One of the most famous scientists to study adaptations(适应能力) was Charles Darwin(达尔文). He was born in England in 1809. He wasn’t the best student in his school, but when he was 16, his father sent him to a medical school. Charles liked spending time outdoors observing(观察) nature more than having medical classes. He dropped out without graduating.

Next, Charles’ father sent him to school to become a minister(牧师). This time he made it to graduation, but he didn’t want to do the work of a minister. His friends encouraged him to follow his interest in science.

Luckily, Charles was invited to sail on the Beagle as an unpaid scientist after graduation. The Beagle was to travel to South America and then around the world. Their task was to make maps of the places they visited.

On December 27th, 1831. Charles Darwin sailed from England on the Beagle. The trip was planned to last two years. In fact, it lasted five. During this time, he saw many amazing things. He collected lots of plants and animals and took them back to England to begin his scientific study.

Twenty-three years later, Darwin published a scientific paper with another man named Wallace. Darwin described how some animals have adaptations that help them survive. They are passed on to offspring(后代). Darwin’s ideas about adaptations are still very important to the study of living things.

1.Darwin was very interested in ____________.

A.having medical classes                   B.the work of a minister

C.sailing around the world                  D.science and nature

2.The trip on the Beagle lasted ____________ years.

A.five                                  B.four

C.three                                D.two

3.When Darwin published the scientific paper, he was ____________ years old.

A.twenty                               B.twenty-three

C.forty-five                              D.fifty

4.The underlined word “they” in the last paragraph refers to ____________.

A.adaptations                            B.Darwin and Wallace

C.animals                               D.Darwin’s ideas

 

Jack Johnson is one of the most popular singer-song writers in the world.

  Jack was born on May 18, 1975 in Hawaii. Being the son of a famous surfer, Jack naturally has an interest in surfing. Most of his life lesson were learned in the water. At the age of 17, Jack entered the finals of the Pineline Masters – the world’s most famous surfing competition. Everyone thought Jack would become a professional surfing like his father. Unluckily, one month later, he had a deadly accident while surfing and was seriously hurt.

Life is like a revolving door. When it closes, it also opens. Jack started to practice playing the guitar and write songs when he was staying in hospital. At first, his father thought Jack only did it for fun, but soon he was surprised at the great progress his son had made.

When studying in the university, Jack didn’t stop practicing his guitar skills. He played the guitar for school parties. He wrote songs and sang for his teachers and friends. They liked his songs. His first music album Brushfire Fairytales came out in 2001. It was a great success. His second album, On and On, was much like his first. They were filled with sweet, easy-going songs that everybody liked listening to. Later Jack had lots of concerts in and out of America. He became popular all over the world.

Jack had five albums by 2010 and more than 15 million copies of them were sold. His music doesn’t fall into any of the popular music styles like pop, R&B or hip-hop. It is more like folk music, played with a guitar and beautiful voice. When listening to his songs, you feel like lying on the beach enjoying the warm sunshine.

Jack is a talent, though he himself says he is only a surfer who loves music. In his songs we can find his secret of success: Whatever happen in our lives, we have to accept it and do the best we can.

1.At the age of 17, Jack __________.

A. had his first music album   B. took part in a surfing competition

C. had his first concert   D. became popular all over the world

2.Jack started to write songs ___________.

A. while he was staying in hospital   B. when he had concerts out of America

C. after his second album came out   D. after he played the guitar at the school party

3.What is the secret of Jack’s success?

A.     He was born in Hawaii.

B.     His father was very famous

C.     He wrote many songs for his teachers and friends.

D.     He always faced difficulties bravely and tried his best.

4. What’s the best title for the passage?

A. A Famous Writer   B. Surfing in the Sea

C. A Guitar Player   D. Surfing in the Music

 

Samaranch (born 17 July 1920 – 21 April 2010) was a Spanish(西班牙) sports official who served as the 7th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1980 to 2001.Samaranch was born into a rich family in Barcelona, he studied business at IESE Business School in Barcelona. He was good at Spanish, French, English, Russian and German. Because of his father’s influence, he became interested in sports. He was fond of football, boxing, roller skating and ice hockey(冰球)in particular. Later, he became an ice hockey player, after that he served as Spain's national ice hockey coach. He was selected to be the president of the IOC at the 83rd of the IOC plenary session(全会)in Moscow in 1980. Samaranch's greatest wish before retirement is to hope the Olympics will be held in China. Beijing succeeded in hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics on July 13, 2001. Three days later, he officially retired at the IOC in Moscow. Then he was awarded the Olympic gold medal, and accepted the "International Olympic Committee Honorary Life President" title. In the opening plenary session, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Samaranch "Medal of Honor." Though he passed away , we Chinese people will remember him forever.

 

1.Where was Samaranch born?  He was born in         .

A. Spain

B. France

C. England

D. Russia

2.He became interested in sports because of         .

A. his coach

B. his mother

C. his father

D. his teacher

3.He used to be a(n)          after he left IESE Business School.

A. businessman

B. football player

C. roller skating coach

D. ice hockey coach

4.When did Samaranch retire as the president of the IOC ?______.

A. On July 17,1920

B. On July 13, 2001

C. On July 16, 2001

D. On April 21,2010

5.What does the underlined phrase “passed away” mean in Chinese?

A. 经过

B. 传递

C. 通过

D. 去世

 

 

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