Some of the planet’s most precious animals and plants are disappearing, according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The group, based in Switzerland, works with governments and experts to protect threatened species. On September 12, the IUCN released its Red List, a list of species at greatest risk of extinction.

    The list includes 41,415 animals and plants. The IUCN says that habitat destruction, hunting and other causes threaten one in four mammals, one in eight birds and one in three amphibians(两栖动物).

    Who is to blame?

    Scientists believe that 99 percent of threatened species are at risk because of human activity. “We are losing animals and plants at a high rate,” says Julia Marton-LefEevre, director general of the IUCN. “We need to change our behavior.” Warmer oceans and over-fishing are changing sea life. This year for the first time corals(珊瑚) made their appearance on the list. The gharial, a crocodile living in India and Nepal, has lost almost 60 percent of its population in the last 10 years. It is a victim（受害者）of habitat destruction.

    Still, the news is not all bad. Thanks to efforts made to protect it, the Mauritius echo parakeet, a bird once endangered, has seen an increase in its population. “This shows that protection methods can work,” says Marton-LefEevre. “That’s the message we want to send to young people.”

    In China the new reserve（保护区）itself is part of green efforts that have seen more than 2,400 nature reserves of various kinds being set up, covering more than 15 percent of the nation's land area, official figures showed.

"The country's natural resources(资源) have benefited from conservation," said Lei Guangchun, director of the nature reserve department of Beijing Forestry University. "It is a big increase nowadays compared with other countries." Lei said.

The total areas of China’s natural reserves have covered 1.38 million km2, which accounts for 15.4% of China’s area, higher than both the world average（平均水平） of 11% and the rate in most developed countries.

    Li Zhong, an official in charge of the nature reserves office with the State Forestry Administration, thought it was important to increase investment（投资） in such reserves at all levels.

1.What do we know about the IUCN?

   A. A union for listing animals and plants on the earth

   B. A group of volunteers who are interested in wildlife

   C. An organization concerning the protection of rare species' survival

   D. A government made up officials, scientists and experts

2.What can be concluded from the passage?         

A. All the protection methods can’t work.   　   

B. The IUCN does most of the protection.

C. The efforts China makes has paid off.　  

D. Enough is done in wildlife protection.

3. Which of the following is not the cause of the disappearance of the animals?

   A. Bad weather     B. Over-hunting    C. Warmer oceans    D. Habitat destruction

4.Which of the sentence is NOT true?

       A. China has been paying great attention to protecting the natural resources.

       B. China has set up a lot of natural reserves.

       C. The natural reserves in China cover more than 15 percent of the nation's land area.

       D. The rate of China's natural reserves is lower than the average of the world.

 

　　On May 21, 2000, some American scientists were working at the computers to look for information they needed . Suddenly they saw a lot of very bright red spots crossing the computers’ screens. At the same time the computers were working much slower. To find out what was happening they stopped their work to check some parts of the computers. To their horror, they found out that most of their stored information was got rid of by computer viruses (病毒). Obviously all these computers had been infected by computer viruses.

It is said that the computer viruses were made by two or three Philippine young men fond of playing tricks. They all had excellent education. They created the viruses just to show their intelligence. The kind of computer virus is named I Love You Virus. This virus can hide in computers for long. When the time comes they will attack the computers by lowering the important functions, damaging their normal programs or even getting rid of a great deal of information which operators of the computers often use or store, what’s worse, it still can reproduce itself in great quantities within a short time.

We come to know that “I Love You” Virus often attacks computers on Mondays and that it is spreading to many computers in the world. Among the countries that suffered computer viruses last year are Britain, Australia, Switzerland and the USA. Those who made the computer muses have been found out slowly and carefully. But till now, how to get rid of the terrible viruses remains a problem.

1.When the viruses attack the computers, the computers will work _______.

　　A. normally　B. abnormally　C. faster　D. well

2 .Two or three Philippine young men created the computer viruses to _______.

　　A. damage the computers

　　B. test their ability quickly

　　C. tell the world that they were intelligent

　　D. play a trick in operators of the computers

3. According to the passage, computer viruses seem to________.

　　A. have been in nature for years

　　B. exist in any computers

　　C. be able to be got rid of in the near future

　　D. be difficult to get rid of at present

4.The most serious damage caused by the viruses is that_______.

　　A. the computer’s funtions are lowered

　　B. the normal programs are damaged

　　C. all the information stored in the computers is gone

　　D. the computers infected by the viruses can no longer be used

5. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

　　A. Scientists are trying to find a way to get rid of the viruses.

　　B. The viruses will come to the new computer after staying in the old one for some time.

　　C. Last year four countries found their computers were infected by 　　viruses.

　　D. The “I Love You” Virus is a great harm to human health.

New friends. Fresh lifestyle. Better career opportunities...Those are attractions of overseas study for young people in China. “Start early, finish strong,” some of them say.

More than 300 universities from 27 countries and regions were represented at last weekend's international education exposition (展览).

The US has always been on the top destination list for Chinese students, with its high education standards and enough scholarship. Good news: It's easier to get a US student visa nowadays. Last year, the refusal rate was only 20 to 30 per cent, much lower than a few years before, according to US Embassy. Concerns: There're a lot to prepare. The TOFEL, GRE... It's longer time to apply to US universities than schools in the UK or Australia. Useful link: www. usembassychina. org. cn		Easier access to visas and international environment are the UK's great attractions for Chinese students. Good news: There are many new scholarships this year, both from the government and universities, such as the Scotland International Scholarship. Concerns: Money. Money. Money. It's expensive to study in the UK, with an average cost of 200,000 to 300,000 yuan a year. Useful link: www. educationuk. org. cn
Canada's multicultural environment is good for students' studies and careers. Good news: Students are allowed to take off- campus part-time jobs during their studies from last year. It'll help pay living expenses. Students can get two-year work permits after graduation. Concerns: Only a limited number of scholar- ships are available. They rarely cover the full cost of a study programme. Useful link: www. studycanada.cn		Good climate, high quality education, favorable immigration (移民) policy: these make Australia one of the most popular choices among Chinese students. Good news: A new E-visa policy ensure a quick application process ( four weeks compared with 12 weeks before ) Concerns: Tuition fees (学费) have risen in past years. The total cost is about 200,000 yuan to attend a university located in big cities like Sydney or Melbourne. Useful link: www. students. idp. com
Tulips, windmills and wooden shoes: this was the image that once drew tourists. But Holland has more to offer. Good news: From 2005, Holland and China started recognizing each other's education certificates. And from 2006, the government provides 4 million euros for scholarships to Chinese students every year. Concerns: Not many Chinese know about Dutch education. Speaking Dutch sounds not easy. Useful link: www. nesobeijing. Com		Italy is getting a lot of attention this year in China, with the China-Italy Year. Its art, culture and fashion appeal to many. Good news:China and Italy will recognize each other's educational certificates soon. Its government-funded universities are tuition free to international students. Concerns: The language is a problem. Most classes are taught in Italy. Useful link: www. studyinitaly. cn

1. If you want to have more chances of getting scholarship to study in a foreign country, you'd better choose _______.

A. Canada             B. the Netherlands                C. the US                     D. Australia

2. Many young people go to study in the US because __________.

A. it is not very difficult for them to get a student visa

B. it is easier for them to pass the TOFEL or GRE

C. they don't spend much time applying to US universities

D. they think they can receive good university education

3. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

A. Students go to the Netherlands usually for its beautiful scenery.

B. You can apply for your visa to study in Australia on the Internet.

C. You may have trouble with language if you study in Italy.

D. The UK is the country with very high expenses.

    On October 12, 1989, some British scientists were working at the computers to look for the information they needed. Suddenly they saw a lot of very bright points crossing the computers screens. At the same time the computers were working much slower. To find out what was happening they stopped their work to check some parts of the computers. To their horror (恐怖), they found out that most of their stored information was got rid of by computer viruses (病毒) ! Clearly all these computers had been infected (感染) by computer viruses.

    It is said that the computer viruses were made by a group of young men fond of playing jokes. They all had excellent education. They created the viruses just to show their intelligence . .These kinds of computer viruses are named Jerusalem Viruses. These viruses can stay in computers for a long time. When the time comes they will attack the computers by lowering the functions  , damaging their normal programs or even getting rid of all the information. We now come to know that Jerusalem Viruses often attack computers on Friday and that they are spreading to a lot of computers.

    Among the countries that were attacked by computer viruses last year are Britain, Australia, Switzerland and the U.S. But till now, how to get rid of the terrible viruses remains a problem.

67. When the viruses attack the computers, the computers will work____ .

    A. normally   B. slowly   C. faster    D. well

68. The group of young men created the viruses to ____ .

    A. damage the computers    B. test their ability

   C. tell people that they were intelligent D. play a trick on users of the computers

69. According to the passage, computer viruses seem to ____.

   A. have been in nature for years    B. stay in any computers

   C. be difficult to get rid of at present D. be able to be got rid of in the near future

70. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE

   A. Last year four countries found their computer were infected by viruses.

   B. The viruses will come to a new computer after staying in the old one for some time.

   C. Scientists are trying to find a way to get rid of the viruses.

   D.The Jerusalem Viruses are dangerous to human health.