From July to October every year, about a quarter of the world’s blue whales feed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. But the whales currently face a major threat in their favorite feeding area. Ships carrying cargo (货物)sail in the same area at the same time. All too often, the whales’ paths and the ships’ travel lines overlap (重叠),and a ship will hit a whale.

According to a new study, these ship strikes have become a serious threat to the overall population of the world’s blue whales. Only about 10,000 of the creatures still exist worldwide. Blue whales are the largest known animals ever to live on Earth. Even so, if hit by a container ship, a blue whale will likely die from its injuries.

In 2007 alone, large ships killed five blue whales in the waters off San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that because there are so few whales already, losing three to five from the California whale population every year is a significant loss. “The estimated population of blue whales in this part of the Pacific is 2,500”, says Sean Hastings, a NOAA analyst. “So every whale counts toward this species moving off the endangered-species list.”

Now, marine scientists must figure out how to protect the whales from the giant container ships. One very simple program is already under way in the Santa Barbara Channel, a waterway that separates mainland California from the nearby Channel Islands.

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary has asked large container ships passing through the area to voluntarily slow down. Sailing slower will allow the ships’ crew (船员)more time to change course before hitting a whale.

Several of the world’s largest shipping lines are set to participate in the new program. For every ship that passes through the Santa Barbara Channel at or below the reduced speed of 12 knots (海里 / 小时),the company that owns the ship will be paid $2,500.

1.From Paragraph 1, we can know that_____.

A. people intend to illegally hunt blue whales for money

B. large ships often carrying goods may pollute the sea

C. there is fewer fish in blue whales’ favorite feeding area

D. the container ships may hit the blue whales frequently

2.Why is the death of several whales regarded as significant loss to the world's blue whales?

A. Because other blue whales will be scared away.

B. Because the number of the blue whales is so small.

C. Because blue whales are the largest animals in the world.

D. Because many blue whales get killed throughout the year.

3.According to Sean Hastings,it’s inferred that .

A. the blue whales are still on the endangered-species list.

B. the number of the blue whales is decreasing sharply.

C. most of the world’s blue whales live in the Pacific Ocean.

D. blue whales are often disturbed by other endangered creatures.

4.What are the last three paragraphs mainly about?

A. The basic responsibility of a sailor.

B. The world’s largest shipping lines.

C. Measures to protect the blue whales.

D. Ways to slow down the speed of the ships.

阅读理解

阅读下列四篇短文,从每小题后所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。

Car Hire

Hiring a self-drive car really adds to the enjoyment of your holiday. There are so many places of interest to visit, and if you enjoy seeing more than just the city center there's no better way to explore than by car.

Hire Charges

What's included

a)Unlimited mileage (英里数)

b)Expenses on oil, maintenance ( 保养 ) and repairs, which will be repaid on production of invoices

c ) Full insurance (保险) except personal accident ( see below) and contents.

What's not included

a) Personal accident insurance.

b)Garaging, petrol, parking and traffic fines.

Conditions of Hire

★ The shortest rental period at these special low prices is three days. For prices for periods of one or two days you only see our representative (代理人) at the hotel.

★ Car hire must be booked six weeks or more before arrival in London to guarantee a car. But if you have been unable to make a booking in advance please see our representative at the hotel who may still be able to help you.

★The car types on the sheet are examples of the types of cars in each price range , but a particular car cannot be guaranteed.

★Upon delivery the driver(s) will be asked to sign the car hire company's Conditions of Hire.

★If you decide to hire a car, just fill in the Booking Form and return it to us. A booking fee of£12 as part of the car hire cost is required.

★Should you be forced to cancel your car hire booking after payment in full (two weeks before date of hire ) , a cancellation charge of £ 12 will be made.

1.From the advertisement we can see a car hirer will pay_________.

A. insurance against damage to the car

B. insurance against injuryto the driver

C. the cost of maintenance of the car

D. the cost of repairs to the car

2.Which of the following is NOT true judging from the advertisement?

A. Such an advertisement most likely appears in a newspaper.

B. You should have a driving license when you hire a car from the company.

C. When you hire a car from the company, a driver will go together with you.

D. You have to pay a booking fee when you hire a car from the company.

3.If car hirers change their minds after paying the whole cost of hiring, the £12 booking fee is ________.

A. partly returned B. doubly paid

C. not returned at all D. returned within six weeks

4.The prices for car hire are especially low when________.

A. it is booked for at least three days

B. it is booked two weeks in advance

C. it is booked for two days

D. the booking is made in London

根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Do you know people who have learned English earn twice as much as people who don’t? If you speak English better, you will find more good jobs. 1.

2.: Children go to their parents when they need help with school. If you speak better English, you can help your children with homework and you can also talk to teachers and other parents.

Think of your family: Most doctors in the United States only speak English, and if you can explain what the problem is and understand what the doctor is saying, you will get better, sooner!

Think of yourself: With a little more English, you might be able to take your high school diploma (GED), learn a profession or even go to college! 3.It is never too late!

Think of your pocket: If you understand what people tell you at the bank, a store or a lawyer’s office, nobody will be able to cheat you! 4.Here you can find out how you can get started. Don’t you want to save your cash?

And remember, with the Beehive you can practice your English and find help to get a good job, open a bank account or find a doctor!

The Beehive is written with a very clear language so you can learn all the important words at the same time as you find all the important information you need to make your life better.

5. Just a simple click here!

A. Think of your future.

B. You can talk about your illness with doctors in the United States if you go to hospital.

C. Or you can get a promotion and earn more money.

D. Many people are doing it!

E. With more English, you can save more, send more money to your family and even start your own business.

F. Think of your children.

G. Find out what type of education is right for you, and how to do it.

阅读理解。阅读下列四篇短文,从每小题后所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。

Two men were sitting together in a plane. They were on a long journey. One of the men was a businessman. The other was a farmer. They sat without talking for a while, then the farmer said,“Let’s do something to pass the time.”

“What do you want to do?” the businessman asked. “We can ask each other riddles.” The farmer said,“You start.”“Let’s make the rules first,” the businessman said. “That’s not fair. You are a businessman with much knowledge. You know more things than I do. I am just a farmer.”

“That’s true.” The businessman said. “What do you want we should do?” “If you don’t know the answer to a riddle, you pay me $100. And if I don’t know the answer, I’ll pay you $50.” The farmer said. The businessman thought about this, then he said, “OK. That’s fair. Who will go first?”

“I will,” The farmer said. “Here is my riddle. What has three legs when it walks, but only two legs when it flies?” The business man repeated the riddle, “What has three legs when it walks, but only two legs when it flies? Mm, that’s a good one. I’m afraid I don’t know the answer.” He gave the farmer $100, then said, “Tell me the answer. What has three legs when it walks, but only two legs when it flies?”“I don’t know.” The farmer said and gave him $50.

1.The story happened ____________.

A. on a farm

B. in a shop

C. before a long plane journey

D. between two passengers

2.What does the word “riddle” mean in this story?

A. A difficult question to find the answer to.

B. Something to help to make rules.

C. Something to win money.

D. a kind of game on doing business.

3.Why did the businessman agree to give more money if he lost?

A. He made much more money than the farmer.

B. He thought he knew more than the farmer.

C. He was interested in making riddles.

D. He was better at playing riddle games.

4.Which of the following is NOT true?

A. The two men made rules for their riddle.

B. The farmer was much cleverer than the businessman.

C. The two men made their riddle game more interesting by paying it for money.

D. The businessman knew the answer to his riddle.

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