Tragedy at the circus

  In yesterday's circus show,a tiger suddenly attacked its trainer and had to be shot dead. As the circus packed up and left,circus officials said the show would go on,even without tigers.

  However,the officials can't simply turn a blind eye to the ethical prob?lems left behind. Even before this tragedy,animal rights activists protested against keeping wild animals in unnatural conditions and forcing them to suffer for the profit of circus organizers.

  It is now time for us to take effective steps to make sure that circus animals are treated properly.

  Circus safe for animals

  Our circus recently suffered a most tragic event in its history. While we are thankful for the pity from the public,we are also astonished by the opinion expressed in "Tragedy at the circus".

  First,our performing animals are not taken from the wild. As to the eth?ical problems,we always believe humans and animals can—and should―live together nicely. To us, the performing animals are representatives of their species(物种) ,and our circus is one of the only places left willing to support this special role of performing animals in the existence of the species. Those who argue that circus life is harmful to animals show little knowledge of these facts. Life in the "wild" is unsafe,but a continuous struggle for existence. To overlook these realities is the greatest fault against the animal kingdom.

  This circus has proved that animals are stronger and smarter than we could imagine. Within the circus is a joyful atmosphere for both animals and humans:people are educated,and species saved. 1. What is the main purpose of the first passage?

   A.To show pity for the performing animals.

   B.To express worries about animal trainers' safety.

   C.To deal with the difficult situations of the circus.

   D.To call for action to protect circus animals.

2.What will the circus most probably do?

   A.Take no notice of the tragedy.

   B.Continue its performances.

   C.Use fewer wild animals.

   D.Limit its profit.

3.What does the circus think of its performing animals?

   A.They are as clever as human beings.

   B.They struggle continuously with human beings for existence.

   C.They are helpful in saving their species.

   D.They have equally natural living conditions as wild animals.

4.What is the most probable relationship between the two passages?

   A.A public request and a newspaper report.

   B.A newspaper article and a reply to it.

   C.Two parts of a newspaper article.

   D.Two newspaper reports.

    Why should you learn sign language? Do you want to improve your communication with a family member or friend who is deaf? Do you want to be able to communicate with deaf people in general? Would you like to advance in your career by being able to communicate in ASL? Do you want to be a sign language interpreter?

 Sign language is not just a random(随意的) collection of gestures but a full-blown(完全成熟的) language in its own right,complete with its own grammatical rules. Each country or region has its own sign language, as different from each other as English is from Spanish. Each version of sign language is somewhat linked to the spoken language in its region. For example, Ameri?can sign language does share similarities with English, even though it is its own language.

 The advantages of knowing sign language in addition to a spoken language are many. Com?munication becomes possible on many levels with the deaf community,with other people either hearing or not in any of the above situations, as well as many more.

While other languages take years to learn,American sign language can be taught in a much shorter time period. It is one of the easiest languages to learn because most of the signs were de?veloped to mimic the actual word or phrase it is representing. Even the alphabet signs look like the letters of the English alphabet.

 American sign language, or ASL,is the third most used language in the United States, used by the deaf community, interpreters, and friends or family of the deaf. There are a lot of sites on the internet that not only show you the signs with video,but also help you practice read?ing signs as well.

Teaching babies sign language seems to be the fashion in recent years and for good reasons. Communicating in sign language is fun and natural as babies naturally use body gestures in early communication. Teaching baby sign language actually appears to enhance the learning of verbal skills and brain development of the children involved. (   ) 5. Which two regions share similarities in their sign language?

   A. SpainandBritain.   B.MexicoandUSA.

   C. AustraliaandCanada.   D.JapanandKorea.

(   ) 6. Sign language        .

   A. is a collection of gestures

   B.is easier to learn than English

   C.is not very popular inUSA

   D.has no link to the spoken language

(   ) 7. One of the reasons for learning sign language is that it        .

   A.increases self-confidence

   B.provides more choices of communication

   C.trains your skills of using language

   D.can improve your spoken language

(   ) 8. Babies' learning sign language cannot        .

   A.help them talk sooner

   B.help them walk sooner

   C.increase communication at a very early age

   D.help their brains develop

 Hello, Shanghai!

Shanghai is hosting the  2010 World Expo with the theme:"Better City,Better Life.” The Expo is a window to the world. Haibao, the mascot, will guide you around the Expo Park.

The World Has Come to You. Join the Trip to the Pavilions!(场馆)

Pavilions

What's inside?

China Pavilion

Coloring the Future Red The first stop is the China Pavilion. As the largest national pavilion, it has three floors. There are three parts. Footprint in the East on the top floor shows the changes in Chinese cities. Journey of Wisdom on the sec?ond floor shows theChina's four great inventions. Blossoming (统放的) City on the ground floor shows what future cities will look like. The Chi?na Pavilion is painted in seven different red colors. It makes the pavilion look red at different times of day.

UK Pavilion                                    

Life Begins Here

You will see a " World Bank" of seeds:There are 60,000 seeds in the UK Pavilion. They are from seed banks in theUKand Kunming inChina. If you can't go to Shanghai, you can find out all about the UK Pavilion at its website online at: <a href=http://ukshanghaiexpo. com/home. Php.

Norway Pavilion

A Green PavilionNorwayis the best country for living in the world. At the Shanghai World Expo,you'll find out what it means to be   "powered by nature".  When the sun shines, the roof collects solar energy. The Norway Pavilion uses this energy for electricity. You can also learn about how green energy like the sun,wind and wave power is used to make air cleaner in cities.

Visit Expo from Your Home Don't have enough time or money to visit the World Expo in Shanghai?  Check the offi?cial website Expo Online, at www. Expo 2010. cn. It has two main parts. One is a site tour. The other is Expo Carnival(嘉年华) .You will feel like you're enjoying the real Expo Park. Why not check it out?

(   ) 6. Which part of the China Pavilion should people go to if they are interested in the four great inventions?

   A.The ground floor.

   B.The second floor.

   C.The third floor.

   D.The top floor.

(   ) 7. What is the typical feature of the UK Pavilion?

   A.People can see it on line.

   B.It is the largest national pavilion.

   C.People can see 60, 000 seeds here.

   D.All the seeds are from theUK.

(   ) 8. Which of the following can best explain the meaning of "a green pavilion"?

   A.A pavilion using green energy.

   B.A pavilion painted in green.

   C.A pavilion with more sunshine.

   D.A pavilion with cleaner air.

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