Subway

    A subway is not just an important form of transport. It is also a window for other people to learn about local cultures.

    Beijing, China

    The Beijing Subway was opened in 1969 and is the oldest subway system in China. It has added some modern technologies. All stations now have touch-screen maps. In some stations, people can also see traditional Chinese cultures. For example, on the walls of a few stations of Line 8, there are some pictures of blue and white porcelain(青花瓷）.

    Stockholm, Sweden

    The system of the Stockholm Subway has 100 stations in use, of which 47 are underground and 53 above ground. The first subway line for Stockholm was opened in 1950. The Stockholm Subway is well-known for its decoration of the stations. It is called the longest art gallery in the world. Over 90 percent of its stations are decorated with paintings. A few stations are decorated with red bedrocks（岩床）. This makes you feel as if you are in a cave.

    London, UK

The London Underground or the Tube is the oldest subway in the world. It was opened in 1863. During World War II, it was used to protect people from German plane attacks（袭击）on London. Now, it is a symbol of the city. There is no air conditioning in the trains, so it is very hot in summer.

    New York, US

The New York City Subway has the most extensive public transportation system in the world, with 469 stations. It is also one of the world's oldest public transit systems. The New York City Subway runs 24 hours a day. It has an express train on almost every line. You can get to your destination(目的地）promptly. The trains themselves are full of fun; you will see people doing moonwalk dances like Michael Jackson, playing the guitar and singing.

阅读下面短文, 从每小题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。

    The film Alice Through the Looking Glass is on. Millions of people go to cinemas to see it. The little girl Alice, with long hair of gold, is alive in people's mind again after the film Alice in  Wonderland was shown in 2010.

    These two popular films were adapted from the novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Through the Looking﹣Glass Both of them were written by Lewis Carroll, a famous English writer, who himself was as interesting as his books.

    Lewis Carroll was a math teacher and talented writer. In 1856, he met Henry Liddell and his three lovely daughters. His friendship with the family became an important part of his life over the following years. He liked the girls very much, especially the youngest one, Alice Liddell. He often told stories to make them happy. One day he took the girls to a boat trip. To make the time more enjoyable, he began a story about the adventure of a little girl named Alice in Wonderland. Many other strange characters such as the Mouse, the March Hare, the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts were brought to this wonderful world too.

    Alice Liddell loved the story and she begged Carroll to write it down for her. After Carroll finished the manuscript of the story Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, he gave it to the girl as a Christmas present. When the book was published shod in 1865. It was an immediate success, and soon was famous around the world.

    Your mom tells you to put on your hat and gloves. But as the cold winter season gets closer, it's so cold that even mom's advice does not work.

    That means it's time to put on your qiuku! This is a kind of "thermal underwear(保暖内衣)" or long underpants that keep people warm in the coldest months of the year.

    In Western countries, qiuku is usually known as long johns  but they aren't popular. Long johns in the US are usually two pieces,  a long-sleeved(长袖的) shirt and long pants, worn under other clothing or sometimes even used as pajamas(睡衣).

    Long johns first appeared in England during the 17^th century. We call them long johns because the US boxer John L. Sullivan wore them while he boxed. But this is not a historical fact.

    In the US, it gets quite cold and snowy in many places. And while parents often push kids to wear more clothes and long underwear,  it's very special when young people actually(实际上) put them on.

    Part of the reason might be because it's not very fashionable(时尚的) and another reason might be because people don't spend much time outside during the cold months. So they just deal with the freezing(冰冻的) temperatures when they have to leave the warm building. But in their parents' eyes, staying warm is more important than looking nice.

    A long time ago, there was a big apple tree.A little boy liked playing around it every day.

    As the little boy grew up, he no longer played around the tree.One day the boy came back to the tree.He looked sad. “What's troubling you?” asked the tree.The boy answered, “I want my own house. I need money to buy it.”

    “You can pick my apples and sell them. Then you will have money.”

    A few years later, the boy returned. He told the tree that he wanted to go sailing(航海) around the world.

    “Use my branches(树枝) to build your boat. You can sail far and be happy.” So the boy cut the branches to make a boat. He went sailing and didn't return for a long, long time

    Many years later, the boy returned. ”Sorry, but I don't have anything for you anymore,” the tree said, crying.

    “All I need is a place to rest. I am tired after my travels.”

    The tree replied, ”Good ! Old tree roots(根) are the best place to rest.” The boy sat down and the tree was glad.

    The tree in this story is like your parents. Your parents are reliable and giving, like a tree, and will always love you, no matter where you are.

    Animals are natural resources that people have wasted all through our history. Animals have been killed for their fur and feathers, for food, for sport, and simply because they were in the way. Thousands of kinds of animals have disappeared from the earth forever. It's a great pity. It is reported that about 170 kinds in the United States alone are considered in danger.

    Therefore, we must take care of the animals around us. Once they are gone, they will never come back again. Animals are more than just beautiful or interesting. They are more than a source of food. Every animal has its importance to nature. Destroying one kind of animal can cause many problems. For example, when farmers kill large numbers of hawks(鹰), their eat rats and mice, with fewer or no hawks to keep down their numbers, rats and mice multiply quickly.

    Luckily, many people have realized this and have begun to do something to protect animals. Some groups put on performances to make people know the importance of protecting animals. Some raise money to help set up more zoos to keep them safe. Some try to get the government to pass laws on protecting the animals in danger. As a result, the number of these animals is growing.

    Information Card

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