An annoying problem for humans, who like to boast (夸耀) about all the distant planets and moons we have explored, is that we've never taken a good look right under our noses. The inside of the earth is relatively close, but how can we get there?

The deepest oil well enters a mere six miles into the crust (地壳) (the center of the earth is about 4,000 miles deeper). Russian scientists dug the deepest hole in Siberia, but bottomed out at about 7.5 miles below the surface. The Mohole project, a U.S. plan in the 1950s, called for drilling a hole 25 miles down to the boundary between the hard rocks of the crust and the soft mantle (地幔). Sadly the project involved government supporting.

It gets harder and harder to drill deep into the earth because rocks get softer and softer. Hard but easily broken at the surface, rocks become plastic at depth, and the pressure caused by the weight of the overlaying crust ---  about 52,800 pounds per square inch at a depth of ten miles, makes further drilling impossible.

What little we know about the inside of the earth (like the fact that there's a crust, a mantle, and a core) comes from indirect evidence, such as the analysis of earthquakes.

So maybe it's time for a thorough new method to explore the earth's inside. Scientist David Stevenson says we should forget about drilling holes. Instead, we should open a crack (裂缝).

Stevenson suggests digging a crack about a half mile long, a yard wide, and a half mile deep (not with a shovel) but with an explosion on the scale of a nuclear bomb. Next, he'd pour a few hundred thousand tons of molten (熔化的) iron into the crack, along with a robot. The iron, thicker than the surrounding crust, would move downward at about 16 feet per second, carrying the robot with it and opening the crack deeper and deeper. The iron mass would drop for about a week and 2,000 miles to the outer edge of the earth core, the robot sending out data to the surface.

Stevenson compares his idea to space exploration. "We're going somewhere we haven't been before,"he says. "In all possibility, there will be surprises.”

This idea can probably be put in the drawer marked with Isn't Going To Happen. The robot would have to survive temperatures that would melt pretty much anything. But Stevenson's idea may inspire a new look at an old problem. Great things can come from what seems like impossible ideas.

Going inside the earth is _____ than going into space.

A. more interesting B. more possible C. easier  D. more challenging

How deep have we gone into the earth until now?

A. 6 miles.  B. 4,000 miles. C. 7.5 miles.  D. 25 miles.

Which of the following is TRUE about David Stevenson's idea?

A. It is an inspiring but not practical idea now.

B. It is a practical proposal that has come into use now.

C. It is a good proposal that will soon be put into practice.

D. It is a false theory that cannot be carried out at all.

What might be the most suitable title for the text?

A. An Annoying Problem for Humans

B. To the Center of the Earth

C. The Mohole Project

D. David Stevenson's Proposal

请阅读下列应用文及相关信息, 并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号的相应选项字母涂黑。

首先,请阅读下列图书简介:

A. Beacon of Hope: A Guide to Internal Truth 

It tells the story of an alcoholic who becomes a psychologist and her spiritual journey. It is interesting to hear the story from both that of an alcoholic and an addictionologist. Her voice is very clear. The role of spirituality and recovery is the emphasis of the book. If you are in recovery this book would be helpful. Like an extended story from "Came to Believe".

B. Jonathan Livingston Seagull

HE is just a seagull, but he has inspired millions of people, including US president Barack Obama, basketball superstar Kobe Bryant and late king of pop Michael Jackson.

    The reason why a seagull can have such universal appeal is based on a simple fact. Each of us has the desire to be more than just ordinary. We see in Jonathan our longing for a higher purpose to life. But most of us remain part of the flock since “most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight — how to get from shore to food and back again”. With failure, hunger, storms, loneliness and misunderstandings to face, one can easily give up.
C. Yes Man - Movie Tie-In

Recently single, Danny Wallace was falling into loneliness and isolation. Until one day, when a stranger on a bus advised, "Say yes more." At that moment, Wallace vowed to say yes to every offer, invitation, challenge, and chance. For a year.

Soon after resolving to be more open to what the universe had to offer, Danny wins $45,000 and becomes a television executive...and a minister. He gives spare change to anyone who asks. Invents things. Travels the globe. Nods a lot. And finds that romance isn't as complicated as it seems.

Yes Man is inspiring proof that a little willingness can take anyone to the most wonderful of places.

D. Life of Pi

Life of Pi is the story of a 16-year old Indian boy adrift at sea for 227 days with only a dangerous Bengal tiger for a companion. Pi Patel's journey, and survival through the use of his wits and sheer determination, is one that grabs you and never lets go. It's a story that seems both too real and surreal at the same time. Yann Martel is a master story teller and he weaves a tale that is entertaining and thought-provoking and at the end, he challenges you to believe it all. A top-notch read. From our review, "Life of Pi is a delicious treat to savor."

E. Texas Tables

Whether you're entertaining for a party or serving up fast casual meals for the family, this triple-tested Junior League cookbook is a must have, top shelf resource. Harmonized with personal stories and culinary tips, you’ll want to read it first and cook second.

F. PADDINGTON BEAR

Here’s the story of how a smallish bear from “Darkest Peru” is discovered amid the bicycles and luggage of Paddington Station, in the middle of London, by Mr. and Mrs. Brown who had only planned on picking up their children from school. Luckily for all concerned, the Browns were just the sort of people to welcome a lost bear to their family.

请阅读以下读者的信息, 然后匹配读者与适合他/她们的图书:

66. Brian is frustrated with the people he works with and the job itself. Negative feelings loneliness are making him unhappy. He is expecting to retrieve his energy and passion for life with the help of an inspiring book.

67. Candy’s marriage seems to bring her more trouble than happiness. Her husband is particular about the food she cooks. She thinks she needs some help; hopefully a good cookbook will be her savior.

68. Austin used to have no purpose in life. Now he has realized he shouldn’t go on like this. He wants to read something that may direct him to find a higher purpose to life and live a more meaningful life.

69. Amanda’s summer vacation is on the way. What she wants to do most is to borrow some really interesting adventurous books from the school library to relax herself after a whole term of tiring studies.

70. Andrew used to drink excessively, but the death of his uncle, also an alcoholic, shocked him. He wants to quit drinking and is still struggling. He is dying for something, like a book, to give him some spiritual instructions.

Like many of my generation, I have a weakness for hero worship. At some point, however, we all begin to question our heroes and our need for them. This leads us to ask: What is a hero?
Despite immense differences in cultures, heroes around the world generally share a number of characteristics that instruct and inspire people.
A hero does something worth talking about. A hero has a story of adventure to tell and community who will listen. But a hero goes beyond mere fame.
Heroes serve powers or principles larger than themselves. Like high-voltage transformers, heroes take the energy of higher powers and step it down so that it can be used by ordinary people.
The hero lives a life worthy of imitation. Those who imitate a genuine hero experience life with new depth, enthusiasm, and meaning. A sure test for would-be heroes is what or whom do they serve? What are they willing to live and die for? If the answer or evidence suggests they serve only their own fame, they may be famous persons but not heroes. Madonna and Michael Jackson are famous, but who would claim that their fans find life more abundant?
Heroes are catalysts (催化剂) for change. They have a vision from the mountaintop. They have the skill and the charm to move the masses. They create new possibilities. Without Gandhi, India might still be part of the British Empire. Without Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., we might still have segregated (隔离的) buses, restaurants, and parks. It may be possible for large-scale change to occur without leaders with magnetic personalities, but the pace of change would be slow, the vision uncertain, and the committee meetings endless.
【小题1】Although heroes may come from different cultures, they __________.

A.generally possess certain inspiring characteristics
B.probably share some weaknesses of ordinary people
C.are often influenced by previous generations
D.all unknowingly attract a large number of fans
【小题2】 According to the passage, heroes are compared to high-voltage transformers in that _______.
A.they have a vision from the mountaintop
B.they have warm feelings and emotions
C.they can serve as concrete examples of noble principles
D.they can make people feel stronger and more confident
【小题3】Madonna and Michael Jackson are not considered heroes because __________.
A.they are popular only among certain groups of people
B.their performances do not improve their fans morally
C.their primary concern is their own financial interests
D.they are not clear about the principles they should follow
【小题4】The author concludes that historical changes would __________.
A.be delayed without leaders with inspiring personal qualities
B.not happen without heroes making the necessary sacrifices
C.take place if there were heroes to lead the people
D.produce leaders with attractive personalities

What does it mean to day that we live in world of persuasion? It means that we live among
competing interests. Your roommate’s need to study for an exam take priority(优先)over pizza. Your instructor may have good reasons not to change your grade. And the object of your romantic interest may have other choices.
In such a world, persuasion is the art of getting others to give fair and favorable consideration to our points of view. When we persuade, we want to influence what others believe and how they behave. We may not always prevail(占优势)--other points of view may be more persuasive, depending on the listener, the situation, and the merits of the case. But when we practice the art of persuasion, we try to ensure that our position receives the attention it deserves.
Some people, however, object to the very idea of persuasion. They may regard it as an unwelcome approach to their lives or as a control. In contrast, we believe that persuasion is inevitable--to live is to persuade. Persuasion may be moral or immoral, selfless or selfish, inspiring or discouraging. Persuaders may enlighten our minds or make us hurt. Moral persuasion, however, calls on sound reasoning and is sensitive to the feelings and needs of listeners. Such persuasion can help us apply the wisdom of the past to the decisions we now must make. Therefore, an essential part of education is learning to resist the one kind of persuasion and to encourage and practice the other.
Beyond its personal importance to us, persuasion is a need to society. The right to persuade and be persuaded is the basic principle of the American political system.
60.What’s the author’s attitude towards persuasion?
A.Critical.              B.Uninterested.       C.Supportive.         D.Neutral.
61.The passage states that some people are against persuasion because they think it is      .
A.an unwelcome influence                       B.difficult to do well
C.not trustworthy at all                            D.never successful
62.We can conclude from the passage that persuasion means        .
A.getting people to act according to your will
B.exercising power over other people
C.making use of your past wise experience
D.getting other people to consider your reasonable points of view.
63.According to the passage, we can infer that           .
A.we can learn how to persuade in school
B.only society can benefit from persuasion
C.persuasion plays an important role in America
D.persuas
ion is considered to be an inborn ability

A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone’s else or ourselves --- the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.
We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn’t be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.
This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should alsobe quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”
Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clear will probably respond in a similar manner. Or harsh(刻薄的)and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be defensive.
Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.
Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem(自尊)and motivate others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.
【小题1】The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________.

A.not sticks and stones but words will hurt us
B.inspiring words give us confidence
C.negative words may let us down
D.words have a lasting effect on us
【小题2】 There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because _______
A.almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves
B.we can benefit from talking to ourselves
C.talking to ourselves always gives us courage
D.it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone
【小题3】 The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also timely _______
A.praise ourselvesB.remind ourselves
C.make ourselves relaxedD.give ourselves amusement
【小题4】The author would probably hold the view that ___________
A.encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers
B.negative words may stimulate us to make more progress
C.people tend to remember friendly words
D.it is better to think twice before talking to others

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