Low-carbon Future：We Can Afford to Go Green Tackling climate change will cost consumers the earth．Those who campaign for a green revolution are out to destroy our western lifestyles．Such are the cries of opponents of emissions cuts，and their message has political impact：a number of surveys have found that the enthusiasm of voters for policies to reduce climate change falls off as the price tag increases． However，a new (模型化)exercise suggests that these fears are largely unfounded．It projects that radical cuts to the UK’s emissions will cause barely noticeable increases in the price of food，drink and most other goods by 2050．Electricity and petrol costs will rise significantly，but with the right policies in place，say the modellers，this need not lead to big changes in our lifestyle． "these results show that the global project to fight climate change is feasible，"says Alex Bowen，a climate policy expert at the London School of Economics．"It’s not such a big ask as people are making out．" Although it is impossible to precisely predict prices four decades from now．the exercise is one of the most detailed examinations yet of the impact of climate change policies on UK consumers．It provides a useful rough guide to our economic future． Though its results speak directly to the UK consumer，previous research has come to similar conclusions for the US．In June，one study found that if the US were to cut emissions by 50 per cent by 2050，prices of most consumer goods would increase by less than 5 per cent．The findings are also consistent with analyses by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change in Washington DC．"Even cutting emissions by 80 per cent over four decades has a very small effect on consumers in most areas，”says Manik Roy of the Pew Center．"The challenge is now to convince consumers and policy-makers that this is the case．" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends that wealthy nations cut their emissions to between 80 and 95 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050 in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change．The UK government aims to reduce its contribution by 80 per cent and leaders of the other G8 nations have discussed following suit．To meet this goal，industries will have to cut down fossil fuel consumption，and low-carbon power sources will have to massively expand. Companies will have to pay increasingly higher prices for the right to emit greenhouse gases. How will this affect the average citizen’s wallet To measure the impact of the 80 per cent target on the UK population, New Scientist approached Cambridge Econometrics, a firm known for its modelling of the European economy. The firm used historic economic data to predict the impact of emissions reductions on prices in over 40 categories of goods and services. It compared the impact of the 80 per cent cut with a baseline situation in which the government takes no action other than the limited emissions restrictions already in place as a result of the (京都议定书). Most of the price increases are a consequence of rising energy costs, in part because coal and gas are re-placed by more expensive low-carbon sources. The price of electricity is projected to be 15 per cent higher in 2050 compared with the baseline. In today’s prices, that would add around ￡5 onto typical monthly household electricity bills. It will also result in higher prices elsewhere, as every industrial sector uses electricity. But electricity and other forms of energy make up only a small part of the price of most goods. Other factors-raw materials, labour and taxes-are far more important. The energy that goes into producing food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco, for example, makes up just 2 per cent of the consumer price. For motor vehicle purchases and hotel stays, the figure is 1 per cent. Only for energy-intensive industries does the contribution climb above 3 per cent. As a result, most products cost just a few per cent more by 2050. At current prices, going low-carbon is forecast to add around 5 pence to the price of a slice of bread or a pint of beer. The price of household appliances such as washing machines rises by a few pounds. There is one major exception to the pattern. Airlines do not currently have a low-carbon alternative to jet fuel. Unless one is found, they will bear the full burden of carbon pricing, and average fares will rise by at least 140 per cent--raising the cost of a typical London to New York return trip from around ￡350 to ￡840. Achieving the overall picture of low prices does require government action. The model forecasts that by 2050 natural gas and petrol will cost 160 per cent and 32 per cent more respectively. To avoid large price rises in home heating and road transport while still hitting the 80 per cent target, the Cambridge researchers had to build two major policies into their analysis. They assumed that future governments will provide grants to help switch all domestic heating and cooking to electricity, and invest in the basic facilities needed for electric cars to almost completely replace petroleum-fuelled vehicles. Both policies have been discussed in recent UK government strategy documents, though the detail of how they would be implemented still needs further discussion. Firm policies must follow if ambitious emissions cuts are going to be made, says Chris Thoung of Cambridge Econometrics. So is tackling climate change going to be easier than expected, in terms of consumer costs While the Cam-bridge Econometrics model is widely respected and regularly used by the UK government’s climate change advisers, any attempt to forecast four decades ahead can be diverted from its intended course by unforeseen events. That leads some economists to question the model’s results. For example, companies could move to countries with less strict carbon regulations, points out Richard Tol of the Economic and Social Research Institute in Dublin, Ireland. Incomes in the UK would fall, making goods relatively more expensive. Tol also questions whether it is reasonable to use historical prices as a basis for projecting beyond 2020. Despite this, the Cambridge Econometrics results, together with other recent studies, do provide a useful guide for governments, says Michael Grubb of the University of Cambridge. They suggest that the overall challenge is conquerable, even if many of the details will only become clear in years to come.The two major policies built by the Cambridge researchers include______. A．imposing higher taxes for petroleum-fuelled vehiclesB．stabilization of the price of daily goods and serviceC．the electrification of residential heating and cooking systemD．the prohibition of driving petroleum-fuelled vehicles

Medical accidents ______ by drugs have attracted much attention in that country.A. causingB. to be causedC. be causedD. caused

What gives women a ray of hope to achieve work life balance?A. More men taking an extended parental leave.B. People’s changing attitudes towards family.C. More women entering business management.D. The improvement of their socioeconomic status.

If you want to stay young, sit down and have a good think. This is the research finding of a team of Japanese doctors, who say that most of our brains are not getting enough exercise—and as a result, we are aging unnecessarily soon. Professor Taiju Matsuzawa wanted to find out why otherwise healthy farmers in northern Japan appeared to be losing their ability to think and reason at a relatively early age, and how the process of aging could be slowed down. With a team of colleagues at Tokyo National University, he set about measuring brain volumes of a thousand people of different ages and varying occupations. Computer technology enabled the researchers to obtain precise measurements of the volume of the front and side sections of the brain, which relate to intellect (智能) and emotion, and determine the human character. (The rear section of the brain, which controls functions like eating and breathing, does not contract with age, and one can continue living without intellectual or emotional faculties.) Contraction of front and side parts—as cells die off—was observed in some subjects in their thirties, but it was still not evident in some sixty- and seventy-year-olds. Matsuzawa concluded from his tests that there is a simple remedy to the contraction normally associated with age—using the head. The findings show in general terms that contraction of the brain begins sooner in people in the country than in the towns. Those least at risk, says Matsuzawa, are lawyers, followed by university professors and doctors. White collar workers doing routine work in government offices are, however, as likely to have shrinking brains as the farm worker, bus driver and shop assistant. Matsuzawa’s findings show that thinking can prevent the brain from shrinking. Blood must circulate properly in the head to supply the fresh oxygen the brain cells need. “The best way to maintain good blood circulation is through using the brain,” he says, “Think hard and engage in conversation. Don’t rely on pocket calculators.” 小题1:The team of doctors wanted to find out ________. why certain people age sooner than others B. how to make people live longer C. the size of certain people’s brains D. which people are most intelligent 小题2:On what are their research findings based? A survey of farmers in northern Japan. B. Tests performed on a thousand old people. C. The study of brain volumes of different people D. The latest development of computer technology. 小题3:The word “subjects” in Paragraph 5 means ________. something to be considered B. branches of knowledge studied C. persons chosen to be studied in an experiment D. any member of a state except the supreme ruler. 小题4:According to the passage, which people seem to age slower than the others? A．Lawyers. B．Farmers. C．Clerks. D．Shop assistants.

An eagle tried to fly away with a terrified boy at a popular wildlife show in central Australia.A crowd of frightened onlookers watched the enormous bird latch its claws on to the screaming boy’s head during a show at Alice Springs Desert Park.The boy—believed to be between six and eight years old—escaped with a “superficial” injury to his face.Christine O’Connell from Horsham in Victoria State was visiting the park with her husband on 6 July when the attack occurred.“A fellow who was sitting closer said the little boy kept running his zipper up and down,” said Mrs. O’Connell, who caught the attack on her camera.Distracted by the noise, the eagle grabbed the boy’s green hoodie and attempted to lift him away before park staff moved in.The attack left the boy crying and bleeding, but his injuries were not severe.1.What is the news mainly about?A) An eagle carrying off a terrified boy.B) A boy being saved by many people.C) A boy being attacked at Springs Desert Park.D) A woman catching an attack on her camera.2.What do we learn about the boy from the news?A) His camera saved him from the eagle.B) His injuries in the face were serious.C) He was attacked by an eagle on June 6.D) He might be between six and eight years old.

It is vital that the work _______ in time.A. is doneB. be doneC. are doneD. was done

We all laugh. We all hurt. We all make mistakes. We all dream, that's life. It's a journey. Please follow these rules to make the journey of your life a journey of joy! Staying positive through the cold season could be your best defense against getting ill, new study findings suggest.In an experiment that exposed healthy volunteers to a cold or flu virus, researchers found that people with a generally sunny disposition (性格) were less likely to fall ill. The findings, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, build on evidence that a "positive emotional style" can help ward off the common cold and other illnesses.Researchers believe the reasons may be both objective as in happiness boosting immune function and subjective as in happy people being less troubled by a scratchy throat or runny nose. "People with a positive emotional style may have different immune response to the virus," explained lead study author Dr Sheldon Cohen of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. "And when they do get a cold, they may interpret their illness as being less severe." Cohen and his colleagues had found in a previous study that happier people seemed less likely to catch a cold, but some questions remained as to whether the emotional trait itself had the effect.For the new study, the researchers had 193 healthy adults with complete standard measures of personality traits, self-perceived health and emotional "style". Those who tended to be happy, energetic and easy-going were judged as having a positive emotional style, while those who were often unhappy, tense and hostile had a negative style. The researchers gave them nose drops containing either a cold virus or a particular flu virus. Over the next six days, the volunteers reported on any aches, pains, or sneezing (打喷嚏) they had, while the researchers collected objective data. Cohen and his colleagues found that based on objective measures of nasal woes (鼻部的不适), happy people were less likely to develop a cold.(1) (单选题)The new study findings in the experiment suggest that _________.A.Being optimistic is more probable to keep healthy.B.Staying positive is more likely to catch cold.C.Having a negative emotion is harmful to the character.D.Having a good disposition is more likely to get ill.(2) (单选题)The phrase "ward off" in Paragraph 2 most probably means "_________".A.set asideB.give inC.shrug offD.keep away(3) (单选题)It can be inferred from Dr. Sheldon Cohen's interpretation that ______________.A.people with a positive emotion are more likely to regard their illness as less serious.B.people with a negative emotion are more likely to boost immune function to the virus.C.people with a positive emotion are more likely to interpret their illness objectively.D.people with a negative emotion are more likely to interpret their illness subjectively.(4) (单选题)It can be learnt from the passage that the benefits of having a positive emotional style are _____________.A.still dubiousB.to be further studiedC.proven by scientific researchD.self-evident(5) (单选题)Which of the following would be the best TITLE for the passage?A. Happy Journey Full of JoyB.The Health Benefits of Staying PositiveC.Scientific Evidence of Staying HealthyD.The Secrets of Staying Positive

A ) achievement B ) compensation C ) contrast D ) contributing E ) depressing F ) employment G ) instantly H ) lower l ) maintain J ) released K ) remain L ) response M ) significantly N ) slimmer O ) tightened UK households are cutting back on spending at the fastest rate since 1980 . This is _26_ to the worst economic slowdown in three decades .Figures from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) showed consumer spending felt by 1.2 % in the first three months of the year . People spent less on housing, household goods and services ,while those who went on holiday abroad also spent _27_ less . Consumers _28_ their belts in the face of job losses, pay cuts or freezes and sharply reduced city bonuses . The figures showed employees' _ 29 _ falling by 1.1 % in the quarter, the targets fall since records began in 1955 . Wages and salaries declined, with lower bonus payments in the financial sector than normal, while _30_ also fell . The data was _ 31 as part of the ONS'S latest assessment of the UK economy, which confirmed that gross domestic product ( SDP ) shrank by 1.9 % in the first quarter, its sharpest decline since 1979 . GDP stood 4.1 % _ 32 than a year ago, the biggest annual fail since 1980." The breakdown ( 分 析 ) of first - quarter GDP gives a pretty _ 33 _ picture of weakness right across the economy in the earth year ," said Jonathan Loynes of Capital Economics . "With key components like household spending and investment set to fall considerably further in _ 34 _ to the weakness in the housing market, the labor market and bank lending , we _ 35 _ unconvinced that recent green shoots ( 经济复苏迹象 ) will translate it to a return to decent growth next year ."

“去购物”用英文怎么说?A. go shoppingB. go shopingC. to to shoppingD. go to shop

Section B-|||-Directions: In this section,you will hear two passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear three or four-|||-questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must-|||-choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on-|||-Answer Sheet l with a single line through the centre.-|||-Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.-|||-9.A)It helps employees to reduce their stress. B)It prevents employees from feeling bored.-|||-C)It strengthens harmony among employees. D) It helps employees to view things positively.-|||-10.A)Weekends are conducive to reducing stress. B)Humor is vital to interpersonal relationships.-|||-C)All workers experience some emotional stress. D)Humor can help workers excel at routine tasks.-|||-11.A)Smash the toys to release their bottled-u up resentments.-|||-B)Take the boss doll apart as long as they reassemble it.-|||-C)Design and install stress-reducing gadgets.-|||-D)Strike at the boss doll as hard as they like.-|||-Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.-|||-12.A)The recent finding of a changed gene in obese mice.-|||-B)A breakthrough in understanding gene modification-|||-C)A newly discovered way for people to lose weight.-|||-D) The self-repairing ability of a gene in obese mice.-|||-13.A)It renders an organism unable to fight diseases.-|||-B)It prevents the mice`s fatty tissues from growing.-|||-C)It helps organisms adapt to environmental changes.-|||-D)It renders mice unable to sense when to stop eating.-|||-14.A)Human beings have more obesity genes than most mice do.-|||-B)Half of a person`s total weight variation can be controlled.-|||-C)People are born with a tendency to have a certain weight.-|||-D)The function of the obesity genes is yet to be explored.-|||-15.A)The worsening of natural environment. B)The abundant provision of rich foods.-|||-C)The accelerated pace of present-day life. D)The adverse impact of the food industry.Section B Directions: In this section, you will hear two passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear aquestion, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. Questions 9 to 11 are based onthepassage you have just heard. 9. A) It helps employees to reduce their stress. B) It prevents employees from feeling bored. C) It strengthens harmony among employees. D) It helps employees to view things positively. 10.A) Weekends are conducive to reducing stress.B) Humor is vital to interpersonal relationships. C) All workers experience some emotional stress. D) Humor can help workers excel at routine tasks. 11. A) Smash the toys to release their bottled-up resentments. B) Take the boss doll apart as long as they reassemble it. C) Design and install stress-reducing gadgets. D) Strike at the boss doll as hard as they like. Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard. 12. A) The recent finding of a changed gene in obese mice. B) A breakthrough in understanding gene modification. C) A newly discovered way for people to lose weight. D) The self-repairing ability of a gene in obese mice. 13. A) It re nders an organism unable to fight diseases. B) It prevents the mice's fatty tissues from growing. C) It helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. D) It renders mice unable to sense when to stop eating. 14.A) Human beings have more obesity genes than most mice do. B) Half of a person's total weight variation can be controlled. C) People are born with a tendency to have a certain weight. D) The function of the obesity genes is yet to be explored. 15. A) The worsening of natural environment. B) The abundant provision of rich foods. C) The accelerated pace of present-day life. D) The adverse impact of the food industry.