1 . Banff National Park is home to an amazing wildlife population. But the busy Trans Canada Highway that cuts through the park is a hazard to the lovely animals. To address the problem, Banff first put-up wildlife fencing on either side of the highway to discourage animals from entering the busy road. Then, since 1996, they’ve opened six wildlife overpasses and 38 underpasses to help the animals cross the highway in safety. I was fortunate to visit Banff’s Red Earth Overpass with Trevor Kinley, the project manager with Parks Canada. He told me that so far, they have documented 10, 000 safe animal crossings on this overpass alone. “ Some animals have learned how to use the crossings much more quickly than others. Black bears are the fastest learners, followed by deer. Wolves and lions take the longest to work out how to use them, ” Kinley said, laughing. “ But those animals that are slower to adapt are usually more capable and determined at figuring out the safest way to cross those overpasses and underpasses. ”
There is some criticism (批评) that channeling so much wildlife into a few bridges and tunnels is like making a trap for the animals, offering big animals an easy meal on either side. “ But research has shown that this is not the case, ” Kinley assured me. “ There are no more killings around the crossings than there are anywhere else in the park. ”
Walking over the Trans Canada and then walking underneath through one of the tunnels, I was amazed to see the fresh tracks of black bears, wolves, deer and many kinds of smaller animals. Somehow, all these animal footprints made me so happy, knowing that all this wildlife was passing safely under and over the longest road in Canada.
Hopefully, the success of the wildlife crossings in Banff will continue to inspire similar solutions around the world, where human pressure on wildlife continues to grow.
1. Which of the following best explains “ hazard ” underlined in paragraph 1?A.Shelter. | B.Message. | C.Answer. | D.Danger. |
A.They are stupid animals. | B.They are cautious learners. |
C.They are very dangerous. | D.They are good at adapting. |
A.There are too many bridges and tunnels. | B.Many animals will not use the crossings. |
C.More killings might happen at the crossings. | D.Illegal hunting might be encouraged in the park. |
A.Concerned. | B.Disappointed. | C.Shocked. | D.Delighted. |
2 . Ryder was born with a serious illness and has never been able to walk. When he started attending preschool, he had to be
Then his father
The hut made of wood was
A.pulled | B.walked | C.driven | D.pushed |
A.car | B.wheelchair | C.bus | D.plane |
A.dance | B.shout | C.rush | D.slip |
A.vehicle | B.scene | C.weather | D.class |
A.searched for | B.put up | C.taken over | D.found out |
A.shelter | B.help | C.benefit | D.hope |
A.fought | B.stood | C.cared | D.sought |
A.art | B.construction | C.music | D.literature |
A.Consequently | B.Obviously | C.However | D.Besides |
A.interested | B.satisfied | C.strict | D.depressed |
A.predicted | B.interrupted | C.delayed | D.responded |
A.big | B.bright | C.heavy | D.light |
A.fixed | B.borrowed | C.delivered | D.thrown |
A.changes | B.designs | C.plays | D.uses |
A.popular | B.fantastic | C.strange | D.flexible |
3 . The age range between about 13 and 19 is an important time in an individual’s life.
First, participate in extra-curricular activities. Schools give students opportunities for staying active. Pick an activity that appeals to you such as athletics, academic clubs, or special-interest clubs. Extra-curricular activities build character through team work, time-management, and competition. Don't be too worried if you aren't very good at what you like, for the important thing is passion.
Besides, volunteer.
Third, use your summer for academic programs. Getting a head start at college could mean sacrificing your summer vacation. Various universities offer programs for future college students based on interests such as journalism, photography, art, sports, etc.
Finally, know when to ask for help and advice. Being responsible and independent does not mean being alone.
A.Make sure your maturity level and interests are leveled. |
B.Making and meeting goals can motivate you to progress. |
C.Huge steps are taken within that period. |
D.They give teenagers the chance to earn college credits. |
E.Offering help is a symbol of kindness. |
F.It will drive you to put in your best effort. |
G.Taking on new tasks and meeting goals will be hard work. |
4 . Different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways. We asked some of our friends to explain what happens in their countries. This is what they told us:
France
In France, Christmas is always called Noël. Everyone has a Christmas tree, sometimes decorated in the old way with red ribbons and real white wax candles. Fir trees in the garden are often decorated too with lights on all night.
Father Christmas is called Père Noël. The Christmas meal is an important family gathering with good meat and the best wine. Few people send Christmas cards. More people send New Year cards to wish everyone good luck and joy for the New Year. These days Christmas lunch is a starter of foie gras (a strong tasting pate made from goose liver) followed by lunch of seafood — usually including lobsters and oysters.
New Zealand
Christmas starts for us with gifts under the tree, to be opened on Christmas morning. Then it’s onto a Christmas lunch either at home or at one’s parents place. Turkey or chicken with all the trimmings (佐料) is eaten. Then comes tea time. It is a BBQ for friends and family to get together, and have a few beers or wines with the meal!
Russia
In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time — when “Father Frost” brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated either on December 25th; or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old “Julian” calendar for religious celebration days. Special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and “meat dumplings”.
Sweden
The most important day is Christmas Eve. A special Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve — ham (pork), herring fish, and brown beans — and this is the time when families give presents to each other. Many people attend a church meeting early on Christmas Day.
1. Why do people in France send New Year cards?A.To tell their friends the New Year is coming. |
B.To ask for some special presents. |
C.To invite their friends to family gathering. |
D.To send their friends best wishes and happiness for the New Year. |
A.A special meal is prepared. |
B.Everyone has a Christmas tree. |
C.Parents give gifts to their children. |
D.People attend a church gathering. |
A.France. | B.New Zealand. | C.Sweden. | D.Russia. |
Have you ever asked yourself why children go to school? You will
We send our children to school to prepare them
Actually, there is more in education than just
6 . Kids and science seem to be made for each other!
The basic science is a combination of thought and experiment called the scientific method. It’s where you start with an idea, create a way to prove or disprove your idea, and show what you learned based on facts. Learning to follow this process helps you think logically and carefully. These important thinking skills can be used in many areas of study. To give a child practice with these thinking skills is like giving vitamins to a developing mind.
One of the greatest things we can teach our children is to love learning. Learning science is a great way to do so. Children are easy to be interested in science. Because much of science is hands-on, it attracts most children. Nothing makes a child sit up and take notice like the “WOW!” of a great science showing.
Science opens doors to many subjects at school. Building love for science can be helpful in other areas of study. For example, one cannot love science for very long without becoming good at its language-math! So science encourages children to study math. An interest in science is an interest in how things were once understood compared to how they are understood now. Thus studying science lends itself easily to studying history. And after you do an experiment, you need to write a lab report. Therefore, writing becomes an important part of science.
Science is the basic thing for much of our life. The science of farming shows how our food is produced; biomedical science keeps us healthy; even our beds these days are designed according to scientific facts. We almost eat, sleep and breathe with the help of science! When we prepare the next generation of voters, creators and policy makers, it is important to make sure they are not only comfortable but also good at science.
1. According to Paragraph 2, what does learning the scientific method mean to kids?A.Learning to do experiments. | B.Learning many areas of study. |
C.Helping them develop thinking skills. | D.Refusing any ideas that are not logical. |
A.Science is too difficult for children. | B.Children usually consider science boring. |
C.Science can arouse children's interest in learning. | D.Children who are careless shouldn't learn science. |
A.He usually has no time for other subjects. | B.He usually loses interest in other activities. |
C.He is usually bad at such subjects like history. | D.He is likely to learn many other subjects well. |
A.Why Kids Should Learn Science | B.Why Science Is Important |
C.How Kids Can Make Use of Science | D.What Kids Should Learn at School |
1. How much will a member pay the sports club a month?
A.£40. | B.£20. | C.£14. |
A.Weightlifting. | B.Swimming. | C.Kickboxing. |
8 . New England holds some special museums. They are devoted largely or entirely to the work of just one person. And they are the artists’ birthplaces or onetime homes. Here are four examples of such museums.
Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum
The name Cyrus E. Dallin (1861-1944) might not be familiar, but several of the artist’s sculptures (雕塑) are, especially those related to Native Americans. A good example is his “Appeal to the Great Spirit” standing in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. Born in Utah, he lived in Arlington for the final four decades of his life. The museum is in the Jefferson Cutter House, an 1830 Greek styled building.
Norman Rockwell Museum
Rockwell (1894-1978) was America’s well-known artist. The museum, founded in 1969, moved into its present location, Robert A.M. Stern-designed building in 1993. Its 998 paintings and drawings are the largest single collection of Rockwell's artworks.
Kids 16 and under: free; adults: $20; the old: at a 10% discount (折扣)
Edward Gorey House
Edward Gorey (1925-2000) was an artist, but he was also an author and clothes designer. Gorey bought this 18th-century house in 1979 and lived there for the rest of his life. Edward Gorey House is also known as the Elephant House. Gorey had respect for animals. The activities of the house, from art education to exhibits, show Gorey's support of animal well-being.
Gibert Stuart Birthplace and Museum
Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) is responsible for what may well be the most familiar work of any American artist, His drawing of George is the basis of the first president’s portrait (画像) on the dollar. Stuart painted more than a thousand portraits throughout his life.
1. What do we know about Cyrus E. Dallin?A.He built the Jefferson Cutter House. |
B.He lived in Arlington for half a century. |
C.He was best known for his Greek styled sculptures. |
D.He created famous works related to Native Americans. |
A.$36. | B.$40. | C.$60. | D.$72. |
A.Edward Gorey House. | B.Norman Rockwell Museum. |
C.Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum. | D.Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum. |
9 . “Your playful days are over,” my brother said to me when he knew I was going to be a Senior One student. Then he continued telling me that senior school life was boring because I had to do a large amount of homework every day. The subjects were much more difficult than those of junior school.
I stepped into the school gate with a nervous heart. However, I was surprised to find what I experienced there was completely different from what my brother had told me.
The teachers gave excellent lessons in their own special way. They talked with me in a natural and fair way, as if I was an adult. All of them are so knowledgeable (学识渊博) and they not only explained the contents of textbooks but also provided extra information from other sources. Every word they said in classes made me so excited and interested that I had a strong desire to take in as much as I could.
In fact, my playful days were not over at all in senior school. There were many kinds of activities I could take part in. For example, sports meetings, the art festival, English corner, outing and so on. Best of all, generally, students organized the activities rather than teachers. Through this process, I improved my leadership abilities and communication skills. I've become mature (成熟的). I am not a kid any more.
Now if anyone asks me: “Through your process of growing up, which part is most impressive up till now?” Well, the answer will absolutely be my “senior high school life”.
1. How did the writer feel when he started his senior high school?A.Very excited. | B.A little worried. |
C.Quite relaxed. | D.Embarrassed. |
A.Strict and organized. | B.Modest and hardworking. |
C.Learned and easy going. | D.Helpful and kind-hearted. |
A.Reading and writing skills. | B.The understanding of textbooks |
C.Leadership and social skills. | D.Doing housework. |
A.His senior school life is the most memorable. |
B.Senior school life was boring and tiring. |
C.He will no longer believe in his brother. |
D.The writer did well in all his subjects. |
10 . There are many traditions around the world that are interesting and fun, but there are also those that are bizarre (奇异的) and even a little cruel.
In Sweden it's common for parents to leave their babies outside to nap (小睡) even when the temperatures are below zero. Many of us would find this custom dangerous, but many Swedes actually consider it good for their babies. They believe that by exposing their young ones to their country's cold temperature they can help their babies to grow up healthily and protect them from diseases. They also believe doing so will help them sleep longer and better.
In Bali, Indonesia, babies are forbidden to touch the ground for three months. The reason is that during the baby's first months its connection to the “spirit” is still unbroken and clean and letting it touch the ground would defile it. For three months, the baby is constantly held in someone's arms―the father, mother, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and even neighbours. After 105 days, a special ceremony called the Nyabutan is held where the baby touches Mother Earth for the first time.
In Guatemala, it's common to see babies being bathed with cold water. Maya mothers commonly practise this bizarre ritual (仪式) with the belief that it's beneficial to the baby's health. Bathing their babies with cold water is also an effective means to eliminate heat rashes, and this custom helps babies sleep better.
Some Indians allow their babies to be thrown from temple roofs as high as 50 feet. This strange custom started 500 years ago and continues to this day, though there's a movement to ban it for obvious reasons. However, Hindus believe that performing this ritual brings good luck and health to their babies. Below the roof is a bed sheet that's held tightly by several men. The baby lands safely on the sheet. The tradition's practitioners and believers strongly prove that it's safe, saying no babies have ever been injured.
1. What does the author think of the baby custom in Sweden?A.It is interesting and fun. | B.It is unique and thoughtful. |
C.It is dangerous and a little cruel. | D.It is beneficial and practical. |
A.Make the best use of. | B.Make something dirty or no longer pure. |
C.Leave or break away from. | D.Achieve or realise completely. |
A.to get rid of their heat rashes and make them sleep better |
B.to prevent them from feeling hot during summer |
C.in order to stop them from getting all kinds of illnesses |
D.in order to bring good luck and health to those babies |
A.It is a new custom and many people hate it. |
B.They think the custom leads to babies' injuries. |
C.They have no religious belief. |
D.Lots of babies have been seen injured in the past years. |