People and the sources of air pollution are found in the same places. This means that cities with large populations have the biggest problem of dirty air. Air pollution is caused by many different things. A major source of air pollution is the gas fumes from cars. Statistics show that 93 percent of all auto trips are within cities. Another major source of dirty air is the burning of coal and oil for energy. This energy is needed to make electricity. Of course, much more electricity is used in the city than in the country.

     On the average, we throw away more trash and garbage than the year before. The burning of garbage contributes to air pollution. Many major industries are also responsible for the dirty air in the around cities. The fumes from iron, steel, chemical, and petroleum production add particles to the air.

     The effects of air pollution range from mild headaches to death. The levels of pollution found in heavy for traffic may cause headaches for loss of clear vision. Wherever coal and oil are used for fuel, fumes may kill trees and plants and cause metal to corrode. In some of the larger cities, these fumes endanger the live of human beings by contributing to lung diseases and causing early death.

15．The key point of the passage is that _________.

    A. the cause of air pollution is people

    B. the causes and the effects of air pollution are both found in cities

    C. the effects of air pollution range from headaches to death

    D. air pollution is caused by dirty air

16．What is the purpose of this passage?

    A. to persuade people to stop polluting the air

    B. to tell the causes of air pollution

    C. to tell why cities are bad places to live

    D. to describe why cities are bad places to live

17. Why is air pollution more grave in the city than in the country?

    A. Because there larger populations in cities.

    B. Because the air in the city is dirty.

    C. Because there are more cars in the city.

D. Because there are much more gas fumes from cars and burning of coal and oil for energy  

   in the city than in the country.

18．The fumes from coal and oil may cause metal ______.

    A. to turn black                               B. to become rusty             

    C. to corrode                             D. to twist

19. In larger cities, the fumes from coal and oil may contribute to ___________.

    A. heart disease                       B. lung diseases     

    C. loss of clear vision               D. serious headache

—Excuse me, sir. Would you do me a favor?

—Of course. What is it?

—I ________ if you could tell me how to fill out this form.

A. had wondered     B. was wondering  C. would wonder    D. did wonder

One of the most difficult things for children to deal with when moving to a new town is leaving their friends and making new ones.

    We once moved and one of our new neighbors told us about a summer camp at the Recreation Center all the kids went to. My husband and I looked into it and we found it was unbelievably cheap. I had the kids sign up (报名) the next day so that they could know more kids there.

    Another thing we did was to have them sign up for sports when school started. They were happy to be on teams with new friends they made. This also gave me a chance to meet new people and from them I sometimes got some useful ideas for my new books.

    If you’re just moving to a new house in the same city you live in now, it won’t really be a problem unless your kids are changing schools. If they are, it is a great idea to have them take the address book to school. Thus, your children won’t feel “lost” without their old friends.

    If you’re able to, over the summer vacation, try inviting the friend your child misses most to come and visit your new home for a week, or even a few weeks. I know this can be difficult if that child has to fly, but maybe you can work out a plan with the child’s parents. Think how happy the kids will be when they meet!

The author had her kids sign up for the summer camp mainly because _____.

A. she could afford the cost                B. she was asked to do so by her kids

C. it could give her kids a chance to meet more kids

D. it could make the summer holiday not so boring

What is probably the author?

A. A housewife.     B. A business woman.       C. A teacher.       D. A writer.

What we can’t learn from the passage is that ____. 

A. a summer camp at the Recreation Center was very cheap

B. having the kids take part in sports is good for both the author and her kids

C. parents should ask their children not to think of their old friends

D. parents should create more chances for children to make new friends

The purpose of the passage is to teach parents how to ______ when they move to a new place. 

A. get used to the new life in a short time

B. help their children make new friends and keep the old ones

C. get along with their new neighbors

D. help their children get used to the new school life

People in Shanghai can quench their thirst with high quality water if the Shanghai Water Authority (SWA) is able to make good on its word. It has vowed to make the city’s water match its status as a world class city.

   “The current tap water quality meets national standards, but, compared with that of the European Union and the United States, it still needs to be improved.” said the SWA’s director general, Hang Jiayi.

    In other developed countries, water fountains can be found almost everywhere—people do not bother with bottled drinking water.

    By 2020, the water of the Huangpu River will be treated to reduce the amount of organic waste in it. Major water works that draw water from the Huangpu will need more treatment facilities to improve the colour, texture, ammonia(氨)and nitrogen content before 2010.

    These treatment facilities are expected to cost 4 billion yuan, something that could affect the price of water, according to Chen Yin, SWA’s deputy director general.

    Chen said that replacing water pipes was also a key project. The city’s aged pipes are mostly to blame for the bad water quality.

    The SWA has started the water facilities renovation(更新)work, including the more than 14,000 kilometres of indoor piping, 107,000 tanks on top of the buildings, and more than 6,000 underground facilities.

    World Water Day came on March 22, and this year’s theme is “Water for the future”. Beijing is also drawing up plans during China’s Water Week, which runs until March 28.

    By 2010, the water for the Shanghai EXPO is to be above World Health Organization standards. And, the people of Beijing will be able to drink their tap water as well.

People in Shanghai can drink their tap water_____.

   A. by 2020       B. in the first half of this year     C. by 2010      D. by 2008

What step need not be taken in order to improve the tap water?

A. The water of the Huangpu River will be treated.    B. Aged water pipes will be treated.

C. Water facilities must be renovated.                   D. Water fountains must be found.

Which is the correct statement according to the passage?

A. The tap water quality in Shanghai hasn’t met national standards.

B. World Water Day fell on March 22 this year.

C. The people of Beijing cannot drink their tap water now.

D. The treatment of the water of Huangpu River has been finished.

What is the main idea of the passage?

A. The cost of treating the tap water.

B. How to reach the water standards of developed countries.

C. The project for making tap water drinkable in Shanghai and Beijing.

D. The progress of treating the water of Huangpu River.