E

China says 16 endangered finless porpoises (江豚) have been found dead since the beginning of the year and experts blame water pollution and climate change for pushing the species toward extinction.

The freshwater porpoise — popularly known in Chinese as the “river pig” — mainly lives in China’s Yangtze River and two lakes linked to the river.

Authorities (官方) have discovered 10 dead porpoises in Dongting Lake in the central province of Hunan since March, according to a statement by the government of Yueyang City, which is located on the lake’s shore. Another six dead porpoises have been found in Poyang Lake in the eastern province of Jiangxi since the beginning of the year. Experts warn that the species will be extinct within a matter of years.

Wang Kexiong, a researcher at China’s Institute of Hydrobiology, said water pollution, shipping and sand dredging (挖掘) were all possible contributing factors to the recent deaths.

Many rivers in China have become heavily polluted with poisonous waste from factories and farms — pollution blamed on more than three decades of rapid economic growth and slow enforcement (实施) of environmental protection laws.

The report said climate change also could be to blame as the dry weather has caused water levels to drop and makes it more difficult for the porpoises to find food. Tests have shown that some of the porpoises are believed to have died of starvation (饥饿).

In 2006, China was estimated (估计) to have only 1,200 finless porpoises left. That same year, the Baiji — a freshwater dolphin also native to the Yangtze River — was declared extinct. Earlier this year, a survey found just 65 “river pigs” in Dongting Lake and 300-400 in Poyang Lake.

Following the recent deaths, Yueyang City promised to investigate and increase protection of the remaining porpoises in Dongting Lake.

51. How many river pigs are estimated to live in Dongting Lake?

　 　　 A. 49.　 　　　 B. 55.　　　　　　 C. 59. 　　　　　 D. 65.

52. The following factors of river pigs’ deaths are mentioned EXCEPT 　　　　.

　　　 A. water pollution　 　　　　　 B. climate change　

　　　 C. food shortage 　　　　　　 D. illegal fishing

53. We can learn from the text that 　　　　.

　　　 A. river pigs’ deaths can be reduced if measures are taken in advance

　 　　 B. river pigs’ deaths are completely caused by human beings’ activities

　 　　 C. climate change is likely to stop economic growth in China

　　　 D. economic growth always has a negative effect on the environment

54. The numbers of river pigs are listed in Paragraph 7 to 　　　　.

　　　 A. show they have become extinct

　 　　 B. call for more effective protection

　 　　 C. show they are on the edge of extinction

　 　　 D. show the importance of raising them in labs

55. What is the author’s main purpose of writing this text?

　 　　 A. To ask people to protect river pigs.

　 　　 B. To guide people how to protect river pigs.

　　　 C. To report the worry caused by river pigs’ deaths.

　 　　 D. To introduce some dangers that river pigs are facing.

D

American psychologists have found that knowing an experience is about to come to an end makes people enjoy it even more.

“Endings affect us in lots of ways, and one is this kind of positive effect,” said researcher Ed O’Brien. “It’ll give you motivation (激励). You think, ‘I’d better gain the benefits of this experience even though it’s going to end,’ or ‘I want to get something good out of this while I still can.’ When you simply tell people something is the last, they may like that thing more.”

In the study, fifty-two students were asked to pick five chocolates of different flavours in random (任意的) order from a hidden pocket inside a bag, and rank how much they enjoyed it on a scale (等级) of one to five. Some of the students were told when they were about to eat the last chocolate, while others were not given any warning. The last chocolate was found to be the favourite among the students 64% of the time, regardless of the flavour. Among the students who didn’t realize they were on their last chocolate, the last one was ranked favourite just 22% of the time.

“Many experiences have happy endings — from the movies we watch to dessert at the end of a meal — and so people may have a general expectation (期望) that things end well,” Mr. O’Brien said.

But he added that the findings of the “little chocolate test” could have wider implications (暗示). For example, the professor marking the last exam paper may give it a higher grade even if it’s not as good as the ones previously marked. And employers may be more likely to give a job to the applicant (求职者) who was interviewed last.

47. The second paragraph tells us that knowing something is ending, 　　　.

　 　 A. people will feel disappointed　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. people will become proud

　 　 C. people will become inspired　　 　　　　　　　　　　　 D. people will become nervous

48. We can learn from the text that 　　　.

　 　 A. those students were divided into three groups

　 　 B. about forty-two students took part in the study

　 　 C. those who weren’t warned didn’t like the last chocolate

　 　 D. those who were warned liked the last chocolate better

49. Who may be most likely to cause the positive effect?

　 　 A. The student who is latest for school.

　 　 B. The last passenger who gets on the bus.

　 　 C. The last employee who finishes the project.

　 　 D. The last person who gives a performance.

50. Which of the following might be the best title for the text?

　 　 A. The last chocolate tastes best　　　

B. The best chocolate is in the box

　 　 C. The ending of an experience makes people happier

　 　 D. The latest study helps solve a puzzling problem

C

Hello,

I can give you a first-hand experience since my wife and I visited Havelock Island last year.　

Arriving at Havelock, you will be so attracted by the beauty of Radhanagar Beach that you try to forget the crocodile (鳄鱼) incident. We were led off the beach at sunset by a local policeman who patrolled (巡逻) along the beach. We also found that almost nobody was in the water along the long beach. The few that were in the water were up to their waist or so. I don’t want to discourage you from going but it’s just worth knowing this is a very wild place where it would be possible to see many types of wild animals, including crocodiles.

During our week on the island, I went diving at several sites, all of which were a long distance from Havelock. We spent about 45 minutes crossing the mangroves (红树林) in waist-deep water at times in order to get to the beach. If there are crocodiles on Havelock, I would say they would be there since the conditions are ideal for them — lots of mud and hot pools of still water. Returning from Elephant Beach we got lost in the mangroves for over 2 hours and my wife started to get quite nervous. So if you go through the mangroves to get to Elephant Beach, be sure to mark the route you take to get back, since the path is almost impossible to find unless you know exactly where it is.

In summary, I would say that if you don’t mind taking your holiday with some caution in not being as free to swim in the water as you want, then I would say you’ll have a good time on and around Havelock Island.

Hope this helps.　　　

　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　Jack

43. What’s the author’s main purpose in writing the letter?

　　 A. To attract more visitors to Radhanagar Beach.

　　 B. To introduce wild animals on Havelock Island.

　　 C. To warn about the danger on Havelock Island.

　　 D. To share some knowledge about crocodiles.

44. We can infer from the text that 　　　.

　　 A. Radhanagar Beach is not open to visitors

　　 B. Havelock Island is the best place for divers

　　 C. a crocodile incident probably once happened on Havelock

　　 D. the author feels regret for his visit to Havelock Island

45. Why does the author believe crocodiles exist in the mangroves?

　　 A. Because he saw much mud and hot water pools there.

　　 B. Because there was almost nobody swimming there.

　　 C. Because he saw many types of wild animals there.

　　 D. Because his wife saw signs of crocodiles in the water.

46. During his visit to Havelock Island, the author once 　　　.

　　 A. got fined by a policeman on Radhanagar Beach

　　 B. got lost on the way back from Elephant Beach

　　 C. was attacked by wild animals in the mangroves

　　 D. was warned by swimmers to stay away from the water

B

It took me 16 years to realize that my black is beautiful. I have believed the fact that indeed my black is beautiful now. This skin I was in for so many years determined my self worth.

I had so many factors “against” me in my mind. I was a tall, thin, dark-skinned girl with a gap-toothed smile and a head full of curly (卷曲的) hair. Growing up, the only role model that I had was my mother, a beautiful brown and deep complexion (肤色). It’s amazing how I could find beauty in my mother’s complexion but not my own. One of the most outstanding memories of my childhood is that terrible word “Oh, she is so cute for a dark-skinned little girl”. People spoke as if I wasn’t in the room.

From a young age, I felt shame that my black wasn’t good enough; so I buried myself in books to stay away from the mirror. I knew that my education would and could take me further than my looks. I stopped watching TV, absorbed in my studies and I was happy with my decision. Now I have been admitted to my ideal Coppin State University, which is all for the black students and has a long history.

I came to a breaking point where I had, for 16 years, been brainwashed to agree to the European standard of beauty. I no longer accept this standard, because I set my own. My black is beautiful including my full lips, the wideness of nose, and the intensity (明亮) of my eyes. I refuse to follow their standard of beauty and they can set their sights elsewhere. I believe that there are plenty of beautiful dark-skinned women in the world.

39. When she was young, the author 　　　.

　　 A. thought that her skin was beautiful

　　 B. wasn’t satisfied with her own appearance　

　　 C. thought that her mother was not beautiful

　　 D. didn’t mind others’ opinions about her looks

40. We can learn from the text that 　　　.

　　 A. the author was a tall and thin girl with perfect teeth

　　 B. people praised the author for her attractive appearance　

　　 C. others always spoke ill of the author behind her back

　　 D. the author worked hard at her lessons and succeeded

41. How did the author break away from her unhappiness?　

　　 A. She focused her minds on her study.

　　 B. She watched TV and read a lot of books.

　　 C. She decided to take the college examination.

　　 D. She hid her mirrors where she couldn’t find them.

42. The text mainly tells us 　　　.

　　 A. dark-skinned women are often looked down upon

　　 B. black women are the most beautiful in the world

　　 C. the change of the author’s standard of beauty

　　 D. how the author’s skin helped her succeed

第二节 完形填空 (共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分)

We found him a few weeks ago, walking along the road in a rural area. He was jumping on 　16　 , and we thought maybe his family was camping somewhere nearby, 　17　 　we passed him by. A few hours later, on our return trip, he was still in the 　18　 　place. When he saw us, he laid down in the middle of the road, so we were 　19　 　to get around him.

We stopped the car and 　20　 , trying to figure out if anyone was around from whom he was 　21　 . It didn’t appear so. Then we took a good look at the dog. He had no collar (项圈) and he was really 　22　 . We thought he was given up by his owner.

My husband said, “If he doesn’t 　23　 　me when I pick him up to put him in the car, then we have a new dog.” The dog 　24　 　joined us with no fight at all. He 　25　 　sticking his head between the two front seats and 　26　 　us for picking him up.

The dog was 　27　 　on the road for some time. He was extremely under 　28　 . He was covered in scars and new 　29　 . So, we fed him a lot over the next two weeks and he gained over twenty pounds.

We do love this dog. He had no 　30　 , but he is a quick learner. He no longer 　31　 　to get on the bed, but he does like sitting in one of the folding chairs. We figure he wishes to 　32　 　being underfoot (挡路) when our daughter is dancing about, which she 　33　 　often. She has stepped on him a few times. When that 　34　 , he simply moves. He does not bare his teeth. Since then, he has become a(n) 　35　 　of our family.

16.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. walls　　　　　　　　 B. cars　　　　　　 C. trees　　　　 　　　 D. ropes

17.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. before　　　　　　　 B. though　　　　 C. until　　　　　 　　　 D. so

18.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. dirty　　　　　　　　 B. quiet　　　　　 C. same　　　　　 　 D. small

19.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. lucky　　　　　　　 B. proud　　　　　 C. sorry　　　　 　　 D. unable

20.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. looked around　 B. gave away　　 C. came back　　 　 D. settled down

21.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. driven　　　　　　　 B. divided　　　　 C. carried　　　 　　 D. stolen

22.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. thin　　　　　　　　 B. different 　　 C. crazy 　　　　　 D. curious

23.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. touch　　　　　　　 B. leave　　　　　 C. bite　　　　 　　 D. kill

24. A. carefully　　　　　 B. shyly　　　　　　　　 C. nervously　　 　　 D. happily

25.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. imagined　　　　　 B. allowed　　　 C. kept　　　　　 　 D. practiced

26.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. visiting　　　　　　 B. encouraging C. praising　　　 　　 D. thanking

27.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. clearly　　　　　　 B. finally　　　　 C. also　　　　 　　 D. still

28.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. cover　　　　　　　 B. weight　　　　 C. control　　　 　　 D. level

29.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. wounds　　　　　　 B. pains　　　　　 C. excuses　　　 　 D. problems

30.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. messages　　　　　 B. manners　　　 C. knowledge　　　 　　　 D. family

31.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. remembers　　　 B. learns　　　　　 C. tries　　　　　 D. returns

32.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. start　　　　　　　　 B. advise　　　　　 C. risk　　　　 　　 D. avoid

33.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. moves　　　　　　　 B. holds　　　　　 C. does　　　　　 　 D. chooses

34.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. happens　　　　　　 B. begins　　　　 C. helps　　　　 　 D. works

35.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 A. chance　　　　　　 B. member　　　 C. honor 　　　　　 D. neighbor

15. —　　　 ?

　 — He’s gentle and easy-going.

A. Who is your brother　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. What is your brother like

C. Who is your brother like　　　 　　　　 　　　　　　　 D. What does your brother look like

14. The children were instructed 　　　　　break the concentration or calm of the dolphins when they were feeding or taking care of their young.

A. to be careful not to　　 B. not to be careful to　　 C. to be careful to not　　 D. to be not careful to　

13. When you are told “to conduct yourself”, it means you should behave in a particular way, especially in a situation 　　　　　people judge you by the way you behave.

A. when　　　　　　　　　　　 B. whose 　　　　　　　　　　 C. which　　　　　　　　　　　 D. where

12. The little boy wanted to play with his neighbor’s dog, but his mother told him 　　　　.

A. not to　　　　　 　 B. to not　　　　　　　　　　　 C. to not do　　 　　 　　 D. not do