1 . In recent studies we have been investigating mirror writing by typical 4- to 6-year-old children. The term is used because the characters — numbers and capital letters — are reversed (反向), yet are correct when looked at in a mirror.
Mirror writing entered the scientific literature in 1878. The explanations for the phenomenon were not only insufficient but also often wrong. One of them is — writing with the left hand. Throughout the 20th century, scientific journals have published mirror writing mostly produced by left-handed children. Even today, left-handedness is often the favorite explanation of teachers when children produce mirror writing.
The explanation we find for the phenomenon of mirror writing of characters works on two successive levels, the first cerebral and the second behavioral. The cerebral level shows that the brain removes orientation (left or right) when storing images, a process called symmetrisation or mirror generalization. This mirror-generalization process leads children aged 5 to know, from memory, the shape of the characters, but not their left/right orientation. Given the features of the process — horizontal mirror in the visual modality (视觉模式) — it is important to note that the initial learning of the form of the characters by the children is mainly visual, and that the children only produce horizontal mirror writing.
At the behavioral level, when children write the characters from memory, they must give them an orientation. In countries whose primary languages are written in Latin characters — written from left to right — children most often point them toward the right. This leads them to reverse mainly the left-oriented characters: J, Z, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9. However, when spatial constraints cause them to write from right to left, the children instead reverse the right-oriented letters.
Since this explanation has nothing to do with the handedness of the children, it can be predicted that right-handed children will reverse characters almost often as left-handed children, and that – left-handed or right-handed – children will primarily reverse left-oriented characters in Western culture. This is because they strictly orient the characters in the direction of writing.
1. What aspect of a character does mirror generalization help children to know?A.Its form. | B.Its pronunciation. |
C.Its meaning. | D.Its orientation. |
A.Paragraph 2. | B.Paragraph 3. |
C.Paragraph 4. | D.Paragraph 5. |
A.M. | B.C. | C.8. | D.9. |
A.Handedness is the main reason for mirror writing. |
B.Right-handed children won’t write reversed characters. |
C.Left-handed children reverse right-oriented characters more often. |
D.Children in the US tend to primarily reverse left-oriented characters. |
2 . Scientists are now digging into precisely why exercise holds so many benefits for our mental health and memory. The answer, studies say, lies in our brain chemistry.
Each time you work up a sweat, your body releases feel-good happy hormones (荷尔蒙), including endorphins, dopamine and endocannabinoids, the latter being responsible for the so-called runner’s high. Now researchers are also pointing to myokines (肌肉因子) as an important contributor to the mental health benefits of exercise. When our muscles contract, myokines are released into the bloodstream, helping your muscles and organs communicate. They think this communication increases resilience to stress, reduces symptoms of mental suffering and anxiety and has a direct effect on depression.
A 2021 scientific report published in Neuropharmacology showed evidence that myokines boost brain function, like improving memory and mood. “Myokines reduce systemic inflammation (炎症), which is especially beneficial for people with drug-resistant depression whose low mood is linked to high inflammation,” explains Dr Jennifer Heisz, an expert in brain health and associate professor in the department of kinesiology at McMaster University in Canada.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that treatment for depression can be much more effective when physical activity is added to the usual care. Participants found benefits after 12 weeks of exercising for 30 to 60 minutes a day. “While exercise is not a replacement for professional mental health treatment, physical activity can complement and enhance the effects of the treatment,” says lead researcher Ben Singh, a research fellow at the University of South Australia.
“It is amazing to consider how moving our bodies can heal our minds,” says Heisz. Whether you’re cycling, walking around your neighbourhood or doing yoga, getting sweaty is good for your body and mind. To get the biggest overall health boost, the key is to zero in on sports and activities you enjoy, so you’ll keep going back to them.
1. How do myokines boost our mental health?A.By bonding muscles with organs. |
B.By slowing down our bloodstream. |
C.By contracting muscles through the body. |
D.By releasing happy hormones in our brain. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Negative. |
C.Uncertain | D.Approving. |
A.Adapt to. | B.Give up. |
C.Focus on. | D.Put off. |
A.By making comparisons. |
B.By presenting research findings. |
C.By offering suggestions. |
D.By conducting some experiments. |
3 . Noah Wall recently celebrated his ninth birthday. The little boy from Cumbria, England, uses a wheelchair to get around. He’s extremely smart and loves learning about the solar system. His life is pretty normal, which is astonishing considering doctors didn’t even expect Noah to survive his birth.
His mom, Michelle Wall, was pregnant when tests revealed that her little one had spina bifida (脊椎裂) . When they performed more tests, a scan of Noah’s head showed a cyst(囊肿) that was destroying his brain.
Michelle and her husband Rob prayed for a wonder. On the day Noah was born, he let out a huge cry the moment he appeared to let his parents know that their little guy wasn’t going down without a fight!
Scans showed that just 2 percent of Noah’s brain had survived the cyst in his head. Seven weeks after birth, he received an operation to close the opening in his spine and place a shunt (分流管) in his head to lead fluid (积液) away from his brain. Yet Noah is not mentally disabled. In fact, he’s impressively clever! At 9, he is physically active and dreams of becoming an astronaut someday.
“They told us he might not be able to speak, hear, eat, or anything,” Michelle said. “But I see he can tell the time, read, do maths and love science. He can talk about the solar system. He has unbelievable dreams. ”
Noah has gone through 11 surgeries so far and there are many more to come, but he has already exceeded everyone’s expectations —in every possible way!
“Every single day he does something that impresses me,” Michelle said. “I’m so extremely proud of him. I will help him all I can and always be there for him.”
Noah! What a wonderful reminder of the importance of keeping hope alive.
1. Why is the nine-year-old Noah Wall’s life astonishing?A.The doctor judged him not to survive. | B.He is too smart to explore the solar system. |
C.His full recovery created a great wonder. | D.He will live through 11 operations. |
A.Gone beyond. | B.Subscribed to. |
C.Lived up to. | D.Set the stage for. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Positive. | C.Cautious. | D.Objective. |
A.A Touching Family | B.A Medical Wonder |
C.A Powerful Child | D.A Wonderful Reminder |
4 . Most people, if you quizzed them, probably wouldn’t know how much of all global trade is done by sea. It’s one of several reasons that the pollution and carbon emissions from shipping gain much less attention than those from road transport and other industries. It’s over the horizon, out of sight and out of mind.
Today, the international shipping industry is the main mode of transport for around 90 per cent of world trade. It’s powered almost entirely by fossil fuels. Studies show that alternative technologies and zero-emission fuels — including electrofuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol — have the potential to significantly reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and thus require urgent implementation (实施). There’s just one catch: they don’t exist yet.
Even if the technology were available, the infrastructure (基础设施) for that technology or fuel is going to take time to develop. And an even bigger challenge is going to be whether that methanol or ammonia fuel is green, which touches on other industries such as renewable electricity. Do we even have enough renewable electricity in the world to be able to generate these fuels? It’s a complex supply chain that requires cooperation across the industry. It’s not something that one company can solve by itself.
According to Piotr Konopka, senior manager for energy and decarbonisation (碳减排) programs at DP World, there are some simple behavioral changes that can help cut down on fuel used in the meantime, from the regular maintenance and reduced idling of port equipment to the implementation of weather routing that helps ships avoid rougher, more fuel-intensive stretches of water. “Of course, efficiency is unlikely to ever reduce emissions by more than five or ten per cent, but it’s definitely a low-hanging fruit,” he says.
“This is the last moment for the IMO to act decisively to eliminate shipping emissions” says Delaine McCullough, shipping emissions policy manager at environmental NGO Ocean Conservancy. “We need countries to demand that the IMO set strong emission-reduction goals and take action at home if the IMO fails to do the right thing.”
1. What makes people neglect shipping emissions?A.Prejudice. |
B.Nearsightedness. |
C.Low intelligence. |
D.Lack of knowledge. |
A.Device. | B.Harvest. | C.Problem. | D.Prey. |
A.Alternative fuels. | B.Efficient use of fuel. |
C.Renewable electricity. | D.Advanced technologies. |
A.①/②③/④⑤ | B.①②/③④/⑤ |
C.①②③/④/⑤ | D.①/②③④/⑤ |
5 . A common claim states that a sheet of paper cannot be folded in half more than seven times. But is this true?
In 2002, Britney Gallivan, then a junior in high school in Pomona, California, folded a single piece of paper in half 12 times. She currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most times to fold a sheet of paper in half.
The prompt that led Gallivan to accomplish this was an extra-credit challenge in math class to fold anything in half 12 times. Her teacher asked the students to fold something thicker: a piece of paper.
Gallivan said “it was very frustrating, as I had many unsuccessful attempts at trying to fold different papers in half. I began to question if folding paper in half more than eight times could be impossible.” However, Gallivan recalled. “I knew I needed to understand what was limiting the folding progression.”
The equations (方程式) that Gallivan came up with calculated how many times a sheet of paper could be folded. She found that in order to fold many times, a long thin sheet is needed — the more a sheet is folded, the thicker the resulting stack becomes, and once the stack becomes thicker than it is long, there is nothing left to fold. She ultimately set her record with a sheet of tissue paper she found online that was 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) — more than three-quarters of a mile, or over a kilometer long, Guinness World Records noted.
“Working on the problem took a tremendous amount of time and effort,” Gallivan said. “As frustrating as it was at times, I learned an immense amount from the experience, which has been valuable to me throughout my life in more capacities than one would expect.”
Since Gallivan set her record, others have made claims of folding a sheet of paper more than 12 times. Still, “I anticipate that my current record will be surpassed,” Gallivan said.
1. What prompts Gallivan to accept the challenge?A.Peer pressure. |
B.Mathematics anxiety. |
C.Academic requirement. |
D.Guinness World Records. |
A.The stack is as thick as it’s long. |
B.The paper is neither long nor thin. |
C.The stack is thicker than it’s long. |
D.The paper is longer than it’s thick. |
A.It’s risky. |
B.It’s fruitless. |
C.It’s meaningless. |
D.It’s energy-consuming. |
A.Gallivan’s record is impossible to break. |
B.Folding paper in half is merely a math problem. |
C.Folding things in half may not be limited to 12. |
D.Folding paper 12 times is a required credit in high schools. |
6 . Every holiday season, I get nostalgic (怀旧的) and take a trip down Christmas tree lane. I think about how hard my mom worked to make the holidays special. I remember how she said and proudly displayed all of the gifts she received from us. She acted as if her plastic beaded bracelet (手镯) was made of priceless stones. Year after year, whatever we gave her, she would treasure the gifts as though she was the luckiest woman on earth.
Through the years, friends come and go, but my mom is a constant, my true best friend and biggest fan. She’s by my side not only for the good moments cheering me on with pride, but holding my hand and letting me use her shoulder to cry on through the bad. She refuses to give up on me even when I want to. She is always there to encourage me in the midst of life’s challenges and eager to celebrate life’s joys.
So as much as the salt dough ornament (装饰品) pleased her, which is in a noticeable place on her tree every year, I’ve increased its amount now to surprise her at Christmas. I ask myself. What hasn’t she done before? What is something that she would like, but would never, in a million years, buy herself?
Gifts mom will treasure. So for the one who knows you best and still loves you, find a great gift that will show how much you really care and value her support. Select a thoughtful gift based on what brings her the greatest enjoyment.
However, the best gifts, I suppose, cannot be wrapped. Set aside time to spend alone with mom. It can simply be a day together doing what she enjoys most or plan a weekend getaway to a place she has always wanted to see. It will mean more to her than you may ever know. Together you will create lasting memories she will treasure for the rest of her life.
What are your most memorable moments with your mom? For your mom, what would you value most in the holiday season?
1. Why does the author regard her mother as her best friend?A.Because they share the same interest in Christmas decorations. |
B.Because she always receives encouragement from her mother. |
C.Because her mother gives her a big surprise at every Christmas. |
D.Because they are pleased with whatever gifts they give each other. |
A.The author’s mother never gets something for nothing. |
B.The author’s mother has always been giving rather than taking. |
C.The author feels ashamed of having kept her mother working too hard. |
D.The author bitterly regrets having cared little for her mother in the past. |
A.Lasting memories. | B.Long holiday seasons. |
C.Time with their children. | D.Things moms never buy in person. |
A.Gifts Your Mom Will Treasure |
B.How to Make Holidays Special |
C.Memorable Moments with Your Mom |
D.Mom-A Strong Supporter and the Best Friend |
7 . Long Walks in Europe
Waldstätterweg Trail, Lucerne, Switzerland
Distance 71 miles
The Waldstätterweg Trail (路线) is one of the safest when it comes to snowy conditions, and the views and the colours of the trees are breathtaking at the end of October. This seven-stage route trails the shore of Lake Lucerne, with the glaring blue water being a constant companion. Old paths and elegant trails through woods link lakeside settlements.
Harz Witches Trail, Lower Saxony, Germany
Distance 58 miles
The Harz Mountains have long been associated with German folklore (民俗). Harz Witches Trail runs along forest tracks through Harz National Park and can be walked throughout October and beyond. The route takes in forests, Germany’s largest wooden church, and a 439-metre rope suspension bridge. It also follows the poet Goethe’s hiking route up the Brocken.
GR141, Andalucía, Spain
Distance 68 miles
Autumn isn’t just a good time to walk in Andalucía. The weather stays warm long after winter starts to bite further north. It’s cheaper and less crowded, too. In November, conditions are milder here and some plants continue to flower. And two newly created GR routes begin here: both are well marked, reasonably challenging, divided into six stages and walkable in a week.
Menalon Trail, Peloponnese, Greece
Distance 47 miles
The Menalon Trail is an excellent option for autumn. Temperatures are pleasant and autumn colours are wonderful well into November. It’s a quiet time to visit, too. Nights in mountain villages are a highlight. Dimitsana, surrounded by pine forests and snowy peaks, is a particular jewel; In Stemnitsa, there is a folklore museum showcasing the village’s jewellery-making heritage.
1. Which trail may attract people who are interested in folk and local religious culture?A.Harz Witches Trail. | B.Waldstätterweg Trail . |
C.GR141. | D.Menalon Trail. |
A.Admire colorful flowers. | B.Learn about local festivals. |
C.Enjoy wonderful nights. | D.Explore the forests. |
A.They cover similar distances. | B.They require no charges. |
C.They feature snow scenery. | D.They suit autumn walks. |
8 . Lonely Planet’s Top Places to Go in 2024
Are you looking for inspiration for your next travel destination? Lonely Planet has published its yearly list of top places to go. Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or value, there’s something for every type of traveler. Let’s explore the. top picks for travel destinations in 2024.
Top City: Nairobi
Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, was chosen for its unique music and dance culture, and impressive local restaurants. Nairobi National Park, just a short drive out of the city’s central business district, is a must-see, where visitors can see over-400 species wandering the open grass plains while skyscrapers twinkle on the horizon.
Top Country: Mongolia
Mongolia is loved for its wide-open spaces, adventure activities, and unique food. The Mongolian government has announced 2023 through. 2025: as: the “Years to Visit Mongolia“, easing entry conditions for international travelers and improving public facilities, including a new $ 650 million airport.
Top Sustainable Travel Destination: Spain
The publisher also recommended Spain for the country’s efforts to expand renewable energy, to develop off-season travel, and to bring tourism to new destinations, such as the port city of Valencia, easing pressures on hot spots such as Barcelona.
Top Best-Value Location: The American Midwest
The American Midwest, including the cities of Chicago and Detroit, is also on the list, as it offers a high-quality travel experience at a reasonable cost. Visitors can enjoy excellent services and facilities. such as old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco-design hotels, and Michelin-starred restaurants, without having to spend too much money.
Top Beach Destination: Donegal
Donegal Ireland’s most northwestern county, has the country’s longest coastline and over 100 beaches, where visitors can enjoy the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of beautiful coastal hiking trails.
1. What can people do in Nairobi National Park?A.Enjoy adventure activities. | B.Taste local delicious cuisine. |
C.See various wild animals. | D.Appreciate musical performances. |
A.It has simplified entry procedures. | B.It offers cost-effective experiences. |
C.It combines art with natural scenery. | D.It provides good transportation services. |
A.To entertain. | B.To analyse. | C.To inform. | D.To report. |
9 . Social media networks have been shown to have greatly changed students’ social behaviour. But the relationship between social media and students’ English language writing has been largely ignored (忽视). So our team of four researchers studied one English as a Second Language (ESL) class at Fiaseman SenirHigh School in Tarkwa, southwestern Ghana. Our research focused on a Form 2 class, made up of 47 students aged 17 and 18 on average. It was one of the largest classes in the school, which offered English as a general subject.
The study found that the students spent really long periods of time on various social media platforms (平台) . But most of the sites they visited were not about learning. That was worrying. One student said, “I visit social media every day. I can’t count. I’m always there. It is very difficult to control my presence there. I truly don’t know what to do.”
We also found that their social media use had resulted in their use of shortened forms of English words-such as “4” in place of “for”, “u” in place of “you” and “d” in place of “the” --in their writing, including in their English examinations. These are the unacceptable written forms of English.
We concluded that the way in which English is being used in examinations by students is being undermined by their use of the English language on social media. This is a growing trend (趋势) that will see students struggle to get ahead in the subject, as more formal English language writing is needed for examinations and further studies.
We recommend that those involved in education should consider connecting teaching practices that take advantage of social media to attract students. This would allow students to learn during their time on social media platforms. Also, teachers should help students choose proper social media sites. They should tell students about the importance and dangers of social media and how to use them, especially for educational purposes.
1. What does the student want to convey through his words?A.He used social media for educational purposes. |
B.He was worried about his privacy on social media. |
C.He lacked the knowledge of properly using social media. |
D.He was interested in new information on social media. |
A.Creativity in English expressions. |
B.More chances to master new words. |
C.Increased competition among them. |
D.Disappointing English writing performance. |
A.improved slowly. | B.proven scientifically. |
C.influenced negatively. | D.corrected effectively. |
A.Guiding students in using social media as a learning tool. |
B.Encouraging students to join in outdoor activities regularly. |
C.Limiting the time of students’ using their phones strictly. |
D.Providing different online courses for students. |
10 . Bangladesh has a large population. The nation depends on rice as its main food. Growing rice requires a lot of water and energy, especially during the dry season from January to June when farmers mostly rely on groundwater. This results in serious reduction of groundwater as well as greenhouse gas emissions(排放).
Researchers from the University of Washington and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Agriculture have developed a system called Integrated Rice Advisory System (IRAS), which uses satellite data from NASA and its partners to give farmers important information.
IRAS works by combining satellite data on water use, rainfall, and weather forecasts with crop water demand(需求)characteristics to produce location-specific suggestions for farmers. The suggestions tell farmers how much water they have, how much they are using, and how much they need for their crops. They also warn farmers if they have over-or under-watered their fields.
The IRAS team states that the system will help reduce agricultural water waste by about 30 percent, cut fuel use by 45 percent, save S115 million yearly, and lower carbon emissions by 300,000 tons per year.
IRAS is an example of how global cooperation and the sharing of important data among nations can help improve food security, water management, and environmental protection around the world. “In addition to being affordable and convenient for farmers, the method can help the world become more water-efficient and energy-efficient in growing food,” said Faisal Hossain, leader of IRAS.
The IRAS team completed its first nationwide effort in June 2023, after working with staff from Bangladesh’s Department of Agricultural Extension and Agro-Meteorological Information Service to set up the system. Faisal Hossain and his colleagues hope to broaden the reach of IRAS in the future, and apply it to other crops that demand large amounts of water, like sugar cane. “We believe that this affordable tool will be applied to any area where we know what crop is being grown and what their crop water demand characteristics are,” he said.
1. How does IRAS mainly serve farmers?A.By collecting data about weather. | B.By monitoring the growth of crops. |
C.By guiding them on water management. | D.By helping them look for new groundwater. |
A.By listing related data. | B.By giving an example. |
C.By making a comparison. | D.By referring to a research report. |
A.The specific technology used in the system. |
B.Future challenges of applying the system. |
C.Farmers’ opinions on the system. |
D.The importance of the system. |
A.It will be well-received in the future. |
B.It encourages international cooperation. |
C.It can only be used on crops in dry places. |
D.It requires better education on water protection. |