2 . We’re lucky to live in an age when the sum total of human knowledge is pretty available at the click of a button. We’ ve never had access to so much information.     1    . So here are a few strategies to sharpen your critical thinking.

Watch out for confirmation prejudice(偏见).     2    . In repeated experiments, psychologists have shown we’re much more likely to accept something as evidence if it confirms what we already think we know. And we’re much more likely to ignore information if it is not in line with our views, which will affect our ability to process information.

Acknowledge small differences. In life, most situations are varying and complicated. Admitting that can enrich the way that we view the world. For example, what colour is the sky? Well, the obvious answer is blue. But at sunrise or sunset, it can be red. On a cold misty morning, white or gray.     3    .

Practise intellectual humility (谦逊). One approach to, well, arguing, is to let go of the idea of being “right”. Or at least seriously consider that you might actually be wrong.     4    . Really try to understand where the other person is coming from. Arguing is just to waste somebody’s time.

    5    . It’s more important than ever to know where your information is coming from. That science-looking paragraphs might look very convincing until you dig a little deeper and find it was just posted by someone having no qualifications. That is the case we should not overlook.

Engaging in critical thinking isn’t as fun as picking up a pitchfork, or feeling like you’re fundamentally right. But in the long run, it leads to a more curious, educated and harmonious society, which is the biggest win of all.

A．Avoid mistakes

B．Check your sources

C．We all enjoy feeling like we’re right

D．But not all of what’s out there is quite what it seems

E．So pay attention to differences in many situations

F．So don’t rush to decide, and be actively prepared to change your mind

G．Putting yourself into the other person’s shoes can have more fruitful outcomes

3 . Born in New York in 1918, scientist Gertrude B. Elion had an impressive career, during which she developed medicines to cure many major diseases. Elion spent her early youth in Manhattan. She attended senior high school and had, in her words, an unbelievable thirst for knowledge.

Influenced by the death of her grandfather, who died of cancer, Elion entered Hunter College at the age of 15 and graduated in chemistry at the age of 19. She had difficulty finding employment after graduation because many laboratories refused to hire women chemists. She found a part-time job as a lab assistant and went back to school at New York University. Elion worked as a high school teacher for a few years after finishing work on her master’s degree.

The start of World War II created more opportunities for women. At the age of 26, Elion was able to get a job at Burroughs Welcome, where she began a 40-year partnership with Dr. George H. Hitchings. Her thirst for knowledge impressed Dr. Hitchings, and he permitted her to take on more responsibility.

Elion and Hitchings set out on a course of creating medicines by studying the chemical composition of diseased cells. Rather than relying on old trial-and-error methods, they used the differences in biochemistry between normal human cells and pathogens(病原体)to design medicines. In all, Elion obtained 45 patents on medicine and was awarded 23 honorary degrees.

In 1988, Elion received the Nobel Prize for Medicine, together with George H. Hlitchings and Sir James Black. She received other awards for her work, including the National Medal of Science in 1991, and that same year, she became the first woman to be absorbed into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In 1997, she was awarded the Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award.

1. What can we say about Elion as a high school student?

A．She had a satisfying part-time job.

B．She had a strong desire for learning.

C．She had a gift for chemistry at high school.

D．She made great achievements in chemistry.

2. Why did Elion choose to study chemistry at college?

A．To meet her grandfather’s wish.

B．To find a good job after graduation.

C．To create medicines to cure diseases.

D．To be a chemistry teacher in the future.

3. When did Elion started working for Burroughs Welcome?

A．In 1944.

B．In 1937.

C．In 1933.

D．In 1984.

4. What does the author mainly tell us about Elion in the last paragraph?

A．Her later life.	B．Her contributions.
C．Her interest in chemistry.	D．Her honors.

7 . There are many gardening tips. Some suggest playing music for your house plants, having conversations with them, or even giving them a gentle touch now and then. Most of these practices are probably more for the benefit of the gardener than the garden, and generally harmless enough but except the last one. Your plants really dislike it when you touch them.

A new study out of the La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and Food has found that most plants are extremely sensitive to touch, and even a light touch can significantly stunt(阻碍) their growth. “The lightest touch from a human, animal, insect, or even plants touching each other in the wind, can cause a huge gene response in the plant,” Jim Whelan, who led the new study, said. “Within 30 minutes of being touched, 10% of the plant’s genome(基因组) is changed. This involves a huge expenditure(消耗) of energy which is taken away from plant growth. If the touching is repeated, then plant growth is reduced by up to 30%.”

Whelan and his team are still trying to find out why plants respond, at the genetic level, so strongly. They do have some theories, however. We know that when an insect lands on a plant, genes are activated(激活) preparing the plant to defend itself against being eaten ,” said Dr. Yan Wang, co-author of the study.

Until more research is done, it’s just a guess at this point. Still, the findings might already lead to new methods for how agriculturalists deal with their crops, to best promote healthier growth.

It’s worth noticing that while the study found that plants often respond to just a single touch in negative ways, it’s really repeated touching that causes lasting stunted growth. That’s because the plants are looking for patterns in the touching, to tell harmful touch from random touch. So it doesn’t matter if you accidently brush up against a bush during a walk through the woods.

1. How is the passage mainly developed?

A．By comparing

B．By giving examples

C．By listing numbers

D．By showing results of studies

2. Why can touching stunt a plant growing according to the study?

A．It leads to the plant’s energy expenditure.

B．It makes the plant sensitive to threats.

C．It causes a genetic disorder in the plant.

D．It prevents the plant absorbing nutrients.

3. What’s the importance of the study by Whelan and his team?

A．It gives us more useful gardening tips.

B．It helps find ways to ensure plants’ healthy growth.

C．It contributes to the further study on genes.

D．It uses data to warn people not to touch plants.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．Something is done to help plants grow.

B．Plants’ genome can be changed easily.

C．Plants don’t really like to be touched.

D．What we do every day may destroy plants.

8 . The Boy Made It!

One Sunday, Nicholas, a teenager, went skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. In the early afternoon, when he was planning to go home, a fierce snowstorm swept into the area. Unable to see far, he accidentally turned off the path. Before he knew it, Nicholas was lost, all alone! He didn’t have food, water, a phone, or other supplies. He was getting colder by the minute.

Nicholas had no idea where he was. He tried not to panic. He thought about all of the survival shows he had watched on TV. It was time to put the tips he had learned to use.

He decided to stop skiing. There was a better chance of someone finding him if he stayed put. The first thing he did was to find shelter from the freezing wind and snow. If he didn’t, his body temperature would get very low, which could quickly kill him.

Using his skis, Nicholas built a snow cave. He gathered a huge mass of snow and dug out a hole in the middle. Then he piled branches on top of himself, like a blanket, to stay as warm as he could.

By that evening, Nicholas was really hungry. He ate snow and drank water from a nearby stream so that his body wouldn’t lose too much water. Not knowing how much longer he could last, Nicholas did the only thing he could he huddled (蜷缩) in his cave and slept.

The next day, Nicholas went out to look for help, but he couldn’t find anyone. He followed his tracks and returned to the snow cave, because without shelter, he could die that night. On Tuesday, Nicholas went out again to find help. He had walked for about a mile when a volunteer searcher found him. After two days stuck in the snow, Nicholas was saved.

Nicholas might not have survived this snowstorm had it not been for TV. He had often watched Grylls’ survival show Man vs. Wild. That’s where he learned the tips that saved his life. In each episode (一期节目) of Man vs. Wild, Grylls is abandoned in a wild area and has to find his way out.

When Gxrylls heard about Nicholas’ amazing deeds, he was super impressed that Nicholas had made it since he knew better than anyone how hard Nicholas had to work to stay alive.

1. What happened to Nicholas one Sunday afternoon?

A．He got lost.	B．He broke his skis.
C．He hurt his eyes.	D．He caught a cold.

2. How did Nicholas keep himself warm?

A．He found a shelter.	B．He lighted some branches.
C．He kept on skiing.	D．He built a snow cave.

3. On Tuesday’ Nicholas       .

A．returned to his shelter safely	B．was saved by a searcher
C．got stuck in the snow	D．stayed where he was

4. Nicholas left Grylls a very deep impression because he       .

A．did the right things in the dangerous situation

B．watched Grylls’ TV program regularly

C．created some tips for survival

D．was very hard-working

9 . Central Park
Outside among the trees, watch the wildlife—both the human and animal varieties. Call(212) 360-3465 or (212) 360-2726 for daily events and tours.
Central Park stretches from 59th to 110th Sts., and from 5th Ave. to Central Park West.
Empire State Building
This is among the most striking buildings in the city, the nation, even the world. The observation deck (瞭望台) on the 86th floor is open to the general public, offering a wonderful view of the city. On the second floor you'll find the New York Skyride, a simulate helicopter ride over Manhattan.
5th Ave. at 34th St., Midtown: (212) 736-3100
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum
Five blocks west of Time Square, this museum has hundreds of air, deep-sea and space exhibits. Walk the flight deck of the 900-foot-long aircraft carrier Intrepid, see dozens of old and modern aircraft and ride the Intrepid Navy Flight Simulator.
Pier 86, W. 46th St. and 12th Ave.: (212)245-0072
Madison Square Garden
If it's big, it probably happens at the Garden. Check out sporting events, concerts and much more. Tours are available.
7th Ave., btwn. 31st and 33rd Sts., Midtown: (212)465-6741
1. The New York Skyride is for                            .

A．sightseeing	B．flight training
C．model plane sports	D．city transportation

2. If a visitor is interested in music, he will probably go to                            .

A．Central Park	B．Empire State Building
C．Intrepid Sea-Air-Space museum	D．Madison Square Garden

3. What is the purpose of these texts?

A．To provide information of living in New York.

B．To provide directions of city traffic in New York.

C．To give visitors a guide to New York.

D．To give a brief introduction to the history of New York.