Feeling blue about world ? “Cheer up.” Says science writer Matt Ridley.”The world has never been a better place to live in, and it will keep on getting better both for humans and got nature.”
Ridley calls himself a tat ional optimist-tactical.because he’s carefully weighed the evidence optimistic.because that offence shows human progress to be both unavoidable and good.And this is what he’s set out to prone from unique point of view in his most recent book.The Rant anal Opting.He views mankind as grand enterprise that.on the whole.has done little but progress for 100, 000 years.He backed his finding with hard gathered though years of research.
Here’s how he explains his views.
1)Shopping fuels invention
It is reported that there are more than ten billion different producers for sale in London alone.Even allowing for the many people who still live in poverty.our own generation has access to more nutritious food.more convenient transport.bigger houses, better ears.and of course, more pounds and dollars than any who lived before us.This will continue as long as we there things to make other things, This more we specialize and exchange, the better off we’ll be.
2)Brilliant advances
One reason we are richer, healthier, taller, cleverer, longer-lived and freer than ener before is that the four most basie human needs -food, clothing, fuel and shelter- have grown a lot cheaper.Take one example.In 1800 a candle providing one hour’s light cost six hours’ work.In the 1880s the same light from an oil lamp took 15 minutes’ work to pay for.In 1950 it was eight seconds.Today it’s half second.
3)Let’s not kill ourselves for climate change
Mitigating(减轻)climate change could prove just as damaging to human welface as climate change itself.A child that dies from indoor smoke in a village, where the use of fassil-fuel(化石燃料)electrieity is forhidden by well meaming members of green polucal movements trying to save the world, is just as great a tragedy as a child that mes in a flood caused by climate change.If chmaic change proves to be xxxx, but cutting carbon canses realparn, we may well find that we have stopped a nose bleed by putting a tournquet(止血带)around our necks.
(1)
What is the theme of Ridley’s most recent book?
[ ]
A.
Weakness of human nature.
B.
Concern about climate change.
C.
Importance of practical thinking.
D.
Optimism about human progress.
(2)
How does Ridley look at shopping?
[ ]
A.
It encourages the creation of things.
B.
It results in shortage of goods.
C.
It demands more fossil fuels.
D.
It causes a poverry problem.
(3)
The candle and lamp example is used to show that _________.
[ ]
A.
oil lamps give off more light than candles
B.
shortening working time brings about a happier life.
C.
advanced technology helps to produce better candles.
D.
increased production rate leads to lower cost of goods.
(4)
What does the last sentence of the passage imply?
[ ]
A.
Cutting carbon is necessary in spite of the huge cost.
B.
Overreaction to cliamate change may be dangerous.
C.
People’s health is closely related to climate change.
LONDON(Reuters)-Achieving three A grades at A-level will no longer be enough to ensure a place at a top university, academics warned on Wednesday.
From September sixth-formers will begin studying A-level exams which will include a higher grade of A for those getting marks of 90 percent or above in their papers.
Those applying for Oxford or Cambridge will need new top grades to win a place, the 1994 Group of 19 leading universities said in a report.
It said it expected the two elite universities to take a large majority of those awarded three or two A grades.
Outside Oxbridge, students will need at least two A grades and one standard A grade to be confident of getting a place at their chosen university.
The extra grade is being added to meet complaints from universities that too many pupils gain maximum grades in A-levels, making it hard to select the most able.
But the 1994 Group, which does not include Oxford or Cambridge, said there were concerns among its members that pupils from fee-paying independent schools would dominate the A grades.
It said this could set back efforts by its member universities, who include Durham, St.Andrews and Warwick, to widen the social range of their intake.
The report estimated that just 3,500 out of 660,000 students would be awarded three A*s when they take the first exams in the new A-level courses in 2010.
That compares with the 26,200 students who gained three A grades in A-levels in 2006.
The government said there was no evidence to show that state school pupils would be disadvantaged by the introduction of the new grade.
“It is up to institutions to decide how they balance their assessments of applications with their desire to be fair and to offer places to applicants with the greatest potential, regardless of background,”said a spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools & Families.
(1)
What would be the best title for this passage?
[ ]
A.
Independent schools dominate the A* grades
B.
Straight A’s no longer enough for top universities
C.
Pick up applicants with the greatest potential
D.
Top universities need top students
(2)
The underlined word“elite”in Paragraph 4 means“________”.
[ ]
A.
best
B.
expensive
C.
worst
D.
cheapest
(3)
We can infer from the passage that ________.
[ ]
A.
only students with at least 3 A* can be admitted to Oxbridge
B.
fee-paying independent schools provide a better education than state schools
C.
the new assessment system of A* will be carried out in 2010
D.
students’ involvement in social activities is a must to be admitted to the 1994 Group
(4)
Why does the new assessment system have to be invented?
[ ]
A.
Few students have gained three A grades in A-level exams.
B.
Oxbridge want to distinguish themselves from other universities.
C.
Top universities are pushing for the reform of the assessment.
D.
The present A-level exams fail to pick out the most talented students.
阅读理解
WELCOME TO YOUR FREE ISH MEMBERSHIP
Your Membership
International Students House is a unique, cultural and recreational(娱乐的)center providing a wide programme of events for students 310 days a year.
Located in a fashionable and safe neighbourhood, close to Regent’s Park, ISH is a central place to meet students from Britain and around the world.
ISH provides all its members with the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of sports and hobbies in a friendly and fun environment.Many of the activities are free of charge as part of membership, while some charge a small fee.
Membership is open to all full-time students, professional trainess and student nurses.
LEARN
Lecture Series
ISH organizes a number of lively, topical lectures of political and contemporary(当代的)interest by famous speakers.
Language Classes
A variety of weekly language classes which in the past have included English, Spanish Japanese and Italian.
ISH tries to offer as many development and educational programmes as possible for its members.Look out for additional workshops and leadership programmes.E-mail:learn@ish.org.uk.
CREATE
Sunday Cinema
Films are shown every Sunday evening at 19∶30 including recent blockbusters(大片), theme nights and classics.
Classes
Show your talents or learn from the beginning with our various classes and workshops which include Life Drawing, Photography, and Drama.
Throughout the year ISH holds numerous exhibitions, recitals(公演)and performances put on by the students.To get more information, e-mail:create@ish.org.uk.
TRAVEL
Travel Club
The Travel Club runs a comprehensive schedule of day and weekend trips to British and European destinations.Students get the chance to explore new parts of the UK and meet people from all over the world.Sightseeing, canoeing, hiking, eating out, socializing and meeting local people are what you can expect to experience during the trips.E-mail:travel@ish.org.uk.
ACTIVE
Classes
Try out our Martial Arts and Fitness Classes every week night including Kick Boxing, TaiChi, Kung Fu and Shaolin as well as Yoga, and Aerobics classes.All our classes are run by qualified and professional instructors.
Sports
Join in our recreational and team sports such as football, volleyball, running, table tennis, and chess.
ISH Dangerous Sports Club:
We also organize such activities as go-karting, painballing and adventure weekends.E-mail:active@ish.org.uk.
(1)
If you are a member of ISH, you can do all the following except ________.
[ ]
A.
traveling to some European countries
B.
attending all kinds of interesting lectures
C.
attending French classes
D.
meeting students from all around the world
(2)
If you want to see a painting exhibition held by ISH, ________.
[ ]
A.
you must pay a small amount of money
B.
you can get some information through an e-mail
C.
you can get a ticket free of charge
D.
you can e-mail:learn@ish.org.uk
(3)
If you want to learn to take photos, which of the following e-mail addresses is useful to you?
[ ]
A.
learn@ish.org.uk.
B.
travel@ish.org.uk.
C.
active@ish.org.uk.
D.
create@ish.org.uk.
(4)
If you like some adventure on weekends.You’d better ________.
[ ]
A.
join ISH Dangerous Sports Club
B.
join the Travel Club
C.
go to Sunday Cinema
D.
take some Fitness Classes
阅读理解
Are you interested in the following course? Please read them and make a decision soon.
A.Understanding computers
This twelve-hour course is for people who do not know very much about computers but who need to learn about them.You will learn what computers are,what they can and can’t do,and how to use them.
Course fee:$75 Jan.7,14,21,28 Sat.9∶00~11∶50a.m.
Equipment fee:$10.
Joseph Saunders is a professor of computer science at New Urban University.He has over twelve years of experience in the computer field.
B.Stopping smoking
Do you want to stop smoking? Have you already tried to stop smoking using the latest methods? You can stop smoking and this special course will help you do it.
Course fee:$30 Jan.4,11,18,25 Mon.4∶00~7∶00p.m.
Doctor John Coode is a practicing psychologist who has helped hundreds of people stop smoking.
C.Typing
This course is for these who want to learn to type,as well as those who want to make their typing better.The course is individualized.You are tested in the first class and begin practicing at one of the eight different skill levels.This allows you to learn at your own speed.Each program lasts 20 hours.Bring your own paper.
Course fee:$125 Material fee:$25
Two hours each evening for two weeks.This course is taught by a number of best business education teachers who have successfully taught typing course before.
(1)
The typing course is for ________.
[ ]
A.
beginners
B.
skilled typist
C.
unskilled persons
D.
A and C
(2)
If one wants to learn basic computer program,he must pay ________.
[ ]
A.
$75+$10
B.
$50+$10
C.
$30+$25
D.
$35+$25
(3)
According to the ads,if you want to give up smoking,you will need at least ________.
[ ]
A.
twelve hours’ study
B.
some special medicine
C.
pay forty dollars
D.
buy a psychology book
(4)
Everyone taking a typing course can ________.
[ ]
A.
work at his own speed
B.
type fast
C.
learn much more than others
D.
begin practicing at his own level
阅读理解
The following are some important sights in New York.
American Museum of Natural History
Four floors of exhibition halls here include the world-famous fossil halls with their skeletons of enormous dinosaurs and other creatures; the culture halls, representing a variety of indigenous peoples; and mammal, bird and reptile halls.The renovated Milstein hall of Ocean Life showcases the profusion of life in Earth’s“last frontier”.Also here:Rose Center for Earth and space, with Hayden Planetarium and exhibits on Earth and our universe.
At 102 stories tall, the Empire State Building commands an inspiring view of Manhattan.Each year, over 3.5 million people come here for the view from the 86th-floor observatory, where they can take in the sights of the city from a glass-enclosed pavilion or the encircling open-air promenade.
Observatory Hours:8∶00am to midnight daily.Last elevators go up at 11∶15pm.Open daily 365 days a year.
Metropolitan Museum of Art(One of the greatest museums in the world)
It is impossible to“do”the entire museum in one day or describe everything you can see here.Go to the museum & spend some time in the Great Hall where you will find all types of help in many languages for planning your visit.If you can, get a guide before your visit or look at their website where you can plan well & learn about their many special exhibitions & programs.
Fee:$12 adults, $7 students & seniors, under 12 with adult free.
Open:Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday.9∶30-17∶15; Friday-Saturday, 9∶30-20∶45.
Museum of Modern Art(MoMA)
MoMA houses an outstanding collection of American & European paintings & sculptures from late 19th C.to present.Innovative in its definition of“art”, it was a pioneer in exhibiting film, photography, and industrial design.Its retrospectives can draw record-breaking attendance.A happy place to take small children, as strollers are allowed.
Open:Sunday-Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10∶30-17∶45; Friday, 10∶30-20∶15.
(1)
Varieties of ocean life are exhibited in ________.
[ ]
A.
American Museum of Natural History
B.
Empire State Building
C.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
D.
Statue of liberty
(2)
You can visit Museum of Modern Art at the following time EXCEPT ________.
[ ]
A.
at 14∶30 on Monday
B.
at 7∶00 pm on Friday
C.
at 10∶40 on Wednesday
D.
at 12∶00 on Sunday
(3)
Which of the following statements is true?
[ ]
A.
There are four exhibition halls in American Museum of Natural History.
B.
Many people come to the Empire State Building to enjoy the sights of Manhattan from the 86th floor observatory.
C.
In the Great Hall of Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can learn about their many special exhibitions and programs
D.
Museum of Modern Art is the only one in the world to exhibit film, Photography, and industrial design.
(4)
Suppose you are a high school student, who is going to visit Metropolitan Museum of Art with your parents, your 70-year-old Grandpa and your 6-year-old younger brother, how much will you have to pay in total?
[ ]
A.
$42
B.
$38
C.
$45
D.
$50
阅读理解
Austin Children’s Museum
This 7,000-square-foot museum aims to entertain and educate children up to age 9.In its Global City exhibit, people can go shopping for groceries, order lunch at a diner, pretend that they’re doctors or construction workers, and more.In other fun exhibits, they learn about Austin’s history, explore the world of water, and experience life on a large Texas farm.
Open time:From Tuesday to Saturday, 10∶00 a. m.~5∶00 p. m.
On Sunday, 12∶00 a. m.~5∶00 p. m.
Address:201 Colorado St, Austin, Texas 78701
Phone:512-4722499
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Founded in 1899, it is the world’s oldest children’s museum, featuring interactive exhibits, workshops, and special events.The Mystery of Things teaches children about cultural and scientific objects and Music Mix welcomes young virtuosos(名家).
Open time:From Wednesday to Friday, 2∶00 p. m.~5∶00 p. m.
On Saturday and Sunday, 10∶00 a. m.~5∶00 p. m.
Address:145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, New York 1213
Phone:718-7354400
Children’s Discovery Museum
This museum’s hand-on exhibits explore the relationships between the natural and the created worlds, and among people of different cultures and times.Exhibits include Streets, a 5/8-scale copy of an actual city, with streets lights, and waterworks, which shows how pumps can move water through a reservoir system.
Open time:From Monday to Saturday, 10∶00 a. m.~5∶00 p. m.
On Sunday, from noon.Closed on holidays.
Address:180 Woz Way, Guadalupe River Park, San Jose, California 95110
Phone:408-2985437
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
This museum is the largest of its kind.Exhibits cover science, culture, space, history, and explorations.Among them are the Space Quest Planetarium(additional fee), the 33-foot-high Water Clock, the Playscape gallery for preschools, and the Dinosphere exhibit, along with hand-on science exhibits.
The largest gallery, the Center for Exploration, is designed for ages 12 and up.
Open time:From Tuesday to Sunday, 10∶00 a. m.~5∶00 p. m.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 25.
Address:3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Phone:317-3343322
(1)
Suppose that December 25 is Tuesday, which of the following museums can you visit?
[ ]
A.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
B.
Austin Children’s Museum.
C.
Children’s Discovery Museum.
D.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
(2)
If you want to see how pumps can move water through a reservoir system, you should visit the museum in _________.
[ ]
A.
Texas
B.
New York
C.
Indiana
D.
California
(3)
After entering the museum you need to pay an additional fee to see _________.
[ ]
A.
the Center for Exploration
B.
Waterworks
C.
the Global City exhibit
D.
the Space Quest Planetarium
(4)
Which of the following is not exhibited in Children’s Museum of Indianapolis?
[ ]
A.
culture
B.
special events
C.
explorations
D.
history
(5)
The purpose of writing this passage is to _________.
[ ]
A.
introduce some museums and encourage parents to visit them with their children
B.
compare some museums and decide which one is the best