题目内容

China faces $176bn bill to clean up air pollution

Cleaning up China’s air pollution will cost 1.75 trillion yuan ($176b) between 2013 and 2017, a high-ranking environmental official has estimated. 

Wang Jinnan, deputy head of the Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, said that the investment ---- part of an anti-pollution "action plan" announced by China's cabinet in September ---- “would drive up GDP by nearly two trillion yuan ($202b) and create over two million jobs,” China’s official newswire Xinhua reported.

The total cost will be higher than the 2012 GDP of most countries, including Finland, Israel and Portugal.

“36.7 percent of the investment, or 640 billion yuan ($64.5b) should go on cleaning up industry, followed by 490 billion yuan (28.2 percent) on cleaner energy sources. Cleaning up motor vehicles will absorb 210 billion yuan,” Xinhua reported, citing (引用) Wang. 

In 2013, broad areas of China recorded their highest air pollution levels in 52 years, causing widespread anger over the massive environmental disaster shaped by decades of unchecked economic growth. 

While Beijing has long been known for its pea-soup air, a number of traditionally clearer cities, including Shanghai and Harbin, have registered pollution levels high enough for local authorities to ground flights, close schools and pull cars from the roads.

On Friday, Shanghai’s concentration of airborne PM 2.5 – particulate matter small enough to stay deep within the lungs – rose to 214 micrograms per cubic meter, three times China’s national limit. The official Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center warned children and the elderly to stay indoors. 

In its five-year action plan, China's State Council promised to reduce the level of airborne particulate matter by at least 10% in major cities by 2017.

Yet many smog-related government measures, such as controlling street-side barbecues, have drawn criticism for polishing over the problem. In October, one Beijing official blamed the smog on “the traditional way of cooking Chinese dishes.”

In response, many Chinese people have taken measures into their own hands. Face masks have become a fashion statement; air purifier sales have rapidly increased. An elementary school in north China’s Shijiazhuang, one of the country’s most polluted cities, has begun teaching its students a smog-defying aerobics (健美操) routine involving acupuncture points associated with respiratory(呼吸) health. Last week, a hospital in the southwestern Chinese city Chengdu opened a “smog clinic” to treat air pollution-related diseases such as coughs and asthma; it has been treating roughly a dozen patients a day. "We should not fear smog. It's preventable and curable," says a poster hung by its entrance. 

54. What is the major cause of the heavy smog in China according to the article?

A. The investment in an anti-pollution "action plan" is not enough.

B. The economic development has not been carefully checked in the past years.

C. Environmental Planning has not been carried out for decades of years.

D. The traditional way of cooking Chinese dishes has produced too much smoke.

55. To avoid the harm on their health, people suffering from the smog in China are doing the following EXCEPT _______.
  A. wearing face masks and use air purifiers

B. warning children and the elderly not to go outdoors

C. criticizing many smog-related government officials

D. opening “smog clinics” to treat air pollution-related diseases

56. After reading the article, most readers may feel ___________.

A. Angry but hopeless                B. Tired and indifferent (漠不关心)

C. Concerned but positive             D. Depressed and annoyed

                             

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Is crying good therapy (疗法)? Experts say yes. Having a good weep at the weekend is becoming more and more popular among office workers in China.

“I need to cry to let my feelings out”, said 23-year-old Gao Meng, a smart-looking young woman. “I remember one day when I got home I felt so down but had no one to talk to so I just curled up (蜷缩) with my teddy bear and cried myself to sleep,” Gao said. The next day, she said, she felt much better and life seemed not so bad after all.

Because crying is taken as a sign of weakness, people make a great show of being strong and not displaying emotion. Psychologists and medical practitioners agree that crying is beneficial for mental health but people still regard it as a sign of failure and bottle up their feelings. A famous Chinese author once said to cry is normal, and even brave. Those who display their emotions can deal with their troubles bravely after the tears dry while those who soldier on let problems fester.

In the Chaoyang district of Beijing, there is a special place for people to cry their sadness out. It is called “Cry Bar”. On the door of each of its “cry rooms” there is a saying encouraging people to let the tears flow freely.

“Crying is a kind of therapy, but it needs some direction,” said Milulu, a psychologist. “People should realize the point of crying is to relieve pressure, but some of the young people who come to the Cry Bar simply sit and weep. The purpose of crying is to make it easier to improve your life after the tears dry, not to get lost in bad memories.”

“Crying is only one way of relieving pressure, and we need to face problems squarely (正面地) and solve them once the tears have dried,”said Milulu.

1. Crying ________ made Gao Meng feel better.

A. with some friends  B. all the night with a toy

C. during her sleep  D. in bed before sleep

2. According to the 3rd paragraph, people usually make great efforts to________.

A. get rid of their sadness 

B. bottle up their feelings

C. act on psychologists' advice 

D. face their troubles bravely

3. What does the underlined word “fester” in the third paragraph mean?

A. Get worse.            B. Appear easier.

C. Be covered up.         D. Come to an end.

4. What should the customers do at the Cry Bar?

A. Think of every sad experience they've had and cry.

B. Keep crying as loudly and long as possible.

C. Satisfy any desire to cry or weep until it is gone.

D. Hold back their tears until they can but cry.

5. From the text, we can learn that crying ________.

A. is the only way to relieve pressure

B. must help to solve problems

C. means facing problems squarely

D. can weaken sad feelings


E
Third-generation mobile phones, known as 3G, are the next big step for the telecom(电信) industry. Data speed in 3G networks is much quicker than that in present technology. This means users can have high-speed Internet access(上网) and enjoy video and CD-quality music on their phones.
"Mobile data is not a dream; it's not an option(选择) but a requirement" said Len Lauer, head of a US communications company, Sprint PCS, at a 3G conference in Bangkok earlier this month.
With 3G, you can forget about text messages telling you yesterday's news; a 3G phone can receive video news programs, updated(更新) four times a day. Internet access will also be much quicker, making it easier to surf the Web on your phone than on your computer at home. 
Don't worry about getting lost. 3G phones offer map services so you can find a new restaurant just by pressing a few keys on your handset(手持机).
However, the most impressive part of 3G technology is video calling. With live two-way video communication, you can have face-to-face talks with friends and family on your mobile phone.
Many European countries have already launched the service. In May 2000 the US Government issued five licenses(许可证) to run 3G wireless services, while the first 3G phones arrived in Italy in March this year.
International telecom companies can't wait to sell 3G in China, the world's largest mobile telecommunications market. But they will have to be patient. At the moment, China is busy testing its 3G-based technologies, networks and services. This will be followed by a trial period before the phones can finally hit the shops.
“We need to create a pool of 3G customers before the large-scale commercial launch(开始) of the service,” said Fan Yunjun, marketing manager for Beijing Mobile. “We expect that the 3G licenses will be issued(发行) late next year.”
We'll also see 3G services enter our daily lives in all-sorts of new ways, from shopping and banking to playing interactive computer games over the net. It won't be long before we think nothing of sitting on a train using a mobile palmtop(掌上型电脑) to check our bank accounts or pay bills. You might even click on an icon(图标) on the screen to set up an immediate video-conference with your bank clerk.
55. 3G is ______.
A. a kind of mobile phone that can send text message and make calls
B. a kind of technology that makes mobile data and video calling come true
C. a kind of player that can be used to listen to CD or MP3 music
D. a kind of system that makes it easy to surf the Internet
56. What does Len Lauer want to inform the readers?
A. Realizing the dream of mobile data based on the application of 3G is a must.
B. There is no need to send messages since 3G can receive video news programs.
C. 3G is supposed to own all the functions that a computer has.
D. It is a choice to carry mobile data with 3G phones.
57. The 3G services can be launched after the following steps EXCEPT that ________.
A. they have to test its 3G-based technologies, networks and services
B. they need to create a group of 3G customers
C. the 3G licenses are issued and 3G phones are tested
D. international telecom companies decide to sell 3G in China
58. The last paragraph shows us that ________.
A. 3G services bring a lot of convenience to us
B. we cannot live without 3G mobile phones
C. 3G services can change our life completely
D. 3G services will take the place of other technologies
59. What is the best title of the passage?
A. Face-to-face Video Calls               B. The Future of 3G
C. The New Telecom Industry--3G         D. The Use of 3G Mobile Phone

Zhoukoudian is a small village situated about 50 kilometers to the southwest of Beijing. In the 1920s, archaeologists discovered some prehistoric human bones there which changed people’s view of China’s history. They came from an unknown species of man and were the first evidence of human life in China thousands of years ago. The remains were three teeth!
In 1929, a complete skull was also discovered. Eventually, archaeologists found almost 200 items, including six skulls and more than 150 teeth. These discoveries proved the existence of a human species who lived in the area between 700,000 and 200,000 years ago. Four sites where Beijing Man and his relatives lived were discovered on the northern face of Longgushan. They lived in the caves in the area.
However, the life span of Beijing Man was short. About 70% of the people probably died before the age of 14. Fewer than 5% lived to the age of 50. Ashes were found alongside the fossils which showed they had used fire for cooking food and also for light, warmth, and protection against wild animals. This is the earliest evidence of the use of fire anywhere in the world. They also made tools of bones and stones. Unfortunately, when Japan invaded China in 1937, excavations (发掘) at the Beijing Man Site stopped and most of the fossils disappeared, including a Beijing Man skull. After the People’s Republic of China was established in 1949, the work started again.
Zhoukoudian was listed as a World Heritage Site in December 1987. It has not only given us important information about prehistoric Asian societies, but also provided amazing evidence about the process of evolution. Today, parts of the caves have been badly affected by rain. Some areas are almost completely covered in weeds, causing serious damage. Pollution from the nearby factories has also led to the problem. This is a very serious matter and the Chinese Academy of Sciences is trying to raise public awareness of protecting it.
【小题1】Archaeologists _________.

A.thought that the findings in Zhoukoudian are the first evidence of human life in Asia
B.thought that the findings in Zhoukoudian wouldn’t change the history of China
C.discovered some prehistoric human bones in Zhoukoudian
D.thought that Zhoukoudian was a beautiful village
【小题2】Beijing Man used fire to do all of the following things EXCEPT _____.
A.light in the darkB.keep warm
C.scare wild animals awayD.make tools
【小题3】What’s the main idea of the last paragraph?
A.Zhoukoudian is a World Heritage Site.
B.Zhoukoudian is in great need of protection.
C.The digging of Zhoukoudian is still under way.
D.Zhoukoudian plays an important part in the study of prehistoric societies.

 

Seriously dry conditions are affecting the lives of 50 million people in Southwestern China. Premier Wen Jiabao has visited drought -plagued Yunnan Province and called for intensified(加强的)and consistent efforts to relieve the situation. Qujing is one of the regions suffering most from the drought in Yunnan province.

Premier Wen Jiabao’s 3 - day visit aimed at comforting affected locals and directing relief work.

He visited a number of farms and spoke to the local people. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said,“As long as we unite together, we can surely overcome this big disaster. ”

     Premier Wen called on villagers to dig more wells and construct additional aqueducts (高架), while also encouraging them to save water. The drought has made more than 16 million people and 11 million livestock short of drinking water. Wen Jiabao told local authorities that priority(首要事情)should be given to guarantee the water supply for locals.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao inspects the cracked bottom of the Degehaizi Reservoir in Luliang County, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 20, 2010. During a three -day inspection trip in the drought -plagued Yunnan Province ending on Sunday, Premier Wen visited Qujing City, one of the regions that suffered the most from the severe(十分严重的)drought ravaging since last October, to comfort the affected locals and direct relief work. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

The drought has also affected more than 4 million hectares of farmland with almost a quarter of that unable to yield crops any more.

The Premier asked the farmers to do what they can to make preparations for spring farming. He also warned locals of possible wildfires and urged local officials to maintain the stability of market prices and social stability.

Since autumn last year, southwest China, including Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou provinces, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chongqing Municipality, have received only half the amount of rainfall they usually get.

1. What’s the main idea of paragraph one?

A. People in Yunnan province face the most serious situation.

    B. Southwestern China, especially Qujing suffers from the severe drought.

    C. Premier Wen calls on people to relieve tile drought.

    D. 50 million people in Qujing are affected by the drought.

2. Which of tile following shows Premier Wen’s attitude towards the drought?

    A. worried but confident               B. optimistic

    C. upset                            D. pessimistic

3. According to the text, which statement is false?

    A. Premier Wen’s visit is to comfort the locals and guide relief work.

    B. The drought led to a quarter of farmland being unable to yield crops any more.

    C. Wildfires have been caused by the drought several times.

    D. The officials are urged to maintain the social stability.

4. The best title for the passage would be ________.

    A. Premier Wen pays a visit to Qujing

    B. The severe drought affects the Southwestern China

    C. Chinese Premier urges redoubled drought - relief efforts

     D. The practial ways to deal with the severe drought

 

Coupons to spend

“How did you spend your coupons?”

On their first day back to school, many students in Hangzhou greeted each other this way.

The coupons referred to the 100 yuan coupons each student received form the city government before the Spring Festival holidays. Over 260,000 primary school and middle school students were given coupons. They could use them in local stores and supermarkets, or to see movies and buy books.

The same coupons have also been given to low income families in Hangzhou. Other cities, including Chengdu and Nanjing, also gave coupons to their citizens. More cities are expected to follow their lead.

Why are local governments doing this?

These programmes are all part of a broader effort in China to increase domestic demand in the face of the global financial crisis.

The crisis has seriously affected China’s exports and investments (投资). Many factories in southern cities have been closed down. Some companies are laying off workers or reducing their pay. The stock market and real estate market have been falling.

In a time of financial crisis, people usually respond by saving money. They are uncertain about the future and are afraid that more difficult times may be ahead. Now many people are choosing not to spend money carelessly. Major chain stores have seen a sharp slowdown in sales, analysts say.

But spending keeps an economy healthy. If people don’t spend, there will be too many products in the market. Then shops will stop buying products from factories. When factories receive no orders, they close down. The workers there accordingly lose their jobs. Also, if people don’t spend, the service industry suffers. The total result is that the whole economy breaks down.

Issuing coupons is a practical and effective way to increase domestic demand in the current situation, said Jiang Zengwei, vice-minister of China’s Ministry of Commerce. Hangzhou reported a rise in customers in local markets during Spring Festival holiday.

However, issuing coupons is only a temporary measure. To increase consumers’ confidence, the government needs to establish a sound secure social system in the long term. When people don’t have to worry about education, health care and their pension, they will be more willing to spend instead of saving.

1.Why are local governments issuing coupons?

A. To increase domestic demand in the face of the global financial crisis.

B. To enable students to use them in local stores and supermarkets, or to see movies and buy books independently.

C. To help those low income families in the global financial crisis.

D. To show the government’s ability to solve economic problems

2.What is NOT the influence that the global financial crisis has brought us?

A. China’s exports and investments have been seriously affected.

B. People begin to spend money without a second thought.

C. Workers are faced with losing jobs and the reduction of the salaries.

D. The active stock market and real estate market have gone. 

3.What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Issuing coupons is a practical and effective way to increase domestic demand in a long term.

B. The total result of saving money is that the whole economy breaks down.

C. The government may carry out new policies to encourage citizens to be willing to spend in the near future.

D. After issuing the coupons, the local markets have seen a rise in customers during Spring Festival holiday.

4.If the government is to print a slogan on the coupons to restore consumers’ confidence, what might be used to promote the idea?

A. Spend now, save later.

B. Spend money like there’s no tomorrow; come on!

C. Spend money like it’s going out of style; let’s do it!

D. Big spender, wise spender.

 

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