Millions of dollars have been used in developing special chemicals to help dismiss the spills and to clean up the animals, beaches, and land spoiled by the oil. Unfortunately, when many of these chemicals are used, more damage is caused to the environment, especially to lives in the sea.
Of all of today’s environmental disasters, an oil spill may actually be one of the least serious. Although oil is poisonous, it is a natural material. In the end, it breaks down naturally. There are, of course, long-term effects, but it is usually more serious in the short term.
Nature by itself works better than chemical materials, but when there is a spill we demand that governments act immediately with as much hi-tech knowledge as possible. In 1967 the tanker Torrey Canyon sank off the Scilly Isles near the coast of England and spilled 120,000 tones of oil into the ocean. If you go there today, you will find it hard to see any sign that it ever happened.
Governments seem to accept the risk of transporting millions of tons of oil by ship every day so that we can fill up our cars and drive around and cause even more environmental damage. Interestingly, the biggest companies in the world produce cars, and the next biggest supply the gasoline to make them run!
We should be thinking more about reducing our dependency on oil. Governments should be encouraging research into new technologies, such as cars run by solar power(太阳能), electricity, hydrogen, and so on. Much of this research has, in the past, been held back by the oil, gas, and coal.
If the world’s millions of cars were 10% more efficient(高效的) — and the industry could easily produce cars at least twice as efficient — we would need many fewer tankers crossing the oceans each year. If this happened, the risks of oil spills would be reduced, and the air we breathe would be cleaner and fresher, too.
1. What is the passage mainly talking about?
A.Oil spills pollution. | B.What oil pollution is. |
C.Oil tanker accidents. | D.How to reduce oil pollution. |
A.By giving a description. | B.By making an argument. |
C.By giving an example. | D.By drawing a diagram. |
A.Transportation depending more on oil. | B.Poisonous oil breaking down naturally. |
C.Millions of tons of oil spilling into the sea. | D.More environmental damage being caused. |
A.We should build safer oil tankers in the near future. |
B.We should develop new technologies to cut oil use. |
C.Tankers should not be allowed to sail near the coastlines. |
D.Countries should build more oil pipelines under the sea. |
2 . There is a boy called Bill in my gym class who has unbearably yellow teeth that almost make everyone feel unpleasant. Recently another boy told Bill that he should “go Ajax” his teeth. Bill was crushed. If the other boy had been thinking, he would have realized that there is a better way to handle such a situation. He could have dealt with it with tact. He could have showed this hurtful truth in a more careful, sensitive way-that's “tact”.
If a person isn't sensitive to another's feelings, there is no way he or she can be tactful. Yesterday, my 5-year-old brother proudly announced that he had cleaned the screen on our television set. Unfortunately, he used furniture polish, which produced an oily film on the television screen. My mother smiled arid thanked him for his efforts-and then showed how to clean the screen properly. Her sensitivity enables my brother to keep his self-respect. Yet, sensitivity alone does not make tact.
“Tactfulness” also requires “truthfulness”. Doctors, for example must be truthful. If a patient has just been disabled in an accident, a tactful doctor will tell the truth-but express it with sensitivity. The doctor may try to give the patient hope by telling them curing techniques under study or about advanced equipment now available. Doctors must use tact with patients' relatives as well. Instead of bluntly saying, “Your husband is disabled,” a doctor might say, “I'm sorry, but your husband has lost feeling in his legs and...”
Tact should not be confused with trickery. Trickery occurs when a nurse is about to give a patient an injection(注射) and says, “This won't hurt a bit.” Instead of trickery, the nurse might guarantee the patient that the discomfort of the injection is a small thing compared to the benefits of it. It would also be thoughtful for the nurse to tell the patients about some of these benefits.
Tact is a wonderful skill to have, and tactful people are usually admired and respected. Without tact our society would become an intolerable place to live in.
1. The underlined word “crushed” in the first paragraph probably means____.A.surprised | B.cheated | C.regretful | D.painful |
A.sensitive and tactful | B.sensitive but not tactful enough |
C.truthful but not tactful enough | D.sensitive but ticklish |
(The numbers stand for the paragraphs)
A. | B. | C. | D. |
I was born disabled.A difficult birth, feet first, my head stuck.By my first birthday, I couldn't stand or walk.
When I was three, the doctor told dad I had cerebral palsy (脑瘫).A loss of oxygen to my brain had destroyed brain signals to the right side of my body.
But no son of my dad' s was going to be disabled.Every morning before breakfast and every evening before bed, my dad placed me on the bedroom floor to exercise my right leg.The muscles were shrunk and twisted together.Back and forth up and down, my dad pushed and pulled the muscles into shape.
But my dad' s exercise of passion didn't stop there.For my 13th birthday, he threw me a special party.When everybody was gone, he brought me to open a large box, it was a-set of boxing gloves.We put them on.My dad kept on beating me mercilessly.Each time I tried to get up, leather kissed my nose, eyes and jaw.I "begged him to stop. He said he beat me to get me ready for the tough world.
That same year, I was the only kid in my neighborhood that wasn't picked for Little League. Two weeks later.Dad started the Shedd Park Minor League, and every kid played.Dad coached us and made me a pitcher (棒球投手).
The power of my dad' s love guaranteed I walked and more.In high school, I became a football star.
In 1997, a brain surgeon in San Jose told me I didn’t t have cerebral palsy after all.He explained how and where the doctor' s forceps (镊子) at birth had damaged my brain.
My dad never knew the whole truth since he passed away years ago.But all that counts is the bottom line.After all his madness, on this Father' s Day, like every Father' s Day, I' m no longer disabled.
1. What caused the author' s disability?
A.A failed operation. |
B.The doctor's forceps. |
C.An accident in a game. |
D.Shrunken and twisted muscles. |
A.The author has a talent for boxing. |
B.The author achieved a lot thanks to his father' s love. |
C.The author became a baseball star with the help of his father. |
D.The author doesn't think his father should be so strict with him. |
A.wouldn't give up hope easily |
B.believed his son was a normal child |
C.blamed the doctors for his son' s disability |
D.couldn't accept the truth that his son was disabled |
A.remember his father |
B.encourage disabled children |
C.show the difficulty the disabled face |
D.give advice to the parents of disabled children |
The person we are looking for will live in Singapore, and work in our office there but he will travel for up to six months in other countries in one year. He will know the Far East well. He should know how to sell in established(建立) markets and where to find new ones. He will know to make more money than ever, for himself and for Webster Toys.
Websters want someone who can stand on his own feet. If you think you are the person we are looking for, write to Mr.J.Sloman at our office. Webster Toys Company Church Mill Watford.
1. . What are Webster Toys?
A.An old kind of toys. |
B.Factories where good, safe and interesting toys are made. |
C.People who are famous for making toys for children. |
D.A company that has been making and selling toys. |
A.in a book | B.in a dictionary | C.in a novel | D.in a newspaper |
A.If you are thirty years old, you can apply for the position. |
B.If you live in Singaore, you can get the position. |
C.If you speak good English , you can get the position. |
D.The company is looking for some salesmen or saleswomen. |
Seemingly waiting quite a long time, I was jogged out of my thoughts by a voice behind me making comments on the things I bought.
It was so funny when I realized that she was describing the contents of my basket. The owner of the voice was a very pretty young lady. I said to her that I was going to buy a box of Christmas cookies but the only ones left were not to my liking. The lady told me that just opposite Cockhedge in Superdrug they had lots of cookies. I said, “I’m not going to bother now. I had enough of shops and I’m going home.”
The assistant from the Customer Service came across at this time saying “If there is anyone in the line with a few items in their basket, none of which needed to be weighed, I will check out their groceries at the desk.” Because I had the sprouts which needed to be weighted, the young lady accepted the offer and walked away waving goodbye.
Eventually my turn came at the checkout. I was walking away when I met my new friend once again who handed me a beautiful box of Christmas cookies. With a big hug she said “Hope you have a lovely Christmas.” She had been into Superdrug to buy me the cookies while I was still queuing in Cockhedge.
What a generosity to a stranger! I was so surprised you could have knocked me down with a feather. My Good Samaritan would never know what a joyful Christmas day I had with my family. Telling them this story, as we ate around the table, kept everyone
1. .
The underlined word “spellbound” in the last paragraph probably means .
A.interested | B.disappointed | C.astonished | D.frightened |
Which of the following could be the best title of the story?
A.A Piece of Lucky Feather | B.A Surprise Christmas Gift |
C.The Boring Shopping Experience | D.The Unforgettable Big Hug |
How does the writer feel about the pretty young lady?
A.Worried. | B.Satisfied. | C.Grateful | D.Proud. |
What can we learn from the story?
A.Nobody is sure what will happen the next moment. |
B.A simple action can bring other people happiness. |
C.Being patient will decrease the waiting time. |
D.Life without hope and faith is a full thing. |
One important variable affecting communication across cultures is destiny(命运)and personal responsibility. This refers to the degree to which we feel ourselves the masters of our lives, contrary to the degree to which we see ourselves as subject to things outside our control. Another way to look at this is to ask how much we see ourselves able to change and act, to choose the course of our lives and relationships. Some have drawn a parallel between the personal responsibility in North American settings and the view itself. The North American view is vast, with large spaces of unpopulated land. The frontier attitude of “King” of the wilderness, and the expansiveness of the land reaching huge distances, may relate to generally high levels of confidence in the ability to shape and choose our destinies.
In this expansive land, many children grow up with a heroic sense of life, where ideas are big, and hope springs forever. When they experience temporary failures, they encouraged to redouble their efforts, to “try, try again.” Action, efficiency(效率), and achievement are valued and expected. Free will is respected in laws and enforced by courts.
Now consider places in the world with much smaller land, whose history reflects wars and tough struggles: Northern Ireland, Mexico, Israel, Palestine. In these places, destiny’s role is more important in human life. In Mexico, there is a history of hard life, fighting over land, and loss of homes. Mexicans are more likely to see struggles as part of their life and unavoidable. Their passive attitude is expr4essed in their way of responding to failure or accident by saying “ni modo”(“no way” or “tough lick”), meaning that the failure was destined.
This variable is important to understanding cultural conflict. If someone believing in free will crosses paths with someone more passive, miscommunication is likely. The first person may expect action and accountability. Failing to see it, he may conclude that the second is lazy, not cooperative, or dishonest. The second person will expect respect for the natural order of thins. Failing to see it, he may conclude that the first is forcible, rude, or big headed in his ideas of what can be accomplished or changed.
1. The author thinks that one’s character is partly determined by .
A.physical senses | B.general attitude |
C.financial background | D.geographic characteristics |
A.impractical | B.dishonest | C.ambitious | D.hesitant |
A.a topic of a discussion | B.a branch of knowledge |
C.a person being experimented on | D.a person under the power of others |
A.vast land may lead to a more controllable desire |
B.heroic sense of life roots deeply in a small country |
C.living in limited space contributes to an accepting attitude |
D.fighting over land may help people gain high levels of confidence |
The Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St. Petersburg. There you can see lots of different paintings painted by the old masters. Prepare to come face to face with many of the western classical artists.
Kizhi Island
Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden buildings from the Karelia region of Russia. These impressive structures are made without any nails(钉子).Can you imagine how the wood fits together? Come and see for yourself!
Peterhof
Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun. You’ll be charged for admission(门票),but if you go to Peterhof when the fountains(喷泉) are working—during the day in summer—the admission will be worth it.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Love it or hate it, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg is a real must-see sight. This beautiful building will truly surprise you, and the paintings inside the church will make you say “Wow!”
The Bronze Horseman Statue
The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and is a symbol of St. Petersburg. Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse truly shows Peter the Great’s influence on the Russian idea of greatness.
1. If you are interested in paintings, you’d better go to _________.
A.The Hermitage Museum and Kizhi Island |
B.The Bronze Horseman Statue and Kizhi Island |
C.Kizhi Island and Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood |
D.The Hermitage Museum and Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood |
A.Kizhi Island is an indoor museum. |
B.Visitors can find nails in the structures there. |
C.The buildings on Kizhi Island are made of wood. |
D.The wooden buildings are connected with wires. |
A.visitors can visit Peterhof free of charge |
B.The Hermitage Museum has lots of modern western arts |
C.The fountains in Peterhof can be seen by visitors all year round |
D.The Bronze Horseman Statue is a symbol of St. Petersburg |
A.attract tourists to visit St. Petersburg |
B.show the wonderful history of Russia |
C.persuade artists to go to St. Petersburg |
D.introduce the famous buildings of Russia |
8 . Our brains work in complex and strange ways.There are some people who can calculate the day of the week for any given date in 40,000 years, but who cannot add two plus two.Others can perform complex classical piano pieces after hearing them once, but they cannot read or write.
Dr.J.Langdon Down first described this condition in 1887.He called these people idiot savants.An idiot savant is a person who has significant mental impairment (损伤), such as in autism ( 孤独症,自闭症) or retardation.At the same time, the person also exhibits some extraordinary skills, which are unusual for most people.The skills of the savant may vary from being exceptionally gifted in music or in mathematics, or having a photographic memory.
One of the first descriptions of a human who could calculate quickly was written in 1789 by Dr.Benjamin Rush, an American doctor.His patient, Thomas Fuller, was brought to Virginia as a slave in1724.It took Thomas only 90 seconds to work out that a man who has lived 70 years, 17 days, and 12 hours has lived 2,210,500,800 seconds.Despite this ability, he died in 1790 without ever learning to read or write.
Another idiot savant slave became famous as a pianist in the 1860s.Blind Tom had a vocabulary of only 100 words, but he played 5 ,000 musical pieces beautifully.
In the excellent movie Rain Man, made in 1988 and available on video cassette, Dustin Hoffman plays an idiot savant who amazes his brother played by Tom Cruise, with his ability to perform complex calculations very rapidly.
Today we more clearly recognize that the idiot savant is special because of brain impairment.Yet not all brain impairment leads to savant skills.Some studies have shown that people who have purposeful interruption of the left side of the brain can develop idiot savant skills.However few people wish to participate in such experiments.There are many excellent reasons for not undergoing unnecessary experimentation on one’s brain. The term idiot savant is outdated and inappropriate.Virtually all savants have a high degree of intelligence and are thus not idiots.
1. What does the passage mainly talk about?A.Idiot savants have areas of outstanding abilities. |
B.Human Beings have complicated thinking process. |
C.The brains of the idiot savants are partly impaired. |
D.The reasons why people have wonderful skills vary. |
A.He can play wonderful pieces of classical music. |
B.He can guess out exactly the length of a man’s life. |
C.He can memorize the contents of the pictures fast. |
D.He can count matches dropped on the floor quickly. |
A.Idiot savants have real talents for art and math. |
B.Dr.Down is the first person who found idiot savants. |
C.Few people wish to risk becoming savants by brain operations. |
D.Intentional left brain impairments will surely lead to idiot savants. |
A.brain impairment is a kind of incurable disease |
B.the idiot savant may result from the purposeful interruption of the brain |
C.experiments on one’s brain are harmful |
D.idiot savants are actually very clever in certain fields |