reading comprehension

Ecotourism is a unique way for travellers to engage in sustainable tourism while vacationing. This specific type of tourism is now increasingly becoming one of the more popular, with growth rates increasing every year. The United Nations, aware of the fact that tourism could be one of the most detrimental activities if not planned in accordance with the threshold imposed by nature, has declared the celebration of the International Day of Ecotourism, to promote sustainable practices in this growing industry.

Recently, The Division for Sustainable Development, Small Island Developing States Unit, decided that in preparation for the International Day of Ecotourism, it would be beneficial to identify successful practices of ecotourism on small islands. In order for ecotourism to be categorized as successful, it must meet the following criteria: it must combine natural and cultural tourism; it must involve local populations in the program, including  providing educational resources to the local community, it must identity, manage and conserve the natural and cultural environment as well as the resources on the island; it must generate practices that will lead to the future sustainability of the island. If these criteria are followed by an "eco" organization, it deserves to be recognized as successful.

?Why has the United Nations declared the celebration of the International Day of Ecotourism?

• A. to stop ecotourism services completely.

•   B. to encourage more people to experience ecotourism.

•   C. to raise people's awareness about ecotourism.

•   D. to boost sustainable practices in ecotourism.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The first female doctor

In 1812 a young man called James Barry finished his studies in medicine at Edinburgh University. After graduating he moved to London where he studied surgery at Guy’s Hospital. After that the popular young doctor joined the army and over the next forty years had a brilliant career as an army medical officer, working in many far-off countries and fighting successfully for improved conditions in hospitals. It was a remarkable career - made even more remarkable by the discovery upon his death that he was in fact a she, James Barry was a woman.

By all accounts Barry was a pleasant and good-humoured person with high cheekbones, reddish hair, a long nose and large eyes. She was well-liked by her patients and had a reputation for great speed in surgery - an important quality at a time when operations were performed without anaesthetic. She was also quick tempered. When she was working in army hospitals and prisons overseas, the terrible conditions often made her very angry. She fought hard against injustice and cruelty and her temper sometimes got her into trouble with the authority. After a long career overseas, she returned to London where she died in 1865. While the undertaker’s assistant was preparing her body for burial, she discovered that James Barry was a woman.

So why did James Barry deceive people for so long? At that time a woman could not study medicine, work as a doctor or join the army. Perhaps Barry had always wanted to do these things and pretending to be a man was the only way to make it possible. Perhaps she was going to tell the truth one day, but didn’t because she was enjoying her life as a man too much. Whatever the reason, Barry's deception was successful. By the time it was discovered that she had been the first woman in Britain to qualify as a doctor, it was too late for the authorities to do anything about it.

?According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE about James Barry?

• A. Gender discrimination among doctors in London

• B. James Barry pretended to be a man to become a doctor

• C. James Barry and her career overseas

• D. Punishment for James Barry’s deception

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Ecotourism is a unique way for travellers to engage in sustainable tourism while vacationing. This specific type of tourism is now increasingly becoming one of the more popular, with growth rates increasing every year. The United Nations, aware of the fact that tourism could be one of the most detrimental activities if not planned in accordance with the threshold imposed by nature, has declared the celebration of the International Day of Ecotourism, to promote sustainable practices in this growing industry.

Recently, The Division for Sustainable Development, Small Island Developing States Unit, decided that in preparation for the International Day of Ecotourism, it would be beneficial to identify successful practices of ecotourism on small islands. In order for ecotourism to be categorized as successful, it must meet the following criteria: it must combine natural and cultural tourism; it must involve local populations in the program, including  providing educational resources to the local community, it must identity, manage and conserve the natural and cultural environment as well as the resources on the island; it must generate practices that will lead to the future sustainability of the island. If these criteria are followed by an "eco" organization, it deserves to be recognized as successful.?What is the passage mainly about?

• Sustainable development

• Ecotourism and its criteria

• Job opportunities for local people

• Environment pollution and its causes

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Type of learner.

If you find yourself learn better by making notes during the lecture, or when the teacher uses a new word, you want to see it written immediately, then you are very likely to be a more visual learner. You prefer to see the written words. You learn by reading and writing. Visual learners often think in pictures. If you find a particular task or text difficult, look for sources that will suit your learning style, e.g. sources with illustrations, charts, tables, or videos.

If you prefer recording the lecture and listening again to taking notes, or you memorize something by repeating it aloud instead of writing it out several times, you are probably a more auditory learner. You prefer to learn by listening and speaking. Auditory learners often learn best from lectures, discussions, by reading aloud, and by listening to audio material.

     However, it is probably that you, like most people, learn through a mixture of styles. Sometimes you may prefer to learn by reading, at other time by listening. Ask yourself which is the best style for the particular task you are doing.?Which of the following is probably NOT preferred by a visual learner?

• reading aloud

• sources with illustrations

• sources with videos

• making notes

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.10

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

Type of learner.

If you find yourself learn better by making notes during the lecture, or when the teacher uses a new word, you want to see it written immediately, then you are very likely to be a more visual learner. You prefer to see the written words. You learn by reading and writing. Visual learners often think in pictures. If you find a particular task or text difficult, look for sources that will suit your learning style, e.g. sources with illustrations, charts, tables, or videos.

If you prefer recording the lecture and listening again to taking notes, or you memorize something by repeating it aloud instead of writing it out several times, you are probably a more auditory learner. You prefer to learn by listening and speaking. Auditory learners often learn best from lectures, discussions, by reading aloud, and by listening to audio material.

     However, it is probably that you, like most people, learn through a mixture of styles. Sometimes you may prefer to learn by reading, at other time by listening. Ask yourself which is the best style for the particular task you are doing.

?The word "auditory" in paragraph 2 can be best replaced by ____.

• discussive

• noisy

• Audible

• recordable

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

1.     The first female doctor

In 1812 a young man called James Barry finished his studies in medicine at Edinburgh University. After graduating he moved to London where he studied surgery at Guy’s Hospital. After that the popular young doctor joined the army and over the next forty years had a brilliant career as an army medical officer, working in many far-off countries and fighting successfully for improved conditions in hospitals. It was a remarkable career - made even more remarkable by the discovery upon his death that he was in fact a she, James Barry was a woman.

By all accounts Barry was a pleasant and good-humoured person with high cheekbones, reddish hair, a long nose and large eyes. She was well-liked by her patients and had a reputation for great speed in surgery - an important quality at a time when operations were performed without anaesthetic. She was also quick tempered. When she was working in army hospitals and prisons overseas, the terrible conditions often made her very angry. She fought hard against injustice and cruelty and her temper sometimes got her into trouble with the authority. After a long career overseas, she returned to London where she died in 1865. While the undertaker’s assistant was preparing her body for burial, she discovered that James Barry was a woman.

So why did James Barry deceive people for so long? At that time a woman could not study medicine, work as a doctor or join the army. Perhaps Barry had always wanted to do these things and pretending to be a man was the only way to make it possible. Perhaps she was going to tell the truth one day, but didn’t because she was enjoying her life as a man too much. Whatever the reason, Barry's deception was successful. By the time it was discovered that she had been the first woman in Britain to qualify as a doctor, it was too late for the authorities to do anything about it.

?In paragraph 4, the word "it" refers to ____.

• Barry's choice

• Barry's career

• Barry's deception

• Barry's reputation

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Over-packaged products problems

Along with the rapid growth of the national economy and increased living standards, the use of disposables and over-packaged products has become common, which causes a waste of resources, and brings about a negative impact on the environment. Many countries have started to act to control the use of disposables and over-packaged, products.

In 1994, the Ministry of Environment in Korea has put restrictions on packaging methods. Korea's legal regulations require businesses to restrict their use of disposable products by reducing unnecessary packaging materials or not giving them out to customers for free. The use of materials are difficult to recycle is also prohibited.

Thanks to development of technology, biodegradable materials were invented to produce packaging products. They are able to decay naturally by bacteria. Therefore, biodegradable packaging helps to limit the amount of harmful chemicals released into the environment. In 2008, biodegradable bags were put in use in most of the supermarkets in Korea. Paper cups and paper bags are also given to shoppers for free, but in a limited use.

The ministry also established the detailed Guidelines on the Restrictions of Use of Disposable Products in order to ensure that local governments could conduct systematic checks and inspections of businesses, and implemented reductions on over-packaged products during national holidays, and school admission and graduation seasons.?What does the word "them" in the second paragraph refer to?

• regulations

• packaging materials

• companies' products

• packaging methods

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

1.     The first female doctor

In 1812 a young man called James Barry finished his studies in medicine at Edinburgh University. After graduating he moved to London where he studied surgery at Guy’s Hospital. After that the popular young doctor joined the army and over the next forty years had a brilliant career as an army medical officer, working in many far-off countries and fighting successfully for improved conditions in hospitals. It was a remarkable career - made even more remarkable by the discovery upon his death that he was in fact a she, James Barry was a woman.

By all accounts Barry was a pleasant and good-humoured person with high cheekbones, reddish hair, a long nose and large eyes. She was well-liked by her patients and had a reputation for great speed in surgery - an important quality at a time when operations were performed without anaesthetic. She was also quick tempered. When she was working in army hospitals and prisons overseas, the terrible conditions often made her very angry. She fought hard against injustice and cruelty and her temper sometimes got her into trouble with the authority. After a long career overseas, she returned to London where she died in 1865. While the undertaker’s assistant was preparing her body for burial, she discovered that James Barry was a woman.

So why did James Barry deceive people for so long? At that time a woman could not study medicine, work as a doctor or join the army. Perhaps Barry had always wanted to do these things and pretending to be a man was the only way to make it possible. Perhaps she was going to tell the truth one day, but didn’t because she was enjoying her life as a man too much. Whatever the reason, Barry's deception was successful. By the time it was discovered that she had been the first woman in Britain to qualify as a doctor, it was too late for the authorities to do anything about it.?According to the passage, all of the following are true EXCEPT__ .

• all people were surprised at the discovery

• people remarked upon her small size

• many people suspected that she was a woman

• people noticed her slight build and smooth pale face

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Over-packaged products problems

Along with the rapid growth of the national economy and increased living standards, the use of disposables and over-packaged products has become common, which causes a waste of resources, and brings about a negative impact on the environment. Many countries have started to act to control the use of disposables and over-packaged, products.

In 1994, the Ministry of Environment in Korea has put restrictions on packaging methods. Korea's legal regulations require businesses to restrict their use of disposable products by reducing unnecessary packaging materials or not giving them out to customers for free. The use of materials are difficult to recycle is also prohibited.

Thanks to development of technology, biodegradable materials were invented to produce packaging products. They are able to decay naturally by bacteria. Therefore, biodegradable packaging helps to limit the amount of harmful chemicals released into the environment. In 2008, biodegradable bags were put in use in most of the supermarkets in Korea. Paper cups and paper bags are also given to shoppers for free, but in a limited use.

The ministry also established the detailed Guidelines on the Restrictions of Use of Disposable Products in order to ensure that local governments could conduct systematic checks and inspections of businesses, and implemented reductions on over-packaged products during national holidays, and school admission and graduation seasons.?The word 'restrict' in the second paragraph most closely means?

• ban

• dispose

• limit

• suggest

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

1.     The first female doctor

In 1812 a young man called James Barry finished his studies in medicine at Edinburgh University. After graduating he moved to London where he studied surgery at Guy’s Hospital. After that the popular young doctor joined the army and over the next forty years had a brilliant career as an army medical officer, working in many far-off countries and fighting successfully for improved conditions in hospitals. It was a remarkable career - made even more remarkable by the discovery upon his death that he was in fact a she, James Barry was a woman.

By all accounts Barry was a pleasant and good-humoured person with high cheekbones, reddish hair, a long nose and large eyes. She was well-liked by her patients and had a reputation for great speed in surgery - an important quality at a time when operations were performed without anaesthetic. She was also quick tempered. When she was working in army hospitals and prisons overseas, the terrible conditions often made her very angry. She fought hard against injustice and cruelty and her temper sometimes got her into trouble with the authority. After a long career overseas, she returned to London where she died in 1865. While the undertaker’s assistant was preparing her body for burial, she discovered that James Barry was a woman.

So why did James Barry deceive people for so long? At that time a woman could not study medicine, work as a doctor or join the army. Perhaps Barry had always wanted to do these things and pretending to be a man was the only way to make it possible. Perhaps she was going to tell the truth one day, but didn’t because she was enjoying her life as a man too much. Whatever the reason, Barry's deception was successful. By the time it was discovered that she had been the first woman in Britain to qualify as a doctor, it was too late for the authorities to do anything about it.

?What is the main idea of the passage?

• Gender discrimination among doctors in London

• James Barry pretended to be a man to become a doctor

• James Barry and her career overseas

• Punishment for James Barry's deception

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2