GENEVA, Feb.11 (Xinhua) ―The current La Nina weather phenomenon may just be a partial cause of south China’s freeze-up at the start of 2008, said the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Monday.

The latest La Nina pattern, which began in the third quarter of 2007, has picked up strength in the past three months, with sea surface temperatures now about 1. 5 to 2 degrees Celsius（摄氏度）colder than average over large parts of the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean, said the latest report issued by the WMO.

Presenting the Geneva-based body’s report, Rupa Kumar Killi, a WMO climate expert, said the recent month-long snow and ice-storms in China’s central, southern and eastern regions could be connected with the La Nina phenomenon, the climatic opposite of El Nino（厄尔尼诺现象）.

However, he said China’s freeze-up was a result of several causes combined and was partly caused by a cold surge from the north and west.

He also said the present La Nina cycle may last at least until mid-2008 and it is also possible, if less likely, that the cycle could stretch into the third quarter.

La Nina is a large pool of unusually cold water in the equatorial Pacific that develops every few years and influences global weather. It is the climatic opposite of El Nino, a warming of the Pacific, and both have been associated with extreme weather around the globe.

Since Jan. 10, snow, sleet and low temperatures have swept China’s southern regions, a rare occurrence for the area.

51. What partially caused south China’s freeze-up at the beginning of 2008?

A. La Nina.           B. El Nino.                 C. Typhoon.       D. Frost.

52.When did the latest La Nina weather phenomenon begin?

A. In the spring of 2007.                    B. In the summer of 2007.

C. In the fall of 2007.                        D. In the winter of 2007.

53. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Due to the La Nina, sea surface temperatures become colder over the eastern Pacific Ocean.

B. The La Nina phenomenon is the climatic opposite of El Nino.

C. There were several causes which brought about China’s freeze-up.

D. The present La Nina cycle may last until spring in 2008 and disappear.

54. What can we learn from the sixth paragraph?

A. La Nina does not happen every year but it influences global weather.

B. La Nina happens every year and influences global weather.

C. La Nina happens every year but seldom influences global weather.

D. La Nina happens every few years and brings about warm and wet weather.

55. What is the best title of the passage?

A. La Nina May Be a Partial Cause of China’s Freeze-Up.

B. La Nina and El Nino.

C. What Causes the La Nina Weather Phenomenon?

D. How La Nina Destroys the Whole World’s Weather?   

GENEVA，Feb. 11（Xinhua）-The current La Nina weather phenomenon may just be a partial cause of south China’s freeze-up at the start of 2008, said the United Nations World Meteorological Organization （WMO）Monday.

The latest La Nina pattern, which began in the third quarter of 2007, has picked up strength in the past three months, with sea surface temperatures now about 1.5to 2 degrees Celsius（摄氏度）colder than average over large parts of the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean, said the latest report issued by the WNO.

Presenting the Geneva-based body’s report, Rupa Kumar Killi, a WMO climate expert, said the recent month-long snow and ice-storms in China’s central, southern and eastern regions could be connected with the La Nina phenomenon, the climatic opposite of El Nino（厄尔尼诺现象）.

However, he said China’s freeze-up was a result of several causes causes combined and was partly caused by a cold surge from the north and west.

He also said the present La Nina cycle may last at least until mid-2008 and it is also possible, if less likely, that the cycle could stretch into the third quarter.

La Nina is a large pool of unusually cold water in the equatorial Pacific that develops every few years and influences global weather. It is the climatic opposite of El Nino, a warming of the Pacific, and both have been associated with extreme weather around the globe.

Since Jan.10, snow, sleet and low temperatures have swept China’s southern regions, a rare occurrence for the area.

56. What partially caused south China’s freeze-up at the beginning of 2008?

A. La Nina                    B. El Nino                     C. Typhoon                         D. Frost

57. When did the latest La Nina weather phenomenon begin?

A. In the spring of 2007                                   B. In the summer of 2007

C. In the fall of 2007                                        D. In the winter of 2007

58. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Due to the La Nina, sea surface temperatures become colder over the eastern Pacific Ocean

B. The La Nina phenomenon is the climatic opposite of El Nino

C. There were several causes which brought about China’s freeze-up

D. The present La Nina cycle may last until spring in 2008 and disappear

59. What can we learn from the sixth paragraph?

A. La Nina does not happen every year but it influences global weather

B. La Nina happens every year and influences global weather

C. La Nina happens every year but seldom influences global weather

D. La Nina happens every few years and brings about warm and wet weather

60. What is the best title of the passage?

A. La Nina may be partial cause of S China’s freeze-up

B. La Nina and El Nino

C. What cause the La Nina weather phenomenon

D. How La Nina destroys the whole world’s weather

Happy birthday
The China Nation Opera (CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists(歌手), like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired GM “and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias (咏叹调) of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date : 7:30 pm, September 7, 8
Location : Tianqiao Theatre
Tel : 6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets : 60—50 yuan (US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently-composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood”, “Memorial Ceremony for God” and “Wine Song”.
Time/date : 7:30 pm, September 13
Location: Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel: 6848-5462, 6841-9220
Tickets : 30-200 yuan (US $ 3.6—24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centered on this theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring Night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers, like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos（独奏）as well as collaborate（合奏）with the folk music orchestra.
Time/ date: 7:30 pm, September 21st
Location: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel: 6606-8888, 6606-9999
1. If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial       .

Sunday, October 5

Clear, 69°F

My wife, Eleanor , and I took the train from Paris to Strasbourg, where we were met by our driver and guide. And the minibus which goes along with the boat. We stopped off in Barn for an hour on the way. Then we were taken to Nancy where the boat was kept.

After the other passengers arrived, we had our first dinner on the boat. After dinner we walked into downtown Nancy, a village with a large square and wooden houses.

Monday, October 6

Rained last night, cloudy in the morning, 69°F

We spent about two hours in Nancy, then sailed on the Canal de la Marne au Rhine. Kind of a lazy day. Eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, after dinner we watched a tape on Baccarat. Where we will visit tomorrow.

It was pleasant to sit out on deck （甲板）and watch the scenery go by at about 3 mph.

Tuesday, October 7

Light rain, 64°F

This mourning we drove over to Baccarat and toured its museum and the church , which has this unbelievable lamp that is going on a world tour the next day. We did lost of shopping , then walked across the bridge to see a very , very modern Catholic church with special Baccarat windows.

We drove to the top of the Voges Mountains and started down the eastern side Later we drove to Sorrenbourg to see the 13th century church at the Cordeliers. It contains the largest window by Mar.

Wednesday, Ocrober8

Cloudy.65 °F

Today we sailed from Schneckenbush to Saverne. We went though two caves, an extremely unusual part of the journey. This river scenery is very different. We were in a mountain valley with grassland on one side and a forest beginning to show some color on the other.

Thursday, Ocrober9

Cloudy, 66°F

Our dependable minibus was waiting to load the luggage and take us to the hotel where everyone went their separate ways. Our boating days are over until next time.

Where did the author get off the train?

A. Paris            B. Strasbourg           C. Nancy         D. Barn

On which days did the tourists spend most of their time on the boat?

A. Monday and Tuesday

B. Tuesday and Wednesday

C. Wednesday and Wednesday

D. Monday and Wednesday

From the text, we learn that Baccarat and Sorrenbourg are the names of_________.

A. towns           B. churches              C. museums       D. mountains

What does the author think of the tour?

A. Tiring            B. Expensive              C. Enjoyable      D. Quick

  Kristy,28,a cook in La Gross, often wondered what she’d do in a life threatening situation. On August 29, she got her answer. While she was driving on a road,a big truck hit its head on a pickup car.The pickup burst into flames.Kristy rushed out and ran to the pickup.Two farmers,Dean Bernhard,51, and his brother,Donald,44,were inside.

When she got close,Kristy could see the unconscious driver.The other man was under the passenger seat. “The smells were sicking.I was afraid the truck would blow up and kill us all,” said kristy.

The driver of the big truck was struggling to open the passenger door,so Kristy rushed to the driver’s side.Finally they opened the door.She reached in,seized the driver and, to her horror,felt her hands sink into his chest.She quickly dragged the man to safety on the roadside,then hurried back.As Kristy started down the ditch(水沟) with the passenger,the pickup exploded..She jumped on top of him and they both rolled to safety.

Today,the two farmers,each the farmer of two children,are good friends with Kristy.To show their deep appreciation,they bought her a ring with nine diamonds---one for each member of their immediate families,and the ninth for her.

Which is the correct order according to the passage?

a.carried Dean and Donald to safety

b.rushed to the pickup

c.the pickup exploded

d.saw the truck hit on the pickup

e.got out of her car

f.wondered what she’d do when in danger

A.e,d,b,a,c,f      B.f,e,b,a,d,c      C.f,d,e,b,a,c    D.f,c,e,d,b,a

When coming to save Donald and Dean Bernhard,Kristy never thought that she___.

A.could have any help from others

B.would be successful in saving both of them

C.might be killed

D.would be tested in dangerous situations

This sentence “The pickup burst into flames.”in the first paragragh means “_______”.

A.The pickup was on fire

B.The pickup started smoking badly

C.A terrifying cry came out of the pickup

D.The pickup was broken into pieces

Which of the following best shows Kristy’s true heroism?

A.She did not feel terrified at the accident

B.She protected herself as well as the two brothers from harm.

C.She put her life  “on the line” to save others.

D.She was regarded as a member of Dean’s and Donald’s families.