People want action on noise, a recent public meeting in Brisbane showed. Some want technical improvements such as quieter air conditioners or better sound barriers around major roads. Others want tougher laws to restrict noise from building sites or to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs. But the highest priority was a noise complaints system that works.

Brisbane City Council receives more complaints about noise than all other problems put together. So it conducted a survey and found that about half its residents are upset by noise in one form or another –traffic, mowers, pool pumps, air conditioners or loud parties. This inspired the Council to bring together more than 100 citizens one evening to talk through a range of options.

    The meeting found the present regulatory system bizarre. Depending on the problem, responsibility for noise can lie with the Council, the Environment Protection Authority, one of three government departments or even the police. So complainants often feel they are getting the run-round. When the people at the forum were asked to vote for changes, the strongest response was for a 24-hour noise hotline to be the first port of call for all complaints.

    The forum also favored regulatory measures, such as tougher minimum standards for noise in appliances like air conditioners. This even makes economic sense, as noise is a waste of energy and money. Other measures the meeting supported were wider buffer (缓冲) zones around noisy activities and controls to keep heavy traffic away from residential areas.

    But there are obvious conflicts. Many people like to have a bar within walking distance if they feel like a drink, but they don’t want a noisy pub keeping them awake when they want an early night. Most people want to live near a major road providing good access to other parts of the city, but they don't’ want the problem of road noise.

    I was most interested by the proposals aimed at behavioral change. There was strong support for measures to reduce traffic: better public transport, cycle ways and footpaths, even charges for road use. Many people optimistically thought industry awards for better equipment would stimulate the production of quieter appliances. It was even suggested that noise from building sites could be alleviated (减轻) if Brisbane adopted daylight saving, thus shifting the working day and providing longer, quieter evenings.

According to the recent public meeting in Brisbane, what was the first step to take in order to reduce noise pollution?

       A．Produce quieter air conditioners.

       B．Provide better sound barriers around major roads.

       C．Establish a noise complaints system.

       D．Make stricter laws to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs.

It can be inferred from the passage that _______.

       A．the Brisbane residents were satisfied with the present noise regulatory system

       B．many people in Brisbane preferred to live near a pub to which they have easy access

       C．nearly all the inhabitants in Brisbane were bothered by noise in one form or another

       D．noise pollution is the most serious among pollution complaints in Brisbane

Brisbane City Council brought together citizens to talk through solutions to the noise problem mainly due to        .

       A．the result of the survey carried out by itself

       B．a noise complaints system that works

       C．people asking for tougher laws on noise

       D．requirements of an effective noise complaints system

What does the word “run-round” (Para. 3) mean?

       A．Unfair treatment.                                        

       B．Quick response.

       C．Delaying action in response to a request.        

       D．Full attention.

How could noise from building sites be alleviated if Brisbane adopted daylight saving?

       A．If daylight saving was adopted, the daytime would be prolonged and the night would become quieter.

       B．If daylight saving was adopted, the working hours during the daytime would be shortened

while the night would be extended and thus quieter.

       C．If daylight saving was adopted, the night would be shortened and thus quieter.

D．If daylight saving was adopted, both the daytime and the night would be shortened and the

noise would be reduced.

Noise is unpleasant, _____ when you are trying to sleep．

 Our sense of hearing is one of the most important means of knowing what is going on around us. We are warned of danger by sounds. The sounds of music please us. Sound has a waste product, too, in the form of noise. Noise has been called unwanted sound. Noise is growing and it may get much worse before it gets any better.
Scientists, for several years, have been studying how noise affects people and animals and are alarmed by what they have learned.
Peace and quiet are becoming harder to find. Noise pollution is no joke. It is a threat that should be looked at carefully.
Sound is measured in units called decibels （分贝）. At a level of 140 decibels people feel pain in their ears.
Trucks, buses, motorcycles, airplanes, boats, and factories all make noise. This noise bothers not only our ears, but our minds and bodies as well.
There is a saying about "it is so noisy that you can't hear yourself think". Doctors who study noise believe that we must be able to hear ourselves think most of the time. If we don't, we may have headaches, other aches and pains, or even mental problems. Noise adds even more tension to a society which already faces too much stress.
49．The sense of hearing _______.
A．makes people feel angry   
B．makes people want to dance
C．helps people to know what is happening around them
D．is something harmful to people
50．When sound is turned into noise, _______.
A．people become ill                  B．it makes people forget the past
C．people don't know how to deal with it  D．it becomes a kind of pollution
51．Why does the passage say " Peace and quiet are becoming harder to find " ?
A．Sounds of over 140 decibels are common these days.
B．There are always wars going on in the world.
C．The world is making more and more noise.
D．All kinds of machines make noises.
52．Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A．Scientists are warning people noise can be harmful.
B．It's possible for man to get rid of all noises.
C．Sounds under 140 decibels are not considered to be noise.
D．Society has become more lively because there is noise now. 

New Year and Its Celebrations（新年习俗）?
January 1,the beginning of a New Year.?
As far back in history as we can tell ,people have celebrated（庆祝）the start of a New Year .The people of ancient Egypt began their New Year in summer .That is when the Nile River flooded its banks bringing water and fertility（肥沃）to the land .The people of ancient Babylon（巴比伦）and Persia（波斯）began their New Year on March 21,the first day of spring .And some native American Indians（美洲土著印第安人）began their New Year when the nuts of the oak（橡木）tree became ripe .That was usually in late summer.?
Now almost everyone celebrates New Year's Day on January 1,the day as before people observed the New Year's holiday in many different ways .The ancient Babylonains celebrated it by forcing their king to give up his crown（王冠） and royal（皇家） clothing. They made him get down on his knees and admit all the mistakes he had made during the past year. This idea of admitting wrongs and finishing the business of the old year is found in many societies at new year.?
So is the idea of making resolutions（决定）.The resolution is a promise to change your ways ,to stop smoking ,for example ,or to get more physical exercise.?
Noise making is another ancient custom at the New Year .The noise is considered necessary to chase away（赶走） the evil（邪恶） spirits of the old year .People around the world do different things to make a lot of noise .They may hit sticks together ,beat on drums（鼓）,blow horns（号）,or explode fire-works（烟火）.?
Americans celebrate the New Year in many ways .Most do not have to go to work or school .So they visit family and friends ,attend church services ,share a holiday meal ,or watch New Year's parades（游行） on television. Most years university teams play in special holiday games .For those who have been busy at work or school ,new year may be a day of rest .They spend the time thinking about and preparing for the demands of the New Year.?
1.Which of the following statements is right??
A.The people of ancient Egypt began their New Year in spring.?
B.The people of ancient Babylon began their New Year on March 21,the first day of spring.?
C.Some native American Indians began their New Year in early summer.?
D.The people of ancient Persia began their New Year in late summer.?
2.Why do people make a lot of noise on the New Year according to the passage??
A.The noise is considered necessary to frighten the evil spirits of the old year.
B.The noise is considered necessary to show people's excitement.?
C.The noise is considered a symbol of admitting all the mistakes one did in the past year.?
D.People have no other better ways to show their happiness.?
3.Americans celebrate the New Year by doing things as follows except ________.
A.resting at home?
B.visiting family and friends?
C.attending church services?
D.having sports and games?

People want action on noise, a recent public meeting in Brisbane showed. Some want technical improvements such as quieter air conditioners or better sound barriers around major roads. Others want tougher laws to restrict noise from building sites or to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs. But the highest priority was a noise complaints system that works.

       Brisbane City Council receives more complaints about noise than all other problems put together. So it conducted a survey and found that about half its residents are upset by noise in one form or another –traffic, mowers, pool pumps, air conditioners or loud parties. This inspired the Council to bring together more than 100 citizens one evening to talk through a range of options.

       The meeting found the present regulatory system bizarre. Depending on the problem, responsibility for noise can lie with the Council, the Environment Protection Authority, one of three government departments or even the police. So complainants often feel they are getting the run-round. When the people at the forum were asked to vote for changes, the strongest response was for a 24-hour noise hotline to be the first port of call for all complaints.

       The forum also favored regulatory measures, such as tougher minimum standards for noise in appliances like air conditioners. This even makes economic sense, as noise is a waste of energy and money. Other measures the meeting supported were wider buffer (缓冲) zones around noisy activities and controls to keep heavy traffic away from residential areas.

       But there are obvious conflicts. Many people like to have a bar within walking distance if they feel like a drink, but they don’t want a noisy pub keeping them awake when they want an early night. Most people want to live near a major road providing good access to other parts of the city, but they don't’ want the problem of road noise.

       I was most interested by the proposals aimed at behavioral change. There was strong support for measures to reduce traffic: better public transport, cycleways and footpaths, even charges for road use. Many people optimistically thought industry awards for better equipment would stimulate the production of quieter appliances. It was even suggested that noise from building sites could be alleviated (减轻) if Brisbane adopted daylight saving, thus shifting the working day and providing longer, quieter evenings.

46. According to the recent public meeting in Brisbane, what was the first step to take in order to reduce noise pollution?

A. Produce quieter air conditioners.

B. Provide better sound barriers around major roads.

C. Establish a noise complaints system.

D. Make stricter laws to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs.

47. It can be inferred from the passage that _______.

A. the Brisbane residents were satisfied with the present noise regulatory system

B. many people in Brisbane preferred to live near a pub to which they have easy  

access

C. nearly all the inhabitants in Brisbane were bothered by noise in one form or 

another

D. noise pollution is the most serious among pollution complaints in Brisbane

48. What does the word “run-round” (Para. 3) mean?

A. Unfair treatment.                                         B. Quick response.

C. Delaying action in response to a request.         D. Full attention.

49. How could noise from building sites be alleviated if Brisbane adopted daylight saving?

A. If daylight saving was adopted, the daytime would be prolonged and the night

would become quieter.

B. If daylight saving was adopted, the working hours during the daytime would be shortened while the night would be extended and thus quieter.

C. If daylight saving was adopted, the night would be shortened and thus quieter.

D. If daylight saving was adopted, both the daytime and the night would be shortened and the noise would be reduced.

50. What was the author’s attitude towards the industry awards for quieter equipment?

A. Suspicious.        B. Positive.            C. Enthusiastic.             D. Indifferent.