2 . Nothing succeeds like success, as every parent of a straight-A student knows, but trying to stress academic excellence by telling your child, “You’re so smart!” may be counterproductive. Why? According to a 2017 study, children who think their intelligence is fixed are less likely to pay attention to and bounce back（重新振作）from mistakes than children who think intelligence can grow and change.

In the study, researchers looked at 123 children. The team assessed the children to determine whether they had a “growth mindset”(believing that you can work harder to get smarter), or a “fixed mindset” (believing that your intelligence is unable to change). They then asked the children to complete a fast-paced computer accuracy task while their brain activity was recorded. During the recording, researchers noted that brain activity stopped within a half-second after making a mistake, as children became aware of their mistake and paid closer attention to what went wrong. The larger the brain response was, the more the child focused on the mistake. Based on the data, they concluded that children with a “growth mindset” were much more likely to have a larger brain response after making a mistake. While children with a “fixed mindset” were able to “bounce back”, only if they gave their full attention to the mistake.

For parents, the lessons are clear. Don’t pay your children compliments that suggest that intelligence is fixed. If your child hands you an A+ score, don’t say, “You’re so smart!” Instead, say, “Wow, that studying really paid off!” or “You clearly mastered this material-way to go!” Note the effort, not the intelligence.

Besides, many parent shy away from addressing a child’s mistakes, telling them “It’s OK. ”You’ll get it next time. ” without offering them the chances to figure out what goes wrong. Instead, it’s better to reassure your children that mistakes happen, and work to figure out where and how they make the mistake.

1. Which of the following best explains “counterproductive” underlined in paragraph 1?

A．Opposite	B．Competitive
C．Successful	D．Unknown

2. How did the children with a “growth mindset” react in the study?

A．They made fewer mistakes.	B．They tried to avoid mistakes
C．They had smaller brain response	D．They focused more on the mistake.

3. What should parents say when children make a mistake according to the text?

A．You are so careless

B．Paying compliments to children

C．You’ll get it the next time

D．Let’s find out how you made it.

4. What should be avoided according to the study?

A．Overstressing the intelligence.

B．Pay compliment to children.

C．Addressing children’s mistakes.

D．Offering chances to find mistakes.

5 . It's easy to understand why early humans domesticated (驯养)dogs as their new best friends, domesticated dogs can guard against fierce animals and provide warmth during cold nights. But those benefits only come following domestication. Despite more than a century of study, scientists have struggled to understand what caused the domestication process in the first place.

A new theory given by Maria Lahtinen, a senior researcher, might be able to explain this puzzle. She made this theory when studying die diet of late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers in Arctic and sub — Arctic. At that time, around 20,000 to 15,000 years ago, the world was buried in the coldest period of the last ice age. In cold environments then, as today, humans tended to gain the majority of their food from animals. Nutritional deficiencies (缺失) came from the absence of fat and carbohydrates (碳水化合物), not necessarily protein. Indeed, if humans cat too much meat, they can develop protein poisoning and even die. "Because we humans are not fully adapted to an all-meat diet, we simply cannot digest protein very well," Lahtinen says.

During the coldest years of the last ice age — and especially in lough Arctic and sub-Arctic winters — reindeer, wild horses and other animals that humans killed for food would have been struggling to live. Using previously published early fossil records, Lahtinen and her colleagues calculated that the game captured by people in the Arctic and sub-Arctic during this time would have provided much more protein than they could have safely consumed.

1. What has been confusing scientists in the past century?

A．How domesticated dogs benefited humans.

B．When humans began to domesticate dogs.

C．What led to dog domestication originally.

D．Why early humans made friends with clogs.

2. What will happen if one eats too much meat?

A．It can be fatal in a short period of time.

B．He will probably digest it very well.

C．He can develop carbohydrates poisoning.

D．He will survive the cold environment.

3. What does the underlined word "game” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．The fierce contests.	B．The hunting activities.
C．Wild animals or birds.	D．Some tricks or schemes.

4. What can be learned about the late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from the last paragraph?

A．They struggled with wild horses.

B．They shared extra meat with dogs.

C．They struggled to live a good life.

D．They had trouble adapting to the cold environment.

7 . What should we get for our kids this holiday? As children get older, giving them something they can experience instead of material things makes them happier, according to a new research led by Chaplin.

The research compared the level of happiness children get from material things with that from experiences. The results showed that children aged 3-12 get more happiness from material things than from experiences. However, older children get more happiness from experiences than from their possessions.

“It means experiences are highly preferred by adolescents, not just expensive material things, like some might think,”Chaplin says. She goes on to explain,”Don’t get me wrong. Young children do love experiences. And given this concept, theme parks such as Disneyland are being built everywhere. In fact, young children are excited throughout the experience. However, for experiences to provide lasting happiness, children must be able to recall details of the events.”

Long after they have unwrapped their Legos and stuffed animals, there will still be a physical reminder to give them happiness. However, young children can’t see or touch experiences after they are over, making it harder for them to appreciate experiences after a long time. There’s an easy fix, though, according to Chaplin.

“Take pictures or videos of family walks, playing in the snow, and birthday parties,”she said.“Children are likely to appreciate those experiences more if there is something to remind them of the event. Additionally, they’ll be able to learn the social value of shared experiences.”

Children will remember and appreciate not only the birthday gifts they received, but also the time spent with family and friends as they recall the experience through concrete reminders such as photos and videos.

Since memory is developed over time, it’s likely that children, especially young ones, may not get as much happiness from past experiences as from possessions. But with age, creating new memories and exploring new interests may be far more valuable than getting possessions.

1. Why are theme parks springing up according to Chaplin?

A．They can offer children lasting happiness.

B．Events in them are centered on specific themes.

C．Direct involvement in events there caters to children.

D．Kids have an affection for the atmosphere they offer.

2. The underlined word “fix” in Paragraph4 can be replaced be________.

A．solution	B．arrangement
C．preparation	D．focus

3. Which of the following would Chaplin probably agree with?

A．Videos appeal to children more than gifts.

B．Legos and stuffed animals are not kid’s cup of tea.

C．Older children value family time more than younger ones.

D．Physical reminders help remember past experiences better.

4. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Experiences are better gifts for older children.

B．Social values should be put in the first place.

C．New interests are most precious for children.

D．Material possessions bring more happiness to children.

8 . One of the best things about London is that so many of its world-famous museums are free to the public. Visitors can enjoy some beautiful paintings, portraits（肖像）and art pieces by famous artists from around the world there.

Imperial War Museum

Located in what was once a hospital, Imperial War Museum offers a fascinating look at war and its impact. With lots of films, photos, videos and audio recordings included in the displays, visitors will come away with a greater insight into the tragedy（悲剧）of wars, as well as the impact they have on society.

National Portrait Gallery

Home to over 11,000 portraits, this delightful art gallery focuses on famous British people through the ages. Portraits, photos, sculptures and drawings of some of the country's most influential and well-known figures gaze upon you as you make your way through the gallery. While its most famous portrait is undoubtedly the one of William Shakespeare, more contemporary pieces do not look out of place alongside artworks that date back hundreds of years.

Royal Air Force Museum

Located in Hendon, Royal Air Force Museum has over one hundred and sixty aircrafts on display and is a must-see for aviation（航空）lovers. Documenting the history of aviation and aircraft in the United Kingdom, the museum has one of the biggest and best collections of military aircraft in the world.

Tate Britain

Founded by sugar businessman Sir Henry Tate, Tate Britain is a wonderful museum to visit, with lots of fantastic British artworks on show. Tate Britain's masterpieces include works by William Blake and Francis Bacon. Wandering around the exhibitions and galleries is a lovely way to spend the day. With the museum lying on the banks of the Thames, you can take a boat to get there.

1. What can we know about Imperial War Museum?

A．It houses Francis Bacon's works.	B．It mainly shows artists' tragedies.
C．It originally served as a hospital.	D．It once stood on the Thames River.

2. In which place can visitors see the picture of William Shakespeare?

A．Imperial War Museum.	B．Tate Britain.
C．Royal Air Force Museum.	D．National Portrait Gallery.

3. What's special about Tate Britain?

A．It is accessible by boat.	B．It focuses on famous people.
C．It attracts many aircraft lovers.	D．It was built by a businesswoman.

9 . Etiquette For Teens Aged 13-18

Provide your teen with that “edge” that will help them succeed in life and make for successful adulthood!

In today’s fast-paced digital world teens are no longer having face-to-face interactions with others. When presented with an unfamiliar social situation, they may feel uncomfortable, and therefore they may choose to avoid socializing.

Our two-day workshop will give them a solid foundation of etiquette and manners as well as help prepare your teen for the many new social and business situations they will face as young adults. It will provide them with the self-confidence, enthusiasm, and motivation that are essential as they move into the next phase of their lives. The following topics will be covered in the two-day workshop.

Day One

Proper Introductions—Handshakes & Eye Contact—Body Language—The Art Of Small Talk—How To Speak In The Right Tone With Clarity—Leadership—Qualities—How To Make A Positive First Impression

Be The Perfect Guest—Invitations & Thank-You Notes—Social Networking—Dating

Etiquette—Common Courtesies In Public Places

Day Two

Table Skills & Dining Manners—The Informal/Formal Place Setting—American/Continental Dining—Proper Use Of Dining Utensils－Eating Various Foods—Seating A Lady At The Table—Tipping Guidelines

Interviewing Tips For College & Job Interviews—Dressing The Part—Be A Good Listener—Interview Follow-Up Calls & Thank-You Notes—Grooming Skin Care—The Graduation Celebration

Fee: $285.00, including snacks, the certificate, and workbooks

Date: Jan. 5&6

Time: 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Registration closes at: 11:59 p.m. Dec. 29

Invite a friend to apply for the workshop and you can receive a $10.00 credit toward your course fee. If you are interested in joining the two-day workshop, fill out our application form online.

1. What’s the two-day workshop mainly intended to do?

A．Help teens know themselves.	B．Provide teens with survival skills.
C．Motivate teens to study efficiently.	D．Assist teens in learning social skills.

2. What will teens learn on the first day?

A．How to behave at table.	B．How to chat with someone.
C．How to tip others properly.	D．How to prepare for an interview.

3. How much will Green pay if he invites a friend to the workshop?

A．$ 295.00.

B．$ 285.00.

C．$275.00.

D．$265.00.

10 . They say everything is bigger in Texas. While that may be true, some of the best things in Texas are quite small. Case in point: tiny Mount Vernon, a town of just under 3,000 people. But if you do come across Mount Vernon, you might just get an intention to stay. That happens a lot around here, and it’s worth noting how remarkable that is.

Tom Wilkinson was born in Mount Vernon 87 years ago and moved back after he retired from his career as a college English professor in Dallas. Like many of his neighbors, Wilkinson can track his ancestors back to the pioneers who settled here in the 1870s. And like many, he values the simple life you can’t easily find in big cities. “People are still polite. They hold the door open for you.” he says, “We grow strong roots here!”

Preserving and honoring the past has been key to helping Mount Vernon survive. The residents have restored and reopened some of the empty stores, including the old barbershop, built more than 100 years ago. An old general store was turned into a combination space. Wander in on any given day and you might find a book club discussion, a Coffee Ladies meet-up, or a work session for the local genealogy(家谱) group among the tables of people chatting over cups of coffee and plates of food.

Mount Vernon has the kind of big hearts you tend to find in a small town. For instance, when a local policeman was diagnosed with cancer last year, ten-year-old Lola McKellar set up a lemonade stand to raise money for his treatments. In 2015, when a 350-year flood sent water rushing into local homes, an army of volunteers showed up to get a wheelchair-bound neighbor and his wife to higher ground, and then came back to help rebuild.

1. What does the author think of Mount Vernon?

A．Remote.	B．Wealthy.
C．Primitive.	D．Attractive.

2. Why did Tom Wilkinson come back to Mount Vernon?

A．He preferred the simple and natural life.	B．He could continue his language teaching.
C．He could live together with his ancestors.	D．He could meet more neighbors of his age.

3. What can we infer about people’s way of life in Mount Vernon from Paragraph 3?

A．It is in danger of extinction.	B．It is quickly changing over time.
C．It is conservative but harmonious.	D．It is being disturbed by the outside world.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The history of Mount Vernon.	B．The humanity of Mount Vernon.
C．The volunteers of Mount Vernon.	D．The reconstruction of Mount Vernon.