阅读理解

    You've got plenty of emails from your mom, and maybe even a few from dear old grandma. But have you ever received a message from a river?

    Now, Ireland's River Lee is sending out much information, thanks to wireless(无线的) technology. In a program called the DEPLOY project, scientists have put some sensors(传感器) in rivers that can find pollution levels.

    Instead of asking scientists to collect water samples several times a day, the government can now examine pollution levels in the water, and find out if there is anything polluted entering the river. This makes it much easier for scientists to protect the environment, since problems can be discovered before a serious pollution accident really happens.

    People in the area can also receive free reports from the river, so that they can find out whether the water is safe for swimming or boating on a certain day. And people can also know if the water is clear enough for them to drink and use.

    The DEPLOY project has not only started in Ireland, also the same programs have started in thousands of places around the U.S. Now you live in a world in which you could receive information with your mobile phone about environment. The technology should help to make us know more about the pollution that surrounds us—which just might get us all a little more involved with trying to clean up our world.

One day, we were told that we would have a school trip at the end of the month. The whole class got very excited and the girls began to discuss what to wear and what to bring with them. But Danny simply told everyone he wouldn't go. 

"Don't you like it, Danny?" our teacher Mr. Smith asked with kindness. 

Danny stood up and said, "It's too much money for me. My dad is ill in bed. My mom works in a supermarket every day. I will not ask them for money."

"I'm very proud of you that you can understand your parents. Not every student of your age can think about this," Mr Smith replied. 

Then Mr. Smith asked us to come up with some good ideas to raise money for the trip by ourselves. We all thought it was really meaningful, and it would be a different and valuable learning experience for everyone. 

That day, we knew Danny more than before, because he was not only honest but also brave. He won the respect of all of us. 

Judge the sentences below true (T) or false (F) according to the passage.

Everyone knows a power nap(小睡) feels good. If power naps fit right into your normal sleep/ wake cycle(周期), they can really help you get through the day.

Our bodies have a timekeeper called the circadian rhythm(昼夜节律). It helps you fall asleep, wake up, and feel more or less tired throughout the day. It also changes during the day, as shown in the picture below.

As we can see, the circadian rhythm is low between 2:00 and 4:00 pm. To improve your attention, productivity and memory, a power nap may be the answer.

In studies, a 10- minute afternoon nap is the best in improving your energy. And, it makes sense to nap around 2:00 pm.

Besides the length and the timing, there are other ways to have power naps:

●Try deep- breathing as you start.

●Choose a quiet, darkened place. A sleep mask may help.

●Lie down or sit in a comfortable chair.

●Listen to soft music.

●Give yourself a few minutes to refresh after your nap. Try a bit of stretching(伸展) and walking around.

If you have no special plans for your holidays, why not spend your time helping others?

Some people say that young people today often think only of themselves. It's not true at all, more and more young people in the USA volunteer (当志愿者) to spend their school holidays working for others. And they don't do it for money. Here are some of their stories. 

Alice Hamilton, 17

I'm going to help the Forest Center build new hiking paths (徒步小径) in the mountains. It's going to be wonderful. I will spend the whole summer living in a tent (帐篷) and breathing the fresh mountain air. I'm going to sleep under the stars. It will be a nice sport, and I will be able to do some- thing good at the same time!

Jason Moore, 18

This summer I'll volunteer with Special House Program. They build good, low- cost houses and sell them to the poor. They'll teach me what to do, so I am going to help people and also have a chance to learn how to build houses. 

Trish Anderson, 16

I'm going to teach children who have difficulty in reading. I'll work for a program called Reading for Life. Every day, I'm going to help children choose and read books that they like. I want to be a teacher and I love children and reading, so this is going to be a great experience for me.