【推荐1】Morten Petersen used to live in a windowless basement flat in Copenhagen.   If he didn't get out in the daytime, he would lose track of time and start becoming annoyed and depressed. "When you are living in a basement with only artificial light, it becomes very clear that something is lacking,’’ he says. “It's an emotional,physical and mental thing all combined. ”

You can say that again. Our lifestyles have rapidly changed with light. Prior to the invention of gas lighting at the turn of the 19th century, the only artificial light we could rely on was from flickering firelight, candles or whale-oil lamps. People also spent many more of their waking hours outside. Over time,the technology of artificial light has been advancing,thus changing the way people live and work.

Today, the average westerner spends 90 per cent of their life indoors. That means we are getting less light during the day and being exposed to more light at night. This pattern is increasingly being linked to disturbed sleep and circadian rhythms — 24-hour changes in our biology and behavior — with consequences for our physical and mental health. Meanwhile, getting too little sunlight is contributing to vitamin D shortage and may be weakening our immune and cardiovascular systems as well.

Our changed relationship with the sun is greatly affecting our biology .That's why people like Petersen are being taken in by researchers to help investigate how much damage we do by shying away from the light, and just how much light we need. The good news is that researchers are finding even small increases in your exposure to bright light will bring about great changes to your health.

1. Why is Morten Petersen mentioned in paragraph 1?

A．To explain a reason.	B．To state an opinion.
C．To introduce the topic.	D．To offer background information.

2. What is mainly discussed in paragraph 2?

A．People's outdoor activities.	B．Relationship between people.
C．The origin of gas lighting.	D．The influence of light.

3. What is the consequence of too much exposure to indoor light?

A．A small increase in vitamin D.	B．Physical and mental disorders.
C．More time spent outdoors.	D．More quality sleep.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Come out for more sunlight!	B．Never live in a basement!
C．Lifestyles have changed greatly.	D．Artificial light makes a difference.

【推荐2】If there was an app claiming to improve your memory, would you be willing to try it? It’s hard to resist the idea of having a better memory.

In response to this perceived need, the brain training industry has grown rapidly, offering a wide range of accessible and affordable mental exercises through smartphone and tablet apps. Many researchers have found evidence suggesting that well-designed exercises can improve mental abilities and lead to better scores on IQ tests. They compare the brain to muscles, suggesting that targeted repetition of memory exercises can strengthen and condition our memory processes, similar to how athletes engage in strength and conditioning by repeatedly exercising specific muscle groups.

In contrast to everyday activities like solving a complex puzzle, memory training apps are specifically designed to provide a more challenging workout for the brain. These apps typically involve tasks that require tracking a large number of objects while being distracted (使分心) by a secondary task, such as mental calculations or exploring a game’s landscape. If this brain training proves effective, it could be beneficial for individuals with brain-related disabilities or those recovering from conditions like cancer.

Critics, though, argue that while the concept is appealing, the overall evidence fails to demonstrate significant improvement in core brain processes. Additionally, despite the claims made by many apps and brain training companies, scientists have yet to identify the key factors that make an intervention truly effective or determine the best approaches to address the diverse needs of individuals seeking help.

While the question is still open to debate, there is evidence suggesting that short-term working memory training can benefit high-functioning individuals. However, it’s important to note that brain training, like diet and exercise, is unlikely to have identical effects on every individual.

1. In what way is the brain similar to muscles according to many researchers?

A．In testing results.	B．In work processes.
C．In bodily functions.	D．In training methods.

2. What is the main feature of the typical tasks in memory training apps?

A．Simple.	B．Effective.
C．Demanding.	D．Interesting.

3. What do critics think memory training apps lack?

A．Legal claims.	B．Proven effects.
C．Tailored services.	D．Appealing concepts

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

A．Can Our Memory be Improved?

B．Does Brain Training Actually Work?

C．What have Scientists Found about Memory?

D．What does the Brain Training Industry Bring?

【推荐3】A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology took a closer look at music in sports, specifically how listening to music could affect one’s overall performance.

Researchers asked 150 volunteers to throw a ball into a basket. For the first stage of the study, participants threw the ball from a fixed point. They threw the ball while listening to music of their choice, while not listening to music, or while listening to music that the researchers selected. For the second stage they were able to choose where to stand when throwing the ball and performed the same activity with the various music choices.

The study found that listening to music, whether it was music of the volunteer’s choice or a song chosen for them, did not make the participants more or less likely to get the ball in the basket. It had no effect. What it did do was increase self-esteem and make the study participants more likely to take risks, especially for males who were allowed to choose their own music.

The results suggest that music may pump you up. And it may even help you work out harder and longer than you would without it. But no matter what song you listen to, it’s not going to help you get that ball into the basket.

Another study took a detailed look at how music pace might affect exercise. Researchers found that listening to high-pace music makes people feel like they’re working out less while also benefiting their bodies more.

Listening to high-pace music while exercising resulted in the highest heart rate compared with not listening to music. This means that the exercise seemed like less effort, but it was more beneficial in terms of enhancing physical fitness.

The study found that the beneficial effects of high-pace music were greatest for people who were walking or running and were felt the least for those who were doing high-intensity exercises such as weightlifting.

1. What were volunteers allowed to do while shooting in the second stage test?

A．Choose the position and music.

B．Shoot from a fixed point.

C．Shoot with fixed music.

D．Shoot with no music.

2. Which sentence matches the results of high-pace music in this study?

A．It has no effect on sports.

B．It improves your athletic skills.

C．It helps easily achieve a better workout.

D．High-pace music is beneficial to all forms of exercise.

3. What does the underlined word “enhancing” in Paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Reducing.	B．Balancing.
C．Changing.	D．Strengthening.

【推荐1】The world’s first zero-carbon city is being built in Abu Dhabi and is designed to be not only free of cars and high buildings but also powered by the sun.

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the last place you would expect to learn lessons on low-carbon living, but the eco-city of Masdar could teach the world. While the presence of fossil fuel (矿物燃料) has helped make UAE one of the world’s wealthiest countries, the officials there are well aware that the oil wells will eventually run dry, leaving them with no choice, but to use renewable sources of energy.

Masdar is combining 21st-century engineering with traditional desert architecture to create zero-carbon comfort. It will house about 50,000 people, at least 1,000 businesses and a university. It is being designed by the British architectural firm Foster + Partners. The architects are turning the desert’s greatest threat-the sun-into their greatest fortune. They have built the biggest solar farm in the Middle East to power the city.

Traditional cars must be checked in at the city gates before you enter the city. And you can choose between the oldest and newest ways of transport. At street level, the streets will be narrow, just to let people walk by and so the buildings will shade each other, and the planners have done their best to keep the city foot-friendly. But if you feel tired, you can go down a level to take mini vehicles. These driverless vehicles can carry up to 6 people and will be solar powered or battery operated. They are programmed to go where you ask.

Water that is used in homes or for gardens will be recycled. All waste will be converted to energy or as nutrients for soil. The whole purpose of Masdar City is to reuse or recycle everything that is in it even some of the construction materials around gardens and city.

1. Why did UAE decide to build a zero-carbon city?

A．Because the oil wells may dry up in the future.

B．Because the low-carbon living is very popular.

C．Because the price of fossil fuel is always on the rise.

D．Because the air pollution is becoming a global danger.

2. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．The strict limitations on traditional cars.

B．The benefits of foot-friendly streets.

C．The means of transportation in Masdar.

D．The convenience of taking driverless vehicles.

3. What does the underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．Homes or gardens.	B．Masdar City.
C．Nutrients for soil.	D．Construction materials.

4. In which part of the newspaper can you probably read the text?

A．Sports.	B．science.
C．Business.	D．Culture.

【推荐2】A recent report from the United Nations group UNESCO warns that using technology in classes may not help as much as many people believe. The report suggests that technology should be used less in schools, and that smartphones should be banned from classrooms.

The goal of the new report was to improve how technology is used in education. It says that technology can be helpful, but it shouldn’t be the focus. “Too much attention on technology in education usually comes at a high cost,” the report says.

These days, it’s common for students to use computers or tablets (平板电脑). In many places, it’s normal for students to look up information on the internet rather than using books. UNESCO claims that technology changes so fast that it’s hard to study how it really affects students.

The new report says that many of the studies show that technology helps students come from rich countries. As classes moved online during the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of technology in education grew even more quickly. Many students were forced to study at home, using video calls to communicate with their teachers. But the report points out that around 500 million students were unable to take part in online classes. That’s one example of what UNESCO says is a larger problem — that the advantages of technology aren’t evenly shared. People and countries with less money are often left out.

UNESCO admits that technology can help in many ways. It can allow students to learn in ways that are more interesting; it can also help teachers explain difficult ideas; it can also help students who have special needs. But UNESCO says technology can also be very perturbing. One study showed that when students use phones in class, it can interfere with their learning. Even so, less than 25% of the world’s countries ban phones in schools.

The report suggests that the best way to learn is still to work closely with teachers. Working with other classmates also helps students learn. UNESCO says that most schools should spend more money on things like books, classrooms, and teachers.

1. Why does the report suggest using technology less in schools?

A．It changes too fast for students to adapt.

B．Most countries cannot afford to invest in it.

C．It makes no difference to improving education.

D．It may not be as effective as initially thought.

2. What is the “larger problem” that UNESCO refers to in paragraph 4?

A．The pandemic has affected most countries.

B．Fewer students keep discipline in online classes.

C．High-tech devices are unevenly distributed.

D．Teachers’ training in technology use is not enough.

3. Which word can best replace the underlined word “perturbing” in paragraph 5?

A．Distracting.

B．Confusing.

C．Interesting.

D．Frightening.

4. What does UNESCO suggest schools do?

A．Explore innovative teaching methods.

B．Increase the expense on teaching staff.

C．Stress the importance of quality education.

D．Update technology and digital resources in time.

【推荐1】Great hikes and walks in Speyside, Scotland

The Speyside Way

The Speyside Way, a 128-kilometer path, is often visited by long-distance walkers who spend a few days hiking, camping or staying at excellent accommodations along the way. To get information about the hike, including maps, walking guides and other details, visit https ://www.walkinghighlands. co. nk.

Forest Walk in the Anagach Woods

If you are looking for an easy Sunday walk with the kids, a forest walk in the Anagach Woods is just the thing. In the forest you can find plenty of birdlife. There are also mountain bike paths and places for pleasure around the woods, so you can add these to the list of fun things to do with the whole family.

Climbing up Ben Rinnes

Most people choose to climb Ben Rinnes from a small car park early in the morning and come back here before sunset. There is a good track which offers nice views across Glen Rinnes. You'll follow a zigzag （之字形的）track that makes many people out of breath. Enjoy a snack at the top, which will give you energy for the walk down.

Circling Aberlour, Dufftown and Craigellachie

It's an enjoyable walk around the villages of Aberlour, Dufftown and Craigellachie, starting and returning to the village of Aberlour. Starting from Aberlour means a fairly long climb at the start. But from Dufftown, you follow a nice track to Craigellachie. The hike left is mainly along

the River Spey, and you will often meet fishermen out for the catch of the day. The whole circle takes between 5-6 hours.
1. Which is a good choice for a bird lover?

A．The Speyside Way.

B．Forest Walk in the Anagach Woods.

C．Climbing up Ben Rinnes.

D．Circling Aberlour, Dufftown and Craigellachie.

2. What is suggested in Climbing up Ben Rinnes?

A．Enjoying a snack at the top.

B．Camping in the open air.

C．Meeting fishermen on your walk.

D．Visiting a website in advance.

3. What's special about the Speyside Way?

A．It takes more than one day.

B．It offers mountain bike paths.

C．It includes a long climb at the start.

D．It suits families with children.