1 . Imagine looking out of your window and seeing a whale swim by.That's the sight that surprises New York City residents recently.In the past years,humpback whales have been spotted in the two rivers surrounding the island of Manhattan,the Hudson River and the East River.    1    

Experts say that river cleanup efforts have improved water quality and led to an increase in the number of fish there.Fish are on the humpback's menu.    2    The sighting is also an encouraging sign that conservation efforts are helping humpback whales come back.In 1973,the species was listed as the endangered.Now scientists say humpback whales are making a comeback.

By the middle of the 20^th century,hunting whales for profit had nearly wiped out many whale species.In 1973, the U.S. set up the Endangered Species Act.People were no longer allowed to hunt them in the U.S. waters.In 1982, the International Whaling is illegal worldwide.    3    Last September,it was announced that nine groups of humpback whales are no longer endangered.Four groups are still endangered and a fifth is threatened.

    4    The number of them is growing particularly faster in the Southern Hemisphere like Tasman Sea and Coral Sea.And the number of humpback whales in Hawaii has made an amazing recovery.In 1966,there were fewer than 1,500 humpbacks there.Today there are about 10,000.But humpbacks in other parts of the world are still struggling.

    5    “We still have a lot of work to do,”says Angela Somma,head of NOAAS Fisheries’ endangered Species division.“But with the right protection,the number of humpback whales should continue to grow.

A．Those efforts to save whales are paying off.

B．People are frightened when seeing whales in the river.

C．Last year,one even swam past where the mayor lives.

D．Today there are about 100,000 humpback whales worldwide.

E．The extra food in the rivers is mainly what’s attracting the whales.

F．Scientists have carried out further research on the number of the whales.

G．Scientists say that the focus needs to be on the whales that are still struggling.

2 . As a professor, I try not to compare my students with others. After all, every person is_______in their experiences and learning styles. But when thinking about how hard they work to succeed in their studies, I _______camellias(山茶花) in nature.
Camellias bloom annually and many are decades_______. Despite its fragile appearance, it is an extremely_______plant. Camellias bloom is a few colors, red, pink, white, even yellow. It can stand   _______ winters and summer heat. It produces flowers that resemble roses, scentless(无气味的) but more charming. Their waxy evergreen leaves enable camellias to_______our climate. They protect the plant from pests and extreme temperatures, and then attractive flowers_______bees to the spring gift. Once you know tea comes from the camellia, its reputation as a time-honored, dependable plant makes_________.
Occasionally in Oregon, where I live, camellias_________all year round without being ruined by rain, heat________snow. Seeing their blooms this March, I know they bloom once again within the year, and I start thinking about their inner________and resilience(适应力). That leads me to reflect ________my persistent, diligent, creative students and people in Oregon.
We Oregonians are so strong, wise, ________and hard-working in developing our hometown into a modern state ________we have made a habit of using our ________wisely to expand into nearly every sector of industry. Oregon leads in innovative(创新的) ________, such as renewable energy and industries. With our region’s natural beauty, we ________a unique range of foods, fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure that our area remains world-famous. Our beautiful________attracts people from all over the globe. Our area has a brighter__________than any place I can think of.
You can also succeed if you take time to depend on your perseverance and hard work just like the________the camellias possess in our region. And always believe in yourselves like Oregonians.1.

A．similar

B．abundant

C．complex

D．unique

2.

A．deal with

B．make up

C．think of

D．act as

3.

A．old

B．young

C．long

D．alive

4.

A．strong

B．weak

C．strange

D．small

5.

A．usual

B．common

C．serious

D．fierce

6.

A．meet

B．praise

C．oppose

D．stand

7.

A．introduce

B．drag

C．draw

D．appoint

8.

A．sense

B．progress

C．an effort

D．a gift

9.

A．develop

B．bloom

C．improve

D．change

10.

A．and

B．but

C．or

D．even

11.

A．imagination

B．wealth

C．beauty

D．situation

12.

A．upon

B．into

C．about

D．with

13.

A．painful

B．intense

C．confident

D．sensitive

14.

A．because

B．though

C．if

D．that

15.

A．lands

B．resources

C．wisdom

D．money

16.

A．media

B．plan

C．nature

D．science

17.

A．preserve

B．protect

C．produce

D．promote

18.

A．resorts

B．legends

C．people

D．scenery

19.

A．future

B．adventure

C．journey

D．start

20.

A．habits

B．qualities

C．treasures

D．troubles

3 . Zoo elephants don’t live as long as those in the wild, according to a study sure to cause debate about keeping the giant animals on display. Researchers compared the life spans of elephants in European zoos with those living in Amboseli National Park in Kenya and others working on a timber enterprise in Buma. Animals in the wild or in natural working conditions had life expectancies twice than or more of their relatives in zoos.
Animal care activists have urged in recent years to discourage keeping elephants in zoos, largely because of the lack of space and small numbers of animals that can be kept in a group.
The researchers found that the median life span for African elephants in European zoos was 16.9 years, compared with 56 years for elephants who died of natural causes in Kenya’s Amboseli Park. Adding in those elephants killed by people in Africa lowered the median life expectancy there to 35.9 years. For the more endangered Asian elephants, the median life span in European zoos was 18.9 years, compared with 41.7 years for those working in the Burma Timber Enterprise. Median means half died younger than that age and half lived longer.
There is some good news, though. The life expectancies of zoo elephants have improved in recent years, suggesting an improvement in their care and raising, but “Protecting elephants in Africa and Asia is far more successful than protecting them in Western zoos.”
There are about 1,200 elephants in zoos, half in Europe, researchers concentrated on female elephants, which make up 80 percent of the zoo population. One amazing thing was that Asian elephants born in zoos had shorter life spans that those brought to the zoos from the wild.
Zoos usually lack large areas that elephants are used to in the wild, and that zoo animals often are alone or with one or two other unrelated animals, while in the wild they tend to live in related groups of 8 to 12 animals. In Asian elephants, baby death rates are two to three times higher in zoos than in the Burmese logging camps, and then, in adulthood, zoo-born animals die young. People are not sure why.
1. What is argued about in this passage?

A．Zoo elephants don’t live as long as those in the wild.

B．Elephants should not be on display.

C．Asian elephants are in danger.

D．Asia is far more successful in protecting elephants in zoos.

2. What does the underlined word “median” mean according to the passage?

A．Average

B．Longest.

C．Shortest.

D．Ordinary.

3. Which of the following is Not the disadvantage of keeping elephants in zoos?

A．Limited number of relatives.	B．Lack of space.
C．Shorter life expectancy.	D．Less attention.

4. Who are expected to pay more attention to the issue addressed?

A．Zoologists.	B．Animal care activists.
C．Zoo visitors.	D．The public.