A university math tutor has discovered the science behind “singledom”, finding that our chances of finding the perfect partner are just 1 in 285,000. Peter Backus, a tutor at the University of Warwick, published his “Why I Don’t Have a Girlfriend” paper after a three-year love drought.
His unconventional study uses a famous math formula called The Drake Equation(德雷克等式), which was first used to estimate the existence of extra-terrestrial(地球以外) life.
The results don't look promising for British singles. 30-year-old Mr. Backus found that out of the 30 million women in the UK, only 26 would be suitable girlfriends for him.
The dull equation takes into account the number of women aged 24 to 34, living in his home city of London, and who are single, meaning his chances of meeting his dream woman on a night out are slim.
The economics expert said: “There are 26 women in London with whom I might have a wonderful relationship. So, on a given night out in London there is a 0.0000034% chance of meeting one of these special people. That’s a 1 in 285,000 chance, so it’s not great.”
The puzzling Drake equation reads: N =" R*" x Fp x Ne x Fi x Fc x L, and helped pioneering scientist Professor Drake to predict that there could be 10,000 civilizations in our galaxy.
Mr. Backus simply replaced the original equation with his own criteria for a dream date, which included the percentage of women likely to find him attractive, and the number of girls aged 24-34 in London. He said: “The research may sound depressing to people looking for love, but the good news for singles is, it’s probably not your fault!”
56. Mr. Backus’ discovery in this passage is mainly concerned about ______.
A. whether there exists life out of our planet
B. the possibility of his being able to find love
C. how to get rid of singledom
D. what math can do to serve our daily life
57. What does Mr. Backus think of the result of his research?
A. Optimistic.     B. Depressing.      C. Unrealistic.     D. Exciting.
58. What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A. Mr. Backus’ major research field is “singledom”.
B. Mr. Backus found a girlfriend three years ago.
C. Mr. Backus’ new thesis will surely be well received.
D. Mr. Backus has been searching for love for long.
59. By “the good news for singles” in the last sentence, Mr. Backus probably mean _____.
A. you don’t have to blame yourself for remaining single  
B. maybe the discovery is not reliable at all
C. the result was based on his own criteria
D. there might be more dream date out of London
60. Which of the following statements is true?
A. This passage could be published in a scientific magazine.
B. The passage intends to prove there are other civilizations.
C. The passage writer doesn’t really understand the Drake equation.
D. Most women in London are not suitable for university teachers.
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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


Unlike modern animal scientists, dinosaur scientists cannot sit on a hillside and use telescopes to watch dinosaurs in order to know how they lived and whether they were good parents. Instead, they have to search hard for information from dinosaurs’fossils(恐龍化石) because dinosaurs died out millions of years ago.
It’s very difficult for the scientists to reach an agreement because different results can be got from the same fossils, Many fossils of the same kind of dinosaurs have been dug out from one place. They might have formed when an entire group of dinosaurs got stuck(陷入)all at once, or they might have been the result of dinosaurs getting stuck one after another over a course of a few centuries. Thus we can say that dinosaurs might have in the first case lived in big groups and in the second lived alone.
Though there are two different results, dinosaur scientists now generally agree that at least some kinds of dinosaurs lived in big groups. “That’s pretty much settled at this point.” Says Paul Sereno, A kind of dinosaurs called Sauropods left behind tracks in the western United States that appear to run north and south, suggesting that they even moved long distances together.
As to whether dinosaurs cared for their young, dinosaur scientists have turned to the closest living relatives of dinosaurs ― birds and crocodiles ― for possible models. Birds give a lot of care to their young, while crocodiles just help their young to the water. The discovered fossils of dinosaurs sitting on their eggs and staying with their young suggest the parents were taking care of their babies, but we still cannot say that all dinosaurs did the same.
There is still a long way to go before the above questions could be answered. Dinosaur scientists will have to find more proof to reach an agreement.
60.Dinosaur scientists can get information directly by           .
A.  studying dinosaur fossils                B. examining modern animals
C. watching dinosaurs                         D. using telescopes
61.What is pretty much settled according to Paul Sereno?
A. Half of the dinosaurs lived alone.    B. Most dinosaurs moved long distances.
C. Many dinosaurs settled in the north. D.Some dinosaurs lived in big groups.
62.Dinosaur scientists can probably know whether dinosaurs were good parents by              .
A. watching many kinds of animals      B. studying dinosaurs’living relatives
C. following the tracks left behind              D. working on dug-out dinosaur eggs
63.Which of the following the according to the paragraph?
A. Birds hardly ay attention to their young.  B. Baby crocodiles can look after themselves well.
C. Some dinosaurs took care of their young.       D. Birds and crocodiles take good care of their young.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

The middle school Foreign Language Program begins with a program at 5th level. All students take twelve weeks each of French, German and Spanish. Students continue with the language of their choice at 6th, 7th and 8th levels to complete the two semesters of high school work. 
Foreign Language classes are 23 minutes long and meet four times per week. The classes actively involve the students in listening exercises, vocabulary building, reading, writing, grammar and the development of oral proficiency  in specific topic of conversation.
The program is also designed to give students cultural insight into the beliefs and behaviors of the people and cultures represented by each language. Art, history, music, dance, food and the customs of each society are examined through filmstrips , games, cultural event projects and activities. The high school student exchange programs are involved with the middle school to allow personal contact with students from other countries where the languages are spoken.
Each year the advancements in technology help to bring the students even closer to the people of the world they are studying. Computer programs are used to practise and increase vocabulary and various language skills. The resource programs provide facts and figures instantly to supplement their knowledge of history and geography. The Internet offers opportunities to tap information on a number of topics in English and in other foreign languages. The faculty makes every effort to be aware of new technology and to make it accessible to the students whenever possible.
The middle school program hopes to help each student to do the study of foreign language throughout their life with education, travel and a continued awareness of the world and its peoples.
1. The first paragraph tells us that ________.
A. there are about 5 levels in language program
B. students have to learn French, German and Spanish for 12 months in all at first
C. high school students will be at the 6 levels in the language at least
D. you can choose three languages at three levels
2. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Students have more than 90 minutes of foreign language learning each week.
B. Students are trained in four-skill language learning.
C. Students will learn about foreign culture and customs.
D. Learning foreign languages throughout one’s life is the aim of the program.
3. The purpose of the passage is to introduce _________.
A. a foreign language program
B. the foreign language classes
C. what students will learn through the program
D. how the technology has an effect on the language learning
4. Which of the following does not belong to the program?
A. Kinds of foreign languages.            B. Classes activities.
C. Students exchange program.           D. Technology development.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


Many cities around the world today are heavily polluted. Careless methods of production and lack of consumer demand for environment (環(huán)境) friendly products have contributed to the pollution problem. One result is that millions of tons of glass, paper, plastic, and metal containers are produced, and these are difficult to get rid of.
However, today, more and more consumers are choosing “green” and demanding that the products they buy should be safe for the environment. Before they buy a product, they ask questions like these: “Will this shampoo damage the environment?” “Can this metal container be reused or can it only be used once?”
A recent study showed that two out of five adults now consider the environmental safety of a product before they buy it. This means that companies must now change the way they make and sell their products to make sure that they are “green,” that is, friendly to the environment.
Only a few years ago, it was impossible to find green products in supermarkets, but now there are hundreds. Some supermarket products carry labels(標(biāo)簽) to show that the product is green. Some companies have made the manufacturing (生產(chǎn)) of clean and safe products their main selling point and emphasize it in their advertising.
The concern for a safer and cleaner environment is making companies rethink how they do business. No longer will the public accept the old attitude of “Buy it, use it, throw it away, and forget it. ”The public pressure is on, and gradually business is cleaning up its act.
64. It becomes clear from the text that the driving force(動力) behind green products is ______
A. public caring for the environment    B. companies desire for bigger sales
C. new ways of doing business      D. rapid growth of supermarkets
65. What would be the best title for the text?
A. Business and People  B. Business Goes Green
C. Shopping Habits Are Changing D. Supermarkets and Green Products
66. The underlined word “it” in the fourth paragraph refers to _____
A. a selling point    B. the company name
C. a great demand for health foods       D. the manufacturing of green products

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


B
Among the most popular books being written today are science fictions (小說). Hundreds of titles are published every year and are read by all kinds of people. Furthermore, some of the most successful films of recent years have been based on science fiction stories.
It is often thought that science fiction is a fairly new development in literature, but its forefathers can be found in books written hundreds of years ago. These books were often concerned with the presentation of some form of ideal society, a main subject which is still often found in modern stories.
Most of the classics of science fiction, however, have been written within the last one hundred years. Books by writers, such as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, to mention just two well–known authors, have been translated into many languages.
In an age where science fact frequently overtakes (超過) science fiction, the writers may find it difficult to keep ahead of scientific advances. Those who are clear-sighted to see how the ways are going, however, may provide a valuable lesson on how to deal with the problems which society will unpreventably face as it tries to master its new technology and come to terms with a continually changing view of the world.
45. It can be concluded that modern science fiction ______
A. is worse than that in the past
B. shows the writer’s viewpoints
C. tells stories about men from other planets
D. has been written only by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells
46. From the article we get the impression that science fiction ______.
A. is popular
B. is a fairly new development in literature
C. reflects the technical advances in the past
D. describes things that happen in developed countries
47. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Science fiction is based on successful films.
B. Science fiction often overtakes science fact.
C. Writers may find it easy to keep ahead of scientific advances.
D. The writer who can see clearly the way we are going will give us valuable instructions.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


C
Can you train your cat to actually use your toilet? Can you not have to deal with litter boxes any more? Well for many people the answers to these questions are yes.
You may have heard that some people have managed to train their cats to use the human toilet, Well this is correct.One advantage to this is the fact that you no longer have to lug heavy bags of litter home from the supermarket, or worry about cleaning out the dirty litter everyday.
Like any other cat training program, training your cat to use the toilet takes times and patience, you just can put your cat on the toilet and hope that they can use it.
By slowly shaping your cat’s behavior over a couple of weeks, you too can end lugging heavy bags of cat litter home from the supermarket.First, start by slowly moving the litter box closer and closer to the toilet each day, so your cat gets used to being in the bathroom and being around the toilet.
Next, when you have had to litter box next to the toilet for several days, slowly raise the litter box higher and higher each day until it is at the level of the toilet.Then find an insert for the top of the toilet, like a shallow pan that can sit in the rim of the toilet and hold litter.
Once your cat gets used to using this litter pan on top of the toilet for a week or so, try removing the pan and your cat should be able to use the toilet.
Like any cat training program, it takes time and effort on the part of the cat owner to do this.Don’t get frustrated with your cat if she is not learning as fast as you would like, many cats learn at their own pace.With a little effort you too can have a toilet trained cat.
64.The author advises you to train your cat to use a toilet so that may    .
A.keep the toilet clean
B.keep the cat clean
C.save a lot of trouble
D.save a lot of money
65.According to the passage, cat toilet training is a     process.
A.quick                     B.Complicated            C.difficult           D.gradual
66.When you have managed to get your cat to use the toilet, the litter box    .
A.is no longer needed                B.is still needed
C.should be kept where it is                 D.should be put back where it was
67.We can see from the passage that“a shallow pan”(in Para 6 )    .
A.is used instead of the litter box               B.is used to protect the cat
C.helps to raise the litter box             D.helps to clean the toilet

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


B
The Harp Seal is one of nature’s most beautiful and appealing (吸引人的) creatures. Many years ago it was hunted for its fur. Hunting Harp Seals is now illegal.
The seals spend the summer months migrating (遷徙) in large groups. Harp Seals close their nostrils (鼻孔) and earholes when diving in water, but have to surface frequently to breathe. Their favourite place to rest is on the top of icebergs.
The female Harp Seal gives birth in February or March and feeds her pups for 14-18 days. Baby Harp Seals begin to lose their white fur at around six to eight weeks of age. As an adult, the Harp Seal has brown skin. At birth, Harp Seals weigh 12kg but can weigh up to 130kg as adults. Harp Seals eat small fish, shrimps and krill. However, they are able to switch from one food to another depending on what they can get as food. Males have a lifespan of 29 years while females usually live for longer than 30 years.
Since the Canadian Government introduced laws to protect the seal pups from hunters, their numbers have increased to more than one million. Now every year, thousands of tourists flock to the pack ice to witness the wonderful sight of new pups born in spring.
55. What is the passage mainly about?    
A. Hunting Harp Seals is illegal.
B. Protecting Harp Seals.
C. Harp Seals.    
D. Lifespan of Harp Seals.
56. An adult Harp Seal could be described as being ___________.    
A. brown in colour and weighing 12kg
B. brown in colour and weighing 130kg
C. white in colour and weighing 12kg    
D. white in colour and weighing 130kg
57. According to the passage which of the following statements is TRUE?    
A. Adult Harp Seals only eat shrimp.
B. Adult Harp Seals eat different food at different times.
C. Adult Harp Seals prefer to eat krill. 
D. Adult Harp Seals catch small fish to feed their young.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


C
Could the solution to world future energy needs lie in the ocean? It’s possible.
We are not talking about oil, but another potential untapped energy resource called “methane hydrates”.
Methane hydrates are hard, ice-like white solids that form naturally in deposits (沉積物) on ocean floors. They arecomposed of water and highly concentrated methane produced by the microorganisms living in the deposits.
The remarkable thing is that you can hold a flame to a piece of methane hydrate and it will catch on fire. It’s been called “burning ice.”
Methane hydrates are spread around the world. These deposits may in the future become a very important fuel resource. One researcher calculated that a small area off the Southeastern coast of America may contain methane hydrates equal to 30 times the annual U.S. consumption of natural gas.
Right now there are very significant technical and financial challenges facing us before we could exploit this as a resource. Scientists around the world are studying these challenges. One big issue is how to get these methane hydrates off the ocean floor, causing undersea landslides and tidal waves.
Another issue is how to handle the matter after it is brought up. It’s also unclear whether it would make more sense to “mine” solid hydrates or tap the gases found with them. And many deposits may occur in low concentrations with no commercial potential.
Japan, which has no oil supplies of its own, has thrown itself into burning ice research because it has deposits off its shores which could make Japan less dependent on foreign suppliers of oil.
The U.S. Department of Energy and Congress are also supporting research. However, the US administration’s energy policy is focused on traditional fossil (化石) fuels. And at least for now, developing burning ice into a fuel source isn’t high on the energy industry’s list. But if natural gas continues to rise in price, exploiting burning ice might become economically practical.
59. What’s the meaning of the underlined word in Paragraph Two?
A. not existed              B. Unseen         C. available but not used              D. unreal
60. What can you learn from the text?
A. Burning ice has been used in some countries.
B. Applying burning ice tops the energy list in America.
C. Burning ice exists in few countries.
D. There are still some problems in developing the burning ice
61. Why has Japan already begun to develop the burning ice?
A. It is a developed country.  B. They want to help other countries.
C. It lacks oil supplies of its own. D. America asked Japan to do so.
62. Which one is the best title of the text?
A. World Energy Shortage           B. Burning Ice Holds Hope as Fuel Source
C. Methane Hydrates               D. Methane Hydrates Spread around the World

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

An Australian company, Smart Car Technologies, has developed a system that lets drivers know when they’re speeding.When the technology becomes commercially available, it could help lead-footed drivers avoid tickets and also save lives.The company that developed the product hopes to convince Australian government agencies to put the technology into use in their automobile fleets.
The product, called Speed Alert, links real-time location data and speed obtained with the help of GPS(全球定位系統(tǒng)) to a database of posted speed limits stored in a driver’s PDA or programmable mobile phone.The setup of the product does not need to be hooked(鉤住) up to a car’s speedometer.In fact, it is entirely portable.It will also work with newer phones and PDAs that have built-in GPS receivers.If a driver exceeds(超過) the speed limit, the speed is shown and an alert sounds.
Michael Paine, an Australian vehicle design engineer and traffic safety consultant, was hired to analyze the product.He told Live Science  that his colleagues in the road safety field are “very enthusiastic” about what they’re now calling “intelligent speed alert.” Other research, according to Paine, shows that 40 percent of all traffic deaths involve speeding.There is also a potentially future use: “Since the system is so portable, it would be easy to make it a requirement for teenage drivers to always use a speed alert device when driving,” Paine said.“The system even has the function to record speeding violations(違背), so parents can monitor their teenage drivers.”
The product will soon go on sale in Sydney.
41.What’s the purpose of the new product_______.
A.To inform us of the new car system.     B.To introduce some improvement in cars.
C.To limit certain drivers to safe driving.   D.To popularize the built-in car system.
42.Lead-footed drivers refer to the ones        .
A.who drive too carelessly   B.that drive extremely fast
C.who are partly disabled     D.that drive too slowly
43.The second paragraph mainly talks about        .
A.the project of the built-in product     B.why the system becomes popular
C.the functions of GPS in cars       D.how the product is programmed
44.Which of the following is true of Speed Alert according to Michael Paine?
A.Most of the traffic deaths can be avoided. 
B.Speeding violations can be easily found out.
C.The system will excite some teenage drivers.
D.The product will not be available for adults.

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