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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

Animals are more like us than we ever imagined.They feel pain, they experience stress, they show affection, excitement and love.All these findings have been made by scientists in recent years---and such results are beginning to change how we view animals.
Strangely enough, some of this research was sponsored by fast food companies like McDonald’s and KFC.Pressured by animal rights groups , these companies felt they had to fund scientists researching the emotional and mental states of animals.
McDonald’s, for instance, funded studies on pig behavior at Purdue University, Indiana.This research found that pigs seek affection and easily become depressed if left alone or prevented from playing with each other.If they become depressed, they soon become physically ill.Because of this, and other similar studies, the European Union has banned the use of isolating pig stalls from 2010.In Germany, the government is encouraging pig farmers to give each pig 20 seconds of human contact a day, and to provide them with toys to prevent them from fighting
Other scientists have shown that animals think and behave like humans.Koko, the 300-pound gorilla at the Gorilla Foundation in Northern California, for instance, has been taught sign language.Koko can now understand several thousand English words, more than many humans who speak English as a second language.On human IQ tests, she scores between 70 and 95.
Before such experiments, humans thought language skills were absent from the animal kingdom.Other myths are also being overturned, like the belief that animals lack self-awareness.Studies have also shown that animals mourn their dead, and that they play for pleasure.
These striking similarities between animal and human behavior have led some to ask a question: “If you believe in evolution, how can’t you believe that animals have feelings that human  beings have?”
Until recently, scientists believed that animals behaved by instinct and that what appeared to be learned behavior was merely genetically-programmed activity.But as Koko the Gorilla shows, this is not the case.In fact, learning is passed from parent to offspring far more often than not in the animal kingdom.
So what implications does this knowledge have for humans? Because of this, should we ban hunting and animal testing? Should we close zoos? Such questions are being raised by many academics and politicians.Harvard and 25 other American law schools have introduced courses on animal rights.Germany meanwhile, recently guaranteed animal rights in its constitution---the first country to do so.

  1. 1.

    McDonald’s and KFC give money to support scientist to do research on animals, because_____

    1. A.
      they are international big companies.
    2. B.
      they love animals.
    3. C.
      they are pressured by animal right groups.
    4. D.
      they earn a large amount of money and want to do some good deeds.
  2. 2.

    The research on pigs at Purdue University shows that______

    1. A.
      pigs love being alone.
    2. B.
      pigs easily become physically ill.
    3. C.
      pigs need affection.
    4. D.
      pigs don’t like to play with each other.
  3. 3.

    Which of the following statements is NOT true?

    1. A.
      Animals behave by instinct.
    2. B.
      Animals have self-awareness.
    3. C.
      Animals have feelings and love.
    4. D.
      Animals do not have language skills.
  4. 4.

    Should we ban hunting and animal testing?

    1. A.
      Yes.
    2. B.
      No
    3. C.
      Not certain
    4. D.
      Not mentioned

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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

Work Your Mind
Here’s something to think about the next time you ask your teacher for help: struggling with schoolwork on your own can help you learn. According to a recent study, the more you struggle while you are learning new information, the better you can remember it later.
This theory might surprise you. When teachers are presenting new information, they often give students lots of help. But a new study shows this may not be the best way to support learning. “Don't be too quick to get help when learning something new,” education expert Manu Kapur told TFK. “Try to work on it yourself even if it means trying different ways.”
Kapur came up with the idea that struggling can lead to better learning. Then he tested it out on students in Singapore. He separated students into two groups. In the first group, students were asked to solve math problems with the teacher’s help. In the second group, students were asked to solve the same problems by helping one another, instead of getting help from the teacher.
With the teacher’s help, students in the first group were able to find the correct answers. Students in the second group did not solve the problems correctly. But they did come up with a lot of good ideas. The students were then tested on what they had learned. The group without any help from a teacher scored much higher than the group who had help. Kapur said working to find the answers helped students understand the process, not just the solution.
Kapur’s advice for kids is to put a lot of effort into learning something new rather than going to your teacher for help. “Simply doing a little work or nothing at all won’t work,” says Kapur. “The struggle needs to be a genuine attempt to figure out or solve a problem in as many ways as possible.” 

  1. 1.

    When you have doubt on schoolwork, you’d better ____________.

    1. A.
      ask your teacher for help
    2. B.
      make it clear by yourself
    3. C.
      ask your classmates to help you
    4. D.
      ask your parents for help
  2. 2.

    What’s Manu Kapur educational idea on learning new knowledge?

    1. A.
      Give students much help as soon as possible.
    2. B.
      Let students learn it on themselves in one way.
    3. C.
      Let students learn it by themselves in the same way.
    4. D.
      Let students learn it for themselves in different ways.
  3. 3.

    How did Kapur check his idea on better learning?

    1. A.
      By asking questions.
    2. B.
      By solving art problems.
    3. C.
      By group comparations.
    4. D.
      By solving science problems.
  4. 4.

    What is most important in learning knowledge?

    1. A.
      Getting the teacher’s help.
    2. B.
      Getting the student’s help.
    3. C.
      Grasping the learning course.
    4. D.
      Receiving the final solution.

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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

It was just a windy January day here in the North East of Scotland. When I left home for the office where I worked in the next town, the weather forecasters said, “Windy and cold, but no rain.” However, by the time I was about to leave work in the early evening, it was pouring!
My office was close to the bus stop so that there was no problem; I just shot out the door and onto the bus. Unfortunately, once I got home to Montrose, I had about a mile to walk from the bus stop to my home.
As I stepped off the bus that night to walk home, I struggled to get my tiny umbrella to go up in the strong wind. It was obviously designed for a very light shower. Then, suddenly and to my amazement, I heard my mum’s voice.
“Quickly! Come under here, before you get soaked! ”
I nipped(跑) under my bigger umbrella and stared at mum in surprise. “What on earth are you doing here in this weather?” I asked her. My mum was eighty-three that year, and although fit and healthy, she did not usually like going out in strong wind and heavy rain. “You said to come round for tea tonight, but I came early before the rain got too heavy. Eric told me that your car was in for a service and I saw your big umbrella lying on the chair. Eric was on the phone, so I just picked it up and came out so that I could meet you and you would not get soaked!’’
My mum passed away the following year. This simple act remains in my mind, and reminds me how completely my mum loved me. She would not have gone out in the wind and rain for herself, but, at eighty-three, she never gave a second thought about the bad weather so I would not get wet.

  1. 1.

    We can learn from the text that   

    1. A.
      the author’s office was not far from her home.
    2. B.
      the author’s mum enjoyed good health at 83.
    3. C.
      the author was completely wet that night.
    4. D.
      the author opened the umbrella easily then.
  2. 2.

    On hearing her mum’s voice the author was much surprised because   .

    1. A.
      her mum seldom enjoyed going out in such bad weather.
    2. B.
      her mum did not tell her she would bring her an umbrella.
    3. C.
      she had planned to go to her house for tea that day.
    4. D.
      she did not actually realize how much her mum loved her.
  3. 3.

    Eric failed to pick up the author in the car for the reason that    

    1. A.
      he was busy with his work.
    2. B.
      the car was being repaired.
    3. C.
      he was fixing the new phone.
    4. D.
      he did not expect it to rain.
  4. 4.

    The best title for the passage can be   

    1. A.
      I Love Mum.
    2. B.
      Nice to Meet Mum in the Rain.
    3. C.
      To Keep Me from the Rain.
    4. D.
      Mum’s Voice in the Rain.

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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

If your preschoolers turn up their noses at carrots or celery, a small reward like a sticker for taking even a taste may help get them to eat previously disliked foods, a UK study said.
Though it might seem obvious that a reward could encourage young children to eat their vegetables, the idea is actually controversial, researchers wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. That’s because some studies have shown that rewards can backfire and cause children to lose interest in foods they already liked, said Jane Wardle, a researcher at University College London who worked on the study. Verbal praise, such as “Brilliant! You’re a great vegetable taster,” did not work as well.
The study found t hat when parents gave their small children a sticker each time they took a “tiny taste” of a disliked vegetable, it gradually changed their attitudes. The children were also willing to eat more of the vegetables-either carrots, celery, cucumber, red pepper, cabbage or sugar snap peas-in laboratory taste tests, the study said.
Researchers randomly assigned(分派)173 families to one of these groups. In one, parents used stickers to reward their children each time they took a tiny sample of a disliked vegetable. A second group of parents used verbal praise. The third group, where parents used no special vegetable-promoting methods, served as a “control”.
Parents in the reward groups offered their children a taste of the “target” vegetable every day of 12 days, Soon after, children in the sticker group were giving higher ratings to the vegetables-and were willing to eat more in the research lab, going from an average of 5 grams at the start to about 10 grams after the 12-day experience. The turnaround also seemed to last, with preschoolers in the sticker group still willing to eat more of the once disliked vegetable three months later.
Why didn’t the verbal praise work? Wardle said the parents’ words may have seemed “insincere” to their children.

  1. 1.

    The purpose of writing the passage is       .

    1. A.
      to introduce a practical method of making children eat vegetables
    2. B.
      to show the procedure of an experiment on children’s diet
    3. C.
      to explain why children hate to eat vegetables
    4. D.
      to present a proper way of vernal praise to parents
  2. 2.

    The underlined word “backfire” in Paragraph 2 probably means “           ”.

    1. A.
      shoot from behind the back
    2. B.
      make a lire in the hackyard
    3. C.
      produce an unexpected result
    4. D.
      achieve what was planned
  3. 3.

    According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

    1. A.
      Most children are born to dislike carrots or celery.
    2. B.
      It remains a question whether rewarding is a good way to get children to eat vegetables.
    3. C.
      Oral praise wokrs quite well in encouraging children to eat vegetables.
    4. D.
      Children in the sticker group will never lose interest in eating vegetables.
  4. 4.

    How did the researchers get their conclusion from the experiment?

    1. A.
      By comparison.
    2. B.
      By asking questions.
    3. C.
      By giving examples,
    4. D.
      By discussion.
  5. 5.

    What can we learn from the last paragraph?

    1. A.
      Children like rewards, not verbal praise.
    2. B.
      Parents should praise their children in a sincere tone.
    3. C.
      Children are difficult to inspire.
    4. D.
      Parents should give up verbal praise.

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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

From good reading we can derive pleasure, companionship, experience, and instruction. A good book may absorb our attention so completely that for the time being we forget our surroundings and even our identity. Reading good books is one of the greatest pleasures in life. It increases our contentment when we are cheerful, and lessens our troubles when we are sad. Whatever may be our main purpose in reading, our contact with good books should never fail to give us enjoyment and satisfaction.
With a good book in our hands we need never be lonely. Whether the characters portrayed are taken from real life or are purely imaginary, they may become our companions and friends. In the pages of books we can walk with the wise and the good of all lands and all times. The people we meet in books may delight us either because they resemble human friends whom we hold dear or because they present unfamiliar types whom we are glad to welcome as new acquaintances. Our human friends sometimes may bore us, but the friends we make in books need never weary us with their company. By turning the page we can dismiss them without any fear of hurting their feelings. When human friends desert us, good books are always ready to give us friendship, sympathy, and encouragement. One of the most valuable gifts bestowed by books is experience. Few of us can travel far from home or have a wide range of experiences, but all of us can lead varied lives through the pages of books. Whether we wish to escape from the seemingly dull realities of everyday life or whether we long to visit some far-off place, a book will help us when nothing else can. To travel by book we need no bank account to pay our way; no airship or ocean liner or stream-lined train to transport us; no passport to enter the land of our heart's desire. Through books we may get the thrill of hazardous adventure without danger. We can climb lofty mountains, brave the perils of an Antarctic winter, or cross the scorching sands of the desert, all without hardship. In books we may visit the studios of Hollywood; we may mingle with the gay throngs of the Paris boulevards; we may join the picturesque peasants in an Alpine village or the kindly natives on a South Sea island. Indeed, through books the whole world is ours for the asking. The possibilities of our literary experiences are almost unlimited. The beauties of nature, the enjoyment of music, the treasures of art, the triumphs of architecture, the marvels of engineering, are all open to the wonder and enjoyment of those who read.

  1. 1.

    Why is it that we sometimes forget our surroundings and even our identity while reading?

    1. A.
      No one has come to disturb you.
    2. B.
      Everything is so quiet and calm around you.
    3. C.
      The book you are reading is so interesting and attractive.
    4. D.
      Your book is overdue; you are finishing it at a very fast speed.
  2. 2.

    How would you account for the fact that people like their acquaintances in books even more?

    1. A.
      They resemble human friends exactly.
    2. B.
      They are unfamiliar types we like.
    3. C.
      They never desert us.
    4. D.
      They never hurt our feelings.
  3. 3.

    Which of the following is true?

    1. A.
      Your wish to visit some far-off place can be realized through the pages of the books.
    2. B.
      To escape from the dull realities of everyday life you should take up reading.
    3. C.
      Books can always help you to live a colorful life.
    4. D.
      You may obtain valuable experience from reading good books.
  4. 4.

    The word “weary” means ______.

    1. A.
      “to attract someone’s attention”
    2. B.
      “to distract someone’s attention”
    3. C.
      “to make someone very tired”
    4. D.
      “to make someone interested”
  5. 5.

    “... the whole world is ours for the asking” implies that ____________.

    1. A.
      in books the world is more accessible to us
    2. B.
      we can ask to go anywhere in the world
    3. C.
      we can make a claim to everything in this world
    4. D.
      we can make a round-the-world trip free of charge

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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

Notting hill is a small town  west of London. Here lives shy  William, a divorced(离婚) man, who owns a little travel-book store.
It was a Wednesday, when the poor shop keeper happened to meet Anna Scott ,a movie star who walked into his shop.
They ran across each other in the street again. And they found themselves falling in love. But how could a poor man keep the love of a famous star? Their lives and their worlds were so different.
Six months later, Anna was in London again for her new film. She came to William’s thought …
Length(长度):110 minutes
Director:David Duning
Cast:Julia Roberts(actress),  Hugh Grant(actor)

  1. 1.

    According to the passage, who most probably plays the role of Anna in the film ?

    1. A.
      Julia Roberts.
    2. B.
      Hugh Grant.
    3. C.
      David Duning.
    4. D.
      Not mentioned.
  2. 2.

    How did William and Anna get to know each other first?

    1. A.
      Anna was invited to visit William’s book store.
    2. B.
      Anna ,a film star, walked into William’s book store.
    3. C.
      William was introduced by Anna’s friend.
    4. D.
      They met each other in the street accidently.
  3. 3.

    What did  William do according to the passage?

    1. A.
      A movie star .
    2. B.
      A book store owner
    3. C.
      A man called William.
    4. D.
      We don’t know .
  4. 4.

    What is the passage mainly discussing ?

    1. A.
      A book named Notting.
    2. B.
      A small town in West London.
    3. C.
      A man called William.
    4. D.
      A film.

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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

An 18th-century statesman Edmund Burke once said, “All that is needed for the success of a misguided cause is that good people do nothing.” One such cause now seeks to end biomedical research because of the theory that animals have rights to decide whether to be used in research. Scientists need to respond forcefully to animal rights advocates, whose arguments are puzzling the public and threatening advances in health knowledge and care. Leaders of the animal rights movement attack biomedical research because it depends on public funding, and few people understand the process of health care research. Hearing false reports of cruelty to animals in research settings, many are puzzled that anyone would harm an animal on purpose.
For example, a grandmotherly woman setting up an animal rights booth at a recent street fair was giving out sheets that encouraged readers not to use anything that comes from or is tested in animals-no meat, no fur, no medicines. Asked what will happen when epidemics(传染病) return, she said. “Don’t worry, scientists will find some way of using computers.” Such well-meaning people just don’t understand.
Scientists must communicate their message to the public in an understandable way-in human terms, not in the language of biology. We need to make clear the connection between animal research and a grandmother’s organ replacement, a father’s bypass operation, a baby’s vaccinations(接种疫苗), and even a pet’s shots. To those who know nothing about the animal research that was needed to produce these treatments, as well as new treatments and vaccines, animal research seems wasteful at best and cruel at worst.
Much can be done. Scientists could give middle school lessons and present their own research. They should be quick to respond to letters to the editor, in case animal rights misinformation goes unchallenged and gains a false appearance of truth. Research institutions could be opened to tours, to show that laboratory animals receive humane care. Finally, because there are a lot of patients, the health research community should actively recruit(招募) not only well-known personalities such as Stephen Cooper, who has made courageous statements about the value of animal research, but all who receive medical treatment. If good people do nothing, there is a real possibility that uninformed citizens will wipe out the precious of medical progress.

  1. 1.

    The purpose of the author beginning his article with Edmund Burke’s words is to _____.

    1. A.
      call on scientists to take some actions
    2. B.
      argue against the cause of animal rights
    3. C.
      warn of the failure of biomedical research
    4. D.
      show the success of the animal rights movement
  2. 2.

    In the second paragraph, the author took a grandmotherly woman as an example to show ____.

    1. A.
      the way to prevent epidemics          
    2. B.
      the innocence of the woman
    3. C.
      how strong the opposition was    
    4. D.
      how important the animal rights were
  3. 3.

    In the eyes of the author, misguided people are likely to think that using an animal in research
    is ______.

    1. A.
      cruel but necessary           
    2. B.
      just but unnecessary
    3. C.
      meaningful and wasteful   
    4. D.
      inhuman and unacceptable
  4. 4.

    What can be inferred from the passage?

    1. A.
      People care very little about returns of epidemics.
    2. B.
      The public lacks knowledge of biomedical science.
    3. C.
      Stephen Cooper is very seriously concerned about animal treatment.
    4. D.
      Scientists should make efforts to develop new cures by means of hi-tech.
  5. 5.

    According to the passage, the author’s attitude toward biomedical research is ________.

    1. A.
      Disinterested               
    2. B.
      Indifferent               
    3. C.
      Objective                
    4. D.
      Supportive

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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

As we drove along, my spirits went up again, and I turned, with pleasure, to the thought of the new life which I was entering. But though it was not far past the middle of September, the heavy clouds and strong north-easterly wind combined to make the day extremely cold; and the journey seemed a very long one, so that it was nearly one o’clock before we reached the place of our destination. Yet when we entered the gateway, my heart failed me, and I wished it were a mile or two farther off. For the first time in my life I must stand alone: there was no retreating now. I must enter that house, and introduce myself among its strange people. But how was it to be done? True, I was near nineteen; but, thanks to the protecting care of my mother and sister, I well knew that many a girl of fifteen, or under, was gifted with a more womanly address, and greater ease and self-possession, than I was. Yet, anyway. I would do very well, after all; and the children, of course, I should soon be at ease with them.
"Be calm, be calm, whatever happens," I said within myself; and truly I was so fully occupied in steadying my nerves and keeping down the rebellious beat of my heart that when I was admitted into the hall and into the presence of Mrs. Bloomfield, I almost forgot to answer her polite greeting; and it afterwards struck me that the little I did say was spoken in the tone of one half-dead or half-asleep.
With due politeness, however, she showed me my bedroom, and left me there to take a little refreshment for a little while and led me into the dining-room. Some beefsteaks and potatoes were set before me; and while I dined upon these, she sat opposite, watching me (as I thought) and trying to keep something like a conversation— consisting chiefly of commonplace remarks. In fact, my attention was almost wholly absorbed in my dinner: not from appetite, but from the toughness of the beefsteaks, and the numbness of my hands.
“I have had so little time to attend to their education myself, but I think they are clever children, and very willing to learn, especially the little boy; he is, I think, the flower of the flock— a generous, noble-spirited boy, one to be led, but not driven, and remarkable for always speaking the truth.” “His sister Mary Ann will require watching,” continued she, “but she is a very good girl on the whole, though I wish her to be kept out of the nursery as much as possible, as she is now almost six years old, and might acquire bad habits from the nurses. I have ordered her bed to be placed in your room, and if you will be so kind as to look after her washing and dressing, and take charge of her clothes, she needs to have nothing further to do with the nursery maid.”
I replied I was quite willing to do so; and at that moment the children entered the room. Tom Bloomfield was a well-grown boy of seven. Mary was a tall girl, for her age of six, somewhat dark like her mother. The second sister was Fanny, a very pretty little girl, looking little younger than Mary. The remaining one was Harriet, a little broad, fat, merry, playful thing of scarcely two, whom I had more desire for than all the rest — but with her I had nothing to do.

  1. 1.

    Which of the following statements best describes how the writer felt when she entered Mrs. Bloomfield's home?

    1. A.
      She was nervous, dissatisfied with her manners but still confident.
    2. B.
      She was cold, hungry but eager to see all the children in the family.
    3. C.
      She was frightened, nervous and regretful about her decision.
    4. D.
      She was calm, confident and very happy with all the family.
  2. 2.

    What job would the writer take in Mrs Bloomfield's home?

    1. A.
      A nursery maid.
    2. B.
      A house cleaner.
    3. C.
      A home cook.
    4. D.
      A family teacher.
  3. 3.

    Which of the following was TRUE according to the passage?

    1. A.
      The writer had some difficulty with her lunch because of the tough food and the cold.
    2. B.
      The delicious food took the writer's attention away from Mrs. Bloomfield’s words.
    3. C.
      All the children were well educated before the writer came to the family.
    4. D.
      All the children in the family were looked after by Mrs Bloomfield herself.
  4. 4.

    From the passage, we can infer that ___________.

    1. A.
      Mrs Bloomfield would treat the writer kindly and help her a lot
    2. B.
      The youngest girl Harriet would be the writer’s favorite student
    3. C.
      the writer would take on more responsibilities than she should
    4. D.
      Tom Bloomfield would be the cleverest of all the children

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科目: 来源: 题型:阅读理解

Just put your special clothes on in the morning and you could jump 3 meters into the air and even carry more than 60 kilograms without getting tired. The walk to school would be very, very easy. Such supercharged clothing is one of the products that could be created using "wearable robotics” technology.
Designed to improve a person's senses and skills, the device could be as simple as a hearing aid. Or it could be a full-body suit that senses what you're going to do, then helps you do it better.
“A superman suit would be the final result in wearable robot i cs ”,s a id Francois Pin, head of robot?ics and energy systems at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory(橡树林国家实验室), US. While these suits are at least ten years away, in some areas the technology is already in use.
Researchers are developing artificial- arms and legs that allow old,disabled or injured people to move freely. Thus US Army is interested in using wearable robot legs to help soldiers run faster, carry more equipment and be stronger in battle. Jobs that involve lifting heavy loads or saving lives from the rubble of an earthquake could also become much easier.
A robot is a device that responds to a command. You're probably with simple robots, such as toy cars or airplanes that respond to buttons you push on a remote control.
Wearable robotics goes further. Instead of just receiving information through a wire or remotecontrol- the robotic device can send information back to its controller.
Suppose you wore a sleeve that has sensors where your joints are. Every time you move your arm, the sleeve senses your movements and sends the information to a robot, which then moves its arm just as you did. When the robot hits or touches something, it sends a signal back to the sleeve and you sense the action.
In this way,scientists are working to wrap the robot around the person. Their goal is to make the sleeve, shoe or suit help you do what you want to do

  1. 1.

    Which of the following can replace the underlined word “supercharged” in Paragraph One?

    1. A.
      , expensive
    2. B.
      overcharged
    3. C.
      advanced
    4. D.
      full of electricity
  2. 2.

    Products resulting from this wearable robotics technology do not include ______.

    1. A.
      remote controls
    2. B.
      hearing aids
    3. C.
      wearable robot legs
    4. D.
      superman suits
  3. 3.

    From the passage, we can infer that______.

    1. A.
      it will be ten years before robotic devices are in use
    2. B.
      the wearable robotics technology has been employed in some areas
    3. C.
      the robots in the robotic devices will do whatever you want to do
    4. D.
      people must become lazier and less healthier in the future

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On any weekend throughout the year one can spend hours browsing through neighborhood flea (跳蚤) markets. These are very popular for those who are in search of bargains and who have a keen eye for picking through what others have discarded. They hunt and search for something they can reuse. Americans love secondhand merchandise (商品) which can be bought cheaply and restored to its original use. In many cases the condition and the quality are still good, though the style might be outdated.
For some people searching through flea markets is a hobby which reaps rewards. They look for possible antiques among the items for sale or for old furniture which can be restored with a little care and used again. Many wise collectors often find rare items worth much more than their bargained price. Since prices are usually not fixed, if one is persistent a bargain can easily be struck. The owner may be selling a rare collectable and may not even be aware of its value. One of the great pleasures of shopping at such markets is the chance to bargain with the shop owner and settle for a price which one can afford and is willing to pay.
Perhaps even more enjoyable than flea markets are the weekend outdoor garage sales which have now become very much a part of American culture. These are held usually in the spring and fall when the weather is still good. Usually a homeowner, having decided that he would like to clear his residence of accumulated items which are no longer useful to him, advertises in a local paper that he is holding a garage sale. More than likely the goods on display are in good condition and great buys can be found if one has the time and patience to search carefully. The home owner places items for sale on display along the driveway leading to his garage or on his front lawn and waits for people to look at what he has to sell. Old magazines, books, paintings, bicycles, ice-skates, items of clothing and electrical appliances of every sort appear on a regular basis. If the owner is in a position where he must sell his home or plans to move soon, then he may be forced to practically give things away at a price far below their true worth.

  1. 1.

    What do you usually do before holding a garage sale?

    1. A.
      Put on an advertisement in a local newspaper.  
    2. B.
      Display your goods in front of the garage.
    3. C.
      Find rare items and fix their prices.         
    4. D.
      Clear your garage and front lawn.
  2. 2.

    The underlined word “discarded” in Paragraph 1 probably means ____.

    1. A.
      distributed               
    2. B.
      rejected              
    3. C.
      discovered         
    4. D.
      stored
  3. 3.

    When people shop at a flea market, how can they settle on a price?

    1. A.
      They can bargain on a price acceptable to both.
    2. B.
      They can question their value.
    3. C.
      They can expect a 50% discount.            
    4. D.
      They can compare with the other sellers.
  4. 4.

    What do we know about the garage sale?

    1. A.
      It is only held in the spring of the year.
    2. B.
      The goods on display are totally useless.
    3. C.
      Garage sales are popular with Americans.  
    4. D.
      All the goods are selling far below their real value.

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