Greece’s finance minister says his country’s financial situation is “terribly urgent” and the crisis could come to a head in a couple of weeks. Yanis Varoufakis gave the warning after eurozone finance ministers met in Brussels to discuss the final €7.2bn tranche(援助资金) of Greece’s €240bn EU/IMF bailout(紧急援助).
Ministers said Greece had made “progress” but more work was needed.
The Greek government is struggling to meet its payment obligations（责任）. Earlier, Greece began the transfer of €750m (£544m, $834m) in debt interest to the International Monetary Fund — a day ahead of a payment deadline.
“The liquidity（资产流动性） issue is a terribly urgent issue. It’s common knowledge, let’s not beat around the bush,” Mr Varoufakis told reporters in Brussels. “From the perspective of timing, we are talking about the next couple of weeks.”
Greece has until the end of June to reach a reform deal with its international creditors. Its finances are running so low that it has had to ask public bodies for help. The crisis has raised the prospect that Greece might default（违约） on its debts and leave the euro.
In a statement, the eurozone finance ministers said they “welcomed the progress that has been achieved so far” in the negotiations,” but added: “We acknowledged that more time and effort are needed to bridge the gaps on the remaining open issues.” Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem said there had to be a full deal on the bailout（紧急财务援助） before Greece received any further payments. “There are time constraints(限制；约束) and liquidity constraints and hopefully we will reach an agreement before time runs out and before money runs out.” he said.
There had been fears that Greece would default on its IMF debt repayment due on Tuesday. However, a Greek finance ministry official was quoted as saying that the order for repayment had been executed（实施） on Monday. Almost €1bn has been handed over to the IMF in interest payments since the start of May.
It is unclear how the government came up with the funds, but the mayor of Greece’s second city Thessaloniki revealed last week that he had handed over cash reserves in response to an appeal for money.
1.What is Yanis Varoufakis?
A. He is Greece’s finance minister.
B. He is an expert in the eurozone.
C. An official of the International Monetary Fund.
D. He is Eurogroup chairman.
2.Which of the following could be the worst result if Greece defaulted on its debts?
A. The International Monetary Fund would cancel the debt of Greece.
B. The EU would help Greece rebuild its financial system.
C. Greece might have to leave the eurozone.
D. The eurozone would accept Greece.
3.Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
A. The EU Get Challenged.
B. The International Monetary Fund Reform.
C. The EU Face Economic Crisis.
D. Greece Two Weeks from Cash Crisis
4.What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?
A. People fear that the International Monetary Fund can’t pay Greece for debt repayment.
B. Greece succeeded in paying interest payments to the IMF.
C. It is unclear how the government came up with the funds.
D. The mayor of Greece’s third city handed over cash reserves in response to an appeal for money.
You're not doomed to toss and turn every night. Although you might not be able to control all of the factors that relate to your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep. Start with these simple sleep tips.
No. 1: Stick to a sleep schedule
Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off. Being consistent reinforces （加强） your body's sleep—wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night. If you don't fall asleep within about 15 minutes, get up and do something relaxing. Go back to bed when you're tired.
No. 2: Pay attention to what you eat and drink
Don't go to bed either hungry or stuffed. Your discomfort might keep you up. Also limit how much you drink before bed, to prevent disruptive middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet. Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too. The stimulating effects of nicotine and caffeine — which take hours to wear off — can ruin quality sleep.
No. 3: Create a bedtime ritual
Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to light music. Be careful of using the TV or other electronic devices as part of your bedtime ritual. Some research suggests that screen time or other media use before bedtime has impact on sleep.
No. 4: Get comfortable
Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.
Your mattress and pillow can contribute to better sleep, too. Since the features of good bedding are subjective, choose what feels most comfortable to you. If you have children or pets, set limits on how often they sleep with you — or insist on separate sleeping quarters.
No. 5: Limit daytime naps
Long daytime naps can affect nighttime sleep — especially if you're struggling with poor sleep quality at night. If you choose to nap during the day, limit yourself to about 10 to 30 minutes and make it during the mid-afternoon.
If you work nights, you'll need to make an exception to the rules about daytime sleeping. In this case, keep your window coverings closed so that sunlight — which adjusts your internal clock — doesn't interrupt your daytime sleep.
No. 6: Include physical activity in your daily routine
Regular physical activity can promote better sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and to enjoy deeper sleep. Timing is important, though. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you might be too energized to fall asleep. If this seems to be an issue for you, exercise earlier in the day.
No. 7: Manage stress
When you have too much to do — and too much to think about — your sleep is likely to suffer. To help restore peace to your life, consider healthy ways to manage stress. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and dividing tasks. Give yourself permission to take a break when you need one. Share a good laugh with an old friend.
Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.
1.Which of the following is helpful to have quality sleep at night?
A. Listening to light music before bed.
B. Working out in the gym only in the day time.
C. Using expensive pillows that sell well.
D. Drinking lots of water instead of coffee before bed.
2.Which of the following sleep tips is not mentioned in the passage?
A. Control your daytime sleep time.
B. Adopt healthy ways to handle stress.
C. Follow a flexible sleep timetable.
D. Schedule your daily physical activities.
3.According to the passage, in what situation do you need to contact your doctor?
A. You can not nap in the day time.
B. You frequently have trouble sleeping.
C. You do not fall asleep within 15 minutes.
D. You have too much to think about before bed.
4.What’s the purpose of this passage?
A. To provide advice on promoting better sleep at night.
B. To inform readers of different sleep habits before bed.
C. To offer tips on various relaxing activities before bed.
D. To convince readers of the importance of quality sleep at night.
New Zealand will create one of the largest marine protected areas in the world, spanning an area of 620,000 sq km.
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary (保护区) will be one of the world’s most significant fully protected ecosystems, the prime minister of New Zealand, John Key, told the UN General Assembly in New York.
The sanctuary is in the South Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 km north-east of New Zealand, and expands a marine reserve that surrounds some small islands. The area is considered important in terms of biodiversity, featuring nearly 35 species of whales and dolphins, 150 types of fish and three of the world’s seven sea turtle species. It is also geologically significant, including the world’s longest chain of underwater volcanoes and the second deepest ocean trench, into 10 km underwater — deeper than Mount Everest’s height. The scale of the sanctuary will dwarf (矮化) any previous New Zealand’s protected area, spanning twice the size of the country’s mainland. It will cover 15% of New Zealand’s economic zone.
Commercial and recreational fishing will be completely banned, as will oil, gas and mineral prospecting (勘探), exploration and mining. Key’s government aims to pass legislation establishing the sanctuary next year.
"The sanctuary is a world-class, unspoiled marine environment and New Zealand is proud to protect it for future generations,"Key said."New Zealanders value our coasts and oceans, which are an important part of our culture, economy and environment and we are committed to managing them sustainably. Creating protected areas will support not only our own fisheries, but those of our Pacific neighbors, adding to New Zealand’s efforts to help grow Pacific economies through the responsible management of their ocean resources."
Nick Smith, New Zealand’s environment minister, said the sanctuary might impose a cost upon the mining industry but that it is important to protect the ocean before exploration takes place."New Zealand needs to use its vast ocean resources for jobs and exports in industries like fishing, aquaculture, minerals and energy, but we also need to set aside special areas where nature comes first and marine life is fully protected," Smith said.
New Zealand will monitor the area via its navy and satellite technology. The Kermadec region will join three other key areas in the Pacific protected by the US, the UK and Australia.
Matt Rand, director of the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Global Ocean Legacy (遗产) campaign, welcomed Key’s announcement."New Zealand will create the gold standard of conservation areas in the sanctuary, preserving one of the few relatively unspoiled areas of ocean on Earth," he said. "This commitment is an exciting step toward meeting global goals to safeguard at least 30% of the ocean through fully protected marine reserves."
1.Why is the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary important in biodiversity?
A.It has a superior geographical location.
B.It has many different kinds of sea animals.
C.Its environment is suitable for the growth of marine life.
D.It is the only unspoiled area of ocean remained on Earth.
2.Which of the following will Key probably agree on?
A.People are allowed to fish for fun in the sanctuary.
B.All Pacific countries should be responsible for ocean resources.
C.New Zealanders attach great importance to protecting the sanctuary.
D.New Zealand has made great achievement in creating protected areas.
3.What can we infer from what Nick Smith said?
A.New Zealand should develop its marine industry in special areas.
B.The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary may affect New Zealand’s mining industry.
C.New Zealand hasn’t figured out how to make full use of its ocean resources.
D.Measures should be taken immediately to protect the ocean after explorations.
A man walked down the trail on a cold, gray day. He was wearing heavy clothes and fur boots. But he still felt cold and uncomfortable.
The man was on his way to a camp near Henderson Creek. His friends were already there. He expected to reach Henderson Creek by six o’clock that evening. It would be dark by then. His friends would have a fire and hot food ready for him.
A dog walked behind the man. It was a big gray animal, half dog and half wolf. The dog did not like the extreme cold. It knew the weather was too cold to travel.
The man continued to walk down the trail. He came to a frozen stream called Indian Creek. He began to walk on the snow-covered ice. It was a trail that would lead him straight to Henderson Creek and his friends.
As he walked, he looked charily at the ice in front of him. Once, he stopped suddenly, and then walked around a part of the frozen stream. He saw that an underground spring flowed under the ice at that spot. It made the ice thin. If he stepped there, he might break through the ice into a pool of water. To get his boots wet in such cold weather might kill him. His feet would turn to ice quickly. He could freeze to death.
At about twelve o’clock, the man decided to stop to eat his lunch. He took off the glove on his right hand, opened his jacket and shirt, and pulled out his bread and meat. This took less than twenty seconds. Yet, his fingers began to freeze.
He hit his hand against his leg several times until he felt a sharp pain. Then he quickly put his glove on his hand. He made a fire, beginning with small pieces of wood and adding larger ones. He sat on a snow-covered log and ate his lunch. He enjoyed the warm fire for a few minutes. Then he stood up and started walking on the frozen stream again.
A half hour later, at a place where the snow seemed very solid, the ice broke. The man’s feet sank into the water. It was not deep, but his legs got wet to the knees. The man was angry. The accident would delay his arrival at the camp. He would have to build a fire now to dry his clothes and boots.
He walked over to some small trees. They were covered with snow. In their branches were pieces of dry grass and wood left by flood waters earlier in the year. He put several large pieces of wood on the snow, under one of the trees. On top of the wood, he put some grass and dry branches. He pulled off his gloves, took out his matches, and lighted the fire. He fed the young flame with more wood. As the fire grew stronger, he gave it larger pieces of wood.
He worked slowly and carefully. At sixty degrees below zero, a man with wet feet must not fail in his first attempt to build a fire. Fortunately, his fire was beginning to burn more strongly. He sat under the tree and thought of the old men in Fairbanks. The old men had told him that no man should travel alone in the Yukon when the temperature is sixty degrees below zero. Yet here he was. He had had an accident. He was alone. And he had saved himself. He had built a fire.
Those old men were weak, he thought. A real man could travel alone. If a man stayed calm, he would be all right.
1.The man made his way to Henderson Creek to ________.
A.have an unforgettable trip
B.meet with his friends as planned
C.experience the hard life there in person
D.be the first person to travel alone in the Yukon
2.Why did the man choose to walk on a trail with snow-covered ice?
A.Because it was the shortest route.
B.Because the scenery around was wonderful.
C.Because it was a path advised by his friends.
D.Because it was the only way to his destination.
3.After his feet sank into the water the man had to stop for a while in that ________.
A.he had to get some food for physical strength
B.he had to reevaluate the safety of the path
C.it was too cold to go any further
D.he had to dry his clothes and boots
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.Building a fire in such an extreme condition was not as difficult as expected.
B.The fire successfully guaranteed the man’s safety to his destination at last.
C.The man was proud of his ability to survive in such an extreme condition.
D.The man’s experience proved that the old men in Fairbanks were reliable.
假设你是李华，你的英国笔友Chris刚刚转学，感到一切都很陌生。他在邮件中向你询问如何尽快融入新环境，请你根据以下信息回信。
1．多跟同学交流沟通；
2．积极参加学校活动；．
3．向老师寻求帮助。
注意：1．词数100左右；
2．可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3．开头已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Chris，
I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble fitting in at your new school．_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
A survey basing on 1,000 students found that half of the pupils and 80% of the middle school students sleeps less than nine hours every night. Too many homework given by school teachers and parents is the main reasons. Other reason lies in students’ bad habits. Some students, for example, are absent-minded while doing his homework, and some waste their after-class time. The third reason is because some students have to get up early on weekdays to get school far away from home. Experts are calling at schools and parents to cut down on the amount of homework. And students should make a good use of their time. And it would be better if they could choose to study in a nearby school.
