The worst outbreak of desert locusts (蝗虫) in decades is presently underway in the Horn of Africa. It is the biggest of its kind in 25 years for Ethiopia and Somalia — and the worst Kenya has seen for 70 years.
What we are seeing in East Africa today is unlike anything we’ve seen in a very long time. Its destructive potential is enormous, and it’s taking place in a region where farmers need every gram of food to feed themselves and their families. Most of the countries hardest hit are those where millions of people are already vulnerable (脆弱的) or in serious humanitarian need, as they endure the impact of violence, drought, and floods.
We have acted quickly to respond to this outbreak. The primary method of battling locusts is the aerial spraying of pesticides (杀虫剂). FAO’s “Locust Watch” service explains that “although giant nets, flamethrowers, lasers, and huge vacuums have been proposed in the past, these are not in use for locust control. People and birds often eat locusts but usually not enough to significantly reduce population levels over large areas.”
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has released $10 million from its Central Emergency Relief Fund to fund a huge scale-up in aerial operations to manage the outbreak.
But the window to contain this crisis is closing fast. We only have until the beginning of March to bring this infestation under control as that is when the rain and planting season begins. If left unchecked — and with expected additional rains — locust numbers in East Africa could increase 500 times by June.
We must act now to avoid a full-blown catastrophe. And we will. At the same time, we need to pay attention to a bigger picture. This is not the first time the Greater Horn of Africa has seen locust outbreak approach this scale, but the current situation is the worst in decades. This is linked to climate change. Warmer seas mean more tropical storms, generating the perfect breeding conditions for locusts.
1.What is implied in paragraph 2?
A.People in East Africa are suffering drought.
B.People in East Africa are going through floods.
C.The locust outbreak will cause crop failure.
D.The locust outbreak is worsening locals’ life.
2.What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A.We need a bigger picture to study the disaster.
B.It is the second outbreak of locusts in East Africa.
C.It is the largest outbreak of locusts ever in history.
D.The outbreak of locusts is fueled by global warming.
3.What is the purpose of the text?
A.To analyse and compare. B.To inform and call for.
C.To argue and discuss. D.To introduce and assess.
4.Where does the text probably come from?
A.A guidebook. B.A health magazine.
C.A news report. D.A chemistry paper.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Scientists say they have developed a system that uses machine learning to predict when and where lightning will strike. Researchers report the system is able to predict lightning strikes up to 30 minutes before they happen within a 30-kilometer area.
Lightning is a strong burst of electricity in the atmosphere. Since it carries an extremely powerful electrical charge, it can be destructive and deadly. European researchers have estimated that between 6,000 and 24,000 people are killed by lightning worldwide each year. For this reason, climate scientists have long sought to develop methods to predict lightning.
The system tested in the experiments uses a combination of data from weather stations and machine learning methods. The researchers developed a prediction model that was trained to recognize weather conditions that were likely to cause lightning.
The model was created with data collected over a 12-year period from 12 Swiss weather stations in cities and mountain areas. The data, related to four main surface conditions: air pressure, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, was placed into a unique machine learning algorithm (算法), which compared it to records of lightning strikes. Researchers say the algorithm was then able to learn the conditions under which lightning happens.
The researchers test-ran the system several times. They found that the system made predictions that proved correct almost 80 percent of the time. “It can now be used anywhere,” the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology said in a statement.
The researchers plan to keep developing the technology in partnership with a European effort that aims to create a lightning protection program. The effort is called the European Laser Lightning Rod project. Scientists working on the project are experimenting with a laser technology that could someday control lightning activity, transferring lightning charges from clouds to the ground. They hope that such technology can one day be used as protection against lightning strikes. Possible uses could be at stations, airports or places where large crowds gather.
1.Why was the system developed?
A.To meet kids’ curiosity about lightning.
B.To show the power of lightning.
C.To keep track of lightning deaths.
D.To protect people from lightning.
2.What is special about the system?
A.It was based on a number of samples worldwide.
B.It adopted a different machine learning algorithm.
C.It used an effective method of collecting data.
D.It required low cost of predicting lightning.
3.What will the researchers do next with the laser technology?
A.Monitor lightning activity. B.Prevent the occurrence of lightning.
C.Direct energy from lightning. D.Generate electricity with lightning.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.A System of Controlling Lightning B.A Method of Forecasting Lightning
C.A Theory of Employing Lightning D.A Model of Creating Lightning
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是李华。你的美国朋友Tom来信说,他将在暑假期间来中国学习中国画,希望能在本市参加一个短期课程。你帮他联系了一所艺术学校,请给他回信,告知以下内容:
1.学习内容:水墨山水画(Chinese ink landscape painting);
2.课程时间:六周;
3.收费及食宿安排。
注意:1.词数80左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯;
3.短文中不得出现学校或地区名称。
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难度: 中等查看答案及解析
A Colorado pair brings new meaning to the word “determination”. When one couldn’t walk and the other couldn’t see, they _______ up to share their love of the great outdoors.
Melanie Knecht has to use a wheelchair to get around due to born spina bifida (脊柱裂). Trevor Hahn only recently became blind after he _______ an eye disease five years ago. Both living in Fort Collins, Colorado, the two met at an adaptive boxing class — and they soon ran into each other again at an adaptive rock-climbing class.
They immediately _______ over Knecht’s lifelong hobby of camping and Hahn’s passion for outdoor sports. When she told him about her recent trip to Easter Island, where she got the _______ to be carried on another person’s back, an unusual idea occurred to her.
_______ his lost sight, he’d been able to scale a Himalayan peak, using poles and _______ directions from his companions.
They started small, but next month — with her vision and his _______— they will trek to the top of a 14,000-foot mountain.
“It just seemed like common sense. He’s the legs, I’m the eyes! _______, we’re the dream team.” said Knecht.
At the start of each hike, a friend lifts Knecht _______ a carrier on Hahn’s back. From that point on, she gives him oral directions to lead the way.
Hahn said, “It made me so happy to help someone experience what I’ve been able to experience my whole life. The best part is being able to make her smile — that gives me ________.”
In addition to this sense of purpose, the two share an understanding of how ________ it can be asking able-bodied or sighted people for assistance in everyday life. They get immeasurable ________ from being able to do this on their own.
While the two accept that others ________ what they’ve been able to do, they’re not looking for ________— they just want others to encourage solutions for their friends with disabilities. Don’t ________ them because you think they won’t be able to do something.
1.A.rose B.made C.teamed D.ended
2.A.developed B.cured C.spread D.diagnosed
3.A.handed B.argued C.got D.bonded
4.A.opportunity B.competence C.permission D.admission
5.A.On account of B.In spite of C.On top of D.In view of
6.A.spoken B.opposite C.confusing D.gesturing
7.A.optimism B.strength C.guidance D.wisdom
8.A.Hopefully B.Instead C.Together D.Similarly
9.A.over B.up C.off D.into
10.A.relief B.courage C.reward D.purpose
11.A.convenient B.difficult C.ridiculous D.essential
12.A.suffering B.wealth C.satisfaction D.depression
13.A.appreciate B.oppose C.dismiss D.advocate
14.A.criticism B.attention C.praise D.curiosity
15.A.convince B.reject C.contact D.approach
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Just as John Lubbock said, we may sit in a library and yet be in all quarters of the earth. Here are some of the coolest libraries of the world.
Stuttgart City Library
Despite a classic white-on-white color, Stuttgart City Library is one of the most visually appealing modern libraries. The amazing modem and simple look is the product of the Korean architect Yi Eun-young. The German library opened in 2011, and cost nearly 80 million euros to construct.
Kanazawa Umimirai Library
Architects from the Coelacanth K&H Architects studio designed the Kanazawa Umimirai Library lo create the best reading environment. Healed floors, an outpouring of natural light, and other features were specifically included lo achieve this goal. The wall, which consists of thousands of tiny openings, allows natural lighting into the building, improving the overall feel of the space. This Japanese library was opened in 2011, and reflects the appearance of many modem and simple spaces.
Library of Congress
In 1800, Congress set up the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.. Fifteen years later, Thomas Jefferson offered his personal library to replace books that were lost when the British set the building on fire in 1814. His books, which took nearly 50 years to collect, varied from texts on science, literature and philosophy, to books in a variety of foreign languages. These days, the Library of Congress offers more than 155 million items and the largest rare book collection in North America.
State Library of Victoria
The Slate Library of Victoria, located in Melbourne, Australia, is one of the largest exhibiting libraries in the world. Though it opened in 1856, major repairs took place between 1990 and 2004. The La Trobe Reading Room is one of the library’s main attractions due to its visually amazing architecture. The lawn at the library’s front attracts hundreds of city folk each day, who gather for lunch or to enjoy the statues there. The library currently contains over two million books, as well as armor (盔甲) of Ned Kelly, a folk hero against the ruling class.
1.Which library has the longest history?
A.Stuttgart City Library. B.Kanazawa Umimirai Library.
C.Library of Congress. D.State Library of Victoria.
2.What’s special about Stale Library of Victoria?
A.It has great architecture.
B.It has a folk hero’s statue in it.
C.It is the world’s largest exhibiting library.
D.It serves as a meeting place for the citizens.
3.What does the first two libraries have in common?
A.They are constructed in the modem style.
B.They cost a large amount of money.
C.They are designed by Korean architects.
D.They feature providing readers with natural light.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Growing up, Deka Ismail says she let labels define what she could be. “I was a black girl, from a refugee (难民) family,” Deka said. “It was as if I was only allowed to explore in this predetermined box”
After a high school chemistry class inspired her to think about a career in science and gave her confidence in the field, Deka learned to live outside labels and began making big plans for her future. Now she is about to begin her freshman year at the University of California, planning to become a professor.
Born and raised in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood, Deka is the daughter of a Somali refugee couple. When Deka was eight years old, her mother got a job by studying hard back in school in order to support the whole family. That made Deka realize that education could make a difference to one's life. She spent a lot of time in the library reading books, and didn’t do many of the things her peers did, like partying or having romantic relationships.
“I always felt like I had to be the perfect girl for my family,” Deka said. “You have to do your best and do much better than everyone else. I felt like the whole world was waiting for me to mess up.”
Deka’s efforts paid off. The summer before her senior year of high school, she was accepted to the American Chemical Society Project SEED Programme. “She brought both enthusiasm and focus,” Botham, a researcher at this research institute, recalled. “She arrived every day ready to work, ready to learn and ready to tackle new challenges regardless of whether or not she had done anything similar.”
When asked what advice she would give to others like her, Deka warned them not to underestimate themselves. “Don’t tell yourself that scholarship is too big or this programme is too competitive or I’ll never get into this school,” she said. “I was not sure whether I could make it until I started seeing the acceptance letters rolling in.”
1.From the passage, we can learn that ______.
A.Deka was adopted by a refugee family
B.Deka became a professor after graduation
C.Deka’s experiences drove her to work hard
D.Deka spent a lot of time going to parties
2.Deka realized the importance of education ______.
A.after her chemistry class B.from her mother’s experience
C.by reading books in the library D.through working at the institute
3.According to the last paragraph, Deka advised that students be ______.
A.patient B.ambitious
C.confident D.generous
4.What does the story intend to tell us?
A.Life is not all roses. B.Practice makes perfect.
C.Well begun is half done. D.Hard work leads to success.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Competition is a common phenomenon in our social life. 1. There is constant competition for academic degrees, jobs, customers, money and so forth. In a sense, competition is one of the motive forces to the development of society.
2. Therefore, the only way to survive is to be competitive. Growing in a competitive environment is important for a child because future adult life is difficult. Finding a good job, for example, is an extremely competitive activity.
Today, most people obtain knowledge through various ways and a large number of people get good education. 3.The quality of people is rapidly increasing. Competition is more violent than what we thought it should be. The potentially successful job applicant has to be prepared in stronger position by gaining more qualifications and experience. In the sports contests, the strongest will come out as winners. In the business world, to beat your competitors, you must be better than the other employees. 4.
Though the only way our world rewards people is to give honor to the winners, not to the losers, by attempting to compete at different activities, we can still learn to win and lose, gain experience and know our strengths and weaknesses. Competition prepares us for the tough things in life.
Whether in games, in study or in business alike, the aim is to win the game, the degree, the trophy, and the contract. 5.
A.Otherwise, you will be defeated.
B.Modern society demands high-quality talents.
C.Learning to be competitive is clearly the best preparation for life.
D.There are also many people who have higher degrees in their special fields.
E.Children have to learn to be competitive in order to adapt to modern society.
F.In the natural world, the weak will be replaced by the strong and the fittest can live.
G.We compete when we play games and when we try to do better than others in our study.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
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。
Alexis Vaughan, 17, sat quietly in the passenger seat of her dad's car. She stared out the window at the Preston, Idaho, cornfields.
Alexis, a high school student, let her eyes lazily scan the landscape for wildlife. Still, she was terrified when a deer came into view about 200 yards in front of them, just a few feet off the road. "Dad, there's a deer, there!" Alexis said, rolling down the window for a better look. It was a three-point buck (雄鹿) — a male deer with sharp, three-pronged antlers (角) on each side of its head.
As the car moved closer, Alexis saw that the buck's head was bent toward the ground. Then she heard a scream. A few seconds later, she saw an arm fly up near the buck's head. Alexis realized the buck was attacking a woman. Sue Panter, a 44-year-old mother, had been out for her morning run. The buck had come out from the tall corn and began following her. Having lived in rural Idaho for years, Sue knew that most bucks got frightened by humans. But this buck edged closer, even when she threw at it with a handful of gravels (石子).
Sue went to pick up a log to use for self-defense, and the buck attacked her. It lifted her with its antlers (角) and threw her into the air. Sue could feel the horns punctured (刺穿) her leg and blood flowed down her leg. Within seconds, the buck had pushed her off the road and into the cornfield.
When Alexis and her father pulled up, the buck was rolling Sue like a rag doll. Alexis looked into the woman's terrified eyes, and before her father had even stopped the car, the 104 pound teenager jumped quickly out of the car and down the slope toward the buck. She was kicking and hitting it to get its attention. Then Michael, her father, who had followed his daughter, wrestled the buck away from the women by holding the antlers.
注意：
1）所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2） 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
Paragraph 1:
Alexis helped Sue up the slope.
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Paragraph 2:
Then she heard her father yell.
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难度: 困难查看答案及解析