A couple of years ago, before a trip to China, Nicole Davis and her US women’s volleyball teammates were warned about the prominence (显著、突出) of coach “Jenny” Lang Ping in her native country.
“I was pushed over by Chinese journalists while I was just trying to put my luggage on the bus,” said Davis.
Known as the “Iron Hammer” for her punishing spikes(扣球),Lang made it possible for China to dominate in the sport in the early 1980s. She was a key player on China’s 1984 Olympic gold medal winning team.
When the US team arrived for the Olympics, Lang, 48, who is from Beijing, had to take a different route to avoid a crowd of reporters and fans.
Then came the greatest moment to Lang:While the US team was playing in a packed gym, at least 8,000 Chinese fans unfurled an American flag.
“That really says it all,” Davis said. “They look at her as an icon(偶像).I’m sure it’s hard for them to see her coaching another country, but they love her so ly that her success is their success.”
The loyalty of the Chinese fans was tested on Friday, when China lost a match to the US.
“It’s a pity that China lost the match, but I’m still glad that Lang Ping’s team won, since she is the pride of China’s volleyball,” said Liu Chengli, a spectator. “We also cheered for
Lang’s victory.”
Lang said she just tried to stay professional when the two teams meet. “It doesn’t matter if we play China or any other team. It’s the same.” Lang said.
Davis said she and her teammates could not have imagined the passion for volleyball among Chinese because the sport was lack of popularity in the US. The reception from Chinese fans has touched the US players, said US volleyball player Lindsey Berg.
“It’s such an honor to be here and play for our coach here in China,” she said. “The amount of support that the Chinese give to her and us has been tremendous. The whole event has been unbelievable.”
What’s the passage mainly about?
A.Staying professional. | B.Cheering for the Iron Hammer. |
C.A match between China and the US. | D.Lang Ping’s career as a coach. |
Lang Ping avoided meeting the reporters and fans probably because she ________.
A.was afraid to be questioned about her strategy |
B.didn’t want to be paid much attention to |
C.disliked to be with her fans |
D.didn’t want to disturb public order |
What does the underlined word “unfurled” exactly mean?
A.destroyed completely | B.tore into pieces |
C.spread out to the wind | D.rolled up |
What does Lang Ping mean by saying “It doesn’t matter if we play China or any other team.”?
A.American Volleyball Team will beat any team. |
B.Chinese Volleyball Team is the same as other teams. |
C.She just tried to stay professional. |
D.The results of each match will be the same. |
What impressed the US team players most?
A.The tolerance of Chinese people. |
B.The popularity of volleyball in China. |
C.Lang Ping’s coaching skills. |
D.The loyalty for volleyball of the Chinese. |
Science can't explain the power of pets, but many studies have shown that the company of pets can help lower blood pressure (血压) and raise chances of recovering from a heart attack, reduce loneliness and spread all-round good cheer.
Any owner will tall you how much joy a pet brings. For some, an animal provides more comfort than a husband/wife. A 2002 study by Karen Allen of the State University of New York measured stress (紧张) levels and blood pressure in people - half of them pet owners –while they performed 5 minutes of mental arithmetic (算术) or held a hand in ice water. Subjects completed the tasks alone, with a husband/wife, a close friend or with a pet. People with pets did
It best .Those tested with their animal friends had smaller change in blood pressure and returned
Most quickly to baseline heart rates .With pets in the room ,people also made fewer math mistakes
Than when doing in front of other companions. It seems people feel more released (放松)around
Pets, says Allen, who thinks it may be because pets don’t judge.
A study reported last fall suggests that having a pet dog not only raises your spirits but may also have an effect on your eating habits. Researchers at Northwesterm Memorial Hospital spent a
Year studying 36 fat people and were put on a diet-and-exercise programs; a separate group of
56 fat people without pets were put on a diet program. On average,people lost about 11 pounds,
Or 5% of their body weight .Their dogs did even better,losing an average of 12 pounds,more then
15%of their body weight .Dog owners didn’t lose any more weight than those without dogs but ,say
Researchers,got more exercise overall –mostly with their dogs –and found it worth doing.
What does the text mainly discuss?
A.What pets bring to their owners |
B.How pets help people calm down |
C.people’s opinions of keeping pets |
D.Pet’s value in medical research |
We learn from the text that a person with heart disease has a better chance of getting well if
____________
A.he has a pet companion |
B.he has less stress of work |
C.he often dose mental arithmetic |
D.he is taken care of by his family |
According to Allen, why did the people do better with pets around when facing stressful tasks?
A.They have lower blood pressure. |
B.They become more patient. |
C.They are less nervous. |
D.They are in higher spirits. |
The research mentioned in the last paragraph reports that
A.people with dogs did more exercise |
B.dogs lost the same weight as people did |
C.dogs liked exercise much more than people did |
D.people without dogs found the program unhelpful |
Somali pirates(海盗) robbed three Thai fishing ships with 77 sailors on board nearly l,200 Miles off the Somali coast,the farthest-off-shore attack to date,an officer said Tuesday.
Pirates have gone farther south and east in answer to increased patrols(巡逻)by warships off the Somali shore. The robbing of the three ships Sunday was about 600 miles outside the normal operation area for the international force,said a spokesman.
The spokesman said the attack so far out at sea was a clear sign that the international patrols against pirates were having a “marked effect on pirate activity in the area”.
“Once they start attacking that far out,you’re not even really talking about the Somali basin or areas of water that have any connection with Somalia,” said an officer,Roger Middleton. “Once you’re that far out,it's just the Indian Ocean,and it means you’re looking at trade going from the Gulf to Asia,from Asia to South Africa.”
"This is the farthest robbing to date. They are now operating near the Maldives and India,” said another officer.
The three ships--the MV Prantalay 11,12,and l 4—had 77 members on board in total.All of them are Thai, the spokesman said. Before the Sunday robbing,pirates held l l ships and 228 sailors.
Pirates have increased attacks over the past year in hopes。f catching more dollar payments. Because of increased patrols and defenses on board ships,the success rate(率)has gone down,though the number of successful attacks has stayed the same year over year.
The pirate attack reported in the text happened .
A.far out in the Indian Ocean |
B.in the normal patrol area |
C.near the Somali, coast |
D.in the south of Africa |
According to the text, which can best describe the situation of the pirate problems?
A.More goods on board are lost. |
B.Pirate attacks happen in a larger area now. |
C.The number of attacks has stayed the same these years. |
D.Pirate attacks are as serious as before along the Somali coast. |
Which is true about the warship patrols according to the text?
A.The patrols are of little effect. |
B.The patrols are more difficult. |
C.More patrols are quite necessary even in Asia. |
D.The patrols only drive the pirates to other areas. |
. How many sailors were held by the pirates up to the time of the report?
A.228. | B.77. | C.383. | D.305. |
Educators are seriously concerned about the high rate of dropouts among the doctor of philosophy candidates and the consequent loss of talent to a nation in need of Ph. D. s. Some have placed the dropouts loss as high as 50 percent. The extent of the loss was, however, largely a matter of expert guessing. Last week a well-rounded study was published. It was published. It was based on 22,000 questionnaires sent to former graduate students who were enrolled in 24 universities and it seemed to show many past fears to be groundless.
The dropouts rate was found to be 31 per cent, and in most cases the dropouts, while not completing the Ph. D. requirement, went on to productive work. They are not only doing well financially, but, according to the report, are not far below the income levels of those who went on to complete their doctorates.
Discussing the study last week, Dr. Tucker said the project was initiated ‘because of the concern frequently expressed by graduate faculties and administrators that some of the individuals who dropped out of Ph. D. programs were capable of competing the requirement for the degree. Attrition at the Ph. D. level is also thought to be a waste of precious faculty time and a drain on university resources already being used to capacity. Some people expressed the opinion that the shortage of highly trained specialists and college teachers could be reduced by persuading the dropouts to return to graduate schools to complete the Ph. D.’
“The results of our research” Dr. Tucker concluded, “did not support these opinions.”
Lack of motivation was the principal reason for dropping out.
Most dropouts went as far in their doctoral program as was consistent with their levels of ability or their specialities.
Most dropouts are now engaged in work consistent with their education and motivation.
Nearly 75 per cent of the dropouts said there was no academic reason for their decision, but those who mentioned academic reason cited failure to pass the qualifying examination, uncompleted research and failure to pass language exams. Among the single most important personal reasons identified by dropouts for non-completion of their Ph. D. program, lack of finances was marked by 19 per cent.
As an indication of how well the dropouts were doing, a chart showed 2% in humanities were receiving $ 20,000 and more annually while none of the Ph. D. ‘s with that background reached this figure. The Ph. D. ‘s shone in the $ 7,500 to $ 15,000 bracket with 78% at that level against 50% for the dropouts. This may also be an indication of the fact that top salaries in the academic fields, where Ph. D. ‘s tend to rise to the highest salaries, are still lagging behind other fields.
As to the possibility of getting dropouts back on campus, the outlook was glum. The main condition which would have to prevail for at least 25 % of the dropouts who might consider returning to graduate school would be to guarantee that they would retain their present level of income and in some cases their present job.
The author states that many educators feel that
[A] steps should be taken to get the dropouts back to campus.
the fropouts should return to a lower quality school to continue their study.
[C] the Ph. D. holder is generally a better adjusted person than the dropout.
[D] The high dropouts rate is largely attributable to the lack of stimulation on the part of faculty members.
Research has shown that
[A] Dropouts are substantially below Ph. D. ‘s in financial attainment.
the incentive factor is a minor one in regard to pursuing Ph. D. studies.
[C] The Ph. D. candidate is likely to change his field of specialization if he drops out.
[D] about one-third of those who start Ph. D. work do not complete the work to earn the degree.
Meeting foreign language requirements for the Ph. D.
[A] is the most frequent reason for dropping out.
is more difficult for the science candidate than for the humanities candidate.
[C] is an essential part of many Ph. D. programs.
[D] does not vary in difficulty among universities.
After reading the article, one would refrain from concluding that
[A] optimism reigns in regard to getting Ph. D. dropouts to return to their pursuit of the degree.
a Ph. D. dropout, by and large, does not have what it takes to learn the degree.
[C] colleges and universities employ a substantial number of Ph. D. dropouts.
[D] Ph. D. ‘s are not earning what they deserve in nonacademic positions.
It can be inferred that the high rate of dropouts lies in
[A] salary for Ph. D. too low.
academic requirement too high.
[C] salary for dropouts too high.
[D] 1000 positions.
Vocabulary
dropout 辍学者,中途退学
well-rounded 全面的
attrition 缩/减员,磨损
drain 枯竭
bracket 一类人,(尤指按收入分类的)阶层
lagging behind other fields 落后于其它领域
glum 阴郁的
难句译注
Educators are seriously concerned about the high rate of dropouts among the doctor of philosophy candidates and the consequent loss of talent to a nation in need of Ph. D. s.
【参考译文】教育工作者严重关注博士生辍学的高比率;这对迫切需要博士生的国家是一个人才方面的严重损失。
It was base on 22,000questionnaires sent to former graduate students who were enrolled in 24 universities and it seemed to show many past fears to be groundless.
【结构分析】sent过去分词,修饰questionnaires。Who定语从句修饰students。
【参考译文】这份全面调查报告是以22000份调查表分送给以前在24所大学就读的博士生为基础的。这份全面调查报告似乎说明过去许多担心害怕是没有根据的。
Attrition at the Ph. D. lever is also thought to be a waste of precious faculty time and a drain on university resources already being used to capacity.
【结构分析】被动句。To capacity满额,全力。
【参考译文】博士水平的人员的缩减被认为是宝贵的教授时间的浪费和已经被使用到极限的大学资源的枯竭。
This may also be an indication of the fact that top salaries in the academic fields, where Ph. D. ‘s tend to rise to the highest salaries, are still lagging behind other fields.
【结构分析】the fact的同位语that从句中的where是定语从句,修饰academic fields。
【参考译文】这也可能表明这样一个事实:在博士能挣到最高工资的学术领域中,高工资仍然落后于其它领域。
写作方法与文章大意
这是一篇论及“博士生辍学”的文章。采用对比和因果手法。文章一开始就提出教育工作者严重关注博士生辍学达50%的问题。而调查报告证明,只有31%。辍学造成不良后果,有人建议中途退学者回炉再念博士学位学业。研究表明不行。列出理由并加以分析。
A team of British surgeons has carried out Gaza’s(加沙)first organ transplants for a long-term plan to train local medical staff to perform the operations.
Two patients underwent kidney(肾脏)transplants at the Shifa, Gaza’s biggest public hospital. The operations were conducted a fortnight ago by a volunteer medical team from the Royal Liverpool hospital.
Ziad Matouk, 42, was born with one kidney and was diagnosed with renal failure(肾衰竭)several years ago. Matouk, whose wife donated one of her kidneys, hopes to return to his job within six months. The couple had sought a transplant in Cairo, but were rejected as unsuitable at a state hospital and could not afford the fee at a private hospital. “We were desperate,” said Matouk.
The UK-Gaza link-up began about a year ago after Abdelkader Hammad, a doctor at the Royal Liverpool hospital, was contacted by an anaesthetist(麻醉师)at the Shifa, who outlined the difficulties the Gaza hospital was facing with dialysis(透析). The Shifa is forced to rely on generators because of power cuts; spare parts for its ageing dialysis machines have been difficult to import; and supplies of consumables are often scarce. After an exploratory trip last April, Hammad---whose family is Palestinian---and three colleagues from Liverpool arrived in Gaza via Egypt last month, bringing specialist equipment. Two patients were selected for surgery. The first, Mohammed Duhair, 42, received a kidney donated by his younger brother in a six-hour operation. Two days later, Matouk received a transplant after his wife, Nadia, 36, was found to be a good match. The surgeon was carried out by the British team, assisted by doctors and nurses from the Shifa. “We are very satisfied with the results,” said Sobbi Skaik, head of surgery at the Gaza hospital.
Skaik hopes that Gaza medical teams will eventually carry out kidney transplants independently, and that other organ transplants may follow. The Shifa is working with the Gaza ministry of health on a plan to train its doctors, surgeons, nursing staff and laboratory technicians in transplant surgery at the Royal Liverpool. “Funding is a problem,” said Hammad. “In the meantime we’ll go back as volunteers to Gaza for the next couple of years to do more transplants.” The Liverpool team’s next visit is scheduled for May.
What effect does Gaza’s first organ transplants hopes to get?
A.Helping poor Gaza people to regain health to make more money. |
B.Releasing Gaza hospitals’ pressure of lack of professional doctors. |
C.Assisting the Royal Liverpool hospital in perfecting their operations. |
D.Calling for international attention at Gaza’s poor medical service. |
Why did the state hospital refuse to practice surgeon for Ziad Matouk?
A.Because he couldn’t afford the fee at a public hospital. |
B.Because the hospital didn’t accept dangerous patients. |
C.Because they couldn’t find a matched organ. |
D.Because his condition was untreatable. |
What is the beginning of the cooperation between the Royal Liverpool hospital and Gaza?
A.A UK doctor contacted Gaza hospital. |
B.The Shifa imported medical machines from UK. |
C.Ziad Matouk’s condition seemed to get worse. |
D.A Shifa doctor turned to Royal Liverpool hospital for help. |
What did Dr. Hammad and his team do recently?
A.They had an exploratory trip in Egypt last April. |
B.They carried out surgeries to test Gaza’s medical equipment. |
C.They carried out two transplant surgeries in Gaza. |
D.They sought assistance from the hospital of the Shifa. |
Three Central Texas men were honored with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Director's Award in a Tuesday morning ceremony for their heroism in saving the victims of a serious twocar accident.
The accident occurred on March 25 when a vehicle lost control while traveling on rainsoaked State Highway 6 near Baylor Camp Road. It ran into an oncoming vehicle, leaving the occupants trapped inside as both vehicles burst into flames.
Bonge was the first on the scene and heard children screaming. He broke through a back window and pulled Mallory Smith, 10, and her sister, Megan Smith, 9, from the wreckage.
The girl's mother, Beckie Smith, was not with them at the time of the wreck, as they were traveling with their body sitter, Lisa Bowbin.
Beckie Smith still remembers the sickening feeling she had upon receiving the call informing her of the wreck and the despair as she drove to the scene.
Bozeman and Clemmons arrived shortly after Bonge and helped rescue the other victims and attempted to put out the fires.
“I was nervous,”Bozeman said. “I don't feel like I'm a hero. I was just doing what anyone should do in that situation. I hope someone would do the same for me.”
Everyone at the accident made it out alive, with the victims suffering from nonlifethreatening injuries. Mallory Smith broke both femurs, and Megan had neck and back injuries. Bowbin is still recovering from a broken pelvis, ankle and foot.
The rescuers also were taken to the hospital and treated for cuts and smoke breathing, Bonge said.
In addition, Bozeman got to meet accident victim Anthony Russo in the hospital after the accident, where Russo presented him with a glass frame inscribed with “Thank you”, Bozeman said. Those involved in that fateful encounter on Highway 6 credited God blessing for bringing them together.
“Whatever the circumstances, Tuesday's ceremony provided a time to be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for the lives of complete strangers,”Beckie Smith said,“We're calling it The Miracle on Highway 6.”
What's the main idea of the passage?
A.Three persons were awarded for rescuing victims in a car accident. |
B.Three ordinary people were regarded as great heroes. |
C.Several victims were carried to safety from the burning cars. |
D.A car accident occurred on rainsoaked State Highway 6. |
Who saved Megan Smith from the damaged car?
A.Clemmons. | B.Anthony Russo. | C.Bozeman. | D.Bonge. |
Which of the following can be used to describe Bozeman?
A.Kind. | B.Modest. | C.Excited. | D.Smart. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Luckily, no one received too serious injuries in the accident. |
B.All the victims received slight injuries in the accident. |
C.The rescuers were taken to the hospital to visit the victims. |
D.The injured will soon recover from their injuries. |
It can be inferred from what Beckie Smith said that____.
A.she regarded the accident as a wonder |
B.she was frightened by the serious accident |
C.she thought highly of the rescuers |
D.she called on others to learn from the rescuers |
The pound new Library of Birmingham(LoB)will be the most visible sign of the way the city is accepting the digitalization(数字化)of everyday life.
Set to open in 2013, the £188 m LoB is already beginning to tale shape next to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, with which it will share some equipment.
As digital media(媒介)is important to its idea. the project is already providing chances for some of the many small new local companies working at the new technologies.
Brian Gambles, the LoB project director, says it is about giving people the right tools for learning, “The aim is to mix the physical with the digital. Providing 24-hour services which can be used through many different ways. It is important to enable us to reach more people, more effectively.”
The digital library will, he says, be as important as the physical one, allowing the distant use of the services, making sure that it is never closed to the public.
Even before the LoB is complete, the public has been able to go online to visit the Virtual(虚拟的)LoB, designed by Baden, the Birmingham virtual worlds specialists. Not only have the public been able to learn about LoB, but the virtual one has also enabled those working on the LoB to understand the building and how it will work before it even opens.
Two other small Birmingham-based digital companies are working on the LoB projects. Substrat, a digital design company, is developing what it calls “enlarge reality” project. It is about the use of an exciting smart phone, an important part of the LoB which is in the early stages of development is an online library of figures of the city being built by a digital content company in Cahoots, in which users will be encouraged to add to and comment on the material.
Gambles says: “Technology will enable us to make the library’s content and services open to citizens as sever before.”
The underline part “its idea” in Paragraph 3 refers to the idea of____.
A.the equipment | B.the project |
C.the digital media | D. the physical library |
While visiting the Virtual LoB, the public can_____.
A.get a general idea of the LoB |
B.meet many world-famous experts |
C.learn how to put up a library building |
D.understand how the specialists work on the project |
Which of the following is true of the LoB when it opens?
a. It offers better learning tools b. It reaches users in different ways c. It provides users with smart phone d. It allows users to enrich its material e. It gives non-stop physical and digital services |
A. a, b, d B. a, c, e C. b, c, d D. b, d, e
This text is most probably taken from .
A.a put book | B.a library guide |
C.a handbook | D.a newspaper report |
Men have always believed that they are smarter than women. Now, a study has found that while this is certainly true, men also have to deal with the fact that they are also more stupid than the fairer sex.
In the study, scientists measured the IQ of 2500 brothers and sisters and they found an uneven number of men not only in the top two percent, but also in the bottom two percent.
The study's participants were tested on science, maths, English and mechanical abilities.
Though there were twice as many men as women in the smartest group, there were also twice as many men among the dolts.
The aggregate scores of men and women were similar.
One of the study's authors, psychology professor Timothy Bates, said that the phenomenon may be because men have always been expected to be high achievers and women have been restricted to spend more time taking care of their home.
"The female developmental program may be tilted more towards ensuring survival and the safety of the middle ground.," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Bates, of Edinburgh University, as saying.
The research tallies with past results that men were more likely than women to receive first class University degrees or thirds and women secured the seconds.
It has been said that men are more ready to take risk when it comes to academics. Women have always found to be steadier in their learning.
A past study has shown that women are securing more firsts and seconds, while men are continuing to receive more thirds.
The argument for the change is that the increase of coursework at the cost of exams favors women's steady approach.
The purpose of the passage is to tell us that ________.
A.man are smarter then women |
B.man are more stupid the women |
C.a new fact about the IQ of men and women has been found |
D.men are more likely to receive first class university degrees |
According to Timothy Bates, less women are in the smartest group because _________.
A.they are born stupid |
B.they have to spend more time to tale care of their home than men |
C.they don’t like to take risk |
D.they are not expected to be high achievers |
The underlined wordtallies with in the eighth paragraph means________.
A.agree with | B.deal with | C.go against | D.go with |
It can be inferred from the passage that______.
A.Women are steadier in their learning. |
B.men are more ready to take risk in everything |
C.women are securing more firsts and seconds |
D.women are doing much better in academy |
Which of the following questions has NOT been discussed in the passage?
A.Why are men smarter than women? |
B.Why are men more stupid than women? |
C.How does the result go along with the past research? |
D.How can we help the men in the bottom? |
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is likely to visit China at an “appropriate” time this year, a senior Chinese military official said on Monday. Colonel Tu Qiming, director of the American and Oceania Affairs Bureau of the Foreign Affairs Office at the National Defense Ministry, made the remark during Sino-US defense talks this week. This is the first ever “special defense policy dialogue” between the two defense ministries, according to the Chinese military.
●●●
FRANCES Agriculture Ministry has confirmed(证实)the first case of mad cow disease detected in a goat last Friday. The goat killed in 2002 tested positive for mad cow disease. It is the first case in the world of the fatal disease being found in an animal other than a bovine. The human form of mad cow disease causes brain-wasting, personality change, loss of body function, and ends in death. The European Commission has not advised any change in farming and consuming goats, said the French Ministry in a statement published last Friday.
●●●
MOBILE phone sales hit a new record in 2010, with some 684 million units sold around the world, the US research institute Strategy Analytics said on Thursday. The number represents an increase of 32 per cent over 2003, when 571 million units were sold. Strategy Analytics predicts a more modest rise of 8 per cent for this year, to 735 million. Finnish cell phone provider Nokia stayed out in front in 2010, with sales of 207.6 million units, giving it a market share of 30.4 per cent. Motorola moved to No 2, just ahead of the South Korean company Samsung.
●●●
SIX male penguins(雄企鹅)at a German zoo are proving stubbornly resistant to females brought in from Sweden to make them into breeding(繁殖).Of the ten male penguins at the zoo, six have formed into “homosexual” couples and have shown no interest in the females, making breeding an impossibility. So the zoo imported the four female penguins from Sweden last month, full of hope that the new arrivals could “turn” the males. But so far, the boys are remaining strictly with the boys.
How many countries are mentioned in the pieces of news?
A.Six. | B.Five. | C.Three. | D.Seven. |
Which will probably reach the sales of 735 million units in 2010?
A.Nokia. | B.Motorola. | C.Samsung. | D.Cell phones. |
From the fourth piece of news we know that_________.
A.the scientists haven’t succeeded in doing their experiment |
B.the scientists have successfully got six female penguins into breeding. |
C.the Sweden girls made the boys show interest in them |
D.German boys don’t like Sweden boys |
Which of the following are the suitable headlines for the pieces of news?
A.a. US Defense Secretary Visit Likely b. France Confirms “Mad Goat Case” c. Mobile Phone Sales d. Male Penguins and Female Penguins |
B.a. US Defense Secretary Visit Likely b. France Confirms “Mad Goat Case” c. Nokia Stays on Top d. Birds of a Feather |
C.a. Defense Policy Dialogue b. Mad Goat Disease c. Mobile Phone Sales d. Importing Female Penguins |
D.a. Sino-US Talks b. Mad Goat Case |
c. Motorola’s Sales Reduced d. Boys and Girls
Somali pirates(海盗) robbed three Thai fishing ships with 77 sailors on board nearly l,200 Miles off the Somali coast,the farthest-off-shore attack to date,an officer said Tuesday.
Pirates have gone farther south and east in answer to increased patrols(巡逻)by warships off the Somali shore. The robbing of the three ships Sunday was about 600 miles outside the normal operation area for the international force,said a spokesman.
The spokesman said the attack so far out at sea was a clear sign that the international patrols against pirates were having a “marked effect on pirate activity in the area”.
“Once they start attacking that far out,you’re not even really talking about the Somali basin or areas of water that have any connection with Somalia,” said an officer,Roger Middleton. “Once you’re that far out,it's just the Indian Ocean,and it means you’re looking at trade going from the Gulf to Asia,from Asia to South Africa.”
"This is the farthest robbing to date. They are now operating near the Maldives and India,” said another officer.
The three ships--the MV Prantalay 11,12,and l 4—had 77 members on board in total.All of them are Thai, the spokesman said. Before the Sunday robbing,pirates held l l ships and 228 sailors.
Pirates have increased attacks over the past year in hopes。f catching more dollar payments. Because of increased patrols and defenses on board ships,the success rate(率)has gone down,though the number of successful attacks has stayed the same year over year.
The pirate attack reported in the text happened .
A.far out in the Indian Ocean |
B.in the normal patrol area |
C.near the Somali, coast |
D.in the south of Africa |
According to the text, which can best describe the situation of the pirate problems?
A.More goods on board are lost. |
B.Pirate attacks happen in a larger area now. |
C.The number of attacks has stayed the same these years. |
D.Pirate attacks are as serious as before along the Somali coast. |
Which is true about the warship patrols according to the text?
A.The patrols are of little effect. |
B.The patrols are more difficult. |
C.More patrols are quite necessary even in Asia. |
D.The patrols only drive the pirates to other areas. |
. How many sailors were held by the pirates up to the time of the report?
A.228. | B.77. | C.383. | D.305. |
In the past ten years, America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) has grown increasingly dependent on the rest of the world to supply players.
When Michael Jordan and Larry Bird won gold in Barcelona in 1992, the Americans were praised for teaching the world how to play basketball. This season, however, 20 percent of NBA rosters(花名册) will be filled by non-Americans. NBA commissioner David Stem happily embraces the trend. On a visit to Paris in October, Stern outlined his vision for the future, which is likely to see Europe hosting NBA games by 2010.
The NBA is now planning to take China by storm.
“Our experience in China has been that it is going to be explosive in its growth,” said Stern. The strategy(战略,策略) in China is television. “We’ve made 14 deals in China with local and national networks on cable and satellite.” The success of Chinese centre Yao Ming has paved the way for the NBA marketing blitz in China. The NBA, which is broadcasted in more than 200 countries in 42 languages, will put that to the test in October 2004 when the Houston Rockets play two pre-season games against the Sacramento Kings in Beijing and Shanghai. The NBA knows that it needs a global market to compensate for tough times on home soil.
“It doesn’t matter where the players come from, all the NBA teams now know that they have to scout(寻找,觅得) internationally,” said Terry Lyons, the NBA’s vice-president of international public relations. “It has increased the level of competition here.” As Frenchman Tony Parker and Argentine Emanuel Ginobili showed in winning championship rings with the San Antonio Spurs last season, many people can earn the respect of their American peers. Others, such as the Houston Rockets’ Chinese centre Yao Ming — number one draft pick in 2002 — and the Detroit Pistons’ 18-year-old Serb Darko Milicic — number two overall in this year’s draft — are icons(偶像)in-waiting. It is the ultimate(最后的,根本的) revolution — the rest of the world teaching the US how to play basketball.
According to the report, .
A.Michael Jordan is still playing a very important role in NBA |
B.the part played by the foreign players in NBA will be great |
C.Yao Ming is to play two pre-season games in NBA |
D.European countries will host the 2004 NBA games |
The underlined phrase “take China by storm” has the meaning of _______ ___.
A.NBA intends to make China its “marketing center” |
B.NBA is planning to set up some training centers in China |
C.there’ll be a big storm when NBA comes to China to play against the Sacramento Kings |
D.the NBA’s live basket games will be broadcasted on all the TVs in China |
What seems to be the biggest change that is happening to NBA?
A. NBA is expecting more foreign players to join the league.
B. China’s rapid development in sports affects NBA.
C. Yao Ming has taken the place of Michael Jordan.
D. The NBA will stop teaching the world how to play basketball.
When the writer talked of “home soil”, he was referring to _ _.
A.farms in the States |
B.native Americans |
C.the NBA training center |
D.the USA |
Which of the following can be used as the best title for the passage?
A.The Non-American Basketball Players |
B.NBA Is Coming to China |
C.The Foreign Ties That Bind the NBA |
D.NBA Is Making Big Progress |
Three Central Texas men were honored with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Director's Award in a Tuesday morning ceremony for their heroism in saving the victims of a serious twocar accident.
The accident occurred on March 25 when a vehicle lost control while traveling on rainsoaked State Highway 6 near Baylor Camp Road. It ran into an oncoming vehicle, leaving the occupants trapped inside as both vehicles burst into flames.
Bonge was the first on the scene and heard children screaming. He broke through a back window and pulled Mallory Smith, 10, and her sister, Megan Smith, 9, from the wreckage.
The girl's mother, Beckie Smith, was not with them at the time of the wreck, as they were traveling with their body sitter, Lisa Bowbin.
Beckie Smith still remembers the sickening feeling she had upon receiving the call informing her of the wreck and the despair as she drove to the scene.
Bozeman and Clemmons arrived shortly after Bonge and helped rescue the other victims and attempted to put out the fires.
“I was nervous,”Bozeman said. “I don't feel like I'm a hero. I was just doing what anyone should do in that situation. I hope someone would do the same for me.”
Everyone at the accident made it out alive, with the victims suffering from nonlifethreatening injuries. Mallory Smith broke both femurs, and Megan had neck and back injuries. Bowbin is still recovering from a broken pelvis, ankle and foot.
The rescuers also were taken to the hospital and treated for cuts and smoke breathing, Bonge said.
In addition, Bozeman got to meet accident victim Anthony Russo in the hospital after the accident, where Russo presented him with a glass frame inscribed with “Thank you”, Bozeman said. Those involved in that fateful encounter on Highway 6 credited God blessing for bringing them together.
“Whatever the circumstances, Tuesday's ceremony provided a time to be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for the lives of complete strangers,”Beckie Smith said,“We're calling it The Miracle on Highway 6.”
What's the main idea of the passage?
A.Three persons were awarded for rescuing victims in a car accident. |
B.Three ordinary people were regarded as great heroes. |
C.Several victims were carried to safety from the burning cars. |
D.A car accident occurred on rainsoaked State Highway 6. |
Who saved Megan Smith from the damaged car?
A.Clemmons. | B.Anthony Russo. | C.Bozeman. | D.Bonge. |
Which of the following can be used to describe Bozeman?
A.Kind. | B.Modest. | C.Excited. | D.Smart. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Luckily, no one received too serious injuries in the accident. |
B.All the victims received slight injuries in the accident. |
C.The rescuers were taken to the hospital to visit the victims. |
D.The injured will soon recover from their injuries. |
It can be inferred from what Beckie Smith said that____.
A.she regarded the accident as a wonder |
B.she was frightened by the serious accident |
C.she thought highly of the rescuers |
D.she called on others to learn from the rescuers |
The pound new Library of Birmingham(LoB)will be the most visible sign of the way the city is accepting the digitalization(数字化)of everyday life.
Set to open in 2013, the £188 m LoB is already beginning to tale shape next to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, with which it will share some equipment.
As digital media(媒介)is important to its idea. the project is already providing chances for some of the many small new local companies working at the new technologies.
Brian Gambles, the LoB project director, says it is about giving people the right tools for learning, “The aim is to mix the physical with the digital. Providing 24-hour services which can be used through many different ways. It is important to enable us to reach more people, more effectively.”
The digital library will, he says, be as important as the physical one, allowing the distant use of the services, making sure that it is never closed to the public.
Even before the LoB is complete, the public has been able to go online to visit the Virtual(虚拟的)LoB, designed by Baden, the Birmingham virtual worlds specialists. Not only have the public been able to learn about LoB, but the virtual one has also enabled those working on the LoB to understand the building and how it will work before it even opens.
Two other small Birmingham-based digital companies are working on the LoB projects. Substrat, a digital design company, is developing what it calls “enlarge reality” project. It is about the use of an exciting smart phone, an important part of the LoB which is in the early stages of development is an online library of figures of the city being built by a digital content company in Cahoots, in which users will be encouraged to add to and comment on the material.
Gambles says: “Technology will enable us to make the library’s content and services open to citizens as sever before.”
The underline part “its idea” in Paragraph 3 refers to the idea of____.
A.the equipment | B.the project |
C.the digital media | D. the physical library |
While visiting the Virtual LoB, the public can_____.
A.get a general idea of the LoB |
B.meet many world-famous experts |
C.learn how to put up a library building |
D.understand how the specialists work on the project |
Which of the following is true of the LoB when it opens?
a. It offers better learning tools b. It reaches users in different ways c. It provides users with smart phone d. It allows users to enrich its material e. It gives non-stop physical and digital services |
A. a, b, d B. a, c, e C. b, c, d D. b, d, e
This text is most probably taken from .
A.a put book | B.a library guide |
C.a handbook | D.a newspaper report |
While small may be beautiful, tall is just plain uncomfortable it seems, particularly when it comes to staying in hotels and eating in restaurants.
The Tall Persons Club Great Britain (TPCGB), which was formed six months ago to campaign for the needs of the tall, has turned its attention to hotels and restaurants. Beds that are too small, showe heads that are too low, and restaurant tables with hardly any leg-room all make life difficult for those of above average height, it says.
But it is not just the extra-tall whose needs are not being met. The average night of the population has been increasing ye the standard size of beds, doorways, and chairs has remained unchanged.]
“The bedding industry says a bed should be six inches larger than the person using it, so even a king-size bed at 6′6″(6 feet and 6 inches) is falling short for 25% of men, while the standard 6′3″ bed caters for less than half of the male population.” Said TPCGB president Phil Heinricy, “seven-foot beds would work fine.”
Sililarly, restaurant tables can cause no end of problems. Small tables, which mean the long-legged have to sit a foot or so away from them, are enough to make tall customers go elsewhere.
Some have already taken note, however. At Queens Moat Houses′Caledoman Hotl in Edinburgh, 6′6″beds are now put in as standard after requests for longer beds from taller visitors, particularly Americans.
What is the purpose of the TPCGB campaign?
A.To provide better services. |
B.To rebuild hotels and restaurants. |
C.To draw public attention to the needs of the tall. |
D.To attract more people to become its members. |
Which of the following might be a bed of proper length according to Phil Heinricy?
A.7′2″. | B.7′ | C.6′6″ | D.6′3″ |
What may happen to restaurants with small tables?
A.They may lose some customers. |
B.They may start businesses elsewhere. |
C.They have to find easy chairs to match the tables. |
D.They have to provide enough space for the long-legged. |
What change has already been made in a hotel in Edinburgh?
A.Tall people pay more for larger beds. |
B.6′6″beds have taken the place of 6′3″beds. |
C.Special rooms are kept for Americans. |
D.Guest rooms are standardized. |
British author JK Rowling was at the release of her latest Harry Potter book called “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” at the Natural History Museum in London, Friday July 20, 2007.
J.K. Rowling has been spotted at cafes in Scotland working on a detective novel, a British newspaper reported Saturday.
The Sunday Times newspaper quoted Ian Rankin, a fellow author and neighbor of Rowling's, as saying the creator of the "Harry Potter" books is turning to crime fiction.
"My wife spotted her writing her Edinburgh criminal detective novel," the newspaper quoted Rankin as telling a reporter at an Edinburgh literary festival.
"It is great that she has not abandoned writing or Edinburgh cafes," said Rankin, who is known for his own police novels set in the historic Scottish city.
Rowling famously wrote initial drafts of the Potter story in the Scottish city's cafes. Back then, she was a struggling single mother who wrote in cafes to save on the heating bill at home.
Now she's Britain's richest woman - worth $1 billion, according to Forbes magazine - and her seven Potter books have sold more than 335 million copies worldwide.
In an interview with The Associated Press last month, Rowling said she believed she was unlikely to repeat the success of the Potter series, but confirmed she had plans to work on new books.
"I'll do exactly what I did with Harry - I'll write what I really want to write," Rowling said.
What is JK Rowling famous for?
A. detective novels |
B. crime fiction |
C. Harry Potter books |
D. love stories |
Which of the following is Not rue about Ian Rankin?
A. He is a writer famous for police novels. |
B. Most of the stories in his novels happened in the historic Scottish city. |
C. It was Rankin himself who witnessed JK Rowing writing her Edinburgh criminal detective novels. |
D. He told the British newspaper The Sunday Times about JK Rowling’s novels. |
Why did Rowling like to write the “Harry Potter stories” in the cafes?
A. Because she was a romantic woman and the atmosphere in the cafes gave her lots of inspiration. |
B. Because she was a single mother at that time and she wanted to find a husband there. |
C. Because her children were so naughty at home and she had to go to a quiet place for her writing. |
D. Because she thought that writing in a cafes could help her save some money. |
What can we learn from the passage?
A. The seven Harry Potter series made JK Rowling a success. |
B. JK Rowling had made enough money so she decided to stop writing. |
C. Rowling planned to write new books because Harry Potter was not exactly what she wanted. |
D. Ian Rankin and his wife earned money by telling reporters news about JK Rowling. |
What is the best title for the passage?
A. Harry Potter and JK Rowing |
B. Ian Rankin, A Neighbour of JK Rowling |
C. A Successful Woman JK Rowling |
D. JK Rowling writing Detective Novels |
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