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（7）阅读理解
For many of us, printed books are satisfying in ways beyond the words they contain. Billions of printed books have been published, read and saved in the 600 years since movable type was invented, so why mess with a good things?
Sony Electronics is doing just that, betting that readers will be won over by the convenience of readability of its new electronic book devices. Sony's reader, the PRS-505, can hold 160 books in its fixed memory, enough to line the shelves on a good-sized wall in the average American home. The $299 device is about the size of a paperback book, but a half-inch thick and weighs less than a pound.
The Sony book reader is revolutionary not only in its storage capacity. The font（字体） is highly readable and adjustable by size. Unlike laptop computers, you can put the Sony in your purse, read it in direct sunlight and even bookmark the pages. And you can connect it to your PC to download books.
Surprisingly, though the reader has liberated the book from paper, electronic books aren't always a bargain. For example, David Baldacci's "Stone Cold" download retails（零售） for $15.19 at the Sony site, while Amazon（卓越网） will deliver a hard copy to your mailbox for $16.19.
The Sony reader also lets you store and play or display music. So what's not to like about the Sony? Well, for many bibliophiles, a lot. Book lovers like to have, hold and keep their volumes, which don't need charging. You can write notes in the margins, and enjoy the ambience they provide on your book shelves.
The need for electronic reading devices is likely to grow as more people worried about the billions of tons of paper used for printed material. Many believe the time will come when devices like the Sony reader are as common as printed newspapers and magazines today.
1．What would be the best title for the passage?
A. The age of the electronic book reader is coming
B. Printed books are out of date
C. The Sony reader meets many readers’ needs
D. The revolution in book readers
2．According to the passage, the Sony book reader _________.
A. is as light as a laptop computer
B. can hold more than 200 books
C. is convenient to carry around
D. cannot be connected to a PC
3．What is the author’s point when he mentions “Stone Cold”?
A. Amazon’s printed books are very cheap
B. “Stone Cold” can be got from the Sony site and Amazon
C. The Sony book reader is not very cheap to use
D. The Sony book reader can benefit its buyers a lot
4．The underlined word “bibliophiles” in Paragraph 5 refers to “__________”.
A. music lovers B. book lovers
C. electronic reading devices D. Sony readers
5．According to the author, what’s the future for the electronic reading devices?
A. They’ll replace printed newspapers and magazines
B. They’ll still be more expensive than printed newspapers
C. They’ll become a must in people’s daily life
D. They’ll become more popular as time goes on
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For many of us, printed books are satisfying in ways beyond the words they contain． Billions of printed books have been published, read and saved in the 600 years since movable type was invented, so why mess with a good things?
Sony Electronics is doing just that, betting that readers will be won over by the convenience of readability of its new electronic book devices． Sony's reader, the PRS-505, can hold 160 books in its fixed memory, enough to line the shelves on a good-sized wall in the average American home． The $299 device is about the size of a paperback book, but a half-inch thick and weighs less than a pound．
The Sony book reader is revolutionary not only in its storage capacity． The font（字体） is highly readable and adjustable by size． Unlike laptop computers, you can put the Sony in your purse, read it in direct sunlight and even bookmark the pages． And you can connect it to your PC to download books．
Surprisingly, though the reader has liberated the book from paper, electronic books aren't always a bargain． For example, David Baldacci's "Stone Cold" download retails（零售） for $15．19 at the Sony site, while Amazon（卓越网） will deliver a hard copy to your mailbox for $16．19．
The Sony reader also lets you store and play or display music． So what's not to like about the Sony? Well, for many bibliophiles, a lot． Book lovers like to have, hold and keep their volumes, which don't need charging． You can write notes in the margins, and enjoy the ambience they provide on your book shelves．The need for electronic reading devices is likely to grow as more people worried about the billions of tons of paper used for printed material． Many believe the time will come when devices like the Sony reader are as common as printed newspapers and magazines today．
1.According to the passage, the Sony book reader _________．
A． is as light as a laptop computer
B． can hold more than 200 books
C． is convenient to carry around
D． cannot be connected to a PC
2.What is the author’s point when he mentions “Stone Cold”?
A． Amazon’s printed books are very cheap
B． “Stone Cold” can be got from the Sony site and Amazon
C． The Sony book reader is not very cheap to use
D． The Sony book reader can benefit its buyers a lot
3.The underlined word “bibliophiles” in Paragraph 5 refers to “__________”．
A． music lovers B． book lovers
C． electronic reading devices D． Sony readers
4.According to the author, what’s the future for the electronic reading devices?
A． They’ll replace printed newspapers and magazines
B． They’ll still be more expensive than printed newspapers
C． They’ll become a must in people’s daily life
D． They’ll become more popular as time goes on
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In many ways, the earliest periods of photography are the most satisfying. Learning to use the controls is easy and comes quickly, and you can measure the results in terms of sharp and correctly developed pictures. Once you have mastered that, you can start on the second step of your photographic work. Using these basic skills in the wide variety of situations to give the pictures you want, noticing what you see through the viewfinder and turning that into the most effective picture becomes totally interesting.
All good photographs have one thing in common: there is no doubt what the subject of the picture is meant to be. Every photographer must use those same standards to his or her work, not only to finished results but to the subject before he or she takes it. Always work out quite clearly what the subject of the picture is to be and why you are taking the picture. For example, "I am going to take a picture of this street to show the different styles and ages of the buildings and that people have been living, working and shopping in them since time began." By doing this you have a better idea of what to include in the picture and what to leave out. How often have you been shown photographs taken by people away on a trip somewhere? The judgment is always similar, something about "the car park is out of the picture to the left", or "you can't quite see from this picture but if you go up the street". The photographs are usually collections of buildings, people, parked cars, possibly a distant look of an ancient church, and best of all, a figure which you are told is Aunt Henrietta, disappearing in the middle distance. When photographers show you their pictures, they have a clear idea of what they want to bring to your attention, but it often does not appear in the picture. If they had given just a little of their time to think about their future judgment before taking the picture, then the picture would relate its own story. Good pictures can show their subjects quickly and easily.
64. What does the author mean by saying "in many ways, the earliest periods of photography are the most satisfying"?
A. The skills of photography are not as satisfactory nowadays as before.
B. The earliest pictures were the best pictures people have ever taken.
C. The present-day photography depends more on technology than on art.
D. Learning to produce a sharp and correctly developed picture is only the first step in photography and is easily learned.
65. What will it bring you if you decide the purpose of the photograph in advance?
A. It will allow you to leave out unnecessary material.
B. It will allow you to stand in the best place.
C. It will help you to vary the subjects of your pictures.
D. It means you will waste less time.
66. Many photographers fail because ______.
A. their pictures include both buildings and people
B. everything is not clear in their pictures
C. the subjects of their pictures are not obvious
D. the explanation given for their pictures is mistaken
67. What book is this passage most likely taken from?
A. A book on photography for news reporters. B. A book on how to photograph people.
C. A book on choosing the right camera. D. A book on improving photographic techniques.
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If you’re feeling empty, you’re not alone. Many of us feel empty in different ways. For instance, you might feel empty because something is missing in your life. Or the emptiness might stem from slowly abandoning yourselves, not listening to your own hopes and desires. Abandoning yourselves can also spark anxiety, depression, guilt and shame, 1.. Here are several suggestions to help you out.
Acknowledge the emptiness. If you're experiencing emptiness that's more like a gaping hole, acknowledge it, and be gentle with yourself. 2. If this emptiness is because of a loved one's passing, get angry with yourself. In that case you learn to live life alongside that hole of missing that person.
Explore your feelings of emptiness. Scientists suggested exploring the below questions. We can do this while journaling, taking a walk or drinking a cup of tea.
●Do I tell myself positive things?
●What am I trying to prove or win?
●3.
●Am I blaming myself for things that are out of my control?
4. Fight the urge to turn to the outside world for fulfillment. Instead of trying to fill the emptiness with drugs, alcohol, TV, computer games or anything else, look within, and spend time with yourself. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you practice devoting time and energy to yourself and caring for yourself, the less present those empty feelings, will be.
5.Whether you are experiencing difficult relationships, losses, or feeling a lack of purpose or mining, you are worthy of a fulfilling and meaningful life.
A.Explore your current feelings.
B.Spend with yourself every day.
C.How do you handle your emptiness?
D.Den t heat yourself up for feeling this way.
E.Have I been judging myself or comparing myself to others?
F.It's important to acknowledge and accept your feelings of emptiness.
G.Do you too much time on TV, computer games or anything else?
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The way we cook is important. In many countries, the two sources of heat used for cooking are natural gas and electric stoves. The World Health Organization(WHO) warns that millions of people are dying every year from indoor air pollution. The WHO finds that poor cooking, heating and lighting technologies are killing millions of people each year.
Indoor air pollution results from the use of dangerous fuels and cook stoves in the home. WHO officials say nearly three billion people are unable to use clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating and lighting. And they say more than seven million people die from exposure to indoor or outdoor air pollution each year. Of that number, the WHO says about 4.3 million people die from household air pollution given off by simple biomass(生物燃料） and coal stoves.
These findings show that the home use of poisonous fuels is to blame for many of these deaths. These fuels include wood, coal, animal waste and so on. Carlos Dora is Coordinator in the WHO’s Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. He says people should not use unprocessed coal and kerosene(煤油） fuel indoors. He says opening a window or door to let out the harmful air will not correct the situation. It will only pollute the outdoors. “New technologies and clean fuels can rid people of this problem.”
The United Nations found that more than 95 percent of families in sub-Saharan Africa depend on solid fuels for cooking. It says huge populations in India, China and Latin American countries, such as Guatemala and Peru, are also at risk.
Nigel Bruce is a professor of Public Health at the University of Liverpool. He says researchers are developing good stoves and other equipment to burn fuels in a more efficient way. “There are already many technologies for clean fuels available now. An effective and reasonably low-cost ethanol(酒精） stove that is made by Dometic is now being tested out. Another interesting development is electric induction stoves.” In India, you can buy an induction stove for about $8. And in Africa you can buy a solar lamp for less than $1.
1.How is Paragraph 2 mainly developed?
A. By making classifications.
B. By listing numbers.
C. By following time order.
D. By describing a process.
2.According to Carlos Dora, what is the best solution to indoor air pollution?
A. People should use an effective air cleaner.
B. People should open a window or door to let out the harmful air.
C. People should use new technologies and clean fuels.
D. People should prevent themselves from being exposed to harmful air.
3.What can we learn from the passage?
A. Most of the deaths from indoor pollution are in developing countries.
B. Burning solid fuels can help limit indoor air pollution.
C. People now can buy ethanol stoves made by Dometic in India.
D. There are already two technologies for clean fuels available for use.
4.Which would be the best title for the passage?
A. The way we cook is changing
B. Types of indoor air pollution
C. The development of electric stoves
D. Indoor air pollution kills millions each year
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Many of us put real effort in when we cook for others but when we are alone, we reach for the takeaway menu. Somehow it just doesn’t seem worth bothering if no one else is going to eat it.
That’s the attitude Signe Johansen wants to change and it’s the inspiration behind her new book Solo: The Joy of Cooking for One.
“Cooking for yourself is an acceptance of your self-worth, ” Signe says. “I think it’s important that you recognize your worth all the time, not just if you live alone, but on the weekend if your partner is away or whatever. If you take the time to look after yourself, you are essentially saying you are worth the effort. ”
With nearly a third of UK households containing just one person, Signe believes it’s time to overturn the idea for solo dining. “When I’ve told people I’m writing a book on solo cooking, they’ve interpreted it as recipes for sad people, ”she says. “But for me , and for many, some of the happiest times I’ve had cooking have been when I’ve been by myself.”
Food has always been a big part of Signe’s life. Growing up in Norway, much of her childhood was spent on her grandparents’ farm, picking produce and learning to cook, before going on to study at Leiths School of Food and Wine in London.
But it’s the recent trend for self-sufficiency that motivates her to champion the idea of enjoying a more selfish approach to food preparation. “You can just make whatever you want, which is really liberating.” Besides, cooking for yourself is one of the fundamental things we should start with in life.
1.What attitude does Signe want to change in her new book?
A.Cooking only for others. B.Being selfish in the kitchen.
C.Willingness to cook when alone. D.Hesitation to order takeout food.
2.How do British people find solo dining in a traditional way?
A.It offers a way of self-care. B.It communicates a sense of joy.
C.It means recognition of self-worth. D.It indicates a feeling of unhappiness.
3.According to Signe, which of the following benefits does solo cooking include?
A.No food going to waste. B.Sadness coming to an end.
C.Enjoying the sense of freedom. D.Cooking meals with separate tastes.
4.Who would like Signe’s new book most?
A.A hostess. B.A single lady.
C.A housekeeper. D.A travelling salesperson.
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阅读理解。
For many people，volunteering is a way of life.Holidays are the time of the year that more people are in a giving mood.Homeless shelters，children’s hospitals，and nursing homes are excellent places to give of one’s time.
Volunteering in Homeless Shelters
There is a homeless directory online that anyone can easily access to find the closest homeless shelter to their home.According to the homeless shelter directory，currently there are 3,233 shelters in the US，so it is not difficult to find a shelter.Helping to serve food，picking up donations of food，preparing meals，and cleaning up are things that one can do to help at a homeless shelter.
Volunteering in Children’s Hospitals
Every child needs comfort and joy，especially during the holiday seasons.By visiting sick children in hospitals，an individual provides helping hands by supplementing the services usually done by the hospital staff.Personalizing the hospital experience adds to the comfort and happiness of the children and their families.Volunteers provide help，and positive interactions (相互交流) which enhance the patient’s quality of care.Help is needed almost everywhere in a hospital；from the lobby，parking lot，cafeteria，to admitting，helping with the gift cart，and even reading to children in the waiting rooms or their hospital rooms.
Volunteering in Nursing Homes
According to the National Center for Health Statistics，“Over 50% of those living in nursing homes do not have close relatives and 46% have no living children.” Life in a nursing home is lonely，confusing，and frightening for many residents. Volunteering at a nursing home is a great opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life.Playing cards，sitting with and talking to a resident，taking a walk，or sharing a meal makes a huge difference，especially when they have no other sole on earth to visit them.
The three examples above are only a small fraction of institutions in which volunteers are needed.Giving of oneself，especially during the holidays blesses and cheers others.
1.According to the passage，what can a volunteer do in nursing homes?
A．Visiting the sick children.
B．Picking up the donated food.
C．Helping with the gift cart.
D．Playing cards with a lonely old man.
2.What can we learn about the volunteering?
A．You can only volunteer during the holidays.
B．You can help prepare meals in a nursing home.
C．It is easy to find a homeless shelter to volunteer.
D．Help is needed everywhere in a homeless shelter.
3.In a children’s hospital，which of the following is true?
A．Over 50% of those living there do not have relatives.
B．A personal visit brings happiness to a sick boy.
C．Children live a lonely and frightening life.
D．Children love listening to volunteers’ reading.
4.The best title for the passage would be ________.
A．Giving of oneself cheers others
B．Volunteering is a way of life
C．Volunteering during the holidays
D．Giving is better than taking
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The new books ________ in the factory these days are mainly intended for children.
A．printing B．to print
C．being printed D．to be printed
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Stressful situations are sometimes unavoidable. Each of us perceives (理解) challenges in our own way and reaction to them also varies. How stressful our life is depends not only on us. 1. And this is something we cannot change.
What if we do not try to change others, but rather try and change our attitude to stress and tension that we often experience at work?
Stretching and doing a short workout
Stretching releases muscle tension that accumulates in your back, shoulders, and neck during the day. Even when your day is extremely busy, do your best and set aside at least 5-10 minutes to do some exercise. There are plenty of exercises you can practise that do not require any special equipment: .yoga, or simple squats (蹲起) - you can pick any kind of workout to your liking. 2. Working out is beneficial for both your body and mind.
Drink a cup of herbal tea
3. Some of them, such as chamomile (甘菊) and peppermint (薄荷) , are a powerful tool helping to fight stress and anxiety. NASA scientists have recently carried out research into the effect of herbs and found out that peppermint scent decreases tiredness by 20% and reduces frustration by 25%, Make a smarter choice and, while at work，drink herbal tea instead of coffee.
Take a stroll (漫步)
Once you find yourself in a different surroundings you will feel much better. 4. Order your favorite drink and distract yourself by watching people go by. If your office is located in an environmentally clean place, for example, near a city park. You can then refresh yourself and relax a bit before you dive back into your working routine.
5.
Call someone who you know can understand and support you when you feel stressed. A study shows that communication with close people, such as your friends or pare
nts, produces oxytocin in your body—the hormone that is needed to successfully fight tension and stress.
A. Drinking herbal tea can effectively relieve tension.
B. Have a chat
C. Physical activity will boost your energy level and help you calm down.
D. Herbs work miracles.
E. Other people influence it as well.
F. If your office is situated in a busy city center, then you can spend your lunch break in a sidewalk café.
G. Find help
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Stories are shared in many ways. They are described in books and magazines. They are read around the campfire at night. They are randomly distributed from stand-alone booths. But what else?
To revive （复兴）literature in the era of fast news and smartphone addiction, Short Edition, a French publisher of short-form literature, has set up more than 30 story dispensers （分发机）in the USA in the past years to deliver fiction at the push of a button at restaurants, universities and government offices.
Francis Ford Coppola, the film director and winemaker, liked the idea so much that he invested in the company and placed a dispenser at his Cafe Zoetrope in San Francisco. Last month public libraries in some other cities announced they would be setting them up, too. There is one on the campus at Penn State. A few can be found in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla. And Short Edition plans to announce more, including at the Los Angeles International Airport.
“Everything old is new again," said Andrew Nurkin, the director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, which is one of the libraries that set up the dispensers. “We want people to be easily exposed to literature. We want to advance literacy among children and inspire their creativity.
Here's how a dispenser works： It has three buttons on top indicating choices for stories that can be read in one minute, three minutes or five minutes. When a button is pushed, a short story is printed. The stories are free. They are chosen from a computer category of more than 100,000 original submissions by writers whose works have been evaluated by Short Edition's judges, and transmitted over a mobile network. Offerings can be tailored to specific interests, like children's fiction or romance. Short Edition gets stories for its category by holding writing contests.
Short Edition set up its first booth in 2016 and has 150 machines worldwide. “The idea is to make people happy," said Kristan Leroy, director of Short Edition, “There is too much unhappiness today. ”
1.What do we know about the stories sent by dispensers?
A.They are expensive.
B.They are short in form.
C.They can be read on smartphones.
D.They are mainly taken from magazine literature.
2.Where can you find the popularity of story dispensers in America?
A.In paragraph 3.
B.In paragraph 4.
C.In paragraph 5.
D.In paragraph 6.
3.Which is the main purpose of setting up the dispensers according to Andrew Nurkin?
A.To get rid of people's smartphone addiction.
B.To reduce the financial stress of libraries.
C.To make people have access to literature.
D.To advertise the network literature.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Online Reading: a Virtual Tour
B.Short Edition, a French Publisher
C.Everything Old Will Be Popular Again
D.Taste of Literature, at the Push of a Button
nts, produces oxytocin in your body—the hormone that is needed to successfully fight tension and stress.