If life seems more rushed than ever, you might be surprised to learn that we Americans don't have less leisure time than we did 40 years ago.We actually have more leisure time, and quite a bit more.What counts as leisure is up for argument, but under every definition the numbers have gone up.We get about 45 minutes a day of extra leisure.
Then why does it feel like we have so much less? It might be because we waste half of all our leisure time watching television.The average American adult devotes 2.5 hours a day to this hobby.And for every additional hour we get free, another 30 minutes goes into that boob tube(=TV).So if you want more free time, I recommend one thing:turn it off.This is easier said than done, especially during the world series.
When I was growing up, my mom had one piece of advice for me, and she said it every single morning.'Get out of the house!' It's good advice.Come join the 6.8 million who are in a book club, or the 196,000 who attend pro beach volleyball, or the 680,000 who go to tractor pulls every month.There are even 3 million people who enjoy a sport called ‘muzzle loading,’ which involves shooting a gun that looks 200 years old.
And at the end of the day, there's a thing in your kitchen called a stove.Turn it on and invite people over.Only 38% of Americans entertain friends or family at home at least once a year.What were the other 62% of us doing? Getting a free meal, I suppose.We can do better, America.If we're going to watch so much television, can't we at least invite friends over to watch?
(1)
The main idea of the passage is ________.
[ ]
A.
to teach readers how to increase leisure time
B.
to persuade readers to watch TV with others
C.
to introduce different social activities to readers
D.
to recommend various ways of spending leisure time
(2)
According to the passage, how many social activities does the author come up with?
[ ]
A.
3
B.
4
C.
5
D.
6
(3)
We can infer form the passage that ________.
[ ]
A.
Americans have less leisure time than they did 40 years ago
B.
Americans tend to spend part of their time watching TV
C.
American mothers dislike their children staying at home
D.
Americans treat their family or friends frequently
(4)
The writer’s attitude towards solving the problem is ________.
Israeli paintings-Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman will hold a personal show named “Flock of Sheep” from November 26 to December 20 at the China National Art Museum.On show are 550 colorful oil paintings of sheep heads.
His works have been on show in the Metropolitan Museum in New York and Tate Gallery in London over the past 30 years.
Time:9∶00 a. m.-4∶00 p. m., November 26-December 20.
Place:China National Art Museum,1 Wusi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
Tel:6401-2252
Russia Ballet-The Kremlin Ballet from Russia will perform two immortal classical ballets-“Swiss Lake” and “The Nutcracker”-at the Beijing Beizhan Theatre.Set up in 1990, the theatre has a number of first-class ballet dancers with pride.Most of their performances are classical.
Time:7∶15 p. m., December 5 and 6(“Swan Lake”); 7∶15 p. m., December 7(“Nutcracker”)
Folk concert-The Central Conservatory of Music(音乐学院)will hold a folk concert in memory of the late musician Situ Huacheng.
On the programme are many popular folks such as “Moon Night on the Bamboo Tower” “Celebrating Harvest” “Deep and Lasting Friendship” “Golden Snake Dancers Wildly”, and “Children?s Holiday”.
Time:7∶30 p. m., November 25.
Place:Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhua Street.
Tel:6605-5812
(1)
If a child is very fond of dancing, his parent should take him to ________.
[ ]
A.
China National Art Museum
B.
Beizhan Theatre
C.
Beijing Concert Hall
D.
1 Wusi Street
(2)
Menashe Kadishman is well known for painting ________.
[ ]
A.
deer
B.
birds
C.
sheep
D.
flowers
(3)
Which of the following is TRUE?
[ ]
A.
The folk concert will last three days.
B.
The ballet “The Nutcracker” will be put on once.
C.
The Israeli paintings will be on show for a month.
D.
China National Art Museum lies in Xicheng District.
(4)
If you dial the telephone number 6605-3388 on Dec.8, you can ________.
[ ]
A.
go to the folk concert
B.
visit the Art Museum
C.
watch the ballet
D.
none of the above
阅读理解
ISC(HS)Reference No.S006864 New South Wales
Student Date of Birth:19/08/1988 Department of Education and Training
International Students Centre
Hong Xue 827-839 George Street PO Box 707
60 Waratah Street Broadway NSW 21007
Croydon Park NSW 2133 Phone:(612)9217 4801 1300 302 456
Fax:(612)9212 6721
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/international/
WARNING LETTER
Dear Hong Xue,
As you are aware, your student visa regulations set out a number of conditions applying to your visa.It has come to our attention that you are failing to meet the following conditions:You must maintain accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by your education provider if you:
●have not turned 18; and
●are not staying in Australia with:
-a parent
-a custodian(监护人); or
-a relative who has been nominated(指定)by your parent or a custodian, is aged at least 21 and is of good character.
Note:You must not change those arrangements without the written approval of your education provider.
You must obey the following rules:
1.During term time you must:
a)remain in your homestay during the school term;
b)come home every night; and
c)inform your guardian at all times of your whereabouts.
2.On weekends you must:
a)have your guardian's permission to stay with friends; and
b)inform your guardian of the name, address and phone numbers of people you are visiting.
3.You must return your guardian's telephone calls.
This will be your only warning.If you continue to breach(违反)your student visa regulations we will report you to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.Such action may lead to the cancellation(取消)of your student visa.Please contact me on(612)9217 4801 or fax(612)9212 6721 if you have questions about your enrolment.
Yours sincerely
Tracey Carlon
Student Advisor
International Students Centre
NSW Department of Education and Training
(1)
What's the purpose of writing this letter?
[ ]
A.
To remind the recipient of the conditions for applying for a student visa.
B.
To warn the recipient not to do anything against his student visa regulations again.
C.
To tell the recipient how to contact his student advisor.
D.
To inform the recipient of the student visa regulations.
(2)
What can be learned about the recipient from this letter?
[ ]
A.
He is under 18 and studies in Australia with his parents.
B.
He is required to come home every night according to the rules.
C.
He can stay with his friends on weekends if permitted.
D.
His student Visa has been cancelled.
(3)
To which address should the recipient reply if he feels like answering the letter?
[ ]
A.
Hong Xue at 60 Waratah Street, Croydon Park NSW 2133.
B.
Tracey Carlon at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
C.
Hong Xue at NSW Department of Education and Training.
D.
Tracey Carlon at 827-839 George Street, PO Box 707, Broadway NSW 21007.
阅读理解
Many people like the feeling of the gentle wind in spring.Many like to see the falling leaves dancing in the wind in autumn.But sometimes, when the wind becomes a storm, it can be very destructive(毁灭性的).
A series of such storms struck the US last month and caused very serious damage and human pain.
Every year, major storms cause many problems around the world.There is nothing people can do to stop these powerful forces of nature.But new techniques are helping scientists to predict(预测)how, when, and where big storms will happen.The more exact scientists' warnings are, the better people can prepare for the storms.
Predictions are improving.“We've gotten better over the years, especially the last few years,”says Phil Klotzback, a scientist at an American university.How is a storm formed? Even if scientists know where a storm will happen, winds can suddenly change, carrying the storm to a new direction.“For a hurricane to happen, conditions have to be just right,”Klotzback says.
First, the ocean water needs to be warm enough so that it evaporates and rises into the air.As it rises, the vapor(水蒸气)cools and turns back into liquid.This process gives off heat.This produces energy like an engine that causes winds to increase.It drives the formation(形成)of a hurricane.
If wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour, the system is called a“tropical storm”(热带风暴), and it gets a name.At 75 miles per hour, it becomes a hurricane.
Hurricanes that hit the US start when a thunderstorm forms off the coast of Africa.Storms also develop over tropical waters in other parts of the world.
On average, 60 or 70 storms form off Africa every year.About 10 of them get names.There are usually about six hurricanes.Two tend to be very big, with winds of 115 miles per hour or higher.
The hurricane season lasts from June to November.Ninety percent of all hurricanes hit in August, September, and October.
(1)
According to the passage, hurricanes usually ________.
[ ]
A.
form off the coast of Africa and America
B.
travel at 40 miles per hour and get its name
C.
hit parts of the world in summer and autumn
D.
cause sea winds to rise and blow over the sea
(2)
The underlined word“evaporates”(in Paragraph 5)probably means“________”.
[ ]
A.
begins to move
B.
changes into a gas
C.
becomes hot
D.
gets lost
(3)
Which of the following about the information of a hurricane is in the correct order?
a.The ocean water evaporates and goes into the air.
b.Heat creates energy and causes winds to increase.
c.The vapor cools.
d.The ocean water is warm enough.
e.The vapor changes back into liquid.
f.This course gives out heat.
[ ]
A.
a, d, e, b, c, f
B.
a, b, c, f, d, e
C.
d, a, b, c, e, f
D.
d, a, c, e, f, b
(4)
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
[ ]
A.
One out of six or seven storms get names.
B.
Every year at least 60 storms form off Africa.
C.
The speed of the biggest two hurricanes reaches 115miles per hour.
D.
About one third of the hurricanes tend to be very big.
阅读理解
Below is a web page from http://www.tvguide.com/.
Tonight's TV Hot List:Sunday January 31, 2010
Grammy Awards 8/7c CBS
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are ready to take home a lot of hardware tonight as they lead all artists with 10 and eight nominations.The ladies also perform, along with fellow Album of the Year nominees the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and the Dave Matthews Band.In addition, Bon Jovi, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Maxwell, Pink and Zac Brown Band will also take the stage.But perhaps the most expected moment is the Michael Jackson tribute(吊唁礼物), which features the 3-D mini-movie "Earth Song" and will be highlighted by performers Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Usher.
Maurer 9/8c NBC
A mysterious company named Sabre, headed by an attractive, stubborn CEO(Kathy Bates), appears out of nowhere and buys out(买断股份)Dunder Mifflin.As Michael is unwilling to follow Sabre's new policies, Andy and Erin write a welcome song to greet the company.Meanwhile, Pam and Jim hope to get accepted into a desired local day-care center.
Surviving Survivor 8/7c CBS
It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since the first season of Survivor.But tonight ten of the game's most iconic players, including previous winners Richard Hatch, Parvati Shallow and Tom Westman, discuss the series in detail and provide insights into how the game is actually played and the impact it's had on their lives.In addition, updates on beloved former castaways, like Ethan Zohn, Rupert Boneham and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, are given.
Private Practice 10∶01/9∶01c ABC
So Maya's pregnant and wants to have the baby.What to do now? Dink(Stephen Lunsford), the boy who did his part to get her into this mess, has a solution:He wants to marry her.You can imagine how Sam and Naomi will feel about that.And if that won't raise the histrionic level enough for you, how about this:A couple has two dying daughters, and only one can be saved.Their choice.And Brian Benben is back, so expect more Pete-Violet- Sheldon angst.
(1)
Edna is crazy about pop stars, so she will most likely choose ________ to enjoy.
[ ]
A.
Grammy Awards
B.
Maurer
C.
Surviving Survivor
D.
Private Practice
(2)
From the passage, we can learn that Dunder Mifflin is ________.
[ ]
A.
a CEO
B.
a company
C.
an employee in the company
D.
a piece of office equipment
(3)
According to the passage, Surviving Survivor is most probably ________.