Few laws are so effective that you can see results just days after they take effect. But in the nine days since the federal cigarette tax more than doubled-to $1.01 per pack-smokers have jammed telephone "quit lines" across the country seeking to kick the habit.

This is not a surprise to public health advocates. They've studied the effect of state tax increases for years, finding that smokers, especially teens, are price sensitive. Nor is it a shock to the industry, which fiercely fights every tax increase.

The only wonder is that so many states insist on closing their ears to the message. Tobacco taxes improve public health, they raise money and most particularly, they deter people from taking up the habit as teens, which is when nearly all smokers are addicted. Yet the rate of taxation varies widely.

In Manhattan, for instance, which has the highest tax in the nation, a pack of Marlboro Light Kings cost $10.06 at one drugstore Wednesday. In Charleston, S.C., where the 7-cent-a-pack tax is the lowest in the nation, the price was $4.78.

The influence is obvious.

In New York, high school smoking hit a new low in the latest surveys-13.8%, far below the national average. By comparison, 26% of high school students smoke in Kentucky. Other low-tax states have similarly depressing teen-smoking records.

Hal Rogers, Representative from Kentucky, like those who are against high tobacco taxes, argues that the burden of the tax falls on low-income Americans "who choose to smoke".

That's true. But there is more reason in keeping future generations of low-income workers from getting hooked in the first place. As for today's adults, if the new tax drives them to quit, they will have more to spend on their families, cut their risk of cancer and heart disease and feel better.

1.The text is mainly about .

A. the price of cigarettes

B. the rate of teen smoking

C. the effect of tobacco tax increase

D. the differences in tobacco tax rate

2.What does the author think is a surprise?

A. Teen smokers are price sensitive

B. Some states still keep the tobacco tax low

C. Tobacco taxes improve public health

D. Tobacco industry fiercely fights the tax rise

3.Rogers' attitude towards the low-income smokers might be that of .

A. tolerance B. unconcern

C. doubt D. sympathy

4.What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A. The new tax will be beneficial in the long run

B. Low-income Americans are more likely to fall ill

C. Future generations will be hooked on smoking

D. Adults will depend more on their families

Camp All-Star

One of a Kind Summer Camps for Kids

Welcome to Camp All-Star, your No. 1 summer sports camp for kids! Located on the famous Kents Hill School campus by the beautiful lake, Camp All-Star hosts kids from around the world. When thinking about your next overnight summer camp, consider the best—Camp All-Star!

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Camp All-Star stands out among the successful camps in the U.S. We have the best sports fields and courts to make your child’s sports camp experience a successful one. Your child can enjoy playing for hours in any of our more than 30 sports and activities each day. Our camper to staff rate is three to one, which makes it possible for children to receive more careful instruction.

We have a wide variety of activities and sports to choose from: fishing, dance, basketball, soccer, baseball, and tennis. Boys and girls, aged 8-16, can customize their own schedules in our 2, 3, 4 or 6 week summer camp session for kids.

The aim of Camp All-Star is to develop athletic skills, encourage abilities in leadership, fair play and team work, and provide a fun, rewarding and memorable summer sports camp experience. Our staff have the experience and qualified training necessary to ensure that your child has a successful, memorable and enjoyable time at our summer camp.

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Don’t let your kids waste another summer playing video games and sitting around. Let them enjoy their time and get some exercise at our exciting and friendly summer sports camp. Information for our upcoming camps can be found on our website. For additional information or questions, contact us today. We hope your kids can join us at Camp All-Star!

1.Camp All-Star stands out among the others because it ______.

A. is surrounded by a beautiful lake

B. provides various activities and sports

C. offers timely information on its website

D. allows children to play outside all day long

2.One of the goals of Camp All-star is to ______.

A. fire kids’ imagination

B. build up kids’ confidence

C. develop kids’ leadership skills

D. promote kids’ self-control

3.This advertisement is intended for ______.

A. parents

B. coaches

C. staff

D. Campers

Did you know that, in 2016, over 18 million people attended classical concerts in Germany? That’s more people than those who went to main league football matches! Earlier this year, Germany continued its celebration of classical music with the opening of a new concert hall in the heart of Hamburg. Germans are incredibly proud of it and it’s the first thing I show to my friends when they come to visit.

Known as the ‘Elphi’ by the locals, the Elbphilharmonie is a beautiful tower of glittering glass sitting atop an old warehouse by the banks of the river Elbe. The plaza(露天广场)is open to the public an from the middle of the city’s tallest building, you can gaze across the harbour, miles of rooftops and passing ships below.

The main concert hall seats over 2000 people and is one of the most advanced music venues in the world. Two smaller concert halls are used for jazz, world and contemporary music. In addition, if you’re unbelievably rich, you can buy one of the 45 luxurious apartments lying within the building.

Construction began in 2007 with a budget of ?241 million and a two-year period. Fast forward ten years, the building eventually opened with a final price tag of over 800 million!

I consider myself very lucky that the Elbphilharmonie opened during my time living in Hamburg, but unfortunately I haven’t yet been able to attend a concert. Everything is sold out for six months! For now, I’m content to visit the plaza to enjoy the impressive view over the docks and see the innovative architecture up close. Hopefully one day soon, I’ll be lucky enough to grab a last-minute concert ticket!

1.What does “it” in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A. Germany B. Hamburg

C. A new concert hall D. Its celebration of classical music

2.What is Elbe?

A. A hall B. A river

C. A tower D. A warehouse

3.What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?

A. The new concert hall can hold 3000 people at least

B. The construction of the new concert hall is perfect

C. It took a longer time and more money to build the concert hall

D. The majority of audience are likely to pay for the luxurious apartments

4.What happed after the Elbphilharmonie opened?

A. I was invited to visit it

B. Few concerts have been held

C. The performance was well received

D. People find it easy to get concert tickets

The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have turned an electric car into a mobile

laboratory named “Drive LAB” in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are.

Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for a fall in health and well-being among older people, leading to them becoming more isolated(隔绝) and inactive.

Led by Professor Phil Blythe, the Newcastle team are developing in-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them to continue driving into later life.

These include custom-made navigation(导航) tools, night vision systems and intelligent speed adaptations. Phil Blythe explains: “For many older people, particularly those living alone or in the country, driving is important for preserving their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others.”

“But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactions slow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challenging driving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills. The result is that people stop driving before they really need to.”

Dr Amy Guo, the leading researcher on the older driver study, explains, “The Drive LAB is helping us to understand what the key stress points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to address these problems.

“For example, most of us would expect older drivers always go slower than everyone else but surprisingly, we found that in 30mph zones they struggled to keep at a constant speed and so were more likely to break the speed limit and be at risk of getting fined. We’re looking at the benefits of systems which control their speed as a way of preventing that.

“We hope that our work will help with technological solutions(解决方案)to ensure that older drivers stays after behind the wheel.”

1.What is the purpose of the Drive LAB?

A. To explore new means of transport. B. To design new types of cars.

C. To find out older driver’s problems. D. To teach people traffic rules.

2.Why is driving important for older people according to Phil Blythe?

A. It keeps them independent. B. It helps them save time.

C. It builds up their strength. D. It cures their mental illnesses.

3.What do researchers hope to do for older drivers?

A. Improve their driving skills. B. Develop driver-assist technologies.

C. Provide tips on repairing their cars. D. Organize regular physical checkups.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. A New Model Electric Car B. A Solution to Traffic Problem

C. Driving Service for Elders D. Keeping Older Drivers on the Road

Clara Barton, born on Christmas in 1821, is widely known as one of the most honored women in American history. She began teaching school when most teachers were men at that time. Later, she became one of the first women ever to be employed by the government.

Her career in helping the sick began when her brother David became her first patient. He fell down from the roof of a house when Clara was just 11 years old. She stayed by his side and looked after him for three years, learning how to give him all his medicines.

When the Civil War began in 1861, she immediately recognized that the poorly equipped soldiers needed help. Instead of waiting for others to step in, Clara collected necessary things on her own, asked the public for donations and learned how to store and distribute them to soldiers. She also read to the soldiers and wrote letters for them.

After the Battle of Cedar Mountain in northern Virginia in 1862, Clara arrived at a field hospital at midnight with a vehicle full of supplies. A doctor named Paul Smith at that hospital would later write, “I thought heaven had sent out an angel that night -- her assistance arrived at exactly the right time.”

In 1869, Clara went to Europe and learned about the International Committee of the Red Cross. Upon her return to the United States, she successfully founded the American Red Cross. She led the organization for the next 23 years. Her last field mission(使命) as president of the American Red Cross was to help the victims of the 1900 Galveston hurricane. She did not retire (退休) from the American Red Cross until she was 83. True to her nature, Clara always went to where the need was the greatest.

Today, the American Red Cross continues the mission Clara started more than 100 years ago. With the help of thousands of volunteers, the American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters, as well as helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to all sorts of emergencies.

1.We can learn from Paragraph 2 that Clara Barton was .

A. honest B. caring

C. talented D. modest

2.After the Civil War broke out, Clara Barton .

A. joined the army and fought bravely B. went to Europe for further study

C. continued to work as a teacher D. did a lot to help soldiers

3.Seeing Clara Barton’s arrival, Dr. Smith must have felt .

A. excited and grateful B. proud and joyful

C. shy and nervous D. sad and sorry

4.What is mainly described in Paragraph 5?

A. The aim of the American Red Cross

B. The importance of voluntary donations

C. Clara Barton and the American Red Cross

D. Clara Barton’s contribution to the Civil War

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