题目内容
Experts believe that land that is becoming deserts ________ the size of Australia, Russia and the United States put together.
A. is equal B. equals C. is equalled D. is equalled to
B
The Iceberg Was Only Part ofIt
What doomed the Titanic is well known, at least in outline. On a moonless night of April 15, 1912, the ship hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic ,with 1,500 lives lost.
A century later many people presented new theories to explain the real reason for the disaster. Now two new studies argue that rare states of nature played major roles in the disaster.
The first says Earth’s nearness to the Moon and the Sun — a proximity not matched in more than 1,000 years — resulted in record tides that help explain why the Titanic met with so much ice, including the fatal iceberg.
Recently, a team of researchers found an apparent explanation in the heavens. They discovered that Earth had come unusually close to the Sun and Moon that winter, enhancing their gravitational pulls on the ocean and producing record tides. The rare orbits took place between December 1911 and February 1912 — about two months before the disaster came about. The researchers suggest that the high tides refloated masses of icebergs traditionally stuck along the coastlines of Labrador and Newfoundland and sent them adrift into the North Atlantic shipping lanes.
And a second, put forward by a Titanic historian from Britain, contends that the icy waters created ideal conditions for an unusual type of mirage(海市蜃楼) that hid icebergs from lookouts whose duty was to watch carefully for danger ahead and confused a nearby ship as to the liner’s identity, delaying rescue efforts for hours.
Most people know mirages as natural phenomena caused when hot air near the Earth’s surface bends light rays upward. In a desert, the effect prompts lost travelers to mistake patches of blue sky for pools of water. But another kind of mirage occurs when cold air bends light rays downward. In that case, observers can see objects and settings far over the horizon. The images often undergo quick distortions — not unlike the wavy reflections in a funhouse mirror.
Now, scholars of the Titanic are debating these new theories. Some have different opinions on it. Over all, though, many experts are applauding the fresh perspectives.
【小题1】The underlined word "It" in the title probably refers to _______.
A.the Titanic | B.the cause of the disaster |
C.the record tide | D.an unusual mirage |
① record tides’ forming and icebergs’ being refloated
② icebergs’ being drifted into the North Atlantic shipping lanes
③ the Earth’s strange closing to the Sun and the Moon
④ increasing of the gravitational force on the ocean
A.①→②→③→④ | B.②→③→④→① | C.④→③→②→① | D.③→④→①→② |
A.the freezing weather made the watcher not be able to watch clear |
B.the mirage made the watcher not find icebergs and a nearby ship delay rescuing |
C.the mirage on the sea attracted the watcher and made him forget his work |
D.the high tides drove the icebergs float so fast that the watcher didn’t respond to them |
A.to explain to the readers the ways of the mirage forming |
B.to infer the possibility of the mirage appearing |
C.to summarize the various kinds of the mirage |
D.to analyze the conditions of the mirage arising |
A.comparison and contrast | B.conclusion and proof |
C.time and events | D.definition and classification(分类) |
C
We all love festivals. But since culture develops differently in many places, some festivals are, to us, very strange. Let’s take a look at some unique(独特的)festivals around the world.
Cheese Rolling Festival (England)
The festival started in the 15th century in May. When a round cheese is rolled, competitors run down the hill and try to catch it before it reaches the bottom. As the cheese can reach speeds of up to 112 km/h, it’s rare that someone catches the cheese. First to the bottom wins the cheese. But running down a very steep(陡峭的) hill behind a cheese can be dangerous. Eight people were injured in 1992.
Roswell UFO festival (New Mexico, US)
The Roswell UFO festival celebrates the anniversary(纪念日) of the “Roswell Incident”, when a UFO was said to have crashed(坠毁) nearby. Every year in July, experts, authors, researches and lecturers come to discuss the incident. The celebration also includes an alien parade, an alien costume contest, and an alien hot air balloon ride.
Hemingway Days (Florida, US)
This festival has normal stuff (材料,东西) like short-story readings and exhibits about the author. But the highlight (亮点) of the festival is definitely (一定地) the Hemingway look alike contest.
Imagine walking into a bar and being greeted by 20 middle-aged men who all look alike: stocky with thick white beards. The festival takes place in mid-July every year.
【小题1】Which festival takes place in mid-July every year?
A.Cheese Rolling Festival. | B.Roswell UFO festival. |
C.Hemingway Days. | D.All of the above. |
A.Cheese Rolling Festival. | B.Roswell UFO festival. |
C.Hemingway Days. | D.None of the above. |
A.All the three festivals are celebrated in America. |
B.It’s common that someone catches the cheese in Cheese Rolling Festival. |
C.It’s said that a UFO once crashed in New Mexico, US. |
D.In Hemingway Days, you’ll see 20 old or young Hemingways |
To learn an instrument(乐器) such as the violin or accordion(手风琴)takes years. The job opportunities for musicians are scarce and competition is fierce. Then why are more people than ever before paying a lot of good cash to get their children the best music teaching they can afford?
The secret lies in the influence of music on the whole person. It has been found that learning a musical instrument actually increases a person’s IQ over time. Different instruments and different trypes of music have varying effect, with classical music and the string(弦乐) family coming out on top, potentially increasing you IQ by up to 12 points!
When is a good time to start learning music? Experts have found that even the fetus(胎儿)can benefit from listening to classical music. Surround yourself and your family with good music from the first. The Suzuki Piano Method teaches children from the age of 3 years piano, with two lessons per week. From preschool, children can learn to read music and play from sheet music. Progress in learning your instrument is directly proportional(成比例的)to the amount of practicing.
Is there such a thing as an unmusical child? Shinichi Suzuki proposes that music is the native home language of all human beings and therefore nobody can be “unmusical”. Of course there are exceptional talents, compared to which others may seem to be slower learners.
Is there any benefit for adults in starting an instrument? Apart from the purely relaxing aspect, yes. Learning an instrument can earn even adults additional IQ points, and as an added benefit in improves your health by reducing your stress levels. Your social life may benefit too, if you are prepared to come out of your box and join occasions such as Ceilidhs (musical get-togethers) or arrange house concerts. It has been established that people who play instruments tend to be more emotionally balanced and more patient with themselves, others and life in general.
So go ahead, sign up for that amateur orchestra, dust off your old trombone(长号)or take your first real six-string down from the attic(阁楼); get out there and play!
【小题1】Playing which of the following musical instruments can help increase a person’s IQ most?
A.The piano | B.The violin | C.The trombone | D.The accordion |
A.The progress in learning an instrument depends on natural gifts |
B.It is too late for an adult to start an instrument |
C.Every child has a natural talent for music. |
D.All people can understand and read music. |
A.Music can balance our life. |
B.Music can improve our living conditions. |
C.Playing instruments can make adults keep their IQ points. |
D.Playing instruments can help us get along well with others. |
A.persuade us to send our children to music schools |
B.express his great interest in musical instruments |
C.tell us the importance of Music in Development |
D.invite us to attend Ceilidhs |
A.Feeling relaxed. | B.Earn additional IQ points. |
C.Improve your health. | D.Show your talents |