1 . The joy of giving is real, according to a study. Research presented in the Journal of the Association for Psychological Science shows that those who give gifts are happier — and happier for longer — than those who receive gifts.
Researchers conducted two studies last year. In one，participants were given $5 every day for five days and were required to spend the money on the same thing each day. Some participants were required to spend the money on themselves, while others were required to give to make a donation to charity. In a second experiment that was done online, participants played 10 rounds of a word puzzle game and each won 5 cents per round, which they could keep or donate.
In both experiments, participants reported their overall happiness. Those who donated their money showed that their happiness declined at a much slower rate than those who kept the money or spent it on themselves.
The researchers note that when people focus on an outcome, they can easily compare outcomes, which may diminish their sensitivity to each experience. When people focus on an action, they may focus less on comparison and instead experience each act of giving as a unique happiness-inducing event. Further analyses ruled out some potential alternative explanations, such as the possibility that participants who gave to others had to think longer and harder about what to give, which could promote higher happiness.
The results are especially interesting because according to one of the researchers, Ed O’Brien of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, they conflict with past research. “If you want to sustain happiness over time, past research tells us that we need to take a break from what were currently consuming and experience something new. Our research reveals that the kind of thing may matter more than assumed: Repeated giving, even in identical ways to identical other，may continue to feel relatively fresh and relatively pleasurable the more we do it,” O’Brien said.
So for all the holiday gifts you give this season, expect to feel happy and know that feeling is going to stick around for a while.
1. What’s the function of the first paragraph?| A．To lead to the topic. |
| B．To highlight the importance of the study. |
| C．To recommend a journal. |
| D．To persuade people to give gifts regularly. |
| A．To challenge the past research. |
| B．To rule out different experimental data. |
| C．To show the benefits of donation. |
| D．To make the conclusion more convincing. |
| A．Develop. | B．Show. | C．Reduce. | D．Lack. |
| A．Gift giving will result in longer happiness than receiving. |
| B．Thinking longer and harder on giving will promote higher happiness. |
| C．The feeling of happiness will disappear soon if people just give holiday gifts. |
| D．Taking a break from what were currently consuming will sustain happiness. |
2 . UK-based supermarket Waitrose has been accused by social media users for selling tree leaves at 6 pounds.
Photos of various tree leaves packaged in plastic bags and arranged as flower bouquets (花束) went hot on social media lately, causing complaints because of the product’s price, six British pounds. Considering tree leaves can literally be picked up from the street this time of year, ifs understandable that some people went after Waitrose, accusing the supermarket of trying to make money by selling something that is actually free.
“A bag of actual leaves? I’ll sell you a bin bag of leaves for 10 pence,” one customer wrote.
“This has got to be from the drunk Monday morning meeting category of ideas,5, someone else commented.
Apparently, the unusual bouquets appeared on Waitrose supermarket shelves as a way to welcome autumn, and featured a sticker urging customers to “bring the outdoors inside”. ''Brighten up your home with freshly picked flowers whose pleasant scents refresh the season,95 the official product description read. “We source the best blooms from expert growers, and handle them gently so that they can look beautiful for longer.”
Despite the generally negative feedback on its autumn-themed product, the British supermarket proudly announced that the idea was inspired at the beginning of autumn by a demand from shoppers. ^Whatever we intend to offer, we base our decision on the demands from customers. Our customers love using these leaves to mix in with their seasonal flowers to brighten their homes,” a Waitrose spokesperson told The Sun.
Interestingly, there were those who seemed to somewhat justify the price tag of this bag of leaves. They said that those were obviously ‘‘high quality leaves”. Their claim might be true. But even a bottle of wine can be bought at the same price or less. It seems crazy to charge 6 pounds for a bag of leaves.
1. Why was Waitrose accused by social media?| A．Failing to offer high quality flowers. |
| B．Picking up tree leaves from the street. |
| C．Carrying out seemingly drunk ideas. |
| D．Selling free tree leaves at high prices. |
| A．tree leaves packaged in plastic bags were not fresh |
| B．the unusual bouquets were intended to greet autumn |
| C．the supermarket withdrew tree leaves due to negative feedback |
| D．the idea of selling tree leaves was inspired by the expert growers |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Favorable. | C．Reserved. | D．Disapproving. |
3 . A retired postman from Turkey and a beautiful white swan have been inseparable for nearly four decades, and the story of their amazing friendship has melted the hearts of millions.
When Recep Mirzan spotted a wounded swan in a field in Turkey’s Edirne province, in 1984, he had no idea that he was about to meet his best friend. He was in a car with a group of friends, when he spotted a swan that appeared to have a broken wing in an empty field. Mirzan quickly realized that leaving the bird there was the same as signing its death sentence, as predators (捕食者) would have most likely eaten it, so he stopped the car and took the bird with him. He took it home and started nursing it back to health.
“Since I love animals, I took her home instead of leaving her as food to foxes,’’ Mirzan told The Associated Press. We got used to each other. We never separated. Even after the female swan's broken wing healed, it didn’t try to fly away. Instead, it befriended the other animals on Recep’s farm in the Karaagac region, and decided to stick around. Recep named her Garip, and she has been with him for the last 37 years.
“She comes when I call. Since 1984, she has never left me, not even during the river floods,” the retired postman told Anadolu News Agency. “She used to be more vigorous, but she has grown old now. If she dies, I will make her a nice grave here, but I hope we live more together.”
Garip has her own coop on Mirzan’s farm, but she mostly spends nights in it. During the day, she is busy following her human friend around, either during his daily chores, or on his evening walks.
After his wife died a few years ago, Recep Mirzan started spending more time with his animals, and since he has no human children, he regards Garip as his child.
Whooper swans can live for decades in protected environments, but Garip has long surpassed the average lifespan for her species.
1. Why did Recep save the swan according to the passage?| A．He felt extremely lonely. |
| B．The swan was a rare animal. |
| C．He was a real animal lover. |
| D．The swan was being followed by foxes. |
| A．the swan stayed with Recep at night after the death of his wife |
| B．Garip lived a longer life probably because of the care of Recep |
| C．Recep’s friends directly signed the wounded swan death sentence |
| D．Recep was sure to meet a lifelong friend when he spotted the wounded swan |
| A．A Retired Postman’s Story Has Melted the Hearts of Millions |
| B．Man and Swan Have Been Best Friends for the Last 37 Years |
| C．A Wounded Swan Has Befriended the Other Animals on a Farm |
| D．Humans Have Made Efforts to Protect the Environments for Swans |
4 . As a high school student, I learned this the hard way last year,when a student I didn't expect to bested me on the math PSAT. He soon admitted the secret to his success: the CAS calculator. He made clear that the CAS was able to solve all of his SAT equations (方程式). He claimed all he needed was his knowledge of seventh-grade math and the calculator did the rest.
From experience, I know it isn't that simple. A fancy calculator that costs about ＄150 is not that useful if you don't understand what the question is asking. But it does feel like cheating. Aside from being financially out of reach of many students， CAS calculators have the potential to misrepresent math ability and problem-solving skills.
It's unfair to allow such an incredibly helpful advanced calculator unless every student has access to it. Especially when the test has the potential to affect a student's educational path. In response to an email asking whether the College Board, which owns the SAT, is aware that the CAS is seen as greatly helping those who use it and whether it has considered banning such calculators, a communications officer sent a link to the SAT calculator policy, which spells out the permitted calculators, CAS among them.
If all students had access to a better calculator, how many could improve their test scores enough to get into their dream school? How many students get into better schools because of this privilege hack? It isn't right and shouldn't stand.
The simplest solution would be to leave out the math section that allows calculator use or permit test-takers to use only the most basic calculators, provided by the College Board. The equation for fairness is simple: You know it when you see it, and this calculator inequity (不公) isn't it.
1. The example of a student doing better than the writer in the math PSAT is used to________.| A．introduce the topic |
| B．compare their math achievements |
| C．show the writer's envy |
| D．blame his cheating in the exam |
| A．Because every student can not use one in SAT. |
| B．Because he didn't use one as early as others. |
| C．Because his model was less powerful than others'. |
| D．Because the College Board didn't provide one to him. |
| A．Favorable. |
| B．Disapproving. |
| C．Ambiguous. |
| D．Cautious. |
| A．CAS calculators-cheating in SAT |
| B．Solution to stopping cheating in SAT |
| C．Calls on banning the calculators |
| D．Calls on using basic calculators |
5 . We all feel anxious from time to time. For many, these uncertain times are a contributor to stress and concern. Anxiety is a normal reaction to a stressful situation, but if feelings of anxiety last a long time or keep returning, you might be experiencing an anxiety disorder.
Dave Smithson from Anxiety UK explains that there are three different aspects of anxiety: physical (how you feel), psychological (what you think), and behavioral (what you do). ” Physical symptoms include an increased heart rate or muscle tension, breathing heavily or dizziness. Psychological symptoms include feelings that you might lose control, faint or think people are looking at you and noticing your anxiety. Behavioral aspects include avoiding the situation that makes you feel anxious. “Those who are usually outgoing may become withdrawn, or those who are reserved may become erratic,” he says. “Everyone’s different, and anxiety can be caused by a range of things.”
Stephen Buckley, from mental health charity Mind, says talking to someone you trust can be helpful. If this isn’t possible, you could call a confidential helpline such as Mind’s Infoline, or those run by Anxiety UK and Samaritans.
Learning to relax through breathing exercises and other techniques can help manage anxiety. “Keeping a record of what started the anxiety and what helps it to pass, such as slowing your breathing or getting outdoors for a walk, can help you understand and spot patterns early on,” Stephen says. Relaxation techniques can include exercises to release tension in your body by relaxing your muscles. Drawing calming circles on paper with coloured pencils or pens is a way to distract you from worrying thoughts.
Other recommendations from Mind include connecting with other people. “This is a vital way of maintaining wellbeing” Stephen adds. “Have regular chats with friends and family over the phone. Talking to people in the same boat can be reassuring. Many people find it helpful to share ideas about how to stay well, connect with others and feel less alone.”
1. What symptom do people with an anxiety disorder have in common?| A．A strong tendency to avoid meeting people. | B．A temporary decline in thinking ability. |
| C．A lasting feeling of tension and worry. | D．A violent reaction to a tense situation. |
| A．By predicting conditions that may cause anxiety. | B．By communicating with people they rely on. |
| C．By relieving tension through hard work. | D．By maintaining their routine life. |
| A．To introduce the strategies of dealing with anxiety. | B．To analyze the contributors to mental disorder. |
| C．To distinguish anxiety from anxiety disorder. | D．To clarify different categories of anxiety. |
6 . It was the homecoming parade in Rockwall, Texas, and cheerleader Tyra Winters was riding on one of the school’s floats (彩车). As it slowly made its way down the avenue, the 17-year-old enthusiastically waved at the crowd, all the while absorbed in the music, laughter, and applause.
Suddenly, a terrible scream came from the cheering crowd. Looking down, Winters saw a two-year-old on the sidewalk gasping for air and his mother desperately begging for help. The boy had been enjoying a piece of candy when it slid down the back of his mouth, sticking in his throat and blocking his windpipe (气管).
“I saw a little bright red face and his mom’s begging for help,” Winters told KTVT.
“There was no coughing; there was no breathing,” the mother, Nicole Hornback, later told news station NBCDFW. “He was just gasping for air. ” No one seemed to know how to help.
Except for Winters. A senior with dreams of becoming a doctor, she had learned the first-aid method of Heimlich maneuver and CPR. Knowing that the clock was ticking, she jumped off the moving float and ran to the child. By the time she got to him, his face had turned purple. “I got him!” she yelled to Nicole as she grabbed the boy from her. “I held him face down and gave a good three back pushes,” she told the local CBS station. Soon, the boy coughed up the piece of candy, and began breathing again. Without another word, Winters handed the boy back to his mother and ran back to her float before it could leave her behind.
It all happened so fast. Nicole never had time to thank the teen. “She didn’t need to,” says Winters. “I knew how she was feeling. I saw her tears. I saw her face. ”
And for Nicole, she says, “I don’t really have any words,” she says. “The words that you would say to anyone who does something for you is ‘thank you. ’ But that doesn’t seem good enough. ”
1. It can be learned from paragraphs 1-4 that ________.| A．the cheering crowd ignored the scream for help |
| B．Winters panicked at the mother’s desperate cry |
| C．the mother gave the boy first aid but in vain |
| D．the little boy choked on a piece of candy |
| A．Her dream of being a doctor. | B．Her timely rescue of the boy. |
| C．Her enthusiasm for the parade. | D．Her cooperation with the crowd. |
| A．The media’s attention to the matter left her at a loss. |
| B．The crowd’s concern for the boy deeply touched her. |
| C．Her memory of the unexpected incident made her speechless. |
| D．Her gratitude for Winters’ heroic actions was beyond expression. |
7 . As California gray whales wind their way south along North America's Pacific coast, researchers are watching, worried about another year of unexplained die﹣offs.
Last spring and summer, 215 whales inexplicably (说不清地) washed up along North America's West Coast. Concerned, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called for an investigation, bringing together researchers from the Arctic to Mexico to explore the strandings (搁浅) in a uniform manner.
According to the scientists involved with the investigation, it's still unclear what caused the 2019 die﹣off and whether the whales will fare better this year.
California gray whales migrate 5, 000 miles every year from the Arctic to Mexico's Baja. Their journey is the longest migration, and full of dangers such as ships and plastic rubbish. The journey back north is particularly dangerous because gray whales only eat while in the Arctic; therefore, they are running on empty as they make their return trip from Baja.
Data and observations collected this past summer by researchers based at NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center have raised more questions than answers. For instance, 15 gray whales were spotted in one day in the eastern Beaufort Sea-a rare sighting for a species usually seen getting fat at their feeding grounds. But with the sea ice forming later in winter and breaking up earlier in summer, scientists wonder whether gray whales will continue to move farther east to new feeding areas.
In addition to changes in food availability, as sea ice decreases, whales are running into more and more ship traffic in these remote waters. Ship strikes and being trapped in fishing gear are common causes of whale injury and death.
Maggie Mooney﹣Seus, spokeswoman for the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, said, "We are working to determine future whale research plans that may help shed light on this and other relevant questions."
1. The reason for the die﹣offs of the California gray whales is________.| A．lack of food. |
| B．too much plastic rubbish. |
| C．heavy ship traffic. |
| D．still under investigation. |
| A．They probably were looking for a new migrating path. |
| B．They probably were avoiding the noises of fishing gears. |
| C．They probably were exploring their new feeding grounds. |
| D．They probably were escaping from being hunted by the ships. |
| A．Clarify. |
| B．Solve. |
| C．Improve. |
| D．Research. |
8 . It was about 10 p.m. when Janice arrived at the train station. She jumped into her car and began the 20﹣minute drive home. She'd traveled the route so many times that she almost knew every bump on it. But out of nowhere on that awful night,a car T-boned her car,moving her backward onto the railroad tracks. She sat in her car，frightened by the impact and the vehicle's airbags.
As this happened，Peter was getting ready for bed. He'd just closed his book when he heard glass coming from not far outside his bedroom window. A volunteer firefighter and retired teacher，Peter never stopped to think. He grabbed a flashlight and ran out of the door. "Any firefighter would have done what I did" he said. "We're always on duty."
The first car he came upon was the one that hit Janice. Once Peter concluded the driver was OK，he looked around and spotted Janice's car straddling(横跨)the railroad tracks. And then he heard the bells signaling an oncoming train and saw the headlight of the train.
Peter dashed to Janice's car and banged on the driver's side window. She just looked at him，her eyes unfocused. "I don't know where I am" she said.
"Honey，you're on the railroad tracks" Peter shouted. "We have to get you off right now!" He pulled on the handle，but the door was jammed shut. The train,traveling at 65 mph，was running toward them. Peter ran to the passenger side and threw open the door. He pushed aside the airbags,grabbed Janice's arms，and pulled her toward him across the passenger seat until he could help her out and speed walk her to safety. Within six seconds,he estimated,the train plowed into the car. "It was like a Hollywood movie." Peter said.
1. What caused Peter to run out of the door？| A．The sound of a fire alarming. |
| B．The noise of glass flying in his direction. |
| C．The sound of two cars exploding. |
| D．The noise of his bedroom window broken. |
| A．He carried her out of her car. |
| B．He broke the driver's window and pulled her out. |
| C．He pushed her car off the tracks. |
| D．He pulled her out of car and supported her to safety. |
| A．Entertainment. |
| B．Travelling. |
| C．Society. |
| D．Education. |
9 . In many cultures, it is considered unlucky to spill salt. Fortunately, many cultures also have a solution to the problem, which usually involves throwing a pinch of salt over your shoulder. It may seem confusing to modern humans, but knowing that salt was once incredibly valuable can change this perspective.
For thousands of years, salt was an extremely rare commodity. It was difficult to obtain so that the price was very high. Many trading routes were set up to carry salt, people were paid in salt, and salt was sometimes worth more than its weight in gold. Therefore, spilling salt was considered wasteful.
Because of its high value, salt was also associated with friendship and good fortune. Offerings of salt were included in many religious ceremonies, and people might bring salt to a new home for good luck. These associations would have suggested that it would be bad luck to spill salt, since it would seem to violate salt’s fortunate properties.
Salt is also an excellent preservative. It prevents food from going bad. As such, it came to be linked with health and longevity. In some cultures, spilling salt was thought to reduce one's well-being. In Britain, for example, each spilled grain was said to represent a tear, while in Germany spilled salt awakened the devil, bringing misfortune.
The fear of spilling salt was also adopted into the Christian faith. It is said that Judas spilled salt at the Last Supper, and since he later turned out to be the betrayer of Christ, spilled salt is considered unlucky by many Christians.
Should you be unfortunate enough to spill salt, you might throw a pinch over your left shoulder to blind the Devil.
1. Spilling salt was probably thought to bring bad luck because ________.| A．it was a Christian faith | B．salt was linked with misfortune |
| C．it would decrease one’s lifespan | D．salt was always expensive than gold |
| A．Protector. | B．Flavor. | C．Medium. | D．Solution. |
| A．To introduce the history of salt. | B．To show ways to avoid misfortune. |
| C．To explain the beliefs about spilling salt. | D．To entertain readers with some anecdotes. |
10 . The public nowadays has a misunderstanding of forest fires, believing that fires should be kept out of every type of forest. Many of us can recall Smoky the Bear's famous warning: “Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires”. However, that's not always the case. Under the right conditions, and when conducted safely, fire can create many environmental benefits as well as help prevent larger, uncontrollable wildfires.
After a forest fire, many wildlife species will move into recently burned areas to feed on these newly available foods. Some reptiles and amphibians such as the pine (松树） snake prefer forests frequently burned by fire. As Herbert Stoddard put it, “One of the most harmful things modern man has done to birds has been his attempt to exclude fire from fire-type pine forests. Within a few years most forests choke up with bushes, lose their prairie-like vegetation (草原般植被） and can no longer support birds dependent on periodic burning for their food supply and proper cover.”
If you are asked to picture the forest floor, what do you see? Pine needles, cones, leaves, branches might come to mind-all sources of fuel. If these fuel sources build up without any type of removal, the 'fuel load' can lead to fires catastrophic to forests and people alike. In contrast, prescribed fire can be used by forest professionals every couple of years to keep forest fuels at an appropriate and manageable level. They can also minimize the spread of pest insects and disease and remove unwanted tree and plant species. Plus, they can create and maintain important wildlife habitats rich in grasses and promote the growth of trees, wildflowers and other various plants.
Many organizations and agencies work to promote fire on the landscape when and where appropriate. Smokey Bear even has an updated warning: “Only You can Prevent Wildfires,” as the Forest Service has over the last few decades developed policies and procedures to include prescribed fire as a management tool, as well as continuing their work to prevent and fight wildfires.
1. Why did the author mention Smoky the Bear's warning?| A．To introduce the topic of the passage. |
| B．To clarify a misunderstood concept. |
| C．To show the significance of fire prevention. |
| D．To raise people's awareness of forest protection. |
| A．Forest bushes. |
| B．Fuel sources. |
| C．Pine forests. |
| D．Periodic burning. |
| A．To put out wildfires. |
| B．To keep the forest balance. |
| C．To remove tree and plant species. |
| D．To keep the fuel rich in the forest. |
| A．One Match Can Start A Forest Fire |
| B．Where There Is Smoke There Is A Fire |
| C．Not All Forest Fires Are Created Equal |
| D．Why Not Keep The Forest Fire Burning |
