A breathtaking trick potentially left over from our ancestors might be found in us — the ability to sense oxygen through our skin.
Amphibians, animals such as frogs that can live both on land and in water, have long been known to be capable of breathing through their skin. In fact, the first known lungless frog that breathes only through its skin was discovered recently in the rivers of Borneo.
Now the same oxygen sensors found in frog skins and in the lungs of mammals (哺乳动物) have unexpectedly been discovered in the skin of mice.
“No one had ever looked,” explained Randall Johnson, a biologist researcher.
Mice and frogs are quite distant relatives, so the fact they have these molecules (分子) in common in their skin suggests they might well be found in the skin of other mammals, such as humans.
“We have no reason to think that they are not in the skin of people too,” Johnson said.   These molecules not only detect oxygen, but help increase levels of vital red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Normal mice breathing in air that is 10 percent oxygen—a dangerously low level similar to conditions at the top of Mount Everest, and about half that of air at sea level. However, mice that had the oxygen sensor HIF-1a genetically removed from their skin failed to produce this hormone (荷尔蒙) even after hours of such low oxygen.
These findings, if they hold true in humans, suggest one could raise the level of oxygen circulating inside the body. This could help treat lung diseases and disorders such as anemia (贫血症) without injecting drugs, which make up a multibillion-dollar market, Johnson said.
Athletes also often try to get more oxygen delivered to their muscles in order to improve their performance. They often do this by training at high altitudes or in low-oxygen tents. The new study suggests they might want to expose their skin as well as breathing in low-oxygen air to improve their performance. “It’s hard to say what exactly might be done, however—there’s a lot we don’t know yet,” Johnson explained.
The scientists detailed their findings in the April 18 issue of the journal Cell.
49. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Johnson believes that Oxygen sensors also exist in human skin.
B. People have to surf the Internet to read detailed findings.
C. It has been proved that these findings help treat lung diseases.
D. It has long been expected oxygen sensors exist in mice’s skin. 
50. One of the functions of the molecules mentioned above is _______.
A. carrying oxygen around the body                   B. improving athletes’ performance
C. detecting oxygen                                          D. increasing level of oxygen
51. What is Johnson’s attitude to the application of the findings to the athletes’ training?
A. Negative                  B. Doubting                  C. Positive             D. Hesitating
52. The best title of the passage may be _______.
A. Great Findings Benefits Athletes A Lot
B. Frogs And Mice Are Distant Relatives
C. First Known Animal Breathes Through Skin
D. Humans Might Sense Oxygen Through Skin

A new generation addiction is quickly spreading all over the world. Weboholism, a twentieth century disease, affects people from different ages.They surf the net, use e-mail and speak in chat reoms. They spend many hours on the computer, and it becomes a compulsive habit. They cannot stop, and it affects their lives. 
Ten years ago, no one thought that using computers could become Compulsive
behavior that could affect the social and physical life of computer users. This obsessive behavior has affected teenagers and college students. They are likely to log on computers and spend long hours at different websites.
They become hooked on computers and gradually their social and school life is
affected by this situation. They spend all free time surfing and don't concentrate on homework, so this addiction influences their grades, and success at schools. Because they can find everything on the websites, they hang out there. Moreover, this addiction to websites influences their soeial life.
They spend more time in front of computers than with their friends. The relation with their friends changes. The virtual life becomes more important than their real life. They have a new language that they speak in the chat rooms and it causes cultural changes in society,
Because of the change in their behavior, they begin to isolate themselves from the society and live with their virtual friends. They share their emotions and feelings with friends Who they have never met in their life.Although they feel confident on the computer, they are not confident with real life friends they have known all their fife. lt is a problem for the future. This addictive behavior is beginning to affect the whole world.
【小题1】 The passage is about               

Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: Trevor The Taxi

In this children's story, suited to younger children, we have an adventure with Trevor. He is a taxi. Trevor loves his life:

“Sometimes he takes patients to the nursing home, where they can get better after being ill, and sometimes he takes people home when they have been shopping, and Stan puts all their packages inside Trevor's boot, so they will not get wet or broken.”

The black cab, in this adventure, goes far beyond the call of duty whilst he achieves his wildest dreams! What could this be? Well you will just have to read this short story for yourself!

Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Girl Who Believed In Fairies

The fairy queen is upset and the elves just don't know what to do:

“Oh dear, oh dear," sobbed the queen, getting her hankie all wet with her constant crying. For the twelfth time that day, Elgie the chief elf took her hankie and wrung it out on to the carpet of grass that grew all around the palace.”

How will they manage to help the queen? Why was she so unhappy? There is only one person that can help! Can she do it? This is a lovely fairy tale that will glow the embers of your heart - only for young girls!

Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Envious Kings

This story is suitable for 6 years and upwards.

Unfolding in the story pages of this recommendation is a children's story about two kings who were competing with each other:

“In spite of the easy life that the two kings had, they were not happy, for each of them kept thinking that the other one had a bigger and better palace, or owned more horses, or had more jewels or even had creamier milk.”

They were both petty and, through their envy, they caused themselves much trouble. Who do you think saved the day? Well, you will just have to read the story to find out!

Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Wise Old Woman

This story is probably suited to the 8 years old age range and upwards, although would appeal to adults, alike.

Here I introduce you to one of my kids on-line stories listed on the writing and literature section of Hubpages. In this parable you will find a magical world of wisdom involving trees, people and someone very special.

“As she stood and watched, the knowledge melted into her and the sapling grew...The magical transition took her breath away and as she watched on with ore, she noticed something strange.”

So, what was this strangeness and magical transition? Let me leave you with wonderment ... and a click of the link!

Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: Unusual Stories - Faffenburger's Odyssey

This story is probably more suited to the older child. So who is Faffenburger? Well with one of these free on-line short stories for kids, we enter into a different realm. A world of nonsense as Faffenburger moves within alpha and omega. This is a rather unusual story as you will find out!

“My friend, Henry Faffenburger stomped down the long lane on his short stumpy legs, moonlight glancing off his bald-spot, which was a little surprising as there was no moon that night. As he rounded the bend, he saw a pair of headlights coming toward him. They drew level, and stopped. A small man with yellow eyes emerged from the darkness behind the lights, and enquired if Faffenburger would like a lift.

"Where are you going ?" asked my friend. "Wherever you want to go", replied the owner of the yellow eyes.”

So, the adventure begins! Where will they go? Alpha, Omega or just the middle? After all, it was a long summer - especially the middle! Take a closer look at this - you might find something a little more strange and a little more hidden that you have noticed before. Intrigued? Well you should be with Faffenburger's Odyssey!

1.Which story is more well-received by young girls?

A．Trevor The Taxi                         B．Faffenburger's Odyssey

C．The Wise Old Woman                    D．The Girl Who Believed In Fairys

2.You can find the description of a night scene in _______?

A．The Envious Kings                       B．The Girl Who Believed In Fairies

C．The Wise Old Woman                    D．Faffenburger's Odyssey

3.According to the passage, the kings in “The Envious Kings” can be described as_______?

A．Jealous           B．powerful          C．rude             D．ugly

4.Who will most probably find the passage useful?

A．parents with children                    B．children who love to surf the Internet

C．teachers in high school                   D．experts who concern children

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Phones

Nowadays, nearly everyone has a mobile phone. In our daily lives we make phone calls to others, and we need to send messages to exchange information. Now, you can surf the Internet by using your mobile phone. I have to say that I enjoy using my phone, but I am worried at the same time: Is it healthy and safe to use?

   Mobile phones have many advantages. Firstly, we keep in touch with people by using them. Because of our busy life, we have little time to meet friends and our beloved ones. Thanks to mobile phones, we can tell them how everything is going. When an emergency happens, we can call for help using our phones. It is convenient and important in our lives.

    But every coin has two sides and it is the same with mobile phones. As people are used to making phone calls, they are spending less and less time with their family and friends. Phones give them more excuses to stay out of reach. Because of the convenience, the love and care between people has changed into a few words in a message or a phone call. For students, there are more chances to get distracted(分心的) from their lessons. When I was in middle school, I often looked out of the window to rest my eyes, but now I spend those moments on my phone.

 In the end, I hope you can think about the advantages and the disadvantages, and use your mobile phone correctly. We humans created mobile phones, and we should keep them under control.

1.According to the second paragraph, we spend little time with friends because       .

A. we have mobile phones                        B. our lives are comfortable

C. we are shy                                   D. we are always busy

2.What does the underlined word “emergency” in the second paragraph probably mean?

A. A worrying and dangerous situation              

B. An expected event.

C. An important thing.                         

D. A funny and exciting moment

3.Which of the following ways of expressing love and care is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. Visiting each other.                             B. Making phone calls

C. Sending messages.                            D. Writing letters.

4.What’s the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

A. To tell us the disadvantages of using mobile phone.

B. To advise us to use mobile phones correctly.

C. To list all the advantages of using mobile phones.

D. To explain why many people don’t use mobile phones.

Nearly a quarter-century after a German boy threw a message in a bottle off a ship in the Baltic Sea, he’s received an answer.

  A 13-year-old Russian, Daniil Korotkikh, was walking with his parents on a beach when he saw something lying in the sand.

  “I saw that bottle and it looked interesting,” Korotkikh told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “it looked like a German beer bottle and there was a message inside. ”

  It said, “My name is Frank, and I’m five years old. My dad and I are traveling on a ship to Denmark. If you find this letter, please write back to me, and I will write back to you.” The letter, dated 1987, included an address in the town of Coesfeld.

  The boy in the letter, Frank Uesbeck, is now 29. His parents still live at the letter’s address.

  The Russian boy and the German man met each other earlier this month through an internet video link. The Russian boy said he did not believe that the bottle actually spent 24 years in the sea. He believed it had been hidden under the sand where he found it for a long time.

  Uesbeck was especially happy that he was able to have a positive effect on a life of a young person far away from Germany. “It‘s really a wonderful story,” he said. “And who knows? Perhaps one day we will actually be able to arrange a meeting in person. ”

1.What is this passage mainly about?

A. Traveling on a ship.                                             B. A beautiful beer bottle.

C. Message in a bottle.                                           D. Meeting an old friend.

2.When the German boy threw the bottle into the sea, ________________.

A. he was going back home.

B. he was traveling to Denmark by ship with his dad.

C. he was walking with his parents on a beach.

D. he was already 29 years old.

3.According to the text, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Korotkikh’s parents still live in the town of Coesfeld.

B. The German boy did not believe that the bottle actually spent 24 years in the sea.

C. Frank Uesbeck and Daniil Korotkikh have met each other in person.

D. Daniil Korotkikh and Frank Uesbeck have got in touch with each other.

4.Why was Uesbeck very happy when he got the information of the 24 years’ beer bottle?

A. Because he could have a new friend.

B. Because the two boys could surf the internet together.

C. Because he could have a positive influence on a life of a young person.

D. Because he finally got what he had lost.