Have you ever heard of a rattlesnake? It is a poisonous (有毒的) American snake. When it is angry or afraid, it makes a noise like a rattle with its tail. It’s very scary. But Heather Ramirez and her husband, from California, in the United States, make a living in an unusual way. They are self-employed (自雇的) snake catchers! They catch snakes, especially rattlesnakes which have gone indoors, and return them to the wild.

Heather describes her work as “protecting people from rattlesnakes — and protecting rattlesnakes from people!” In the area where they live, rattlesnakes often come face to face with people. They are found in stores, offices, houses and gardens. Heather explains that it’s not the snakes that are moving into places where people live, but it’s the other way round. The snakes lived in these places first and then the people built houses.

Most people who see a rattlesnake are feared. If you keep your distance, however, the snake won’t bite (咬) you. In twelve years as a snake catcher, Heather has never touched a snake. She doesn’t take the risk. She picks up the snakes with a special tool. This doesn’t hurtthem, but it keeps them at a safe distance so that they can’t bite her.

Heather and her husband are very busy because they are never off duty. Catching snakes is a full-time job and they don’t often have a day off. People can get to them at any time of the day or night. Not everyone can do this job, but Heather doesn’t want to do anything else. “I just love my job,” she says.

1.The Ramirezs make a living in an unusual way by _____.

A.catching and selling snakes B.catching snakes as a part-time job

C.protecting snakes in the wild D.being self-employed snake catchers

2.In Paragraph 2, Heather explains why the rattlesnakes _____.

A.never bite people B.are afraid of people

C.are found where people live D.lived with people at first

3.The underlined word “them” in Paragraph 3 refers to _____.

A.rattlesnakes B.special tools

C.people around D.the Ramirezs

4.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A.Heather catches snakes only at night.

B.Heather is always ready to do her job.

C.Heather risks touching snakes sometimes.

D.Heather has been a snake catcher for 20 years.

阅读下面短文,根据所读内容,在文章后小题的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词,并将答案填写在答题卡相应位置上。

注意每个空格只填一个单词。

Many kinds of birds live in the united states, but the number of the birds is becoming smaller every year. One of the main reason is the growing number of pet cats.By keeping your pet cats in your home, you can help give birds a better possible chance to live.

Of the 90 million pet cats in this country, about two thirds(三分之二) can go outside freely. It is said that these cats kill millions of birds each year,as well as billions of small animals such as rabbits and field mice.

They can also bring illness to the animals that live in people's yard(院子),further weakening the health of the natural populations.

Allowinging pet cats to go outside is not just bad for birds and wildlife, it's also bad for the cats themselves. Outdoor cats can get ill very easily. They are in danger from traffic and attacks from other animals. In fact, outdoor cats usually don't live past the age of five.While indoor cats often live to be 17 or older.

Keep your pet cat inside. If you raise a young cat, it’s your duty to let it play inside.

Keep your pet cats 1.

Problems.

The number of birds is becoming2.

Pet cats outside3.a lot of birds and small animals.

Many pet cats are in 4.from traffic.

Pet cats may get hurt5.other animals.

It is 6. for people living in the yard to get ill because of the outdoor cats.

Reason for the problem.

People let their pet cats go outside7..

8. to do.

If someone 9. a young cat, he should do his 10. as the pet owner to keep the cat in the house.

By keeping Your pet cats in your home. You can help give birds a better possible chance to live.

Spiff was an elf(精灵)living at the North Pole. He worked hard all year to make toys. When autumn arrived, Spiff got very busy in Santa's workshop. He had to work very late into the night to make sure the toys would be ready for Christmas Eve.

One day, Spiff looked at pictures of Florida on the Internet after lunch. "I really need a vacation," Spiff said. Sif's friend Blip looked at the computer screen. "Why would you want to go to Florida?" he asked. "I would like to see what Christmas is like in a place where it doesn't snow. "It snows everywhere on Christmas," said Blip, "I don't think that's true," said Spiff. "They have palm trees in Florida, and palm trees(棕榈树)only grow in warm places. " I don't believe you. Prove(证明)it! "said Blip." "I will! "

On Christmas Eve, Spiff climbed into a bag full of toys and took a ride on Santa's sleigh(雪橇). Spiff looked out of the bag as Santa's sleigh flew high. Soon they arrived in Florida. Spiff was very excited. The air around him felt warm. Santa guided his sleigh toward a small, blue house. There was no snow, but there were beautiful lights in the Christmas tree. "I knew it! " Spiff said. He quickly took a photo to prove that it was possible to have a wonderful Christmas anywhere in the world, even if there was no snow.

1.What did Spiff do in Santa's workshop?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

2.Did Spiff agree that it snowed everywhere on Christmas?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

3.What would Spiff use to prove to Blip that he was right?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

4.Should we need to prove the things we are not sure about? Why or Why not?

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