Teenagers from low-income families in particular are more likely than their middle-class peers（同龄人）to do less well in schoolwork and to drop out of school. Studies have shown, however, that a positive attitude towards schoolwork and the support and encouragement from their parents can help at-risk youngsters to overcome the economic barriers and lack of resources they face. Most of the evidence about the effects of parental involvement（参与） comes from research on mothers. Little is known, however, about how teenagers experience their fathers’ warmth and the beliefs and behavior that are most affected by it.
This new study is part of a large one focusing on low-income families conducted in four middle schools in the southwestern United States. Researchers asked 183 sixth-graders about how optimistic and motivated they were about their school work, and how they experienced their fathers' warmth. The students' maths and language arts grades were also gained. The research team took into account the influence that mothers have on their children’s well-being in their analyses.
Their findings show how fathers can support their teenagers in ways that result in greater optimism and higher achievement at school. “Low-income fathers affect their teenagers’ beliefs about themselves and their future, and these beliefs influence their achievement by increasing their determination to complete school tasks, “says Dr, Marie-Anne.
These positive effects extend to both sons and daughters, although in different ways. Experiencing their fathers’ warmth first influences daughters’ sense of optimism, and then spills over into their feeling more determined and certain about their academic abilities. This in turn leads to better maths grades. There is a more direct link between their fathers, love and boys' belief in their ability to succeed in academy.
1. What is more likely to happen to teenagers from low-income families?| A．They will be more determined to struggle. |
| B．They will have fewer happy things to share. |
| C．They will fail in their studies and quit school. |
| D．They will receive less love from their parents. |
| A．It only researches families in the north of America. |
| B．It only studies low-education families in the world. |
| C．It combines questionnaire data and students, grades. |
| D．It mainly focuses on the effects of fathers' involvement. |
| A．It is less effective than that of mothers. |
| B．It affects girls and boys in different ways. |
| C．It mainly applies to girls rather than boys. |
| D．It has a more direct effect on girls than on boys. |
| A．Spreads. | B．Changes. | C．Bursts. | D．Checks. |
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This year, my boys will be in two different states on Mother's Day. My mom and dad will be away together, and I'll be driving home from a writer's workshop in Massachusetts. Thinking of the fact that many friends have already lost their mothers and that a few have lost children, I am deeply grateful that what separates us, for now at least, is only distance. It won't always be so, and there is no way to prepare for that fact other than to appreciate the moment that is. My sons know that they can please me on Sunday with a phone call or an e-mail, and that is enough as I love their words. The very best gift they can possibly give me is their own happiness, the very fact of their busy, full and well-lived lives.
Still, knowing that my years of staying with my sons are over, I do feel doleful. The truth is, I miss being the center of the universe to two little boys. And this holiday can be a bit painful.
I wonder if my own mother ever felt nostalgic (怀旧的，乡愁的) for the passing of my childhood. I wonder if she realizes that she is still at the center of my universe and always has been. I don't often pause to think about it, but of course she is the one who has been right there, at my side from the moment I drew my very first breath. How to ever fully appreciate the woman whose presence and love and example have shaped me into the adult I am? How to describe even a small part of the sharing, sacrificing, and support she has given me over the years?
1. The author mainly wants to tell us through the first paragraph that_______.
| A．she hopes to get her son's letters very much |
| B．her sons don't often write to her on Mother's Day |
| C．Mother's Day is the very date that she looks forward to most |
| D．Children are often careless about their parents’ request (请求). |
| A．her sons don't live far away from her home |
| B．her parents and children are still alive |
| C．her parents are coming to her house to spend Mother's Day |
| D．her sons can please her on Sunday with a phone call |
| A．sad | B．disappointed |
| C．exhausted | D．amused |
| A．She'll tell the reader about her mother's present situation. |
| B．She'll describe the reunion of her family on Mother's Day. |
| C．She'll talk about how her mother educated and cared for her. |
| D．She'll tell the reader about her mother's achievements in her career. |
【推荐2】The moment I was born, I seemed to be part of a set, as if my twin brother David and I were a package deal. We faced constant comparisons in our physical appearance. People were always comparing our personalities and academic performances as well! These constant comparisons made me decide not to go to the same university as my twin brother.
That is not to say we didn’t have good academic experiences in the past or didn’t get along. In the eleventh grade, we were placed in the same maths experimental class. I recall arriving early to the first class and being a bit disappointed when I saw David already seated at his desk. It is hard to avoid comparisons when we were in the same class. However, we found that we actually worked well together, in our own way. We would argue about the best way to solve a problem and debate its answer. As the year went on, I noticed that our teacher kept moving us closer and closer together. Our argument was actually productive.
However, we were two very different candidates. I was very involved in extra-curricular activities (课外活动), while David had better test scores than I did. I’m fond of writing while David enjoys playing computer games. I am currently studying English and French at McGill University, while David is studying computer science at Union College.
Besides escaping comparisons, there have been other benefits of going to different universities. The first one is that we are forced to talk to each other, as we no longer see each other every day. This is healthier for our relationship. The second, also the more important one, is that after having so many similar experiences together we can have our own experiences separate from one another.
Going to a different university benefited me thus far. It allows for more personal growth, and I’m not attached to the label of being a twin.
1. What can be inferred about the author?| A．He was fed up with people’s comparisons. |
| B．He was glad to hear people’s comparisons. |
| C．He is more handsome than David. |
| D．He was better at academic subjects than David. |
| A．Boring. | B．Harmful. | C．Awful. | D．Beneficial. |
| A．To avoid seeing David. | B．To escape arguing with David. |
| C．To pursue a different experience. | D．To strengthen bonds with David. |
【推荐3】Like any good mother,when Karen found out that another baby was on the way,she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son,Michael,prepare for a new baby.Day after day,night after night,Michael sang to his mommy’s tummy(肚子).
Finally,Michael’s little sister was born.But she was in serious condition.With sirens (警报) howling in the night,the ambulance rushed the baby to St.Mary’s Hospital.The days inched by.The little girl became worse.The pediatric(儿科的) specialist told the parents to prepare for the worst.
Michael kept begging about singing to his sister,but kids are not allowed in pediatric department at St.Mary’s Hospital.Karen made up her mind to take Michael to see his sister.She dressed him in an oversized suit and marched him into the hospital.He looked like a walking laundry basket,but the head nurse recognized him as a child and shouted,“Get that kid out of here now!”Karen rose up strong,and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed into the head nurse’s face.“He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!”
Karen towed （拖行）Michael to his sister’s bedside.He gazed at the tiny baby losing the battle to live.And he began to sing.In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old,Michael sang,“You are my sunshine,my only sunshine.You make me happy when skies are grey.”At once the baby girl responded.Her pulse(脉搏) rate became calm and steady.Herstrainedbreathing became smoother.
“Keep on singing,Michael.”“The other night,dear,as I lay sleeping,I dreamed I help you in my arms…”Michael’s little sister relaxed as healing rest seemed to sweep over her.“Keep on singin,Michael.”Tears conquered the face of the nurse.“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
The next day—the very next day—the little girl was well enough to go home!
1. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?| A．It’s Hard to Raise a Baby | B．The Miracle of a Brother’s Song |
| C．Mother’s Love | D．An Unforgettable Day |
| A．mothers often pay much attention to their newly-born babies |
| B．mothers often tell their children how to look after their younger brothers or sisters |
| C．it is good for children to learn to sing songs to babies |
| D．it often takes some time for a child to accept his/her newly-born brother or sister |
| A．three days later | B．after two weeks | C．after one year | D．the very next day |
| A．Naughty and annoying. | B．Strong and brave. |
| C．Active and careless. | D．Concerned and determined. |
【推荐1】Have you ever wondered why most people prefer to book accommodations that have a great view from the balcony? Frank Lloyd Wright says, “Study Nature, love Nature, stay close to Nature.
It’s no secret that closing to nature is good for creative minds. Scientists agree that being in nature restores exhausted attention circuits, which can then help us be more open to creativity and problem-solving.
Forest bathing is a common form of relaxation and medicine in Japan. It was developed in 1982, and recent studies demonstrate that being in the forest and walking among the trees lower your stress levels. The effects are so powerful that forest bathing is now a government-supported policy in Japan.
A walk in nature walks the soul back home.
| A．It will never fail you |
| B．A famous-person example |
| C．We can find the answer easily |
| D．What’s a good chance to get to nature |
| E．So why not engage more closely with nature |
| F．Interestingly, nature may help you to be kind |
| G．But you don’t have to live near a forest to receive the psychological benefits |
【推荐2】One way to prevent anxiety from getting out of control is to recognise its benefits. It is a mistake to think that we’d make better decisions if only we keep our feelings under control. Instead, a mix of feelings like anxiety and logical thinking leads to sound decision-making. It’s true that there is plenty of research showing that higher levels of anxiety can make us more likely to avoid risks in our decision-making. There is also evidence that anxiety can increase the attention you pay to relevant information.
Recent studies have shown that people who are anxious about their relationships (for example, they fear to be abandoned) tend to be better at recognising people who tell lies and are more likely to raise the alarm when danger is present.
In the real world though, it’s worth realising that feeling anxious once in a while is extremely common. It communicates to others that you care, and what’s more, it’s probably a sign that you are intelligent. At least two published studies have identified that people who score higher on measures of anxiety also tend to perform better on intelligence tests. This seems reasonable: if you’re a thinker, you are sure to be always thinking about the future and imagine possible plots, including bad ones.
The important thing, if you are a worrywart (杞人忧天者), is not to let your fear destroy your dreams. And don’t bury your head in the sand. Instead, act on your fears—do the research as well as preparation, so rather than walking blindly into that which you fear, you meet the challenge in full readiness.
When anxiety beats you, or casts a shadow over your life, this is a serious problem. No one is denying that. But like everyday anxiety of this kind that you feel before a presentation or an interview, you needn’t see it as your enemy. Anxiety is an important feeling, developed through evolution. As for people who are fairly anxious by nature, there is reason for cheer, too. Your nerves are a sign of your watchfulness. Listen to them and act on them. Then you can turn your nervousness into your advantage.
1. What is the theme of the passage?| A．Effective ways to prevent anxiety. |
| B．Unexpected benefits of anxiety. |
| C．Tips on how to keep a good mood. |
| D．Common misunderstandings about anxiety. |
| A．It can enable us to be more focused. |
| B．It can stop us from thinking logically. |
| C．It can make us more willing to take risks. |
| D．It can be the only reason for all bad decisions. |
| A．Anxious people are less sensitive to danger. |
| B．Anxious people have difficulty discovering liars. |
| C．Feeling anxious is more likely to put people at risk. |
| D．Feeling anxious occasionally is a sign of intelligence. |
| A．Regard it as our enemy. |
| B．Take action to control it. |
| C．Avoid being defeated by it. |
| D．Treat it as a minor feeling. |
【推荐3】Getting your kid to bed at night is one of the most difficult things that you'll ever have to do. Most kids are so full of energy that they will tire you out before they are halfway through their store of energy. An easy way to encourage them to get into bed is to give in and allow some iPad screen time. However, it is really not a good idea.
Researchers at Arizona State University carried out a study with 547 kids between the ages of 7—9. Their parents tracked how much screen time the kids were allowed along with their sleeping habits. They also had the kids wear wristwatches that could help researchers keep track of how long the kids were sleeping.
The study found that kids who are not allowed screen time before bed slept 23 more minutes every week and also went to sleep about 34 minutes earlier than their iPad—using peers. Although that might not seem like that much more time, quality of sleep is very important in children's development.
The 2018 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey concludes that good—quality sleep can influence a child's life in many ways, including affecting grades. Students with an "A" average slept for 30 or more minutes per night than those with a "D" or "F" average. Of course, getting to sleep on time and sleeping enough help contribute to improved performance in school.
As hard as it is, it's really important not to give in and hand over an iPad to a child who is about to go to bed. Just like it's important for adults to go to sleep without any e—devices, it's more important for kids. The one comforting thought is that finally they will kick this habit, and soon you will have to worry about waking them up as teenagers.
1. Who is the passage meant for?| A．Parents. | B．Teachers. | C．Researchers. | D．Kids. |
| A．The findings of the study. | B．The importance of the study. |
| C．How researchers conducted the study. | D．Why researchers conducted the study. |
| A．Comfort your kids usually. | B．Wake up your teenagers early. |
| C．Allow kids no e—devices before bedtime. | D．Give an iPad to a child before sleeping. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A magazine. | C．A novel. | D．A diary. |
【推荐1】Researchers from Aarhus University and University of Gothenburg have produced new maps of mammals (哺乳动物) to date connecting all living and recently extinct mammal kinds-nearly 6,000 in total.
Earlier similar studies always left out one key group of mammals: species driven to extinction by humans.
Scientists often use these maps to predict how climate change will affect species. And because the new ones show species’ footprints, they help scientists better see many species have had their numbers greatly reduced by humans, for example, through over hunting and the destroying of their habitats.
“Brown bears may lead us to think of Alaska or Russia today but they used to cover all the way from Mexico to Northern Africa before they were widely hunted by humans.” said Faurby.
We usually think large mammals like elephants and lions live in Africa today, but for most of the last 30 million years, big animals traveled all over the Earth. It was only recently that humans drove many of these large mammals extinct, leaving a world depauperate of large mammals.
“Even some huge species that we think of as prehistoric, lived up to the time the Great Pyramid was being built,” Davis said.
Making a database that included every species of mammal was no easy task. It took the research team at Aarhus University months just to piece together existing datasets and fill in missing holes in the data.
Marking footprints on the map for them was even harder. The scientists used both DNA information and data from some dig sites around the world with a powerful new computer algorithm (算法) to predict where the extinct species fit in with mammals that are alive today.
1. What’s the writer’s attitude towards the maps?| A．Positive. | B．Concerned. | C．Unclear | D．Doubtful. |
| A．Elephants and lions are all over the world now. |
| B．They died out long before the Pyramids were built. |
| C．Brown bears were once limited to Alaska or Russia. |
| D．They have been greatly affected by human activities. |
| A．Short of. | B．Full of. | C．Famous for. | D．Suitable for. |
| A．The computer algorithm is of great use. |
| B．It took ages to find DNA evidence. |
| C．Missing holes are pieced together. |
| D．It took a lot to complete the task. |
In order to build the canal , the United States had to negotiate （谈判） a treaty with Columbia , which at that time controlled Panama . Roosevelt offered Columbia $ 10 million plus $ 250,000 a year for 99 years for a six-mile-wide strip of land across Panama. Columbia rejected the United States’ offer. This ranged President Roosevelt, and negotiations with Columbia ended.
In 1903, a revolution broke out in Panama. The United States ships were sent by President Roosevelt to protect the Panamanian revolutionaries from Columbian forces. The revolution succeeded, and Panama declared its independence from Columbia. The United States then negotiated with the newly formed government. A treaty was signed, and the United States began building the canal.
As a result of the incident, Columbia and the United States remained on bad terms for many years. Not until 1921, when the United States agreed to pay Columbia some compensation (赔偿) for its territory, did relations between the two countries improve.
1. According to the passage, the United States and Columbia were on bad terms because the United States had ________.
| A．at first wished to build a canal through Nicaragua |
| B．promised to pay Columbia $ 10 million for Panama |
| C．wished to build a canal through Panama |
| D．supported Panamanian revolutionaries in their fight for independence from Columbia. |
| A．wanted to build a canal because it was considered starting a war |
| B．felt that building a canal through Panama was worth the risk of ruining relations with Columbia |
| C．believed that a canal through Nicaragua would be profitable |
| D．had lost the Spanish-American War |
| A．develop trade relations with Europe |
| B．improve relations with South American countries |
| C．prevent European ships from reaching the Pacific Ocean |
| D．reduce travel time for its ships in case of war |
| A．advice | B．information |
| C．humor | D．News |
【推荐3】It has been a year since 1 first saw UBTech's Walker robot at CES 2019. I was blown away by its ability to perform many tasks.
A year later, it had come a long way, gaining much better motor skills and the ability to maintain balance. During a CES 2020 demo(演示), UBTech showed how far Walker had come.The robot walked over to a table, picked up a bottle opener and used it to remove the cap from a bottle of soda. It picked up the bottle and a glass and poured the liquid in, without spilling.During the demo, Walker also performed a number of serious Yoga( 瑜伽) poses, including standing on one foot and leaning back.
UBTech said that the ability to pour drinks required visual servo( 伺服系统) technology using its cameras to judge the position of objects. The same methods allowed Walker to uncap a marker and draw a picture of a flower on a piece of paper at another point in the demo.
All of the betterment was made via software as UBTech hasn't made any physical adjustments too the robot since we saw it last year. On the inside, the robot uses a combination of a few different operating systems on these internal PCs, including Ubuntu, ROS and Android. Its battery promises up to 2 hours battery life after a 2-hour charge time,
UBTech continues development on this pioneering robot, but doesn't have public launch date. The company is targeting Walker toward the home, with an emphasis on helping seniors or. just doing house cleaning. To make it stable enough to adapt to all these different conditions is a huge challenge. However, if development of Walker continues, this robot could eventually be a game-changer.
1. How did the author feel when first seeing the robot?| A．Amazed. | B．Proud. |
| C．Awkward. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．The demos of CES 2019. | B．The improvements of the robot. |
| C．The robot's motor ability. | D．The robot's ability to remain steady. |
| A．The cap of the marker. | B．The ability to pour drinks. |
| C．The using of more cameras. | D．The system of position judging. |
| A．The robot is stable enough to help the old. |
| B．The robot has been available to the public. |
| C．Our life could be greatly influenced by the robot. |
| D．The basic concept of robot making will be changed. |
