Accidents happen, but when they destroy the delicate balance of nature and cause the whole world to suffer, they become disasters, and we  should do all we can to prevent them from happening again.
Bhopal chemical leak, December 1984, Bhopal, India
An explosion in the Union Carbide chemical plant in Bhopal, India, released a deadly gas called methyl (甲基) isocyanate(异氰盐酸), which is used to make pesticides. The gas formed a cloud that killed 2500 people; another 50000- 100000 people became ill. Trees and plants in the area became yellow and brittle. The explosion was caused by a mechanical failure that was not noticed in time to stop it.
Exxon Valdez oil spill, March 1989, Alaska, U.S.
On March 24, 1989, 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled into Prince William Sound from the tanker Exxon Valdez when its hull hit a reef and tore open. The oil, which is not yet cleaned up after billions of dollars have been spent and the millions of birds, fish, and other wildlife have died, was caused by human error and could have been avoided.
Chernobyl, April 1986, USSR
At 1:23 A.M. on Saturday, April 26, 1986, the reactor blew at nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, ripping open the core, blowing the roof off the building, starting more than 30 fires, and allowing radioactive material to leak into the air. Some 31 people were killed and 200 people were treated for radiation poisoning. Still at risk are 135000 people from the 179 villages within 20 miles, of the plant who were exposed to the radiation before being evacuated. Glaring violations of safety rules were at the bottom of this tragic event.
Love Canal, 1953, New York, U.S.
Love Canal, a small town in upstate New York near Niagara Falls, was destroyed by waste from chemical plants. Beginning in 1947, chemical companies could legally dump their waste products into the canal. The area developed a foul smell, trees lost their bark, and leaves fell throughout the year. A health survey found that the drinking water contained excessive levels of 82 industrial chemicals, 7 of which were thought to cause cancer. The people of Love Canal had an unusually high rate of cancer and birth defects. Eventually, many of the houses had to be abandoned. Today, the town has been partly cleaned up and some families have moved back to the area.
Three Mile Island, 1979, Pennsylvania, U.S.
On March 28, 1979, the worst accident in U.S. nuclear reactor history occurred at the Three Mile Island power station, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. No one was killed, and very little radioactivity was released into the air when coolant (the fluid that keeps a machine cool) escaped from the reactor core due to a combination of mechanical failure and human error. After 10 years and $ 1 billion in cleanup costs, the lower extremes of the reactor are still so radioactive that workers must use remote - control equipment to remove the remaining fragment of fuel core.
【小题1】This passage mainly discusses_______.

Celebrated in the city of Munich, Germany, the Oktoberfest, as it is popularly called, is a 3-week festival that takes place in the months of September and October. Also called the largest beer festival in the world, the Oktoberfest gathers about 6 million visitors worldwide every year. Seeing the popularity of the festival, many countries around the world have adapted to what they call their own version of the Oktoberfest. So if you are not able to make it to Germany, you can always enjoy the festival in the areas mentioned below. Don’t miss out on it!
Brazil: welcome to the German town of Blumenau in Brazil. Well, we are not talking about Germans living in the town, but the place was originally founded by immigrants from Germany in the year 1850. The town is built in a traditional German style and there are a fair number of people who still live the way it used to be in good old days. The Oktoberfest is celebrated in a small village called Parque Vila Germanica between the dates of October 1^st to October 18^th. Guests can enjoy the festival in addition to exploring the town and its sites which include a beer museum.
Vietnam: celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City since 1992, the Oktoberfest event over here is conducted between the 6^th and the 11^th of October and the decorations are like the original festival in Munich, with large wooden tables lined with beer.
The Philippines: unlike the original Oktoberfest which is celebrated in a certain area, the Oktoberfest in the Philippines is a recent addition to the already existing festival which takes place between the 4^th of September and the 9^th of October. Now the event is set to be celebrated in a total of 30 parties in various cities around the country.
Canada: over 700,000 guests (second highest after Munich) in and around Canada take part in the Oktoberfest celebrated in Ontario between the 9^th and the 17^th of October.
【小题1】In which place does the Oktoberfest take place from September to October?

27. The town has a concert hall and two theatres. The _______ were both built in the 1950s.

完成句子（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）

阅读下列各小题，根据括号内的汉语提示，用句末内的英语单词完成句子，并将答案写在答题卡上的相应题号后。

1.____________________ (虽然很恼怒), the headmaster listened to us with great patience. (as)

2.When the American war of Independence ____________________ (使得不可能) for England to send prisoners to North America, Australia was chosen as a new place where prisoners and criminals were sent. (make)

3.In order to apply for the 2008 Olympic Games, they did _______________________________

(他们所能做的) to show that Beijing is suitable to host the world’s largest athletic event over the past 2 decades. (what)

4.____________________ (被分离) from other continents for millions of years, Australia has many plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. (separate)

5.I’m trying to catch up with my classmates. If only I ____________________ (没有落后) them! (fall)

6.With each classroom ____________________ (装上) a computer, the students have easy access to whatever information they are in want of. (equip)

7.There are many kinds of birds on the island, and over 140 species of snakes, _______________ (其中许多) are extremely dangerous. (many)

8.In later years, the question arose who was the first ___________________ (登上顶峰) of Mount Qomolangma. (reach)

9.The town has changed beyond recognition; now it is ____________________ (五倍大) what it was 20 years ago. (size)

10.As is reported in the newspaper, dozens of people were arrested but none of them ___________ (被指控) the robbery. (charge)

You are probably busy preparing for the College Entrance Examination at the moment，but do you have a plan for the three months after？Perhaps you're thinking of traveling. If so，take a look at these three destinations on The New York Times.

1.Which of the following doesn't belong to the features of Pingyao?

A. Traditional architecture.          B. 19th century bank buildings.

C. Various cars.                    D. Photography festival.

2.London of this year is more attractive than most years because________.

A. Olympics are going on here

B. you can experience a completely different culture

C. London's National Portrait Gallery is open to the public

D. you can attend art exhibitions this year

3. From the last paragraph,we know that the Danube________.

A. runs through four countries

B. provides a good way to enjoy beautiful scenery and ancient castles and ruins.

C. is the most valuable river in Europe

D. originates in Viena, Austria

4. The underlined word“majestic”is closest to ________ in meaning.

A. magnificent     B. significant    C. sensitive   D. unattractive

5.Which column do you suppose this passage belongs to?

A. Society       B. Economy    C. Tourism      D. Entertainment