A small town in southwest Britain is banning (禁止) plastic bags in an attempt to help the environment and cut waste－a step that environmentalists believe is a first for Europe.
Shopkeepers in Modbury population 1,500, agreed to stop handing out disposable plastic bags to customers on Saturday. They said paper sacks and cloth carrier bags would be offered instead.
Last month, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban plastic grocery bags. Internationally, laws to discourage the use of plastic bags have been passed in parts of South Africa and Ireland, where governments either tax shoppers who use them or fine companies that hand them out. Bangladesh already bans them, and so do at least 30 remote Alaskan villages.
Modbury, about 225 miles southwest of London, has also declared a bag ammesty (宽限期), allowing local people to hand in plastic bags that have piled up at home. They w
ill be sent for a recycling.
The Modbury ban was the idea of Rebecca Hosking, who saw the effect of bags on marine life while working in the Pacific as a wildlife camerawoman. She said response in the town so far had been “really positive”.
“Modbury is quite an old-fashioned town and a lot of people have wicker(柳条) baskets to go out shopping anyway, ”Hosking told Sky News Television.
The World Watch Institute, an environmental research agency, states that 100 billion plastic bags are thrown away each year in the United States alone. More than 500 billion are used yearly around the world.The underlined word “disposable” in the pas
sage probably means .
A．ac ceptable |
B．valuable | C．environmentally-friendly | D．long-lasting |
It can be inferred from the passage that .
| A．most of the people in Modbury continue to use plastic bags |
| B．fewer and fewer plastic bags will be used in the world |
| C．San Francisco is the first city to ban plastic bags in the world |
| D．most countries in the world have passed laws to ban plastic bags |
Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?
| A．Environmental Protection | B．Big Cities Banning Plastic Bags |
| C．British Town Banning Plastic Bags | D．Effect of Plastic bags on Sea Animals |
It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there is no escaping it．The word “huh?” is in worldwide use, a study found．
Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include ‘‘huh?”, or something that sounds very like it. They said that while the study may sound silly，the word is an absolutely necessary part of speech．Without it and similar words，it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings．
But while other words used in the same context，such as ‘‘sorry'’ or‘ ‘what”，vary widely across languages，“huh?” remains unchanged．
The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world，including Siwu, which is spoken in Ghana, and an Australian Aboriginal language，as well as Italian，Spanish，Dutch and Mandarin Chinese．
They analyzed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like ‘‘huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated．All contained a version of ‘‘huh?”．The word was also found in another 21 languages．While there were subtle differences in each country, all sounded basically the same．
This is surprising because normally unrelated languages will use very different words to describe the same thing．For instance，the Japanese for “dog’’ is ‘‘inu”，while the French is‘ ‘chien”．It is thought that languages around the world have developed their own version of “huh?’’ because the sound is quick and simple to form，as well as being easily understood．
The researchers，said that it might seem unimportant to carry out scientific research into a word like “huh?'’ but in fact this little word is an essential tool in human communication．They also have an answer for those who claim that ‘‘huh?’’ isn’t a word．They say that it qualifies because of the small differences in its pronunciation in different languages．It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say，rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make．According to researchers，the word “huh?” is very important in speech because of .
| A．its important function in communication |
| B．its simple and easy sound and spelling |
| C．its popularity in every language |
| D．its stable meaning in language development |
If you hear someone you’re speaking to say “huh?”, what should you do?
| A．You should apologize to her for speaking in a low voice． |
| B．You should invite her to share her different views politely． |
| C．You should try to say what you’ve just said again in a clearer way． |
| D．You should ask her to repeat what she says before that. |
The main method used in the research of “huh?” was_____________．
| A．comparing different words with the same meaning in different languages |
| B．interviewing language experts in universities |
| C．talking with people from ten different countries |
| D．analyzing the recorded conversations in different languages |
According to researchers，‘‘huh?” should be considered a word rather than a sound because __________ .
| A．it is pronounced quite differently around the world |
| B．it is something humans learn to say |
| C．there is a clear and consistent spelling of the word |
| D．it is listed in most dictionaries |
Dear Dad,
Today I was at the shopping mall and I spent a lot of time reading the Father's Day cards. They all had a special message that in some way or another reflected how I feel about you. Yet as I selected and read, it occurred to me that not a single card said what I really want to say to you.
You'll soon be 84 years old, Dad, and you and I will have had 55 Father's Days together. I haven't always been with you on Father's Day but I've always been with you in my heart.
You know, Dad, there was a time when we were separated by the generation gap. You stood on one side of the Great Divide and I on the other.
The Father-Daughter Duel shifted into high gear ( 档位) when you taught me to drive the old Dodge and I decided I would drive the '54 Chevy whether you liked it or not. The police officer who sent me home, after you reported the Chevy stolen, didn't have much tolerance for a stubborn 16 year old, while you were so tolerant about it, Dad, and I think that was probably what made it the worst night of my life.
Our relationship greatly improved when I married a man you liked, and things really turned around when we began making babies right and left. Somewhere along the line, the generation gap disappeared. I suppose I saw us and our relationship as aging together, rather like a fine wine.
But the strangest thing happened last week. I was at a stop sign and I watched as you turned the corner in your car. It didn't immediately occur to me that it was you because the man driving looked so elderly and fragile behind the wheel of that huge car. It was rather like a slap in the face delivered from out of nowhere. Perhaps I saw your age for the first time that day.
I guess what I'm trying to say, Dad, is what every son and daughter wants to say to their Dad today. Honoring a father on Father's Day is about respect and sharing and acceptance and tolerance and giving and taking. It's about loving someone more than words can say, and it's wishing that never had to end.
I love you, Dad.
Love,
Jenny How did Jenny probably feel on the night she was sent home by the police?
| A．Frightened | B．Guilty | C．Nervous | D．Disappointed |
We can learn from the passage that Jenny and her father_________.
| A．had a hard time understanding each other. |
| B．has been getting along very well. |
| C．are separated due to the generation gap. |
| D．kept in touch by writing to each other. |
Why did Jenny feel strange when she saw her father last week?
| A．She had never seen him driving so slowly before. |
| B．She didn't expect to meet with him there. |
| C．She had never realized his being old and weak |
| D．She seldom saw him driving that huge car |
Jenny wrote his father this letter to _________
| A．remind him of the early incident | B．express her gratitude to him |
| C．say sorry for her being stubborn | D．tell him about their conflicts |
“Can’t hold a candle to” is a popular expression．When there wasn’t electricity, someone would have a servant light his way by holding a candle．The expression meant that the person who cannot hold a candle to you is not fit even to be your servant．Now，it means such a person cannot compare or compete．
Another expression is“hold your tongue．”It means to be still and not talk．“Hold your tongue”is not something you would tell a friend．But a parent or teacher might use the expression to quiet a noisy child．
“Hold out”is an expression one hears often in sports reports and labor news．It means to refuse to play or work．Professional football and baseball players“hold out” if their team refuses to pay them what they think they are worth．
The expression“hold up” has several different meanings．One is a robbery．A man with a gun may say,“This is a hold up．Give me your money．”Another meaning is to delay．A driver who was held up by heavy traffic might be late for work．Another meaning is for a story to be considered true after an investigation．A story can hold up if it is proved true．
“Hold on”is another expression，which means wait or stop．As you leave for school，your brother may say,“Hold on，you forgot your book．” It is used to ask a telephone caller to wait and not hang up his telephone．
Our final expression is“hold the line．”That means to keep a problem or situation from getting worse—to hold steady．For example，the president may say he will“hold the line on taxes．”He means there will be no increase in taxes．The author introduces the expressions mainly by _____________．
| A．giving examples | B．making comparisons |
| C．raising questions | D．quoting famous remarks |
The expression“can’t hold a candle to”call be used when ____________．
| A．some footballers refuse to play a game |
| B．someone else is wanted on the phone |
| C．someone is not qualified for a position |
| D．someone was delayed by heavy traffic |
The tune ofthe phrase“hold your tongue”is probably a little ___________．
| A．amusing | B．polite | C．unfriendly | D．offensive |
If some teachers“hold out”，they probably __________．
| A．change their artitude | B．refuse to work |
| C．make a compromise | D．show their devotion |
Which of the following sentences can convey positive meanings?
| A．I was late as I was held up by a hold up． |
| B．Hold on!You have to pay the bill，sir． |
| C．You can’t even hold a candle to Michael． |
| D．I promise to hold the line on house prices． |
What exactly is a Dream Career? I am sure it means different things to different people. You could presently be unsure about what your final job would be. If you have any doubts about what your dream career is, you may know which careers you definitely would not like to do. For example, if you have an interest in art, and do not like math, you most certainly would not be an engineer .If you love art. and have no artist talent ,maybe you would like to be around art instead, as an art curator (馆长)
A career related to your passion, bobby, or special interest, is the path to follow in finding your dream job. Try thinking about what things you like to do in your spare time. Many are attracted toward turning what they love to do in their off work hours into a full time job. For example, if you like to put together model cars, maybe you would like opening your own hobby shop, or work for someone who owns one.
Once you find what you arc interested in doing, you can then match this to a career which will be similar to what you are passionate about. What you consider a dream career has to centre around what kind of person you actually are. This is called your Career Personality. What type of person do you consider yourself to be? People are naturally attracted to those things which reflect who they are as unique individuals. For example, if you are slightly on the shy side, maybe you would like a job where you work on your own. relatively unsupervised ,behind a computer. If you are outgoing, maybe you would like to work with others, and be the supervisor.
All it may take to find our dream career is to know ourselves a little better, trust in our own judgment, and be realistic about what we can attain occupationally: This is how I found what I am doing now.What is the main purpose of the passage?
| A．To explain what a dream career really is. |
| B．To offer tips on finding a dream career. |
| C．To tell us what Career Personality means. |
| D．To give examples of different personalities. |
Which of the following about Career Personality is TRUE?
| A．One should choose a dream career by his/her personality. |
| B．Choosing a dream career depends on a person's ability. |
| C．One should choose a dream career according to the reality. |
| D．One should try different types of careers by his/her ability. |
Which of the following is what we need to find a dream career?
a. Realizing our ability.
b. Believing in ourselves.
c. Having a better understanding of ourselves.
d. Considering the background of our family.
| A．a, c, d | B．a, b, c | C．b, c, d | D．a, c, d |
From the second paragraph we learn your dream career has something to do with the
following EXCEPT ______.
| A．your hobby | B．your special interest |
| C．your part-time job | D．your passion |
55. It can be inferred from the passage that
| A．a dream job is one that most people are fond of |
| B．people all want to turn their part-time jobs into full-time ones |
| C．finding our dream career should follow different suggestions |
| D．the author's present dream job is chosen by his personality |
Pulling heavy suitcases all day in the summer is hard work, especially when you are a thin 14-year-old boy. That was me in 1940-the youngest and smallest baggage boy at New York City's Pennsylvania Railway Station.
After just a few days on the job, I began noticing that the other fellows were overcharging passengers. I'd like to join them, thinking, "Everyone else is doing it."
When I got home that night, I told my dad what I wanted to do. "You give an honest day's work," he said, looking at me straight in his eye. "They are paying you. If they want to do that, you let them do that."
I followed my dad's advice for the rest of that summer and have lived by his words ever since.
Of all the jobs I've had, it was my experience at Pennsylvania Railway Station that has stuck with me. Now I teach my players to have respect for other people and their possession. Being a member of a team is a totally shared experience. If one person steals, it destroys trust and hurts everyone. I can put up with many things, but not with people who steal. If one of my players were caught stealing, he'd be gone.
Whether you're on a sports team, in an office or a member of a family. if you can't trust one another, there is going to be trouble. What can be inferred about the baggage boys?
| A．They could earn much, but they had to work hard. |
| B．Many of them earned money in a dishonest way. |
| C．They were all from poor families. |
| D．They were thin, young boys. |
What does the father's advice imply?
| A．It is wrong to give more to the passengers. |
| B．Don't believe them if they are paying you more. |
| C．Don't follow others to overcharge the passengers. |
| D．It is difficult to work hard and live as an honest boy. |
The underlined word "it" (in Paragraph 2) refers to______
| A．overcharging passengers |
| B．pulling heavy suitcases all day |
| C．paying passengers money |
| D．working in an honest way |
The writer can't put up with stealing because he thinks that _______
| A．it is a total shared experience |
| B．it is considered as the most dangerous |
| C．it does great harm to human relationship |
| D．it may led to the loss of his sports team. |
It can be concluded from the text that _______
| A．his father's advice helped him to decide which job to take up |
| B．working in the sports team was his most important experience |
| C．he learned much from his shared experience with his team members |
| D．his experience as a baggage boy had a great influence on his late life |
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