1 . Sunday evening, October 30, 1938, was peaceful in New York City. Some people were returning home from a trip to the countryside, and others were sitting down to dinner. In those days, televisions were not very common. Most people listened to the radio for news and entertainment.
At eight o’clock that evening, there was a concert of dance music, but Suddenly, the programme was cut off by a news report: a large spaceship had landed in a field and an army of Martians (火星人) was moving towards New York City and then the radio went silent.
People felt worried. Some drove out of the city as quickly as possible, but soon the roads were crowded with cars. Some people put wet towels on their faces because they thought there was a gas attack. In New Jersey, some farmers went out with guns. Although it was dark, they found a large cylinder (圆柱体) standing in a field, and, thinking it was the Martian spaceship, the shot at it many times.
Many people were so frightened that they did not hear the next announcement on the radio: “Ladies and gentlemen, you are listening to a radio play called The War of the Worlds.”
A message was sent to police stations that there was no real Martian attack, and the police Offices soon returned calm to New York City.
Many people were very angry that they had been fooled by the play, and complained to the radio station. But what about the spaceship that the farmers found in the field? The next morning, they found that they had damaged a large water tank (罐)!
1. According to the news report, ___________.| A．a Martian spaceship had landed | B．a spaceship was found at the airport |
| C．there would be a concert that evening | D．there was a gas attack in New York City |
| A．many people wanted to see the Martians |
| B．the Martian army was standing in the way |
| C．people were trying to get home from work |
| D．many people were trying to leave New York City |
| A．Policemen. | B．Firemen. | C．Dancers. | D．Farmers. |
| A．it was fooled by a news reporter. |
| B．It played a joke on the listeners. |
| C．It called the police to catch the Martians. |
| D．It often announced the news about spaceships. |
2 . One minute, Peggy Lewis and her husband, Harris Lee, were watching the trees blow in the wind. The next, they were surrounded by flying pieces of glass from the house’s broken windows. The roof was torn off. The walls caved in (塌陷). After the 152-mph tornado (龙卷风) had passed, it took a team of neighbors to pull the couple from the rubble (碎砖) and take them to the hospital.
When the pair returned to their house three days later, it was clear that what remained of the house would need to be torn down, but before Peggy would let that happen, she wanted one thing first—her family Bible.
Peggy had bought the Bible 35 years earlier, at the start of her marriage. Like many people, she’d used it to hold her family’s history — old photos, and a handkerchief from her great-grandmother.
The Bible was the first thing Peggy looked for when she returned to the house. When two volunteers showed up, Peggy had one task for them.
After an hour of searching, one of the volunteers ran up to her. Peggy had tears running down her face. The young woman had found the book while looking through rubble. Surprisingly, while many other books inside the house had been destroyed beyond recognition, the Bible was still complete, even though it had sat in the rain for days. “I completely broke down,” says Peggy. “I thought it was gone forever.” She was extremely grateful.
Peggy and her family were living at a friend’s house until they got back on their feet. But the book already has its well-deserved place of honor, in Peggy’ borrowed dresser. She knows that while every good book tells stories of disastrous (灾难性的) weather and unlikely survival, this one actually lived it.
1. What happened to the couple during the tornado?| A．They were hurt by glass. | B．They were buried in ruins. |
| C．They were blown to the wall. | D．They were forced to leave their house. |
| A．To help find her Bible. | B．To get her a new dresser. |
| C．To dig out all the buried things. | D．To tear down the dangerous house. |
| A．It’s very expensive. | B．It’s a gift from her husband. |
| C．It marked her marriage. | D．It held important things. |
| A．Excited but surprised. | B．Sad but thankful. |
| C．Excited and thankful. | D．Surprised but sad. |
| A．An important book. | B．All of her books. |
| C．Her house. | D．Some of her relatives. |
3 . After more than 2 months trapped in a collapsed copper (铜) and gold mine in the desert, all of 33 Chilean miners (矿工) were rescued Wednesday. With ingenuity and cutting-edge technology, the men have survived for 69 days, some 700 meters underground fending off hunger, anxiety and illness in a record-setting feat of survival. How did they survive the ordeal? Have a close look.
Before the miners were reached, they survived for 17 days on food already stored in the emergency shelter. They rationed themselves to 2 spoonfuls of tuna, half a cookie and a half-full glass of milk every 48 hours. Then a 6-inch diameter bore hole allowed food and water supplies to be sent down to the mine. Doctors then put the men on a solid diet of meat and rice, with a strict 2,200-calorie limit to keep them slim enough to fit in the evacuation shaft, which is just 66cm in diameter.
Yonny Barrios Rojas, 50, used knowledge gained on a nursing course he attended to administer medicine to the group and perform daily health checks.
“I was with God and I was with the devil. They fought and God won,” Mario Sepulveda, the second to be rescued, told CNN. He said he grabbed God’s hand and never doubted that he would be rescued.
1. What can we learn about the miners from the passage?| A．The miners were trapped in the mine in the desert on Wednesday. |
| B．The miners survived for 69 days on the food stored in the emergency shelter. |
| C．The miners were rescued after more than two months trapped. |
| D．Doctor Yonny Barrios Rojas administered medicine to the group and made daily health checks. |
| A．Because the food was limited. |
| B．Because the food had been eaten up already. |
| C．Because the miners couldn’t eat too much due to their bad condition. |
| D．Because the miners must be slim enough to get into the evacuation shaft. |
| A．Intelligence and advanced technology. | B．Luck and Persistence. |
| C．Courage and wisdom. | D．Experiences and bravery. |
| A．Miners trapped in a mine | B．Miners survival miracle |
| C．A collapsed copper and gold mine | D．A rescue mission |
4 . Air-crash investigators Larry Vance and Anthony Brickhouse have details from certain jobs rooted in their memories. They could tell exact dates, locations, and fight numbers effortlessly. Vance’s “big one” is Swiss Air Flight 11 in 1998. He was put in the position of dealing with all the families from very early on, many of whom held the hope that their relatives could have survived. All 229 passengers and crew died. Burning fabric; burning flesh. The smell catches in your throat, and stays in your mind long after you’ve left the scene. Investigations can take anywhere from days to years.
“What can affect people in these jobs is the ongoing emotional damage,” said Vivien Lee, a psychologist. But mental health assistance is often lacking within the industry. Evidence suggests that investigators, like first responders, can suffer from negative emotional effects, including frequent thoughts and PTSD (创伤后应激障碍).
“One emotion of losing relatives is anger,” Brickhouse reflected. “And they’re looking to you to figure out what happened to their loved ones.” Depending on the size of the crash, that anger can come alongside a lot of international media attention.”
But more often, Vance said, the questions he faces are perhaps even tougher to answer than what caused the crash. “How did my loved one die? What were they feeling? What were they seeing?” And tougher still: “Were they suffering?”
Listening to the black box recordings takes an emotional damage. He said it was more unbearable by knowing that he’s listening to the final minutes of someone’s life. Some people in his industry listen to a black box recording once and choose to never do it again, he said.
The knowledge that they’re doing an essential job can make the tougher aspects of the work a little easier. “The end result of your work is that you try to make the world a safer place, so that this doesn’t happen to somebody else,” Vance said.
1. What can be inferred about the air-crash investigators?| A．They often get throat problems. |
| B．They must have good memories. |
| C．They experienced the same accident. |
| D．They have to face many challenges. |
| A．Helping them avoid air crashes. | B．Sending first respondents with them. |
| C．Offering qualified psychologists. | D．Teaching them how to communicate. |
| A．Making the world a safer place takes time. |
| B．Answering the relatives’ questions is tougher. |
| C．Investigating the cause of the crash is bearable. |
| D．Finding the black box takes an emotional damage. |
| A．Self-giving. | B．Easy-going. | C．Generous. | D．Independent. |
5 . Leah Brown aged 36 fell several hundred feet from Oregon’s highest mountain right before the eyes of a group of volunteer rescue workers who rushed to her aid and helped save her life.
The woman was coming down a popular path (小路) on Mt. Hood, about 70 miles east of Portland, on Saturday morning, according to the local police. Mt. Hood is the highest in Oregon, standing at around11.240 feet.
The fall was seen by members of Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR), a volunteer organization focused on helping people in mountainous areas. The group called 911 and rushed to the woman, providing medical care. They helped keep the woman warm for seven hours as the police worked to get her off the mountain safely. Finally, the woman was evacuated (转移) to a parking lot at 9:30 pm and taken to a hospital.
The climber, Leah Brown, said she didn’t know what caused her fall. “I can only guess it was either an ice tool or a crampon (冰爪) that didn’t land and stick like it should have, so I became detached from the mountain,” Brown said. “The thing I’d like to most stress is my appreciation for the members of PMR who evacuated me and took good care of me the whole time,” Brown added. “They saved my life. ”
In a statement after the rescue, PMR warned of the dangerous winter conditions at the mountain. “The short days and lower temperatures mean that the snow tends to be very hard and icy, and the conditions tend to be much steeper. Climbing the mountain in icy conditions is much more difficult,” the group said.
1. What happened to Brown on Saturday morning?| A．She lost her way in a forest. | B．She hurt her eye unexpectedly. |
| C．She failed to call her family. | D．She fell down on a downhill path. |
| A．Different. | B．Hidden. | C．Separated. | D．Tired. |
| A．Thankful. | B．Regretful. | C．Surprised. | D．Concerned. |
| A．Climbing requires teamwork. | B．Climbing in winter is too risky. |
| C．We must remain positive in hard times. | D．We can admire the view on sunny days. |
6 . Recently, research on how a new virtual (虚拟的) reality (VR) experience educated primary children about the fire disasters was done. It was developed by the University of South Australia, aiming to educate children to learn how to be safer in a fire.
Focusing on children aged 10-12 years old, the new VR experience presents a situation where children are tasked to look after a friend’s dog just before a fire event begins to spread. They participate in a series of problem-solving activities to help save and protect themselves and the dog.
The findings showed that more than 80 percent of children reported that they felt more confident to calmly assess the situation and make wise decisions to protect themselves from a fire. This isl especially important considering that 91 percent of participants originally lacked any knowledge of fires, and that 67 percent had said that they were too young to make safety decisions in a fire.
The researchers believed such immersive (沉浸式的) VR experiences had real potential (潜力) to attract and educate the young. “As children born in digital times, they are interested in such technology and they can experience events realistically yet within the safe environment.” said Delene Weber, one of the researchers. “Well-designed VR can provide a chance for children to apply newly-acquired knowledge, strengthen their learnt concepts, and enable immediate reaction—all incredibly valuable learning tools.”
Meanwhile, because children have fewer life experiences, aren’t as physically strong, and are less likely to have learned much about fire safety, they’re often most at risk. Yet the ability for children to contribute to fire safety at their household should not be underestimated (低估).
“Children do not need to be passively attacked by disasters and with purpose-built virtual reality experiences such as these, we can help children understand the risks and realize they can help,” said Weber.
1. How does the new VR experience try to educate children?| A．By introducing a virtual friend to them. | B．By finding the causes of a fire event. |
| C．By letting them solve virtual problems. | D．By guiding them to ask a dog for help. |
| A．Many children found it hard to adapt to them. |
| B．They helped children deal with fire postively. |
| C．They benefited children with knowledge of animals. |
| D．Most children had a misunderstanding about them. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Indifferent. | C．Disapproving. | D．Supportive. |
| A．VR experiences educate kids to survive a fire | B．VR experiences make learning easier for kids |
| C．VR education appeals to the young generation | D．VR technology makes no sense in fighting a fire. |
7 . A fire swallowed a warehouse (仓库) on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, threatening to spread to a historic World War II-era ship before firefighters controlled it. One firefighter got a hand injury while battling the fire.
After the fire, investigators searched the building to determine whether homeless people were inside. “We’re trying to confirm if anybody is in this building,” San Francisco Fire Lt. Jonathan Baxter said. “Nobody is supposed to be in the building and we are hoping that there is no victim.”
However, at least two workers were inside the warehouse when the fire broke out before dawn. Alejandro Arellano was cleaning out a fish storage locker when the fire began shortly after 4 a.m. “I saw a lot of smoke. A few minutes later, fire was everywhere,” he said. “It was very scary. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
More than 130 firefighters fought the fire, some using ladder trucks to drench (浸湿) the warehouse from above. A fireboat was used to protect a ship that stormed Normandy on D-Day in 1944. The ship is among numerous tourist attractions on the wharf. Coast Guard crewmembers and police assisted by keeping other ships away.
Shops and restaurants on the wharf have been shut in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus (冠状病毒) and were expected to reopen on May 31. Fishing companies said the fire worsened an already tough business climate. Kenny Belov, owner of the seafood wholesaler TwoXSea, said his building near the warehouse was not damaged but he worried the fish in his freezer could be ruined. Fire investigators were still assessing the damage and were looking into the cause.
1. Why did investigators search the building after the fire?| A．To search for valuable things. |
| B．To make sure the fire was really out. |
| C．To make sure nobody was trapped in the fire. |
| D．To look for the person who caused the fire. |
| A．They kept other ships away. | B．They protected tourist attraction. |
| C．They carried ladder trucks. | D．They sent the injured to hospital. |
| A．The cause of the fire was still unknown. |
| B．The fire helped slow the spread of the disease. |
| C．Kenny Belov’s building was damaged in the fire. |
| D．Shops and restaurants were closed because of the fire. |
| A．A Big Fire Was Put out by Firefighters |
| B．A Big Fire Broke out Early in the Morning. |
| C．Firefighters Are Looking for Victims of a Big Fire |
| D．Investigators Are Looking for the Cause of Big Fire |
8 . Highaltitude rescue team has set new standards in the Himalayas this season, performing the highest altitude rescue ever completed. On May 19th, a rescue team successfully got a mountaineer from near Camp 3 at 23,000 feet on Everest (珠穆朗玛峰). The climber named Gautam nearly reached the top but became extremely exhausted and seriously dehydrated(脱水的).
After a difficult and dangerous rescue, the team was able to successfully save Gautam’s life.
In an interview with Moro, the pilot of the rescue team, he said, “You have to be prepared, technically, physically, and also mentally.” He added, “The aim wasn’t to set a record but to save someone’s life.”
The team has flown rescue tasks using Nepalese helicopters (直升机) for two years but had the idea to create a team with its own helicopter, which has been able to complete this season. The entire operation is privately financed, and according to Moro, “doesn’t cost the Italian or Nepalese taxpayer a single cent.” Moro also flies tasks for the local population for “free or at extremely reduced prices”.
Moro sees potential for the increasing number of highaltitude Himalayan rescue operations. In the future, he hopes to see more than one team, as well as a specialised team of climbers that would be able to perform rescues at altitudes and in weather conditions that are impossible for helicopters.
1. What can we infer about Gautam?| A．He is a lover for mountaineering. |
| B．He lost his life on Himalayas. |
| C．He ever reached the mountain top once. |
| D．He is a leader of a rescue team. |
| A．He can operate the helicopter technically. |
| B．He is generous and helpful to people. |
| C．He makes good preparations for mountaineering. |
| D．He is potential and wealthy. |
| A．Loved by many people. | B．Managed in a new way. |
| C．Supported with money. | D．Discovered by chance. |
| A．The Future of Highaltitude Rescue Team |
| B．The Successful Flying Task on Himalayas |
| C．An Interview with an Italian Famous Rescue Team Leader |
| D．A Daring Highaltitude Rescue on Everest Sets a Record |
9 . An injured hiker was rescued earlier this month after a train passenger saw her from the window. She was crazily waving on the other side of a river, having just spent two days stuck in the wild with a broken leg.
The rider told the train crew, who then reported it to the train inspector. Henry Smith, who was in a motor car behind them. Henry was able to stop and communicate with the woman on the opposite bank of the river, which was freezing cold and moving quickly.
The hiker, a woman in her twenties, had been missing for two days. She said she’d intended to go on a day hike, but ended up falling 90 feet down a cliff face while trying to take pictures. She reportedly told rescuers that she lost consciousness (意识) for an unknown amount of time. Despite a badly broken leg, she struggled to pull herself to the bank of the river to try to flag down trains. She had no emergency supplies with her, or suitable clothing to spend the night outdoors. There had been a cold attack while the woman was stuck in the wild. The hiker described spending daylight hours trying to get the attention of passing trains and, at night, would roll herself into a nearby cliff face in an attempt to stay warm.
Henry called to request help for search and rescue. The operator who received the emergency call said the hiker’s family had been looking for her. While they were waiting for the rescue team, Nick and Kylah, an engineer and a fireman on the next train passing by the location, came to help. 327 passengers on the train waited on the track as they crossed the river to examine the woman’s injuries and bring emergency supplies, blankets and a radio for communication. Finally, a helicopter was sent to locate and rescue the hiker and she was transported safely to the hospital.
1. Who first noticed the injured hiker?| A．A train rider. | B．Henry Smith. | C．The train crew. | D．Nick and Kylah. |
| A．She fell down the cliff face accidentally. | B．She spent day and night waving for help. |
| C．She had planned a two-day hike schedule. | D．She always stayed conscious in the wild. |
| A．The hiker’s family had been against her going hiking. |
| B．Henry sent a helicopter to locate and rescue the hiker. |
| C．Nick and Kylah were sent by the police to the rescue. |
| D．People on the next train also contributed to the rescue work. |
10 . Peter, 60, loved his job as a bus driver. He had been one almost all his life, loving the little children who rode his bus daily. It made him feel much younger. His record was clean, without one accident, which made him a trustworthy driver.
However, Mr. Clark, Peter’s boss, was worried and thought that it was time for him to retire (退休). “You don’t have a choice here, Peter.” he said seriously. “We don’t want to invite any risk to the children.”
“But I have a perfect record,” reasoned Peter. “You know, for an elderly man like me, my job is the only thing that keeps me alive. I want to keep my job.”
“Would you take responsibility if something bad happened to those children?” Mr. Clark said.
Peter thought it over, and very reluctantly, he gave in to Mr. Clark’s request. Peter decided to retire a week later.
The day before his last day, Peter was dropping of the kids at his first stop when he looked out of the window and saw a lady who had passed out. He asked the kids not to leave the bus and got down to help the woman.
Just when he finished, he heard cries behind him. The children were looking out of the window and shouting. “Fire! Fire! Help!” “How could that have happened?” Peter was shaking in fear. With shaking hands, Peter dialed 911 and rushed to help the children. Covering himself with his jacket, Peter rushed into the burning car and took the children out one by one. Thankfully, the firefighters arrived soon and helped Peter, saving all students.
The next day, Peter found the whole school standing in front of his home. When Peter got close to them, Mr. Clark started clapping and everyone joined him. “You are a hero, Peter! You saved the lives of those young children.” he said. “You are the best driver. We hope you can keep the job!”
1. What made Mr. Clark worried?| A．He couldn’t talk Peter into retiring. |
| B．Taking school bus was unsafe for children. |
| C．Peter was too old to be a school bus driver. |
| D．The school bus driver must be changed actually. |
| A．Angrily. | B．Unwillingly. | C．Doubtfully. | D．Cheerfully. |
| A．They were caught in the burning bus. |
| B．They couldn’t find Peter on the bus. |
| C．They were frightened by the woman. |
| D．They didn’t want a new school bus driver. |
| A．Putting Out the Fire | B．A Dangerous Bus Journey |
| C．Working After Retirement | D．An Old Hero Driver |
