Opposition is growing to the Berlin Zoo’s plans to find a new home for Knut, the moneymaking celebrity polar bear whose popularity has been exploited by environmentalists and even Canadian tourism promoters.
No longer cute, and just days before his second birthday, Knut will be given a new home that is expected to include a potential mating partner.
The Berlin Zoo, facing the global economic crisis, can’t afford the estimated $ 13 million it would take to acquire a female and a new home for them to share. “It’s time for him to go --- the sooner he gets a new home the better,” said senior bear keeper Heiner Kloes.
But some Berliners are beginning a campaign, collecting petition (请愿书) signatures and arguing that he’s a tourist draw and a symbol as important as the Brandenburg Gate. “He means a lot to many people. When you’re with him you forget your problems,” Hartmut Wiedenroth, co-founder of the campaign, told Spiegel Online.
Knut became an international celebrity in 2007, drawing huge crowds to his cage and triggering sales of thousands of Knut toys and Knut-shaped candies.
The Vancouver-based Canadian Tourism Commission made Knut a major part of its “Canada—Keep Exploring” campaign to draw tourists to the country--- and especially to polar bear country in northern Manitoba to see them in their natural habitat. Environmentalists also used the bear to promote the fight against global warming.
But Knut’s popularity diminished as his size increased to 210 kilograms, He was photographed at one point snapping (咬)at a child near his cage. In September his keeper, Thomas Doerflein, died of a heart attack. Doerflein, who became a celebrity himself after nursing the tiny ball of white fur when Knut’s mother rejected him, had been re-assigned shortly after Knut’s first birthday. Some animal rights critics said Knut has been showing unusually aggressive behavior because of his unnatural upbringing.
63.The Berlin Zoo intends to find a new home for Knut mainly because of _______.
A. the mother bear deserting him B. Knut’s aggressive behavior
C. lacking a skillful bear keeper D. its financial problem
64. A campaign is being launched in Berlin _______.
A. in order to keep Knut in the zoo
B. by selling Knut-shaped candies
C. to draw tourists to northern Manitoba
D. to warn people of global warming
65. The underlined word “triggering” in Paragraph 5 can be replaced by “_______”.
A. decreasing B. preventing C. promoting D. conducting
66. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Doerflein, a celebrity of Germany B. Zoo says Knut must go
C. The polar bear capital of the world D. Polar bears in Canada
科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
Most people agree that the direct, assertive(过分自信的) American personality is a virtue, but it sometimes surprises foreigners. In many cultures, respect for older people or those in positions of authority keeps others from expressing their true feelings. But in the U.S, children often argue with their parents, students may disagree with their teachers, and citizens may express opposition to the actions of the government. If the soup has a fly in it or the meat is too tough to chew, the diner can complain to the waiter, if the boss makes a mistake, an employee will politely point it out.
Some straight talk about the American character must include the admission that Americans have their faults. The extremely competitive nature of Americans is probably their worst fault. Of course, competition isn’t always bad. As a matter of fact, it promotes excellence by encouraging individuals and businesses to try to do their best. But the desire to get ahead of others sometimes causes people to do things that are unkind and even dishonest. Also, Americans admire what is practical, fast, efficient, and fresh. Sometimes they fail to understand and appreciate practices that have greater respect for more traditional, leisurely ways of doing things. On the other hand, people from other cultures may dislike the practical, challenging American lifestyle.
Despite culture differences, most foreigners give Americans credit for their virtues. Americans are generally viewed as friendly, adaptable, energetic, and kindhearted. Most newcomers to the U.S. like Americans, and the feeling is usually mutual. Perhaps the greatest American virtue is a deep interest in new ideas and new people. In a nation of immigrants, the foreigner does not remain an outsider for long.
1.In order to show the respect for older people,. .
A.people from some other cultures will always express their true feeling
B.people from some other cultures may sometimes hide their true feeling
C.Americans always show their true feelings
D.Americans usually argue with them
2.Why is the extremely competitive nature considered as one of American faults?
A.Because people from other cultures fear competition.
B.Because only American people own it.
C.Because it will make people forget leisure.
D.Because it may sometimes urge people to do something bad.
3.It can be inferred from the passage that . .
A.American people are more critical of everything than people from other cultures
B.the author believes that American character has more faults than virtues
C.the author admires American virtues as they are viewed as competitive and anti traditional
D.it is difficult for newcomers to get on with Americans
4.The passage mainly talks about . .
A.American virtues B.American characters C.American faults D.American lifestyles
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
President Barack Obama's speeches are proving a best-seller in Japan -- as an aid to learning English. An English-language textbook, "The Speeches of Barack Obama," has sold more than 400,000 copies in two months, a big hit in a country where few hit novels sell more than a million copies a year.
Japanese have a fervor for learning English and many bookstores have a corner dedicated (专门用于) to dozens of journals in the language, many of them now featuring the new U.S. leader's face.
"Speeches by presidents and presidential candidates(候选人) are excellent as listening tools to learn English. Obama's are especially so. His speeches are so moving, and he also uses words such as 'yes, we can,' 'change' and 'hope' that even Japanese people can memorize," said Yuzo Yamamoto of Asahi Press, which produced the best-selling text book.
Speeches by George W. Bush and former nominee(提名) John Kerry's four years ago did not have the same interest, however, and nor do those made by Japanese politicians. “We have to turn to a foreign president for someone in whom to place our hopes”, Yamamoto said.
The 95-page paperback features Obama's speeches in English from the 2004 Democratic National Convention and during the Democratic Party primaries(初选), in which he defeated Hillary Clinton. They are accompanied by Japanese translations.
The 1,050 yen ($12) book, which includes a CD of the speeches, tops the bestseller list on bookseller Amazon's Japanese Website, http://www.amazon.co.jp/. He said lawmakers from Japan's main opposition Democratic Party had bought the book to study Obama's speeches.
Following Obama's inauguration(就职典礼), Asahi Press plans to issue a sequel(续集) that includes his inaugural address, as well as President John F. Kennedy's 1961 inaugural speech. It will also feature a reading of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address of 1863.
64. Speeches by presidents and presidential candidates are excellent as listening tools to learn English because ________.
the speakers are all great
B. the speakers have high speech skills
C. the language is full of humor
D. the contents are good and the words are easy to catch
Why do Japanese place their hopes in a foreign president?
A. Because they don’t have politicians who have such a positive influence.
B. Because they have the same attitude as the foreign presidents.
C. Because they have never made a political speech.
D. Because they hope to have a foreigner as their leader.
Which is true about “The Speeches of Barack Obama”?
A. It contains all Obama’s speeches .
B. It has 1,050 pages with a CD.
C. It includes his inaugural address.
D. It is an especially popular book in Japan.
Which of the following can best describe the main idea of the passage?
A. Japan speaks highly of Obama president .
B. Japan learns English from Obama speeches textbook .
C. Obama gains his fame from his election speeches.
D. Obama gives Japanese speeches on how to learn English.
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
The UN Security Council was created in 1945. It is made up of 10 rotating (轮值的) members and five permanent members, which have a veto, the power to stop a resolution (决议). Most UN members now consider the organization's structure outdated． But any changes need the agreement of two-thirds of the 191 members, and no veto from any of the five permanent council members.
Last year, Japan, Germany, Brazil and India formed a lobbying (游说) group to get permanent council seats. But North and South Korea have doubts about Japan, Italy opposes Germany for a seat, Pakistan is against India's candidacy (候选资格) and Mexico and Argentina frown on Brazil.
A wave of emotion swept through China last week as millions voiced their opposition to Japan's permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. By last Friday over 22 million Chinese had signed an online petition (请愿) against Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the council.
According to major Chinese websites, such as sina.com, more than 170,000 overseas Chinese also signed． This is the first online activity of its kind．
The petition was started by US-based Alliance for Preserving the Truth of the Sino-Japanese War (抗日战争史实维护会). They want Japan to apologize for crimes during World War II. The group also plans to present the petition to the UN this autumn.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said he didn't think the petition shows anti-Japanese feeling. He believed instead it is a request for Japan to take a responsible attitude towards history.
What’s the main idea of the first paragraph?
A．Function of the UN in world affairs. B．Members of the UN.
C．Facts about the UN Security Council. D．Reform of the UN Security Council.
Which statement is true according to the text?
A．Four countries, such as Japan, Germany, Brazil and India are applying for joining the UN.
B．Some countries, such as North and South Korea, Italy, Pakistan, Mexico and Argentina propose ticking the four countries out of the UN.
C．If the countries’ bids for permanent membership of the Council are turned down, the
opponent countries will take the place.
D．The UN Security Council is going to take in new members.
The underlined phrase “frown on” in the third paragraph can be replaced by _____.
A．agree on B．disapprove of
C．give a firm support to D．say yes to
What’s the main reason for China’s opposition to Japan’s permanent membership of the Council?
A．Japan is unwilling to admit to its crimes against the Chinese in the World War II.
B．Millions of people in Asia signed a petition against it.
C．The Chinese people have strong anti-Japanese feeling.
D．Japan is an irresponsible country that once had a history of invasion.
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
The question of whether war is inevitable is one which has concerned many of the world’s great writers. Before 36 this question, it will be useful to introduce some 37 concepts. Conflict, 38 as opposition among social units-or individuals-directed against one another, is 39 from competition, which 40 opposition among social units 41 seeking to obtain something which is 42 inadequate supply. Competitors may not know about one another, which those who 43 in a conflict do. Conflict and competition are both 44 of opposition. The meaning of opposition has been stated as a process by which social unit function in the disservice of one another, opposition is 45 contrasted to cooperation, a 46 by which social units function in the service of one another. These 47 are necessary because it is important to emphasize that competition between individuals or groups is inevitable in a world of limited 48 , but conflict isn’t . Conflict, nevertheless, is very likely to occur and is probably an essential and desirable 49 of human societies.
Many authors have 50 their arguments that war cannot be avoided on the idea that in the struggle for existence among groups of animals, only those which are best 51 remain alive. In general, however, this struggle in nature is competition, not conflict. Those who fail in this competition 52 starve
to death or are 53 by other types of animals. This struggle for 54 is not similar to human war, but is like the competition of 55 for jobs, markets, and materials. The most important quality of this struggle is the competition for the necessities of life that are not enough to satisfy all.
36.A.considering B.solving C.answering D.saying
37.A.related B.used C.translated D.sacred
38.A.specified B.remarked C.defined D.claimed
39.A.variable B.distinguished C.various D.isolated
40.A.acknowledged B.denies C.assumes D.means
41.A.critically B.approximately C.independently D.costly
42.A.on B.for C.with D.in
43.A.enter B.participate C.fall D.involve
44.A.formations B.classes C.terms D.reactions
45.A.nevertheless B.however C.thus D.maybe
46.A.procession B.standard C.process D.measurement
47.A.accounts B.definitions C.descriptions D.explanations
48.A.resources B.origins C.sources D.materials
49.A.matter B.element C.event D.coincidence
50.A.concentrated B.fixed C.centered D.based
51.A.encouraged B.accepted C.adapted D.adopted
52.A.not only B.either C.neither D.both
53.A.killed B.raised C.fired D.surrounded
54.A.resistence B.privilege C.favour D.employment
55.A.workers B.officials C.individuals D.residents
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科目：高中英语 来源：2012-2013学年上海市青浦区高考一模（即期末）英语试卷（解析版） 题型：阅读理解
At the heart of the debate over illegal immigration lies one key question: are immigrants good or bad for the economy? The American public overwhelmingly thinks they’re bad. Yet the agreement among most economists is that immigration, both legal and illegal, provides a small net boost to the economy. Immigrants provide cheap labor, lower the prices of everything from farm produce to new homes, and leave consumers with a little more money in their pockets. So why is there such a discrepancy between the perception of immigrants’ impact on the economy and the reality?
There are a number of familiar theories. Some argue that people are anxious and feel threatened by an inflow of new workers. Others highlight the stress that undocumented immigrants place on public services, like schools, hospitals, and jails. Still others emphasize the role of race, arguing that foreigners add to the nation's fears and insecurities. There’s some truth to all these explanations, but they aren’t quite sufficient.
To get a better understanding of what’s going on, consider the way immigration’s impact is felt. Though its overall effect may be positive, its costs and benefits are distributed unevenly. David Card, an economist at UC Berkeley, notes that the ones who profit most directly from immigrants’ low-cost labor are businesses and employers —meatpacking plants in Nebraska, for instance, these producers’ savings probably translate into lower prices at the grocery store, but how many consumers make that mental connection at the checkout counter? As for the drawbacks of illegal immigration, these, too, are concentrated. Native low-skilled workers suffer most from the competition of foreign labor. According to a study by George Borjas, a Harvard economist, immigration has reduced the wages of American high-school dropouts by 9%.
Among high-skilled, better-educated employees, however, opposition was strongest in states with both high numbers of immigrants and relatively generous social services. What worried them most, in other words, was the financial burden of immigration. That conclusion was reinforced by another finding: that their opposition appeared to soften when that financial burden decreased, as occurred with welfare reform in the 1990s, which curbed immigrants’ access to certain benefits.
The irony is that for all the overexcited debate, the net effect of immigration is minimal. Even for those most acutely affected — say, low-skilled workers, or California residents — the impact isn’t all that dramatic. “The unpleasant voices have tended to dominate our perceptions,” says Daniel Tichenor, a professor at the University of Oregon. “But when all those factors are put together and the economists calculate the numbers, it ends up being a net positive, but a small one.” Too bad most people don’t realize it.
1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A．Whether immigrants are good or bad for the economy has been puzzling economists.
B．The American economy used to thrive on immigration but now it’s a different story.
C．The agreement among economists is that immigration should not be encouraged.
D．The general public thinks differently from most economists on the impact of immigration.
2.What is the chief concern of native high-skilled, better-educated employees about the inflow of immigrants?
A．It may change the existing social structure.
B．It may pose a threat to their economic status.
C．It may decrease .their financial burden.
D．It may place a great pressure on the state budget.
3.What is the irony about the debate over immigration?
A．Even economists can’t reach an agreement about its impact.
B．Those who are opposed to it turn out to benefit most from it.
C．People are making too big a fuss about something of small impact.
D．There is no essential difference between seemingly opposite opinions.
4.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A．A debate about whether to immigrate.
B．A debate about the impact of illegal immigrants.
C．The great impact of immigrants on the economy.
D．Opposition to illegal immigration.
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