It’s not the first movie to show the end of the world. But in the latest box office hit 2012 it is neither aliens nor a killer disease that threaten the human race, but climate change.
Some say the film lacks good dialogue and its science is questionable， others believe German director Roland Emmerich makes up for these flaws in special effects. An earthquake destroys the White House and Yellow stone  National Park ends up in flames．
Emmerich borrows from the old Mayan(玛雅人的) story which says, that the world will end in 2012．He is being criticized for fuelling Internet rumors(传闻) about doomsday(世界末日)
“There is no factual basis for these claims,’’ NASA said on its website. “Credible(可信赖的) scientists worldwide know of no threat connected with 2012,’’ it insisted. “After all, our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, ” they added．
According to the UK’s Daily Telegraph, it was first thought that the disaster would happen in May 2003. When the world continued, supporters picked the last day of the Mayan calendar．
“Every culture has a myth(传说) of destruction(毁灭), just as they have a myth of creation. These myths |of destruction tend to surface(重新出现) during times of crisis(危机), ” Michael A. Ryan, an assistant profess of history，speaking to Purdue University News. Ryan studies apocalyptic(像世界末日的) themes from the Middle Ages at the US university. “Today’s current economic climate is a state of crisis for many people who are worried whether they can afford to feed themselves,”he added.
【小题1】What led to the end of the world according to the film 2012?

It’s not the first movie to show the end of the world. But in the latest box office hit 2012 it is neither aliens nor a killer disease that threaten the human race, but climate change.

     Some say the film lacks good dialogue and its science is questionable， others believe German director Roland Emmerich makes up for these flaws in special effects. An earthquake destroys the White House and Yellow stone  National Park ends up in flames．

     Emmerich borrows from the old Mayan(玛雅人的) story which says, that the world will end in 2012．He is being criticized for fuelling Internet rumors(传闻) about doomsday(世界末日)

     “There is no factual basis for these claims,’’ NASA said on its website. “Credible(可信赖的) scientists worldwide know of no threat connected with 2012,’’ it insisted. “After all, our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, ” they added．

According to the UK’s Daily Telegraph, it was first thought that the disaster would happen in May 2003. When the world continued, supporters picked the last day of the Mayan calendar．

     “Every culture has a myth(传说) of destruction(毁灭), just as they have a myth of creation. These myths |of destruction tend to surface(重新出现) during times of crisis(危机), ” Michael A. Ryan, an assistant profess of history，speaking to Purdue University News. Ryan studies apocalyptic(像世界末日的) themes from the Middle Ages at the US university. “Today’s current economic climate is a state of crisis for many people who are worried whether they can afford to feed themselves,”he added.

1.What led to the end of the world according to the film 2012?

   A. Aliens．  B. The human race．  C．Climate change． D．A killer disease．

2.What does the underlined word “fuelling’’ in the third paragraph refer to?

   A. Making sth. stronger．．    B. Putting gas into a car．

   C. Producing power or heat．  D．Burning

3.Which of the following statements about the film 2012 is TRUE according to the text?

   A．A big fire destroys Yellow-stone National Park．

   B．All scientists in the world know of no threat connected with 2012．

   C.  The old Mayan story says that the world will end in

D．Every culture has a myth of destruction rather than creation

4.Why do the rumors about doomsday come about now and then?

   A．Because during times of crisis, people tend to worry about their future．

   B．Because aliens often threaten the human race．

   C．Because killer diseases happen at times．

   D.  Because the old Mayan story says that the world will

Michael, a normal American, stays home on workdays. He plugs into his personal computer terminal in order to connect with the office. After work he puts on his headphones, watches a movie on his home video recorder or plays baseball on the computer. On many days, Michael doesn't talk to any other human beings, and he doesn't see any people except the ones on television. Michael is imaginary, but his life style is very possible. The inventions of modern technology seem to be cutting us off from communicating with our fellow human beings.

     The world of business is one area in which technology is separating us. Experts say, for example, that many people will soon be able to work at home. With access to a large central computer, employees such as office clerks, insurance agents, and accountants could do their job at display terminals in their own homes. They would never have to actually see the people they're dealing with. Also, the way employees are paid will change. Workers' salaries will be automatically paid into their bank accounts, making paper checks unnecessary. No workers will stand in line to receive their pay or cash their checks. Personal banking will change, too. Customers will deal with machines to put in or take out money from their accounts.

     Another area in which technology is changing is entertainment. Music, for instance, was once a group experience. People listened to music at concert halls or in small social gatherings. For many people now, however, music is an individual experience. Walking along the street or sitting in their living rooms, they wear headphones to build a wall of music around them. Movie entertainment is changing, too. Movies used to be social events. Now, fewer people are going out to see a movie. Many more are choosing to wait for a film to appear on television or are borrowing videotapes to watch at home. Instead of laughing with others, viewers watch movies in their own living rooms.

The underlined sentence in the first paragraph means _______.

A. Michael is a person full of imagination and his dreams can come true

B. Michael is not a real person but the life style does exist

C. Michael has ambitions but he can't make his dreams come true

D. Michael is full of imagination and his life style is common nowadays

What does the author discuss in the last paragraph ?

A. Technology is changing ways of entertainment.

B. People will never go to the concert in future.

C. How to borrow videotapes at home.

D. How to see a movie at home.

What is the main idea of the passage?

A. We may no longer need to communicate with other people.

B. Modern technology seems to be separating people.

C. We may no longer need to work in the office.

D. Modern technology makes it possible for us to work at home.

Good afternoon, and welcome to England. We hope that your visit here will be a pleasant one. Today, I would like to draw your attention to a few of our laws.

    The first one is about drinking. Now, you may not buy alcohol (酒) in this country if you are under 18 years of age, nor may your friends buy it for you.

    Secondly, noise. Enjoy yourselves by all means, but please don’t make unnecessary noise, particularly at night. We ask you to respect other people who may wish to be quiet.

    Thirdly crossing the road. Be careful. The traffic moves on the left side of he road in this country. Use pedestrian crossings (人行横道) and do not take any chances when crossing the road.

    My next point is about litter (throwing away waste material in a public place). It is an offence (违法行为) to drop litter in the street. When you have something to throw away, please put it in your pocket and take it home, or put it in a litter bin.

    Finally, as regards smoking, it is against the law to buy cigarettes or tobacco (烟草) if you are under 16 years of age.

    I’d like to finish by saying that if you require any sort of help or assistance, you should contact your local police station, who will be pleased to help you.

    Now, are there any questions?

The main purpose of this speech would be to ____ .

   A. prepare people for international travel

   B. declare the laws of different kinds

   C. give advice to travellers to the country

   D. inform people of the punishment for breaking laws

From the speech we learn that ____

   A. In this country, if you are under 18 years of age, you may not buy alcohol, but your

     friend can buy it for you.

   B. You may not buy cigarettes or tobacco unless you are above 16 years of age.

   C. Because the traffic moves on the left side of he road ,you must use pedestrian crossings when crossing the road.

   D. You can’t make noise except at night.

The underlined word contact in the seventh paragraph means ____ .

   A. keep in touch with      B. get in touch with       C. join    D. report

Do you know that a Mom deserves a special gift this year for Mother’s Day? Sure, flowers can always brighten Mother’s day and a dinner out is always appreciated. However, doesn’t she deserve something more personal or something that lasts longer than an evening?

I’m talking about the gift of fitness. Improved fitness is a gift that is invaluable to everyone. When you give a woman the gift of fitness, you are helping her open a door to better health. I can’t think of a more thoughtful gift that shows the recipient(接受者) how much you care about their well-being. By giving the gift of fitness you are providing them with unlimited health benefits. And, its a gift that you can truly feel proud to give.

Of course, we all know that exercising can help people stay slim and fit. But, do you also know about all the other great benefits of exercising? Daily physical activity reduces stress and can help you sleep better. Fitness has been linked to reducing the risk of some diseases and to warding off depression. Researchers also believe that strength training can help prevent osteoporosis(骨质疏松). Not to mention that exercising also improves self-esteem, increases energy and helps you be able to do continuous work for longer.

All Moms would find these fitness benefits extremely invaluable. If they are like most of us, they have probably even mentioned how they would like to drop a few pounds or just get in better shape. In fact, experts say that about 62% of Americans are currently on a diet. By giving the gift of fitness you are helping provide your mom with extra motivation. She may be more motivated to actually get fit because she doesn’t want to feel guilty about ignoring such a thoughtful gift .

The first paragraph is most likely to tell us that___________.

A. we should invite our mom to a dinner for Mother’s Day

B. it is good to send flowers to moms for Mother’s Day

C. we should give a special gift to our Mom for Mother’s Day

D. moms aren’t worth special gifts for Mother’s Day

You would like to send the gift of fitness to your mother because__________.

A. it is very expensive

B. it doesn’t cost you too much

C. it makes your mother healthy

D. you will be proud of it

You want to keep healthy you should__________.

   A . reduce stress and have a good sleep

   B. try your best to get rid of depression

   C. increase your energy and work longer

   D. take an active part in physical activity

According to this passage the gift of fitness will____________.

A. help moms to lose some more weight

B. encourage moms to do more exercise

C. keep moms having a healthy diet

D. make moms look even more beautiful

Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?

A. This Mother’s Day, Give the gift of Fitness

B. Better Pay Attention to Your Mom’s Health

C. Mom Like to Accept the Gift of Fitness

D. Help Your Mom Keep a Good Shape