56. If you want to buy two LEAF BLOWER AND VACs and one TWO WHEELED WHEELBARROW, you should pay _____
A.~99.98 B.~106.97 C.~309.97 D.~219.94 57. Which of the following should you install before you use it? A. LEAF BLOWER AND VAC B. ELECTRIC WEED SWEEPER
C. TWO WHEELED WHEELBARROW
D. POWERFUL 2-IN-1 LAWN RAKE AND SCARIFIER B
A report from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences' Commission reveals that, due to a job market which disproportionately rewards graduates in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, more and more students are seeking degrees in business and hard-science subjects.
Some institutions have responded by cutting budgets in the arts and humanities and
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directing those funds elsewhere. That's the wrong thing to do. The humanities-the study of languages , literature, history, philosophy, religion, ethics, etc.-and the arts are vital to our future. We should be investing more funds, more time and more expertise, not less, into these endeavors.
What detractors（诋毁者） of the \an essential framework and context for understanding the wider world. Studying the humanities strengthens the ability to communicate and work with others. It allows students to develop broad intellectual and cultural understanding; it nurtures creativity and deepens participation in public discourse and modem democracy.
The commission's report points out that \the very moment when China is seeking to adopt our model of broad education in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences as a stimulus to invention, the United States is instead narrowing our focus and abandoning our sense of what education has been and should continue to be - our sense of what makes America great.\ These are the telling statistics: First, federal funding for helping American students include international training in their education has been cut 41 percent in four years. Second, the National Assessment of Educational Progress test shows that only less than a quarter of eighth- and 12th-grade US students are proficient in reading, writing and civics.
How can we possibly equip the US for its leadership role in an increasingly connected world if we are not adequately teaching students to communicate and helping them understand and encounter diverse perspectives? If we fail to invest in the arts and humanities, our country's future leaders will not have the ability to connect on an emotional level with others. This ability is developed by studying the humanities, and in the global community this skill is not optional - it's essential.
In a word, we must enthusiastically support and fund the study of the arts and humanities. For anyone concerned with how this translates into a sound economy and a sound financial future, simply recall what Steve Jobs told graduates of Standford University in 2005: One of the most influential experiences in his brief time at Reed College was his exposure to the fine art of calligraphy（书法）． It taught him the important lesson of the relationship between discipline and creativity.
58. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Business and hard-science subjects are based upon the arts and humanities. B. At present too much emphasis and investment are put on science in America. C. More students will learn the arts and humanities instead of science in the USA. D. China has spent more money in the humanities and social sciences than the USA. 59. The author mentions Steve Jobs in the last paragraph to prove that _____. A. science has a close relationship with the arts and humanities
B. investment in the and and humanities promotes economic development C. calligraphy plays a determining role in Steve Jobs' accomplishment D. Reed College supports and funds the study of the arts and humanities 60. Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?
A. Significance of arts and humanities B. Key qualities of future leaders C. Decline of arts and humanities D. Rise and fall of hard sciences
C
Fuel Cell Technology for Cars
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Fill her up with hydrogen? That's what some California motorists may be saying soon, as car makers try to speed up production of zero emission（零排放） cars to
meet state requirements in the near future.
Beneath the skin of this ordinary looking Hondas FCX Concept Vehicle sits an electro-chemical reactor: a hand built, astronomically expensive power plant known as a fuel cell. It's expected to be running ordinary family cars on California's roads within three years.
So what exactly is a fuel cell, anyway? Why are governments, private businesses and academic institutions cooperating to develop and produce them? A fuel cell, very simply described, is a power generator, making electricity through the combination of hydrogen and oxygen. Fuel cells generate electrical power quietly and efficiently, without pollution, Unlike power sources that use fossil fuels, the only by-products from an operating fuel cell are heat and water. To be more technical about it, a hydrogen atom with its one electron, attempts to pass through a fuel cell membrane（膜） to unite with an oxygen atom. The membrane allows only the hydrogen proton（质子） to pass through, forcing its electron to run around the membrane to catch up with the proton on the other side. This creates electricity, water, and heat, but no exhaust emissions.
If the fuel cell is powered with pure hydrogen, it has the potential to be up t0 80-percent efficient, That is, it turns 80 percent of the energy content of the hydrogen into electrical energy. However, we still need to turn the electrical energy into mechanical work. This is accomplished by the electric motor. A reasonable number for the efficiency of the motor is about 80 percent. So we have 80-percent efficiency in generating electricity, and 80-percent efficiency turning it into mechanical power. That gives an overall efficiency of about64 percent. Honda's FCX concept vehicle reportedly has 60-percent energy efficiency, which is twice or even three times more efficient than usual cars.
But in spite of all the advantages described above, experts say, \still have technical challenges getting this extremely complex system to work properly, the way customers expect it to work. There are challenges in using new fuels, and providing the new fuel basic facilities. And before fuel cell vehicles hit the road, there will have to be a network of hydrogen stations that will allow drivers to fill up with the flammable gas, under 36-hundred pounds of pressure.\61. What can be inferred from California's \
A. New cars with fuel cell technology will surely become much cheaper. B. By carrying out the policy, traffic will not be so busy as it is now.
C. The quality of life in California will improve once this policy is in effect. D. With facilities of new kinds, more local employment will be created. 62. What does the phrase \
A. A power device generating electricity. B. A power station providing electricity. C. A power component consuming electricity. D. A power engine using electricity. 63. One of the reasons why fuel cell powered vehicles are superior is that . A. they give out almost no water or heat B. they run faster and more smoothly
C. they give out almost no noise D. they turn 64% of the energy into electricity 64. What does the author want to tell us in the last paragraph?
A. Customers will not think it a good idea to develop fuel cell technology.
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B. It is still not very easy to speed up production of zero emission cars.
C. We can't ignore the financial problems to build a network of hydrogen stations. D. We still have much difficulty turning all the chains of the business into reality.
D
We have all heard the expression: \do we really take time out of our hectic fast-paced lives to notice the world around us?
I am as guilty as anyone of tuning out the world in this manner, especially when I am driving on California's overcrowded streets. A short time ago, however, I witnessed an event that showed me how being wrapped up in my own little world has kept me from being fully aware of the bigger world picture around me.
I was driving to a business appointment and, as usual, I was planning in my mind what I was going to say. I came to a very busy crossroads where the stoplight had just turned red. \right,\were in auto pilot, ready to go when suddenly my trance was broken by an unforgettable sight. A young couple, both blind, were walking arm-in-arm across this busy crossroads with cars whizzing by in every direction. The man was holding the hand of a little boy , while the woman was clutching a baby sling to her chest, obviously carrying a child. Each of them had a white cane extended, searching for clues to navigate them across the crossroads.
Initially I was moved. They were overcoming what I felt was one of the most feared handicaps-blindness. \they were in, they were walking right the path of oncoming cars. I was frightened for them because I didn't know if the other drivers understood what was happening.
As I watched from the front line of traffic (I had the best seat in the house), I saw a miracle unfold before my eyes. Every car in every direction came to a simultaneous stop. I never heard the screech of brakes or even the peep of a car horn. Nobody even yelled, \out of the way!\Everything froze. In that moment, time seemed to stand still for this family. Amazed , I looked at the cars around me to verify that we were all seeing the same thing, I noticed that everyone's attention was also fixed on the couple. Never skipping a beat, the couple adjusted their course as they followed the coaching. Trusting their white canes and the calls from some concerned citizens, they made it to the other side of the road. As they arrived at the curb, one thing struck me-they were still arm-in-arm .I was taken aback by the emotionless expressions on their faces and judged that they had no idea what was really going on around them. Yet I immediately sensed the sighs of relief exhaled by everyone stopped at that intersection.
As I glanced into the cars around me, the driver on my right was mouthing the words \did you see that?!\were deeply moved by what we had just witnessed. Here were human beings stepping outside themselves for a moment to help four people in need.
I have reflected back on this situation many times since it happened and have leamed several powerful lessons from it. Take time to look around and really see what is going on in front of you right now. Do this and you will realize that this moment is all there is, more importantly, this moment is all that you have to make a difference in life.
As I drove away from that busy intersection, I did so with more awareness of life and compassion for others than I had arrived there with. Since then I have made the decision to really see life as I go about my daily activities and use my God-given talents to help others less
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