时文阅读
(2014北京卷A)
 【语篇解读】本文属于应用文,介绍了墨尔本CBD中心的海洋水族馆的具体信息,如地理位置,开放时间,交通路线等。 Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium (水族馆)      The all-new Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, situated in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, is one ofVictoria’s leading visitor attractions and an unforgettable outing for the whole family. Having 12 amazing zones of discovery, Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is the very place that you cannot miss when you visit the city.* Opening Times     Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is open from 9:30 am until 6:00 pm every day of the year, including public holidays. Last admission is at 5:00 pm, one hour before closing.* Location ( 位置)     Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is located on the corner ofFlinders StreetandKing Street,Melbourne. It is situated on theYarraRiver, opposite Crown Entertainment Complex.* Getting to Sea LifeMelbourneAquarium     Train     The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium train stop is located on the free City Circle Tram route (公交线路) and also routes 70 and 75. City Circle trams run every 10 minutes in both directions.     Shuttle Bus     The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is a free bus service, stopping at key tourist attractions in and around the City. Running daily, every 15 minutes from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.      Car Parking      While there is no public car parking at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, there are several public car parking lots available only a short walk away.      Wheelchair Access      Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium provides people in wheelchairs with full access to all 12 zones. Each floor also has wheelchair accessible toilets.      Terms      Tickets will be emailed to you immediately after purchase or you can download and print your ticket once payment has been accepted. Please print out all tickets purchased and present at the front entrance of Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. No ticket, no entry! 
(2014安徽卷A)
 【语篇解读】本文是一则广告,介绍了两个产品:一种新型的机器人Personal Robot和新型的手表WATCH CONTROL。详细说明了这两种产品的特点和具体的购买信息。  
(2014北京卷B)
 【语篇解读】本文叙述了作者一家遭遇狗熊袭击的过程,由此作者想要告诉每一位读者:面临危险的时候,务必要保持镇定。 The Brown Bear       My wife Laura and I were on the beach, with three of our children, taking pictures of shore birds near our home in Alaskawhen we spotted a bear. The bear was thin and small, moving aimlessly.       Just a few minutes later, I heard my daughter shouting, “Dad! The bear is right behind us!” An agreesive bear will usually rush forward to frighten away its enemy but would suddenly stop at the last minute. This one was silent and its ears pinned back---- the sign (迹象) of an animal that is going in for the kill. And it was a cold April day. The bear behaved abnormally, probably because of hunger.I held my camera tripod (三脚架) in both hands to form a barrier as the bear rushed into me. Its huge head was level with my chest and shoulders, and the tripod stuck across its mouth. It bit down and I found myself supporting its weight. I knew I would not be able to hold it for long.       Even so, this was a fight I had to win: I was all that stood between the bear and my family, who would stand little chance of running faster than a brown bear.      The bear hit at the camera, cutting it off the tripod. I raised my left arm to protect my face; the beast held tightly on the tripod and pressed it into my side. My arm could not move, and I sensed that my bones were going to break.      Drawing back my free hand, I struck the bear as hard as I could for five to six times. The bear opened its mouth and I grasped its fur, trying to push it away. I was actually wrestling (扭打) with the bear at this point. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the fight ended. The bear moved back toward the forest, before returning for another attack----- The first time I felt panic.      Apparently satisfied that we caused no further threat, the bear moved off, destroying a fence as it went. My arm was injured, but the outcome for us could hardly have been better. I’m proud that my family reminded clear-headed when panic could have led to a very different outcome. 
(2014安徽卷D)
【语篇大意】本文主要讨论了是否可以紧邻城市的古城区兴建现代化建筑。作者认为,在不破坏所在地区周围环境的情况下,我们是可以这样做的,因为很多现代建筑能够提升城市的吸引力。要做到这一点市政规划部门要负起主要的责任来。 Should we allow modern buildings to‑ be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons for example, economic (经济的) reasons-why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town of Tourswhere modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的)and do not like change.Although we have to respect people's feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward. If we always reproduced what was there before,we would all still be living in caves . Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different , even though that might be the more risky choice. 
波音公司打造“太空的士”,你想去太空旅游么?
波音公司宣布,将为美国航空航天局生产“太空的士”,除运送宇航员到国际空间站之外,还将向游客出售座位。英国歌手Sara Brightman将搭乘“太空的士”到太空旅行。波音“太空的士”将于2017年进行首次试航。
三胞胎熊猫宝宝开始睁眼看世界
2014年大熊猫菊笑在广州长隆野生动物园诞下熊猫三胞胎,创造奇迹。现在熊猫三胞胎已经可以睁眼看世界了。
海上探险工具:皮艇
这是一篇应用文,主要向读者推荐了在海上外出探险时乘坐的工具 — 皮船及乘坐皮船时需要注意安全。
全球气候变暖造成南极洲海冰面积扩大
由于全球气候变暖,南极洲冰山不断融化,造成了周边海冰面的扩大,使得目前南极洲海冰面面积创下新纪录。
微软巨头保罗·艾伦慷慨捐赠助西非抵御埃博拉
在西非埃博拉疫情日益加重,疾病防控物资严重匮乏的时候,微软巨头保罗·艾伦再次慷慨捐赠。这笔款项将用于筹建紧急行动中心,通过数据管理和通讯跟踪,对疫情进行有效管控,预防病毒进一步蔓延。
国庆黄金周引发购票热潮
国庆节黄金周即将到来,许多人选择乘坐火车出游,引发抢购火车票热潮。