【题目】A dense wave of smog began in the Chinese city of Harbin and the surrounding Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning Provinces on 20 October 2013. Unseasonably warm temperatures with very little wind across northeastern China coincided with the smoke from local farmers’ burning straws and the start-up of Harbin’s coal-powered central heating system.

Record densities of fine particulates(微粒)were measured in the city. In Harbin, the levels of PM2.5 (particulate matter) rise to 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter, worse than Beijing’s historic highs.Visibility was reduced to below 50m in parts of Harbin, and below 500m in most of the neighbouring Jilin Province. On Fa Yuen Street in Harbin, visibility of less than 5m was reported. The smog reduced after October 23, 2013 and completely broke up on October 28, 2013 by the first local snow and icy rain due to a cold front moving in from Russia.

Harbin lies in the north of China where winter temperatures can drop to -40, demanding a six-month heating season. Daily particulate levels of more than 40 times the World Health Organization recommended maximum level were reported in parts of Harbin. The smog remained till 23 October, when almost all monitoring stations in Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning Provinces reported readings above 200μg/mfor PM2.5. PM 2.5 is the amount of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter in the air, with the WHO recommending a maximum 24-hour mean (平均值) of 25 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m).On the morning of 25 October, PM2.5 measurements in Harbin had fallen to an average of 123μg/m.

All highways in the surrounding Heilongjiang Province were closed. In Harbin, all primary and middle schools were closed for three days and authorities stopped flights at the airports. Hospitals reported a 23 percent increase in admissions for breathing problems. However, this smog will have no influence on Harbin Ice Festival events later in December 2013.

Air pollution in Chinese cities is of increasing concern to China’s leadership. Particulates in the air can affect human health and also have influences on climate and rainfall. Pollution from the burning of coal has reduced life expectancy by 5.5 years in the north of China, as a result of heart and lung diseases.

【1】One cause of the heavy smog in the northeastern Chinese cities may be _____.

A.the lasting cold weather

B.farmers’ burning of forests

C.too much strong wind

D.the start-up of heating system

【2】One serious influence of the heavy smog was that_____.

A.Harbin Ice Festival would be cancelled

B.highways in Heilongjiang were free of charge

C.all flights at the airport were cancelled

D.doctors in hospitals were kept from working

【3】The harmful smog was most serious on ______.

A.October 20 B.October 23

C.October 25 D.October 28

【4】What measure might be practical to reduce the happening of heavy smog?

A.Forbidding people to own their private cars.

B.Advocating people having one meal a day.

C.Using natural gas to cook instead of coal.

D.Encouraging family’s coal-fired heating.

【题目】October 21 was a very dark day in Texas.Not only did Hurricane Hanna destroy homes,it caused the largest business damage in Texass history.The worst thing is Hannas destructive force nearly wiped out most power poles and power lines.According to Center Point Energy,Hurricane Hanna affected 2.15 million customers.Currently, more than 4,000 of them are still in the dark.Crews have worked 16-hour shifts to restore power to residents.

Most of Houston seems to be returning to normal.Schools,restaurants,retail stores and gas stations are open.Smiles are back.But harder-hit places,including Galveston,will take much longer to recover. Hundreds of people are still missing,and coastal towns are a mess.Some ruins from storm have drifted south to other beaches in Texas.Several public schools in Galveston are closed due to water damage.Parents are registering kids in other area schools which are scheduled to begin class on November 13.Many school supplies were destroyed.

Clara Barton Village is an emergency shelter located at Alamo Elementary School in Galveston,Texas.This is where Paula Reed and her family are staying.Believe it or not,Paula Reed and her family consider this hurricane a blessing.When Paula was a girl,she was an orphan,but was taken in by her stepmom,Antonia Flores.Reed lost contact with Flores and had been trying desperately to locate her for the past few years.Before the hurricane,Reed and her family moved away from Galveston to a San Antonio shelter.There,she reunited with Flores after 30 long years! The moment they saw each other, their lives were changed.

【1】Whats the most serious damage caused by Hurricane Hanna?

A.Hundreds of people are still missing.

B.A large number of people are homeless.

C.Power facilities are severely destroyed.

D.Factories are closed and many people jobless.

【2】It can be inferred that the residents in Houston________.

A.have fully recovered from the disaster

B.were the most unlucky people in the disaster

C.need a long time to bring their life back to normal

D.suffered less from Hanna than people in Galveston

【3】Kids in public schools in other areas of Houston will have to stay at home for_______

A.at least one month B.at least three weeks

C.two weeks at most D.nearly half a month

【4】Paula Reed and her family consider the hurricane a blessing because_______

A.they had nothing lost after Hurricane Hanna

B.they lived a happier life in San Antonio shelter

C.Paula was taken good care of in the shelter

D.Paula reunited with her stepmother after three decades

【题目】A Special Halloween Party

Ever since its opening, Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party has been the center of attraction for thousands of Disney vacationers during Halloween in Orlando. Started as a special one night event in 1995, this Halloween event at Disney World has been transformed and developed into one of the most family-fun events today, and runs throughout selected nights in September, October and November.

“Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” guarantees a unique Halloween experience right in the middle of the most magical place on Earth. Whether its you or the kids, “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” welcomes all with equal fun and entertainment opportunities. Visiting this special Halloween party once in your life is a dream that comes true. Even though it costs you a few extra dollars, there is every reason to visit it.

It starts at 7 pm on every selected night and continues till midnight. During the show the entire Magic Kingdom Park is transformed into a heaven of Halloween adventures, including amazing fireworks, grand parade, and plenty of trick-or-treat opportunities. One of the most striking features of the event is--guests are allowed to visit in their favorite Halloween costumes(服装). Unlike the usual party guidelines, there is no restriction for dresses at Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party. Both adults and kids are encouraged to choose their favourite Halloween costumes.

The Party unfolds amazing Halloween activities. If you are a character lover, dont miss the various Character Meet& Greet opportunities. Let your child take photos with his or her famous Disney characters. Or you can have a magical trick-or-treat experience at the numerous candy locations all over the park with the kids. Also dont miss the unique Mickeys Boo to You Halloween Parade, which is one of the rarest, must-see Disney shows. The parade also enables you to see all your favorite Disney characters in their own Halloween costumes. The skeleton(骨架) dancers make the Parade a little scary too, but its a great fun. The Hallo Wishes Firework Display is another grand show, which lasted for about 20 minutes and one should not miss at the party.

【1】Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party __________.

A. is an event intended for all ages

B. attracts more tourists than usual

C. is usually held on Halloween night

D. lasts longer than regular Disney parties

【2】Tourists to Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party need to ___________.

A. wear Halloween costumes

B. prepare trick-or-treat candies

C. go to the party with their families

D. pay more for admission than regular days

【3】In Mickeys Boo to You Halloween Parade, tourists will be able to ___________.

A. see holiday symbols

B. watch grand firework

C. frighten each other for fun

D. take photos with Disney characters

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