1 . Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, 创伤后应激障碍) is a mental disorder that develops among people who have experienced or observed traumatic things such as wars, disasters or other violent events. At the heart of PTSD is a memory that cannot be controlled. It can affect the everyday lives of its sufferers in forms such as flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety.

A new study done by researchers from Yale University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City suggests that patients with PTSD process their traumatic memories differently than regular memories.

The researchers did brain scans of 28 PTSD patients. I hey asked the patients to listen to recorded narrations of their own memories. Some of the recorded memories were neutral, some were simply “sad”, and some were traumatic.

They found that when the patients listened to the sad memories, the hippocampus (海马体), which is responsible for forming memories, was activatea. But when they listened to the traumatic memories, a different area, called the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC. 后扣带回皮质), was engaged. The PCC is not a memory region. Instead, it regulates internal experiences, such as daydreaming.

The more severe PTSD symptoms are, the more active the PCC is. “The brain doesn’t look like it’s in a state of memory; it looks like it is a state of present experience.” Daniela Schiller, one of the authors of the study, told The New York Times. “That means people with PTSD feel as though they’re experiencing the traumatic event again in the present moment, rather than thinking back on it like atypical memory.”

The new finding might hold hope for new PTSD therapies (治疗). Future therapies are expected to focus on helping PTSD patients return their traumatic memories to the hippocampus so that they can treat them as regular and non-disruptive (非破坏性的) memories. Changing the ways of thinking could help the brain reduce the feeling of immediate threat caused by trauma, according to Ilan HarRaz-Rotem, one of the paper’s authors.

1. What is the core issue regarding PTSD according to the text?

A．An uncontrollable memory.	B．Brain damage.
C．Anxiety disorders.	D．Nightmares.

2. What happened when PTSD patients listened to their traumatic memories, according to the study?

A．Their hippocampus was closed.

B．Their internal experiences were blocked.

C．Their PCC area became active.

D．Their regular memory function improved.

3. According to Schiller when individuals with severe PTSD listen to traumatic memories, their brains will be in a state of ________.

A．memory recall	B．daydreaming
C．current experience	D．boredom

4. What could be a possible future therapy for PTSD patients based on the study’s findings?

A．Controlling the hippocampus.

B．Removing the feeling of threat.

C．Normalizing their traumatic memories.

D．Changing their brain structure.

2 . The opening of California’s commercial crab season, which normally starts in November, is delayed once again to protect whales searching for their prey (猎物) along the coast.

California has been affected by a marine heat wave since May. The Blob, as this mass of warm water has become known, is squeezing cooler water preferred by whales and their prey close to shore, where fishermen set their traps. This crowding can lead to tangle (缠结) between whales and fishing equipment, endangering the animals’ lives and requiring rescue missions.

In a new study, scientists say they can now use global temperature models, commonly used in climate science, to predict up to a year in advance when hot ocean temperatures raise the risk of tangles between whales and fishing equipment.The tool analyzed in the new study, called the Habitat Compression Index, works by feeding sea-surface temperature measurements into an equation (方程式) that estimates the likelihood of whale habitat shrinking closer to shore.Regulators and fishermen agree that the new forecasting research could help them walk the tightrope between protecting whales and protecting local livelihoods (生计).

Mr Ogg, a commercial fishing boat captain, describes himself as a conservationist who doesn’t want to see whales harmed.“Fishermen have a big motivation to protect the natural environment,” he said, “because that’s where they make their living.” Previously, the challenge was adapting to changing conditions and fishing regulations on short notice, especially for smaller business owners and their crews.“One of the biggest problems we had was the unpredictability,” Mr Ogg said, “We were living from week to week then.”

Though scientists have shown the Habitat Compression Index can now forecast months in advance, state officials would probably wait to see conditions in real time before making decisions about the crab fishery, said Ryan Bartling, an environmental scientist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

1. What do the whales come to shore for according to the first two paragraphs?

A．Safety.

B．Shelter.

C．Leisure.

D．Food.

2. What does the underlined phrase “walk the tightrope” probably mean?

A．To take a risk.	B．To join in an act.
C．To strike a balance.	D．To walk on a rope.

3. What’s the state officials’ attitude towards the tool in the study?

A．Supportive.

B．Indifferent.

C．Cautious.

D．Pessimistic.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．How climate data gives whales room to swim

B．What causes the decrease in whale population

C．Why global temperature models are in great need

D．Whether to protect whales or the local livelihoods

4 . I knocked lightly on Mrs. B’s door. “I’m Barbara, a hospice (临终安养院) volunteer.” I said nervously. It was my first week on the job, and my biggest ________ was figuring out how to begin with a patient.

“Please, sit down,” Mrs. B said, indicating the chair beside her bed. We chatted ________ about the ________ on her windowsill — her two daughters, many grandchildren, even great-grandchildren. Then she grew ________.

“What were you thinking about when I walked in?” I asked, sensing she might be waiting to see if I would ________ her to the truest place where this conversation could go.

“I know I’m not going to be around much ________. I’m at peace with that. But my grandson called yesterday. He’s ________ that he can’t make it to see me before I pass.”

“Have you thought about writing him a(n)________?”

Mrs. B seemed to ________ a little. “I can dictate (口述) if you’d write for me,” she said.

I walked down the hall and ________ pens and paper materials. Mrs. B ________ her grandson’s letter and decided to dictate others — for her daughters, the other grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Then she ________ her church community and her bridge club too.

She asked me to put away the letters before I left. “I asked God to send me a(n)________ this morning,” she said. “Now I know it was you.”

At the very moment I came to realize that we all ________ a loving spark. Kissing Mrs. B on her forehead, I knew simply showing up might be a precious ________.

1.

A．pity

B．concern

C．shame

D．strength

2.

A．calmly

B．eagerly

C．easily

D．proudly

3.

A．photos

B．albums

C．posters

D．stickers

4.

A．active

B．careful

C．polite

D．silent

5.

A．accompany

B．follow

C．expose

D．introduce

6.

A．faster

B．earlier

C．longer

D．quicker

7.

A．sensitive

B．awkward

C．sad

D．stressed

8.

A．article

B．e-mail

C．note

D．letter

9.

A．brighten up

B．clear up

C．spring up

D．keep up

10.

A．submitted

B．returned

C．distributed

D．fetched

11.

A．continued

B．finished

C．delivered

D．received

12.

A．described

B．assessed

C．targeted

D．added

13.

A．angel

B．expert

C．hero

D．doctor

14.

A．perceive

B．advocate

C．defend

D．carry

15.

A．skill

B．gift

C．clue

D．sign

5 . Sharon Roseman was five years old when her world changed forever.She was playing Blind Man’s Bluff with friends outside her house.When she removed her blindfold (眼罩), she couldn’t recognize where she was.From that moment on, Roseman has been lost every day of her life.

Roseman is not alone in her experience.As an adult living in Denver, Colorado, in 2008, Roseman was diagnosed with a rare and newly discovered condition called Developmental Topographical Disorientation(DTD), which is a disorder that dramatically affects people’s abilities to navigate their familiar environment.

Dr. Giuseppe Iaria of the University of Calgary in Canada is credited with first identifying DTD.He confirms that odd as it sounds, people with DTD have no brain damage. He thinks genetic factors are likely to be responsible for it.

Paul Dudchenko, from the University of Stirling in the United Kingdom, has what he calls a place-cell theory. He says we get lost because all our hippocampal cells appear to be connected to landmarks. “They use things in the environment to orientate (确定方向) themselves and create a cognitive map,” he says. “If we don’t have things in the outside world to update the cognitive map, then it is likely to error.” That’s why people who are lost in a snowstorm, for instance, tend to go in circles. They think they’re heading in the right direction, but without external reference points their brain is unable to form a cognitive map, so they naturally tend to get lost.

“There seems to be a systematic error in the way people with DTD place landmarks in their mind,” Dudchenko says. How exactly this happens is still under investigation, but Dudchenko thinks the answer lies in the relationship between the various regions of the brain responsible for spatial cognition (空间认知).

For his part, Giuseppe Iaria is continuing with his research.Some of his recent work has focused on the role genes play in DTD.As well as helping sufferers of DTD, Iaria believes his research will offer an explanation for why some people are better at finding their way than others.While top researchers have more to learn, they are confident the answers won’t stay lost in the complexity of the brain forever.

1. Why does the author mention Roseman’s experience?

A．To inform us of a sad story.

B．To give us background information.

C．To introduce a rare disease.

D．To support the author’s argument.

2. What trouble would people with DTD have?

A．Navigating novel and unfamiliar environments.

B．Remembering the layout of their neighborhood.

C．Understanding the detailed information on a map.

D．Recalling the names of familiar places and people.

3. What does Dudchenko say about DTD?

A．It gives rise to severe brain damage.

B．It happens when cognitive map fails.

C．It connects one’s brain and cognition.

D．It arises from a systematic genetic error.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Genes play the most important role in DTD.

B．The ability to find one’s way can be improved.

C．Iaria’s research has already helped sufferers of DTD.

D．The truth about DTD will be brought to light someday.

6 . Award-winning Chinese shoe designer, Huang Qinqin, shares her transformative journey, combining cultural heritage and international design to shape the art of practical wear.

Believing that the value of her products doesn’t lie in business operation, Huang always focuses on how to convey the stories behind her shoes to customers instead.“It is like storytelling, a natural ability I possess,” she said with a smile.

However, Huang’s journey into design was unforeseen and it took her several years to discover her true passion. Huang switched her major from physics to international communications studies at university.While she found great enjoyment in these courses, she still didn’t know what she could do in the future.

“One day, I grabbed a sheet of paper and began drawing some shoe designs I saw online.It was at that moment that the light suddenly dawned.” recalled Huang.

To her astonishment, Huang discovered while international luxury shoe brands like Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin are household names, Chinese brands are rarely seen.This finding fueled Huang’s determination to pursue her career as a shoe designer, hoping to fill the blank in the international market.

After returning to China from the UK, Huang established her own shoe brand.“I think Chinese students studying abroad today all share a strong sense of mission—to showcase what China truly has to offer to the world,” Huang said.

Looking back, Huang said that she took a long time to finally find her lifelong passion.“There is a saying that one must achieve fame at a young age, but I believe it is never too late to unlock one’s potential, since everyone operates on their unique ‘time zone’,” she said.

Before her current career path, Huang never stopped trying new things, including garden design and dance.These diverse experiences have all become precious treasures in her life, nurturing her self-directed learning abilities, which have turned out to be essential skills for her startup business today.

1. What does Huang value most about her products?

A．Design concept.	B．Market share.
C．Quality standard.	D．Business operation.

2. What further motivated Huang Qinqin to be a shoe designer?

A．Passion for fashion and design.

B．Lack of Chinese brands in the field.

C．Desire to challenge conventional norms.

D．Love for international luxury shoe brands.

3. What can best describe Huang?

A．Creative and flexible.

B．Ambitious and easy-going.

C．Talented and accessible.

D．Responsible and humorous.

4. What might Huang agree with?

A．Well begun is half done.

B．Think twice before you leap.

C．Every step counts in your life.

D．It matters much when you succeed.

7 . There are thousands of science books on a huge variety of topics.Which ones should you choose? Luckily for you, we have made a list of the best science books that you should not miss.

A Short History of Nearly Everything

Written by Bill Bryson, it is a popular science book that explains some areas of science.It was published on February 4,2003, and was one of the best-selling popular science books of 2005 in the UK.It explains a variety of scientific topics in a vivid and comprehensive way, which makes it accessible for people with no science knowledge.But it’s quite long.

Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words

It is a 2015 non-fiction book created by Randall Munroe, in which the author explains various complex subjects using common English words.It covers a wide range of topics and explains complex ideas using illustrations, so it’s entertaining and easily understood.However, the words and phrases used to describe the subjects are too technical to understand.

Ask an Astronaut: My Guide to Life in Space

Published on October 19,2017, the book is Tim Peake’s personal guide to life in space, based on his own experience. Q&A format makes it easy to quickly find answers and images are used to illustrate some of the more complex ideas, making it suitable for both children and adults. The disadvantage is that the Q&A format can become boring sometimes.

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

Written by Stephen Hawking, the 2018 book examines some of the universe’s greatest mysteries and promotes the view that science is very important in helping solve problems.It provides a great introduction to Stephen Hawking’s thoughts.Since complex ideas are communicated in a simple and understandable language, your previous physics knowledge is not required.For more advanced readers, it’s too basic.

1. Which is the oldest of the following books?

A．A Short History of Nearly Everything.

B．Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words.

C．Ask an Astronaut: My Guide to Life in Space.

D．Brief Answers to the Big Questions.

2. What is the challenge of reading the second book?

A．Various topics.	B．Technical terms.
C．Complicated subjects.	D．Scientific illustrations.

3. What do the last two books have in common?

A．They stress the practical use of science.

B．They use Q & A formats to explain ideas.

C．They require previous science knowledge.

D．They seem to appeal to the general public.

8 . It was a familiar sight that the family gathered around the table telling stories during and after the meal. As part of our daily ___________, these conversations would become the most precious moments for my family.

The love of storytelling ___________ from our dad, whose life was exciting and unforgettable. He told us about his childhood, travels and reflections, all of which had become part of our ___________. Even though few of dad’s stories actually ___________ me, I felt as much part of them as I did. They brought me closer to my family in a way I couldn’t be more ___________ for. Even when I had to live away, sharing tales with my dad on the phone kept me ___________ during the breakdown in my life. He showed us the ___________ of quality time and of family which never ___________ to benefit us.

Telling stories has been irreplaceable. When ___________ a risk about potential failure, I just remember even a moment of ____________ could also be transformed into a funny story. When travelling with friends, I can turn my days into a fascinating ____________. I realize each moment in life can be a story worth ____________. It’s about experiences, memories and cultures that keep ____________ strong and life alive.

____________, the best stories never stop being told. As years pass, we’ll ____________ our families to the greatest hits.

1.

A．plan

B．routine

C．work

D．schedule

2.

A．originated

B．went

C．dated

D．differed

3.

A．history

B．career

C．identity

D．culture

4.

A．inspired

B．changed

C．benefited

D．included

5.

A．respectable

B．suitable

C．responsible

D．grateful

6.

A．fortunate

B．positive

C．sensitive

D．generous

7.

A．value

B．duty

C．role

D．company

8.

A．forgot

B．expected

C．failed

D．refused

9.

A．cutting down

B．meeting with

C．going with

D．taking down

10.

A．excitement

B．happiness

C．embarrassment

D．surprise

11.

A．poem

B．subject

C．adventure

D．description

12.

A．telling

B．reading

C．writing

D．hearing

13.

A．connection

B．body

C．curiosity

D．attitude

14.

A．Frequently

B．Frankly

C．Formally

D．Fortunately

15.

A．relate

B．treat

C．apply

D．compare

9 . Studies have shown how we understand our strength contributes to the extent to which our muscles might waste with disuse. When researchers at Ohio University examined the strength among a group of adults, who agreed to have their wrists immobilized for a week to cause weakness, they found that only imagining having strong muscles reduced the loss in strength by 50 percent.

Crum, a pioneer in this area, found in his study that having a different attitude can maximize (最大化) the benefits of all the occasional exercise we do each day, such as housework or walking around the shops. It appears that tracking our steps through smart watches and other wearable technologies can make a difference to how we understand our fitness. The study showed people who had previously regarded themselves as inactive, were found that they were actually completing about 7000 steps a day and began to report improved mood, better confidence and even an increase in aerobic fitness measurements, even though they weren’t exercising more than usual.

An even more unexpected fitness trick might come from our gut. It seems that having the right populations of gut bacteria (肠道菌群) makes you more likely to exercise. Last December, Christopher Thais sat the University of Pennsylvania and his colleagues found that differences in gut bacterial populations appeared to play a much greater role than genetics (遗传学) when it came to running performance in mice. They identified two particular bacteria as being especially important. When the mice were given these in supplements, it seemed to increase their desire to exercise.

It remains to be seen whether this works effectively in humans. We still have much to learn about whether changing microbial populations can make us fitter, says Shrushti Shah at the University of Calgary in Canada. This could be significant, as many of us struggle to find the motivation to exercise.

1. What does the underlined word “immobilized” in paragraph 1mean?

A．Balanced.

B．Fixed.

C．Straightened.

D．Bent.

2. What is presented in Crum’s finding?

A．Tracking steps is necessary in daily routine.

B．Attitude matters to all the occasional exercise.

C．Walking around the shops amounts to 7000 steps.

D．Inactive people have trouble in completing exercise.

3. What is the function of the example in paragraph 3?

A．To further explain the research method.

B．To support evidence for the research result.

C．To show potential application of the research finding.

D．To present a reasonable doubt about the research process.

4. What is the author’s attitude toward the application of the two particular bacteria in humans?

A．Indifferent.

B．Doubtful.

C．Cautious.

D．Supportive.

10 . In a world featuring endless choices, the search for simplicity has become more than just a desire—it’s a necessity. The book Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No explores the philosophy of simplicity and decision-making. Written by Bruce Mullen, this book goes beyond self-help clichés (陈词滥调) and offers a genuine, actionable approach to guiding life’s choices.

The book recognizes decision-making as the centre of human existence and invites readers to admit each decision carries a weight. “Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No” sums up a sign if can’t rule—a definite “Yes” and a clear “No.” It encourages readers to focus on the “Yes” and stop readers from puting their effort into uncertain things. Another rule stressed in the book is simplicity in decision-making. By adopting simplicity, decision-makers aim to get the key information, focus on the most related factors, and avoid unnecessary aspects, enabling quicker judgments and swifter conclusions.

The book is a practical guide to enhance decision-making skills. The author doesn’t merely express the philosophy but equips readers with the tools they need to apply effectively. From techniques to give preference to tasks to methods for avoiding distractions (分心), the book offers skills for simplifying the decision-making process.

Through personal experiences, Mullen determined the power of simplification, guiding people to make decisions according to one’s own values and desires. Beyond individual context, this book also influences business strategies, relationship dynamics, and societal considerations. Mullen not only explores the essence of   “yes means yes” but stresses the significance of making clear decisions at a crossroads.

“Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No” is more than a book; it’s a philosophy that can change how we approach decisions. For those seeking to guide life with clarity and purpose, this book is a guiding light in the fog of in decision.

1. What are the readers encouraged to do according to paragraph 2?

A．Solve uncertain matters.

B．Summarize a key principle.

C．Concentrate on related things.

D．Make decisions independently.

2. Why is the book a practical guide to readers?

A．To provide readers with life values.

B．To help readers express philosophy.

C．To improve readers’ critical thinking skills.

D．To equip readers with decision-making skills.

3. What is paragraph 4 of the text mainly about?

A．Definition of simplicity.	B．Rules of making decisions.
C．Benefits of stressing clarity.	D．Influences of decision-making.

4. What is the article aimed at?

A．Recommending a book.	B．Sharing a positive attitude.
C．Describing a simple lifestyle	D．Solving philosophical problems.