Jim was my brother-in-law. He was (1) a toothache last week. But he didn’t want to see a doctor. Finally, (2) ,my mother-in-law decided that she would go and see the doctor herself. She carefully (3) {that although her son had a lot of pain, he was refusing to get treatment. Her son was (4) doctors. The nurse told her that they were used to dealing with this (5) tear and would be able to fit jim in right away. "How old is your little boy" she asked. My mother-in-law replied, "He’s 40 years old." 2()
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Europe’s Monetary Union (EMU) is a huge economic experiment. Nobody really knows what is going to happen. The fans of EMU say that it will cut trading costs and create a true single market. This could unleash a new economic dynamism that will strengthen companies, create jobs and ensure stocks. They predict that prices in many EMU countries will come down and boost the spending power of consumers, which in turn will help the economy. The critics of the single market currency say that it is the first step towards a closer political union, creating a European super state. They warn that a centrally set interest rate will not suit all regions of the euro-zone and could actually increase the economic tensions in Europe. Whatever the outcome, no move towards integrating Europe has ever been so bold. The governor of the French national bank likens it to launching a rocket, others say they are thrilled that a project talked about since the 1960s and long doubted is now happening. The euro and its guardian, the European Central Bank, will now have to prove themselves in the world economy and the world’s financial system. On 1 January 1999, the euro became the official currency. From then on, the value of the euro against the dollar and all other currencies, including those of the four Member States staying out of the euro zone, will fluctuate according to market conditions. Although euro notes and coins will not appear until 1 January 2002, the new currency can be used by consumers, retailers, companies of all kinds and public administrations from 1 January 1999 in the form of "written money" -- that is, by means of checks, traveler’s checks, bank transfers, credit cards and electronic purses. In 2000, the euro ______.
A. will not circulate as notes or coins
B. will not be used in global transactions
C. can be obtained from the European Central Bank
D. cannot be used by governments
Today’s lecture is about two powerful natural forces, one destructive, yet the other productive. Tornado (龙卷风) is a typical example of destructive forces in nature. Forces other than damaging winds are also at work inside tornadoes. Sometimes as twisting, screaming wind passes over house, the walls and the ceiling burst apart as if a bomb had gone off inside. This explosion is caused by the low air pressure at the center of a tornado. The pressure at the center of a tornado is usually 13 pounds per square inch. However, inside the house the air pressure is normal, about 15 pounds per square inch. The difference of 2 pounds per square inch between the inside and outside pressure may not seem like much. But suppose a tornado passes over a small building that measures 20 by 10 feet. On each square inch of the building, there is 2 pounds of pressure from the inside that is not balanced by air pressure outside the building. On the ceiling, that adds up to an unbalanced pressure of 57,600 pounds. The pressure on the four walls adds up to 172,800 pounds. If windows are open in the building, some of the inside air will rush out through them. This will balance the pressure inside and outside the building. But ff the windows are shut tightly, the enormous inside pressure may cause the building to burst. Unfortunately, heavy rain and hail often occur in thunderstorms that later produce tornadoes. So people frequently shut all windows to protect their property, which may cause far worse damage later. For the same reason, tornado cellars must have an air opening. Otherwise, the cellar door might be blown out when a tornado passes over it. Even more amazing is the strong force of plants in water evaporation (蒸发). The task of carrying 40 gallons of water up almost 60 feet -- to an apartment on the sixth floor, for instance -- is an undeniably heavy task. And yet it is no more than a full-grown tree does on any warm day. For 400 trees 75 to 90 feet high, the leaves evaporate an average of 20 tons of water on a single day -- equivalent to the capacity of a larger tanker truck. Before this water evaporates it is lifted an average of 80 feet through trunks and branches. Anyone thinks this a trifle would do well to work out how many bucks it would mean, to which floor. Quite an achievement. The surprising thing is that the plants themselves need supply no energy to do this. Everything happens automatically. The evaporation from the leaf surface causes a constant compensatory suction (吸) of water. This suction communicates itself through branch and trunk down into roots. The suction force caused by evaporation from the tiny openings of the leaves is tremendously strong. When, on a dry summer’s day, the surrounding atmosphere has a relative humidity (湿度) of 45 percent, the evaporation suction corresponds to the pull exerted on a rope 3 mm in diameter by a 154-pound man suspended from it! Thus evaporation actually draws the water from the leaves by force, and pulls more water up to replace it. The driving force is the sun and plants make direct use of its energy for water transport. Once again, we see the powerful, unlimited energy in nature. The pressures on a building during tornado can be relieved by ______.
A. dosing the cellar
B. opening the window
C. using a fan for air circulation
D. strengthening the roof and walls
Questions 11 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
A. Try not to think about her audience.
B. Practice her presentation in front of him.
C. Find out who her audience will be tomorrow.
D. Let him attend her presentation in class tomorrow.
But for your help, I ______ (drown)in the river.