People cannot reach an agreement on the use of science and technology. For example, will radiation from electronic equipment destroy the environment? Should medical scientists change gene structures to prevent genetic disease or to create “more perfect” human beings? While people are arguing about these and others, technology continues to influence our everyday lives—the home, health and education, entertainment and communication, and so on.

   Some people carry on active social lives with computers —their own or the ones in public places like cafes, social centers, libraries, and so on. Communicating with others in chat rooms,  computer users can get to know people they might never meet in traditional ways. With live online video connections, two people with cameras in their computers can see and talk to each other from separate places.

   With modern telephone technology, most people stopped writing lettters—especially personal letters and notes. But now, writing to communicate has returned in electronic form, or e-mail, which is a way of sending messages from one computer to another. For some computer users, the wish to communicate intelligently or creatively with others makes them want to write better.

   Computer technology has also made it possible to run a house electronically. From turning lights on and off to starting the coffee and cooking the hot meal, computers are taking care of people at home. Many modern machines have computer chips that allow their owners to program them. For instance, you can “instruct” a microwave oven how to cook a dish. Most entertainment equipment operates with computer technology too. Computers can even start cars automatically so that on cold winter mornings you can get into a warmed-up vehicle and drive off.

   Although much of the technology in our everyday lives has good effects, there are some uses that raise questions. For example, are interactive media ( i.e., a combination of television, telephone, and computer) going to control minds, cause people to forget about family life and personal relationships? What effects will the genentic engineering of food have on people’s health? High-tech medical treatments can make a person live a much longer life, but can they improve the health and happiness of human beings? Only time will tell, but, in the meantime, science and technology will continue to move forward. 

1. What does the underlined word “ chips” mean?

A. thin pieces of potatoes  B. small holes    C. small pieces of wood   D. central parts

2.We can know from the passage that _________.

   A. technology never stops changing our everyday lives 

   B. with computers each of us can live a comfortable life

   C. people can do more activities with computers

   D. the more you use computers, the better you might write

3.What can we infer from the underlined sentence in the last paragraph?

A. The longer you live, the happier you are.

B. High-tech medical treatments can’t improve our health and happiness.  

C. High-tech medical treatments can’t help us with everything.

D.The writer questioned high-tech medical treatments somehow.

4.What is the best title for the passage?

   A. Science and New Technology        B. Computers Change Our Lives

   C. Everyday Uses of Technology        D. Only Time Will Tell

Choose the words or expressions to complete the passage(选择最恰当的单词或词语，完成短文)
For many years the United States and the other countries used gold and silver as money. Paper money was used to stand for the holdings(储备)of both gold and silver. The value of silver was limited to that of gold. Fifteen ounces(盎司) of silver had the same value of one ounce of gold. These values did not change until after 1860 when mines(银矿)in the west of the United States began to  1 large amounts of silver. This extra amount of silver caused the price of silver to 2    . Then fifteen ounces of silver would no longer buy one ounce of gold. In 1871 Germany declared(宣布)that it would not support its paper money with silver any more. Instead, it would use only gold. Other countries of Europe quickly  3 the same. The United States passed a law in 1973 that prevented the government from using silver as money. Western silver producers protested(抗议)loudly and put much pressure on the  4 makers. Five years later a new law was 5 . It said that the government must buy four and half million ounces of silver each month. The new law increased the amount of silver money. The country had two kinds of quite different views on the issue(发行)silver money. Businessmen, bankers and other rich men wanted to 6  the use of silver money because it made the dollar less valuable. But farmers, laborers and the others who owned the money not only wanted silver money but also wanted an unlimited supply of it.

缺词填空

In most situations, light helps us see. But nowadays humans are using so much that it is in fact a kind of pollution.

When it comes to looking at the night sky, too much light makes it d  1.  for us to watch some of life’s most wonderful views: stars, p  2.  and even galaxies(星系).

According to scientific research, about 2, 500 stars can be seen by the human eye without u  3.  any special equipment(设备). But because of light pollution, you can only see 200 to 300 stars from today’s countryside, and no more than ten stars from a city. In most big c  4., people cannot see the sky filled with stars like they did in their childhood.

Light pollution affects more than just our view of sky. Research s  5.  that lots of nighttime light can harm wildlife, too.

When birds fly to a  6.  place over cities, they sometimes get lost by the brightness and fly in circles(圈) u  7. they drop from tiredness. Sea turtles need dark beaches for laying eggs, but they can’t find their ideal places because of those bright lights.

Too much light at night m  8.  even affect human health, but scientists are not sure of that. They are still learning more.

In order to prevent things from going w  9., governments and some organizations are working to reduce light pollution. Many cities and towns have taken action to reduce the use of lights at night. Lights are used only when and where they are r  10.  needed.

Hopefully, in the near future, humans can enjoy the clear and beautiful sky again and all the wildlife will live a peaceful and undisturbed life, too.

 It’s important to prepare(准备) for earthquakes because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake happens. Earthquakes may happen at any time, so prepare some things for your home, office and car.

    1. Clothes.

    If you live in a cold place, you must keep warm. You might not have heat after an earthquake.

Think about your warm clothes.

    2.Flashlights(手电筒) and spare batteries.

    Keep a flashlight beside you bed, at your office and in your car. Do not use matches(火柴) after an earthquake until you are sure that no gas leaks(气体泄漏).

    Prepare a radio and some spare batteries. Most telephones will be out of order, so radios will be your best source of information(信息来源).

    3. Food and medicine.

    It’s always a wonderful idea to keep some food on hand. For example, some biscuits, some canned food, milk and some other drinks for at least 72 hours. You’d better get some necessary medicine for your family.

    4.Water.

    A person needs at least 1/2 gallon(加仑) of water daily just for drinking. Store at least 1 gallon of water for a person every day and be prepared for 72 hours. It is suggested that you buy bottled water. Do not open the bottle until you need it. Also, do check the “use by”date.

1.Why should people prepare themselves for an earthquake?

A.           Because earthquakes can be know before they happen.

B.           Because earthquakes usually take place in the neighborhood.

C.           Because we don’t know when and where an earthquake will happen.

2.If you live in a cold place, you should prepare _________.

      A. some hot water        B. some warm clothes       C. some batteries

3.According to the article we know that ___________.

A.           we need to prepare some things only at home

B.           a telephone is the most important source of information

C.           flashlights but not matches are first used after earthquakes

4.You should prepare all of the following except ________.

      A .milk               B. fresh vegetables           C. biscuits

5.About the water, which description is RIGHT?

      A.A person should drink at least 1 gallon of water in a day.

      B. You shouldn’t open the bottled water until you need it.

      C. You’d better keep some hot water for 72 hours.

Because earthquakes happen without warning, it’s important to take steps now to prepare. Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake happens, prepare some supplies for your home, workplace, and car.
1. Water.
A person needs at least 1/2 gallon of water daily just for drinking. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day and be prepared for a 72-hour period. It is suggested that you buy bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it. Also, do check the “use by” date.
2. Food.
It’s always a practical idea to keep a supply of non-perishable(不易腐烂的) food on hand. Have an enough supply of canned food, powdered milk, dried fruits, non-salted nuts and canned juices for at least 72 hours.
3. Flashlights(手电筒) and spare batteries.
Keep a flashlight beside your bed, at your place of work, and in your car. Do not use matches or candles after an earthquake until you are sure that no gas leaks.
Prepare a battery-powered radio and spare batteries. Most telephones will be out of order, so radios will be your best source of information.
4. Clothes.
If you live in a cold place, you must think about warmth. You might not have heat after an earthquake. Think about your clothing and bedding supplies.
【小题1】Why should people prepare themselves for an earthquake?