C．Mount Baker | D．Singapore |
| A．keep the ground warm | B．help kill bad insects |
| C．give water for crops | D．make the environment wet and comfortable |
| A．Snowstorms are good for human being. | B．Not all snow is white. |
| C．Snow can protect crops from freezing. | D．Most countries around the equator are warmer than others. |
相似题推荐
Typhoons are some of the worst storms, usually around the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea.Most happen in July, August and September.
How does a typhoon happen? When lots of sea water gets hot in the summer sun, it evaporates （蒸发）into the air. This makes the air hotter. When the air gets warm enough, it starts to move higher up into sky. Then cooler air around it rushes in. It fills the space that is left. After the air gets warmer, it starts to move quickly, making wind. The wind goes in circles（圆圈）and it keeps moving higher in the sky. The warmer the air gets, the quicker the wind moves. And when the wind moves faster than 30 metres a second, a typhoon begins.
A typhoon has two parts, one is called the “eye”. In the eye, the wind does not move so fast. The other part is the wall of clouds around the eye. Here are the strongest winds and hardest rains.
Typhoons are very dangerous. In November this year, Typhoon Haiyan killed 5500 people in Philippines. More people are missing.
What to do when a typhoon hits?
Stay inside. Close all the windows and stay away from them.
Try to bring all of your things inside. Strong winds could even blow away your bikes!
Listen to the radio or TV for important information.
If you’re told to go to a safer place, do it right now.
1. This passage is most probably from .
| A．an advertisement of a typhoon |
| B．a travel record |
| C．a weather report |
| D．a science magazine |
| A．in the hot season | B．in the cold season |
| C．only in China | D．under the sea |
a. The wind moves fast enough, a typhoon starts.
b. The air moves quickly, making wind.
c. The sun makes sea water hot.
d. The air gets warmer.
| A．d-c-b-a | B．c-d-b-a |
| C．c-d-a-b | D．d-b-a-c |
| A．The warmer the air gets, the slower the wind moves. |
| B．5500 people died because of Typhoon Haiyan around the world. |
| C．The strongest winds and hardest rains are in the wall of clouds. |
| D．A typhoon will not happen before the wind goes faster than 30 km a second. |
How does China count the winter months?
It’s wintertime. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, November, December, January and February are winter months. They include six solar terms (节气): lidong (beginning of winter), xiaoxue (light snow), daxue (heavy snow), dongzhi (winter solstice), xiaohan (lesser cold) and dahan (greater cold).
Winter begins at lidong (Nov 7-8), after which most parts of the country can start to expect cold weather. On this day, after a year of hard work, people are happy to take a break and spend some time with family. The northern part of China celebrates lidong as the “Small Spring Festival”. People have dumplings and eat mutton (羊肉) soup.
Xiaoxue (Nov 22-23) and daxue (Dec 6-8) come after lidong. During xiaoxue, northern China can expect snow and temperatures slowly fall below 0°C. Daxue means even more snow and bigger temperature drops.
When dongzhi (Dec 21-23) comes, it brings the shortest days of the year and the longest nights. Many places around the country can expect the coldest weather yet. Ancient Chinese would often start counting “nine cold periods” (数九寒天) starting from dongzhi. Every cold period has nine days. They believed that after 81 cold days, spring would arrive.
Xiaohan (Jan 4-6) usually brings the lowest temperatures of the year. There may be high winds and sleet (雨雪).
Finally, during dahan (Jan 19-21), the sleety weather fills the fields with snow. All Chinese are ready to welcome the Chinese New Year after dahan. Spring Festival, China’s most important festival, falls at this time. After that, a new round of solar terms will start.
1. Winter months include ________solar terms.| A．four | B．five | C．six | D．seven |
| A．工作 | B．休息 | C．请假 | D．打破 |
| A．lidong | B．xiaoxue | C．dongzhi | D．xiaohan |
| A．is higher and higher | B．is constant (不变的) |
| C．is decreasing | D．is the highest |
| A．Six solar terms in wintertime. |
| B．Introduction of the Chinese lunar calendar. |
| C．People’s lives in wintertime. |
| D．Temperatures in four seasons. |
When I woke up on Jan.27th, my instincts (直觉) told me something was wrong. As I struggled (挣扎) to get out of bed, the view out of the window surprised me-heavy snow had hit Nanjing.
The sky was grey. The world was lit up by the sunlight reflecting (反射) off the endless snow.
I took the subway to school and things seemed fine. But as I walked out of the subway station, I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
As my friend said, “We were not playing with the snow——the snow was playing with us.”
| A．I looked around, hoping to find a better area to walk in, but found nothing. |
| B．Icy water was soaking (渗透) my sneakers and socks. |
| C．The streets and sidewalks were totally covered by snow. |
| D．I was frozen from head to toe by the time I got to school, where I discovered that our heating had not yet been turned on. |
| E．It was snowing heavily outside my windows. |
| F．But along with the beautiful view came some challenges. |
【推荐1】Do you remember where you were when you heard the news about the traffic accident of a close friend? The answer is probably yes. Do you remember what you were doing on your birthday that year? You may have to think a little harder.
People remember bad memories more easily and in greater detail(细节) than good ones. Why is that? A new study finds that people do this because of evolutionary(进化的) reasons.
Elizabeth Kensinger and his partners in Boston College, US, did a study looking at this. They found negative feelings like fear and sadness caused(导致) an increase(增长) in brain(大脑) activity. This activity happens in the part of the brain that controls(控制) memories, So memories caused by negative feelings are kept in greater detail than happy or other kinds of memories.
For example, after seeing a man on a street holding a knife, people remember the knife clearly, but they forget the details of the street.
According to Kensinger, it is easy to understand this in an evolutionary(进化论的) point of view. He said that people paid attention(注意) to dangerous information so they could use that information to guide their actions and save their lives. They could also use it to plan for similar events in the future.
The scientists say more studies are needed on how we remember bad memories. This line of research will help solve the problem of stress(压力) disorder(失调).
1. According to the passage, good memories are remembered ________ than bad ones.| A．more in detail | B．less often | C．longer | D．more easily |
| A．简单的 | B．负面的 | C．难忘的 | D．相似的 |
| A．she will have the problem of stress disorder | B．she can control her memories well |
| C．She will have a happy memory. | D．her brain activity will increase |
| A．People pay more attention to dangerous information. |
| B．People could learn from the man. |
| C．People could plan for danger in the future. |
| D．People have the ability to save themselves from danger. |
| A．Brain Activities Control Memories | B．How We Remember Bad Memories |
| C．Bad Memories Are Easier to Remember | D．Bad Memories Can Cause Stress Disorder |
【推荐2】Paper or plastic? _________________.
Governments around the world are pushing for an end to plastic(塑料) straws(吸管) and bags. More and more businesses are switching to paper products as an alternative(替代品). Paper is considered by many to be better than plastic. However, it, too, is harmful to the environment.
Firstly, paper bags and straws are made from trees. Trees, as you know, can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere. They can slow down climate change. An increase in the use of paper bags can cause more deforestation.
Secondly, the production of paper items needs more energy and water. About 10% more energy and four times as much water is used to produce a paperback than a plastic one. You might say that we can use recycled(可循环使用的) paper to save the energy and water. This seems to be a good idea. However, it takes even more energy and water to go through the recycling process than to make a brand new paper bag. Products made from recycled paper are also often short-lived.
Furthermore, paper products are heavier than plastic ones. That means they require more fuel to transport. Seven trucks are needed to transport 2 million paper bags, while only one truck is needed to transport the same number of plastic bags. The increased weight also leads to a large amount of waste once the bags are thrown away.
Paper products are actually a lose-lose for both the environment and businesses. They are more expensive than plastic products. A paper straw costs about 5 to 12 cents, while a plastic one usually costs only about 2 cents.
The most environment-friendly solution is to avoid(避免) single-use items altogether. Products like glass water bottles and steel straws can be used over and over again. They are much better than either paper products or plastic products. Through increasing the use of these items, you can greatly reduce your throw away waste and truly make our earth a greener place.
1. According to the article, we may fill in blanks in the title with “________”.| A．Both | B．Either | C．Neither | D．Any |
| A．planting trees | B．climbing trees | C．protecting trees | D．cutting down trees |
| A．fewer trucks | B．six more trucks |
| C．twice as many trucks | D．the same number of trucks |
①compare plastic products with paper ones
②correct people’s wrong ideas about paper products
③suggest people use reusable products like steel straws
④listed advantages and disadvantages of using paper products
| A．①② | B．③④ | C．②③ | D．①④ |
【推荐3】In the days before electricity, people don’t worry much about sleep. They usually went to bed a couple of hours after sunset (日落) and woke at sunrise. After all, there wasn’t much to do in those days after the sun went down. But then came the electric light bulb (电灯泡). And now we have satellite television, the Internet,24-hour convenience stores, and longer hours at work. How much can we sleep? How much should we sleep?
Like it or not, many of us are sleeping less on average (平均). In 1910, most Americans slept 9 hours a night. That dropped to 7.5 hours by 1975. In 2002, a study by the National Sleep Foundation found that the average American got only 6.9 hours. The news is even worse for people who work the night shift. They sleep an average of just 5 hours.
Are we sleeping enough? Not if you believe in the old rule of eight hours of rest, eight hours of work, and eight hours of play. On the other hand, Norman Stanley, a British scientist who studies sleep, believes people’s sleep needs are different. Some people need as many as 11 hours, but others need as few as three. How much do you really need? “To find out,” he says, “simply sleep until you wake naturally, without the help of an alarm clock. That’s your sleep need.”
Meanwhile, other scientists and researchers are searching for new ways to keep us awake longer. Some are developing chemicals (化学药品) that are safer and more powerful than caffeine, the chemical found in coffee and tea. One experimental drug, CX717, kept laboratory monkeys working happily for 36 hours. Further developments may allow people to safely stay awake for several days straight. One group of researchers is studying a gene (基因) found in some fruit flies that lets them get by on one-third the usual amount of sleep. Another group is even working on an electric switch that immediately wakes up a sleeping brain.
The meanings of this research are huge. On the one hand, this could lead to a world where we work longer and longer hours with less and less sleep. On the other hand, if we needed less sleep, we would have more free time to travel, read, volunteer, and spend time with family.
1. How many hours did most Americans sleep a night in 1975?| A．5. | B．6.9. | C．7.5. | D．9. |
| A．People have got enough sleep. | B．People will work longer hours. |
| C．Sleep time will be a big problem. | D．Staying awake for long is possible. |
| A．To sleep or Not to sleep? | B．How can We Sleep Longer? |
| C．To Work or Not to Work? | D．How Much We can Sleep? |
Not many Asian soccer players make global headlines. However, South Korean striker (前锋) Heung-Min Son, 26, is an exception (例外).
Son, who plays for the British soccer club Tot-tenham Hotspur, scored a big goal in a game against Manchester City on April 18, 2022. His goal helped Hotspur enter the quarterfinals (四分之一决赛) of the UEFA Champions League (欧洲冠军联赛).
Actually, this was not the first time Son had drawn attention. As the captain of South Korea’s national team, he played at both the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He was one of South Korea’s biggest scorers with a total of three goals at the World Cup games by 2022.
On the field, Son is described as a dangerous striker, as he can play just about any role up front. His work ethic (道德) has also won him many fans, according to CNN. Son’s father, a former soccer player himself, was strict with Son when he was young. The 10-year-old Son had to practice for four hours each day.
But this is not unusual for most soccer players. In fact, Son’s father is said to have trained just as hard as his son in past years. This likely inspired Son to work hard himself.
Son has become an icon for young people in South Korea. “You see them now with his name on the back of their shirts, ”You Mie, a South Korean sports reporter, told CNN. “People want their kids to follow in his footsteps and fans want to watch him.”
1. Which country does Heung-Min Son come from?| A．The US. | B．The UK. | C．South Korea. | D．China. |
| A．He is described as a dangerous striker. |
| B．As a basketball player, he makes global headlines. |
| C．He scored a total of two goals at the World Cup games. |
| D．It’s unusual for most players to have practiced a lot when they were young. |
| A．What made Son work hard. | B．When Son became successful. |
| C．Why Son learned from his father. | D．Who helped Son live through difficulties. |
| A．a striker | B．a symbol | C．a picture | D．a painting |
【推荐2】Parents often believe that they have a good relationship with their teenagers. But last summer, Joanna and Henry noticed a change in their older son: suddenly he seemed to be talking more to his friends than to his parents. “The door to his room is always closed.” Joanns said.
Tina and Mark noticed similar changes in their 14-year-old daughter. “She used to(过去常常) cuddle up (蜷伏) with me on the sofa and talk,” said Mark. “Now we joke that she does this only when she wants something. Sometimes she wants to be treated (对待) like a little girl and sometimes like a young lady. The problem is figuring out (指出) which time is which.”
Before age 11, children like to tell their parents what’s on their minds. “In fact, parents are first on the list.” said Michael Riera, author of Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers. “This completely changes during the teen years.” Riera explained. “They talk to their friends first, then maybe their teachers, and their parents last.”
Parents who know what’s going on in their teenagers’ lives are in the best position (位置) to help them. To break down the wall of silence (沉默), parents should crate chances to understand what their children want to say, and try to find ways to talk and write to them. And they must give their children a mental break, for children also need freedom, though young. Another thing parents should remember is that to be a friend, not a manager, with their children is a better way to know them.
1. “The door to his room is always closed” means that the son ________.| A．is always busy with his studies |
| B．doesn’t want to be disturbed (打扰) |
| C．keeps himself away from his parents |
| D．begins to dislike his parents |
| A．their daughter isn’t as lovely as before |
| B．they can’t read their daughter’s mind exactly |
| C．they don’t know what to say to their daughter |
| D．their daughter talks with them only when she needs help |
| A．Teenagers talk a lot with their friends. |
| B．Teenagers do not want to understand their parents. |
| C．Teenagers do not talk much with their parents. |
| D．Teenagers talk little about their own lives. |
| A．Parents are unhappy with their growing children. |
| B．Parents have suitable ways to talk with their teenagers. |
| C．Parents should be patients with their silent teenagers. |
| D．Parents should try to understand their teenagers. |
Water is all around us. Water is in the sea, lakes and rivers. Water is in the air. All living things need water to live. Sometimes, we don’t have all the water that we need. The earth will dry up without water. Sometimes, there is too much water on the earth. If it rains very, very hard, the rain water will run down the hills. It takes some of the land away with it when it runs down the hills. It is called erosion (侵蚀) when the water takes the earth away.
Water on the earth will cycles (循环). It goes from the sea to the air to make clouds. The clouds in the air are made of water. Sometimes the water falls down from the clouds. It makes rain. The rain falls onto the earth. Some of it goes into the ground. Some of it washes down and goes back into the sea. Some water that is not rain or snow falls down from the clouds. Some of this water is sleet (雨夹雪). The sleet is made of little pieces of ice. Some water that is not rain or snow or sleet falls down from the clouds. Some of this water is hail. The hail is made of ice balls!
1. How does the erosion happen?| A．The water takes the earth away. | B．The water runs down the hills. |
| C．There is too much water on the land. | D．The rain water flows into the sea. |
| A．water is not around us | B．water is only in the air |
| C．the earth will dry up without water | D．only plants need water |
| A．water from the sea→ air→ clouds → rain→ on the earth →sea |
| B．water from the clouds →rain → on the earth → hail →sea |
| C．water from the clouds → snow → on the earth → sea |
| D．water from the sea → rain → on the earth → river → sea →hail |
| A．rain | B．sleet | C．hail | D．all of the above |
| A．冰雹 | B．霜 | C．大雨 | D．暴雨 |
| A．Water is important | B．Water goes up and comes down |
| C．Water is precious | D．Water, rain and snow |
