1 . Psychological science is full of interesting topics, many of which tell a coherent picture of human nature, but some of which create seemingly contradictory stories. A case in point is the misunderstood overlap(交叠) between strengthbased science and the research on narcissism (自恋).
There is now convincing evidence to show that narcissism is on the rise, especially in our youth. Some researchers say that about 25% of young people showing symptoms of narcissism.
We are correct to be concerned about this phenomenon, but our fear that all kids are potential narcissists has caused an unhelpful reaction against approaches that seek to make our children and teens feel good about themselves.
In my own research on strengthbased parenting, it is common for people to wrongly think this approach to be the cause of narcissism. Their argument seems to be that a child who knows their strengths will automatically view themselves as better than everyone else. It is argued that the selfassurance that comes with identifying and using their positive qualities will make a child selfish and uncaring.
Why does this occur? It’s partly because more is known about narcissism than strengths. While strengths psychology has largely stayed within the limit of academic journals, research on narcissism has made its way into the mass media and our daily life.The New York Times noted that narcissism is a favored topic and that people everywhere are diagnosing others with it.
The fear that a strengthbased approach will cause narcissism also occurs because of our binary (非此即彼的) thinking. We mistakenly believe that one cannot be both confident and humble. Without confidence in their strengths, Gandhi and Mother Teresa couldn’t have achieved so much, and yet modesty and selflessness are their qualities.
When we assume that strengthfocus is the same as selffocus, we fail to make the idea clear that people who know their strengths are, actually, more likely to be prosocial and ready to help others.
It’s easy to conclude that every young person is at risk of becoming a narcissist but I’d like to stand up for the thousands of young kids I have worked with who are caring, thoughtful and humble—even when they use their strengths.
1. Which of the following opinions may the writer agree with?A.To state all kids are potential narcissists is overstating the case. |
B.Strengthbased parenting results in narcissism. |
C.It’s unhelpful for us to make our children feel good about themselves. |
D.Children knowing their strengths tend to be more selfish and uncaring. |
A.Many people are diagnosed with narcissism by doctors. |
B.There is a shortage of narcissism in our common sense. |
C.Academic journals report more on narcissism. |
D.The general public has fewer approaches to strengths psychology. |
A.Tolerant. | B.Neutral. | C.Supportive. | D.Doubtful. |
A.Teens’ Narcissism Diagnosis | B.Teens’ Misunderstood Confidence |
C.Teens’ StrengthBased Approach | D.Teens’ Psychology Research |
SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER
“Are we alone? What’s out there?” People have always looked up at the stars and wondered about space. Today, scientists design vehicles to carry astronauts into space to make important discoveries.Space exploration has come a long way, and we now hope to discover other planets that are suitable enough to support life.
Before the mid20th century, most people felt travelling into space was only a dream that could never come true. However, scientists were determined to realise that dream. After many experiments, they succeeded in making rockets that could escape Earth's gravity. On 4 October 1957, the Sputnik 1 satellite was launched by the USSR and successfully orbited around Earth. Afterwards, the USSR focused on sending people into space, and on 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person in the world to enter space. Over eight years later, on 20 July 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, famously saying, “That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.” Following this, there were many more important space achievements. For example, on 5 September 1977, America’s NASA space agency launched Voyager 1 to study deep space, and it still transmits data to this day. And the International Space Station (1998) has provided a continuous human presence in space, with astronauts from many different countries on board.
Although scientists try to make sure nothing goes wrong, accidents can still happen. For example, all the astronauts on the Soyuz 11, Challenger, and Columbia spacecrafts died during their missions. However, while such disasters brought much sadness and disappointment, the desire to explore the universe did not die. This is because people believe in the importance of carrying on space exploration despite the huge risks.
China’s space programme started later than those of Russia and the US, but it has made great progress in a short time. China became the third country in the world to independently send humans into space in 2003, when Yang Liwei successfully orbited Earth in the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft. Then Shenzhou 6 and 7 completed a second manned orbit and the first Chinese spacewalk, followed by the vehicle Jade Rabbit being sent to the moon to study its surface. On 23 July 2020, China sent Tianwen 1 to explore the surface of Mars. It arrived in February 2021 and then sent back lots of valuable information. And from 2021 to 2022, China completed a number of rocket missions to establish its own space station. In 2022, the launch of the Mengtian module signaled the basic completion of the Tiangong Space Station. This modern space station will allow astronauts to conduct many important experiments, greatly furthering our understanding of the universe.
The future of space exploration remains bright. Many countries have plans to further study planets like Mars and Jupiter. Despite the difficulties, scientists hope to make more valuable discoveries that will enable the human race to survive well into the future.
1. Look at the pictures and discuss the following question with your classmates.Do you think it meaningful for us to spend so much money exploring space?
A.Fast reading
2. Match the main idea of each paragraph.
A.What people achieved in the past years. B.Why people don't stop exploring space despite risks. C.The future exploration in space. D.Human beings always want to explore space. E.The achievement which China has made. |
B.Careful reading
Choose the best answer according to the text.
3. Yang Liwei successfully orbited Earth in the Shenzhou spacecraft in .
A.2; 2000 | B.3; 2001 |
C.5; 2003 | D.1; 2002 |
A.Nobody thought it possible to travel into space before the mid20th century. |
B.On 14 October 1957, the Sputnik 1 satellite was launched by the USSR. |
C.China became the third country to independently send humans into space. |
D.Disasters in the space exploration made everyone sad but not disappointed. |
A.we want to establish more space stations |
B.we plan to carry more brave people into space |
C.we can provide a continuous human presence in space |
D.we believe in the significance of space exploration |
Time | Events |
on 4 October 1957 | the Sputnik 1 satellite was |
on 12 April 1961 | Yuri Gagarin became the first person in the world |
on 20 July | Armstrong stepped onto the moon, saying, “That's one small step for a man, one giant |
on 5 September 1977 | America launched Voyager 1 to study |
in | China became the third country in the world to |
7. A.写出句中表示时间的词汇
1.Before the mid20th century, most people felt travelling into space was only a dream.
2.On 4 October 1957, the Sputnik 1 satellite was launched by the USSR and successfully orbited around Earth.
3.Afterwards, the USSR focused on sending people into space, and on 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person in the world to enter space.
4.Over eight years later, on 20 July 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon.
B.在课文中找出另外两个有时间状语的句子
1.
2.
Wednesday, 21 June
Today was my first day back in San Francisco after camping in the Redwood Forest and visiting the wine country of Napa Valley. I have to admit that it definitely feels good to be back in the city again. And what a city—a city that was able to rebuild itself after the earthquake that occurred in 1906. There are so many beautiful old buildings—many siting on top of big hills, offering great views of the city, the ocean, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
My hotel is near downtown, in the Mission District, one of the oldest parts of the city. Many of the people living here are from Mexico or Central America. This district used to be a poor area of town, but is now a centre for art, music, and food. In fact, an art movement called the “Mission School” started here. It’s influenced by graffiti art and comic art. I walked around looking at the street art for a few hours. It was quite modern and lively. Afterwards, I ate some delicious Mexican-Chinese noodles from a food truck. A real mix of cultures here!
In the afternoon, I headed to a local museum that showed the historical changes in California. I learnt that America got California from Mexico in 1848. In the same year, gold was discovered near San Francisco, which started a gold rush. Over 300,000 people came from all over the world to seek their fortune, and San Francisco quickly became a big city. Many Chinese arrived during this period. To earn a living, some opened up shops and restaurants in Chinatown. Many others found jobs on farms, joined the gold rush, or went to build the railway that joined California to the eastern region of the country. The museum did a really good job of showing how America was built by immigrants from different countries and cultures. When these immigrants left their countries, they carried a bit of home in their hearts, and built a new home here.
This evening, I went to Chinatown. There were so many cafés and restaurants to choose from. I selected a Cantonese restaurant that served its food on beautiful china plates. What great food! That’s enough for today. Tomorrow evening, I’m going to a jazz bar in the Richmond Distinct. Can’t wait!
1. Which flag is American flag?
A. | B. |
C. | D. |
A.In the North. | B.In the South. |
C.In the East. | D.In the West. |
A. | B. |
C. | D. |
A. What I saw and experienced in the Mission District. B. My good feeling and my strongest impressions of San Francisco back there. C. Ending my day in Chinatown and my next day’s plan. D. My earning about the history of San Francisco from a local museum. |
5. All the following are mentioned except in Para. One .
A.The author’s feeling. | B.An historical accident of San Francisco. |
C.Many old buildings. | D.The Statue of Liberty. |
A.An art movement called the “Mission School” started here. | B.It was a classical but lively district. |
C.Many residents here are from Mexico or Central America. | D.It is a place where cultures mix. |
A.In 1848. | B.In 1849. | C.In 1850 | D.Not mentioned in the passage. |
A.Two. | B.Three. | C.Four. | D.Five. |
Before coming to San Francisco | |
In the morning | walked around |
In the afternoon | headed to a |
In the evening | went to Chinatown and ate |
tomorrow | go to |
教材对接高考:续写微技能——事物描写
10. 写出句中含有描写性的词汇
(1)There are so many beautiful old buildings—many sitting on top of big hills offering great views of the city,the ocean, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
(2)My hotel is near downtown, in the Mission District, one of the oldest parts of the city.
(3) This district used to be a poor area of town, but is now a center for art, music, and food.
(4) It was quite modern and lively .
11. 在课文中的句子里面找出描写性的词
(1) In the afternoon, I headed to a local museum that showed the historical changes in California.
(2)There were so many good cafés and restaurants to choose from.
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE FESTIVALS?
Festivals are celebrated all around the world. They have a wide range of origins, such as the seasons of the year, religions, famous figures, and important events. Every festival has its different customs and unique charms. However, no matter how different they may seem, all over the world, the spirit of sharing joy, gratitude, love, or peace is common in all festivals.
Of all the traditional festivals, the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture. This important agricultural festival takes place after all the crops have been gathered in. People celebrate to show that they are grateful for the year’s supply of food. In ancient Egypt, the harvest festival was celebrated during the springtime—the Egyptian harvest season. It featured a parade and a great feast with music, dancing, and sports. Today, in some European countries, people decorate churches and town halls with flowers and fruit,and get together to celebrate over a meal. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, families gather to admire the shiningmoon and enjoy delicious mooncakes.
Customs play a significant role in festivals,but sometimes they can change over time. With the development of modern society and the spread of new ideas,some traditions may fade away and others may be established. One example is the typical Chinese Spring Festival custom of lighting firecrackers to drive away the evil spirits and celebrate the new year. Nowadays, many big cities have given up this custom in order to avoid air pollution. Another example is Halloween, which slowly became an exciting festival for children, in spite of its religious origins.
Festivals are becoming more and more commercial, with businesses taking advantage of the celebrations. Online shopping websites and social media apps have made it much easier for the public to spend more on gifts for their loved ones. Although some believe festivals should not be commercialised, others believe the increase in spending is good for the economy and public happiness.
Festivals are an important part of society. They reflect people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life. They are occasions that allow us to relax and enjoy life, and forget about our work for a little while. They help us understand where we came from, who we are, and what to appreciate. And if you study festivals carefully, you may be surprised to find that different cultures actually have a lot in common after all.
1. Look at the following pictures and answer the questions.(1). What festivals do you celebrate with your family every year?
(2). Why do you think people celebrate different festivals?
2. Look at the picture and the title on Page 4 and predict what the text is probably about?
3. Match the main idea of each paragraph.
A.Festivals are becoming more and more commercial. B.Festivals are an important part of society. C.Festivals have different origins but the spirit of sharing is common. D.Customs that play an important role in festivals are changing. E.Harvest festival can be found in almost every culture. |
4. According to the text, festivals around the world share the spirit of .
A.joy, gratitude and religions |
B.love, peace and figures |
C.gratitude, peace and joy |
D.gratitude, seasons and love |
A.Every culture in the world has the harvest festival. |
B.It falls after all the crops have been gathered in. |
C.It is celebrated in all countries during the springtime. |
D.People admire the shining moon on the festival. |
A.the increase in spending is good for the economy and public happiness |
B.more and more people spend more money on gifts for their loved ones |
C.online shopping websites and social media apps have been used |
D.businesses have taken advantage of the celebrations and festivals |
A.different cultures actually have a lot in common |
B.festivals play an important role in society |
C.festivals allow us to relax and enjoy life |
D.festivals reflect people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths |
(1).Online shopping websites and social media apps have made it much easier for the public to spend more on gifts for their loved ones.
[分析] Online shopping websites and social media apps是本句的
[翻译]
(2).And if you study festivals carefully, you may be surprised to find that different cultures actually have a lot in common after all.
[分析] if you study festivals carefully是
[翻译]
9. 教材对接高考:续写微技能——节日气氛描写
A. 写出句中含有节日气氛描写的词汇。
(1)However, no matter how different they may seem, all over the world, the spirit of sharing joy, gratitude, love, or peace is common in all festivals.
(2)People celebrate to show that they are grateful for the year’s supply of food.
(3)They reflect people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life.
B. 在课文中找出表示情绪变化的句子。
(1)
(2)
A FEW SIMPLE FORMS OF ENGLISH POEMS
There are various reasons why people compose poetry. Some poems tell a story or describe a certain image in the reader’s mind. Others try to convey certain feelings such as joy and sorrow. The distinctive characteristics of poetry often include economical use of words, descriptive and vivid language, integrated imagery, literary devices such as similes and metaphors, and arrangement of words, lines, rhymes, and rhythm. Poets use many different forms of poetry to express themselves. Now we will look at a few of the simpler forms.
Some of the first poems a young child learns in English are nursery rhymes. They are usually the traditional poems or folk songs. The language of these rhymes, like Poem A, is to the point but has a storyline. Many children enjoy nursery rhymes because they rhyme, have a strong rhythm, and often repeat the same words. The poems may not make sense and even seem contradictory, but they are easy to learn and recite. By playing with the words in nursery rhymes, children learn about language.
One of the simplest kinds of poem is the “list poem”, which contains a list of things, people, ideas, or descriptions that develop a particular theme. List poems have a flexible line length and repeated phrases which give both a pattern and a rhythm to the poem. Some rhyme 〔like B and C〕, while others do not.
Another simple form of poem that amateurs can easily write is the cinquain, which is made up of five lines. With these, you can convey a strong picture or a certain mood in just a few words. Look at the example 〔D〕.
Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of 17 syllables. It has a format of three lines, containing 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively. It is not a traditional form of English poetry, but is very popular with English writers. It is easy to write and, like the cinquain, can give a clear picture and create a special feeling using very few words. The haiku poem 〔E〕 on the right is a translation from Japanese, which shows a moment in the life of a delicate butterfly.
English speakers also enjoy poems from China, those from the Tang Dynasty in particular. A lot of Tang poetry has been translated into English, such as this one〔F〕.
With so many different forms of poetry to choose from, you may eventually want to write poems of your own. Give it a try!
A
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird won’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring turns to brass,
Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
If that looking glass gets broke,
Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat.
If that billy goat won’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull.
B
Mother
Hundreds of stars in the deep blue sky,
Hundreds of shells on the shore together,
Hundreds of birds that go singing by,
Hundreds of bees in the sunny weather,
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the world over.
George Cooper
C
LIFE
Life can be good,
Life can be bad,
Life is mostly cheerful,
but sometimes sad
Life can be dreams,
Life can be great thoughts
Life can mean a person,
Sitting in court.
D
Brother
Beautiful, athletic
Teasing, shouting, laughing
Friend and enemy too
Mine
E
A fallen blossom
Is coming back to the branch.
Look, a butterfly!
F
Where she awaits her husband
On and on the river flows.
Never looking back,
Transformed into stone.
Day by day upon the mountain top,
wind and rain revolve.
Should the traveller return,
this stone would utter speech.
Wang Jian
1. What is the passage mainly about?A.The characteristics and examples of five forms of poems. |
B.Encourage readers to write their own poems. |
C.Reasons of people composing poetry. |
D.Different types of poems. |
A. It is a list poem which shows the diversity of life. B. It is a description of a lovely brother. C. It is a translation of a Tang poetry, which describes a woman who waited for her beloved husband to come back from a journey. D. It is a nursery rhyme that illustrates a father’s love for his baby. E. It is a list poem expressing the love for his mother. F. It describes how a butterfly rests on a tree. |
Poem B
Poem C
Poem D
Poem E
Poem F
3. Why do poets use different forms of poetry?
A.They want to express themselves. |
B.They want to attract more people. |
C.They want to describe things in more detail. |
D.They want people to learn from them. |
A.Most of these poems make sense. |
B.These poems have weak rhythm. |
C.They repeat certain words a lot. |
D.They must be repeated by children. |
A.A kind of poem with both a pattern and a rhythm. |
B.A kind of poem which has five lines. |
C.A kind of poem kids in the nursery like to recite. |
D.A kind of poem with 17 syllables. |
A.It is a traditional form of English poetry. |
B.It is made up of five lines. |
C.It gives a vague picture of things. |
D.It is not difficult to write. |
A.Read more poems. |
B.Enjoy English poems. |
C.Write their own poems. |
D.Translate poems into other languages. |
A FEW SIMPLE FORMS OF ENGLISH POEMS | Nursery | ·The language is |
·have a strong | ||
List poem | ·contain a list of things, people, | |
·have a flexible line length and | ||
Cinquain | ·made up of | |
·convey a strong picture or a certain | ||
Haiku | ·a | |
·consist of 17 | ||
Tang poem | ·the |
(1) Some of the first poems a young child learns in English are nursery rhymes.
(2) One of the simplest kinds of poem is the “list poem”, which contains a list of things, people, ideas, or descriptions that develop a particular theme.
(3) Another simple form of poem that amateurs can easily write is the cinquain, which is made up of five lines.
(4) Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of 17 syllables. It has a format of three lines, containing 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively.
6 . Have you ever thought about what determines the way we are when we grow up? Remember the TV program Seven Up? It started following the lives of a group of children in 1963. We first meet them as wide eyed seven year olds and then catch up with them at seven year intervals (间隔): nervous 14 year olds, serious 21 year olds and then grown ups.
Some of the stories are inspiring, others sad, but what is interesting in almost all the cases is the way in which the children’s early hopes and dreams are shown in their future lives. For example, at seven, Tony is a lively child who says he wants to become a sportsman or a taxi driver. When he grows up, he goes on to do both. How about Nicki? She says, “I’d like to find out about the moon.” And she goes on to become a space scientist. As a child, soft spoken Bruce says he wants to help “poor children” and ends up teaching in India.
But if the lives of all the children had followed this pattern, the program would be far less interesting than it actually was. It was the children whose childhood did not prepare them for what was to come that made the program so interesting. Where did their ideas come from about what they wanted to do when they grew up?Are the children influenced by what their parents do, by what they see on television, or by what their teachers say?How great is the effect of a single important event? Many film directors, including Stephen Spielberg, say that an early visit to the cinema was the turning point in their lives. Dr Margaret McAllister, who has done a lot of research in this area, thinks that the major factors are parents, friends, and the wider society.
1. What does the text mainly discuss?A.New ways to make a TV program interesting. |
B.The importance of television programs to children. |
C.Different ways to make childhood dreams come true. |
D.The influence of childhood experiences on future lives. |
A.different groups of people at different periods of their lives |
B.different groups of people at the same period of their lives |
C.the same group of people at different periods of their lives |
D.the same group of people at the same period of their lives |
A.Many people’s childhood hopes are related to their future jobs. |
B.There are many poor children in India who need help. |
C.Children have different dreams about their future. |
D.A lot of people are very sad in their childhood. |
A.going to a movie at an early age helps a child learn about society |
B.a single childhood event may decide what one does as a grown up |
C.parents and friends can help a child grow up properly |
D.films have more influence on a child than teachers do |
HABITS FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
As teenagers grow up, they become more independent and start making their own decisions. However, during this period, it can be easy for some of them to form bad habits. These bad habits, if left unchecked, could lead to more serious ones when they become adults. For example some of them may become involved in tobacco or alcohol abuse, which can lead to physical and mental health problems. To prevent harmful habits like these from dominating a teenager’s life is essential. They must learn to recognise bad habits early and make appropriate changes.
To change bad habits is never easy, even with many attempts. There is a famous saying based on the philosophy of Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do.” In many ways, our lifestyle is the sum of choices we have made. We make a choice to do something, and then we repeat it over and over again. Soon that choice becomes automatic and forms a habit that is much harder to change. The good news is that we can change, if we understand how habits work.
According to modern psychology, we must first learn about the“habit cycle”, which works like this: Firstly, there is “cue”, an action, event, or situation that acts as a signal to do something. Secondly, there is a “routine”, the regular action you take in response to the cue. Thirdly, there is a “reward”, the good thing or feeling we get from the routine.
For example, when we feel unhappy (cue), we eat lots of unhealthy snacks (routine), which makes us feel happy (reward) The reward makes us much more likely to continue the cycle, and the bad habit of relying on unhealthy snacks is formed.
To facilitate a positive change in our bad habits, we must first examine our bad habit cycles and then try to adapt them. We can do this by combining the information from our habit cycles with our own positive ideas. For example, we could try to replace a negative routine with something more positive. So, when we feel unhappy again (cue), rather than eat snacks, we could listen to some of our favourite music instead (routine), which will make us feel relaxed (reward). Aside from changing bad habits, we can also use the habit cycle to create good habits. For example, when we come toan escalator(cue), our normal routine is to ride it, but we could change this routine into something more positive by taking the stairs instead.
Many of us try to change bad habits quickly and if we are not successful straight away, we often become pessimistic and give up. In fact, the most successful way to change is not suddenly, but over a period of time. As the Chinese philosopher Lao Zi wrote, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” One step seems small, but it is essential. To reach the goal of change, a person must show some discipline and repeatedly take many small steps. After all, it is not easy to break bad habits.
For young people, there is plenty of time to change bad habits. However, there is no “magic pill” or delete button that will help you; you have to think about your bad habits and decide on some changes. You have the power to build a happy and healthy life full of good habits!
1. What’s the main idea of the text?A.How teenagers make a choice. | B.How teenagers feel relaxed. |
C.How teenagers change their bad habits. | D.How teenagers become more independent. |
A.How to change a bad habit and create good ones. B.The cycle of how habits are formed. C.Changing habits gradually. D.No easy way to change bad habits. E.What a habit is. F.Why bad teenage habits should be changed. |
②Part 2(Para.2)
③Part 3(Paras.3-4)
④Part 4(Para.5)
⑤Part 5(Para.6)
⑥Part 6(Para.7)
3. Why is it a bad habit for teenagers to become involved in tobacco or alcohol abuse?
A.Because it is not easy to change. | B.Because it can lead to health problems. |
C.Because it dominates teenagers’ life. | D.Because it is formed early. |
A.We feel relaxed when we smoked. |
B.We feel happy when we play computer games. |
C.We feel disappointed when we heard bad news. |
D.We feel delighted at a new mobile phone given by our parents for good grades. |
A.By trying to form a positive routine. | B.By eating more snacks. |
C.By adapting to our bad habits. | D.By creating more negative ideas. |
A.we should not give up | B.we should take small steps repeatedly |
C.we should be optimistic | D.we should decide on some changes |
Habits for a healthy lifestyle | The | |
What a habit is | ||
How the | ||
An example of the cycle | ||
How to | Changing bad habits gradually by showing some | |
There are no shortcuts in changing bad habits. |
(1)These bad habits, if left unchecked, could lead to more serious ones when they become adults.
(2)The good news is that we can change, if we understand how habits work.
(3)For example, when we feel unhappy (cue), we eat lots of unhealthy snacks (routine), which makes us feel happy (reward).
(4)So, when we feel unhappy again (cue), rather than eat snacks, we could listen to some of our favourite music instead (routine), which will make us feel relaxed (reward).
8 . Taylor Swift gained another great honor this year—the firstever Taylor Swift Award—at the 64th yearly BMI Pop Awards.
Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, the ceremony honored the writers and publishers of the mostperformed pop songs during the past year. The Taylor Swift Award was a recognition(认可) of both Swift’s musical influence and creative gift.
In her acceptance speech, Swift said that she was happy to get the award named after her. “It is really a relief that BMI decided to give me the Taylor Swift Award, because if they had chosen somebody else to give it to, I’d be kind of angry about it,” the singer joked.
This eponymous(同名的) award marked only the second time in BMI’s history that the organization has presented an award in an artist’s name. Michael Jackson, a legendary(传奇的) artist, was the first to get that honor in 1990.
“Taylor Swift is one of the most popular singers in the US. She has shown pop culture through her songs,” said Barbara Cane, BMI’s Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations. “She has had a deep influence, not only musically, but also through her personal belief and commitment to create a standard that values and respects music for everyone. We felt it suitable to award Taylor an honor that is as special as she is.”
Taylor also claimed four of the year’s mostperformed songs to earn the honor of Pop Songwriter of the Year.
1. What do we know about the Taylor Swift Award?A.The Taylor Swift Award can only be given to Taylor Swift herself. |
B.The Taylor Swift Award is the only one that is named after an artist’s name. |
C.Taylor’s creativity in music is one of the reasons that helped her get the award. |
D.Barbara Cane decided to give the award to Taylor this year. |
A.Relieved. | B.Unbelievable. |
C.Angry. | D.Unexpected. |
A.To prove that Michael Jackson is legendary. |
B.To show that Taylor’s getting this award is a great honor. |
C.To show that Taylor is not better than Michael Jackson. |
D.To express that Michael Jackson set a good example to others. |
9 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.
But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.
According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.
To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.
“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.
Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.
It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.
1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?A.Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression. |
B.The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids. |
C.Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running. |
D.The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood. |
A.To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms. |
B.To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high. |
C.To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high. |
D.To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released. |
A.Effect. | B.Goal. | C.Opinion. | D.Question |
A.They can help ease depression symptoms. |
B.They are the best way to treat depression. |
C.They only work for those with serious depression. |
D.They can help people completely recover from depression. |
10 . The impressive collection of literature in the Library Cave at the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Northwest China’s Gansu province,
While the Dunhuang wall paintings have recorded the glories of the past
The value of the
The Library Cave
A.collects | B.represents | C.finds | D.changes |
A.aspects | B.difficulties | C.moods | D.hobbies |
A.Sat | B.Located | C.Lost | D.Moved |
A.formations | B.productions | C.companies | D.exchanges |
A.visually | B.vocally | C.slowly | D.brightly |
A.rooted | B.imagined | C.housed | D.printed |
A.cultural | B.national | C.historical | D.literal |
A.books | B.statues | C.features | D.literature |
A.what | B.that | C.as | D.whose |
A.rise | B.progress | C.start | D.innovation |
A.was checked | B.was ruined | C.was built | D.was removed |
A.felt | B.seemed | C.banned | D.remained |
A.unless | B.whether | C.before | D.after |
A.overseas | B.political | C.additional | D.fundamental |
A.precious | B.affordable | C.secret | D.fashionable |