Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan sees an epidemic (流行病) sweeping across America’s farmland. It has little to do with the usual challenges, such as flood, rising fuel prices and crop-eating insects. The country’s farmers are getting older, and there are fewer people standing in line to take their place. National agricultural census (普查) figures show that the fastest-growing group of farmers is the part over 65. Merrigan is afraid the average age will be even higher when the 2012 statistics are completed.
Merrigan, a former college professor, is making stops at universities across the country in hopes of encouraging more students to think about careers in agriculture. Aside from trying to stop the graying of America’s farmers, her work is made tougher by a recent blog posting that put agriculture at No. 1 on a list of “useless” college degrees. Top federal agriculture officials are talking about the posting, and it has the attention of agricultural organizations across the country.
“There couldn’t be anything that’s more incorrect,” Merrigan said. “We know that there aren’t enough qualified graduates to fill the jobs that are out there in American agriculture.”
In addition, a growing world population that some experts predict will require 70% more food production by 2050, she said.
“I truly believe we’re at a golden age of agriculture. Global demand is at an all-time record high, and global supplies are at all-time record lows,” said Matt Rush, director of the Texas Farm Bureau. “Production costs are going to be valuable enough that younger people are going to have the opportunity to be involved in agriculture. “
The Department of Agriculture has programs aimed at developing more farmers and at increasing interest in locally grown food. The National Young Farmers’ Coalition has also been pushing for state and federal policy changes to make it easier for new farmers.
Ryan Best, president of Future Farmers of America, has been living out of a suitcase, traveling the country and visiting with high school students about careers in agriculture. The 21-year-old Best hopes his message --that this is a new time in agriculture-- will motivate the next generation to turn around the statistics. “Never before have we had the innovations (創新) in technology which have led to agriculture in this country being the most efficient it has ever been,” he said. “There’s really a place for everybody to fit in. “
1.What is the new challenge to American agriculture?
A. Fewer and older farmers. B. Higher fuel prices.
C. More natural disasters. D. Lower agricultural output.
2.Why is Merrigan visiting universities across the country?
A. To draw federal agriculture officials’ attention.
B. To select qualified agriculture graduates.
C. To clarify a recent blog posting.
D. To talk more students into farming careers.
3.According to Matt Rush, American agriculture will provide opportunities for younger people because ________.
A. the government will cover production costs
B. global food supplies will be even lower
C. investment in agriculture will be profitable
D. America will increase its food export
4.What do the underlined words “to turn around the statistics” in the last paragraph mean?
A. To re-analyze the result of the national census.
B. To increase agricultural production.
C. To bring down the average age of farmers.
D. To invest more in agriculture.
1.A
2.D
3.C
4.C
【解析】本文是一篇科技文，主要介紹了美國在農業方面臨農民人數少，年齡偏大的問題，同時還缺少專業大學生從事農業生產。該怎么樣解決這個問題。
1.細節理解題。根據第一段第三句“The country’s farmers are getting older, and there are fewer people standing in line to take their place”可知，A項正確。
2.細節理解題。根據第二段第一句中“…is making stops at universities across the country in hopes of encouraging more students to think about careers in agriculture”可知，D項正確。
3.推理判斷題。根據第五段中“Global demand is at an all-time record high, and global supplies are at all-time record lows”可推斷Matt Rush認為，全球對農業的需要達到了最高，而全球的供應則達到了最低，故在農業上投資肯定會獲利，即C項正確。
4.句意理解題�！啊璽his is a new time in agriculture —will motivate the next generation…”可推斷此處表示的是“農業的新時機將會激勵下一代來參與，即農民的平均年齡將會年輕化”，故C項正確。
閱讀快車系列答案科目：高中英語 來源：江蘇省鹽城市2010屆高三下學期第三次調研考試英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解
An analysis by Mount Sinai researchers of over eight years of dietary data from more than 400,000 people has found that the relationship between high consumption of fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk of cancer is not as strong as commonly thought. The study is published online April 6, 2010 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. It is widely believed that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of cancer. In 1990, the WHO recommended eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day to prevent cancer and other diseases. However, although many studies have been conducted since then, none have been able to confirm an association between fruit and vegetable intake and cancer resistance.
Paolo Boffetta, MD, MPH, lead author of the study and Deputy Director of The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and colleagues analyzed data from the EPIC study to evaluate relationships between cancer risk and intake of total fruit and vegetables combined.
The EPIC followers, which are ongoing and organized by professor Elio Riboli at Imperial College in London, included 142,605 men and 335,873 women surveyed between 1992 and 2000 from 10 Western European countries. Detailed information on their dietary habits and lifestyle differences was obtained. After 8.7 years of follow – up, more than 30,000 of the study's participants were diagnosed with cancer.
Dr. Boffetta and colleagues found a small but significant opposite relationship between high intake of fruits and vegetables and overall cancer risk. In this population, an increase of 200 grams a day of fruits and vegetables resulted in a reduction of about 3 percent of cancer risk. Vegetable consumption by itself also afforded a modest benefit but was restricted to women. Heavy drinkers who ate many fruits and vegetables had a somewhat reduced risk, but only for cancers caused by smoking and alcohol.
"The bottom line here is that, yes, we did find a protective effect of fruit and vegetable intake against cancer, but it is a smaller connection than previously thought," said Dr. Boffetta. "Any cancer protective effect of these foods is likely to be modest, at best.
"However, eating fruits and vegetables is beneficial for health in general and the results of this study do not justify changing current recommendations aiming at increasing intake of these foods," said Dr. Boffetta.
63．A new study shows that .
A．eating fruits and vegetables is beneficial to health
B．a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of cancer
C．eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day can prevent cancer and other diseases
D．the association between fruit and vegetable intake and cancer resistance is small
64．Before this study, people would believe that .
A．high intake of fruits and vegetables can prevent cancer and other diseases
B．heavy drinkers have the slightest chance of cancer
C．the WHO’s recommendations were modest
D．the WHO’s recommendations aim at increasing intake of fruits and vegetables
65．The population who took part in this study amounted to .
A．142,605 B．335,873 C．more than 400,000 D．30,000
66．From this study, we can infer that .
A．the intake of fruits and vegetables will be no longer necessary
B．the connection between fruits and vegetables intakes and cancer resistance is smaller than originally thought
C．taking in fruits and vegetables will still be appreciated in spite of the new discovery
D．any cancer protective effect of these foods is likely to be modest
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科目：高中英語 來源：2011-2012學年安徽省皖南八校高三第一次聯考英語題（解析版） 題型：閱讀理解
Beijing ?（13, July） China sent up a new data relays atellite （數據中繼衛星）, Tianlian I -02, on Monday at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in South-western Sichuan province．The new satellite will promote the country's satellite communication network for space docking （對接）．
The satellite was launched on a Long-March-SC carrier rocket at 11:41 p．m．, sources at the centre told Xinhua News Agency．The satellite separated from the rocket 26 minutes after its launch and was then successfully delivered into a geostationary transfer orbit （地球同步轉移軌道）.
Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the satellite is the country's second data relay satellite．The first, Tianlian I -01, was launched on April 25．2008．
The two satellites will form a network to improve communications between China's spacecraft and bases on Earth, according to the centre．They will also be used to help the nation's first space docking, scheduled for the second half of this year．
As planned, China will launch space module Tiangong-I （天宮1號）, which was designed as a platform that will dock with an unmanned spaceship, Shenzhou, for the county's first space-docking mission this year．
Two more Shenzhou spaceships will dock with Tiangong-I next year, and one will be manned by two or three astronauts, according to China Manned Space Engineering Office, which was the main user of the Tianlian I series data relay satellites．
"The new satellite can cover a greater area to track and command the country's space vehicles m low-Earth orbits, such as manned spacecraft and remote sensing satellites, from a higher position m outer space．Only three satellites of this kind are needed to form a global communication network, and China has two now．" Pang Zhihao, a researcher and deputy editor-in-chief of Space International, said．
The satellite could also equip astronauts with real-time communications, which will benefit the county s future manned space flights, he said．
1.What is the main purpose to send up Tianlian I -02 ?
|
A．To test the function of a Long-March-SC carrier rocket． |
|
B．To carry some astronauts into space to do some research． |
|
C．To send more information and clearer pictures to mobile phones on the earth． |
|
D．To promote the country's satellite communication network for space docking' |
2.From the passage we know .
|
A．one more such satellite is needed to form a global communication network |
|
B．the satellite was developed by China Manned Space Engineering Office |
|
C．it was less than three years since China launched its first date relay satellite of this kind |
|
D．the satellite could help track and command space vehicles in orbits because it's lower in position |
3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the news report?
|
A．Shenzhou Ⅷ is a manned spaceship． |
|
B．Tiangong- I will dock with three Shenzhou spaceships next year． |
|
C．the satellite is of great importance to China's space exploration． |
|
D．china’s first ^a06 docking will be done in the second half of next year. |
4.The best title of the passage could be _____．
|
A．China Launched a New Space Shuttle |
|
B．China's Plan for Space Exploration |
|
C．China’s Progress m China's Space Exploration |
|
D．New Satellite Helps China's Space Exploration |
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科目：高中英語 來源：2011年四川省高二上學期第二次階段性考試英語卷 題型：閱讀理解
People in Shanghai can quench their thirst with high quality water if the Shanghai Water Authority (SWA) is able to make good on its word. It has vowed to make the city’s water match its status as a world class city.
“The current tap water quality meets national standards, but, compared with that of the European Union and the United States, it still needs to be improved.” said the SWA’s director general, Hang Jiayi.
In other developed countries, water fountains can be found almost everywhere—people do not bother with bottled drinking water.
By 2020, the water of the Huangpu River will be treated to reduce the amount of organic waste in it. Major water works that draw water from the Huangpu will need more treatment facilities to improve the colour, texture, ammonia(氨)and nitrogen content before 2010.
These treatment facilities are expected to cost 4 billion yuan, something that could affect the price of water, according to Chen Yin, SWA’s deputy director general.
Chen said that replacing water pipes was also a key project. The city’s aged pipes are mostly to blame for the bad water quality.
The SWA has started the water facilities renovation(更新)work, including the more than 14,000 kilometres of indoor piping, 107,000 tanks on top of the buildings, and more than 6,000 underground facilities.
World Water Day came on March 22, and this year’s theme is “Water for the future”. Beijing is also drawing up plans during China’s Water Week, which runs until March 28.
By 2010, the water for the Shanghai EXPO is to be above World Health Organization standards. And, the people of Beijing will be able to drink their tap water as well.
1.People in Shanghai can drink their tap water_____.
A. by 2020 B. in the first half of this year C. by 2010 D. by 2008
2.What step need not be taken in order to improve the tap water?
A. The water of the Huangpu River will be treated. B. Aged water pipes will be treated.
C. Water facilities must be renovated. D. Water fountains must be found.
3.Which is the correct statement according to the passage?
A. The tap water quality in Shanghai hasn’t met national standards.
B. World Water Day fell on March 22 this year.
C. The people of Beijing cannot drink their tap water now.
D. The treatment of the water of Huangpu River has been finished.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The cost of treating the tap water.
B. How to reach the water standards of developed countries.
C. The project for making tap water drinkable in Shanghai and Beijing.
D. The progress of treating the water of Huangpu River.
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科目：高中英語 來源：2010-2011學年浙江省杭州市高三上學期第三次月考英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解
閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個選項中，選出最佳選項。
C
China’s economic growth “hard to predict”
The worsening global economic situation makes it difficult for China to predict its growth for next year, a senior official said on Friday.
“How fast China’s economy will grow next year is uncertain,” Liu He, deputy director of the Office of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economy Work, told China Daily.
“To a large extent, the rate will be decided by the external(外部) situation,” Liu said during a discussion with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and other economists in Beijing.
“This year, GDP is estimated to grow at 9.4 or 9.5 percent, down from 10.6 percent last year,” he said. “However, the impact of the current financial turbulence on our economy is much less than on the rest of the world.”
Nicholas Stern, a former UK government advisor, also told China Daily it will take at least one or two years for the world to recover from the recession, which is now spreading from the US and the UK to the rest of the world.
“We don’t know how long the recession will last, but it is unlikely to be short,” he said.
Liu said China can use the downturn(衰退) as an opportunity to restructure its economy, which has relied heavily on government investment, foreign trade and low-cost technology over the past years.
“When the economy is experiencing fast growth, companies are unwilling to upgrade their technologies,” Liu said.
“The slowdown gives such firms the opportunity to enhance(提高) their competitive edge through better technologies.”
(From China Daily 2009-01-11)
1.How many people are mentioned in this passage?
|
A．Only 2. |
B．No more than 3. |
C．Not more than 4. |
D．At least 5. |
2.It can be inferred from Liu’s words that the impact of the current financial turbulence on China’s economy is ______.
|
A．more |
B．less |
C．the most |
D．the least |
3.The underlines word “extent” probably means ______.
|
A．sense |
B．degree |
C．size |
D．depth |
4. According to the passage, the reason why Liu said this downturn is an opportunity for China to restructure its economy is that ______.
|
A．China’s economy will not depend on government investment in the future |
|
B．Foreign trade will grow in the future |
|
C．The downturn will force China’s companies to upgrade their technologies |
|
D．Low-cost technologies will not exist in China |
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科目：高中英語 來源：2010年湖北省八校高三第二次聯考英語試題 題型：閱讀理解
UNICEF is appealing for more than one billion dollars in aid for women and children around the world. The United Nations Children's Fund has released its “Humanitarian Action Report” for two thousand ten. The report lists twenty – eight countries and territories with some of the world’s most pester affecting women and children.
Haiti was considered to be in crisis long before the earthquake in January. The deputy executive director of UNICEF, Hilde Johnson, says the quake has only made the need for aid more immediate. But she says children all over the world have the right to the same assistance as children everywhere else.
The "Humanitarian Action Report" discusses several issues that UNICEF says increasingly threaten the basic rights of women and children. It says climate change has caused droughts and food insecurity in many areas. High food prices and the global financial crisis of two thousand eight-two thousand nine have only added to poverty and malnutrition (營養不良). And armed conflict continues to threaten the lives of millions.
Hilde Johnson says children are always the most affected by conflicts and disasters. They face an increased risk of abuse, including sexual violence and other serious rights violations(侵犯).
UNICEF deals with about two hundred emergencies around the world every year. The greatest need last year was in sub-Saharan Africa. The report says drought, food insecurity and civil unrest affected about twenty-four million people.
Violence and displacements of people were especially bad in Sudan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
In Asia, UNICEF expects its financial assistance needs to more than double this year. This is partly the result of adding Pakistan and the Philippines to the latest report. In Pakistan, it says, more than two million people have been forced from their homes by the conflict in the Swat Valley and other areas of the northwest. And in the Philippines, more than two hundred thousand people are still living in shelters after severe storms last year.
This year's UNICEF report talks about the value of public and private partnerships in helping children and families in emergencies.
And that's the VOA Special English Development Report, written by June Simms. For a link to the UNICEF report listing the twenty-eight countries and territories in crisis, go to www.unsv.com. I'm Steve Ember.
1.According to Hilde Johnson, the most easily affected peens suffering from conflicts and disasters are .
|
A．women |
B．children |
C．the old |
D．the disabled |
2.From this passage we know that the most serious problems in Asia are .
|
A．earthquakes and malnutrition |
|
B．displacemerds, and storms |
|
C．seminal violence and other rights violations |
|
D．droughts and food insecurity |
3.By saying “… the quake has only made the need for aid more immediate.” Hilda Johnson probably intends to energy the idea that “ ”.
|
A．everything must have a beginning |
|
B．grass never grows where the wide blows |
|
C．cloudy herrings turn to clear evenings |
|
D．it never rains but pours |
4.Which of the following might serve as a suitable tickle for this passage?
|
A．Haiti was in crisis due to the earthquake in January. |
|
B．Violence in the twenty – eight countries and territories |
|
C．UNICEF Appeals for And for Women and Children |
|
D．the vatic of public and private partnerships in helping |
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