当SARS爆发时，突然的恐惧迅速地弥漫全国。(break out)

To extinguish (熄灭) different kinds of fires, several types of fire extinguishers have been invented. They must be ready for immediate use when fire breaks out. Most portable (手提式的) kinds operate for less than a minute, so they are useful only on small fires. The law requires ships, trains, buses and planes to carry extinguishers.

Since fuel, oxygen (氧气) and heat must be present in order for fire to exist, one or more of these things must be removed or reduced to extinguish a fire. If the heat is reduced by cooling the material below a certain temperature, the fire goes out. The cooling method is the most common way to put out a fire. Water is the best cooling material because it is low in cost and easy to get.

Another method of extinguishing fire is by cutting off the oxygen. This is usually done by covering the fire with sand, steam or some other things. A blanket may be used do cover a small fire.

A third method is called separation, which includes removing the fuel, or material easy to burn, from a fire, so that it can find no fuel.

The method that is used to put out a fire depends upon the type of fire. Fires have been grouped in three classes. Fires in wood, paper, cloth and the like are called Class A fires. These materials usually help keep the fire on. Such fires can be stopped most readily by cooling with water.

1.If a fire breaks out on a bus, which of the follow should be ready there for you to use?

A. Sand                             B. Water

C. A blanket.                           D. An extinguisher.

2.To cover a small piece of burning wood with a basin in order to stop the fire is an example of         .

A. separating the fire                  B. reducing the heat

C. removing the fuel                    D. cutting off the oxygen

3.In choosing how to put out a fire, we should first be clear about          .

A. when it breaks out                   B. how it comes about

C. what kind it is                      D. where it takes place

4.What would the author probably discuss in the paragraph that follows?

A. Another class of fires                   B. Another type of extinguishers

C. How fires break out.                 D. How fires can be prevented.

Bedazzling (眼花缭乱) with their bright colors and eye-catching displays, fireworks light up our night skies during the holidays. However, these crowd-pleasers can have some damaging side effects.

Once a firework is set off, it only takes a couple of seconds before smoke, dust and harmful chemicals are let out into the atmosphere. The loud booming noises are caused by gunpowder. While the sounds may excite some people, they can be frightening to domestic and wild animals—as well as some humans.

The pretty colors you see are a result of more chemicals. Barium, added to make green, is known for its poisonous and radioactive qualities. Blue comes from copper compounds. Cadmium, lithium and lead—all found in fireworks—have been linked to diseases, such as allergies and skin rashes in both humans and animals. Acid rain has been linked to gases given off by fireworks, which sometimes go beyond the toxin(毒素) limits of the United States Clean Air Act.

Once all those chemicals come back down to the ground, they can cause problems too. Debris (碎片) from the fireworks falls to the ground, where animals can burn their paws or noses on piping hot pieces. Humans also are at risk of stepping on or picking up something sharp or hot. Meanwhile, debris that finds its way into waterways can damage animal habitats and water supply sources.                              

Instead of setting off fireworks, try to come up with some new ways for fun. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Sky lanterns—a tradition that originated long ago in the most-populated Asian country.

• Party crackers—a favorite in the United Kingdom—give you noise and surprises without the mess of fireworks. You can make your own or buy eco-friendly crackers.

• Want noise excitement with less volume? Consider a fireworks sound recording beforehand or break out the party horns (号角) and blow up a storm! 

1.The advantages of fireworks can be seen below EXCEPT that _____.

A. the special sounds of fireworks excite people

B. debris from fireworks can even find its way into water

C. the pretty and bright colors add to the beauty of night skies

D. fireworks are enjoyed as one of the crowd-pleasers

2. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Copper compounds are needed to make green in fireworks.

B. Chemicals in fireworks are both poisonous and dangerous.

C. Too much gases from fireworks can result in acid rain.

D. Chemicals in fireworks are harmful in the air and on the ground.

3. All the italicized (斜体的) words are probably ____.

A. mineral materials  B. tiny solids  C. chemical elements   D. broken pieces

4. What is implied from the passage?

A. Gunpowder in fireworks makes loud booming noises.

B. It must be Indians who first started to hang sky lanterns.

C. Fireworks does less harm in the air than on the ground.

D. Fireworks can even break the balance of nature.

5. What can be concluded as the writer’s attitude towards fireworks?

A. It is not allowed to set off fireworks except during the holidays.

B. Fireworks should be banned and replaced by some other means.

C. Night is the best time to set off fireworks and see the pretty colors.

D. You cannot set off fireworks unless you come up with new ways.

Recently,university students around the world were asked to volunteer in a global experiment called Unplugged.It was designed to see how young people would react if they were asked to observe a total media ban by unplugging all forms of media devices for 24 hours.

Unplugged is being run by Dr Roman Gerodimos，a lecturer in Communication and Journalism at Bournemouth University.During the experiment，Dr Gerodimos said there were already  signs of how much the exercise affected volunteers.He said：“They’re reporting withdrawal symptoms，overeating，feeling nervous，isolated and disconnected.”

During their 24-hour test，three of the experiment’s participants were followed around by a BBC reporter plus cameraman.They were asked to write down 100 lines about their day offline，but of course，they all waited until the next day when they had access to their laptops.

Elliot Day wrote：“Today,my whole morning routine was thrown up into the air.Despite being  aware of the social importance of the media,I was surprised by how empty my life felt without the radio or newspapers.”

From Caroline Scott，we read：“I didn’t expect it，but being deprived of the media for 24 hours resulted in my day-to-day activities becoming so much harder to carry out than usual…I didn’t break out in a cold sweat like our lecturer expected us all to，but It’s not something l would like to do again！”

And Charlotte Gay wrote：“I have to say the most difficult item for me to be without has been  my  mobile；not  only is it a social device，it’s  my main access point of communication.”

Earlier in the year,a UK government study found that in the UK we spend about half our waking hours using the media,often plugged into several things at once.So,with technology continuing to develop at an alarming rate,how much time will you set aside for sleep in the future?

1.What can we learn about the volunteers?

A.Volunteers didn’t write down about their day offline.

B.Volunteers weren’t allowed to use any media for 24 hours.

C.Volunteers  were followed around by Dr Roman Gerodimos.

D.Only volunteers in the UK took part in Unplugged experiment.

2.Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the participants’feelings？

A.Anxious.           B.Lonely            C.Bored.            D.Despaired.

3.Which of the following is true of Caroline Scott？

A.The media ban affected his temperature.

B.His work went on smoothly without the media.

C.His work was carried on hard without the media.

D.His life was empty without the radio or newspapers.

4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A.People should use the media devices reasonably.

B.People can easily survive the media devices addict.

C.People can spend more time sleeping in the future.

D.People spend about half the time using the media devices.

5.The text is most probably a         .

A.newspaper ad             B.book review

C.news report              D.science fiction story