Animals are considered to be endangered if the species is close to extinction throughout all or most of its environment. Animals become endangered for a variety of reasons.
Some animals become endangered when their habitats contain resources for humans. For example, commercial forest cutting in the Amazon Rainforest has seriously reduced the population of many animal species and lead to the extinction of other groups. Land itself is an important resource to humans since it provides us with living space, and when people replace animal habitats with human habitats, it can lead to larger loss of natural species.
Commercial and industrial operations may reduce land or water for animals and pollute their environment. Due to water pollution, the baiji, a fresh water dolphin native to China, was declared extinct, meaning it’s unlikely the population can recover. Even noise pollution from human activities can lead to the disorder of animal behavior.
Another cause that makes animals become endangered is over-fishing or over-hunting. Over-hunting whales led to near extinction of many species of whales.
The introduction of a non-native species to a habitat may make animals become endangered. The native species may not defend against a new one, and the effects can be dangerous. In Australia, the introduction of the common house cat led to the extinction of the red-fronted parakeet and has seriously damaged the populations of several small animals.
Introduced species can also bring new diseases with them. As a result, animals become endangered. Native animals may not have the power to fight against non-native diseases, and population levels can suffer. Another cause of disease is human-introduced chemicals. The use of DDT is believed to be one of the leading causes in driving the California Condor to near extinction.
When animals become endangered, the entire food chain can be affected. For example, in 2008 disease seriously harmed the honeybee, which is largely responsible for pollinating(授花粉)  plants, including many fruits and vegetables. Without their pollination, a very large part of the human diet could be reduced. In fact, if the honeybee should become extinct, our life would be affected and billions of dollars would be lost. Therefore, many people argue that when animals become endangered it is in man’s own self-interest to protect them.
小題1:The passage is mainly about ______.

A．ways of protecting animals’ habitats

B．effects caused by species endangerment

C．dangers of bringing in non-native species

D．reasons why animals become endangered

小題2:Which of the following examples shows that environmental pollution may cause species endangerment?

A．The extinction of the whales.

B．The extinction of the red-fronted parakeet.

C．The decreasing population of the dolphin.

D．The effect of the honeybee on the human diet.

小題3:Why is it dangerous to introduce a non-native species to a habitat?

A．Native species are likely to die from the new diseases.

B．It’s hard for non-native species to survive.

C．Non-native species will take up more space.

D．Native species are so powerful for non-native species.

小題4:The California Condor is in danger of dying out because of ______.

A．loss of habitat	B．harmful chemicals
C．forest cutting	D．unfamiliar diseases

小題5:We can infer from the last paragraph that ______.

A．humans are to blame for species extinction

B．small animals mean little to the whole food chain

C．protection of the honeybee has cost billions of dollars

D．humans protect animals for the benefit of themselves

Parents are fuelling bad behavior among their children by attempting to "buy" their love with expensive gifts nowadays.
Over recent decades we seem to have created a "must have" culture among our young people. Many mothers and fathers believe they are "failing as parents" if they are unable to ensure that their children have the latest toy, electronic devices (the lap-top, cellphones, Game Boy, etc.) along with their friends. In many cases, families also feel pressured to enroll (使加入) children in "'every interest club or after-school activity that is available" to fill up their time like most of the other children.
But experts warned that the move might affect "precious family time" negatively. Graham Gorton, chairman of the Independent Schools Association, said that parents spent too much time filling their children's lives, which had a series of negative effects on "the very precious family time that exists".
"It seems that those times when a whole weekend without planned work was seen as a luxury (奢侈) and a perfect opportunity to spend time together and share those valuable moments of childhood are long gone," Mr. Gorton said. "As a child I only once said that phrase that parents feared 'I'm bored'. Immediately my mother took action and produced a list of jobs and then insisted that I complete every one of them. Though l didn't think cleaning all the floors could really get rid of my boredom, I enjoyed the feeling of staying at home with my mother and brothers."
Earlier this year, some researchers suggested that relatively wealthy parents were sometimes guilty of failing to teach basic social skills to children. "Often, it’s the rich middle classes that buy off their children through the computer and the TV. That then sets them apart from their family, and then the parents are surprised when their child isn’ t coming to school."
小題1:The second paragraph mainly tells us that ________.

A．today’s children have little time to play

B．today’s children depend on electronic tools too much

C．today’s parents feel pressured by the "'must have" culture

D．being qualified parents becomes harder for today's young people

小題2:What does the "must have" phenomenon refer to based on the passage?

A．That children must have what other children have.

B．That children must have proper pressure to work hard.

C．That children must have special skills to ensure a better future.

D．That parents must have patience to know their children better.

小題3:Which of the following is the best advice you could give to parents based on Gorton’s statement?

A．Plan fewer activities for their children to improve family time.

B．Buy their children fewer things that they are fond of.

C．Give their children more housework to do.

D．Leave their children alone when the kids feel bored.

小題4:Mr. Gorton tended to think that in the past ________.

A．children enjoyed doing housework

B．children never thought life was boring

C．children liked to spend time with their family

D．children often had some planned work after school

小題5:From the passage we can infer that ________.

A．wealthy parents don’t like teaching basic social skills to children

B．parents should be much more strict with their children at home

C．children should not be brought up in a wealthy and pleasant environment

D．only satisfying children’s material needs is not a good way of parenting

There is some unwelcome news for students preparing for exams and officers putting in long hours-----you don't need the break as much as you may think that makes you feel less tired.
Scientists have long assumed that willpower (意志力) is a limited resource, which is why you feel the need to have a rest, have a snack and come back to a task when you're feeling better. They argued that the only way to restore willpower was by rest, food or entertainment.
But psychologists have challenged this theory, saying weak willpower is all in your head. They found that people's beliefs in willpower determine how long and how well they'll be able to work on a tough mental exercise. "If you think of willpower as something that's limited, you're more likely to be tired when you perform a difficult task," said Prof.Veronika Job. "'But if you think of willpower as something that is not easily used up, you can go on and on."
The researchers designed four experiments to test students'-beliefs in willpower. After a tiring task, those, who believed or were led to believe that willpower is a limited resource, performed worse on standard concentration tests than those who thought of willpower as something they had more control over. They also found that leading up to final exam week, students who believed the limited resource theory ate junk food 24 percent more often than those who believed they had more control in resisting temptation (誘惑).
Mr. Job said. "The theory that willpower is a limited resource is interesting, but it has had unintended consequences. Students who may already have trouble studying are being told that their power of concentration is limited, and they need to take frequent breaks. But a belief in willpower as a non-limited resource makes people stronger in their ability to work through challenges.'"
The findings could help people who are" battling temptation. Willpower isn't driven by a biologically based process as much as we used to think. The belief in it is what influences your behavior.
小題1:The theory that willpower is limited supports that _________.

A．people must eat snacks when they feel tired

B．people do need a break to restore their willpower

C．there’s no way to strengthen people’s willpower

D．weak willpower doesn’t affect people’s life much

小題2:What have the scientists long believed regarding willpower?

A．It is in the charge of people.

B．It is a limited resource.

C．There is no way to restore willpower.

D．It doesn’t easily run out.

小題3:Which of the following best helps the students to prepare better for their exams?

A．Push themselves even if they want to take a break.

B．Don’t eat fast food while studying.

C．Remind themselves willpower is not limited.

D．Stay in a comfortable and quiet place.

小題4:The following groups can benefit from the findings except

A．patients following strict diets

B．children liking to watch TV

C．smokers trying to give up smoking

D．employees facing a new but well-paid task

小題5:What’s the best title for the passage?

A．A new theory about willpower	B．How to build strong willpower
C．The great influence of willpower	D．Willpower doesn’t last long

In the second half of each year, many powerful storms are born in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean seas. Of these, only about a half a dozen generate the strong, circling winds of 75 miles per hour or more that give them hurricane status, and several usually make their way to the coast. There they cause millions of dollars of damage, and bring death to large numbers of people.
The great storms that hit the coast start as innocent circling disturbances (氣旋) hundreds — even thousands — of miles out to sea. As they travel aimlessly over water warmed by the summer sun, they are carried westward by the trade winds. When conditions are just right, warm, moist (潮濕的) air flows in at the bottom of such a disturbance, moves upward through it and comes out at the top. In the process, the moisture in this warm air produces rain, and with it the heat that is switched to energy in the form of strong winds. As the heat increases, the young hurricane begins to turn around in a counter-clockwise motion (反時(shí)針方向).
The average life of a hurricane is only about nine days, but it contains almost more power than we can imagine. The energy in the heat released (釋放) by a hurricane’s rainfall in a single day would satisfy the entire electrical needs of the United States for more than six months.
Water, rather than wind, is the main source of death and destroying in a hurricane. A typical hurricane brings 6-to-12-inch downpours resulting in sudden floods. Worst of all is the powerful movement of the sea — the mountains of water moving toward the low-pressure hurricane center. The water level rises as much as 15 feet above normal as it moves toward shore.
小題1:An ordinary tropical storm is called a hurricane when ______.

A．it occurs in the Caribbean seas

B．its winds reach 75 miles per hour

C．it makes its way to the coastline

D．its winds begin to circle on the sea

小題2:What is the worst thing about hurricane?

A．The rough water.	B．The violent winds.
C．The heat it gives out.	D．The length of its life.

小題3:What does the third paragraph mainly talk about?

A．The hurricane is extraordinarily powerful.

B．The hurricane is used to generate electricity.

C．The hurricane can otherwise offer an unusual sight.

D．The hurricane can give people an unforgettable experience.

小題4:The counter-clockwise movement of the hurricane is caused by ______.

A．the low-pressure area in the center of the storm

B．the force of waves of water

C．the increasing heat

D．the trade winds

After commuting, cooking dinner and doing household chores, the average parent has just 30 minutes to devote to their children in the evenings, according to a new study. One in four working parents worry that half an hour simply isn’t enough, while almost half fret that they aren’t a good enough parent during the week.
However, parenting experts believe just 12 minutes a day may be enough for mothers and fathers to fully reconnect with their child — as long as they ask the right questions. Child psychologist Dr Claire Halsey said asking a series of open-ended questions can help improve parents’ relationship with their children.
Among the questions recommended in the research are: “How many times have you smiled today — what made you laugh?”; “Can you act out what you did at breaktime?”; “Who is taller — mummy or your teacher?” and “What are the names of the toys you played with today?” Parents of older children are advised to start up a conversation with: “I’ve got a great story for you but I want one in return… you first!” or “Tell me some school gossip … I’m all ears!”
Dr Halsey, working with the makers of Ribena Plus, who commissioned the research, said: “There is no one as tough on their own parenting skills as a parent — but this study shows there is no need for parents to be so harsh. It’s hard for working parents to juggle all their responsibilities and it can feel like guilt is simply a parent’s lot — but it’s absolutely not. By using clever tactics such as a little preparation alongside use of open-ended questions — such as ‘Tell me what the best bit about your day was?’ — parents can reduce the time worrying about chores and work and spend more time learning about their children’s day.”
小題1:The underlined word reconnect in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ________.

A．discuss

B． communicate

C． understand

D． combine

小題2:According to Paragraph 1, almost half of the working parents ________.

A．can spare only about half an hour to be with their kids every day

B．spend their daytime commuting, cooking dinner and doing household chores

C．worry that half an hour’s stay with their kids is far from enough

D．fear that they aren’t a good enough parent during the week

小題3:What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．I will be glad to listen.

B．I will be very interested.

C．I will listen carefully.

D．I will call your teacher at school.

小題4:Which of the following open-ended questions is for a three-year-old child?

A．Where are you off to with your friends this weekend?

B．Who played the best in your football match today?

C．What science project are you doing at the moment and can I help with it?

D．What are the names of the toys you played with today?

小題5:What does Dr Halsey intend to tell us in this passage?

A．It is not necessary for parents to spend too much time with their children.

B．It is natural that working parents do not afford more time to reconnect with kids.

C．It is important that working parents learn more parenting skills.

D．It is clever that parents ask their kids questions instead of doing chores.

The arts, especially music, should be part of every school's lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas.
Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive to do. In a music program, children can be part of a band instead of joining a gang (團(tuán)伙). Parents can enjoy listening to their children's music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music.
Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of an audience. Music gives children an opportunity for self-expression, and that helps develop their self-confidence.
Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school.
小題1:According to the passage, music could make students smarter by _______________.

A．improving their classroom skills and paying attention

B．improving their classroom skills and imagination

C．improving their attention, direction and imagination

D．learning music, making music and trying out their own ideas

小題2:What does the underlined phrase "glued to" in the second paragraph mean?

A．unwilling to turn on	B．a(chǎn)lways looking
C．unwilling to leave	D．a(chǎn)lways playing

小題3:The third paragraph mainly tells us that music could _______________.

A．give children self-expression and self-confidence

B．bring to children achievement and success

C．give children something to be proud of

D．develop children's self-confidence

小題4:What's the best title of this passage？

A．Music is a must as a course at school

B．Music builds children's self-confidence

C．Music makes students much smarter

D．Learning music and making music

Fear is an emotion like others such as happiness, anger, hurt, sadness. We need emotions to process information we receive and decide how to respond. Being afraid of fast cars, for example, is something that might protect us from harm. Being afraid of the consequence of a choice may prevent us getting into trouble.
Fears in young children commonly center on certain animals like snakes or big dogs. Fears are caused often because of experiences or ideas expressed by others, and at times, the media. Many normal fears during the early years, like men with beards, or large dogs, disappear with age. Those relating to personal failure and ridicule (嘲笑) remain through adulthood and may need special help to overcome.
Children’s fears are often trivial, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. They need to be recognized and accepted as real for that child. Only when we help children understand their fears can they grow normally in their ability to deal with them.
Research shows that as a child grows up, the center of his fears changes a lot. Things like divorce, a teacher who “shouted at me”, people with guns, bullies, big boys, or “making fun of me” top the list of childhood fears.
We can not always prevent these experiences from happening, but it’s essential that children be allowed to freely express their emotions without judgment. Sympathy and a caring listener will help ease the pain of these fears. Read books and stories to your child about children who have experienced similar fears. This helps children talk about their fears and find ways to cope. With all emotions, fears become less of a problem for children as they gain self-confidence and they find that fear is normal and can be dealt with.
小題1:According to Paragraph 2, we can know that fears in young children_______.      .

A．only center on frightening animals	B．a(chǎn)re not born but learned
C．can make sure of their safety	D．need special help to deal with

小題2:The underlined word “trivial” in the third paragraph probably means “_______”.

A．small

B．serious

C．harmful

D．common

小題3:In dealing with children’s fears, the final goal of the parents is to _______.

A．stop unpleasant experiences happening to children

B．let children know about the nature of fear

C．create an environment where there is nothing to fear

D．develop children’s ability to treat their fear on their own

小題4:From the passage we can learn that ________ .

A．some childhood fears may have a lasting influence

B．children should avoid the media to reduce their fear

C．fears can be judged according to the environment

D．children with similar fears can communicate easily

小題5:What’s the best title for this passage?

A．How to Overcome Children’s Fears	B．Children’s Fears
C．The kind of Children’s Fears	D．The Bad Effects of Fears

As they migrate (遷移), butterflies and moths choose the winds they want to fly with, and they change their body positions if they start floating in the wrong direction. This new finding suggests that insects may employ some of the same methods that birds use for traveling long distances. Scientists have long thought that insects were simply at the mercy of the wind.
Fascinating as their skills of flight are, migrating behavior has been difficult to study in   insects because many long distant trips happen thousands of feet above ground. Only recently have scientists developed technologies that can detect (測出) such little creatures at such great heights.
To their surprise, though, the insects weren’t passive travelers on the winds. In autumn, for example, most light winds blew from the east, but the insects somehow sought out ones that carried them south and they positioned themselves to navigate directly to their wintering homes.
Even in the spring, when most winds flowed northward, the insects didn’t always go with the flow. If breezes weren’t blowing in the exact direction they wanted to go, the insects changed their body positions to compensate (補(bǔ)償). Many migrating birds do the same thing.
The study also found, butterflies and moths actively flew within the air streams that pushed them along. By adding flight speeds to wind speeds, the scientists calculated that butterflies and moths can travel as fast as 100 kilometers an hour. The findings may have real-world applications. With climate warming, migrating insects are growing in number. Knowing how and when these pests move could help when farmers decide when to spray their crops.
小題1:What’s the main idea of the text?  

A．Insects migrate with the seasons．

B．Wind helps insects greatly in migrating．

C．Windsurfing insects have real direction．

D．Scientists have trouble in observing insects．

小題2:Scientists originally thought that ________．

A．insects always waited for their favorable winds

B．insects chose the winds they wanted to ride

C．insects were just blown about by the wind

D．insects positioned themselves in the winds

小題3:It is not easy to study the migrating behavior of the insects because ________．         

A．the little creatures can fly very fast

B．they have no regular migrating courses

C．the wind’s direction is hard to foresee

D．their flight is long and high above ground

小題4:We can learn from the text that _________．          

A．insects fly in the way birds do

B．insects travel more easily in autumn

C．insects never position themselves when flying low

D．insects rest a lot when the wind pushes them along

小題5:According to the passage, the findings can__________．             

A．increase insects in number	B．instruct farmers when to spray
C．prevent climate warming	D．help protect insects

Remembering names is an important social skill. Here are some ways to master it.
Recite and repeat in conversation
When you hear a person’s name, repeat it. Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips .You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial.
Ask the other person to recite and repeat
You can let other people help you remember their names. After you’ve been introduced to someone, ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you. Most people will be pleased by the effort you’re making to learn their names.
Admit you don’t know
Admitting that you can’t remember someone’s name can actually make people relaxed. Most of them will feel sympathy if you say, “I’m working to remember names better. Yours is right on the tip of my tongue. What is it again？”
Use association
Link each person you meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual. For example, you could make a mental note: “Vicki Cheng-tall，black hair”. To reinforce your association, write them on a small card as soon as possible.
Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.
When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering everyone. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way is to limit yourself to learning just first names. Last names can come later.
Go early
Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometimes just a few people show up on time. That’s fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to others-an automatic review for you.
小題1:If you can’t remember someone’s name, you may________

A．tell them the truth	B．tell them a white lie
C．a(chǎn)sk him for pity	D．a(chǎn)sk others to help you

小題2:The underlined word “reinforce” mostly means “______”.

A．get

B．simplify

C．strengthen

D．collect

小題3:When you meet a group of people, it is better to remember______

A．a(chǎn)ll their names	B．a(chǎn) couple of names first
C．just their last names	D．a(chǎn)s many names as possible

小題4:What does the text mainly tell us?

A．How to recite and repeat names	B．Importance of attending parties
C．How to make use of associations	D．Tips on an important social skill

Some people will do just about anything to save money. And I am one of them. My family’s last vacation was a good         to prove it. It was my six-year-old son’s winter break from school, and we were         home from Fort Lauderdale after a week-long trip. The flight was        , and Delta, the airline, offered us $400 per person in credits to give up our seats and leave the next day. I had meetings in New York, so I had to        . But that didn't mean my husband and my son couldn't stay. I took my nine-month-old and took off for home.
The next day, my husband and son were offered more         to take an even later flight. Yes, I encouraged — okay, ordered — them to wait it out at the        , to "earn" more Delta Dollars. Our total take: $1,600. Not bad, huh?
Now some people may think I'm a bad mother and not such a great wife either. But as a big-time bargain hunter, I know the value of a        . And these days, a good deal is something few of us can afford to        .
I've made living looking for the best deals and         the worst tricks. I have been the consumer reporter of NBC's Today show for over a decade. So far, I feel proud that I have written a couple of         including one titled Tricks of the Trade: A Consumer Survival Guide. And I really do what I         in.
I tell you this because there is no         in getting your money’s worth. Honestly, I’m also         when it comes to shoes, clothes for my children, and expensive restaurants. But I wouldn't hesitate to spend on a good haircut. It keeps its shape longer, and it's the first thing people        . And I will also spend on a classic piece of furniture.         lasts.

小題1:	A．sample B．excuse C．situation D．example

小題2:	A．leaving B．heading C．getting D．a(chǎn)rriving

小題3:	A．overbooked B．overcrowded C．overworked D．overpowered

小題4:	A．get on B．get over C．get back D．get away

小題5:	A．seats B．credits C．bargain D．value

小題6:	A．flight B．office C．school D．a(chǎn)irport

小題7:	A．dollar B．time C．family D．work

小題8:	A．pass up B．pass down C．pass along D．pass on

小題9:	A．expanding B．expecting C．exposing D．explaining

小題10:

A．dictionaries B．newspapers C．novels D．books

小題11:

A．believe B．put C．give D．come

小題12:

A．harm B．shame C．doubt D．shock

小題13:

A．generous B．tightfisted C．joyful D．patient

小題14:

A．notice B．realize C．know D．understand

小題15:

A．Satisfactory B．Quantity C．Ability D．Quality