Monarch butterflies(黑脉金斑蝶)are a common summer sight in the northern United States and Canada.These large orange and black insects(昆虫)brighten parks and gardens as they fly lightly among the flowers.What makes monarchs particularly interesting is that they migrate(迁飞)-all the way to California or Mexico and back.They are thought to be the only insect that does this.
Every year in the late summer monarchs begin their journey to the south.Those heading for Mexico go first for the Louisiana Mississippi area, then fly across the Gulf of Mexico into Texas.Once in Mexico, they settle themselves in one of about fifteen places in a mountain forest filled with fir trees.Each place provides a winter home for millions of monarchs.The butterflies are so many that they often cover entire trees.When spring comes, they begin their long journey north.
The question is often asked whether every butterfly makes the round trip journey every year.And the answer is no.The average monarch lives about nine months.So one flying north might lay eggs in Louisiana and then die.The eggs of that generation may be found in Kentucky; the eggs of the next generation may end up in Wisconsin or Michigan.The last generation of the season, about the fourth, will make their way back to Mexico and restart the journey.
Scientists learn about monarchs’ migration by catching and making marks on the insects.By recatching a monarch with such a mark and noticing where it came from, the next scientist can get to know things like the butterfly’s age and its routing(路线).
(1)
One of the places where monarchs spend the winter is ________.
[ ]
A.
the Gulf of Mexico
B.
an area in Mississippi
C.
a forest in Mexico
D.
a plain in Texas
(2)
The routing of monarchs’ migration can be learned ________.
If you want to know British culture, you’d better know something about her wedding customs.Here are some very famous, popular rhymes:
Choosing the day
Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all
Choosing the month
Married when the year is new, he’ll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds to mate, you wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you’ll know.
Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man.
Marry in the month of May, and you’ll surely rue(后悔)the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you’ll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September’s shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry(推迟).
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.
Wedding dress colour
Married in White, you have chosen right,
Married in Blue, your love will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in whirl(混乱),
Married in Brown, you will live in town,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Pink, your spirit will sink,
Married in Grey, you will go far away,
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back.
Surnames
To change the name and not the(first)letter
Is to change for the worst and not the better
(1)
Generally, what day is the busiest wedding day in Britain?
[ ]
A.
Monday
B.
Friday
C.
Wednesday
D.
Saturday
(2)
At a wedding, the bride’s white dress means _________.
[ ]
A.
I’m pure and honest
B.
he’s the very fellow I’m after
C.
he’s lucky to marry me
D.
we’ll live together happily and luckily
(3)
Which of the following is the best date for wedding in UK?
[ ]
A.
Dec.13, 2004/Sat
B.
Sep.5, 2004/Fri
C.
Jan.20, 2004/Thur
D.
Dec.3, 2004/Mon
(4)
What does the last rhyme Surname suggest?
[ ]
A.
You’d better not change your first name for your husband’s.
B.
A family name and a first name are both very important.
C.
It is thought unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname begins with the same letter as hers.
D.
The same surname will bring good luck and happiness to the couple at a time when their lives are changing.
阅读理解
HOW TO BOOK
Booking opens for Beckett Shorts on 8 September.
BY TELEPHONE
For credit card(信用卡)bookings.Calls are answered.
BOX OFFICE
01789 295623 9a. m.-8p. m.(Mon.-Sat.)
0541 541051(24hours, 7days, no booking charge).
BYFAX
For credit card bookings:Please allow at least 48 hours for reply, if required.
BOX OFFICE
01789 261974 or 01862 387765
BYPOST
Please enclose(附上)a cheque or credit card details together with an SAE or add 50p to the total amount(总额)to cover postage.Please send to the Box Office, RST, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV376BB.
Booking opens for all other plays on 19 September.
IN PERSON
BOX OFFICE
RST hall, 9∶30a. m.-8p. m.(Mon.-Sat.)
(6p. m. when theatres are closed).
OVERSEAS BOOKING
The easiest method of payment is by credit card.
You can also pay by:Eurocheque(up to£500)you're your card number written on the back.
PAYING FOR YOUR TICKETS
CREDIT CARDS
We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diners Club.Please give the card number, name and address of card holder.
CHEQUES Cheques and postal orders should be payable to:Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
(1)
In which of the following ways of booking does one probably have to pay extra money?
[ ]
A.
In person.
B.
By telephone.
C.
By fax.
D.
By post.
(2)
One has to wait for 2 days or longer for a reply if he/she pays ________.
[ ]
A.
in person
B.
by telephone
C.
by fax
D.
by post
(3)
What is a useful number to call at 11a. m. Sunday?
[ ]
A.
01789 295623.
B.
0541 541051.
C.
01789 261174.
D.
01862 387665.
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 ________.