What do people do with their old, out-of-date but still useful computers? Most people don’t know what to do with them. Many old computers are put away in homes. Many more are simply thrown out with the rubbish.　　
Some companies are thinking of ways to bring down the number of old computers. Sony has agreed to help recycle old Sony products. Dell, Hewlett-Packard and other companies now also take back some old computers.　　
In some countries, laws are being passed, too. Computer companies will have to collect and recycle their used products. And 70% of computer waste must be recycled. The idea behind the laws is that computer companies themselves should pay the cost. That will encourage them to make computers that are easier and cheaper to repair and upgrade（升级）.　　
Yet while many people are throwing away good computers, others cannot afford them at all. Hundreds of organizations are working to solve this problem. They collect and repair old computers. Some also teach others how to repair computers.　　
The computers then go to schools, charities and people who need them. Giving a used computer to one of these organizations can turn one person’s rubbish into someone else’s useful things—and cut down on waste, too.　　

1. 1.

   How do people usually deal with their old computers?　　

   1. A.
      They stop using them
   2. B.
      They give them to others
   3. C.
      They fix them up.　　
2. 2.

   What do some computer companies do to bring down the number of old computers?　　

   1. A.
      They don’t do anything about them.　　
   2. B.
      They take back some old ones.       　　
   3. C.
      They donate them to some charities.　　
3. 3.

   According to some countries’ laws, what must computer companies do?　　

   1. A.
      Collect and recycle most of computer waste. 　　
   2. B.
      Repair and upgrade old computers.      　　
   3. C.
      Make much cheaper computers.　　
4. 4.

   What may people who can’t afford computers think of the used computers?　　

   1. A.
      Expensive
   2. B.
      Useful
   3. C.
      Out-of -date.　　
5. 5.

   What is the passage about?　　

   1. A.
      Repairing old computers.　　
   2. B.
      Selling old computers.              　　
   3. C.
      Recycling old computers. 　

What do people do with their old, out-of-date but still useful computers? Most people don’t know what to do with them. Many old computers are put away in homes. Many more are simply thrown out with the rubbish.　　
Some companies are thinking of ways to bring down the number of old computers. Sony has agreed to help recycle old Sony products. Dell, Hewlett-Packard and other companies now also take back some old computers.　　
In some countries, laws are being passed, too. Computer companies will have to collect and recycle their used products. And 70% of computer waste must be recycled. The idea behind the laws is that computer companies themselves should pay the cost. That will encourage them to make computers that are easier and cheaper to repair and upgrade（升级）.　　
Yet while many people are throwing away good computers, others cannot afford them at all. Hundreds of organizations are working to solve this problem. They collect and repair old computers. Some also teach others how to repair computers.　　
The computers then go to schools, charities and people who need them. Giving a used computer to one of these organizations can turn one person’s rubbish into someone else’s useful things—and cut down on waste, too.　　
【小题1】 How do people usually deal with their old computers?　　
A. They stop using them. B. They give them to others.   C. They fix them up.　　
【小题2】 What do some computer companies do to bring down the number of old computers?　　
A. They don’t do anything about them.　　
B. They take back some old ones.       　　
C. They donate them to some charities.　　
【小题3】According to some countries’ laws, what must computer companies do?　　
A. Collect and recycle most of computer waste. 　　
B. Repair and upgrade old computers.      　　
C. Make much cheaper computers.　　
【小题4】 What may people who can’t afford computers think of the used computers?　　
A. Expensive.        B. Useful.         C. Out-of -date.　　
【小题5】 What is the passage about?　　
A. Repairing old computers.　　
B. Selling old computers.              　　
C. Recycling old computers. 　

What do you think is the most common illness? Do you get ill sometimes? We are lucky to live now, because there are lots of medicines to make people better.
The most common illness in the world is the cold. It often begins with a sore throat. Then you sneeze and your nose runs. You usually have a headache too. Often you cough later. It’s not a very bad illness, but you can feel quite ill.
There isn’t a cure (治愈) for a cold, but you can take medicines to make you feel better. For instance, aspirin (阿斯匹林) can stop your headache. It is good to rest, and to drink a lot of water too. A doctor once said to me, “With the proper medicine, a cold will continue for seven days. With no medicine, it will continue for a whole week!”
Where does our medicine come from? A long time ago, people knew that some plants made them feel better. They ate the leaves, the roots, the fruit, or the seeds of plants. For instance, the juice of lemons makes a sore throat feel better.
In modern times, scientists have looked at these plants, and found out which chemicals (化学物质) are in them. Many of our medicines today are made from those chemicals.
There are some illnesses which we can’t cure yet. And nobody has found a cure for old age. But because of modern medicines, most people now live longer than their grandparents.
【小题1】How does a cold often begin?
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【小题2】Can aspirin stop a headache?
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【小题3】How long does a cold usually continue?
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【小题4】What kind of juice makes a sore throat feel better?
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【小题5】What are many of our medicines today made from?
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