3 . We’ve long heard of the saying: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But now, researchers have discovered a pear a day keeps the pounds away. A new study found that pears are associated with lower body weight.

People who consume pears are 35% less likely to be obese (肥胖的), scientists discovered. The study also found that pear consumption is associated with higher diet quality. Pears are an “excellent source” of fiber, in addition to being a good source of vitamin C. A single medium pear contains nearly 24% the daily fiber recommendations — and is only 100 calories.

Researchers from Louisiana State University looked at data from 2001 to 2010 for the study. They used a nationally representative sample to analyse the association of fresh pear consumption with nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy, diet quality and cardiovascular (心血管的) risk factors in adults. Dr Carol O’Neil, who led the study said, “The association between pears and lower weight is very exciting. We believe fiber intake may have driven the lower body weights that were seen in this study.” She added, “There was no difference in energy intake or level of physical activity found between the fresh pear consumers and non-consumers.”

According to the USDA Guidelines for Americans, people who eat more fruit as part of an overall healthy diet are more likely to reduce their risk of chronic diseases (慢性病), But the researchers noted that little has been published on the health outcomes associated with individual fruits—including pears. However, the USA Pear Bureau said it is continuing to cooperate with researchers to carry out additional studies to show the relationship between pears and positive health outcomes.

1. Why is a saying quoted in paragraph 1?

A．To introduce the variety of apples.	B．To emphasize the nutrition of apples.
C．To emphasize the popularity of pears.	D．To introduce the discussion about pears

2. Why are pears associated with lower body weight?

A．They are rich in fiber.

B．They are a good source of vitamin C.

C．They result in higher level of physical activity.

D．They help increase people’s daily energy intake.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Americans have an overall healthy diet.

B．There aren’t enough studies on chronic diseases

C．The USA Pear Bureau is studying individual fruits.

D．The pear-and-health relationship is still under research.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Fruit: A Multifunctional Food

B．Fruit Intake and Physical Activity

C．Pear: A Driver to Lower Body Weight

D．A Pear a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

4 . John and Mary were approaching their home town by car when they noticed some smoke. Mary said. “Oh, well, it isn’t our house on _______ . Let’s go home.”

John, however, _______ up and they were both horror-stricken to _______ the whole house was burning. A woman was _______ , “The children! Get the children!” John grabbed her, “Where are they?” “In the basement,” she cried.

Despite Mary’s _______ , John quickly soaked (浸湿) his clothes and ran to the basement which was full of smoke and extremely _______ . He found the door and _______ two children, holding one under each arm. As he _______ , he could hear some more whimpering (抽泣). He _______ the two badly frightened children into the arms of the people ________ outside, asking how many more children were down there. They told him two more. Mary wanted to stop him again, “John! Don’t go back! That house will ________ in any second!”

But he went back anyway. It took him a very long time to find the two children. They three were all ________ and they bent to get some ________ air. As they stumbled (蹒跚而行) up the endless steps, something strangely ________ went through his mind. The little bodies he had just ________ were his own children.

1.

A．sale

B．fire

C．air

D．duty

2.

A．showed

B．walked

C．drove

D．climbed

3.

A．see

B．cover

C．check

D．explain

4.

A．joking

B．noting

C．arguing

D．screaming

5.

A．encouragement

B．opposition

C．agreement

D．judgement

6.

A．noisy

B．wet

C．hot

D．small

7.

A．grabbed

B．invited

C．touched

D．beat

8.

A．left

B．rested

C．fell

D．wandered

9.

A．cast

B．delivered

C．pulled

D．changed

10.

A．running

B．waving

C．aching

D．waiting

11.

A．burn

B．appear

C．collapse

D．expand

12.

A．laughing

B．coughing

C．crying

D．whispering

13.

A．warm

B．smelly

C．fresh

D．dirty

14.

A．sad

B．exciting

C．happy

D．familiar

15.

A．treated

B．buried

C．lost

D．rescued

7 . Read Across America Day

Read Across America (RAA) is a day held annually on March 2nd that encourages children in every community to read and also encourages parents and teachers to celebrate the joy of reading. It’s a holiday that has been celebrated since 1998 and falls on the same day as children’s book author Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

This holiday dates back to May of 1997. This is when a small group of people at the National Education Association (NEA) came up with the idea to create a day of the year that celebrates reading among children. They reasoned that since many school football programs could get children engaged in the sport through pep rallies (鼓舞士气的集会), then why couldn’t the same thing be done for reading? So they decided to turn to a Read Across America program that was officially launched on March 2, 1998, and ever since it has continued to grow in size. Today, more than 50 national nonprofit and association sponsors (资助者) and more than 3. 3 million NEA members support the effort every year.

This holiday is celebrated in numerous ways. All over the country, libraries, schools and community centers hold special Read Across America events that promote reading in their communities. Teachers also develop special events on this day to encourage their students to read. The NEA also sponsors reading round tables and has an online store that allows people to buy everything they need for their RAA celebrations. This includes Dr. Seuss hats, RAA bookmarks, special RAA flash drives and even RAA mugs.

While recommended student reading lists vary from community to community, there are some books that always seem to pop up. Below is a partial(部分的) list of some of the books read by elementary, middle school and high school students.

1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A．Parents in America like reading.	B．RAA has a history of over 50 years.
C．Teachers are popular with children.	D．Dr. Seuss was born on March 2nd.

2. What inspired NEA to come up with RAA?

A．School football programs’ practice.	B．Millions of NEA members’ support.
C．The NEA members’ love for reading.	D．American local official’s encouragement.

3. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The special events for reading activities.	B．The celebration of Read Across America.
C．The encouragement of community centers.	D．The children’s devotion to reading activities.

4. What may be talked about following the last paragraph?

A．The promising future of RAA.	B．The awards given to the children.
C．Student reading list recommended.	D．Parents and teachers’ praise for the program.

8 . Pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, Ping-Pang, and tennis, has two characteristics that make it a good choice for older adults. It’s slower than other racket (球拍) sports, and it’s easier to learn.

With a play area about a quarter the size of a tennis court and a plastic ball that doesn’t bounce as high or as fast as a tennis ball, you don’t have to run as much or as quickly. The bats are lighter and shorter than tennis rackets, making them easier to swing and control. There are fewer rules than tennis.

Plus, pickleball is more social than many types of exercise and it’s fun. In one study, participants rated pickleball 150 percent higher for enjoyment than walking. “People are finding it’s not boring,” says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise, who has played pickleball for more than 20 years. “It’s not something they’re doing just because they should, but because they enjoy it and want to do it.”

Pickleball is an effective workout, and like walking, you can adjust the intensity to your preferences. A friendly doubles match can qualify as proper exercise. A competitive singles match is likely to be tighter.

And pickleball offers plenty of health pluses. After six weeks of playing an hour of pickleball three times a week, older adults improved their cardiorespiratory (心肺的) fitness and blood pressure, according to a study published in 2018 in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology. Another study found that the activity may keep you mentally sharp. “You’re making a lot of quick decisions while engaged in a physical task,” says study author David Bolton, PhD, assistant professor at Utah State University in Logan. “It is effectively training cognitive (认知的) ability.”

But it is not without risks of getting injured. Don’t just hit the court and go right into having a game. A warm-up is the best defense against injury, so take at least 5 minutes to prepare your body.

1. What is one of the reasons for the popularity of pickleball among older adults?

A．Its slow pace.	B．Its great intensity.
C．Its complex rules.	D．Its cheap equipment.

2. What does Cedric Bryant mainly want to tell us about pickleball?

A．It is demanding.	B．It is enjoyable.
C．It is beneficial.	D．It is practical.

3. What does the underlined word “It” in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．Making quick decisions.

B．Training cognitive ability.

C．Brain activity during physical exercise.

D．The proper frequency to play pickleball.

4. What might the author talk about next?

A．Pre-workout preparations.	B．The rules of this exercise.
C．Comments on this game.	D．Disadvantages of pickleball.

9 . It was an innocent little detail, backed by centuries of science, in a chemistry book about tea, something American author Michelle Francl never anticipated would cause a stir among the British.

In her new book, Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea, Francl analyzed caffeine levels and studied the molecules that give tea its good smell. She uncovered the little-known presence in tea of other chemicals, including fluoride and aluminum. And she also mentioned a careful study of an 8th-century Chinese article that called for salt to be added to the boiling water.

“The sodium ions (钠离子) in the salt block our sense of bitterness,” says Francl, a chemistry professor at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. “So if you put a tiny bit of salt in — not enough to taste — you make the cup of tea or coffee smoother and less bitter.”

The recipe for a perfect cup of tea, she wrote in her book, includes a little salt. And for tea with milk, Francl recommends warming the milk first, so that it doesn’t curdle (凝结) when it hits the hot water.

Sounds harmless, right? But anyone with British friends and loved ones — or who’s spent more than five minutes in the United Kingdom — will know that recipe amounts to blasphemy. Within hours of the publication of Francl’s book, face palm emojis (捂脸表情) were appearing across the British Isles.

“Hot milk and salt!? Who is this person?” radio host Toni McDonald shouted on his program.

“This scientist supposes that the only way to have a decent cup of tea is with a little salt? That’s foolish!” another radio host, Vic Minett, said.

To respond to these complaints, the U.S. Embassy’s public affairs officer, Rodney Ford told the press, “We want to say to the good people of the U.K. that the unthinkable idea of adding salt to Britain’s national drink is not official United States policy — and never will be.”

1. Why is the Chinese article mentioned in paragraph 2?

A．To tell us where Francl got her idea.

B．To prove tea making enjoys a time-honored history.

C．To introduce the social background of Francl’s book.

D．To explain how tea-making was brought to Britain from China.

2. What can reduce the bitter taste in the tea according to the text?

A．Salt.

B．Boiling water.

C．Curdled milk.

D．An unknown chemical.

3. What does the underlined word “blasphemy” in paragraph 5 mean?

A．Embarrassment.

B．Unbalance.

C．Disrespect.

D．Desperation.

4. What did Francl’s book cause in Britain?

A．Tea craze.

B．Heated discussion.

C．Policy change.

D．Public anger.