Beef, of course, is the meat from a cow, and no food is more popular in America than a hamburger(汉堡包)made from beef. In the 1960s a businessman named Ray Kroc began building small restaurants that sold hamburgers at a low price. Kroc called his restaurants “McDonald’s”. Ray Kroc became one of the richest businessmen in America.
Other business people watched his success. Some of them opened their own hamburger restaurants. One company(公司)called “Wendy’s” said its hamburgers were bigger than those sold by McDonald’s or anyone else’s. The Wendy’s Company began to use the expression “Where’s the beef?” to make people know that Wendy’s hamburgers were the biggest. The Wendy’s television advertisement(广告)showed three old women eating hamburgers. The bread that covered the meat was very big, but inside there was only a bit of meat. One of the women said she would not eat a hamburger with such a little piece of beef. “Where’s the beef?” she shouted in a funny way. The advertisement for Wendy’s hamburger restaurants was a success. As we said, it seemed everyone began using the expression “Where’s the beef?”
1. ________ started Mc Donald’s restaurant.
A.Ray Kroc | B.McDonald | C.Wendy | D.Three old women |
A.they could sell hamburgers at a low price |
B.hamburgers were easy to make |
C.beef was very popular in America |
D.they could make a lot of money |
A.with many old women eating hamburgers |
B.by a television advertisement |
C.while selling bread with a bit of meat in it |
D.at the McDonald’s restaurant |
A.the beef in hamburgers is not as much as it is said to be |
B.the hamburgers are not as good as they are said to be |
C.something is not so good as one says |
D.Wendy’s is the biggest |
When Stephen Guyer’s three children were growing up, he told them stories about how his grandfather, a banker,
The
Many parents are finding family stories have surprising power to help children
A university
The
A.missed | B.lost | C.forgot | D.ignored |
A.when | B.while | C.how | D.why |
A.friendless | B.worthless | C.penniless | D.homeless |
A.fetched | B.allowed | C.expected | D.took |
A.hope | B.promise | C.suggestion | D.belief |
6.
A.tale | B.agreement | C.arrangement | D.report |
A.large | B.small | C.new | D.grand |
A.surprised | B.annoyed | C.disappointed | D.worried |
A.Therefore | B.Besides | C.Instead | D.Otherwise |
A.talked about | B.cared about | C.wrote about | D.heard about |
A.much | B.many | C.little | D.few |
A.beyond | B.over | C.behind | D.through |
A.argument | B.skill | C.interest | D.anxiety |
A.study | B.design | C.committee | D.staff |
A.provide | B.retell | C.support | D.refuse |
A.trouble | B.gift | C.fact | D.trick |
A.perform | B.write | C.hear | D.question |
A.means | B.ends | C.begins | D.proves |
A.needs | B.activities | C.judgments | D.habits |
A.that | B.what | C.which | D.whom |
3 . The African elephant, the largest land animal remaining on earth, is of great importance to African ecosystem (生态系统). Unlike other animals, the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment. As a big plant-eater, it largely shapes the forest-and-savanna (大草原) surroundings in which it lives, therefore setting the terms of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat (栖息地).
It is the elephant’s great desire for food that makes it a disturber of the environment and an important builder of its habitat. In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day, it kills small trees and underbushes, and pulls branches off big trees. This results in numerous open spaces in both deep tropical forests and in the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas. In these open spaces are numerous plants in various stages of growth that attract a variety of other plant-eaters.
Take the rain forests for example. In their natural state, the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor. By pulling down trees and eating plants, elephants make open spaces, allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor. In such situations, the forests become suitable for large hoofed plant-eaters to move around and for small plant-eaters to get their food as well.
What worries scientists now is that the African elephant has become an endangered species. If the elephant disappears, scientists say, many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna, greatly changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.
1. What is the passage mainly about?A.Disappearance of African elephants. |
B.Forests and savannas as habitats for African elephants. |
C.The effect of African elephants’ search for food. |
D.The eating habit of African elephants. |
A.Fixing the time. |
B.Worsening the state. |
C.Improving the quality. |
D.Deciding the conditions. |
A.They result from the destruction of rain forests. |
B.They provide food mainly for African elephants. |
C.They are home to many endangered animals. |
D.They are attractive to plant-eating animals of different kinds. |
A.showing the effect and then explaining the causes |
B.pointing out similarities and differences |
C.describing the changes in spare order |
D.giving examples |
4 . In October, 1961. at Crowley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio, an old, deaf gentleman named William E Hey stood up to throw the first ball of the World Series. Most people at Crowley Field on that day probably did not remember Hoy because he had retired (退休) from professional baseball 58 years earlier, in 1903. However, he had been an outstanding player and the deaf people still talk about him and his years in baseball.
William E. Hoy was horn in Houckstown, Ohio, on May 23, 1862. He became deaf when he was two years old. He attended the Columbus Ohio School for the deaf. After graduation, he started playing baseball while working as a shoemaker.
Hoy began playing professional baseball in 1886 for Oshkosh (Wisconsin) of the Northwestern League. In 1888, he started as an outfielder (外场手) with the old Washington Senators. His small figure and speed made him an outstanding base runner. He was very good at stealing bases during his career. In the 1888 major league season, he stole 82 bases. He was also the Senators' leading hitter in 1888. Hoy was clever; he threw right-handed and batted left-handed. On June 19, 1889, he threw out three batters (击球手) at the plate from his outfield position.
The arm signals used by judges today to show balls and strikes began because of Hoy. The judge lifted his right arm to show that the pitch was a strike, and his left arm to signal that it was a ball. For many years, people talked about Hoy's last ball game in 1903. He was playing for Los Angeles of the Pacific Coast Winter League. It was a memorable game because Hoy made a wonderful play which won the game. It was a very foggy night and, therefore, very hard to see the ball. In the ninth inning (棒球的一局), with two men out, Hoy managed to catch a fly ball to make the third out in spite of the fog. Ms Angeles defeated their opposition and won the game.
After he retired, Hoy stayed busy. He ran a dairy farm near Cincinnati for 20 years. He also became a public speaker and traveled giving speeches. Until a few years before his death, he took 4 and 10 mile walks several mornings a week. On December 15, 1961, William Hoy died at the age of 99
1. In which order did the following things happen in Hoy's life?a. Hoy worked as a shoemaker.
b. Hoy began to run a diary farm.
c. Hoy played a memorable game in the heavy fog.
d. Hoy threw the first ball of the World Series.
e. Hoy became deaf.
A.d, e, a, c, b | B.e, a, | C.b, d C. d, a, e, c, b | D.e. a, b, c, d |
A.became famous | B.led a relaxed life |
C.traveled around the world | D.was in good physical condition |
A.a deaf player devoted to the game of baseball |
B.baseball game rules and important players |
C.the rise in the social position of the deaf people |
D.where the baseball judge hand signals came from |
A.Hoy was the greatest baseball player in his time. |
B.Speaking and listening are not necessary in baseball games. |
C.The judge had to study the hand signals very seriously. |
D.Hoy's family encouraged him to become a baseball player. |
Study Techniques
You should always study in the same place. You shouldn’t sit in a position that you use for another purpose. For example, when you sit on a sofa to study, your brain will think it is time to relax. Don’t watch TV while you are studying. Experts warn that your concentration may be reduced by 50 percent if you attempt to study in this way. Always try to have a white wall in front of you, so there is nothing to distract (make less concentrated) you. Before sitting down to study, gather together all the equipment you need. Apart from your textbooks, pens, pencils and knives, make sure you have a dictionary. If your study desk or table is needed when you are not studying, store all your equipment in a box beside it.
Your eyes will become tired if you try to read a text which is on a flat surface. Position your book at an angle of 30 degrees.
Be realistic and don’t try to complete too much in one study period. Finish one thing before
beginning another. If you need a break, get up and walk around for a few minutes, but try not to telephone a friend or have something to eat.
Test-taking Skills
All your hard work will be for nothing if you are too nervous to take your test. Getting plenty
of rest is very important. This means do not study all night before your test! It is a better idea to have a long-term study plan. Try to make a timetable for your study which lasts for a few months.
Exercise is a great way to reduce pressure. Doing some form of exercise every day will also
improve your concentration. Eat healthy food too.
When you arrive in the examination room, find your seat and sit down. Breathe slowly and
deeply. Check the time on the clock during the test, but not too often. Above all, take no notice of everyone else and give the test paper your undivided attention.
1. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A.You should study in a different place every day, so you don’t get bored. |
B.Your concentration will improve if you study and watch TV at the same time. |
C.Check the time during the exam at a certain time. |
D.Staying up all night and studying is tiring, but you will learn a lot using this method. |
A.Your study desk or table. | B.Your textbook. |
C.Your dictionary. | D.The equipment you need. |
A.You shouldn’t look at everyone else during the test. |
B.You will have enough energy to deal with your study and exams by eating healthy diet. |
C.You’ll concentrate more if there is nothing to distract you. |
D.If you feel tired during study, you can walk around for a few minutes. |
6 . Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment.
Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses (球场) in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas.
There are many environment-friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don’t need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and you don’t have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control.
Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be “green gyms”. They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it’s free.
1. Which of the following is the author most probably in favor of?A.Cycling around a lake. |
B.Motor racing in the desert. |
C.Playing basketball in a gym. |
D.Swimming in a sports center. |
A.It is popular in Portugal and Spain. |
B.It causes water shortages around the world. |
C.It pollutes the earth with chemicals and wastes. |
D.It needs water and electricity to keep its courses green. |
A.it is an outdoor sport |
B.it improves our health |
C.it uses fewer resources |
D.it is recommended by experts |
A.show us the function of major sports |
B.encourage us to go in for green sports |
C.discuss the major influence of popular sports |
D.introduce different types of environment-friendly sports |
In discussion of technological changes, the Internet gets most of the attention these days.But the change in medicine can be the real technological event of our times. How long can humans live? Human brains were known to decide the final death.Cells(细胞) are the basic units of all living things, and until recently, scientists were sure that the life of cells could not go much beyond 120 years because the basic materials of cells, such as those of brain cells, would not last forever.But the upper limits will be broken by new medicine. Sometime between 2050 and 2100, medicine will have advanced to the point at which every 10 years or so, people will be able to take medicine to repair their organs(器官). The medicine, made up of the basic building materials of life, will build new brain cells, heart cells, and so on—in much the same way our bodies make new skin cells to take the place of old ones.
It is exciting to imagine that the advance in technology may be changing the most basic condition of human existence, but many technical problems still must be cleared up on the way to this wonderful future.
1. According to the passage,human death is now mainly caused by _______.
A.diseases and aging | B.accidents and war |
C.accidents and aging | D.heart disease and war |
A.medicine | B.the Internet |
C.brain cells | D.human organs |
A.heart disease will be far away from us |
B.human brains can decide the final death |
C.the basic materials of cells will last forever |
D.human organs can be repaired by new medicine |
A.human life will not last more than 120 years in the future |
B.humans have to take medicine to build new skin cells now |
C.much needs to be done before humans can have a longer life |
D.we have already solved the technical problems in building new cells |
8 . Food sometimes gets poisoned(中毒) with harmful things. A person who eats such food can get an illness called food poisoning. Food poisoning is usually not serious, but some types are deadly. The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within hours of eating the poisoned food. Fever is one of the most common symptoms.
Certain microorganisms(微生物) cause most types of food poisoning. Bacteria and other microorganisms can poison eggs, meat, vegetables, and many other foods. After entering the body, these tiny living things release(释放) poisons that make people sick.
Some chemicals(化合物) can also cause food poisoning. They are often added to food while it is being grown, processed, or prepared. For example, many farmers spray chemicals on crops to kill weeds and insects. Some people may have a bad reaction to those chemicals when they eat the crops.
Some plants and animals contain natural poisons that are harmful to people. These include certain kinds of seafood, grains, nuts, seeds, beans, and mushrooms.
When people handle food properly, the risk of food poisoning is very small. Microorganisms multiply rapidly in dirty places and in warm temperatures. This means that people should never touch food with dirty hands or put food on unwashed surfaces. Food should be kept in a refrigerator to stop microorganisms from growing. Meat needs to be cooked thoroughly to kill any dangerous microorganisms. People should also wash food covered with chemicals before eating it. Finally, people should not eat wild mushrooms or other foods that grow in the wild. Some of these foods may contain natural materials that are poisonous to humans. In addition, some types of fish can be poisonous.
Most people recover from food poisoning after a few day of resting and drinking extra water. If people eat natural poisons, they must go to the hospital right away to have their stomachs emptied.
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true?A.Food when poisoned can make people sick. | B.Food poisoning means death. |
C.Food poisoning comes in varieties. | D.Food poisoning can be serious. |
A.are always accompanied by a fever | B.are too common to be noted |
C.can be noticed within hours | D.can he ignored |
A.some chemicals | B.low temperatures |
C.some tiny living things | D.certain natural materials |
A.mushrooms should not be eaten |
B.vegetables are safer than meat and seafood |
C.natural poisons are more dangerous than chemicals |
D.different types of food should be handled differently |
It was a Sunday morning, and I was in low
Several hours later, the police called us,
“Daddy … I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll be okay.”
“No,” I said, “I
“Sweetheart, I don’t
I felt regretful for my thoughtless remark, for I
A.Therefore | B.Instead | C.Besides | D.However |
A.attention | B.sight | C.effort | D.energy |
A.Dad | B.friends | C.teachers | D.brothers |
A.start | B.save | C.devote | D.waste |
A.silent | B.busy | C.asleep | D.awake |
A.unless | B.in case | C.so that | D.as if |
A.spirits | B.conditions | C.states | D.hopes |
A.left | B.checked | C.entered | D.knocked |
A.ride | B.walk | C.picnic | D.game |
A.whispered | B.warned | C.announced | D.shouted |
A.moment | B.morning | C.afternoon | D.evening |
A.convincing | B.reminding | C.informing | D.phoning |
A.eventually | B.generally | C.strictly | D.broadly |
A.tired | B.afraid | C.aware | D.sorry |
A.discuss | B.think | C.care | D.mean |
A.hate | B.forget | C.remember | D.like |
A.got | B.expressed | C.exchanged | D.managed |
A.often | B.never | C.even | D.once |
A.apologies | B.promises | C.smiles | D.words |
A.experience | B.honor | C.power | D.desire |
Bad news sells. If it bleeds, it leads. No news is good news, and good news is no news. Those are the classic rules for the evening broadcasts and the morning papers. But now that information is being spread and monitored(监控) in different ways, researchers are discovering new rules. By tracking people’s e-mails and online posts, scientists have found that good news can spread faster and farther than disasters and sob stories.
“The ‘if it bleeds’ rule works for mass media,” says Jonah Berger, a scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. “They want your eyeballs and don’t care how you’re feeling. But when you share a story with your friends, you care a lot more how they react. You don’t want them to think of you as a Debbie Downer.”
Researchers analyzing word-of-mouth communication—e-mails, Web posts and reviews, face-to-face conversations—found that it tended to be more positive than negative(消极的), but that didn’t necessarily mean people preferred positive news. Was positive news shared more often simply because people experienced more good things than bad things? To test for that possibility, Dr. Berger looked at how people spread a particular set of news stories: thousands of articles on The New York Times’ website. He and a Penn colleague analyzed the “most e-mailed” list for six months. One of his first findings was that articles in the science section were much more likely to make the list than non-science articles. He found that science amazed Times’ readers and made them want to share this positive feeling with others.
Readers also tended to share articles that were exciting or funny, or that inspired negative feelings like anger or anxiety, but not articles that left them merely sad. They needed to be aroused(激发) one way or the other, and they preferred good news to bad. The more positive an article, the more likely it was to be shared, as Dr. Berger explains in his new book, “Contagious: Why Things Catch On.”
1. What do the classic rules mentioned in the text apply to?
A.News reports. | B.Research papers. |
C.Private e-mails. | D.Daily conversations. |
A.They’re socially inactive. |
B.They’re good at telling stories. |
C.They’re inconsiderate of others. |
D.They’re careful with their words. |
A.Sports new. | B.Science articles. |
C.Personal accounts. | D.Financial reviews. |
A.Sad Stories Travel Far and Wide |
B.Online News Attracts More People |
C.Reading Habits Change with the Times |
D.Good News Beats Bad on Social Networks |