【推荐1】Research has found that using wood for construction instead of concrete and steel can reduce emissions. But Tim Searchinger at Princeton University says many of these studies are based on the false foundation that harvesting wood is carbon neutral (碳中和). “Only a small percentage of the wood gets into a timber (木料) product, and a part of that gets into a timber product that can replace concrete and steel in a building,” he says. Efficiencies vary in different countries, but large amounts of a harvested tree are left to be divided into parts, used in short-lived products like paper or burned for energy, all of which generate emissions.

In a report for the World Resources Institute, Searchinger and his colleagues have modelled how using more wood for construction would affect emissions between 2010 and 2050, accounting for the emissions from harvesting the wood. They considered various types of forests and parts of wood going towards construction. They also factored in the emissions savings from replacing concrete and steel.

Under some circumstances, the researchers found significant emissions reductions. But each case required what they considered an unrealistically high portion of the wood going towards construction, as well as rapid growth only seen in warmer places, like Brazil. In general, they found a large increase in global demand for wood would probably lead to rising emissions for decades. Accounting for emissions in this way, the researchers reported in a related paper that increasing forest harvests between 2010 and 2050 would add emissions equal to roughly 10 percent of total annual emissions.

Ali Amiri at Aalto University in Finland says the report’s conclusions about emissions from rising demand are probably correct, but the story is different for wood we already harvest. “Boosting the efficiency of current harvests and using more wood for longer-lived purposes than paper would cut emissions,” he says. “We cannot just say we should stop using wood.”

1. What is wrong with previous researches according to Searchinger?

A．They got wrong statistics.	B．They used an incorrect concept.
C．They included too many factors.	D．They were applied in limited countries.

2. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about?

A．The process of the new research.	B．The background of the new study.
C．The challenge of the new research.	D．The achievements of the new study.

3. When will the emissions drop off greatly according to the new study?

A．When wood grows slowly.

B．When wood is largely used to make paper.

C．When wood is largely used in construction in countries like Brazil.

D．When wood is largely harvested in countries like Brazil.

4. What is Ali Amiri’s attitude toward the new result?

A．Favorable.

B．Doubtful.

C．Critical.

D．Objective.

【推荐2】Do you ever talk to yourself? Although it’s not always a conscious habit, most of us practice self-talk on a daily basis, as away of guiding, motivating or supporting ourselves.

Over the years, research has shown that self-talk can increase productivity, motivation and confidence, and even help manage feelings. “There is solid evidence that self-talk strategies improve learning and performance,” according to sport psychologist Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis, who studies the phenomenon of self-talk.

He explains that there are generally three reasons why we practice self-talk: to instruct, to motivate or to evaluate. Instructional self-talk happens when we need to guide ourselves through a specific task, such as learning a new skill. Motivational self-talk usually is used when we want to prepare ourselves for something challenging; it can help to increase confidence. Evaluative self-talk mostly is related to past events or actions.

Hatzigeorgiadis stresses that if we want to use such self-talk to good advantage, it needs to be short, precise and, most of all, consistent. Of course, self-talk also can be ineffective and even detrimental if it’s not done right.

“It is a matter of personal preference or what works for each person; but generally, it is advised that self-talk be positively rather than negatively phrased and focus on what you should do rather than on what you should avoid,” Hatzigeorgiadis says. So, for example, it would be better to say “stay cool” instead of “don’t get upset”. Although both instructions convey the same meaning, you should use positive words rather than negative ones. In this way you can avoid ill results.

Another thing that can make a difference when practicing self-talk is the way you address yourself. According to research published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, using “you” rather than “I” when talking to yourself tends to be more effective. The researchers explain that when you think of yourself as another person, it allows you to give more objective and useful feedback.

1. What does the research say about self-talk?

A．It is a daily habit for everyone.	B．It can make people feel better.
C．It may help strengthen memory.	D．It is always an unconscious behavior.

2. What can be concluded from Hatzigeorgiadis’ explanation?

A．Self-talk occurs in different situations.	B．Self-talk usually makes one brave.
C．Self-talk arises with various feelings.	D．Self-talk is closely linked with a certain task.

3. What does the underlined word “detrimental” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Confusing.

B．Useless.

C．Harmful.

D．Unbearable.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Self-talk: a close relation to the past	B．Self-talk: a great way to avoid ill results
C．Self-talk: a useful tool to benefit our life	D．Self-talk: a matter of personal preference

【推荐1】His talent and charm (魅力) have made him the No. 1 Chinese classical artist in the world. He played in the grand Beijing Olympic opening ceremony in 2008, watched by a TV audience of 5 billion.

Lang Lang is the first Chinese pianist to play with the world’s top orchestras, making his debut at the Carnegie Hall in New York at 18, while still a student.

Lang Lang, charm and fondness for sharp clothes make him a natural fit to represent (代表) China’s new international image. According to the British newspaper the Times, “The Lang Lang’s effect” is responsible for driving 36 million Chinese children to learn the piano.

Now in Ghina children are learning Chopin and Western orchestras are playing sold-out tours across Chinese cities. But can China introduce its own music to the west? Lang is trying. His cooperation with the London Symphony Orchestras this month includes a performance of Dragon Songs, an album of traditional Chinese classics.

Behind the international recognition, however, is a fascinating story of a gifted child. Lang grew up with his father’s own musical ambition and high expectations. It is not hard to imagine how boring it must be to practice the piano every day. Lang said that he once hated his hands and the piano. He injured his right hand six years ago and had to rest. “That was the best month,” he says, without hesitation. “I had a date. I saw a Broadway show and saw Britney Spears in concert.”

1. Which of the following is NOT the reason why Lang Lang is the No. 1 Chinese classical artist in the world?

A．He has as many as 5 billions fans in China.

B．He played in the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony last summer.

C．He is the first Chinese pianist to play with the world’s top orchestras.

D．He plays the piano so well and has a good international image.

2. The underlined word “debut” in the second paragraph probably means____________.

A．first class

B．first performance

C．first plan

D．first choice

3. Which of the following statements about Lang Lang is TRUE?

A．He has 36 million Chinese students in China.

B．He is touring China giving concerts.

C．He is trying to export Chinese music to western countries.

D．He only played traditional Chinese classics in his cooperation with the London Symphony Orchestra.

4. From the last paragraph we can infer____________.

A．Lang didn’t like his father when he was little

B．he was happy to practice the piano every day

C．he injured his right hand on purpose six years ago

D．his father’s desire and expectations played an important role in his childhood

【推荐2】This past January, Lucy Liu reached a milestone in her art career(事业). The world-class actor, director and visual artist presented her work titled "Unhomed Belongings" in a museum exhibition for the first time.

Liu has been making art since she was a teenager and still sticks to a consistent studio practice alongside her work as an actress and director. She got her start while growing up in Queens in the 1980s, wandering New York City streets with a camera in hand. Her first artworks were photographs. After taking a class at New York Studio School, she turned to painting. "I felt like I wasn't able to express fully what I wanted with the photograph," Liu explained.

With painting, she discovered that her work didn’t have to be realistic or exacting, or meet certain expectations. "Everyone has a different format for how they want to show what they are thinking about, or what they are seeing to the audience," he said. "I just had to let go of the audience and just started thinking about what I wanted to see." Over time, Liu has also experimented with sculpture, silkscreen and textiles. She looks up to artists like Willem de Kooning, Agnes Martin and Robert Frank, but she feels that her lack of a traditional art-school background has helped her to naturally grow and experiment as an artist, which helps a lot to set her apart from other artists.

Much of Liu's work traces(追溯)back to her childhood. "Because we were an immigrant family and I am first-generation, I always had this imbalance of belonging," she explained. "I think at first it was the language barrier, not speaking English, but then it started becoming about how I look." Art, she explained, became a way to reflect on her younger self. "I think that art helps evaluate some of the psychology of yourself as a child, and to throw light upon some things you may never have understood," she said.

1. What was the milestone for Lucy Liu?

A．Her first film as an actress.	B．Her work as a famous director.
C．The exhibition of her painting.	D．Her art works of photographs.

2. Why does Liu prefer painting to photography?

A．She wants to study something new.	B．She wants to better express herself.
C．She wants to promote her acting career.	D．She doesn't want to photograph on the street.

3. What does Liu think makes her different from other artists?

A．Her acting career.	B．Her identity as an immigrant.
C．Her experience in photography.	D．Her lack of serious art education.

4. What can we know about Liu?

A．She is a pioneer in painting.	B．Art helps her understand the world.
C．She had a carefree childhood.	D．She had no difficulty acquiring English.