科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
When Scotsman Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it was a revolution in communication. For the first time, people could talk to each other over great distances almost as clearly as if they were in the same room. Nowadays, though, we increasingly use Bell' s invention for taking photographs, accessing the internet, or watching video clips, rather than talking. Over the last two decades a new means of spoken communication has appeared: the mobile phone.
The first real mobile telephone call was made in 1973 by Dr Martin Cooper, the scientist who invented the modem mobile handset. Within a decade, mobile phones became available to the public. The streets of modem cities began to feature sharp-suited characters shouting into giant plastic bricks. In Britain the mobile phone quickly became the same with the "yuppie" , the new type of young urban professionals who carried the expensive handsets as status symbols. Around this time many of us said that we would never own a mobile phone.
But in the mid-90s, something happened. Cheaper handsets and cheaper calling rates meant that, almost overnight, it seemed that everyone had a mobile phone. And the giant plastic bricks of the 80s had changed into smooth little objects that fitted nicely into pockets and bags.
Moreover, people' s timekeeping changed. Younger readers will be amazed to know that, not long ago, people made spoken arrangements to meet at a certain place at a certain time. But later Meeting times became approximate under the new order of communication: the Short Message Service (SMS) or text message. Going to be late? Send a text message! It takes much less effort than arriving on time, and it' s much less awkward than explaining your lateness face to face and the text message has changed the way we write in English. Traditional rules of grammar and spelling are much less important when you' re sitting on the bus, hurriedly typing "Will B 15mm late - C U @ the bar. Sorry! - )".
Alexander Graham Bell would be amazed if he could see how far the science of telephony has progressed in less than 150 years.If he were around today, he might say "That' s gr8! But I' m v busy rite now.Will call U 2nite."
【小題1】What does the underlined part in Para. 2 refer to?
| A.Houses of modern cities. | B.Sharp-suited characters. |
| C.New type of professionals. | D.Mobile phones. |
| A.People were more likely to be late for their meeting. |
| B.SMS made it easier to inform each other. |
| C.Young people don' t like unchanging things. |
| D.Traditional customs were dying out. |
| A.Call U@ SKUg8 2nite. | B.IM2BZ2CU 2nite. |
| C.CU@ the bar g8 2nite. | D.W84U@ SKUg8 2nite. |
| A.Alexander Graham' s invention. |
| B.SMS @ a new way of communication. |
| C.New functions of the mobile telephone. |
| D.The development of the mobile phone. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Below is a selection from a popular science book.
| If blood is red, why are veins (靜脈) blue? Actually, veins are not blue at all. They are more of a clear, yellowish color. Although blood looks red when it’s outside the body, when it’s sitting in a vein near the surface of the skin, it’s more of a dark reddish purple color. At the right depth, these blood-filled veins reflect less red light than the surrounding skin, making them look blue by comparison. Which works harder, your heart or your brain? That kind of depends on whether you’re busy thinking or busy exercising. Your heart works up to three times harder during exercise, and shifts enough blood over a lifetime to fill a supertanker(超級油輪). But, in the long run, your brain probably tips it, because even when you’re sitting still your brain is using twice as much energy as your heart, and it takes four to five times as much blood to feed it. Why do teeth fall out, and why don’t they grow back in grown-ups? Baby (or “milk”) teeth do not last long; they fall out to make bigger room for bigger, stronger adult teeth later on. Adult teeth fall out when they become damaged, decayed(腐爛)and infected by bacteria. Once this second set of teeth has grown in, you’re done. When they’re gone, they are gone. This is because nature figures you’re set for life, and what controls regrowth of your teeth switches off. Do old people shrink(收縮)as they age? Yes and no. Many people do get shorter as they age. But, when they do, it isn’t because they’re shrinking all over. They simply lose height as their spine (脊柱) becomes shorter and more curved due to disuse and the effect of gravity (重力). Many (but not all) men and women do lose height as they get older. Men lose an average of 3-4 cm in height as they age, while women may lose 5 cm or more. If you live to be 200 years old, would you keep shrinking till you were, like 60 cm tall, like a little boy again? No, because old people don’t really shrink! It is not that they are growing backwards—their legs, arms and backbones getting shorter. When they do get shorter, it’s because the spine has shortened a little. Or, more often, become more bent and curved. Why does spinning make you dizzy)? Because your brain gets confused between what you’re seeing and what you’re feeling. The brain senses that you’re spinning using special gravity-and-motion-sensing organs in your inner ear, which work together with your eyes to keep your vision balance stable. But when you suddenly stop spinning the system goes out of control, and your brain thinks you’re moving while you’re not. Where do feelings and emotions come from? Mostly from an ancient part of the brain called the limbic system(邊緣系統(tǒng)). All mammals have this brain area — from mice to dogs, cats, and humans. So all mammals feel basic emotions like fear, pain and pleasure. But since human feelings also involve other, newer bits of the brain, we feel more complex emotions than any other animal on this planet. If exercise wears you out, how can it be good for you? Because our bodies adapt to everything we do to them. And as far as your body is concerned, it’s “use it, or lose it”! It’s not that exercise makes you healthy, it’s more that a lack of exercise leaves your body weak and easily affected by disease. |
| A.Blue | B.Light yellow |
| C.Red | D.Dark reddish purple |
| A.Because their spine is in active use. |
| B.Because they are more easily affected by gravity. |
| C.Because they keep growing backwards. |
| D.Because their spine becomes more bent. |
| A.In the long run, our brain probably works harder than our heart. |
| B.When our brain senses the spinning, we will feel dizzy. |
| C.The brains of the other mammals are as complex as those of humans. |
| D.Our feelings and emotions come from the most developed area in our brain. |
| A.To give advice on how to stay healthy. |
| B.To provide information about our body. |
| C.To challenge new findings in medical research. |
| D.To report the latest discoveries in medical science. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan sees an epidemic (流行病) sweeping across Americas farmland. It has little to do with the usual challenges, such as flood, rising fuel prices and crop-eating insects. The country's farmers are getting older, and there are fewer people standing in line to take their place. National agricultural census (普查) figures show that the fastest-growing group of farmers is the part over 65. Merrigan is afraid the average age will be even higher when the 2012 statistics are completed.
Merrigan, a former college professor, is making stops at universities across the country in hopes of encouraging more students to think about careers in agriculture. Aside from trying to stop the graying of America's farmers, her work is made tougher by a recent blog posting that put agriculture at No.1 on a list of "useless" college degrees. Top federal agriculture officials are talking about the posting, and it has the attention of agricultural organizations across the country.
“There couldn't be anything that's more incorrect," Merrigan said. "We know that there aren't enough qualified graduates to fill the jobs that are out there in American agriculture.
In addition, a growing world population that some experts predict will require 70% more food production by 2050, she said.
“I truly believe we're at a golden age of agriculture. Global demand is at an all-time record high, and global supplies are at all-time record lows," said Matt Rush, director of the Texas Farm Bureau. "Production costs are going to be valuable enough that younger people are going to have the opportunity to be involved in agriculture”.
The Department of Agriculture has programs aimed at developing more farmers and at increasing interest in locally grown food. The National Young Farmers' Coalition has also been pushing for state and federal policy changes to make it easier for new fermers.
Ryan Best, president of Future Fanners of America, has been living out of a suitcase, traveling the country and visiting with high school students about careers in agriculture. The 21 -year-old Best hopes his message-that this is a new time in agriculture-will motivate the next generation to turn around the statistics.“Never before have we had the innovations (創(chuàng)新)in technology which have led to agriculture in this country being the most efficient it has ever been” he said. “There’s really a place for everybody to fit in”
【小題1】What is the new challenge to American agriculture?
| A.Fewer and older farmers. | B.Higher fuel prices. |
| C.More natural disasters. | D.Lower agricultural output. |
| A.To draw federal agriculture officials' attention |
| B.To select qualified agriculture graduates. |
| C.To clarify a recent blog posting. |
| D.To talk more students into farming careers |
| A.the government will cover production costs |
| B.global food supplies will be even lower |
| C.investment in agriculture will be profitable |
| D.America will increase its food export |
| A.To re-analyze the result of the national census. |
| B.To increase production. |
| C.To bring down the average age of farmers. |
| D.To invest more in agriculture. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Based on new analysis, we are rapidly approaching major climate change and the effects on society and the environment could be quite severe. Geographers predict that within the next eighty years, current world climate zones could shift and some could completely disappear. Polar regions will get colder while tropical regions will get even hotter, forcing animals to migrate (遷徙) north.
Climate changes like these could lead to the spread of diseases. Tropical storms and hurricanes will not only increase but may also become more intense. If the changes come too quickly, animal and plant species may not be able to adapt fast enough and could disappear.
According to Science Daily, a new study predicts that by the year 2100, many of today’s familiar climates will be replaced by climates unknown in today’s world. It is urgent that we reduce the risks of these far-reaching consequences for the whole world. The planet itself has been showing signs of change. In 2004, a serious tsunami created by a major earthquake killed thousands in Sumatra and in 2008, thousands died in China because of another severe earthquake. Egypt was hit in 2009 with a major earthquake and Haiti was devastated in 2010 by yet another massive earthquake.
Within just the last few months, new reports from around the world have been coming in and most agree that our climate situation is much worse than previously thought. At this point, it doesn’t matter what is causing it, but rather, what can be done about it. What’s more, our world is getting more and more unstable every year. There is war and threat of war everywhere. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and serious.
However, other planets are experiencing global warming as well as our own and some scientists believe there may be some connection between this. No one knows anything for sure at this point because there is simply not enough data.
【小題1】 Which of the following would be the best title for the Passage ?
| A.Ways to protect our planet. | B.Solutions to climate change. |
| C.Be prepared for climate change. | D.Climate change and its effects. |
| A.To show the damage earthquakes caused. |
| B.To remind people to prevent future earthquakes. |
| C.To show major changes are taking place on the planet. |
| D.To tell us more earthquakes will happen in the future. |
| A.Separated. | B.Destroyed. | C.Removed. | D.Affected. |
| A.Animals and plants won’t die out as long as climate changes slowly. |
| B.There’s enough data for us to predict the future of climate change. |
| C.The world is getting more unstable because of animal migration. |
| D.The earth is not the only planet that is experiencing climate change. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Since the beginning of the year, smog has covered parts of North China. In January, Beijing saw only five days without smog. The rising PM 2.5 readings terrified many people, and some health experts said that whenever the smog gets serious, hospitals receive more patients suffering acute respiratory(呼吸系統(tǒng))and heart diseases.
Later, news of polluted underground water in some provinces scared people who wondered whether the water they drink is safe.
So the need to emphasize environmental protection while developing the economy is heard everywhere.
Smog especially is a common concern. Like a popular online post said, air may be the only thing that is equal for everyone, despite your income or vocation. People with higher incomes are able to drink only bottled spring water and eat only organic food by paying higher prices, but they breathe the same air as everyone else.
At a meeting on Monday, many Representatives have expressed their concerns about the air quality, too. One talked about his experience in Beijing. “After taking a taxi from the capital airport to my hotel, which took about an hour, I washed my nose and found the inside of my nose was black. We should ask ourselves this question: Why do we want to develop? It's for living a better life. Dirty air is definitely not a better life," he said.
China needs to develop its economy and invest(投資) in high-tech. Every Chinese wants a strong country. But without blue sky, clean water and safe food, the achievements in the economy will become meaningless. Space technologies are not to be developed for building a base on Mars so that one day all human beings can migrate to the red planet because they have destroyed Earth.
What the public wants is a strong and beautiful China. Former president Hu Jintao spoke at the 18th Party Congress last November saying that great efforts must be made to promote ecological progress and build a beautiful China. The words have shown the central government's resolution to address the environment issue.
【小題1】The effect of smog doesn’t include.
| A.the rising of PM 2.5 readings |
| B.more people suffering diseases |
| C.the increase of people’s income |
| D.patients increased in hospital |
| A.Because people have to pay higher prices. |
| B.Because nobody can avoid it. |
| C.Because we have to develop industry. |
| D.Because a popular online-post discussed it. |
| A.human beings | B.other plants |
| C.space technologies | D.industrial development |
| A.high-tech can completely solve the problem of pollution |
| B.space technologies should be developed in a large scale |
| C.we can move to the Mars after the earth has been destroyed |
| D.we must protect the environment while developing economy |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Human cloning technology could be used to reserve heart attacks. Scientists believe that they may be able to treat heart attack by cloning their healthy heart cells and injecting them into the areas of the heart that have been damaged, and other problems may be solved if human cloning and its technology are not forbidden.
With cloning, infertile couples could have children. Current treatments for infertility, in terms of percentages, are not very successful. Couples go through physical and emotionally painful procedures for a small chance of having children. Many couples run out of time and money without successfully having children. Human cloning could make it possible for many more infertile couples to have children than ever before.
We should be able to clone the bone marrow(骨髓) for children and adults suffering from leukemia(白血。. This is expected to be one of the first benefits to come from cloning technology. We may learn how to switch cells on and off through cloning and thus be able to cure cancer.
Cloning technology can be used to test for and perhaps cure gene-related diseases. The above is just a few examples of what human cloning technology can do for mankind. This new technology promises unprecedented (前所未有的)advancement in medicine if people will release their fears and let the benefit begin.
【小題1】What does the underlined word “infertile” (paragraph 2) most probably mean?
| A.with physical and emotional problems |
| B.short of time and money |
| C.unable to give birth to children |
| D.separated from each other for a long time |
| A.the treatment of mental diseases |
| B.the reserve of heart diseases |
| C.the cure of gene-related diseases |
| D.the bearing of babies |
| A.it has brought about benefits so far |
| B.it may be out of human control |
| C.people still know little about it |
| D.people are afraid of such technology |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
What exactly is intelligence? There aren’t any easy answers.Despite the progress that has been made in genetics and psychology, human intelligence has remained one of the most controversial areas of modern science,until now, that is, for the discovery of a gene linked to intelligence has made the experts think again.
Robert Plomin of the Institute of Psychiatry in London and his colleagues in the US have been looking into genetic make-up.From their research, they have discovered that a slightly different gene is more common in those with a high IQ.Plomin analyzed DNA from two groups of 51 children aged between 6 and 15.What he found was that the first group had an IQ of 136, putting them in the top 5% of the population, while the other group had an average IQ of 103.An analysis of their genes showed that 32% of children in the higher group had the gene in question, while only 16% in the second group did.However, there is a lot more research to be done, and Plomin himself is cautious at this early stage.He suggests that there are probably many genes that contribute to intelligence, rather than just one. Several studies have shown a strong link between IQ and career success, although some psychologists remain unconvinced about this.Professor Michael Rowe, who has written a book called Genius Explained, is one of these.“The people with the highest IQs are not usually the ones who do best in their careers.”
Many psychologists now believe that when it comes to intelligence, IQ isn’t everything.Many alternative views have been put forward recently.One example is the idea of multiple intelligences, which was developed in the 1980s by Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner.This offers a much broader view than the IQ theory, including creativity and communication skills as relevant factors in intelligence.
Tony Buzan, brain expert and author of Master your Memory, is enthusiastic about this belief, arguing that true geniuses do indeed appear to combine high levels of each type of intelligence.He lists Alexander the Great, Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein as examples.At the same time, Buzan believes that everyone can develop their intelligence, only if they take the trouble to exercise their brain.Perhaps there’s hope for us all!
【小題1】What does the underlined word “This” in Paragraph 3 refer to?
| A.The development of intelligence |
| B.The idea of multiple intelligences |
| C.IQ isn’t everything for intelligence |
| D.Alternative views have been put forward |
| A.To make a suggestion. | B.To draw a conclusion |
| C.To prove an idea. | D.To give an example |
| A.Robert Plomin confirms genes have something in common |
| B.Howard Gardner thinks intelligence includes various factors |
| C.Michael Rowe approves of a strong link between IQ and career |
| D.Tony Buzan agrees geniuses exercise brain to improve intelligence |
| A.The relationship between genes and intelligence |
| B.IQ benefits a lot from high intelligence |
| C.How to develop intelligence. |
| D.What makes intelligence. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Poor Oral Health Leads to Social and Emotional Problems
A new report says nearly four-billion people have major tooth decay, or cavities. That number represents more than half of the world's population. Health officials are warning that failure to repair cavities can lead to social and emotional problems.
Wagner Marcenes is with the Institute of Dentistry at Queen Mary, University of London. He led a team of researchers as part of the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. About 500 researchers attempt to collect and examine studies about all major diseases. They used the information to estimate rates of the infection.
The report says untreated tooth decay is the most common of all 291 major diseases and injuries. Professor Marcenes says cavities or holes in permanent teeth are also known as caries.
"Caries is a chronic disease that shares the same risk factors as cancer, cardiovascular disease. What we're having now is an increase in disease from highly developed countries happening in sub-Saharan Africa and probably it will be in other areas of Africa, too."
He says an increase in tooth decay in Africa could be a result of developing countries becoming more like Western nations.
"It is likely to be related to a change in diet. Our industrialized diet leads to chronic disease, which includes caries. And that may be the main explanation."
Western diets are rich in sugar, a leading cause of health problems in the mouth. Wagner Marcenes says oral health problems can have a major effect on a person's quality of life. First, cavities make eating difficult. Second, people may change what they eat. They may eat softer foods that are not hard to chew. However, softer foods are often fattier foods.
But professor Marcenes says the biggest issue in tooth decay is both social and mental. He says the researchers found strong evidence that the mouth has a big influence on socialization. He says many people want to hide bad teeth. They smile less and communicate less.
Wagner Marcenes is calling for an "urgent, organized, social response" to the widespread lack of oral health. He believes in a natural method to fight tooth decay by having a healthier diet. He is also calling for the development of new and less costly dental materials and treatments.
【小題1】From the passage, we know that Wagner Marcenes ______.
| A.works as the leader of the Institute of Dentistry at Queen Mary, University of London. |
| B.a(chǎn)nd his researchers accumulate some studies to find out some ways to cure all major disease. |
| C.is in charge of the activity to estimate the infection rate with the collected and examined studies about all major studies. |
| D.thinks that the most serious problem caused by tooth decay is cancer that will last for a long time. |
| A.is listed in the most common of all 291 major diseases and injuries which will last for a long time.. |
| B.is closely related to industrialized diet which calls for people to eat slowly. |
| C.increases in Africa now because developing countries are becoming developed countries. |
| D.will cause phychological disorder which will affect people’s communication. |
| A.a(chǎn)rouse people’s concern about caries and take measures to deal with it. |
| B.tell the result of the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. |
| C.warn people in Africa to adjust their diet to prevent caries. |
| D.tell doctors that caries affects a person’s quality of life. |
| A.indifferent | B.concerned | C.a(chǎn)ngry | D.negative |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
It is easy for us to tell our friends from our enemies. But can other animals do the same? Elephants can! They can use their sense of vision and smell to tell the difference between people who pose a threat and those who do not.
In Kenya, researchers have found that elephants react differently to clothing worn by men of the Maasai and Kamba ethnic groups. Young Maasai men spear animals and thus pose a threat to elephants; Kamba men are mainly farmers and are not a danger to elephants.
In an experiment conducted by animal scientists, elephants were first presented with clean clothing or clothing that had been worn for five days by either a Maasai or a Kamba man. When the elephants detected the smell of clothing worn by a Maasai man, they moved away from the smell faster and took longer to relax than when they detected the smells of either clothing worn by Kamba men or clothing that had not been worn at all.
Garment color also plays a role, though in a different way. In the same study, when the elephants saw red clothing not worn before, they reacted angrily, as red is typically worn by Maasai men. Rather than running away as they did with the smell, the elephants acted aggressively toward the red clothing.
The researchers believe that the elephants’ emotional reactions are due to their different interpretations of the smells and the sights. Smelling a potential danger means that a threat is nearby and the best thing to do is run away and hide. Seeing a potential threat without its smell means that risk is low. Therefore, instead of showing fear and running away, the elephants express their anger and become aggressive.
【小題1】According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
| A.Maasai people are a threat to elephants. |
| B.Kamba people raise elephants for farming. |
| C.Both Kamba and Maasai people are elephant hunters. |
| D.Both Kamba and Maasai people traditionally wear red clothing. |
| A.They attacked a man with the smell of new clothing. |
| B.They needed time to relax when smelling something unfamiliar. |
| C.They became anxious when they smelled Kamba-scented clothing. |
| D.They were frightened and ran away when they smelled their enemies. |
| A.Elephants attack people who wear red clothing. |
| B.Elephants use sight and smell to detect danger. |
| C.Scientists are now able to control elephants’ emotions. |
| D.Some Kenyan tribes understand elephants’ emotions very well. |
| A.Elephants learn from their experiences. |
| B.Elephants have sharper sense of smell than sight. |
| C.Elephants are more intelligent than other animals. |
| D.Elephants tend to attack rather than escape when in danger. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Riding a London subway, a person from other countries will notice one major difference: in London, people do not look at each other.In fact, eye contact is avoided at all times. That’s not rudeness ― people are just too busy to bother looking.
Busy doing what, you ask? Well, they’re certainly not using the time for a moment of quiet thinking.Nor are they reading a book.New technology has replaced quiet habits.Today the only acceptable form of book on the London underground is an e-book.
Apple must earn a fortune from London commuters(使用月票上下班者). Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, over 40, 000 ― yes, 40, 000 “apps” have been designed.
Commuters love them because they are the perfect time - fillers. One “app”, called iShoot, is a game that features tanks.Another one, Tube Exits, tells passengers where to sit on the train to be closest to the exit of their destination. iSteam clouds the iPhone screen when you breathe into the microphone. You can then write in the “steam” on your phone screen.
For those without an iPhone, another Apple product, the iPod, may be the distraction (消遣) of choice. It’s not just teenagers who “plug in” to their music - iPods are a popular way to pass the time for all ages.
And if games, e-books and music aren’t enough to keep you occupied, then perhaps you would prefer a film? The development of palm DVD technology means many commuters watch their favorite TV shows or films on the way to work.With all these distractions, it’s amazing that people still remember to get off the train.
【小題1】Those who want to save time to reach where they go can download ________ to their iPhones
| A.iShoot | B.Tube Exits | C.iSteam | D.iPod |
| A.they are going to work and have no time to communicate with each other |
| B.they love reading books and do not want to be disturbed |
| C.they feel sleepy because of getting up early |
| D.they’re busy playing games, reading e-books, listening to music or watching films |
| A.computers |
| B.programs downloaded for the iPhone |
| C.computer companies |
| D.fortune from London commuters |
| A.London commuters are unfriendly to strangers |
| B.Apple has earned a lot of money from selling 40, 000 apps |
| C.technology is changing how London commuters spend their traveling time |
| D.riding a London subway is a must when visiting London |
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