1 . More than a billion people around the world have smart phones, almost all of which come with some kind of navigation（导航） app such as Apple Maps or Amap. This raises the age﹣old question we meet with any technology： What abilities is our brain losing to these apps？ But also, importantly： What abilities are we gaining？
Talking with people who are good at finding their way around or good at using paper maps, I often hear a lot of annoyance with digital maps. North/south direction gets messed up, and you can see only a small section at a time. I can really understand that it may be quite disturbing for the already skilled to be limited to a small phone screen.
But consider what digital navigation aids have meant for someone like me. Although being a frequent traveler, I'm so terrible at finding my way that I still use Apple Maps almost every day in the small town where I have lived for many years.
In many developed nations, street names and house numbers can be meaningful, and instructions such as "go north for three blocks and ---then west" make sense to those familiar with these rules. In Istanbul, however, where I grew up none of those hold true. For one thing, the locals seldom use street names. Besides, the city is full of winding and ancient alleys（小巷） that cross with newer streets at many angles.In such places, you'd better turn to the locals. In the American countryside, however, there is often nobody outside to ask, In fact, along came Apple Maps, like a fairy grandmother whispering directions in my ear. Since then, I travel with a lot more confidence, and my world has opened up.
Which brings me back to my original question： While we often lose some skills after depending on new technology, this new equipment may also allow us to gain new abilities. Maybe when technology closes door, we should also look for the doors it opens.
1. Why do people who are skilled at reading paper maps feel upset？| A．They like reading paper maps. |
| B．They are confused by digital maps direction. |
| C．They don't know how to use navigation apps. |
| D．They are limited to a single smartphone app. |
| A．Asking local people the way. |
| B．Following the navigation app. |
| C．Getting familiar with the city rules. |
| D．Looking for street names and house numbers. |
| A．Cautious. |
| B．Negative. |
| C．Favorable. |
| D．Critical. |
| A．Benefits of Navigation Apps |
| B．Disadvantages of Navigation Apps |
| C．My World Opens Up by New Technology |
| D．Have Navigation Apps Worsened Our Brain？ |
2 . After 7 long years since the cute cat named Chebon went missing, there was little hope that it could be found. Robert probably already came to peace with the thought that he would never see his little friend again until he received a life-changing call. Clearly, a kind stranger reached out to tell him that his beloved cat was safe and sound and couldn’t wait to see him again!
The cat went missing years ago, right before Robert was planning on moving from California to Ohio. The sad owner decided to give up his plans and stayed in California for the whole year looking for his missing friend, but in vain. “I remember at one point I was praying and I said, ‘God, I’ll do anything, just bring my Chebon back…’”, Robert said in a video posted on the Ventura County Animal Services. The cat seemed to have disappeared forever and Robert had no other choice than to move on.
Then 7 years later, a woman noticed a cat that looked ill, so she decided to catch the animal and take him to the vet (兽医). Luckily, the cat she found had a microchip (微型芯片), and in an instant, they knew who the owner of the 19-year-old cat was. That’s when Robert received a call saying that his cat was alive.
“I was afraid there was some kind of mistake,” Robert said in the reunion video. The man decided to ride on a plane and fly all the way from Los Angeles to see his old friend. After finally seeing the cat, Robert immediately recognized his cat and burst into tears. After all these years, the two friends were back together. The touching moment was recorded by the animal shelter and was quickly spread on the Internet, leaving so many people in tears.
1. What happened to Chebon 7 years ago?| A．It was ill. | B．It was hurt in an accident. |
| C．It was lost. | D．It was taken to the animal shelter. |
| A．without success. | B．for no reason. |
| C．in no time. | D．at no cost. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Worried. |
| C．Peaceful. | D．Hopeless. |
| A．A video moved many people. |
| B．A cat was saved by a woman. |
| C．A man reunited with his missing cat. |
| D．A man kept looking for his cat for 7 years. |
3 . Some students get so nervous before a test. They do poorly even if they know the material. Sian Beilock, a professor at the University of Chicago in Illinois, has studied these highly anxious test-takers. The students start worrying about the results. And when we worry, it actually uses up attention and memory resources（资源）.
Professor Beilock and another researcher, Gerardo Ramirez, have developed a possible solution. Just before an exam, highly anxious test-takers spend ten minutes writing about their worries about the test.
The researchers tested the idea on a group of twenty anxious college students. They gave them two short maths tests. After the first one, they asked the students to either sit quietly or write about their feelings about the upcoming second test.
Professor Beilock says those who sat quietly scored（得分） an average of 12% worse on the second test. But the students who had written about their fears improved（提高） their performance by an average of 5%. Next, the researchers used younger students in a biology class. They told them before final exams either to write about their feelings or to think about things unrelated（不相关的） to the test. Professor Beilock says highly anxious students who did the writing got an average grade of B+, compared to a B-for those who did not.
"What we showed is that for students who are highly test-anxious, and who'd done our writing intervention（干预）, all of a sudden there was no relationship between test anxiety and grades. They were performing just as well as their classmates who don't normally get nervous in these tests."
But what if students do not have a chance to write about their fears immediately before an exam? Professor Beilock says students can try it themselves at home or in the library and still improve their performance.
1. What do the students start worrying about before an exam?| A．Whether they can pass the exams. |
| B．What other students do during the test. |
| C．Whether they have remembered the materials. |
| D．What kind of problems they will meet on the test paper. |
| A．Making the students focused on the test. |
| B．Asking the students to sit quietly before the test. |
| C．Having the students write about their worries about the test. |
| D．Asking the students to direct the attention away from the test. |
| A．became less nervous before the test |
| B．were better at controlling their feelings |
| C．did worse than those who wrote about their feelings |
| D．did better than those who wrote about their feelings |
| A．writing about our worries before an exam can work a bit |
| B．we can only write about our worries right before an exam |
| C．the best place to write about our worries is in the test room |
| D．it doesn't matter where we write about our worries before an exam |
4 . For my first year at Oxford, I barely said anything in tutorials(辅导课).
We'd have 2-3 tutorials a week, each ranging from 1 to 3 hours. Some would feel informal with comfortable chairs and teas, sitting and chatting with a few friends. Others would feel more like we were being grilled for facts. In both types, I was pretty quiet. I was shy, introverted, and worried that everyone would think I was stupid. The fact is that everyone in Oxford, Harvard, Yale, etc. has felt insecure about their intelligence at some point. I didn't volunteer in discussions and, as a result, I didn't understand much. My understandings of different texts never matured or became complex. They stayed the same. And they were often wrong.
Then, somewhere in the middle of my second year, I got over myself, stopped being worried, and offered more of my own opinions. I responded to others, asked thoughtful questions, and interacted way more. I always asked if I didn't understand something. Most of the time, others also didn't understand the thing I was confused about and felt happy I asked.
I went from being a passive learner and having everything go over my head to being an active learner and having tons more information understood. In tutorials, I took notes. After tutorials, I reviewed those notes. I rewrote them. I explained new concepts to my friends in other subject areas. And I felt smarter. I went from struggling and failing to thriving and suddenly getting firsts on my essays.
Being an active student also means asking for help. So I recommend you to visit your tutor during office hours and ask for their help or ask your peers to help explain stuff to you. Or get a mentor(导师) if you can. I had a PhD student mentor me once a week over coffee in my final year. It was the best thing that happened to my studies.
1. Which word best describes the author's academic attitude as a freshman?| A．Cooperative. | B．Inactive. | C．Serious. | D．Positive. |
| A．He became smarter than others. | B．He attached no importance to notes. |
| C．He had everything go over his head later. | D．His changed attitudes led to academic improvement. |
| A．To visit tutors at any time. | B．To get a mentor in the first year. |
| C．To ask our peers for help if necessary. | D．To learn everything from smart people. |
| A．How did I Ask for Help? | B．How did I Get over Myself? |
| C．How did I Become an Active Learner? | D．How did I Become a Smart Student? |
5 . Compared to saving the rainforests, or helping pandas to produce young, linguistic ecology (语言生态) might not seem very exciting. One language is becoming extinct every fortnight — so what？“Why should we care？”is a common reaction. Here are a few reasons why you should.
Identity: Many speakers of minority languages are fiercely proud of their language. Language forms an important part of anyone's identity. Nerys Jenkins in Belfast says, “Telling me not to speak Welsh would be like telling me not to breathe: I just couldn't do it.” To let someone's language die out is to let part of their identity die too.
Culture: Language is connected with culture — if a nation loses a language, it may also lose its links with a tradition of jokes, music and literature. Elizabeth MacDonald from Arisaig says Scottish Gaelic is “... our language, the most important part of an ancient culture which has somehow survived despite many persecutions (迫害) over the centuries. It is a culture rich in story, song and poetry, beloved of those familiar with it.”
Knowledge: Languages harbor all kinds of human knowledge — including useful biological or medical information that we might not find out about otherwise. In the Micmac language, for example, trees are named after the sound they make in the wind. The names change as the sounds change, so, if an elderly Micmac speaker remembers that a certain kind of tree used to have one name, but is now called something else, this can show the effects of acid rain on that species. Lose Micmac and you will lose that understanding.
Of the 6,000 or so languages in the world, more than half are expected to die within the next century, and many more are disappearing. It's estimated (估计) that two languages die out every month. It's easy to think of dying and extinct languages as just facts and figures, but behind every one, there are real people. The online Ethnologue database, for example, says of one Syrian language：“The last speaker died in 1998. His daughter knows Mlahsö well, but is nearly deaf and has no one to speak it to.”
1. What do Nerys Jenkins's words suggest?| A．He takes pride in his language. |
| B．He doesn't know other languages. |
| C．He can't find his identity in Wales. |
| D．He'll die if not allowed to speak Welsh. |
| A．It builds a nation's spirit. |
| B．It forms a nation's tradition. |
| C．It keeps people in touch with the classics. |
| D．It connects people from different nations. |
| A．Languages develop very fast. |
| B．The air pollution is getting worse. |
| C．The number of Micmac speakers is dropping. |
| D．People of different ages speak different languages. |
| A．Mlahsö is no longer in existence. |
| B．The extinction of languages matters little. |
| C．Languages die with the disappearance of facts. |
| D．Languages are disappearing at a surprising speed. |
6 . People have different ways of dealing with a common cold. Some take over the counter medicines such as aspirin while others try popular home remedies(治疗) like herbal tea or chicken soup. Yet here is the tough truth about the common cold: nothing really cures it.
So why do people sometimes believe that their remedies work? According to James Taylor, professor at the University of Washington, colds usually go away on their own in about a week, improving a little each day after symptoms peak, so it's easy to believe it's medicine rather than time that deserves the credit, USA Today reported.
It still seems hard to believe that we can deal with more serious diseases yet are powerless against something so common as a cold. Recently, scientists came closer to figure out why. To understand it, you first need to know how antiviral drugs work. They attack the virus by attaching to and changing the surface structures of the virus. To do that, the drug must fit and lock into the virus like the right piece of a jigsaw(拼图), which means scientists have to identify the virus and build a 3D model to study its surface before they can design an antiviral drug that is effective enough.
The two cold viruses that scientists had long known about were rhinovirus(鼻病毒) A and B. But they didn't find out about the existence of a third virus, rhinovirus C, until 2006. All three of them contribute to the common cold, but drugs that work well against rhinovirus A and B have little effect when used against rhinovirus C.
''This explains most of the previous failures of drug trials against rhinoviruses,'' study leader Professor Ann C. Palmenberg at the University of Wiscons in Madison, US, told Science Daily.
Now, more than 10 years after the discovery of rhinovirus C, scientists have finally built a highly detailed 3D model of the virus, showing that the surface of the virus is, as expected, different from that of other cold viruses.
With the model in hand, hopefully a real cure for a common cold is on its way. Soon, we may no longer have to waste our money on medicines that don't really work.
1. What does the author think of popular remedies for a common cold?| A．They are quite effective. | B．They are slightly helpful. |
| C．They actually have no effect. | D．They still need to be improved. |
| A．By breaking up cold viruses directly. |
| B．By changing the surface structures of the cold viruses. |
| C．By preventing colds from developing into serious diseases. |
| D．By absorbing different kinds of cold viruses at the same time. |
| A．The surface of cold viruses looks quite similar. |
| B．Scientists have already found a cure for the common cold. |
| C．Scientists were not aware of the existence of rhinovirus C until recently. |
| D．Knowing the structure of cold viruses is the key to developing an effective cure. |
| A．Drugs against cold viruses | B．Helpful home remedies |
| C．No current cure for common cold | D．Research on cold viruses |
7 . ADULT GROUP TOURS
MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) invites groups to experience the world through music. Reserve group tours in advance to check in as a group upon arrival and expedite(加快）admissions(入场）. With easier check-in，groups have more time to explore the galleries. GUIDED TOUR
■ Length of Tour: One hour
■ Group Size: 7 guests per group; 3 groups maximum per tour (21 guests maximum at one time). Since space can be tight in those areas, the number of guests are limited at any time. “VIP” Tours are conducted in groups of seven people.
GENERAL ADMISSION
General: $20 per adult
■ $15 for teens (ages 13-19)
■ $10 for children (ages 4 - 12)
■ Free for children 3 and under TOUR FEES
A $25 fee is charged for each group that registers(登记）for this tour，plus general museum admission for each guest on the tour.
■ Group of 1-7 guests: $25 plus general admission for each guest
■ Groups of 8 to 14 guests: $50 plus general admission for each guest
■ Groups of 15 to 21 guests: $75 plus general museum admission for each guest
A $40 nonrefundable(不可退的）deposit (押金)will hold the reservation(预订）and is applied to the final payment.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Tours are available year-round, seven days a week.
Our team is delighted to adjust the time of the tour to accommodate your needs. We would be glad to help you make your tour reservation.
BOOK YOUR ADULT GROUP TOUR TODAY
To schedule a tour for your group, please fill out the Adult Group Tour Request Form at least two weeks before your desired tour date. MIM will then contact you and e-mail your reservation confirmation. If you have questions, contact MIM9s Group Sales Specialist at 480.478.6031 oradulttours@MIM.org.
1. Why is the number of visitors strictly controlled each time?| A．Because of MIM”s benefits. | B．Because visitors are rare. |
| C．Because of the visitors’ noises. | D．Because of the limited space. |
| A．$165. | B．$25. | C．$140. | D．$40. |
| A．Tours are not available during weekends. |
| B．All the children are free to enter the MIM. |
| C．You need to fill the form before the tour. |
| D．You only contact the MIM by telephone. |
8 . It’s important for children to take part in social activities during their summer holidays. “Kids should have a break during the summer. They’ve worked hard during the school year and this is their time to relax, but they should continue communicating with their friends and meeting new people,” said Dr. Jin Han. He’s a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Spending time with friends and meeting new people by doing fun and educational activities such as music, arts and sports programs in summer help with their development. “If children spend a lot of time alone on their electronic equipment, then they will fail to communicate with others,” Han said. “In today’s world, it’s very easy for kids to stay indoors all day and keep in touch with others, but that is not a good way to connect with others. Face-to-face communication is necessary and important. Parents should restrict the time their children spend on electronic equipment. For example, the time they spend on their phones cannot be more than one hour a day.”
It’s also important for children to spend quality time with their parents and sisters or brothers. “It’s not the length of time, but the quality of time that families spend together that is really valuable,” Han said. “This type of communication is not something that you can get from anywhere else. It doesn’t matter how old the child is, because family bonding (人与人之间的关系) experiences can happen at any time.”
Having children spend time with friends and families doesn’t have to spend money in the wallet, either. For example, going to the neighborhood swimming pool or having a picnic is a great way to spend quality time together.
1. What does Dr. Jin Han think about the summer holidays according to the first paragraph?| A．It is necessary for children to have a rest during summer holidays. |
| B．Children should relax as much as possible during summer holidays. |
| C．Making new friends in summer holidays is difficult for children. |
| D．Children should prepare for schoolwork in summer holidays. |
| A．Increase. | B．Control. | C．Spend. | D．Employ. |
| A．How long children spend with families matters. |
| B．What to do with families depends on the parents. |
| C．When to spend time with families makes a difference. |
| D．How to enjoy the time with families is of great importance. |
| A．The importance of friends and families. | B．The introduction of some social activities. |
| C．The suitable ways to spend summer holidays. | D．The necessity of face-to-face communication. |
9 . Airplanes are known for "making" people sick. Fortunately, I've got the inside scoop on some practices that will keep you healthy on the plane and a head start on staying healthy during your travels.
Start taking immunity support products BEFORE you begin your trip.
Immunity support products come in a variety of forms. They are designed to prepare your body for physical stress by loading you up on the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants（抗氧化） that support great immune system functioning .
If your body is weak at the beginning of the trip, any germ or bacteria is going to have easy access to your system. Get those defenses in place a few days before travel and give your body the best chance to stay healthy.
Antibacterial wipes are your best friend.
Take a minute to think about that airplane. How many people are touching literally every surface with hands that have blocked a sneeze, been coughed into, held the handrail of the moving sidewalk?
Take along plenty of individually wrapped antibacterial wipes and use them everywhere. Wipe down the armrests, the seat belt buckle, the tray table and the remote control for the in-flight entertainment.
Wear slip-on shoes.
Many articles instruct passengers to wear socks on the airplane for comfort. However, if you walk down the aisle in your socks, or even worse, use the restroom, the bottom of those socks are going to pick up all kinds of dirt. So wear shoes when you move around on the plane! Let your shoes provide a barrier to whatever might be lying on the floor.
1. Why do planes easily make people sick according to the writer?| A．People lack practice to keep fit. |
| B．There are many bacteria on the plane. |
| C．People have too much entertainment during the flight. |
| D．People's immune system fails to work on the plane. |
| A．By wearing socks. |
| B．By stopping feeling stressful. |
| C．By blocking coughing with hands. |
| D．By taking some supportive products. |
| A．Advice on safety | B．A worthwhile trip |
| C．Stay healthy on a flight | D．Be careful of your flight |
10 . A quarrel at home may result in you falling ill. Don't laugh, it's true. Family matters including living habits and even the way we speak have a big effect on our health, doctors say.
Wang Xiaoyu, a Senior 2 girl from Xichang, Sichuan Province, fainted (晕倒) in class when she heard her classmates quarrel at the top of their voices. Quarrels between her parents also put the girl into a coma. It is because she is suffering from depression , caused by bad relations at home, doctors explained."We don't get sick or stay well by ourselves," says Dr Robert Ferrer from the US. Ferrer shows that family forces may explain up to a quarter of health problems, in his recent research.
The genes you get from your family may cause illness. If one of your parents has a heart attack, your risk of being affected (影响) may double. But effects on health are not only written in our DNA.
Unrelated people who live under the same roof also get similar problems. Diet, lifestyle and environment affect our health, too.
Ferrer's research also found that if teenagers feel they are ignored (忽视) or unimportant at home they are more likely to get sick.
We may never fully understand all the effects that families have on our health. But just as individual problems can have effects on others, a small improvement can have big benefits , Ferrer said.
1. Which of the following can best explain why Wang Xiaoyu fainted in class?| A．Because her classmates often quarreled in class. |
| B．Because her parents used to quarrel. |
| C．Because of her depression caused by bad family relations. |
| D．Because her classmates shouted loudly at her. |
| A．We get sick or stay well by ourselves. |
| B．Only the genes we get from our family have a big effect on our health. |
| C．Our health has nothing to do with diet, life style and environment. |
| D．Teenagers who are ignored at home get sick more easily than those who are not. |
| A．embarrassment | B．faint | C．tiredness | D．sadness |
| A．Family relations. | B．The reasons why we get sick. |
| C．Happy family makes you healthy. | D．A research about teenagers' health. |
