Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia ---short-sightedness, a study suggests. Researchers say the "extraordinary rise" in the problem is being caused by students working very hard in school and missing out on outdoor light.
Eye experts say that you are short-sighted if your vision is blurred(模糊的) beyond 2m. It is often caused by an elongation（拉伸） of the eyeball that happens when people are young. According to the research, the problem is being caused by a combination of factors - a commitment to education and lack of outdoor light.
Professor Morgan who led this study argues that many children in South East Asia spend long hours studying at school and doing their homework. This in itself puts pressure on the eyes, but exposure to between two and three hours of daylight helps maintain healthy eyes.
Cultural factors also seem to play a part. Across many parts of South East Asia, children often have a lunchtime nap. According to Professor Morgan they are missing out on natural light to prevent short-sightedness.
A big concern is the numbers of the students suffering from “high” myopia. One in five of these students could experience severe visual impairment(障碍) and even blindness. These people are at considerable risk—sometimes people are not told about it and are just given more powerful glasses—they need to be warned about the risk and given some self-testing measures so they can get to an ophthalmologist and get some help.
For decades, researchers believed there was a strong genetic component to the condition. But this study strongly suggests an alternative view. “Any type of simple genetic explanation just doesn’t fit with that speed of change; gene pools just don’t change in two generations. Whether it’s a purely environmental effect or an environmental effect playing a sensitive genome, it really doesn’t matter, the thing that’s changed is not the gene pool---it’s the environment.”
【小题1】As is mentioned above, which factor mainly results in students’ myopia in South East Asia?

Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia ---short-sightedness, a study suggests. Researchers say the "extraordinary rise" in the problem is being caused by students working very hard in school and missing out on outdoor light.

Eye experts say that you are short-sighted if your vision is blurred(模糊的) beyond 2m. It is often caused by an elongation（拉伸） of the eyeball that happens when people are young. According to the research, the problem is being caused by a combination of factors - a commitment to education and lack of outdoor light.

Professor Morgan who led this study argues that many children in South East Asia spend long hours studying at school and doing their homework. This in itself puts pressure on the eyes, but exposure to between two and three hours of daylight helps maintain healthy eyes.

Cultural factors also seem to play a part. Across many parts of South East Asia, children often have a lunchtime nap. According to Professor Morgan they are missing out on natural light to prevent short-sightedness.

A big concern is the numbers of the students suffering from “high” myopia. One in five of these students could experience severe visual impairment(障碍) and even blindness. These people are at considerable risk—sometimes people are not told about it and are just given more powerful glasses—they need to be warned about the risk and given some self-testing measures so they can get to an ophthalmologist and get some help.

For decades, researchers believed there was a strong genetic component to the condition. But this study strongly suggests an alternative view. “Any type of simple genetic explanation just doesn’t fit with that speed of change; gene pools just don’t change in two generations. Whether it’s a purely environmental effect or an environmental effect playing a sensitive genome, it really doesn’t matter, the thing that’s changed is not the gene pool---it’s the environment.”

1.As is mentioned above, which factor mainly results in students’ myopia in South East Asia?

A．Genetic faults of the people.               B．Elongation of the eyeball.

C．The shortage of outdoor light.              D．Lack of research into the problem.

2.Which of the following statements do you think agrees with Professor Morgan?

A．A lunchtime nap is helpful in reducing myopia.

B．Glasses keep myopia from getting even worse.

C．It’s necessary to treat myopia with an operation.

D．It’s of vital importance to reduce educational pressure.

3.What’s the main idea of the last paragraph?

A．Gene remains the main cause of the long-standing problem.

B．The environment is to blame for the extraordinary rise in myopia.

C．Short-sightedness has nothing to do with changes in gene pools.

D．An environmental effect playing a sensitive genome counts.

4.What’s the best way to take care of your eyes according to the passage?

A．Equip the classroom with better lights.

B．Look at the sun from time to time.

C．Do eyes exercise regularly.

D．Spend more time in the open air.

B

For years I wanted a flower garden. I’d spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.

But then we had Matthew. And Marvin. And the twins, Alisa and Alan. And then Helen. Five children. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.

Money was tight, as well as time. Often when my children were little, one of them would want something that cost too much, and I'd have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn't grow on trees, you know.”

Finally, all five got through high school and college and were off on their own. I started thinking again about having a garden.

I wasn't sure, though. I mean, gardens do cost money, and after all these years I was used to living on a pretty lean, no-frills budget.

Then, one spring morning, on Mother's Day, I was working in my kitchen. Suddenly, I realized that cars were tooting their horns as they drove by. I looked out the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard. I thought it must be a weeping willow, because I saw things blowing around on all its branches. Then I put my glasses on — and I couldn't believe what I saw. There was a money tree in my yard!

I went outside to look. It was true! There were dollar bills, one hundred of them, taped all over that tree. Think of all the garden flowers I could buy with one hundred dollars! There was also a note attached: “IOU eight hours of digging time. Love, Marvin.”

Marvin kept his promise, too. He dug up a nice ten-by-fifteen foot bed for me. And my other children bought me tools, ornaments, a trellis (棚架), a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books.

That was three years ago. My garden's now very pretty, just like I wanted. When I go out and weed or tend my flowers, I don't seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they're right there with me.

I live up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where winters are long and cold, and summers are too short. But every year now, when winter sets in, I look out my window and think of the flowers I'll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes — every time.

I'm still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does!

59．By saying “Do you see a money tree outside .….,” the mother actually means “      ”

       A．Observation is the best teacher.      B．Seeing is believing.

       C．The outsider sees the most of the game.       D．It is not easy to gain money

60．The best title for the passage would probably be         .

      A．My flower garden          B．Marvin helps to realize my dream

       C．Love in Michigan          D．Money grows on trees

61．The underlined word “no - frills” in the fifth paragraph is similar in meaning to        .

       A．wasteful   B．tight  C．absurd      D．helpful

62．From the last two paragraphs we can infer that the mother is         .

       A．divorced when she was young

B．not caring for her kids any longer

       C．alone but not at all lonely      

D．prouder with her garden than with her kids.  

B

FOR Chinese students the end of their senior year is filled with studying and stress as they prepare for the college entrance exams in June.But for American high school seniors the experience couldn’t be more different. The end of senior year is a celebration of their time in high school and involves parties,games and fun.

Senioritis is a commonly used expression.It means seniors have a disease which makes them unable to do work.This starts in April when seniors find out whether they have been accepted to university.

Unwilling to do school work,seniors have plenty of other activities to focus on.

Many schools have a “Senior Show”,in which only seniors are allowed to perform.Some seniors sing or dance but many of them perform skits（滑稽短剧），where they make fun of their favorite teachers or their friends.For example,a group of boys may dress up and imitate a group of their friends.It is all light-hearted.

   The“Senior Show”is usually a part of Senior Week,which is a week specifically dedicated(专用的) to seniors.During this week,seniors usually get academic or athletic awards they have won over their high school careers.The seniors also vote for one of their male and female classmates who they believe is the best-looking or funniest or most involved,etc.These are then published in the yearbook.

   The yearbook is an important part of high school for seniors.It is usually dedicated to them and has all their pictures and some words from them in it.Then seniors go around and get it signed by their friends so they can always remember their time together.

Of course during all of this time,seniors are preparing for the Senior Prom,which is an important moment in American culture.It is the most important dance in a young American’s life.

The end of senior year is a truly special and wonderful time for American students.It’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

60.Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the underlined sentence in paragraph1?

   A.For American high school seniors,things are quite different.

   B.It doesn’t make difference at the end of the senior year.

   C.For American high school seniors,it is the best time of the year.

   D.It is the period filled with stress and workload.

61.What activities that seniors would like to do according to the passage?

   A.School work                       B.Voting for the film star

   C.Singing or dance contests             D.Senior Show and Senior Prom

62.What will most probably be talked about in the next paragraph of the passage?

   A.Activities on the sports field

   B.The graduation ceremony where they receive their high school diploma

   C.Their favorite film stars

   D.The health of seniors

                                   C

On a BA flight from Johannesburg, a middle-aged, well-off white South African Lady has found herself sitting next to a black man. She called a stewardess (女乘务员) over to complain about her seating.

“What seems to be the problem, Madam?” asked the stewardess. “Can’t you see?” she said, “You’ve sat me next to a kafir（异教徒）. I can’t possibly sit next to this disgusting man. Find me another seat!” “Please calm down, Madam,” the stewardess replied. “The flight is very full today, but I’ll tell you what I’ll do — I’ll go and check to see if we have any seats available in club or first class.”

The woman cocked a snooty look at the black man beside her.

A few minutes later the stewardess returned with the good news, which she delivered to the lady, who could not help but look at the people around her with a smug and self-satisfied grin. “Madam, unfortunately, as I suspected, economy is full. I’ve spoken to the cabin services director, and club is also full. However, we do have one seat in first class.”

Before the lady had a chance to answer, the stewardess continued, “It is the most extraordinary to make this kind of upgrade, however, and I have had to get special permission from the captain. But, given the circumstances, the captain felt that it was outrageous（令人不能容忍的） that someone should be forced to sit next to such an obnoxious（讨厌的） person.” Having said that, the stewardess turned to the black man sitting next to the lady, and said, “So if you’d like to get your things, sir, I have your seat ready for you.”

At that point, the surrounding passengers stood up and gave an ovation（喝彩） while the black man walked up to the front of the plane.

64. Why did the middle-aged lady complain about her seating?

A. Because her seat was not near a window.

B. Because she sat next to a black man.

C. Because she wanted to have a seat in first class.

D. Because the stewardess didn’t answer her question.

65. The underlined words “an obnoxious person” in Paragraph 5 refers to “__________”.

A. the middle-aged lady               B. the black man

C. the stewardess                          D. the captain

66. From the passage we can infer that _________.

A. the middle-aged lady got a seat in first class

B. both the middle-aged lady and the black man got seats in first class

C. neither the middle-aged lady nor the black man got a seat in first class

D. the black man got a seat in first class

67. What can we conclude from the passage?

A. The white people always prefer seats in first class on a plane.

B. More and more passengers travel by plane.

C. The black people are still looked down upon by some whites.

D. Only whites are served well on a plane.