On April 24th, another natural disaster-the oil spill(泄露)in the Gulf of Mexico, happened.Millions of dollars have been used to help stop the spill and to clean up the animals, beaches, and land spoiled by the oil.Unfortunately, when many of these chemicals are used, more damage is caused to the environment, especially to lives in the sea.
But governments seem to accept the risk of transporting millions of tons of oil by ship every day so that we can fill up our cars and drive around and cause even more environmental damage.Interestingly, the biggest companies in the world produce cars, and the next biggest supply the gasoline to make them run.
Of all of today's environmental disasters, an oil spill may actually be one of the least serious.Although oil is poisonous, it is a natural material.In the end, it breaks down naturally.In 1967 the tanker Torrey Canyon sank off the Scilly Isles near the coast of England and spilled 120, 000 tones of oil into the ocean.If you go there today, you will find it hard to see any sign that it ever happened.
However, we should be thinking more about reducing our dependency on oil.Governments should be encouraging research into new technologies, such as cars run by solar power, electricity, hydrogen, and so on.Much of this research, in the past, was stopped by the oil, gas, and coal.
If the world's millions of cars were 10% more efficient(高效的), we would need many fewer tankers crossing the oceans each year.If this happened, the risks of oil spills would be reduced, and the air we breathe would be cleaner and fresher, too.
(1)
What is the passage mainly talking about?
[ ]
A.
Oil spills pollution
B.
What oil pollution is
C.
Oil tanker accidents
D.
How to reduce oil pollution
(2)
How does the author support the idea that oil spills are not as serious as people believe?
[ ]
A.
By giving a description
B.
By making an argument
C.
By giving an example
D.
By drawing a diagram(图表)
(3)
What does the underlined word “ risk ” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
[ ]
A.
Transportation depending more on oil
B.
Poisonous oil breaking down naturally
C.
Millions of tons of oil spilling into the sea
D.
More environmental damage being caused
(4)
Which suggestion is made for reducing oil tank according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
We should build safer tankers in the near future
B.
We should develop new technologies to cut oil use
C.
Tankers should not be allowed to sail near the coastlines
D.
Countries should build more oil pipelines under the sea
One of Britain's most popular reality TV programmes has returned to our screens for a fifth series.The Apprentice sees 16 ambitious individuals competing for a job with electronics tycoon(巨头)Sir Alan Sugar.
The Apprentice is a BAFTA award-winning British reality television series in which fl group of aspiring young businessmen and women compete for the chance to win a£100,000-a-year job as“apprentice”to the British business tycoon Alan Sugar, The Baron Sugar.Winners have gone on to work at Amstrad, an electronics manufacturing company founded by Sir Alan(but since sold to BSkyB), or one of Sugar's other companies, Viglen, Amsprop or Amshold.TheApprentice, billed as a“job interview from hell”, is similar in format to the American series of the same name, which stars entrepreneur Donald Trump.
With endless talk of financial crisis, redundancies(过剩)and cut-backs, it may come as no surprise that thousands of brave hopefuls applied for the show.The chosen 16 will compete in a series of business tasks and do their best to escape elimination.Not one of them wants to hear the fateful words:you're fired.
It should also be noted that this year's apprentices are not going, to be allowed to forget the terrible economic climate quite so easily.At the launch of this year's TV show, Sir Alan announced that some episodes have been“specifically made towards recognition of what difficult times we are in”.
The tasks will as usual be tough tests of business wisdom。team-working and leadership skill.They will also make for some funny viewing.British viewers will be shaking their heads in disbelief at the crazy decisions of the wanna be apprentices.But perhaps the most entertaining feature of the show will be watching the hopefuls squirm(局促不安)and quarrel in the。boardroom.It is here they will have to explain just why they have failed each task so badly.
What drives people to take part in the show is difficult to say.Some are clearly motivated by the promise of a six-figure salary and some claim they want the experience of working with a successful businessman such as Sir Alan.One thing is for sure.the contestants will all gain some level of celebrity.The show is a regular ratings winner.
To date, there has been one big winner and that is the show's creator, Mark Burnett.Originating in the US, The Apprentice's winning format has been copied all over the world and with the hype(炒作)surrounding this latest series, it looks as though the show will have success for many years to come.
(1)
What's the aim of contestants'taking part in The Apprentice?
[ ]
A.
Tb acquire a good job.
B.
To meet famous people.
C.
To win some prize money.
D.
To obtain some experience.
(2)
What is special about this year's The Apprentice?
[ ]
A.
There will be more contestants.
B.
There will be more famous people.
C.
It is affected by the financial crisis.
D.
1t is supported by Sir Alan Sugar.
(3)
The tasks in The Apprentice lay emphasis on the following EXCEPT ________.