Around the world, honeybee groups are dying in huge numbers: About one-third of nests collapse each year. For bees and the plants they pollinate (授粉) — as well as for beekeepers, farmers, honey lovers and everyone else who appreciates this marvelous social insect — this is a catastrophe.
Honeybee collapse has been particularly worrying because there is no one cause, but rather a thousand little cuts. The main elements include the mixed impact of pesticides (杀虫剂) applied to fields, as well as pesticides applied directly into nets to control bugs, pests and diseases; nutritional shortages caused by vast acreages of single-crop fields that lack diverse flowering plants; and commercial beekeeping itself, which destroys groups by moving most bees around the country multiple times each year to pollinate crops.
The real issue, though, is not the volume of problems, but the interactions among them. Here we find a major lesson from the bees that we ignore at our risk: the concept of synergy (协同作用), where one plus one equals three, or four, or more. A typical honeybee colony contains remains from more than 120 pesticides. Alone, each represents a benign dose (良性剂量). But together they form a poisonous soup of chemicals whose interplay (相互作用) can greatly reduce the effectiveness of bees’ immune systems, making them easier to suffer from diseases.
Observing the death of honeybees should warn us that our own well-being might be similarly threatened, and the widespread collapse of so many groups presents a clear message: We must demand that our regulatory authorities require studies on how exposure to low dosages of combined chemicals may affect human health before approving compounds.
Bees also provide some clues to how we may build a more collaborative relationship with the services that ecosystems can provide. Bees could offer some of the pollination service needed for agriculture. People discovered that crop harvests, and thus profits, are maximized if some cropland are left uncultivated for bees. Meanwhile a variety of wild plants means a healthier, more diverse bee population, which will then move to the planted fields next door in larger and more active numbers.Which of the following is NOT the cause that leads to bees dying?
| A．Lack of nutrition from enough diverse flowering plants. |
| B．The pests and diseases of the bees. |
| C．The beekeepers’ destroying without intention |
| D．The pesticides applied to crops. |
By saying “one plus one equals three, or four, or more” in Paragraph 3, the author means that ____.
| A．bees united mean they are much more powerful |
| B．bees united mean they are much more poisonous |
| C．pesticides mixed mean they are much more poisonous. |
| D．pesticides mixed mean they are much more effective. |
The lesson people can learn from bees dying is that ____________.
| A．medicine is as powerful as pesticide |
| B．our health might be threatened by pesticides |
| C．we should protect bees by reducing the usage of pesticides |
| D．medicine may be harmful to us when used together |
What is the last paragraph mainly about?
| A．Keeping a balance with nature is important |
| B．More plants mean more and healthier bees. |
| C．Bees are very important to agriculture. |
| D．Bees can bring in good higher profits to farmers |
"The world's oceans are slowly getting more acidic．”say scientists．The researchers from California report that the change is taking place in response to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The lowering of the waters’pH value is not great at the moment but could cause a serious threat to current ocean life if it continues, they warn. Ken Caldeira and Michael Wickett, from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, report their concerns in the journal Nature.
Increasing use of oil fuels means more carbon dioxide is going into the air, and most of it will eventually be absorbed by seawater. Once in the water, it reacts to form carbonic acid. Scientists believe that the oceans have already become slightly more acidic over the last century.
These researchers have tried to predict what will happen in the future by combining what we know about the history of the oceans with computer models of climate change．"This level of acidity will get much more extreme in the future if we continue releasing COZ into the atmosphere," said Dr Caldeira. "And we predict the amount of future acidity will exceed（超过）anything we have seen over the last several hundred million years, let alone perhaps after rare disastrous events such as asteroid（小1j-%+.'_) impacts．”
However, it is not absolutely clear what that means for ocean life．Most organisms live near the surface, where the greatest pH change would be expected to occur, but deep-ocean life forms may be more sensitive to pH changes．Coral reefs and other organisms whose shells contain calcium carbonate（小行星) may be particularly affected if the water's acidity levels keep going up, the team predict. They could find it much more difficult to build these structures in water with a lower pH.
In recent years some people have suggested storing carbon dioxide from power stations in the deep ocean as a way of dealing with global warming．But Dr Caldeira said that such a strategy should now be re-considered. "Previously, most experts had looked at ocean absorption of carbon dioxide as a good thing一because in releasing CO2 into the atmosphere we warm the planet, and when CO2, is absorbed by the ocean, it reduces the amount of greenhouse warming.”The ocean is becoming more acidic due to＿．
A，the lower water pH value B．the warming atmosphere
C ．the higher level of COZ in the air D．the increasing use of oil fuelsAccording to Dr Caldeira,＿．
| A．ocean absorption of carbon dioxide is a good thing |
| B．more oil fuels will be used in the near future |
| C．scientists may predict climate changes with computer models |
| D．the future situation of the amount of acidity is extremely serious |
If the water's acidity level keeps rising,＿．
| A．ocean life whose structures contain calcium carbonate may be affected |
| B．the waters’pH value will become higher and higher |
| C．organisms living near the surface are more sensitive to pH changes |
| D．some disastrous events will occur more often than before |
Most experts once believed storing carbon dioxide in the ocean would reduce＿．
| A．the COZ absorbed by the ocean |
| B．the amount of greenhouse warming |
| C．the acidity of the ocean |
| D．the gradul release Of CO2 |
The purpose of this passage is to＿．
| A．show people the findings of a research team |
| B．inform people of how acid the ocean is now |
| C．introduce Dr Caldeira and his team's research |
| D．warn people of the higher level of COZ |
Maybe you have ever seen a cross. A cross can be a piece of jewelry or an image in
a painting. But do 
you know the cross is a very popular symbol for Christmas？
It came from the story of Jesus’ death on the cross two thousand years ago in Jerusalem. Jesus was Jewish，and at that time Jewish people were under Roman rule. Jesus was badly punished because he declared to be the Son of God and the King of Jews. Surely，the Son of God could have saved himself from the deat
h！But the Bible says that Jesus had a reason to die that day. It was in God’s purpose that it would happen.
Christians call the day that Jesus died “Good Friday”.At first，it is hard to understand how a terrible day could ever be called good. Well，the story does not end there. Jesus died and he was buried. But three days later，Jesus was alive，and the whole world was changed.
Today，Christians everywhere remember this important time. They celebrate Easter. Easter is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. After his death on the cross，Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb. On the third day from then，God raised him from the dead. Jesus stayed on earth physically for several weeks. Many people saw him. Easter is the happiest time of year for Christians because they believe that Jesus had victory over death and evil and that now he lives with God the Father in heaven. But before celebrating Easter， Good Friday should be remembered. Jesus died a horrible and painful death. He suffered, though he did noting wrong. Christian believe that Jesus was God’s substitute(代表) for humans， because humans all do wrong. He died because of humans and he died for humans.
Christians often wear crossed around their necks of hang them in their homes because they believe it is a very important sign. The cross helps them rem
ember how much God loves them. It helps them remember how much his Son had to suffer. Seeing a cross always makes them think of Jesus’
death， and what it means.According to the bible， why Jesus could not save himself from death that day？
| A．Jesus was not afraid of death | B．God arrange Jesus’ death for certain purpose |
| C．Jesus should die without a reason | D．Jesus was not God’s Son at all |
Which is the right order of the events given in the passage？
a. Jesus was sentenced to death on the cross by the Romans
b Christians began to celebrate Easter
c Jesus declared himself the Son of God and the King of the Jews
d Three days later，Jesus came to life
e. “Good Friday” came into being
| A．a—e—c—d—b | B．a--e—b—d—c | C．c—a—b—d—e | D．c—a—e—d—b |
In Christians’ belief， for what reason did God want Jesus to die？
A．Go d loved humans despite human’s wrong—doing，so he asked his beloved Son to die in human’s place |
| B．Jesus did something wrong by acclaiming himself the Son of God |
| C．God wanted His Son Jesus to live with him in heaven |
| D．God wanted “Good Friday” and “Easter”mainly to be remembered by humans |
．It can be inferred from the passage that____________
| A．a cross is a piece of jewelry or an image in a painting for Christians |
| B．Christians call the day that Jesus died “Good Friday”mainly to reduce their pain for the loss of Jesus |
| C．if Jesus hadn’t returned to life， people would often wear crosses around their necks or hang them in their homes |
| D．Christians like crosses because crosses always remind them of God’s love and Jesus’ death |
The purpose of the author in writing this passage is to___________
A．introduce a  symbol for Christian---- the cross |
| B．tell an interesting Christian story |
| C．describe the rebirth of Jesus |
| D．inform the origin of two Christian festiva |
Sean and Danielle were leaving the music s
tore when they heard the crash. "What do you suppose that was?" asked Sean.
"I don't know for sure," said Danielle, "but it sure sounded bad. It's right over there. Let's go and look."
Sean and Danielle knew they would see an accident. But they didn't know what to expect. There in the middle of the street was a bicycle that had been hit by a car. The bicycle rider was sitting in the street, shaking his head.
"Look at that," said Sean, "he's not even wearing a helmet. He is one lucky guy".
"No kidding," Danielle replied. "Look at the driver of the car. She's just as lucky. She's not wearing a seat belt.
Sean and Danielle are right. The bicycle rider is very lucky, he was not hurt. Riding a bicycle is a lot of fun, but it can also be very dangerous. You have to pay attention all the time to what you're doing. You also have to follow safety rules.
When you ride a bicycle, remember that you share the road with cars and trucks. These vehicles are a lot bigger than you are. So, always wear a helmet when riding your bicycle. Always means "every time" even if you are just riding around the block.
Follow the same rules as car and truck drivers. Bicycle riders also have some special rules. Here are some special rules you should follow:
● Do not ride your bicycle on the sidewalk. By not riding on the sidewalk, you won't run into a pedestrian.
● Ride on bike paths or trails when they are available.
● Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
● Always ride on the right-hand side of the road.
● Wh
en you ride with a friend, do not ride next to each other. Ride in single field, one behind the other.
● Obey all traffic signals and signs. Stop at all stop signs.
● Walk your bicycle across busy crossings.
● Be sure to use hand signals when you turn and stop.
Follow
these safety rules when riding a bicycle at night.
● Have a headlight that works.
● Have these r
eflectors on your bicycle: yellow or white in front, and red ones on the pedals and back.
● Wear light-colored clothing so drivers can see you.
You should always keep your bicycle in good working order. Make sure the brakes work properly and that your tires have enough air. If you find anything wrong with your bike, fix it or have it fixed before you ride it again.How did Sean and Danielle know that they would see an accident?
| A．They saw somebody falling off the bike. | B．They heard the sound of the crash. |
| C．They were asked to offer some help. | D．They remembered what might happen. |
What Sean and Danielle saw in the middle of the street __________.
| A．were a bicycle, the rider, a car and the driver |
| B．was a bicycle under the damaged car |
| C．was a car without safe belt and the helmet |
| D．surprised both the rider and the car driver |
Why did Sean and Danielle consider the rider and the driver lucky?
| A．Because the bicycle and the car were lost. |
| B．Because the rider didn’t wear his helmet. |
| C．Because they both were not badly hurt. |
| D．Because the driver didn’t wear the seat belt. |
From the passage, we learn that _________.
| A．carelessness can result in accidents | B．we can’t ride bicycles in the street |
| C．the driver was quite rude to the rider | D．the bicycle rider was sent to hospital |
Which of the following breaks the rules for a safe bicycle riding?
| A．Get off your bicycle and walk across busy crossings. |
| B．Follow the safety rules as the car and truck drivers do. |
| C．Fix light reflectors to your bicycle when riding at night. |
| D．Ride next to other riders, but not too close to each other |
Short and shy,Ben Saunders was the last kid in his class picked for any sports team.
“Football,tennis,cricket—anything with a round ball,I was useless,”he says now with a laugh.But back then he was the object of jokes in school gym classes in England’s rural Devonshire.
It was a mountain bike he received for his 15th birthday that changed him.At first the teen went biking alone in a nearby forest.Then he began to cycle along with a runner friend.Gradually,
Saunders set his mind on building up his body,increasing his speed,strength and endurance.At age 18,he ran his first marathon.
The following year,he met John Ridgway,who became famous in the 1960s for rowing an open boat across the Atlantic Ocean.Saunders was hired as an instructor at Ridgway’s School of Adventure in Scotland,where he learned about the older man’s cold-water exploits.Intrigued,
Saunders read all he could about Arctic explorers and North Pole expeditions,then decided that this would be his future.
Journeys to the Pole aren’t the usual holidays for British country boys,and many people dismissed his dream as fantasy.“John Ridgway was one of the few who didn’t say,’You are completely crazy,’” Saunders says.
In 2001,after becoming a skilled skier,Saunders started his first long-distance 
expedition toward the North Pole.He suffered frostbite,had a close encounter with a polar bear and pushed his body to the limit.
Saunders has since become the youngest person to ski alone to the North Pole,and he’s skied more of the Arctic by himself than any other Briton. His old playmates would not believe the transformation.
This October, Saunders, 27,heads south to explore from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back ,an 1800 mile journey that has never been completed on skis. The turning point in Saunders’ life came when__________.
| A．he started to play ball games | B．he got a mounta in bike at age 15 |
| C．he ran his first marathon at age 18 | D．he started to receive Ridgway’s training |
We can learn from the text that Ridgway__________.
A .dismissed Saunders’ dream as fantasy B. built up his body together with Saunders
C hired Saunders for his cold-water experience
D .won his fame for his voyage across the Atlantic.What do we know about Saunders?
| A．He once worked at a school in Scotland. |
B．He fol lowed Ridgway to explore the North Pole. |
| C．He was chosen for the school sports team as a kid. |
| D．He was the first Briton to ski alone to the North Pole. |
The underlined word “Intrigued” in the third paragraph means__________.
| A．Excited | B．Convinced | C．Delighted | D．Fascinated |
It can be inferred that Saunders’ journey to the North Pole__________.
| A．was accompanied by his old playmates | B．set a record in the North Pole expedition |
| C．was supported by other Arctic explorers | D．made him well-known in the 1960s |
Enough sleep is important to health. The amount of sleep needed depends on the age of the person and the conditions in which sleep takes place. The young may need more sleep than the old, but usually eight hours are enough for the health of grown-ups. Some can do with less than this amount, but others may need more. Every person knows his own need. It is then a matter of good judgement to satisfy his need. Sleep should always be enough to make one bring back his strength and get ready for a day’s work.
Fresh air is necessary to sound sleep. It is not without reason for some people to think that it is practicable to sleep in the open 
air. When one can keep himself warm, out-of-door sleeping probably gives the body its most complete relaxation(松弛).
Ability(能力) to sleep is large lay habit. The conditions referred to only lead to sleep. Out-of-door exercises, a good habit of regular hours and the avoidance(避免) of late eating and worry, which are largely within the control of any person, are all helpful to sound sleep.
A bath at bedtime, neither hot nor cool but of body temperature, may be helpful to sleep. Sleep-producing drug(药）should never be taken except when suggested by a doctor. How many hours are usually enough for the health of a pupil?
| A．Less than eight hours. | B．No more than eight hours. |
| C．Eight hours or so. | D．No less than eight hours. |
What does “sound sleep” mean?
| A．Long sleep. | B．Fast sleep. | C．Complete sleep. | D．Sleep without any sound. |
Which of the following is helpful to good sleep?
| A．Keeping good habits. | B．Staying up late night. |
| C．Eating something at bedtime. | D．Forming the habit of taking sleep-producing drug. |
The amount of sleep a person needs has something to do with________.
| A．his age | B．his height | C．his weight | D．his character |
Before going to bed, you’d better not_______.
| A．take a bath | B．do any housework | C．think a lot | D．go out for relaxation |
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