Cell phones: is there a cancer link?
Could your cell phone give you cancer? Whether it could or not, some people are worrying about the possibility that phones, power lines and Wi-Fi could be responsible for a range of illnesses, from rashes to brain tumors.
Some say there is evidence to support the growing anxieties. David Carpenter, a professor of environmental health sciences at the university at Albany, in New York, thinks there’s a greater than 95 percent chance that power lines can cause childhood leukemia(白血病). Also there’s a greater than 90 percent chance that cell phones can cause brain tumors. “It’s apparent now that there’s a real risk, ” said Carpenter.
But others believe these concerns are unjustified. Dr Martha Linet, the head of radiation epidemiology(流行病学) at the US National Cancer Institute, has looked at the same research as Carpenter but has reached a different conclusion. “I don’t support warning labels for cell phones, ” said Linet. “We don’t have the evidence that there’s much danger. ”
Studies so far suggest a weak connection between EMFs(电磁场) and illness— so weak that it might not exist at all. A multinational investigation of cell phones and brain cancer, in 13 countries outside the US, has been underway for several years. It’s funded in part by the European Union, in part by a cell phone industry group. The final report should come out later this year, but data so far don’t suggest a strong link between cell phone use and cancer risk.
1.From the passage we can learn that some people are worried because _______.
A. they have evidence that the use of cell phones can lead to cancer
B. they make a fuss over cell phone use
C. some experts have given a warning
D. cell phones are responsible for brain tumors
2.By saying “I don’t support warning labels for cell phones, ” Dr Martha Linet has the idea that _______.
A. the worrying is unnecessary
B. cancer-warning labels should be on cell phones
C. there is a link between cell phones and cancer
D. cell phones have nothing to do with cancer
3.Which of the following best describes the attitude of the author towards the debate?
A. Optimistic. B. Objective.
C. Opposite. D. Casual. ]
请根据以下提示，结合你生活中的事例，用英语写一篇短文。
Telling lies is what we are taught not to do, but in some cases, telling lies seems to be what we have to do.
注意：①无须写标题，不得照抄英语提示语；
②除诗歌外，文体不限；
③内容必须结合生活或学习中的一个事例，写出真情实感。
④文中不得透漏个人姓名和学校名称；
⑤词数不少于120字左右。
阅读下列各小题，根据括号内的汉语提示，用句末括号内的英语单词完成句子，并将答案写在答题卡上的相应题号后。
1.There are three kinds of paper to make a card with, __________________easily. (tear)
有三种纸可以用来制造卡片，没有一种容易撕破。
2.Several new subway lines are reported _______________in Wuhan, which will make it more convenient for people to go outing. (build)
据报道武汉将建几条新的地铁线路，这让人们的出行会更方便。
3.“Salute builders of the Chinese Dream” was the call issued by President Xi on Sunday, _________ outstanding workers ahead of International Workers’ Day. (talk)
“致敬中国梦建设者”是由习书记星期日与优秀的工人在国际劳动节交谈时发出的呼吁。
4.Had it not been for the hazy weather, you in the distance easily yesterday. (see)
要不是因为雾霾天气，你昨天就会看见远处那座美丽的桥。
5.The reason why he is absent from the meeting is, I think, _____________________of it. (inform)
我认为他缺席会议的原因是他可能不知道此事。
6.He didn’t______________________ when and where the meeting would be held. (make)
他没有把何时何地召开会议搞淸楚。
7.Chinese style of crossing road should be banned. Not only China’s image in the world, but also it puts people’s life in danger. (influence)
中国式过马路应该被禁止，因为它不但影响中国在世界的形象而且她让人们的生命处于危险之中。
8.Since the earthquake broke out, each doctor and each nurse ____________________saving the injured round the clock. (engage)
自从地震爆发以来，每一个医生和护士都一直在夜以继日地忙于抢救伤员。
9.Mary_______________________her behavior at the party, her tears streamed from her face while she was making apologies to her friends. ( ashamed)
玛丽为她在晚会上的行为感到羞愧，当她向朋友们道歉时，眼泪不停地从脸上流下来。
10.Where Are We Going, Dad? Presents a new generation of men who, in a break from Chinese tradition, now realize it’s_______________________________ their children as it’s to build a career. (accompany)
综艺节目“爸爸去哪儿”展现了打破传统的新时代男人意识到陪伴子女同建立事业一样重要。
It’s the place where smart people make smart machines work even smarter. It’s also in the heart of sunny California, a great place to start a family and raise kids. What could be better?
But something is happening to their children. Up until the age of two they develop normally. But then everything seems to go backwards. The children become locked into their own small world, unable to communicate at all.
They call it the “curse(诅咒)of Silicon Valley,” but the medical name for the condition is autism(自闭症). It used to be thought that autism was a kind of mental illness. Now doctors are sure that it is a neurological disease transmitted genetically. It seems that the people leading the communications revolution are having children who cannot communicate at all.
But even the parents have trouble communicating. Asperger’s Syndrome is a mild version of autism. People who have it are highly intelligent and often brilliant with numbers or system but have no social skill. This very combination of symptoms makes Asperger’s sufferers into ideal computer professionals.
The Asperger’s sufferer has always been a well—known figure in popular culture. He or she was the eccentric but dedicated scholar or the strange uncle or auntie who never married. But the high numbers of such people in Silicon Valley mean that they can meet others who understand them and share their interests. And while they might not be personally attractive, they can earn truly attractive amounts of money. They can get married and have kids. Unfortunately, many of the children of two Asperger’s parents seem to be developing serious autism.
There is little anyone can do. It takes hours of work just to make autistic child realize that anyone else exists. And there is no cure in sight. Some argue that no cure should be found. “It may be that autistics are essentially different from normal people, but that these differences make them invaluable for the evolution of the human race,” says Dr. Kirk Whilhelmsen of the University of California. “To eliminate the genes for autism could be disastrous. ”
It seems that the children of Silicon Valley are paying the price of genius.
1.What does Dr Kirk Whilhelmsen think of autism?
A. It is disastrous to society.
B. It is not completely a bad thing.
C. It is a punishment to those working in Silicon Valley.
D. People with autism should never marry.
2.What can we learn about autism according to the passage?
A. It is believed to be a king of mental illness that can be cured.
B. People with autism can’t find people sharing their interests.
C. They do not care about the presence of others.
D. They are a burden for the society.
3.Why do people call autism “curse of Silicon Valley”？
A. Because autistic people live in Silicon Valley.
B. Because many people working in Silicon Valley have autism children.
C. Because people with autism will be driven out of Silicon Valley.
D. Because people with autism are not personally attractive and not liked by others.
4.What can we know about Asperger’s Syndrome according to the passage?
A. Asperger’s sufferers are ideal computer professionals.
B. Asperger’s sufferers never get married and have children.
C. Asperger’s sufferers are ashamed of themselves and locked into their own world.
D. Asperger’s sufferers can be beneficial to society if they are cured.
The popular US drama series “House of Cards”, which has already started its second season, features Chinese elements in its storyline. Traditional heroes are no longer sought after anymore. Today, it’s unconventional leading figure -like Francis J. Underwood from “House of Cards” who are winning audiences’ hearts.
The political drama, which airs on the Internet service Netflix, has won the applauses of viewers around the world since its debut(首次亮相) on February 1, 2013. And it has caught the attention of real politicians, including US President Barack Obama.
Kevin Spacey plays Francis J. Underwood, a cold-blooded Democrat who moves his way up the political ladder by any means necessary. He often uses his under-exposure in media to carry out misdeeds that will later benefit him.
The revenge(报仇) theme plays a heavy role throughout the storyline, Underwood, who had high hopes for an appointment as Secretary of State in the first season, was betrayed by the US President and his former colleagues. He and his wife then conducted a plan of revenge and swore to unseat those who turned their backs against him. Through their plan, Underwood’s own hunger for power grew and empowered him to get rid of whoever stood in his Way.
The release of the trailer(预告片) of the second season excited millions of viewers around the world, including US President Barack Obama, who has been a loyal fan since the series debuted. Obama expressed his admiration for Underwood. “This guy’s getting a lot of stuff done,” he said. Although the President is anxious to watch the story unfold, he’d like to do it at his own pace. After the release of the second season on February 14, 2014, Obama sent words on his Twitter account, “Tomorrow: @HouseOfCards. No spoilers , please.”
The second season has promised to be darker, with more unexpected turnouts, and is to include more Chinese elements. “Perhaps the team, including myself, has realized that in the next decade, Asia will be an extensively important region, and China will play an active role in its transition and change,” says Spacey.
1.The second season is different in that _____.
A. it is a political drama
B. more Chinese elements are involved
C. it has caught the attention of US President Barack Obama
D. Kevin Spacey, a cold-blooded Democrat, plays Francis’J. Underwood
2.The 3rd and 4th paragraph mainly deal with ______.
A. the plot of the drama series
B. the background of the drama series
C. the characters of the drama series
D. the popularity of the drama series
3.The author may agree that ______.
A. the second season is expected to be darker with more deaths
B. audiences lose their heart to traditional heroes in the drama
C. the drama is the reflection of politics of America in real life
D. the drama has won the recognition of viewers since its first season
4.The message sent by Obama on his Twitter account proves that he_______.
A. doesn’t wish to be told what to do as a drama fan
B. adores the drama so much that he wants to watch it in advance
C. doesn’t want to be disturbed while watching the drama
D. hopes nobody will inform him of the plot of the drama in advance
The English test will be removed from China’s college entrance exam by 2020, according to details of exam and admission reform revealed by the Ministry of Education. The national college entrance exam, known as the “Gaokao” has been used to evaluate Chinese students for three decades. The Ministry of Education has worked out a plan for reforming exams and enrollment. The Ministry will solicit(征求) public opinions before its release. Instead, tests will be held several times a year to allow students to choose when and how often they sit the exam so as to alleviate study pressure and change China’s once-in-a-lifetime exam system.
The plan and suggestions for its implementation will be announced in the first half of next year. It will be piloted in selected provinces and cities and promoted nationwide from 2017. A new exam and admission system will be established by 2020, according to the education ministry.
The decision has aroused a heated discussion among Shanghai educators and parents who doubted the reform would reduce the burden of learning English or if the substitute test could reflect a student’s English skills and help students learn English better.
“The reform shows China is learning from the West to give students more test-taking chances. But more chances might become more of a burden since Chinese students are likely to repeat the test until they get the highest score,” said Cai Jigang, a professor at Fudan University’s College of Foreign Languages and Literature and chairman of the Shanghai Advisory Committee for College English Teaching at Tertiary Level.
Yu Lizhong, chancellor of New York University Shanghai, where classes are in English and students are required to have a high standard of English, said the most important aspect of the reform lay in what to test and how to test.
“ As far as I see, the reform doesn’t mean English is no longer important for Chinese students after it will be excluded from the unified college entrance exam,” Yu said. “In a way, English is even more important than before since the test would only serve as reference, while every college and university, even every major, can have different requirements of a student’s English skills under a diverse evaluation system. ”
Yu said some students will have their study pressure reduced if the major they choose doesn’t need excellent English while others still need to study hard if they want to be among the best students.
The education ministry said the reform would not affect students attending the college entrance exam over the next three years.
1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A. English will become less and less important in the stage of compulsory education.
B. It has been 30 years since English became one subject of national college entrance exam.
C. China’s once-in-a-lifetime exam system is unacceptable at all.
D. The system that tests are held several times does more good than once-in-a-lifetime exam system.
2.According to the passage, Shanghai educators and parents argue that _____.
A. the new exam and admission system will make no difference
B. English shouldn’t be removed from China’s college entrance exam
C. the reform may accomplish the very opposite
D. Western educational system does not apply to China
3.What does the passage try to express in the underlined sentence?
A. Students needn’t lay a good foundation during the period of high school.
B. Whether students should study hard English may depend on their major.
C. Students can constantly strive for perfection only in their major.
D. English must be close to full mark.
4.What’s the purpose of the passage?
A. To advise students not to devote themselves to English.
B. To call on Education Department to remove English from “Gaokao”.
C. To support the act of Ministry of Education.
D. To encourage students to do as they have planned.
