Over the years, many cities and states have tried to put a tax(税) on sugary drinks. Last week, Berkeley, California succeeded. The city in northern California will charge a penny-per-ounce tax on most sugary drinks. The tax is expected to raise more than $1 million every year to fight against obesity(肥胖).

Makers of sugary drinks are against the tax. They say picking out one product will not solve the obesity problem in America. They also argue that a tax is an attack on personal freedom. “Families should be able to make the choice for their kids without the government stepping in,” said Chris Gindlesperger, a spokesperson for the American Beverage Association(美国饮料协会).

Gindlesperger says that the fight against obesity is more successful when the government partners with industry. He shows how the beverage industry worked with President Bill Clinton’s administration is the 1990s. They introduced water, milk, and fruit juice into a large number of schools, which took the place of sugary drinks. More recently, the beverage industry listened to First Lady Michelle Obama’s suggestion that labels(标签)on sugary drinks be clearer. Containers of up to 20 ounces will show the total calories on the front.

Some people say a tax is a surefire way to help reduce obesity in the U.S. “There is clear evidence that taxes result in less consumption(消费) of sugary drinks,” says Dr. Rachel Johnson, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. She points to Mexico as an example. The country put up a tax on sugary drinks in January, and sales have already dropped by 10%. What’s more, sales of healthier drinks have increased. Bottled water sales are up by 13%. Milk sales are up by 7%.

Another purpose of the tax is to raise money to fight childhood obesity. Money will be used to build playgrounds, create educational materials, and increase the sales of the healthier foods. “We’ve already helped reduce obesity to some degree,” says Dr. Johnson. “I’m confident that we’re going to see even bigger progress soon.”

1.In the 1990s, sugary drinks in many schools _________.

A.were charged a penny-per-ounce tax

B.were not as popular as they are today

C.were replaced by water, milk, and fruit juice

D.were not more than 20 ounces per bottle

2.The underlined word “surefire” in Paragraph 4 can best be replaced by “_________”.

A.good B.stupid C.strange D.new

3.Why does Johnson talk about Mexico?

A.It is her favorite country.

B.She likes Mexican sugary drinks.

C.She tries to show a tax can help a lot.

D.It produces all kinds of sugary drinks.

4.What is the purpose of this text?

A.To ask kids to drink fewer sugary drinks.

B.To show how to fight childhood obesity.

C.To talk about different taxes in Berkeley.

D.To discuss if sugary drinks should be taxed.

Is it possible to persuade mankind to live without war? War is an ancient practice which has existed for at least six thousand years. It was always bad and usually foolish, but in the past, the human race managed to live with it. Modern cleverness has changed this. Either man will end the existence of war, or war will end the existence of man. For the present, it is nuclear weapons (核武器) that cause the most serious danger, but bacteriological or chemical weapons may, before long, offer an even greater threat. If we succeeded in ending the existence of nuclear weapons, our work will not be done. It will never be done until we have succeeded in ending war. To do this, we need to persuade mankind to look up on international problems in a new way not as contests of force, in which the victory goes to the side which is most skillful in killing people, but by settling in accordance with(与、、、一致) agreed rules of law. It is not easy to change very old mental habits, but this is what must be attempted.

There are those who say that the acceptance of this or that ideology (意识形态) would prevent war. I believe this to be a big mistake. All ideologies are based upon dogmatic statements (强词夺理) ,which are, at best, doubtful, and at worst, totally false. Their supporters believe in them so deeply that they are willing to go to war in support of them.

The movement of world opinion during the past few years has been very largely such as we can welcome. It has become a common place that nuclear war must be avoided. Of course very difficult problems remain in the world, but the spirit in which they are coming nearer to is a better one than it was some years ago. It has begun to be thought, even by the powerful men who decide whether we shall live or die, that negotiations(谈判) should reach agreements even if both sides do not find these agreements wholly satisfactory. It has begun to be understood that the important struggle nowadays is not between different countries but between man and the atom bomb(原子弹).

1.This passage implies(暗示) that war is now_______.

A. worse than in the past

B. as bad as in the past

C. not as dangerous as in the past

D. as necessary as in the past

2.From Paragraph 2 we learn that the writer of the passage_______.

A. is a supporter of some modern ideologies

B. does not think that the acceptance of any ideologies could prevent war

C. believes that the acceptance of some ideologies could prevent war

D. does not doubt the truth of any ideologies

3.According to the writer,_______.

A. war is the only way to solve international arguments

B. war will be less dangerous because of the improvement of weapons

C. it is impossible for people to live without war

D. war must be ended if man wants to survive

The murmur of the audience had just faded into expectant silence. This was one of the most important days in little five-year-old Patricia McKee’s life: the Kernot School Concert. She stood behind the curtain with her schoolmates. Yet she was not afraid because everyone had been practicing for weeks and knew their parts by heart.

Being in a remote country town, Patricia knew that everyone would turn out for the big occasion-everyone! Yet, it was this awareness that added a sense of sadness to her excitement. There were two people who couldn’t be in that audience that night-her mum and dad.

Patricia’s mother and father ran the local general store, which was open for business 24 hours. So it was simply accepted that Mum and Dad could never attend community activities. It had been this way with her sister, so why should it be any different for her?

Still, Patricia couldn’t help wishing that her mum and dad could be there to see her on such a special day, so she decided to bring up the subject with her mother. Sadly, she had to face the facts. At such a young age, Patricia couldn’t really understand the deep pain in her mother’s response: “I’ll try to be there, sweetheart, but you know how hard it is for us to get away from the store.”

Yet as the curtain slowly opened on the stage of the Kernot Hall, little Patricia McKee got the surprise of her life. There, sitting four rows the front was her mother with a big smile on her face!

This powerful image remains one of Patricia’s most treasured memories. “Words cannot express the pure joy we both experienced at that moment. I was really walking on air,” said Patricia, now a parent herself. Her parents have passed away, but what a wonderful legacy(遗产)they’ve left us: when someone really needs you, be there for them.

1.Why did Patricia have a feeling of sadness?

A. She had no chance to watch the concert.

B. She performed unsuccessfully at the concert.

C. Her parents had gone to a remote country town.

D. Her parents were unlikely to attend the concert.

2.What do we know about Patricia’s parents?

A. They loved Patricia more than her sister.

B. They had little interest in social activities.

C. They had to mind the store day and night.

D. They paid no attention to Patricia’s school life.

3.According to Paragraph 4, while giving the response, Patricia’s mother probably felt_________.

A. calm B. sorry C. angry D. nervous

4.What does the underlined phrase “walking on air” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A. Surprised. B. Troubled.

C. Very happy. D. Very comfortable.

5.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

A. A smiling face in the crowd.

B. An extremely busy mother.

C. A big occasion in school.

D. A secret wish.

In Britain and other countries,young people sometimes take a“gap year”,a year off between high school and college.This idea never gained a big following in America.Recent news reports have suggested that interest may be growing,though there are no official numbers.

Charles Deacon,.Dean of Admissions at Georgetown University in Washington,D.C.,estimates that in the current first-year class of 1,600 students,only about 25 decided to take a year off.He says this number hasn’t changed much over the years.

Mr.Deacon says the most common reason for taking a“gap year”is to have a chance to travel,but he says international students may take a“gap year”to meet requirements at home for military duty.

Some high school graduates see a year off as a chance to recover after twelve years of required education,but it can also give students a chance to explore their interests.Students hoping to be doctors,for example,could learn about the profession by volunteering in a hospital.

Many colleges and universities support gap-year projects by permitting students to delay their admission.Expels say students can grow emotionally and intellectually as they work at something they enjoy.

The Harvard admissions office has an essay on its Web site called“Time Out or Bum Out for the Next Generation.’’It praises the idea of taking time off to step back,think and enjoy gaining life experiences outside the pressure of studies.It also notes that students are sometimes admitted to Harvard or other colleges partly because they did something unusual with that time.

Of course,a gap year is not for everyone.Students might miss their friends who go on directly to college,and parents might worry that their children will decide not to go to college once they take time off.Another concern is money.A year off,away from home,can be costly.

Holly Bull’s job is to specialize in helping students plan their gap year.She notes that several books have been written about this subject.She says these books along with media attention and the availability of information on the Internet have increased interest in the idea of a year off, and she points out that many gap-year programs cost far less than a year of college.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A.It is likely that taking a“gap year”is becoming popular in America.

B.More and more American students are choosing to take a year off.

C.If you want to go to an American university, take a gap year first.

D.Americans hold different opinions towards students’taking a“gap year”.

2.How many reasons for students’ taking a“gap year”are mentioned in the passage?

A.2. B.3. C.4. D.5.

3.The essay“Time Out or Bum Out for the Next Generation.”suggests that______.

A.every student must take a“gap year”before applying for a famous university

B.some famous universities encourage students to gain more life experiences

C.taking a‘gap year’Can make students free from life learning

D.the stress of studies does harm to the students’ health

4.What can we learn from the passage?

A.Charles Deacon doesn’t support the idea of the students’taking a“gap year”

B.Parents might disagree with the program,concerned about their children’s future.

C.Books and media have contributed to the students’interest in school learning.

D.Experts agree taking a year off will benefit the students emotionally and physically.

One morning more than thirty years ago, I entered the Track Kitchen, a restaurant where everyone from the humblest(卑微的)to the most powerful came for breakfast. I noticed am empty chair next to an elderly, unshaven man, who looked somewhat disheveled. He was wearing a worn-out hat and was alone. I asked if I might join him. He agreed quietly and I sat down to have my breakfast.

We cautiously began a conversion and spoke about a wide rang of things. We never introduced ourselves. I was concerned that he might have no money and not be able to afford something to eat. So as I rose to go back to the counter and buy a second cup of coffee. I asked,

“My I get you something?”

“A coffee would be nice.”

Then I bought him a cup of coffee, We talked more, and he accepted another cup of coffee, Finally, I rose to leave, wished him well, and headed for the exit. At the door I met one of my friends. He asked,

“How did you get to know Mr. Galbreath ?”

“Who?”

“The man you were sitting with. He is chairman of the Board of Churchill Downs.”

I could hardly believe it. I was buying, offering a free breakfast, and feeling pity for one of the world’s richest and most powerful men!

My few minutes with Mr. Galbreath changed my life. Now I try to treat everyone with respect, no matter who I think they are.

1.What does the underlined word “disheveled” mean?

A. Untidy B.Unfriendly

C. Gentle D. Kind

2.The author bought coffee for the old man because .

A. he wanted to start a conversation

B. he thought the old man was poor

C. he intended to show his wealth

D. he would like to thank the old man

3.How did the author probably feel after he talked with his friend?

A. Proud. B. Pitiful.

C. Surprised. D. Regretful

4.What is the message mainly expressed in the story?

A. We should learn to be generous.

B. It is honorable to help those in need.

C. People in high positions are not like what we expect.

D. We should avoid judging people by their appearances.

A man walks into a doctor’s office. He has a cucumber up his nose, a carrot in his left ear and a banana in his right ear. “What’s the matter with me?” he asks the doctor. The doctor replies, “You’re not eating properly.”

This is a popular joke among British schoolchildren. It reflects Britain’s famous dry and satirical way of seeing the funny side of life. This unique sense of humor is often cited as one of Britain’s defining national characteristics.

“The famous British sense of humor has long been our most cherished national characteristic,” says the British journalist Leo Mckinstry. “We have valued it above historic military victories and great works of literature, above our rich scenic landscape and our talent for invention.”

The British sense of humor differs from other countries because it is generally more negative. When it comes to making the British laugh, there is nothing more effective than a socially inappropriate joke.

Popular British comedy shows such as Fawlty Towers, Blackadder and The office are full of sarcasm(讽刺), teasing and self-deprecation(自嘲). It reflects the culture where mocking, moaning and ridicule is part of everyday life.

While most Britons don’t take these jokes too seriously, foreigners are often puzzled by them. A recent survey found that most foreigners who visited Britain found that the British are “arrogant, unfriendly and have almost no sense of humor”.

Do foreigners not understand British humor or are the British just not as funny as they think they are? Mckinstry certainly thinks the British are funny. “Accusing the British of having no sense of humor is like telling Rolls-Royce that its cars are down-market.” he says.

1.What does the doctor actually mean by the remark, “You’re not eating properly”?

A. What you have had is the cause of these problems.

B. You are not having the right food.

C. You don’t eat the way people usually do.

D. You eat with the wrong cutlery(餐具)

2.The word “dry” in Paragraph 2 means _________.

A. without water or liquid inside

B. special and popular among school children

C. dull and meaningless

D. pretending to be serious when really joking

3.Why do most visitors, who once visited Britain , think that the British are unfriendly?

A. Because the British always take things seriously.

B. Because the British have no sense of humor.

C. Because the British are cold and difficult to get along with

D. Because the British have a different sense of humor

4.Which of the following are NOT the characteristics of British humor?

A. Dry and satirical B. Negative and mocking

C. Encouraging and gentle D. Clever and witty

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