1 . Do you ever pull your phone out of your pocket, thinking it is vibrating (振动), only to find that it isn't?

This phenomenon, which scientists call “phantom (幻觉的) phone vibration”, is very common.Around 80% of people surveyed say they have imagined their phones vibrating when they were actually still.

So, what leads to this universal behavior? According to the BBC, the explanation lies in your brain's ability to discover signals from the outside world.

When your phone is in your pocket, there are two possible states: It is either vibrating or not.   Meanwhile, you also have two possible states of mind: the judgment that the phone is ⅵbrating, or that it isn't. Ideally, you match the four states correctly. However, sometimes your brain decides that the consequences of missing a call are more serious than a “false alarm”. Therefore, you become more sensitive to vibrations so that you don't miss anything.

This is just like the fire alarm in your home—it can be annoying when it goes off in response to just a tiny bit of smoke. But that's a small price to pay compared to a fire really breaking out because the alarm fails to alert you. Now, you might still ask, why can't our brains just make every judgment correctly without being too sensitive to false signals? The answer is that your brain bears a heavy burden every day. “You get a large amount of sensory information that's coining from your eyes, ears and skin, and you can't deal with all that information all the time,” Michael Rothberg, a researcher at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, US, told Live Science.

For example, the rustling (沙沙声) of clothing or the growling (咕咕声you’re your stomach may both lead your brain to believe that they come from the vibration of your phone—it is like trying to hear your name being called in a noisy room.

So, perhaps you should just check your phone whenever you think it’s vibrating, lt isn’t too much trouble to do that, is it?

1. According to this passage, phantom phone vibration ________.

A．is common among people with mental problems

B．happens when our brains react too sensitively

C．can measure people's ability to collect information

D．helps our brains to make decisions quickly and accurately

2. Why did the author use the example of fire alarm in this passage?

A．To help us understand the cause of phantom phone vibration better.

B．To tell us the phone vibration usually happens when a fire breaks out.

C．To show us the fire alarm is as sensitive as the phone vibration.

D．To convince us it’s important to check our phones like checking a fire alarm.

3. According to Michael Rothberg, which mainly accounts for phantom phone vibration?

A．A lack of much attention.	B．A noisy background.
C．An overflow of sensory information.	D．A heavy burden every day.

4. What does the author suggest we do about phantom phone vibration?

A．We should always fully believe our own sense of hearing.

B．We should just check our phones when we think they're vibrating.

C．We should ignore the vibration bothering when our phones are actually still.

D．We should think of the vibration carefully before we make correct judgments.

2 . Everyone fancies a bargain; if it is free, everyone loves it even more! Those who do not believe in a free lunch can now eat their words because it is possible to get things for free in Singapore without any conditions attached. Let me introduce you to some tips on where and how to gain some free presents, all without even touching your wallet.

Food

Go search for food festivals and fairs. These food sellers usually put out a lot of small samples for all to try. Famous ones include the Singapore Food Festival held annually in the month of July at various locations including the Takashimaya Square and Plaza Singapura.

Haircuts

There are well-known hair salons every month that require hair models for apprentices(学徒) to exercise their skills or for their hair stylists(发型师) to experiment with new styles. Unbelievable as it might sound, most people come out of this experience satisfied and addicted to more of such deals. Free Internet

Most hotels offer free wifi. There are also many cafes in Singapore that offer free wireless surfing. However, order a coffee to avoid unfriendly stares from the staff. Popular spots include the McDonald’s, Starbucks and

Cafe Galilee outlets throughout our island. Free City Tour If you are a traveler in Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board has arranged for you to enjoy a free two-hour city tour that offers you a choice to enjoy a Sentosa Island tour or a small-boat experience.

Living and traveling in Singapore is expensive, but sometimes all it takes is a closer look at all the little sheltered comers of this island to appreciate the occasional treasures that are given to those who seek.

1. Which of the following best explains the underlined part “all without even touching your wallet”？

A．Free of charge.	B．Free of worry.
C．Free of pain.	D．Free of tax.

2. From which way does free “Haircuts” benefit hair salons?

A．Advertising their products.

B．Attracting more customers.

C．Developing their staff’s skills.

D．Building their reputation.

3. In which part of a magazine can we read this text?

A．Health.	B．Economy.
C．Education.	D．Travel.

3 . The snow was falling and the roads had become dangerous. The schools were dismissed early, but much to my surprise, my ____ wasn’t canceled. So I went, feeling especially heroic. As far as I could see, I was risking my life to keep my ____. Snow or no snow, I would be on time for my scheduled donation at the local ____ center.

When I got there, I discovered I wasn’t _____. Four more “hero-types” were already lying back in donor chairs with lines ____ to their veins, and machines quietly pumping away to ______ their lifesaving gifts.

Seeing my fellow donors honoring their own commitments, I realized why I was there. I lay back in my donor chair, ready to make a difference in the life of someone I would never _____.

To be honest, I’d never really thought about why I donate. I just do it. But a few months ago, during one of my ____ donations I learned that my blood was specifically for a cancer patient and for a newborn baby—both patients needed what I would give in order to live. I’ve viewed my visits to the blood center _____ ever since.

My wife Karen is a _____, too. And more importantly, she has been on the bone marrow (骨髄) list for fifteen years, ever since she signed up to provide bone marrow to a kindergartner with leukemia (白血病). That little girl died before Karen’s bone marrow could help her, ____ Karen was called again recently. Her test results were still on file, and it turned out she was a potential ____ for someone else. The caller asked Karen if she would still be willing to become a bone marrow donor. “Yes,” she said and then immediately began answering questions on the pages of paperwork for further testing. It was a race ____ time.

I wish I could say that this ____ was won. It wasn’t. The caller later thanked Karen for her participation and asked a few more questions—including whether or not she’d ____ on the donor list. “Of course,” Karen answered.

Last week Karen gave blood and next week I’ll make my usual donation. I’ll ____ an afternoon from my schedule and make an appointment. I don’t know whose life my donation may ____. Most likely it will be a ____, but on any day the person needing a blood product could be you or me or maybe a loved one. It is worthwhile to ___ our time to donate.

I really do feel _____ every time I donate. And I like the feeling.

1.

A．appointment

B．class

C．meeting

D．flight

2.

A．secret

B．balance

C．shape

D．word

3.

A．service

B．shopping

C．blood

D．care

4.

A．alone

B．welcome

C．late

D．lucky

5.

A．exposed

B．attached

C．applied

D．added

6.

A．examine

B．produce

C．collect

D．clean

7.

A．meet

B．forget

C．miss

D．recognize

8.

A．regular

B．unexpected

C．special

D．pleasant

9.

A．wisely

B．differently

C．hesitantly

D．carefully

10.

A．receiver

B．doctor

C．patient

D．donor

11.

A．or

B．but

C．and

D．for

12.

A．risk

B．customer

C．match

D．partner

13.

A．beyond

B．with

C．against

D．of

14.

A．honor

B．test

C．prize

D．race

15.

A．rank

B．sign

C．appear

D．remain

16.

A．clear

B．separate

C．lose

D．remove

17.

A．touch

B．affect

C．create

D．enrich

18.

A．child

B．stranger

C．hero

D．friend

19.

A．spend

B．save

C．kill

D．take

20.

A．empty

B．grateful

C．proud

D．nervous

4 . SYDNEY —Australian scientists have designed a system which uses microwaves to break down plastic into an environmentally friendly by-product.

Head of Electrical Engineering at Australia’s James Cook University, Prof. Mohan Jacob revealed on Thursday that by using microwaves, plastic waste can be converted into biochar(生物炭), charcoal that can be used as a soil conditioner.

“We are developing a processing room, which could process many kinds of plastic materials, up to 5 kilograms of waste,” Jacob said. “It will be a typical example system for the development of biochars from different types of plastics under various conditions.” Jacob explained that microwave energy is used to heat the plastic waste above 600 degrees centigrade within the custom-made room, where it ends up as a biochar, which can then be used to improve the properties of soil.

Currently underway is step one of the project, testing the room, after which, step two will involve improving the energy efficiency of the system and maximizing the yield of by-products. If all goes to plan, step three will be to construct a medium scale waste processing system which is customizable and can be installed remotely.

Jacob said that with the average person using 130 kg of plastic every year, there is an urgent need for developing better ways of processing it.

“Perhaps contrary to popular opinion, plastic is an indispensable material in modern life. It is cheap, competent, lightweight, and has many benefits like maintaining food quality and safety and preventing waste,” he said.

However, “abandoned plastics endanger our marine wildlife, and have begun to enter the food chain. There is an urgent need for developing technologies to recover plastic waste.”

1. How does the system function?

A．Microwaves are used to produce plastic.

B．Plastic waste is heated in the microwaves.

C．Plastic waste is cut into pieces and buried into the soil.

D．Microwaves change plastic waste into biochar by heating.

2. Which statement is true according to Jacob?

A．Plastic consumption now is acceptable.

B．Plastic should be abandoned in our life.

C．The system of processing plastic has come into use.

D．Finding better ways to deal with plastic waste is urgent.

3. What does “recover” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Make up for a loss in time.

B．Find or regain lost possession.

C．Extract or recycle an energy source for reuse.

D．Return to a normal state of health, mind or strength.

4. What does the passage mainly tell about?

A．3 steps of processing plastic waste.

B．A way of producing plastic products easily.

C．A new system of breaking down plastic waste.

D．A program designed for plastic use in the daily life.

5 . I stood outside my front door catching my breath. After a lazy Christmas holiday, I had to recover from climbing stairs with carry-on bags and a suitcase. I looked up and blinked. Red tape crossed the door. I didn’t understand Hungarian, but the one English word said enough: “POLICE”.

Google Translate told me I would be arrested if I entered, so I didn’t. Finally, I called my rental agent. He went to the police station for more details.

My agent returned with authorization to enter. Not only were my files undisturbed, but so were the TV and printer. The burglars had taken a few items from the top drawer as well as a small amount of foreign currency in the bottom drawer. Somehow they hadn’t found the jewelry box in the third drawer.

I was in shock. My agent’s words were fuzzy, something about fixing the locks tomorrow and making a list for the police.

Then one day, I remembered that I’d left another jewelry box in the flat. My heart sank as I thought of another locket that had been in that box, a gold engraved one with a picture of my late honey Grandma inside. When I realized the box was missing, the whole experience seemed to crash down on me. I cried.

At the end of January, I received a registered letter from the police. The burglar hadn’t been found, and the case was closed. I slept with my purse by my bed. I hid my laptop when I showered. And then another challenge rose. I was unexpectedly laid off.

Then one July night, I reached into my third drawer, pulled out my jean shorts, and heard a small thud. I looked down and blinked: It was the tiny jewelry box I thought had been stolen six months earlier.

Inside was the locket with honey Grandma smiling at me, being there for me, telling me not to give up. I started to cry.

1. What did the red tape across the writer’s door mean?

A．There was a burglary here.	B．The house couldn’t be entered freely.
C．The rent had to be paid quickly.	D．The rental agent advertised for the house.

2. What did the agent promise to do?

A．To fix the locks the next day.	B．To report the burglary to the police.
C．To have an iron security gate fixed.	D．To pay for missing things for the writer.

3. Which can best show the change of the author’s feeling after she learned of the burglary?

A．puzzled→ anxious→ relaxed.	B．shocked→ sorrowful→ nervous.
C．shocked→ desperate→ hopeful.	D．puzzled→ relieved→ confident.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Red Tape

B．A Jewelry Box

C．“Lost” Smile

D．Grandma’s Advice