【推荐2】Taste is such a subjective matter that we don’t usually conduct preference tests for food. The most you can say about anyone’s preference is that it’s one person’s opinion. But because the two big cola companies-Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola-are marketed so aggressively, we’ve wondered how big a role taste preference actually plays in brand loyalty. We set up a taste test that challenged people who identified themselves as either Coca-cola or Pepsi fans: Find your brand in a blind tasting.

We invited staff volunteers who had a strong liking for either Coca-Cola Classic or Pepsi, Diet Coke, or Diet Pepsi. These were people who thought they’d have no trouble telling their brand from the other brand.

We eventually located 19 regular cola drinkers and 27 diet cola drinkers. Then we fed them with four unidentified samples of cola one at a time, regular colas for the one group, diet versions for the other. We asked them to tell us whether each sample was Coke or Pepsi; then we analyzed the records statistically to compare the participants’ choices with what mere guesswork could have accomplished.

Getting all four samples right was a tough test, but not too tough, we thought, for people who believed they could recognize their brand. In the end, only 7 out of 19 regular cola drinkers correctly identified their brand of choice in all four trials. The diet-cola drinkers did a little worse-only 7 out of 27 identified all four samples correctly.

Both groups did better than chance would predict, but nearly half the participants in each group made the wrong choice two or more times. Two people got all four samples wrong. Overall, half the participants did about as well on the last round of tasting as on the first, so tiredness, or taste burnout, was not a factor. Our preference test results suggest that only a few Pepsi participants and Coke fans may really be able to tell their favorite brand by taste and price.

1. According to the passage the preference test was conducted in order to ________.

A．show that a person’s opinion about taste is mere guesswork

B．compare the ability of the participants in choosing their drinks

C．find out the role taste preference plays in a person’s drinking

D．reveal which cola is more to the liking of the drinkers

2. The statistics recorded in the preference tests show that ________.

A．there is not much difference in taste between Coca-Cola and Pepsi

B．few people had trouble telling Coca-Cola from Pepsi

C．people’s tastes differ from one another

D．Coca-Cola and Pepsi are people’s two most favorite drinks

3. It is implied in the first paragraph that ________.

A．the competition between the two colas is very strong

B．blind tasting is necessary for identifying fans

C．the purpose of taste test is to promote the sale of colas

D．the improvement of quality is the chief concern of the two cola companies

4. The underlined word “burnout” here refers to the state of ________.

A．being seriously burnt in the skin

B．being badly damaged by fire

C．being unable to burn for lack of fuel

D．being unable to function because of too much use

5. The author’s purpose in writing this passage is to ________.

A．emphasize that taste and price are closely related to each other

B．recommend that blind tasting be introduced in the quality control of colas

C．show that taste preference is highly subjective

D．argue that taste testing is an important marketing strategy

【推荐3】Tea drinking was common in China for nearly one thousand years before anyone in Europe had ever heard about it. People in Britain were much slower in finding out what tea was like, mainly because tea was very expensive. It could not be bought in shops and even those people who could afford to have it sent from Holland did so only because it was a fashionable curiosity. Some of them were not sure how to use it. They thought it was a vegetable and tried cooking the leaves. Then they served them mixed with butter and salt. They soon discovered their mistake.

Tea remained scarce(稀少的) and very expensive in England until the ships of the East India Company began to bring it directly from China early in the 17th century.During the next few years so much tea came into the country that the price fell and many people could afford to buy it.

Tea had been drunk without milk in it at first, but one day a famous French lady named Madame de Sevigne decided to see what tea tasted like when milk was added.She found it so pleasant that she would never drink it without milk again.She was such a great lady that her friends thought they must copy everything she did.Slowly this habit spread until it reached England and today only very few Britons drink tea without milk.

At first tea was usually drunk after dinner in the evening.No one ever thought of drinking tea in the afternoon until a duchess(公爵夫人) found that a cup of tea and a piece of cake at three or four o'clock stopped her getting“a sinking feeling”as she called it.She invited her friends to have this new meal with her and so，teatime was born.

1. What can we learn about the Britons from the text?

A．They got expensive tea from India.	B．They bought tea out of curiosity at first.
C．They had tea until the early 17th century.	D．They were the first to drink tea in Europe.

2. When did tea become a popular drink in Britain?

A．In the 17th century.	B．In the early 18th century.
C．In the late 18th century.	D．In the 19th century.

3. The underlined words“this habit”in Paragraph 3 refer to drinking tea________.

A．after dinner	B．in the afternoon
C．with milk in it	D．without milk in it

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The history of tea.	B．The birth of teatime.
C．The ways of making tea.	D．The habit of drinking tea.

【推荐1】Changing how we say hello

Greeting is one of the most important aspects of socializing.     1     However, during the time of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) outbreak, proper greetings in many countries have experienced changes. Let’s take a look.

France

France is famous for its romantic greeting method. They touch others’ cheeks and make a kissing sound. For them, this greeting tells others, “I am your friend, and we trust and care about each other.” The intensity of that kiss depends on how close you are, whether in terms of family or friendship.     2    . Newspapers are filled with advice on how to replace the famous French kiss on the cheek. French etiquette (礼仪) expert Philippe Lichtfus, who has been widely cited in the media, said simply looking into a person’s eyes can suffice (足够) as a greeting.

The US

People in the US generally shake hands with people they have just met. The origins of the handshake are uncertain, but most would agree that it is quite rational (合理的) as a form of greeting. The shaking of the right hand used to indicate that the person was not carrying any weapons, offering a friendly welcome to the other person.

    3    .   According to China Daily, many American people now greet each other with their elbows. With only slight contact, the elbow bump can not only show your respect to others, but also eliminate the need for the use of hands.     4    .

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

When people in the UAE meet each other, they typically rub noses as a form of salutation (问候). As writer Ali Al Saloom explained in The National, this gesture “is linked with pride and dignity” since Arabs touch their noses and foreheads to the ground as a sign of respect when they pray. Recently, however, this greeting has come to a halt (终止). The UAE governments now encourage their citizens to simply wave a hand to show a warm welcome to others.

India

Most people in India perform a namaskar (合十礼) as a greeting, which involves placing one’s palms together with a slight bow.     5    .But some young people’s greeting habits have been affected by their study abroad experiences. They tend to offer a handshake and a kiss today. In March, the Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi called on his people to use only the namaskar at this time to avoid infection.

A．That’s good news, considering the fact that hand is the main hub(核心) for transmitting the virus.

B．Instead, you can close one of your eyes and give a wink.(眨眼)

C．Each culture has its unique way of greeting people.

D．But today, things in America are different.

E．If they hold their hands higher or take a lower bow, they show more respect to others.

F．However, as the NCP has spread all over the world, this greeting is now banned in the country.

G．If you want to say hello to others, do not hug or kiss.

【推荐2】As a foreigner , I often hear the Chinese calling me laowai ” . If I could not speak Chinese or if I had no understanding of Asian customs , I might be angry when I am called a “ laowai ” . But having lived in the Philippines and China’s Taiwan Province teaching English for several years , I have come to China with a different view from most other foreign teachers here . In such situations , I just answer back in standard Chinese : “ Ni zenmo zhidao wo shi waiguoren ?( How do you know I’m a foreigner ? )” When I hear people shout out “ hello ” in a more impolite way and then laugh , I reply in Chinese with “ Ni de yingyu bi wo de hao .(Your English is better than mine .)”

Speaking Chinese is a way of living an easier life in China . As an English teacher at Hubei University in Wuhan , I was once invited by a student to spend the weekend with his family . Because I can speak Chinese quite freely , I was able to talk with my student’s entire family . From my personal experience , I knew that the Chinese have a “ gift ”for making foreigners in China feel right at home . That fun-filled weekend I spent with my student’s family in Caidian , a small suburb of Wuhan , just showed that my idea was right . It was an experience I will never forget .

Americans have a saying : If you can’t beat them , then join them .The secret to feeling at home with the Chinese people isn’t to try to make them change over to Western ways . The secret is to become one of them . Just go with the flow , or don’t take things too seriously . In this way you will surely feel at home in China .

If you no longer emphasize (强调) our differences from the Chinese , you will be more willing to concentrate on what “ big noses ” and “ small noses ” have in common .

1. The reply “Ni de yingyu bi wo de hao ” shows _______ .

A．the author really think so	B．the author isn’t angry
C．the author likes to talk with the Chinese	D．the author likes to speak Chinese

2. Which of the following is NOT true ?

A．The author has known Chinese customs fairly well .

B．The author is difficult to get along with .

C．The author doesn’t mind being called a “ laowai ” .

D．The author can speak Chinese very well .

3. Shouting out “ hello ” to a strange foreigner is usually considered _ by foreigners .

A．rude

B．curious

C．friendly

D．brave

4. The phrase “ go with the flow ” here means _______ .

A．feel at home	B．take things easy
C．flow with the river	D．when in Rome , do as the Romans do

【推荐3】Visitors to Britain may find the best place to sample local culture is in a traditional pub. But these friendly pubs can be dangerous places of potential gaffes (失礼) for the newcomers. A team of researchers have discovered some of the unknown customs of British pubs-starting with the difficulty of getting a drink. Most pubs have no waiters-you have to go to the bar to buy drinks. A group of Italian youths waiting 45 minutes before they realized they would have to fetch their own. This may sound inconvenient, but there is a hidden purpose.

Pub culture is designed to promote sociability (社交) in a society known for its reserve. Standing at the bar for service allows you to chat with others waiting to be served. The bar counter is possibly the only site in the British Isles in which friendly conversation with strangers is considered entirely suitable and really quite normal behavior. “If you haven't been to a pub, you haven't been to Britain.” This tip can be found in a booklet, Passport to the Pub: The Tourists' Guide to Pub Etiquette, a customers' rule of conduct for those wanting to sample “a central part of British life and culture”.

The trouble is that if you do not follow the local rules, the experience may fall flat. For example, if you are in a big group, it is best if only one or two people go to buy the drinks. Nothing annoys the regular customers and bar staff more than a group of strangers blocking all access to the bar while they chat and hesitate about what to order.

1. The underlined word “sample” in the first paragraph probably means “________”.

A．taste

B．experience

C．test

D．record

2. The culture of pub in Britain is so developed to ______.

A．encourage people to communicate with each other

B．encourage more people to consume drinks

C．attract more tourists to the pubs

D．form its own character of culture

3. If you don't follow the local rules in a pub, ________.

A．you won't buy good local drinks

B．you may annoy the regular customers and bar staff

C．you may fail to feel the local culture

D．you might get into a dangerous place

4. What may be the best title for the passage?

A．Self-service Pubs in Britain	B．British Local Pubs: Special Chat Places
C．Local Pub Culture in Britain	D．Manners in British Local Pubs

【推荐1】Many Americans are turning to Japan, they think, a country of high academic(学术的) achievement and economic success, for possible answers. However, the answers provided by Japanese preschools are not the ones Americans expected to find. In most Japanese preschools, surprisingly little emphasis is put on academic instruction. In one survey, 300 Japanese and 210 American preschool teachers, child development specialists, and parents were asked about various aspects of early childhood education. Only 2 percent of the Japanese respondents(答问卷者)listed “to give children a good start academically” as one of their top three reasons for a society to have preschools. In contrast, over half the American respondents chose this as one of their top three choices. To prepare children for successful careers in first grade and beyond, Japanese schools do not teach reading, writing, and mathematics, but rather skills such as determination, concentration, and the ability to work as a member of a group. The huge majority of young Japanese children are taught to read at home by their parents.
Like in America, there is diversity(多样性) in Japanese early childhood education. Some Japanese kindergartens have specific aims, such as early musical training or potential(潜力的) development. In large cities, some kindergartens are attached to universities that have elementary and secondary schools. Some Japanese parents believe that if their young children attend a university-based program, it will increase the children’s chances of eventually being admitted to top-rated schools and universities. Several more progressive programs have introduced free play as a way out for the heavy intellectualizing in some Japanese kindergartens.
1. We learn from the first paragraph that many Americans believe ________.

A．Japanese preschool education emphasizes academic instruction

B．Japanese parents are more involved in preschool education than American parents

C．Japan’s economic success is a result of its scientific achievements

D．Japan’s higher education is superior to theirs

2. In Japan’s preschool education, the focus is on ________.

A．preparing children academically

B．shaping children’s character

C．teaching children mathematics

D．developing children’s artistic interests

3. Why do some Japanese parents send their children to university-based kindergartens?

A．They can do better in their future studies.

B．They can make more group experience grow there.

C．They can be individually oriented when they grow up.

D．They can have better chances of getting a first-rate education.

4. Free play has been introduced in some Japanese kindergartens in order to ________.

A．broaden children’s knowledge

B．train children’s creativity

C．lighten children’s study load

D．enrich children’s experience

【推荐2】Dogs are often referred to as “man’s best friend”. But MacKenzie, a four-pound chihuahua, who was named winner of the 2020 American Hero Dog Competition on October 19, 2020, is making the world a better place for humans and animals alike.

In its tenth year in 2020, the annual contest is the brainchild of American Humane Association, the country’s first national charitable organization founded for the safety and well-being of animals. Often called the “Oscars for dogs”, the award recognizes dogs who make extremely great contributions (贡献) to society.

The competition of 2020 attracted over 400 entries from across the country. These heroic dogs have gone above the call of duty, saving lives, comforting the ill and aged and reminding us of the powerful, age-old ties between animals and people. While all were impressive, it was tiny MacKenzie who won the judges’ hearts.

MacKenzie’s path to stardom was not easy. Born with a mouth disability, she had to be fed through a tube (管子) for the first year of her life. Despite her own struggles, she always seemed to think more of other animals in need. “Never have I seen such a will to live. Though sick, she carefully looked after the baby animals at the rescue (救助) center,” said her caretaker.

A life-saving operation performed in 2014 gave MacKenzie the ability to eat independently. The seven-year-old chihuahua is now working for the Mia Foundations New York-based charitable organization that rescues and nurses animals with inborn disabilities. The chihuahua does an excellent job and has raised various animals. She plays nurse, cleans, comforts and hugs them, acting as their mother and teaching them how to socialize, play and have good manners.

In addition to her role as an animal caretaker, MacKenzie also visits schools to educate kids about the importance of accepting physical differences in both animals and people. Her heart-warming and inspiring story makes her a worthy receiver of Americans top dog honor!

1. What can we learn about the American Hero Dog Competition?

A．It was started by a charitable organization.

B．It was meant to honor caretakers of dogs.

C．It takes place every ten years.

D．It was first held in 2012.

2. Which of the following best describes MacKenzie?

A．Talented and strong.	B．Courageous and selfless.
C．Funny and friendly.	D．Confident and picky.

3. In which aspect can students benefit from MacKenzie’s visits?

A．Learning from failures.	B．Valuing physical health.
C．Understanding the disabled.	D．Developing practical ability.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．Dogs Are Man’s Best Friends

B．Treat Dogs the Way We Want to Be Treated

C．2020 American Hero Dog: A Tiny Chihuahua

D．Touching Stories Between MacKenzie and People