1 . Americans spend billions on vitamins, multivitamins for their health, but a review of numerous studies concluded there is little to no evidence that some of those vitamins prevent heart disease, cancer or death.
The report, released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force last week, concluded that “recent evidence is not enough” to determine whether vitamins actually help or hurt your health, based on 84 studies, 52 of which were done since 2014. Vitamins examined included vitamins A, B, C, D and E, as well as other multivitamins.
“Our suggestion is neither for nor against taking vitamins, or combinations of those nutrients (营养物质). We just don’t have enough evidence,” said Dr. John Wong, a doctor in the Department of Medicine at Tufts Medical Center who was involved in the report.
While the finding is that vitamins don’t have any benefits to “healthy, non-pregnant (未怀孕) adults”, it doesn’t apply to “children, people who are pregnant or may become pregnant, or people who are hospitalized.”
The Task Force admitted it makes sense that people would take vitamins in hopes of health benefits, as some shortage may lead to illness. But experts agreed the best way to get good health and prevent cancer is a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
“The suggestion across all organizations about vitamins is to eat a balanced diet, and then the key tends to be on plenty of fruit and vegetables and less junk foods,” Wong said.
Wong added people should refer to their health doctors to determine if any vitamins are worth taking. He said this suggestion should also serve as a need to further research into proving the official benefits and risks for each vitamin.
1. Why can’t we say whether vitamins really benefit or harm health?A.Because they really have no benefit. |
B.Because many studies have proved it. |
C.Because evidence is not enough at present. |
D.Because Dr. John Wong wasn’t involved in the research. |
A.Vitamins are of no benefit to anyone. |
B.Vitamins are beneficial to healthy adults. |
C.Children can’t take vitamins though they are in hospital. |
D.People could take vitamins if lack of vitamin may tend to illness. |
A.Taking enough vitamins. |
B.Eating more packaged foods. |
C.Following their health doctor’s advice. |
D.Having a balanced diet and doing exercise. |
A.Taking Vitamins: No Benefit to People |
B.Doctor’s Advice on Buying Vitamins |
C.Taking Vitamins: Likely to Waste Money |
D.Americans Spending More Money on Vitamins |
2 . Steph Clemence always intended to go to college. But life has a(an)
When her stepfather died in a car accident, leaving her mother to support three daughters on a(an)
The
It wasn’t homework, but it could be a(an)
Steph studied the list. Each of those books
A.efficiency | B.motivation | C.exception | D.tendency |
A.hold back | B.set up | C.give away | D.carry on |
A.display | B.move | C.threat | D.mission |
A.precise | B.independent | C.modest | D.initial |
A.breaking away from | B.taking hold of | C.giving in to | D.going in for |
A.situation | B.answer | C.procedure | D.emergency |
A.spotted | B.folded | C.loaded | D.assigned |
A.hard rock | B.far cry | C.field work | D.road map |
A.flexible | B.foundational | C.financial | D.temporary |
A.qualified | B.reliable | C.sufficient | D.delightful |
A.confirmed | B.sharpened | C.stimulated | D.bounced |
A.origin | B.treat | C.concept | D.constant |
A.discussing | B.traveling | C.whispering | D.flashing |
A.completing | B.forecasting | C.revealing | D.declaring |
A.remarks | B.works | C.proofs | D.zones |
3 . In looking through your social media, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed pictures accompanied by texts. The pictures are likely made possible by a text-to-image program called DALL-E. For example, Twitter user posted a tweet with the text, “To be or not to be, rabbi holding avocado, marble sculpture.” Then a matching picture appears below.
The AI models come from Google’s Imagen software as well as OpenAI. a start-up backed by Microsoft. On its website, OpenAI calls DALL-E “a new Al system that can create realistic images and art from a description in natural language.” But most of what’s happening in this area is coming from a relatively small group of people sharing their pictures. That’s because Google and OpenAI have not made the technology broadly available to the public.
The text-to-picture services identify the most important parts of a user’s text and then guess the best way to picture those terms. There’s generally a text box, a button to start the generation process and an area below to display images. To indicate the source. Google and OpenAI add watermarks in the bottom right comer of images from DALL-E and Imagen.
Engineers trained the models on various collections of words and pictures from the web. OpenAI recognizes the potential for harm that could come from a model. To avoid the risk, employees removed violent content from training data, and there are filters(筛选)stopping DALL-E from producing images if users submit(提交)violent or illegal content.
Boris Dayma, a developer from Texas spelled out the problems in an explanation of their software. Despite the risks, Dhariwal, a research scientist at OpenAI, said it could open up creative opportunities for individuals and could help with commercial applications for dressing up websites. Results should continue to improve over time.
1. What is the function of the the AI system DALL-E?A.Beautifying pictures at users’ request. |
B.Producing pictures from human words. |
C.Changing pictures into vivid descriptions. |
D.Providing pictures for users to choose from. |
A.Its users’ rights. | B.Its operating conditions |
C.Its working process. | D.Its company’s prospect. |
A.All images come from a unified model. |
B.The training data is selected beforehand. |
C.Improper requests can’t be submitted. |
D.Filters remove the unhealthy description. |
A.Positive. | B.Objective. | C.Uncertain. | D.Worried. |
4 . Picture the scene: you’ve spent years working towards a very specific goal. You’ve put in countless hours of work and made many efforts along the way, but now that you’ve got there it doesn’t feel quite like you imagined. Instead of celebration, you feel emptiness, confusion and doubt.
Welcome to the anti-climax. The often-experienced but seldom-discussed downside of achieving life’s biggest milestones. Many of us work tirelessly towards our goals. We may spend our lives dreaming of the day we get married, publish our first hook or buy our first home. However, oftentimes, when we achieve these things it doesn’t feel quite as expected. In fact, the achievement of these goals feels a bit of a letdown.
So why do we often experience an anti-climax with big goals, even though we’re happy to achieve them? “An anti-climax can be an unexpected by-product of a milestone achievement. Usually, the more significant the milestone, the greater the anti-climax may be. The intensity(强度)of an anti-climax often relies on what we expect of this achievement.” says Rachel Vora. a psychotherapist(心理治疗师).“The journey to achieving a milestone can he exciting and tiring in addition to giving us a sense of purpose and focus. Therefore, when this disappears overnight. we can often feel lost and confused, in spite of feeling proud of our achievement.
When this happens it can contribute to a mixture of emotions. We often falsely believe that we’ll feel completely different afterwards or that our feelings of low self-worth will disappear, but this is rarely the case. “Clients(客户)often present to me with an extremely great sense of ‘is this it?’ and ‘what now?’.” says Vora. “These feelings of confusion and disappointment, if let ignored, have the potential to cause clients to be in low spirits, or even worse.”
1. Why does the author mention the examples in paragraph 2?A.To present a fact. | B.To prove a rule. |
C.To explain a term. | D.To make a prediction. |
A.Low self-worth. | B.High expectations. |
C.Sense of purpose. | D.Unexpected achievements. |
A.Amy felt empty before giving a speech. |
B.Jack felt lost after his first novel came out. |
C.Mary felt proud when she joined a ballet club. |
D.Tom felt doubtful about taking further education. |
A.How to hold back feelings. |
B.How to improve self-worth. |
C.Hon to identify the anti-climax. |
D.How to deal with the anti-climax. |
5 . Compean was no stranger to Los Angeles National Forest. He’d hiked the park several times. But after hiking along a
As dusk
Compean climbed to a higher
Sixty miles away in Ventura County, Ben Kuo was reading a tweet
“There’s an amazing amount of information you can get from satellites, ”says Kuo. The first thing he
Thanks to Kuo’s
A.new | B.familiar | C.old | D.primitive |
A.burst | B.came | C.fell | D.sank |
A.turned out | B.turned to | C.turned up | D.turned down |
A.maintaining | B.remaining | C.presenting | D.restoring |
A.spot | B.basin | C.peak | D.top |
A.power | B.signal | C.battery | D.sign |
A.exhibited | B.conveyed | C.exposed | D.attached |
A.slowly | B.steadily | C.frequently | D.quickly |
A.about | B.in | C.from | D.of |
A.looking for | B.deciding on | C.pointing out | D.counting on |
A.predict | B.release | C.comprehend | D.identify |
A.trees | B.flowers | C.grass | D.woods |
A.precise | B.accurate | C.surrounding | D.subsequent |
A.noticed | B.thought | C.mentioned | D.watched |
A.while | B.so | C.instead | D.because |
A.continued | B.accelerated | C.deepened | D.proved |
A.original | B.clear | C.perfect | D.complete |
A.entered | B.matched | C.finished | D.differed |
A.specific | B.rough | C.special | D.sustainable |
A.thank | B.envy | C.owe | D.contribute |
6 . When I was a practice teacher in a middle school,the students in my class were always making
The evening before I would teach all by myself,I gave a piece of paper to everyone. I told them to write
I turned the cardboard case with the bottom(底部)towards the students,and told them calmly what each one had written on the paper. The students were surprised,
I told them the truth and they were
A.progress | B.troubles | C.faces | D.efforts |
A.something | B.nothing | C.all | D.them |
A.methods | B.attitudes | C.feelings | D.interest |
A.that | B.how | C.when | D.what |
A.thought | B.seen | C.written | D.heard |
A.would | B.needed | C.had to | D.might |
A.with | B.for | C.to | D.as |
A.after | B.when | C.until | D.now that |
A.put | B.left | C.had | D.gave |
A.knowing | B.believing | C.seeing | D.hearing |
A.names | B.faces | C.characters | D.handwritings |
A.frightened | B.angry | C.sad | D.amazed |
A.corner | B.bottom | C.top | D.side |
A.in | B.for | C.with | D.to |
A.it | B.that | C.them | D.those |
A.given | B.handed | C.passed | D.offered |
A.expensive | B.useful | C.another | D.smelly |
A.made | B.seen | C.found | D.looked |
A.From then on | B.However | C.Though | D.So far |
A.a lot of | B.a lot | C.partly | D.greatly |
7 . Banff National Park is home to an amazing wildlife population. But the busy Trans Canada Highway that cuts through the park is a hazard to the lovely animals. To address the problem, Banff first put-up wildlife fencing on either side of the highway to discourage animals from entering the busy road. Then, since 1996, they’ve opened six wildlife overpasses and 38 underpasses to help the animals cross the highway in safety. I was fortunate to visit Banff’s Red Earth Overpass with Trevor Kinley, the project manager with Parks Canada. He told me that so far, they have documented 10, 000 safe animal crossings on this overpass alone. “ Some animals have learned how to use the crossings much more quickly than others. Black bears are the fastest learners, followed by deer. Wolves and lions take the longest to work out how to use them, ” Kinley said, laughing. “ But those animals that are slower to adapt are usually more capable and determined at figuring out the safest way to cross those overpasses and underpasses. ”
There is some criticism (批评) that channeling so much wildlife into a few bridges and tunnels is like making a trap for the animals, offering big animals an easy meal on either side. “ But research has shown that this is not the case, ” Kinley assured me. “ There are no more killings around the crossings than there are anywhere else in the park. ”
Walking over the Trans Canada and then walking underneath through one of the tunnels, I was amazed to see the fresh tracks of black bears, wolves, deer and many kinds of smaller animals. Somehow, all these animal footprints made me so happy, knowing that all this wildlife was passing safely under and over the longest road in Canada.
Hopefully, the success of the wildlife crossings in Banff will continue to inspire similar solutions around the world, where human pressure on wildlife continues to grow.
1. Which of the following best explains “ hazard ” underlined in paragraph 1?A.Shelter. | B.Message. | C.Answer. | D.Danger. |
A.They are stupid animals. | B.They are cautious learners. |
C.They are very dangerous. | D.They are good at adapting. |
A.There are too many bridges and tunnels. | B.Many animals will not use the crossings. |
C.More killings might happen at the crossings. | D.Illegal hunting might be encouraged in the park. |
A.Concerned. | B.Disappointed. | C.Shocked. | D.Delighted. |
8 . Wu Ming, a young German born after 1995, is a big fan of Chinese culture. As he thought some diseases can’t be treated
Studying TCM also
Wu
Wu thinks there’s no big difference between China and Western countries. “
A.immediately | B.gradually | C.thoroughly | D.consistently |
A.depend on | B.dig into | C.look up | D.work out |
A.created | B.enjoyed | C.advanced | D.acknowledged |
A.overcame | B.seized | C.divided | D.shifted |
A.raised | B.sorted | C.cooked | D.tasted |
A.aspects | B.standards | C.themes | D.means |
A.enriched | B.secured | C.expanded | D.changed |
A.exposed | B.reduced | C.restricted | D.addicted |
A.businesses | B.recreations | C.routines | D.tasks |
A.balanced | B.wealthy | C.humble | D.efficient |
A.employs | B.promotes | C.outlines | D.conveys |
A.scanning | B.checking | C.exploring | D.comparing |
A.concern | B.wish | C.demand | D.passion |
A.Misunderstanding | B.Destruction | C.Stress | D.Failure |
A.source | B.basis | C.bridge | D.tool |
9 . Sites for a family getaway
A selection of campsites perfect for a family break to enjoy time with the children.
Monkton Wyld Holiday Park
Monkton Wyld is the perfect campsite for children, yet maintaining a quiet atmosphere for adults to relax. here are walking routes from Monkton Wyld Holiday Park to Lyme Regis where little ones can enjoy the beaches and hunting for fossils (化石). Adults might wander selection of shops and restaurants.
High Moor Farm Park
High Moor Farm Park is situated four miles from Harrogate at High Moor Farm there is plenty to occupy all ages, including an indoor pool, nine-hole golf course, play area, pool tables and fishing lake. A 20-minute drive from the park is Knaresborough where there are many zoos including Yorkshire Dales National Park, Dartmoor Zoological Park and Paignton Zoo.
Polmanter Touring Park
This award-winning touring site is ideal for families looking for on-site entertainment and the convenience of the fishing town of St lves within waking distance.
For younger guests, there are two playgrounds indoor soft play and a games room. Practicalities are taken care of with an on-site shop, bar and restaurant, and four-legged family members have a devoted exercise field and shower.
Elie Holiday Park
Elie Holiday Park occupies a location behind a wide expanse of dunes (沙丘) that lead to a vast beach on Scotland’s west coast. Appealing to those travelling with children, the coastal location is ideal for anyone who loves to be beside the sea.
Aldult guests can walk the coastal path, go rock-pooling, and look out for wildlife. Youngsters can go wild at the Robinson Crusoe Adventure Park and enjoy the arcades in the games room.
1. Where can you go if you are interested in animals?A.High Moor Farm Park. | B.Dartmoor Zoological Park. |
C.Monkton Wyld Holiday Park. | D.Robinson Crusoe Adventure Park |
A.It is far from the fishing town. | B.It wins awards for entertainment. |
C.It is an ideal place for running a bar. | D.It provides essential services for pets |
A.Play adventure games | B.Hunt for wild animals |
C.Make a study of dunes. | D.Search for the fossils |
10 . Different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways. We asked some of our friends to explain what happens in their countries. This is what they told us:
France
In France, Christmas is always called Noël. Everyone has a Christmas tree, sometimes decorated in the old way with red ribbons and real white wax candles. Fir trees in the garden are often decorated too with lights on all night.
Father Christmas is called Père Noël. The Christmas meal is an important family gathering with good meat and the best wine. Few people send Christmas cards. More people send New Year cards to wish everyone good luck and joy for the New Year. These days Christmas lunch is a starter of foie gras (a strong tasting pate made from goose liver) followed by lunch of seafood — usually including lobsters and oysters.
New Zealand
Christmas starts for us with gifts under the tree, to be opened on Christmas morning. Then it’s onto a Christmas lunch either at home or at one’s parents place. Turkey or chicken with all the trimmings (佐料) is eaten. Then comes tea time. It is a BBQ for friends and family to get together, and have a few beers or wines with the meal!
Russia
In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time — when “Father Frost” brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated either on December 25th; or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old “Julian” calendar for religious celebration days. Special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and “meat dumplings”.
Sweden
The most important day is Christmas Eve. A special Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve — ham (pork), herring fish, and brown beans — and this is the time when families give presents to each other. Many people attend a church meeting early on Christmas Day.
1. Why do people in France send New Year cards?A.To tell their friends the New Year is coming. |
B.To ask for some special presents. |
C.To invite their friends to family gathering. |
D.To send their friends best wishes and happiness for the New Year. |
A.A special meal is prepared. |
B.Everyone has a Christmas tree. |
C.Parents give gifts to their children. |
D.People attend a church gathering. |
A.France. | B.New Zealand. | C.Sweden. | D.Russia. |