1 . Scientist at University College London have discovered sets of regulatory genes, which are responsible for maintaining healthy hearing. The finding, made in fruit flies, could lead to treatments for age-related hearing loss (ARHL) in humans.
Globally, one-third of people aged over 65 experience hearing impairment, and while there are thought to be more than 150 genes that may affect hearing loss, there is no unified (统一的) view on how to use these to develop hearing loss treatments.
In the study, published in Scientific Reports, researchers are at the UCL Ear Institute assessed the hearing ability of the common fruit fly across its life span (around 70 days) to see if their hearing declines with age.
A fruit fly’s ears share many molecular (分子的) similarities with the ears of humans, making it an ideal tool for the study of human hearing loss.
Researchers found that the antennal ears of fruit flies also display ARHL with nearly all sensitive hearing measures starting to decline after 50 days of age. This made the researchers want to know if there were any “age-variable” genes in the flies’ inner ears which have kept the ears healthy for 50 days of their lives.
After closer examination, researchers identified a new set of regulatory genes-homeostasis genes. These genes are often responsible for picking up sound and the overall sensitivity of the ear. Using this information, scientists were then able to genetically modify (修改) the genes and prevent the flies from getting ARHL.
Professor Joerg Albert, lead author of the study, said: “While many studies have been conducted into the hearing function of fruit flies, ours is the first to look at the mechanistic and molecular detail of their auditory life course.”
“The fact that these genes are conserved in humans will also help to focus future clinical research in humans and thereby accelerate the discovery of new pharmacological or gene-therapeutic strategies.”
1. What did scientists at UCL discover?| A．One-third of people aged over 65 have hearing problems. |
| B．Homeostasis genes maintain one’s ability to hear. |
| C．There are regulatory genes that are related to aging. |
| D．Humans have over 150 genes that can affect hearing loss. |
| A．Their hearing system is similar to that of humans’. |
| B．Their hearing ability also declines with age. |
| C．They display ARHL during their lifespan. |
| D．They share many genes with humans. |
| A．The discovery of new treatments. | B．The significance of the study. |
| C．The result of the study. | D．The future commercial prospects. |
| A．Age-related hearing loss: fruit flies and humans |
| B．Hearing loss: a common problem for older adults. |
| C．Gene discovery could lead to hearing loss treatments. |
| D．The body’s ability can be unlocked to treat lost hearing. |
2 . I have an amazing connection with marathons. I didn’t realize until I started running in my 30s that running was a battle against myself, not about competition or whether or not I was athletic. It was all about the battle against my own body and mind. A test of will!
I remember back to my 7th year in school. In my first P. E. class, the teacher required us to run laps and then hit a softball. I didn’t do either well. He later informed me that I was not athletic. Though he didn’t mean it, that stuck with me for years.
A month before my first marathon, one of my ankles was injured and this meant not running for two weeks，leaving me only two weeks to train. Yet, I was determined to go ahead. The night before my marathon, I dreamt that I couldn’t even find the finish line. I woke up sweating and nervous, but ready to prove something to myself.
Shortly after crossing the start line, my shoe ties became undone. So I stopped to readjust. Not the start I wanted !
At mile 3, I passed a sign: “GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!”
By mile 17, I became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt badly. Despite the pain, I stayed the course walking a bit and then running again.
By mile 21, I was starving!
As I approached mile 23, I could see my wife waving a sign. She is my biggest fan. She never minded the alarm clock sounding at 4 am or questioned my expenses on running.
I was one of the final runners to finish. But I finished! And I got a medal. In fact, I got the same medal as the one that the guy who came in first place had.
Determined to be myself, move forward, free of shame and worldly labels, I can now call myself a marathon winner.
1. What does the underlined “that” in Para. 2 refer to?| A．His teacher’s request. | B．His failed sports. |
| C．His no-talent in sports. | D．The awkward memory. |
| A．He made it eventually. | B．He has lost confidence. |
| C．He gave up halfway. | D．He was too nervous to finish. |
| A．Doubted. | B．Supported. | C．Indifferent. | D．Unconcerned. |
| A．One is never too old to learn. | B．Failure is the mother of success. |
| C．A winner is one with a great effort of will. | D．A man owes his success to his family support. |
3 . Artificial Intelligence (AI) advice is as influential as human’s, but positive crowd views still overpower.
In a study, researchers found that machines that make recommendations—or AI experts—were as influential as human experts when the AI experts recommended which photo users should add to their online business profiles. However, both AI and human experts failed to budge them if their feedback was negative and went against popular views among other users, said S. Shyam Sundar, a professor of Media Effects.
Because people are increasingly using social media to look for feedback, studies suggest that expert opinions and the bandwagon（从众效应）effect may be important factors in influencing decisions, according to Jinping Wang, a doctoral candidate in mass communication and first author of the study. “Nowadays, we often turn to online platforms for opinions from other people—like our peers and experts—before making a decision,” said Wang. AI experts are often less expensive than human experts and they can also work 24 hours a day, which, Wang suggests, might make them appealing to online business.
The researchers also found that the AI’s group status—in this case, national origin was pointed out—did not seem to affect a person’s acceptance of its recommendation. Among human experts, however, an expert from a similar national origin who offered a negative opinion of a photograph tended to be more influential than a human expert from an unknown country who offered a similar negative rating of a photograph.
While findings that suggest group status may not affect whether a person values the view of AI experts sound like good news, Sundar suggests that the same cultural prejudice might still be at work in AI experts for they could be hidden in the programming and training data.
“It can be both good—and bad—because it all depends on what you feed the AI,” said Sundar. “While it is good to believe in AI’s ability to transcend（超越）cultural prejudice, we have to keep in mind that if you train the AI on pictures from one culture, they could give misleading recommendations on pictures meant for use in other cultural contexts.”
1. What do the underlined words “budge them” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．Change users’ ideas. | B．Satisfy users’ needs. |
| C．Raise users’ spirits. | D．Fire users’ imagination. |
| A．Because AI experts are more knowledgeable. |
| B．Because AI experts are less influenced by feelings. |
| C．Because AI experts are always available and cost less. |
| D．Because AI experts are so new as to be more attractive. |
| A．An expert who has great achievements in arts. |
| B．An expert from countries with similar cultures. |
| C．An expert with better personality and attitude. |
| D．A foreign expert who is very popular worldwide. |
| A．People should have a mind of their own. |
| B．People should be able to tell good from bad. |
| C．People should be trained how to use AI properly. |
| D．People should know AI’s hidden cultural prejudice. |
4 . Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2020 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.
The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:
8 years old and younger
9 and 10 years old
11 years old and older
First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift card from Amazon.com. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift card; third-place winners, a $50 gift card.
Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one on this page. The patch is a temporary sign, so it can be worn on the right pocket of the Scout uniform shirt. Proudly display it there or on another item such as a vest, plaque or trophy! In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn other patches.
The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.
Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:
Boys’ Life Reading Contest
S306
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2020 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
1. Who are the contest intended for?| A．All school students. | B．Only teenagers. | C．Boy’s Life readers. | D．Boy students. |
| A．Writing a report of over 500 words. | B．Sending their entries by 12-31-2020. |
| C．Wearing a special patch. | D．Sending some stamps. |
| A．Boy’s life club. | B．A famous publisher. |
| C．A high school. | D．An online bookstore. |
5 . Do you like running enough to make it a habit? Tierney Wolfgram does; she has made running a lifelong career and isn't stopping.
In February, the 16-year-old from a high school, US, competed at the 2020 US Olympic Trials. She finished the marathon(42.195 km)with a time of 2:42:47 as the youngest competitor in the race and ranked 76th out of 390 runners. However, the cross-country(越野的)season was postponed to winter because of the COVID-19. So she jumped at the opportunity to train for another race-the Parkway Marathon in California. In November, Wolfgram broke the Women's American Junior marathon record with her time of 2:31:49. The old record was 2:34:32, which had stood since 1984.
“I'm completely stunned, ”said Wolfgram's coach. “I knew she was going to break it, but she really showed out！”
During the run, Wolfgram once hit a wall pretty hard, but she overcame it to finish. “I guess I can say I gave it my all, ”she told Runner's World. “When I finished, all I was thinking was I felt super happy,” Wolfgram said This was only her third marathon. In 2018, when Wolfgram was 15 years old, she ran her first marathon just because she wanted to see if she had the ability to do it. “I believed that I would get faster as the distances got longer. . . I'm still glad that I did it. ”
When preparing for that first marathon, she ran up to 120 miles per week. Although her parents didn't have any background in running, they helped Wolfgram train. At first, her dad would take her out in the morning and run about 13 miles. The distance would gradually increase each day. On top of her runs in the morning, she would do cross-country practice after school.
Now Wolfgram will consider attending the Olympics Games in 2024 after it's scheduled.
1. What can we learn about Wolfgram from Paragraph 2?| A．She was the champion at the 2020 US Olympic Trials. |
| B．She put off the cross-country season for the COVID-19. |
| C．She broke an Olympic marathon record in November. |
| D．She prepared for the Parkway Marathon in California. |
| A．Doubtful | B．Worried. | C．Shocked. | D．Interested |
| A．Her parents' encouragement. | B．Her desire to prove she could do it. |
| C．Her coach's support and help. | D．Her hope to break the national record |
| A．Sports. | B．Lifestyle | C．Culture. | D．Opinion |
6 . Many people struggle to keep their weight under control as they get older. Research at Karolinska Institute in Sweden has uncovered why that is： Lipid turnover （脂质周转）in the fat tissue decreases during ageing and makes it easier to gain weight, even if we don't eat more or exercise less than before.
The scientists studied the fat cells in 54 men and women over an average period of 13 years. In that time, all subjects, regardless whether they gain or lose weight, showed decreases in lipid turnover in the fat tissue. Those who didn't compensate （补充）for that by eating fewer calories gained weight by an average of 20%.
The researchers also examined lipid turnover in 41 women who had bariatric surgery （减肥手术）and how the lipid turnover rate affected their ability to keep the weight off four to seven years after surgery. The result showed that only those who had a low rate before the surgery managed to increase their lipid turnover and keep their weight loss. The researchers believe these people may have had more room to increase their lipid turnover than those who already had a high level pre - surgery.
“The results indicate for the first time that processes in our fat tissue regulate （调节）changes in body weight during ageing in a way that is independent of other factors, says Peter Amer, one of the study's main authors. "This could open up new ways to treat obesity （肥胖）.”
Previous studies have shown that one way to speed up the lipid turnover in the fat tissue is to do more physical activity. This new research supports that and further indicates that the long - term result of weight -loss surgery would improve if combined with increased physical activity.
1. According to the first paragraph, gaining weight with age is_____.| A．a natural rule. | B．an unknown secret |
| C．the result of bad habits | D．something easy to avoid |
| A．It lasts for about three decades. |
| B．Its findings don't agree with the results of former studies. |
| C．It finds old people’s weight increases by 20% on average. |
| D．Its findings can give some inspiration for obesity treatment. |
| A．Eating less. | B．Exercise more. |
| C．Having enough sleep. | D．Having bariatric surgery. |
| A．Why people gain weight as they get old. | B．How old people can control their weight. |
| C．What contributes to weight gain or loss. | D．Physical activity is the key to weight loss. |
7 . As I was growing up, my life revolved （围绕）around soccer. I played on the national youth soccer teams, traveled to Europe, and at age fifteen, spent time training with a professional team in England. I always knew I was going to be a professional soccer player.
I had a full soccer scholarship to a top Midwest university, but when I got to college, things began to change. I started to see everything I had missed along the way. My high school years had been filled with practices and games and I didn't get to do a lot of the other things my friends were doing. I got to college and wanted to be “normal”. I was feeling burned out, so I just walked away from soccer and my scholarship. But I felt bad because soccer was the only thing in my life in which I ever had a deep interest. After graduation I did a few jobs. I worked in the financial industry, and then for several tech companies. I was still distressed.
Looking back, I can see that these jobs weren't based on the values that were important to me ： honesty, stability （稳定）,and family. Then an old soccer coach of mine called and presented an offer — teaching soccer and other sports to little kids. I thought, Could this be it, my calling（职业）？" I've been teaching now for a couple of years and really love it. I'm working with kids, which I enjoy, and I'm playing soccer again only with shorter players.
1. What did the author think of his life before entering college?| A．It was sad. | B．It was tiring. | C．It was relaxing. | D．It was successful. |
| A．He was busy with his studies. |
| B．He didn't like to play soccer any more. |
| C．He wanted to be the same as his friends. |
| D．He knew he couldn't become a professional player. |
| A．Unhappy. | B．Worried. | C．Normal. | D．Pleased. |
| A．I made a wrong choice. | B．My values finally matched. |
| C．Live a comfortable life. | D．Be a professional soccer player. |
8 . Our house was across the street from a hospital. We rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was preparing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man hardly taller than my eight-year-old daughter.
But the frightening thing was his swollen face. He told me he’d been hunting for a room since noon but no one seemed to have a room. For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: “I could sleep on the porch（门廊）. My bus leaves early in the morning.”
I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked him to join us. “No thank you. I have plenty.” And he held up a brown paper bag. When I had finished the dishes, I went out to talk with him a few minutes.
He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, who was hopelessly disabled, and her five children. He didn’t tell it by way of complaint; in fact, he was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease. He thanked life for giving him the strength to keep going.
At bedtime, we put a camp small bed in the children’s room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left, he smiled, “Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don’t seem to mind.” I told him he was welcome to come again.
In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or vegetables. Other times we received packages. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had made the gifts more precious. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude.
1. What actually led to the old man’s failure to get a room before?| A．His fishing job. | B．His ugly appearance. |
| C．His disabled daughter. | D．His lack of money. |
| A．He was in very bad condition. |
| B．He might attack her unless accepted. |
| C．He wouldn’t bother them too much. |
| D．The author had a big family to support. |
| A．The old man often came to ask for help ever since. |
| B．The old man actually didn’t eat anything for supper. |
| C．It was not easy for the old man to send the author gifts. |
| D．The author’s help taught the old man to live independently. |
| A．A precious gift! |
| B．A silent complaint! |
| C．A stubborn fisherman! |
| D．An incredible meeting! |
9 . With the winter holiday coming up, you may have a trip in mind. But no matter which destination you choose, chances are that you' 11 see people with Lonely Planet guidebooks on your travels.
Lonely Planet is one of the world's largest travel guide brands, publishing more than 500 different guides in eight languages. The popular brand produces television shows, websites and podcasts.
Some people praise Lonely Planet books because they make traveling easy and affordable. They save you time and keep you from missing the best things in a place. And of course, the reviews of hostels （招 待所）,hotels and restaurants in the guides, in addition to ticket information about destinations, are useful.
This can be great if you are a nervous traveler, or if you haven't traveled by yourself before. If you a re in a country where you don't speak the language, being able to show a guidebook to a taxi driver can be a great help. You can be sure to get yourself to a hostel that's cheap and clean, with friendly staff and cold beer.
But others criticize Lonely Planet and other travel guide publishers. They say guidebooks take the fun out of traveling, and that part of the charming of travel comes from the fact that anything can happen.
They also think that if you follow a guidebook, you'll end up doing the same things and having the same experiences as everyone else. You might end up seeing the same group of people over and over, because everyone is reading the same book and following the same trail （路线）.
Another criticism of travel guides is that they have an overly large impact on local communities. For example, some locals devote their lives to behaving in ways that attract tourists. They pretend a traditional lifestyle, wear traditional clothes and live in traditional houses just to attract tourists' dollars.
1. What advantages can Lonely Planet guidebooks bring?| A．They can help travelers make more local friends. |
| B．They can provide discounted tickets to travelers. |
| C．They can save travelers time and money when they travel. |
| D．They can help travelers find the cheapest hotels in a strange city. |
| A．Someone who liked to travel with friends. |
| B．Someone who was nervous to travel to an unfamiliar place. |
| C．Someone who liked to learn a new language while traveling. |
| D．Someone who wanted to have a different kind of travel experience. |
| A．they are not as useful as most travelers expect |
| B．local people live in the same way as before |
| C．travelers using them may have predictable holidays |
| D．travelers using them will have to meet different groups of people |
| A．To introduce a new way of traveling. |
| B．To advertise a product named Lonely Planet. |
| C．To tell tourists not to disturb the local people. |
| D．To share different opinions of traveling with guidebooks . |
10 . On a trip to the forests of southern India, amateur photographer Kaushik Vijayan was shocked to see some massive rodents（啮齿动物），who are maroon（紫褐色），leaping from treetop to treetop.
Vijayan uploaded the images of the four-pound rodents to Instagram, and the Internet went crazy immediately. Some had a difficult time believing that the squirrels, photographed in the Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, actually exist, thanks to the animals' bright spots of black and maroon.
But the Indian giant（巨大的）squirrel, also known as the Malabar giant squirrel, is the real deal. Believe it or not, it is not alone. There are three other giants in the squirrel family, Sciuridae-each of which weighs in at two to three times the size of the gray squirrels native to the eastern United States.
＂The four species that make up this group are fascinating in their large size, brilliant coloration, and tendency for feeding on some of the massive tropical fruits on the trees, "says Koprowski.
Even among its relatives, the Indian giant squirrel stands out with its bright colors, which makes one wonder why its evolution would select fur. That would call so much attention to itself. After all, these forests are also home to predators such as lion-tailed macaques, leopards, and crested serpent eagles-all of which have been known to hunt rodents.
No one knows for sure, says Koprowski, but the squirrel's purple patterns may serve as a way to hide the animal itself. This is because the broadleaf forests these squirrels inhabit create a pattern of sun spots and shaded areas-not unlike the rodents' markings.
In other words, what looks flashy and fun to us in an Instagram post may make the squirrels disappear when hungry mouths come to hunt. Now that's a common trick.
1. How did people feel after seeing the Malabar giant squirrel's images?| A．Nervous. | B．Incredible. | C．Embarrassed. | D．Sorrowful. |
| A．Its size. | B．Its habitat. | C．Its color. | D．Its lifestyle. |
| A．To show itself off. |
| B．To protect itself. |
| C．To drive other animals away. |
| D．To compete with its companions. |
| A．Human beings. |
| B．Rodents' hunting. |
| C．The Instagram post. |
| D．The broadleaf forests. |
