The Maldives faces the threat of extinction from rising sea levels, but the government said on Thursday it was looking to the future with plans to build homes and a golf course that can float.
An increase in sea levels of just 18 to 59 centimeters would make the Maldives --- a nation of a number of tiny coral islands in the Indian Ocean --- not suitable for humans to live in by 2100, the UN’s climate change experts have warned.
President Mohamed Nasheed has declared a fight for survival, and last month he signed a deal with a Dutch company to study suggestions for a floating structure that could support a conference centre, homes and an 18-hole golf course.
The company, Dutch Docklands, is currently building floating developments in the Netherlands and Dubai. Its website said it undertook projects that make “land from water by providing large-scale floating constructions to create similar conditions as on land”.
The Maldives began to work on an artificial island known as the Hulhumale near the crowded capital island of Male in 1997 and more than 30,000 people have been settled there in order to ease crowdedness. The city, which has a population of 100,000, is already protected from rising sea levels by a 30-million-dollar sea wall, and the government is considering increasingly imaginative ways to fight climate change.
Nasheed, who held the world’s first underwater cabinet (内阁) meeting in October to highlight his people’s serious and difficult situation, has even spoken of buying land elsewhere in the world to enable Maldivians to relocate if their homes are completely covered.
He has also promised to turn his nation into a model for the rest of the world by becoming “carbon neutral (碳中和)” by 2020. His plan involves ending fossil fuel use and powering all vehicles and buildings from “green” sources such as burning coconut husks.
1.According to the passage, the Maldives is a country ________.
A. that is made up of many small islands
B. which has been covered by water now
C. where people live in underwater houses
D. whose people live in their floating homes
2.Mohamed Nasheed chose Dutch Docklands for his plan probably because it ________.
A. has a good fame throughout the world
B. charged much less than other companies
C. has experience in building floating structures
D. supports building floating structures in the world
3.The Hulhumale was built for the purpose of ________.
A. attracting more visitors B. making it a new capital
C. fighting against climate change D. making the capital less crowded
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
A. To promote the idea of low-carbon living style.
B. To tell people that the Maldives is disappearing soon.
C. To discuss the causes why the Maldives faces extinction.
D. To introduce the efforts taken by Maldivians to fight for life.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What will the speakers put the vase next to?
A. The fire place. B. The bookshelf. C. The sofa.
2.What is the probable relationship between the speakers?
A. Husband and wife. B. Teacher and student. C. Customer and waitress.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the man doing?
A. Giving a job interview. B. Doing a survey. C. Asking for the way.
2.What will the woman probably do in the next five years?
A. Get married. B. Have children. C. Live with her parents.
3.Why can’t the woman travel?
A. She has no time. B. She is too young. C. She is short of money.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What color of flower will the plant have?
A. Red. B. Pink. C. Purple.
2.When should the man put the flower in the garden?
A. In spring. B. In summer. C. In autumn.
3.How much will the man pay for the plant?
A. $30. B. $10. C. $8.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.When was Hypatia born?
A. In 370 AD. B. In 415 AD. C. In 450 AD.
2.What was Hypatia?
A. A physicist. B. A historian. C. A mathematician.
3.What do we know about Hypatia?
A. She was admired by the rulers.
B. She was instructed by her father.
C. She left us some copies of her books.
4.How did Hypatia die?
A. She was murdered. B. She killed herself. C. She died of an illness.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The burst of barking suddenly woke me up. It was 2:30 a.m. in the early morning. Wondering why Rock was making so loud noises, I decided to go to him. By the time I made it to the bottom of the stairs, he was running up. I felt strange, for he had never come up the stairs, no matter what. I think that was his way of telling me, “We’ve got to go back up.”
When I got to the top of the stairs, I turned around and saw a light on, but I didn’t remember leaving one on. I walked downstairs again, and that’s when I saw fire. I immediately shouted to my wife to wake up and get our three kids. I grabbed a knife and cut out the plastic that covered the window to the porch roof. I then forced open the window and kicked out the screen. I got everybody out on the roof and threw a blanket out there so we wouldn’t slip off. It was cold, January cold. Then I started screaming for help. But help never came.
I was scared of heights, but I couldn’t let my family burn up. So I just jumped off the roof and got the wind knocked out of me when I landed.
I found our ladder, placed it against the house, and climbed back up to the roof. I wrapped my arms around my daughter and carried my nine-month-old with my teeth, by his little sleeper. Then I climbed down the ladder. Once on the ground, I had my little girl hold her brother, and I went back up to the roof to get my other daughter. Then I went back up again and got my wife. I tried to get my dog, but he just disappeared in the black smoke. I never saw Rock alive again.
1.What happened to the author one early January morning?
A. His dog was injured. B. A robbery took place.
C. His house was on fire. D. His wife disappeared.
2.The passage is mainly developed by ________.
A. analyzing causes B. making comparisons
C. giving examples D. following the time order
3.What is the passage mainly talking about?
A. My devoted friend Rock. B. Some tips for surviving a fire.
C. How the fire broke out. D. How my family survived a fire.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
I was on my way home from work, cutting through the park. On that day, the sun seemed to __ faster than usual, and all of a sudden I found myself walking ___. I was less than half a mile from my apartment, __ the path would lead me over a bridge, across train tracks, and __ an unlit underpass (地下通道).
Then __ I heard him --- a stranger running alongside me. My mouth went ___. My legs felt like water. But I didn’t __ my pace. Instead, I stopped, turned, and __ him. He came out of the bushes and said he’d been watching me for a long time. __ he walked beside me, I moved a little closer to the edge of the ___. When we reached the bridge, a train raced past, and he seized the moment, __ himself suddenly at me as his hands ___my throat. The self-defense skills I had learned years before kicked in, and I dug my __ into his eye, hard. But he __ grew bolder (大胆), pulling at my clothes. So I put all my __ into that thumb, and finally he ___.
I was shaking with ___, but I looked him straight in the eye and began to back away. I __ to run the hell out of there, but then I __ another self-defense lesson: Never ___, because then you’re prey (猎物). So I walked away ---alone --- through the dark underpass as I dialed 911 with trembling fingers.
1.A. rise B. lift C. set D. fall
2.A. at a loss B. out of breath C. in a hurry D. in the dark
3.A. but B. so C. or D. for
4.A. across B. past C. through D. by
5.A. immediately B. suddenly C. clearly D. quietly
6.A. cold B. hot C. empty D. dry
7.A. pick up B. use up C. throw up D. break up
8.A. caught B. faced C. hit D. recognized
9.A. Until B. Since C. After D. As
10.A. apartment B. home C. park D. train
11.A. laughing B. throwing C. keeping D. driving
12.A. closed around B. took in C. cut off D. waved at
13.A. head B. arm C. fist D. thumb
14.A. always B. simply C. nearly D. usually
15.A. strength B. ability C. feeling D. attention
16.A. went by B. broke down C. let go D. looked away
17.A. excitement B. joy C. disappointment D. fear
18.A. attempted B. managed C. failed D. preferred
19.A. watched B. learned C. remembered D. found
20.A. wait B. hesitate C. panic D. run
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
With the clicking of walking sticks and determined steps, a long line of walking group along the winding road is a fantastic sight. Almost each of the walkers is using some kind of fitness tracker. A few Fitbits, some Xiaomi wrist bands (手环), a couple of phone apps and some other pedometers (计步器) — and all, they say, are counting their steps.
Fitness trackers are in. Sales figures for 2016 released by Internet Data Center (IDC) indicated 25% market growth compared to the previous year, with Fitbit taking the lion’s share, followed by the brand Xiaomi.
However, the wearables market has had a rollercoaster ride in recent months. Jawbone, once a popular fitness tracker brand, announced that it is leaving the consumer market. Microsoft has removed its Fitness Band on its online store although it is still available on retail (零售) giant Amazon. Fitbit remains a key brand name at the heart of the fitness tracker revolution. But it is recently reported to be cutting down on workers, and its founder James Park said it experienced “softer than expected” sales recently.
Counting steps is probably the most common use of wearable devices (可穿戴设备), but recently experts have questioned whether the golden goal of walking 10,000 steps a day is actually worthwhile, and a US study concluded that health trackers did not aid weight loss.
Analyst Ben Wood from CCS Insight used to wear a fitness tracker on either wrist. Now, however, his concern is about users’experience --- these devices don’t tell you anything new after a while. There are also battery problems and many of the older and cheaper varieties aren’t waterproof (防水的).
1.Which of the following can replace the underlined word “in” in Para. 2?
A. common B. wearable C. worthwhile D. popular
2.What do we know about the fitness trackers from Para.3?
A. They still have many users. B. Their sales are decreasing.
C. They sell well on Amazon. D. Fitbit is leaving the market.
3.How does the author sound about the future of fitness trackers in the last two paragraphs?
A. Pessimistic. B. Optimistic. C. Hopeful. D. Sympathetic.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
How to Deal With Travel Anxiety Abroad
Traveling abroad offers many benefits. But for those suffering from anxiety, travelling in a new country they know little about can be challenging. 1.
Take a notebook. A notebook is the perfect choice to keep your trip organized! It can be used to detail the itinerary (行程) and map important locations.2.For example, whenever you feel bored, you can find a quiet place to sit and draw as you like.
3. The biggest travelling fears can be getting lost, losing smartphones or having passports stolen. So to deal with such nerves, think of possible ways in advance for all the situations before travelling.
Socialize with strangers. 4. But when you’re traveling, you have to talk with others.
You’ll find plenty of people willing to recommend new places or share their experiences.
Be proud of how far you’ve come. Things are not always going as you like. There is nothing better than some positive words to make yourself calm and confident that things will get better and you’re doing the right thing. 5. Don’t ruin all the progress you’ve been making.
All in all, anxiety can strike anytime. Positive thoughts and preparedness can help you go on and get lost in a new culture — you’ll be glad you did!
A. It is also important to record details.
B. Try to keep your emotions in control.
C. It can bring some other benefits as well.
D. You may be a person with social anxiety.
E. Create plans for some issues ahead of time.
F. Fortunately, there are ways of managing this fear.
G. These tips will change your opinion about travelling.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
How does the man feel now?
A. Excited. B. Disappointed. C. Worried.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
What is the man going to do?
A. Pick up the woman. B. See a friend off. C. Take a flight.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Where does the conversation take place?
A. In a zoo. B. In a shop. C. In a museum.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
When will the speakers see the performance on Saturday?
A. At 8:00 p.m. B. At 7:00 p.m. C. At 3:00 p.m.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Why did the man apologize to the woman?
A. He damaged her CD.
B. He couldn’t repair her machine.
C. He sold her a product of poor quality.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I became a nurse because of my dad. 1. (suffer) from cancer made him painful and in low spirits. Then I saw the people 2. made the most differences: They comforted him and helped reduce 3. (he) pain. I wanted to be a part of that.
Trust in nursing is almost on a spiritual level. The people we care for are the most frightened. They believe that you will give everything you have and that you will be there for them mentally and 4. (emotion).
A parent of a child I was taking care of for several 5. (month) came up to me one day. I looked at her and could tell something was wrong. She told me her son was going to die and that she wanted me 6.(take) care of him with her.
That night she told me her son loved me. It was such 7. unforgettable moment. This mother 8. (think) of me not only as a caregiver and nurse but also 9. someone she trusted so much that she wanted me to be there with her and her son. You couldn’t feel more 10.(trust) than that!
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
假定你是李华，今年二月将参加澳大利亚两周游冬令营。你想与澳大利亚的朋友David在悉尼见面，请你给他写一封邮件。内容包括：
赴澳游学消息；
悉尼行程安排；
见面时间地点。
注意：
词数80左右；
可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
It was Christmas Day. Pappy was working alone fixing an old lantern in the backroom when he heard the ringing of his bell on the shop door. The bell, which produced a uniquely pleasant sound, had been in Pappy’s family for over a hundred years. He valued it dearly and enjoyed sharing its song with all who came to his shop. Although the bell hung on the inside of the main door, Pappy had tied a wire to the screen door so that it would ring whether the inner door was open or not. Hearing the bell, he left the backroom to greet his customer.
“And how can I help you, little lady?” Pappy’s voice was joyful.
“Hello, sir.” The little girl spoke almost in a whisper. She looked at Pappy with her big brown eyes, and then slowly scanned the room in search of something special. Shyly she told him, “I’d like to buy a present, sir.”
“Well, let’s see,” Pappy said, “who is this present for?”
“My grandpa. It’s for my grandpa. But I don’t know what to get.”
Pappy began to make suggestions. “How about a pocket watch? It’s in good condition.” The little girl didn’t answer. She had walked to the doorway and put her small hand on the door. She shook the door gently to ring the bell. Pappy’s face seemed to glow as he saw her smiling with excitement.
“This is just right,” the little girl said. “Momma says grandpa loves music.”
Just then, Pappy’s expression changed. Fearful of breaking the little girl’s heart, he told her, “I’m sorry, Missy. That’s not for sale. Maybe your grandpa would like this little radio.”
The girl looked at the radio, bowed her head, and sadly sighed, “No, I don’t think so.”
In an effort to help her understand, Pappy told her that the bell had been his only companion, for the rest of his family were all gone now, except for his estranged (疏远的) daughter whom he had not seen for nearly a decade.
注意：
所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
续写部分分为两段，每段开头语已为你写好；
续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
With a giant tear in her eye, the little girl looked up at him.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:
Later that evening when Pappy was closing up the shop, he heard a familiar ringing.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
难度: 中等查看答案及解析