The year is 2094. It has been announced that a comet is heading towards the Earth. Most of it will miss our planet, but two pieces will probably hit the southern half of the Earth.
On 17 July, a piece four kilometers wide enters the Earth’s atmosphere with a massive explosion. About half of the piece is destroyed, but the remaining part hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound. The sea boils and a huge hole is made in the sea bed. Huge waves are created and spread outwards from the hole. The wall of water, a kilometer high, rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometers an hour. Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people drowned.
Before the waves reach South America, the second piece of the comet lands in Argentina. Earthquakes and volcanoes are set off in the Andes Mountains. The shock waves move north into California and all around the Pacific Ocean. The cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tokyo are completely destroyed by earthquakes. Millions of people in the southern half of the Earth are already dead, but the north won’t escape for long. Because of the explosions, the sun is hidden by clouds of dust, temperatures around the world fall to almost zero. Crops are ruined. The sun won’t be seen again for many years. Wars break out as countries fight for food. A year later, no more than 10 million people remain alive.
Could it really happen? In fact, it has already happened more than once in the history of the Earth. The dinosaurs were on the Earth for over 160 million years. Then 65 million years ago they suddenly disappeared. Many scientists believe that the Earth was hit by a piece of object in space. The dinosaurs couldn’t live through the cold climate that followed and they died out. Will we meet the same end?
【小题1】What is mainly described in the passage?
A.A historic discovery. | B.An event of imagination. |
C.A research on space. | D.A scientific adventure. |
A.an earthquake | B.damages to cities |
C.an Earth explosion | D.huge waves |
A.Because the land is covered with water. |
B.Because the light and heat from the sun can not reach the Earth. |
C.Because people there can not live at the temperature of zero. |
D.Because wars break out among countries. |
A.animals could not live in the cold climate |
B.what happened 65 million years ago was an invented story |
C.the human beings will die out in 2094 |
D.the Earth could be hit by other objects in space |
【小题1】B
【小题2】D
【小题3】B
【小题4】D
解析试题分析:文章大意:2094年彗星撞击地球,有两片残核会落在地球的南极洲地区,那将会对地球产生灭顶之灾。这会是真的吗?
【小题1】B 主旨大意题。根据第一句话时间是在2094年,最后一段Could it really happen?及Will we meet the same end? 说明本文所描述的事故是想象出来的,即答案选B。
【小题2】D推断题。 根据文章第二段The sea boils and a huge hole is made in the sea bed. Huge waves are created and spread outwards from the hole. The wall of water, a kilometer high, rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometers an hour.可知,第一片残片撞到南极洲的时候主要引起的是巨大的海浪,所以D正确。
【小题3】B 细节题。根据倒数第二段but the north won’t escape for long. Because of the explosions, the sun is hidden by clouds of dust, temperatures around the world fall to almost zero. 和The sun won’t be seen again for many years. 可以得出答案选B。
【小题4】D 推断题。根据最后一段Could it really happen?又举了恐龙灭绝的例子,作者想以此为例证明地球被撞击的这一想象真的有可能会发生。所以D正确。
考点:考查科普类短文阅读
科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Not all bodies of water are so evidently alive as the Atlantic Ocean, an S-shaped body of water covering 33 million square miles. The Atlantic has, in a sense, replaced the Mediterranean as the inland sea of Western civilization. Unlike real inland seas, which seem strangely still, the Atlantic is rich in oceanic liveliness. It is perhaps not surprising that its vitality has been much written about by ancient poets.
“Storm at Sea”, a short poem written around 700, is generally regarded as one of mankind’s earliest artistic representations of the Atlantic.
When the wind is from the west
All the waves that cannot rest
To the east must thunder on
Where the bright tree of the sun
Is rooted in the ocean’s breast.
As the poem suggests, the Atlantic is never dead and dull. It is an ocean that moves, impressively and endlessly. It makes all kinds of noise—it is forever thundering, boiling, crashing, and whistling.
It is easy to imagine the Atlantic trying to draw breath—perhaps not so noticeably out in mid-ocean, but where it meets land, its waters bathing up and down a sandy beach. It mimics(模仿) nearly perfectly the steady breathing of a living creature. It is filled with symbiotic (共生的) existences, too: unimaginable quantities of creatures, little and large alike, mix within its depths in a kind of oceanic harmony, giving to the waters a feeling of heartbeat, a kind of sub-ocean vitality. And it has a psychology. It has personalities: sometimes peaceful and pleasant, on rare occasions rough and wild; always it is strong and striking.
【小题1】Unlike real inland seas, the Atlantic Ocean is______.
A.always energetic | B.lacking in liveliness |
C.shaped like a square | D.favored by ancient poets |
A.To describe the movement of the waves. |
B.To show the strength of the storm. |
C.To represent the vitality of the ocean. |
D.To prove the vastness of the sea. |
A.a beautiful and poetic place | B.a flesh and blood person |
C.a wonderful world | D.a lovely animal |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
What if we could replace oil with a fuel which produced no pollution and which everybody had equal access to? The good news is that we can. In fact, we are swimming in it--- literally.
Hydrogen is one of the building blocks of the universe. Our own sun is basically a big, dense cloud of the stuff. And hydrogen can be used to create electricity for power, heat and light.
The problem is that hydrogen is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It does not exist as a material on its own, but is always part of something else. So it has to be separated before it can be used.
Most commercial hydrogen in use now is created from natural gas. As oil will start to run out in around the year 2030, it makes sense to produce as much hydrogen as possible as soon as we can. But natural gas supplies will also begin to run out soon after. Another source is needed.
Researchers are now using electricity to make water into hydrogen. Companies are working on the problem in their own areas. The first commercial hydrogen “fuel cells” for computers and mobile phones have already come on to the market. Auto companies have also invested over US $2 billion in the production of hydrogen fuelled cars.
The nations of a hydrogen fuelled planet would not fight over energy recourses. There would be a great reduction in pollution. The only by-product of creating hydrogen is pure drinking water--- something that is very scarce in many parts of the world. But that is not where the good news ends. Once the costs of producing hydrogen have been brought down, it will possibly provide power for a third of the Earth’s population that has no electricity.
And electricity creates wealth. In South Africa over the last decade there has been a large programme of electrification. Thanks to the programme, people do not have to spend their days looking firewood to burn for heat. And with electric light, they can work long into the night.
Some scientists see radical changes in the way the human race co-operates. Hydrogen creates electricity, and is also created by it. With dual use fuel cells, everyone who consumes energy could also produce it. Late at night, a man drives home in London and connects his car into the “world-wide hydrogen web,” which it supplies with electricity. A few hours later, a man in Beijing uses that electricity to power the hydrogen cell in his car. Hydrogen could be the first democratic energy source.
Like all dreams of the future, it seems very far away. But the threat of war and terrorism in the Middle East has made governments and businesses more aware of the need to end oil dependency and spend more time and money on hydrogen resource. So maybe the threat of war is not a completely bad thing for the future of the human race.
【小题1】What does the underlined word “it” in the last but one paragraph refer to?
A.wealth | B.hydrogen | C.electricity | D.fuel |
A.It has by-products. |
B.It has to be separated from other materials. |
C.It will make energy too cheap. |
D.It is too far away from us. |
A.To tell us that we produce energy while using hydrogen power. |
B.To tell us that hydrogen power does not produce pollution. |
C.To show hydrogen power can stop war. |
D.To show hydrogen power is cheap. |
A.skeptical | B.negative | C.indifferent | D.positive |
A.war and energy | B.the future of hydrogen as an energy resource |
C.the disadvantages of oil | D.How to end war |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
This site , all-birds. com, is about bird watching. Enjoy your browsing. There is much to learn and see.
Bird Watching Equipment
Some items that might make bird watching more enjoyable are binoculars ( 双目望远镜) , a camera, some kind of system for keeping notes, and maybe a back pack. Birders often keep lists of the birds they see along with notes about the habits. There is some great bird log software that will let you keep records on your computer. For more details on choosing binoculars see our Binocular -Optics page.
Clothes
If you are walking through a wooded area just wear clothes you would wear on any hike or field trip. You are best off wearing clothes with dull colors that mix into the background. Greens, browns, and grays are good. Avoid fabrics that rustle(沙沙响)easily. Depending on the birds you are watching you may want to get rain gear, rubber boots and warm clothing. For birds such as owls that you might look for in the evening a strong flashlight is also handy.
Choosing a Bird Field Guide
Take a good field guide to identify birds. Look for clear color pictures that make it easy to recognize one bird from another. Next to each picture should be detailed descriptions of each bird's anatomy, habits, and what it eats. The guide should have information about what habitat each species uses. Many guides have maps showing the range of different birds along with their migration patterns.
Where and When to see Birds
Learning the habitats of birds in your area will increase the number of birds you see, and make your birding more enjoyable. If you know that Meadow larks are likely to be in open grassy areas, and dippers are forage along stream beds, you may be looking for them if you are in those types of habitats. Edge areas where different types of habitats meet will likely have more species in them. You are more likely to see specific birds at certain times of the day. For example songbirds are easier to see two to three hours after dawn, or just before sunset. This is when songbirds are most actively feeding. Many small birds will be silent or even hidden during the rest of the day. After sunup is the best time to see eagles and hawks. Visibility is best for hunting at this time, and they can soar on the thermal currents from the warmed air. Birds like owls are more likely to be seen in the evening. Many shorebirds and waders rest at high tide and feed when the water rises or falls.
Photographing Birds
Patience in Bird Photography
Most birds are afraid of people, and all species have their own comfort zone. With a little time you can learn the comfort zone of the birds you are photographing. Once they know that you are not a threat you may be able to get closer.
Type or Style
Your reason for photographing birds may determine your style and the kind of equipment you use. If you are just recording the kinds of birds you see you don't need to get as close, and you can use less expensive equipment, then you need for high quality prints.
Photographing Birds in Flight
Photographing birds in flight can be fun. Many digital cameras have a tracking function. With these you focus on the bird, and then as you track it the lens will keep focus.
Use Your Yard
Choose an open area where the birds will get direct sunlight, showing off their magnificent colors.
Try using props
Birds will often land on a stick or post near a seed feeder before going to the feeder. The background was just an out of focus fence but you can use anything you want for a background, and then wait for a bird to perch.
【小题1】The main purpose of the passage is to _____.
A.attract more people to photograph birds |
B.help birders learn how to identify and understand birds |
C.call on people to set some comfort zones for birds |
D.inform birders of the results of a scientific research on birds |
A.red | B.yellow | C.brown | D.blue |
A.Owls | B.Shorebirds | C.Songbirds | D.Larks |
A.A stick in the yard may scares birds off when you are photographing them. |
B.It will be wise for birders to hire a guide for themselves. |
C.Birders have to bring some notebooks to keep records of birds' habits. |
D.A flashlight will come in handy when you look for owls. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Many of us believe that a person’s mind becomes less active as he grows older. But this is not true, according to Dr Jarvik, professor of psychiatry at the University of California. She has studied the mental functioning of aging persons for several years. For example, one of her studies concerns 136 pairs of twins (双胞胎), who were first examined when they were already 60 years old. As Dr Jarvik continued the study of the twins into their 70s and 80s, their minds did not generally decline (衰弱) as was expected.
However, there was some decline in their psycho-motor speed. This means that it took them longer to finish mental tasks than it used to. But when speed was not a factor, they lost very little intellectual (智力的) ability over the years. In general, Dr Jarvik’s studies have shown that there is no decline in knowledge or reasoning ability. This is true not only with those in their 30s and 40s, but with those in their 60s and 70s as well.
It is true that older people themselves often complain that their memory is not as good as it once was. However, much of what we call “loss of memory” is not that at all. There usually was incomplete learning in the first place. For example, the older person perhaps had trouble hearing, or poor vision, or was trying to learn the new thing at too fast a speed. In the cases where the older person’s mind really seems to get worse, it is not necessarily a sign of decline due to old age. Often it is simply a sign of a sad emotional state.
【小题1】 This passage is mainly about _______.
A.what caused mental decline |
B.a new discovery about mental decline |
C.the difference between middle-aged and older persons |
D.how Dr Jarvik studied mental functioning of the twins |
A.the study of diseases of the mind |
B.the study of physical diseases |
C.the study of twins’ growth |
D.the study of human behavior |
A.a worsening state of health | B.old age |
C.nervous tension | D.a state of unhappiness |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Our environment isn’t as green and beautiful as it should be. There are steel monsters blocking out the sun, blowing out dangerous smoke, and letting out poisonous chemicals into rivers, cars producing harmful waste gas, people throwing out waste in a wrong way and all other kinds of sources that ruin the planet. Facing current environmental problems, people need to do their best to save the Earth.
You can see many big garbage dustbins in the streets. They’re not there for a show, but for you to drop your waste. We should realize that what a little we do does count. So next time you get that urge to throw gum or a chocolate package out of the car window, or “ accidentally” drop as you walk down the street, ask yourself how much waste you’ve been contributing to the environment with that bad habit going on for years.
At home, the first thing we can do to protect the environment is avoid letting water run continuously and make sure that taps(水龙头)are not leaky(泄露的),which would help greatly in scrimping. Another is to use energy-saving lights, and turn them off before you leave the rooms. It’s not only energy-saving, but also cuts down electricity costs.
Recycling is a method to make items reusable. Many things you want to throw out can be made into new products through the reproducing process. Use your imagination to come up with ways on things that you can use again.
Pass the message of simple ways to save the environment on to kids. Starting with kids is a good way of teaching the message early in their lives, in the hope that they can carry it forward as they grow older.
With environmental protection awareness in mind, we can do what we can, for the results are to have a big effect on the planet. As long as we do our part, the world is one small step closer to being saved.
【小题1】The underlined word “scrimping” in the third paragraph can be replaced by _____.
A.saving | B.cleaning | C.cooking | D.drinking |
A.protecting the environment begins with small chores |
B.protecting the environment should start from childhood. |
C.wonderful life comes from environmental protection |
D.protecting the environment benefits the country and the people |
A.The more people do their part, the greener the environment will be. |
B.Selling what you don’t want any more is a kind of recycling. |
C.To protect the environment may help you save some money. |
D.Your bad habits for the environment are a valuable contribution. |
A.The Use of Garbage Dustbin |
B.How to Save Water and Electricity |
C.How to Save the Environment |
D.Our Current Environmental Problems |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
In July 1994 Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, was struck by 21 pieces of a comet(彗星). When the fragment(碎片)landed in the southern part of the giant planet, the explosions were watched by scientists here on earth. But what if our own planet was hit by a comet?
The year is 2094. It has been announced that a comet is heading towards the Earth. Most of it will miss our plant, but two fragments will probably hit the southern part of the Earth. The news has caused panic.
On 17 July, a fragment four kilometers wide enters the Earth’s atmosphere with a huge explosion. About half of the fragment is destroyed. But the major part survives and hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound. The sea boils and an enormous wave is created and spreads. The wall of water rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometers an hour. Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people are drowned. The wave moves into the Indian Ocean and heads towards Asia.
Millions of people are already dead in the southern part of the Earth, but the north won’t escape for long. Tons of broken pieces are thrown into the atmosphere by the explosions. As the sun is hidden by clouds of dust, temperatures around the world fall to almost zero. Crops are ruined. Wars break out as countries fight for food. A year later civilization has collapsed. No more than 10 million people have survived.
Could it really happen? In fact, it has already happened more than once in the history of the Earth. The dinosaurs(恐龙)were on the Earth for over 160 million years. Then 65 million years ago they suddenly disappeared. Many scientists believe that the Earth was hit by a space fragment. The dinosaurs couldn’t survive in the cold climate that followed and they became extinct. Will we meet the same end?
【小题1】Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the author’s description of the disaster in 2094?
A.The whole world becomes extremely cold. |
B.All the coastal cities in African are destroyed. |
C.The whole mankind becomes extinct. |
D.The visit of the comet results in wars. |
A.Because they could only live in the warm climate. |
B.Because they once ruled the Earth. |
C.Because their extinction shows future disasters. |
D.Because dinosaurs and humans never live in the same age. |
A.give an accurate description of the possible disaster in the future |
B.prove that humans will sooner or later be destroyed |
C.tell the historical development of the Earth |
D.warn of a possible disaster in the future |
A.terror story | B.news report |
C.research paper | D.article of popular science |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Life is to be enjoyed. There’s no point in giving up something you enjoy unless you get something back that’s even better. When people eat more healthfully, exercise, quit smoking, and manage stress better, they find that they feel so much better that it reconstructs the reason for making these changes from fear of dying to joy of living. The latest studies show that when you exercise and eat right:
YOUR BRAIN receives more blood flow and oxygen, so you become smarter, think more clearly, have more energy, and need less sleep. Two studies showed that just walking for three hours per week for only three months caused so many new neurons (神经细胞) to grow that it actually increased the size of people’s brains!
YOUR FACE receives more blood flow, so your skin glows more and wrinkles less. You look younger and more attractive. In contrast, an unhealthy diet, chronic emotional stress and smoking reduce blood flow to your face so you age more quickly. Smoking accelerates aging because nicotine causes your arteries (动脉) to narrow down, which decreases blood flow to your face and makes it wrinkle earlier. This is why smokers look years older than they really are.
YOUR GENES change. In May, a study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing that changing your lifestyle changes your genes.
YOUR TELOMERES (染色体端粒) get longer. Telomeres are the ends of our chromosomes (染色体) that control how long we live. As telomeres become shorter, then cells age more quickly, thus shortening your life.
Besides, one of the most interesting findings in the study was that the mothers’ awareness of stress was more important than what was really occurring in their lives. The researchers gave the women a questionnaire and asked them to rate on a three-point scale how stressed they felt each day, and how out of control their lives felt to them. The women who were aware that they were under heavy stress had significantly shortened and damaged telomeres compared with those who felt more relaxed. On the contrary, some of the women who felt relaxed despite raising a disabled child had more normal-appearing telomeres.
In other words, if you feel stressed, you are stressed; if you feel fine, you are fine.
【小题1】Which of the following are good for lengthening one’s life, according to the passage?
① eat healthy food ② drink plenty of water ③ take exercise ④ get up early
⑤ go to sleep early ⑥ release one’s stress
A.①③⑥ | B.①②③ | C.①⑤⑥ | D.③④⑥ |
A.your skin becomes white as there is plenty of sunshine |
B.your skin becomes smooth as there is much blood in it |
C.your skin looks pink as you are healthy |
D.your skin becomes soft as you exercise enough |
A.brains becoming cleverer | B.faces having fewer wrinkles |
C.arteries turning narrower | D.genes being changed |
A.mothers will have more damaged telomeres if they raise a disabled child |
B.mothers don’t know how to handle stress effectively |
C.some women were asked to fill out a questionnaire about educating children |
D.mothers’ positive attitudes are the key to managing their stress |
A.Eat better, live better | B.Feel better, live longer |
C.Less stress, fewer diseases | D.Smoke more, age sooner |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources.
Today’s consumer faces a wider range of choices than ever before, Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns, and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste, safeguard health and protect the environment, you’ll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want.
1. Do Your Homework
Before making any major purchase, take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry, and don’t be persuaded by overenthusiastic salespeople. Sleep on it if necessary—you won’t regret giving yourself some extra time to think.
2. Take the Long View
Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example, pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood, which may break easily.
3. Skip the Disposable Option
Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels, handkerchiefs, serviettes(餐巾)and cleaning cloths rather than paper, single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups, glasses, and chopsticks, too.
4. Take the Local Route
Buy local products that are in season. It’s usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one.
5. Avoid Wasteful Packaging
Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It’s estimated that approximately 10 percent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging—which you normally just throw away! Moreover, significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste.
【小题1】What could be the best title for this passage?
A.Protection of the Planet |
B.Green Shopping Principles |
C.Environmentally Friendly Products |
D.Resource Conservation |
A.think it over | B.forget about it |
C.set it aside | D.put it into action |
A.Because they are less expensive to buy. |
B.Because they save money in the long run. |
C.Because they will never break. |
D.Because they are local products. |
A.Following the stream of sales campaigns. |
B.Buying disposable chopsticks. |
C.Focusing on packaging. |
D.Purchasing from local markets. |
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