Federal regulators Wednesday approved a plan to create a nationwide emergency alert (警报) system using text messages delivered to cell phones.

Text messages have exploded in popularity in recent years，particularly among young people.The wireless industry’s trade association，CTIA，estimates (估计) more than 48 billion text messages are sent each month.

The plan comes from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act，a 2009 federal law that requires improvement to the nation’s emergency alert system.The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with coming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies.

“The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families before，and during，disasters and other emergencies，” FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said following approval of the plan.

Participation in the alert system by carriers－telecommunications companies－is voluntary，but it has received solid support from the wireless industry.

The program would be optional for cell phone users.They also may not be charged for receiving alerts.

There would be three different types of messages，according to the rules.

The first would be a national alert from the president，likely involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster.The second would involve “approaching threats”，which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or storms or even university shootings.The third would be reserved for child abduction (绑架) emergencies，or so?called Amber Alerts.

The service could be in place by 2010.

1．What is the purpose of the approved plan?

A．To warn people of emergencies via messages.

B．To popularize the use of cell phones.

C．To estimate the monthly number of messages.

D．To promote the wireless industry.

2．The improvement to the present system is in the charge of________.

A．CTIA　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B．the Warning Alert and Response Network

C．FCC　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D．federal regulators

3．The carriers’ participation in the system is determined by________.

A．the US federal government　　　　　　 B．mobile phone users

C．the carriers themselves　　　　 　　　 D．the law of the United States

4．Which of the following is TRUE of cell phone users?

A．They must accept the alert service.

B．They may enjoy the alert service for free.

C．They must send the alerts to others.

D．They may choose the types of messages.

5．An alert message will NOT be sent if________.

A．a child loses his way　　　　　　　　 B．a university shooting happens

C．a natural disaster happens　　　　　　 D．a terrorist attack occurs

Ever since news of widespread food recalls caused by a carcinogenic dye broke, there has been confusion（混淆） over possible links to the country of the same name, but Sudan officials say there is no connection whatever.

   Sudan?1 is a red industrial dye that has been found in some chilli powder, but was banned in food products across the European Union (EU) in July 2003.

   Since the ban was put in place, EU officials have been striving to remove some food products from the shelves. So far 580 products have been recalled.

Last week Sudan’s Embassy in the United Kingdom asked the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for clarification of the origin of the dye’s name.

   Omaima Mahmoud Al Sharief, a press official at Sudan’s Embassy in China, explained the purpose of the inquiry was to clear up any misunderstanding over links between the country and the poisonous dye.

　　"We want to keep an eye on every detail and avoid any misunderstanding there," she said. "Our embassy to Britain asked them how the dye got that name and whether the dye had something to do with our country. But they told us there was no relationship."

   The FSA, an independent food security watchdog in Britain, received a letter from the Sudanese embassy last week.

　"They asked us why the dye is named Sudan, however, we also do not know how it got the name," she said. "People found the dye in 1883 and gave it the name. Nobody knows the reason, and we cannot give any explanation before we find out."

   Sudan dyes, which include Sudan?1 to 4, are red dyes（颜料） used for colouring solvents（溶剂）, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. They are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

What does the underlined word mean in paragraph one?

A. Causing cancer.    B. Having side effect.    C. Containing poison.    D.Poisonous.

How did the Sudan?1 get its name?

A. The dye is often produced in Sudan.

B. The dye has something to do with the country named Sudan.

C. Nobody is sure of the origin of the name.

D. Many foods produced in Sudan contain the dye.

We can infer from the passage that.

A. the Sudan government is paying much attention to the food safety

B. Sudan?1 is often used to be added to the food

C. people didn’t realize the danger of Sudan?1 until 2003

D. many food shops will be closed down

Which of the following is the best title?

A. Keep away from Sudan?1

B. No Sudan?1 dye links to the country

C. How Sudan?1 dye got its name?

D. Pay attention to the food safety

Liverpool, my hometown, is a unique city. It is so unique that in 2004 it became a World Heritage （遗产） Site.  

I recently returned to my home city and my first stop was at a museum on the River Mersey. Blanketed in mist （薄雾）, Victorian architecture rose from the banks of the river, responded to the sounds of sea-birds, and appeared unbelievably charming. When I headed toward the centre, I found myself surrounded by buildings that mirror the best palaces of Europe. It is not hard to imagine why, on first seeing the city, most visitors would be overpowered by the beauty of the noble buildings, which are solid signs of Liverpool’s history.  

As if stress its cultural role, Liverpool has more museums and galleries （美术馆） than most cities in Britain. At Walker Art Gallery, I was told that it has best collections of Victorian paintings in the world, and is the home of modern art in the north of England. However, culture is more than galleries. Liverpool offers many music events. As Britain’s No.1 music city, it has the biggest city music festival in Europe, and its musicians are famous all over the world. Liverpool is also well-known for its football and other sports events. Every year, the Mersey River Festival attracts thousands of visitors, madding the city a place of wonder.  

As you would expect from such a city, there are restaurants serving food from around the world. When my trip was about to complete, I chose to rest my legs in Liverpool’s famous Philharmonic pub （酒馆）. It is a monument to perfection, and a heritage attraction itself.  

Being a World Heritage Site, my home city is certainly a place of “outstanding universal value”. It is a treasure house with plenty of secrets for the world to explore.  

　　68. Visitors who see the city for the first time would be deeply impressed by________

　　A. its charming banks

　　B. its famous museums

　　C. its wonderful palaces

　　D. its attractive buildings

　　69. The third paragraph is developed mainly by______

　　A. providing different examples

　　B. following the order of space

　　C. making comparisons

　　D. analyzing causes

　　70. The author uses the Philharmonic pub to prove that_______

　　A. Liverpool is a well-known city for its restaurants

　　B. Liverpool is an impressive place full of attraction

　　C. a pub is a wonderful place for visitors to relax themselves

　　D. a pub is a perfect choice for visitors to complete their journey

　　71. What is the passage mainly about?

　　A. The universal value of the world heritage in Liverpool

　　B. The exciting experience of the author in Liverpool

　　C. The special cultural atmosphere of Liverpool

D. The beautiful historic sites of Liverpool