A recent survey of 2000 parents in Britain showed that they are often afraid of science questions asked by their curious children only because they have no idea what the answer is. Here is a list of some simple questions that you can ask your parents to see if they know the answers.

    Q: Why is the sky blue?

    A: You probably know white sunlight is made up of seven colors. While it moves in a straight line when going through space, it starts to divide as it hits “raised area” in the atmosphere. The ones with longest wavelengths pass through easily. The blue , however , can be taken in by the gas molecules (分子) because it has a shorter wavelength , which in turn scatters (使分散) it in different directions. That’s why when you look up at the sky, it appears to be blue.

    Q:Why does the moon sometimes appear during the daytime?

    A: The simple answer to that is because just like any other object it is being lit by the sun. As long as it is around 45 degrees or even 90 degrees off the sun, it will receive light and be able to be seen. The only time it is not able to be seen during its 28-day orbit (轨道) around the earth is when it is right between the earth and the sun. That’s because its back , which is not lit by the sun, is facing us.

    Q: Where do birds/ honeybees go in winter?

    A: While the bird part is quite easy, since a lot of them get together and travel, the honeybee part is likely to puzzle your parents. It turns out that these busy insects stop being that active when the temperature drops below 50°F. Instead ,they get together in the lower central area of the hive （蜂巢）and form a ball around their queen. This helps keep both warm enough to survive the cold winter months.

1.The sky looks blue mainly because the color blue in the sunlight_______.

A. has the longest wavelength among all the colors

B. cannot be taken in by the gas molecules

C. doesn’t hit “raised area” in the atmosphere

D. cannot pass through space successfully

2.How long can’t the moon be seen during the daytime in a month?

A. 2                             B. 28                           C.30                                      D. 31

3.What do honeybees choose to do when the temperature drops below 50°F?

A. They choose to be active in the wild.

B. They choose to keep themselves warm.

C. They choose to travel to a warm place.

D. They choose to get together in the upper central area of the hive.

4.What is NOT explained in the passage?

A. Why is the sky blue?

B. Why is the moon able to be seen during the daytime?

C. Why do birds travel in winter?

D. Where do honeybees go in winter?

 

Should we be afraid of sharks? Maybe not. New research into the reasons for shark attacks (攻击) suggests that sharks don’t like the way humans taste! In fact, most people who are attacked by the shark are still alive after receiving only one bite (咬). Why is this?

There are many opinions to explain why sharks sometimes attack people. One opinion is that sharks are just curious (好奇的). We know that sharks are the strongest animals in their environment, so they are not afraid of anything. Naturally, that means they are curious when they meet something unusual. Because they don’t have hands or feet., the only way they can find out an object is to bite it! It is thought that sharks sometimes bite humans for this reason, and then swim away.

Scientists also say that sharks would not waste energy trying to eat a human, as we have a lot of bones (骨头). It is hard for a shark to eat us because sharks don’t have hands, and they can’t pull the meat off our bones. Maybe that’s why they only bite us once. Unluckily, one bite from a large shark is serious enough to hurt people greatly!

Another opinion is that sharks attack humans by mistake. Some sharks may sometimes mistake humans for a seal. An example of this is when a shark attack attacks a surfer. A surfer lying on a surfboard looks like a seal when seen from below. Sharks like seals because they have thick fat.

Whatever the reason for shark attacks on humans, sharks should be afraid of us. Sadly, we kill almost 40 million of them each year.

1.What happens to people attacked by sharks?

A．Most of them because blind.               B．Most of them because of deaf.

C．Most of them died.                      D．Most of them are still alive.

2.How do sharks find out about an unusual object according to the passage?

A．By biting.                              B．By smelling.

C．By touching.                           D．By killing.

3.Which sentence about sharks is true?

A．Sharks pull meat off bones when they eat.

B．Sharks might mistake humans for seals.

C．Sharks like to attack surfers because of their thick fat.

D．One bite from a shark is nothing serious.

4.What would the author write the passage mainly for?

A．To tell surfers to stay away from sharks.

B．To ask people to stop killing sharks.

C．To let us know the reasons for shark attacks on people.

D．To show that humans are much stronger than sharks.

 

Last week, 169 students at No.35 Middle School of Shenyang took their first no-teacher exam. After the teacher handed out the exam paper, he left the room and never came back. A student collected in the papers when the exam ended.
“That test was not only a test of knowledge, but also a test of moral (道德). We wanted to show students how important honesty is, ” said Mr. Cai, the school’s headmaster. The school says no cheating happened in the test. Next year, it wants 80% of its exams to be without teachers. But students have different ideas.
“I was happy and excited during the exam because my teachers trusted me,” said Lang Yudan, a 13-year-old girl in Class 11.
“Schools must trust students a lot not to use invigilators(监考人). But I think it is too early. Some students will cheat if there are no invigilators. And the students will not be able to ask for help when needed,” said Hua Sha.
“I don’t like having invigilators in exams. When they walk around the classroom, they make me nervous. I would get higher marks without them in the room because I would feel more relaxed,” Liu Qingxi said.
“I think it’s very important to have invigilators in exams. Many students want to check their answers with each other after they have finished papers. And they can also keep the classroom in order when something unusual happens. They may make me nervous, but I still think we need them,” Shangguan Yan said.
Not using invigilators may be a good idea. But before using it, schools must tell students the importance of honesty and try to find ways to solve something unusual in exams.
【小题1】The passage mainly talks about ________.

A．how to pass an exam

B．how to make students honest

C．whether invigilators are needed in exams

D．how to make students clever

【小题2】No.35 Middle School of Shenyang held a no-teacher exam to _________.

A．let the students have a good rest

B．teach the students in a better way

C．help all the students pass the exam

D．find whether the students were honest

【小题3】From what the students have studied, we know _________.

A．invigilators really help them a lot

B．not all of them agree with the headmaster

C．something unusual never happens in exams

D．they like it very much

【小题4】What does Hua Sha think about no-teacher exams ?

A．It’s a good idea to have no-teacher exams but something must be done first.

B．If there are no invigilators, the students will certainly get lower marks.

C．Exams without invigilators will never be held since students are not honest.

D．Some parents don’t think it’s fair for everyone to have no-teacher exams.

【小题5】In the sentence “And they can also keep the classroom in order when something unusual happens” , “they” refers to __________.

A．students

B．headmasters

C．teachers

D．invigilators

“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.

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.

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.

3.The best title for this passage can be _________.

A．Sesame Street                          B．Educating Children

C．TV Programs                           D．A Great Success

 

Last week, 169 students at No.35 Middle School of Shenyang took their first no-teacher exam. After the teacher handed out the exam paper, he left the room and never came back. A student collected in the papers when the exam ended.

   “That test was not only a test of knowledge, but also a test of moral (道德). We wanted to show students how important honesty is, ” said Mr. Cai, the school’s headmaster. The school says no cheating happened in the test. Next year, it wants 80% of its exams to be without teachers. But students have different ideas.

    “I was happy and excited during the exam because my teachers trusted me,” said Lang Yudan, a 13-year-old girl in Class 11.

“Schools must trust students a lot not to use invigilators(监考人). But I think it is too early. Some students will cheat if there are no invigilators. And the students will not be able to ask for help when needed,” said Hua Sha.

    “I don’t like having invigilators in exams. When they walk around the classroom, they make me nervous. I would get higher marks without them in the room because I would feel more relaxed,” Liu Qingxi said.

    “I think it’s very important to have invigilators in exams. Many students want to check their answers with each other after they have finished papers. And they can also keep the classroom in order when something unusual happens. They may make me nervous, but I still think we need them,” Shangguan Yan said.

Not using invigilators may be a good idea. But before using it, schools must tell students the importance of honesty and try to find ways to solve something unusual in exams.

1.The passage mainly talks about ________.

A.how to pass an exam      

B.how to make students honest      

C.whether invigilators are needed in exams  

D.how to make students clever

2.No.35 Middle School of Shenyang held a no-teacher exam to _________.

       A.let the students have a good rest     

B.teach the students in a better way

C.help all the students pass the exam  

D.find whether the students were honest

3.From what the students have studied, we know _________.

       A.invigilators really help them a lot   

B.not all of them agree with the headmaster

       C.something unusual never happens in exams

       D.they like it very much

4.What does Hua Sha think about no-teacher exams ?

A.It’s a good idea to have no-teacher exams but something must be done first.  

B.If there are no invigilators, the students will certainly get lower marks.

C.Exams without invigilators will never be held since students are not honest.  

D.Some parents don’t think it’s fair for everyone to have no-teacher exams.

5.In the sentence “And they can also keep the classroom in order when something unusual happens” , “they” refers to __________.

A.students        B.headmasters       C.teachers        D.invigilators