1 . Oceans hold a lot of mystery, even for people who study them. But it's no mystery why they're in trouble. We've been using them to hide our waste -such as pouring oil, plastic, and poisonous chemicals into them for decades. We've over exploited (剥削) many fish stocks to levels so low that they can no longer be harvested.

Oceans are also a primary source of protein for millions of people worldwide. If we want to continue to enjoy what oceans provide, we need to do everything we can to protect them and the life they support. We should ensure the seafood we eat is sustainable.

Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to be able to catch their own fish, which means having sustainable options at the store is critical. As public and companies awareness about the risks caused by overfishing and uncontrolled sea farming expansion have grown, food tradesmen in Canada have developed sustainable seafood policies and commitments.

Seafood Progress, an online resource, is designed to help provide rewards to tradesmen and information to seafood lovers. It makes it easier for consumers in Canada to find out tradesmen's policies on sourcing sustainable seafood, whether they're sticking to those policies and how they're performing compared to their peers.

But tradesmen must do more to ensure their seafood products are environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. This means expanding the scope of their commitments to cover all seafood products they sell, in all their stores. It also requires continuing to work with suppliers and producers to improve practices and make sure the sustainable seafood supply meets consumer demand.

It's no mystery that if we want to continue to eat fish, we must do it responsibly. Seafood Progress has invited seafood tradesmen, suppliers and consumers to join in pushing to this goal.

1. What's the cause of oceans' being in trouble according to paragraph 1?

A．The ever-changing of the global climate.

B．The mystery that people haven't studied.

C．The over exploitation and use of the oceans.

D．The continuous decrease of fish stocks.

2. What can Seafood Progress do for consumers?

A．Provide rewards to them.

B．Urge them to stick to policies.

C．Provide them with enough seafood.

D．Let them know about tradesmen's policies.

3. What does the underlined word “scope” in paragraph 5 mean?

A．Range	B．Chance
C．Risk.	D．Rate.

4. How can seafood be sustainable?

A．Through expanding seafood production.

B．By protecting all the tradesmen's profit.

C．By joint efforts of people involved in seafood.

D．By making policies to control seafood consumers.

2 . In Vietnamese, Ngan's name means “star,” but she wasn't able to smile brightly because she was born with a cleft (兔唇) condition.

Ngan's family lives in a small, isolated village in southern Vietnam. Without help, her family would never have been able to afford the reconstructive surgery that would change Ngan's lite and give her a brighter future. But when Ngan's parents heard that Operation Smile was conducting a surgical mission in Danang, they did everything in their power to take Ngan there for medical mission. Ngan and her family travelled more than 200 miles for the chance to give her a new smile. Ngan received life-changing surgery on her cleft lip and palate and now, 10 years later, she is a happy, healthy, lively girl-with a smile that shows it.

Before she had surgery, Ngan's facial condition prevented her social engagement and even her involvement in school. Now, with the confidence she gained from her new smile, Ngan can reach her full potential.

Ngan's parents say they had given up everything but hope before Operation Smile gave their daughter the chance to see her dreams become a reality. “Many families in our province will abandon their child if a baby is born with a cleft,” Ngan's father said.

He never wants this to happen, knowing how incredible the transformation is with a free surgery through Operation Smile. Ngan's parents now actively refer to other families of children born with cleft conditions to Operation Smile. They are determined to ensure that every child has the opportunity for a brighter future, regardless of their appearances.

Operation Smile has provided hundreds of thousands of safe surgeries for those born with cleft conditions worldwide. If you would like additional information please visit www. operationsmile. org. uk/Star, call 020 3475 5126 or write to Operation Smile UK, Genos House, Juniper Drive, London SW18 1FY.

1. What do we know about Ngan?

A．She got seriously ill after she was born.

B．She was born physically-challenged.

C．She was abandoned by her parents.

D．She was always smiling brightly.

2. What is Operation Smile?

A．An organization aiming to help hopeless villagers.

B．An organization aiming to help children with cleft.

C．An organization aiming to make children educated.

D．An organization aiming to do surgeries for the poor.

3. Which of the following words can be used to describe Ngan's parents?

A．Responsible.	B．Conventional.
C．Experienced.	D．Passive.

4. What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To explain what is cleft.	B．To promote Operation Smile.
C．To introduce a girl with cleft.	D．To call for donations for girls with cleft.

3 . Skipping stones to Donate Books for Low-income Schools and Libraries

Are you working with students from low-income families or communities of color? Are you in a school or library that needs more books? We have many books that we wish to donate to schools and public libraries serving low-income students or communities of color. We have nature books as well as books on cultural awareness and diversity. In terms of ages or readership levels, we have novels for teenagers, chapter books, picture books, and a few reference books.

Skipping Stones invites you to write to us about students you serve, as well as your needs and wants in terms of books. We want to donate these books to your public school or library but we request that you cover the shipping costs. We think $50 or $100 will adequately cover the shipping of about 50 to 100 books, respectively. $200 will bring you four big boxes of about 200 to 250 books. This is just an estimate. We are happy to work with you.

Please note that we are NOT able to fulfill donation requests from overseas schools or libraries because of the high cost of airmail postage. Within the USA, we can use the cheaper MEDIA MAIL or LIBRARY RATE. Send your requests to info@skippingstones. org or by snail mail to:

EDITOR, Skipping Stones Magazine, P.O. Box 3939 Eugene, Oregon 97403-0939
1. Where will the books be donated to?

A．Low-income students interested in reading books.

B．Low-income families with middle school students.

C．Schools or public libraries serving low-income students.

D．Overseas low-income schools with communities of color.

2. What does Skipping Stones require schools to do?

A．Ship the books.	B．Post the books.
C．Cover all the costs.	D．Cover the shipping cost.

3. How can schools send their requests?

A．By telephone.	B．By fax.
C．In person.	D．By e-mail.

4 . On May 7, 2008, three men robbed a bank in a city called Waldorf of Maryland in the USA. They drove away in a van with a bag of money. They thought they had escaped. But the bank had put a pack of chemicals in the money bag, and the pack exploded.     1     Soon afterward, the police arrested one of the robbers. How did the police find him so quickly? DNA from the robbers’ blood was found on the bag of money.

DNA consists of genetic material that is found everywhere in our body, such as in our blood, skin, and saliva. It is our genetic fingerprint. All people have similar DNA, but no two people have the exact same DNA.

    2    The testing works like this: After a crime occurs, the police collect evidence from a crime scene. Some of this evidence may be DNA samples, such as hairs or blood.     3     The database is computerized, and it has millions of DNA samples in it. These DNA fingerprints are taken from people all over the country who have been arrested or convicted of crimes. If the DNA in the evidence matches someone’s DNA fingerprint, that person is probably guilty of the crime. But if the evidence does not match, the person is probably innocent.

    4     If DNA evidence is not collected or stored properly, for example, the tests may give wrong results. But it is still more reliable than other types of evidence. Witnesses may identify the wrong person. Lawyers, jurors, judges, and the police can make mistakes. DNA testing is usually accurate.     5    

A．DNA testing is not perfect.

B．The police then set up a DNA database in the country.

C．The robbers dropped the bag, got out of the van, and ran away.

D．The robbers didn’t think the chemicals were anything dangerous.

E．How is DNA used to identify a criminal when a crime has been committed?

F．The police then compare this DNA to DNA samples from an official database.

G．It is the best way we have to prove that someone is guilty or innocent of a crime.

7 . Nobody says school is easy. Studying is difficult, as is memorizing information for a test. Fortunately, there are books that can help you to make dealing with school easier.

Unlimited Memory by Kevin Horsley

This book is a bestseller in memory improvement. It has strategies to help learn faster and become more productive. Of course, having a good memory comes in handy outside of the classroom as well. Really, this is a great book for life in general.

On Course by Skip Downing

It is another book worth reading. In its eighth edition, the book provides self-assessment tools to help identify what is needed to change for academic success. It contains guided journal entries to help readers with responsibility, self-management, self-awareness, learning and self-esteem.

Student’s Guide to Writing College Papers by Kate L. Turabian

Many students reach college and find that essay writing in college is very different from that in high school. Whether this is the case or not, Student’s Guide to Writing College Papers is a perfect choice for those who want to improve writing skills. It’s available on Kindle or in hardback or paperback forms. Right now, this one is its fourth edition. The book covers writing actual paper, citing sources, and style.

How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport

The book came out in 2006. It enjoys great popularity among learners all over the world. The book deals with different approaches and strategies to help achieve good academic performance but spend less time on studying, with a focus on studying smarter, not harder. It’s available on Kindle and in audio book and paperback forms.

1. What do you know about Unlimited Memory?

A．It is practical in daily life.

B．It is popular and sells best.

C．It helps to produce more works.

D．It is written by Kate L.Turabian.

2. What do the last two books have in common?

A．They have various forms.

B．They are world-famous books.

C．They were published 15 years ago.

D．They mainly focus on improving writing skills.

3. Who are the intended readers?

A．Parents.	B．Children.
C．Teachers.	D．Students.

8 . Books open doors in our minds. Here are 4 must-read books especially for novel lovers, and you should read them at least once in your life.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

It is the story of the unlikely and complicated friendship between Amir, the son of a wealthy merchant, and Hassan, the son of his father's servant until cultural and class differences and the war tear them apart. It's a story about the long shadows that family secrets cast across decades, the enduring love of friendship, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

This Newbery award-winning novel tells the story of Annemarie, a Danish girl growing up in World War Ⅱ Copenhagen with her best friend, Ellen, who happens to be Jewish. When Annemarie learns that the Nazis are inflicting（迫害）on the Jewish people, she and her family make every effort to protect Ellen and her parents, as well as countless other Jews. Lowry's novel is a powerful reminder that cultural and religious differences are no divide between true friends.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

When 11 year-old orphan Anne Shirley goes to live with the middle-aged brother and sister Matthew and Manila Cuthbert, she discovers that there's been some mistake and that they had actually wanted to adopt a boy. This is a heartwarming story of love and friendship and a reminder that sometimes life not working out the way we want it to is actually the best thing that can happen.

The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

It tells the story of a little boy who falls to Earth from an asteroid after visiting several other asteroids to try to understand mankind. The Little Prince is an allegory（寓言）about the foolishness of man and man's tendency toward self-destruction through violence, as well as a heartwarming tale of the transformative power of friendship and trust.

1. What do we know about the book Number the Stars?

A．Its story is set in World War Ⅰ.

B．It is a Newbery Award winner.

C．It is written by Khaled Hosseini.

D．Its main character Annemaire is Jewish.

2. What common theme do the four books have?

A．Parental love.	B．Family secrets.
C．Friendship.	D．Peace and War.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To give tips on how to read novels.

B．To stress the importance of reading.

C．To introduce some must-read novels.

D．To recommend award-winning authors.

9 . Researchers in Australia have confirmed the discovery of Australia’s largest dinosaur species ever found. Australotitan cooperensis was about 80 to 100 feet long and 16 to 21 feet tall at its bottom. It weighed somewhere between 25 and 81 tons.

The first of the creature’ bones were dug out back in 2006 and 2007, but only now, after years of analysis, have researchers been able to confirm that the bones are from the largest dinosaur in Australia. “It’s taken this long because it’s such a complex piece of work. You have to take the bones out of the ground and prepare the fossils arid then you study them and compare them against all other species of dinosaurs worldwide,” says Scott Hocknull, a paleontologist (古生物学者) at the Queensland Museum.

Diego Pol, head of paleontology in Argentina, says these large dinosaurs were probably living in vast spaces across a connected land including what is now South America, Antarctica and Australia. “This means that if we go to Antarctica and dig into the right rocks, most likely we will find supergiant dinosaurs too. So I found that super exciting.”

As part of its research, the Australian team used new 3D-scanning technology to scan the bones from Australotitan and compare them with those of similar species. Both Australian and Argentine researchers agree that the new technology has opened doors for sharing information. Previously, paleontologists might have needed to fly across the world to look at fossils in person, Pol says the super-high resolution (分辨率) that now exists is “like having the real bone in your computer.”

“Discoveries like this are just the tip of the iceberg,” Hocknull said in the statement “Our ultimate goal is to find more evidence that tells the changing story of Queensland, hundreds of millions of years in the making. A grand story all scientists, museums and tourists will be interested in.”

1. Why has it taken long to confirm the bones?

A．There are lots of bone fossils to study.

B．It’s complicated to finish the whole process.

C．It’s difficult to take the bones out of the ground.

D．There are many species of dinosaurs to discover.

2. What makes Diego Pol extremely excited?

A．Right rocks found in Antarctic.

B．Large dinosaurs living in vast spaces.

C．Continents once connected with each other.

D．Possibility of finding supergiant dinosaurs in Antarctic.

3. What’s researchers’ attitude to new 3D-scanning technology?

A．Positive.

B．Neutral

C．Cautious.

D．Negative.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Queensland is changing too quickly.

B．Tourists will participate in discoveries.

C．More discoveries will possibly be made.

D．The whole story of Queensland is revealed.

10 . This spring Steve Stuttard reunited with an unusual friend: Mrs. Mallard, a duck that nested in the flowerpot on his ninth-story apartment balcony in Manchester, UK, last year. Upon her return, she laid 11 eggs in the same flowerpot filled with grass.

‘‘I know ducks have strange routines when it comes to nesting, and if they have a successful site, they will return to it,” says Stuttard, a bird lover since childhood.

Stottard used skills learned in the Navy to create a jackstay (稳定锁) with a red rope and a bucket. Those skills came in handy last year when he quickly and safely transported Mrs. Mallard’s seven ducklings (小鸭子) down once they hatched.

“Getting the ducklings down isn’t as simple as a ride in the elevator. It’s crucial not to hurt the bond between the ducklings and Mrs. Mallard,” Stuttard says.

However, Stuttard faced more of a challenge this year. He had four additional eggs and high winds. He also had a new global audience heavily invested in the fate of the ducklings.

Emma Newman, Stuttard’s daughter, updates about his preparation for this year’s nesting, which took off on Twitter. “I’ve been absolutely bombarded with messages,’’ Newman says. “I actually can’t keep up because thousands of people are following the story. Whenever I tweet about it, I get several hundred replies a second sometimes.”

On Tuesday morning when two ducklings poked (探出) their heads out of the flowerpot, the wind was awful. Stuttard waited and kept watching. Fortunately, late in the afternoon, Mrs. Mallard finally made her move. This was Stuttard’s clue to get to work.

Stuttard picked Mrs. Mallard up and threw her off the balcony, and she flew off. Immediately, he placed the ducklings in the bucket one by one. Then, he used his jackstay to carefully lower the bucket. “Within two, three minutes from when I walked out on the balcony, Mrs. Mallard was swimming away with her family,” Stuttard says.

1. Why did Mrs. Mallard choose the same flowerpot?

A．She wanted to be protected by Stuttard.

B．She liked to lay her eggs in high places.

C．She nested there successfully last year.

D．She remembered Stuttard and his family.

2. What’s important in taking the ducklings downstairs?

A．Staying with them all along.

B．Creating a professional jackstay.

C．Transporting without using the elevator.

D．Keeping their connection with the mother.

3. What does the underlined word “bombarded” in paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Coated.

B．Rewarded.

C．Linked.

D．Flooded.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Ducklings Succeeding in Going Downstairs

B．Ducklings Overcoming Survival Challenges

C．Man Helping Ducklings Down His Apartment

D．Man Welcoming an Unusual Duck Back Home