1 . Windows open? Fans on? Ready for another water break? For schools across Greater Toronto, the extremely hot temperatures provided some lessons in how to beat the heat—or at least attempt to—without air conditioning. It wasn’t easy. With some classroom temperatures getting close to 40℃—one teacher even handed out temperature meters to see how hot it got—both students and educators were red-faced and bathed with sweat all day.
The extreme weather had some parents wondering if their children should be spending most of the day inside hot schools, and a few chose to keep them home. Very few schools across Greater Toronto are air-conditioned. There are no rules or requirements that schools shut down as the temperature rises.
At Bowmore public school, near Coxwell Ave. and Gerrard St. E, teachers arrive at 7 am and open all the doors and windows to circulate fresh air. The windows at the school, replaced in stages over the past few years, swing in at the top, and out at the bottom to provide better air flow.
“Is it hot? Yes. Is it something that makes us feel uncomfortable? Yes,” said Headmaster Lilian Hanson. Despite that, she said she’d never advocate for air conditioners in schools, which are expensive and would consume the city’s electric power. She’d rather see more gardens, more trees—more natural solutions, more sustainable choices.
“We are teaching kids to make good choices,” she said. “Social responsibility is the key.” Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 seek pleasant places under trees and in the outdoor peaceful garden during the break time between classes and after school as the trees there provide much-needed shade. Teachers also take classes with students out there during the day. And kids do get the message about staying cool. Students are reminded to dress in cool clothing. When Hanson arrived at work in a dark-colored dress, a student asked her: “What were you thinking wearing a black dress on a day like today?”
1. What can be learned about the new windows at Bowmore public school?| A．They can let air in and out continuously. |
| B．They can let more light in. |
| C．They can stop the noise. |
| D．They can collect rains. |
| A．She thought the heat bearable. |
| B．The schools hadn’t enough money. |
| C．The city lacked enough power. |
| D．She was concerned more about environment. |
| A．Frightened. | B．Puzzled. | C．Embarrassed. | D．Interested. |
| A．The students enjoy studying outdoors. |
| B．The school is unfriendly to the students. |
| C．The school beats the heat in different ways. |
| D．The students are free to learn anything they like. |
2 . The email hit me like a punch in the gut. It came from my
But despite my
But then, I surprised myself by quickly
Sometimes life sucks and things happen, and we cannot
| A．housekeeper | B．parents | C．editor | D．customers |
| A．desperately | B．unfortunately | C．hopefully | D．thankfully |
| A．initial | B．endless | C．various | D．regular |
| A．moved | B．committed | C．disturbed | D．thrilled |
| A．laid off | B．approved of | C．seen through | D．looked into |
| A．remarkably | B．ambitiously | C．identically | D．negatively |
| A．promotion | B．threat | C．column | D．application |
| A．boundary | B．failure | C．tendency | D．distance |
| A．switching | B．objecting | C．adding | D．comparing |
| A．self-defense | B．self-respect | C．self-doubt | D．self-approval |
| A．suggestion | B．perspective | C．assistance | D．breath |
| A．commanded | B．allowed | C．warned | D．inspired |
| A．discover | B．track | C．forget | D．control |
| A．routine | B．dream | C．reflection | D．principle |
| A．goner | B．victim | C．delay | D．rank |
3 . Every year, as many as 50, 000 elephants in Africa are killed illegally for their tusks (象牙). Now scientists have improved DNA methods that allow them to match up elephant tusks, and help track down criminals that are selling them.
Even though it’s against the law, African elephants have long been killed by criminals for their tusks. Other people, called “traffickers”, buy the tusks and transport them out of the country on a ship. The traffickers re-sell the tusks for even more money, usually in Asia. Elephant tusks can sell for about $1, 000 a kilogram.
In the past, it was hard to catch the criminals. Usually by the time the dead animals were found, the illegal hunters had been far away. And when traffickers were caught with elephant tusks, it was impossible to say where the tusks came from. Traffickers usually hide them in tricky ways inside shipments of other products. That means that only about 10% of tusks from illegally killed elephants are ever found.
Several years ago, scientists led by Dr. Samuel Wasser figured out a new way to solve the problem. Using elephant waste, they built a list of the DNA of almost all elephants in Africa.
Now when elephant tusks are found on a ship in another country, DNA tests can show where they came from. This information can trigger quick action in the country where the animals were killed. It can also help the police discover patterns in the ways the illegal hunters and traffickers work.
Dr. Wasser is hopeful that the method of using DNA information from elephants to track illegally killed wildlife will soon be adopted to help protect other kinds of animals and break up more criminal groups.
1. Why do scientists use DNA information from elephants?| A．To improve the health of elephant tusks. |
| B．To keep track of the illegal dealers. |
| C．To protect elephants against natural disasters. |
| D．To research into elephants’ habits. |
| A．The way they are transported. |
| B．The lack of tracking technology. |
| C．The difficulty in catching criminals. |
| D．The various tricks of illegal hunters. |
| A．start with | B．result from | C．hold back | D．lead to |
| A．It can make all criminals have nowhere to hide. |
| B．It can scare away potential illegal hunters. |
| C．It can be widely used in wildlife protection. |
| D．It can make elephant tusk sales unprofitable. |
7 . Are you sometimes a little tired and sleepy in the early afternoon? Many people feel this way after lunch. They may think that eating lunch is the cause of the sleepiness. Or, in summer, they may think it is the heat (热). However, the real reason lies inside their bodies. At that time—about eight hours after you wake up - your body temperature goes down. This is what makes you slow down and feel sleepy. Scientists have tested sleep habits in experiments where there was no night or day. The people in these experiments almost always followed a similar sleeping pattern (模式). They slept for one long period and then for one short period about eight hours later.
In many parts of the world, people take naps (小睡) in the middle of the day. This is especially true in warmer climates (气候), where the heat makes work difficult in the early afternoon. Researchers are now saying that naps are good for everyone in any climate. A daily nap gives one a more rested body and mind and therefore is good for health in general. In countries where naps are traditional (传统的), people often suffer less from problem such as heart disease.
Many working people unfortunately, have no time to take naps. Though doctors may advise taking naps, employers do not allow it! If you do have the chance, however, here are a few tips about making the most of your nap. Remember that the best time to take a nap is about eight hours after you get up. A short sleep too late in the day may only make you feel more tired and sleepy afterward. This can also happen if you sleep for too long. If you do not have enough time, try a short nap - even ten minutes of sleep can be helpful.
1. Why do people feel sleepy in the early afternoon according to the text?| A．They eat too much for lunch. | B．They sleep too little at night. |
| C．Their body temperature becomes lower. | D．The weather becomes a lot warmer. |
| A．About 12:30 pm. | B．About 1:30 pm. | C．About 2:30 pm. | D．About 3:30 pm. |
| A．Just for a Rest | B．All for a Nap |
| C．A Special Sleep Pattern. | D．Taking Naps in Warmer Climate. |
