Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品) of technological developments in the space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
1.Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?
A. To express his doubts
B. To compare different ideas.
C. To introduce points for discussion
D. To describe the conditions on Earth.
2.What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?
A. Humans are nature-born to do so.
B. Humans have the tendency to fight.
C. Humans may find new sources of food.
D. Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.
3. What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?
A. Our genetic makeup.
B. Resources on the earth..
C. The adaptive ability of humans.
D. By-products in space exploration.
Winners Club
You choose to be a winner！
The Winners Club is a bank account specially designed for teenagers. It has been made to help you better manage your money. The Winners Club is a transaction account（交易账户）where you receive a key-card so you can get to your money 24/7—that’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
It’s a club with impressive features for teenagers：
No account keeping fees！
You’re no millionaire so we don’t expect you to pay large fees. In fact, there are no account keeping or transacting fees!
Excellent interest rates!
You want your money to grow. The Winners Club has a good rate of interest which gets even better if you make at least two deposits（储蓄）without talking them out in a month.
Convenient
Teenagers are busy—we get that. You may never need to come to a bank at all. With the Winners Club you can choose to use handy tellers and to bank from home using the phone and the Internet. You can have money directly deposited into your Winners Club account. This could be your pocket money or your pay from your part-time job!
Mega magazine included
Along with your regular report, you will receive a FREE magazine full of good ideas to make even more of your money. There are also fantastic offers and competitions only for Winners Club members.
The Winners Club is a great choice for teenagers. And it is so easy to join. Simply fill in an application form. You will have to get permission from your parent or guardian (so we can organize that cool key-card) but it is easy. We can’t wait to hear from you. It’s the best way to choose to be a winner!
1. The Winners Club is a bank account intended for _________.
A. parents B. teenagers C. winners D. adults
2. Which of the following is TRUE about the Winners Club？
A. Special gifts are ready for parents.
B. The bank opens only on work days.
C. Services are convenient for its members.
D. Fees are necessary for the account keeping.
3.If you want to be a member of the Club, you must _________.
A. be an Internet user B. be permitted by your parent
C. has a big sum of money D. be in your twenties
4.What is the purpose of this text?
A. To set up a club. B. To provide part-time jobs.
C. To organize key-cards. D. To introduce a new banking service.
It is hardly surprising that clothing manufacturers （生产商）follow certain uniform standards for various features（特征）of clothes. What seems strange, however, is that the standard adopted for women is the opposite of the one for men. Take a look at the way your clothes button. Men’s clothes tend to button from the right, and women’s from the left. Considering most of the world’s population--men and women are right-handed, the men’s standard would appear to make more sense for women. So why do women’s clothes button from the left?
History really seems to matter here. Button first appeared only on the clothes of the rich in the 17th century, when rich women were dressed by servants. For the mostly right-handed servants, having women’s shirts button from the left would be easier. On the other hand, having men’s shirts button form the right made sense, too. Most men dressed themselves, and a sword drawn from the left with the right hand would be less likely to get caught in the shirt.
Today women are seldom dressed by servants, but buttoning from the left is still the standard for them. Is it interesting? Actually, a standard, once set, resists change. At a time when all women’s shirts buttoned from the left, it would have been risky for any single manufacture to offer women’s shirts that buttoned the right. After all, women had grown so used to shirts which buttoned from the left and would have to develop new habits and skills to switch. Besides from the right, since anyone who noticed that would believe they were wearing men’s shirts.
1.What is surprising about the standard of the clothing industry?
A. It has been followed by the industry for over 400 years.
B. It is different for men’s clothing and women’s.
C. It works better with men than with women.
D. It fails to consider right-handed people.
2.What do we know about the rich men in the 17th century?
A. They tended to wear clothes without buttons.
B. They were interested in the historical matters.
C. They were mostly dressed by servants.
D. They drew their swords from the left.
3.Women’s clothes still button from the left today because .
A. adopting men’s style is improper for women
B. manufacturers should follow standards
C. modern women dress themselves
D. customs are hard to change
4.The passage is mainly developed by .
A. analyzing cause B. making comparisons
C. examining differences D. following the time order
One morning more than thirty years ago, I entered the Track Kitchen, a restaurant where everyone from the humblest(卑微的)to the most powerful came for breakfast. I noticed am empty chair next to an elderly, unshaven man, who looked somewhat disheveled. He was wearing a worn-out hat and was alone. I asked if I might join him. He agreed quietly and I sat down to have my breakfast.
We cautiously began a conversion and spoke about a wide range of things. We never introduced ourselves. I was concerned that he might have no money and not be able to afford something to eat. So as I rose to go back to the counter and buy a second cup of coffee, I asked,
“My I get you something?”
“A coffee would be nice.”
Then I bought him a cup of coffee, we talked more, and he accepted another cup of coffee, Finally, I rose to leave, wished him well, and headed for the exit. At the door I met one of my friends. He asked,
“How did you get to know Mr. Galbreath?”
“Who?”
“The man you were sitting with. He is chairman of the Board of Churchill Downs.”
I could hardly believe it. I was buying, offering a free breakfast, and feeling pity for one of the world’s richest and most powerful men!
My few minutes with Mr. Galbreath changed my life. Now I try to treat everyone with respect, no matter who I think they are.
1.What does the underlined word “disheveled” mean?
A. Unfriendly. B. Untidy. C. Gentle. D. Kind
2.The author bought coffee for the old man because
A. he thought the old man was poor
B. he wanted to start a conversation
C. he intended to show his politeness
D. he would like to thank the old man
3.How did the author probably feel after he talked with his friend?
A. Proud. B. Pitiful. C. Surprised. D. Regretful
4.What is the message mainly expressed in the story?
A. We should learn to be generous.
B. It is honorable to help those in need.
C. People in high positions are not like what we expect.
D. We should avoid judging people by their appearances.
It was a busy morning，about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s came to the hospital .I heard him saying to the nurse that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
The nurse had him take a 36 in the waiting area, 37 him it would be at least 40Minutes 38 someone would be able to see him I saw him 39 his watch and decided， since I was 40 busy—my patient didn’t 41 at the appointed hour, I would examine his wound .While taking care of his wound．I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment
The gentleman said no and told me that he 42 to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his 43 .He told me that she had been 44 for a while and that she had a special disease. I asked if she would be 45 if he was a bit late. He replied that she 46 knew who he was，and that she had not been able to 47 him for five years now. I was 48 , and asked him，“And you 49 go every morning，even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled and said．“She doesn’t know me but I know who she is” I had to hold back 50 as he left.
Now I 51 that in marriages，true love is 52 of all that is. The happiest people don’t 53 have the best of everything；they just 54 the best of everything they have. 55 isn’t about how to live through the storm，but how to dance in the rain.
1.A. breath B. test C. seat D. break
2.A. persuading B. promising C. understanding D. telling
3.A. if B. before C. since D. after
4.A. taking B. fixing C. looking at D. winding
5.A. very B. also C. seldom D. not
6.A. turn up B. show off C. come D. go away
7.A. needed B. forgot C. agreed D. happened
8.A. daughter B. wife C. mother D. sister
9.A. late B. well C. around D. there
10.A. lonely B. worried C. doubtful D. hungry
11.A. so far B. neither C. no longer D. already
12.A. recognize B. answer C. believe D. expect
13.A. moved B. disappointed C. surprised D. satisfied
14.A. only B. then C. thus D. still
15.A. curiosity B. tears C. words D. judgement
16.A. realize B. suggest C . hope D. prove
17.A. agreement B. expression C. acceptance D. exhibition
18.A. necessarily B. completely C. naturally D. frequently
19.A. learn B. make C. favor D. try
20.A. adventure B. beauty C. trust D. life
Seldom ____ any mistakes during my past few years of working here.
A. would I make B. did I make C. I did make D. shall I make
