1．_______

Humanity uses a little less than half the water available worldwide．Yet occurrences of shortages and droughts are causing famine and distress in some areas, and industrial and agricultural by-products are polluting water supplies．Since the world’s population is expected to double in the next 50 years, many experts think we are on the edge of a widespread water crisis．

2．_______

But that doesn’t have to be the outcome．Water shortages do not have to trouble the world----if we start valuing water more than we have in the past．Just as we began to appreciate petroleum more after the 1970s oil crisis, today we must start looking at water from a fresh economic perspective．We can no longer afford to consider water a virtually free resource of which we can use as much as we like in any way we want．

3．_______

Instead, for all uses except the domestic demand of the poor, governments should price water to reflect its actual value．This means charging a fee for the water itself as well as for the supply costs．

4．_______

Governments should also protect this resource by providing water in more economically and environmentally sound ways．For example, often the cheapest way to provide irrigation water in the dry tropics is through small-scale projects, such as gathering rainfall in depressions（凹地） and pumping it to nearby cropland．

5．________

No matter what steps governments take to provide water more efficiently, they must change their institutional and legal approaches to water use．Rather than spread control among hundreds of even thousands of local, regional, and national agencies that watch various aspects of water use, countries should set up central authorities to coordinate water policy．

"Extra? Extra！Gasoline hits four dollars a gallon!”

??? No one will really be shocked一except, perhaps, the old-timers who tell about the good old days when gas was three gallons for a dollar, and people drove around "just for the fun of it".

As a matter of fact; the price of gas has been rising fast and steadily for several years, and many adjustments have already been made.

??? There was, for a time, considerable unemployment in the auto industry, and three quarters of the garages and service stations have gone out of business. However; the bicycle and motor-scooter business has flourished（兴旺); and many people have found employment there: Now that Federal Motors has brought out its new Lilliput, which travels forty miles on a gallon, the auto business is picking up again. The factories that haven't switched over to two-wheel transportation are working on their new smaller models. There is talk, too, about bringing out new steam and electric automobiles that will be just as economical as the old cars.

??? In the meantime, streetcars are gradually replacing buses all over the country because of the greater economy of electric power. And many people who have seldom used public transportation are now riding the streetcars while their automobiles rust（生锈）in their garages. There's no market at all for their big, luxurious cars, for only the wealthy can now afford to operate them. Many people are now shopping in their own neighborhood, and small businesses are thriving.

??? Ministers, educators, and editorial writers are pointing out that there has been a great improvement in family life. Families now stay at home more for their fun, and children and parents are becoming better acquainted. The stores report a booming business in parlor games, hobby materials, books, musical instruments and albums.

??? People have lost their pale indoor look. The revival of the lost art of walking has brought a healthy pink back to many a cheek. This return to the heels has revolutionized the clothing styles; people now need to be ready for all kinds of weather:

??? These conditions, however, may not last. Already our clever chemists are at work on new synthetic fuels which, they say, will put us right back where we were一on wheels. Shall w e wish them success or not?

1.Which of the following is NOT a result of the gas price rising?

A. More people prefer to travel on public transportation which costs less than driving cars.

B. People return to the traditional exercise of walking, which helps them to look healthier.

C. People shop in nearby stores without having to drive, so small businesses are declining.

D. The auto industry has been forced to develop new models which are more economical.

2.The purpose of writing this passage is＿．

A. to show the chain reaction of the rising gas price

B. to discuss whether it's necessary to work on new fuels

C. to warn people not to use too much gasoline

D. to picture what life will be like if gas runs out

3.What is the best title for this passage?

A. New fuels on the way

B. Cars or bicycles, that is a question

C. End of the good old days

D. From wheels to heels

If there is no difference in general intelligence (智力) between boys and girls, what can explain girls' poor performance in science and mathematics?

    It seems to be that their treatment at school is a direct cause. Mathematics and science are seen as subjects mainly for boys, and therefore, as girls become teenagers, they are less likely to take them. Interestingly, both boys and girls often regard the subjects for boys as more difficult. Yet it has been suggested that girls do not take mathematics courses, not because they are difficult, but for social reasons. Girls do not want to be in open competition with boys because they are afraid to appear less feminine (女性的) and attractive.

    However, if we examine the performance of boys and girls who have taken mathematics courses, there are still more high-achieving boys than there are girls. This difference appears to be worldwide. Biological explanations have been offered for this, but there are other explanations too.

    Perhaps the difference which comes out during the teenage years has its roots in much earlier experiences. From their first days in kindergarten, boys are encouraged to work on their own and to complete tasks. Facts show that outstanding (杰出的) mathematicians and scientists have not had teachers who supplied answers.

    Besides, there can be little doubt that teachers of mathematics and science expect their boy students to do better at these subjects than their girl students. They even appear to encourage the difference between boys and girls. They spend more time with the boy students, giving them more time to answer questions and working harder to get correct answers from them. They are more likely to call on boys for answers and to allow them to take the lead in classroom discussion. They also praise boys more frequently. All of this seems to encourage boys to work harder in science and mathematics and to give them confidence (信心) that they are able to succeed.

    Such a way of teaching is not likely to encourage girls to take many mathematics and science courses, nor is it likely to support girls who do. When it comes to these subjects it seems certain that school widens the difference between boys and girls.

1．Girls are likely to think that ________.

    A. science courses are for both boys and girls

    B. science courses make them more popular

    C. science courses make them successful

    D. science courses are difficult for them

2．The text mainly discusses ________ reasons for the difference between boys and girls in scientific achievements.

    A. biological

    B. historical

    C. social

    D. personal

3．What are boys usually encouraged to do at school?

    A. To get help with their homework.

    B. To play the leading role in class.

    C. To work with girl students in class.

    D. To learn to take care of others.

4．What does the passage say about great mathematicians?

    A. Their teachers did not supply answers to them

    B. They started learning mathematics at an earlier age.

    C. They showed mathematical abilities in their teenage years

    D. Their success resulted from their strong interest in mathematics.

5．The author would probably agree that  ________.

    A. boys and girls learn in the same way

    B. boys and girls are equal in general intelligence

    C. girls are more confident in themselves than before

    D. girls should take fewer science courses than boys

阅读理解

If there is no difference in general intelligence (智力) between boys and girls, what can explain girls' poor performance in science and mathematics?

    It seems to be that their treatment at school is a direct cause. Mathematics and science are seen as subjects mainly for boys, and therefore, as girls become teenagers, they are less likely to take them. Interestingly, both boys and girls often regard the subjects for boys as more difficult. Yet it has been suggested that girls do not take mathematics courses, not because they are difficult, but for social reasons. Girls do not want to be in open competition with boys because they are afraid to appear less feminine (女性的) and attractive.

    However, if we examine the performance of boys and girls who have taken mathematics courses, there are still more high-achieving boys than there are girls. This difference appears to be worldwide. Biological explanations have been offered for this, but there are other explanations too.

    Perhaps the difference which comes out during the teenage years has its roots in much earlier experiences. From their first days in kindergarten, boys are encouraged to work on their own and to complete tasks. Facts show that outstanding (杰出的) mathematicians and scientists have not had teachers who supplied answers.

    Besides, there can be little doubt that teachers of mathematics and science expect their boy students to do better at these subjects than their girl students. They even appear to encourage the difference between boys and girls. They spend more time with the boy students, giving them more time to answer questions and working harder to get correct answers from them. They are more likely to call on boys for answers and to allow them to take the lead in classroom discussion. They also praise boys more frequently. All of this seems to encourage boys to work harder in science and mathematics and to give them confidence (信心) that they are able to succeed.

    Such a way of teaching is not likely to encourage girls to take many mathematics and science courses, nor is it likely to support girls who do. When it comes to these subjects it seems certain that school widens the difference between boys and girls.

1．Girls are likely to think that ________.

    A. science courses are for both boys and girls

    B. science courses make them more popular

    C. science courses make them successful

    D. science courses are difficult for them

2．The text mainly discusses ________ reasons for the difference between boys and girls in scientific achievements.

    A. biological

    B. historical

    C. social

    D. personal

3．What are boys usually encouraged to do at school?

    A. To get help with their homework.

    B. To play the leading role in class.

    C. To work with girl students in class.

    D. To learn to take care of others.

4．What does the passage say about great mathematicians?

    A. Their teachers did not supply answers to them

    B. They started learning mathematics at an earlier age.

    C. They showed mathematical abilities in their teenage years

    D. Their success resulted from their strong interest in mathematics.

5．The author would probably agree that  ________.

    A. boys and girls learn in the same way

    B. boys and girls are equal in general intelligence

    C. girls are more confident in themselves than before

    D. girls should take fewer science courses than boys

It was not much bigger than a soccer ball and weighed less than 185 pounds. But 50 years ago, when the Russian satellite Sputnik successfully orbited the Earth, it made headlines around the world and marked the beginning of the race for space.

　 The launch of the world's first artificial satellite on October 4, 1957 ignitedBefore Sputnik's launch, the US had plans to send its own satellites into space to study cosmic (宇宙的) rays and gravity, among other things. But the Russians struck first, leaving US scientists and ordinary citizens in shock. To make matters worse, the Russians successfully launched a second satellite less than one month later. This one was much larger, at 1,120 pounds. The Americans were more eager than ever to make their mark in space.