The air pollution was so bad in Harbin, in China, on October 21,2013 that the city had to close roads and schools, and cancel* hundreds of flights from its airport.

News reports said the smog (a mixture of smoke and fog) was so thick that people couldn’t see more than 10 or 20 metres in front of them.

It is also said that people could not even see the person standing next to them. The city’s website said: “You can’t see your own fingers in front of you.”

The local people said there was a “burning” smell in the air. Many people covered their noses and mouths with scarves or masks*.

The pollution was caused on several factors* including: farmers burning off old corn stalks* and crop stubble*; coal*-fired heating systems; and low winds that allowed the smoke to remain over the city.

The smog had been building up for several days. It became worse when the city turned on the public heating system, which uses coal to heat millions of homes and offices in the city.

Harbin has a population of more than 10 million people. It lies in northeastern China, where cold winter weather can last up to six months. The main fuel* there is coal, because it is cheaper than other types of fuel.

Air pollution from burning coal can cause health problems like heart disease. During the smog crisis* in Harbin, the number of people taken to the hospital with breathing problems was 30% higher than usual.

The city government is trying to reduce its use of coal by adding more insulation* and better roofs and windows to buildings to reduce heating needs. It has also used cleaner fuel for cars and factories.

1.The roads and schools in Harbin had to be closed on October 21, 2013 because of  ____

A. the heavy rain   B. the strong wind  C. the serious smog  D.  the terrible snow        

2.There are many reasons for the air pollution EXCEPT____________.

A. farmers burn off old corn stalks and crop stubble                   

B. people use coal to heat millions of homes and offices

C. The smoke remains over the city   because of low winds

D. Many buses and cars use cleaner fuel and so do factories.

3. What is the government trying to do when the air pollution get worse?

A. To offer cars new fuel.                          

B. To give people more masks.

C. To reduce its use of coal.               

D. To ask people to stay at home.

4.What does the passage mainly tell us?

A. The serious air pollution in China   

B. Coal-fired heating systems

C. The population crisis in Harbin      

D. The reasons for heart disease

There was a time when I thought my dad didn’t know how to be a good father. I couldn’t   16   him ever saying the words “I love you.” It seems to me his only purpose in life was to say “  17  ” to anywhere I wanted to go and anything I wanted to do, including getting a   18  . Some parents bought their kids cars when they got their driver’s licenses. Not my dad — he said that I’d have to get a job and buy my own.

So that is what I did. I got a job at a very nice restaurant and   19   every penny I could and when I had enough to buy my car, I did! The day I brought that car home, my dad was the first one I wanted to   20   it off to. “Look, dad, a car of my own. If you ever want a ride, you only need to pay me five dollars.” I offered with a smile.

“I see,” was all he said.

One day, there was something wrong with my father’s truck. So he needed a   21   to work. The sun wasn’t even up when we left the house,   22   it was already getting warm out. It was going to be a hot day. As my dad got out of my car, I   23  him, dressed in his work clothes, getting his   24   from the truck (车尾箱) of my car. Watching his sun-weathered face, and even from a distance I could tell there were  25   lines than I ever remembered being there before. I realized how hard my dad works for the family. My father is a cement finisher(水泥修整工).

Suddenly, it came up with me that he actually got down on his hands and knees to sweat over hot concrete(混凝土) to make a living for his family. And he did this day in and day out,   26 hot it got. Never, not once, had I heard him   27   about it. To him we were “worth” it. And never once did he ask us to pay for it.

When he closed the trunk, his tools set off to the side, he walked over to my window to   28   me five dollars. I rolled down the window and said “Good-bye, dad. Keep your five dollars. It’s my __29__. Don’t work too hard. I love you.”

His eyes met mine, then glanced away in the direction of his waiting tools, he   30   his throat(喉咙) and said, “Oh, and… me, too.”

1.A. like           B. remember         C. forget           D. care

2.A. Sorry        B. Yes              C. No                D. Well

3.A. car          B. friend           C. job                 D. present

4.A. spent        B. earned           C. kept               D. saved

5.A. take        B. put              C. turn                 D. show

6.A. ride         B. leave            C. trip                  D. hurry

7.A. as           B. although        C. but                   D. since

8.A. helped       B. followed        C. left                  D. watched

9.A. tools        B. clothes          C. luggage            D. bag

10.A. fewer        B. more           C. longer               D. less

11.A. whatever     B. whenever        C. wherever              D. however

12.A. talk         B. complain         C. ask                D. speak

13.A. hand         B. borrow           C. lend                  D. take

14.A. help         B. advice           C. treat              D. idea

15.A. cleaned      B. wiped            C. cleared             D. felt

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Vancouver and Whistler(惠斯勒) from February 12 to 28. As the world’s 1._____ athletes will compete there, Canada is preparing for it well.

It will be broadcasted(播出) in Canada’s two 2._____languages——English and French. Billions of television viewers worldwide will 3.______ the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Athletes from more than 80 4.______ will compete in 86 medal events over 17 days. Then the Paralympics(残奥会) will 5._____ from March 12 to 21. Canada has 6._____ millions of dollars preparing. Thousands of spectators will visit the country. Canada will be 7._____ it all.

 The building of Olympic gyms began in 2005. Opening and closing ceremonies will be held indoors, at BC Place Stadium. It’ll 8.______55,000 seats. Some competitions, 9.______ ski, and bobsled, will take place in Whistler. It’s a ski village. During the Games, roads will be closed. More than 15,000 policemen will work to 10.______ the peace throughout the Games.

The United States is the only country to host the Winter Games four times. Team USA hopes 2010 will be a golden year.

11. A. worst      B. best               C. cleverest            D. tallest

12. A. special   B. unusual         C. official      D. ordinary

13.A. watch         B. notice           C. look         D. hear

14. A. cities    B. towns            C. villages            D. countries

15. A. run          B. begin            C. stop     D. end 

16. A. paid         B. took             C. cost   D. spent

17. A. full of      B. ready for        C. worried about  D. afraid of

18. A. give         B. serve        C. hold             D. host

19. A. with         B. including        C. as        D. so

20. A. keep             B. make             C. let        D. protect

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Vancouver and Whistler(惠斯勒) from February 12 to 28. As the world’s 1._____ athletes will compete there, Canada is preparing for it well.

It will be broadcasted(播出) in Canada’s two 2._____languages——English and French. Billions of television viewers worldwide will 3.______ the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Athletes from more than 80 4.______ will compete in 86 medal events over 17 days. Then the Paralympics(残奥会) will 5._____ from March 12 to 21. Canada has 6._____ millions of dollars preparing. Thousands of spectators will visit the country. Canada will be 7._____ it all.

 The building of Olympic gyms began in 2005. Opening and closing ceremonies will be held indoors, at BC Place Stadium. It’ll 8.______55,000 seats. Some competitions, 9.______ ski, and bobsled, will take place in Whistler. It’s a ski village. During the Games, roads will be closed. More than 15,000 policemen will work to 10.______ the peace throughout the Games.

The United States is the only country to host the Winter Games four times. Team USA hopes 2010 will be a golden year.

11. A. worst      B. best               C. cleverest            D. tallest

12. A. special   B. unusual         C. official      D. ordinary

13.A. watch         B. notice           C. look         D. hear

14. A. cities    B. towns            C. villages            D. countries

15. A. run          B. begin            C. stop     D. end 

16. A. paid         B. took             C. cost   D. spent

17. A. full of      B. ready for        C. worried about  D. afraid of

18. A. give         B. serve        C. hold             D. host

19. A. with         B. including        C. as        D. so

20. A. keep             B. make             C. let        D. protect