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C
    The desert tortoise is found in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in North America. It is listed as an endangered species under the United States federal Endangered Species Act and is considered“vulnerable”by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN). Despite the laws that protect them, their numbers are still on the decline.
The desert tortoise in the areas has lived for thousands of years. This animal is able to survive ground temperature over 140℉ and is known to live as long as 60 to 80 years. However, ninety-five percent of the life of a desert tortoise is spent in the ground escaping the heat in a hole or passage in the ground. Holes can be easily destroyed by off-highway vehicles that do not stay on built roads. Disasters also occur when they seek shade under parked cars.
Desert tortoises are also harmed by several diseases such as the upper respiratory tract disease often found in adopted tortoises. Pet owners’ releasing sick tortoises into the wild has resulted in diseases being spread to wild tortoises.
The desert tortoise feeds on a dune(沙丘) primrose(报春花) during spring. Non-native Sahara mustard (芥菜) seen in the background is a weed that competes with the native plants for water and nutrients. In some areas, mustard grows so densely that it is nearly impossible for desert tortoises to pass through. Vehicles, which do not stay on built roads and do not get washed frequently, contribute to spreading weeds.
Rubbish, such as burst balloon, is a danger to desert tortoises. The balloon can be mistaken for food by desert tortoises and, once consumed, may remain in the stomachs giving them a false sense of fullness that may cause them to starve.
28. What does the underlined word“vulnerable”in Paragraph 1 refer to?
A. Easily harmed. B．Very useful. C. Well protected. D．Hardly noticed.
29. Why does the desert tortoise spend most of its time underground?
A. To save energy for a long life． B. To escape cross-country vehicles.
C. To shelter themselves from other animals. D. To protect themselves from the heat．
30. What can we learn about the tortoise?
A. It digests split balloon easily．     B. It lives on native plants．
C. It can fill itself up with burst balloon．   D. It promotes the growth of mustard．
31. What’s the best title of the passage?
A. Protection of the Desert Tortoise B. A Sharp Decline in Tortoise Number
C. Dangers the Desert Tortoise is Facing D. A Bad Effect Vehicles Have on Tortoise
 
D
In today's world of smart phones and laptops, most people have at least one time-telling thing with them. Since these digital products are so common, is time running out for the 500-year-old watch? According to some consumers, the answer is yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is “an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function.” Many young adults think so and use their smart phones to tell time. It is said that fewer young people wear watches today than ten years ago. As a result, some people say that the watch industry is at a crossroads.
    However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality watch that doesn’t just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers took pride in their products’ accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has changed itself into an accessory(配饰) business. And today, the image a watch conveys has become more important than the time it tells.
“Complications” — features that go beyond simple timekeeping — are an important part of a watch’s image. Today’s watches offer lots of features that meet almost any personality. These features include compasses, USB drivers, and even other functions that measure the effectiveness of golf swings!
    Creativity also plays a key role in designing today’s watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don’t even look like watches. The company’s popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell time. It looks more like a fashionable bracelet than a watch.
    Whether a watch conveys fashion sense, creative talent or a love of sports, consumers want their watches to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget(小玩意) in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what’s on their wrists. Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!
32. What can we know from the first paragraph?
A. As most people see, watches are out of fashion.      
B. Some people feel that watches have been of no use.
C. The watch industry will close down sooner or later.
D. There are so many choices of watches for teenagers today.
33. According to the passage, what image does a watch convey nowadays?
A. It simply tells time.        B. It appeals to many teenagers.
C. It has many complex functions.   D. It has an impact on creativity and imagination.
34. Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash is mentioned in Paragraph 4 to _________.
A. show why Shinshoku watches are popular       
B. advertise Shinshoku watches made by Tokyoflash     
C. tell that today’s watches need more imagination   
D. make a comparison between watches and bracelets
35. What may be the best title for the passage?
A. Watches Tell More Than Time         B. Japanese Watches Stand Out
C. Watch Industry Is in a Bad Situation    D. Watches Are Becoming Less Popular
 
第二节 (共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
If something that you’re doing doesn’t challenge you, then it doesn’t change you. We all need some normal stress in our lives, after all.    36    So challenge the following limits：
Figure out what you’re scared of and do it continuously.
If you’re a salesman, and you’re scared of talking to people personally or over the phone, now, instead of being scared and thinking you’ll fail, spend at least five minutes a day to pick up the phone and make a call.    37     But don’t stop on the first attempt! Eventually, you can look at fear in the eyes and say, “Go on, I’m not scared!”
    38    
Make sure this hobby is not linked to your career; you have to relax and relieve your stress while performing this. Some examples might be cooking, sewing, painting and so on. Apart from helping you challenge yourself, taking a class for your hobby may also give you extra income.
Set aside at least nine minutes a day for physical exercise.
     39    A simple 9 - minute run around your neighborhood can do wonders for yourself. Exercise can not only help you maintain your regular weight, but also make you feel better about yourself.
Travel and allow yourself to be interested in new people.
Don’t just limit yourself to your fellow travelers---try to connect with the service staff. You never know what kind of people they’re going to be. Get out of your house or go online right now to book your class.    40     
A. Someone may hang up on you.
B. You should do it continuously.
C. You don’t need to go to the gym.
D. Running in the gym may be a better choice.
E. Start to travel now and learn to challenge yourself.
F. Take a class for a hobby you’ve been longing to develop.
G. You can never see any improvement if you stick to your comfort zone.
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