1、课时跟踪练(一) Warming Up & Reading Pre-reading.阅读理解AEdmund Halley was an English scientist who lived over 200 years ago. He studied the observations of comets (彗星) which other scientists had made. The orbit of one particular comet was a very difficult mathematical (数学) problem. He could not figure it out
2、. Neither could other scientists who dealt with such problems.However, Halley had a friend named Newton, who was a brilliant mathematician. Newton though he had already worked out that problem, but he could not find the papers on which he had done it. He told Halley that the orbit of a comet had the
3、 shape of an ellipse (椭圆)Now Halley set to work. He figured out (解决；计算出) the orbits of some of the comets that had been observed by scientists. He made a surprising discovery. The comets that had appeared in the years 1531, 1607, and 1682 all had the same orbit. Yet their appearances had been 75 to
4、76 years apart.This seemed very strange to Halley. The different comets followed the same orbit. The more halley thought about it, the more he thought that there had not been three different comets, as people thought. He decided that they had simply seen the same comet three times. The comet had gon
5、e away and had come back again.It was an astonishing idea! Halley felt certain enough to make a prediction (预言) of what comet would happen in the future. He decided that this comet would appear in the year 1758. There were 53 years to go before Halleys prediction could be tested. In 1758 the comet a
6、ppeared in the sky. Halley did not see it, for he has died some years before. Ever since then that comet has been called Halleys comet, in his honor.1Halley made his discovery _.Aby doing experimentsBby means of his own careful observationCby using the work of other scientistsDby chance解析：选C细节理解题。由文
7、中第三段“He figured out (解决；计算出) the orbits of some of the comets that had been observed by scientists.”可知应选C。2Halley made a surprising, but correct prediction in the year _.A1704B1705C1706 D1707解析：选B数字计算题。第五段中的“He decided that this comet would appear in the year 1758. There were 53 years to go before H
8、alleys prediction could be tested.”这句话告诉我们：他预言彗星出现的时间是1758年，而这个预言还要经过53年才能验证，由此可以推断出哈雷做出这个预言的时间是1705年。3This passage in general is about _.AHalley and other scientistsBthe orbit of a cometCNewton and HalleyDHalley and his discovery解析：选D主旨大意题。文章的中心就是哈雷以及他的发现。4Which of the following is TRUE?AEdmund Hal
9、ley was an American scientist.BHalley made his discovery by doing experiments.CNewton was a famous mathematician.DThe orbit of a comet had the shape of a circle.解析：选C细节理解题。从文章首句可以看出A项错误；从第1题的分析中可知B项也错误；牛顿告诉哈雷彗星的轨道是椭圆形的，可排除D项。BThe plan：turn the Mars into a blue world with streams and green fields, an
10、d then fill it with creatures from the earth.This idea may sound like something from science fiction, but it is actually being taken seriously by many researchers.This suggests the future for the “red planet” will be the main topic for discussion at an international conference hosted by NASA this we
11、ek. Leading researchers as well as science fiction writers will attend the event. It comes as NASA is preparing a multibilliondollar Mars research programme.“Turning the Mars into a little earth has long been a topic in science fiction，”said Dr.Michael Meyer, NASAs senior scientist. “Now, with scien
12、tists exploring the reality, we can ask what are the real possibilities of changing the Mars.”Most scientists agree that the Mars could be turned into a little earth, although much time and money would be needed to achieve this goal. But many experts are shocked by the idea.“We are destroying our ow
13、n world at an unbelievable speed and now we are talking about ruining another planet，” said Paul Murdin from the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, UK.Over the past months, scientists have become increasingly confident they will find Martian life forms. Europe and Americas robot explorers have found
14、 the proof that water, mixed with soil, exists in large amounts on the planet.In addition, two different groups of scientists announced on March 28 that they had found signs of methane (甲烷) in the Martian atmosphere; the gas is a waste product of living creatures and could be produced by microbes (微
15、生物) living in the red planets soil.But scientists such as Dr.Lisa Pratt, a biologist at Indiana University, say that these microbes will be put in danger by the little earth project.“Before we have even discovered if there is life on the Mars, we are talking about carrying out projects that would de
16、stroy all these native life forms, all the strange microbes that we hope to find buried in the soil，” said Dr. Pratt.Monica Grady, a planetary scientist at the Natural History Museum, London, shares this view.“We cannot risk starting a global experiment that would wipe out the precious information w
17、e are looking for，” she said. “This is just wrong.”语篇解读：本文是一篇科普说明文。在太空开拓人类新的生存领地一直是科幻小说的主题，也是人类一直希望实现的梦想。如今，美国的一部分科学家想把红色火星改造成蓝色的“生命天堂”。就这一提议科学家们展开了讨论。5The passage is about _.Aa plan turning the Mars into a little earthBthe necessity of changing the MarsCfinding water on the MarsDthe Mars supporting
18、 life解析：选A主旨大意题。由第一段可以看出，人们计划将火星变为一个小地球。后文就这一计划是否应该实施进行了探讨。故文章是围绕将火星变为小地球这一话题展开的。6Why is Dr. Lisa Pratt against the plan?AWater has been found on the Mars.BIt will cost too much money and work.CThe native life forms on the Mars would be destroyed.DThe earth is being destroyed at an unbelievable spee
19、d.解析：选C细节理解题。由倒数第三段中的“. these microbes will be put in danger by the little earth project.”可知，莉萨博士反对该计划的原因是担心火星上的微生物会受到破坏。7What could prove the existence of microbes living in the Mars soil?ALiquid water on the Mars.BSome creatures on the Mars.CA lot of good soil on the Mars.DSigns of methane in the
20、Mars atmosphere.解析：选D推理判断题。由倒数第四段可以看出，科学家在火星上发现了甲烷，而甲烷是生物排放出的一种气体。由此科学家认为火星上有生物存在。CMy friend Tim was one of five children. His father was an alcoholic and died very young, and his mother was unable to support the family. Unfortunately, the children were separated and placed in foster homes (收养家庭)Tim
21、 dropped out of school and did nothing to further himself. He eventually went through a divorce. Tims brother, although experiencing the same childhood, educated himself and got a good job. He has a happy family and a wonderful home.Both brothers gave a similar answer when asked why their lives turn
22、ed out the way they did. They said, “Youd turn out this way too if you had a childhood like mine.” Neither of the brothers could change his past, but one of them adjusted (调整) his sail.It doesnt take much to find an excuse whether that is our family background, our lack of education, or that we live
23、 in the wrong city, or do not know the right people. Each one of these excuses has a solution. However, if you believe that there is nothing you can do to turn your life around, then you wont be able to change your life for the better.If you really desire to turn your life to a new course, to set yo
24、ur sail to a different port, it is a matter of choice. If you choose to move forward, the easiest way is to find a solution to your todays situation. Solutions are there if you want to go after them. Sure, it may take some hard work, or the willingness to take a risk. But if you do not, then you wil
25、l never have a different or happy life. Do not limit yourself by finding an excuse; only limit yourself by refusing to have an excuse.语篇解读：本文为夹叙夹议文。我们的过往是什么样子并不是很重要，因为未来掌握在我们自己手里。8Why does Tims brother have a happy life?AHe had a happy childhood.BHe tried hard to change his life.CHe had a wonderful
26、foster home.DHe was the smartest of his family.解析：选B推理判断题。由第二段“Tims brother, although experiencing the same childhood, educated himself and got a good job.”可知，Tim的哥哥努力改变自己的命运。9What did Tim think led to his unhappy life?AHis laziness.BNot adjusting his sail.CHis unhappy childhood.DNot having any oppo
27、rtunities.解析：选C细节理解题。由第三段“They said, Youd turn out this way too if you had a childhood like mine.”可知，Tim将自己的不幸归咎于自己不幸的童年。10What is the best title for the text?AAdjust your sailBSay “no” to excusesCMove toward a happy familyDHow we live our life is a choice解析：选D标题归纳题。由最后一段“If you really desire to tur
28、n your life to a new course, to set your sail to a different port, it is a matter of choice”可知，本文旨在告诉我们，想过什么样的生活在于我们自己怎么选择。.阅读七选五It is often seen that in many homes young children ask their parents for a pet, and yet their parents refuse due to the fear of spreading illnesses and the responsibility
29、that comes with owning a pet. _1_ Here are some things that kids can learn from pets：Empathy (移情) and calmness. _2_ These lessons will help them in the future when they deal with other humans. And as they take care of their pets, children learn how to be calm, gentle, and caring, eventually growing
30、up to be open and compassionate (有同情心的) adults.Companionship. Once you have a pet, your kid can always depend on having a friend and companion who will love and support him unconditionally. This makes him more selfconfident and also helps in developing an active lifestyle. _3_Responsibility and disc
31、ipline. _4_ Research shows that training of pets also develops discipline in kids. Appreciation of such achievements is sure to encourage them, and this will help them in the future.Reading skills. _5_ It is because while kids might be unwilling to read aloud in a formal setting, like a school, they
32、 are more confident to read out to animals, as the fear of being judged is not present.AProper care leads to good relationships with the animals.BPets can help with the educational development of children.CHaving a pet will help kids learn about the circle of life and death.DBut getting a pet is actually a good idea due to the various benefits.ETasks like feeding and walking the dog teach children to be responsible.FThis is especially important for only kids who dont have friends to play with.GBeing with pets, kids learn that animals feel pain and want love just like humans.答案：15DGFEB
