Earthquakes may rightly be ranked as one of the most destructive forces known to man: since records began to be written down, it has been estimated that earthquake-related fatalities (死亡) have numbered in the millions, and that earthquake-related destruction has been beyond calculation. The greater part of such damage and loss of life had been due to collapse of buildings and the effects of rockslides, floods, fire, disease, tsunamis, and other observable events resulting from earthquakes, rather than from quakes themselves.

The great majority of all earthquakes occur in two specific geographic areas. One such area covers the Pacific Ocean and its bordering landmasses. The other extends from the East Indians to the Atlas Mountains, including the Himalayas, Iran, Turkey and the Alpine regions. It is in these two great belts or zones that ninety percent of all earthquakes take place; they may, however, happen anywhere at any time.

This element of unknown has for centuries added greatly to the dead and horror surrounding earthquakes, but in recent times there have been indications that earthquake forecast may be possible. By analyzing changes in animal behavior, patterns of movements in the earth's shell, variations in the earth's force of attraction, and the frequency with which minor earth shakes are observed, scientists have shown increasing success in expecting when and where earthquakes will strike. As a result, a worldwide earthquake warning network is already in operation and has helped to prepare for (and thus lessen) the vast destruction that might otherwise have been totally unexpected.

It is doubtful that man will ever be able to control earthquakes and get rid of their destructiveness altogether, but as how and why earthquakes happen become better understood, man will become more and more able to deal with their possible damage before they occur.

60. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. Earthquakes destruction is declining.

B. Man is capable of conquering earthquakes.

C. Man is no longer fearful of earthquakes.

D. Earthquake forecast is improving.

61. We can infer from the passage that quakes _______ .

A. mostly strike in oceans and mountains

B. may happen anywhere at any time

C. are unperceivable in masses of land

D. are hardly the direct cause of fatalities

62. The underlined phrase "This element of unknown" in Paragraph 3 refers to__.

A. the extension of earthquake zones

B. the percentage of earthquake occurrences

C. when and where earthquakes may occur

D. what big damage earthquakes may cause

63. Man's research on earthquake forecast at present is to _________ .

A. lower the frequency of earthquakes

B. release the energy that causes earthquakes

C. reduce the loss from earthquake disasters

D. analyze the relationship between different earthquakes

Earthquakes may rightly be ranked as one of the most destructive forces known to man: since records began to be written down, it has been estimated that earthquake-related fatalities (????) have numbered in the millions, and that earthquake-related destruction has been beyond calculation. The greater part of such damage and loss of life had been due to collapse of buildings and the effects of rockslides, floods, fire, disease, tsunamis, and other observable events resulting from earthquakes, rather than from quakes themselves.

The great majority of all earthquakes occur in two specific geographic areas. One such area covers the Pacific Ocean and its bordering landmasses. The other extends from the East Indians to the Atlas Mountains, including the Himalayas, Iran, Turkey and the Alpine regions. It is in these two great belts or zones that ninety percent of all earthquakes take place; they may, however, happen anywhere at any time.

This element of unknown has for centuries added greatly to the dead and horror surrounding earthquakes, but in recent times there have been indications that earthquake forecast may be possible. By analyzing changes in animal behavior, patterns of movements in the earth's shell, variations in the earth's force of attraction, and the frequency with which minor earth shakes are observed, scientists have shown increasing success in expecting when and where earthquakes will strike. As a result, a worldwide earthquake warning network is already in operation and has helped to prepare for (and thus lessen) the vast destruction that might otherwise have been totally unexpected.

It is doubtful that man will ever be able to control earthquakes and get rid of their destructiveness altogether, but as how and why earthquakes happen become better understood, man will become more and more able to deal with their possible damage before they occur.

60. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. Earthquakes destruction is declining.

B. Man is capable of conquering earthquakes.

C. Man is no longer fearful of earthquakes.

D. Earthquake forecast is improving.

61. We can infer from the passage that quakes _______ .

A. mostly strike in oceans and mountains

B. may happen anywhere at any time

C. are unperceivable in masses of land

D. are hardly the direct cause of fatalities

62. The underlined phrase "This element of unknown" in Paragraph 3 refers to__.

A. the extension of earthquake zones

B. the percentage of earthquake occurrences

C. when and where earthquakes may occur

D. what big damage earthquakes may cause

63. Man's research on earthquake forecast at present is to _________ .

A. lower the frequency of earthquakes

B. release the energy that causes earthquakes

C. reduce the loss from earthquake disasters

D. analyze the relationship between different earthquakes

 

The House Fairy

   As young parents, my husband and I felt that at age 6 and 8, our children were old enough to be cleaning their rooms and making their beds. But they thought   36  . My complaints, repeating myself, even self-justified shouting were landing on   37    ears. I felt frustrated (沮丧的) , and very often a whole afternoon’s scolding would end with their   38   into tears, I realized I needed to   39   my methods of “mothering”.

   One day while they were at school, I had great fun   40   their rooms. On their desks, in plain   41  , I left the cards: “Dear Bill (the other card was   42   to Sarah), your room was messy this morning and I’m sure you like it clean. Love, the House Fairy.”   43   arriving back, the children were   44   excited to receive the little note from the House Fairy. The next day, their rooms were fairly tidy. Sure enough, there was another note from the House Fairy         45   for them, thanking them for their nice “gift” of a clean room and   46   asking them to play a certain violin   47  . Each day, thank--you notes would be worded differently to keep the ideas   48  .

   Sometimes the House Fairy would propose a little   49  : “If you can finish your homework today and   50   it before dinner, I’ d like to watch a particular television program with you tonight.” Sometimes some colored markers or other little items would be left in   51

of jobs especially well done the day   52  .

      53   I can’t remember how long “the House Fairy” continued leaving her love notes. When they were no longer age appropriate (合适的), we used various versions of Post-Its. The bathroom mirror became the   54   centre of our home. Appointments, notices about visiting relatives, lesson schedules, and changes in plans could be posted.

   We all benefited from and   55   the idea of sharing reminders and daily details of life through notes. I believe the true legacy of the House Fairy notes survives in our frequent and enjoyable communication.

  36.  A. different      B. no             C. otherwise        D. doubtful

  37.  A. side          B. deaf           C. neither           D. either

  38.  A. crying        B. breaking        C. bursting          D. bumping

  39.  A. adjust        B. adopt          C. access            D. addict

  40.  A. to tidy        B. tidying         C. tidied            D. tidy

41.  A. distance       B. words         C. speech           D. sight

  42.  A. sent          B. read           C. delivered         D. addressed

  43.  A. As           B. At             C. Of             D. Upon

  44.  A. more than     B. rather than       C. no more than     D. other than

  45.  A. asking        B. waiting         C. praying         D. expecting

  46.  A. politely       B. friendly         C. gently          D. toughly

  47.  A. music        B. song             C. piece           D. tone

  48.  A. respectable    B. uninteresting     C. incredible        D. fresh

  49.  A. challenge     B. question         C. suggestion       D. advice

  50.  A. go with       B. go through       C. look up         D. look into

  51.  A. response      B. answer          C. praise          D. honor

  52.  A. ahead         B. before          C. over           D. ago

  53.  A. Actually       B. Even so         C. Even if         D. Though

  54.  A. reminder      B. main            C. memory        D. life

  55.  A. learned          B. appreciated      C. shared          D. thanked

（河南省郑州智林学校2010届高三下学期模拟测试2）

The House Fairy

As young parents, my husband and I felt that at age 6 and 8, our children were old enough to be cleaning their rooms and making their beds. But they thought   36  . My complaints, repeating myself, even self-justified shouting were landing on   37    ears. I felt frustrated (沮丧的) , and very often a whole afternoon’s scolding would end with their   38   into tears, I realized I needed to   39   my methods of “mothering”.

One day while they were at school, I had great fun   40   their rooms. On their desks, in plain   41  , I left the cards: “Dear Bill (the other card was   42   to Sarah), your room was messy this morning and I’m sure you like it clean. Love, the House Fairy. ”   43   arriving back, the children were   44   excited to receive the little note from the House Fairy. The next day, their rooms were fairly tidy. Sure enough, there was another note from the House Fairy         45   for them, thanking them for their nice “gift” of a clean room and   46   asking them to play a certain violin   47  . Each day, thank--you notes would be worded differently to keep the ideas   48  .

Sometimes the House Fairy would propose a little   49  : “If you can finish your homework today and   50   it before dinner, I’ d like to watch a particular television program with you tonight. ” Sometimes some colored markers or other little items would be left in   51 of jobs especially well done the day   52  .

53   I can’t remember how long “the House Fairy” continued leaving her love notes. When they were no longer age appropriate (合适的), we used various versions of Post-Its. The bathroom mirror became the   54   centre of our home. Appointments, notices about visiting relatives, lesson schedules, and changes in plans could be posted.

We all benefited from and   55   the idea of sharing reminders and daily details of life through notes. I believe the true legacy of the House Fairy notes survives in our frequent and enjoyable communication.

36.  A. different      B. no             C. otherwise        D. doubtful

37.  A. side          B. deaf           C. neither           D. either

38.  A. crying        B. breaking        C. bursting          D. bumping

39.  A. adjust        B. adopt          C. access            D. addict

40.  A. to tidy        B. tidying         C. tidied            D. tidy

41.  A. distance       B. words         C. speech           D. sight

42.  A. sent          B. read           C. delivered         D. addressed

43.  A. As           B. At             C. Of             D. Upon

44.  A. more than     B. rather than       C. no more than     D. other than

45.  A. asking        B. waiting         C. praying         D. expecting

46.  A. politely       B. friendly         C. gently          D. toughly

47.  A. music        B. song             C. piece           D. tone

48.  A. respectable    B. uninteresting     C. incredible        D. fresh

49.  A. challenge     B. question         C. suggestion       D. advice

50.  A. go with       B. go through       C. look up         D. look into

51.  A. response      B. answer          C. praise          D. honor

52.  A. ahead         B. before          C. over           D. ago

53.  A. Actually       B. Even so         C. Even if         D. Though

54.  A. reminder      B. main            C. memory        D. life

55.  A. learned          B. appreciated      C. shared          D. thanked