Biodiversity(生物多样性), or biological diversity, is a wide-ranging concept that covers all the different kinds of plant and animal species present on earth. Environmentalists believe that many millions of species exist. As all these living organisms are dependent on each other in some way, biodiversity is desirable. Any loss to the planet is actually a loss for mankind as well, and it is our responsibility to try and save Earth’s biodiversity.
Biodiversity has a vital role to play in the evolution（演变）of species. Species become extinct, but new species evolve, and this is how a balance is maintained. This may sound pretty simple, but it takes millions of years for changes to take place.
Biodiversity is also very important to the stability of food webs. Damage to them can mean disaster for an entire ecosystem. The extinction of a single animal species can put huge pressure on the numerous other species dependent on it.
Biodiversity also has an important role to play in human society. Apart from being the most intelligent species on earth, human beings are also the most dependent. We depend on nature to meet our basic needs. When we change the balance of nature to create our cities and bring about our technical advances, we knowing or unknowing cause great damage to the ecosystem. This must be understood, and the damages must be reversed（颠倒）in any way they can to ensure that the balance of the ecosystem is maintained.
【小题1】We learn from the first paragraph that_________.
A biodiversity can be seen
B all living species are found on earth.
C people everywhere are aware of the importance of biodiversity
D the loss of any species can affect humans
【小题2】Why can change in food webs lead to disaster?
A Because it can make people suffer from disease
B Because it can put huge pressure on some species
C Because it takes a long time for such changes to take place
D Because it will damage ninety-nine percent of species
【小题3】What does the underlined word probably mean?
A 画线  B Peace  C Strength  D Variety
【小题4】We learn from the last paragraph that __________.
A humans are as independent as they are intelligent
B the balance of the ecosystem is easily maintained
C nature has given us a lot
D nature is taking revenge on us
【小题5】Which of the following may be the best title for this passage?
A Food Webs are Closely Related to Biodiversity.
B Biodiversity Plays a Very Important Role in Evolution
C How Biodiversity Affects Human Society.
D Understanding Biodiversity and Its Importance.

阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填写表格 (每空限填一词)。
How do you feel when you have to make a speech in front of class? What about when you go to a birthday party? Do you get really shy?
Shyness means feeling nervous or frightened when you’re around other people. Experts (专家) have found that more than 80 percent of middle school students feel afraid to be the centre of attention. Some kids are born shy. Some become shy later because of their life experiences.
It’s OK if it takes you a while to feel yourself again when you go to a new place or meet new people. In fact, everybody gets a little shy sometimes. It’s just a case of how much.
Most people have red faces and talk in broken sentences when they get shy. But some become so shy that they won’t go to a restaurant because they are too nervous to order and pay the bill (账单). Some are afraid of meeting new people, so they seldom go outside. This kind of shyness can be bad for a person.
If shyness doesn’t stop you from doing something you want to do, being shy isn’t a very big problem. Some experts say shy people are quieter and cleverer because they think more and talk less. Shy people are also good at working with others because they think more for other people. Some great people in history were shy, too.
You see, being shy isn’t all bad. But remember not to let good chances pass by just because of it! If you have to sing a song at a birthday party or practice your spoken English in front of others, just do it! There’s nothing to be afraid of.
Shyness

In the West, some people believe that personality can be predicted according to the time of the year the person was bor. From China comes the belief that the year of birth influences one’s personality. In the past century, a new belief ahs arisen: the idea that personality is related to one’s ABO blood type. People with blood type A, for example, are considered more likely to be serious, hard-working, and quiet, while people with blood type O are likely to be popular and outgoing, yet often unable to finish what they start. Though this belief continues to be strong, some people question whether it is true.
The blood-type personality theory(理论) started in Japan in 1927 when Furukawa Takehi noticed personality similarities and differences among his workers. This idea soon went out of fashion, but was brought back by a Japanese television host named Toshitaka Nomi in the 1970s. The belief is still strong in Japan and is increasingly popular in neighboring countries. Some young Koreans have taken to the theory. A recent study showed 76 percent of Koreans aged between13 and 64 believing in the blood-type personality connection. Though most Asians might believe in the blood-type theory, for many it seems harmless and not something to be taken too seriously.
Is the belief true? The scientists in Asia largely think the belief as a modern-day superstition(迷信). Most studies have failed to find any strong connection between blood and personality. Generally, scientists are against making predictions or important decisions based on this questionable theory.
【小题1】The writer uses blood type A and O as an example to explain ________.

LISTEN. Do you hear the sound of birds outside, a car going by, your favorite music? (A)Because of  your ears, you can hear it clearly.
March 3 is International Ear Care Day. This year, the theme for the day is “Ear care can avoid hearing loss (丧失)”.
The World Health Organization(WHO) reports that there are 360 million people in the world with disabling (使伤残) hearing loss. At least half of all cases of hearing loss are avoidable through healthy ear care practices.
Protecting yourself from loud noise is a key part of ear care. Nowadays, (B) it is very common for people to listen to music with headphones on while traveling to school or work. Experts suggest a 60:60 rule: listen to your music at 60 percent of the maximum (最大值的) volume for no more than 60 minutes a day.
Cleaning your ears is a basic step to take care of your ears. Do you clean your ears with cotton buds or fingernails? Think again. These things can push earwax (耳垢) deeper into your ear, and hurt your ear canal (耳道). The ear is a self-cleaning organ and does not require active cleaning,(C)        the WHO. If the wax makes you (D)         , you can ask a doctor to deal with it.
Take care of your ears when you are swimming. You can use earplugs.  Dry your ears with a towel afteru(耳塞) to stop water getting into your ears. swimming or having a bath. (E) If you feel there is water inside your ear, shake your head a little bit to help get the water out.
Top things to know about earphones
Here are some helpful tips to guide you to using earphones in the right way.
1. (F) What kind of earphones you wear is important for your hearing. Choose over-the-ear headphones. This type can block out (挡住) background noise and allow you to have the volume lower. In-the-ear headphones are less effective (有效的) at blocking out background noise.
2. Some children like sharing earphones with their friends. But when you have only one earphone, you may naturally turn the volume up. Instead of (G)       earphones, get a splitter (分线器). This lets you connect two sets of earphones. This way, you can protect your own hearing as well as your friend’s.
3. Want to know if your earphones are at a safe volume? Ask people (H)       near you if they can hear your music. If they can, it’s a sign that your hearing is being damaged. Turn the volume down until other people can no longer hear it.
任务一：从方框中选择单词并用适当的形式填入D、G、H处