中美國際高中入學(xué)考試模擬試卷(英語)(文件)
【正文】 for air rage.c. suggest solutions for airline staff faced with air rage.d. warn passengers about air rage.C. Please read the following article about men who hunt for birds’ nests in caves in Thailand, and then answer questions 19 in your own words on a separate answer sheet.The Nest Hunters of Tam YaiSwiftlets are shy birds that make their nests in the remotest corners of deep caves. They have the ability to fly fast and straight like arrows around the interior of the cave walls. Like some other birds, they build their nests with their saliva, the juicy liquid from their own mouths. This juice hardens quickly to make a small nest, shaped like a cup. These nests are called “white gold”, because they can be sold for thousands of dollars in the Chinese food markets. It is these nests for which the hunters of Tam Yai are prepared to risk their lives.Tam Yai cave in southern Thailand is the largest network of caves inside a limestone mountain, known as Suwan Kuha, meaning “cave temple”. It has been given this name because it contains a large area decorated with statues of Buddhas. High above the statues, in the far corners of the cave plex, is where the nests are to be found.The nest hunters climb barefoot up dangerous bamboo poles hundreds of metres above the ground to collect these valuable nests. They rarely use safety equipment, and if they fall, they will die instantly. These nests can only be reached by the bravest and most skilled climbers, and they are often only able to reach the highest nests with the aid of a stick and a net.Nest hunting is a skill passed down in families from father to son. Because of the profits that can be made, the petition among rival climbers is fierce. There are armed guards at the entrance to the cave to protect the nests from thieves. In Tam Yai, there are also strict laws to prevent illegal hunting and to ensure proper collecting, or “harvesting”, of the nests. As a result, the birds are a protected species and the number of swiftlets is growing. Nest harvesting begins in March and if the harvest is collected at the correct time of year, each swiftlet will lay eggs three times a season. Once the young birds have hatched and flown, the nests can be collected and sold to the Chinese food industry as the vital ingredient in bird’s nest soup.The recipe for the highly valued bird’s nest soup is centuries old, and the soup is said to have a value in prolonging life. Chinese doctors often prescribe it for people who are suffering from skin conditions, lung disease and breathing problems.It is important to prepare the nests thoroughly when they arrive in the restaurant kitchens. Firstly they are washed, soaked and boiled until they have a soft, rubberlike texture. Then they are mixed with meat and coconut and all the ingredients are cooked together. The nest itself is not delicious, in fact it has hardly any taste. As one Chinese chef says: “It is the other ingredients which give the soup its flavour. The nest is soft and crunchy, and when you prepare it you must be careful to remove all traces of the bird, such as bones or feathers. This is because Chinese people appreciate the way it feels in their mouth rather than the taste and sm
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