It is a windy day. Glenn Gould has got a coffee cup sitting on the piano top and is working on a music written by Bach. As he plays, he gets so totally lost in the music that suddenly, he stands up, and walks in what looks like a dream to the window.
There’s a total silence. Then the Bach flows out of him. He’s still playing, but in his head. Then he turns, wanders back, sits down on a low chair in front of the piano and picks up right where his voice left off, but now with new energy.
Gould, the greatest interpreter of Bach, is a strange man. He doesn’t like to practise. Instead, he’ll prepare for concerts mentally, running the piece over and over and playing with imaginary fingers.
Gould, for some reasons, reminds me of Michael Jordan playing basketball or Etta James singing the blues: There’s a concentration that’s so deep that it feels special, like a kind of “flow”.
“When you are in it, you lose track of everything except what you’re doing,” writes neuroscientist Daniel Levitin. “There was a surgeon, who wasn’t aware that the roof of his operating room had collapsed until he was done with the surgery. In this state, what you think becomes what you do. You get blissfully lost in an activity, forgetting time, yourselves and your problems.”
How does one get there? That’s still a mystery. Practice is important. Strong will matters. Talent helps. When you find your “flow”, your brain changes. Sex, hunger and thirst matter less. You are chemically released and can now wander far and wide. Yes, you have no idea where you are or how this is happening. But once you find your “flow”, it’s one of the most wonderful experiences ever.
When I watch Glenn Gould walking back to his piano, I see a man living in heaven, if there is one.
1. How does Glenn Gould usually prepare for concerts?| A．By drinking coffee to get more energy. | B．By running the pieces in his head first. |
| C．By practising over and over on the piano. | D．By doing exercise in his sweet dreams. |
| A．Encouraged. | B．Worried. | C．Absorbed. | D．Absent-minded. |
| A．Happily. | B．Occasionally. | C．Unnecessarily. | D．Hardly. |
| A．Practice. | B．Will. | C．Talent. | D．Desire. |
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【推荐1】These are instructions for making invisible ink using baking soda.
| Difficulty: | Easy |
| Time required | A few minutes |
| What you need | Baking soda Paper Water Light bulb Paintbrush Measuring cup Purple grape juice |
| Here’s how: | There are at least two methods of using baking soda as invisible ink. Mix equal amounts of water and baking soda. Use a paintbrush to write a message onto white paper, using the baking soda solution (溶液) as “ink”. Allow the ink to dry. One way to read the message is to hold the paper up to a heat source, such as a light bulb. The baking soda will cause the writing in the paper to turn brown. The second way to read the message is to paint over the paper with purple grape juice. The message will appear in a different color. |
| Tips: | If you are using the heating method, avoid igniting (点燃) the paper. Baking soda and grape juice react with each other in an acid-base (酸碱) reaction, producing a color change in the paper. Grape juice concentrate (浓缩物) results in a more visible color change than regular grape juice. |
1. ______ is not needed for making invisible ink.
| A．Baking soda | B．Paper |
| C．Water | D．Ink |
| A．To draw a picture. | B．To write a message onto the white paper. |
| C．To allow the “ink” to appear. | D．To help the“ink” dry. |
| A．Because there is enough grape juice. |
| B．Because baking soda reacts with grape juice. |
| C．Because of the use of water. |
| D．Because of the special paper. |
| A．very hard | B．not difficult |
| C．a little difficult | D．not easy |
【推荐2】Thousands of years ago, people didn't live in cold places because they didn't know how to keep themselves warm. Later they learned to make clothes. When an animal was killed, they made use of its skins to cover their bodies. The skins kept them warm. Nature is people's good friend. It once helped people find fire, when lightning hit a forest and started a fire. People took some of this fire to their homes. The fire kept them warm, and also frightened wild animals. Soon people found the food cooked tasted much better, so they began to use the fire to cook food. But people still didn't know how to make a fire. When they got a fire from the forest they tried to keep it burning. If it went out, they had to wait for years. But later they found different ways to make fire. For example, they made fire by burning wood or knocking two pieces of stones.
Today it's easy for people to make fire because they have matches, lighters and different kinds of heaters. They can make fire at any time they need.
1. Why did people live only in hot places once?| A．Because they didn't know how to kill animals. |
| B．Because they didn't know how to take fire from forest. |
| C．Because they didn't know how to keep themselves warm. |
| D．Because they didn't know how to make matches. |
| A．For food. | B．To make fire. |
| C．For burning. | D．To warm themselves. |
| A．cook food | B．kill animals |
| C．cut off an animal's skin | D．burn wood |
| A．By burning stones. | B．By burning wood. |
| C．By burning dry leaves. | D．By burning animal skins. |
【推荐3】A study has found that people who are literate (识字的）had a third the risk of developing dementia (痴呆症）compared with those who had never learnt to read and write. The scientists — behind the study suggested that learning to read may reveal new intellectual worlds and promote a life of the mind that might help to keep brains sharp into old age.
“If one acquires the ability to read and write, that opens up opportunities to engage in cognitively (认知的）stimulating activities, ” Miguel Arce Renteria ，from Columbia University Medical Centre, said. “Even with low education， you can read newspapers and books. That provides opportunities for constant stimulation that can last for the rest of your life. Maybe that might give protection and reduce the effects of dementia."
The research published in the journal Neurology, looked at almost 1, 000 older people in New York, chosen because they had received little education as children. The average age was 77 and more than 90 percent were immigrants (移民），Ali of them had had four years or less of education, with about a quarter describing themselves as illiterate.
Among those who did not read, 35 percent had dementia at the start of the study, increasing to 48 percent four years later. Among the literate respondents, 18 percent had dementia at the outset, rising to 27 percent. After adjusting for social class, age and other risk factors, the scientists concluded that illiterate people were three times more likely to have dementia. They were also twice as likely to have it over the four years of the investigation.
It is impossible to say for certain that the link means that literacy delays dementia. It may be that people who managed to get a better education before arriving in the US were also different in other ways. However, Dr Arce Renteria said, “What this provides is strong evidence for a pretty strong link. ”
1. What is the finding of the study?| A．Dementia slows people’s reading speed. |
| B．Dementia can be cured, by reading. |
| C．Literacy prmotes life quality of old people. |
| D．Literacy makes dementia less likely. |
| A．Bottom. | B．Middle | C．Beginning. | D．End. |
| A．By carrying out experiments. | B．By making a comparison. |
| C．By working on an assumption. | D．By analyzing different answers. |
| 2:30 AM | Save My Planet (Repeat) Learn how to keep electronics out of rubbish; a man that changes old shipping containers into homes; a community in Costa Rica that does well in eco-tourism. |
| 3:00AM | Mary Talks Money (Repeat, TVPG) Tips on lending money to family and friends. |
| 4:00 AM | Mirror Mirror Thrift How to find the best deals in thrift stores (二手店); commonly asked beauty questions, breaking fashion rules. |
| 4:30 AM | Home with Lisa Quinn Mixing traditional and modern design elements (元素); how to style impressive food; creating a comfortable home. |
| 5:00 AM | Say Ahh (Repeat) The hosts discuss the causes of heart disease, its diagnosis, and the treatments for those with the disease. |
| 6:30 AM | Everyday Living Quick beauty tips; protect yourself from money problems; the four most common parenting mistakes. |
| 7:00 AM | My Green House Jesse looks into global warming; Andy talks about sustainable (可持续的) cleaning; an eco-friendly supply store. |
| 7:30 AM | Advice for Life (Repeat) Can you save your father from himself Starting over at 60? Laughter really is the best medicine. |
1. According to the text, Save My Planet is mainly about _____.
| A．science development | B．international tourism |
| C．environmental protection | D．ways to build homes |
| A．Tips on lending money to family and friends. |
| B．The four most common parenting mistakes. |
| C．Commonly asked beauty questions. |
| D．Creating a comfortable home. |
| A．Advice for Life. |
| B．Home with Lisa Quinn. |
| C．Say Ahh. |
| D．Everyday Living. |
| A．4:00 AM | B．7:00 AM | C．4:30 AM | D．7:30 AM |
【推荐2】Happiness is for everyone. You don’t need to care about those people who have beautiful houses with large gardens and swimming pools or those who have nice cars and a lot of money and so on. Why? Because those who have big houses may often feel lonely and those who have cars may want to walk on the country roads at their free time.
In fact, happiness is always around you if you put your heart into it. When you are in trouble at school, your friends will help you; when you study hard at your lessons, your parents are always taking good care of your life and your health; when you get success, your friends will say congratulations to you; when you do something wrong, people around you will help you to correct(改正) it. And when you do something good to others, you will feel happy, too. All these are your happiness. If you notice them, you can see that happiness is always around you.
Happiness is not the same as money. It is a feeling of your heart. When you are poor, you can also say you are very happy, because you have something else that can’t be bought with money. When you meet with difficulties, you can say loudly you are very happy, because you have more chances(机会) to challenge yourself. So you cannot always say you are poor and you have bad luck. As the saying goes, life is like a revolving(旋转)door. When it closes, it also opens. If you take every chance you get, you can be a happy and lucky person.
1. Happiness is for_________.| A．those who have large and beautiful houses | B．those who have cars |
| C．those who have a lot of money | D．all people |
| A．you may correct it | B．you will have no chance to challenge yourself |
| C．anybody will laugh at you | D．you will be happy |
| A．Do Something Good to Others | B．Happy and Lucky |
| C．Happiness | D．Life and Success |
Adam: Hi, Julie! I’d like to, but I’m not sure which one.
Julie: I think I will join the Ballet Club. It’s always been my dream to be a dancer, and ballet has such beautiful movements.
Adam:Oh, wow, dancing’s not for me ---I’ve got two left feet! Mr Brown told me about the Nature Club. They watch biology lectures and grow plants in a greenhouse. I like animals, but I’m not so interested in plants.
Julie: Did you hear about the Cartoon Club?
Adam:Yes, I love cartoons! But what do they do in the club? Watch cartoons?
Julie: No, they write stories and draw cartoons.
Adam: Oh, no. I’m not good at drawing. Besides, I’d like to do something outdoors.
Julie: Max is in the Volunteer Club. He says that they mostly help clean up parks and give directions to visitors. Why not talk to him?
1. Adam says that he dislikes ________ but he is interested in _________.
| A．stories, cartoons | B．animals, plants |
| C．Plants, animals | D．cartoons, stories |
| A．Nature Club | B．volunteer Club |
| C．Cartoon Club | D．Ballet Club |
| A．He is inflexible. | B．He has no right foot. |
| C．He is good at dancing. | D．He has two left feet. |
【推荐1】It was a stormy evening, and all that Neil could hope was to find a shelter that could keep him protected from the chilly wind and cold rain. After work he had to get home on time, as his busy schedule was preventing him from spending quality time with his family. The bus stop on the way provided temporary shelter, where Neil was becoming increasingly agitated(焦虑不安的) with every passing minute. All his evening plans were washed out.
“Sir, why don’t you buy a pack of groundnuts(花生) from me?” Neil looked around to see a man in rag standing by his side. “Oh, no, I’m not interested right now.” “Fried groundnuts will do you a world of good now. Moreover, you can also take some for your family.” The very mention of family brought a concern to Neil. His wife had specifically told him to come home early, if not for her sake, at least for the sake of their seven-year-old son.
When he was lost in thought, the groundnut seller had filled a bag with the remaining nuts and offered him an unexpectedly low price. But, Neil refused to buy them: “I do not want to buy anything at this point!” Suddenly, he heard a voice of a kid. “Dad, I want some money to buy books for the school.” He saw a ten-year-old boy, totally drenched from top to bottom, as though he had just run a race. He was talking to the groundnut seller. “Yes, yes, I’m ready to leave now. Come! How many books do you want? Why did you get wet in the rain? Your mother must be getting worried.”
Neil turned to the seller. There was an instant when they both made the perfect eye contact. Neil had the look of what it is to be a father. The groundnut seller did not say anything and gave the packet of groundnuts without saying a word. Neil pulled a note from his wallet, placed it in the man’s hand, and walked away without waiting for the change.
1. Why did Neil become more anxious at the bus stop?| A．The rain stopped him from getting home on time. |
| B．The chilly wind made him feel colder and colder. |
| C．He thought of his boring and heavy work. |
| D．He couldn’t find a good place to keep off the rain. |
| A．He didn’t have enough money on him. | B．His family doesn’t like groundnuts. |
| C．He was in a bad mood at that time. | D．His family was a little poor. |
| A．Wet through. | B．Very excited. | C．Well dressed. | D．Sweat heavily. |
| A．The seller’s generous action. | B．His having a pity for the seller. |
| C．The seller’s greatness as a father. | D．His being moved by the seller’s son. |
【推荐2】My biggest problem is that I’m too busy. When I was young, I used to have so much time, but these days I get up early and stay in school all day. Then I go right home and eat dinner before I started high school, I used to spend a lot of time playing games with my friends, but I just don’t have the time anymore.In the evening, I used to watch TV or chat with my grandmother, but now I have to study. I love music, and my father used to take me to concerts. These days, I hardly ever have time for concerts. I do my homework and go to bed. I really miss the old days.
1. What’s my biggest problem?| A．I’m too lazy. | B．I’m too busy. | C．I’m free. | D．I get up early. |
| A．Yes, I have. | B．No, I haven’t. |
| C．I don’t know. | D．/. |
| A．late | B．early | C．don’t known | D．too late |
| A．music | B．football | C．doing homework | D．sleep |
| A．I am older | B．I have lots of friends | C．I miss the old days | D．I have a TV. |
【推荐3】It was a hot summer day a few years ago. I had just walked into the local station. After pumping(抽取) the gas I started to walk inside to pay. That was when I noticed them. Two elderly women were standing back from their car. There was a mixture(混合) of shock and fear(恐惧) on their faces. I looked and saw what they saw. Five yellow jackets had started to build a nest around their gas cap. My eyes widened(放大).I shared the ladies fear.
Yellow jackets had never been my friends. Several times these wasps(黄蜂) had attacked(袭击) me while I was in a garden. They gave me stings(蜇) each time I ran over their nests. They are the reason I never do gardening anymore. The worst time, however, happened when I was a young boy.My friend and I were running and playing in my backyard(后院).I must step on one of their nests before I knew it. Both of us were chased(追赶) by the yellow jackets. I ran to my mom with tears in my eyes. She immediately put us in a cold bath(洗澡) to ease(缓解)the pain before giving us medicine(药).
Still, I knew I couldn’t let fear stop me now. I reached into my pocket(口袋) for a paper towel I had there, tore(扯)out the nest and stepped on it while the angry wasps buzzed(发出嗡嗡声) around me. Both of the ladies thanked me and I said."You' re welcome! " with a smile and a happy heart.
1. What does "yellow jackets" in Paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Cars. | B．Nests. | C．Caps. | D．Wasps. |
| A．Five yellow jackets. | B．A dangerous bear. |
| C．An unexpected fire. | D．An out-of-control car. |
| A．Generous. | B．Brave. | C．Energetic. | D．Fortunate. |
| A．Don't let fear hold us back | B．Accept the world around us |
| C．Life doesn't believe in tears | D．Growth eases childhood pain |
