1 . Sleep, considered a luxury by many, is essential for a person’s health and happiness. Researchers have found that inadequate sleep and tiredness increase a person’s risk of developing severe medical conditions, such as obesity, high blood sugar levels, and heart disease. Now, a new study has found that getting enough sleep is also the key to improving academic performance.

Jeffrey Gross, the university science professor who led the research, was not trying to find the relationship between sleep and grades when he handed out smart watches to the 100 students in his chemistry class. Instead, the professor hoped the wrist-worn devices (装置), which track a person’s physical activity, would show a connection between exercise and academic achievement.

While Gross’s data showed no relationship between these two factors (因素), the study found something surprising. As the researchers were analyzing their data, they noticed that there was a straight-line relationship between the average amount of sleep a student got and their results in the course’s 11 quizzes, three midterm tests, and the final exam.

Even more interesting, it was not enough for students to just head to bed early the night before a test. Instead, it’s the sleep you get during the days when learning is happening that matters most.

The time students went to bed each night was similarly important. Those who went to bed in early hours of the morning performed poorly, even if the total sleep time was the same as a higher- performing student. “When you go to bed matters,” Gross says, “If you go to bed at 10, or 12, or 1 at night, and sleep for seven hours, your performance is the same. But if you go to bed after 2, your performance starts to go down even if you get the same seven hours. So, quantity isn’t everything. ”

Perhaps the most interesting was the huge effect that small differences in sleep patterns had on the students’ grades. The entire course grades for students averaging six and a half hours of sleep each night were 25% lower than students who averaged just one hour more sleep. Similarly, students who changed their bedtime by even one hour each night had grades that dropped 45% below those with more regular bedtimes.

Who knew getting A’s just required some extra ZZZ’s?

1. Based on his original goals, which best describes Professor Gross’s research findings?

A．Complete.	B．Accidental.
C．Convincing.	D．Doubtful.

2. Who were the people taking part in the study?

A．University student athletes.	B．Professor Gross’s own students.
C．Middle school chemistry students.	D．Volunteers from different universities.

3. How did Professor Gross’s team measure academic performance?

A．Making the students wear a special watch.

B．Giving the students regular after-class quizzes.

C．Using students’ university entrance test results.

D．Using the students’ normal test and quiz grades.

4. Based on the study’s findings, who is likely to perform best academically?

A．A person who sleeps for a total of 7 hours each night.

B．A person who sleeps from 11 p. m. to 6 a. m. each day.

C．A person whose normal bedtime changes between 9 p. m. and 12 p. m.

D．A person who has a good night’s sleep the night before an important test.

2 . I have learned something about myself since I moved from Long Island to Florida three years ago. Even though I own a home in Port St. Lucie just minutes from the ocean, every winter an uncontrollable urge(冲动) wells up to fly back to Long Island even as others make their way south. I guess I am a snowbird stuck in reverse(反向).

Dulled by Florida's mild winters, I willingly suffer the cold weather on Long Island, the place I called home for 65 years. I'm like a bird that has lost its sense of timing and direction, my wings moving against routine.

So what makes me fly against the habits of snowbirds? The answer has a lot to do with my unwillingness to give up the things that define(给...下定义) who I am. Once I hear that the temperature on Long Island has fallen into the range of 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, I begin to long for the sight and sound of a wood fire. I also long for the display of colours—first in the fall trees, and then in the lights around homes and at Rockefeller Center. Floridians decorate, too, but can't create the special feel of a New England winter. Moreover, when I return I can celebrate the holidays with people I haven't seen in months. What could be better than sitting with family and friends for a Thanksgiving turkey dinner, or watching neighbours' children excitedly open gifts on Christmas? Even the first snowfall seems special.

While these simple pleasures are not unique to Long Island, they are some of the reasons I comeback. Who says you can't go home? I know I will be ordering a ticket this very night and cured of homesick(思乡病) tomorrow.

1. What does the author think of his life in Florida?

A．Exciting.

B．Relaxing.

C．Painful.

D．Boring.

2. Why does the author compare himself to a snowbird stuck in reverse?

A．He has lost his sense of direction.

B．He'd rather go north in winter.

C．He hates travelling by plane.

D．He likes snow very much.

3. The author uses Paragraph 3 to      .

A．describe his hometown's fall scenes.

B．show how he loves family gatherings.

C．explain why he wants to return to his hometown.

D．compare the difference between Florida and Long Island.

4. What is the author going to do tonight?

A．Book a flight.

B．Go to the doctor's.

C．Eat with his family.

D．Check into a hotel.

5 . Nowadays, we can read almost all "truths" on social media sites. But are they really reliable? Sites such as the micro-messaging service, the social networking site and the photo-sharing app Instagram might "misrepresent the real world", according to a study by computer scientists from McGill University and Carnegie Mellon University.

The scientists warn that gathering information about public views and trends from these sites is unwise. There are still large parts of the population who do not take part in social media activities. Also, there's a risk that many social media users are under-represented. Instagram, for example, appeals to younger adults in urban areas while Pinterest is used mainly by females aged 25 to 34. And only 5 percent of the micro-messaging service users are over 65 years old, according to the study. However, this is not the only issue, according to the scientific team. The design of a website can influence how people behave online, creating what the researchers call "Internet bias". For example, micro-blogging sites such as Weibo promote "popular" stories. It saves time for some but it also limits readers' choice of what they see. In the end, many people open those stories and make them more "popular". But it's not because they choose those stories. Rather, it is because the content is right in front of them.

Besides, it's possible that not everyone on your social networks is real. There might actually be a few fake accounts among them. Fake "bots" pretend to be humans and are often included when measuring or predicting human behaviors online.

The findings might be more important than you would think, since many social media studies are used to inform and justify decisions and investments among the public and in industry and government, according to Derek Ruths, an assistant professor of Computer Science at Mc Gill University.

If the team is right, you might have to think carefully next time you say, "It's true, you know; I read it on Weibo."

1. Why does the author mention the micro-messaging and Instagram?

A．Because they are the best social media sites today.

B．Because they are not in favor of the current study.

C．Because the public are sharing truths on these sites.

D．Because information on these sites may not be reliable.

2. How is the passage developed?

A．By giving examples.	B．By making comparisons.
C．By dividing into groups.	D．By analyzing causes.

3. Which word can best describe the author's attitude toward information on social media sites?

A．Ambiguous.

B．Favorable.

C．Disagreeable.

D．Cautious.

4. What's the author's main purpose in writing the passage?

A．To analyze why information gathered from social media sites may not be trustworthy.

B．To remind readers of things they should watch out for when using social media.

C．To point out the advantages and disadvantages of social media.

D．To recommend popular social networking sites for readers.

6 . The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie

By Chavonne D. Stewart, Jasmine Mills, published in 2014

Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.It is the first book in a surprising series of children’s books. That’s fun and exciting and teaches kids valuable lessons.

Chester and Gus

By Cammie McGoven, published in 2017

Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems that dream might never come true－until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus. But Gus acts so differently from anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus, but he’s determined to figure it out and show he’s the right dog for the job.

Invisible Emmie

By Terri Libenson, published in 2017

The novel tells the story of two totally different little girls in a class — quiet, shy and artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie — and how their lives unexpectedly connected one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands. Emmie eventually learns to speak up for herself, realizing that being social isn’t as impossible as she thought.

Ocean Meets Sky

By Terry Fan, Eric Fan, published in 2018

“Young readers will be attracted.”— The Washington Post.

Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out of his window, it’s a constant reminder of the stories that his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Finn’s grandfather has gone but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him. He’ll build his own ship and sail out to find this magical place himself! And when he arrives, maybe he’ll find something he didn’t know he was looking for.

1. What can we know about The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie?

A．It’s the first children’s book in 2015.

B．It’s only for children’s fun.

C．It may be gained for free.

D．It’s mainly about teachers’ lessons.

2. Which book is related to the loss of loved ones?

A．The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie	B．Ocean Meets Sky
C．Invisible Emmie	D．Chester and Gus

3. Who wrote the story about the relationship between classmates?

A．Chavonne D. Stewart and Jasmine Mills	B．Cammie McGovern
C．Terry Fan and Eric Fan	D．Terri Libenon

7 . Our house was across the street from a hospital. We rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was preparing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man hardly taller than my eight-year-old daughter.

But the frightening thing was his swollen face. He told me he’d been hunting for a room since noon but no one seemed to have a room. For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: “I could sleep on the porch（门廊）. My bus leaves early in the morning.”

I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked him to join us. “No thank you. I have plenty.” And he held up a brown paper bag. When I had finished the dishes, I went out to talk with him a few minutes.

He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, who was hopelessly disabled, and her five children. He didn’t tell it by way of complaint; in fact, he was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease. He thanked life for giving him the strength to keep going.

At bedtime, we put a camp small bed in the children’s room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left, he smiled, “Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don’t seem to mind.” I told him he was welcome to come again.

In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or vegetables. Other times we received packages. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had made the gifts more precious. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude.

1. What actually led to the old man’s failure to get a room before?

A．His fishing job.	B．His ugly appearance.
C．His disabled daughter.	D．His lack of money.

2. Why did the author finally accept the old man?

A．He was in very bad condition.

B．He might attack her unless accepted.

C．He wouldn’t bother them too much.

D．The author had a big family to support.

3. What can we learn from the text?

A．The old man often came to ask for help ever since.

B．The old man actually didn’t eat anything for supper.

C．It was not easy for the old man to send the author gifts.

D．The author’s help taught the old man to live independently.

4. Which is the best title for the text?

A．A precious gift!

B．A silent complaint!

C．A stubborn fisherman!

D．An incredible meeting!

8 . Inventors are always at work, dreaming up new technologies. Some inventions help us solve problems. Others make life easier, or more fun. Here, TFK(Time for Kids) presents 3 of our favorite inventions. See how they make us live a better life.

Stopping Sickness

Christine Schindler is an engineer. She wanted to help stop the spread of foodborne illnesses. So she created PATHSPOT. It uses light to scan a person’s hands for harmful germs. Restaurant employees hold their hands beneath the scanner. Then the scanner judges whether they must be rewashed. About 100 locations have started using the product since it launched in May.

Talking Eyes

For people who are blind or have other visual problems, the ORCAM MYEYE 2 could be a game changer. It might also prove useful for people with reading difficulties. Described as “talking glasses,” this AI device can be attached to any eyeglass frame. It can identify faces. It can also read text aloud. Fitting all this power into such a small device is like “putting an elephant in a small closet,” says Amnon Shashua, the inventor of the technology. Now the device can be bought online.

Sport-safe

Research shows that playing football increases the risk of brain injury. Still, about a million kids under the age of 13 play football, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. That’s where the VICIS ZERO1 YOUTH football helmet comes in. It has thick, force-absorbing support on the front and sides, where kids are likely to take the hardest hits on the field. Players on 1,500 youth teams have worn the helmet.

1. What is the function of Pathspot?

A．Killing the germs on hands.	B．Checking if hands are clean.
C．Rewashing employees’ hands.	D．Stopping the reproduction of germs.

2. Which of the following is the feature of Talking Eyes?

A．Low-noise.	B．Portable.
C．Single-function	D．Power-saving.

3. What can we learn about VICIS ZERO1 YOUTH ?

A．It is available to the public now.	B．It improves kids’ football skills.
C．It is designed for kids under 13 only.	D．Its front and sides are the hardest.

9 . The Chinese word "Shanzhai" means a small mountain village, but it becomes an accepted name for fakes (假货), after "Shanzhai Cell-phones" produced by small workshops in southern China became popular in the mainland market over the past two years. Now besides "Shanzhai" electronic products, there are "Shanzhai" movies, "Shanzhai" stars and even a "Shanzhai" Sprin Festival Gala, a copy of the 25-year-old traditional show presented by CCTV on Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve.

"Shanzhai" has become a culture of its own, meaning anything that imitates something famous. In Chongqing, "Shanzhai" version "Bird's Nest（鸟巢）" and "Water Cube（水立方）" woven by farmers with bamboo attract(吸引) wide attention from tourists. Both are copies of the famous Olympic buildings in Beijing.

A literature critic said that taking the "Shanzhai" Gala as an example, when the traditional CCTV program becomes less and less attractive to the audience, the "Shanzhai" version appears timely to attract people. "Although it is often connected with poor techniques and operation, 'Shanzhai' culture meets the psychological needs of common people and could be a comfort to their minds," he said.

To the mainstream（主流） culture, the rise of "Shanzhai" culture is a challenge and a motivation（推动）. People believe different kinds of cultures developing together is a perfect way and it is for the public to choose.

1. The Chinese word "Shanzhai" may have started with_______.

A．electronic products	B．fake(假的) cell-phones
C．Spring Festival Gala	D．Olympic buildings

2. According to the passage, "Shanzhai" culture means_______.

A．anything that are copies of something famous

B．products with poor techniques and quality

C．the action that a person imitates famous people

D．those similar names to famous brands

3. We can infer(推断) that the mainstream culture_______.

A．is stopped by "Shanzhai" culture

B．is the challenge of"Shanzhai" culture

C．may develop faster because of the challenge of "Shanzhai" culture

D．will be replaced by "Shanzhai" culture

4. The underlined word "imitates" is closest in meaning to_______.

A．偷窃	B．做广告
C．仿造	D．欺骗

10 . If you are looking for a vacation to a beautiful beach town, each state on the East Coast has something new to offer. Here you can find the best cities along the East Coast based on a departure (离开) from Los Angeles.

Savannah, GeorgiaRound-trip fight cost:$ 415

Walking tours of the city’s attractions are led by local historians, and you can know more about the famous squares and see the bench where Forrest Gump sat. There is also a free tour to Forsyth Park, home to a 300-year-old Candler Oak tree. Visitors can also stay at the Forsyth Park, which includes a spa, restaurant and cooking school.

Charleston, South Carolina

Round-trip flight cost:$519

You don’t have to travel to Europe to visit one of the world’s best spots. Charleston made Travel and Leisure’s 2018 list of the top 15 international cities. It was also ranked the No. 1 U.S. city for the sixth year in a row in 2018. You can enjoy the sunshine for free at Folly Beach and watch the sunset from the pier (码头).

Block Island, Rhode Island

Round-trip flight cost:$358

There are no flights from Los Angeles directly to Block Island, but a round-trip flight to Providence, Rhode Island. There you can make your way to Block Island and visit 1661 Farms and Gardens, which is home to kangaroos, camels, ducks, goats and much more. Southeast Lighthouse here is praised for its beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Roanoke, Virginia

Round-trip fight cost:$517

Take advantage of the arts and crafts trips, hiking paths and waterfall stops all along the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you don’t want to stay outdoors, visit the Taubman Museum of Art for free. The museum has a collection of over 2,100 pieces from around the world and hosts special exhibits(展览会) throughout the year.

1. What do tours in Savannah allow visitors to do?

A．Learn about the history of the city.	B．Help plant trees in Forsyth Park
C．Attend a cooking school for free.	D．Watch an open-air movie.

2. Block Island is best suitable for visitors who _________.

A．are unwilling to travel by air

B．love to spend time with animals

C．want to appreciate works of art

D．prefer enjoying the mountain view

3. At which place can visitors have both outdoor and indoor tours?

A．Savannah.

B．Charleston.

C．Block Island

D．Roanoke.