How Global Warming Works Gases in the Earth’’s atmosphere act like glass in a greenhouse-trapping heat and making life on Earth possible. But there is a delicate balance. Burning coal, oil and natural gas increases atmospheric concentrations of these gases. Over the past century, increases in industry, transportation, and electricity production have increased gas concentrations in the atmosphere faster than natural processes can remove them leading to human-caused warming of the globe.The Sources Of Global Warming The major source of global warming is carbon dioxide pollution from power plants, auto mobiles, and industry. Another source is global deforestation. ●Power plants are responsible for more than a third of U. S. CO2 emissions, yet there are no caps on CO2 emissions from power plants or any other industry. ●Gas guzzling cars and light trucks are also responsible for a third of U.S. CO2 emissions. Current regulations allow for very inefficient vehicles which spew tons of CO2. ●Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow. When they are cut and burned that CO2is released back into the atmosphere. Massive deforestation around the globe is releasing large amounts of CO2 and decreasing the forests’’ ability to take CO2from the atmosphere.Solutions The U. S. , with only four percent of the world’’s population, is responsible for 22 percent of the world’’s greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, solutions exist to cut our global warming emissions. Decision makers in the United States should take the following steps. ●Increasing fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks would cut millions of tons of CO2 pollution as well as decreasing dependence on foreign oil. ●Putting a cap on CO2 from power plants would cut millions of tons of CO2 pollution as well as decreasing pollution that causes acid rain, smog, and respiratory illness. ●Shifting investment from fossil fuels like coal and oil to renewable energy and energy efficiency would allow cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy to take their rightful place as market leaders. ●Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol would be a modest but important first step to ward international emissions reductions.The Evidence Recently, alarming events that are consistent with scientific predictions about the effects of climate change have become more and more commonplace. The global average temperature has increased by about 0.5°C and sea level has risen by about 10 inches (25cm) in the past century. Official confirmation came in 1995, when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an officially appointed international panel of over 2,500 of the world’’s leading scientific experts, found that evidence suggests a human influence on the global climate. The following are events which consistent with scientists predictions of the effects of global warming: ●The past two decades have witnessed a stream of new heat and precipitation re cords. The 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 1980, the hottest year ever on record is 1997, and the hottest January through July on record occurred in 1998. ●Glaciers are melting around the world. Alaska’’s Columbia Glacier has retreated more than eight miles in the last 16 years while temperatures there have increased. A section of an Antarctic ice shelf as big as the District of Columbia broke off. ●Severe floods like the devastating Midwestern floods of 1993 and 1997 are becoming more common. ●Infectious diseases are moving into new areas as seen in the recent outbreaks of Dengue fever in Texas and Malaria in New Jersey.The Opposition The Global Climate Coalition, a powerful coalition of oil, power, and auto companies has followed the lead of tobacco companies by denying the harm they cause. They have spent millions of dollars trying to discredit the scientific consensus of the IPCC and slow steps to combat global warming. The public has not fallen for their deception, but the Global Climate Coalition appears to have had some impact on members of Congress.Health Risks Rates of infectious disease will rise, with the spread of mosquitoes and other disease carrying organisms that thrive in warm, wet climates. More frequent and more severe heat waves will pose a threat to public health, with children and the elderly especially vulnerable. In the 1990s, outbreaks of malaria have occurred in Michigan, Texas, Florida, Georgia, California, New Jersey and New York. Two major heat waves-in Chicago in 1995 and Dallas in 1998-killed more than 600 people.Environmental Destruction Rising global temperatures and melting of glaciers will directly impact ocean and coast al habitats. Ecosystems will, be destroyed and species will die off, as sea levels rise, sea sons shift, and glaciers and polar ice caps melt. Polar bears are threatened with starvation as melting sea ice keeps them from their food.Catastrophic Weather Warmer temperatures will speed evaporation, leading to drought in some places and heavy downpours and flooding in others. Extreme weather events as well as El Ninno events may become more intense and more frequent. In 1999, the U. S. experienced one of the most extreme droughts ever recorded, and Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Delaware faced their driest growing seasons on record. That same year, the Pacific North west experienced its second wettest year on record. Nevada, California and Iowa all experienced deadly floods. Recent years have seen record hurricanes, including the most destructive ever.Clean Energy Agenda A rapid transition to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources will combat global warming, protect human health, create new jobs, protect habitat and wildlife, and ensure a secure, affordable energy future. In contrast, our reliance on coal, oil and nuclear power imperils the world’’s climate, fouls the environment, harms human health, and results in the proliferation of nuclear materials. We can meet our energy needs without threatening our children’’s future using commonsense ways to mobilize American ingenuity and re sources for a rapid transition to renewable energy sources. It will eliminate energy waste, phase out fossil fuels and nuclear power, and help the United States lead the world into a sustainable energy future,Clean Power In the next decade, increase fourfold the amount of energy obtained from non-hydro renewable sources such as the sun and wind. By 2020, produce at least one-third of the nation’’s energy from renewable sources, and double the efficiency of energy use in homes, buildings, transportation and industry.Clean Air Clean up our power plants by setting progressively tighter limits on all power plant pollution-including carbon dioxide, the major cause of global warming. Close the loophole that allows old coal-fired power plants to pollute much more than newer plants.Clean CarsHold sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and minivans to the same air pollution standards as cars. Improve the fuel efficiency of new cars and light trucks to a combined average of 45 miles per gallon (MPG) by 2010 and at least 65 MPG by 2020. Offer incentives that build strong markets for renewable fuels and for clean vehicles powered by hybrid motors and fuel cells.Clean Investments Quadruple federal investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency within five years, and continue this momentum over the long term Stop spending taxpayer dollars to subsidize the coal, oil and nuclear industries. Provide adequate resources and job training for affected workers and communities to ensure a just transition to a sustainable energy economy.The United States is the world’’s No. 1 emitter of greenhouse gases. A．YB．NC．NG

[听力文本资源]W: Excuse me, I am Lucy, I called yesterday and we made an appointment of interview at 10 o’clock.M: Oh, hi, I am Daniel, the Human Resource Manager. Please come in and sit down please! Say, you are from South America?W: Yes, I am, originally. I was born in Argentina.M: Did you grow up there?W: Yes, I did, but my family moved here eight years ago, when I was in high school.M: And where did you learn your major—laws?W: Here in Whitman College. I have learnt it for about five years. I worked in a law office three years ago. After that, I was a legal representative of a company in China.M: Oh, cool. How many hours a week did you work then?W: Normally, forty hours a week from Monday through Friday. But working hours vary according to the company.M: What if you work more than forty hours a week? Do you get paid?W: Certainly. Most workers get paid by the hour and if you work more than forty hours or on weekends you get paid overtime.M: That’s the same fair system here in our company. Ready to work overtime! Now let’s discuss your insurance.W: OK.M: We will provide you with retirement, medical and unemployment insurance.W: That’s great.M: If you are satisfied with all these, then please sign the contract. Welcome to join us![听力文本资源]1. [听力文本资源] What do we know about the woman? [听力文本资源]A) She is a student.B) She is an employee.C) She is having a class.D) She is having an interview. 2. [听力文本资源] Who is the man? [听力文本资源]A) He is the boss.B) He is paid overtime.C) He works for an insurance company.D) He is the manager of Human Resource. 3. [听力文本资源] How many years did the woman get contact with laws? [听力文本资源]A) About five years.B) About three years.C) More than ten years.D) More than eight years. 4. [听力文本资源] What will the woman get if she joins in the man’s company? [听力文本资源]A) The woman will have her retirement insurance. B) The woman will receive adequate training.C) The woman will get promotion soon.D) The woman will work with a company in China.

After a busy day of work and play, the body needs to rest. Sleep is necessary for good health. During this time, the body recovers from the activities of the previous day. The rest that you get while sleeping enables your body to prepare itself for the next day.There are four levels of sleep, each being a little deeper than the one before. As you sleep, your muscles relax little by little. Your heart beats more slowly, and your brain slows down. After you reach the fourth level, your body shifts back and forth from one level of sleep to the other.Although your mind slows down, from time to time you will dream. Scientists who study sleep state that when dreaming occurs, your eyeballs begin to move more quickly. This stage of sleep is called REM, which stands for rapid eye movement.If you have trouble falling asleep, some people recommend breathing very slowly and very deeply. Other people believe that drinking warm milk will help make you drowsy. There is also an old suggestion that counting sheep will put you to sleep!A good title for this passage is ______.A. SleepB. Good HealthC. Play and StudyD. Work and Rest

器官A. organB. blueprintC. forceD. bound

1 In response to my request to see the patient, the nurse said____over the phone, "Could you wait until she wakes up?"2 Ben is very sensitive and emotionally____. Don't be too harsh on him.3 Living in an age of information explosion, we must rely on our own experience and judgment to tell fact from____.4 He is tired of listening to her____, but he knows she just can't help it.5 After hearing the story of the____ girl, everyone of my class wanted to do something for her.6 It's hard for any person to____ such acute pain.7 People in this village are faced with a(n)____ shortage of drinking water.8 Many people fear that the murderer is still____ the town looking for the next victim.9 True, the football team is weakened after several players sustained injuries. But it is absolutely wrong to____ at their attempt to enter the World Cup Finals.10 ____ from your monthly pay your income tax payments, and what is left is your take-home pay.11 The two neighboring countries will make a(n)____ effort to clean the river.12 On bright spring days, you can see lovely birds____ among the bushes.13 Whenever I feel low, I will____ a(n)____ tune to cheer myself up.14 The people we____ with help shape us into what we are.15 That is all I know about banking.____, you must ask an expert.16 The wind____ the pile of leaves in all directions.

Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges Definition of Culture We all communicate with others all the time―in our homes, in our workplaces, in the groups we belong to, and in the community. No matter how well we think we understand each other, communication is hard. Just think, for example, how often we hear things like, "He doesn’’t get it," or "She didn’’t really hear what I meant to say." "Culture" is often at the root of communication challenges. Our culture influences how we approach problems, and how we participate in groups and in communities. When we participate in groups we are often surprised at how differently people approach their work together. Culture is a complex concept, with many different definitions. But, simply put, "culture" refers to a group or community with which we share common experiences that shape the way we understand the world. It includes groups that we are born into, such as gender, race, or national origin. It also includes groups we join or become part of. For example, we can acquire a new culture by moving to a new region, by a change in our economic status, or by becoming disabled. When we think of culture this broadly, we realize we all belong to many cultures at once. Our histories are a critical piece of our cultures. Historical experiences―whether of five years ago or of ten generations back―shape who we are. Knowledge of our history can help us understand ourselves and one another better. Exploring the ways in which various groups within our society have related to each other is key to opening channels for cross-cultural communication. Six Fundamental Patterns of Cultural Differences As people from different cultural groups take on the exciting challenge of working together, cultural values sometimes conflict. We can misunderstand each other, and react in ways that can hinder what are otherwise promising partnerships. Oftentimes, we aren’’t aware mat culture is acting upon us. Sometimes, we are not even aware that we have cultural values or assumptions that are different from others! --Different Communication Styles The way people communicate varies widely between, and even within, cultures. One aspect of communication style is language usage. Across cultures, some words and phrases are used in different ways. For example, even in countries that share the English language, the meaning of "yes" varies from "maybe, I’’ll consider it" to "definitely so," with many shades in between. Another major aspect of communication style is the degree of importance given to non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication includes not only facial expressions and gestures; it also involves seating arrangements, personal distance, and sense of time. In addition, different norms regarding the appropriate degree of assertiveness in communicating can add to cultural misunderstandings. For instance, some white Americans typically consider raised voices to be a sign that a fight has begun, while some black, Jewish and Italian Americans often feel that an increase in volume is a sign of an exciting conversation among friends. Thus, some white Americans may react with greater alarm to a loud discussion than would members of some American ethnic or non-white racial groups. --Different Attitudes Toward Conflict Some cultures view conflict as a positive thing, while others view it as something to be avoided. In the U.S., conflict is not usually desirable; but people often are encouraged to deal directly with conflicts that do arise. In fact, face-to-face meetings customarily are recommended as the way to work through whatever problems exist. In contrast, in many Eastern countries, open conflict is experienced as embarrassing or demeaning; as a rule, differences are best worked out quietly. A written exchange might be the favored means to address me conflict. --Different Approaches to Completing Tasks From culture to culture, there are different ways that people move toward completing tasks. Some reasons include different access to resources, different judgments of the rewards associated with task completion, different notions of time, and varied ideas about how relationship-building and task-oriented work should go together. When it comes to working together effectively on a task, cultures differ with respect to the importance placed on establishing relationships early on in the collaboration. A case in point, Asian and Hispanic cultures tend to attach more value to developing relationships at the beginning of a shared project and more emphasis on task completion toward the end as compared with European-Americans. European-Americans tend to focus immediately on the task at hand, and let relationships develop as they work on the task. This does not mean that people from any one of these cultural backgrounds are more or less committed to accomplishing the task, or value relationships more or less; it means they may pursue them differently. --Different Decision-Making Styles The roles individuals play in decision-making vary widely from culture to culture. For example, in the U.S., decisions are frequently delegated―that is, an official assigns responsibility for a particular matter to a subordinate. In many Southern European and Latin American countries, there is a strong value placed on holding decision-making responsibilities oneself. When decisions are made by groups of people, majority rule is a common approach in the U.S.; in Japan consensus is the preferred mode. Be aware that individuals’’ expectations about their own roles in shaping a decision may be influenced by their cultural frame of reference. --Different Attitudes Toward Disclosure In some cultures, it is not appropriate to be frank about emotions, about the reasons behind a conflict or a misunderstanding, or about personal information. Keep this in mind when you are in a dialogue or when you are working with others. When you are dealing with a conflict, be mindful that people may differ in what they feel comfortable revealing. Questions that may seem natural to you―What was the conflict about What was your role in the conflict What was the sequence of events ―may seem intrusive to others. The variation among cultures in attitudes toward disclosure is also something to consider before you conclude that you have an accurate reading of the views, experiences, and goals of the people with whom you are working. --Different Approaches to Knowing Notable differences occur among cultural groups when it comes to epistemologies (认识论)―that is, the ways people come to know things. European cultures tend to consider information acquired through cognitive means, such as counting and measuring, more valid than other ways of coming to know things. Compare that to African cultures’’ preference for affective ways of knowing, including symbolic imagery and rhythm. Asian cultures’’ epistemologies tend to emphasize the validity of knowledge gained through striving toward transcendence (卓越). {Nichols, 1976) Recent popular works demonstrate that our own society is paying more attention to previously overlooked ways of knowing. Conclusion An appreciation of patterns of cultural difference can assist us in processing what it means to be different in ways that are respectful of others, not fault-finding or damaging. Anthropologists Avruch and Black have noted that, when faced by an interaction that we do not understand, people tend to interpret the others involved as "abnormal", "weird" or "wrong". (Avruch and Black, 1993) This tendency, if indulged, gives rise on the individual level to prejudice. If this propensity is either consciously or unconsciously integrated into organizational structures, then prejudice takes root in our institutions―in the structures, laws, policies, and procedures mat shape our lives. Consequently, it is vital that we learn to control the human tendency to translate "different from me" into "less than me". We can learn to do this. We can also learn to collaborate across cultural lines as individuals and as a society. Awareness of cultural differences doesn’’t have to divide us from each other. It doesn’’t have to paralyze us either, for fear of not saying the "right thing". In fact, becoming more aware of our cultural differences, as well as exploring our similarities, can help us communicate with each other more effectively. Recognizing where cultural differences are at work is the first step toward understanding and respecting each other.In a broad sense, people all belong to many cultures. A．YB．NC．NG

2.She was_____________the prestigious scholarship for her exceptional academic achievements .A. appraisedB. awardedC. reversedD. rewarded

A family has been defined as a couple and their children，sharing a common house and dividing the work by gender．In general，the woman has to be at home，looking after her children，while the man works outside the home．In fact，in 2014，only 15 percent of all American families resembled the so-called typical American family． Nuclear Family（The Formal Type!）A nuclear family is considered to be the most traditional family，consisting of a mother，a father，and the children．This family type holds a lot of respect by society，known as the ideal one to raise children．It is believed that children belonging to the two-parent structure families are stable．However，with changing times，it has been observed that the nuclear structure has become less popular． Single Parent Family （Mostly the Breadwinner Parent!）A single parent is the one who looks after the child without the assistance of the other parent．The child can be by birth or adoption．Single parent families are often the result of death of another parent，divorce of a couple with children，or child abuse．There's another case where adults who want children but do not have a partner，adopt kids-usually termed as single parent adoption． Grandparent-led Family （The Wrinkled Affection!）Lots of grandparents are raising their grandchildren today．Reasons can be varied，like parents' death，or unfit parents．Many grandparents need to go back to their working phase for finding a source of income to raise their grandchildren． Blended （混合的） and Step Family （Sometimes the Black Sheep Type!）Two separate families blending together to form a single unit can lead to the creation of a blended or step family．Step families are becoming common in America．Over half of the marriages end in divorce，and many of these individuals prefer getting remarried，thereby creating the step family．It can consist of a new husband，a wife，and their children from precious relationships or marriages．These families have more problems because their kids do not get comfortable，and have adjustment and discipline issues． Extended Family （The More，The Merrier!）An extended family is the one that enlarges beyond the immediate family，which can consist of grandparents，uncles，aunts，cousins and so on，living under a single roof．There are certain advantages to such family groups．The members （especially children） feel more secure and safe due to elder guidance and sharing of resources during a crisis，and have more role models to help maintain desired etiquette and values． Childless Family （Child-free Companions!）While most people think of family as including children，there are couples who are very young and intend to have children later，or those who cannot，or choose not to have children．This type is also called the"forgotten family"，as it does not meet the set in definition of family．It has been observed that many of the childless families own pets or have external contacts with their nieces and nephews as a substitute for having their own children． As you can see，there are various family structures．The American society tends to promote the traditional family through various media；children who fall under other categories may feel that theirs is not a real family．They may get self-conscious about being part of a family which is"different"．In some cases，they might face social challenges，too．25．All of the following may contribute to a single parent family EXCEPT ____ ．A．a broken marriageB．a bad-tempered parentC．the death of one parentD．a single adult adopting a child26．According to the passage，in grandparent-led families， ____ ．A．the children gain more respect from societyB．the children face more challenges in societyC．the"parents"give more guidance to childrenD．the"parents"have to work again to raise children27．What kind of family is most likely to keep a pet？ ____ A．A nuclear family．B．An extended family．C．A childless family．D．A step family．28．What might be the best title for the passage？ ____ A．Life in a typical American familyB．Types of family structures in AmericaC．Family structures matter a lot in AmericaD．Different families have different values and needs．

Understanding the textglimpse of the first n.ge of the day from my 10-year-old son Tommy. He said good morning and told me that he was going to a friend's birthday party after school. I do not get to see Tommy all the time, given that he is at his dad's home on weekdays. Fortunately, Tommy and I have installed a social media app on our cell phones. This ensures we stay connected.2 I like this instant communication with Tommy because I can check what he's doing and evaluate how he's feeling. People who do not care about social media may claim, "I don't care what anybody ate for breakfast this morning. That's boring!" Their indifference contrasts with my own interest in my son. I would love to listen to his detailed description of a piece of bacon when he's in his other house. I absolutely do care about this. In fact, I hang on his every word. Is face-to-face conversation better? Frankly, yes, but I cannot readily share Tommy's morning otherwise. It is meaningless to ask him about an event two days later, long after it happened. Before I do2/82. In what way is instant communication through social media better than face-to-face conversation?