陕西·近5年中考英语真题分类汇编：阅读理解 第二题

 Chemistry is usually thought to be more difficult than other subjects, at least for the beginners. There are some reasons for this idea. For one thing, chemistry has a very specialized vocabulary（学科专用语汇）. At first, studying chemistry is like learning a new language. Also, some concepts（概念）of chemistry are hard to understand. However, with hard work and careful study, you can finish this subject successfully -and even enjoy it. Here are some suggestions to help you develop good study habits and better understand the topics in the book:  

 ●Firstly, attend classes on time. Listen to your teacher and take careful notes in class. If possible, always review the topics you learn in class, and review your notes on the same day.  

 ●Secondly, think carefully whether you really understand the meaning of a term or the use of an equation（方程式）. A good way to test your understanding is to explain a concept to a classmate or someone else.  

 ●Thirdly, pay attention to things which have something to do with chemistry in life. Watch or do experiments in class carefully.  

 ●Fourthly, question often and do not be afraid to ask your teacher or classmates for help.  

 You will find that chemistry is much more than numbers, formulas（分子式）and equations. It's often used in daily life just like math and physics. Once you fall in love with it, you'll get lots of fun.  

Look at the Earth from space. Why does our planet look so blue? It's blue because water covers almost three quarters of the Earth's surface. Water is not just an important part of our planet. It is an important part of our body, too. More than half of our total body weight is water.

Our body loses water whenever we exercise or go to the toilet. That's why we need to drink plenty of water every day. We drink water. We use it to cook, clean, and carry waste out of our homes. Farmers use it to grow vegetables and crops like rice and corn; factories use it to make products.

Since the 1950s, the amount (数量) of water people use has increased by three times. But the water supply (供应) hasn't. Scientists worry that soon there won't be enough water for us, as well as for the animals and plants that share our world. What can we do to help? Use water wisely.

Having enough water isn't our only problem. We also need it clean.

Right now, ships and factories are putting wastes into seas, rivers and so on. Even chemicals that farmers use are running into rivers and lakes. All this pollution can make the water dangerous to drink. It can also harm fish and other water-living lives.

We must do something to stop pollution. It's the best way to protect our world's most valuable natural resource (资源).

    People use languages to communicate. Any language has its ways to express people's minds. One of the ways in common is the use of idioms. An idiom is a group of words. It has a special meaning that is different from the usual meaning. For example, under the weather is an idiom meaning ill. So when people say “I'm under the weather," they are saying that they're not feeling well. Another example, in all weathers means in all kinds of weather. So, “There are homeless people sleeping on the streets in all weathers" tells us that homeless people sleep on the streets no matter whether it is cold or hot.

    Different languages may have different ways to make idioms. For people who are learning a foreign language, idioms could cause misunderstandings and bring them endless headaches. On the other hand, if things are done right, idioms can also be a fun way of looking into a new culture and understanding how the people think and talk.

    Metaphor (比喻) is often used in idioms. Let's read the following two examples:

    ●It makes my blood boil (煮沸) when people ltter.

    ●The night was dark and quiet; my blood ran cold when I heard a strange noise outside at dark night.

    In neither situation above, our blood can reach the point so high or so low in temperature. Yet, with the situations the two sentences created, it is not difficult to work out the unhappy feelings of really angry in the first example and very afraid in the second.

    Of course, not all idioms are this easy to understand. When we come to idioms of a foreign language, a good dictionary of idioms is always suggested.

    Goreme is a beautiful town in Turkey. It is best-known for its strange rock shapes and hot air balloon trips during sunrise(日出). Here are some of the cool things visitors can do in Goreme.

    ●Stay in a cave(山洞)hotel

    Staying in a cave hotel is a special experience in Goreme. It makes you learn how people lived in stone caves hundreds of years ago in this area.

    ●Taking a hot air balloon trip

    Over 20 years ago, people in Goreme began to fly the first hot air balloon in the sky of this little town. Now, there are over one hundred balloons flying every day early in the morning as the sun rises. It is the best way to enjoy the amazing beauty of Goreme.

    ●Visit the open-air museum

    The open-air museum is about 15 minutes' walk away from the center of Goreme. This place is the first stop on anyone's journey to Goreme. It is made up of 7 churches(教堂)which were dug out of rocks. Among them, the Dark Church is the best protected. Recent studies show that all these churches were built between the 10th and 12th centuries.

    ●See the magical rock shapes

    These unusual rock shapes are the most beautiful part in Goreme. They are made by the strong winds and heavy rains. Their shapes look like different kinds of animals. Every year, tourists around the world come to see the amazing art made by nature.

    If you want to have a cool journey to Turkey, the magical Goreme can be a better choice.