The novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) has already made tens of thousands of people sick. Where did the virus come from? Scientists say it probably came from bats.

Bats can carry and transmit more than 60 viruses that can infect humans, Live Science noted. They include the world’ s deadliest viruses,such as Ebola and HIV. Due to their strong immune systems (免疫系统),bats are able to host these viruses and not get sick. At the same time,the viruses keep developing inside the bats to create new variants (变体). These variants can then infect new hosts,such as other wild animals.

Pangolins (穿山甲),for example,might be an intermediate host (中间宿主) for NCP,according to a recent study by Chinese scientists. This means that bats might have given the virus to pangolins,with pangolins then spreading it to humans.

Wild animals like snakes,hedgehogs (刺猬) and bamboo rats also carry various viruses. But since they live in the wild,there should be few chances for humans to come into contact with them and get infected—unless the animals are eaten or used to make animal products. When people hunt, buy and eat wild animals, they can introduce viruses to the rest of the population.

But this doesn’t mean that we should kill wild animals. Each species has a role in the eco-system (生态系统) and all of them are important in keeping a natural ecological balance. The lesson we can learn from disease outbreaks is to respect and protect animals and to live in harmony with them instead of hunting,killing,or eating them.

1.Why can bats host many viruses without getting sick?

A.Because these viruses are not deadly.

B.Because the viruses are kept in balance.

C.Because they have strong immune systems.

D.Because they can spread the viruses to other animals.

2.The underlined word“harmony”in the last paragraph probably means .

A.danger B.peace C.pain D.surprise

3.According to the story,what lesson should humans learn?

A.Research more about wild animals. B.Exercise regularly to stay healthy.

C.Stop keeping animals as pets. D.Don’t buy or eat wild animals.

You can buy a box of Crayola crayons in 152 colors today, but way back in 1903, they only came in eight colors. And that box of Crayola crayons was a huge improvement over the first crayons, which only came in black.

Wax crayons were mostly used for industrial purposes until cousins Edwin Binney and Harold Smith introduced their brightly colored crayons for kids. Edwin’s wife made up the name Crayola by putting “craie”(French for chalk)together with“ oleaginous”(which means oily). In other words, oily chalk!

It’s hard to understand just how modern crayons are different from those in the past without look at the history of the crayon. In 1864 Edwin’s dad, Joseph Binney, started a chemical factory in New York City. It made a black pigment by burning oil. When the two cousins took over the factory in 1885, they started making a number of industrial art products for home and school use, but from 1900 to 1902, they started making pencils and dustless chalk for school blackboards in American classrooms. Soon after that, colored crayons were made. But the crayons they first made were not safe for kids, so they developed crayons that would be safe. The first box they sold-the one with eight colors--cost just five cents.

To celebrate the hundredth birthday of Crayola crayons in 2003, a special 100-color box was created, adding four new colors to the existing 96-color box. Over the years, as the company grown, it has introduced more than 400 different colors. Today there are over a hundred types of Crayola Crayons. They are available in boxes printed in 11 languages including Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Italian, German, French, Finnish, English, Dutch and Danish. Two billion Crayola Crayons are produced yearly. Also you can find crayons that smell good, crayons that wash out of clothes, and even egg-shaped crayons. Nowadays, plenty of other companies make colored crayons for children, too.

1.What color were the first crayons?

A.Black B.Red C.Yellow D.Green

2.The first eight-color Crayola crayons started to be sold in the year__________.

A.1864 B.1885 C.1903 D.2003

3.Which of the following statements are TRUE about Crayola crayons?

A.The name Crayola was a mixture of two English words.

B.The first Crayola crayons were not safe but very expensive.

C.The company invented four more colors for its 100th birthday.

D.Today Crayola crayon boxes are now also printed in Chinese language.

4.What’s the passage mainly about?

A.The changes of the colors of Crayola crayons.

B.The history of the invention of Crayola crayons.

C.The two cousins who made Crayola crayons.

D.The reason why Crayola crayons are still popular.

Uncle Sam

Do your children enjoy interesting stories, funny games and exciting dances? Uncle Sam will be read to teach children of all ages all these things at the City. Theatre on Saturday morning at 10:00. Free.

Walking Tour

Forget your worries on Saturday morning. Take a beautiful walk and learn about local history. Meet at the front entrance of City Hall at 9:30. Wear comfortable shoes!

Movie Time

Two films will be shown on Saturday afternoon at the Museum Theatre. See March of the Penguins at 1:30. Kung Fu Panda will be at 3:45. For further information, call 4987898.

International Picnic

Are you tired of eating the same food every day? Come to Central Park on Saturday and enjoy food from all over the world. Delicious and not expensive. Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

It's October, and this Saturday night is your last chance to see the Redbirds this year. Get your tickets at the gate. It might be cold. Don't forget sweaters and jackets.

Do You Want to Hear The Zoo?

The Zoo, a popular rock group from Australia, will give their first US concert this Saturday night at 8:00 at Rose Hall, City College.

1.You probably eat Chinese, Italian and Indian food at _______.

A.City Hall B.Central Park C.the City Theatre

2.We can see movies at _______.

A.10:00 a.m. B.9:30 a.m. C.3:45 p.m.

3.The Zoo here is a ________.

A.Music group B.US concert C.Popular park

4.From the passage, we can know_________.

A.if you are 8 years old, you have to pay to learn exciting dances

B.you can learn local history on a walking tour on Sunday morning

C.The Redbirds' last match this year will be held outside

5.The passage is mainly about_________.

A.city news B.weekend activities C.music week

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网