1 . Skeptics are strange a lot. Some of them refuse to admit the serious threat of human activities to the environment and they are tired of people who disagree with them. Those people, say skeptics, spread nothing but bad news about the environment. The "eco-guilt" brought on by the discouraging news about our planet gives rise to the popularity of skeptics as people search for more comforting worldviews.
Perhaps that explains why a new book by Bjorn Lomborg received so much publicity. That book, The Skeptical Environmentalist, declares that it measures the "real state of the world" as fine. Of course, another explanation is the deep pockets of some big businesses with special interests. Indeed, Mr. Lomborg's views are similar to those of some industry-funded organizations, which start huge activities through the media to confuse the public about issues like global warming.
So it was strange to see Mr. Lomborg's book go largely unchallenged in the media though his beliefs were contrary to most scientific opinions. One national newspaper in Canada ran a number of articles and reviews full of words of praise, even with the conclusion that "After Lomborg, the environmental movement will begin to die down."
Such one-sided views should have immediately been challenged. But only a different review appeared in Nature, a respected science magazine with specific readership. The review remarked that Mr. Lomborg's "preference for unexamined materials is incredible".
A critical eye is valuable, and the media should present information in such a way that could allow people to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, that is often inaccessible as blocked by the desire to be shocking or to defend some special interest. People might become half-blind before a world partially exhibited by the media. That's a shame, because matters concerning the health of the planet are far too important to be treated lightly.
1. According to the passage, which of the following may be regarded as "skeptics"?| A．People who agree on the popularity of "eco-guilt". |
| B．People who dislike the harmful effect of human activities. |
| C．People who disbelieve the serious situation of our planet. |
| D．People who spread comforting news to protect our environment. |
| A．The book challenges views about the fine state of the world. |
| B．Some big businesses intend to protect their own interests. |
| C．The author convinces people to speak comforting worldviews. |
| D．Industry–funded media present confusing information. |
| A．find fault with Lomborg's book |
| B．voice a different opinion |
| C．challenge the authority of the media |
| D．point out the value of scientific views |
| A．To show the importance of presenting overall information by the media. |
| B．To warn the public of the danger of half–blindness with reviews. |
| C．To blame the media's lack of responsibility in information. |
| D．To encourage the skeptics to have a critical eye. |
2 . How good are we at predicting（预测）what people will do? What magazine will they buy, what music will they download, or what shoes will they choose for a party? Probably not nearly as good as we think. When it comes to human behavior, the brain is shown to have two different ways of thinking. So it doesn’t matter how old you are or how confident you are feeling. It’s all about what mood the brain is in!
A common thought process is the automatic and fast way which helps us to react（反应）quickly in dangerous situations. This is known as system I and dates back to the prehistoric times when people lived with a natural awareness of the dangers around them—bad weather, falling rocks and trees, and threatening animals. Nowadays we still have the ability to react so rapidly and naturally to situations that it can feel like you’re not thinking at all. Have you ever found yourself giving in to temptation （诱惑） and unable to say “no” to buying that new jacket in the window? This is because system 1 is in control—a human characteristic which the world of advertising likes to make the most of!
System 2 is the opposite. It’s a slow thought process that requires us to pay attention and concentrate. This way of thinking helps us to make sensible long-term decisions like choosing which university to study at, or what type of car to buy. The problem is that system 2 often starts to feel boring and so system I takes over. How often have you put down your homework or put off doing important jobs to go on Facebook or watch a TV soap?
We like to think that we go through life mainly using system 2. However, sometimes it’s system 1 that makes the right decision but system 2 that gets it wrong. For example, sports teams put a lot of effort into a game plan, but often it’s the unconscious（无意识的）human wish to do something differently that often leads to an unexpected win. This can also lead to the common mistaken idea that your successful decisions show your skill and talent, when in fact they were just luck.
Perhaps one day scientists will be able to predict what decisions people will make by measuring brain activity. In one study, volunteers were monitored with brain-scanning equipment. They were asked to press either a left or a right button whenever they wanted. The researchers found they could predict which button the volunteers would press up to seven seconds before it happened—your brain seems lo know what it will do before you do! Some scientists say our brains are just machines and we are not really in control of what’s going on. Let’s hope they’re wrong! It’s one thing to be able to tell which of two buttons a person will press, but I don’t like the idea that science could one day tell me what decisions 1 will make in my life before I’ve even had the chance to make them!
1. System 1 is more likely to be in control when you ________.| A．choose a university |
| B．plan a birthday party |
| C．buy a jacket in the window |
| D．prepare for a performance |
| A．people are more willing to use system 1 |
| B．we go through life mainly using system 2 |
| C．system 2 usually makes the wrong decision |
| D．system I sometimes makes the right decision |
| A．Unhappy. | B．Uninterested. |
| C．Hopeful. | D．Confident. |
| A．Two Systems of Thought |
| B．Early Brain Development |
| C．The Importance of Planning |
| D．Two Ways of Dealing with Danger |
3 . The audience starts to scream and young people all over Britain turn on their TVs. Yes, it’s Top of the pops!
Top of the pops is an amazing 45-year-old programme. Pop stars from all over the world appear on this successful TV prograrmme. After about 2340 shows, it’s still the most popular pop music show in Britain.So what’s the secret?
“We get lots of bands to perform live in the studio,” says producer Chris Cowey. “That just doesn’t happen on other shows”
Chris starts the preparations for the programme over a week before it goes out.His first job is to decide which bands to have on the show. When the chart of the top twenty songs is produced on Sunday, Chris can start to book the bands
Monday starts with Chris meeting his sound, lighting and camera workers. They listen to each song and plan the show.
Tuesday is paperwork day. There are bookings to make sure of, letters to answer and lots of phone calls to make. The show is on Thursday. Bands arrive at the studio from 10 o'clock in the morning and start practicing. Tonight’s presenter, Jo Whiley, practises too
First the bands go to make up. Judy and Issy are the make-up artists. “We see the stars with no make-up on, looking terrible,” says Issy. Then the bands go to the costume department where Marianne dresses the stars.
Back in the studio things are happening. The audience is practising their dance moves! It takes over two hours to record the whole programme, then Chris edits it all night long. The final version is exactly 29 minutes long
1. What make (s) Top of the Pops the most popular in Britain?| A．The famous singers of the bands. |
| B．The live performances in the studio. |
| C．The large numbers of pop fans in Britain. |
| D．The jobs carefully done by the workers of the TV station. |
| A．they must decide what songs they will perform |
| B．they have no idea what songs they will perform |
| C．they don’t have to decide what songs they will perform |
| D．the songs that will be performed haven’t been decided on |
| A．The programme time on TV is exactly controlled. |
| B．All the stars must make up before their performance. |
| C．The producer plays the main role in planning the programme. |
| D．There are no audience to join in the performance at the TV station |
A． |
B． |
C． |
D． |
| A．A Stage for Pop Stars |
| B．Go Backstage of Top of the Pops |
| C．Great Success Comes from Hard Work |
| D．The Most Popular Is the Most Successful |
