At most schools, “going green” means generating less trash or making an attempt to recycle.But at New York’s Riverdale Country School, it means being encouraged to run and even jump in the hallway. That’s because the school was the first to install ( 安装 ) the specially-designed Pavegen floor tiles (地砖) in America.

The tiles use kinetic energy (动能) expanded by the kids and transform it into electricity that can be used to power classroom lights, science projects and charge electronic devices. The first US installation of Pavegen tiles near the school’s student center is thanks to 14-year-old Zach Halem, who managed to convince the officials to purchase them.

Besides providing fun green energy, the tiles also serve as a learning tool. Every time a student steps on one, a brightly-lit LED board provides instant feedback (反馈信息) on how much energy was generated. Depending on the force, every step results in between one to seven watts-enough power to light an LED street lamp for about 30 seconds.

Made largely from rubber and other recycled materials the tiles are invented by the 26-year-old British industrial designer Laurence Kembell-Cook. While new to the US, they have been installed in numerous places in Europe, ranging from a London underground station to a marathon track in Paris. However, it was not until Pavegen started getting popular in London schools that Laurence realized that his invention not only saved energy, but was also fun!

Though the young inventor will not give too many details about the technology behind this green tile, he says that it is very different from other kinetic energy harvesting systems.

Whatever the secret, let’s hope more US schools decide to install these fun tiles. In fact, why stop at schools? These tiles could be installed everywhere, from sidewalks to homes. Then we could all be “green” and have fun! Who knew that was even possible?

1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A. American students are encouraged to run and jump as much as possible.

B. “Going green” means generating less trash or making an attempt to recycle.

C. New York’s Riverdale Country School took a different way to go green.

D. New York’s Riverdale Country School is the first US school to try new ways to go green.

2.Which of the following statements is TRUE about Laurence Kembell-Cook?

A. His original motive to invent the Pavegen tiles was to save energy.

B. He believed his invention would be popular with students.

C. He keeps all the technology behind this green tile a secret.

D. He persuaded the school to install Pavegen tiles.

3.Which part of a website is the passage probably taken from?

A. Science. B. Architecture.

C. Education. D. Agriculture.

There are some strange driving laws in different countries.

Vietnam: If you’re in Vietnam without a Vietnamese driver’s license, you risk a prison sentence of up to 3years.

Russia: In Moscow, if your car is dirty enough to draw dust art, you will be fined about 2,000 rubles. Worse yet, it’s not legal to wash your car by hand in public places—forcing you to take it to one of the few car wash facilities.

Thailand: Drivers--males or females--can’t drive shirtless, whether it’s a car, a bus or a tuk-tuk.

France: France requires its drivers to carry a potable breathalyzer(呼气酒精测试仪) all the time when driving a car. The one-time breathalyzer cost around US $ 5, and if you don’t have one, you will be fined US $ 15.

Cyprus: Raising your hands in the car can get you fined of US $ 35. The law states a driver can be fined if the person is not in a regular position inside the car or raises his hands from the steering wheel unnecessarily.

Japan: Politeness isn’t just the culture in Japan; it’s part of driving laws. Splashing a person by driving through a puddle(小水坑) with your car will cost you over US $ 60. The country is also strict with its DUI(酒驾) laws---riding with or lending your car to a driver who gets caught drinking can lead to a fine costing thousands of dollars.

1.Where should you go to wash your car when you are in Moscow?

A. The car wash facilities. B. Any public place.

C. Your home. D. The forest.

2. What can get you fined for in Cyprus?

A. Forgetting to carry a portable breathalyzer.

B. Not having a Cyprus driver’s license.

C. Putting your hands above your head when you are driving.

D. Driving without a shirt.

3.If you are fined thousands of dollars in Japan, you may have been .

A. in an irregular position in your car.

B. sitting in a car with a drunken driver.

C. splashing a person with mud.

D. impolite to other drivers.

4.This text can most likely be found in .

A. a diary.

B. a fashion magazine

C. an international newspaper.

D. a column on interesting cultures.

Mrs. White is an English teacher in a large school in the inner area of a big city on the west coast. Ever since she was a young girl, she has longed to become a teacher. She has taught eight years now and hasn’t changed her mind.

After she graduated from high school, she went on to college. Four years later, she received her bachelor’s degree (B A) in English and her teaching certificate(证书). Then she went to teach in the secondary schools of her state. In the summers, Mrs. White takes more classes; she hopes to get a master’s degree (M A). With a MA, she will receive a higher salary and if possible, she hopes to get a doctor’s degree as well.

The school day at Mrs. White high school, like that in many high schools in the United States, is divided into one hour each. Mrs. White must teach five of these periods. During her free period, which for her is from 2 to 3 P.M. , Mrs. White must meet with parents, prepare lessons, check assignments and so on. Mrs. White works continuously from the time she arrives at school in the morning till the time she leaves for home late in the afternoon.

1.How long is it since Mrs. White graduated from high school?

A. Four years. B. Eight years.

C. Twelve years. D. Twenty years.

2.According to the passage, which is the right order of the degrees a person can receive after going to university?

A. A doctor’s degree – a bachelor’s degree – a master’s degree.

B. A bachelor’s degree – a master’s degree – a doctor’s degree.

C. A master’s degree—a bachelor’s degree – a doctor’s degree.

D. A bachelor’s degree – a doctor’s degree—a master’s degree.

3.How many degrees has Mrs. White achieved so far?

A. One. B. Two. C. Three. D. None.

4.Which of the following sentences is NOT true?

A. Mrs. White teaches in the inner area of a big city on the east of the United Sates.

B. Mrs. White has turned her wish of becoming a teacher into reality.

C. Mrs. White is still studying in her holidays in order to get higher degrees.

D.The working hours in the school where Mrs. White works are similar to those of many other high schools in the states.

完形填空,阅读下面短文,从短文后各题的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出适合填入对应空白处的最佳选项。

It was the first morning of the New Year and the weather was very cold.I have always been an early bird and my morning walks have been the _________ for the last 7 years, so I put on my shoes to __________ for my first walk of the New Year.

There was complete __________ outside.Litter could be seen everywhere.It seemed that everyone had an all-night_ _________ .It was too cold to_ _________ anyone to be awake to clear all the walkways at 5 in the morning.I was__________ to walk on the dirty walkways and decided to go back home.

I was about to leave__________ I saw Sam cleaning the garden.He is an employee of our society association and is_________ to take care of the walkways and the garden.I walked up to Sam as it was a(an) _ _________ to see him there cleaning at this time.He saw me and politely__________ me, "Happy New Year!"

“How come you are here and doing all this on the very first day of a new year?” I asked. Sam answered_ _________,“It is the first day of the year so they should feel good and special. For me, today is like any other__________ day and my job starts with the _________ .”

It was good to see someone so__________ at heart. Like other staff members, Sam could have taken a day_ _________ , but he woke up early and came for all of us. I suddenly realized life does not _________ when the clock strikes twelve at midnight and a New Year begins. We__________ all night, the surround is dirty.Life goes on and others need to__________up early and clear the garbage.Isn't the very next morning a new day of a New Year for all those who clear our garbage? Why can't we also keep our_ _________ clean so that everyone can have a New Year the very next day? It is true that small things can make a big_________ in our lives.

1.A.manner B.trend C.routine D.procedure

2.A.look B.send C.long D.head

3.A.waste B.freedom C.silence D.absence

4.A.celebration B.tradition C.decoration D.pollution

5.A.order B.expect C.trust D.catch

6.A.tired B.scared C.puzzled D.annoyed

7.A.because B.though C.unless D.when

8.A.advised B.promoted C.supposed D.determined

9.A.pleasure B.success C.surprise D.honour

10.A.suggested B.wished C.asked. D.congratulated

11.A.coldly B.hopefully C.casually D.calmly

12.A.dirty B.narrow C.busy D.cold

13.A.beginning B.same C.special D.new

14.A.devoted B.cautious C.honest D.polite

15.A.over B.out C.up D.off

16.A.change B.improve C.return D.happen

17.A.sleep B.party C.work D.clean

18.A.put B.stay C.wake D.pick

19.A.surroundings B.conditions C.background D.location

20.A.decision' B.difference C.promise D.suggestion

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