1 . Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security recommends having at least a two - week supply of water and food.
Potatoes
Shelf life ： 2 to 5 weeks if stored in a cool, dry, dark place
Yukon Gold, red, and fingerling potatoes will last from two to three weeks. Larger white potatoes can last for three to five weeks. Sweet potatoes have about the same shelf life. Don't store them next to onions, however. The two might go together well in cooking, but raw, each gives off gases and moisture that might cause the other to spoil faster.
Tea
※Shelf life： 6 to 12 months past "sell - by" date
Dried tea leaves, whether loose (in a sealed container) or in teabags (in an unopened box) can easily last a year or more if they' re not subjected to damp or humidity. However, the tea does tend to lose flavor over time.
Peanuts
● Shelf life ： 1 to 2 months
Peanuts in their shell, especially when kept cool and dry, are perfectly happy in the cupboard for as long as two months.
Canned fruits and vegetables
● Shelf life ： 1 to 2 years past "sell - by” date
Canning is an extremely efficient means of preserving food. Generally speaking, if canned foods aren't subjected to extreme heat, their contents should stay good for two years or more. Be aware, however, of dented cans or those with swollen tops, which may indicate the presence of bacteria inside.
1. Which can go bad faster if stored with onions?| A．Potatoes. | B．Tea. |
| C．Peanuts. | D．Canned fruits and vegetables. |
| A．The flavor of tea can always remain the same. |
| B．Tea leaves are better to be preserved in an open jar. |
| C．Tea leaves should be kept away from the state of being wet. |
| D．The maximum length of time that tea can be stored is 6 months. |
| A．Shapes of cans. | B．Categories of foods. |
| C．Decline of the temperature. | D．Exposure to high temperature. |
2 . Microplastics, as the name implies, are tiny plastics that result from both commercial product development and the breakdown of larger plastics. Officially, they are defined as plastics less than five millimeters in diameter(直径). .
The problem with microplastics is that — like plastic items of any size — they do not readily break down into harmless molecules (分子). Plastics can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose, and in the meantime, cause damage to the environment. On beaches, microplastics are visible as tiny colored plastic bits in sand. In the oceans, microplastics pollution is often consumed by sea animals.
Some of this environmental pollution is from littering, but much is the result of storms and winds that carry plastics into our oceans. Single-use plastics, plastic items meant to be used just once and then thrown away, are the primary source of microplastics in the environment.
Microplastics have been detected in sea animals, in commercial seafood, and even in drinking water. Alarmingly, standard water treatment facilities cannot remove all the traces( 痕迹) of microplastics. To further complicate matters, microplastics in the ocean can combine with other harmful chemicals before being swallowed by animals.
Scientists are still unsure whether consumed microplastics do damage to human or animal health - and if so, what specific dangers they may cause. Even so, many countries are taking action to reduce microplastics. A United Nations resolution has discussed the need for rules to reduce microplastics to oceans, wildlife, and human health.
1. What does the underlined word “decompose” mean in Paragraph 2?| A．Break down. | B．Fade away. . |
| C．Dry up. | D．Give out. |
| A．Water treatment facilities fail to remove their traces. |
| B．People might consume them through drinking water. |
| C．They can combine with other chemicals inside animals. |
| D．They have been a blow to commercial seafood industry. |
| A．Many governments turn a blind eye to microplastics. |
| B．It has been confirmed that consumed microplastics are harmful. |
| C．Measures will be taken to reduce microplastics in the environment. |
| D．Scientists have known what specific dangers microplastics may cause. |
| A．inform the public of an environmental issue |
| B．arouse the awareness of protecting seawater |
| C．persuade scientists to look into microplastics |
| D．introduce the microplastics treatment methods |
3 . Mice and rats have long been used in medical research because of their biological similarities to humans. Now, scientists have trained rats to drive small vehicles created for them. One of the main findings of the experiment was that the driving activity seemed to help the rats relax.
Researchers at the University of Richmond in Virginia led the experiment. The team built tiny cars out of plastic and other materials. The vehicles had an opening at one end where electrical wires were attached. By touching one of three different wires, the rat could control the direction of the vehicle.
Researchers trained 17 rats over several months to drive around the experiment containers. The animals proved that they could be trained to drive forward as well as in other directions to get to the sweet treats placed inside the containers.
The researchers examined levels of two hormones (荷尔蒙) in the rats—one that causes stress and another that reduces it. All rats that took part in the training had higher levels of the hormone that reduces stress. The research suggests the increased relaxation levels could be linked to the enjoyment of successfully completing a new skill. The team also found that the rats that drove themselves showed higher levels of the stress-fighting hormone than those that simply rode in small cars controlled by humans.
Lambert said the most exciting result of the experiment for her was about the possible effect on humans. The research may open new areas of non-drug treatments for people suffering from mental health conditions.
“There’s no cure for schizophrenia or depression and we need to catch up,” she said. “And I think we need to look at different animal models and different types of tasks and really respect that behavior can change our neurochemistry (神经化学). ”
Speaking to the British-based magazine New Scientist, Lambert said her team is planning to continue experiments to learn more about how the rats learned to drive. The new research will also examine why some activities appear to reduce stress, and which areas of the brain are involved in the process.
1. What did the experiment find?| A．Rats are able to drive vehicles. | B．Rats feel relaxed when driving. |
| C．Rats can be used in medical research. | D．Rats are biologically similar to humans. |
| A．one hormone causes stress and another reduces it | B．acquiring a new skill brings about joy |
| C．levels of hormone are controlled by stress | D．relaxation contributes to enjoyment |
| A．it may lead to a way to treat human mental problems |
| B．it will affect the way that humans drive their cars |
| C．it may help people train animals better. |
| D．it can surely change neurochemistry |
| A．which parts of the rats’ brain control their emotions |
| B．why rats have the ability of fighting stress |
| C．when activities affect the levels of stress |
| D．why certain activities reduce stress |
4 . Urban household assets reach average of 3.18 million yuan in 2019
Editors note: Urban residents' average household assets（资产）were about 3.18 million yuan in China in 2019 and that of Beijing residents was about 8.93 million yuan, the highest in the country.
Distribution of household assets of urban residents
Urban residents' household assets are mainly physical assets with housing as the main part, accounting for about 80% of the total.
The housing ownership rate was 96%, 1.5 sets for each household on average.
58.4% families have one set of housing 31.0% families have two sets of housing
10.5% families have three or more sets of housing
Household average assets in eastern regions are higher than other parts of China, with the amount in Northeast China the lowest, accounting for about one third of East China.
Top three regions with highest household assets in China in 2019 are Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangsu province.
Middle-aged and young people and well-educated people are more likely to have debts
Average household debt: 512,000 yuan
Families with householders aged 65 or above are more likely to invest in financial products including wealth management, asset management and trust.
The average value was about 239,000 yuan, about 1.4 times the average.
Household debt participation rate by householder's education level
Household debt participation rate by age
About 73. 1% of those aged between 26 and 35 have household debt.
1. How many families have more than two sets of housing, according to the passage?| A．58.4%. | B．31.0%. |
| C．10.5%. | D．96%. |
| A．Beijing. | B．Shanghai. |
| C．Jiangsu. | D．Northeast China. |
| A．Li Hua, graduating from high school, 37 years old, working as a self-employed. |
| B．Sun Yi, master’s degree, 35 years old, working in a IT company. |
| C．Zhang Yinyin, college degree, 18 years old, studying in a key university. |
| D．Chen Rui, Bachelor’s degree, 69 years old, retired from the work. |
5 . Everyone procrastinates(拖延). “It's part of the human condition, ”says procrastination researcher Tim Pychyl. “We want to feel good now. The way to do that is avoid the task.” He admits that in the short term, procrastination is powerfully rewarding. The present self-benefits, of course, but not the future self.
His research has shown that people can procrastinate on nearly anything, even enjoyable tasks such as planning a vacation. Some people procrastinate cleaning. Some people procrastinate by cleaning. The top tasks people delay are advancing their careers, taking care of their health, and planning their finances.
One big factor for them is fear of failure, of not living up to expectations. Kelli Saginak, a 57-year-old health coach from Wisconsin, procrastinated about looking for a new job for years. That inability to take action only confirmed her belief that she would never do any better. “It's totally fear of judgment,” says Saginak. “If I don't take the risk, I don't have to face the judgment. Yet it's simply me judging myself.”
Some people embrace procrastination, insisting that the white-hot pressure of a last-minute completion makes his or her work better. But researchers have proved it wrong. “I did an experiment, putting procrastinators under restrictions of time. They did worse than non-procrastinators, but they thought they did better.” says Joseph Ferrari, a psychology professor. “Non- Procrastinators focus on the task that needs to be done. They have a stronger personal identity and are less concerned about what psychologists call social esteem's how others like us.”
Procrastination is usually not going to be good for you. Just thinking about what you haven't done may cause discomfort. So if you have been procrastinating on starting an exercise routine, just put on your walking shoes. If you've been putting off a work project, reread your boss's notes about it.
1. According to Tim Pychyl, people procrastinate because .| A．it simplifies the tasks | B．it offers temporary relief |
| C．it allows more time for planning | D．it benefits one's self development |
| A．She has false expectations. | B．She makes quick judgement. |
| C．She regrets taking no action. | D．She values her present career. |
| A．Procrastinators usually lack confidence. |
| B．Procrastinators turn pressure into motivation. |
| C．Non-procrastinators care much about others 'feelings. |
| D．Non-procrastinators perform better within a time limit. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Reserved. | C．Opposed. | D．Objective. |
6 . Camp All-Star
Welcome to Camp All-Star, your No. 1 summer sports camp for kids! Located on the famous Kents Hill School campus by the beautiful lake, Camp All-Star hosts kids from around the world. When thinking about your next overnight summer camp, consider the best—Camp All-Star!
Great Sports Summer Camps for Kids
Camp All-Star stands out among the successful camps in the U.S. We have the best sports fields and courts to make your child’s sports camp experience a successful one. Your child can enjoy playing for hours in any of our more than 30 sports and activities each day. Our camper to staff rate is three to one, which makes it possible for children to receive more careful instruction.
We have a wide variety of activities and sports to choose from: fishing, dance, basketball, soccer, baseball, and tennis. Boys and girls, aged 8-16, can customize their own schedules in our 2, 3, 4 or 6 week summer camp session for kids.
The aim of Camp All-Star is to develop athletic skills, encourage abilities in leadership, fair play and team work, and provide a fun, rewarding and memorable summer sports camp experience. Our staff have the experience and qualified training necessary to ensure that your child has a successful, memorable and enjoyable time at our summer camp.
Call Today About Our Overnight Summer Camps for Kids
Don’t let your kids waste another summer playing video games and sitting around. Let them enjoy their time and get some exercise at our exciting and friendly summer sports camp. Information for our upcoming camps can be found on our website. For additional information or questions, contact us today. We hope your kids can join us at Camp All-Star!
1. Camp All-Star stands out among the others because ___________.| A．it is surrounded by a beautiful lake |
| B．it provides various activities and sports |
| C．it offers timely information on its website |
| D．it allows children to play outside all day long |
| A．To fire kids’ imagination. | B．To build up kids’ confidence. |
| C．To develop kids’ leadership skills. | D．To promote kids’ self-control. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．A guidebook. |
| C．A news report. | D．A textbook. |
7 . Although small business training and credit programs have become more common throughout the world, little attention has been paid to the need of young people, and even less to the children living on the street or in difficult condition.
Over the past nine years, Street Kids International (S.K.I.) has been working with partner organizations in Africa, Latin America and India to support the economic lives of street children and develop opportunities for street children to earn income.
The S.K.I. Bicycle Courier Service first started in the Sudan. Street children who took part in it were given bicycles, which they used to deliver parcels and messages. A similar program was taken up in Bangalore, India. The Shoe Shine Collective was a program with the Y.W.C.A. in the Dominican Republic. The children in this project were lent money to buy shoe shine boxes. They were also given a safe place to store their equipment, and facilities for individual savings plans. The Youth Skills Enterprise Initiative in Zambia is a program with the Red Cross Society and the Y.W.C.A. Street youths are supported to start their own small business through business training, life skills training and access to credit.
During the program, The S.K.I. and partner organizations have drawn lessons from the past: First of all, being a businessman is not for everyone, nor for every street child. And it is important for all loans to be linked to training programs that include the development of basic business and life skills. Secondly, small loans are provided firstly for buying fixed assets such as bicycles, shoe shine kits and basic building materials for a market stall. As the children gain experience, they can be given more loan amounts. And all S.K.L. programs have charged interest on the loans. Generally the rates have been lower than bank rates. Most importantly, it is believed that credit must be given with other types of support that help the young develop key life skills as well as productive businesses.
1. How does S.K.I. help the street children?| A．By giving the street children chances to go to school. |
| B．By encouraging the public to give money to street children. |
| C．By creating chances for street children to make money. |
| D．By drawing the attention of governments to help street children. |
| A．The Dominican Republic | B．Zambia |
| C．India | D．Sudan |
| A．clothing | B．vehicle | C．equipment | D．belongings |
| A．each child can only enjoy one kind of loan |
| B．not all loans should be linked to training programs |
| C．any child can apply for the business training and loan |
| D．the children have to pay back slightly more money than they borrow |
8 . Many people find that music lifts their spirits. Now a new research shows that music therapy (疗法) can be a useful treatment for depression.
The finding that music therapy offers a real medical benefit to depression sufferers comes from a review by the Cochrane Collaboration, a non-profit group that reviews health care issues. Some studies looked at the effects of providing music therapy to patients who were receiving drug treatment for depression. Others compared music therapy to traditional talk therapy. In four out of five of the trials, music therapy worked better at easing depression symptoms than therapies that did not employ music, the researchers found.
“While the evidence came from a few small studies, it suggests that this is an area that is well worth further investigation.” said lead author Anna Maratos. Ms. Maratos notes that music therapy might be particularly useful for adolescents who may reject a traditional form of counseling. Some older patients also may not be comfortable talking about their feelings but do tend to express themselves through songs.
There are two main types of music therapy. Sometimes, a therapist will listen to music with a patient and talk about the feelings or memories that it arouses. In another form, the therapist is a skilled musician and will improvise (即兴创作) music with the patient. If the patient doesn’t play an instrument, he or she might be given a simple percussion (击打) instrument and the therapist will play along.
Other studies have shown a benefit from music therapy in the treatment for dementia, learning disabilities, strokes and pain management during labor and birth. The problem is that there isn’t very much high-quality research. “It doesn’t easily attract serious research funding. It’s difficult to do high-quality, large-scale trials.” said Ms. Maratos.
1. Which of the following treatments is NOT mentioned in the research?| A．Drug treatment. | B．Talk therapy. | C．Music therapy. | D．Play therapy. |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. | C．Indifferent. | D．Neutral. |
| A．depression | B．learning disabilities | C．heart attack | D．strokes |
| A．a middle-aged patient won’t benefit from music therapy |
| B．patients using music therapy must be able to play an instrument |
| C．only patients suffering from depression benefit from music therapy |
| D．high-quality research on the effects of music therapy is limited by funding |
9 . Recently, a friend of mine asked me whether I’d seen the TV series Cook’ Table. Of course, I hadn’t because I’m not that into food. But I do get hungry for adventures sometimes, so I decided to watch the show. This is when I was introduced to the cook Francis Mallmann.
He makes choices; he doesn’t plan. When he was young, he looked for mentors (导师) and experiences, not books or paths. He honored his roots but embraced the world and sought things and places he didn’t know. He isn’t content with just one lifestyle and he doesn’t bend to expectations. This made me puzzled because I grew up thinking I had to have a plan and have long-term stability in front of me.
When I saw Mallmann doing what makes him happy, everything changed. I thought to myself, “That’s how we’re supposed to live.” I felt as if I’d stood up from a comfortable fireplace and the blanket of my life just fell to the ground. I submitted my leave of absence application to my employer less than a month later. I’m now full of excitement. I’m leaving my job and a good salary, and I’m going to do things that feed my soul.
Michael Kernis and Brian Goldman, psychologists at Clayton State University in Georgia, studied the benefits of authenticity (真实性) and being true to yourself. Some of the benefits of following your inner voice include enjoying a strong sense of purpose in life, greater confidence, healthier relationships and strong skills.
I might soon be hungrier and poorer than I was before but at least I’ll be staying true to who I am and I’ll get the true freedom.
1. Which of the following descriptions of Francis Mallmann is WRONG?| A．He makes choices and plans. |
| B．He was happy to accept what he didn’t know. |
| C．When he was young, he valued mentors and experiences. |
| D．He doesn’t stick to one lifestyle and he doesn’t bend to expectations. |
| A．Wealthy and comfortable. | B．Planned and stable. |
| C．Busy and risky. | D．Simple and free. |
| A．He was tired of his life. | B．He wanted to be different. |
| C．He was inspired by a cook. | D．He wanted to explore the world. |
| A．Freedom is the most important thing for you. |
| B．You should have the courage to change your life. |
| C．You must leave your comfort zone and be adventurous. |
| D．Staying true to yourself in your life can be a form of freedom. |
10 . Backcountry for beginners: the best destinations in Canada
When carried out safely, your first backcountry trip will leave you lifelong memories, opening a getaway into nature. But the leap from car camping to backcountry requires preparation and learning. Here are some recommended trips for backcountry beginners:
Grundy Lake Provincial Park
The park’s 9 backcountry sites are a 30-minute paddle (划船) away. Grundy Lake is motor-boat free. Your sites are quiet enough for a true backcountry trip. Each site comes equipped with a fire pit (坑) and a picnic table.
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Many visitors don’t know about the 25 canoe-in campsites located on Joeperry and Pearson Lakes. A short canoe trip of 30-minute will get you to your campsite. At each campsite, you will find a picnic table, tent space and a toilet nearby.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Experience the best of the Canadian Shield, and hike or paddle your way to 10 backcountry campsites. Travel time can range from 10 minutes to 2 hours. All sites come equipped with elevated tent platforms, a picnic table, a fire grill, and a toilet.
Murphys Point Provincial Park
Paddle through Big Rideau Lake (part of the historic Rideau waterway) to access 14 backcountry campsites. Most are located 5-45 minutes away from the boat launch. You’ll find a picnic table, tent space, and a pit toilet nearby each site. Paddle back to visit Murphys’ piece of living history: the Mica Mine!
Remember: backcountry travel requires careful consideration of packing, route planning, meal planning, safety, and your skill level.
1. You can do the followings at Grundy Lake Provincial Park EXCEPT _______.| A．Paddling. | B．Having a picnic. | C．Cooking. | D．Taking a motor-boat. |
| A．Grundy Lake Provincial Park. | B．Bon Echo Provincial Park. |
| C．Charleston Lake Provincial Park. | D．Murphys Point Provincial Park. |
| A．Health. | B．Travel. | C．Education. | D．Science. |
