1 . While travelling the world and doing research for my new book, I realised something rather extraordinary. Nearly everyone understands the importance of brain health, but most people seem to believe this mysterious organ is a black box, untouchable and incapable of being improved.
However, the brain can be continuously enriched throughout life, no matter your age or access to resources. Our everyday experiences, including how much we exercise or with whom we socialize, factor into our brain health far more than we can imagine.
Prevention is the most powerful treatment of illness, and this is especially true of degenerative illnesses such as those in the brain . Few of us think about dementia (痴呆) at our best . The risk of dementia rises faster after the age of 65. However, knowing that damage could be starting in your brain offers you a remarkable opportunity to take action.
When I was able to travel the world, I was struck by the fact that the liveliest and most joyful, who seemed to be having a great time despite their advanced age, were always the ones who maintained high-quality friendships and an expansive social network.
It is difficult to say precisely why maintaining social connections plays powerful role in keeping the brain young. One reason could be that it provides a buffer (缓冲) against the harmful physical effects of stress.
Research by Memory and Aging Project has shown similarly that people with large social networks are well protected against the cognitive (认知的) declines related to dementia than those with a smaller group of friends.
1. How did the author find his discovery during the trip?| A．Reasonable. | B．Unexpected. | C．Common. | D．Interesting. |
| A．He loves travelling. | B．He’s a novelist. |
| C．He’s very ambitious. | D．He is a psychologist |
| A．The brain stops improvement when one is over 65. |
| B．No preventative measures can be taken about dementia. |
| C．The wider social circle is, the younger your brain will be. |
| D．Social connection plays an important role in preventing dementia. |
| A．Support the opinion of the author. | B．Provide some advice for the readers. |
| C．Add some background information. | D．Introduce a new topic for discussion. |
2 . One of the astronomy's most well-known telescopes-the 305-metre-wide radio telescope at Arecibo, Puerto Rico-is closing forever. Engineers cannot find a safe way to repair it after two cables supporting the structure suddenly and catastrophically broke, one in August and one in early November.
The Arecibo telescope, which was built in 1963, was the world's largest radio telescope for decades and has historical and modern importance in astronomy. It was the site from which astronomers sent an interstellar radio message in 1974, in case any extraterrestrial might hear it, and where the first known extrasolar planet was discovered, in 1992. It has also done groundbreaking work in detecting near-Earth planets, observing the puzzling celestial blasts known as fast radio bursts, and studying many other phenomena.
The cables that broke helped support a 900-tonne platform of scientific instruments, which hangs above the main telescope dish. The first cable broke panels at the edge of the dish, but the second tore huge gashes in a central portion of it. If any more cables fail-which could happen at any time-the entire platform could crash into the dish below. The US National Science Foundation(NSF), which owns the Arecibo Observatory, is working on plans to safely lower the platform down in a controlled fashion.
NSF's officials insist that the cable failures came as a surprise. After the first, engineering teams spotted a handful of broken wires on the second cable, which was more crucial to holding up the structure, but they did not see it as a major problem because the weight it was carrying was well within its design capacity.
Some of the observatory's scientific projects may be able to be transferred to other facilities, said Ralph Gaume, the NSF's head of astronomy. And he expects scientists to suggest where to shift their research. Science does continue at other portions of the Arecibo Observatory, which includes more than the 305-metre-dish. They include two lidar facilities that shoot lasers into the atmosphere to study atmospheric phenomena.
1. What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．The history of building the telescope. | B．The key role of the telescope in astronomy. |
| C．The benefit of learning astronomical events. | D．The process of locating near-Earth planets. |
| A．NSF's officials tried to repair the platform |
| B．the second cable failure destroyed the platform |
| C．the scientific instruments broke down due to the cables |
| D．the platform would not break down if no more cables should fail |
| A．The cable was not very old. |
| B．The wires were specially designed. |
| C．The weight the cable bore did not go beyond its limit. |
| D．The cable was not as important as the first one. |
| A．All of them will be shut down. | B．Some of them will be moved to other facilities. |
| C．They will be distributed to different scientists. | D．Some of them will be put off. |
3 . From talking robots and video phones, technology has become so advanced that the previously impossible seems to occur on a daily basis. And yet—we still have no cure for the common cold.
Why can’t we stop the common cold? According to Peter Barlow, a scientist at Edinburgh Napier University, the main challenge lies in the many different types of cold viruses that are produced by the rhinoviruses (鼻病毒). There are at least 160 types. They change so easily that they quickly become resistant to drugs. In other words, a single cure isn’t likely to work on every type of cold.
However, researchers from Stanford University have found a possible answer. They discovered a protein that the viruses need. Without it, they can't spread inside your body.
To identify the gene which produces the specific protein needed by the viruses, researchers used a gene-editing technique to test all genes one by one for thousands of cells. These modified (改变的) cells were then exposed to a range of rhinoviruses which cause the common cold.
All the viruses were unable to copy inside cells without a gene that produces a specific protein, called methyltransferase (甲基转移酶) SETD3.
Then, they tested genetically modified mice, which were completely unable to produce the protein. The mice were able to live healthy, normal lives without the protein.
“Lacking that gene protected the mice completely from the common cold,” associate professor Jan Carette, from Stanford, told the BBC.
“These mice would always die, but they survived and we saw a very strong protection.”
Carette said the plan is to find a drug which can keep back the protein for a limited time, rather than produce genetically modified humans.
“We have identified a fantastic target that all rhinoviruses require and depend on. Take that away and the virus really has no chance,” said Carette.
1. Why does the author mention talking robots and video phones in the first paragraph?| A．To stress the importance of technology. |
| B．To encourage readers to share their ideas. |
| C．To introduce the topic of the text. |
| D．To recognize the progress of science. |
| A．It helps the viruses copy inside our bodies. |
| B．It stops the viruses from changing easily. |
| C．It protects the viruses against drugs. |
| D．It forces the viruses to spread fast. |
| A．To identify a fantastic target. |
| B．To slow copying speed of some genes. |
| C．To produce genetically modified humans. |
| D．To find a drug to temporarily block the protein. |
| A．A New Experiment on Viruses. |
| B．New Defense Found for Viruses. |
| C．A Chemical Curing Modified Viruses. |
| D．Gene-editing Technology to Control Viruses. |
4 . Computer programmer David Jones earns ￡35 000 a year designing new computer games, yet he cannot find a bank ready to let him have a credit card. Instead, he has been told to wait another two years, until he is 18. The 16-year-old works for a small firm in Liverpool, where the problem of most young people of his age is finding a job. David’s firm releases two new games for the fast growing computer market each month.
But David’s biggest headache is what to do with his money. Even though he earns a lot, he cannot drive a car, take out a mortgage (抵押贷款), or get credit cards. David got his job with the Liverpool-based company four months ago, a year after leaving school with six O-levels and working for a time in a computer shop. “I got the job because the people who run the firm knew I had already written some programs,” he said. David spends some of his money on records and clothes，and gives his mother 50 pounds a week. But most of his spare time is spent working.
“Unfortunately, computing was not part of our studies at school,” he said. “But I had been studying it in books and magazines for four years in my spare time. I knew what I wanted to do and never considered staying on at school. Most people in this business are fairly young, anyway.” David added, “I would like to earn a million and I suppose early retirement is a possibility. You never know when the market might disappear.”
1. In what way is David different from people of his age?| A．He has a handsome job. |
| B．He cannot have a credit card. |
| C．He graduated with six O-levels. |
| D．He often goes out with friends. |
| A．How to get more spare time. |
| B．Buying a car suitable for him. |
| C．How to deal with his income. |
| D．Releasing two new games each month. |
| A．He received lots of job offers. |
| B．He lost interest in school studies. |
| C．He was eager to help his mother. |
| D．He wanted to earn his own living. |
| A．Positive | B．Critical | C．Worried | D．Hopeless |
5 . The last few months have seen record numbers of us working from home, which begs the question: are offices still needed?
The likelihood is that you or a family member may have spent at least some time working from home since lockdown began. According to Finder.com, a huge percent of us were working from home, which has led commentators to dub the last few months a mass-work-from-home experiment.
Many people soon noticed positives such as increased productivity as a result of no office distractions, and more free time because there’s no need for commuting(上下班往返). For some, parents in particular, the ability to work from home with flexible hours has been a huge positive. Home working also cuts pollution levels due to fewer of us embarking on the daily commute and would save companies the costs of renting office space.
Some argue the shift to remote working is long overdue, with broadband technology now widely available and an ever-increasing number of people balancing working with childcare.
“Hopefully it will show employers who were resistant that it is possible to work effectively from home,” says Mandy Garner, managing editor of Workingmums.co.uk. Mandy adds that flexible working was regarded mainly as a bit of a favour done to mums. There was little research about it. Now we have countless studies showing the benefits.
A key concern, however, is loneliness, with Finder.com reporting 19 percent of remote workers were experiencing this. Even with video calls, it is difficult to recreate the buzzing dynamic of an office. Many people also have a daily battle with poor Wi-Fi. And there’s the challenge of switching off once the working day is over—an office creates a physical and mental line between work and home, which can be easily blurred(变得模糊) when working from home.
The future of offices is uncertain but with the benefits—to employees and employers—of remote working, it may be that a real shift has taken place and we won’t be going back to work in the same way again.
1. What do we know about working from home?| A．It was resisted by employees. | B．It can result in more distractions. |
| C．It brings about broadband technology. | D．It may lead to higher efficiency. |
| A．It will keep employees free from loneliness. |
| B．It can build a line between work and home. |
| C．It can balance working with childcare. |
| D．It may have the challenge of switching off. |
| A．Indifferent | B．Sympathetic | C．Disapproving | D．Positive |
| A．The benefits of remote working | B．A mass-work-from-home experiment |
| C．The End of the Office? | D．A real shift in employment? |
6 . Scientists say baby sharks are at risk of being born smaller and without the energy they need to survive because of warming oceans from climate change.
Scientists working with the New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts studied epaulette sharks. They found that warmer conditions sped up the sharks’ growing process. That meant the sharks were born earlier and very tired.
John Mandelman is vice president and chief scientist of the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium. He said it is widely believed that epaulette sharks are “hardy,” or able to survive difficult conditions. “What it means is this very resilient species is more vulnerable than we thought, and this could be true of other sharks,” he added.
The scientists studied 27 sharks using the New England Aquarium’s reproduction program. Some were raised in average summer water temperatures, about 27 degrees Celsius. Others were raised in higher temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. They found that the sharks raised in the warmest temperatures weighed much less than those raised in average temperatures. They also showed reduced energy levels.
Epaulette sharks can grow to a length of about one meter. Their name comes from large spots on their bodies that look like decorations on some military clothing. The sharks are listed as stable and a species of “least concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
One study this year found that worldwide numbers of oceanic sharks and rays dropped more than 70 percent between 1970 and 2018. Overfishing is a main concern, while climate change and pollution also threaten sharks. Mariah Pfleger is an ocean scientist at the protection group Oceana. She said the study should serve as a warning to ocean governing agencies that careful supervision is needed to prevent the loss of more sharks. “This study further exemplifies that sharks will not be immune to a warming ocean,” Pfleger added.
1. The new study shows us that warming oceans may lead to baby sharks’ .| A．later birth and less weight. |
| B．later birth and more weight. |
| C．earlier birth and less weight. |
| D．earlier birth and more weight. |
| A．Climate change. | B．Pollution. | C．Overfishing. | D．Supervision. |
| A．They can grow to about one centimeter in length. |
| B．They are named after their body characteristics. |
| C．They are least endangered species. |
| D．They are able to survive all kinds of conditions. |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. | C．Indifferent. | D．Arbitrary. |
7 . Research shows students learn better when they’re well nourished. Healthy eating has been linked to higher grades, better memory, faster information processing and improved health leading to better school attendance, according to registered dietitian Elisa Zied, author of Feed Your Family Right. On the contrary, unhealthy eating habits can negatively affect learning. Researchers have studied many areas related to eating and learning.
Skipping breakfast can have a negative impact on learning. A higher percentage of breakfast eaters passed a biology exam in one study of college students. It’s also important to eat a high-quality breakfast. In a study of students between the ages of twelve and thirteen, the average mark increased as breakfast quality improved.
Even with breakfast, the brain can run out of fuel before lunch. In one study of students between the ages of seven and nine, having a mid-morning snack improved memory. The children who ate a smaller breakfast and lunch but consumed a mid-morning snack experienced a smaller decline in immediate and delayed memory. Attention wasn’t affected, however. Zied recommends yogurt with blueberries; this fruit has been proven to be linked to better memory in studies. A hard-boiled egg is also a good snack choice.
Kids who eat healthily are more likely to attend school. Without proper nutrition and adequate calories, students often don’t have enough energy to power the brain, resulting in tiredness and learning problems. In fact, alertness(机敏) improved significantly in students eating breakfast in one study of high school students published in the journal Pediatrics.
A study of public school students published in the Journal of School Health linked high intake of sweetened drinks, such as sugary sodas, to lower scores in math tests. A diet high in junk food and sugary sodas is also linked to childhood obesity, which could result in lower cognitive(认知的) functioning, according to the Yale University research. On the other hand, students with healthy eating habits are less likely to be overweight and more likely to learn well.
1. What is an effective way for students to improve their memory?| A．Eating a big breakfast on a regular basis. |
| B．Staying away from junk food in daily life. |
| C．Eating something healthy at about 10:00 am |
| D．Adding yogurt with strawberries to their daily diet. |
| A．Students will have better attendance at school after eating healthily. |
| B．Students will have a good performance as long as they are well fed. |
| C．A high-quality breakfast will make a difference to students, learning. |
| D．Every student has a strong awareness of eating breakfast. |
| A．They would become less confident at school. |
| B．They would grow too overweight to work out. |
| C．They would become unwilling to attend school. |
| D．They would fall behind other students at school. |
| A．The impacts of eating habits on students’ learning |
| B．The advantages of healthy eating habits |
| C．Some suggestions on how to learn better |
| D．The link between diets and learning |
8 . While bees hopping from one flower to another is vivid to watch, having bees disturbing a backyard barbecue certainly isn’t. They may seem like pesky creatures to get rid of, but there are quite a few things you may not know about bees, especially the impact they have on our livelihood.
The main purpose of bees, particularly honey bees, is to help pollinate the plants around them. According to the Department of Entomology at Pennsylvania State University, pollinators (such as bees) help to fertilize plants, which results in “the formation of seeds and the fruit surrounding seeds”. Pollinators are necessary for three-quarters of our major food crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts. An estimated 300,000 species of plants need pollinators. That’s around 80 to 95 percent of plant species. Without pollinators, the number of crops we have will take a serious hit.
Other pollinators can help out with this process including butterflies, beetles, and flies. Even some birds and bats can be pollinators. However, bees of various species are known for being natural pollinators for plants.
Unfortunately, for years there has been an alarming decline of bees around the globe. The University of Vermont published a study stating that 23 percent of the wild bee population declined between 2008 and 2013. 139 counties in parts of California, the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, west Texas and the Mississippi River valley have taken the worst hit in wild bee declines. Since 39 percent of U.S. croplands rely on pollinators for their crop including those beloved apple orchards and pumpkin patches in the fall, we are facing a serious threat.
By taking care of the bees, our world is able to benefit in terms of agricultural income and nutritious food supply. You may not be able to make a huge change on an industrial level, but as someone with a landscape of your own, why not help save the bees?
1. What is the best title for the passage?| A．Bees Is Disappearing? |
| B．How You Can Save Bees? |
| C．How Bees Help Pollinate the Plants? |
| D．Why You Shouldn’t Kill Bees in Your Yard? |
| A．To provide delicious honey. |
| B．To disturb backyard barbecue. |
| C．To get rid of some pesky creatures. |
| D．To help pollinate the plants around them. |
| A．To show the diversity of plant species. |
| B．To show how we depend on plants. |
| C．To prove the importance of pollinators such as bees. |
| D．To make a comparison between plants which need pollinators and which don’t. |
| A．Because the bee population has decreased sharply. |
| B．Because lots of wild bees have been hit by people. |
| C．Because many people are attacked by wild bees. |
| D．Because the croplands have produced less crops in the fall. |
Rent: $3,895/Month
Detail:
Located at the end of a private lane on a quiet beach, this elegant three-story home has beautiful views from all three floors. Features formal and casual spaces, a beautiful wood paneled room, a media room equipped with projector, screen and surround sound. Kitchen has a huge breakfast bar, high end stainless steel appliances, and separate eating area. Master bedroom offers a view balcony, his and her walk-in closets. Air conditioners, 3 gas fireplaces and alarm systems. This is a MUST see!
6235 139th Place SE Bellevue, Washington
Rent: $3,495/Month
Detail:
Located in a great school district. (Tyee Middle) Quiet area in excellent condition Available August 1st, this property includes a fenced backyard with landscape maintenance included with rent.
4021 214th St SE Bothell, Washington
Rent: $3,300/Month
Detail:
This home is set back on a quiet corner in a family friendly neighborhood just minutes' walking distance from parks and about 5 minutes from the 405 freeway. Enjoy the hot tub and outdoor living space which includes a nice private back yard which features views of large greenery. The master bedroom is very large and features a private sitting area with its own gas fireplace and walk-in closets. The kitchen has all stainless steel appliances. The home features an attached 3-car garage. The bonus room makes for an excellent entertainment center, play room, or large home office. The house has high ceilings and many windows, so it is always bright.
526 6th Ave,#1004 Kirkland, Washington
Rent: $2,800/Month
Detail:
Exceptional first-floor apartment in Kirkland's 520 Building. Gorgeous 2-bed-room, Features 10 ft ceilings and crown molding, open and spacious with gorgeous upscale tile(瓷砖) floors, wood blinds in master bedroom, new carpet, new wood finishes, fireplace, beautiful built-in entertainment center. Secure entry and parking. Steps to restaurants, parks and waterfront.
1. Which feature do 26902 9th Avenue S. Des Moines and 4021 214th St SE Bothell share?| A．They both have a private back yard with car garages attached. |
| B．They both have a large master bedroom offering a balcony view. |
| C．They both have a nice kitchen and a room suitable for entertainment. |
| D．They are both located in a quiet place, just minutes' walking distance from parks. |
| A．26902 9th Avenue S. Des Moines. |
| B．6235 139th Place SE Bellevue. |
| C．4021 214th St SE Bothell. |
| D．526 6th Ave, #1004 Kirkland. |
| A．It is very close to restaurants, parks, and the 405 freeway. |
| B．It lies the first floor and has gorgeous wood floors and high ceilings. |
| C．It offers brand-new furniture, air conditioning, and free parking. |
| D．It comes with 2 bedrooms and a wonderful built-in entertainment center. |
10 . Making employees feel happy and healthy at work is good for many businesses. But it isn’t always an easy thing. A study suggests that only 33% of the U. S. employees consider themselves fully engaged （投身于）in work, while 16% are greatly disengaged, and 51% are just showing up.
But there is an exception. When it comes to employee engagement, it seems that employees in small companies are doing better. According to the same research, the largest U. S. companies are at the lowest levels of engagement, while companies with fewer than 25 employees are at the highest. And in one recent report, 75% of small business workers surveyed said they were “very” or “extremely” satisfied with their role as a small company employee.
Unlike big companies, small companies are often short of resources but the employees can get more surprises there. Small companies offer excellent career opportunities to their employees. The bosses often know their staff very well and understand their personal needs. Employees of small companies are more likely to receive free meals, paid leave, and they can even bring their pets to work.
But of course ? there are many other draws in small businesses. One of the top draws is flexible scheduling (弹性工时). Another is being able to really see the fruits of one's labor. Besides, non-cash award is also a big draw. This could be something small that reflects employees’ interests and lifestyles.
While a parental leave might lead to some financial problems, small companies may do something to improve it. “It may be impossible for a five-person team to be reduced to four for six months,” writes Camillia Velasquez, head of HR management platform, Justworks. “But it could be possible to allow new parents to take on reduced hours in a work-from-home environment. ” This kind of method has been realized in some small companies.
1. What can we know about employees in big and small companies?| A．Employees can develop better in small companies. |
| B．Employees can earn more money in small companies. |
| C．Employees in big companies are hard to be satisfied. |
| D．Employees in small companies are more engaged in work. |
| A．Working for small companies has many benefits. |
| B．All the employers in small companies know every staff member very well. |
| C．Staff in small companies may face many challenges. |
| D．Staff in big companies have more material benefits. |
| A．Employers in small companies have more choices. |
| B．Small companies have more attractions to employees. |
| C．Employees of small companies may have higher salaries. |
| D．Employees of small companies have fixed working time. |
| A．Small companies may have more employees with much happiness. |
| B．Big companies should learn from some small companies. |
| C．Employees should have their own hobbies and lifestyles. |
| D．Employers should pay more attention to the staff’s needs. |
