Everyone looks forward to progress, whether in one's personal life or in the general society. Progress indicates a person's ability to change the way he is living at the moment. Progress must lead a better way of doing things. All these, however, remains true only in so far as people want to accept technology and move forward by finding new and more efficient ways of doing things.
However, at the back of the minds of many people, especially those who missed the "good old days", efficiency comes with a price. When communication becomes efficient, people are able to contact one another no matter where they are and at whatever time they wish to. The click of a button allows people miles apart to talk or to see each other without even leaving their homes. With the communication gadgets, such as mobile phones and ipads, people often do not take the effect to visit one another personally. A personal visit carries with it the additional feature of having to be in the person's presence for as long as the visit lasts. We cannot unnecessarily excuse our selves or turn the other person off.
With efficiency also comes mass production. Such is the nature of factories and the success of industrialization today. Factories have improved efficiency. Unskillful tasks are left to machines and products are better made and produced with greater accuracy than any human hand could ever have done. However, with the improvements in efficiency also comes the loss of the personal touch when making these products. For example, many handcrafts(手工艺品) are now produced in a factory. Although this means that supply is better able to increase demand, now that the supply is quick and efficient, the demand might fall because mass production lowers the quality of the handicraft and it is difficult to find unique designs on each item.
Nevertheless, we must not commit the mistake of analyzing progress only from one point of view. In fact, progress has allowed tradition to keep up. It is only with progress and the invention of new technology that many old products can be brought back to their old state. New technology is required for old products to stay old.
It is people's attitude towards progress that causes the type of influence that technology has on society. Technology is flexible. There is no fixed way of making use of it. Everything depends on people's attitude. The worst effects of progress will fall on those who are unable to rethink their attitudes and views of society. When we accept progress and adapt it to suit our needs, a new "past" is created.
According to Paragraph 1, progress can benefit people when they are willing to
The underlined word "gadgets" is closest in meaning to
The author explains "efficiency comes with a price" by
Compared with home-made handicrafts, machine made products
What can be learned about technology from Paragraph 4?
What can be concluded from the last paragraph?
A new University of Graz study concludes that vegetarians(素食者) are more often ill and have a lower quality of living than meat-eaters. According to the German press release, vegetarians “have cancer and heart attacks more often”. The release also says that they show more psychological disorders than meat eaters. Consequently, the report writes, they are a greater burden on the health care system.
According to the press release the scientists evaluated data from the Austrian Health Interview Survey (AT-HIS), which is also part of an important and valuable EU survey (European Health Interview Survey).
The scientists examined a total of 1320 persons who were divided up into 4 groups . All groups were comparable with respect to gender, age, and socio-economic status. The study also accounted for smoking and physical activity. Also the BMI was within the normal range for all four groups. The only thing that really was different among the four groups was the diet. The four groups were: vegetarians, meat-eaters with lots of fruit and veggies, little meat-eaters and big meat-eaters.
The press release states that the results contradict the common cliché that meat-free diets are healthier. Vegetarians have twice as many allergies as big meat-eaters, and they showed 166% higher cancer rates . Moreover, the scientists found that vegans had a 150% higher rate of heart attacks. In total the scientists looked at 18 different chronic illnesses. Compared to the big meat-eaters, vegetarians were hit harder in 14 of the 18 illnesses.
In the analysis, the University of Graz found that vegetarians were also twice as likely to suffer for anxiety or depressions than big meat-eaters. That result was confirmed by the University of Hildesheim, which found that vegetarians suffered significantly more from depressions, anxiety, psychosomatic complaints and eating disorders. The University of Graz scientists also found that vegetarians are impacted more by ilnessses and visit the doctor more frequently.
Big meat-eaters were also found to have a “significantly better quality of life in all categories”, the study found. The four categories examined were: physical and psychological health, social relationships and environment-related life quality. What was the difference between the four groups in the experiment?
| A．Gender, age and socio-economic status. |
| B．Smoking and physical activity. |
| C．Diet. |
| D．BMI. |
What does the underlined phrase “the common cliché” refer to?
| A．Vegetarians have twice as amny allergies as big meat-eaters. |
| B．Vegetarians were hit harder in 14 of the 18 illneses. |
| C．Vegans had a higher rate of heart disease. |
| D．Meat-free diets are healthier. |
It can be inferred from the passage that a man who eats more meat tends to _______.
| A．show a higher cancr rate. |
| B．have a higher rate of psychological disorders. |
| C．have a better relationship with others. |
| D．suffer more from anxiety or depression. |
What would be be the best title for the passage?
| A．Are Vegetarians Healthier |
| B．A Better Quality of Life Is Important |
| C．Take Care of the Health Care System |
| D．Are You Impacted More by Illnesses |
Opened in 1977, Ocean Park is one of Hong Kong's perennially（永久地） popular attractions, providing an exciting mix of entertainment, education and conservation facilities. The 80-hectare (200-acre) park is situated on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, with rides, exhibits and facilities on both sides of the mountain. A cable car system links the lowland and headland sections, offering spectacular views on route.
New and fun-filled entertainment facilities are introduced from time to time. Over the past few years, new rides and exhibits such as Pacific Pier (2001); the Mine Train (2000); The Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat (1999); Discovery of the Ancient World (1997); the Flying Swing (1997) and the Film Fantasia Simulator Ride (1996) have entertained thousands of visitors.
Ocean Park works to promote and support animal conservation in Hong Kong and throughout the Asia region. It has, in co-operation with other conservation organisations, launched various conservation programmes for a number of endangered species, including whales and dolphins. In addition, it has successfully bred rare species of birds, sharks and butterflies.
Visitors can purchase admission tickets from 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout Hong Kong.
Opening Hours: Open daily from 10am to 6pm.
One-day Admission Tickets: Adult $185/Children ( 3 -11 years) $93You may find the above introduction ____.
| A．in a school magazine | B．in a travel booklet |
| C．in a store window | D．on a company notice-board |
Which of the following is true about Ocean Park?
| A．Ocean Park provides a complex of entertainment, education and conservation facilities. |
| B．Ocean Park is situated on the southeast side of Hong Kong Island. |
| C．Ocean Park promotes and supports animal conservation throughout the world. |
| D．Ocean Park has conducted various conservation programmes on its own. |
New and fun-filled entertainment facilities were introduced to Ocean Park before the 21st century except_____.
| A．Pacific Pier | B．Discovery of the Ancient World |
| C．The Flying Swing | D．Film Fantasia Simulator Ride |
If one-day tickets were to be recommended to a mother who travelled with her colleague and her children, aged 3, 6 and 12, what would the cost be?
| A．$ 557 | B．$ 649 | C．$741 | D．$833 |
Elizabeth Blackwell was born in 1821 in England.She was the fourth of nine Blackwell children.Later,two of her brother and six of her sisters died.So did her eight cousions. Elizabeth vowed to become a doctor for babies and women.
When she was eleven,the family moved to America.After her father passed away,16-year-old Elizabeth had to work,so she and her mother opened a small primary school for black children.At the same time,she studied hard to attend medical school.
After several refusals,she was finally accepted by Geneva Medical College,but other students laughed at her and told her to leave. Elizabeth didn’t leave!In fact,she worked so hard that she finally graduated with high honors in 1849.Then she went abroad to learn more about medicine.
Later, Elizabeth opened the first real hospital for women in the world.Then she severed for another forty years as a “champion for women’s rights”.She became the first woman doctor in the United States in 1889.She also opened a medical college for women and organized the National Health Society.Most importantly she fought for women’s rights to attend medical colleges.
Elizabeth died in 1910,but she had opened a world of opportunities for women.In 1949 the Elizabeth Medal was set up.It is given to women who have made great achievements in the practice of medicine.She will always be remembered as a great woman.In which year did Elizabeth Blackwell begin to work?
| A．1837 | B．1832 | C．1849 | D．1910 |
Why did Elizabeth Blackwell vom to become a doctor?
| A．Because there were a lot of babies and women in her family. |
| B．Because the death of her brothers and sisiters made her sad. |
| C．Because she wanted to open a medical school for black children. |
| D．Because her mother asked her to support the family after her father died. |
The Blackwell Medal was set up to____.
| A．show the achievements that women had made |
| B．encourage more women to become doctors |
| C．praise excellent women in the field of medicine. |
| D．fight for women’s rights to attend medical school. |
Which is TURE according to the passage?
| A．Elizabeth vowed to become a doctor for her family. |
| B．She was accepted by Geneva Medical College at first. |
| C．Elizabeth opened the first real hospital for women in the world. |
| D．Elizabeth set up the Elizabeth Medal in 1949. |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．Women could attened medical school just like men before 1849. |
| B．There were no special hospitals for women in American before 1849. |
| C．Elizabeth’s classmates asked her to leave her school because she was a girl. |
| D．Elizabeth was the first woman to win the the Elizabeth Medal. |
It was a year when the snow was so deep that the tops of tall pine tree appeared to be short bushes.Farmers Planahand’s girlfriend had begged him for a winter wedding(婚礼)，and Farmer Planahead was well prepared to make her wishes come true.
Farmer Planahead spent many weeks digging a passage through the snow down to the door of his house.On the day before his wedding,he chose his two finest horses for his sleigh(雪橇).Off he rode,to fetch his bride(新娘)Editha,who lived a day’s journey eastward.
Farmer Planahead sped along and left his village far behind.He covered many miles,enjoying the soft,smooth movements of the sleigh on the snow,until suddenly,a strange and low sound broke the silence.He felt a rush of warm air on his neck.The chinook—the hot wind the Native Americans called“snow eater”—was upon him.
The dutiful farmer ordered his horses to spend up but the wind was too fast.Behind him,the trees grew taller by the minute as the chinook’s warm breath ate up the snow.Faster than anything the farmer had ever seen,the snowy path turned to dirt,and his sleigh came to a stop.Stuck far from any village,Farmer Planahead could do nothing but wait until the snow fell again.
Many days later,when snow had fallen and he could move the sleigh ,the tired but happy farmer arrived at his bride’s house.“My daughter despaired when you didn’t arrive ,”her father said, “and now she’s gone and married Farmer Planahead He took her away in his carriage(马车)after the snow disappeared”.
Farmer Planahead returned home,sadder but wiser.Next time he would choose a girl who wanted a summer wedding.
What do we know about Farmer Planahead?
| A．He hated snowy winters. |
| B．He missed his bride’s house. |
| C．He was getting ready for a wedding. |
| D．He borrowed two horses from another farmer. |
What happened after the Chinook arrived?
| A．A hot summer came. |
| B．Plants began to grow. |
| C．The horses were eaten up. |
| D．The snow quickly disappeared. |
Finding Farmer Planahead didn’t arrive on time,Editha felt____.
| A．bored. | B．disappointed |
| C．worried | D．doubtful |
We can infer from the last paragraph that Farmer Planahead_____.
| A．married Editha in the summer |
| B．returned home in his carriage |
| C．failed to realize his mistake. |
| D．became a very wise man. |
What lesson can we learn from Farmer Planahead?
| A．Pepared yourself for the future |
| B．Act according to the situation. |
| C．Never give up your dreams. |
| D．Don’t fear trouble. |
Many people believe that classical music is not relevant music is not relevant to young people today . However, this issue (问题) frequently causes heated debate.
Some people say that classical music is associated only with old people .For example, if you look at the audience at a classical concert , the majority is over the age of fifty.
Others say it is more popular than we first imagine. Many young people listen to classical music without realising. It is often used in films and advertisements. For example, a famous piece of classical music was used as the theme music for the 1990 World Cup . Not many people could have given its name, but millions enjoyed it.
Also, some people point out that young people produce new music based on classical ideas: for example, it is said that rap(说唱)music was invented by a classical musician in 1912, but it is now used by young people in pop music.
However, young people point to the fact that classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. To play a classical instrument, such as a violin, you need to study hard and practise for hours. Nowadays, you don't need to get aching arms from practising. A teenager can write and make music using a computer program in the comfort of their own bedroom.
A final point to in mind is that the term "classical music" is used to refer to a great variety of music, from jazz to pieces for large orchestras(管弦乐队).This makes it even more difficult to say whether classical music is relevant to young people.
So, it may be only a minority of young people who play classical instruments, but when it comes to enjoying classical music, it depends on the piece of music. It may be more relevant to young people in the modern world than they realise!
What is the best title of the passage ?
| A．Classical music and young men. |
| B．Classical music belongs to the old. |
| C．A debate about whether classical music is relevant to the young. |
| D．Is classical music loved by young people today? |
How many opinons are mentioned in the passage?
| A．Four | B．Five | C．Six | D．Seven |
Where is classical music often found according to Paragraph 3?
| A．At a concert | B．In the computer |
| C．In pop music | D．In films and advertisements |
What can you learn from Paragraph 5?
| A．Classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. |
| B．Beethoven played his famous music with a piano. |
| C．A pianist doesn't need to get aching arms from practicing . |
| D．It is so easy to make music now that any one can do it well using a computer. |
What’s the conclusion of the heated debate?
| A．Classical music may still be enjoyed by young people. |
| B．Only a small amount of young people like it. |
| C．One man's meat isanother man's poison. |
| D．There’s no definite conclusion. |
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