Think about the different ways that people use the wind. You can use it to fly a kite or to sail a boat. Wind is one of our cleanest and richest power sources, as well as one of the oldest. Evidence shows that windmills(風(fēng)車) began to be used in ancient Iran back in the seventh century BC. They were first introduced to Europe during the 1100s, when armies returned from the Middle East with knowledge of using wind power.
For many centuries, people used windmills to grind(碾碎) wheat into flour or pump water from deep underground. When electricity was discovered in the late 1800s, people living in remote areas began to use them to produce electricity. This allowed them to have electric lights and radios. However, by the 1940s when electricity was available to people in almost all areas of the United States, windmills were rarely used.
During the 1970s, people started becoming concerned about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity. People also realized that the supply of coal and gas would not last forever. Then, wind was rediscovered, though it means higher cost. Today, there is a global movement to supply more and more of our electricity through the use of wind.
小題1:From the text we know that windmills________.

A．were invented by European armies

B．have a history of more than 2,800 years

C．used to supply power to radio in remote areas

D．have rarely been used since electricity was discovered

小題2:What was a new use for wind power in the late 19^th century?

A．Sailing a boat.

B．Producing electricity.

C．Grinding wheat into flour.

D．Pumping water from underground.

小題3:One of the reasons wind was rediscovered in the 1970s is that_______.

A．wind power is cleaner

B．it is one of the oldest power sources.

C．it was cheaper to create energy from wind

D．the supply of coal and gas failed to meet needs

小題4:What would the author probably discuss in the paragraph that follows?

A．The advantages of wind power.

B．The design of wind power plants.

C．The worldwide movement to save energy.

D．The global trend towards producing power from wind.

A warm blanket is the ideal sleep aid for a freezing winter night. The right blanket can warm your bones but the wrong one can affect your sleep. I asked experts for advice on picking the perfect blanket for a good night’s sleep. Here’s what they told me.
When it comes to sleep temperature, experts recommend following the principle: not too cold, not too hot, but just right. “People seem to sleep best at temperature between 62 and 70 degrees F,” says Dr. Alice Hoagland. When the surrounding temperature falls too low, it can rouse you from sleep. A good blanket helps drive the coldness away.
At the other extreme, overheating yourself can affect your sleep as well. “Core body temperature typically drops during the first four hour’s of sleep,” says Dr. Hoagland. This decline in body temperature helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.
“In medical care, weighted blankets are one of our most powerful tools for helping people who are anxious, upset, and possibly losing control,” says Dr. Karen Moore. These special blankets are filled with weighted pellets. Weighted blankets are also marketed for general use as an aid to sleep and relaxation. Like a firm hug, weighted blankets help us feel safe.” This is the reason why many people like to sleep under a blanket even in summer.
“If you want to try this type of blanket, the best weight depends on your body size and personal preference. However, 15 to 30 pounds is typical for adults,” Moor says. She adds that weighted blankets are not recommended for those recovering from surgery.
“People can also have serious preferences for a particular blanket,” says Dr. Hoagland. “Regularly using a favorite blanket for sleep can help to develop a conditioned response so that sleep is quicker.” In fact, many sleep centers ask patients to bring their own blanket and pillow from home, which helps them fall asleep more easily.
小題1:The author wrote the passage mainly to tell us _____.

A．the importance of blankets

B．how to choose the perfect blanket

C．different materials used to make blankets

D．the history and usage of blankets

小題2:The underlined word “rouse” in Paragraph 2 is the closest in meaning to “______”.

A．wake up

B．take up

C．make up

D．pick up

小題3:What do we know from the passage?

A．Body temperature rises when we fall asleep

B．The perfect sleep temperature should be above 70 degrees F.

C．Weighted blankets should be at least 30 pounds.

D．People are advised to use their own blankets.

How to be Prepared
Electricity, water, gas and telephone may not be working after an earthquake. The police and fire department are likely to be tied up. You should be prepared to take care of yourself for at least three days, preferably for a week.
This list can also be applied to other disasters, such as floods or wildfires.
1. food and water (a gallon a day per person)
2. a first aid kit
3. a fire extinguisher suitable for all types of fires
4. flashlights, a portable radio extra batteries
5. blankets, clothes, shoes and money (ATMs may not work)
6. baby and pet food
It’s also a good idea to decide beforehand how and where your family will reunite if separated during a quake and to conduct in-home practice drills.
During an Earthquake
If you are indoors, stay there. Get under and hold onto a desk or table, or stand against an interior wall. Stay away from exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, and stay away from windows and outside walls and do not use the elevator.
If you are outside, get into the open, stay into the open, stay away from buildings, power lines or anything else that could fall on you.
If you are driving, move the car out of traffic and stop, avoid parking under or on bridges or overpasses, Try to get clear of trees, light posts, signs and power lines.
If you are in a crowded public place, avoid panicking and do not rush for the exit. Stay low and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
After an Earthquake
If the phone is working, only use it in case of emergency. Likewise, avoid driving if possible to keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.
Be aware that items may fall out of cupboards or closets when the door is opened, and also that chimneys can be weakened and fall with touch. Check for cracks and damage to the roof and foundation of your home.
Listen to the radio for important information and instructions. Remember that aftershocks, sometimes large enough to cause damage in their own right, generally follow large quakes.
If you leave home, leave a message telling friends and family your location.
小題1:Which of the following items is unnecessary to prepare before an earthquake？

A．Batteries

B．Cash

C．Medicine

D．Creditcard

小題2:When an earthquake comes，you should ______. 

A．hideyourselfinthekitchen

B．rushfortheexitimmediately

C．stayawayfromheavyobjects

D．callthepolicerightaway

小題3:When an earthquake is over，you should______. 

A．driveacartotakeyourfamilytothesafeplace

B．checkthesecurityofyourhome

C．callyourrelativestotellthemyouaresafe

D．clearupthemessassoonaspossible.

小題4:Which of the following sentences is true according to the passage？ 

A．You’dbettermakeitclearhowandwhereyourfamilywillreuniteifseparatedduringaquakeafterthequakehappens.

B．Ifyouareindoors,getintotheopen.

C．Ifyouareinacrowdedpublicplace,avoidpanickinganddorushfortheexit.

D．Ifthephonestillworks,onlyuseitwhennecessary.

小題5:What does the underlined word “aftershock ” mean? 

A．Alessseriousquakefollowingalargeearthquakeinthesamearea.

B．Afurtherreactionfollowingtheshockofadeeplydisturbingthing.

C．Amessonehastodealwithafteraterriblething.

D．Aninstructionthegovernmentgivestosolveproblems.

Pollutants coming from automobile operation have begun to cause many environmental problems. It has been calculated, for example, that 70% of the carbon monoxide(一氧化碳), 45% of the nitrogen oxides(氮氧化合物), and 34% of the hydrocarbon (碳?xì)浠�合�? pollution in the United States can be traced directly to automobile exhausts (廢氣). In addition, rubber, motor oil and other materials accumulate on roadways and are washed into streams, with effects nearly as serious as those of untreated waste water.
In an effort to improve the situation, the U.S. government has made regulations on the use of the constituents (成分) of automobile exhaust gas that are known to cause air pollution. These constituents fall roughly into three types: hydrocarbons that pass through the engine unburned; carbon monoxide, also a product of incomplete burning; and nitrogen oxides which are formed when nitrogen and oxygen are in contact at high temperatures. Besides their own poisonous character, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides react in the presence of sunlight to form harmful smog. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are rather easily controlled by the use of higher burning temperatures in engines. Unfortunately, the conditions that produce minimum emission of hydrocarbons tend to raise emission of nitrogen oxides. In a way this difficulty is solved by adding recycled exhaust gas to the fuel mixture, thus avoiding the oversupply of oxygen that favors formation of nitrogen oxides.
California, which has the most strict air-pollution laws in the United States, requires further special compounding of gas to control emissions, and several states have ordered that alcohol be mixed with gas, as this will reduce emissions of the carbon monoxide by 35 per cent and the hydrocarbons by 15 per cent.
小題1:The author uses figures in Paragraph 1 ________.

A．to reflect the rapid growth of automobile use

B．to highlight the importance of environment protection

C．to show the consequence of automobile exhausts

D．to criticize the low quality of cars

小題2:How are nitrogen oxides formed according to the text?

A．Nitrogen and oxygen are put together in great heat.

B．Carbon monoxide and oxygen are mixed together.

C．Hydrocarbons pass through the engine.

D．Nitrogen is burned incompletely.

小題3:Which of the following is NOT true according to the text?

A．Carbon monoxide can be controlled in the engine.

B．Smog will form when hydrocarbons meet nitrogen oxides in the sunlight.

C．Hydrocarbons have no poisonous character themselves.

D．The conditions that decease emission of hydrocarbons will increase emission of nitrogen oxides.

小題4:According to the text, alcohol is added to gas in order to ______.

A．increase awareness of environment protection

B．control air pollution

C．increase the fuel efficiency

D．replace gas gradually

Nickname (昵稱): Hawaii’s Island of Adventure.
Size: 4,028 square miles.
Population: 148,677. The most heavily populated areas are Hilo on the east side and     Kailua-Kona on the west.
Temperature: Averages between 71℉ and 77 ℉ year around —expect the mercury ( 水銀柱) to drop at higher Heights.
Beaches: 47  Golf Courts: 20   Highest Peak: Mauna Kea, 13,796 feet.
Agriculture: The bulk (主體) of Hawaii’s farming products are grown and processed on the Big
Island, including coffee, macadamia nuts and papaya.
Lodging: 9,655 rooms in total; nightly rates range from $ 35 to $ 5,000.
Airports: Hilo International Airport on the east side and Kona International Airport on the west
side.
Rental Cars: All of the nationally known rental car companies have locations at Hilo  International and Kona International Airports as well as many resorts. In addition, Hilo, Kona and the major resort areas are serviced by taxis.
Resources: Call (800) 648-2441 to order a video, a poster, brochures and maps from the Big Island Visitors Bureau. Turn to www. Bigisland. org for updated information.
Shopping: The largest shopping centers are in Hilo, Kona, Waimea and the Kona Coast.
小題1:_____ are mostly interested in reading the passage.

A．Tourists

B．Students

C．Businessmen

D．Officials

小題2:The average population per square mile on the island is about _____.

A．28

B．37

C．32

D．44

小題3:The underlined part “expect the mercury to drop at higher heights” means _____.

A．Things are easy to lose weight at higher places

B．Dropping things from higher places is expected

C．Temperature is expected to be lower at higher places

D．Temperature is expected to be higher at higher places

For the people living in the Nile Basin, the river is their life．This 6,825 km waterway, whose watershed（流域）covers three million square kilometers, flows through mountains ,woodlands, lakes and deserts．Its potential for fishing, tourism and shipping is great—but so are its challenges. 
Water shortage , already serious in Egypt and Sudan , will soon influence several other countries in the watershed as well．Today, about 160 million people depend on the Nile River for their living．Within the next 25 yeas ,the district's population is expected to double, adding to the demand brought about by growth in industry and agriculture．The frequent drought（干旱）adds to the urgency.
Water quality is also a problem．Precious soil is washed out to sea．Wastes from industry and agriculture create pollution．Higher concentrations of salt influence irrigated soils．Water-borne diseases continue unchecked．In areas where it's hot and damp, water hyacinths choke off（阻止） lakes, dams and other sections of the river, making it difficult for fishing and other businesses to move forward.
Native people along the narrow area of farmland have watched the sand move closer day by day．They’ve seen the river change course, and their only source（來源） of water thickened with mud．They’re very poor and have few choices.
But a new program, the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), is offering very practical assistance．The program is more than just a water-management project．It’s a plan for the social and economic development of a vast district: it concentrates on the needs of the poorest of the poor and the environment that supports them.
These are whole ecosystem problems, calling for united solutions．Half the Nile Basin's countries are among the world's poorest nations；yet, somehow, they must find the resources, skills and political will to overcome these challenges.
小題1:What are the great challenges the Nile Basin faces？    

A．The development of shipping industry.

B．Over fishing of native people.

C．Water shortage and water quality.

D．Increasing population and tourism.

小題2:The underlined word “hyacinths” （in Paragraph 3） refer to “        ”.      

A．plants

B．a(chǎn)nimals

C．rocks

D．salts

小題3:The program NBI is mainly aimed at           .                 

A．preventing water pollution

B．improving living condition of the poor

C．changing the river course

D．preventing land from becoming desert

小題4:

A．People’s Life in Egypt and Sudan

B．Frequent Drought in Egypt and Sudan

C．The Poorest Countries in the Nile Basin

D．The Ecosystem Problems in the Nile Basin

Plants are flowering faster than scientists predict in reaction to climate change, which could have long damaging effects on food chains and ecosystems.
“Global warming is having a great effect on hundreds of plant and animal species around the world, changing some living patterns.” scientists say.
Increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air from burning coal and oil can have an effect on how plants produce oxygen, while higher temperatures and changeable rainfall patterns can change their patterns of growth.
“Predicting species’ reaction to climate change is a major challenge in ecology,” said the researchers of several U.S. Universities. They said plants had been the key object of study because their reaction to climate change could have an effect on food chains and ecosystem services.
The study, published on the Nature website, uses the findings from plant life cycle studies and experiments across four continents and 1,634 species. It found that some experiments had underestimated the speed of flowering by 8.5 times and leafing by 4 times.
“Across all species, the experiments underestimated the speed of the advance—for both leafing and flowering—that results from temperature increases,” the study said.
“The design of future experiments may need to be improved to better predict how plants will react to climate change,” it said.
Plants are necessary for life on the Earth. They are the base of the food chain, using photosynthesis (光合作用) to produce sugar from carbon dioxide and water. They let out oxygen which is needed by nearly every organism on the planet.
Scientists believe the world’s average temperature has risen by about 0.8 ℃ since 1900, and nearly 0.2 ℃ every ten years since 1979.
So far, efforts to cut emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases are not seen as enough to prevent the Earth heating up beyond 2 ℃ this century—a point scientists say will bring the danger of a changeable climate in which weather extremes are common, leading to drought, floods, crop failures and rising sea levels.
小題1:What is the key information the author wants to give in Paragraph 1?

A．The increasing speed of flowering is beyond scientists’ expectation.

B．Climate change leads to the change of food production patterns.

C．Plants’ reaction to weather could have damaging effects on ecosystem.

D．Food chains have been seriously damaged because of weather.

小題2:We can learn from the study published on the Nature website that _____.    

A．scientists should improve the design of the experiments

B．plants’ flowering is 8.5 times faster than leafing

C．there are 1,634 plant species on the four continents

D．the experiments failed to predict how plants react to climate change

小題3:Scientists pay special attention to the study of plants because _____.     

A．they can prove the climate change clearly

B．they are very important in the food chains

C．they play a leading role in reducing global warming

D．they are growing and flowering much faster than before

小題4:What can be inferred from the last two paragraphs about the world’s temperature?    

A．It has risen nearly 0.2 ℃ since 1979.

B．It is 0.8 ℃ higher in 1979 than that of 1990.

C．It needs to be controlled within 2 ℃ in this century.

D．Its change will lead to weather extremes.

All over the world people enjoy sports, Sports help to keep people healthy and happy, and to live longer.
Many people like to watch others play games. They buy tickets or turn on their TVs to watch the games. Often they get very excited when “their” player or team wins.
Some sports are so interesting that people everywhere go in for(參加) them. Football, for example, has spread(展開)around the world. Swimming is popular in all countries near the sea or in those with many rivers. What fun it is to jump into a pool or lake, whether in China, Egypt or Italy! And think of people in cold countries. Think how many love to skate or ski (滑雪) in Japan, Norway or Canada.
Some sports or games go back thousands of years, like running or jumping. Chinese wushu, for example, has a very long history. But basketball and volleyball are rather new. Neither one is a hundred years old yet. People are inventing new sports or games all the time. Water-skiing is one of the newest in the family of sports.
People from different countries may not be able to understand each other, but after a game together they often become good friends. Sports help to train a person’s character. One learns to fight hard but fight fair, to win without pride and to lose with grace(勝不驕，敗不餒).
小題1:Why do people all over the world enjoy sports?

A．Because they are healthy.

B．Because they are happy.

C．Because they want to live longer.

D．All the above.

小題2:Why do some people get excited when they watch a game? Because  ___________. 

A．their favourite team wins	B．they win the game
C．they get the good news	D．they can’t help themselves

小題3:Why do people from different countries often become friends after a game together? Because ____________.

A．they train their character in the game

B．they understand each other

C．they are friendly to each other

D．they help each other

LIKE many teachers, Cristi Derow and Jennifer Bradley have spent most of their careers giving classroom lectures to students who sat passively in their seats.
The Lewisvillle, Texas, school teachers were aware that the hours they spent on preparing lessons were too often wasted on many students. So Forestwood High School, Texas, used the “flipped (翻轉(zhuǎn)的) classroom” method of instruction. “We’ve completely done away with our lecture,” Derow said. And homework assignments “are all done in class,” Bradley said.
With the flipped concept, a student’s usual homework assignment is to watch pre-recorded lectures on their computers or smart phones.They walk into class ready to discuss the topic, collaborate(合作) with other students and work on assignments based on what they learned from the video. Free from lecturing, the teachers can use class time to look deeper into the subject and focus on difficult concept. As students change from a passive to an active role, they learn critical thinking skills, learn to collaborate and become independent learners.
Instead of doing homework assignments alone at home, students are now “working together, talking about it,” Bradley said. “If they don’t agree on an answer, they debate it and have to justify their answers. It’s a higher level of learning.”
Her students give the flipped classroom high marks.
Sarah Lee, 14, watches the 30-minute videos on a home computer. She likes the ability to rewind the tapes if she doesn't understand a concept. She also likes being able to watch the lessons on her own schedule.
One of her classmates, Dawson Depperschmidt has the same idea and thinks the time she spends in the classroom is more productive. “It gives us more time to learn at school,” Dawson said. “You get more in-depth in class.
小題1:What can we conclude from the first two paragraphs?

A．Teachers in Lewisville enjoyed giving classroom lectures.

B．It takes time for students to concentrate and understand in class.

C．Many students took an inactive part in lecture-style classes.

D．Teachers in Lewisville found that there was no need to prepare lessons.

小題2:What difference does the “flipped classroom”method make to students?

A．They have more arguments with classmates.

B．They have to be independent and cooperative.

C．They need to do more homework at home.

D．They have to prepare lectures by themselves.

小題3:What does the underlined word “productive” mean?

A．reducing difficulties	B．trying new methods
C．a(chǎn)chieving a lot	D．causing troubles

小題4:What are the benefits of the “flipped classroom” method?
a. Teachers have time to solve deeper problems
b. Students are engaged in a higher level of learning.
c. Students study according to their own schedule.
d. Teachers don’t have to design homework for students

A．a(chǎn), b, c,

B．a(chǎn), c, d

C．b, c, d

D．a(chǎn), b, d

Gray hair is simply a part of the normal aging process, and the rate you go silver is genetically predetermined. Going gray is not associated with earlier death, and premature graying is not, generally speaking, a sign of an illness or ill health in younger adults. There are, however, some specific health conditions associated with gray or white hair, but for most of us, going gray is just a fact of life.
Hair color comes from the pigment melanin(黑色素), which determines your individual shade. Hair without any melanin is pure white. The pigment is produced in cells called melanocytes, which inject pigment into the hair. At some point in everyone's lifetime, these cells slow down and eventually stop producing color. Scientists have yet to identify the exact mechanism by which melanocyte cell death occurs.
A study of more than 4,000 women and men from 20 countries determined that about 75% of people between the ages of 45 and 65 have some gray hair. In general, people of European descent gray earliest followed by Asians and Africans. It's interesting to note that a lucky 1 in 10 has no gray hair by retirement age. Beginning at age 30, your chances of having gray hair go up 10-20% per decade.
It may feel like you have more grays after a stressful event, but that's probably because middle age is basically a series of anxiety-ridden events. Between working, raising kids, and caring for older parents, the "sandwich" years of 45-65 can be stressful, especially for women. They are also when we naturally start to look older.
At this point, there is still no silver bullet to keep away the grays.
小題1:What would be the best title for this passage?

A．Going gray.	B．Tips to make hair color last
C．Why does hair turn gray?	D．Gray hair is in fashion.

小題2:Which of the following is a true statement according to the passage?

A．Scientists have found out how to prevent hair from turning gray.

B．Europeans are more likely to gray than Asians and Africans.

C．Gray hair means poor health or a sign of illness.

D．Everyone will inevitably get gray hair by retirement age.

小題3:Which is not among the reasons for hair turning gray according to the passage?

A．Being physically weak.	B．Stress from different sides.
C．Death of melanocyte cell.	D．Genetic factors.

小題4:What does “silver bullet” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．Make-up

B．Scientific research.

C．Chemical weapon.

D．Cure.