On a BA flight from Johannesburg, a middle-aged South African lady found herself sitting next to a black man. She called the cabin crew attendant over to complain about her seating.

“What seems to be the problem, Madam?” Asked the attendant.

“Can’t you see?” She said, “You’ve sat me next to a black. I can’t possibly sit next to this dirty disgusting human. Find me another seat!”

“Please calm down, Madam,” the attendant 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.”

A few minutes later, the attendant returned with the good news, which she delivered to the lady, who cannot help but look at the people around her with a smug and self-satisfied grin.

“Madam, unfortunately, as I guessed, 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 attendant continued.

“It’s most extraordinary to make this kind of upgrade, however, and I have had to get special permission from the captain. But, according to this special situation, the captain felt that it was unbelievable that someone should be forced to sit next to such an obnoxious(讨厌的) person.”

Having said that, the attendant 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 moment, the surrounding passengers stood and gave a long-lasting ovation (欢呼) while the black man walked up to the front of the plane…

1.What made the white South African lady angry?

A. She had to find the attendant to complain.

B. She couldn’t find another seat to sit down.

C. The passenger next to her is dirty.

D. She sat next to a black man.

2.Who will fly in first class?

A. The attendant.   B. The white woman.     C. The black man.   D. The captain.

3.How many types of seats are there in the plane?

A. 2            B. 3                    C. 4            D. 5

4. What was the “special situation” that the attendant mentioned in Paragraph 8?

A. The woman was obnoxious.

B. The black man was obnoxious.

C. The white woman can’t sit next to a black man.

D. The passengers around can’t stand the woman any longer.

5.From the passage, we can make a conclusion that __________.

A. people don’t like those who look down on others

B. the attendant aboard is unfriendly

C. the white lady was refused to go on the plane at last

D. many passengers aboard don’t like to sit next to the black man.

On a BA flight from Johannesburg, a middle-aged South African lady found herself sitting next to a black man. She called the cabin crew attendant over to complain about her seating.
“What seems to be the problem, Madam?” Asked the attendant.
“Can’t you see?” She said, “You’ve sat me next to a black. I can’t possibly sit next to this dirty disgusting human. Find me another seat!”
“Please calm down, Madam,” the attendant 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.”
A few minutes later, the attendant returned with the good news, which she delivered to the lady, who cannot help but look at the people around her with a smug and self-satisfied grin.
“Madam, unfortunately, as I guessed, 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 attendant continued.
“It’s most extraordinary to make this kind of upgrade, however, and I have had to get special permission from the captain. But, according to this special situation, the captain felt that it was unbelievable that someone should be forced to sit next to such an obnoxious(讨厌的) person.”
Having said that, the attendant 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 moment, the surrounding passengers stood and gave a long-lasting ovation (欢呼) while the black man walked up to the front of the plane…
【小题1】What made the white South African lady angry?

A．She had to find the attendant to complain.

B．She couldn’t find another seat to sit down.

C．The passenger next to her is dirty.

D．She sat next to a black man.

Disaster(灾难)strikes South-east Asia

The tsunami(海啸)which hit twelve South-east Asian countries on 26 December 2004 was a great disaster. More than 200,000 people died in the tsunami. Not only did people living in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka die, but many European tourists who were on holiday in these countries also died. Now, we are just beginning to understand how much damage was caused to the environment and to the economy.

The biggest problem after the tsunami has been illnesses which have spread to many people. These illnesses are mostly caused by a lack of clean drinking water. People are drinking dirty water because there is no other water available. This dirty water is making them sick. Also, the hospitals in these poor countries are not big enough to deal with all the people who were hurt in the tsunami.

Many people who live in the areas hit by the tsunami are farmers and fishermen. The tsunami destroyed their homes, their fields and their boats. The salt water from the ocean covered the farmers’ fields, so they can no longer grow food. Also, fishermen are finding that there are fewer fish in the ocean. Now, these people, who were already quite poor, have no way to earn money. No one knows how long it will take for the fish to return, or for the farmers to be able to grow food again. Tourism is also very important in these areas, but many famous tourist areas are destroyed during the tsunami.

 The whole world is helping these countries recover from the tsunami. Many governments have given aid money. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, has set up 200 places where people can get help. It has also provided clean drinking water. One organization called  Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) has sent many doctors to care for sick people. In Indonesia, some government officials think that some villages should be moved away from the ocean, and that farmers should learn how to grow different types of food.

No one knows how much money or how much time it will take for this area to recover completely. However, with the help and aid that is being sent to the affected areas, hopefully it won’t take long.

Disaster strikes South-east Asia

Car Pollution

Some cars do not run the way they should. Bad smoke from a car can get into the air. This bad smoke is called pollution.

Pollution turns the air a gray(灰色的) color. It is very dirty. It is not good for people to breathe this dirty air.

To keep pollution down, the states tests cars every two years. This test checks to make sure the cars do not pollute the air. If a car does not pass the test, the owner cannot drive it the next year.

Some car owners drive their cars even though they cannot pass the test. It is also very bad for the air.

People want to find a way to get these cars off the road. So a state program(项目) was started that now seems to be helping. In this program the States buys cars that cannot pass the test or will help pay for repairs. This program has been helping people buy better cars or fix their old ones. It has also been helping to cut down on pollution.

To meet the needs for the program, a car must be drivable and the owner must meet certain income(收入) restrictions(限制). In order to get help from the program, a motorist must have a family income of no more than 185% of the national poverty guidelines(贫困线). For a family of four, that would be no more than $32,653 each year.

The state program that takes polluting cars off the road has just finished its first year, and people say it has been successful.

For the past year, the state program has been buying cars that can’t pass the test. Some car owners get as much as $1,000 for their old ones, while others receive as much as $500 for repairs.

The cars bought by the States through the program are put out of use and sent to dismantlers(拆卸厂).

1. Cars get tested every two years to make sure ________.

A. the owners can get some money           B. they can get repaired on time

C. they don’t pollute the air                    D. the government can decide to buy them or not

2. A car owner can get some money from the program if he / she has ________.

   A. a motor                     B. only one car      C. a small family            D. a low income

3. After being bought by the government, a car will be ________.

   A. put out of use            B. repaired            C. tested again                D. reused