【推荐1】Handwriting is quickly becoming a dying art. Few businesses can run nowadays without computers.     1     Researchers from Princeton University conducted a study to demonstrate the differences between students who wrote out their notes and those who typed notes on a lecture.     2     Participants were tested on the material 30 minutes after the lecture and again a week later. And handwriting emerged as the champion.

    3     The typers had a significant edge when it came to note-taking efficiency. The typers could copy down significantly many more words than the writers, sometimes even transcribing the contents of the lecture word-for-word.

But while more of the lecture's content was retained (保留) on paper when typing, it wasn’t necessarily retained in participants’ heads.     4     On the test 30 minutes after the lecture, typers and writers did more or less equally well on questions about the basic facts of the lecture, but typers fell behind when it came to more conceptual questions.

As for the later quiz, the results were similar. Students with handwritten notes were able to remember and still understand the concepts of the lecture after a week had passed. These participants were also more open to understanding new ideas.     5    

A．The tests that the participants took proved this.

B．The efficiency of handwriting might best benefit you.

C．That’s not to say that typing doesn't have its benefits.

D．In this study, the laptops were only used to take notes.

E．Generally speaking, typing also has its own disadvantages.

F．But what are we losing as handwriting loses its significance in society?

G．Clearly, writing by hand is one of the things that can make you smarter.

【推荐2】Those who don’t live in cities often complain about or feel surprised at the fact that strangers don’t talk to each other in urban public places. They feel sorry about the way we seem to increasingly get lost in mobile devices, seemingly oblivious to what’s going on around us. But sociologists recognize that the space we give each other in the urban places serves an important social function.

Well known sociologist Erving Goffman developed the concept of “civil inattention” in his book Behavior in Public Places. Far from ignoring those around us, Goffman proved through years of studying people in public that what we’re actually doing is pretending to be unaware of what others are doing around us, therefore providing them a sense of privacy, as they do the same for us. Goffman proved in his research that civil inattention typically involves at first a mirror form of social interaction, like very brief eye contact, the exchange of head nods, or weak smiles. Following that, both parties then typically shin their eyes from the other party.

Goffman theorized that what we achieve, socially speaking, with this kind of interaction, is mutual (相互的) recognition that the other present causes no threat to our security, and we both agree, tacitly (默契地), to let the other alone to do as they please. When we provide civil inattention to others, we effectively approve their behavior. Sometimes, we use civil inattention to save face when we’ve done something we feel embarrassed by, or to help manage the embarrassment that another might feel if we witness them trip, or drop something.

Civil inattention is thus not a problem, but an important part of maintaining social order in public. For this reason, problems arise when this norm (规范) is broken. Because we expect it from others and see it as normal behavior, we may feel threatened by someone who doesn’t give it to us. This is why women feel, threatened by those who catcall (发嘘声) to them, and why for some men, simply being stared at by another is enough to cause a physical fight.

1. How does the author begin this text?

A．By giving people a warning.

B．By comparing some people’s feelings.

C．By describing a way of socializing.

D．By giving a problem with technology.

2. What does the underlined phrase “oblivious to” in Paragraph 1 most probably mean?

A．unaware of

B．unsure about

C．tired of

D．curious about

3. What do we actually mean when we look away from a stranger, according to Goffman?

A．We are ignoring him on a rude basis.

B．We are showing our respect for others’ privacy.

C．We are protecting ourselves from physical attacks.

D．We are worrying that we could lose belongings.

4. What can be learned from the text about civil inattention?

A．Civil inattention has positive effects on social interaction.

B．Civil inattention helps save face when we’ve done something wrong.

C．Civil inattention is unlinked to social interaction according to Goffman.

D．Civil inattention is a type of normal behavior which we may feel threatened.

【推荐3】The ability to use the left hand is referred to as left-handedness. Left-handedness is actually more common in the male population than in females. There are a number of myths (杜撰的事) about them.

It is difficult for left-handed children to learn writing of the alphabet, without personal tutoring. Not true at all. Observe the left-handed toddler. Everyone else is more bothered about his left-handedness than he himself is. The left-handed child adapts to writing, drawing and all other activities that require him to hold a writing tool as early as the right-handed. In fact, many left-handed people display neater handwriting than their right-handed partners.

Lefties have a lesser chance of surviving a hand-to-hand fight. This is anything but true. History bears witness to the advantage left-handedness had during hand-to-hand fights and even within the boxing ring. In fact, a common observation is that the left-handed fighter is able to strike a strong surprise attack on the open, unprotected right side.

Left-handed people are many a time at the disadvantage of using tools designed for the right-handed. Well, this is true, but today, there is a whole range of tools and equipment being designed for left-handed people. Many right-handed tools too are available, such that they can be molded to suit the needs of the left-handed craftsman. Even the computer mouse has been challenged in use and the touch pad provides a left-handed professional equal opportunity.

Research reveals that left-handed people are in fact high achievers. This is because their brains are structured to widen their abilities. A number of mathematical, artistic and sporting geniuses were and are left-handed. However, most left-handers over the world, might have, at some stage in their life, been on the receiving end of an uncomplimentary (贬损的) remark or comment regarding their choice of hand. I am sure this list and discussion about the myths and facts would be reason enough to be proud of being left-handed.

1. Compared to right-handed children, what can we learn about left-handed ones?

A．Left-handed children find it hard to learn writing.

B．Left-handed children are tired of the left-handedness.

C．Left-handed children are used to writing tools too late.

D．Plenty of left-handed children have more beautiful handwriting.

2. What advantage do lefties have in hand-to-hand fights?

A．They could attack their partners’ left sides surprisingly.

B．They could start a surprise attack with their left hands.

C．They have a better chance to beat their partners in history.

D．They are good at fighting especially within the boxing ring.

3. What is the computer mouse mentioned to show us?

A．Left-handed people are in fact high achievers.

B．Left-handed people have many disadvantages.

C．Many left-handed receive bad remarks daily.

D．Many tools are designed for the left-handed

4. What is the author’s attitude towards left-handers?

A．Positive

B．Negative

C．Critical

D．Neutral (中立的)

5. What’ the possible title for the text?

A．History of left-handed people

B．Myths about left-handed people

C．Advantages of left-handed people

D．Discussion about left-handed people

【推荐1】Kids need to move in school

Many years ago, when my girls were in primary school, they were crazy about the dance breaks they would occasionally have during the school day. Their teachers would put on a video, which encouraged the kids to get up and dance, and then they' d get back to work.    1     Many teachers are including some form of movement into the school day.

A recent research, published in the journal Pediatrics, involved more than 10,000 children between the ages of 4 and 13.     2     Susan Kamin, leader of the research, said, “Activity breaks during the school day also lead to fewer behavioral issues, not to mention cutting down on stress and anxiety."

Breakthrough Magnet School, Connecticut, is in its third year working with the National Association of Physical Literacy. Principal Julie Goldstein said her third-and fourth-graders who are actively engaged in the physical programme are the highest-scoring students in math and reading in the district.    3     For this school year, not one student from this group has been referred to her office for a conversation. Before the programme, she might have had one or two office coversations with some of them every month.

    4     “I know lots of teachers who say, 'Yeah, I wish I had more time to do this,'” Kamin said, “Even in schools that can find the time, there is still some opposition (反对)because it's a departure from the way things used to be. It's a big change for some of the teachers.    5    Yet the schools that have made the change see tremendous results. So how do you move the needle?"

A．My kids' teachers are certainly not alone.

B．They're not sure whether to make that leap.

C．The challenge, though, is persuading more schools to take action.

D．Teach children the basics of movement so that they can stay active for life.

E．Beyond the academical (学业的) benefits, there are benefits outside the classroom.

F．It shows that kids who get extra physical activity in school do better in cognitive(认知的) performance.

【推荐2】While Finland frequently tops international school rankings, Norway, the richest country in North Europe, performs much worse.    1    She is a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oslo. She found that education policies in Norway are controlled by politics while Finland leaves the development of education policies to researchers and educators.

Compared to students from other highly developed countries, Norwegian students have underperformed in science subjects for years.    2    But in Norway, the policy changes are governed by politicians. For example, politicians decide that how much time should be spent on math per semester (学期).

Afdal also found that although education experts are involved in policy changes as advisors, the politicians are in charge. That was obvious in the most recent educational reform in Norway: It has been closely governed by   politicians.    3    

The most recent educational reform in Finland was undertaken in a nearly opposite way. Academic faculties (全体教师) from every university selected their own representatives.    4    The Ministry simply monitored the   process. The role of educators in this process suggests a strong sense of trust in the Finnish professional environment.

    5    The answer may not be certain. According to Afdal, mending the education system can’t be done     overnight and simply copying Finland’s way will be difficult. “Education policies reflect historical and cultural   structures in society,”she said.“I think it’s very important that educators and researchers in Norway should be given more room to develop what Norwegian education should be like.”

A．Can Finland’s success be copied?

B．Is Norwegian education system a failure?

C．This has resulted in several educational reforms.

D．They together were responsible for policy changes.

E．The Minister has had a very firm control on the reform.

F．The education policies of the two countries are very similar.

G．Recently, Afdal looked at the differences between Finland and Norway.

【推荐2】Using too much water or throwing rubbish into our rivers are clear ways that humans can put our water supply in danger, but we also affect our water supply in less obvious ways. You may wonder how paving(铺砌) a road can lead to less usable fresh water. A major part of the water we use every day is groundwater. Groundwater does not come from lakes or rivers. It comes from underground. The more roads and parking lots we pave, the less water can flow into the ground to become groundwater.

Human activity is not responsible for all water shortages(缺乏). Drier climates are of course more likely to have droughts(干旱) than areas with more rainfall, but in any case, good management can help to make sure there is enough water to meet our basic needs .

Thinking about the way we use water every day can make a big difference, too. In the United States, a family of four can use 1.5 tons of water a day! This shows how much we depend on water to live, but there’s a lot we can do to lower the number.

You can take steps to save water in your home. To start with, use the same glass for your drinking water all day. Wash it only once a day. Run your dishwasher only when it is full. Help your parents fix any leaks(滴水) in your home. You can even help to keep our water supply clean by recycling batteries instead of throwing them away.

1. Which of the following is most likely to lead to less groundwater?

A．Using river water.	B．Throwing batteries away.
C．Throwing rubbish into lakes.	D．Paving parking lots.

2. What can be inferred from the text?

A．All water shortages are due to human behavior.

B．It takes a lot of effort to meet our water needs.

C．There is much we can do to reduce family size.

D．The average family in America makes proper use of water.

3. The last paragraph is intended to _________.

A．show us how to fix leaks at home

B．tell us how to run a dishwasher

C．prove what drinking glass is best for us

D．suggest what we do to save water at home

4. The text is mainly about _________.

A．how human activity affects our water supply

B．how much we depend on water to live

C．why droughts occur more in dry climates

D．why paving roads reduces our water

【推荐3】Life affects friendships. As we grow, marry, fight in wars, move across the country or change jobs, old friendships fall away and new ones form. As long as we live, the things around us change, and as long as things change, friendships are affected.

When we were children, we had best friends. No matter what happened we were still friends. We live our lives, however, and do what life calls for us to do, and as we get older, memories fade, faces blur（变得模糊），and even friends’ names from childhood are forgotten.

Do you have a question about friendship？Do you wonder what to do with a friend who is no longer friendly？ Perhaps you will see that you can’t control others. If some   people want to be your friends, it is their choice. All you can do is treat them well and do the best for them when you are with them. Then you wish them well when they leave.

You can talk to old-timers and they will tell you that life is full of incredible（难以置信的）joy and incredible sorrow, and that what bothers you today will one day become a memory and the pain will be gone. Seniors might tell you that you will learn more as you get older. They will tell you that friendships come and friendships go. Sometimes when they go it will hurt you, but you will be okay with it. It’s theway life works, after all.

1. According to the text, what can we learn about friendship？

A．Friendship cannot be easily affected by one’s family.

B．Friends are always around us and will never go away.

C．Friends in childhood are sometimes forgotten by us.

D．Friends in childhood are the best no matter what happens.

2. In the author’s opinion, what should we do with friends who are no longer friendly？

A．Care about them and do the best for them when we are together.

B．Forget them and make new friends who have a lot in common with us.

C．Find the reason why our friendship has changed.

D．Do our best to control them and make them listen to us.

3. What the old-timers and seniors in the last paragraph tell you about friendship will ______.

A．make you have no good friends

B．help you have healthy understanding of friendship

C．remind you to always help your friends

D．lead you to be a powerful man WNIW HH

4. Which of the following could be the best title of the passage？

A．How to share happiness with friends

B．How to deal with unfriendly people

C．How to make good friends

D．How to face the changes in friendship