Antarctic seabirds are breeding(繁殖)later, because thinner sea ice is causing their food supplies to decline, a new study says. The birds, which nest in East Antarctica, have delayed their spring arrival by an average of nine days and egg-laying by an average of two days over the past 50 years, according to polar researchers from the French National Center for Scientific Research in Villiers en Bois, France, study authors Christophe Barbrand and Henri Weimerskirch attribute this later breeding activity to decreases in sea ice caused by climate change.

The researchers say the disappearing sea ice, combined with a longer sea-ice season, has interfered with the birds’ breeding cycle by reducing the amount of krill(磷虾) and other prey(猎物)available in early spring in Antarctica. Because Antarctica’s seasons are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere, spring on the icy continent begins in October.

The study is based on data collected at seabird colonies between 1950 and 2004 in Adélie Land, on the eastern edge of the frozen continent.

The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Of the nine species studied, some arrived up to 30 days later than they had in previous years.

Despite much later arrivals, the birds are laying their eggs at pretty much the same time as they had in the past. In the most extreme cases, birds were laying their eggs an average of 3. 7 days later in the season than they were 50 years ago.

56. What is the passage mainly about?

A. Seabirds are breeding later in East Antarctica.

B. The amount of krill in the ocean has decreased.

C. The weather in Antarctica has changed.

D. The spring in Antarctica is beginning later.

57. Why have the seabirds in East Antarctica delayed their breeding?

A. The food there has been polluted.

B. The sea ice doesn’t shrink any more.

C. The food supplies there have declined.

D. There are too many seabirds there.

58. In which of the following months is it autumn in Antarctica?

A. October.                                                     B. September.

C. November.                                                  D. June.

59. How many kinds of seabirds were studied by the researchers?

A. Two.                B. Five.                             C. Nine.                       D. Thirty.

60. What does the underlined word “attribute”in Para. 1 mean?

A. contribute                                                    B. cause

C. owe                                                                   D. devote

Not long ago the movie 2012 came into screen. The people were threatened by those scenes of destroying flood, severe earthquake, terrifying hurricane and constructions representing human civilization being destroyed and even swallowed by disaster. Luckily, they are just the director’s imagination, but the present situation is not heading a positive direction, either.
Take my own experience in Alaska as an example. Once I took a trip to the glacier. Along the way there stood signposts marking the snow lines of different years. They started from the foot of the mountain, but it was at the top when I finally saw melting glaciers(融化的冰川). My heart ached seeing the beautiful blue ice melting at every second.
Sad but true, they are the effects of global warming and the result of our human impact. Furthermore, each year the rising sea level will kill 56 million people, and that's about the population of the en tire Italy. According to studies, if the temperature keeps on rising like this, by the year 2050, some islands and coastal cities including New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney will be drowned in water.
Our fortune is in our own hands. It depends on us to shape our future, to reduce future human impact and find ways to form a peaceful relationship with our environment. Therefore, it's time for actions to be taken right now. Contribute a little to energy saving by using more efficient light bulbs and less hot water. Let recycle become our habit by thinking twice before throwing something away. Let us take public transportation as our first choice when going to a certain place. It might cost more time for now, but it' s to the benefit of a permanent future. Take care of every tree and grass around us by watering them or simply just avoid destroying them.
In a word, small drops of water make a big ocean. The earth does not belong to us. On the contrary, we belong to the earth. Please bear in mind that the earth is our home. It is our responsibility to build a brighter and better future of our planet and prevent what happened in the movie 2012 from becoming reality.                
【小题1】Why does the author talk about the movie 2012 in the passage ?     

A.To give example.B.To lead into the topic.
C.To make prediction.D.To provide the evidence.
【小题2】How did the author feel when he took a trip to the glacier?
A.Worried.B.Puzzled.C.Scared.D.Bored.
【小题3】It can be inferred from the third paragraph that          .
A.56 million people in Italy have been killed owing to the rising sea level
B.Some islands and coastal cities will be drowned in water by the year of 2050
C.Human being w订l be in danger if we don't take actions to prevent the global warming
D.It is certain that what happened in the movie 2012 will come into reality
【小题4】According to the passage, you are advised to             .
A.drive our own private cars instead of taking buses to some place
B.recycle everything that is used
C.go to see the movie 2012 at once
D.work together to take good care of our planet
【小题5】What does the author mean by saying "small drops of water make a big ocean"?
A.Think twice before taking action,
B.It's our duty to protect the ocean.
C.Everyone together can make a difference.
D.It's important to save every drop of water.

The issue of privacy versus openness is a paradox, particularly when it comes to the American home. “Lots” or “yards” (gardens) can be large and many are not enclosed by the walls, fences or hedges so popular in other cultures. Similarly, “window treatments” frame the window. but the use of European-style net curtains to screen out nosy neighbors is rare. In the same style, first-time visitors to an American home may be proudly given the full tour; even walk-in closets and en suite bathrooms are not considered off-limits. They may also be encouraged to help themselves to a soda from the fridge. All this gives an impression of openness.

    Yet Americans do value their personal space and privacy. A Brazilian expatriate (侨民) who dropped in on her usually friendly Connecticut neighbors unannounced got the clear impression she should have called first. Similarly while a typical suburban home features large, shared areas, such as an open-plan kitchen and family room or “den”, ample private space is also allowed in the floor plan. A visit to a family home in the evening would likely find the family members dispersed, each independently watching TV, on the phone, surfing the Internet, or otherwise recharging batteries in the privacy of their own bedroom.

    American individualism, expansiveness, and abundance are expressed in lifestyle. Despite the fact that the average household size has declined over the past thirty years from3.1 people to 2.6 people per household, the average size of a new family home increased during the same period from 1,500 to 2,200 square feet.

    A common observation is just how outsized everything is. The beds are king-sized, the TVs have giant screens, the burgers are “whoppers (庞然大物),” appliances are “industrial” size. The largest popcorn or soda at the movies can be “supersized.” Closets are “walk in,” and some cars are the size of a military vehicle.

1.The passage suggests that Americans__________.

A. are rich enough to afford large size houses and luxurious electricity appliances

B. are very shy when talking about keeping their privacy and their personal space

C. would like to express their lifestyles in public to show them off

D. enjoy openness as well as individualism although they seem to contradict each other

2.Why can we say that American individualism, expansiveness, and abundance are expressed in their lifestyle?

A. Because the average size of a new house has increased during the past thirty years.

B. Because Americans often use European-style net curtains to screen out nosy neighbors.

C. Because many houses are equipped with walk-in closets.

D. Because the house size, outsized household furniture and independent living habits have proved it.

3.The underlined phrase in the passage means________.

A. filling a battery with electrical power

B. recovering your strength and energy by resting for a while

C. changing your batteries again

D. obtaining new batteries because old ones are running out

4.According to the passage, if you drop in on an American family which is usually friendly to you in the evening, you________.

A. will be deeply impressed by their family get-together scene

B. will be invited to a party which is well-prepared

C. will find family members scattered, and enjoying themselves individually

D. will be warmly welcomed even if they don’t get informed of your visit earlier

 

 

 

Serving only adults, Ramsey House offers you professional hotel standards of accommodation and food service coupled with the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of a high-class non-smoking guest house.

Situated within walking distance of St David’s, the smallest city in Europe, the house stands in its own attractive gardens and has private off-road parking. In the opposite direction, there is easy access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, where you can see some of Britain’s most spectacular coastal scenery with its abundant bird life and wild flowers.

We have three double and three twin rooms. Each is individually furnished and decorated to 4-star standard with comfortable beds, central heating, remote control color TV, hair dryers and plenty of mirrors. All the rooms have a modern, well-lit en-suite bathroom with WC, shaver socket and electric shower.

All first-floor rooms have views of either the sea, the Cathedral or open country, and there are three ground-floor rooms with garden views, ideal for guests unable to climb stairs.

Our full Welsh breakfast offers you a great start to the day with homemade bread, cookies and preserves. We can also prepare fresh picnic lunches for your day out walking the Coast Path or on the beaches.

There is comfortable lounge with lots of books and leaflets about Pembrokeshire to help you plan your trips. Weather permitting, guests may enjoy the peace and quiet of our gardens and watch the birds feeding. Drinks are served in both the garden and lounge.

We also have secure bicycle storage, a drying room and light laundry facilities.

Nearby are some of the safest and cleanest beaches in Europe offering a variety of water sports including sailing, surfing, wind-surfing and sea angling. Visitors are welcome at St. David’s City Golf Club and several other Pembrokeshire clubs. We are also conveniently situated for easy access to the bird sanctuary islands of Ramsey, Skomer and Skokholm.

A warm welcome awaits you at Ramsey House all year round. You will find it the ideal touring center in all seasons.

House Owners: Ceri &Elaine Morgan

01437 72021

1.According to the passage, St. David’s is the name of _________________.

A. a Bed & Breakfast hotel          B. the Coast Path

C. a Welsh town                  D. Ramsey House

2.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. Guests may come to this house by car or by bike without parking problems.

B. Guests have to eat their lunches out on the Coast Path or the beaches.

C. Guests staying in the lowest-level rooms have a good view of the sea.

D. On the Coast Path guests can enjoy water sports and play golf.

3.Which of the following tourists may not be interested in this ad?

A. Ana, a wheelchair user, who enjoys holidays by the coast.

B. A married couple with two young children showing interest in Pembrokeshire.

C. Tina, a Ph.D graduate, who attaches great importance to travel safety.

D. Xavier, a bird-watching enthusiast, who knows little about the local area.

 

Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands.__16__people were reluctant (不情愿的) to work on farms along the Atlantic. They feared the violent storms __17__ the ocean. As the farmer interviewed__18__for the job, he received a steady stream of __19__ .

Finally, a short, thin man, __20__ past middle age, approached(接近) the farmer. "Are you a good farmhand?" the farmer asked him.

"Well, I can sleep__21__ the wind blows," answered the little man.

Although __22__ by this answer, the farmer, in great need of help, __23__ him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt __24__ with the man's work.

Then one night the wind blew __25__ in from offshore. __26__ out of bed, the farmer rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and shouted, "__27__ ! A storm is coming! __28__ things down before they blow away!"

The little man __29__ in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Angered by the response, the farmer meant to fire him on the spot. __30__ , he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his __31__ , he discovered that all of the haystacks(草垛) had been covered with tarpaulins(帆布). The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. Everything was tied down. __32__ could blow away.

The farmer then understood __33__ his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew. When you're __34__ , spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to__35__. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

1.                A.No            B.Few            C.Most D.All

 

2.                A.Above         B.Across          C.below    D.through

 

3.                A.Applicants      B.peasants        C.workers  D.engineers

 

4.                A.arrivals         B.refusals         C.approvals D.finals

 

5.                A.well           B.Too            C.very D.pretty

 

6.                A.when          B.before         C.after D.because

 

7.                A.Pleased         B.puzzled         C.surprised D.frightened

 

8.                A.fired           B.scolded         C.hired D.ordered

 

9.                A.Disappointed    B.satisfied        C.excited   D.tired

 

10.               A.loudly          B.Slightly         C.hardly D.silently

 

11.               A.Jumping        B.Rising          C.Getting    D.Falling

 

12.               A.Stand up        B.Get up         C.Sit down   D.Lie down

 

13.               A.Let            B.Put            C.Lay   D.Tie

 

14.               A.rolled over      B.jumped over     C.rolled up  D.jumped up

 

15.               A.Therefore      B.Otherwise      C.likewise   D.Instead

 

16.               A.expectation     B.imagination      C.amazement D.sorrow

 

17.               A.Something      B.Everything      C.Anything  D.Nothing

 

18.               A.how           B.which          C.that  D.what

 

19.               A.prepared       B.finished        C.determined    D.En

 

20.               A.beat           B.win            C.desire D.fear

 

 

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