题目内容

More than two thirds of the world's polar bears will be wiped out by 2050,according to a shocking new study. By then,scientists say,global warming will have melted 42 percent of the Arctic sea ice. By 2100,only a very few of these important creatures will be left.

The report has been produced by the US Geological Survey. The scientists have publicized their findings in the hope of influencing US Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne,who has been asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list.

Polar bears depend on floating sea ice as a platform for hunting seals,which are their main food. Without enough ice,polar bears would be forced to go onto the land,where they are poorly skilled hunters,and would be unlikely to adapt to the life on the land in time. Experts say few little bears would survive and the stress could make many females unable to get pregnant.

The team of American and Canadian scientists spent six months studying bears,on the ground,from spotter planes and in the lab,using computer models.

Some team members fear the result is even worse for the bears than what their report says. They say the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere in the world and much faster than their computer had been forecasting. Satellite observations have showed that the ice has decreased to an all-time low.

However,not everyone in the scientific community believes that global warming is happening on such an alarming scale. Another investigation has found that polar bears are still being hunted by wealthy “sportsmen” who want their skins and heads. At least ten international companies offer bear-hunting trips.

1.What do we know about Dirk Kempthorne according to the passage?

A.He is an animal scientist.

B.He is a protector of animals working for the US government.

C.He was asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list.

D.He offered to put polar bears on the endangered species list.

2.Why will polar bears die out if there is not enough sea ice?

A.Because polar bears can't catch enough food without ice.

B.Because polar bears eat ice when they feel thirsty.

C.Because polar bears will be easily found by hunters without ice.

D.Because most female bears are used to giving birth under ice.

3.After a six-month study,some scientists fear that ________.

A.there is something wrong with their computers

B.polar bears will disappear even faster than they ever expected

C.their computer models are not as accurate as they expected

D.global warming will destroy everything in the Arctic

4.What does the writer want to tell us in the last paragraph?

A.The forecast about the future of polar bears is not correct.

B.Global warming won't have any effect on hunting trips in the Arctic.

C.Polar bears are an endangered species as a result of bear-hunting.

D.People don't pay enough attention to the protection of endangered species.

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阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

Rolling, dark clouds covered much of the sky. The warm wind suddenly became cold and picked up wildly, sending some dead leaves flying across the sky. A few drops of rain mixed with ice began to fall, then into heavy .

Doug, my older brother, and I first rode the bus to a bus stop. Then we off and began our long walk home. The wind was the snow around us like a huge blanket, making it________to see clearly. The only sounds we heard were the of the wind as well as the crunch of our footsteps on the snow. Slowly but , my brother and I were to death. Looking to my left, I saw a pine tree and squatted(蹲下) down.

“What are you doing here, Bud? Come on!” said Doug, “There’s no behind this little tree. If we rest here, we will die from the freeze.”

“You go on, and I’ll soon.” I replied.

Doug was for a moment. Then he spoke, “Bud, do you remember the four pine

trees at the side of the road? we get there, we can rest a while and get warm. You just stick your hand down the back of my , keep your head down and hold on.”

As we struggled through the snow, my hand from my brother’s belt and I fell to my knees.

“Where are the trees?” I said, as the snow up around me like a feather bed. Once again, Doug pulled me to my feet.

“Just a few more and we’ll be home and warm,” he said.

As the darkness closed around us, we approached home, . I only heard a worried shouting not in the distance. Then someone took my hand and me into a warm, bright light. And then I survived.

Now, I still think about the lesson learned from our winter story: Never

, no matter what the odds and whatever to come.

1.A. slowlyB. elegantlyC. peacefullyD. fiercely

2.A. snowB. stormC. smogD.fog

3.A. cameB. brokeC. showedD. got

4.A. meltingB. rollingC. pollutingD. clearing

5.A. difficultB. simpleC. availableD. likely

6.A. callB. shoutC. toneD. whistle

7.A. surelyB. carefullyC. secretlyD. hardly

8.A. scaringB. freezingC. fightingD. starving

9.A. attractionB. recreationC. protectionD. radiation

10.A. catch upB. fall behindC. look onD. hang around

11.A. braveB. silentC. proudD. confident

12.A. BeforeB. UnlessC. AlthoughD. When

13.A. dressB. bootC. beltD. coat

14.A. slippedB. brokeC. separatedD. shook

15.A. wentB. clearedC. mixedD. folded

16.A. stopsB. stepsC. milesD. blocks

17.A. discouragedB. dynamicC. unconsciousD. enthusiastic

18.A. persuadedB. followedC. forcedD. pulled

19.A. survivalB. travelC. explorationD. research

20.A. hold onB. took offC. give upD. set aside

根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

What’s top of your list of new year resolutions for 2016? Do more exercise? Eat better? Spend more time with your children? Find a fulfilling career? How about ticking all your boxes and simply be happy?

1. Happiness is often an indirect consequence of our actions and the way we think.However,the good news is that making even the smallest adjustments can help us attain that kind of state we all want to achieve.Rachel Kelly,author of Walking on Sunshine,offers some simple changes we can all make to our lives to improve our state of mind.

◆Be mindful

2. It can be any routine activity you perform during the rush of the day,like hand washing.Slow down and give the task your full attention.You’11 soon start appreciating these small moments of stillness.

◆Follow the 60% rule

Perfectionism is an illusion,but the pursuit of it is real and can have damaging consequences. 3. If a friendship,relationship,work project is 60%right,then you’re doing well.

◆Breathe

When things get too much,try the one-finger-on-the-nose breathing trick. 4. Then just breathe through the other nostril.By halving the rate at which you breathe,you lower your blood pressure and trigger(引发)the body’s relaxation response.

◆Exercise

Breaking a sweat,ideally the first thing in the morning,releases a chemical in the brain to reduce pain,and which in large amounts can make you feel relaxed and energetic and sets you up for the day.5.

A.So readjust your thinking.

B.So,if you can,start your day right.

C.Build a“mindful”activity into your day.

D.Sadly,you can’t simply“become”happy.

E.Press a finger against one side of your nose.

F.With so many external pressures can any of us be truly happy?

G.It’s all about creating the right conditions for your body to feel relaxed.

根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

How Can I Fight Laziness?

Lazy people will never achieve anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.

1. Many people lack sleep constantly, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency to put off things. By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.

Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from task to task. Others take a more proactive approach, viewing each task as a challenge they must overcome alone. 2.

Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations(诱惑) that surround them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment, but watching too much TV often contributes to laziness. 3. Complete a few tasks and reward yourself with what you enjoy, such as a good dinner or a film.

Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. Couples and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not dealt with immediately. 4. Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others in the home may eventually follow your example and perform their own task. It is difficult to practise laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.

5. Enough exercise and a balanced diet can help you to develop a healthy lifestyle, thus enabling you to have more energy and help lift your spirits.

A. To fight family laziness, set an example.

B. One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.

C. Knowing how to fight laziness is important.

D. Finally, taking exercise regularly can help you fight laziness.

E. With strong determination, you will be able to achieve your goal.

F. Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.

G. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for the children.

Being lonely in the crowd might seem ridiculous. But according to a recent survey, the situation is all too common. Loneliness and other anxiety problems – worrying about life’s pressures – can even lead to self-murder.

An article in China Daily gave no reason for this other than the usual blaming of the post-80s generation. According to a high level official, young people suffering from discouragement are mostly “spoiled and have not been taught to be independent, responsible and express ‘thank-you’.” Well, how do you like that? First, I don’t think China’s youth are exactly spoiled. They certainly have more things than their parents did, but a lot of the money spent on them is for their education including various extra classes.

Discouragement and anxiety are now the fastest growing challenges in modern societies. We sense a lack of close friends who can talk to honestly and openly. In 1985, a US study found that one in ten people did not have such a friend. In 2006, it was one in four. It’s easy to see the connection between loneliness and discouragement. But what actually causes this increasing loneliness?

Surely, with Internet social networking sites such as Kaixin, we have more friends than ever. A new study has shown that the more time teenagers spend in front of computers, the less close they are to friends and family. Kaixin or QQ may be fun but it lacks meaning, compared to personal connections in the real world.

And then there are those endless online games popular with young Chinese but increasingly there are more interesting choices. For example, new sports such as skateboarding are starting to catch on(流行) in bigger cities, as is playing music in a band. These creative hobbies are done in a group and thus friendship can be stronger. Hopefully young people will also be drawn out of the Internet cafes and interactive computer games that in fact fail to recreate a real and interactive experience.

1.According to the high level official, it is easy for teenagers lacking independence and responsibility to _______.

A. become spoiled

B. play endless online games

C. suffer from loneliness and anxiety

D. refuse to express gratitude

2.What does the writer think of the Internet social networking site Kaixin?

A. Open but ridiculous.

B. Honest and responsible.

C. Real and fun.

D. Interesting but meaningless.

3.It can be inferred in Paragraph 3 that _______.

A. it’s now more difficult for people to find close friends to have an honest chat with

B. parents focus mostly on children’s education rather than the personality building

C. young people have no idea of expressing appreciation because of being spoiled

D. teenagers will recreate a real and interactive experience to strengthen friendship

4.According to the text, which of the following can help us avoid being lonely in the crowd?

A. To stay long in Internet cafes.

B. To focus on extra courses.

C. To give up our own hobbies.

D. To play music in a band.

Ever walked to the shops only to find, once there, you’ve completely forgotten what you went for? Or struggled to remember the name of an old friend? For years we’ve accepted that a forgetful brain is as much a part of aging as wrinkles and gray hair. But now a new book suggests that we’ve got it all wrong.

According to The Secret Life of the Grown-up Brain, by science writer Barbara Strauch, when it comes to the important things, our brains actually get better with age. In fact, she argues that some studies have found that our brain hits its peak between our 40s and 60s — much later than previously thought.

Furthermore, rather than losing many brain cells as we age, we keep them, and even produce new ones well into middle age. For years it’s been assumed that brain, much like the body, declines with age. But the longest, largest study into what happens to people as they age suggests otherwise.

This continuing research has followed 6,000 people since 1956, testing them every seven years. It has found that on average, participants performed better on cognitive (认知的) tests in their 40s and 50s than they had done in their 20s. Specifically, older people did better on tests of vocabulary, verbal memory (how many words you can remember) and problem solving. Where they performed less well was number ability and perceptual speed — how fast you can push a button when ordered. However, with more complex tasks such as problem-solving and language, we are at our best at middle age and beyond. In short, researchers are now coming up with scientific proof that we do get wiser with age.

Neuroscientists are also finding that we are happier with aging. A recent US study found older people were much better at controlling and balancing their emotions. It is thought that when we’re younger we need to focus more on the negative aspects of life in order to learn about the possible dangers in the world, but as we get older we’ve learned our lessons and are aware that we have less time left in life: therefore, it becomes more important for us to be happy.

1.Barbara Strauch probably agrees that ______.

A. the young are better at handling important things

B. people’s brains work best between their 40s and 60s

C. aging leads to the decline of the function of the brain

D. wrinkles and gray hair are the only symbols of aging

2.The continuing research has found older people perform better on ______.

A. perceptual speed B. number ability

C. vocabulary tests D. body balance

3.People are happier with aging because ______.

A. they learn to value the time left

B. they know how to share feelings

C. they cannot focus on negative aspects

D. they do not realize the possible dangers

4.What is the main idea of the passage?

A. People get happier with age.

B. People get wiser with age.

C. People get more forgetful with age.

D. People get more self-aware with age.

Wilma Subra had no intention of becoming a public speaker. After graduating from college with degrees in chemistry and microbiology, she went to work at Gulf South Research Institute in Louisiana.

As part of her job, she conducted field research on toxic (poisonous) substances in the environment, often in minority communities located near large industrial polluters. She found many families were being exposed to high, sometimes deadly levels of chemicals and other toxic substances. But she was not allowed to make her information public.

Frustrated by these restrictions, Subra left her job in 1981, created her own company and has devoted the past two decades to helping people fight back against giant industrial polluters. She works with families and community groups to conduct environmental tests, interpret test results, and organize for change.

Because of her efforts, dozens of toxic sites across the country have been cleaned up. And one chemical industry spokesperson calls her “a_top_gun” for the environmental movement.

How has Subra achieved all this? Partly through her scientific training.Partly through her commitment to environmental justice. But just as important is her ability to communicate with people through public speaking. “Public speaking,” she says, “is the primary vehicle I use for reaching people.”

If you had asked Subra before 1981 “Do you see yourself as a major public speaker?”, she would have laughed at the idea. Yet today she gives more than one hundred presentations a year. Along the way, she’s lectured at Harvard, testified before Congress, and addressed audiences in 40 states, as well as in Mexico, Canada, and Japan.

1.What did Wilma Subra study for her job before 1981?

A. Chemistry and microbiology.

B. Families affected by toxic chemicals.

C. Toxic substances in the environment.

D. Minority communities near industrial polluters.

2.Why did Wilma Subra quit her job in 1981?

A. She wanted to create her own company.

B. She preferred freedom to restrictions.

C. She hoped to work with families and communities.

D. She was forbidden to inform the public of toxic pollution.

3.Wilma Subra is called “a top gun” in the 4th paragraph for ________.

A. her scientific training

B. her efforts to fight against pollution

C. her help in closing down dozens of toxic sites

D. her strong belief in environmental justice

4.What does Wilma Subra think of “public speaking”?

A. She values it. B. She laughs at it.

C. She is against it. D. She has no idea of it.

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