In the Caucasus (高加索) region of Russia, nearly 50 out of every 100,000 people live to celebrate their 100th birthday, and many don’t stop at 100! By comparison, in America only 3 people in 100,000 reach 100. But these Russian old people aren’t alone. The Pakistanis, who live high in the Himalaya Mountains, and the Ecuadorans (厄瓜多尔人) of the Andes Mountains seem to share the secret of long life, too.
These people remain healthy in body and spirit despite the passage of time. While many older persons in industrial societies become weak and ill in their 60s and 70s, some Caucasians aged 100 to 140, work in the fields beside their great-great-grandchildren. Even the idea of aging is foreign to them. When asked “at what age does youth end?” most of these old people had no answer. Several replied, “Well, perhaps at age 80.”
What accounts for (解释) this ability to survive to such old age, and to survive so well? First of all, hard physical work is a way of life for all of these long-living people. They begin their long days of physical labor as children and never seem to stop. For example, Mr. Rustam Mamedov is 142 years of age. His wife is 116 years old. They have been married for 90 years. Mr. Mamedov has no intention of retiring from his life as a farmer. “Why? What else would I do?” he asks. All these people get healthful rewards from the environment in which they work. They all come from mountainous regions. They live and work at elevations (海拔) of 1,660 to 1,000 meters above sea level. The air has less oxygen and is pollution-free. This reduced-oxygen environment makes the heart and blood vessel (血管) system stronger.
Another factor that may contribute to the good health of these people is their isolation. To a great extent (程度), they are separated from the pressures and worries of industrial society. Inherited (遗传) factors also play some role. Most of the longest-living people had parents and grandparents who also reached very old ages. Good family genes may, therefore, be one factor in living longer.
1.The example of Mr. and Mrs. Mamedov implies that some Caucasians aged 100 to 140 _________.
A. become weak and hopeless
B. benefit from physical work
C. are too old to work in the fields
D. are still working in the fields
2. What is the main way of life for all of these long-living people?
A. Retiring from their lives as farmers.
B. Having been married for 90 years.
C. Hard physical work.
D. Having no intentions.
3.Which of the following factors is NOT helpful to people’s health and long life?
A. Clean mountain air. B. Daily hard work.
C. Good genes D. Stress and pressure.
4.What does the underlined word “isolation” mean?
A. the state of being separated B. pressure
C. lack of physical labour D. worry
5.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Russian people live longer than Americans
B. People in the city live longer than those in the country
C. The reason why mountainous people live longer
D. Pressures and worries contribute to long life
In China, if you are not married by the time you are 30, you are in for trouble: social blame and pressure from family and friends can get you down. And if you are a woman, it’s even worse.
Many young people get married simply to get other people off their backs (免受别人的指责) . This is a serious compromise. One ends up not marrying the ideal partner.
There are, however, a few young people who refuse to compromise: if they can’t find a good marriage partner, they say, they would rather not marry at all.
34-year-old Kate is a university lecturer in English. She said she would not describe herself as celibatarian (独身主义者) but simply a woman who hasn’t come across the right man yet. She has sharp comments for the way in which the old generation looks at marriage.
“Many people think marriage is a duty---to your parents, family and society. Nobody cares if your marriage is happy or not, she said, I think this is very wrong and I intend to live and act according to my own will.”
Happily for her, her parents are open-minded and not lay stress on her. But the same does not apply to her friends. They are constantly trying to get her together with some young man or another. She always refuses politely.
1.The main idea of this passage is that _________.
A. marriage is a duty to society
B. people should get married before 30 years old
C. late marriage should be respected
D. women should get married earlier than men
2.Miss Kate refuses to get together with some young man or another because __________.
A. she doesn’t think he is the right man she wants
B. he is either too old or too young
C. he is either important or little learned
D. he doesn’t have good manners
3. In the first paragraph the underlined words “in for” refer to _________.
A. interested in B. satisfied with
C. worried about D. likely to suffer
4.Which is NOT TRUE according to this passage?
A. In China, one may face social blame and family pressure if one hasn’t got married by 30.
B. Miss Kate’s parents are always worried about her marriage.
C. Miss Kate won’t compromise if she can’t have her ideal marriage.
D. Miss Kate wants to marry a worthy young man.
5.If marriage is regarded as a duty to society, __________.
A. everybody will be happy and satisfied
B. nobody will pay attention to whether you are happy or not in your family life
C. you can easily find an ideal partner
D. young people will have nothing to worry about in marriage
If you want to find a parttime job or learn something different during your spare time, you can have a look at the following jobs offered by the DC Public Library.
Teens of Distinction Program
The DC Public Library offers parttime jobs for teens through the Teens of Distinction Program. Teens work 1012 hours per week all year long, helping the library with important tasks and projects. The Teens of Distinction Program is now hiring! To apply, you have to:
● be a DC resident
● have and maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average
● be 16 to 18 years old
● be able to work 1012 hours per week
● be able to work for DCPL for at least 9 months
Oh, and of course you have to impress us with your wonderful personality!
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
If you want to earn community service hours for school, Youth202 is a good choice.
Youth202 is a radio program created by youth and for youth. You can learn radio production skills, interview people around you, and help keep other teens to learn news, events, and anything else you think is important.
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Every summer, teens can work here to help library customers organize books and learn lots of new skills, such as program planning, writing and media production.
On Friday, January 25 at 12:15 p.m., the application for the 2014 SYEP will be open to teens between the ages of 14 and 21.
Applications will be processed on a firstcome, firstserved basis. Space is limited this year, so teens are encouraged to apply early, and remember not to miss the deadline, Saturday, February 16.
1.Working for the Teens of Distinction Program, teenagers will ________.
①become a DC resident
② work 1012 hours per week
③ work for DCPL for at least 9 months
④ have a wonderful personality
A. ③④ B. ①②③
C. ②③ D. ①③④
2.If a teenager wants to interview people around him, he should apply for a job at ________.
A. Teens of Distinction Program
B. Youth202
C. Teens Library
D. Summer Youth Employment Program
3.What can’t teenagers get in Summer Youth Employment Program?
A. Community service hours.
B. Program planning skills.
C. Writing skills.
D. Book management skills.
4.Who has the biggest chance to work for the 2014 SYEP?
A. A teenager who is smart.
B. A teenager who is popular.
C. A teenager who applies early.
D. A teenager who gets high grades in exams.
5.The aim of the text is to ________.
A. introduce the DC Public Library
B. describe the job of library workers
C. teach how to apply for parttime jobs
D. offer teenager parttime jobs in the DC Public Library
Dear boys and girls,
I feel honored to speak here on behalf of all your teachers .I’m really sorry that it will be only three months 1. you graduate from high school .We have spent an unforgettable time in the past three years, during 2. I have been greatly impressed by your good qualities such as honesty, diligence, co-operation and so on. 3. in my teaching career have I met such wonderful students 4. you.
We have an endless journey in pursuit of knowledge. Graduation only marks a stage of one’s education .Set a high goal 5. you’ll achieve more in your future life.
I do believe that all your efforts will eventually pay 6. .I as well as your other teachers 7. praying that every one of you will be admitted to 8. ideal college.
Yours,
English teacher
With his leg lame and his teeth uneven, a boy thought of himself as the most unfortunate child in the world. He seldom played with his classmates, and when asked to answer questions, he always his head without a word.
One spring, his father brought home some saplings (树苗). of his children would plant a sapling and he promised, “Whoever grows his sapling best shall get a gift.” The boy certainly wanted to get the gift.But seeing his brothers and sisters watering the trees, he an idea: he hoped the tree he planted would die soon. So watering it once or twice, he never it.
Several days later, he was surprised to find it didn't die, but grew so many fresh . Compared with those of his brothers and sisters, his appeared greener. His father kept his ,bought the boy a gift and said he would become an outstanding after growing up.
From then on, the boy slowly became optimistic and confident. One evening, he suddenly his biology teacher once said that plants generally grow at night. Why not go to see the tree?
When he came to the courtyard, he found his father working near the tree! Instantly he :Father had been secretly watering his tree! He returned to his room, tears in his eyes.
Decades passed. The boy didn't become a botanist. , he became the U.S. President. His name was Franklin Roosevelt.
is the best nourishment (滋养品) of life. Even though it is just a bucket of water, it can make the tree of life grow well!
1.A. held B.raised C.lowered D.covered
2.A. Both B.None C.One D.Each
3.A. cared for B.got rid of C.hit upon D.put on
4.A. appealed to B.attended to C.adapted to D.turned to
5.A. roots B.leaves C.branches D.seeds
6.A. word B.balance C.agreement D.opinion
7.A. teacher B.gardener C.president D.botanist
8.A. believed B.recalled C.repeated D.knew
9.A. remembered B.understood C.wondered D.admitted
10.A. welling B.falling C.dropping D.crying
11.A. Therefore B.Besides C.Moreover D.Instead
12.A. Love B.Water C.Disability D.Father
I have already forgotten ______ you bought the computer.
A. that it was when B. that it was what
C. what it was that D. when it was that