Something’s happening at the lowest point on ...

Something’s happening at the lowest point on our planet,some 1,388 feet below sea level.The Dead Sea,a salt lake close to Israel,Jordan and the West Bank,is shrinking at an alarming rate—about 3.3 feet per year,according to the environmentalist group EcoPeace Middle East.

“It’s not just like one country is punishing the Dead Sea;it’s more like the whole region,”said photographer Moritz Küstner,who visited the area in February to work on his series “The Dying Dead Sea”.

The Dead Sea needs water from the other natural sources surrounding it,such as the Jordan River basin.But around the 1960s, the courses of some water sources it relied upon were diverted. Israel, for instance, built a pipeline during that time so it could supply water throughout the country.

Mineral extraction(提取)industries are another main reason why the water levels are declining,experts say.The Dead Sea’s minerals have been popular for their medical power and can often be found in cosmetics(化妆品)and other consumer products.

And then,of course,there’s the Middle East’s hot,dry climate,which makes it difficult for the lake to refill itself.Last year,Israel and Jordan signed a $ 900 million deal in an effort to stabilize the Dead Sea’s water levels.It involves building a canal from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea which would be able to not only supply water to Israel and Jordan but also to pump much needed water—some 300 million cubic meters annually—into the Dead Sea.

“This is the most important and significant agreement since the peace treaty with Jordan (in 1994),”said Silvan Shalom,Israel’s energy and water resources minister at the time.Whether the canal—estimated to take three years to complete—will work out positively and as planned remains to be seen.

For now, Küstner shows us that the Dead Sea remains very much a place of interest, with people from all over the world going there to swim in its salty waters.

1.How many reasons for the Dead Sea’s shrinking does the author mention in the passage?

A. One. B. Two.

C. Three. D. Four.

2.What does the underlined word “diverted” in paragraph 3 mean?

A. Switch. B. Improve.

C. Accomplish. D. Repair.

3.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The Dead Sea is drying out causing water shortage to humans.

B. Küstner visited the Dead Sea to shoot TV series about people’s life.

C. The Dead Sea’s minerals have been used in some products.

D. The Dead Sea’s water levels have been stabilized by building a canal.

4.What is the passage mainly about?

A. How the Dead Sea’s water levels’ decline influences human beings.

B. How important the Dead Sea is in Israel,Jordan and the West Bank.

C. What we should do to save the Dead Sea from being destroyed.

D. Why the Dead Sea is dying and the measure taken to save it.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Something’s happening at the lowest point on our planet.

The Dead Sea, a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and Palestine to the west, is shrinking at an alarming rate - about 3. 3 feet per year, according to the environmentalist group Eco Peace Middle East. And human actions are largely to blame.

"It's not just like one country is punishing the Dead Sea: it's more like the whole area,” said photographer Moritz Kustner, who visited the area in February to work on his series "The Dying Dead Sea”.

The Dead Sea needs water from the other natural sources surrounding it, such as the Jordan River basin. But around the 1960s, some of the water sources it relied upon were diverted. Israel, for instance, built a pipeline during that time so it could supply water throughout the country.

Mineral extraction industries are another main reason the water levels are falling, experts say. The Dead Sea's minerals have been used as medicine and can often be found in cosmetics and other consumer products.

And then, of course, there's the Middle East's hot, dry climate, which makes it difficult for the lake to replenish itself. Last year, Israel and Jordan signed a $900 million deal in an effort to keep the Dead Sea's water levels stable. It includes building a canal from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea which would be able to not only supply water to Israel and Jordan but also to pump water into the Dead Sea.

But for now, Kustner shows us that the Dead Sea remains very much a place of interest, with people from all over the world going there to swim in its salty waters

The Dead Sea, known as the Salt Sea in the language of Hebrew, is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. And because of what has been happening over the years, the salt is only getting saltier.

1.How many reasons for the Dead Seas shrinking does the author mention in the text?

A.One B.Two

C.Three D.Four

2.What can we learn about the Dead Sea 's minerals?

A.They have practical value.

B.They are controlled by Israel.

C.They can be extracted very easily.

D.They are mainly used in heavy industry.

3.What does the underlined word "replenish” in Paragraph 6 probably mean?

A.To clean something. B.To improve something.

C.To fill something again. D.To find something again.

4.What would be the best title for the text?

A.What we should do to save the Dead Sea. B.More people travel to the Dead Sea.

C.Why the Dead Sea is salty. D.The Dead Sea is drying out.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Every child has written their names on the beach at some point.

But whereas most people’s “handwriting” is washed away, one super-rich Arab sheikh(酋长) has ensure that his graffiti(胡写乱画) will last a little longer.

Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, 63, has scrawled his name in sand on an island he owns with letters so big that they be seen from space.

The word “HAMAD” measures 1,000 meters high and is a staggering two miles long from the “H” to the “D” on the Al Futaisi Island.

And rather than allow the writing to be washed away by the ocean, the letters actually form waterways that absorb the encroaching(渗入) tide. The ruler’s name is even visible on Google’s map service.

Hamad dreamed up the idea and had his workmen work hard for weeks to craft the enormous piece of sand graffiti. It is not known how much it cost to make.

However, the sheikh boasts a personal fortune second to the Saudi king’s.

Hamad, also known as the “Rainbow Sheikh”, is a member of the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family.

He is understood to have some 200 cars including seven Mercedes 500 SELs painted in different colors of the rainbow which he stores in a giant pyramid.

The Arab sheikh had a taste for doing things on a large scale. He built the world’s largest truck—eight times the size of the Dodge Power Wagon, with four bedrooms inside the cabin.

Hamad constructed a motor home in the shape of a giant globe which is exactly 1 millionth the size of the actual earth.

Alongside his displays of wealth he has become a well-known philanthropist(慈善家) in medicine and supplied a complete Kinney stone operating theatre to a public hospital in Morocco where he continues to fund its stuff.

1.Which of the following in NOT true according to the passage?

2.In what way could Hamad make his handwriting last longer?

A. The word “HAMAD” measures 1,000 meters wide and high.

B The word “HAMAD” is a staggering two miles long from the “H” to the “D”.

C. The word “HAMAD” actually forms huge waterways that absorb the encroaching tide.

D. The word “HAMAD” cost his workmen a lot of hard work for several weeks.

3.Why does Hamad have his seven Mercedes-Benz500 SELs painted in different colors?

4.Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

How to Improve Your Confidence

Confidence is something that everyone admires. At some point in your life you may question your level of confidence and wish it to be higher.1.If you believe the theory that we attract into our lives who we are, then creating and keeping high levels of confidence is vital to your well-being.

Watch your intake.2.So reduce the amount of hours of soaps and reality TV each day. Read a book or magazine about a topic you are interested in. Listen to a different radio station you have not listened to before. In this way, you challenge the beliefs you hold and raise your awareness of new things.

3.Spend an allocated period of time being quiet and just reflecting on your life. Remove yourself away from others and focus on the power of silence and improve your levels of concentration.

Believe in yourself. One of the key steps in raising your level of confidence is to believe it for yourself. You need to believe, accept and be in no doubt that you are a confident person.4.Meanwhile, value the time that you spend doing this process.

Take a look around for people you admire. It can be helpful to have someone in your circle that you admire for their skills or achievements. Observe the way they face new challenges and communicate with people. You also should attend a club or a group associated with a topic you're interested in.5.

A. Spend some time being quiet.

B. In this way, your attitude is changed.

C. Spend time imagining you at your absolute best.

D. What you read, watch and listen to affects your mindset.

E. Your level of confidence affects the decisions you make in your life.

F. You'll meet new people different from your present circle of friends.

G. These are the kind of people that can help you to grow in confidence.

高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

Everybody, at some point in their lives, has experienced failure. It could be something as simple as not getting the job you wanted, or getting fewer marks even after hard work. But what makes you is not your failure, but how you get back up after being hit.

Once, a young school boy was caught in a fire accident in his school and was assumed that he would not live. His mother was told that he was sure to die, for the terrible fire had destroyed the lower half of his body. Even if he were to survive, he would be lame throughout his life.

But the brave boy did not want to die nor did he want to be lame.　 Much to the amazement of the doctor, he did survive. But unfortunately from his waist down, he had no motor ability. His thin legs just hung there, lifeless. Eventually he left the hospital. But his determination to walk was unshakable. At home, when he was not in bed, he had to stay in a wheelchair. One day, he threw himself from the chair and pulled himself across the grass, dragging his legs behind him. He reached the fence, raised himself up and then began dragging himself along the fence, firmly determined. He did this every day, with faith in himself that he would be able to walk unaided. With his iron determination, he did develop the ability to stand up, then to walk on and off, then to walk by himself and then to run.

He began to walk to school, and then run to school, to run for the joy of running. Later in college he was on the track team.

In February 1934, in New York City's Madison Square Garden, this young man who was not expected to survive, who would surely never walk, who could never hope to run - this determined young man, Dr. Glenn Cunningham, ran the world's fastest mile.

A good example of the power of positive thinking and faith in one's self, Glenn Cunningham continues to be an inspiration for many, and his story, a brilliant evidence to how one can bounce back even when all difficulties are piled against one, to the degree that death seemed the preferable option.

1.The first paragraph is intended to ________

A. present an argument

B. make preparations for statement

C. arouse readers' interest

D. function as a brief introduction

2.What was the doctor's opinion about Glenn?

A. Glenn was able to walk with his own great effort.

B. Great determination could make a difference to Glenn.

C. There was a slim chance that Glenn could survive.

D. Glenn could live a normal life with the upper halt" of his body.

3.What do we know about Glenn?

A. Glenn took recovery exercise in hospital.

B. Glenn inspired people with his moving story.

C. Glenn won the first place in Marathon.

D. Glenn organized a track team in college.

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A. Strengthen determination

B. Stand up after failure

C. Go after dreams

D. Face difficulty bravely

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Astronomers (天文学家) say they are on the point of finding planets like Earth orbiting other stars, which is a key step in determining if we are alone in the universe.

A top NASA official and other leading scientists say that within four or five years they should discover the first Earth-like planet where life could develop, or may have already. A planet close to the size of Earth could even be found sometime this year.

At the annual American Astronomical Society conference this week, each discovery involving  so-called “exoplanets” —those outside our solar system — pointed to the same conclusion：Quiet planets like Earth where life could develop probably are plentiful.

NASA’s Dew Kepler telescope and a lot of new research from the suddenly hot and competitive exoplanet field caused noticeable buzz at the meeting．Scientists are talking about being at “an incredible special place in history” and closer to answering the question. “Are we alone? For the first time, there’s an optimism that sometime in our lifetimes we’re going to get to the bottom of that,” said Simon Worden，an astronomer who heads NASA’s Ames Research Center. “If I were a betting man, which I am, I would bet we’re not alone.”

“These are big questions that reflect upon the meaning of the human race in the universe,” the director of the Vatican Observatory, the Rev. Jose Funes, said Wednesday in an interview at this week’s conference.

Worden told The Associated Press: “I would certainly expect in the next four or five years we’d have an Earth-sized planet in the habitable (可居住的) zone.”

1.What is very important in determining if we are alone in the universe?

A. Finding an Earth-like planet

B. Orbiting other stars.

C. Developing new telescopes

D. Finding more exoplanets.

2.What’s an exoplanet?

A. It’s a planet like Earth

B. It’s a planet outside our solar system.

C. It’s a planet orbiting the sun

D. It’s a planet where life have developed.

3.The underlined phrase “get to the bottom of” probably means “__________”.

A. understand fully         B. make full use of

C. search for              D. do more research on

4.From the passage we can learn that __________.

A. an Earth-like planet has been found

B. it’s been proved we are not alone in the universe

C. Jose Funes has found the meaning of the human race in the universe

D. the discovery of an Earth-like planet could happen in the near future

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

What's going to happen in the future? Will robots take over our planet? Will computers become smarter than us? Not likely. But here are some things that scientists say are most likely to happen 10 to 30 years later from now, according to the BBC.

1．Digital money

We used to pay with cash for everything we bought. Now when we swipe(刷) our bus pass or use a credit card to shop online, money is spent without us even seeing it. In fact, we are already using one type of digital money.

You have to admit that using a card is much easier than searching your pockets for change. It is also safer than carrying a lot of cash.

When ATM cards were first introduced, they were not accepted everywhere. But now it's hard to live without them. People in Sweden completely stopped using cash last year, according to the Associated Press, and the US might be next.

2．Bionic(能力超人的)eye

It's no longer something only in a sci­fi movie. People who are blind may have a chance to get their sight back—by wearing bionic eyes.

A blind eye can no longer sense light, but a bionic eye can use a camera to “see” the environment and send data directly to the brain.

Although the bionic eye that's out now only allows patients to see lights and unclear shapes, a high­resolution(高清晰度的) version could be just a few years away.

3．Self­driving cars

Everything is going automatic these days—washing machines, ticket selling machines and even cars. Unlike a human driver, a self­driving car won't get distracted by a phone call, the radio or something outside the window. Sensors and cameras on the car would allow it to stick strictly to the rules of the road and keep a safe distance from other cars. This would greatly reduce the number of road accidents. You could even take a nap while the car drives itself.

Many vehicle companies are now planning self­driving cars. “By 2040, driverless vehicles will be widely accepted and possibly be the dominant vehicles on the road，” said Jeffrey Miller, professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, US, in Wired magazine.

1.The underlined word “distracted” in the article is closest in meaning to “________”．

A．directed　     B．discouraged

C．attacked　     D．disturbed

2.Jeffrey Miller's attitude towards self­driving cars is ________.

A．optimistic　     B．pessimistic

C．doubtful　     D．cautious

3.Which section is the article most likely to be found in the newspaper?

A．Learning Kit　     B．Campus Trends

C．Entertainment　     D．Technology

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

What's going to happen in the future? Will robots take over our planet? Will computers become smarter than us? Not likely. But here are some things that scientists say are most likely to happen 10 to 30 years later from now, according to the BBC.

1．Digital money

We used to pay with cash for everything we bought. Now when we swipe(刷) our bus pass or use a credit card to shop online, money is spent without us even seeing it. In fact, we are already using one type of digital money.

You have to admit that using a card is much easier than searching your pockets for change. It is also safer than carrying a lot of cash.

When ATM cards were first introduced, they were not accepted everywhere. But now it's hard to live without them. People in Sweden completely stopped using cash last year, according to the Associated Press, and the US might be next.

2．Bionic(能力超人的)eye

It's no longer something only in a sci­fi movie. People who are blind may have a chance to get their sight back—by wearing bionic eyes.

A blind eye can no longer sense light, but a bionic eye can use a camera to “see” the environment and send data directly to the brain.

Although the bionic eye that's out now only allows patients to see lights and unclear shapes, a high­resolution(高清晰度的) version could be just a few years away.

3．Self­driving cars

Everything is going automatic these days—washing machines, ticket selling machines and even cars. Unlike a human driver, a self­driving car won't get distracted by a phone call, the radio or something outside the window. Sensors and cameras on the car would allow it to stick strictly to the rules of the road and keep a safe distance from other cars. This would greatly reduce the number of road accidents. You could even take a nap while the car drives itself.

Many vehicle companies are now planning self­driving cars. “By 2040, driverless vehicles will be widely accepted and possibly be the dominant vehicles on the road，” said Jeffrey Miller, professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, US, in Wired magazine.

1.The underlined word “distracted” in the article is closest in meaning to “________”．

A．directed　     B．discouraged

C．attacked　     D．disturbed

2.Jeffrey Miller's attitude towards self­driving cars is ________.

A．optimistic　     B．pessimistic

C．doubtful　     D．cautious

3.Which section is the article most likely to be found in the newspaper?

A．Learning Kit　     B．Campus Trends

C．Entertainment　     D．Technology

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Some say college is wasted on the young. So many of us look back at our own college years and realize what we could have done differently to make the most of them. While we can’t go back, we certainly can offer our sons and daughters our best advice to help them make the right choices in college. Hopefully, they will have fewer regrets than we do. Following are five guidelines parents can share with their college-bound kids to put the whole experience in perspective.

EDUCATION IS YOUR FIRST PRIORITY

As soon as you arrive on campus, there will be competing interests. Feel free to check them out but always remember that you are there first and foremost for your education. Go to class prepared and on time. Be engaged during class. Make sure your professor knows you and realizes that you care.

BE RESPONSIBLE

There are many layers of responsibility. Do what you say you will do and, if you can’t, own up to it early and communicate clearly. But being responsible isn’t just about meeting your commitments; it is also about taking care of you, your body, and your friends. For example, more than 1800 college students die annually from alcohol-related injuries. Look out for yourself and other people. Make moderate, sensible decisions so you aren’t reeling from the consequences later.

TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY

Incredible opportunities will present themselves: studying abroad, interning at a unique place, trying new things. Don’t let fear prevent you from taking advantage of them. There may never be so much time or as many resources devoted to your betterment again in your life. Say yes to opportunities that will help you grow.

FIND AND BE A MENTOR

Some of the best lessons available to us can come outside of the classroom in the form of a mentor. One of the most powerful growth opportunities is being a mentor. Early on, find someone on campus who you feel can help you grow and develop a relationship with him or her. Also find someone for you to mentor. You will reinforce and enrich your own learning experience by teaching someone else.

GET THE JOB DONE

It is natural to occasionally feel you want to quit, when it makes more sense to you to go find a full-time job. Resist that urge. As Jocelyn Negron-Rios, a mother of two, who is currently completing her degree, advises, “No matter how difficult it seems, keep at it because however insurmountable it feels now multiply that by 10,000 and that is how it feels when you are in your thirties with a full-time job and a family and are trying to pursue a degree.”

1.According to the passage, the most important thing for college students is ______.

A. taking part in different activities

B. working hard to get a degree

C. seizing every chance to try new things

D. improving themselves by learning from the others

2.Which of the following about college life is true?

A. Passing on what you’ve learned in college can help you enrich your learning experience.

B. Make sure that you are responsible for yourself rather than others.

C. Professors will not assess your performances in class but the grades you get in exams.

D. You can make full use of the opportunity whenever you want.

3.What can we infer from the words said by Jocelyn in the last paragraph?

A. Persistence is the key to success when you meet with difficulties in your learning process.

B. It is better if you gain more working experience before you finish your education.

C. As long as you work hard, you can gain a degree even when you are in your thirties.

D. Youth is the best time to learn since you have less burden.

4.What is the main purpose of the passage?

A. To give some rules for the college students.

B. To call on the students to make full use of college years.

C. To summarize some tips for parents to share with their children.

D. To analyze the benefits and difficulties of college life.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Some say college is wasted on the young. So many of us look back at our own college years and realize what we could have done differently to make the most of them. While we can’t go back, we certainly can offer our sons and daughters our best advice to help them make the right choices in college. Hopefully, they will have fewer regrets than we do. Following are five guidelines parents can share with their college-bound kids to put the whole experience in perspective.

EDUCATION IS YOUR FIRST PRIORITY

As soon as you arrive on campus, there will be competing interests. Feel free to check them out but always remember that you are there first and foremost for your education. Go to class prepared and on time. Be engaged during class. Make sure your professor knows you and realizes that you care.

BE RESPONSIBLE

There are many layers of responsibility. Do what you say you will do and, if you can’t, own up to it early and communicate clearly. But being responsible isn’t just about meeting your commitments; it is also about taking care of you, your body, and your friends. For example, more than 1800 college students die annually from alcohol-related injuries. Look out for yourself and other people. Make moderate, sensible decisions so you aren’t reeling from the consequences later.

TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY

Incredible opportunities will present themselves: studying abroad, interning at a unique place, trying new things. Don’t let fear prevent you from taking advantage of them. There may never be so much time or as many resources devoted to your betterment again in your life. Say yes to opportunities that will help you grow.

FIND AND BE A MENTOR

Some of the best lessons available to us can come outside of the classroom in the form of a mentor. One of the most powerful growth opportunities is being a mentor. Early on, find someone on campus who you feel can help you grow and develop a relationship with him or her. Also find someone for you to mentor. You will reinforce and enrich your own learning experience by teaching someone else.

GET THE JOB DONE

It is natural to occasionally feel you want to quit, when it makes more sense to you to go find a full-time job. Resist that urge. As Jocelyn Negron-Rios, a mother of two, who is currently completing her degree, advises, “No matter how difficult it seems, keep at it because however insurmountable it feels now multiply that by 10,000 and that is how it feels when you are in your thirties with a full-time job and a family and are trying to pursue a degree.”

1.According to the passage, the most important thing for college students is ______.

A. taking part in different activities

B. working hard to get a degree

C. seizing every chance to try new things

D. improving themselves by learning from the others

2.Which of the following about college life is true?

A. Passing on what you’ve learned in college can help you enrich your learning experience.

B. Make sure that you are responsible for yourself rather than others.

C. Professors will not assess your performances in class but the grades you get in exams.

D. You can make full use of the opportunity whenever you want.

3.What can we infer from the words said by Jocelyn in the last paragraph?

A. Persistence is the key to success when you meet with difficulties in your learning process.

B. It is better if you gain more working experience before you finish your education.

C. As long as you work hard, you can gain a degree even when you are in your thirties.

D. Youth is the best time to learn since you have less burden.

4.What is the main purpose of the passage?

A. To give some rules for the college students.

B. To call on the students to make full use of college years.

C. To summarize some tips for parents to share with their children.

D. To analyze the benefits and difficulties of college life.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析