There has been a dramatic increase in the number of natural disasters over the past few years, and it is assumed that global warming and climate change could cause even more disasters in the future. Some of the world’s leading cities are facing disasters like floods and heat waves.
London
London’s flood defences are getting older. Since 1982, the Thames Barrier(水閘)has protected the city from the threat of flooding, but it was only designed to last until 2030 and close once every two or three years. About 26 years later the barrier now closes five or six times a year and according to Environment Agency predictions, by 2050 the barrier will be closed on almost every tide if the problem is not addressed.
There are 26 underground stations, 400 schools, 16 hospitals, an airport and 80 billion worth of property in London’s flood risk area, so large scale flooding would be disastrous.
Paris
Over a six week period in July and August 2003, more than 1 1,400—mainly elderly people—died in France from dehydration(脫水)and extremely high body temperature in a deadly heat wave. Heat waves of similar intensity(強(qiáng)度)are expected every seven years by 2050, so what can be done to make sure such a disaster does not happen again?
One solution is to have air-conditioners installed in elderly care homes. But this is considered a short-term solution, as the increase in demand for electricity also increases carbon emissions(排放).
In Paris the local authorities are encouraging architects to design new types of buildings such as the building “Flower Tower,” which uses a covering of bamboo to act as a natural air-conditioner.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the fastest growing city on Earth. It has a population of 18 million and is only 4 meters above sea level. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 20 cm within the next century.
An estimated 250，000 people move to Shanghai every year in search of work, placing extra demands on energy consumption. China relies heavily on coal—fired power stations, but these emissions increase temperatures and, in turn, warmer seas increase the risk of typhoons.
【小題1】What problem should be settled now in London?

A．How to protect the city’s property
B．Where to build its flood defences
C．How to use the Thames Barrier to protect the city
D．How to improve the function of the old flood defences
【小題2】Which of the following measures can’t solve the heat wave disaster in Paris?
A．Putting up new types of buildings with a covering of bamboo
B．Having air-conditioners installed in elderly care homes
C．Forbidding the city to build“Flower Tower”
D．Encouraging architects to design new types of buildings
【小題3】The major threats to Shanghai are          ．
A．increasing population and coal-fired power stations
B．rising sea levels and typhoons
C．extremely high temperature and rising sea levels
D．extra demands on energy consumption and typhoons
【小題4】The purpose of the passage is      ．
A．to tell us how to protect the big cities
B．to give advice on how to defend natural disasters
C．to explain what causes flood and heat waves
D．to warn us of the increasing natural disasters in big cities
【小題5】Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A．Big Cities Facing Big Disasters
B．Big Disasters in the Future
C．The Increase of Natural Disasters
D．Solutions to Natural Disasters


【小題1】D
【小題2】C
【小題3】B
【小題4】D
【小題5】A

解析試題分析：全文主要是圍繞著三個(gè)聞名于世的大城市面臨的災(zāi)難展開介紹的，目的就是呼吁人們關(guān)注全球變暖和氣候變化對(duì)地球的影響，希望引起人們關(guān)注災(zāi)害對(duì)大城市的破壞。
【小題1】細(xì)節(jié)理解題。在介紹倫敦時(shí)，第一句話“London's flood defences are getting older.”就點(diǎn)明了倫敦的危機(jī)暗伏的原因是防洪堤老化。所以解決的方法就是改善防洪堤。選D。
【小題2】推理判斷題。在介紹巴黎時(shí)，說到了解決問題的兩種辦法，一種是使用空調(diào)，但這種辦法不是長久之計(jì)；另外一種就是在建筑上使用竹子屋頂型的花塔，所以A、B、D三項(xiàng)均正確，而C項(xiàng)forbid正好與文章要表達(dá)的意思相反。
【小題3】細(xì)節(jié)理解題。在介紹上海這一城市時(shí)，第一段說的是海平面，第二段說的是臺(tái)風(fēng)。選B。
【小題4】寫作意圖題。作者寫這篇文章的目的就是呼吁人們關(guān)注全球變暖和氣候變化對(duì)地球的影響，就全文來說，是希望引起人們關(guān)注災(zāi)害對(duì)大城市的破壞。選D。
【小題5】主旨大意題。抓住關(guān)鍵詞，全文主要是圍繞著三個(gè)聞名于世的大城市面臨的災(zāi)難展開介紹的，關(guān)鍵詞是big city和disasters。選A。
考點(diǎn)：考查環(huán)保類短文

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources.
Today’s consumer faces a wider range of choices than ever before, Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns, and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste, safeguard health and protect the environment, you’ll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want.
1. Do Your Homework
Before making any major purchase, take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry, and don’t be persuaded by overenthusiastic salespeople. Sleep on it if necessary—you won’t regret giving yourself some extra time to think.
2. Take the Long View
Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example, pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood, which may break easily.
3. Skip the Disposable Option
Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels, handkerchiefs, serviettes（餐巾）and cleaning cloths rather than paper, single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups, glasses, and chopsticks, too.
4. Take the Local Route
Buy local products that are in season. It’s usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one.
5. Avoid Wasteful Packaging
Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It’s estimated that approximately 10 percent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging—which you normally just throw away! Moreover, significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste.
【小題1】What could be the best title for this passage?

A．Protection of the Planet
B．Green Shopping Principles
C．Environmentally Friendly Products
D．Resource Conservation
【小題2】The underlined phrase “sleep on it” has the similar meaning with      .
A．think it over B．forget about it
C．set it aside D．put it into action
【小題3】Why does the author advise us to buy lasting products?
A．Because they are less expensive to buy.
B．Because they save money in the long run.
C．Because they will never break.
D．Because they are local products.
【小題4】Which of the following can be considered green shopping?
A．Following the stream of sales campaigns.
B．Buying disposable chopsticks.
C．Focusing on packaging.
D．Purchasing from local markets.

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

All around the world, shoppers flock to Wal-Mart to buy everything. In Texas, they come for another reason: to see the wind turbine（渦輪機(jī)）, which supplies 5% of the store’s electricity. It along with other facilities, such as exterior walls coated with heat-reflective paint, makes this Wal-Mart a green giant.
The laws of economics suggest that Wal-Mart, with 5, 200 stores worldwide, influences everything including the price of all kinds of goods. It throws its weight behind environmental responsibility, and the impact could be amazing. “One little change in product packaging could save 1, 500 trees,” says Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott．“If everybody saves 1, 500 trees or 50 barrels of oil, at the end of the day you have made a huge difference.”
Scott wants Wal-Mart to do its part too. He has promised to cut the existing greenhouse-gas emissions（排放）over the next few years and promised to construct new stores that are more efficient. He wants Wal-Mart’s fleet of more than 7, 000 trucks to get twice as many miles per gallon by 2015. Factories that show Wal-Mart they’re cutting air pollution will get preferential treatment in the supply chain. Wal-Mart says it’s working with consumer-product manufacturers to reduce their packaging and will reward them if they do so.
Some people may doubt it is a bid to attract attention from Wal-Mart’s controversial labor and health-insurance practices. But it’s not just window dressing, because Wal-Mart sees profits in                                                                                          going green. Scott says, “This is a business philosophy, not a social philosophy. We don’t go where we don’t think there’s a great interest in change.”
Like Bill Gates, who started his charitable foundation, Scott happens to be promoting Wal-Mart’s image at a time when his company’s reputation is declining. He acknowledges that he launched the plan partly to shield （保護(hù)）Wal-Mart from bad press about its contribution to global warming. “By doing what we’re doing today, we avoid the headline risks that are going to come for people who did not do anything,” he says. “At some point businesses will be held responsible for the action they take.” Meanwhile, should Wal-Mart succeed at shrinking its environmental footprint and lowering prices for green products, both the planet and the company will profit.
【小題1】We can infer from the passage that ______.

A．Lee Scott is Wal-Mart’s CEO
B．there are 5, 200 stores in the world
C．Wal-Mart has a great influence on the world market
D．Wal-Mart has more than 7, 000 trucks all over the world
【小題2】What does the underlined sentence “This is a business philosophy, not a social philosophy.” mean in the fourth paragraph?
A．Wal-Mart predicts huge profits in its green activity.
B．Wal-Mart’s green activity is just window dressing.
C．Wal-Mart aims to solve its health-insurance practices.
D．Wal-Mart doesn’t have any social responsibility at all.
【小題3】What will Wal-Mart probably do in the future?
A．Reduce air pollution in its present stores.
B．Give favorable treatment to its consumers.
C．Ask the factories to reduce their packaging.
D．Demand the fleet of trucks to use more fuel than before.
【小題4】What is the main idea of the last paragraph?
A．Provide the background of the green plan.
B．Stress the purpose of Wal-Mart’s green plan.
C．Present the risk that Wal-Mart is facing nowadays.
D．Analyze the similarity between Bill Gates and Scott.

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

Robots are smart. With their computer brains, they help people work in dangerous places or do difficult jobs. Some robots do regular jobs. Bobby, the robot mail carrier, brings mail to a large office building in Washington, D.C. He is one of 250 robot mail carriers in the United States. Mr. Leachim, who weights two hundred pounds and is six feet tall, has some advantages as a teacher. One is that he does not forget details. He knows each child’s name, their parents’ names, and what each child knows and needs to know. In addition, he knows each child’s pets and hobbies. Mr. Leachim does not make mistakes. Each child goes and tells him his or her name, then dials an identification (識(shí)別) number. His computer brain puts the child’s voice and number together. He identifies the child with no mistakes.
Another advantage is that Mr. Leachim is flexible. If the children need more time to do their lessons they can move switches. In this way they can repeat Mr. Leachim’s lesson over and over again. When the children do a good job, he tells them something interesting about their hobbies. At the end of the lesson the children switch Mr. Leachim off.
【小題1】The first paragraph of the passage tells us

A．human beings are not as smart as robots
B．robots will take the place of man to rule the earth
C．we can only use robots to do some regular jobs
D．robots can help people in many different ways
【小題2】What is the most important thing Mr. Leachim can do in his lessons?
A．To meet the needs of each student.
B．To talk to the students in different languages.
C．To keep everyone’s interest in his lessons.
D．To introduce more hobbies to the children.
【小題3】The underlined word “flexible” probably means
A．not strictB．not hard
C．suitableD．changeable
【小題4】Which of the following statements may be TRUE according to the passage?
A. There are 250 robot teachers in the United States.
B. Mr. Leachim is run and controlled by electricity.
C. Bobby works in a large office building in Washington D.C.
D. The lessons taught by Mr. Leachim are given on a TV set.

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

Conservationists have unveiled plans to preserve and protect the world's most important species of coral, in a response to increasing threats that they say will lead to "functional extinction" within decades．
Led by scientists at the Zoological Society of London, the Edge Coral Reefs project has identified 10 coral species in most urgent risk of becoming extinct．The scientists say that reefs are under pressure from a variety of threats including rising sea temperatures due to climatic instability, increased acidity（酸性）, overfishing and pollution．
The Edge plan, which focuses on the most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered species , will take a regional approach to conservation．This means focusing on the "coral triangle" around the Philippines, the West Indian Ocean around the Mozambique channel, and in the Caribbean channel．
"Coral reefs are threatened with functional extinction in the next 20-50 years, due predominantly to global climatic instability," said Catherine Head, coordinator of the reefs project．"In these regions, we'll be supporting and training in-country conservationists to carry out research and implement targeted conservation actions," she said．"Their projects will last initially for two years．We provide them with a whole host of tools to carry out their projects including funding and intensive training．" She added．
Coral reefs are the planet's most diverse marine ecosystem（生態(tài)系統(tǒng)）, known as the rainforests of the oceans．Despite taking up under 0．2% of the ocean floor, they provide food and shelter for almost a third of all sea life．If we lose the ecosystems, we lose not only the biodiversity （生物多樣性）, but we also lose the capability of people to obtain income and food from coral reefs．
Climatic instability, which leads to rising sea temperatures, causes corals to bleach．Bleaching occurs when sea temperatures rise and this causes the coral tissue to expel their symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae - these are what give the coral their colour．Bleached corals often die if the stress continues．Among the 10 species chosen to start the Edge project are the pearl bubble coral, a food source for the hawksbill（玳瑁）turtle, and the Mushroom coral, which supports at least 15 brightly colored fish．
【小題1】What does the first paragraph mean in the passage ?

A．Conservationists planned to preserve and protect some extinct corals years ago．
B．Conservationists have banned plans to protect endangered corals for years．
C．Conservationists are going to protect corals that are dying out in several ten years．
D．Conservationists have made plans to protect corals from being extinct in ten years．
【小題2】What will probably happen to coral species with the increasing threats?
A．Decrease． B．Losing functions
C．Disappearance． D．Existence
【小題3】Which of the following statements about the Edge Plan is TRUE?
A．The Edge Coral Reefs project was carried out by American scientists．
B．The plan concentrates on the channels to protect the endangered species．
C．The Conservationists have carried out the Edge plan for many years to protect the corals．
D．Ten coral species chosen by the project are at the greatest risk of becoming extinct．
【小題4】Which of the following will be the consequence of coral extinction in the passage?
A．We will keep the balance of the marine ecosystems．
B．About one third of the marine species can't survive．
C．Man can benefit more from corals．
D．We will lose the rainforests on our earth．
【小題5】What is the best title of the passage?
A．Climatic Instability and Coral Extinction
B．Reasons for Coral Functional Extinction．
C．A Plan to Save Coral from Extinction
D．A Research about Endangered Coral Reefs．

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

The home computer industry has been growing rapidly in the United States in the last ten years. Computers used to be large, expensive machines that were very difficult to use. But scientists and technicians have been making them smaller and cheaper while at the same time they have been made easier to use. As a result, their popularity has been increasing as more people have been buying computers for their homes and businesses.
Computers have been designed to store information and compute problems that are difficult for human beings to work out. Some have voices that speak to their operators. Stores use computers to keep records of their inventories and to send bills to their customers. Offices use computers to copy letters, record business and keep in touch with other offices. People also use computers in their homes to keep track of the money they spend.
One important new use of computers is for entertainment. Many new games have been designed to be played on computers. People of all ages play these games. People also buy home computers to watch movies and listen to concerts at home. They have become very popular indeed.
【小題1】Compared with those of today, computers used to ______.

A．work rapidlyB．be used for fun
C．be large and expensiveD．be easy to use
【小題2】In recent years, computers have become ______.
A．more and more difficult to useB．slower and slower
C．more and more expensiveD．smaller and smaller
【小題3】Home computers can be used for ______.
A．doing business B．writing letters
C．playing gamesD．a(chǎn)ll of the above
【小題4】Salesmen use computers mainly to ______.
A．talk with their friends
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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

Every time you go to the supermarket, you come away with your purchases in plastic bags. But wouldn’t it be kinder to the environment if you asked for paper bags instead?
The answer is not the easy as it might seem. Environmentalists say there are drawbacks to using both plastic bags and paper bags.
According to the American Plastics Council 80 percent of groceries in the US are packed in plastic bags.
“The numbers are becoming huge,” said Vincent Cobb, a businessman from Chicago who set up “reusable bags. com” on the Internet. He notes that consumers use between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags per year worldwide.
Some experts believe that all these bags harm the environment. Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down and, as it does so, poisonous materials are released into the water and soil.
Further damage is caused if plastic bags enter the sea. For example, endangered sea turtles cannot tell the bags from jellyfish(水母), their main source of food, and often choke on them.
Floating plastic bags have been spotted as far north as the Arctic Ocean and as far south as the southern end of South America. One expert predicts that, within ten years, plastic bags will wash up in Antarctica!
However, this kind of bag does have its advantages.
“Plastic grocery bags are some of the most reused things around the house,” explained Laurie Kusek of the American Plastics Council.
According to the Film and Bag Federation, a trade group in the US plastics industry, paper bags use more energy and create more waste than plastic bags. Plastic bags require 40 per cent less energy to produce and cause 70 per cent less air pollution, the group explained. They also release as much as 94 percent less waste into the water than paper ones.
But paper bags do break down more quickly than plastic bags. They don’t endanger wildlife, either.
So what should we do? One possible solution would be to use biodegradable(能被生物分解的)plastic bags. But until biodegradable technology improves, it might be easier to pack things you buy in reusable cloth bags.
【小題1】The best title of the passage is _____.

A．Paper Causes Less Pollution 
B．Plastic Causes Less Pollution 
C．Paper and Plastics Cause Pollution 
D．Paper Bags Break Down More Quickly 
【小題2】The underlined word “drawbacks” might mean “_____”.
A．Advantages B．disadvantages C．a(chǎn)ir pollution D．waste 
【小題3】According to the passage, which of the following in NOT true?
A．Plastic takes longer to break down than paper. 
B．Sea turtles usually mistake the plastic bags for jellyfish. 
C．Paper bags require less energy than plastic bags. 
D．You’d better pack things in reusable cloth bags. 
【小題4】Which of the following shows that paper bags are better than plastic ones?
A．Paper bags take less time to rot. 
B．Paper bags cause less air pollution. 
C．Paper bags are more reusable. 
D．Paper bags cause less water pollution. 

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因構(gòu)成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潛在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副產(chǎn)品)  of technological developments in the space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
【小題1】Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?

A．To express his doubts
B．To compare different ideas.
C．To introduce points for discussion
D．To describe the conditions on Earth.
【小題2】What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?
A．Humans are nature-born to do so.
B．Humans have the tendency to fight.
C．Humans may find new sources of food.
D．Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.
【小題3】 What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?
A．Our genetic makeup.
B．Resources on the earth..
C．The adaptive ability of humans.
D．By-products in space exploration.

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

 

Pupils remember more and behave better when 3D images are used in lessons, research suggests. They are quicker to learn and absorb new concepts, and display higher levels of concentration.
Professor Anne Bamford, of the University of the Arts, London, studied the effectiveness of 3D content in 15 schools across seven countries, including the UK. Pupils in 3D classes could remember more than those in the 2D classes after four weeks, improving test scores by an average 17 percent compared with eight percent for 2D lessons. They gave more detailed answers to the tasks and were more likely to think in 3D, using hand gestures and mime (模仿動(dòng)作) to answer the test questions successfully.

The teachers commented that the pupils in the 3D groups had deeper understanding, increased attention span, more motivation and higher engagement in the lessons
Children are used to 3D with the rise of computer games that use the technology—90 percent of those in the study had seen a 3D film. Schools would need 3D-enabled projectors（投影儀）, laptops with good picture capabilities, 3D software and glasses for children to introduce animations (動(dòng)作) into classrooms.
But Danny Nicholson, an educationist, said the technology would be impractical to use in schools and could be too expensive. He said,“While I think the idea of 3D technology is very interesting, I worry that 3D is a bit of an expensive gimmick (小玩意兒). There are a few cases where a true 3D image might help, but most of the time, good 2D models that can be moved , would be just so effective.”
In Colorado, the US, one school district is already in the process of having 1,000 3D projectors fixed in classrooms. And the University of Caledonia, which carries out scientific research into the Lake Tabon Basin, has used 3D presentations with Grade Six pupils. Those who watched the 3D presentations were more engaged and reported a general increase in their interest in science compared with students who watched the 2D version.
【小題1】Teachers think pupils in 3D classes      .

A．a(chǎn)re naughtier than those in 2D classes B．have less motivation
C．find it hard to concentrate D．have deeper understanding
【小題2】Danny Nicholson tends to think that      .
A．many pupils prefer 2D models
B．3D is a bit expensive for some schools
C．true 3D images would not help in classes
D．3D technology has a bright future in classes
【小題3】What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A．3D classes will soon be given in one school district in Colorado.
B．Teachers will use the 3D technology through specific training.
C．Many pupils are now more interested in science than before.
D．3D technology will replace 2D models in the future.
【小題4】What is the text mainly about?
A．2D models are always more effective than 3D images.
B．The differences between 3D and 2D images.
C．How schools can make full use of 3D technology.
D．Pupils behave better when 3D images are used in classes.
【小題5】Where is the text most probably taken from?
A．A history book. B．A news story
C．A science magazine. D．A school report.

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