Sunny countries are often poor. A shame, then, that solar power is still quite expensive. Eight19, a British company by Cambridge University, has, however, invented a novel way to get round this. In return for a deposit of around $10 it is supplying poor Kenyan families with a solar cell able to generate 2.5 watts of electricity, a battery that can deliver a three amp(安培) current to store this electricity, and a lamp whose bulb is a light-emitting diode(二极管). The firm thinks that this system, once the battery is fully charged, is enough to light two small rooms and to power a mobile-phone charger for seven hours. Then, next day, it can be put outside and charged back up again.
The trick is that, to be able to use the electricity, the system's keeper must buy a scratch card—for as little as a dollar—on which is printed a reference number. The keeper sends this reference, plus the serial number of the household solar unit, by SMS to Eight19. The company's server will respond automatically with an access code to the unit. 
Users may consider that they are paying an hourly rate for their electricity. In fact, they are paying off the cost of the unit. After buying around $80 worth of scratch cards—which Eight19 expects would take the average family around 18 months—the user will own it. He will then have the option of continuing to use it for nothing, or of trading it in for a bigger one, perhaps driven by a 10-watt solar cell. 
In that case, he would go then through the same process again, paying off the additional cost of the upgraded kit at a slightly higher rate. Users would therefore increase their electricity supply steadily and affordably.
According to Eight19's figures, this looks like a good deal for customers. The firm believes the average energy-starved Kenyan spends around $10 a month on oil—enough to fuel a couple of smoky lamps—plus $2 on charging his mobile phone in the market-place. Regular users of one of Eight19's basic solar units will spend around half that, before owning it completely. Meanwhile, as the cost of solar technology falls, it should get even cheaper.
【小题1】The underlined word “get round” in the first paragraph can be replaced by _______ .

A.make use of B.come up withC.look intoD.deal with
【小题2】What should the user do when the electricity in the battery is used up?
A.Buy a scratch card. B.Recharge it outside.
C.Buy another solar cell.D.Return it to the company.
【小题3】How much would users pay for the cell and scratch cards before they own a 2.5-watt solar cell?
A.Around $10.B.Around $80.C.Around $90.D.Around $180.
【小题4】It can be inferred from the last paragraph that  ____________.
A.Kenyan families would find it difficult to afford the solar cell
B.using the solar cell would help Kenyan families save money
C.few Kenyan families use mobile phones for lack of electricity
D.the company will make a great profit from selling solar cells
【小题5】What might be the most suitable title for the passage?
A.Solar Energy: Starting from Scratch.
B.Eight19: a creative British Company.
C.Kenyan Families: Using Solar Energy for Free.
D.Poor Countries: Beginning to Use Solar Energy.

For the British, the home is a private place in which he or she goes to hide away from the troubles of life. It is very seldom that one would be invited to a British person’s home. It is rude to knock on a person’s door if you are not invited. If you are invited, don’t ask to see more than the downstairs that your British host invites you into. Never ask how much the house or any of the items in it cost.

   To the American, most of them want their home to be a place where they can entertain (款待) and share their lives with their friends. They may be delighted to give you a full tour of their houses. They may also be pleased when you show your interest and pleasure in their houses.

   Both British and American people will engage in quite a bit of chat and a drink or two before the meal is served. After the first mouthful, you should say how delicious the food is and ask something about it. Remember, never eat with your mouth open and make very little noise while eating. It would be nice of you to help your host in any way. Maybe offer to pour some drinks or clear up after the meal.

1.British people _______ invite friends to their home.

A. often           B. always         C. seldom         D. never

2.If your British friend invites you to his home, you can ____.

A. see anything you like              

B. ask how much his house is

C. ask the cost of any of the items in it   

D. only see the downstairs that you are invited into

3.When you show your interest and pleasure in American people’s house, they may be _____.

A. angry        B. happy        C. sad           D. worried

4.What does the underlined “engage in” mean in Chinese?

A. 陷入        B. 参与          C. 回避            D. 限制

5.What’s the main idea of the passage?

A. Some manners on visiting British and American people’s home.

B. Different table manners between British and American people.

C. Different ideas about the home between British and American people

D. Different ideas about how to get along well with neighbors between British and American people.

 

Since its invention 100 years ago, plastic , the superstar of the technological age, has become ugly and ungreen . But that’s about to change. An exhibition at London’s Science Museum this week could put it back on the cutting edge of science.

Have you ever hesitated in donating blood? The invention of “plastic blood” might make you feel better.

British scientists are working on the artificial blood as a replacement for real blood in emergency situations. It is made of plastic molecules(分子 ) and can join oxygen and transport it around the body. As a red, honey-like glue , plastic blood can be carried around conveniently . You just add water to make as much blood as you need.

The cells  of our body are strict about what molecules the let in and out . For example , if we inject protein or DNA  directly into the body, our immune ( 免疫 ) SYSTEM WILL DESTROY IT BEFORE IT REACHES THE CELLS.

To get around this , a British scientist has created drug-carrying plastic balls that fool the body into thinking they are natural. Once inside the cell, their contents are spread out through a small controlled explosion.

Skin transplants  are widely done these days. But removing a piece of skin from, say , the bottom to plant it on the face  can hurt and be troublesome.

The British company, Celltran, is working on plastic skin. Using plastic, they plan to take a small piece of the patient’s skin and grow it into an extra lay of skin on top of the plastic. a

The plastic  feels similar to skin, so skin cells like to grow on it. The plastic then gradually disappears, without any reaction or infection .

1. What would be the best title for the text?

A. The superstar of technological age

B. An exhibition at London’s Science Museum

C. No more “white pollution”

D. Plastic takes on a new life

2. Which of the following will be on display at the exhibition at London’s Science Museum?

A. Plastic cells               B. Plastic skin

C. Plastic molecules           D. Plastic transplants

3. The phrase “get around “ in Paragraph 5 means closest to ______.

A. overcome  B. end    C. ensure     D. pass

4.Which of the following is true according to the text?

A. Plastic blood will be injected into the body in drug-carrying plastic balls

B.The plastic skin will remain a part of the new skin

C. Plastic blood will take the place of real blood

D. Plastic blood contains a lot of water

 

 

Teenagers in England do many of the same things as children in America do . They enjoy sending messages on their mobile phones and they also like swimming , listening to the latest music , watching TV and surfing the Internet .

How do teenagers in England spend their free time and holidays ? Let’s follow Sally , a British teenager , and spend five days with her during her school holiday .

Day One

After breakfast , Sally’s mother went out and left her alone at home . She checked her mobile phone during lunch—one of her friends sent her a message early in the morning . Dinner was ready at 6:30 p.m. After that , she finished her English homework . Then she surfed the Internet .

Day Two

Sally and her mother paid a visit to their friends and went swimming together . Later , they wnet shopping for clothes and books , and had dinner in a restaurant .

Day Three

She went to the supermarket with her mother to buy fish and chips for lunch as well as some pens . After she got back home , she spent the next few hours surfing the Internet and watching TV .

Day Four

She surfed the Internet . Her mother took her out for lunch before going to work . She then read storybooks after lunch .

Day Five

She woke up at 2 p. m. , and so did her mother . They went to a park . Her mother met some friends there . When they got home , it was already time for dinner . Aterwards , she did her homework until 10 p. m.

1. When did Sally do her homework ?

A. In the morning .     B. In the afternoon .     C. At lunch time .     D. In the evening .

2. Which of the following things did Sally do on Day Four ?

A. She went swimming .                      B. She went out for breakfast .

C. She read books .                          D. She went shopping .

3. How many times did Sally and her mother meet their friends during the five days ?

A. Once .            B. Twice .             C. Three times .       D. Four times .

4. According to the passage , it can be inferred that__________.

A. a park is the best place to meet a friend

B. parents shouln’t leave teenagers alone at home

C. teenagers don’t usually do their homework during their school holidays

D. surfing the Internet has become an important part of teenagers’ lives

 

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