1 . To fully appreciate Australian cuisine, you have to consider the unique nature of its wildlife and geography. For one thing, there are the wide plains in the interior of the country, which are home to millions of grazing animals. For another, there is Australia’s long coastline, which is next to all the riches of the sea.     1    

One of the most popular red meats in Australia is also unique to the continent: kangaroo. This may seem strange as the kangaroo is a national symbol of Australia. However, in recent years, kangaroos have increased in number to around 45 million. These kangaroos wander onto the roads and into cities, making trouble.     2     As a consequence, the government is encouraging people to use these animals as food, and kangaroo has become one of the most popular items on the Australian dinner table. As for seafood, many of the first Europeans who came to Australia loved the sea.     3     Since the coastline is so long, each region has its own dishes that are related to the seafood found in its waters.   

But then, how is all this food cooked? Perhaps the favourite way of cooking food in Australia is the barbecue.     4     It is a time for friends and relatives to get together and have fun. Even strangers passing through will be offered a seat, a cold drink, and something off the grill.   

    5     As Australia is a diverse country with people from many nations, Australian cooking now has flavours and cuisines from around the globe. No matter who you are and no matter what cuisine interests you, you are always sure to find a warm welcome and a full plate waiting for you in Australia.

A．Australia is made up of many regions.

B．Beyond this, what is Australian cooking?

C．Casual friendliness is the key to such meals.

D．People need to pay attention to the protection of kangaroos.

E．Their increased numbers have also harmed plants and other wildlife.

F．Perhaps this is one reason why so many Australians live near the coast.

G．It is no wonder that much of Australian cuisine centres around red meat and seafood.

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

My friends were surprised when I told them my plan to    1    (far) my learning in China. But up to now, choosing China to acquire my advanced study is one of the best decisions I     2    (make) in my life.

My first     3    (impress) of China is its large population. When I arrived at Wuchang Railway Station, I was    4    (amaze) by crowds of people with their luggage     5    (wait) for taxis and private cars to transport them. At the time I couldn’t speak Chinese,     6    made the local people surprised. I realised later that it     7    (be) probably because I am from Thailand and have no apparent difference in appearance. I thought     8    would be difficult for me to get familiar with the environment. But as soon as I told them where I come from, they just     9    (warm) smiled and said, “You are our neighbour. And if your friends have time, bring them to China.” These words made me feel warm. I felt really safe and secure in my surroundings; I have been helped enthusiastically when I am in need and I am so fond    10     Chinese people mainly because of their kindness and generosity.

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain, England--many people are confused by     1     these different names mean. Getting to know a little bit about British history will help you     2    (solution) this puzzle. In the 16th century, the nearby country of Wales was joined to the Kingdom of England. Later, Scotland and the Kingdom of Ireland     3    (add ) to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, the southern part of Ireland broke away from the UK, which resulted     4     the full name we have today.   As a matter of fact, the four countries     5     belong to the United Kingdom work together in some areas. They use the same flag,     6    (know) as the Union Jack.     7    , they also have some differences. The UK is a     8     (fascinate) mix of history and modern culture, with both new     9     old traditions. If you keep your eyes open, you will be surprised     10     (find) that you can see both its past and its present.

7 . 课文内容填空

Many people are confused about the     1    (mean) of the names: the United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain and England.     2     (solve) this puzzle, knowing a little bit about British history will help.

In the 16th century, the nearby country of Wales     3    (join) to the Kingdom of England, followed by the country Scotland in 18th century. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Ireland was added to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.     4     (final), in the 20th century, the southern part of Ireland broke away    5    the UK, resulting in the full name we have today: “the United Kingdom” or “the UK”. People from the UK are called “British”,     6     means the UK is also often referred to as Britain or Great Britain.

Even though the four countries which     7     (belong) to the United Kingdom work together in some areas, such as using the same flag, sharing the same currency and military     8     (defend), they also have some differences. Anyhow, the United Kingdom has     9     long and interesting history to explore, which can help you understand much more about the country and     10     (it) traditions.

9 . What are the speakers mainly talking about?

A．High labor costs in America.

B．A way of life in America.

C．Living conditions in America.

10 . 【课本原文】

CHEMICAL VERSUS ORGANIC FARMING

Chemical pesticides and artificial fertilisers have been in widespread use in farming since the middle of the 20th century. When they were first introduced, many farmers welcomed them as a great way to fight crop disease and increase production. Over time, however, what some scientists have found is that their long­term use can sometimes harm both the land and people’s health.

For example, pesticides can damage the land by killing not only harmful bacteria and insects, but also helpful ones. In addition, these chemicals can stay in the soil and underground water sources for a long time. This affects the crops grown on the land and, in turn, the animals and humans who digest them. Many people worry that these chemicals may make them ill and even cause cancer. In fact, some pesticides like DDT have been prohibited in most countries because of the damage they cause to people and the environment. As for chemical fertilisers, crops grown with them usually grow too fast to be rich in nutrition. They may look beautiful on the outside, but inside there is usually more water than essential minerals, and they often have less flavour as well.

As an alternative, some farmers have switched to organic farming, and many customers have turned to organic food when they shop at the local grocery. Organic farming is simply farming without using any chemicals. Organic farmers focus on keeping their soil rich and free of disease through natural means. For example, many organic farmers use natural waste from animals as fertiliser. This makes the soil in their fields richer in minerals. It also keeps the air, soil, water, and crops free of chemicals.

Organic farmers also use many other methods to produce rich soil. They often change the kind of crop grown in each field every year. For instance, they may grow corn or wheat in a field one year, and then grow beans there the next. Why different crops are grown is that they put important minerals back into the ground, making it ready for the next batch of crops. Organic farmers also plant diverse crops that use different depths of soil to help keep it rich. For example, peanuts grow on the ground’s surface, but many other vegetables put down deep roots. The goal of using different organic farming methods is to grow good food while avoiding damage to the environment or to people’s health.

Some people would prefer to stop the use of man­made chemicals in agriculture entirely. What keeps them from doing so is the fact that chemical farming serves the high demand for food around the world. Organic farming is nowhere near able to meet that need. Therefore, there is still a long way to find a suitable solution that puts sufficient food on the dinner table while keeping people and the environment as healthy as possible.

1. Why did many farmers welcome the introduction of chemical farming?

A．They can fight crop disease and increase production.

B．They harm both the land and people’s health.

C．They can help produce rich soil.

D．They are not expensive.

2. What concerns many people about the use of pesticides?

A．Pesticides can damage the land.

B．Chemicals can stay in the soil for a long time.

C．Pesticides can kill harmful bacteria and insects.

D．Chemicals may make people ill and even cause cancer.

3. Why do organic farmers change the kind of crop grown in each field every few years?

A．It helps put important minerals back into the ground.

B．It can avoid damage to the environment.

C．It can help increase output.

D．The writer didn’t tell us.

4. Why can’t we stop the use of man­made chemicals in agriculture entirely?

A．Organic farming cost us a lot of money.

B．Organic farming can meet people’s need.

C．Chemical farming brought us huge profit.

D．Chemical farming helps serve the need for food.