趣味阅读

(A) Poor Pluto

随着中国探月计划的实施,又掀起了一股新的太空热,在这热闹的背后可怜的冥王星却早已不属于九大行星的行列。这是为什么呢?

Are there nine planets(行星) in the solar system(太阳系)? No!There are eight planets.

Neil is a big man. He likes to think about space. He says, “Pluto isnt really a planet. It is too small.”

Many kids are not happy to hear that. They love Pluto.

Lots of books about the nine planets are still in bookstores.

Some people think, “Pluto is a planet because it has a moon(卫星).” But scientists dont call something “planet” because it has a moon.

Questions:

1. How many planets are there in the solar system now?

2. Why do some people think that Pluto isnt a planet?

(B)The Circus

你看过马戏表演吗?马戏团里有许多动物。也有小丑和杂技演员。所有成员可都会表演绝技哦!

The circus(马戏团) is a lot of fun. It comes to our town every year. The circus has many animals. They do stunts(绝技). There are elephants and horses. There are lions and tigers.

The circus also has acrobats(杂技演员). An acrobat goes to a very high place. She walks across the wire(走钢丝). All eyes are on her.

Some children eat candy. Some children eat peanuts. Their teeth turn(变成) blue. It is so much fun.

Questions:

What does the writer think of the circus?

____.

A. It is interesting B. It is not fun

(C)Phil, the Weather Forecaster

土拨鼠菲尔是世界上最特殊的天气预报员!它生活在美国宾西法尼亚州。每逢2月2日“土拨鼠日”这一天,菲尔会出洞看看。如果天气晴朗,它能看到自己的影子,则表明冬天还要延续6周;反之,如果它看不见自己的影子,则表明春天就在眼前!

Phil is small and fat. He lives in a town in America. He is a weather forecaster. February 2 is his day.

On that day, people go to see Phil. Phil goes out and looks around. If(如果) the day is sunny and clear, Phil can see his shadow(影子). His shadow tells him, “There are six more (更多的) weeks of winter!” If Phil does not see his shadow, the spring is coming.

Question:

Which one is right?

A. Phil works in a weather station(气象站)

in a town.

B. Phil lives under the ground in a town.

(D)Traffic Signals

我们经常看到交通信号灯,它们可是我们的安全卫士。你知道它们的作用吗?

Do you know the meaning of traffic signals?

When the signal light(信号灯) turns green, cars go. When you cross the street at a signal light, you should wait for the walk signal. Some corners(拐角) dont have a walk signal, so you should wait for the green light. Remember that cars may be turning, so you should look carefully to the left, right and left again before crossing the street.

When the signal light turns yellow, cars should slow down and prepare to stop. If you want to cross the street, you should wait too if the light is yellow.

When the signal light turns red, cars stop. If the light in front of you is red, you should not walk across the street.

Questions:

1. What is this article about?

2. What should you do when the signal light is yellow?

[Key:(A)1.Eight. 2.Because it is small. (B)A(C)B (D)1.About the traffic signals. 2.I(We) should wait.]