1 . One in five women and one in eight men are becoming more tired and less productive, according to a new Australian study on mobile phone use.
Led by the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, researchers surveyed 709 mobile phone users across the country aged 18 to 83 and asked them a series of questions based on a similar study 13 years ago. Identifying a phenomenon "technoference (科技干扰)", researchers discovered a significant increase in people blaming their devices for losing sleep, becoming less productive and even getting more aches and pains".
According to the study's lead author Dr Oscar, the issue is so bad that 24 percent of women and 15 percent of men are now considered to be " problematic mobile phone users". "When we talk about technoference, we're referring to the everyday intrusions (侵入)and interruptions that people experience due to mobile phones and their usage," he said. "Our survey found technoference had increased among men and women. For example, self-reports relating to the loss of sleep and productivity showed that these negative outcomes had significantly increased during the last 13 years. This finding suggests that mobile phones are potentially increasingly affecting aspects of daytime functioning due to lack of sleep. "
Compared to a 2005 study, "technoference" issues for 18 to 24-year-old experienced a surprising 40. 9 percent rise, while those aged 25 to 29 also recorded a dramatic increase of 23. 5 percent.
Oscar said that with the number of smartphone users around the world expected to surpass 2. 5 billion before the end of this year, the problem of "technoference" could get even worse. "The speed and depth of smartphone take-up makes our population particularly vulnerable to some of the negative consequences of high mobile phone use." he said. "Rapid technological innovations have led to dramatic changes in today's mobile phone technology, which can improve the quality of life for phone users but also result in some negative outcomes. "
1. How are people affected by technoference according to the text?| A．It makes people addicted to communicating online. |
| B．It pushes people to work at a fast pace. |
| C．It causes people to sleep less at night. |
| D．It brings negative outcomes to people of all ages. |
| A．Young women. | B．Young man |
| C．Children. | D．Seniors. |
| A．Widely spread. | B．Easily hurt. |
| C．Deeply devoted | D．Absolutely accustomed. |
| A．The increasing side effects of smartphones. |
| B．Ways to solve technoference problem. |
| C．Smartphones and people's happiness. |
| D．The popularity of smartphones. |
2 . Would you BET on the future of this man? He is 53 years old. Most of his adult life has been a losing struggle against debt and misfortune. A war injury has made his left hand stop functioning, and he has often been in prison. Driven by heaven-knows-what motives, he determines to write a book.
The book turns out to be one that has appealed to the world for more than 350 years. That former prisoner was Cervantes, and the book was Don Quixote(《堂吉诃德》) . And the story poses an interesting question: why do some people discover new vitality and creativity to the end of their days, while others go to seed long before？
We've all known people who run out of steam before they reach life's halfway mark. I'm not talking about those who fail to get to the top. We can't all get there. I'm talking about people who have stopped learning on growing because they have adopted the fixed attitudes and opinions that all too often come with passing years.
Most of us, in fact, progressively narrow the variety of our lives. We succeed in our field of specialization and then become trapped in it. Nothing surprises us. We lose our sense of wonder. But, if we are willing to learn, the opportunities are everywhere.
The things we learn in maturity seldom involve information and skills. We learn to bear with the things we can't change. We learn to avoid self-pity. We learn that however much we try to please, some people are never going to love us-an idea that troubles at first but is eventually relaxing.
With high motivation and enthusiasm, we can keep on learning. Then we will know how important it is to have meaning in our life. However, we can achieve meaning only if we have made a commitment to something larger than our own little egos(自我) , whether to loved ones, to fellow humans, to work, or to some moral concept.
Many of us equate(将……等同于) “commitment” with such “caring” occupations as teaching and nursing. But doing any ordinary job as well as one can is in itself an admirable commitment. People who work toward such excellence-whether they are driving a truck, or running a store-make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. They've learned life's most valuable lesson.
1. The passage starts with the story of Cervantes to show that _____________.| A．loss of freedom stimulates one's creativity |
| B．age is not a barrier to achieving one's goal |
| C．misery inspires a man to fight against his fate |
| D．disability cannot stop a man's pursuit of success |
| A．End one's struggle for liberty. |
| B．Waste one's energy taking risks. |
| C．Miss the opportunity to succeed. |
| D．Lose the interest to continue learning. |
| A．Those who dare to try often get themselves trapped. |
| B．Those who tend to think back can hardly go ahead. |
| C．Opportunity favours those with a curious mind. |
| D．Opportunity awaits those with a cautious mind. |
| A．To provide guidance on leading a meaningful adult life. |
| B．To stress the need of shouldering responsibilities at work. |
| C．To state the importance of generating motivation for learning. |
| D．To suggest a way of pursuing excellence in our lifelong career. |
3 . For some people,music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call “amusic.” People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes(音调). Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.
As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music sets them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. “I used to hate parties,” says Margaret,a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.
Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn't involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can't see. certain colors.
Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed(诊断). For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. “When people invite me to a concert, I just say,” No thanks, I'm amusic,'“says Margaret. “I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”
1. Which of the following is true of amusic?| A．Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them. |
| B．They love places where they are likely to hear music. |
| C．They can easily tell two different songs apart. |
| D．Their situation is well understood by musicians. |
| A．dislikes listening to speeches |
| B．can hear anything nonmusical |
| C．has a hearing problem |
| D．lacks a complex hearing system |
| A．her problem with music had been diagnosed earlier |
| B．she were seventeen years old rather than seventy |
| C．her problem could be easily explained |
| D．she were able to meet other amusics |
| A．Amusics' strange behaviours. |
| B．Some people's inability to enjoy music. |
| C．Musical talent and brain structure. |
| D．Identification and treatment of amusics. |
4 . Inventor, physicist, surveyor, astronomer, biologist, artist… Robert Hooke was all these and more. Some say he was the greatest experimental scientist of the 17th century. In the course of his work, he cooperated with famous men of science like Isaac Newton, and the great architect Christopher Wren.
Hooke's early education began at home, under the guidance of his father. He entered Westminster School at the age of 13, and from there went to Oxford, where he came in contact with some of the best scientists in England. Hooke impressed them with his skills at designing experiments and inventing instruments. In 1662, at the age of 28, he was named Curator of Experiments at the newly formed Royal Society of London — meaning that he was responsible for demonstrating (展示) new experiments at the society’s weekly meeting. Hooke accepted the job, even though he knew that the society had no money to pay him!
Watching living things through a microscope was one of his favourite pastimes. He invented a compound microscope for this purpose. One day while observing a cork (软木塞) under a microscope, he saw honeycomb-like structures. There were cells — the smallest units of life. In fact, it was Hooke who invented the term “cell” as the box-like cells of the cork reminded him of the cells of a monastery (修道院).
Another achievement of Hooke’s was his book Micrographia, which introduced the enormous potential of the microscope. It contains fascinating drawings of the thing he saw under the microscope. The book also includes, among other things, ideas on gravity, light and combustion (燃烧) that may have helped scientists like Newton when they were developing their own theories on these phenomena.
Hooke made a valuable contribution to astronomy too. A crater (火山口) on the moon is named after him in honour of his services to this branch of science.
1. Which is the possible reason why Hooke accepted the job as Curator of Experiments?| A．He liked designing experiments. |
| B．His family needed his support. |
| C．He wanted to please the famous scientists in England. |
| D．His parents couldn’t afford his education. |
| A．Jobs | B．Experiments |
| C．Hobbies | D．Structures |
| A．Hooke went to Oxford in 1645. |
| B．Hooke was well paid in the Royal Society of London. |
| C．Hooke made a contribution to medicine. |
| D．Hooke's book Micrographia may have helped Newton. |
| A．Hooke was the greatest experimental scientist of the 17th century |
| B．Hooke was good at making discoveries |
| C．Hooke's contributions were not limited to one field |
| D．Hooke was one of the greatest astronomers |
5 . More and more travellers in China nowadays prefer homestays rather than traditional hotels, as they seek private living experiences. The house-sharing model was first introduced by the website Couchsurfing.com in 2003. It is still the largest website for travellers to find accommodation (住宿) without much money to spend.
Encouraged by her great experience of homestays in France, Maggita, 30, considered short-term hire as her first choice in her future trips. She later went back to her hometown Shanghai and ran a "shared accommodation" business.
The short-term hire idea has been a win-win business model. For travellers, they can rent a special room at a reasonable price and also enjoy a firsthand experience of the local culture, compared with traditional hotels. For owners, they can gain much with daily rental. Now Maggita has quit her last job in an IT company and become a host of some 20 homestays, which enables her to earn a monthly income of around 40,000 — 50,000 yuan.
In recent years, China has seen many homestay booking websites such as Xiaozhu and Tujia. Chen Chi, the founder and CEO of Xiaozhu, said the model is to share rooms or apartments that are not in use with people who need them. Instead of the traditional view that Chinese people feel uncomfortable living with strangers, Chen found that a large number of travellers got along well with house owners.
However, experts have pointed out a series of problems brought about by the fashion. Lacking supervision (监管) to those accommodation sharing websites, the service quality and accommodation safety cannot be guaranteed (保障).Experts suggest that the online websites should closely work together with communities and local police stations to improve the services.
1. What can we learn about homestays from the first paragraph?| A．They started in China. | B．They offer the best service. |
| C．They can be money-saving. | D．They are popular with the youth. |
A．Taken up.  | B．Given up. |
| C．Looked for. | D．Gone for |
A．Useless.  | B．Relaxing. |
| C．Well-accepted. | D．Uncomfortable. |
| A．Homestays need to be improved. |
| B．Some experts don't support homestays. |
| C．Lacking supervision is the biggest problem of homestays. |
| D．The police should manage the homestay services. |
6 . As the world's resources become rarer because of continuing land development and the growing human population, the natural habitats of wild animals have continued to decrease. As a result, the survival of some species of wildlife is threatened. To help protect wildlife, a lot of practices should be carried out by environmentalist as well as the general public.
Create homes for species that are endangered because of losing their own natural habitats. Wildlife shelters should be developed, and habitats should be created in existing(现存的) national parks. Efforts(努力) should also be made to protect existing habits, such as providing food and water sources and limiting hunting. Breed(培育) endangered species in places such as zoos. Once the young animals grow up, they can be set free into the wild where they can continue to increase the population.
The general public may not realize that a species is endangered until it's too late. Educational programs making use of TV advertising and instructional meetings at national parks can be used to make the public know the situation.
The general public can help protect the wildlife by not hunting wild animals for sport or for a source of food. They should also stop supporting those who earn money from the illegal hunting of wild animals, such as hunters who kill animals for the only purpose of harvesting their body parts and selling them for money.
The public should avoid(避免) keeping wild animals as pets. This will limit the number of animals being tracked, trapped, sold and removed from their natural habitat.
1. Which of the following is not the measure of protecting animal habitats?| A．Developing wildlife shelters. |
| B．Creating new habitats. |
| C．Setting young animals free in the wild. |
| D．Protecting the existing habitats. |
| A．the general public may not know species are endangered. |
| B．many endangered species are facing the danger of extinction. |
| C．people can do much to protect the endangered species. |
| D．human activities can affect the existence of species. |
| A．some people hunt animals and sell them as pets |
| B．hunters get little money from hunting animals |
| C．general public do nothing about protecting the wildlife now |
| D．animal population becomes larger in the zoo |
| A．Environment. | B．Sports. |
| C．Technology. | D．Education. |
7 . Anyone who is afraid of failure and afraid to face challenges will never taste success, so said our professor in marketing. I laughed it off at that time, but got frightened when it actually happened in my life.
I landed in a small city in the Middle East to set up a firm, a world－class car rental firm. Having decided on the project, I earnestly settled in preparation. With a positive mind, I told myself nothing should stop me now, and was more than keen to make it a success.
However, the least expected thing happened. Iraq invaded Kuwait. Tension ran high in the region. Eventually the war broke out, and many people fled the country, leaving my firm in deep trouble.
As usual, “things become difficult, and every effort seems to bring disappointment, it can be tempting to lower your expectations or even water down your goals and ambitions.” I was no exception. I thought of running away. I remembered the words of Thomas Edison, “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to succeed when they gave up.”
I decided to hang on, telling myself, “I am not afraid of challenges and obstacles.” I stayed on through months of uncertainty and insecurity. Finances ran low, and banks could not wait to get their dues. To add to all this, the banks even threatened to take all my vehicles. I felt I made a wrong decision to move there. I was now ready to face failure.
I was living against all hopes, believing that something good would happen. After 2 months the war ended. My persistence paid off: people started flooding back and the car bookings picked up, five times over.
Success comes to the one who dares, even after failure, to think positively and look forward confidently. After all, it is only the experience that makes a man tough. Failure does not mean you will never make it. It means that it will take a little longer. It provides us with a learning experience.
1. The main method the author uses to support his understanding of his professor's viewpoint is ________.| A．offering analyses | B．providing explanations |
| C．making comparisons | D．giving examples |
| A．Unconfident | B．Indifferent |
| C．Nervous | D．Calm |
| A．get rid of | B．smooth away |
| C．make less forceful | D．improve on |
| A．inform | B．persuade |
| C．describe | D．entertain |
Monster Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world, covering more than 15 km squares. It is home to more than 50 species of rare and native animals. The zoo is located 70 km from the city New South Australia.
Monster zoo was founded in 1983 as a breeding area (繁殖区). Officially open to the public in October 1993, Monster Zoo is now home to more than 500 animals.
Opening HoursMonster zoo is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm with last entry at 3:00 pm. The zoo is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day and all public holidays. The exception to this is if the forecast temperature for Monster Zoo is 40 degrees or above, it will be closed.
To get the most out of your visit we recommend setting aside a minimum of four to five hours to fully enjoy the Monster zoo.
TicketsChild (4-14 years old) : AU $28.50
Adult (15 years old and over) : AU $ 51.75
Family / Mini Group: AU $132.75
Meet the KeeperMonster zoo offers various daily zoo keeper talks and animal feeds that give guests the chance to interact (互动) with our friendly workers and learn about the zoo’s unique residents.
Looking for a more unique animal experience? Consider booking a Behind the Scenes Animal Experience to come face to face with some of our special animal residents.
CaféKetabi Café is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm daily and offers a variety of tasty treats, small snacks and hot meals.
PicnicsFor those who prefer to bring their own meals, special picnic areas are available close to the Visitor Center. Please note that due to fire risk, the zoo does not allow for the use of BBQs.
1. What can we learn about the zoo from the text?| A．It is the largest zoo in the world. |
| B．It is open daily all year except Christmas Day. |
| C．It is open to the public ten years after it was founded. |
| D．It is home to 500 species of animals. |
| A．AU $155.25. | B．AU $108.75. |
| C．AU $85.25. | D．AU $132.75. |
| A．A health newspaper. | B．An animal book. |
| C．A travel website. | D．A fashion magazine. |
9 . Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater
Prices
Buffet Dinner and Show on Thursdays and Sundays is $50 that includes coffee and iced tea but not desserts.
The Menu Table Service Dinner and Show on Fridays and Saturdays is $55. Again, that includes coffee and iced tea but not desserts.
We have Thursday& Sunday dinner shows of $47 for seniors. We offer a Thursday or Sunday evening show of $30 to kids aged 15 and under when accompanied by adult diners, and $36 to students aged 16-26.
We have show-only tickets with no dinner for $30. Whenever seats are available, we offer $16 show-only student rush tickets.
Here are the ways that you can buy tickets for a Roger Rocka's event：
Online
You can buy tickets to a performance, season tickets, and concert tickets online through this website. You can look through the calendar for a day that works for you and click “Buy tickets”.
At the box office
Our box office at 1226 North Wishon in Fresno’s Tower District is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 10 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m.
Thursdays through Sundays: 10 a. m. until showtime at7:30p,m.or8:00p.m.
Closed on Mondays.
Order your seat
You can give us a call to (559)266-9494 or(800)371-4747 and a real live person will help you find the table you want at the performance you want. Single tickets for the 2nd Space Theatre can be ordered by calling the box office at(559)266-0660 or online at www.Tickets. gcplayers. com/andspace/.
1. How much should a 20-year-old student pay for a dinner show on Thursday?| A．$16. | B．$30. | C．$36. | D．$47 |
| A．10 a.m. on Tuesday | B．6: 00 p. m. on Sunday |
| C．11: 00 p. m. on Monday | D．5: 00 p. m. on Wednesday |
| A．website | B．newspaper | C．research plan | D．business report |
10 . Pet Emergency? Call us right away at(403)342－5200!
If you live in Red Deer or the surrounding area and need a trusted veterinarian(兽医)to care for your pets—look no further.Dr.Pat Higgins is a licensed Alberta veterinarian，treating all types of pets.Your pets' health and happiness are very important to us，and we take every possible measure to give your animals the care they deserve.
Deer Park Pet Hospital is a full service animal hospital and welcomes both emergency treatment cases as well as pet patients in need of routine medical，surgical，and dental(牙科)care.Dr.Pat Higgins has years of experience treating serious conditions and offering regular pet health care.Beyond first rate pet care，we make our clinic comfortable，kid－friendly，and calm，so your pet can relax in the waiting room and look forward to meeting our Red Deer veterinarian.
We are happy to offer a number of resources that enable you to learn about how to take better care of your pets.Please feel free to browse our site，particularly the informational articles.The best veterinary care for animals is ongoing nutrition and problem prevention，so becoming knowledgeable about preventative pet care is vital to the ongoing success of your animal's health.If you have any questions，call(403)342－5200 or email us and we'll immediately get back to you.Our Red Deer veterinarian office is very easy to get to—and you can find directions on our Contact Us page! We also welcome you to subscribe to our newsletter，which is created especially for Red Deer pet owners.
At Deer Park Pet Hospital，we treat your pets like the valued family members they are.
Dr.Pat Higgins
Red Deer Veterinarian│Deer Park Pet Hospital│(403)342－5200
420 Allan Street#4
Red Deer，Alberta T4R 2K7
1. What does the hospital specially offer to pets?| A．Pet licenses and timely care. | B．Clinic rooms and pet playmates. |
| C．Good pet doctors and full services. | D．The best medicine and treatment. |
| A．Food and exercise. | B．Nutrition and prevention. |
| C．Technology and equipment. | D．Experience and patience. |
| A．To make an advertisement for a pet hospital. |
| B．To inform pet owners how to treat their pets. |
| C．To introduce a trusted veterinarian to pet owners. |
| D．To tell people to treat their pets better. |
