When I asked my daughter which item she would keep; the phone, the car, the cooker, the computer, the TV, or her boyfriend, she said “the phone”. Personally, I could do without the phone entirely, which makes me unusual. Because the telephone is changing our lives more than any other piece of technology.
Point 1 The telephone creates the need to communicate, in the same way that more roads create more traffic. My daughter comes home from school at 4:00 pm and then spends an hour on the phone talking to the very people she has been at school with all day. If the phone did not exist, would she have anything to talk about?
Point 2 The mobile phone means that we are never alone. “The mobile saved my life,” says Crystal Johnstone. She had an accident in her Volvo on the A45 between Otley and Skipton. Trapped inside, she managed to make the call that brought the ambulance(救护车) to her rescue.
Point 3 The mobile removes our secret. It allows marketing manager of Haba Deutsch, Carl Nicolaisen, to ring his sales staff all round the world at any time of day to ask where they are , where they are going, and how their last meeting went.
Point 4 The telephone separates us. Antonella Bramante in Rome says, “We worked in separate offices but I could see him through the window. It was easy to get his number. We were so near——but we didn’t meet for the first two weeks!”
Point 5 The telephone allows us to reach out beyond our own lives. Today we can talk to several complete strangers simultaneously ( 同时地) on chat lines (at least my daughter does. I wouldn’t know what to talk about). We can talk across the world. We can even talk to astronauts (if you know any) while they’re space-walking. And, with the phone line hooked up to the computer, we can access(存取) the Internet, the biggest library on Earth.
【小题1】How do you understand Point 1 —The telephone creates the need to communicate ？

A．People don’t communicate without telephone.

B．People communicate because of the creating of the telephone.

C．People communicate more since telephone has been created.

D．People communicate more because of more traffic.

【小题2】Which of the following best shows people’s attitude towards mobile phones?

A．Mobile phones help people deal with the emergency.

B．Mobile phones bring convenience as well as little secret to people.

C．Mobile phones are so important and should be encouraged.

D．Mobile phones are part of people’s life.

【小题3】 Which points do you think support the idea that phones improve people’s life?
a. Point 1. b. Point2. c. Point3. d. Point 4. e. Point 5.

A．c, d

B．a, e

C．a, c

D．b, e

【小题4】It is possible to talk to several complete strangers simultaneously through         .

A．the TV screen	B．a fax machine
C．the phone line hooked up to the computer	D．a microphone

【小题5】The best heading for the passage is             .

A．Phone Power	B．Kinds of Phone
C．How to Use Phones	D．Advantage of Phones

Is it true that cats have nine lives? One 4-year-old American cat named Sugar definitely seems to have more than one. Sugar fell from the 19th floor of her owner’s home in Boston last month and was only hurt a little on her chest.
“This story isn’t much of a surprise,” said Jake Socha, a scientist at Virginia Tech University, US, in an interview with the BBC. “There have been lots of records of these cats surviving.”
Back in 1987, scientists studied 132 cats. All of them had been brought to a vet’s clinic in New York after falling from tall buildings. Around 90 percent of these cats were alive after their fall and only 37 percent had been seriously injured.
“Being able to survive falls is a critical thing for animals that live in trees, and cats are one of them,” said Socha.
Cats have developed special body structures to survive accidental falls. Their legs are muscular. This can protect their bones from breaking, Professor Andrew Biewener from Harvard University told the BBC. Cats can also spread out their legs like a parachute to reduce their falling speed, he said.
The strange part, according to scientists, is that cats have a better chance of survival if they fall from higher than seven stories. This is because cats have a good sense of which way is down. They can twist their bodies as they fall to make sure they land on their feet. A higher fall means more time for the cat to change its body position.
However, you should not throw your cat out of the window to see how this works. Most pet cats are overweight nowadays. They are not fit enough to change their position in midair, warned Steve Dale, an American cat behavior scientist.
“This cat (Sugar) was lucky,” Dale said. In fact, most cats would suffer serious lung damage, a broken leg or a broken jaw or teeth damage, he said.
【小题1】What can we learn from Paragraph 3?

A．Cats really do have nine lives.

B．Many cats can survive falls.

C．Cats are the softest animals in the world.

D．More than half of the cats that fall from high places end up badly injured.

【小题2】What does the underlined word “critical” mean in the context?

A．Important.

B．Easy.

C．Challenging.

D．Serious.

【小题3】Why can cats survive falls according to the article?
a. They have a hidden parachute in their bodies.
b. Their legs have developed in a way that protects their bones from breaking.
c. They can land on their feet.
d. They can twist their bodies to reduce the speed at which they are falling.

A．a, b

B．b, c

C．c, d

D．b, d

【小题4】Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．A pet cat that falls out of a tall building is not really at risk.

B．Sugar was lucky that she was only injured in the leg.

C．Cats are confused as to which way is down when they are in midair.

D．A cat that falls from the fourth story of a building is more likely to die than one that falls from the 10th story.

Read the following directions on a bottle of medicine：
“Take two tablets(药片)with water, followed by one tablet every eight hours, as required, For maximum(最大量) night-time and early morning relief(缓解疼痛), take two tablets at bed - time, Do not take more than six tablets in twenty-four hours.
For children six to twelve years old, give half the amount for a grownup. For children under six years old, ask for your doctor’s advice.
Reduce the amount if nervousness, restlessness, or sleeplessness occurs,”
【小题1】The directions on this medicine bottle clearly warn the patient not to take more than _____ .

A．twenty-four tablets a day.	B．eight tablets a day.
C．six tablets a day.	D．three tablets a day.

【小题2】We can infer from the directions that ______ .

A．the medicine could cause some people to feel nervous.

B．children may take the same amount that grown-ups take.

C．one may not take this medicine before going to bed.

D．the medicine is a liquid.

【小题3】If one cannot sleep, it is suggested that he _____ .

A．take two tablets before going to bed.	B．take less than two tablets before going to bed.
C．stop taking the medicine.	D．ask advice of a doctor.

【小题4】Obviously the medicine _______ .

A．may be dangerous to small children.

B．cannot be taken by children under twelve years old.

C．may be taken by children but not by grown-ups.

D．may be taken by grown-ups but not by children.

Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品) of technological developments in the space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
【小题1】Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?

A．To express his doubts

B．To compare different ideas

C．To introduce points for discussion

D．To describe the conditions on earth.

【小题2】What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?

A．Humans are nature-born to do so.

B．Humans have the tendency to fight

C．Humans may find new sources of food.

D．Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.

【小题3】The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.

A．survival chances	B．potential resources
C．unexpected benefits	D．physical possessions

【小题4】What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

A．Our genetic makeup.

B．Resources on the earth.

C．The adaptive ability of humans

D．By-products in space exploration.

【小题5】Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?

A．Space exploration has created many wonders.

B．Space exploration provided the best value for money.

C．Space exploration allows resources to be found.

D．Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

Are you worried by the rising crime rate? If you are, you probably know that your house, possessions(财产) and person are increasingly in danger of suffering from great rise in the cases of burglary(夜盗;抢劫) and attack.
Figures show an ever-increasing crime rate, but it is only too easy to imagine "It will never happen to me". Unfortunately, statistics show that it really can happen to you and, if you live in a large city, you run twice the risk of being a victim.
Fortunately, there is something definite which you can do. Protect Alarms can help to protect your house with a burglar alarm system（报警系统） which is effective, simple to operate and easily affordable.
You must remember that owning a burglar alarm is no indication(暗示) that your house is packed with valuable possessions. It quite simply indicates to unwelcome visitors that yours is one house they will not break into easily, so they carry on to an unprotected house where their job is made a lot easier.
Send now for our free leaflet(宣传册) telling you how we can Protect Alarm your house quickly, easily and cheaply. Complete and tear off the slip below and post it to us. Postage is free. Also, telephone us on 327 6721 where we have a round-the-clock answering service. It costs nothing to find out about Protect Alarm.
【小题1】Anyone who takes an interest in the crime rate will, according to the text, be aware that ___________.

A．more burglars are being caught than ever before

B．people have more possessions to worry about nowadays

C．burglars are more at risk than they used to be

D．homes are more likely to be broken into nowadays

【小题2】It seems that people who live in cities are ____________

A．more often victims than those living in other areas

B．of the opinion that statistics are wrong

C．twice as well as people living in other areas

D．of the opinion that burglars only rob unprotected homes

【小题3】The article suggests that possessing an alarm system will _________.

A．show burglars that you have something worth stealing

B．persuade burglars not to break into your house

C．make the burglars' job less complicated

D．persuade burglars to try again another time

【小题4】In order to find out more information about this alarm system one can _______.

A．buy a leaflet

B．write enclosing a stamped, addressed envelope

C．sign a contract

D．phone at any time of day or night

【小题5】The underlined word "Figures" in the second paragraph can be replaced by"      "

A．Pictures

B．Fingers

C．Numbers

D．Mathematics

Joker found one of the biggest diamonds in the world right in his own back yard. He sold the stone to a diamond dealer for over three hundred thousand dollars. In New York, the diamond was resold---this time for almost eight hundred thousand dollars. The true value of a diamond is never known until it has been cut. Once cut successfully, its value can increase a thousand times. It's easy to understand why the owner of Joker's diamond went to the best diamond cutter he knew, Kaplan. The cutter studied the diamond for twelve whole months.
When he felt he was ready to start work, he discovered a flaw (瑕疵) . He had to begin his calculations all over again, or he might have made the stone useless. Six months passed, and Kaplan finally said to the owner, “I am ready to start my work. There will be one excellent diamond that will be comparable one excellent diamond of first-class quality (质量)  " Kaplan waited a few more days until he felt he was in the best physical and mental (精神的) condition(条件) possible. He picked up his tools (工具) and held his breath as he made the diamond exactly as he promised.
【小题1】Joker found one of the biggest diamonds in the world_________.

A．in a minute	B．at the foot of a big mountain
C．in his own back yard	D．in a garage (汽车库)

【小题2】A diamond dealer is a person ___________.

A．in the diamond business	B．who stole diamonds
C．who cuts diamonds	D．who sells diamonds

【小题3】When the diamond was resold,____________.

A．the dealer lost a lot of money

B．Joker made some more money

C．the dealer got 800, 000 dollars

D．Kaplan got 800,000 dollars

【小题4】The owner of the diamond thought that if the diamond was cut successfully it might be worth_________.

A．$ 300, 000	B．$ 500,000
C．$ 300, 000	D．$ 800,000,000

【小题5】Kaplan studied the diamond for____________.

A．more than one and a half years

B．more than half a year

C．over eight months

D．more than nineteen months

We’ve heard about radiation from the damaged nuclear reactors in Japan reaching American shores. Experts say so far there is no reason to worry, and point out that we meet radiation every day. Where and how? NPR’s Renee Montagne posed that question to Peter Caracappa, a radiation safety officer and professor of nuclear engineering.
MONTAGNE: How many things emit radiation?
Dr CARACAPPA: Well, radiation and radioactive material is a part of nature. So everything that’s living has some amount of radiation coming from it—a very small amout. Plus there’s radiation in the ground and the air.
So the extremes are uranium in the soil to bananas?
Yes.
By the way, why do bananas have radiation?
Bananas have a lot of potassium(钾). And a small amount of potassium naturally is called potassium 40, which is radioactive
What’s the difference between radiation that’s harmful and not harmful?
Well, the term radiation can apply to a lot of different things. But the harmful radiation is ionizing(离子)radiation. It has enough energy that it can make chemical changes in material. We could get ionizing radiation from an X-ray, for example. It’s the kind of radiation that causes cancer.
The broader definition of radiation includes a lot of things that we call non-ionizing radiation. That includes everything like radio waves and visible light and your microwave.
So what then is the largest contributor of ionizing radiation?
For the natural sources of ionizing radiation, actually the biggest chunk of that tends to come from radon(氡), which is a radioactive material that is present in the air. It can become a concern when it builds up in low-lying areas of homes like basements.
Would it be fair to say that most people do not need to worry about the danger of being exposed to radiation?
I would say that the everyday exposure to radioation that we meet contributes an extremely tiny risk to our life or to our health compared to all of the other risks that we meet in our day-to-day life.
【小题1】We can infer from the first paragraph that radiation is______.

A．rare

B．powerful

C．dangerous

D．common

【小题2】The passage may be _______.

A．an interview

B．an argument

C．a talk show program

D．a science report

【小题3】Whether radiation is harmful or not depends on______.

A．whether it has a small amount of potassium

B．whether it changes chemical in materials.

C．whether it has energy to change materials

D．whether it is visible in life

【小题4】The purpose of writing this passage is to _______.

A．advise on how to protect us from radiation

B．analyze what causes radiation in daily life

C．warn people of the danger of radiation

D．expect people not to fear everyday radiation

Scientists are trying to make the deserts ,which get very little rain, into good land again. They want to bring water to the deserts，so people can live and grow food. They are learning a lot about the deserts. But more and more of the earth is becoming desert all the time. Scientists may not be able to change the desert in time．
Why is more and more land becoming desert？Scientists think that people make deserts．People are doing bad things to the earth against the scientists’ wish．
Some places on the earth don’t get much rain. But they still don’t become deserts．This is because some green plants are growing there．Small green plants and grass are very important to dry places．Plants don’t let the sun make the earth even drier． Plants do not let the wind blow the dirt away．When a bit of rain falls，the plants hold the water. Without plants, the land can become desert more easily．
【小题1】Deserts ____________ ．

A．never have any plants or animals in them

B．can all be turned into good land before long

C．are becoming smaller and smaller

D．get very little rain

【小题2】More and more land is becoming desert  because____________．

A．plants can’t grow there

B．there is not enough rain

C．people haven’t done what scientists wish them to do

D．scientists know little about the deserts

【小题3】Small green plants are very important to dry places because ________

A．they don’t let the sun make the earth even drier

B．they don’t let the wind blow the soil away

C．they hold water

D．All of the above．

【小题4】After reading this passage, we learn that _____________ ．

A．plants can keep dry land from becoming desert

B．it is good to get rid of the grass in the deserts

C．all places without much rain will become deserts

D．it is better to grow crops on dry land than to cut them

Blogs (博客) are the place where young people go to show their hearts, to express their anger, sorrow or disappointment, and even to gossip (说别人的闲话).
Many people enjoy the freedom in blogging. Some, however, find that putting one’s life online can have a price. The blogs of some students in America were stopped by the government for some time because they posted threatening words to their teachers on their blogs.
A recent study finds that nearly a fifth of teens who surf the Internet have their own blogs. And 38 % of teens say they read other people’s blogs. By comparison, about a tenth of adults have their own blogs and a quarter say they read other people’s online magazines.
With the development of the Internet, more and more people will be attracted by blogging.
In another study, 79% of teens agree that people at their age aren’t careful enough when giving out information about themselves online. Besides, careless blogging can also influence blog readers. When you are angry or unhappy, your blog is the first place you turn to. The words you post then may not be rational which you may regret later. To minimize (使减到最小) the negative influence, change the safety setting and make such posts “personal” so that only you can read them.
As long as you are careful with what you post, blogging is a great means of staying in touch with friends and displaying one’s creative works.
【小题1】Blogs are the place where people __________.

A．go online to have a chat

B．go online to enjoy freedom

C．exchange their views online

D．go online to express themselves freely

【小题2】The fact that some American students’ blogs were stopped is used to show that __________.

A．people should not put their life online

B．American students are limited in blogging

C．anyone who gets on the Web has his blog

D．people should be careful with what they write

【小题3】The underlined word “rational” in the fifth paragraph probably means __________.

A．strange	B．perfect
C．helpful	D．reasonable

【小题4】The passage is mainly about __________.

A．the use people make of blogs

B．the number of people who have blogs

C．advantages and disadvantages of blogs

D．the author’s suggestions about blogging

Bamboo (竹子) is one of nature’s most surprising plants. Many people call this plant a tree, but it is a kind of grass.
Like other kinds of grass, a bamboo plant may be cut very low to the ground, but it will grow back very quickly. A Japanese scientist reported one bamboo plant which grew 1.5 meters in 24 hours! Bamboo grows almost everywhere in the world except Europe. There are more than 1, 000 kinds of bamboo.
Not all bamboo looks the same. Some bamboo plants are very thin. They may only grow to be a few centimeters wide while others may grow to more than 30 centimeters across. This plant also comes in different colors, from yellow to black to green.
Bamboo has been used to make many things such as hats and kitchen tools. Because it is strong, bamboo is also used to build buildings.
Many Asian countries have used bamboo for hundreds of years. They often use bamboo for buildings and supporting new buildings and bridges while they are being built.
In Africa, poor farmers are taught how to find water using bamboo. These African countries need cheap way to find water because they have no money, and their fields often die from no rain and no water. Bamboo pipes (管子) help poor farmers bring water to their thirsty fields without spending a lot of money.
【小题1】How is bamboo like grass?

A．It grows quickly.	B．It’s wood.
C．It is easy to cut.	D．It is very thin.

【小题2】Though you can see bamboo everywhere, it doesn’t grow __________.

A．in China	B．in Europe
C．on mountains	D．in Africa

【小题3】Why is bamboo used by African poor farmers?

A．It is cheap.	B．It has different colors.
C．It is strong.	D．It has been used by Asians.

【小题4】In Asia, bamboo has been used for __________.

A．a short time	B．about 100 years
C．many hundreds of years	D．many thousands of year