Do you find that you learn things faster than your parents sometimes? Congratulations, you could be right!
Scientists find that school-aged children learn new knowledge and skills faster than grown-ups. This has something to do with a chemical (化学物质) called GABA in our brains. It reduces brain noise so that we can learn things more easily. It also makes new knowledge stay longer in our heads.
The scientists scans (扫描) the brains of children (8-11 years old) and adults (18-35 years old) before, during, and after doing a learning task. It turns out that when children learn new things, the amount of GABA rises quickly. But there’s little change in adults’ brains. This tells us why children are better learners than adults.
The finding, the scientists said, should encourage teachers and parents to let children learn anything from riding a bike to playing an instrument to learning times tables(乘法表) in their childhood. People could also use it to help adults learn faster by increasing the amount of GABA in their brains.
1. How does the writer start the text?| A．By asking a question. | B．By giving an example. |
| C．By doing an experiment. | D．By introducing a new chemical. |
| A．Because of the school education. |
| B．Because of the GABA in their brains. |
| C．Because the scientists scan and study their brains. |
| D．Because new knowledge stay longer in their brains. |
| A．Once. | B．Twice. | C．Three times. | D．Four times. |
| A．减少 | B．忍受 | C．打开 | D．提升 |
| A．In a story book. | B．In a cooking book. | C．In a math book. | D．In a science book. |
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【推荐1】Walking is a hobby I keep on for a long time. However, it is also a habit leading to being laughed at. I often walk about three miles from home to work instead of taking the subway. Sometimes, kind-hearted drivers will offer me a ride, thinking that my car has broken down.
But for me, walking is a good opportunity to relax myself. Besides, it helps my back recover from a day spent bent in front of a computer screen. In terms of health, I have always thought I’d have the last laugh, and now there is even more evidence on my side.
Scientists began a study on walking on volunteers in 2000. Nine years later, brain scans showed that those who had walked more had greater brain volume than those who had walked less. Four years after that, the volunteers were tested again—this time for dementia. Among the group, 116 people showed signs of memory loss or dementia. Those who had walked the most—at least seven miles each week—were half as likely to have cognitive problems as those who had walked the least.
Another study has found that the simple act of walking may improve memory in old age. As we become old, our brains shrink, which can lead to the loss of memory. However, experts say there’s still not enough data to prove that exercise can stop memory loss. It’s also too soon to say whether exercise may stop dementia or simply make it happen a little later in some people. But for those who suffer from dementia, even making it a little later could mean a lot.
1. If the people ________ they had greater brain volume according to the study.| A．walk less | B．swim less | C．walk more | D．swim more |
| A．become small | B．turn down | C．keep active | D．stay young |
| A．movie poster | B．guide book | C．science-fiction novel | D．science magazine |
| A．Walking improved memory | B．Walking is my hobby | C．Dementia | D．Memory loss |
【推荐2】After “sleeping” for more than 3,000 years, the Sanxingdui Ruins surprised the world in 1986. A farmer found them in 1929 when he was digging a ditch (挖渠). In 1986, when farmers dug up soil to make bricks (砖块), they found relics again. Experts (专家) then found two pits (坑). The site’s total area is 12 square kilometers. Researchers from 34 universities and research groups began to unearth (发掘) them in October 2020.
Scientists found more than 1,000 cultural relics (文物), including bronzeware (青铜器), face masks and “divine (神圣的) trees” — bronze sculptures (雕塑) of trees. The surprises didn’t stop there. Scientists recently found over 500 more relics that date back over 3,200 years. They include gold masks, bronzeware, ivory, jade (玉器) and silk (丝绸). Here are some new kinds of relics people found at the site (遗址).
Zun jars
They are a kind of ancient (古代的) bronze cup for holding water or wine. Some of them are decorated with dragon and ox patterns (龙纹和牛纹). Some of them are square, which means they were only used by the king.
Big wooden box
Scientists found a big wooden box covered in cinnabar (朱砂). It is 1.5 meters long and 40 centimeters (厘米) wide. Scientists are finding out how to open it.
Cong
Cong ( 琮 ) is a kind of jade artefact that has also been found in the 5,000-year-old Liangzhu Archaeological Ruins in Zhejiang province. This finding shows that Sanxingdui had a close relationship (联系) with Central China.
The Sanxingdui Ruins were built at the time of the Shang Dynasty. They were in the ancient Shu Kingdom. Sanxingdui is a good example of Shu civilization. Its discovery made experts think more about where Chinese civilization (文明) started. It seems that it started not only along the Yellow River, but also along the Yangtze.
1. How many relics have scientists found in Sanxingdui?| A．More than 1,000. | B．Over 1,500. | C．About 3,000. | D．About 3,200. |
| A．Bronze jars. | B．Jars with dragon and ox patterns. |
| C．Zun jars. | D．Square zun jars. |
| A．Because Sanxingdui is near Zhejiang province. |
| B．Because jade is popular in Central China. |
| C．Because the Liangzhu ruins are older than Sanxingdui. |
| D．Because cong was found in both Sanxingdui and Liangzhu. |
| A．Experts found it on their own. | B．Farmers found two large pits. |
| C．Experts studied the place first. | D．Farmers found the ruins by accident. |
| A．What the king looks like. |
| B．What the culture of the Shu Kingdom was like. |
| C．Why Chinese civilization started near the Yellow River. |
| D．Who discovered China first. |
【推荐3】Adults often say things like, “Kids were so young when something terrible happened that they wouldn’t even remember it as an adult.” But childhood trauma (创伤) can have a lifelong influence. According to a study from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, kids who experience trauma have an increased risk of having heart disease in their 50s and 60s.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Results from the study showed that children from very difficult family environments were more likely to have heart disease later in their lifetime. What’s more, children who experience trauma face higher rates of lifelong stress and depression.
That’s not to say that a child will be emotionally scarred (留下情感创伤) forever if they have a terrible experience. But it’s important to know when a child may need help in dealing with trauma. ________ Here are some ways.
Be patient because it takes a long time for a kid to get better;
Answer his or her questions honestly and patiently;
Be a good listener and encourage the child to talk about his or her feelings;
Help the child understand that life is always full of ups and downs, but parents will be with him or her;
Encourage the child to make friends with those who are outgoing and friendly.
If the child is too shy to speak out, try to communicate by writing a note or chatting on We Chat.
1. Why does the writer mention the study in the first paragraph?| A．To explain what childhood trauma means. |
| B．To show how childhood trauma influences a person. |
| C．To tell the importance of building a happy family environment. |
| D．To introduce Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. |
| A．sadness | B．interest | C．friendship | D．confidence |
| A．How can we know if someone has trauma? | B．How can parents help a child keep healthy? |
| C．How can we help children after a terrible event? | D．How do kids avoid childhood trauma if possible? |
| A．Adults often think kids can forget something bad easily. |
| B．It is much easier for a kid to get better from a terrible experience. |
| C．Children from bad family environments are more likely to have heart disease. |
| D．Making friends with those who are outgoing can help kids with their trauma. |
| A．Society | B．Medicine | C．Environment | D．Health |
This is the first time a human from H7N9 has been detected (确诊).Little research has been done on this unknown bird flu, and there are no vaccines (疫苗) against the virus.
The reported deaths were of an 87-year-old man who was found ill on Feb 19 and died on March 4, and a 27-year-old man who was found ill on Feb 27 and died on March 10.The third person, a 35-year-old woman from Chuzhou, Anhui province, is in hospital in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.
It is still unknown how the three became ill, and experts said there is no evidence that they caught the illness from each other. There is also no evidence of anyone who stay closely with them being ill.
To be away from H7N9 and stay healthy, remember the following things.
1.Go to crowded places as less as possible, especially the elderly and children. Pay attention to personal self-protection.
2.Keep the air in door fresh. Often wash your hands. Cover the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing (打喷嚏).Wash hands after cleaning the nose and mouth.
3.Eat clean food. Don’t put raw (生的) and cooked food together. And do not eat raw or undercooked meat, eggs and other food.
4.Do sports. Take more exercise, have enough sleep and rest, so that you can get yourself stronger.
根据短文内容, 从题中所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中, 选择最佳答案。
1. How do people know about H7N9?
| A．People know H7N9 very well. |
| B．No people have heard about it. |
| C．People know little about it. |
| D．Only Chinese people know about it. |
| A．On February 19 | B．On March 10 |
| C．On March 4 | D．On February 27 |
| A．Shanghai | B．Nanjing |
| C．Putian | D．Chuzhou |
| A．夹生的 | B．煮熟的 |
| C．未煮过的 | D．在下面煮的 |
| A．Don’t go to crowed places. |
| B．Don’t mix raw and cooked food together. |
| C．Do more exercise to keep fit. |
| D．Close the window so that birds can’t fly in. |
【推荐2】Wearing a mask while sleeping at home sounds a little crazy. But Wu Keying did so during the novel coronavirus outbreak. “I feared that I would be infected. Now I know it’s not necessary to do so. But I am still worried about when the epidemic will end,” said the 13-year-old from Chengdu, Sichuan province. Being stuck inside makes her feel anxious.
In fact, many people have experienced feelings like Wu. Nearly 80 percent of people are deeply worried about the outbreak, while 40 percent strongly fear it, according to a survey released on Jan 27 by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
These emotions（情绪）are normal for people who are going through stressful events, according to Wang Weihua, an expert on positive psychology（积极心理学）. “Some stressful reactions（反应）can help us fight the virus,” Wang said. “We take more protective actions, such as wearing masks and washing hands often, for example.”
“But if these feelings last too long, it will be bad for our mental（心理的）health,” Wang added. So how can we stay positive?
First, we should learn to accept unexpected changes in life, wrote Xiong Kewei, a psychological consultant（咨询师）at Beijing Normal University. We might learn new lessons from these changes, like respecting（尊重）nature and being more responsible（有担当的）.
Another useful way to stay positive is to stick to a normal routine（正常作息）.
“The key is to take good care of the body, arrange a reasonable schedule, ensure adequate sleep and diet, and get the necessary rest and relaxation,” Zhang Hong, deputy chief physician of Wuhan Mental Health Center, told China Daily.
1. Wu Keying wore a mask while sleeping because ________.| A．her parents told her to do so | B．it’s the best way to avoid infection |
| C．one of her family members was infected | D．she was scared of being infected |
| A．Many people feel worried about the virus. |
| B．We shouldn’t worry too much about the virus. |
| C．Only 40 percent of people worry about the outbreak. |
| D．More than 80 percent of people wear masks while sleeping. |
a. wearing masks
b. being stress-free
c. staying positive
d. washing our hands
| A．abc | B．acd | C．abd | D．bcd |
| A．how to stay away from the coronavirus |
| B．how psychologists helped patients |
| C．suggestions on how to stay positive |
| D．how to receive psychological counseling |
| A．a guide | B．an advertisement | C．a comic book | D．the newspaper |
【推荐3】China is a nation of etiquette (礼仪). Chinese people are among the most hospitable people in the world. If foreigners visit a Chinese family, they would be surprised at the warmth that they would get as guests.
When you visit a Chinese family, the host usually makes tea for you. Then he will serve you snacks (零食) like biscuits or candy. Someone in the family will also chat with you, never letting you feel lonely.
At the same time, other family members will prepare a meal for you. Chinese people treat (款待) their guests with a big meal. They always present more food than the guest can eat. On the table, the guests must be the first to eat. Perhaps one of the things that surprises a western guest most is that the Chinese host likes to pick food for visitors, which won’t happen at western tables. The Chinese family try their best to make you feel at home. As you finish eating, the host usually says, “It seems that you didn’t eat much. Please have more.” Although you tell them you are full, they still put more food in your bowl.
Being warm and hospitable has long been an important part of Chinese culture and tradition. As Confucius (孔子) said thousands of years ago:
To meet friends from afar
How happy we are!
1. What does the underlined word “hospitable” mean in this passage?
| A．勤劳的 | B．朴实的 | C．好客的 |
| A．coffee and snacks | B．tea and snacks | C．juice and biscuits |
| A．Because he thinks the food isn’t delicious. |
| B．Because he thinks it’s not necessary. |
| C．Because it won’t happen in western countries. |
| A．make them feel at home | B．show their wealth (财富) | C．make them feel uncomfortable |
| A．Chinese people are warm and hospitable. |
| B．What Confucius said thousands of years ago. |
| C．What foreigners should do in a Chinese family. |
