Reading Comprehension

　　A barn owl(猫头鹰) silently flies at night through the dark forest. Suddenly, the large bird hears a mouse running through the leaves. The bird quickly changes its flight path, drops down, and scoops up(抓起) the mouse in its talons(猛禽的爪). Another meal has been successfully captured.

　　How is the barn owl able to pinpoint the location of the mouse in the dark? Credit(把…归功于) the bird' s excellent hearing and its ability to determine the exact location of the source of a sound.

　　According to a recent study at Stanford University, a barn owl learned how to pinpoint the location of a sound source when it was only about two weeks old. The owl did this by noting the difference in the time it took a sound to reach each ear and in the difference in the loudness of the sound in each ear.

　　In another test, three young barn owls were given eyeglasses when their eyes were just beginning to open. The lenses(镜片) in the glasses distorted(使变形) a scene so that an object an owl was looking at seemed to be 20 degrees to the left of its actual position.

　　The scientists found that whenever one of the young owls heard a sound, it would look at a spot 20 degrees to the left of the sound source. Thus, the scientists concluded, the owls learned at a very young age how to locate the source of a sound.

1．What is the reason for the barn owl to successfully catch the mouse?

[　　]

A．It has very good eyesight at night.

B．It has very sharp hearing.

C．It is very good at determining the location of the sound.

D．Both B and C.

2．According to a recent study, a barn owl learned how to ________ when it was only about two weeks old.

[　　]

A．fly fast without sound

B．catch the mouse with its talon

C．locate the sound source

D．open its eyes wider

3．What do the words “to pinpoint the location” in the second paragraph mean?

[　　]

A．To find the exact position.

B．To notice the particular smell.

C．To recognize the real shape.

D．To hear the sound clearly.

4．Why did one of the young owls, after hearing a sound, look at a spot 20 degrees left of the sound source?

[　　]

A．It was too young to find the correct spot.

B．It was used to looking at the spot 20 degrees to the left of an object.

C．It was a mistake often made by this young owl.

D．It was wearing eyeglasses which distorted the object.

5．What is the main idea of the passage?

[　　]

A．How did the scientists train the owls to catch mice at night?

B．Why can eyeglasses help owls to catch mice?

C．Scientists used eyeglasses to make owls see better.

D．Why can owls catch mice at night?

“Sesame Street” has been called “the longest street in the world”. That is because the television program by that name can now be seen in many parts of the world. That program became one of American exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.
In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more than half the country’s pre-school children, from every kind of economic, racial (种族的), and geographical group.
Although some educators object (反对) to some parts of the program, parents praise (赞扬) it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems come out when first graders who have learnt from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.
Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited (受益) from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional (偶尔的) viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.
The programs all use songs, stories, jokes and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate (单独的) letters.
Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other children’s shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories (理论) of its creators, the support by the government and private businesses, and the skillful use of various TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching it feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.
【小题1】Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A．It is shown at different hours during the week.

B．Famous adult stars often appear on it.

C．This program has been on for less than forty years.

D．Children learn and enjoy themselves while watching it.

【小题2】Why is “Sesame Street” so popular in the world?

A．Because it is supported by the government and businesses.

B．Because it uses different kinds of skillful tricks.

C．Because mothers watch it along with their children.

D．Because it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.

【小题3】The best title for this passage can be _________.

A．Sesame Street	B．Educating Children
C．TV Programs	D．A Great Success

Sometimes people come into your life and you know at once that they were sure to be there. They serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help find out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be: your classmate, neighbor, teacher, long-lost friend or even a real stranger. But you know that every moment they will affect your life in some serious ways.
Sometimes things happen to you. At the time they may seem terrible, painful (痛苦的) and unfair. But later you realize that without getting over those difficulties you would have never realized your further ability and strength. Everything happens for a reason and nothing happens by chance or with good or bad luck.
The people you meet affect your life, and the successes and failure (失败) you experience, create who you are. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
Enjoy every day even every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talks to people you have never talked to before, and really listen. You should set your sights high, hold your head up, tell yourself you are a great one and believe in yourself.
You can make your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it.
【小题1】The people we meet          .

A．all know where to find us

B．serve us on no purpose

C．won't become our neighbor

D．will change us in some way

【小题2】From the passage, we know that bad things can make us           .

A．terribly meet bad luck

B．realize our further ability

C．find no serious success

D．possibly enjoy every moment

【小题3】The underlined word "poignant" in the passage means“          ”.

A．平淡的

B．明显的

C．深刻的

D．艰苦的

【小题4】The writer's suggestion is that we should          .

A．try not to talk to strange people

B．learn as much as we can each day

C．avoid failure in our life

D．not believe in others but ourselves

Children can spend hours a day looking at computer screens and other digital devices(数码设备). Some eye doctors say this leads to an increase in “computer vision syndrome(电脑视力综合症).”

Nathan Bonilla-Warford is an optometrist（验光师）in Tampa, Florida. He has seen an increase in problems in children. “A lot more children come into the office either because their parents have noticed that they have headaches or red or watery eyes or discomfort, or because their nearsightedness appears to be increasing and they’re worried,” he says.

Dr. Bonilla-Warford says part of the problem is that children may be more likely to pay no attention to early warning signs than adults. “Even if their eyes start to feel uncomfortable or they start to get a headache, they’re less likely to tell their parents, because they don’t want to have the game or the computer or whatever taken away,” he explains.

He says another part of the problem is that people blink（眨眼）less often when they use digital devices. He says, “A person who uses an electronic device blinks about one third as much as we normally do in everyday life. And so that can result in the front part of the eye drying and not staying protected like normal.”

Eye doctors offer suggestions like following which is known as the 20/20/20 rule. That means every twenty minutes look away twenty feet or more for at least twenty seconds from whatever device you’re using.

Other suggestions include putting more distance between you and the device and using good lighting. Of course, another way is to spend less time looking at screens. Many experts say children should spend no more than two hours a day using digital devices—with no screen time for children under two.

But not all eye doctors have noticed an increase in problems in children. Dr. David Hunter, from Children’s Hospital Boston, has not seen an increase in his practice. “While it is possible to develop fatigue looking at screens for a long period of time, there’s certainly no proof that it actually causes any damage（伤害）to the eyes.” he says.

1.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．Dr. Bonilla-Warford thinks using computers causes nearsightedness.

B．People keep their eyes protected against drying by blinking normally.

C．Children under two can watch TV for less than two hours a day.

D．Dr. David Hunter says headache causes an increase in eye problems.

2.What does the underlined word “fatigue” mean?

A．Interest.

B．Ability.

C．Tiredness.

D．Difficulty.

3.What can be the best title for the passage?

A．Looking at Screen: Two Hours or More

B．How Can Children Use Their Eyes Properly

C．Using Digital Devices: Advantages and Disadvantages

D．How Much Screen Time Is Too Much for Children

 

Earthquakes can be very scary（吓人的）. But you need to keep your mind stable (坚定的) in order to make sure you are safe. Be calm and try not to run here and there.

If you manage to come out of your house, go to an open space like a garden or a park where you will be a lot safer. If you live quite some floors above in your building, try to find a place near a bulky(坚固的) object such as a bed. Curl up (蜷缩) and sit on the floor and make sure you are not near a window, fireplace, gas stove and so on. Remember don’t use lifts or escalators.

Some people say you should stand on a doorway. That is not true. If the doorway jambs (侧壁) are weak, they might fall on you. Also if people want to pass through that door, you may stop them. Leave all doorways free.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that you mustn’t climb down the stairs during an Earthquake. If the tremors (震动) stop, after a few seconds, just climb down the stairs as quickly as you can and move out of the building, but don’t run.

Earthquakes usually destroy gas pipes and electrical wires. Turn off the main gas. And don’t light candles or lighters and create an even bigger disaster.

If you’re driving and feel a shake, stop your car at the side of the road and get out. Make sure you are not on a bridge. Bridges and overhead roads (高架路) have the biggest danger of falling.

1. The best title for the passage should be       .

A．Dos and Don’ts Before an Earthquake.

B．What to Do in Case of Earthquake

C．Tips for Earthquake Preventions

D．Tips for Children in Earthquake.

2.When an earthquake suddenly happens, you should       .

a. remain standing near a window             b. turn off the main gas

c. stay in an open space                     d. stand on a doorway

e. keep off  overhead roads

A．a, b, c

B．c, d, e

C．b, c, e

D．b, d, e

3. Which of the following is NOT true, when an earthquake suddenly happens?

A．We can’t use the lift.

B．Curling up may be very dangerous.

C．We must turn off the gas.

D．We must get out of the car when the earthquake comes

4. It can be learned from the passage that     .

A．keeping calm in time of earthquake is very important.

B．measures should be taken to make buildings stronger.

C．Knowledge of first aid must be used in an earthquake.

D．lots of things must be done to survive an earthquake.