Recently, a coalition of business and advocac...

Recently, a coalition of business and advocacy groups from around Washington gathered to kick off a campaign to enact a carbon pricing program in the capital. Known as the Climate and Community Reinvestment Act of D.C., the plan would place a new tax on all fossil fuels bought or sold, with the hope of ultimately discouraging the use of these polluting energy sources.

The big-picture goal of this campaign is admirable: to address the ever-deepening crisis of humanity-driven climate chaos by dissuading the continued use of coal, oil and gas, the filthy substances rapidly warming our planet. But unfortunately, the approach — one based in a world of financial markets, trading schemes and enticing new public revenue streams — is deeply and inherently flawed. Simply put, carbon pricing is a false solution to climate change and a distraction from real, effective climate solutions we must urgently pursue.

To date, there is scant(不足的) evidence to indicate that carbon taxes lower greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the opposite is true. Recently Food & Water Watch reviewed the British Columbia carbon tax program, often cited by advocates as an example of success. From 2009 (the first full year of the tax) to 2014, emissions from taxed sources grew by 4.3 percent. And in the seven years after the carbon tax took effect, total gasoline sales increased by 7.37 percent.

Supporters of such plans like to focus on a deceivingly simple notion that increasing the price of a consumer good will automatically reduce its use. But this just isn’t the case when it comes to the purchase of necessities. People must heat their homes in winter, and they must commute to work, regardless of the cost.

Those backing the D.C. carbon pricing plan like to note that revenue from the new tax would go toward investment in clean energy sources. But only 20 percent of the generated funds would be allocated in this manner. The rest would be divvied(分摊) up in tax breaks for businesses and rebates(回扣) for consumers, another factor undercutting the notion that increased costs up front would change consumer behavior in the long run.

Meanwhile, fossil fuel giants such as ExxonMobil are increasingly coming out in support of carbon pricing. This should be cause for alarm for anyone concerned with stamping out the use of the dirty energy sources these corporations profit from. Exxon knows that carbon taxes will do little to change the business-as-usual dependence on oil and gas that it relies on to continue operating and enriching shareholders. Furthermore, corporations such as Exxon rightly view carbon pricing schemes as a means of diverting energy and interest from tougher regulations that might actually encroach on(侵犯) their business plans and bottom lines.

Despite what many well-intentioned activists and community leaders want to believe, there is no convenient, market-friendly solution to our dire climate condition. There is only the hard truth that we must tackle the problem at its source: We must stop using fossil fuels, and soon. The latest science indicates that in order to avoid the worst effects of deepening climate chaos, society must transition completely to clean, renewable energy by 2035.

1.Food &Water Watch found that _______ .

A.carbon taxes could limit greenhouse gas emissions

B.taxing carbon emissions did not reduce pollution

C.carbon emissions grew at a lower rate than gasoline sales

D.British Columbia carbon tax program achieved lasting effect

2.Which of the following is true, according to Paragraphs 4 and 5?

A.Consumers will use less of a good when its price increases.

B.Carbon taxes will benefit the development of clean energy.

C.Increased cost will do little to change the use of necessities.

D.The dependence on fossil fuels will decrease automatically.

3.Fossil fuel giants _________.

A.are expressing dissatisfaction with carbon pricing schemes

B.are reducing their dependence on dirty energy sources

C.view clean renewable energy as their future source of profits

D.see carbon pricing as distraction from tough rules against them

4.The most suitable title for this text would be __________.

A.The Carbon Tax Fallacy(谬论) B.The Climate Change Myth

C.The Call for Clean Energy D.The Causes of Climate Chaos

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Recently I and other Red Cross volunteers met a group of victims from Hurricane Katrina. We were there, as mental health professionals, to offer “psychological first aid” and I was struck by the simple healing power of presence. As we walked in the gate to the shelter, we were greeted with a burst of gratitude (感激) from the first person we met. I felt appreciated, but also guilty, because I hadn’t really done anything yet.

I first realized the power of presence many years ago when a friend’s mother passed away unexpectedly. I had received a call saying she had just passed away. I wanted to rush down there immediately, but didn’t want to intrude (打扰) on this very personal period of sadness. I was torn about what to do. Another friend with me then said, “Just go. Just be there.” I did, and I will never regret it.

Since then, I have not hesitated to be in the presence of others. Once I sat at the bedside of a young man suffering from the pain of his AIDS — related dying. He was not awake, and obviously unaware of others’ presence. However, the atmosphere was by no means solemn. His family, playing guitars and singing, allowed him to be present with them as though he were still fully alive.

In my life, I am repeatedly struck by the healing power of presence. In it, none of us are truly alone. It is not only something we give to others but also changes me for the better.

1.Why were the hurricane victims grateful to the author?

A. He built shelters for them.

B. He gave immediate first aid to them.

C. He came to stay with them.

D. He brought mental health professionals.

2.What did the author do when his friend’s mother passed away?

A. He hesitated over whether to go.

B. He went to his friends’ at once.

C. He knew what to do instantly.

D. He decided not to disturb.

3.What does the underlined word “solemn” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A. Heavy but warm.　　 B. A little sad but cosy.

C. Relaxing and delightful.　　 D. Very serious and unhappy.

4.What has the author learned from his experience?

A. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

B. Being present can make a big difference.

C. The family harmony is the happiest thing in life.

D. Being a volunteer can make one’s life more significant.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Recently I and other Red Cross volunteers met a group of victims from Hurricane Katrina. We were there, as mental health professionals, to offer “psychological first aid” and I was struck by the simple healing power of presence. As we walked in the gate to the shelter, we were greeted with a burst of gratitude from the first person we met. I felt appreciated, but also guilty, because I hadn’t really done anything yet.

I first realized the power of presence many years ago when a friend’s mother passed away unexpectedly. I received a call saying she had just passed away. I wanted to rush down there immediately, but didn’t want to intrude(打扰) on this very personal period of sadness. I was torn about what to do. Another friend with me then said, “Just go. Just be there.” I did, and I will never regret it.

Since then, I have not hesitated to be in the presence of others. Once I sat at the bedside of a young man suffering from the pain of his AIDS-ralated dying. He was not awake, and obviously unaware of others’ presence. However, the atmosphere was by no means solenm. His family, playing guitars and singing, allowed him to be present with them as though he were still fully alive.

In my life, I am repeatedly struck by the healing power of presence. In it, none of us are truly alone. It not only is something we give to others but also changes me for the better.

1.Why were the hurricane victims grateful to the author?

A. He built shelters for them.　　 B. He gave immediate first aid to them.

C. He came to stay with them.　　 D. He brought mental health professionals.

2.What did the author do when his friend’s mother passed away?

A. He hesitated over whether to go.　　 B. He went to his friend’s at once.

C. He knew what to do instantly.　　 D. He decided not to disturb his friend.

3.What does the underlined word “solenm” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A. Heavy but warm.　　 B. A little sad but cosy.

C. Relaxing and delightful.　　 D. Very serious and unhappy.

4.What has the author learned from his experience?

A. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

B. Being present can make a big difference.

C. The family harmony is the happiest thing in life.

D. Being a volunteer can make one’s life more significant.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Here are four pieces of news from China Daily.

SHANGHAI — The Huachen Group recently held a meeting in Shanghai to show the use of its newly opened tourism business payment network. The network aims to serve tourists from all over the world, but especially from Europe and the United States where credit cards are popularly used. After opening the www.chinaecnet.com website, netizens can get information about hotels and tourism services on tourism page. Hotels and services can be reserved and payments made through credit cards. The network opened in February in Beijing.

SYDNEY — The Sydney Olympic flame will travel underwater on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef during the torch relay following a successful test. Scuba diver Wendy Craig, a marine biologist, will carry the torch on a three-to-four-minute underwater journey at Agincourt Reef on June 27, creating Olympic history, organizers said yesterday. Burning at 2000 degrees, the torch is expected to remain a light three meters underwater because of the special technology which creates a fierce flame that can not be drowned out by water.

Charles Tegner, managing director of torch creator, said the flame would burn like a flare (照明弹) from oxygen-producing chemicals.

BEIJING — The election of a new leader in Taiwan can not change the fact that Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory. “Taiwan Independence” in whatever form will never be allowed, according to a statesman of China’s central government.

“We should listen to what the new leader in Taiwan says and watch what he does. We will observe where he will lead cross-Straits (海峡两岸) relations. We are willing to exchange views on cross-Straits relations and peaceful reunification with all parties, organizations and personages in Taiwan who favor the one China principle,” says the statesman, which was released by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee.

HAIKOU — Customs officers in Haikou recently stopped a boat loaded with 781 cases of foreign-brand cigarettes being smuggled (走私) into China. The smuggled cigarettes cases, packed into two containers, were disguised to avoid being examined. The boat was registered in the coastal city of Xiamen in East China’s Fujian Province. All eight suspects aboard the boat were kept by the police in Haikou.

1.Why does the network aim to serve tourists especially from Europe and the USA?

A.Because they are from developed countries.

B.Because the payments of hotels and services should be made through credit cards.

C.Because people in these countries travel much more than other countries.

D.Because it is more convenient for them to surf the Internet.

2.Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the second piece of news?

A.The whole torch relay will be held three-four metres underwater.

B.The underwater journey of the torch will play an important part in Olympic history.

C.A test has been made before this activity.

D.Some chemicals will help the flame burn by producing oxygen.

3.Which is the best title for the third piece of news?

A.Ready to Fight

B.No Good End

C.Wait and See

D.Peace Comes First

4.Which of the following best explains the underlined word disguised in the last piece of news?

A.made different from normal

B.designed for a good purpose

C.divided

D.pretended

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

Recently a group of children in America poured some gasoline on a sleeping man and set him on fire. When caught, the children said they had done what they’d seen on TV.

The incidents make people angry who believe that American children are harmed by watching too much TV. They claim children can’t tell between the fiction of TV and reality, and TV distracts them from learning and makes them violent.

To estimate the impact of TV on young people, “Life” magazine hires a company to interview hundreds of school children in Nora Springs, Iowa and in Dallas, Texas. Although the two cities are very different, the company finds children in each city watch the same TV shows.

Many Iowa children, who watch an average of three hours of TV a day, recognizing that life on TV is rosier than what they experience. Their favourite shows are situation comedies about American families in trouble. Many boys like violent shows about police detectives or heroes, girls particularly soap operas-stories about families and friends.

On the whole, children find real violence on news programs hard to take. “If you see a bus crash on the news, it’s frightening,” one fifth grader says. By and large, the Iowa children agree that the best thing about TV is it makes you laugh.

Children in Dallas are savvier about programs of drug use on TV. “They don’t really show them doing it right. On TV they are not real.” A fifth grader says.

“Life” agrees with a 1988 study by the U. S Department of education that finds children are none the worse for watching TV. The study finds TV doesn’t have lasting effect on children. On the contrary, kids show good judgment about what they watch. “There are very few good shows on TV anymore,” a 10-year-old boy says.

While the debate about TV is so heated, the “Life” survey gives hope that American kids aren’t wasting three or four hours a day (what is worse, by the time young people enter college today, they will have devoted more time to watching television than they will spend in college). However, a child watching TV isn’t reading a good book or joining in healthful sports.

1.The main idea of the passage is ________.

2.Children who see real violence on TV news programs ________.

3.Children who enter college today ________.

4.The “Life” survey of children’s TV habits ________.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Recently, a scientist did some experiments. He left a group of 4-year-olds in a room with a bell and a candy. If they rang the bell, he would come back and they could eat the candy. If, however, they didn’t ring the bell and waited for him to come back on his own, they could then have two candies.

In the videos of the experiments, he can see the children hiding their eyes, trying to exercise self-control so they can wait and get two candies. The results are different. Some broke down and rang the bell within a minute. Others lasted 15 minutes.

The children who waited longer went on to get higher academic scores. They got into better colleges and had better adult success. The children who rang the bell quickest were more likely to have received worse teacher and parental evaluations (评价) 10 years later and were more likely to have drug problems at age 32.

The experiments are worth noting because people spend a lot of time thinking about how to improve education, and how to become rich. But when the result is not good, they will come back to ask “How do we get people to get the sort of self-control that leads to success?” This is to enter the world of human nature.

So these experiments, along with everyday experience, tell us that self-control is most important. Young people who can sit through sometimes boring classes to get a degree can work hard in order to learn a language well. They can avoid drugs and alcohol. For people without self-control skills, however, school is a series of failed and painful experience. No wonder they drop out and their later life is a group of foolish ideas, such as drug use, stealing and so on.

1.The scientist did some experiments to ________.

A. find good ways of training children to learn

B. show that children’s education is important

C. test children’s self-control and later success

D. test children’s intelligence of ringing the bell

2.What do the underlined words “broke down” probably mean?

A. failed to wait. B. kept waiting.

C. hid the candy. D. ate the candy.

3.How long did the scientist’s experiments last according to the text?

A. Just 15 minutes. B. Within 10 years.

C. Less than 14 years. D. About 28 years.

4.What will the children without self-control do at school according to the text?

A. They will improve their education.

B. They will suffer a lot from boring lessons.

C. They will become very rich and successful.

D. They will work hard to catch up with others.

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Recently, a business associate and I experienced one of the real challenges in visiting a very large regional shopping centre. How do you find a store when you haven't been to this shopping centre for some considerable period of time?

Well, when we first arrived at the centre and had parked our car, out of the crowd ____ one of the shopping centre security officers. Seizing the opportunity to　 ____some assistance from someone who would no____　 know where the store was located, I approached him and asked for____ . He smiled and　　 ____　 that the store was only some 75 metres from where we were standing. Before we could thank him, he ____　　 , “'However, please allow me to　 ____　　 where it is.” We thanked him, but said that there was no　 ____ , as we would now be able to find it with the help of his directions. His immediate ____ came as a real surprise to us both. “'No, not at all, please　　 ____　　 me, it is not very far and it is all just part of my job.” As we walked, he asked____ our day had been and then added that it was a very busy day in the centre,　 ____　 because it was school holidays. When we reached the store, we both thanked him for his courtesy and knew his name was Rod.

I am sure Rob's job as a security officer is full of daily　 ____　 with lots of not so good things to____ with, so no doubt doing what he did for us and I am certain many others, is more than ____　 the part of his job that makes his day just that more enjoyable and　　 ____　 .

There can be ____　　 better in life than to offer caring and sincere　 ____　 to others and not____ anything in return, however, I am sure that the　 ____ you receive for a job very well done will never go lost!

1.A. stayed　　 B. appeared　　 C. remained　　 D. stood

2.A. provide　　 B. receive　　 C. seek　　 D. handle

3.A. doubt　　 B. wonder　　 C. idea　　 D. problem

4.A. directions　　 B. explanations　　 C. instructions　　 D. excuses

5.A. thought　　 B. remembered　　 C. informed　　 D. indicated

6.A. answered　　 B. added　　 C. insisted　　 D. stressed

7.A. prove　　 B. remind　　 C. present　　 D. show

8.A. way　　 B. point　　 C. need　　 D. use

9.A. action　　 B. reply　　 C. answer　　 D. step

10.A. follow　　 B. direct　　 C. consult　　 D. help

11.A. what　　 B. where　　 C. how　　 D. when

12.A. mainly　　 B. usually　　 C. mostly　　 D. lately

13.A. memories　　 B. operation　　 C. checks　　 D. challenges

14.A. go　　 B. deal　　 C. help　　 D. live

15.A. popular　　 B. unique　　 C. likely　　 D. special

16.A. amazing　　 B. exciting　　 C. surprising　　 D. rewarding

17.A. nothing　　 B. something　　 C. anything　　 D. everything

18.A. greetings　　 B. appreciation　　 C. patience　　 D. service

19.A. order　　 B. pay　　 C. expect　　 D. receive

20.A. comment　　 B. praise　　 C. training　　 D. practice

高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Now a group of scientists, including ones from CalTech, MIT and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration finally found the gravitational waves(引力波)．They announced they were able to see ripples(波纹) in the structure of spacetime.

What are these gravitational waves? Well, imagine throwing a rock into a pond. When the rock hits the flat surface of the water, it creates ripples. Spacetime is like the surface of the water. So gravitational waves are like the ripples moving out from where the rock hits the water.

It was Einstein who said these gravitational waves should be observable. But these are not huge waves. They are smaller than the size of an atom, which is why it took so long to find them.

Since 2002, scientists have been watching for these gravitational waves, using a giant scientific tool called LIGO. They have been watching two black holes in another galaxy(星系) faraway. The two were spinning around each other, moving closer and closer together. When they finally crashed into each other, gravitational waves were caused. With great power and force, they rang throughout the universe, like a giant bell. Those waves, traveling at the speed of light, finally reached the Earth, some 1.3 billion years later. The National Science Foundation said that each of the black holes was 29 to 36 times the mass of our sun.

This discovery means our understanding of the heavens has changed greatly.

1.The author explains the gravitational waves by ________.

A. presenting recent research findings

B. drawing a vivid picture

C. comparing them to something familiar

D. using proper examples

2.According to the author, finding the gravitational waves means ________.

A. there is a better way to deal with physics problems

B. we have a better understanding of the universe

C. we have reached a new level in earth studies

D. there exists another galaxy in the universe

3.What does the word “they” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A. The black holes.

B. The gravitational waves.

C. The scientific tools.

D. The galaxies.

4.This passage mainly talks about ________.

A. a new theory of gravitational waves opposite to Einstein’s

B. a description of the scientific research on black holes

C. the relationship between black holes and gravitational waves

D. the discovery of gravitational waves Einstein believed observable

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A group of researchers and scientists from China and other countries are working together　 1. (record) and collect digital images of cultural relics from the Mogao Caves, which were a key stop 2. the Silk Road throughout China's ancient history. Nearly 500,000 high quality digital photographs 3.( produce) since the international project started in 1994.

The Mogao Caves 4.(study) in many countries have long been a meeting point for different cultures. Today the caves are just as international as they were at the time5.people travelled the Silk Road. Tourists from all over the world visit Dunhuang to see the caves, and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles has reproduced a copy of the caves and6.(paint) for people to admire in America.

By sharing so many digital photos over the Internet, the group hopes to promote even 7.(wide) interest around the world in China's ancient history, culture, and traditions.8.one researcher who is working on the project explains, “9.(appreciate) one's own cultural heritage is very important for understanding oneself. Recognizing the cultural heritage of other countries 10. (do) good to international communication and understanding."

高三英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A group of researchers and scientists from China and other countries are working together to help increase 1. (appreciate) of China’s ancient cultural heritage. They are recording and collecting digital images of cultural relics from the Magao Caves, 2. were a key stop along the Silk Road throughout China’s ancient history. Nearly 500,000 high-quality digital photographs 3. (produce) since the international project started in 1994.

The Magao Caves have long been 4. meeting point for different cultures. Today, the caves are just as international as they 5. (be) at the time when people travelled the Silk Road. Tourists from all over the world visit Dunhuang to see the caves, and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles has even reproduced a copy of the caves and paintings for people 6. (admire) in America.

By7. (share) so many digital photos over the Internet, the group hopes to promote even 8. (wide) interest around the world in China’s ancient history, culture, and traditions. They also hope to further educate people about the importance of safeguarding historic and cultural relics for future 9. (generation) to understand and appreciate. As one researcher who is working 10. the project explains, “Appreciating the cultural heritage is very important for international communication and understanding.”

高三英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析