Several animal species including gorillas in Rwanda and tigers in Bangladesh could risk extinction if the impact of climate change and extreme weather on their habitats is not addressed, a UN report showed on Sunday.
Launched on the sidelines of global climate negotiations in Durban, the report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization shows how higher temperatures, the rise in sea levels, deforestation and excessive land use have damaged the habitats of certain species, especially in Africa.
“Many ecosystems have already been stressed by increasing population, historical and recent deforestation, unsustainable management practices and even invasive (入侵的) species,” Eduardo Rojas-Briales, assistant director general at the FAO's forestry department, said at the launch of the report.
The most affected areas include mountains, isolated islands and coastal areas, which limit the possibilities for animals to migrate elsewhere and create new habitats.
“The remaining populations become surrounded in very small ecosystems, they have inbreeding (近亲交配) problems ... and at the end these species may disappear,” he added.
Other examples of affected animals included elephants in Mali, lions in the Serengeti and crocodiles in Malawi.
The report said an estimated 20-30 percent of plant and animal species will be at higher risk of extinction due to global warming and a significant proportion of native species may become extinct by 2050 as a consequence.
Other consequences could include the spread of invasive species and infectious diseases, it said.
The report urges more focus on restoration of damaged ecosystems, especially those key to dealing with climate change such as mangroves(红树林), inland waters, forests, savannahs(非洲大草原) and grasslands.
The FAO also called for the creation of migration corridors for animals in areas where their movement was limited.
The organization said while more resources were flowing to biodiversity conservation, more action at the government and policy level was needed.
It also urged local communities to develop projects that mitigate the impact of climate change on wildlife, naming eco-tourism activities as an example

  1. 1.

    What does the author tell us in Paragraph 2?

    1. A.
      The theme of global climate negotiations in Durban
    2. B.
      The subject of research done by Eduardo Rojas
    3. C.
      Causes of damage done to ecosystems
    4. D.
      Harmful effects of damage done to ecosystems
  2. 2.

    Why are animals living in mountains, islands and coastal areas most affected?

    1. A.
      They are frequently attacked by invasive species and infectious diseases
    2. B.
      They have difficulty finding enough food for survival
    3. C.
      They can hardly find mates to produce their young
    4. D.
      They have little chance of moving to other places
  3. 3.

    To avoid extinction of some animal species, the UNFAO suggested all the following ways EXCEPT ______

    1. A.
      restoring damaged ecosystems
    2. B.
      limiting world population growth
    3. C.
      creating movement channels for animals
    4. D.
      urging governments and local communities to take action
  4. 4.

    What does the underlined word “mitigate” in the last paragraph mean?

    1. A.
      increase or further improve something
    2. B.
      Make full use of something
    3. C.
      Make something become less serious
    4. D.
      Move from one place to another
  5. 5.

    What would serve as the best title for the passage?

    1. A.
      Animals at risk due to climate change
    2. B.
      Global warming and its consequences
    3. C.
      Climate change and ecotourism
    4. D.
      Solutions to animal distinction

Research shows that much of our predisposition （倾向） towards determination, sociability and self - control and sense of purpose is in our genes．In fact, our DNA plays a bigger role in influencing these traits （ characteristics）than our upbringing （儿童期的教养）and the company we keep．Taken together, these aspects of personality can make the difference between success and failure, say the Edinburgh University researchers．        
They questioned more than 800 pairs of twins about their attitudes to life to tease apart the influences of nature and nurture．Comparing identical twins, who share all their DNA and their up bringing, with non-identical twins, who have a shared background but are no more genetically alike than other brothers and sisters, is a technique often used by researchers to quantify the influence of genetics．
The results, published in the Journal of Personality, showed that genes play a much bigger role than lifestyle, with self-control particularly etched （铭刻） into our DNA．                   
Our genes a222so largely determine how determined and persistent we are．This is important in terms of success, as someone who refuses to give up is more likely to achieve their dreams than someone who throws in the towel at the first hiccough．
Researcher Professor Timothy Bates said, "Ever since the ancient Greeks, people Lave de hated the nature of a good life and the nature of a virtuous life．Why do some people seem to manage their lives, have good relationships and cooperate to achieve their goals while others do not? Previously,  the role of family and the environment around the home often controlled people' s ideas about what affected psychological well-being．However, this work emphasizes a much more powerful influence from genetics．"
However, those who haven' t been dealt a helpful hand of genes shouldn' t he too depressed．The professor says a sense of purpose is the key and advises those who are eager for success to focus their thoughts on making a difference．

  1. 1.

    What does the result of the research indicate?

    1. A.
      Our DNA is the only factor to decide our traits．
    2. B.
      Our DNA plays a decisive role, in achieving success．
    3. C.
      Education plays little part in the formation of our character．
    4. D.
      Society has Little effect on us in our personality．
  2. 2.

    The underlined part in Paragraph 4 refers to someone who______.

    1. A.
      is born successful
    2. B.
      determines to make a difference
    3. C.
      makes great effort
    4. D.
      admits defeat easily
  3. 3.

    Timothy Bates mentions the ancient Creeks in order to indicate that______.

    1. A.
      some people can live a good life because they can manage their lives
    2. B.
      people haven't made it clear yet what is the key personality trait（持点,特征） to be a success
    3. C.
      in ancient Greece the role of family and the environment was ignored
    4. D.
      the relationship between personality and success has always been people's concern
  4. 4.

    According to the passage, the key personality trait is______.

    1. A.
      determination
    2. B.
      kindness
    3. C.
      politeness
    4. D.
      sociability
  5. 5.

    What is the best title for the passage?

    1. A.
      How do people work hard?
    2. B.
      Why can some people succeed?
    3. C.
      DNA determines success or failure
    4. D.
      Several factors determine personality

While Nick was on the bus, reading his newspaper, the man sitting next to him suddenly pushed a large envelope into his hands. “Here, take this!” the man said, stood up and got off the bus before Nick could say a word.
Nick sat there, holding the envelope. It felt heavy. There were papers inside, or money perhaps. “I’d better hand it over to the police,” he thought. There was a police station close to his office. But, as he got off the bus, a man came to him. He seemed to be waiting for something. “He wants the envelope,” Nick thought. Nick began to walk quickly, and the man hurried after him. Nick started to run, and the man began to run, too. But then, just before he got to the police station, Nick managed to lose the man in the crowds. When he entered the police station, the man was no longer in sight.
Inside the police station, Nick handed over the envelope to a policeman in charge. The man opened it. The envelope was full of money, false money. “Clearly the man made a mistake,” the policeman said. “He thought you were one of the gang (团伙)!”
Nick felt like a hero. He could already see his name in all the papers. He could imagine an interview on television.
“However,” the policeman went on, “I’m afraid I must ask you to keep quiet about all this. We’re trying to catch some very clever thieves, and we don’t want them to know that we have some of the money. So you mustn’t say a word to anyone – not even your boss!”

  1. 1.

    The man who suddenly gave Nick an envelope was most probably______.

    1. A.
      Nick’s friend
    2. B.
      a thief
    3. C.
      the bus driver
    4. D.
      a postman
  2. 2.

    Nick decided to give the envelope over to the police probably because______.

    1. A.
      the whole thing was strange
    2. B.
      another man was waiting for it
    3. C.
      he didn’t want the money inside it
    4. D.
      the police station was near his office
  3. 3.

    As Nick got off the bus, a man came to him because______.

    1. A.
      he wanted to catch Nick
    2. B.
      he thought Nick was a policeman
    3. C.
      he wanted to give Nick some money
    4. D.
      he thought Nick was one of their gang

New research shows sheep are clever
People often make jokes about how dull sheep are, but new research shows they may be cleverer than we think. Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that Welsh mountain sheep have brainpower that equals rodents (啮齿动物). Tests found that the sheep can map the area they live in, and some may even be able to plan ahead.
Young fish prefer noisy neighbors
A new study has shown that young fish like to live on reefs with noisy neighbors! Researchers from the universities of Auckland and Bristol found that young fish looking for a home choose areas where other noisy fish live. The scientists produced all kinds of sounds which had been recorded in different natural environments. The young fish seemed to prefer the sounds of natural reefs, complete with noisy animals! The scientists compared the choice to a music fan wandering around at a music festival, choosing to set up a tent closest to the music they like best!
Butterflies are disappearing
A new study has shown that 17 species (物种) of butterfly found in Europe have dropped by 70% in the last 20 years. The information collected from 3,000 sites across 15 countries shows it may be caused by the loss (减少) of grasslands covered with flowers. You can encourage butterflies to come into your garden by planting flowers

  1. 1.

    What is the passage mainly about?

    1. A.
      Some new studies about animals
    2. B.
      People’s wrong ideas about animals
    3. C.
      Why the number of animals has dropped
    4. D.
      The importance of protecting animals
  2. 2.

    According to the first paragraph, we may infer that sheep _____

    1. A.
      are less clever than rodents
    2. B.
      can find their home
    3. C.
      can read maps
    4. D.
      are good planners
  3. 3.

    Which seems to have to do with the number of butterflies?

    1. A.
      The species of grass in grasslands
    2. B.
      The species of trees in grasslands
    3. C.
      The number of flowers in grasslands
    4. D.
      The number of animals in grasslands
  4. 4.

    In which part of a newspaper can we most probably read the passage?

    1. A.
      Geography
    2. B.
      Culture
    3. C.
      Travel
    4. D.
      Nature

Forest guards in western India are using cell phones with ringtones of cows mooing, goats bleating and roosters crowing to attract leopards that have wandered into human settlements, officials said on Monday.
The wild cats in the state of Gujarat often get into villages near forests in search of food, say officials, adding that this results in attacks on people. But rather than use methods such as live bait(诱惑物) like goats tied to trees to lure the leopards, which then fall into large pits dug by guards, officials say they have found a safer method to trap the cats.
“The moos of a cow, bleating of a goat from the phone has proved effective to trap leopards,” said D. Vasani, a senior forest official in Gujarat. “This trick works.” Vasani said forest guards have downloaded the sounds of over a dozen animals as ringtones on their mobiles which they attach to speakers and fix behind a cage. They then play the ringtone continuously for up to two hours until the curious leopard appears and moves into the cage looking for its easy meal.
At least five leopards have so far been lured from villages since the new ringtone method was introduced three months ago. The cats have all been released back into forest areas.
Wildlife activists welcomed the new initiative saying that previous methods of trapping the cats using pits often resulted in the animals getting injured

  1. 1.

    What can be the best title of the passage?

    1. A.
      Cell Phones to Hunt Animals
    2. B.
      Practical Uses of Cell Phones
    3. C.
      Wildlife and New Technology
    4. D.
      Phone Ringtones to Catch Leopards
  2. 2.

    Forest guards in India try to catch leopards mainly because ______

    1. A.
      leopards attack villagers
    2. B.
      they want leopard fur
    3. C.
      leopards attack animals
    4. D.
      they have new ringtones
  3. 3.

    What will be needed to trap the leopards using the new method?
    ① cell phones   ②animals    ③ sounds of animals   ④ cages    ⑤large pits

    1. A.
      ①②③④
    2. B.
      ①③④
    3. C.
      ①④⑤
    4. D.
      ②③⑤

Freda Bright says, "Only in opera do people die of love." It's true. You really can't love somebody to death. I've known people to die from no love, but I've never known anyone to be loved to death. We just can't love one another enough.
A heart-warming story tells of a woman who finally decided to ask her boss for a raise in salary. All day she felt nervous and late in the afternoon she summoned the courage to approach her employer. To her delight, the boss agreed to a raise.                                                
The woman arrived home that evening to a beautiful table set with their best dishes. Candles were softly glowing. Her husband had come home early and prepared a festive meal. She wondered if someone from the office had tipped him off, or... did he just somehow know that she would not get turned down?
She found him in the kitchen and told him the good news. They embraced and kissed, then sat down to the wonderful meal. Next to her plate the woman found a beautifully lettered note. It read: "Congratulations, darling! I knew you'd get the raise! These things will tell you how much I love you."
Following the supper, her husband went into the kitchen to clean up. She noticed that a second card had fallen from his pocket. Picking it off the floor, she read: "Don't worry about not getting the raise! You deserve it anyway! These things will tell you how much I love you."
Someone has said that the measure of love is when you love without measure. What this man feels for his wife is total acceptance and love, whether she succeeds or fails. His love celebrates her victories and soothes her wounds. He stands with her, no matter what life throws in their direction.
Upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresa said: "What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family." And love your friends. Love them without measure

  1. 1.

    The sentence in the first paragraph “Only in opera do people die of love.” means ______.

    1. A.
      no love in the world is believable
    2. B.
      love is one thing, and life is another
    3. C.
      love in operas is truly touching
    4. D.
      love can survive forever, though people die at different ages
  2. 2.

    That the husband prepared her a second letter about her raise suggests that______.

    1. A.
      he loves her because he believes that she is sure to receive a raise
    2. B.
      he has a great way to promote his wife’s love towards him
    3. C.
      he had a false love for people even if the person is his wife
    4. D.
      he loves his family members truly, whether they are in good conditions or not
  3. 3.

    From the text, we might say the author______.

    1. A.
      refuses any spiritual emotions as embraced and kissed
    2. B.
      criticize the attitude of suspicion (怀疑) of the love
    3. C.
      doesn’t believe there is true love in the world
    4. D.
      thinks the true love does not expect repayment

You have heard of Webster toys. Websters have made good safe and interesting toys for more than a hundred years. Now we sell them, and children play with them, in countries from new Zealand to Norway, and from Japan to Brazil. We are looking for someone to sell our toys in the Far East. He (She) will be between the ages of thirty and forty. He will already have some years of selling in world markets behind him. He will speak good English and at least one other language of the Far East.
The person we are looking for will live in Singapore, and work in our office there but he will travel for up to six months in other countries in one year. He will know the Far East well. He should know how to sell in established (建立) markets and where to find new ones. He will know how to make more money than ever, for himself and for Webster Toys.
Websters want someone who can stand on his own feet. If you think you are the person we are looking for, write to Mr. J. Sloman at our office, Webster Toys Company. Church Mill Watford

  1. 1.

    What are Webster Toys?

    1. A.
      An old kind of toys
    2. B.
      Factories where good, safe and interesting toys are made
    3. C.
      People who are famous for making toys for children
    4. D.
      A company that has been making and selling toys
  2. 2.

    We can most probably read the text ________

    1. A.
      in a book
    2. B.
      in a dictionary
    3. C.
      in a novel
    4. D.
      in a newspaper
  3. 3.

    Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    1. A.
      If you are thirty years old, you can apply for the position
    2. B.
      If you live in Singapore, you can get the position
    3. C.
      If you speak good English, you can get the position
    4. D.
      The company is looking for some salesmen or saleswomen
  4. 4.

    “Someone who can stand on his own feet” means ________

    1. A.
      someone who can stand all the time while doing his work
    2. B.
      someone who has nothing wrong with his feet
    3. C.
      someone who can deal with all the business by himself
    4. D.
      someone who can understand money and can earn a lot
  5. 5.

    What’s the purpose of writing this passage?

    1. A.
      For advertise job offers
    2. B.
      For buy some Websters toys
    3. C.
      For find someone who can stand on his own feet
    4. D.
      For looking for Mr. Sloman

Imagine landing in a foreign country where you cannot speak the language, understand the culture and don’t know anybody. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a friend who could help you out?
John Smith, an English explorer who landed in America in 1607, found the best friend ever. She was a Native American named Pocahontas (1595-1617). And she did more than teach Smith the language: she saved his life, twice.
Smith was captured(捕捉) by members of Pocahontas’s tribe(部落) and was going to be killed. But for some reason, the Chief’s daughter, Pocahontas, felt sorry for Smith (who was probably the first white man she had ever seen) and threw her body over his to protect him. Smith returned safely to the small village he was living in. During the winter the English settlers did not know how to get food from nature. Pocahontas often brought food for Smith and his friends.
A year later Pocahontas’s father tried to kill Smith again because the Native Americans were very scared the English would try to take over their land. Pocahontas warned him and he was able to escape. Later she became a Christian and eventually married an Englishman named John Rolfe. She spent the last year of her life in London. Pocahontas has become an American legend. Her life story has been re-created in many books and films, including Disney’s 1995 film, Pocahontas.
One of the reasons she is so popular is that many Europeans look at Pocahontas as an excellent example of how a minority can adjust into the majority. Pocahontas is also respected because of her selfless love. She proved that people can be kind and loving even to people of a different race or culture. John Smith was very different from Pocahontas but she could see he was a good man and that was all that mattered. No race or country owns goodness, love and loyalty

  1. 1.

    What difficulties might early European settlers meet in America EXCEPT ______?

    1. A.
      the fierce conflict with Native Americans
    2. B.
      lack of food in winter
    3. C.
      bad-tempered natives who enjoyed killing
    4. D.
      unfamiliarity with a foreign land
  2. 2.

    Pocahontas saved John Smith twice because ______.

    1. A.
      she believed in general kindness even to people of a different race
    2. B.
      she wanted to become a Christian and marry an English
    3. C.
      he was the first white man she had ever seen in her life
    4. D.
      she was on the settlers’ side and against her cruel father
  3. 3.

    Which is Not an element to make Pocahontas a legend?

    1. A.
      Her tribal background and her marriage to a white settler
    2. B.
      The recreation of her life story in the 1995 Disney film
    3. C.
      Her complicated life story different from common people’s
    4. D.
      Her selfless help to people regarded as enemy of her tribe
  4. 4.

    What can we infer from the passage?

    1. A.
      People from different cultures can never really get along well with each other
    2. B.
      The Europeans think the early settlers should have learned to adjust to the local cultures
    3. C.
      The creation of America is based on the settlers’ victory over the Native Americans
    4. D.
      The battles between early settlers and Native Americans resulted from their fighting for land

If you are in a town in a western country, you'll often see people walking with their dogs. It is still true that a dog is the most useful animal in the world. But the reason why one keeps a dog has changed Once upon a time, a man met a dog and wanted it to help him in the fight against other animals, and he found that the dog listened to him and did what he told him to. Later people used dogs for  hunting other animals, and the dogs didn't eat what they got until their master agreed. So dogs were used for driving sheep and guarding chicks. But now the people in the towns and cities do not need dogs to fight other animals. Of course they keep them to frighten thieves, but the most important reason is that people feel lonely in the city. For a child, a dog is his best friend when he has no friends to play with. For a young wife, a dog is her child when she doesn’t have her own. For old people, a dog is also a child when their real children have grown up and left. Now people do not have to use a dog, but they keep it as a friend, just like a member of the family

  1. 1.

    _______are more useful than a dog in the world

    1. A.
      No other animals
    2. B.
      Some animals
    3. C.
      Many animals
    4. D.
      A few animals
  2. 2.

    In the past, people kept dogs because dogs ______.

    1. A.
      could fight against other animals
    2. B.
      met the people
    3. C.
      did not eat other animals
    4. D.
      helped and listened to people
  3. 3.

    Now people keep dogs in the cities because dogs______.

    1. A.
      fight other animals
    2. B.
      are lonely
    3. C.
      are like their friends
    4. D.
      are afraid of the thieves
  4. 4.

    A dog can be______.

    1. A.
      a child's friend only
    2. B.
      a young woman's son
    3. C.
      old people's real child
    4. D.
      everybody's friend

Of course, the main difference on the Chinese dinner table is chopsticks instead of knife and fork, but that’s only superficial. Besides, in decent restaurants, you can always ask for a pair of knife and fork, if you find the chopsticks not helpful enough. The real difference is that in the West, you have your own plate of food, while in China the dishes are placed on the table and everyone shares. If you are being treated to a formal dinner and particularly if the host thinks you’re in the country for the first time, he will do the best to give you a taste of many different types of dishes.
The meal usually begins with a set of at least four cold dishes, to be followed by the main courses of hot meat and vegetable dishes. Soup then will be served (unless in Guangdong style restaurants) to be followed by staple food ranging from rice, noodles to dumplings. If you wish to have your rice to go with other dishes, you should say so in good time, for most of the Chinese choose to have the staple food at last or have none of them at all.
Perhaps one of the things that surprise a western visitor most is that some of the Chinese hosts like to put food into the plates of their guests. In formal dinners, there are always “public” chopsticks and spoons for this purpose, but some hosts may use their own chopsticks. This is a sign of genuine friendship and politeness. It is always polite to eat the food. If you do not eat it, just leave the food in the plate.
　  People in China tend to over-order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the food is consumed. When you have had enough, just say so. Or you will always overeat!

  1. 1.

    What’s the main difference on dinner table between China and West is______.

    1. A.
      On Chinese dinner table, chopsticks replace knife and fork
    2. B.
      The host will do the best to give you a taste of many different types of dishes
    3. C.
      You’re treated to a formal dinner for the first time
    4. D.
      You have your own plate of food in West while in China everyone shares the dishes
  2. 2.

    If you have a dinner in a Chinese home, in which order will the food be served in China?
    a. a set of four cold dishes.
    b. staple food such as rice, noodle or dumplings.
    c. the main courses of hot meat and vegetable dishes.
    d. serving soup

    1. A.
      acbd
    2. B.
      cabd
    3. C.
      acdb
    4. D.
      cadb
  3. 3.

    According to the passage, we can infer that______.

    1. A.
      Chinese all think it impolite for guests to ask for a pair of knife and fork
    2. B.
      Chinese think it impolite for guests to leave food in the plate
    3. C.
      People in China tend to over-order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the food is consumed
    4. D.
      Chinese think it polite to put food into the plated of the guests with their own chopsticks
  4. 4.

    The sentence, in passage 2, “you should say so in good time” means ______.

    1. A.
      you should say so happily
    2. B.
      you’d better say so
    3. C.
      you should say so early
    4. D.
      you should say so kindly
  5. 5.

    The “public chopsticks and spoons” are used to ______.

    1. A.
      show the politeness to the guests
    2. B.
      put food into the plates of their guests
    3. C.
      share the food together
    4. D.
      show the genuine friendship and politeness
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