Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was failing. Surprisingly, he could read, yet,    21   his reading skills, Steve had been failing since first grade. Steve was a big boy, yet, he went unnoticed...    22    Miss White.

Miss White was a smiling, beautiful, young lady. For the first time in his    23   life, Steve couldn’t take his eyes off his teacher; yet,    24   he failed. In the middle of the first term, the entire seventh grade was    25   for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and    26   to dream of other things, as the day passed slowly. One day, Miss White’s    27   voice broke into his daydreams. “Steve!” Startled (嚇了一跳), he    28   to look at her. “Pay attention!” She began to    29   the test results. “You all did pretty well,” she told the class, “   30   one boy, and it breaks my    31   to tell you this, but...” She hesitated, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp    32  . “... The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class!”

After that, Steve still    33   do his homework. “Just try it,” Miss White said one day. “Steve! Please! I care about you!” Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it! Someone cared about him? Someone, so beautiful and perfect, cared about him! Steve went home from school,    34  ,  that afternoon.

The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles! Immediately, she gave a    35   on the weekend homework. Steve was the first to    36   his paper. With a look of    37  , Miss White took his paper. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart beating strongly within his chest.

Miss White’s face was in total    38  ! Suddenly, her face broke into a bright smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just    39   his first test! From that moment   40   was the same for Steve.

A. in honor of         B. in spite of       C. in addition to         D. in case of

A. to                   B. before          C. until                D. upon

A. rich                B. young          C. fresh                D. simple

A. still               B. even           C. also                 D. forever

A. observed            B. corrected        C. selected              D. tested

A. struggled           B. agreed        C. continued             D. declared

A. cheerful            B. impatient       C. enthusiastic           D. shy

A. decided             B. managed      C. turned                D. forgot

A. go over           B. run over      C. turn over              D. hand over

A. except for               B. due to          C. as for                 D. up to

A. will                B. record          C. heart                  D. back

A. pain               B. stare           C. sense                  D. contrast

A. wouldn’t            B. couldn’t        C. mustn’t                D. shouldn’t

A. amused             B. doubtful         C. approved              D. thoughtful

A. survey          B. speech        C. report                 D. quiz

A. give up          B. hand in       C. turn down         D. come across

A. respect          B. curiosity        C. surprise               D. fear

A. victory             B. shock         C. sadness               D. confidence

A. escaped             B. taken           C. missed                 D. passed

A. nothing           B. something     C. anything               D. everything  

On April 24^th, another natural disaster—the oil spill(泄露) in the Gulf of Mexico, happened. Millions of dollars have been used to help stop the spill and to clean up the animals, beaches, and land spoiled by the oil．Unfortunately, when many of these chemicals are used, more damage is caused to the environment, especially to lives in the sea．

But governments seem to accept the risk of transporting millions of tons of oil by ship every day so that we can fill up our cars and drive around and cause even more environmental damage．Interestingly, the biggest companies in the world produce cars, and the next biggest supply the gasoline to make them run.

Of all of today’s environmental disasters, an oil spill may actually be one of the least serious．Although oil is poisonous, it is a natural material．In the end, it breaks down naturally．In 1967 the tanker Torrey Canyon sank off the Scilly Isles near the coast of England and spilled 120,000 tones of oil into the ocean．If you go there today, you will find it hard to see any sign that it ever happened．      

However, we should be thinking more about reducing our dependency on oil．Governments should be encouraging research into new technologies, such as cars run by solar power（太陽能）, electricity, hydrogen, and so on．Much of this research, in the past, was stopped by the oil, gas, and coal．

If the world’s millions of cars were 10% more efficient（高效的）,we would need many fewer tankers crossing the oceans each year．If this happened, the risks of oil spills would be reduced, and the air we breathe would be cleaner and fresher, too．

What is the passage mainly talking about?

A．Oil spills pollution．             B．What oil pollution is．

C．Oil tanker accidents.              D．How to reduce oil pollution.

How does the author support the idea that oil spills are not as serious as people believe?

A．By giving a description．          B．By making an argument．

C．By giving an example．           D．By drawing a diagram(圖表)．

What does the underlined word "risk" in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Transportation depending more on oil．

B．Poisonous oil breaking down naturally．

C．Millions of tons of oil spilling into the sea．

D．More environmental damage being caused．

Which suggestion is made for reducing oil tank accidents according to the passage?

A．We should build safer tankers in the near future．

B．We should develop new technologies to cut oil use．

C．Tankers should not be allowed to sail near the coastlines．

D．Countries should build more oil pipelines under the sea．

Where can you read this article?

A．In a story book．        

B．In a science magazine．

C．In a novel.   

D．In a brochure．

With alarming regularity, we read about oil tankers having accidents near land and the terrible consequences of the oil spills （泄露） on people, nature, and the environment．

         Millions of dollars have been used in developing special chemicals to help dismiss the spills and to clean up the animals, beaches, and land spoiled by the oil．Unfortunately, when many of these chemicals are used, more damage is caused to the environment, especially to lives in the sea．

         Of all of today's environmental disasters, an oil spill may actually be one of the least serious．Although oil is poisonous, it is a natural material．In the end, it breaks down naturally．There are, of course, long-term effects, but it is usually more serious in the short term．

         Nature by itself works better than chemical materials, but when there is a spill we demand that governments act immediately with as much hi-tech knowledge as possible．In 1967 the tanker Torrey Canyon sank off the Scilly Isles near the coast of England and spilled 120,000 tones of oil into the ocean．If you go there today, you will find it hard to see any sign that it ever happened．

         Governments seem to accept the risk of transporting millions of tons of oil by ship every day so that we can fill up our cars and drive around and cause even more environmental damage．Interestingly, the biggest companies in the world produce cars, and the next biggest supply the gasoline to make them run.

         We should be thinking more about reducing our dependency on oil．Governments should be encouraging research into new technologies, such as cars run by solar power （太陽能） , electricity, hydrogen, and so on．Much of this research has, in the past, been held back by the oil, gas, and coal．

         If the world's millions of cars were 10% more efficient （高效的）—and the industry could easily produce cars at least twice as efficient，we would need many fewer tankers crossing the oceans each year．If this happened, the risks of oil spills would be reduced, and the air we breathe would be cleaner and fresher, too．

1.What is the passage mainly talking about?

A．Oil spills pollution．  　　　     B．What oil pollution is

C．Oil tanker accidents.            D．How to reduce oil pollution

2.How does the author support the idea that oil spills are not as serious as people believe?

A．By giving a description．   　　         B．By making an argument

C．By giving an example．           D．By drawing a diagram

3.What does the underlined word "risk" in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．Transportation depending more on oil

B．Poisonous oil breaking down naturally

C．Millions of tons of oil spilling into the sea

D．More environmental damage being caused

4.Which suggestion, is made for reducing oil tank accidents according to the passage?

A．We should build safer tankers in the near future

B．We should develop new technologies to cut oil use

C．Tankers should not be allowed to sail near the coastlines

D．Countries should build more oil pipelines under the sea

 

 

    Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was about to be lost forever, by the U.S. education system. He had been failing since first grade. Steve was a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a twelve year old, yet, Steve went unnoticed... until Miss White.

    Miss White was a smiling, young, beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love! For the first time in his young life, he couldn’t take his eyes off his teacher; yet, still he failed. He never did his homework, and he was always in trouble with Miss White. His heart would break he was punished for failing to turn in his homework! Still, he did not study.

    In the middle of the first term of school, the entire seventh grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and continued to dream of other things.  His heart was in the woods, where he often escaped alone, trying to shut out the sights, sounds and smells of his alcoholic home. 

One day, Miss White’s impatient voice broke into his daydreams.

    “Steve!” he turned to look at her.

         “Pay attention!”

         Steve locked his eyes on Miss White with adolescent adoration, as she began to go over the test results for the seventh grade.

         “You all did pretty well,” she told the class, “except for one boy, and it breaks my heart to tell you this, but...” She hesitated.

         “...The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class!”

         She just stared at Steve, as the class turned around for a good look. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.

         After that, it was war!! Steve still wouldn’t do his homework even as the punishments became more severe.

         “Just try it! ONE WEEK!” He was unmoved.

         You’re smart enough! You’ll see a change!” Nothing happened.

         “Give yourself a chance! Don’ give up on your life!” Nothing.

         “Steve! Please! I care about you!”

         Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it!! Someone cared about him? Someone, totally perfect, CARED ABOUT HIM!

         Steve went home from school, thoughtful, that afternoon.  He, quickly, gathered up his camping things, this time including his schoolbooks. Determined, he headed for the woods.

The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles! God, she was beautiful! He expected her smile to turn on him. It did not.

         Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test, and was the first to hand in his paper. With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart beating within his chest. As he sat down, he couldn’t resist another look at the lovely woman.

         Miss White’s face was in total shock! She glanced up at Steve, then down, then up. Suddenly, her face broke into a bright smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just passed his first test!

From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not only could he learn, but he was good at it! And he continued this course throughout his school life.

         After high-school Steve entered the Navy, and he had a successful military career.  During his Naval career, he inspired many young people, who without him, might not have believed in themselves.

         You see, it’s simple, really. A change took place within the heart of one boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.                          

1. How did Miss White’s expression change when she got Steve’s paper?   

         A. satisfied —shocked —surprised —puzzled            B. puzzled —surprised —shocked —satisfied

         C. surprised —puzzled —shocked —satisfied                  D. surprised —shocked —satisfied —puzzled

2. Which of the following statements is NOT right according to the passage? 

A. Steve fell in love with Miss White at the first sight of her.

B. Steve’s parents were so addicted to drinking that they paid little attention to Steve’s life.

C. Steve would rather stay in the woods to keep himself away from his home.

D. Having being punished many times, Steve determined to work hard and passed his first test.

3. Which of the following can serve as the best title for this passage?

         A. The difference a teacher can make                               B. The school life of a stubborn boy

         C. The importance of family education                               D. The skills of being a good teacher

 

         With alarming regularity, we read about oil tankers having accidents near land and the terrible consequences of the oil spills(泄露) on people, nature, and the environment.

        Millions of dollars have been used in developing special chemicals to help dismiss the spills and to clean up the animals, beaches, and land spoiled by the oil. Unfortunately, when many of these chemicals are used, more damage is caused to the environment, especially to lives in the sea.

         Of all of today’s environmental disasters, an oil spill may actually be one of the least serious. Although oil is poisonous, it is a natural material. In the end, it breaks down naturally. There are, of course, long-term effects, but it is usually more serious in the short term.

         Nature by itself works better than chemical materials, but when there is a spill we demand that governments act immediately with as much hi-tech knowledge as possible. In 1967 the tanker Torrey Canyon sank off the Sicily Isles near the coast of England and spilled 120,000 tones of oil into the ocean. If you go there today, you will find it hard to see any sign that it ever happened.

         Governments seem to accept the risk of transporting millions of tons of oil by ship every day so that we can fill up our cars and drive around and cause even more environmental damage. Interestingly, the biggest companies in the world produce cars, and the next biggest supply the gasoline to make them run!

         We should be thinking more about reducing our dependency on oil. Governments should be encouraging research into new technologies, such as cars run by solar power(太陽能), electricity, hydrogen, and so on. Much of this research has, in the past, been held back by the oil, gas, and coal.

         If the world’s millions of cars were 10% more efficient(高效的) — and the industry could easily produce cars at least twice as efficient — we would need many fewer tankers crossing the oceans each year. If this happened, the risks of oil spills would be reduced, and the air we breathe would be cleaner and fresher, too.

1.What is the passage mainly talking about?

A. Oil tanker accidents.                                        B. What oil pollution is.

C. Oil spills pollution.                                             D. How to reduce oil pollution.

2.How does the author support the idea that oil spills are not as serious as people believe?

A. By giving an example.                                      B. By making an argument.            

C. By giving a description.                                    D. By drawing a diagram.

3.What does the underlined word “risk” in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A. Transportation depending more on oil.                                                  

B. More environmental damage being caused.

C. Millions of tons of oil spilling into the sea.                                             

D. Poisonous oil breaking down naturally.

4.Which suggestion is made for reducing oil tank accidents according to the passage?

A. We should build safer oil tankers in the near future.

B. Tankers should not be allowed to sail near the coastlines.

C. We should develop new technologies to cut oil use.

D. Countries should build more oil pipelines under the sea.