单选题 Questions5-8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

单选题 公共场合禁止吸烟 现在，许多国家都通过了在公共场合禁止吸烟的法律。一些吸烟者声称，如果在公共场合被禁止吸烟，他们的权利就被侵犯(infringe)了。然而，大多数不吸烟的人认为这是个好消息，在所有如饭店、剧院这样的公共场合的吸烟行为都应该被禁止。吸烟对吸烟者本身和他人都有害。据报道，世界上每年有上百万人因吸烟死亡。并且，吸烟还会污染空气。如果所有公共场合都禁止吸烟的话，我们将呼吸到更多新鲜干净的空气，所有人的健康状况都将会有很大提高。

单选题 1．目前很多大学生在追求时尚方面花费太多 2．你的看法

单选题 Opportunists and Competitors A. Growth, reproduction, and daily metabolism all require an organism to expend energy. The expenditure of energy is essentially a process of budgeting, just as finances are budgeted. If all of one's money is spent on clothes, there may be none left to buy food or go to the movies. Similarly, a plant or animal cannot squander all its energy on growing a big body if none would be left over for reproduction, for this is the surest way to extinction. B. All organisms, therefore, allocate energy to growth, reproduction, maintenance, and storage. No choice is involved; this allocation comes as part of the genetic package from the parents. Maintenance for a given body design of an organism is relatively constant. Storage is important, but ultimately that energy will be used for maintenance, reproduction, or growth. Therefore the principal differences in energy allocation are likely to be between growth and reproduction. C. Almost all of an organism's energy can be diverted to reproduction, with very little allocated to building the body. Organisms at this extreme are 'opportunists'. At the other extreme are 'competitors', almost all of whose resources are invested in building a huge body, with a bare minimum allocated to reproduction. D. Dandelions are good examples of opportunists. Their seed heads raised just high enough above the ground to catch the wind, the plants are no bigger than they need be, their stems are hollow, and all the rigidity comes from their water content. Thus, a minimum investment has been made in the body that becomes a platform for seed dispersal. These very short-lived plants reproduce prolifically; that is to say they provide a constant rain of seed in the neighborhood of parent plants. E. A new plant will spring up wherever a seed falls on a suitable soil surface, but because they do not build big bodies, they cannot compete with other plants for space, water, or sunlight. These plants are termed opportunists because they rely on their seeds' falling into settings where competing plants have been removed by natural processes, such as along an eroding riverbank, on landslips, or where a tree falls and creates a gap in the forest canopy. F. Opportunists must constantly invade new areas to compensate for being displaced by more competitive species. Human landscapes of lawns, fields, or flowerbeds provide settings with bare soil and a lack of competitors that are perfect habitats for colonization by opportunists. Hence, many of the strongly opportunistic plants are the common weeds of fields and gardens. G. Because each individual is short-lived, the population of an opportunist species is likely to be adversely affected by drought, bad winters, or floods. If their population is tracked through time, it will be seen to be particularly unstable—soaring and plummeting in irregular cycles. H. The opposite of an opportunist is a competitor. These organisms tend to have big bodies, are long-lived, and spend relatively little effort each year on reproduction. I. An oak tree is a good example of a competitor. A massive oak claims its ground for 200 years or more, out-competing all other would-be canopy trees by casting a dense shade and drawing up any free water in the soil. The leaves of an oak tree taste foul because they are rich in tannins, a chemical that renders them distasteful or indigestible to many organisms. The tannins are part of the defense mechanism that is essential to longevity. J. Although oaks produce thousands of acorns, the investment in a crop of acorns is small compared with the energy spent on building leaves, trunk, and roots. Once an oak tree becomes established, it is likely to survive minor cycles of drought and even fire. A population of oaks is likely to be relatively stable through time, and its survival is likely to depend more on its ability to withstand the pressures of competition or predation than on its ability to take advantage of chance events. K. It should be noted, however, that the pure opportunist or pure competitor is rare in nature, as most species fall between the extremes of a continuum, exhibiting a blend of some opportunistic and some competitive characteristics. L. Oak wood has a density of about 0.75g/cm3, great strength and hardness, and is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It also has very appealing grain markings, particularly when quarter-sawn. M. Oak planking was common on high status Viking longships in the 9th and 10th centuries. The wood was hewn(砍) from green logs, by axe and wedge, to produce radial planks, similar to quarter-sawn timber. Wide, quarter-sawn boards of oak have been prized since the Middle Ages for use in interior paneling of prestigious buildings such as the debating chamber of the House of Commons in London and in the construction of fine furniture. N. Oak wood, from Quercus robur and Quercus petraea, was used in Europe for the construction of ships until the 19th century, and was the principal timber used in the construction of European timber-framed buildings. Today oak wood is still commonly used for furniture making and flooring, timber frame buildings, and for veneer production. Barrels in which wines, sherry, and spirits such as brandy, Scotch whisky and Bourbon whiskey are aged are made from European and American oak. The use of oak in wine can add many different dimensions to wine based on the type and style of the oak. Oak barrels, which may be charred before use, contribute to the colour, taste, and aroma of the contents, imparting a desirable oaky vanillin flavour to these drinks. The great dilemma for wine producers is to choose between French and American oak woods. French oaks (Quercus robur, Quercus petraea) give the wine greater refinement and are chosen for the best wines since they increase the price compared to those aged in American oak wood. American oak contributes greater texture and resistance to ageing, but produces more violent wine bouquets. Oak wood chips are used for smoking fish, meat, cheeses and other foods. O. Japanese oak is used in the making of professional drums from manufacturer Yamaha Drums. The higher density of oak gives the drum a brighter and louder tone compared to traditional drum materials such as maple and birch. In hill states of India, besides fuelwood and timber, the local people use oak wood for making agricultural implements. The leaves are used as fodder during lean period and bedding for livestock.

单选题 Blood vessels running all through the lungs carry blood to each air sac (囊), or alveolus(肺泡), and then back again to the heart. Only the thin wall of the air sac and the thin wall of a capillary (毛细血管) are between the air and the blood. So oxygen easily diffuses from the air sacs through the walls into the blood, while carbon dioxide easily diffuses from the blood through the walls into the air sacs. When blood is sent to the lungs by the heart, it has come back from the cells in the rest of the body. So the blood that goes into the wall of an air sac contains much dissolved carbon dioxide but very little oxygen. At the same time, the air that goes into the air sac contains much oxygen but very little carbon dioxide. You have learned that dissolved materials always diffuse from where there is more of them to where there is less. Oxygen from the air dissolves in the moisture on the lining of the air sac and diffuses through the lining into the blood. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air sac. The blood then flows from the lungs back to the heart, which sends it out to all other parts of the body. Soon after air goes into an air sac, it gives up some of its oxygen and takes in some carbon dioxide from the blood. To keep diffusion going as it should, this carbon dioxide must be gotten rid of. Breathing, which is caused by movements of the chest, forces the used air out of the air sacs in your lungs and brings in fresh air. The breathing muscles are controlled automatically so that you breathe at the proper rate to keep your air sacs supplied with fresh air. Ordinarily, you breathe about twenty-two times a minute. Of course, you breathe faster when you are exercising and slower when you are resting. Fresh air is brought into your lungs when you breathe in, or inhale(吸入), while used air is forced out of your lungs when you breathe out, or exhale. Some people think that all the oxygen is taken out of the air in the lungs and that what we breathe out is pure carbon dioxide. But these ideas are not correct. Air is a mixture of gases that is mostly nitrogen (氮). This gas is not used in the body. So the amount of nitrogen does not change as air is breathed in and out. But while air is in the lungs, it is changed in three ways: (1) About one-fifth of the oxygen in the air goes into the blood. (2) An almost equal amount of carbon dioxide comes out of the blood into the air. (3) Moisture from the linings of the air passages and air sacs evaporates until the air is almost saturated.

单选题America's most popular newspaper website today announced that the era of free online journalism is drawing to a close. The New York Times has become the biggest publisher yet to 25 plans for a paywall around its digital offering, 26 the accepted practice that internet users will not pay for news. Struggling with an evaporation of advertising and a downward drift in street corner sales, The New York Times 27 to introduce a 'metered' model at the beginning of 2011. Readers will be required to pay when they have 28 a set number of its online articles per month. The decision puts the 159-year-old newspaper 29 the charging side of an increasingly wide chasm (鸿沟) in the media industry. But others, including the Guardian, have said they will not charge internet readers, and certain papers, such as London's Evening Standard, have gone further in abandoning readership revenue by making their print editions free. The New York Times' publisher, Arthur Sulzberger, 30 that the move is a gamble: 'This is a bet, to a certain degree, in where we think the web is going.' Boasting a print 31 of 995,000 on weekdays and 1.4 million on Sundays, The New York Times is the third best-selling American newspaper, behind the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. While most US papers focus on a single city, The New York Times is among the few that can 32 national scope—as well as 16 bureaus in the New York area, it has 11 offices around the US and 33 26 bureaus elsewhere in the world. But like many in the publishing industry, the paper is in the grip of a serious financial crisis. Its parent company, the New York Times Company, has 15 papers, but 34 a loss of $70 million in the nine months to September and recently accepted a $250 million loan from a Mexican billionaire, Carlos Slim, to strengthen its balance sheet. A. suffered B. targeted C. circulation D. set out E. acknowledged F. abandoning G. multiplied H. intend to I. maintains J. claim K. evaluation L. set in M. on N. exceeded O. abusing

单选题 中国传统婚礼 中国传统婚礼是华夏文化的精粹。中国古人认为黄昏是一天中最吉利的时间，所以会在黄昏举行婚礼。中国人喜爱红，将红色看作是幸福、成功、好运、忠诚和繁荣的象征。因此在传统中国婚礼上，主色调是红色，有红色的蜡烛、红色的缎带(ribbon)、红花和新娘的红衣和红鞋。新娘吃的食物也是一种文化象征。新娘一般会吃红枣(red date)、花生、桂圆(longan)和瓜子(melon seed)，其中的象征意义可以从这四种食物的读音中看出。当这四种食物放在一起读时就是“早生贵子”。

单选题Looked at your child's handwriting lately (or your own) and thought it could use some improvement? Then did you wonder: Does it even matter in this age of digital correspondence? Turns out, it may. In today's Wall Street Journal story, we talk about new research 26 how handwriting helps with learning letters and shapes, can improve idea 27 and expression and may even 28 fine motor skill development. Even adults can benefit from the practice when studying new graphically different languages—such as Chinese—or symbols in sciences such as chemistry. Some physicians say it could help keep our minds 29 as we age. 30 , it may be modern technology that gives a boost to handwriting's resurgence (复兴). For anyone whose kids balk at (畏缩) or have 31 with traditional handwriting instruction, the arrival of new educational 32 for the iPhone, iPod, iPad and other touch screen devices may come as a welcome teaching aid. We checked out a few in the iTunes application store with names such as abc PocketPhonics, ABC Tracer and iWriteWords. Cheering pencils and encouraging animals give 33 feedback for good performance. Parents who've downloaded them say their kids think learning to write on these devices is a game. There are also adult apps, such as the $3.99 WritePad, which 34 your own handwriting to text. Some adults are setting out to fix their own handwriting through traditional means. Have you noticed a decline in your penmanship (书法) or are you 35 about your child's writing? How much time does your kid spend handwriting each week versus typing on a keyboard or handheld device? Do you think handwriting matters in the digital age? A. affirm B. aid C. composition D. concerned E. convert F. declining G. deemed H. games I. Ironically J. Naturally K. positive L. prosperity M. sharp N. showing O. trouble

单选题 A hugely wealthy wife is suing The Ritz in London after she lost ￡2 million in a single evening at its casino, saying it knew she was a gambling addict and should have stopped her. Multi-millionairess Nora Al-Daher, 50, posted the stunning loss in just a few hours at the West End casino in April 2012, fooling away thousands upon thousands at the Ritz Club's punto banco card table. Now she wants the money she paid out to be returned. She claims that club staff, who she says knew of her addiction, stood behind her at the table encouraging her to keep playing. The Omani politician's wife told the High Court: I needed someone that night to tell me to stop playing and bring me to my senses. If I had been told to stop, of course I would stop immediately. No one ever told me to stop or think about my gambling. They should have discouraged me, but instead they took advantage of me.' The court heard Mrs Al-Daher, who lives in Muscat, had already suffered substantial losses at other casinos when she arrived at The Ritz on the evening of April 3, 2012. She said at first she did not want to play, but only a matter of hours later, her ￡1.7 million cheque cashing limit had been reached and then extended, and she was ￡2 million down. Her lawyer, Robert Deacon, told Judge Anthony Seys Llewellyn that Mrs Al-Daher had made it clear when she arrived that she was 'a gambling addict', had made substantial losses elsewhere and did not want to play. 'The staff paid no regard to her upset behaviors or what she told them,' he said. 'She began gambling and, as her losses mounted, staff encouraged her to continue, saying she was going to win. As her gambling continued, staff stood behind her with prewritten cheques which were provided to her until ￡2million was gambled and lost. Staff positively encouraged her when she was losing, saying 'anything for you, Princess Nora...we trust you...no problem...relax...Don't worry...next time you will get your money back'. The Ritz Hotel and Casino Ltd failed to take any reasonable measures to prevent or lighten the consequences or worsening of self-inflicted harm by the assumption of control over her.' Mrs Al-Daher said she first realised she was a gambling addict in 1999 but struggled to admit to herself how serious her problem was. Between 1999 and 2012 she lost more than ￡7million at the Ritz alone.

单选题 Americans today don't place a very high value on intellect. Our heroes are athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs, not scholars. Even our schools are where we send our children to get a practical education—not to pursue knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Symptoms of pervasive anti-intellectualism in our schools aren't difficult to find. 'Schools have always been in a society where practice is more important than intellect', says education writer Diane Ravitch. 'Schools could be a counterbalance'. Ravitch's latest book, Left Back: A Century of Failed School Reforms, traces the roots of anti-intellectualism in our schools, concluding they are anything but a counterbalance to the American distaste for intellectual pursuits. But they could and should be. Encouraging kids to reject the life of the mind leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and control. Without the ability to think critically, to defend their ideas and understand the ideas of others, they cannot fully participate in our democracy. Continuing along this path, says writer Earl Shorris, 'We will become a second-rate country. We will have a less civil society'. 'Intellect is resented as a form. of power or privilege', writes historian and Professor Richard Hofstadter in Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, a Pulitzer Prize winning book on the roots of anti-intellectualism in U.S. politics, religion, and education. From the beginning of our history, says Hofstadter, our democratic and populist urges have driven us to reject anything that smells of elitism. Practicality, common sense, and native intelligence have been considered more noble qualities than anything you could learn from a book. Ralph Waldo Emerson and other Transcendentalist philosophers thought schooling and rigorous book learning put unnatural restraints on children, 'We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for 10 or 15 years and come out at last with a bellyful of words and do not know a thing'. Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn exemplified American anti-intellectualism. Its hero avoids being civilized—going to school and learning to read, so he can preserve his innate goodness. Intellect, according to Hofstadter, is different from native intelligence, a quality we reluctantly admire. Intellect is the critical, creative, and contemplative side of the mind. Intelligence seeks to grasp, manipulate, re-order, and adjust, while intellect examines, ponders, wonders, theorizes, criticizes and imagines. School remains a place where intellect is mistrusted. Hofstadter says our country's educational system is in the grips of people who 'joyfully and militantly proclaim their hostility to intellect and their eagerness to identify with children who show the least intellectual promise'.