Drink drivers could be prohibited from driving under the influence if new technology from Nissan is introduced.
The Japanese car maker has developed a new odor (气味) detection system designed to prevent drivers from operating a car if they are over the legal limit. The system works by using a series of sensors (传感器) to detect the level of alcohol the driver has consumed.
A high-sensitivity alcohol odor sensor is built into the gear stick (变速杆), which is able to detect the presence of the driver’s palm as he or she attempts to start driving. If the alcohol level detected is above a pre-determined limit, the system automatically locks the transmission(变速器), immobilizing the car. A voice alert is also issued via the car navigation system telling the driver that he or she is over the limit.
Extra sensors are also placed in the driver and passenger seats and a warning is issued if these sensors detect the presence of alcohol in the air inside the vehicle cabin.
While still in the developmental stage the concept of drink driving detectors being built into cars has generally been welcomed by many drivers.
Nissan said the technology is part of a project aimed at halving the number of fatalities (灾祸) and serious injuries in Nissan cars by 2015 compared to 2005 levels.
【小题1】The detection system works _______________.

A．by detecting the smell of alcohol in the vehicle cabin

B．by measuring the volume of the alcohol in vehicle cabin

C．by detecting the weight of the school in the vehicle cabin

D．by using a car navigation system

【小题2】What do we know about the detection system?

A．The detection system is still in the developmental stage.

B．The new technology from Nissan has been introduced.

C．The driving detectors are being built into cars.

D．The system has already been used in some car companies.

【小题3】The driver’s attitude toward the detection system is that of _______________.

A．annoyance

B．welcome

C．unconcern

D．doubt

【小题4】What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．Nissan will release drink-proof cars.

B．Traffic accidents will be decreased.

C．A project halving the number of accidents.

D．A new odor detection system.

Women who want to succeed at work should resist the temptation to act like men, scientists have said. Studies show that ambitious women are often less likely to get ahead than those who show more female characteristics. However, if they try to adapt, promotion comes their way. The findings, which will let assertive (过分自信的) women down, suggest that the best way for a woman to succeed in a man’s world is to act like a lady.
Past research has shown that women with self-confidence and other characteristics linked with successful management can be put aside at work in favor of gentle types. It is thought that while such characteristics are highly praised in men, ambitious women are penalized for not being feminine enough. Instead of being seen as strong managers, ambitious women are in an unfavorable situation.
In one US study, researchers explored personal details from university students applying for a summer job at a bank. A women applicant who attempted to apply for special wages to pay her transport or living costs was three and a half times less likely to get a job offer than a similar male. In fact, this kind of woman was the least likely to get taken on.
The latest study set out to explore what women who are naturally assertive could do to get ahead in the workplace. Eighty young men and women completed surveys about their personality while studying in college. Around eight years later, the researchers got back in touch with them to find out how their careers were going. Some had been promoted five times, others just once or twice. The results showed that ambitious women who stick to their decisions had been promoted less than more feminine groups. But the ambitious women who made a conscious effort to not appear to be threatening by “self-controlling” their behavior had done better than those who had carried on ignoring others’ views.
【小题1】 What does the underlined word “penalized” mean in the second paragraph?

A．Treated badly	B．Asked to leave
C．Looked down upon	D．Made sb. have a disadvantage

【小题2】According to the passage, if an ambitious woman and a similar man both ask the company for an extra payment, ______.

A．the woman is less likely to be accepted

B．the woman will work harder if she gets the payment

C．the man can make a good impression on the boss

D．they can be both accepted if they use proper words

【小题3】The ambitious women in the latest study ______.

A．had been promoted only once or twice

B．tried hard to be as successful as gentle types

C．were more accepted at work after they controlled their behavior

D．filled in the surveys after they graduated from college

【小题4】What can we learn from the passage?

A．Successful management is highly praised in women.

B．Some women will be disappointed by the massage.

C．Men acting like a lady are likely to be promoted at work.

D．The latest study was aimed at how to become a successful boss.

【小题5】What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．How assertive women can control their behavior.

B．Feminists can do better by controlling their behavior.

C．Acting like a man won’t get women promoted at work.

D．How the ambitious women can avoid acting like men.

TaIL Spin
Two dolphins race around in a big pool in the Ocean Park. The smaller dolphin Grace, shown off a few of her tricks, turning around and waving hello to the crowd. The most amazing thing about her, however, is that she’s even swimming at all. She doesn’t have a tail.
Grace lost her tail as a baby when she got caught up in a fish trap. When the dolphin arrived at the Ocean Park in December 2005, she was fighting for her life. “Is she going to make it?” Her trainer, Abbey Stone, feared the worst. Grace did make it --- but her tail didn’t. She ended up losing her flukes and the lower part of her peduncle.
Over the past six years, she has learned to swim without her tail. Dolphins swim by moving their flukes and peduncle up and down. Grace taught herself to move another way---like a fish! She pushed herself forward through the water by moving her peduncles from side to side.
The movement put harmful pressure on Grace’s backbone. So a company offered to create a man-made tail for her. The tail had to be strong enough to stay on Grace as she swam but soft enough that it wouldn’t hurt her.
The first time Grace wore the artificial tail. She soon shook it off and let it sink in the bottom of the pool. Now, she is still learning to use the tail. Some days she wears it for an hour at a time, others not at all. “The tail isn’t
necessary for her to feel comfortable,” says Stone, “but it helps to keep that range of motion(动作) and build muscles(肌肉).”
Now, the dolphin is about to get an even happier ending. This month, Grace will star in Dolphin Tale, a film that focus on her rescue and recovery. Her progress has inspired more than just a new movie. Many people travel from near and far to meet her. Seeing Grace swim with her man-made tail gives people so much courage.
【小题1】 When Grace first arrived at the Ocean Park, her trainer worried about her        .

A．physical build	B．potential ability
C．chance of survival	D．adaptation to the surroundings.

【小题2】A man-made tail is created for Grace to   _.

A．let her recover faster	B．make her comfortable
C．adjust her way of swimming	D．help her perform better tricks

【小题3】The story of Grace inspires people to_      .

A．stick to their dreams	B．treat animals friendly
C．treasure what they have	D．face difficulties bravely

“What’s in a name?”According to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, there is not too much. “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. ”But Shakespeare may have been wrong. In most cultures, names matter a great deal.
Americans choose names for their children with care. Parents usually think about the impression a name gives, not its meaning. Most Americans would consider a“Jennifer”more attractive than a “Bertha”, for example. The last name, or, surname, must also be considered when choosing a first and middle name. A name like Lester Chester Hester would sound poetic, but odd. Parents would avoid names that remind them of people they don’t like. On the other hand, people might name their children after a respected elderly relative or even a famous person. The popularity of certain names can change with each new generation. Names that were once common, like Fanny or Elmer, sound old-fashioned today. But other names—like John and David, Mary and Sarah—have stood the test of time and continue to be favorites.
People in America don’t always call their friends and relatives by their given names. Instead, they often use nicknames. Sometimes nicknames are short forms of a longer name. For instance, a girl named Elizabeth may be called Lisa, Beth or Betsy. As children grow up, they may decide for themselves which nickname they wish to be called. Some people just go by the initials of their first and middle names, like B. J. or R. C. And of course, people may call their children or their sweethearts other special nicknames. Often they have a “sweet” flavor, like Honey or Sugar. What’s in a name? A world of significance. So if you’re choosing an English name for yourself, take care to choose a good one. A made-up name could sound strange to native English speakers. And a translation of your Chinese name may not make an appropriate name, either. But a good name can leave a positive and lasting impression. As an American politician once said,“In real life, unlike in Shakespeare, the sweetness of the rose depends upon the name it bears.”
【小题1】What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 2 mean?

A．People change names in order to be popular with the new generation.

B．Names will change by themselves in order to be popular.

C．Some names may no longer be popular among the new generation.

D．No names can stand the test of time.

【小题2】When choosing names, you should stick to the following principles except that _________.

A．the impression a name gives is more important than its meaning

B．you can name after a well-known person

C．surname should be paid attention to

D．you can create a name that is special

【小题3】The word “initial” in paragraph 3 probably means          .

A．nickname

B．the first letter

C．short form

D．title

【小题4】The author will name a newly born baby girl             .

A．Bertha

B．Fanny

C．Yunyun

D．Elizabeth

【小题5】What is the main idea of this passage?

A．Names have great significance to Americans.

B．Names change when time goes by.

C．Chinese people should be careful when choosing their English names.

D．Roses smell sweet by any other name.

Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品)  of technological developments in the space.
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
【小题1】Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph 1?

A．To express his doubts.	B．To compare different ideas.
C．To introduce points for discussion.	D．To describe the conditions on Earth.

【小题2】 What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph 2?

A．Humans are nature-born to do so.

B．Humans have the tendency to fight.

C．Humans may find new sources of food.

D．Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.

【小题3】The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.

A．survival chances	B．unexpected benefits
C．potential resources	D．physical possessions

【小题4】What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

A．The adaptive ability of humans.	B．Resources on the earth..
C．Our genetic makeup.	D．By-products in space exploration.

【小题5】Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?

A．Space exploration has created many wonders.

B．Space exploration provided the best value for money.

C．Space exploration can benefit science and technology.

D．Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.