1 . Race walking shares many fitness benefits with running, research shows, while most likely contributing to fewer injuries. It does, however, have its own problem.

Race walkers are conditioned athletes. The longest track and field event at the Summer Olympics is the 50-kilometer race walk, which is about five miles longer than the marathon. But the sport’s rules require that a race walker’s knees stay straight through most of the leg swing and one foot remain in contact (接触) with the ground at all times. It’s this strange form that makes race walking such an attractive activity, however, says Jaclyn Norberg, an assistant professor of exercise science at Salem State University in Salem, Mass.

Like running, race walking is physically demanding, she says, According to most calculations, race walkers moving at a pace of six miles per hour would burn about 800 calories(卡路里) per hour, which is approximately twice as many as they would burn walking, although fewer than running, which would probably burn about 1,000 or more calories per hour.

However, race walking does not pound the body as much as running does, Dr. Norberg says. According to her research, runners hit the ground with as much as four times their body weight per step, while race walkers, who do not leave the ground, create only about 1.4 times their body weight with each step.

As a result, she says, some of the injuries associated with running, such as runner’s knee, are uncommon among race walkers. But the sport’s strange form does place considerable stress on the ankles and hips, so people with a history of such injuries might want to be cautious in adopting the sport. In fact, anyone wishing to try race walking should probably first consult a coach or experienced racer to learn proper technique, she says. It takes some practice.

1. Why are race walkers conditioned athletes?

A．They must run long distances.

B．They are qualified for the marathon.

C．They have to follow special rules.

D．They are good at swinging their legs.

2. What advantage does race walking have over running?

A．It’s more popular at the Olympics.

B．It’s less challenging physically.

C．It’s more effective in body building.

D．It’s less likely to cause knee injuries.

3. What is Dr. Norberg’s suggestion for someone trying race walking?

A．Getting experts’ opinions.

B．Having a medical checkup.

C．Hiring an experienced coach.

D．Doing regular exercises.

4. Which word best describes the author’s attitude to race walking?

A．Skeptical.	B．Objective.
C．Tolerant.	D．Conservative.

2 . According to a recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research, both the size and consumption habits of our eating companions can influence our food intake. And contrary to existing research that says you should avoid eating with heavier people who order large portions(份), it's the beanpoles with big appetites you really need to avoid.

To test the effect of social influence on eating habits, the researchers conducted two experiments. In the first, 95 undergraduate women were individually invited into a lab to ostensibly(表面上)participate in a study about movie viewership. Before the film began, each woman was asked to help herself to a snack. An actor hired by the researchers grabbed her food first. In her natural state, the actor weighed 105 pounds. But in half the cases she wore a specially designed fat suit which increased her weight to 180 pounds.

Both the fat and thin versions of the actor took a large amount of food. The participants followed suit, taking more food than they normally would have. However, they took significantly more when the actor was thin.

For the second test, in one case the thin actor took two pieces of candy from the snack bowls. In the other case, she took 30 pieces. The results were similar to the first test: the participants followed suit but took significantly more candy when the thin actor took 30 pieces.

The tests show that the social environment is extremely influential when we're making decisions. If this fellow participant is going to eat more, so will I. Call it the “I’ll have what she's having” effect. However, we'll adjust the influence. If an overweight person is having a large portion, I'll hold back a bit because I see the results of his eating habits. But if a thin person eats a lot, I'll follow suit. If he can eat much and keep slim, why can't I?

1. What is the recent study mainly about?

A．Food safety.	B．Movie viewership.
C．Consumer demand.	D．Eating behavior.

2. What does the underlined word “beanpoles” in paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Big eaters.	B．Overweight persons.
C．Picky eaters.	D．Tall thin persons.

3. Why did the researchers hire the actor?

A．To see how she would affect the participants.

B．To test if the participants could recognize her.

C．To find out what she would do in the two tests.

D．To study why she could keep her weight down.

4. On what basis do we “adjust the influence” according to the last paragraph?

A．How hungry we are.	B．How slim we want to be.
C．How we perceive others.	D．How we feel about the food.

3 . Having worked at a 7-Eleven store for two years, I thought I had become successful at what our manager calls “customer relations”. I firmly believed that a friendly smile and an automatic “sir”, “ma’ma”, and “thank you” would see me through any situation that might arise, from comforting impatient or unpleasant people to apologizing for giving out the wrong change. But the other night an old woman shattered my belief that a simple and plain response could smooth over the rough spots of dealing with all kinds of customers.

The moment she entered, the woman presented a sharp contrast to our shiny store with its bright lighting and neatly arranged shelves. Walking as if each step were painful, she slowly pushed open the glass door and hobbled (蹒跚) down the nearest aisle. She coughed dryly, wheezing (气喘吁吁) with each breath. On a forty-degree night, she was wearing only a faded dress, a thin sweater too small to button, and black slippers with the backs cut out to expose calloused (满是老茧的) heels. There were no stockings or socks on her blue-veined legs.

After wandering around the store for several minutes, the old woman stopped in front of the rows of canned vegetables. She picked up a can of corn and stared with a strange intensity at the label. At that point, I decided to be a good, polite employee and asked her if she needed help. As I stood close to her, my smile became harder to maintain; her red-rimmed eyes were partially closed by yellowish crusts (痂); her hands were covered with layer upon layer of dirt, and the stale (陈腐的) smell of sweat rose from clothes.   

“I need some food,” she muttered in reply to my bright “Can I help you?”

“Are you looking for corn, ma’am?”

“I need some food,” she repeated, “Any kind.”

“Well, the corn is ninety-five cents,” I said in my most helpful voice.

“I can’t pay,” she said.   

For a second, I was tempted to say, “Take the corn.” But the employee rules flooded into my mind: Remain polite, but do not let customers get the best of you. Let them know that you are in control. For a moment, I even entertained the idea that this was some sort of test, and that this woman was someone from the head office, testing my loyalty. I responded dutifully, “I’m sorry, but I can’t give away anything for free.”

The old woman’s face collapsed a bit more, and her hands trembled as she put the can back on the shelf. She shuffled (拖着脚走) past me toward the door, her torn and dirty clothing barely covering her bent back.   

Moments after she left, I rushed out of the door with the can of corn, but she was nowhere in sight. For the rest of my shift, the image of the woman haunted (萦绕) me. I had been young, healthy and proud. She had been old, sick and desperate. Wishing with all my heart that I had acted like a human being rather than a robot, I was saddened to realize how weak a hold we have on our better instincts.

1. How did the writer feel about his job at 7-Eleven before the old woman came?

A．He was quite satisfied with his service manner.

B．He found room for improvement in developing customer relations.

C．He considered himself successful in dealing with all interpersonal relations.

D．He thought himself experienced after working in the store for two years.

2. The detailed account of the old woman is intended to show ________.

A．how she presented a sharp contrast to the other customers

B．how sick, poor and desperate for help she was

C．how she surprised the writer with her unusual appearance

D．how inappropriate it was for her to enter a place like this

3. What’s the meaning of the phrase “get the best of” according to the passage?

A．To make the most of.	B．To bring out the best of.
C．To win an advantage over.	D．To bring into full play.

4. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A．What If.

B．How Come.

C．If Only.

D．Never Ever.

4 . “A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots (靴子) on.” said Mark Twain. In today’s Internet world of “fake (假的) news,” lies spread even faster and the truth is having trouble finding its boots.

To make matters worse, most young people get news from social media sites where facts are mixed with rumors (谣言), half-truths and complete lies. This has led to young people becoming confused. In the latest PISA, which tested 15-year-olds worldwide on academic subjects, fewer than one in ten of the examinees were reported to be able to recognize fact from opinion. A Stanford University study showed that students at all levels of education could not tell teal news from fake news. In one instance, 80 percent thought that a paid advertisement was a real news story.

Fake news is spread by people who have a prejudice (偏见). They want to influence public opinion either for or against something or someone. It is important, then, for young people to recognize when they are being used and to be doubtful about online information.

Traditional media, such as newspapers and television, are still the more credible sources of information. Reporters are professional trained to look for facts, and editors have the job of making sure those facts are correct. However, if you are getting most of your information online, you have to be your own editor. In that case, the first thing to do is to look at the writer of a post. Is this person known to be objective? Does the site where you read the post have a prejudice? Next, look for other sources from mainstream media to make sure the information. In other words, by putting on your truth boots you won’t be fooled into chasing lies.

1. What does the writer say about young people with news around?

A．They make fake news and spread it.	B．They are easily fooled by fake news.
C．They get worried about their education.	D．They can recognize facts from opinions.

2. What does the underlined word “credible” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Primary.	B．Realistic.
C．Believable.	D．Important.

3. According to the writer, what can help us avoid being fooled by fake news?

A．Only look for news through media.

B．Become a professional and trained reporter.

C．Compare the news from different sources.

D．focus on the new instead of the writer.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．What Should a Reporter Do?

B．Who Makes and Spreads Fake New?

C．How Can We Become a Newspaper Editor?

D．How Can We Stay Objective in Reading News?

5 . There was a time when a trip to the supermarket in theUnited States often ended with a seemingly simple question from the cashier: “Paper or plastic?” Well, which type of bag would you choose?

While all types of bags have some influence on the environment, it has long been supposed that paper bags are kinder. They are made from a renewable source, break down easily, burn without giving off thick smoke and can be recycled. However, the producing process behind paper bags uses more energy than that of plastic ones. How can this be true?

Studies show that paper bag production requires four times as much energy as plastic bag production. And the amount of water used to make paper bags is twenty times higher. Besides, the influence on forests is very serious. It takes about fourteen million trees to produce ten billion paper bags, which happens to be the number of bags used in the United States yearly.In terms of recycling, the idea that paper bags are more environmentally friendly than plastic ones can be quickly discarded. Research shows it requires about 98% less energy to recycle plastic than it does to recycle paper.

Even though paper bags might be more harmful than plastic ones, plastic still seems to be considered by governments as the more harmful of the two. In Ireland, for example, a tax has been introduced to discourage the use of plastic bags. People have to pay 22 cents for every plastic bag, and as a result, their use has dropped quickly.

There’s no doubt that it makes more sense to reuse these bags. However, we don’t seem to be doing that at present. Cloth bags are a better choice, but still, their production also has a bad influence on the environment. So what to do? How should I we answer the question of “Paper or plastic?” It seems that we first need to ask ourselves one more general question: “What can I do to help the environment?”

1. Why does the author use the questions in Paragraph 1?

A．To express the author’s doubts.	B．To introduce the topic for discussion.
C．To tell readers how to save money.	D．To show the kindness of the cashier.

2. Compared with plastic bags, paper bags ________.

A．need more water to produce	B．require less energy to recycle
C．have less influence on forests	D．take more time to break down

3. Which of the following can best replace the underlined word “discarded” in Paragraph 3?

A．Put forward.

B．Discussed.

C．Given up.

D．Shared.

4. Which question does the author probably hope the cashier will ask?

A．Paper or cloth?	B．Paper or plastic?
C．A small bag or a big one?	D．A new bag or your own one?

7 . Every day, Tim in his car would pass by Eric, who had been homeless for years. It took some courage to finally walk up to him. He introduced himself, and _______ to Eric, saying, “I’m sorry for _______ by you a hundred times and never saying Hi.” The visit was a sincere one. He asked Eric many questions, like what he wanted to do with his life. Eric told Tim he had _______ to California from Kentucky to be a _______， but some things didn’t work out.

It was during the first conversation _______ they discovered they shared the love of art. And Tim, a car designer who hadn’t _______ a paint brush(画笔) for eight years, asked to paint a _______ of Eric. He saw the man who moved from Kentucky just to have a career in music. For eight years, Eric was the first guy that captured(捕获) his heart and gave him a subject(主题) to _______.

When he asked Eric what he wanted to _______ the income from the painting, Tim suggested he buy some basics for life, like clothes, or food. However, Eric said, “I want to ________ a CD.” And then Tim started looking for a ________. There was no drum set(架子鼓), so Tim suggested using synthesized(合成音响) drums. Eric turned ________ that idea. “No way,” he said. Tim thought to himself, “Man, how many areas in my own life have I just given in to making do with(用某物将就) less? And the fact that he wouldn’t was a lesson that I’ve ________.”

Eric, who’s still homeless, has finished recording a CD.He’s so ________ for his friendship with Tim. “It’s really helped me to meet someone who supports me,” Eric says. “I consider you ________ a friend,” Tim tells Eric. “You’ve shown me a new way to look at the world. Everyone deserves to be seen with eyes of love and respect.”

1.

A．adapted

B．showed

C．apologized

D．adjusted

2.

A．driving

B．running

C．settling

D．walking

3.

A．paused

B．received

C．moved

D．fled

4.

A．scientist

B．musician

C．writer

D．tutor

5.

A．which

B．when

C．what

D．that

6.

A．dried up

B．picked up

C．kept up

D．cut up

7.

A．file

B．haircut

C．statue

D．picture

8.

A．paint

B．design

C．sing

D．scan

9.

A．meet with

B．help out

C．do with

D．mark out

10.

A．buy

B．record

C．sell

D．send

11.

A．studio

B．restaurant

C．house

D．club

12.

A．up

B．to

C．down

D．into

13.

A．hired

B．owed

C．robbed

D．learned

14.

A．suitable

B．annoyed

C．thankful

D．shallow

15.

A．less than

B．rather than

C．or rather

D．more than

8 . Janus, the Roman god, has two faces looking in opposite directions. So does artificial intelligence (AI). On one side are the positive changes, enabling people to achieve more, far more quickly, by using technology to improve their existing skills. Look the other way, though, and there are plenty of potential pitfalls.

Like Janus, technological change may also cause disruption(混乱), but AI is likely to have a bigger impact than anything since the appearance of computers, and its consequences could be far more disruptive.

In the years ahead, AI will raise three big questions for bosses and governments. One is the effect on jobs. Although CEOs publicly praise the broad benefits AI will bring, their main interest lies in cutting costs. One European bank asked Infosys to find a way of reducing the staff in its operations department from 50,000 to 500. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by 2030 up to 375m people, or 14% of the global workforce, could have their jobs replaced by AI.

A second important question is how to protect privacy as AI spreads. The internet has already made it possible to track people’s digital behavior in minute detail. AI will offer even better tools for businesses to monitor consumers and employees, both online and in the physical world. Consumers are sometimes happy to go along with this if it results in personalised service or promotions. But AI is bound to bring invasion of privacy that is seen as unacceptable. For example, law-enforcement officials around the world will use AI to spot criminals, but may also monitor ordinary citizens.

The third question is about the effect of AI on competition in business. A technology company that achieves a major breakthrough in artificial intelligence could race ahead of rivals, put others out of business and lessen competition. This is unlikely to happen in the near future, but if it did it would be of great concern.

It is too early to tell whether the positive changes brought by AI will outweigh the risk. But it will put an end to traditional ways of doing things and start a new era for business and for the world at large.

1. Janus is mentioned to .

A．introduce the topic	B．praise the Roman god
C．tell its difference	D．support AI

2. The underlined word “pitfalls” in paragraph 1 is probably means .

A．consequences

B．risks

C．effects

D．benefits

3. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．AI is a double-edged sword.

B．People show great concern about AI.

C．privacy is threatened by AI.

D．AI will enjoy a bright future.

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards AI?

A．Objective.

B．Positive.

C．Worried.

D．Subjective.

9 . You've been painting for a few years, and maybe you have even sold a painting or two. Are you ready to ______ the title of an amateur artist?

Distinguishing green hand from professional artists is ______ task. It is not just a matter of your ability to create nice paintings. It's not only about painting techniques. And for most cases, it doesn't happen ______. Very few artists become overnight success without years of struggle and suffering.

To turn professional, people find it critical to develop a personal style. What makes your paintings _______ among other paintings out there? Are your paintings standing out unmistakably directed to you as the creator? A personal style comes along with technique, painting medium, and subject and it tends to develop gradually over time. You _______ it through unconscious and constant exploring and self-shaping. Style does not mean that you are painting the same subject or using the same painting medium. Salvador Dali used to use many artistic media, but they all have a _______ Dali style. Style refers to the emotions and thoughts delivered by your paintings, which people can identify with. (认同/产生共鸣) Their _______ of the painter is then a sure thing.

Artists talk about their _______ all of the time. What gets you out of bed every morning to paint? How do you find the energy to have all your time devoted to painting?   ______, we all love to do what we do and we get a satisfaction out of creating. For the professional artist, it goes beyond that. Some artists wish to convey a deep message concerning life, society or even politics. Others simply seek   _______ returns to cover kids' tuition fees or pay family bills. Yet, all professional artists know that they have to keep working to achieve the goals.

Many amateur artists passively wait for   _______ to come. If they are not in the mood, they do not bother wasting the time. They sometimes allow themselves to be occupied by events like parties. Professionals are never easily _______ or torn away from their art work in progress. Focused on their work so much, some even regard spending time outside their _______ as crime. _______ is their secret to high productivity.

Besides, professional artists are constantly prepared to grab new ideas for the next painting, which they believe is sure to be better than the previous one. The belief that there is always room for _______ keeps driving them forward in the art world where many masters have come along.

1.

A．step beyond

B．turn off

C．see through

D．make up

2.

A．rewarding

B．tricky

C．formal

D．temporary

3.

A．individually

B．thoroughly

C．instantly

D．sincerely

4.

A．different

B．superior

C．practical

D．reliable

5.

A．get

B．transfer

C．imitate

D．analyze

6.

A．recent

B．clear

C．modest

D．logical

7.

A．preservation

B．employment

C．adaption

D．recognition

8.

A．background

B．significance

C．motivation

D．routine

9.

A．To sum up

B．In contrast

C．In addition

D．In general

10.

A．academic

B．global

C．financial

D．original

11.

A．inspiration

B．fame

C．guidance

D．solution

12.

A．offended

B．dominated

C．distracted

D．rewarded

13.

A．studio

B．bedroom

C．garage

D．garden

14.

A．Reflection

B．Devotion

C．Creativity

D．Illustration

15.

A．negotiation

B．profit

C．criticism

D．improvement

10 . Lao-tzu and Confucius were China’s most famous philosophers.     1     “Those who know do not say; those who say do not know.” said Lao-tzu. Confucius said that the best people say the least, but do the most.

    2     It comes from the story that he was born with white hair, already old and wise. ? Very little is known about Lao-tzu’ s life. His writings are titled the “Tao Te Ching”.

According to Taoism, the entire universe flows with a mysterious force called the Tao, which means “The Way”.     3     When people forget this, opinions of good and evil or true and false happen. Taoists try to remember their oneness. However, this is easier said than done, Lao-tzu said. Over time, Taoism changed a bit. ? Taoism became more popular in AD 440 when it became China’s state religion. Many people practice Taoism today.

Born in 551 BC, Confucius wandered throughout China as a government employee and a political adviser to the ruling Chou family.     4     After Corfucius died in 479 BC, his students wrote down his teachings and called them Lun-yu, or the Analects. Many of his clever sayings are still followed today. “It is as hard to be poor without complaining as to be rich without becoming arrogant (傲慢的).” Confucianism says it is important to learn to be human. People should act with goodness towards each other to create order and unity. Confucianism guided thinking in China until about a hundred years ago.

Taoism and Confucianism have differences and similarities. Confucianism tells people how to act toward each other. Taoism tells people how to find meaning in life. They both share ideas about man, society, and the universe. Both Taoism and Confucianism have served as guides.     5    

A．Good thinking lasts a long time!

B．Their sayings are still used today.

C．Lao-tzu may not even have existed.

D．He was also a musician, thinker, and teacher.

E．The name Lao-tzu means “Old Master” or “Old Boy”.

F．They have led China through the peaks and valleys of its long history.

G．Taoists believe that everything might seem separate, but is actually one.