Superstorm Sandy’s march of destruction claimed at least 43 lives and left more than eight million people without electricity by late Tuesday, in one of the largest storms ever to strike the East Coast.
Less violent but still dangerous, the storm swept across Pennsylvania on Tuesday and the northeastern US began its slow process of recovery. As dawn broke Tuesday on the storm’s trail of destruction, it began exposing stories of heroism and tragedy, bad decisions and lucky breaks.
In Broad Channel in New York City, a 29-year-old mother was forced to dive and swim out of her house’s front window with her 8-year-old daughter. And in Freeport, N.Y., Nicole Smith returned home --- to find a boat on her lawn. She asked passers-by for $5 to take a snapshot. A 13-year-old girl was found dead, in her pajamas, a block from her washed-out Staten Island home. On Monday night, Sandy’s waves ripped out the entire deck of Jeffrey Ratner’s home, along with the back wall. Still, Mr. Ratner said, he remains optimistic about the future. “We are going to rebuild it,” he said.
The official warnings to evacuate(疏散)were clear, a couple said. But staying home just seemed easier. “It’s not their fault; it’s ours,” said Mary Norton, 88, head in her hands. “We did not leave.”
New York’s extensive transit system, a lifeline for millions of commuters(上下班往返的人), suffered the greatest damage as floodwaters drowned all seven subway tunnels connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. Jseph Lhota, Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, described it as the most destroying in the 108-year history of the New York subway.
Forecaster said Sandy, which had maximum continuing winds of 45 miles an hour Tuesday afternoon, would cross western Pennsylvania on Tuesday night before moving into Canada on Wednesday as it meets cold air fronts. Another inch of rain was expected from the eastern Great Lakes across the mid-Atlantic and into southern New England.The passage mainly talks about________.
| A．New York’s extensive transit system |
| B．when and why superstorm formed |
| C．the latest information about Sandy |
| D．superstorm Sandy’s destruction in America |
Mary Norton and her husband didn’t leave their home because________.
| A．they didn’t know a superstorm was on the way |
| B．they didn’t believe the government’s warnings |
| C．they didn’t want to take the trouble to move |
| D．they had no chance of leaving before Sandy hit the area |
The transit system mentioned in the last paragraph but one refers to_________.
| A．the bus route | B．the ship route |
| C．the flight course | D．the subway route |
Which of the following statements about Sandy is WRONG?
| A．It had killed at least 43 lives when the news was released. |
| B．It would move into Canada on Tuesday night. |
| C．It would bring another rain to the eastern Great Lakes |
| D．It led to power failure in many areas in America. |
I had worked long and hard on this project．Knowing it was finally completed gave me great Satisfaction．“Perfect！”I said “Now, all I have to do is to keep the dogs off it．”I went about setting up barriers using old fence, deck chairs, planters, and anything I could find so as to avoid footprints both on the oil paint and our carpet. It worked perfectly ．
Just before returning to the house and to a much needed shower, I took one last look at this fine work of art．“What is that?” I said．“Where did that come from ?”
Clearly marked and evenly spaced across the entire area, the tiny marks ran in straight lines．I carefully stepped to our flower garden．It was there I found several of the small markings. Now, almost frozen in place by this shocking discovery, I remained in position so as to prevent further damage to my work．Just then, off to my left, it appeared．A chipmunk （花栗鼠）. He was as surprised as I was. We stood there face to face looking at each other, wondering who would make the first move ．
The warm, humid air was now getting the best of me. Sweat now ran freely over my head, and in poor timing into my eyes. I reached up to rub them and when I opened my eyes he was gone ．
My only satisfaction was in thinking that when he returned home he tracked oily footprints into his own home. And , hoping he was married , his wife would not let him live it down for the rest of his life. I stood up, shook my head, laughing about it and walking into my house．
Yes, I tracked oil on the carpet. I am married. My wife will not let me live it down for the rest of my life. We can know from the passage that the chipmunk_________________．
| A．made fun of the author |
| B．stole something important in the house |
| C．spoiled the author’s work |
| D．came for some food |
What did the author do to the chipmunk ?
| A．He made fun of it |
| B．He frightened it away |
| C．He tried to catch it but failed |
| D．He didn’t do any harm to it |
We can conclude from the passage that____________．
| A．the author was not satisfied with his family life |
| B．the author was quite satisfied with his project |
| C．the barriers the author set up were quite successful |
| D．the chipmunk had a happy family just like the author |
From the beginning rivers have played an important part in life of man. Man of the earliest times used the rivers as a means of travel. Today rivers still serve as a great waterway for the transport and people.
In ancient times, man settled near rivers or on river banks and built up large empires.
Water is nature’s most valuable gift to man. Man needs water to irrigate his crops, to cook and to wash. In nations all over the world, rivers mean life and wealth. They feed and clothe nations around them.
Water is also a source of energy and power. Man builds huge dams across the rivers to control the water for irrigation and get the energy needed to drive generators. The electrical power is then directed to homes, cities, factories and television stations.
Man uses water each day. In a small way rivers help to keep man in good health and provide for his amusements. Various forms of water sports keep man strong and healthy.Rivers have been important to man______.
| A．since the last century | B．since they came into being |
| C．since a few hundred years ago | D．since the beginning of BC |
Man in old times traveled from one continent to another_______.
A. by sea B. by air C. by train D. by bus
【小题3Generators are machines that are used_________.
A. to direct electrical B. to control
C. to build dams D. to produce electricity
Nelson Mandela is respected and admired across the world. And to South Africans he is a superstar. He is a hero who shocked the world by fighting for peace between races, despite the 27 years he spent in the prison of the South Africa’s white, racist regime(政权)
Mandela, who won the nation’s first all-race elections after the fall of apartheid(种族隔离) in 1944,retired in 1999. But he remains as popular as ever.
“He’s loved by all people, whether you’re white or black, whether you’re young or old,” said Ali Bacher, South Africa’s former cricket(板球) chief.
His popularity has inspired an entire national industry. His portrait has appeared at many places, including on some goods. His face has appeared on a South African coin, a metropolitan(大都会的)area was named in his honor and some business leaders hope to build a massive, rotating statue in his likeness---- the Statue of Freedom. It would stand taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty.
His popular appeal is similar to that of John F. Kennedy with US or Winston Churchill in Britain, but few politicians in his times have achieved his level of admiration, said Tom Lodge, head of the political science department of the University of the Witwatersrand.” Sometimes it isn’t completely appreciated what a skilled performer Mandela has been throughout his political career. He is a very, very clever man,” However, he is far from perfect.
Most articles for his birthday, which appeared in every major South African newspaper on the day, briefly mentioned that Mandela did have his shortcomings. Then they returned to their flowing praises. “Through the ages, the human race has had its icons（偶像）---- men and women who rose above ordinary people to inspire their generation,” The Mail and Guardian Weekly said. “In our generation, the gods presented us Nelson Mandela.”Nelson Mandela is loved by all the people of South Africa because_____________.
| A．he’s as popular as Kennedy and Churchill |
| B．he spent 27 years in prison |
| C．he’s a great fighter against the racialism |
| D．he won the first all-race elections |
Which of the following statements about Mandela’s portrait is true ?
| A．It helps develop business |
| B．It appears on the Statue of Freedom |
| C．It is used to raise money for the Statue of Freedom |
| D．It is similar to that of John F. Kennedy or Winston Churchill |
The underlined sentence in the last paragraph means “_____________”
| A．Mandela is as great as a god |
| B．We are proud to live in Mandela’s time |
| C．Mandela lives together with us all |
| D．We are proud to know Mandela |
What can we infer from the text?
| A．Mandela is a very skilled politician |
| B．Most articles specially stressed Mandela’s shortcomings. |
| C．The Statue of Freedom is a present for Mandela’s birthday. |
| D．The article may have appeared in a newspaper on Mandela’s birthday. |
Have you ever noticed that the more you have the more you want? Let’s face it. Thinking our life is good enough doesn’t come naturally to many people. When we have high expectations of everything in life we will run into disappointment. Only when we are aware that needs are different from desires can we live with satisfaction. Here are a few ideas to help you be happier with what you have and who you are.
Focus on what you are thankful for. Most people want things to be better than they are, or when things are going well, we forget to appreciate what we have. Learn to reflect on how much better things are than they could be. Focus on what you are thankful for. Write down 5 things you are grateful for right now.
When we hold onto regrets from decisions we have made, it can really poison our well-being. Many people regret something they can no longer change, which ends up holding them back from moving forward in a more positive manner. What happened in the past is done and gone, so work to stay present and be mindful of the current moment to find more joy and fulfillment.
When we use other people as the measuring stick for our personal success and quality of life we are likely to be less satisfied. Social comparisons can provide useful information when we try to learn from others, but they also hold our perspective in a discontented position. Compare yourself less with others so you can be satisfied more.
When you are focused on your big ambitions and future goals you might elide the daily pleasures that surround you. Learn to slow down and absorb the wonder and beauty around you. Stay present and focus on the task you’re undertaking at the moment. Don’t let the life pass you by because you’re always on the go and distracted by ambition.
Practice looking at life through the lens of contentment and it will become more natural.How can we live with contentment?
| A．To change our lifestyle. |
| B．To have a motivation in life. |
| C．To give less attention to what we are grateful for. |
| D．To realize the difference between needs and desires. |
What’s the main idea of Paragraph 3?
| A．Make wise decisions. | B．Know the present situation |
| C．Let go of regrets. | D．Remember the past. |
The underlined word “elide”(in Paragraph 5) probably means “__”.
| A．enjoy | B．change | C．create | D．neglect |
What should you do to put yourself in a good mood?
| A．Make time for simple pleasures. |
| B．Learn from successful people. |
| C．Focus on your future goals. |
| D．Create chance to learn more. |
I was born in Korea, and my family came over to America when I was 10. I’m the middle child of three girls, and my parents moved so we would experience a different life. They did it for our education and to give us more of a chance than they had. We moved to Staten Island, and I went to the High School of Performing Arts in New York City. My parents were depressed when I told them I wanted to be an actress. My father suggested I try premed(医学预科). But after they saw me in plays they were really proud.
I graduated from Boston University and was doing theater in New York when I got cast in a Korean miniseries(电视连续剧). We started shooting the show in New York, and then went to Korea to finish it up. They said I would be there for three weeks, but it ended up being two months. The miniseries took off, and overnight, I became recognizable. It was sort of like Lost. It blew up. Then amazing projects were offered to me. I kept thinking, “ I’ll do one more and then go back to the US.” I ended up staying for seven years.
Some people described me as the Julia Roberts of Korea, which is a bad comparison because she’s the queen of romantic comedy. I became famous in Korea for a dramatic role in a film called Shiri. I played a “La Femme Nikita” type of role. I was the girl with the gun—all action．The writer’s parents moved to America so as to _________.
| A．offer a good chance to their children. |
| B．receive a good education in performing |
| C．seek a successful life in America |
| D．film a Korean miniseries |
When the writer announced her decision to become an actress, her parents_____.
| A．were both in favor of her | B．felt very ashamed of her |
| C．didn’t agree at first | D．took it for granted |
What is the second paragraph mainly about?
| A．The author’s performing life in America. |
| B．The difficulties of filming abroad. |
| C．The popularity of the miniseries Lost. |
| D．The author’s first performing breakthrough. |
The writer referred to the Julia Roberts of Korea as a bad comparison to show______.
| A．she looked down upon Julia Roberts. |
| B．she disliked to be compared with others |
| C．she had a different style of performing |
| D．she was better at dramatic roles than Julia |
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