1 . Mount Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon, a state in the western United States. At 3,400 meters it is attractive (有吸引力的) to many people, some of whom, of course, run into trouble. Each year 25 to 50 people have accidents or get lost on Mount Hood and require rescue. Although most of these are understandable accidents, a few result from careless risk-taking.
In one recent case, three experienced climbers went hiking (远足) in the middle of a snowstorm in December. Most hikers climb Mount Hood in May or June when the weather conditions are favorable. But in December, the mountain is covered in snow and ice. Winds up to 135 kilometers per hour blow the snow around making it difficult to see. Temperatures can drop below freezing. As one rescue worker put it, “What were they thinking? They were just asking for it.”
During a rescue a few years ago, a helicopter full of rescue workers crashed (坠毁) and the rescue workers were almost killed. Linda Carle, who lives in the Mount Hood area, asks, “If someone made a poor decision, why should rescue teams have to risk their lives to save them? Why do people take unnecessary risks and do things that aren’t right if they know that they can get into trouble?”
Most of the Mount Hood rescue workers are either volunteers (志愿者) or part of the local sheriff’s department. There is no charge for these rescues. It is the taxpayers (纳税人) who pay the bill. Linda Carle suggests that people who take careless risks and require rescue should be charged for the rescue. She feels it is only fair that costs for things like damaged helicopters and medical care for rescuers be paid for by the people who took the risk. What would you do if you were the local sheriff at Mount Hood?
1. What can we learn about Mount Hood?| A．It lies in the south of the United States. |
| B．It is the highest mountain in the United States. |
| C．The best time to climb the mountain is in May or June. |
| D．Hundreds of people get lost in the mountain every year. |
| A．peace | B．pride | C．loneliness | D．anger |
| A．pay for all the costs needed | B．learn to save themselves |
| C．be taxed at a higher rate | D．work as volunteers |
| A．ask the government to provide more rescuers |
| B．introduce Mount Hood to mountain climbers |
| C．advise climbers to think twice before they act |
| D．report some serious accidents in Mount Hood |
2 . Joanne was stuck in a traffic jam in central Birmingham at 5:30, and at 6:30 she was expected to be chairing a meeting of the tennis club. At last, the traffic was moving. She swung quickly racing to her house. As she opened the door, she nearly tripped over Sheba.
“Hey, Sheba,” she said, “I’ve got no time for you now, but I’ll take you out as soon as I get back from tennis club.” Then she noticed Sheba seemed to be coughing or choking. Obviously, she could hardly breathe. Immediately, Joanne realized she would have to take her to the vet (兽医). When she got there, the vet was just about to close for the day. Seeing the state of Sheba, Dr. Sterne brought her quickly into his office.
“Listen, doctor, I’m really in a rush to get to a meeting-can I leave her with you, and go and get changed? I’ll be back in ten minutes to pick her up, and then I’ll take her on to the meeting with me. Is that OK?”
“Sure,” said the doctor.
Joanne made the quick trip back to her house in a couple of minutes. As she was once more entering the hallway, the phone by the door began to ring.
“This is Dr. Sterne,” said an anxious voice. “I want you to get out of that house immediately,” said the doctor’s voice. “I’m coming round fight away, and the police will be there any time now. Wait outside!”
At that moment, a police car screeched to a stop outside the house. Two policemen got out and ran into the house. Joanne was by now completely confused and very frightened. Then the doctor arrived.
“Where’s Sheba? Is she OK?” shouted Joanne.
“She’s free, Joanne. I took out the thing which was choking her, and she’s OK now.”
Just then, the two policemen reappeared from the house, half-carrying a white-faced man, who could hardly walk. There was blood all over him.
“My God,” said Joanne, “how did he get in there? And how did you know he was there?”
“I think he must be a burglar,” said the doctor. “I knew he was there because when I finally removed what was stuck in Sheba’s throat; it turned out to be three human fingers.”
1. What was Joanne supposed to do at 6: 30?| A．To walk her dog. | B．To see her doctor. |
| C．To attend a club meeting. | D．To play tennis with her friends. |
| A．to dress up for the meeting |
| B．to phone the police station |
| C．to catch the badly hurt burglar |
| D．to wait for her dog to be cured |
| A．Sheba fought against the burglar |
| B．the police found the burglar had broken in |
| C．Joanne had planned to take her dog to the meeting |
| D．the doctor performed a difficult operation on the dog |
| A．clever | B．friendly |
| C．frightening | D．devoted |
