6 . Great Barrier Reef Choking on Pollutants

Attempts to protect the Great Barrier Reef are failing. A report released Monday by the government in Australia says water quality in the Great Barrier Reef is far below what it should be. It showed that pollution have decreased, but not enough to reach environmental targets.

Sediment (沉淀物) and chemicals can weaken coral, hurting its ability to feed and grow. Coral are live animals that take root in the ocean floor, but they are not plants. Reefs are the hard skeletons (骨架) left at the bottom of the sea by small marine creatures called polyps (珊瑚虫). The polyps then form the larger structure of a reef. Corals also are some of the most diverse ecosystems on the entire planet. They can make a home for invertebrates, crustaceans, fish, and sea snakes.

Steve Miles is Queensland’s environment minister. He says the research shows the Reef needs more protection. “Over that five-year period, we did see some progress towards our targets. Sediment is down 12 percent and pesticides (杀虫剂) loads are down 30 percent. But what is most disturbing is that these results are far from our targets. Progress towards these targets flat-lined in the period 2013-2014. If one of my kids came home with a report card like this, I would be a bit disappointed. There is more bad news here than good news. ” said Steve Miles.

The report also found that fewer than one-third of Queensland’s sugar plantations used techniques to reduce the use of pesticides. Only 28 percent of land managers managed their land properly. They had reduced harmful water run off to protect the health of the Reef. The official target is a 90 percent reduction in pesticide use within three years.

Scientists at the University of Queensland and the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences published their findings Wednesday, July 18 in the journal Science Advances. It found between 1992 and 2010, the recovery rate dropped by an average of 84 percent. But there is hope. The study also found some corals can recover quickly if “acute and chronic stressors” are lessened.

Meanwhile, the Australian government released its updated reef protection plan Friday. It clearly states global temperatures must be stopped from rising in order to save the world’s largest living structure.

1. What does the underlined word “They” in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Diverse ecosystems.	B．Sediment and chemicals.
C．Reefs and corals.	D．Small sea creatures.

2. What can be learned from what Steve Miles said?

A．He is satisfied with the protection of the Reef.

B．He thinks that the Reef needs more protection.

C．He feels angry with what his children did.

D．He is very happy about the Reef progress protection.

3. What does the underlined word “flat-lined” mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Not increase significantly.	B．Disappear.
C．Speed up.	D．Miss the chance.

4. The report found the majority of land managers in Queensland   ________.

A．were tough to deal with	B．failed to manage their land properly
C．reduced the amount of harmful water	D．were eager to quit pesticide soon

5. Where is the passage most likely to have been taken from?

A．A news report.	B．A science fiction.
C．A book review.	D．A guide book.

7 . They can be identified by their independent-bookstore bags or printed piles of paper they look through on their lap. They are, for lack of a more specific term, reader. Joining their group seems simple enough: Get a book and read it! But behind that simple process is a question of motivation—of why some people grow up to derive great pleasure from reading, while others don’t.

Some people are much more likely than others to become members of the reading class. First, the more education people have, the more likely they are to be readers. Beyond that, urban people read more than rural people. Affluence(富裕) is associated with reading. Young girls read earlier than boys do and continue to read more in adulthood.

Of course, possessing any of these characteristics doesn’t guarantee that someone will or won’t become a reader. Personality also seems to play a role. “Introverts who find it difficult to talk to others seem to be a little bit more likely to do a lot of leisure-time reading,” Daniel Willingham, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia said.

Willingham also talked about the importance of the number of books in one’s childhood home. Studies looking at “family scholarly culture” have found that children who grew up surrounded by books tend to attain higher levels of education and to be better readers than those who didn’t. There is no doubt that being a reader sets a child up for academic success, since so much of school is reading.

Reading will seem more like chocolate cake if it’s something that parents themselves take part in happily and regularly. “When I’m sitting there on my couch, reading a book, and my kids are doing their own thing, I like to think, ‘I’m parenting right now—they can see me reading this book,’” Maria Russo, the children’s-books editor said. Similarly, right after dinner, if you scroll through your phone, open up your laptop, or watch TV, kids are likely to take note.

Parents don’t have to become avid readers themselves to raise avid readers. Russo suggested a bunch of things that parents can do to make reading seem exciting and worthwhile: talk about books during meals or car rides, indicating that they’re just as compelling a subject of conversation as the day’s events; make regular stops at libraries and bookstores and stay a while; and give books as birthday gifts.

1. According to the passage how can readers be identified?

A．By their attractive appearances.

B．By their independent schoolbags.

C．By their turning pages on their lap.

D．By their printed piles of test paper.

2. In the view of Daniel Willingham, what kind of people is more likely to be readers?

A．Those living in the rural areas.

B．Those receiving plenty of education.

C．Those quiet and willing to be alone.

D．Those having much money and many books.

3. Why do children who grew up surrounded by books tend to achieve academic success?

A．Because much of school is reading.

B．Because their family are rich in scholarly culture.

C．Because they know the importance of reading books.

D．Because they are better readers and gain much education.

4. Which of the following statement may Maria Russo agree with?

A．Reading will be unpleasant if parents involve themselves in it.

B．Parents should chat with their kids about books every day.

C．Reading books should be a necessary subject only for kids.

D．Regular stops at libraries and bookstores will give kids a gift.

5. What is the best title of the passage?

A．What do parents do to help kids become readers?

B．Why do some people become lifelong readers?

C．How can people improve their efficiency of reading?

D．How can people form a good habit of reading books?

8 . From now on, never spend your precious time thinking of reasons for your failures and shortcomings. Instead, realize that the seeds of success were planted within you when you were born. Only you have the power to make those seeds grow.

The seeds, and the power to grow them, are contained in the most awesome machine ever created：the human mind. Success is a choice and not a chance. You were born a winner. You were born rich. You can be a success if only you make the right choice.

You cannot be successful without first developing your self-esteem. Your level of self-esteem is always based on the degree of control that you are able to exercise over yourself, and thus over your life. People with low self-esteem are people who do not believe that they have any power, or responsibility for their lives. They are the perennial（长期的）victims and martyrs. They are leaves tossed（摇摆）by the winds of chance blown about with any sudden change in the weather.

You can exercise control over your life only to the degree that you believe that you are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Failures think that everything happens by accident and chance. Successful people realize that they are responsible.

Everything happens as a result of something. If we can identify the cause, we can control the effect. We are responsible for what we choose to think and believe. One generally rises to the level that one expects. We are responsible for setting our expectations. Our success is dependent upon our level of confidence.

If you associate with positive-thinking people, you are definitely going to achieve success. On the contrary, the opposite happens. We are responsible for finding, planting, and nurturing the seeds that contain future victory, born from setbacks.

In short, in all areas of your life, whether they be financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual, you are responsible. Once you recognize this, accept it, and firmly believe it, you are on the road to success.

1. People with low self-esteem are compared to leaves because they ______.

A．are ready to change their minds	B．are easily affected by windy weather
C．don't have the power to face their fate	D．can't exercise control over themselves

2. Losers would think that ______.

A．success is the result of hard work	B．working hard will lead to success
C．their failure is only because of bad luck	D．they don't make efforts to succeed

3. It can be inferred from paragraph 5 that ______.

A．whether we will succeed depends on our attitudes

B．one’s expectation is the key to future success

C．thoughts and beliefs are the result of creative mind

D．setting our expectations is essential before taking action

4. The last paragraph serves as ______.

A．the proof of the author's points	B．the conclusion of the argument
C．an introduction to another topic	D．a comparison between two views

5. Which is the best title for the text?

A．The secrets of success．	B．Success is a choice．
C．Develop our confidence．	D．How to achieve success．

9 . While it is impossible to live completely free of stress, it is possible to prevent stress as well as reduce its effect when it can’t be avoided. The US Department of Health and Human Services offers the following suggestions for ways to deal with stress.

◆Try physical activity

When you are nervous, angry or upset, try releasing the pressure through exercise or physical activity. Running, walking, playing tennis, and working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try.

◆Take care of yourself

You should make every effort to eat well and get enough rest. If you easily get angry and can’t sleep well enough, or if you’re not eating properly, it will be more likely that you will fall into stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping, you should consult a doctor.

◆Make time for yourself

Schedule time for both work and entertainment. Don't forget, play can be just as important to your overall well-being as work. You need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun. Go window-shopping or work on a hobby. Allow yourself at least a half hour each day to do something you enjoy.

◆Make a list of things to do

Stress can result from disorganization and a feeling that “there’s so much to do, and not enough time”. Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you and as a result, you may not achieve anything. Instead, make a list of everything you have to do, then do one thing at a time, checking off each task as it is completed. Set out to do the most important task first.

1. Which of the following statements shows that you have fallen into stressful situations?

A．You can’t sleep well all the time.	B．You have a break after work.
C．You always feel happy and relaxed.	D．You only do one thing at a time.

2. According to the passage, how do you make a list of things to do?

A．Try to take care of everything at once.

B．Do one thing at a time.

C．Only do the most important thing.

D．Have a break from your work.

3. Why does the writer write this passage?

A．To give opinion.	B．To give suggestions.
C．To make a request.	D．To ask for advice.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．How to Deal with Stress?	B．How to Make Time for Yourself?
C．How to Take Care of Yourself?	D．How to Make a List of Things to Do?

5. Which of the following would be the advice to deal with stress according to the passage?

A．Just lie in bed for a rest.	B．Always listen to pop music.
C．Insist on doing work.	D．Make a list to do things one by one.

10 . There is no shortage of family fun in New York City, especially when you and your family visit the many amazing museums for kids. Every site offers something exciting. If you're looking to spice up a weekend or a day off school, have a look at some of the museums for kids NYC has to offer

Children's Museum of Manhattan

This nearly 40,000-square-fbot institution makes learning about culture and science an enjoyable experience for kids. It also hosts classes and workshops which are all designed with the latest child-development research in mind.

Brooklyn Children's Museum

When it was founded in 1899, the BCM was the country's first museum specifically designed for children. Today, it's one of the most comprehensive museums, with a permanent collection of 30,000 objects, including musical instruments, masks, dolls and fossils. Kids have fun while learning at interactive exhibitions like “World Brooklyn"， a mini city lined by stores where children can make bread at the Mexican Bakery, or shop for candy at the International Grocery. .

DiMenna Children^ History Museum

Exhibitions and programs at this kid-focused arm of the New-York Historical Society transport children back through 350 years of U.S. history. Galleries stress the lives of kids who grew up to become famous doctors, athletes and political figures, and Little New-Yorkers classes invite kids to join in singalongs and make crafts.

Children's Museum of the Arts

This museum is especially designed for kids so that they can travel around the art world. The 10,000-square-foot institution has more than enough room to house its 2,000-piece collection of international children's art, including a huge center gallery to display it in. Artists lead workshops in classrooms, studios and media labs-which are famous for a sound station, a clay bar and the video-making equipment. CMA's WEE Arts Program develops kids' artistic expression, which the Art Colony camps invite kids aged 6 to 15 to participate in disciplines like drawing and sculpture.

1. What can children do in Children's Museum of Manhattan?

A．Make bread at the museum by themselves.

B．Know about culture and science pleasantly.

C．Design classes and workshops on their own.

D．Carry out researches on child development.

2. Which of the following museums may have the longest history?

A．Children's Museum of Manhattan

B．Brooklyn Children's Museum

C．DiMenna Children's History Museum

D．Children "s Museum of the Arts

3. When children visit DiMenna Children's History Museum, they              .

A．should be prepared to sing songs

B．can experience life 350 years ago

C．may meet with some famous figures

D．can know some successful peopled childhood

4. What is Children's Museum of the Arts designed to do?

A．To help children explore the art world.

B．To develop children's artistic expression.

C．To house international artists' famous works.

D．To help children learn art creation from artists.

5. What is the writing purpose of the text?

A．To call on parents to take kids to museums.

B．To compare four famous museums in NYC.

C．To show the benefits of visiting museums.

D．To introduce some museums to children.