Lawmakers in the United States have expanded an investigation into the use of location-tracking systems on mobile devices． The action follows recent reports about the storing of information on the Apple iPhone． Some people consider location tracking to be a threat to personal privacy and security．
Allan Friedman, the research director, says, “All wireless companies do some location tracking as part of their networks． This information is usually stored by the companies, not the devices, and there are laws to protect it． Law enforcement（執(zhí)法） agencies, for example, have to have a fairly high standard before it can access that data． And the phone company is also prohibited from selling that information．
Now, two researchers report that location tracking information is being stored directly on Apple devices． They said Apple’s newest operating systems gather global positioning system and timestamp information． The information is stored on the device in a file that is also uploaded （上傳） to any computer that the device is connected to． The researchers say the information is available to anyone who has access to the device or computer．
Allan Friedman says, “This raises additional concerns． There’s the idea that because it’s on my phone and on my computer, rogue applications（惡意程序） that I pay for or that I’m tricked into downloading may be able to access this data and somehow misuse it．”
Apple says it is “not tracking the location of your iPhone”． It is simply keeping a database of Wi-Fi hotspots and cellphone towers near the user’s location． This information is meant to help the iPhone quickly find its location when needed．
Letters have been sent to some of the leading mobile device developers, including Apple and Google． The letters asked for more information about their location tracking systems． Allan Friedman calls this an important start to strengthening privacy laws． He says, “There aren’t strong controls over things like location information, what they are doing with it, how long they are keeping it． And perhaps the most important question is, is my location data with other facts about me?”
【小題1】Why did American lawmakers investigate the use of location-tracking systems on cell-phones?

A．Because the systems can store users’ information

B．Because many users have suffered loss after using them．

C．Because it is thought to threaten users’ privacy．

D．Because many reporters have shown the problem of the systems．

【小題2】 Allan Friedman believes that ________．

A．wireless companies focus on personal privacy．

B．people are forbidden to get access to private data at will

C．phone companies may sell private information secretly

D．customers may ask wireless companies to locate their tracking

【小題3】 What do we know from Paragraph 3?

A． Location tracking information is stored online．

B．Apple’s newest operating systems collect all kinds of information．

C．Location tracking information may be uploaded to any iPhone．

D．Apple’s newest operating systems may reveal the private information of users．

【小題4】Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Apple denies that it tracks the location of users．

B．The researchers may misunderstand the Apple’s systems．

C．The global positioning system is to blame for rogue applications．

D．The iPhone can quickly find its location by using its user’s information．

As the population of the planet increases, so does the number of homes, businesses, parking lots, schools, airports and roadways. All these structures use electricity and need to be lighted. Humans demand these lights. They want their homes more comfortable and they want their streets sage. The problem is that researchers are finding that all the light is having a negative effect on humans and wildlife as well.
Less than 10 years ago I drove to a thinly populated section of my town, lay down in the middle of the road and watched an attracted meteor shower(流星雨). The area was short of homes, street lights and traffic. If I did that today, I wouldn’t be able to see the meteor shower as well, and I would surely be run over by a car.
Nowadays scientists are finding light pollution can be almost as bad as carbon dioxide pollution. If you’ve ever taken a flight at night, the view is beautiful, but you must remember that all the light you see is wasted electricity. The crew of the space shuttles see an even bigger picture of how extensive the wasted electricity is worldwide.
Additionally, electricity needs to be generated, and the generation of electricity creates pollution by giving off greenhouse gases. This affects the air we breathe and our quality of life.
Scientists are also studying the effects of light pollution on wildlife. Thousands of birds die each year when they crash into highly lighted buildings, as they become puzzled by the light. It has been long known that tiny sea turtle hatchlings become lost and follow lights on the shore instead of heading towards the sea.
Fortunately, light pollution is one of the easiest sources of pollution that can be corrected without a negative effect. Following some guidelines and a little searching on Google can give you many ideas on how to reduce your contribution to light pollution. 
【小題1】The author tells the story in the second paragraph mainly to _________.

A．remember the past beauty of the town.

B．stress the advantages of less pollution

C．show the great changes of the town

D．prove the bad effects of light pollution

【小題2】In the passage the author advises people _________.

A．to try to reduce unnecessary light.

B．not to ignore the beauty around.

C．to set proper light for animals

D．not to destroy the animal’s living conditions.

【小題3】What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Light pollution is difficult to deal with.

B．Light pollution is a threat to some animals.

C．Light pollution has nothing to do with global warming

D．Astronauts can’t see clearly in space due to light pollution.

【小題4】What is most likely to be discussed in the paragraph which follows the last paragraph?

A．The author’s contribution to light pollution

B．Other sources of light pollution

C．Ways of reducing light pollution

D．More bad effects of light pollution

A scientist who developed a way to calculate how much water is used in the production of anything from a cup of coffee to a hamburger was awarded the 2008 Stockholm Water Prize.
Professor John Anthony Allan of the University of London in Britain won the award for introducing the idea of “virtual water (虛擬水)”, a calculation method that has changed the nature of trade policy and research.
Allan has written seven books and published more than 100 papers.
The Stockholm International Water Institute said this idea is now embedded (埋藏) in the production of foods and industrial products. The institute said Allan’s work had made a big effect on global trade policy and research, especially in water-scarce (缺水的) regions.
“The improved understanding of trade and water management issues on local, regional and global scales are of the highest value for the successful and sustainable (可持續(xù)的) use of water resources,” it said.
“People do not only use water when they drink it or take a shower,” the institute said. “Behind the morning cup of coffee, there are 140 liters of water that was used to grow, produce, package and ship the beans.” That is about as much water as a person in England uses on average for all daily drinking and household needs.
“For a single hamburger, about 2,400 liters of water are needed. In the USA, the average person uses nearly 7,000 liters of virtual water every day.” It said that was more than three times the average use of a Chinese person.
【小題1】Allan was awarded the prize because _______.

A．he wrote seven books on trade policy

B．he published more than 100 papers on water management

C．he found a new kind of water in water-scarce areas

D．he came up with the idea of virtual water

【小題2】Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．The average American uses about 7,000 liters of water a day.

B．The average Chinese uses nearly 2,300 liters of virtual water a day.

C．An Englishman usually drinks about 140 liters of coffee a day.

D．A hamburger usually contains about 2,400 liters of water.

【小題3】What do we learn about John Anthony Allan from the passage?
A. He won the 2008 Nobel Prize.        B. He has written over 100 books.
C. He works at the University of London.        D. He lives in the USA.
【小題4】What effect does the idea of virtual water have?

A．It helps us realize the importance of trade.

B．It helps people do successful business.

C．It helps us make use of water scientifically.

D．It tells us how much water we use a day.

Water problems in the future will become more intense and more complex. Our increasing population will tremendously increase urban wastes, primarily sewage. On the other hand, increasing demands for water will decrease substantially the amount of water available for diluting wastes. Rapidly expanding industries which involve more and more complex chemical processes will produce larger volumes of liquid wastes, and many of these will contain chemicals which are noxious. To feed our rapidly expanding population, agriculture will have to be intensified. This will involve ever - increasing quantities of agricultural chemicals. From this, it is apparent that drastic steps must be taken immediately to develop corrective measures for the pollution problem.
There are two ways by which this pollution problem can be dwindled(減少). The first relates to the treatment of wastes to decrease their pollution hazard . This involves the processing of solid wastes "prior to" disposal and the treatment of liquid wastes, or effluents, to permit the reuse of the water or minimize pollution upon final disposal .
A second approach is to develop an economic use for all or a part of the wastes. Farm manure is spread in fields as a nutrient or organic supplement. Effluents from sewage disposal plants are used in some areas both for irrigation and for the nutrients contained. Effluents from other processing plants may also be used as a supplemental source of water. Many industries, such as meat and poultry processing plants, are currently converting former waste products into marketable byproducts. Other industries are potential economic uses for waste products.
【小題1】The purpose of this passage is ________.

A．to alert the reader to the dwindling water supply

B．to explain industrial uses of water

C．to acquaint the reader with water pollution problems

D．to demonstrate various measures to solve the pollution problem

【小題2】Which of the following points is NOT included in the passage?

A．Industrial development includes the simplification of complex chemical processes.

B．Diluting wastes needs certain amount of water.

C．Demands for water will go up along with the expanding population .

D．Intensive cultivation of land require more and more chemicals.

【小題3】The reader can conclude that _________.

A．countries of the world will work together on pollution problems

B．byproducts from wastes lead to a more prosperous marketplace

C．science is making great progress in increasing water supplies

D．some industries are now making economic use of wastes

【小題4】The author gives substance to the passage through the use of________.

A．interviews with authorities in the field of water controls

B．opinions and personal observations

C．definitions which clarify important terms

D．strong arguments and persuasions

【小題5】The underlined words "prior to"(para. 2)probably man________.

A．a(chǎn)fter

B．during

C．before

D．beyond

If your mother wants to tell you something, she uses words. Birds can not talk as we do. But some birds can make sounds to warn their young of danger. They have their own ways to make the young birds do certain thing.
The jackdaw is a kind of blackbirds that lives in Europe. Jackdaws live together in flocks. ( 群) Yong jackdaws do not know their enemies. When an older jackdaw sees a dog , it makes a loud tattling (格格響的)sound.The young birds know this sound means an enemy is nearby.  The sounds warns them to know their enemy.
If a young jackdaw is in a dangerous place, a jackdaw parent flies over him from behind.The parent bird flies low over the young bird’s back, the parents’ tail feathers move quickly from side to side, It is trying to say, “ Follow me.”
At the same time , the parent calls out, “ Key-aw ,Key-aw.” The parent means, “ Fly home with me.” The young bird then follows the older one home.
Young jackdaws do not have to learn what certain sounds mean.They know the meaning of these sounds from the time they hatch.
【小題1】The jackdaw lives in _____ .

A．Europe

B．Australia

C．America

D．Africa

【小題2】When an old jackdaw sees a dog , it _____ .

A．calls out “Follow me .”	B．makes a loud sound
C．flies away	D．fights the dog .

【小題3】 Parent jackdaw can use their tail feathers to ______ .

A．a(chǎn)sk their young to follow them	B．play a game with the young
C．tell the meal time	D．give a warning of a fire

【小題4】The story tells much about _____ .

A．the danger of jackdaws.

B．in which mother can talk to their children.

C．the way jackdaws warn their young of danger.

D．how the jackdaws are living.

【小題5】 Which of the following does this story lead you to believe ?

A．All animal parents can talk to their young.

B．Dogs are the most dangerous enemies for jackdaws.

C．Young jackdaws know the meaning of their parents’ sound when they grow older .

D．Some birds can give certain information to one another.

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 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 industry!
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 beings 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】The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.

A．survival chances	B．potential resources
C．unexpected benefits	D．physical possessions

【小題4】What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

A．O ur genetic makeup.	B．Resources on the earth..
C．The adaptive ability of humans.	D．By-products in space exploration.

【小題5】Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?

A．Space exploration has created many wonders.

B．Space exploration provides the best value for money.

C．Space exploration can benefit science and technology

D．Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

Today, there’s hardly an aspect of our life that isn’t being upended by the tons of information available on the hundreds of millions of sites crowding the Internet, not to mention its ability to keep us in constant touch with each other via electronic mail. “If the automobile and aerospace technology had exploded at the same pace as computer and information technology,” says Microsoft, “a new car would cost about $ 2 and go 600 miles on a small quantity of gas. And you could buy a Boeing 747 for the cost of a pizza.”
Probably the biggest payoff, however, is the billions of dollars the Internet is saving companies in producing goods and serving for the needs of their customers. Nothing like it has been seen since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when power-driven machines began producing more in a day than men could turn out in nearly a year. “We view the growth of the Internet and e-commerce as a global trend,” says Merrill Lynch, “along the lines of printing press, the telephone, the computer, and electricity.”
You would be hard pressed to name something that isn’t available on the Internet. Consider: books, health care, movie tickets, construction materials, baby clothes, stocks, cattle feed, music, electronics, antiques, tools, real estate, toys, autographs of famous people, wine and airline tickets. And even after you’ve moved on to your final resting place, there’s no reason those you love can’t keep in touch. A company called FinalThoughts.com offers a place for you to store “afterlife e-mails” you can send to Heaven with the help of a “guardian angel”.
Kids today are so computer literate that it in fact ensures the United States will remain the unchallenged leader in cyberspace for the foreseeable(能預(yù)測(cè)的) future. Nearly all children in families with incomes of more than $75,000 a year have home computers, according to a study by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Youngsters from ages 2 to 17 at all income levels have computers, with 52% of those connected to the Internet. Most kids use computers to play games (some for 30 hours or more a week), and many teenage girls think nothing of rushing home from school to have e-mail chats with friends they have just left.
What’s clear is that, whether we like it or not, the Internet is an ever growing part of our lives and there is no turning back. “The Internet is just 20% invented,” says cyber pioneer Jake Winebaum. “The last 80% is happening now.”
【小題1】What can we learn from the Microsoft’s remark?

A．Today’s cars and airplanes are extremely overpriced.

B．Information technology is developing at an amazing speed.

C．Information technology has reached the point where improvement is difficult.

D．There’s more competition in information technology industry than in car industry.

【小題2】According to the author, the biggest benefit of the Internet is that___.

A．it saves companies huge amounts of money	B．it speeds up profit making
C．it brings people incredible convenience	D．it provides easy access to information

【小題3】 The author gives the example of FinalThoughts.com to make the point that____.

A．there are some genius ideas on the Internet

B．a(chǎn)lmost anything is available on the Internet

C．people can find good bargains on the Internet

D．some websites provide novel services to increase hits

【小題4】What can we learn from the fourth paragraph?

A．There is a link between income and computer ownership.

B．Many American children don’t put computers to good use.

C．Studies show that boys are more computer literate than girls.

D．The U.S. will stay ahead in the information technology in years.

【小題5】What is the message the author intends to convey?

A．The Internet is going to get firm hold of our lives some day.

B．The Internet is going to influence our lives even more greatly.

C．We should have a positive attitude towards the changes the Internet brings.

D．Children should be well prepared for the challenges in the information age.

Although many butterflies remain to be decreasing in the long run, last year three quarters of endangered species saw an increase in number, including some rare species.
Experts said the improvement in the butterflies’ fortunes was likely to be the result of effective action on protection, such as leaving open wetland in woods where flowers can grow, and better weather in 2010 after three damaging wet summers.
Dr Tom Brereton said butterflies are extremely sensitive to changes in the weather. Last year saw a warm summer for successful feeding, which helped a number of butterflies in some way.
He even said climate change could be benefiting some butterfly species but many other butterfly species suffer from it. For example, the mountain ringlet suffers as it needs cold climates. And at the same time, the change is too rapid for most to get used to.
In the long run butterfly numbers have continued to drop, with three quarters of the nearly 60 species found in Britain seeing numbers fall in recent decades and nearly half of them seriously threatened.
The Lulworth skipper, one of the UK’s rarest butterflies, had its worst year since 1976, and there are people worrying that changing the environment to benefit other species may be harming this kind of butterfly. Wild flowers have been grown in some places to help other butterflies but the Lulworth skipper needs long grass and wild areas. Meadow browns, the country’s most common species, also had the worst year on record. Some other kinds of butterflies also had a bad year.
However, in the short term many butterflies saw an increase in number in 2010 compared to 2009 levels.
…
【小題1】Which was a reason for the increase in the number of the butterflies last year?

A．The protection of humans.	B．A wet summer.
C．Changes in the butterflies’ habits.	D．The decrease in wetland in woods.

【小題2】We can learn from Dr Tom Brereton’s words that       .

A．the mountain ringlet can quickly adapt to climate change

B．butterflies can help slow down climate change

C．climate change can be both beneficial and harmful to butterflies

D．other kinds of animals also suffer from climate change

【小題3】What is most likely to be discussed in the following paragraph?

A．Why some butterflies decreased in number in 2010.

B．How to protect butterflies in the coming winter.

C．Effects of climate change on butterflies.

D．Examples of butterflies that have increased in number.

【小題4】What is the passage mainly about?

A．Some butterflies in Britain have had a good year.

B．Butterflies in Britain have different habits.

C．Butterflies are well protected in Britain.

D．Butterflies are disappearing from Britain.

Ever wondered how one person could save the planet from the effects of climate change?
A British-made computer game on trial release on Monday creates different ways of doing just that．
“Fate of the World”puts the Earth’s future in players’ hands, placing them in charge of an international environmental body which could save the world from the effects of rising greenhouse gas emissions（排放）or let it destroyed by more emissions．
Through different scenes, players can explore options such as geoengineering（地球工程） and alternative energy sources to save the planet from rising temperatures, decreasing natural resources and a growing population over the next 200 years．
An improved version of the game will be followed by a three-month feedback period from players, with final release due in February next year．
Created by Oxford-based games developer Red Redemption, the game is different from other mainstream action games mainly by using data from real climate models and advice from scientists and economists．
“Science data is often inaccessible and we are trying to put players in a position of power and connected with the issues,” Gobion Rowlands, Red Redemption’s founder and chairman said．
This year, a series of apparent errors in climate science and the failure of UN talks to reach an international deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions appeared to weaken the public’s interest in climate change．
However, games centered on sustainability（持續(xù)性）and human rights have been growing in popularity and are welcomed by green groups as a way of raising awareness．
Using climate change as inspiration for entertainment shows the issue has affected global culture, which can only be a good thing．Friends of the Earth’s head of climate Mike Childs said.“We need creative industries to work with these big issues as the results can be extremely powerful and can help us to understand what a sustainable future looks and feels like,”he added．
【小題1】“Fate of the World” in the passage refers to                      ．

A．a(chǎn) book on computer games	B．a(chǎn) company developing computer games
C．a(chǎn) computer game on climate change	D．a(chǎn) player in charge of computer games

【小題2】What makes the climate computer game different from the other games?

A．It uses data from real climate models and advice from experts．

B．It is the only computer game about climate．

C．It can save the planet from the effect of climate change．

D．It aims to affect the global culture．

【小題3】It can be concluded from the passage that                        ．

A．games on sustainability and human rights are very popular among young players

B．the game increases players’ awareness of environmental protection

C．only computer experts can play the new climate computer game

D．a(chǎn)fter a three-month feedback period from players, the new game is on sale now

【小題4】Which of the following can NOT the players experience while playing the new game?

A．Challenging the climate change in an unreal world

B．Understanding what a sustainable future looks and feels like

C．Enjoying the power to decide the earth’s fate

D．Predicting what will happen in 200 years

【小題5】In which column of a newspaper can you probably read this article?

A．Weather & Climate	B．Science & Technology
C．Life & Entertainment	D．Sports & Culture

From a very early age, some children show better self-control than others. Now, a new study that began with about 1,000 children in New Zealand has tracked how a child’s low self-control can predict poor health, money troubles and even a criminal record in their adult years.
Researchers have been studying this group of children for decades now. They observed the level of self-control the youngsters displayed. Parents, teachers, even the kids themselves, scored the youngsters on measures like “acting before thinking” and “Persistence in reaching goals.”
The study led  by Moffitt of Duke University and colleagues followed 1,000 children from birth to age 32 in Dunedin, New Zealand.
“The children who had the lowest self-control when they were age three to ten, later on had the most health problems in their 30s,” Moffitt said，“and they had the worst financial situation. They were more likely to have a criminal record and to be raising a child as a single parent on a very low income.” Moffitt explained that self-control problems were widely observed, and weren’t just a feature of a small group of misbehaving kids.
Moffitt said it’s still unclear why some children have better self-control than others, though she said other researchers have found that it’s mostly a learned behavior, with relatively little genetic influence. But good self-control can be set to run in families because children with good self-control are more likely to grow up to be healthy and prosperous parents. But the good news, Moffitt said, is that self-control can be taught by parents, and through school curricula that have been shown to be effective.
【小題1】From the first two paragraphs we learn that                      .

A．the research has been carried out for five years

B．self-control in kids tends to determine their future

C．self-control was assessed by children’s intelligence

D．children’s self-control is almost the same at early age

【小題2】Children with low self-control are more likely to                        .

A．become wealthy in later life	B．get good school performance
C．have better financial planning	D．a(chǎn)dopt negative behaviors

【小題3】According to Moffitt，                       .

A．only good genetic factors can shape their lives in the future

B．scientists know well why some children have better self-control

C．self-control in childhood has nothing to do with criminal activity

D．willpower as a child really influences people’s chances of adulthood

【小題4】What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Self-control cannot be taught in schools.

B．The study is restricted within few participants.

C．It’s never too late to deal with self-control problems.

D．Good parenting can improve self-control and life success.

【小題5】Which of the following might be the best title of the  passage？

A．Child’s self-control predicts future health and success

B．Kids are encouraged to take risks at an early age

C．Children’s development cannot be changed by teachers

D．How to teach the kids a bit of self-control in schools