There was one thought that air pollution affected only the area immediately around large cities with factories and heavy traffic．At present, we realize that although these are the areas with the worst air pollution, the problem is really worldwide．On several occasions over the past decade，a heavy cloud of air pollution has covered the east of the United States and brought health warnings in distant areas away from any industrial cities．In fact，the very climate of the entire earth may be infected by air pollution．Some scientists consider that the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the air resulting from the burning of fossil fuels(coal and oil)is creating a “greenhouse effect”—— keeping heat reflected from the earth and raising the world’s average temperature．If this view is correct and the world"s temperature is raised only a few degrees, much of the polar ice cap will melt and cities such as New York，Boston，Miami，and New Orleans will be in water．
Another view, less widely held, is that increasing particular matter in the atmosphere is blocking sunlight and lowering the earth’s temperature—a result that would be equally disastrous．A drop of just a few degrees could create something close to a new ice age，and would make agriculture difficult or impossible in many of our top farming areas．Today we do not know for sure that either of these conditions will happen．Perhaps，if we are lucky enough，the two tendencies will offset each other and the world"s temperature will stay about the same as it is now．Driven by economic profits, people ignore the damage on our environment caused by the “advanced civilization”．Maybe the air pollution is the price the human beings have to pay for their development．But is it really worth-while?
小题1:People used to think that air pollution_________ .| A．caused widespread damage in the countryside | | B．affected the entire eastern half of the United States | | C．had a very bad effect on health | | D．existed merely in urban and industrial areas |
小题2:As to the greenhouse effect, the author_________.| A．shares the same view with the scientists． | | B．is uncertain of its occurrence | | C．rejects it as being ungrounded | | D．thinks that it will destroy the world soon |
小题3:The underlined word “offset” in the second paragraph could be replaced by_______.| A．counter-act | B．break from | C．get along | D．communicate |
小题4:This passage is primarily about________ .| A．the greenhouse effect | | B．the burning of fossil fuels | | C．the potential effect of air pollution | | D．the possibility of a new ice age |
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小题1:D
小题2:B
小题3:A
小题4:C |
试题分析：
小题1:根据There was one thought that air pollution affected only the area immediately around large cities with factories and heavy traffic，故选D。
小题2:根据Today we do not know for sure that either of these conditions will happen.以及全文内容故选B。
小题3:根据and the world"s temperature will stay about the same as it is now．可知offset意思是抵消，故选A
小题4:结合全文内容，可知这篇短文主要讲了空气污染的潜在影响，故选C
点评：本文说明了这篇短文主要讲了空气污染的潜在影响。并且提出了这样一个问题：人类文明的进步要以空气被污染为代价，这是否值得？答题前先阅读问题，然后带着问题，读全文，找出答题所需要的依据，完成阅读。 |
核心考点
试题【There was one thought that air pollution affected only the area immediately arou】；主要考察你对
题材分类等知识点的理解。
[详细]举一反三
Usually, when your teacher asks a question, there is only one correct answer. But there is one question that has millions of current answers. That question is “What’s your name?” Everyone gives a different answer, but everyone is correct.
Have you ever wondered about people’s names? Where do they come from? What do they mean?
People’s first names, or given names, are chosen by their parents. Sometimes the name of a grandparent or other member of the family is used. Some parents choose the name of a well-known person. A boy could be named George Washington Smith; a girl could be named Helen Keller Jones.
Some people give their children names that mean good things. Clara means “bright”; Beatrice means “one who gives happiness”; Donald means “world ruler”; Leonard means “as brave as a lion”.
The earliest last names, or surnames, were taken from place names. A family with the name Brook or Brooks probably lived near brook(小溪)；someone who was called Longstreet probably lived on a long, paved road. The Greenwood family lived in or near a leafy forest.
Other early surnames came from people’s occupations. The most common occupational name is Smith, which means a person who makes things with iron or other metals. In the past, smiths were very important workers in every town and village. Some other occupational names are: Carter — a person who owned or drove a cart; Potter —a person who made pots and pans.
The ancestors of the Baker family probably baked bread for their neighbors in their native village. The Carpenter’s great-great-great-grandfather probably built houses and furniture.
Sometimes people were known for the color of their hair or skin, or their size, or their special abilities. When there were two men who were named John in the same village, the John with the gray hair probably became John Gray. Or the John was very tall could call himself John Tallman. John Fish was probably an excellent swimmer and John Lightfoot was probably a fast runner or a good dancer.
Some family names were made by adding something to the father’s name. English-speaking people added –s or –son. The Johnsons are descendants of John; the Roberts family’s ancestor was Robert. Irish and Scottish people added Mac or Mc or O. Perhaps all of the MacDonnells and the McDonnells and the O’Donnells are descendants of the same Donnell.
小题1:Which of the following aspects do the surnames in the passage NOT cover? | A．Places where people lived. | | B．People’s characters. | | C．Talents that people possessed. | | D．People’s occupations. |
小题2:According to the passage, the ancestors of the Potter family most probably _______.| A．owned or drove a cart | | B．made things with metals | | C．made kitchen tools or contains | | D．built houses and furniture |
小题3:Suppose and English couple whose ancestors lived near a leafy forest wanted their new-born son to become a world leader, the baby might be named _______.| A．Beatrice Smith | B．Leonard Carter | | C．George Longstreet | D．Donald Greenwood |
小题4:The underlined word “descendants” in the last paragraph means a person’s _____.| A．later generations | B．friends and relatives | | C．colleagues and partners | D．later sponsors |
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Have you heard of the saying, “If anything is worth doing, it is worth doing well”? The proverb is a piece of advice to make effects towards perfection in whichever job one does. It could be a small task like folding up your clothes, or a major one like organizing a business meeting in your later life.
Perfection just needs paying attention to details. If it is your job to dust the furniture at home, dust it so that not a single spot of dirt shows from any direction. If your task is to make the beds, make them so that not a single crease（皱纹）shows on the bed-covers.
There are only two ways to do a job: either sloppily, or well. If you choose the latter, you need to realize that any job that qualifies as (取得…的资格)“your” work deserves your best. Perfection is an attitude that can be developed with just a little effect. It is a habit that is helpful to a person in later life. Let us prove with an example: you may be asked to turn in an essay on, for example, wildlife, for a school project. Instead of writing carelessly a few facts that you already know, you could make the project more effective by looking up a reference books, encyclopedias（百科全书）or websites for additional information. You could then go over the finished essay for slips（疏漏）and errors, and provide pictures where necessary. If you make it a habit to put in extra effort in your school homework, will it not help you to handle more difficult projects at the college or university level?
As Michelangelo, the famous 16th century sculptor and painter, once put it: Trifles（琐事）go to make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.
小题1:According to the passage, to achieve perfection is _______.| A．to realize the quality of the work | | B．to pay attention to details of one’s work | | C．to do as many jobs as possible | | D．to form the habit of doing things ahead of time |
小题2:The underlined word “sloppily” in paragraph 3 may mean _______| A．badly | B．patiently | C．carefully | D．slowly |
小题3:What can be inferred from the third paragraph?| A．It is necessary to provide pictures for your essay. | | B．Websites are the sources of information you want. | | C．Perfection is a habit that promises a good future. | | D．You should make much effort to develop perfection. |
小题4:The purpose of writing this passage is to _______.| A．introduce the famous painter Michelangelo | | B．advise us to do the things that are worth doing | | C．explain to us the meaning of the perfection | | D．expect us to give our best to our work |
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The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago. Now, twitter, e-mail, blogs and QQ chat offer approaches to communication— but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various important functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute (致敬), entertaining, or simply introducing someone.
Persuading is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in Copenhagen in December, 2009, persuasive words from activities encouraged them to take former action.
Inspirational speeches deal with emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people’ s hearts. Last year, during the fighting in Iraq, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
Some speeches spread knowledge and deepen understanding. When the H1N1 flu was announced, the disease scared many people. Informtive speechs from World Health Organization (WTO) officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take necessary preventive measures.
Sad events are never easy to deal with but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna’s speech about Michael Jackson after his death showed the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It’s not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be helpful in the course of our own life. You may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform others about an area of great importance. On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be asked to introduce a speaker at a family gathering or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we’re born with. Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech.
小题1:The underlined word “recociling” in paragraph 3 can best be replaced by “________”| A．considering | B．questioning | C．accepting | D．settling |
小题2:The passage mentions the H1N1 flu to show the function of _______| A．persuasive speeches | B．informative speeches | | C．inspirational speeches | D．introductive speech |
小题3:The 7th paragraph mainly tells us that public speaking ______.| A．is important in world forums | | B．can help us make more friends | | C．matters more in one’s life | | D．is helpful in our daily life |
小题4:What would the writer probably talk about following the last paragraph?| A．How the speech came into being | | B．Why the public speaking is imporatant. | | C．How you can perfect your speech | | D．Why Obama often makes speeches |
小题5:What would be the best title for the passage?| A．Tips of great speeches | B．The history of the speech | | C．Functions of the speech | D．The language of the speech |
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The hole in the earth"s protective ozone layer（臭氧层）won"t repair itself until about two decades later than had been expected, scientists announced.
The ozone layer blocks more than 90 percent of the sun"s ultraviolet radiation（紫外线辐射）, helping to make life on Earth possible. For many dacades, ozone was depleted（削减） by chlorine and bromine gas in the air. A hole in the ozone layer formed over the Southern Hemisphere.
Computer models had forecast that the hole would fill back in by 2050. An improved computer model forecasts the recovery won"t occur until 2068. The model, fed with fresh data from statellites and airplanes, was supported by the fact that it accurately reproduced ozone levels in the Antarctic stratosphere（平流层）over the past 27 years.
The ozone hole is actually more of a broad region with less ozone than ought to occur naturally. It is not limited to Antarctica, as is often believed.
Over areas that are farther from the poles like Africa or the US, the levels of ozone are only three to six percent below natural levels. Over Antarctica, ozone levels are 70 percent lower in the spring. This new method allows us to more accurately estimate（估计）ozone-depleting gases over Antarctica, and how they will decrease over time, reducing the ozone hole area.
Paul Newman, a scientist,said that the ozone hole has not started to become smaller as quickly as expected. They figure it will not become much smaller until 2018, after which time the recovery should proceed more quickly. And the hole will not be filled in again until 2065.
小题1:According to the passage, the ozone layer _______| A．absorbs as much as sunlight as possible | | B．protects man against ultraviolet radiation | | C．controls the changes in temperature | | D．prevents the production of carbon dioxide |
小题2:The improved computer model is believable because _________| A．it was once proved by facts | | B．it has been studied for 27 years | | C．it was created by many scientists | | D．it is related to satellites and airplanes |
小题3:The underlined word “they” in the fifth paragraph refers to ________| A．the levels of ozone | | B．ozone-depleting gases | | C．the ozone holes | | D．the areas far from the poles |
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We often talk about ourselves as if we have permanent genetic defects （缺陷） that can never be changed．“I’m impatient．” “I’m always behind．” “I always put things 21 !” You’ve surely heard them．Maybe you’ve used them to describe 22 ．
These comments may come from stories about us that have been 23 for years—often from 24 childhood．These stories may have no 25 in fact．But they can set low expectations for us．As a child, my mother said to me, “Marshall, you have no mechanical （操作机械的） skills, and you will never have any mechanical skills for the rest of your life．” How did these expectations 26 my development? I was never 27 to work on cars or be around 28 ．When I was 18, I took the US Army’s Mechanical Aptitude Test．My scores were in the bottom for the entire nation!
Six years later, 29 , I was at California University, working on my doctor’s degree．One of my professors, Dr．Bob Tannbaum, asked me to write down things I did well and things I couldn’t do．On the positive side, I 30 down, “research, writing, analysis, and speaking．” On the 31 side, I wrote, “I have no mechanical skills．”
Bob asked me how I knew I had no mechanical skills．I explained my life 32 and told him about my 33 performance on the Army test．Bob then asked, “ 34 is it that you can solve 35 mathematical problems, but you can’t solve simple mechanical problems?”
Suddenly I realized that I didn’t 36 from some sort of genetic defect．I was just living out expectations that I had chosen to 37 ．At that point, it wasn’t just my family and friends who had been 38 my belief that I was mechanically hopeless．And it wasn’t just the Army test, either．I was the one who kept telling myself, “You can’t do this!” I realized that as long as I kept saying that, it was going to remain true． 39 , if we don’t treat ourselves as if we have incurable genetic defects, we can do well in almost 40 we choose．
| 小题2: | | A．them | B．myself | C．yourself | D．others |
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| 小题3: | | A．said | B．spoken | C．spread | D．repeated |
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| 小题4: | | A．as long as | B．as far back as | C．as well as | D．as much as |
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| 小题5: | | A．basis | B．plot | C．cause | D．meaning |
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| 小题6: | | A．lead | B．improve | C．affect | D．change |
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| 小题7: | | A．encouraged | B．demanded | C．hoped | D．agreed |
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| 小题8: | | A．means | B．tools | C．facilities | D．hammers |
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| 小题9: | | A．therefore | B．somehow | C．instead | D．however |
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| 小题10: | | A．settled | B．turned | C．took | D．got |
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| 小题11: | | A．passive | B．active | C．negative | D．subjective |
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| 小题12: | | A．experiences | B．trips | C．roads | D．paths |
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| 小题13: | | A．unexpected | B．poor | C．excellent | D．average |
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| 小题15: | | A．complex | B．advanced | C．common | D．primary |
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| 小题16: | | A．arise | B．separate | C．suffer | D．come |
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| 小题17: | | A．believe | B．suspect | C．adopt | D．receive |
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| 小题18: | | A．weakening | B．strengthening | C．abandoning | D．accepting |
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| 小题19: | | A．As a result | B．At the same time | C．In addition | D．On the contrary |
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| 小题20: | | A．anything | B．something | C．nothing | D．all |
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