In our lives, we enjoy everything from computers to cars to heated buildings. These comforts have
something in common: they all need energy to work. Energy has many different forms. One form, electricity,
comes mostly from steam-powered generators (蒸汽发电机). Steam is made by buming coal, oil, or natural
gas. Gasoline(汽油) is another form of energy. Casoline is made from oil. Oil has many other uses. Paints,
fertilizers, and plastics are made from it. We even use it to heat buildings. Coal, oil, and gas are natural
resources (资源). We take them from nature to make our lives easier.
     We can classify (分类) natural resources as either renewable or nonrenewable. Coal, oil, and gas are
nonrenewable. They take millions of years to form. Some scientists predict that we will run out of oil and
gas in 50 to 100 years. Coal is more plentiful. So it may last for hundreds of years. Resources such as wood
and water are renew- able. They can be grown or recycled naturally. They can, however, become limited
from overuse.
     We have developed some altemate (替代的) sources of energy. But these sources have disadvantages. For
example, hydroelectric power, or energy from running water, affects the ecology (生态) of surrounding areas.
Nuclear power (核电), another altemate source, presents the threat (威胁) of nuclear accidents. There are also
problems related to the storage (储存) of nuclear wastes. Solar and wind energies aren't consistent. We can't
depend on them. Geothermal energy, caused by heat from inside the earth, is tapped by drawing steam and
hot water from pools and geysers. This energy source, like most others, isn't fully developed.
      It's time to get serious about energy. We must find practical, alternate energy sources. If we wait too long,
it will be too late. We will run out of coal, oil, and natural gas. Then we won't have the resources to make
altemate energy sources.

1. Does oil have many uses? 
    ________________________________________
2. How long may coal last according to the passage?
    ________________________________________
3. Why are wood and water renewable resources? 
    ________________________________________
4. What can be problems with nuclear power? 
    ________________________________________
5. What's the main idea of the passage? 
    ________________________________________

     Jeanne Calment took up skating at age 85, made her first movie appearance at age 114, and held a concert
in the neighborhood on her 121st birthday.
     When it comes to long life, Jeanne Calment is the world' s recordholder. She lived to the ripe old age of
122. So is 122 the upper limit (限制) to the human life span (寿命)? If scientists come up with some sort of
pill or diet that would slow aging, could we possibly make it to 150-or beyond?
     Researchers don't entirely agree on the answers."Calment lived to 122, so it wouldn't surprise me if
someone alive today reaches 130 or 135," says Jerry Shay at the University of Texas. 
     Steve Austad at the University of Texas agrees. "People can live longer than we think," he says. "Experts
used to say that humans couldn't live past 110. When Calment blew past that age, they raised the number to
120. So why can't we go higher?"
     The trouble with guessing how old people can live to be is that it' s all just guessing."Anyone can make up
a number," says Rich Miller at the University of Michigan. " Usually the scientist who picks the highest number
gets his name in Time magazine.
     Won't new anti-aging techniques keep us alive for centuries? Any cure, says Miller, for aging would
probably keep most of us living until about 120. Researchers are working on treatments that make the life
span of mice longer by 50 percent at most. So, if the average (平均) human life span is about 80 years, says
Miller, " adding another 50 percent would get you to 120."
     So what can we leam from this little disagreement among the researchers? That life span is flexible (有弹
性的), but there is a limit, says George Martin of the University of Washington. "We can get flies to live 50
percent longer," he says. " But a fly's never going to live 150 years." Of course, if you became a new species
(物种), one that ages at a slower speed, that would be a different story, he adds.
     Does Martin really believe that humans could evolve (进化) their way to longer life?"It' s pretty cool to
think about." He says with a smile.

1. What does the story of Jeanne Calment prove to us?

A. People can live to 122.
B. Old people are creative.
C. Women are sporty at 85.
D. Women live longer than men.

2. According to Steve Austad at the University of Texas, ________.

A. the average human life span could be 110
B. scientists cannot find ways to slow aging
C. few people can expect to live to over 150
D. experts aren't sure how long one can live

3. Who thinks that a scientist will become famous if he makes the wildest guess at longevity?

A. Jerry Shay.
B. Steve Austad.
C. Rich Miller.
D. Ceorge Martin.

4. What can we infer from the last three paragraphs?

A. Most of us could be good at sports even at 120.
B. The average human life span cannot be doubled.
C. Scientists believe mice are aging at a slower speed than before.
D. New techniques could be used to change flies into a new species.

     Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains,
in the waves, or on the grassland, you should make it clear that your choice of sports might have great
influence on the environment.
     Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside,
but also tons of water. Besides, all kinds of chemicals and a great deal of energy are used to keep its fields
in good condition. This causes environmental problems. For example, in the dry areas of Portugal and Spain,
golf is often the cause of serious water shortage in some places.
     There are many environment-friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today.
You don't need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and your don't have to worry about
resources (资源) and you purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk very
often, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts (专家) say that 20 minutes of power walking daily
can make you feel less nervous, sleep well and have better weight control.   
     Whatever sport you take up,you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying
products made from recycled materials (再生材料). But the final purpose should be "green gyms". Compared
with traditional health clubs and modern sports centers, they are better choices. Members of green gyms play
sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your
membership. And best of all, it's free.

1. Which of the following sports is environment-friendly?

A. Swimming in a health club.
B. Playing football on the sports field.
C. Bicycle-riding in the countryside.
D. Playing volleyball in a sports center.

2. Which statement about power walking is TRUE?

A. It needs special shoes.
B. It's very simple but costs a lot.
C. It makes you worry about resources.
D. It's good for health and the environment.

3. The writer writes the passage in order to _____.

A. show us how different sports help us
B. encourage us to take up green sports
C. introduce some environment-friendly sports
D. tell us how sports influence the environment

     Like most people, you've probably never given your blood glucose (糖) a second thought, unless you have
diabetes (糖尿病). But researchers now know that whether or not you have diabetes, eating too much can
make your blood glucose go up and down and can increase the danger of heart disease. It may be even bad for
your memory.
     This realization has greatly changed the way we understand food and health. Luckily, none of these things
happen ovemight, and even small changes in the food you eat every day can start you on a healthier path.
     When you are hungry, do you reach for a chocolate cake or a box of biscuits? These "fast-acting" foods
are handy and they take no time at all to dissolve (溶化) in your stomach. Then they race into your blood,
running through your body with blood glucose. The trouble is the comfort doesn't last long, leaving you feeling
hungry again. As a result, your blood glucose will run out of control.
     It's no wonder most of us have less energy than we'd like and feel tired too often. It's also no wonder that
most of us weigh more than we want to. Yes, eating too much and exercising too liLtle are main reasons, and
ever changing blood glucose will send you shopping for bigger jeans.
     For most of us even when our blood glucose goes up and down after a large meal, our body can bring it
back to normal in a few hours. Only people with untreated diabetes have blood glucose levels that stay quite
high most of the time.
     For a long time, doctors thought that only these people needed to take care of their blood glucose levels.
Now, we know that even in healthy people, high levels after meals can damage (损坏) the body, even if it
never causes diabetes.

1. How does our blood glucose change after a large meal?

A. It remains unchanged.
B. It stays on high levels.
C. It goes up and down.
D. It comes back to normal.

2. What does the writer think of "fast-acting" foods?

A. He thinks they are delicious.
B. He thinks they are easy to get.
C. He thinks they make us healthy.
D. He thinks they damage our body. 

3. What shall we do if we want to keep the normal blood glucose?

A. Check our blood glucose after each meal.
B. Have proper food and exercise every day.
C. Eat certain kind of medicine before meals.
D. Ask the doctor for help from time to time.

     We need to be responsible for our environment. Being a frugal consumer (节俭的消费者) is one way
to help. But, what exactly does that mean? 　　
     Use It Up 　　
     You can use things up instead of wasting them. Squeeze that last bit of toothpaste out of the tube. Use
the last little piece of soap. Don't throw away any bits of the biscuit at the bottom of the box. 　　
     Wear It Out 　　
     You do not always need to have new things. Suppose your sneakers have broken laces, but they still
fit you. Repair them and wear them longer. You don't have the latest iPhone until the old one doesn't work
anymore. Then you can get a new one. Think twice before replacing something that still works. 　　
     Make It Do 　　
     When something you want is not on hand, look for something else that you already have to take its place.
Suppose you are packing your lunch for tomorrow and want a butter sandwich. You are out of butter. Have
a cheese sandwich instead so that you can use all of the cheese. Learn to fix broken toys instead of just
throwing them away. With a little thought, you can make something do, instead of buying something new. 　　
     Do Without 　　
     Think about all those things that you would like to have. Do you really need them? How long will you
really play with that new toy you saw on TV? Making the things that we want uses up your world's resources(资源). And, getting rid of the things we don't want any more takes up even more resources and space.

1. Do we need to be responsible for our environment? 　
    __________________________________________________　
2. How do we deal with the last little piece of soap? 　
    __________________________________________________　　
3. When do we need to get a new iPhone?
    __________________________________________________　
4. What should we do when something we want is not on hand? 
    __________________________________________________　
5. What does the writer want to tell us?
    __________________________________________________　

     Want to save the environment? You probably can't fix everything on your own, but by taking small steps
and keeping the environment in mind every day, you can make a difference,
     1. Think Green. Challenge yourself to think about the environment as you live your life. If you shut off
lights when you leave the room, turn off your TV when you're not watching it, you'll save energy. If you take
shorter showers, you'll save water.
     2. Shop Green. Shopping is fun, but buying things you don't need is wasteful and bad for the earth. Before
you buy something, ask yourself how much you'll really use it. Keep yourself away from buying products with
unnecessary packaging (包装), and whenever possible, buy things that were locally made instead of those
shipped from far away.
     3. Dress Green. Wear green trousers and T-shirts if you want. But what really matters isn't the colour, it's
how the clothes were made. If you want to help the environment, the best place to find clothes is at a vintage
store, but you might not want to buy everything used. No matter where you shop, keep an eye out for products
made from environmentally friendly materials like organic (有机的) cotton, which is grown without the use of
pesticides (杀虫剂).
     4. Study Green. What's better than learning about the environment? Save it while you learn, It can be as
simple as using both sides of a piece of paper before you recycle it, or reusing an old textbook:instead of buying
a new one. If you want to do more, join an environmental group at your school, and encourage your friends to
join, too.

1. The underlined phrase "a vintage store" in this passage refers to (是指) a place where you can buy _____.

A. cheap clothes
B. fashionable clothes
C. second-hand clothes
D. clothes of special size

2. Which of the following acts does not agree with the writer's green ideas? 

A. Taking shorter showers.
B. Buying products with unnecessary packaging.
C. Wearing clothes made from organic materials.
D. Using both sides of a piece of paw.

3. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A. Some Methods to Live Happily.
B. Some Advice to Save Money in Daily Life.
C. Some Steps to Live a Healthy Life.
D. Some Ways to Make One's Life Green.