1 . To walk is to be human. We' re the only creature that gets around by standing up and putting one foot in front of the other. In the more than 4 million years that humanity' s ancestors have been u-sing only two legs for walking, our ability to walk upright has allowed humankind to travel great distances and survive changing climates, environments and landscapes.
But walking is more than just transportation. It also happens to be really good for us. Countless scientific studies have found that this simple act can provide a number of health benefits and help people live longer. In fact, a walking routine-if done properly-might be the only exercise people need.
How much walking should one aim for? You’ve likely heard we need 10,000 steps a day. That’s about 5 miles. But contrary to popular belief, this recommendation doesn’t come from science. Instead, it stems from a 1960s advertising campaign to promote a pedometer(计步器)in Japan. Perhaps because it's a round number and easy to remember, it stuck.
Since the 1960s, researchers have studied the 10,000 - steps - a - day standard and have turned up mixed results. Although 10,000 steps is certainly a healthy and worthwhile goal, it’s not a one - size - fits - all recommendation.
For instance, a recent Harvard University study involving more than 16,000 senior women found that those who got at least 4,400 steps a day greatly reduced their risk of dying early when compared with less active women. The study also noted that these benefits continued up to 7, 500 steps before leveling off. This 7,500 mark isn't surprising: It’s in line with common public health recommendations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate (适度的) physical activity a week for adults.
Research has shown that picking up the pace might be a good idea, too-fast enough to raise your heart rate, even if just for a short burst.
1. Which statement will the author believe?| A．Walking 10000 steps a day fits us all who lack exercise. |
| B．Walking is the only exercise that unhealthy people need. |
| C．To be healthy, walking great distances is strongly suggested |
| D．The benefits of walking depend on frequency, intensity and duration |
| A．A walking routine | B．A round number |
| C．The popular belief | D．The pedometer Ads. |
| A．4,400 steps a day. | B．7,500 steps a day. |
| C．10,000 steps a day. | D．150 minutes a day. |
| A．The Only Exercise You Need-Walking |
| B．10,000 - Step Goal Is More Marketing Than Science |
| C．Walking Is One Of The Best Exercises For Health |
| D．Walk Often, Walk Fast And Walk Long |
2 . Hidden beneath the surface in the roots of Earths astonishing and diverse plant life, there exists a biological superhighway linking together the members of the plant kingdom in what researchers call the "wood wide web".
The network is comprised of thin threads of fungus (真菌) that grow outwards underground up to a few meters from its partnering plant, meaning that all of the plant life within a region likely connected to one another. The partnership is beneficial for both parties involved, plants provide carbohydrates (碳水化合物) to the funguses and in exchange, the funguses aid in gathering water and providing nutrients to its partnering plant.
A study conducted by Rensen Zeng of the South China Agricultural University found that this also allowed for plants to warn one another of potential harm. The study showed Broad Beans used the fungal network to spy on one another for upcoming danger.
Like our Internet, this fungal connectivity is also full of crime. Some plants, such as Golden Marigolds have been found to release poisons into the network to slow down the growth of surrounding plants in the fight for water and light. Other plants, such as the Phantom Orchid, do not have the chlorophyll (叶绿素) and must get the necessary nutrients from surrounding plants.
Research suggests that animals such as insects and worms may be able to detect slight exchanges of nutrients through the network, allowing them to more easily find delicious roots to feed on; however, this has not been conclusively made clear in experimentation. The more we learn about this phenomenon, the more our understanding of the plant life of our planet will continue to change. Perhaps one day, we may be able to map out these complex networks entirely.
1. What is the function of the first paragraph?| A．To explain the aim of the web. |
| B．To introduce the main topic. |
| C．To give definition of diverse life. |
| D．To show the importance of plants. |
| A．compete for survival |
| B．gather more water |
| C．take in sunlight |
| D．break natural rules |
| A．Animals can also feed on the fungus. |
| B．Nutrient exchanges are too slight to detect. |
| C．No experiment can prove the phenomenon. |
| D．More needs to be done to work out the network. |
| A．The Partnership between Plants |
| B．The Unknown Roots of the Earth |
| C．The Superhighway Linking the Plants |
| D．The Mysterious Map Changing the World |
3 . In a city where tall buildings can make one feel closed in, Bryant Park offers open space for citizens and tourists to relax. In a tiny section of the park, a close community comes together at The Tables. These free outdoor ping pong tables attract individuals (个体) who share a love of the sport. People of various ages，backgrounds and skill levels became friends first, then the family.
The Tables are available to the public beginning at 11 a. m. with paddles and balls provided by the park. Regulars start to show up around 4 p. m. with their own paddles in hand, ready to dominate (主导). Matches become more competitive—doubles on one table and singles on the other—and winners are able to stay on a table until they are defeated. Those waiting their turn can be seen practicing on the sidelines，eagerly watching the game or joyfully greeting returning friends.
Deeper than the healthy competition and love for the sport is a sense of belonging and inter-generational friendship and trust among the regular players. They come to have fun, connect, relieve stress and “feel alive”. What began as a marketing tool for a local ping pong center unexpectedly grew into the community it is today.
Inspired by the diversity of players and the community they developed, Jon Bunning made a documentary called The Tables to share their story. “I just found it really fascinating that a homeless person could play as equals with a successful Wall Street banker,” says Bunning. “That's one thing I think all, humans share. We all want to belong to something, or have a place to feel like you fit in and belong there.”
1. What attracts people to come together at The Tables?| A．The desire of finding families. |
| B．The same affection for ping pong. |
| C．The ambition of winning the championship. |
| D．The willingness to sell copies of The Tables. |
| A．The punishments for losing the game. |
| B．The qualifications for the competitions. |
| C．The management and operation of the park. |
| D．The routine of playing ping pong at The Tables. |
| A．The homeless differ little from Wall Street hankers. |
| B．The Tables developed the economy of the community. |
| C．A sense of belonging, proves more attractive to regular players. |
| D．A local ping, pong center purposely turned the players into a community. |
| A．Sports Without Borders | B．Love for Sports Matters Most |
| C．Communities' Free Sports Service | D．Sports Promote Healthy Competition |
4 . According to a survey, the waste of food on the dining table occupies 10% of the total grain output. Last week Meituan co-published a proposal with a number of business organizations, calling on restaurants to stop food waste and help develop new eating habits for customers. “Restaurants should use official accounts on social media and live-streaming to promote and advocate food-saving actions,” the proposal said.
Meituan and the organizations are advocating that merchants offer guidance for consumers, including reminding them during the ordering process about the taste of the ingredients, portion sizes and other information about the dishes, to help them avoid food waste due to misleading information.
Catering associations in more than 18 provinces have also joined the campaign to remove food waste. The Wuhan Catering Association proposed an “N-1” ordering code for restaurants in which a group of 10 diners would only order enough for nine people. More food is only brought to the table if required. It has inspired people to rethink their relationship with food and waste.
On Friday, the China Cuisine Association announced that it had teamed up with Ele. me, a food delivery platform, to launch a “ half-dish plan", encouraging restaurants to provide customers with the option to order smaller portions. Besides, customers are encouraged to take their leftovers home.
To reduce food waste on social media platforms, some popular video platforms have stepped up content reviews of food-related live streams and implemented regulation of online eating shows. Now, if users search certain keywords, such as “eating show" or “competitive eaters", a cautionary message pops up to remind them to cherish food and keep a reasonable diet.
1. What is the purpose of the proposal mentioned in the passage?| A．To monitor food sales on social media and live-streaming. |
| B．To expand the business and competitive ability of Meituan. |
| C．To encourage restaurants to take measures to reduce food waste. |
| D．To promote cooperation between Meituan and other organizations. |
| A．By doing a survey. | B．By offering analysis. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By giving an example. |
| A．Purchasing their favorite food. | B．Buying proper amounts of food. |
| C．Following some competitive eaters. | D．Leaving their leftovers in the restaurant. |
| A．Appears unexpectedly. | B．Spreads widely. |
| C．Moves quickly. | D．Fades slowly. |
5 . Have you ever wondered if you see the same colours as other people? Most people know what blue is when they see it. They call it "blue” because they were taught the word and connected it with what they saw. But how do you know what you see as blue isn't someone else's red?
The ability to perceive （感知）different colours is up to receptors （接受器）in our eyes. Light waves hit these receptors and they react depending on which colour the light is, sending signals to the brain. The brain then reads these signals to determine which colour light the eyes are receiving.
Some people's receptors are more developed than others. The inability of the receptor to feel the light waves correctly means that some people cannot tell the differences between similar colours. Those with more developed receptors can see more colours. We sometimes hear people having an argument about whether something is dark blue or black. It might be because one person has stronger receptors to feel the light than another.
In the past, most scientists would argue that everyone saw colours in the same way. However, research was conducted on monkeys, in which their receptors were changed. This enabled them to see more colours than usual. Normally monkeys can only see blue and green, but the change allowed them to see red. Their brains automatically got used to new colours. This suggests that our brains may find new colors of the things we see. Colours could be a very personal experience , unique to everyone.
So, the next time you talk about your favourite colour, just remember if yours is blue and your friend says red, you two might actually be thinking about the same colour. What if everyone in the world has the same favourite colour, but just calls it different names?
1. What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．How we perceive colours. |
| B．The inability to see colours. |
| C．What the brain does with signals. |
| D．The connection between receptors and light waves. |
| A．Some people cannot feel colours with their developed receptors. |
| B．The more light people feel, the weaker receptors they have. |
| C．People with poor receptors usually have colour weakness. |
| D．People who have strong receptors can see dark blue. |
| A．To test the monkeys with colours. |
| B．To develop the receptors of humans. |
| C．To enable monkeys to find more colors. |
| D．To prove everyone sees colours in a different way. |
| A．A film review. | B．A science magazine. |
| C．An art journal. | D．A business newspaper. |
6 . A few months ago, Jason asked his parents to buy him a computer. All his friends already had one, so his mom and dad agreed. During the first few weeks, Jason spent a lot of time in front of his computer because he had to learn how it worked. He was really interested in learning all about it and he even started writing computer programs himself.
One day Jason found a website where he could play chess either against the computer or against other people from all over the world. From then on, Jason seemed to have just one interest in life, his computer. Whenever his parents told him that he was spending too much time with his computer, Jason went into denial. He did not think that he had a problem at all.
Then the unthinkable happened: Jason's computer broke down. But his parents decided not to buy him a new one. Jason said that he needed a computer for school, and he promised that he'd spend less time with it. But his parents refused to give in. Finally, Jason felt so hopeless that he took the only way out and killed himself.
Robert Johnson, a psychologist (心理学家) on the subject, says, "Computer addiction is an illness that can influence anyone of us. Nowadays, increasing numbers of people are spending more and more time working with computers. While this isn't a problem for most users, some people, especially teenagers, often use the computer to get away from the real world. This is especially true of shy people. For them, meeting people online is a way of hiding their true selves. In cyberspace (网络空间), they can be whoever they want to be and create their own virtual (虚拟的) world. But what happens when they can no longer enter their virtual world?"
1. Why did Jason want to buy a computer according to Paragraph 1?| A．To play chess. | B．To make friends |
| C．To avoid being an outsider(外人). | D．To write computer programs. |
| A．Jason enjoyed himself | B．Jason would not listen |
| C．Jason would turn it off | D．Jason changed his mind |
| A．Fine | B．Terrible | C．So so. | D．Unknown. |
| A．it is impossible to beat computer addiction | B．teenagers should stay away from computers |
| C．shy people get addicted to computers easily | D．computers are getting us into serious trouble |
7 . A week into the stay-at-home order. I longed for connection. But not the kind available from a screen. Inside my wallet I found 10 stamps, and I put out a tweet: “Today I am going to write letters to send through the post. Direct message me your snail mail address if you want a random letter.”
On the first day, I wrote to strangers in Arizona, California, Missouri, New York, Texas and Washington. The next day, I wrote to an 11-year-old who was born in Plano, Texas, where I grew up. I wrote to a letter carrier from Minnesota who requested a letter for himself. The 10 stamps ran out quickly, so I restocked. By the time I’d finished sending a letter to anyone who requested one, I’d written over 50 letters to addresses in almost every state.
I am “very online”, so it’s obviously much easier to reach far more than one person at a time with a tweet. But the process of sitting down to compose a letter by hand, addressing an envelope and stamping it is filled with extra intention. It feels like a way to show an old-fashioned kind of caring, the kind that can travel the distance and be similar to a hug.
I wanted to be frank about signaling the letters came from a real human , and nothing automatic, so finding ways to personalize each one was key. When I ran out of my personal letter paper, I found my four-year-old daughter Isa’s doodles in a notebook and wrote my letters on those pages.
I never expected replies. The satisfaction for me was in writing to people and knowing they’d receive something rare. But the replies ended up being the best part. I received dozens of handwritten replies. People wrote to me about how they were spending their time. A lot of letters included wishes for what comes out of this crisis. The one consistent hope was that the attention we’re paying to each other can continue in the next phase of our living history.
1. What can be inferred from Paragraph 2?| A．The author had long-standing friends all over America. |
| B．The author selected a stranger in each state to receive a letter. |
| C．The author’s act of sending handwritten letters was well-received. |
| D．The author’s attempts to write to everyone asking for a letter were in vain. |
| A．It enjoys popularity among close friends. | B．It gives people a sense of closeness. |
| C．It is really old-fashioned. | D．It is relatively inefficient. |
| A．Receiving constant attention from strangers. | B．Getting answers from the recipients. |
| C．Supporting each other during the crisis. | D．Writing all the letters by hand. |
8 . Bats have long been one of the most feared creatures in the animal kingdom. Many pop culture associations with them are related to vampire (吸血鬼) men tempting women in order to suck their blood or witches putting evil curses on innocent individuals.
Although these associations are complete misunderstandings, bats do have a dark side as a dangerous disease carrier. These flying mammals can carry a number of deadly diseases such as rabies (狂犬病) and more recently Ebola. This has led many to wonder why we should even care about them.
Sure, there is good reason to be exceptionally cautious if you come into contact with bats. However, there is no denying the fact that bats play a significant role in keeping a balanced ecosystem.
Many organic farmers have learned about the benefits of having bats nearby to help manage the pests that show up without pesticides (杀虫剂). One brown bat—about the size of a human thumb can consume about 600 mosquitoes and other unwanted insects within an hour. They make for a fantastic, almost essential, addition to pest management on any farm.
Even large government organizations have realized the economic benefits of bats. The United States Geological Survey estimates that bat contributions to pest management save the country at least 3.7 billion dollars per year. Without them, we would likely experience a sharp drop in food production, which would eventually make its way into our weekly grocery bills.
As if this were not enough of an ecosystem service we receive, bats are also of great importance to a variety of plant species that are preferential to its pollination (传粉). Otherwise these plants would decrease their ability to reproduce by at least 50 percent.
A number of plant products consumed by humans fall into this preferential pollination category. Some popular foods include mangoes, bananas, peaches and guavas. Additionally, the agave (龙舌兰) plant, which is used to make tequila (龙舌兰酒), is completely dependent on bat pollinators for reproduction.
Bats are major contributors to our society. They are in the best interest of the international community to protect and even to promote. Amid significant fears housed by the general public, the fact is that we need them more than most of us imagine.
1. Why should we be cautious when we contact bats?| A．They carry diseases. | B．They are aggressive. |
| C．They bring bad luck. | D．They stay in the dark. |
| A．Our care about bats can never be too much. |
| B．Farming is simply impossible without bats. |
| C．Mosquitoes are a big threat to farming. |
| D．Bats make unusual contributions to us. |
| A．The pop culture lovers. | B．The general public. |
| C．The mass farmers. | D．The environmentalists. |
| A．Bats Are Totally Harmful | B．Creatures Do Wonders |
| C．Protection Is Under Way | D．We Humans Need Bats |
9 . Killer whales, or orcas, are known for their severe attacks on sea animals but they have never posed a threat to humans. However, since late July, the normally social animals have been intentionally attacking sailboats off the coasts of Spain and Portugal.
The strange behavior first surfaced on July 29, 2020, when a 46-foot boat was repeatedly attacked for almost an hour by nine orcas, causing the boat to rotate(旋转) 180 degrees and having its engine switched off. Since then, over 30 more similar incidents have been reported. On September 23, 2020, Spain's government banned boats of less than 50 feet in length from sailing in the 60-mile stretch of the Atlantic coastline between Ferrol and the Estaca de Bares Cape, where the attacks have been occurring.
Researchers across the world are trying to explain the orcas' behavior. Some believe it could be a result of the overfishing of the bluefish tuna - the orcas' primary food source -which has left the area's killer whales starving and unable to feed their babies. "I saw them look at boats carrying fish. I think they know humans are somehow related to food shortages, "says Ken Balcomb, senior scientist at the Center for Whale Research in Washington, USA. The environmentalists believe the sudden increase in boat traffic and fishing activities, after months of absence due to restrictions on human activity last spring, could also be contributing to the agitation.
However, Alfredo López, a biology professor in Galicia, Spain, thinks the attacks are defensive measures the orcas adopted to protect themselves against boat injuries. The researcher came to this conclusion after looking at the of the videos of a few incidents and noticing that two of the young killer whales involved had serious injuries. Hopefully, the experts will be able to find a way to restore the harmony between the animals and the humans soon.
1. What do we know about orcas in paragraph 1?| A．They are friendly to humans. | B．They have changed their behavior. |
| C．They are famous for hunting skills | D．They have met tough living conditions. |
| A．Ken Balcomb. | B．The environmentalists. |
| C．Alfredo López. | D．Spain's government. |
| A．The attacks. | B．Food shortages. | C．The overfishing. | D．Human activities. |
| A．How do killer whales attack humans? |
| B．Why Are Killer Whales attacking Boats? |
| C．How can we live in harmony with animals? |
| D．Why are boats banned from sailing on the sea? |
10 . Every week in China, millions of people will sit in front of their TVs watching teenagers compete for the title Character Hero, which is a Chinese-style spelling bee. In this challenge, young competitors must write Chinese characters by hand. To prepare for the competition, the competitors usually spend months studying dictionaries.
Perhaps the show’s popularity should not be a surprise. Along with gunpowder and paper, many Chinese people consider the creation of Chinese calligraphy(书法) to be one of their primary contributions to civilization. Unfortunately, all over the country, Chinese people are forgetting how to write their own language without computerized help. Software on smart phones and computers allows users to type in the basic sound of the word using the Latin alphabet. The correct character is chosen from a list. The result? It’s possible to recognize characters without remembering how to write them.
But there’s still hope for the paint brush. China’s Education Ministry wants children to spend more time learning how to write.
In one Beijing primary school we visited, students practice calligraphy every day inside a specially decorated classroom with traditional Chinese paintings hanging on the walls. Soft music plays as a group of six-year-olds dip brush pens into black ink. They look up at the blackboard often to study their teacher’s examples before carefully attempting to reproduce those characters on thin rice paper. “If adults can survive without using handwriting, why bother to teach it now?” we ask the calligraphy teacher, Shen Bin. “The ability to write characters is part of Chinese tradition and culture,” she reasons. “Students must learn now so they don’t forget when they grow up.” says the teacher.
1. What can we learn about the Character Hero?| A．It’s open to people of all ages and all walks. |
| B．It’s the most-viewed TV programs in China. |
| C．It aims to spread Chinese culture to the world. |
| D．It draws great public attention across the country. |
| A．Chinese people don’t refer to dictionaries very often. |
| B．Chinese people no longer use brush pens or practice calligraphy. |
| C．Chinese people are using the Latin alphabet instead of the characters. |
| D．Chinese people needn’t write by hand as often with the help of technology. |
| A．necessary for adults to survive in China |
| B．a requirement made by the Education Ministry |
| C．helpful to keep Chinese tradition and culture alive |
| D．an ability to be developed only when you are students |
| A．A news report. | B．A science report. |
| C．An advertisement. | D．Children’s literature. |
