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Car washes are a common sight throughout Nigeria, but Madinat Aliyu's roadside business is very special: she is the only woman car-washer in the north of the country.
“This job has caused me a lot of problems,” said the 27-year-old, checking cars waiting to be cleaned in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara state.
Aliyu took up her work two years ago, hoping to use the 7,000 naira (£28) she earned every month to put her younger sisters and brothers through school following the death of their mother, the only one who made money to support the family. But her family begged her to stop doing this job, and she has received “judgment and warnings” from strangers too.
“My grandmother cried for many days. Some people thought it was a joke to bring more customers (顾客). Others said if she is doing it for money, let's just give her money to stop bringing us shame,” she said as she got water from a well by the roadside. “But I hate laziness or depending on somebody else.”
However, Aliyu has admirers. “Some customers only allow her to wash their cars,” said her colleague (同事) Shamsudeen Mohammed. “I was trained to wash cars by men, and I can honestly tell you women are better to work under,” he added.
Recently another woman came to Aliyu to ask for advice on starting her own car wash. “Unfortunately her family discouraged her. I told her, if you listen to them, you will find yourself begging or marrying a man who is older than your grandfather,” she said.
Though she is considered a pariah (贱民) by many, Aliyu has no plans to stop her work. “I see men doing something and I think I can do it too.”
1.Madinat Aliyu washes cars mainly to _____.
A. make a living
B. learn about cars
C. meet her future husband
D. know the life of the poor
2.From the fifth paragraph, we know Shamsudeen Mohammed _____.
A. thought Aliyu did a good job
B. trained Aliyu to wash cars
C. had more customers than Aliyu
D. liked to work with men
3.As a woman car-washer, Aliyu _____.
A. gets her family's support
B. dreams of going to school
C. is thought highly of by strangers
D. sets an example for the women in Nigeria
4.Which of the following can best describe Aliyu?
A. Shy but smart.
B. Independent and confident.
C. Honest but lazy.
D. Humorous and imaginative.
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The bicycle is the common sight in our daily life, as a great many Chinese use one every day. But you may not know its role in strengthening international relations, as it did in the case of US President George W. Bush’s visit to China .
President Bush arrived in Beijing on November 19, 2005 after he finished the APEC meeting in South Korea.He met with Chinese top leaders and achieved agreements on trade, Taiwan issue and more.
Although Bush’s trip was short as 40 hours, he managed to spare a moment to do some cycling. On November 20, he rode up and down a steep path at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course in Beijing’s suburbs.
Six young Chinese cyclists accompanied the president, who was dressed in a Chinese training uniform with the “Beijing 2008” logo (标志). He did not go along the arranged route and chose a more zigzag(曲折的) hiking path.
“How do you say, ‘take it easy on the old man’?” Bush joked to his partners before setting out.
“Compared with my bike path on the Crawford ranch (农场) , this one is greater and really difficult,” said Bush when his 45-minute ride ended. He said he will come to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games.
This is not Bush’s first cycle ride in Beijing. In 1975 at the age of 29, he visited the Chinese capital for the first time, when his father was head of the US liaison office (联络处) in Beijing, which Bush described as “fantastic”.
However, observers said Bush’s ride is much more than just his favorite pastime. It expressed friendliness with people in China, where the bicycle is an important part of life and culture.
According to the Washington Post, one of the major newspapers in the US, this was a specially arranged activity by the US Government, for they want to send the Chinese a sign of friendship. “The president is by no means hostile (有敌意的) to China,” it said.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?
A. Every Chinese has at least one bicycle
B. The bicycle is the common sight in our daily life
C. Bicycle can play a role in improving relationship between nations
D. President George W. Bush is fond of cycling
2. President George W. Bush went cycling ______.
A. wearing a T-shirt with the “Beijing 2008” logo
B. up and down a path on Laoshan Mountain
C. accompanied by six young Chinese policemen
D. along a more challenging way without arrangement
3. Bush said “take it easy on the old man” to his partners probably because ______.
A. he wanted to make them easy
B. he wanted to make a joke about them
C. he wanted to tell them it would be a more zigzag hiking path
D. he wanted to show them it would be a easy task for an old man
4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Bush’s first cycle ride was in 1975.
B. Bush’s ride was specially arranged by the Washington Post.
C. Bush’s ride is more a sign of friendship than just his favorite pastime.
D. Bush will come to Beijing to take part in the Olympic cycling games in 2008.
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In Kenya’s vast Tsavo National Park, breeding herds of elephants are a common sight, the new babies hurrying to_______ their mothers.
A. keep track of B. keep up with
C. keep in touch with D. keep away from
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Earthquakes are common；thousands of them happen each day.But most are ______ weak to feel.During a ______ earthquake，there is often a great noise first.Then the earth ______ terribly and many houses ______ down.Railway tracks break and trains go ______ lines；a great many factories are ______；thousands of deaths are caused，and many more lose homes...______ the great damage and deaths caused by the earthquake ______，other disasters such as fires often______.More buildings are destroyed and more ______ caused.
It is well known of the ______ of a possible earthquake，and for centuries man has been making researches on earthquakes.More than 2,000 years ago，______，a Chinese scientist named Zhang Heng ______ a machine which could find out from which ______ the seismic(地震的) waves had come，and this machine is still ______ by scientists today.Now we know much more about earthquakes and ______ they happen，but we still cannot ______ exactly when and where an earthquake will happen，and cannot ______ it from happening.So earthquakes are among the ______ disasters in the world.
No one can stop natural earthquakes.______，scientists can help stop earthquakes destroying whole cities and causing too many deaths.
1.A.very B.too C.quite D.so
2.A.real B.weak C.big D.small
3.A.moves B.shakes C.jumps D.breaks
4.A.get B.put C.set D.fall
5.A.off B.on C.into D.behind
6.A.burst B.struck C.destroyed D.buried
7.A.Except B.Besides C.Instead of D.Because of
8.A.lonely B.later C.themselves D.itself
9.A.follow B.copy C.come D.enter
10.A.quakes B.deaths C.difficulties D.results
11.A.information B.questions C.dangers D.frights
12.A.as a result B.in fact C.for example D.as well
13.A.invented B.discovered C.found D.bought
14.A.country B.directions C.ways D.city
15.A.improved B.repaired C.protected D.used
16.A.where B.when C.what D.why
17.A.speak B.tell C.talk D.point
18.A.make B.prepare C.stop D.let
19.A.worst B.best C.most D.fast
20.A.However B.But C.And D.So
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Floods are one of the most common disasters in the US. Some floods develop slowly. But flash floods(暴洪)can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any signs of rain. 1. It carries rocks and can sweep away most things in its path.
1.If a flood is likely in your area , you should:
Listen to the radio or television for information. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move at once to higher ground. 2.
2.If you have time to prepare, you should:
Make your home safe by bringing in outdoor furniture. 3. Do not touch any electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
3.If you have to leave your home right away, remember these tips:
·Do not walk through moving water. 4. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the ground in front of you.
·5. If floodwaters rise around your car, give up the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. Otherwise you and the car can be quickly swept away.
A.Do not drive into flooded areas.
B.Do not wait for instructions to move.
C.Turn off all pieces of electrical equipment.
D.20 cm of moving water can make you fall.
E.Floods can cause death and loss of treasures.
F.Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of water.
G.Mud left from floodwater can contain chemicals.
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Robots come in many shapes and sizes. But most have one thing in common. They are built to help people. Lately engineers have been developing new kinds of humanoid robots. These high-tech machines are designed to lend a hand everywhere from hotels to disaster areas.
"Robots help people by making their lives easier, safer, and more fun," says engineer Omar Abdelwahed.
Since November, a robot named pepper has been on the job at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. When guests have questions or need directions, they can ask Pepper. They can also use the robot's touch screen to find the information they need. Pepper is able to talk with guests and entertain them with stories too. It can even tell what kind of mood they are in.
"Pepper provides our guests with information in an exciting and new way," says hotel manager Donald Bowman.
For a kid, being in the hospital can be boring and even scary. But a small robot called NAO is helping to make hospital stays easier. It was designed to keep people company.
A Tennessee doctor named Phil Parker bought a NAO robot three years ago. He programmed it to talk to and play with young patients. He brings it to hospitals to help sick kids. When kids get medical tests, NAO explains what is going on. The robots also reads to kids and plays games with them like rock, paper, scissors.
"The robot gets many kids to smile for the first time since they've been in the hospital," Parker says.
Other robots are being developed to help in places where it's hard or risky for people to go. For example, disaster areas can be full of rubble and other dangers. Engineers in Japan are building a robot called E2-DR to go into those areas and search for people who are hurt.
1.In Mandarin Oriental hotel, guests can____________.
A. only get information simply by touching the robot's screen
B. feel entertained with the stories about Pepper.
C. experience an exciting and new way to get the information
D. know whether the robot is in high spirits or not.
2.According to Phil Parker, the robot NAO in hospital____________.
A. is intended to help doctors treat patients
B. brings much comfort and happiness to many young patients
C. gives young patients some medical examination
D. is not actually as useful as expected
3.From the last paragraph, we leam that____________.
A. robots will play a vital role in every aspect in our life
B. E2-DR proves to be very useful in rescue practice
C. human rescue workers will no Ionger be needed
D. rescue work in dangerous areas will become easier
4.Which ofthe following can be the best title of this passage?
A. Robots: The Future World Master
B. Intelligent Robots
C. Robots: Human Helpers
D. Robots: Our Best Friend
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Smart phones are so common these days. It’s a wonder that our pets don’t own one. But they don’t necessarily have to. These four apps will help you take care of your best furry friend from dog training to first aid.
Pet First Aid
Price: $3.99
Pet First Aid helps you provide the basic care and attention that your four-legged friend might need in a medical emergency. The application shows owners how to treat illnesses with helpful videos, pictures and articles on subjects like cuts, wound treatment and more. A section called Pet Info lets you enter in information about your pets including when they had their last vaccinations, any medicines they take, or information about any diseases or conditions your animal suffers from.
Paw Card Pet Tracker
Price: Free
Paw Card helps you keep a record of your loved one’s important information. Use it to record your pet’s medical contacts, vaccinations, identity cards, medical conditions and medicines. Additional characteristics include a drawing showing your dog’s weight over time.
Dog Park Finder
Price: Free
Dog Park Finder helps you locate dog-friendly parks and training locations in your area(USA)locations only). The app includes in formation on more than 2,200 off-leash(无需给狗拴链的) areas, user photos and more than 6，500 reviews, so you can have fun with your dog off the leash.
Dog Book
Price: Free
Dog Book is a social networking application for dogs. Like Face book, users can share with other people what’s going on in their dog’s life, share photos, and find great animal-friendly places to meet up.
1.The app Pet First Aid is different from the other thee mainly in .
A. size B. price
C. application D. position
2.If you want to keep a record of your dog’s weight, you can use .
A. Dog Book B. Pet First Aid
C. Dog Park Finder D. Paw Card Pet Tracker
3.Which one is the best choice if you want to find dog training locations?
A. Dog Park Finder B. Pet First Aid
C. Paw Card Pet Tracker. D. Dog Book
4.From the text we can know .
A. Dog Book users can find off-leash areas
B. Dog Park Finder provides worldwide information
C. Paw Card Pet Tracker records your dog’s information
D. Pet First Aid users can find the nearest hospital easily
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Today, we drive safer cars on safer roads, but most car accidents are the result of human error. 1. So it’s a good idea to review some basic rules for safe driving. Here are four driving tips that will help bring you and your passengers home unharmed.
1. Practice defensive（保护的）driving.
Defensive driving includes keeping a safe distance and not speeding. 2. Accept small delays, such as staying in line behind a slower car instead of suddenly changing lanes.
2. 3.
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how safely you drive. You are driving at the speed limit and obeying all traffic rules but someone else can crash into you. One good rule is to think everyone else on the road is a fool and be prepared for anything unexpected. 4. And it pays to be ready when you do.
3. Don’t follow too closely.
Drivers need enough time to react if the car in front makes a sudden turn or stop. It can be too difficult for drivers to judge the proper distances while driving and the exact distance is adjusted by speed, so most experts suggest a “three-second rule”.
4. Be more careful in bad weather.
5. Drive below the speed limit if necessary, keep extra space between you and the car ahead, and be especially careful around curves. If the weather worsens, just find a safe place to wait out the storm.
A. Wear your safety belt.
B. Watch out for other drivers.
C. Chances are that you’ll eventually meet someone foolish.
D. The best way to reduce accidents is to practice safe driving behaviors.
E. If you’re driving through fog, heavy rain or on icy roads, be extra careful.
F. Remaining calm in the face of annoying traffic is another major part of the idea.
G. If a driver is tired enough to fall asleep while driving, the results are terrible.
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Today, we drive safer cars on safer roads, but most car accidents are the result of human error. 1. So it’s a good idea to review some basic rules for safe driving. Here are four driving tips that will help bring you and your passengers home unharmed.
1. Practice defensive（保护的）driving.
Defensive driving includes keeping a safe distance and not speeding. 2. Accept small delays, such as staying in line behind a slower car instead of suddenly changing lanes.
2. 3.
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how safely you drive. You are driving at the speed limit and obeying all traffic rules but someone else can crash into you. One good rule is to think everyone else on the road is a fool and be prepared for anything unexpected. 4. And it pays to be ready when you do.
3. Don’t follow too closely.
Drivers need enough time to react if the car in front makes a sudden turn or stop. It can be too difficult for drivers to judge the proper distances while driving and the exact distance is adjusted by speed, so most experts suggest a “three-second rule”.
4. Be more careful in bad weather.
5. Drive below the speed limit if necessary, keep extra space between you and the car ahead, and be especially careful around curves. If the weather worsens, just find a safe place to wait out the storm.
A.Wear your safety belt.
B.Watch out for other drivers.
C.Chances are that you’ll eventually meet someone foolish.
D.The best way to reduce accidents is to practice safe driving behaviors.
E.If you’re driving through fog, heavy rain or on icy roads, be extra careful.
F.Remaining calm in the face of annoying traffic is another major part of the idea.
G.If a driver is tired enough to fall asleep while driving, the results are terrible.
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On a number of drives throughout my childhood, my mother would suddenly pull over the car to examine a flower by the side of the road or rescue a beetle from tragedy while I, in my late teens and early twenties, sat impatiently in the car.
Though Mother’s Day follows the Earth Day, for me, they have always been related to each other. My mum has been “green” since she became concerned about the environment. Part of this habit was born of thrift（节俭）. Like her mother and her grandmother before her, mum saves glass jars, empty cheese containers and reuses her plastic bags.
Mum creates a kind of harmonious relationship with wildlife in her yard. She knows to pick the apples on her trees a little early to avoid the bears and that if she leaves the bird feeders out at night, it is likely that they will be knocked down by a family of raccoons（浣熊）. Spiders that make their way into the house and are caught in juice glasses will be set loose in the garden.
I try to teach my children that looking out for the environment starts with being aware of the environment. On busy streets, we look for dandelions（蒲公英）to fly in the wind; we say hello to neighborhood cats and pick up plastic cups and paper bags. This teaching comes easily, I realize, because I was taught so well by example. Mum didn’t need to lecture; she didn’t need to beat a drum to change the world. She simply slowed down enough to enjoy living in it and with that joy came mercy and an instinct for protection.
I am slowing down and it isn’t because of the weight of my nearly forty years on the planet. It is out of my concern for the planet itself. I’ve begun to save glass jars and reuse packing envelops. I pause in my daily tasks to watch the squirrels race each other in the trees above my house.
Last summer, in the company of my son and daughter, I planted tomatoes in my yard. With the heat of August around me, I ate the first while sitting on my low wall with dirt on my hands. Warm from the sun, it burst on my tongue with a sweetness. I immediately wanted to share with my mum.
1.Why does the author say the Earth Day is connected with Mother’s Day?
A. Because Mother’s Day always falls shortly after the Earth Day.
B. To stress that all the women in her family are environmentalists.
C. To stress how much her mother cares about the environment.
D. Because her mother shows her concern to nature on Mother’s Day.
2.Which of the following in NOT related to Mum’s “green life”?
A. Rescuing a beetle from a certain tragedy.
B. Saving glass jars, empty cheese containers.
C. Setting a caught spider free in the garden.
D. Picking dandelions on busy streets.
3.We can infer from the article that .
A. the author realizes that she should teach her children by example as well
B. the author’s mother knows how to get rid of the wildlife in her yard
C. the author believes that only by learning to slow down can we enjoy life
D. the author’s mother used to lecture her to protect the environment
4.What can be learned from the last paragraph?
A. Tomatoes make the author think of her mother.
B. The author likes eating tomatoes planted by herself.
C. Planting tomatoes is a way of protecting environment.
D. The author really appreciates her mother’s teaching.