Looking back on my childhood. I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made. Although we were brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental maths.
Before World War I we spent our summer holidays in Hungary. I have only the dim memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal clear memory of dogs, the farm animals, the local birds and above all, the insects.
I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil reading about other people’s observations and discoveries. Then something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. Suddenly you fancy you see the answer to the riddle. Because it all seems to fit together .This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books. Which some may light honor, with the title of scientific research.
But curiosity, a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist? One of the outstanding and essential qualities required is self-discipline, a quality I lack. A scientist can be made a naturalist. If you can combine the two, you get the best of both worlds.
1.According to the author, a born naturalist should first of all be _____
A. full of ambition B. self-disciplined
C. full of enthusiasm D. knowledgeable
2.The first paragraph tells us that the author _____
A. lost his hearing when he was a child
B. didn’t like his brothers and sisters
C. was interested in flowers and insects in his childhood
D. was born to a naturalist’s family
3.The author says that he is a naturalist rather than a scientist probably because he thinks he __ .
A. just reads about other people observations and discoveries.
B. Lacks some of the qualities required of scientist.
C. Has a great deal of trouble doing mental arithmetic.
D. Come up with solutions in most natural ways.
4.The author can’t remember him relatives clearly because__
A. He didn’t live very long with them
B. He was too young when he lived with them.
C. The family was extremely large.
D. He was fully occupied with observing nature.
5.Which of the following statements is true?
A. The author believes that a born naturalist cannot be scientist.
B. The author read a lot of books about the natural world and oil industry
C. The author’s brothers and sisters were good at music and languages.
D. The author spent a lot of time working on riddles.
subways
The Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines |
Features: The Tokyo Metro and Toei lines that make up of Tokyo’s huge subway system carry almost 8 million people each day, making it the busiest system in the world. The system is famous for its oshiya- literally, “pusher”- who push passengers into crowded subway cars so the doors can close. And you think your ride is hell. |
The Moscow Metro |
Features: The Moscow Metro has some of the most beautiful stations in the world. The best of them were built during the Stalinist era and feature chandeliers(枝行吊灯),marble moldings and elaborate murals(精美壁画). With more than 7 million riders a day , keeping all that marble clean has got to be a burden. |
The Hong Kong MTR |
Features: The Hong Kong MTR has the distinction of being one of the few subway systems in the world that actually turns a profit. It’s privately owned and uses real estate development along its tracks to increase income and ridership. It also introduced “Octopus cards” that allow people to not only pay their fares electronically, but buy stuff at convenience stores ,supermarkets, restaurants and even parking meters. It’s estimated that 95% of all adults in Hong Kong own an Octopus card. |
Shanghai Metro |
Features: Shanghai is the third city in China to build a metro system, and it has become the country’s largest in the 12 years since it opened. Shanghai Metro has 142 miles of track and plans to add another 180 miles within five years. By that point, it would be three times larger than Chicago “L”. The system carries about 2.18 million people a day. |
The London Metro |
Features: Londoners call their subway the Underground, even though 55 percent of it lies above ground. No matter when you’ve got the oldest mass-transit system in the world, you can call it anything you like. Trains started in 1863 and they’ve been running ever since. Some 3 million people ride each day, every one of them remembering to “Mind the gap” |
1.Which one can provide the riders with some wonderful decorations at the stations?
A. The Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines B. The Moscow Metro
C. The London Metro D. The Hong Kong MTR
2. ___________ is done with the purpose of making money.
A . The Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines B. The Moscow Metro
C. Shanghai Metro D. The Hong Kong MTR
3.We can learn from the passage that Shanghai Metro ___________.
A. carries the most people each day
B. is the world’s largest
C. may be larger than the Chicago “L” in the future
D. is the busiest in the world
4.How many subways carry more than 5 million people per day?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
5.What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Shanghai is the third to build a metro system in China, which has become the largest in the world.
B. You’ll feel sick when you travel on the Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines.
C. Londoners call their subway the Underground because 55 percent of it lies above ground.
D. It is estimated that 95% of the population in Hong Kong own an Octopus card.
One day I visited an art museum while waiting for my husband to finish a business meeting. I was expecting a quiet 36 of the splendid artwork.
A young 37 viewing the paintings ahead of me 38 nonstop between themselves. I watched them a moment and decided the lady was doing all the talking. I admired the man's 39 for putting up with her 40 stream of words. 41 by their noise, I moved on.
I met them several times as I moved 42 the various rooms of art. Each time I heard her continuous flow of words, I moved away 43 .
I was standing at the counter of the museum gift shop making a 44 when the couple approached the 45 .Before they left, the man 46 into his pocket and pulled out a white object. He 47 it into a long stick and then 48 his way into the coatroom to get his wife's jacket.
“He's a 49 man.” the clerk at the counter said. “Most of us would give up if we were blinded at such a young age. During his recovery, he made a promise his life wouldn't change. So, as before, he and his wife come in 50 there is a new art show.”
“But what does he get out of the art?” I asked. “He can't see.”
“Can't see! You're 51 . He sees a lot. More than you and I do,” the clerk said. “His wife 52 each painting so he can see it in his head.”
I learned something about patience, 53 and love that day. I saw the patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without 54 and the courage of a husband who would not 55 blindness to change his life. And I saw the love shared by two people as I watched this couple walk away, their arms intertwined.
1.A. view B. touch C. wander D. scenery
2.A. lady B. man C. couple D. clerk
3.A. yelled B. argued C. screamed D. chatted
4.A. attempt B. patience C. wisdom D. independence
5.A. vivid B. constant C. casual D. exciting
6.A. Adopted B. Adapted C. Conducted D. Disturbed
7.A. towards B. to C. through D. from
8.A. anxiously B. slowly C. quickly D. sensibly
9.A. comment B. decision C. purchase D. profit
10.A. entrance B. queue C. front D. exit
11.A. plugged B. reached C. held D. bent
12.A. lengthened B. made C. brought D. broadened
13.A. led B. found C. forced D. tapped
14.A. brave B. rough C. smart D. generous
15.A. wherever B. whatever C. whenever D. whichever
16.A. wrong B. silly C. equal D. unique
17.A. describes B. draws C. shows D. decorates
18.A. kindness B. courage C. enthusiasm D. pride
19.A. support B. expectation C. sight D. confidence
20.A. allow B. hope C. get D. cause
It's an either-or situation - we can buy a new car this year or we can go on holiday but we can’t do ______.
A. Others B. Either C. Another D. both
I'll go to the library as soon as I finish what I .
A. was doing B. am doing
C. have done D. had been doing
Sarah looked at finished painting with satisfaction.
A.不填;a B. a; the C. the; 不填 D. the; a