1 . The traditional British pub is part of the scenery of British life. At the last count, there are around 50,000 of them in the UK. The oldest – Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans – was set up in about 793.
Because of their abundance, the names pubs take are designed to be memorable, but more than that, they are designed to be visual. Outside any traditional pub worthy of its title, you’ll find a hanging signboard with an unusual and uncommon illustration(插图) that represents the name of the business. The practice is so well established that even new pubs copy it. But why do they exist at all?
The first British pub signs were created in the 12th century and were simple representations of beer containers and other brewing-related equipment used to tell passersby that establishments sold beer. This was Britain in the dark ages, when education was in short supply. Since most of the population was unable to read, pub signs were used to inform would-be customers that they could find a drink inside.
The earliest uses of pub names would reference the sign directly. People would appoint to meet at “the sign of the Eagle and Child” rather than at “the Eagle and Child”.
Today the tradition remains unchanged largely out of respect for the past, but many pub signs do have some functionality. Remote country pubs often use signboards to point the way to their doors. It’s a part of British culture that’s rapidly disappearing – more than 20,000 pubs have closed since 1980 – but for now there are still more than enough. You can take a moment to appreciate the history and symbolism behind a pub’s sign the next time you see one.
1. What is special about British pub signs?| A．They copy famous art. |
| B．They show British life. |
| C．They have unique pictures. |
| D．They include the history of the pub. |
| A．inspire passersby | B．inform passersby |
| C．educate passersby | D．entertain passersby |
| A．size | B．style |
| C．material | D．purpose |
| A．The history of British pubs. |
| B．The importance of British pub signs. |
| C．The development of British pub signs. |
| D．Why British pubs are unpopular nowadays. |
2 . It seems we're always being told to get more sleep. Studies suggest spending less time on sleep can lead to obesity(肥胖) and even cancer. You might even find yourself with a head full of false memories. But rarely does science explore the dark side of sleeping too much. That's because few of us in today's busy world have the luck of exploring that option.
In an August 2018 study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers researched the sleep patterns of those“fortunate”few and found they may not be so lucky after all. In fact, they found people who get more than eight hours of sleep have greater health risk compared to those who sleep together less than seven hours. What's more, sleep-aholics-those who manage to get 10 hours a night-stand a 30 percent higher chance of dying compared to the seven-hour crowd.
The wide-ranging global study involved(涉及) more than three million people who self-reported on their sleep habits and came to an eye-opening conclusion: If you tend to sleep a lot, you may want to buy an alarm clock. As with all things in life, sleep is best taken in moderation（适度）.
You may be thinking: What if I only sleep in on Saturday and Sunday, am I still at risk? The answer is yes, according to a 2019 study published in Current Biology. Researchers discovered that even if a person sleeps more than seven hours on the weekends but still sleeps less than that on weeknights, they are at risk of gaining weight and developing sensitivity to insulin, which controls the level of sugar in blood.
For the study, 36 participants were divided into three groups that each had a different sleep schedule: nine hours every night, five hours every night, and five hours from Monday to Friday and sleeping much on weekends. People who get too much sleep tend to feel tired and lack energy. Also, both sleep-deprived（睡眠不足的) groups consume more food and gain weight.
1. Why is the harmful effect of sleeping too much seldom studied?| A．Few people have time to sleep too much. | B．Lack of sleep causes much more harm. |
| C．It turns out to be a healthy sleep pattern. | D．People's health has nothing to do with it. |
| A．Those leading a relaxing life. | B．Those getting too much sleep. |
| C．Those with less time to sleep. | D．Those with no sleep problems. |
| A．Sleeping much is particularly beneficial to hungry people. |
| B．Many people sleep more on weekends than on weekdays. |
| C．An alarm clock of high quality is important for good sleep. |
| D．People who sleep much only on weekends also have health risk. |
| A．It is necessary to save enough time for sleep. |
| B．Too much sleep can result in gaining weight. |
| C．Sleeping too much does harm to people's health. |
| D．People can avoid sleeping much by eating healthily. |
3 . While IQ (Intelligence Quotient) tells you how smart you are. EQ (Emotional Quotient) tells you how well you use your smartness. Professor Salovery, the psychologist who created the term, EQ, says that it is IQ that gets you hired but it is EQ that gets you promoted.
Supported by his research, he suggested that when predicting future successes, a person’s brainpower, as measured by IQ tests, might actually matter less than a person’s character, or EQ. Professor Salovery may be correct. For example, have you ever wondered why some of the best and smartest students in your class end up failing exams? Perhaps it is because of their EQ. People often make the mistake of thinking that EQ is the opposite of IQ. It is not. Although it is hoped that people have both high EQs and IQs, there is little doubt that those with low EQs have a hard time surviving in life.
For a long time, researchers discussed if a person’s IQ could be raised. The geneticists said no, while the social scientists said yes. Furthermore, the social scientists said that it was possible to improve a person’s EQ, particularly in terms of “people skills”, such as understanding and communication.
Recently, a professor released the findings of a study on senior high school students. When some normal students were introduced to some disabled students, they found that afterwards they were more willing to help people in difficulties. At the same time, there was a marked change in the disabled students’ attitudes. They became more positive about their disabilities and were more eager to try new things. People with high EQs often have positive attitudes towards life and are open to different ideas, so they tend to be more creative in their thinking. Please remember that having a high IQ is helpful but having a high EQ might even be more helpful.
1. According to Professor Salovery, what factor matters the most in predicting whether a person will be successful or not?| A．How a person tests his / her brainpower. | B．A person’s character. |
| C．How smart a person is. | D．A person’s IQ. |
| A．Students with disabilities were not open in trying new things. |
| B．There was no change in the normal students. |
| C．The disabled students became more positive and more eager to try new things. |
| D．The disabled students were more willing to help others. |
| A．IQ, EQ and success. | B．A person’s brainpower. |
| C．IQ and a person’s character. | D．A person’s IQ and EQ. |
4 . Parents should ban electronic media during mealtimes and after bedtime as part of a comprehensive “family media use plan”, according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Excessive media use is associated with obesity, poor school performance, aggression and lack of sleep”, said Marjorie Hogan, co-author of the new policy.
Families should have a no-device rule during meals and after bedtime, the guidelines say. Parents should also set family rules covering the use of the Internet, cellphones, including, perhaps, which sites can be visited, and who can be called. The policy also restated the existing recommendations: Kids should limit the amount of screen time for entertainment to less than two hours per day; children younger than 2 shouldn’t have any TV or Internet exposure. Also, televisions and Internet-accessible devices should be kept out of kids’bedrooms.
Doctors say parents need to obey the family rules, too, to model healthy behavior. That, some say, may be the toughest part. “If you go to any restaurant, Family 3.0 is Mom and Dad on their devices and the kids on theirs”, says Donald, a pediatrician and an AAP spokesman. “Who is talking to each other?”
Children aged from 8 to 18 spent an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day consuming media for fun, including TV, music, video games and other content in 2009, according to a 2010 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The report was based on a survey of 2002 third through twelfth graders, 702 of whom completed a seven-day media use diary. That was up about an hour and 17 minutes a day from five years earlier. About two-thirds of 8 to 18-year-olds said they had no rules on the amount of time they spent watching TV, playing video games or using the computer, the Kaiser report found.
Use of mobile devices by young kids has soared. A new report from Common Sense Media, a child-advocacy group based in San Francisco, found that 17% of children 8 and younger use mobile devices daily, up from 8% in 2011.
1. Which statement is TRUE according to the first paragraph?| A．Parents are advised to ban electronic media after mealtimes. |
| B．A “Family media use plan” is being carried out throughout America. |
| C．Electronic media are evil in the eyes of parents and educators. |
| D．The overuse of electronic media has caused many severe problems. |
| A．It’s beneficial to their health. |
| B．It’s essential to parenting their kids. |
| C．It’s beneficial to their work. |
| D．It’s essential to develop good relationship with their kids. |
| A．The majority of the surveyed kids can use electronic devices as they like in their homes. |
| B．The report was based on the statistics in 2002. |
| C．702 of the surveyed kids completed a seven-day media use diary. |
| D．Kids are spending less and less time using media for fun. |
| A．Consuming media for fun is a nature of kids |
| B．No use, no worry |
| C．Measures should be taken to stop children’s overuse of electronic media |
| D．Electronic devices threaten the relationship of many families |
5 . Older women who walk a little over three kilometers each day might live longer than less active women of the same age, a new study suggests.
Many Americans hoping to stay healthy set a daily goal of 10, 000 steps, or about eight kilometers. They often have this goal because they are wearing electronic devices which set that target, note researchers in the United States. Their findings appeared recently in the publication JAMA Internal Medicine.
But it is not clear how much intensity(强度)or speed matter when counting the health benefits of every step, the researchers write. They add that 10,000 steps per day might not be the right goal for everyone.
For the study, researchers observed 17,000 women, all in their early 70s. They asked the women to wear accelerometers for at least four days. Accelerometers are small devices that measure the number of steps and the intensity of movement. The researchers followed up with the women much later, around 4. 3 years later, on average. Since the beginning of the study, 504 women had died. Compared to women who took no more than 2, 718 steps daily, the women who took at least 4,363 steps per day were 41 percent less likely to die.
“Even a modest amount of steps is associated with lower death rates, "said I-Min Lee, the lead writer of a report on the study. "The rate of stepping did not matter in these older women: it was the number of steps that mattered.
The study had a few limitations. For example, the researchers only measured women’s movements once, at the start of the study period. It is possible that the women’s behaviors changed over time. Still, the results are "good news for older adults who may have difficulty walking at faster paces, "said Keith Diaz, a researcher at Columbia University. He was not involved in the study.
“Any walking is better than nothing, " Diaz said by email. "With even small amounts of walking, your risk of death will be sharply reduced "For those who have difficulty walking, other research shows that any form of aerobic activity provides health benefits," he added. "Swimming, bicycling or any form of activity that is continuous in nature will provide health benefits.
1. What conclusion can we come to from the text?| A．People who walk about 10,000 steps can live longer. |
| B．10,000 steps per day might be the right goal for people. |
| C．The more steps one walks per day, the longer life he may live. |
| D．The number of steps is important for a long life among older women. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By comparison. |
| C．By listing statistics. | D．By explaining reasons. |
| A．People who walk fast will get more health benefits. |
| B．If people have a habit of walking, the risk of death will be reduced. |
| C．People with walking difficulty can not benefit from activities |
| D．Activities such as swimming and bicycling are not as beneficial as walking. |
| A．A medical journal. | B．A news report. |
| C．A magazine about fashion. | D．A traveler brochure. |
6 . “Birds” and “airports” are two words that, paired together，don’t normally paint the most harmonious picture. So it really raises some eyebrows when China announces plans to build an airport that is for birds.
Described as the world’s first-ever bird airport, the proposed Lingang Bird Sanctuary(保护区）in the northern coastal city of Tianjin is, of course,not an actual airport. Rather，it's a wetland preserve specifically designed to accommodate hundreds-even thousands-of daily takeoffs and landings by birds traveling along the East Asian-Australian Flyway. Over 50 species of migratory (迁徙的）water birds，some endangered, will stop and feed at the protected sanctuary before continuing their long journey along the flyway.
Located on a former landfill site，the 150-acre airport is also open to human travelers.(Half a million visitors are expected annually.) However，instead of duty-free shopping，the main attraction for non-egg-laying creatures at Tianjin’s newest airport will be a green-roofed education and research center, a series of raised “observation platforms” and a network of scenic walking and cycling paths totaling over 4 miles.
“The proposed Bird Airport will be a globally significant sanctuary for endangered migratory bird species, while providing new green lungs for the city of Tianjin.” Adrian McGregor of an Australian landscape architecture firm explained of the design. Frequently blanketed in smog so thick that it has shut down real airports, Tianjin is a city---China’s fourth most populous----that would certainly benefit from a new pair of healthy green lungs•
1. The underlined phrase “non-egg-laying creatures” in Paragraph 3 refers to?| A．Visitors. | B．Designers. |
| C．Endangered water birds. | D．Planes. |
| A．People cannot watch birds up close here. |
| B．It is located on a 150-acre landfill site. |
| C．It functions as an actual airport and a wetland preserve. |
| D．It provides migratory birds with food and shelter. |
| A．The airport will become a permanent home for birds. |
| B．Tianjin will win worldwide fame in the future. |
| C．Tianjin’s air quality will improve thanks to the airport. |
| D．Tianjin will be able to accommodate more people. |
| A．Airports shut down and open up. |
| B．China is to open the first Bird Airport. |
| C．Airports turn into green lungs. |
| D．Birds are no longer enemies to airports. |
7 . Raised in a motherless home，my father was extremely tightfisted towards us children. His attitude didn’t soften as I grew into adulthood and went to college. I had to ride the bus whenever I came home. Though the bus stopped about two miles from home，Dad never met me，even in severe weather. If I grumbled，he’d say in his loudest father-voice，“That’s what your legs are for！”
The walk didn’t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety. But that feeling was canceled one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs. I longed for home. When the bus reached the stop，I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.
A row of hedge(树篱)edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey，I always had a sense of relief to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening，the hedge had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedge，moving toward the house. Upon closer observation，I realized it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew，each time I’d come home，he had stood behind the hedge，watching，until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the tears. He did care，after all.
On later visits，that spot of gray became my watchtower. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its secret movement above the greenery. Upon reaching home，I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair.“ So！My son，it’s you！”he’d say，his face lengthening into pretended surprise.
I replied，“Yes，Dad，it’s me.I’m home.”
1. What does the underlined word“grumbled” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Agreed willingly. | B．Explained clearly. |
| C．Spoke unhappily. | D．Accepted happily. |
| A．the tiredness after long hours in labs |
| B．the feeling of being less than valued |
| C．the fear of seeing something moving |
| D．the loneliness of riding the bus home |
| A．he was concerned about his son’s safety |
| B．he wanted to help his son build up courage |
| C．he didn’t want to meet his son at the doorway |
| D．he didn’t think his son was old enough to walk alone |
| A．Riding Bus Alone. | B．My College Life. |
| C．Terrible Journey Home. | D．My Father’s Secret. |
8 . At the end of a race，you'll often see runners reaching for bananas. Although people who only exercise at weekends might be more likely to reach for a sports drink，serious athletes know there are better choices. And a new study from Appalachian State University offers proof that bananas may be a better choice than sports drinks after exercise.
Researchers analyzed the blood of 20 competitive cyclists after they were given water and bananas，water only，or a 6 percent sugar drink (a sports drink) every 15 minutes during a 47一mile bike ride. The study found that the carbohydrates(碳水化合物）in bananas work as well as sports drinks to fuel athletes and help them recover. But the researchers found an additional benefit. Bananas also provide greater anti—inflammatory which benefits than sports drinks.
“Consuming bananas with water during exercise has several advantages for athletes above those linked to regular sports drinks，” Dr. David Nieman said in a statement. “Banana metabolites(代谢物)that increase in the blood have a similar effect to aspirin that inhibits (抑制） COX—2 activity. This makes bananas close to the perfect athletic food.”
“Although aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs (AIDs) help athletes with post exercise pain，they are often discouraged because they can cause cell damage，” Nieman tells Men's Health. “For this reason，we tell athletes not to take them，”he says. “To our pleasant surprise, we found something natural in bananas is working like these painkillers but without the risks. ”
Sports drinks are still a choice，but Nieman and his team believe bananas offer more.
“There’s no question that sports drinks work，” he explains. “But bananas also have other nutrients—vitamin C，B6 and these unique metabolites — that you don't get with a sports drink. ” Next up, the research team is looking at other fruits as exercise companions. “We're starting to look at blueberries，because we think with bananas they might work even better,” Nieman says.
1. What is the aim of the study described in paragraph 2?| A．To test for the effects of bananas. |
| B．To the best way to recover. |
| C．To prove sports drinks are useless. |
| D．To find out if sports drink are anti-inflammatory. |
| A．Bananas are full of nutrients. |
| B．Bananas can be easily digested. |
| C．Bananas can be of some medical value. |
| D．Bananas are similar to regular sports drinks. |
| A．Why bananas are better than A IDs |
| B．How bananas can help ease pains. |
| C．What can be caused by eating bananas. |
| D．Whether we should replace AIDs with bananas. |
| A．People shouldn’t replace sports drinks with fruits. |
| B．Bananas offer more to sportsmen than sports drinks |
| C．Blueberries are better for sportsmen than sports drinks. |
| D．People shouldn’t eat or drink too much when exercising. |
9 . In Kansas City,Missouri,a computer helps firefighters.The computer,which works very fast,has information about all the 350,000 street addresses in the city.Within two or three seconds after a call is received,the computer provides necessary information for the firefighters.The information is then sent to them by radio from the computer centre in the City Hall.The exact place of the burning building and its size,type and any other details are clear to them.
The Kansas City computer system also has a medical record of each of the city’s 900 firefighters.This kind of information is especially useful when a firefighter is injured.With the information,doctors at hospital can treat the injured firefighters more quickly and easily.
The firefighters themselves greatly appreciate the computer’s help.They know about possible danger ahead of them and can prepare for it.Many times the computer information helps to save lives and property(财产).Sometimes the lives are those of firefighters themselves.
Mike Horan,a firefighter captain,says,“I feel as if the computer is ready to help me if I get hurt.”
1. Which of the following is the best title of the text? ____________| A．Large Computers in Kansas and Missouri | B．The Computer Helps Firefighters |
| C．Important Information for Firefighters | D．The Speed of the Computer |
| A．To ask the firefighter. | B．To ask the policeman. |
| C．To use the computer. | D．To use the map. |
| A．radio | B．computer |
| C．the City Hall | D．the center of the city |
| A．The hospital has a very good computer. |
| B．The firefighters can know about possible danger early. |
| C．The computer can prepare everything for them. |
| D．Medical records in the computer help them a lot. |
10 . Roger Federer, who recently became the oldest man to hold the No. 1 ranking in men's tennis at the age 36, will bring a 12-match winning streak (连胜) to the BNP Paribas Open, which starts this week at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Federer, a five-time winner of the hard-court event and a 20-time Grand Slam singles champion, on Tuesday was seeded No. 1 in a field that has been given up by injuries to several excellent players. Among those missing are world No. 2 Rafael Nadal (hip injury), Stan Wawrinka (knee), who lost to Federer in the 2017 final, David Goffin (eye) and Andy Murray (hip surgery).
Federer, who has spent 305 weeks of his career at the top the Assn of Tennis Professional world rankings, must reach the semifinals (半决赛) at Indian Wells to keep his No. 1 status. If he exits sooner than that, Nadal would regain the top spot. Federer has a first-round bye (轮空) and a seemingly easy projected route to the quarterfinals, where he likely would face No. 5 seed Dominic Thiem of Austria.
Five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic, who had a small medical intervention (干预) on his troublesome right elbow earlier this year, was seeded 10th in the tournament. Djokovic has played only four matches this year because of his elbow problems and hasn't played a tournament since he lost to Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the round of 16 at the Australian Open in January.
Maria Sharapova of Russia will face Naomi Osaka of Japan on Wednesday with their match scheduled for not before 5:00 p.m.
On Thursday, Serena Williams will play Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will play Heather Watson of the United Kingdom during the evening session (7 p.m. start).
1. What can we infer from paragraph 2?| A．Federer gave up the match on Tuesday due to the injury. |
| B．Many excellent players took part in the match including Rafael Nadal. |
| C．Federer was lucky enough seeded No. 1 on Tuesday. |
| D．Stan Wawrinka beat Federer in the 2017 final. |
| A．Because he is seeded No.1 |
| B．Because he has a first-round bye. |
| C．Because many excellent players are missing. |
| D．Because he is well enough to beat any player. |
| A．Rafael Nadal. | B．Maria Sharapova. |
| C．Novak Djokovic. | D．Dominic Thiem. |
| A．Roger Federer, seeded No. L |
| B．Roger Federer, to bring a 12-match winning streak. |
| C．Roger Federer, beat everyone in the tournament. |
| D．Roger Federer, the oldest No.1 |
