Mandara seemed to know something big was about to happen. So she let out a yell, caught hold of her 2-year-old daughter Kibibi and climbed up into a tree. She lives at the National Zoo in Washington D.C..
And on Tuesday, August 23rd, witnesses said she seemed to sense the big earthquake that shook much of the East Coast before any humans knew what was going on. And she’s not the only one. In the moments before the quake, an orangutan (猩猩) let out a loud call and then climbed to the top of her shelter.
“It’s very different from their normal call,” said Brandie Smith, the zookeeper. “The lemurs (monkey like animals of Madagascar) will sound an alarm if they see or hear something highly unusual.”
But you can’t see or hear an earthquake 15 minutes before it happens, can you? Maybe you can——if you’re an animal.
“Animals can hear above and below our range of hearing,” said Brandie Smith. “That’s part of their special abilities. They’re more sensitive to the environment, which is how they survive.”
Primates weren’t the only animals that seemed to sense the quake before it happened. One of the elephants made a warning sound and a huge lizard (蜥蜴) ran quickly for cover. The flamingoes (a kind of birds) gathered before the quake and stayed together until the shaking stopped.
So what kind of vibrations (震动) were the animals picking up in the moments before the quake? Scientist Susan Hough said earthquakes produce two types of waves——a weak “P” wave and then a much stronger “S” wave. The “P” stands for “primary”. And the “S” stands for “secondary”. She thinks the “P” wave might be what sets the animals off.
Not all the animals behaved unusually before the quake. For example, Smith said the zoo’s giant pandas didn’t jump up until the shaking actually began. But many of the other animals seemed to know something was coming before it happened. “I’m not surprised at all,” Smith said.
1.Why did Mandara act strangely one day?
A. Because it sensed something unusual would happen.
B. Because its daughter Kibibi was injured.
C. Because it heard an orangutan let out a loud call
D. Because an earthquake had happened.
2.According to Brandie Smith,_____________.
A. many animals hearing is sharp
B. earthquakes produce two types of waves
C. primates usually gather together before a quake
D. humans can also develop the ability to sense a quake
3.Which animal seems unable to sense quake?
A. A giant panda. B. A flamingo.
C. A lemur. D. A lizard.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A. How animals survive a quake
B. How animals differ from humans
C. How animals behave before a quake
D. How animals protect their young in a quake
James Cleveland Owens was the son of a farmer and the grandson of black slaves. His family moved to Cleveland when he was 9. There, a school teacher asked the youth his name.
＂J.C., ＂he replied.
She thought he had said＂Jesse＂, and he had a new name.
Owens ran his first race at age 13. After high school, he went to Ohio State University. He had to work part time so as to pay for his education. As a second year student, in the Big Ten games in 1935, he set even more records than he would in the Olympic Games a year later.
A week before the Big Ten meet, Owens accidentally fell down a flight of stairs. His back hurt so much that he could not exercise all week, and he had to be helped in and out of the car that drove him to the meet. He refused to listen to the suggestions that he give up and said he would try. He did try, and the results are in the record book.
The stage was set for Owens’ victory at the Olympic Games in Berlin the next year, and his success would come to be regarded as not only athletic but also political. Hitler did not congratulate any of the African American winners.
＂It was all right with me,＂he said years later. ＂I didn’t go to Berlin to shake hands with him, anyway.＂
Having returned from Berlin, he received no telephone calls from the president of his own country, either. In fact, he was not honored by the United States until 1976, four years before his death.
Owens’ Olympic victories made little difference to him. He earned his living by looking after a school playground, and accepted money to race against cars, trucks, motorcycles and dogs.
＂Sure, it bothered me,＂he said later.＂But at least it was an honest living. I had to eat.＂
In time, however, his gold medals changed his life.＂They have kept me alive over the years, ＂he once said.＂Time has stood still for me. That golden moment dies hard.＂
1.Owens got his other name＂Jesse＂when ____________.
A. he went to Ohio State University
B. his teacher made fun of him
C. his teacher took＂J.C.＂for＂Jesse＂
D. he won gold medals in the Big Ten meet
2.In the Big Ten meet, Owens ____________.
A. hurt himself in the back
B. succeeded in setting many records
C. tried every sports event but failed
D. had to give up some events
3.We can infer from the text that Owens was treated unfairly in the US at that time because ___________.
A. he was not of the right race
B. he was the son of a poor farmer
C. he didn’t shake hands with Hitler
D. he didn’t talk to the US president on the phone
4.When Owens says ＂They have kept me alive over the years...＂, he means that the medals ___________.
A. have been changed for money to help him live on
B. have made him famous in the US
C. have encouraged him to overcome difficulties in life
D. have kept him busy with all kinds of jobs
I’d like to share a story that happened when I was four. I remember it clearly. Our loving family dog was nearing the end of his life. My father picked him up and put him in a little bed we had made for him. Our dog, my companion, whom we had cared for, bit (咬) my father when he tried to help him. How could he? Why? I couldn’t understand it. I didn’t like him anymore.
I hadn’t thought about that story for a long time but something that happened last week brought it back to me. I went to speak with a friend. When I knocked on the door, I met an angry look and a few harsh (尖刻的) words. When the door was slammed (砰地关上) in my face, I stood there shocked, and in a rush, I was reminded of my dog bit my father 20 years ago or so. What brought that story back was that same feeling of betrayal (背叛).
Both stories taught me something the next day. You see, when I got up in the morning and was told my dog had died, it became clear to me that he must have been in great pain. For him to have bitten a family member, he could not have been himself. Much the same for the other story when I learned that my friend’s wife had just left him.
We are all beings of our environments, our opinions and feelings. And all of those things can cause you to say and do things that can’t be understood by those who are not in the same situation with you.
If you meet someone either behaving out of character or acting in a way that doesn’t seem to fit the situation, put out your hand and be patient when you think it is least possible for him to do so. You may turn around a story that has a sad ending simply by your actions.
1.What is the influence of the story mentioned in Paragraph 1?
A. It hurt his father’s feeling deeply. B. It has puzzled the author ever since.
C. It left a deep impression on the author. D. It made the author dislike dogs.
2.What made the author think of the story of about 20 years ago?
A. His friend’s attitude. B. The photo of the dog.
C. His father’s wound. D. His friend’s suffering.
3.Why did the author’s friend say harsh words to the author?
A. He was ill-tempered.
B. He was suffering the pain of losing his wife.
C. He was bothered by an unexpected visit.
D. They once quarreled and he couldn’t forgive the author.
4.What’s the author’s advice to us?
A. Help those in need.
B. Look before you leap.
C. Respect for others is a kind of virtue (美德).
D. Learn to put yourself in others’ shoes.
The editor of the new Cool Camping Britain guide chooses some of his favorite new finds in England, Wales and Scotland.
Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides
Is this Britain’s most beautiful campsite? From the grassy point looking seaward to the mountains, it’s not hard for campers to see how the island inspired The Lord of the Rings author’s fantasy landscapes. The campsite itself is as wild and wonderful as its setting.
Open April — September, from ￡5 per tent per night.
Swattesfield, Thornham Magna, Suffolk
Deep in the wilds of north Suffolk, this seven-acre campsite has only been open for a few years, with two fields separated by a lake and surrounded by woodland. The position is perfect. It’s a great place to do nothing but get into nature. You can put up your tent in the bottom field or the woodland beyond.
Open Easter —October, from ￡10 per tent per night.
Pleasant Streams Farm, near St Austell, Cornwall
This site, by a lake, is all about simple pleasures. Located in the former mining village, it has a summerhouse（凉亭）with books and games for a rainy day. There are many animals including pigs, hens, goats and ducks on the farm and a pub just a 10- minute stroll away. There’s very little to do here, no bells and no whistles. Campfires are encouraged.
Open Easter — September, from ￡10 per tent per night.
Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Sciily
Its only campsite, Troytown, couldn’t be in a more remote position. Isolation is its greatest advantage — so bring plenty of books to read and don’t expect a phone signal. But at least one of life’s necessities is available. Lying on the hillside overlooking the bay and near the island of the Gugh, it might just win the prize for best beer garden view in England.
Open March-- October, from ￡7. 50 per tent per night,
1.Which of the following is TRUE about Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides?
A. It has been open for a few years. B. A beautiful lake surrounds it.
C. It offers the longest service. D. The rent of a tent per night is the lowest.
2.Which place can you choose if you like a simple farm life?
A. Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides.
B. Swattesfield, Thornham Magna, Suffolk.
C. Pleasant Streams Farm, near St Austell, Cornwall.
D. Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly.
3.In Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, you can’t ________.
A. contact others by phones B. view the bay from the hillside
C. get everyday necessities D. relax yourself by reading
Frank was walking down the 6th Street on a hot sunny day when he saw smoke coming out of the street. He could _____ the smoke, and it was getting_____. Seeing the smoke coming out of a storm drain(雨水沟), Frank called the fire department _________. “The storm drain is _____ fire!” he said. The fire department asked for his whereabouts and he said he was near the 6th street. They said they would be right there to investigate the situation. Frank needn't to go anywhere, so he waited for the _____ to arrive. He was curious what could be burning beneath the street. As far as he knew, there wasn't anything beneath the street _____ concrete(混凝土). And everyone knows that concrete doesn't _____.
A fire truck arrived a few ____ later. “Are you the man who _____?” asked the driver. “Yes.” Frank answered. By now Frank could not only smell the _____ but also hear crackling sounds, just like wood burning. The firemen didn't seem to______ it an emergency. “What do you think it could be?” Frank asked the driver. “Oh, we know what it is. We have to ______ a problem like this every few months. It's the homeless people in their ‘______’.”
Homeless people have been living under the streets for years._____ their knowledge of the storm drain system, they ______ their own “houses” beneath the streets. These living areas have tables, mattresses, chairs, and sofas. The settlers often “borrow” electricity by connecting to a live wire above ground to ______ their own lights and even TVs underground. Either this ______ electricity or a cigarette can cause an occasional fire.
Frank watched ______ some firemen lifted a manhole cover (井盖) and went beneath the street with a fire hose (消防软管). Then a few minutes later, the ______ smoke turned white. Shortly afterward, the firemen reappeared with a ______ person who seemed to have just been woken up.
1.A. touch B. hear C. smell D. taste
2.A. thicker B. thinner C. colder D. warmer
3.A. slowly B. immediately C. hardly D. nearly
4.A. in B. at C. to D. on
5.A. policeman B. firemen C. postmen D. powermen
6.A. in spite of B. regardless of C. besides D. except
7.A. crack B. burn C. burst D. shake
8.A. seconds B. hours C. minutes D. quarters
9.A. called B. smelt C. investigated D. saw
10.A. fire B. smoke C. storm D. sound
11.A. consider B. make C. bring D. take
12.A. suffer B. solve C. survive D. survey
13.A. flats B. apartments C. houses D. sections
14.A. Learning B. Taking C. Using D. Giving
15.A. set down B. set aside C. set about D. set up
16.A. power B. shape C. force D. heat
17.A. bought B. brought C. booked D. borrowed
18.A. for B. as C. whether D. since
19.A. black B. red C. blue D. brown
20.A. careless B. selfless C. helpless D. homeless
Although he was seriously __________, he went on to fight heroically.
A. injured B. wounded C. hurt D. harmed
