In 1981, there were more than 1.3 million elephants in Africa. But in 1991, that number was cut down to 600,000. African elephants are hunted for their valuable ivory tusks(象牙). More have been killed by poachers(偷猎者). Poachers are hunters who kill animals illegally
. An adult(成年) elephant eats as much as 300 pounds a day. In their search for food, elephants oft
en move great distances. When they cannot find the grasses they prefer, they may strip(剥光) the land of trees.
Today, the area in which elephants herds live is smaller than it used to be. Many areas in their path have been turned into farms. And some eleph
ants have been killed by f
armers for trampling(践踏)their crops.
What can we do here in our country about a threatened animal that lives so far away? Our government has passe
d a law to protect it. People cannot import or bring in items made from ivory or any part of the elephant’s body.
Most countries throughout the world have also stopped ivory imports. It is hoped that the ban(禁令) on the sale of ivory will help save the African elephant. But the world’s largest land animal needs other help. The countries where these animals live are often poor and unable to manage the herds. If the elephant is to survive, this animal is going to need our support for many years to come.The number of the elephant in Africa in 1991 was .
| A．the same as that ten years ago | B．more than that ten years ago |
| C．a little less than half of that in 1981 | D．a little more than half of that in 1981 |
African elephants have been killed mainly because _____.
| A．they eat a lot | B．they have beautiful tusks |
| C．poachers kill for fun | D．there are too many of them |
The areas where African elephants live are much smaller today because ___.
| A．they tend to live in herds |
| B．there are not so many of them today |
C．many of these areas have been t urned into farms |
| D．farmers have been killing them to save their crops |
It is mentioned in the passage that our country has ____.
| A．officially stopped ivory imports |
| B．banned the killing of elephants in Africa |
| C．threatened the elephants that live far away |
| D．helped the African countries where elephants live |
Which of the f
ollowing statements is TRUE?
| A．Poachers have a license(执照) to hunt for animals. |
B．Elephants do a lot of good for the farmers in Africa. |
| C．We live too far away to help to save the African elephants. |
D．The African elephant needs the world’s support for its s urvival |
Standing desks have become common across Silicon Valley, offering health benefits to those willing to work on their feet. However, due to their high price, they have failed to catch on until now. Recently, Ikea has brought out Bekant convertible（可改变的）standing desk that can become a normal desk at the touch of a button. The $500 adjustable desk can transform from a standard desk to a standing one, and Ikea hopes it could make the standing desk mainstream.
Experts say that changing from a seated to a standing desk can improve productivity. Similar desks have become a common sight at tech firms such as Google, where some employees have even installed treadmill (跑步机)and bicycle desks.
The desk is not the first “convertible” on the market. As early as 2013, Stir Kinect brought out an adjustable desk. The $3,890 Stir Kinect desk has a motor to raise and lower itself, converting it into a standing desk or a traditional desk. The desk can even be programmed to move up and down slightly, making it appear to take a gentle breath to remind the user to change their position. To move between sitting and standing positions, owners simply double tap on the screen. The desk can learn the user’s preferences over time and suggest the best seating position.
The Stir Kinect desk was created by a team of ex-Apple and Disney engineers. It has a built-in touch screen to control and track movement, and can tell users exactly how many calories they burn by standing during their working day. It also has devices containing power points and USB ports for charging phones, to keep cables hidden.
“Ikea’s height adjustable desk is great for opening up the lower end of the market, ’’ said JP Labrosse, founder and CEO of Stir.What is the text mainly about?
| A．Ikea has brought out an adjustable standing desk. |
| B．Silicon Valley offered health benefits to officials. |
| C．Google formed their tech firms to design bicycle desks. |
| D．The Stir Kinect desk will become mainstream in the market： |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?
| A．Before Bekant desk, similar adjustable desks have been widely used. |
| B．The seated desks will take the place of the standing desks in the future. |
| C．Compared to the Stir Kinect desk, the Bekant desk is much cheaper. |
| D．The adjustable desks were designed by the Apple and Disney Company. |
The Stir Kinect desk______.
| A．can breathe in and breathe out by pressing the button once. |
| B．can charge phones by using a device containing power point. |
| C．can tell you how many calories you need for a walk |
| D．can advise you to do more exercise at a proper time |
What can we infer from the last sentence given by JP Labrosse that______.
| A．Ikea’s adjustable desk will be popular with average people. |
| B．Ikea will have to sell furniture at a lower price in the future. |
| C．This height adjustable table can only be found in Ikea. |
| D．It is not necessary for Ikea to open up the market at all. |
Have you ever had a doctor write you a prescription(处方) for three laps around a local trail（小径）? How about a prescription for sit-ups?
These treatments may not be as typical as the drugs that are usually used to treat our problems, but maybe they should be: a new report shows that regular exercise can be just as effective as prescription drugs for patients with depression and anxiety.
“Individuals who exercise report fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, and lower levels of stress and anger, “ said the paper’s co-author, Jasper Smith, director of the Anxiety Research and Treatment Program at Southern Methodist University. “ Exercise may help patients with depression re-establish positive behaviors. For patients with anxiety disorders, exercise reduces their fears of fear and related bodily sensations such as a racing heart and rapid breathing.”
In a separate study, published in Physical Therapy journal, scientists studied 161 women who’ d recently given birth to babies, and decided them into two groups. New mothers tend to develop post-partum depression(产后抑郁), and the scientists wanted to find out whether exercise could prevent such problems. One group of women was given specialized exercises as part of an eight-week parenting education program, while the other was given only written education. The physical element seemed to do the trick; the researchers report that the number of women identified as “at risk” for post-partum depression was reduced by half in the exercising group.
Another recent study shows that even when a patient has a chronic illness like cancer or a heart condition, regular exercise can dramatically increase wellbeing by reducing anxiety. Researchers from University of Georgia analyzed 40 clinical trials involving almost 3,000 patients, and found that the patients who reported exercising regularly had a 20% reduction in symptoms of anxiety compared to those who didn’t exercise. As a result, they were more likely to follow their recommended treatment plan.
Of course, there are still some situations where prescription drugs are necessary, and we recommend you leave it to your doctor to determine when that may be. But in many cases, the best medicine may simply be to get up off the couch and go for a walk.Which of the following is the common method to treat depression and anxiety?
| A．Drug. | B．Exercise | C．Run. | D．walk |
Why does the writer mention another two studies?
| A．To compare the two studies to find their similarities. |
| B．To prove the theory: regular exercise can reduce people’s depression and anxiety. |
| C．To compare Jasper Smith’s study with the two ones. |
| D．To help those suffering from depression and anxiety get rid of them. |
What is the text mainly about?
| A．Why should we take more exercise? |
| B．Several studies about the problem of depression and anxiety. |
| C．Regular exercise can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. |
| D．The relationship between regular exercise and physical health. |
A murder will occur this weekend in the peaceful seaside town of Langley, Washington. In fact, a murder has occurred there every February for the past 25 years. But don’t panic! It’s all part of the town’s yearly Mystery Weekend.
What began as a local event in 1984 now attracts visitors from over the U.S. and even abroad. Would-be detectives（侦探）arrive and check in at the visitor center on Saturday. There, they receive a packet, including a newspaper with details about the crime and information telling where to find clues（线索）. Participants then travel to various shops, restaurants and other downtown locations, picking up clues as they go. Along the way, they encounter and interview suspects played by local townspeople. Most Langley residents participate in some way in the Mystery Weekend, a true community（社区）event.
Amateur detectives have until Sunday at 4:00 p.m. to solve the crime and turn in their guesses. Then as everyone gathers, the murderer is found and arrested, and prizes are awarded for correct answers. It’s the perfect ending for a murder mystery and enormous fun for those who get to play detective.
For visitors, Mystery Weekend is not only fun but also a great introduction to the charms of Langley. It’s a very attractive community with historic buildings, exciting ocean views and above all, friendly people. Since Langley is on an island, a fun way to get there is by taking a car ferry to the nearby town of Clinton and then driving the rest of the way. Langley has a delightful selection of inns with bed and breakfasts that are open all year round. And activities in Langley aren’t limited to Mystery Weekend. There is also great hiking, biking, golfing and diving to enjoy. And for a special adventure, visitors can book on one of the whale – watching ships that leave nearby harbors each day.The second paragraph mainly tells us ________.
| A．where participants can pick up the clues |
| B．how the detectives try to clear up the case |
| C．when Mystery Weekend came into being |
| D．what people do during Mystery Weekend |
How can you get to Clinton according to the passage?
| A．By car. | B．By train. | C．By boat. | D．By plane. |
According to the passage, visitors in Langley can _____.
| A．book B& B inns open throughout the year to their own taste |
| B．take a ferry to Clinton for a special adventure |
| C．enjoy a wide variety of recreation like dancing and singing |
| D．feel secure to watch whales performing |
We learn from the text that Mystery Weekend_____ .
| A．aims to decrease crime rate |
| B．is an annual local event |
| C．is intended for detectives |
| D．offers visitors a chance to make money |
No one wants to look silly or do the wrong thing at a new job. It is important to make the right impression from the very first day. You will face new people. You will be in a new place. It may be difficult to know what to do. Here are five tips to help you make it through the first days at a new job:
1．First impressions can last forever. Make sure you make a good one. Before your first day, find out if your new job has a dress code (rules about what you can wear to work). If so, be sure to follow it. No matter what, always be neat and clean.
2．Get to work on time. Give yourself an extra 15 minutes to make sure you arrive on time.
3．Pay attention to introductions. One of the first things that your supervisor may do is to introduce you to co-workers. These co-workers will be important to you. They are the ones who will answer your questions when the boss is not around.
4．Ask a lot of questions. Make sure that your supervisor has told you what is expected of you. If he or she has not told you your duties, ask for a list. Set daily and weekly goals for yourself.
5．Never be the first one to leave. Observe what your co-workers do around quitting time (下班时间). It does not look good for you to be eager to leave.Before you arrive at work, you should __________.
| A．dress in a right way |
| B．introduce yourself quickly |
| C．know your duties |
| D．know your co-workers well |
According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．You should be the first one to arrive at work. |
| B．You should ask your co-workers for your duties. |
| C．You should not be eager to go back home. |
| D．You are required to arrive 15 minutes earlier. |
In the fourth paragraph, the underlined word “supervisor” may be a “ ”
| A．visitor | B．teacher | C．workmate | D．leader |
What is the best title for this passage?
| A．Getting a New Job |
| B．Tips on How to Work |
| C．The First – day Work Tips |
| D．The Importance of Co-workers |
There are thousands of products of all colors and shapes in a supermarket, making you believe that they are worth a try．How? Packaging is the silent but persuading salesman．
There on the shelves, each bottle, can ,box, and jar has been carefully designed and measured to speak to the inner self of the consumer, because he/she is buying not only a product but also his/her belief in life．Scientists have studied consumer behavior recently and found that the look of the package has a great effect on the “quality” of the product and on how well it sells, because “consumers generally cannot tell between a product and its package．Many products are packages and many packages are products．”, as Louis Cheskin, the first social scientist studying consumers’ feelings for packaging, noticed．
Colors are one of the best tools in packaging．Studies of eye movement have shown that colours draw human attention quickly．Take V8 for example．For many years, the bright red color of tomatoes and carrots on the thin bottle makes you feel that it is very good for your body．And the word “green” today can keep food prices going up．
Shapes are another attraction．Circles often suggest happiness and peacefulness, because these shapes are pleasing to both the eye and the heart．That’s why the round yellow M signs of McDonald’s are inviting to both young and old．
This new consumer response to the colors and shapes of packages reminds producers and sellers that people by to satisfy both body and soul．According to the passage, _____ seems to be able to persuade a consumer to buy the product．
| A．the pleasing color of the package |
| B．he special taste of the product |
| C．the strange shape of the package |
| D．the belief in the product |
If a package or a product is round in shape, it can ____________．
| A．bring excitement to the consumers |
| B．attract the consumers’ attention |
| C．catch the eye movement of the consumers |
| D．produce a happy and peaceful feeling |
“And the word green today can keep food prices going up ” This sentence suggests that consumers today are _________．
| A．starting to notice the importance of new food |
| B．enjoying the beauty of nature more than before |
| C．beginning to like green vegetables |
| D．paying more attention to their health |
It can be inferred from the passage that V8 is a kind of ________．
| A．vegetable dish | B．healthy juice |
| C．iced drink | D．red vegetable |
粤公网安备 44130202000953号