A recent study, while showing a generally positive attitude toward science, also suggests a widespread worry that it may be “running out of control”. This idea is dangerous.
Science can be a force for evil as well as for good. Its applications can be channeled either way, depending on our decisions. The decisions we make, personally or collectively, will determine the outcomes of science. But here is a real danger. Science is advancing so fast and is so strongly influenced by businesses that we are likely to believe whatever decisions we come to will make little difference. And, rather than fighting for the best possible policies, we may step back and do nothing.
Some people go even further. They say that despite the moral and legal objections, whatever is scientifically possible will be done-somewhere, sometime. They believe that science will get out of control in the end. This belief is dangerous too, because it fuels a sense of hopelessness and discourages them from making efforts to build a safer world.
In our interconnected world, the lack of agreement in and out of the world of science can lead to the failure to control the use of science. Without a common understanding, the challenges of “controlling” science in this century will be really tough. Take human cloning for example. Despite the general agreement among scientists on its possible huge impact(影响) on traditional moral values, some countries still go ahead with the research and development of its related techniques. The outcomes are hard to predict.
Therefore, discussions on how science is applied should be extended far beyond scientific societies. Only through the untied efforts of people with hope, can we be fully safe against the misuse of science and can science best serve mankind in the future.
1.What can we conclude from the recent study?
A. People think highly of science.
B. People hold mixed opinions about science.
C. Science is getting dangerously out of control.
D. Science is used for both good and bad purposes.
2.According to the passage, what will happen if we hold that science is getting beyond control?
A. The development of science will hopelessly slow down.
B. Businesses will have even greater influence on science.
C. The public will lose faith in bringing about a bright future.
D. People will work more actively to put science under control.
3.The discussion should reach beyond scientific societies because_______
A. scientists have failed to predict the outcomes
B. the ties between different areas need strengthening
C. united efforts are necessary for the development of science
D. people need to work together to prevent the bad use of science
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Science and its applications bring us many dangers.
B. The development of science mostly lies in people's attitudes.
C. Mankind can largely take control of science with their efforts.
D. The future of science will be influenced by the dangerous ideas.
Liverpool, my hometown, is a unique city. It is so unique that in 2004 it became a World Heritage(遗产) Site.
I recently returned to my home city and my first stop was at a museum on the River Mersey. Blanketed in mist(薄雾), Victorian architecture rose from the banks of the river, responded to the sounds of sea-birds, and appeared unbelievably charming. When I headed toward the centre, I found myself surrounded by buildings that mirror the best palaces of Europe. It is not hard to imagine why, on first seeing the city, most visitors would be overpowered by the beauty of the noble buildings, which are solid signs of Liverpool’s history.
As if to stress its cultural role, Liverpool has more museums and galleries(美术馆) than most cities in Britain. At Walker Art Gallery, I was told that it has the best collections of Victorian paintings in the world, and is the home of modern art in the north of England. However, culture is more than galleries. Liverpool offers many music events. As Britain’s No.1 music city, it has the biggest city music festival in Europe, and its musicians are famous all over the world. Liverpool is also well-known for its football and other sports events. Every year, the Mersey River Festival attracts thousands of visitors, making the city a place of wonder.
As you would expect from such a city, there are restaurants serving food from around the world. When my trip was about to complete, I chose to rest my legs in Liverpool’s famous Philharmonic pub(酒馆). It is a monument to perfection, and a heritage attraction itself.
Being a World Heritage Site, my home city is certainly a place of “outstanding universal value”. It is a treasure house with plenty of secrets for the world to explore.
1.Visitors who see the city for the first time would be deeply impressed by________
A. its charming banks B. its famous museums
C. its wonderful palaces D. its attractive buildings
2.The third paragraph is developed mainly by______
A. providing different examples
B. following the order of space
C. making comparisons
D. analyzing causes
3.The author uses the Philharmonic pub to prove that_______
A. Liverpool is a well-known city for its restaurants
B. Liverpool is an impressive place full of attraction
C. a pub is a wonderful place for visitors to relax themselves
D. a pub is a perfect choice for visitors to complete their journey
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A. The universal value of the world heritage in Liverpool
B. The exciting experience of the author in Liverpool
C. The special cultural atmosphere of Liverpool
D. The beautiful historic sites of Liverpool
Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment.
Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses（球场） in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas.
There are many environment-friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don’t need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and you don’t have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control.
Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be “green gyms”. They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it’s free.
1.Which of the following is the author most probably in favor of?
A. Cycling around a lake.
B. Motor racing in the desert.
C. Playing basketball in a gym.
D. Swimming in a sports center.
2.What do we know about golf from the passage?
A. It is popular in Portugal and Spain.
B. It causes water shortages around the world.
C. It pollutes the earth with chemicals and wastes.
D. It needs water and electricity to keep its courses green.
3. The author uses power walking as an example mainly because______.
A. it is an outdoor sport
B. it improves our health
C. it uses fewer resources
D. it is recommended by experts
4. The author writes the passage to_______.
A. show us the function of major sports
B. encourage us to go in for green sports
C. discuss the major influence of popular sports
D. introduce different types of environment-friendly sports
Sir Steven Redgrave
Winner of 5 Olympic Gold Medals
“In 1997 I was found to have developed diabetes(糖尿病). Believing my career was over, I felt extremely low. Then one of the specialists said there was no reason why I should stop training and competing. That was it -- the encouragement I needed. I could still be a winner if I believed in myself. I am not saying that it isn’t difficult sometimes. But I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn't finished yet. Nothing is to stand in my way.”
Karen Pickering
Swimming World Champion
“I swim 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. I manage that sort of workload by putting it on top of my diary. This is the key to success---you can’t follow a career in any field without being well-organized. List what you believe you can achieve. Trust yourself, write down your goals for the day, however small they are, and you’ll be a step closer to achieving them.”
Kirsten Best
Poet & Writer
“When things are getting hard, a voice inside my head tells me that I can’t achieve something. Then, there are other distractions, such as family or hobbies. The key is to concentrate. When I feel tense, it helps a lot to repeat words such as ‘calm’, ‘peace’ or ‘focus’, either out loud or silently in my mind. It makes me feel more in control and increases my confidence. This is a habit that can become second nature quite easily and is a powerful psychological tool”
1.What does Sir Steven Redgrave mainly talk about?
A. Difficulties influenced his career.
B. Specialists offered him medical advice.
C. Training helped him defeat his disease.
D. He overcame the shadow of illness to win.
2.What does Karen Pickering put on top of her diary?
A. Her training schedule. B. Her daily happenings.
C. Her achievements. D. Her sports career.
3.What does the underlined word “distractions” probably refer to？
A. Ways that help one to focus.
B. Words that help one to feel less tense.
C. Activities that turn one's attention away.
D. Habits that make it hard for one to relax.
4.According to the passage, what do the three people have in common?
A. Courage. B. Devotion.
C. Hard work. D. Self-confidence.
I was waiting for a phone call from my agent. He had left a message the night before, telling me that my show was to be cancelled. I called him several times, but each time his secretary told me that he was in a meeting and that he would call me later. So I waited and waited, but there was still no call. Three hours passing by, I became more and more impatient. I was certain that my agent didn’t care about my work, and he didn’t care about me. I was overcome with that thought. I started to shout at the phone, “Let me wait, will you? Who do you think you are?”
At that time I didn’t realize my wife was looking on. Without showing her surprise, she rushed in, seized the phone, tore off the wires, and shouted at the phone, “Yeah! Who do you think you are? Bad telephone! Bad telephone! ” And she swept it into the wastebasket.
I stood watching her, speechless .What on earth?
She stepped to the doorway and shouted at the rest of the house, “Now hear this! All objects in this room-if you do anything to upset my husband, out you go!”
Then she turned to me, kissed me, and said calmly, “Honey, you just have to learn how to take control.” With that, she left the room.
After watching a crazy woman rushing in and out, shouting at everything in sight, I noticed that something in my mood had changed. I was laughing. How could I have trouble with that phone? Her antics helped me realize I had been driven crazy by small things. Twenty minutes later my agent did call. I was able to listen to him and talk to him calmly.
1.Why did the author shout at the telephone?
A. He was mad at the telephone.
B. He was angry with his agent.
C. He was anxious about his wife.
D. He was impatient with the secretary.
2.What did the author’s wife do after she heard his shouting?
A. She said nothing. B. She shouted at him.
C. She called the agent. D. She threw the phone away.
3.What made the author laugh?
A. His own behavior. B. His wife’s suggestion.
C. His changeable feelings. D. His wife’s sweet kiss.
4.What does the underlined word “antics” refer to?
A. Smart words. B. Unusual actions.
C. Surprising looks. D. Anxious feelings.
In our discussion with people on how education can help them succeed in life, a woman remembered the first meeting of an introductory course about 20 years ago.
The professor the lecture hall, placed upon his desk a large jar filled with dried beans, and invited the students to how many beans the jar contained. After shouts of wildly wrong guesses the professor smiled a thin, dry smile，announced the answer, and went on saying, “You have just an important lesson about science. That is: “Never your own senses”
Twenty years later, the could guess what the professor had in mind．He himself, perhaps, as inviting his students to start an exciting into all unknown world invisible to the , which can be discovered only through scientific . But the seventeen-year-old girl could not accept or even the invitation. She was just to understand the world. And she that her firsthand experience could be the . The professor, however, said that it was . He was taking away her only for knowing and was providing her with no substitute(替代). “I remember feeling small and ,” the woman says, “and I did the only thing I could do, I the course that afternoon，and I haven’t gone near science since. ”
1.A. art B. history C. science D. math
2.A. searched for B. looked at C. got through D. marched into
3.A. count B. guess C. report D. watch
4.A. warning B. giving C. turning away D. 1istening to
5.A. ready B. possible C. correct D. difficult
6.A. 1earned B. prepared C. taught D. taken
7.A. lose B. trust C. sharpen D. show
8.A. 1ecturer B. scientist C. speaker D. woman
9.A. described B. respected C. saw D. served
10.A. voyage B. movement C. change D. rush
11.A. professor B. eye C. knowledge D. light
12.A. model B. senses C. spirit D. methods
13.A. hear B. make C. present D. refuse
14.A. suggesting B. beginning C. pretending D. waiting
15.A. believed B. doubted C. proved D. explained
16.A. growth B. strength C. faith D. truth
17.A. firm B. interesting C. wrong D. acceptable
18.A. task B. tool C. success D. connection
19.A. cruel B. proud C. frightened D. brave
20.A. dropped B. started C. passed D. Missed
