1 . Buying toothpaste can raise all sorts of questions. Which brand? Do I want whitening? Are my teeth sensitive?
A question you may not ask yourself is why the toothpaste tube comes in a cardboard box. After all, the tube is what actually holds the toothpaste. It would be like putting shampoo or shaving cream into an additional package.
A Change. org petition is asking that same question while encouraging toothpaste manufacturers to abandon the cardboard box, thinking it is kind of waste.
Toothpaste boxes do look good on the shelf, and it’s almost certainly easier to package, ship and stock toothpaste that way. In the 1995 book “Waste Age and Recycling Times: Recycling Handbook,” the editor explains that toothpaste boxes provide information about the product, serve a marketing function, protect the tube and prevent theft. The book also says the boxes are “often made from recycled paperboard,” providing a market for wastepaper in addition to packaging for a tube.
We can recycle the tubes (and your toothbrushes, for that matter), but it’s not easy. Since products have to be cleaned before they can be recycled—this is why you can’t recycle a cheese-riddled pizza box—it’s unlikely you can just toss the tube in your city’s recycling bin with wastepaper and glass bottles. There’s still toothpaste stuck inside the tube, after all. Plus, toothpaste tubes are often more than one type of material fused together, and that requires special machinery to separate them.
So what can you do if you really want to clean your teeth and keep the environment clean, too? Well, you can make your own toothpaste—some websites offer recipes that are easy to learn at home—and cut out the tubes and the unnecessary packaging entirely. You could also try something like Bite, a toothpaste-pill delivery service focused on making toothpaste healthier and more sustainable. You bite down on a cube, then brush with a wet toothbrush. Foamy(泡沫) toothpaste goodness occurs. The pills come in a recyclable glass jar and all the mail packaging is recyclable as well.
1. Why do people feel normal when they see the toothpaste tube in a cardboard box?| A．The toothpaste brings benefits. |
| B．The toothpaste is similar to shampoo. |
| C．The tube is what actually holds the toothbrush. |
| D．The cardboard box usually holds the toothpaste tube. |
| A．They look out of place. |
| B．They aren’t recyclable. |
| C．They are difficult to pack up. |
| D．They are useful in providing information. |
| A．Make toothpaste yourself. |
| B．Throw your toothpaste. |
| C．Ask Bite for better advice. |
| D．Buy some pills in place of toothpaste. |
| A．A personal diary. | B．A public guidebook. |
| C．An online report. | D．A fashion magazine. |
2 . The potential of a simple gesture to capture the public’s imagination in a time of crisis was illustrated when 99-year-old British army veteran Captain Tom Moore decided to raise some money for workers and patients’ health.
Inspired by the excellent treatment he had received in hospital for skin cancer, he promised to complete 100 laps of his garden, using his walking frame for support, before his 100th birthday later that month. His aim was to raise a modest £1, 000. But news of Captain Tom’s efforts soon reached the ears of a nation through newspapers and TV features. He even teamed up with the singer Michael Ball to record a charity version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. Several weeks later, Captain Tom completed his 100 laps ahead of schedule, having raised more than £17 million. “I never dreamt I would be involved in an occasion like this,” he announced. But the Captain Tom’s passion showed no sign of dying down. By the time he reached his 100th birthday on 30th April, he had raised nearly £33 million. He was honoured with a fly-past by Britain’s air force, and the public sent more than 1, 50, 000 birthday cards. His response? “To all those people who are finding it difficult at the moment… the sun will shine on you again, and the clouds will go away.” he said.
In honour of his achievement, Captain Tom was promoted to the rank of Honorary Colonel, and awarded a knighthood(骑士) on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The money he raised was used to provide comfort and care for National Health Service workers. “I’ve never been someone who does nothing,” he laughs, adding that he enjoyed the challenge. He believes the secret for his success—and his long life—is simple: “It’s all about having the right mindset. You’ve got to be optimistic and to think that things will get better.”
1. What can we learn about Tom Moore’s intention?| A．He originally only had a small goal. |
| B．He never planned to cooperate with others. |
| C．He was inspired by a miserable experience . |
| D．He intended to take advantage of his birthday party. |
| A．It was used to help senior citizens. |
| B．It was decided by National Health Service. |
| C．It was rewarded to those making contributions. |
| D．It was used to help National Health Service workers. |
| A．Demanding. | B．Ambitious. |
| C．Considerate. | D．Humorous. |
| A．Giving is rewarding. |
| B．Though old, yet devoted. |
| C．Brighten others at any time. |
| D．More kindness Jess coldness. |
3 . When 66-year-old Londoner Sylvia Haller was laid off in February, it wasn't her income that took a hit. It was her self-respect. “I had this feeling like ‘I'm too old’,” she says. “Nobody wants to employ me anymore.” When a friend told her about TaskRabbit, an app that allows workers to sell all kinds of services—like fixing furniture or waiting in line for special breakfast. She set up an account on her phone, and lined up customers for many different jobs.
The gig economy(零工经济)has exploded in recent years. In a report, researchers estimate 77 million people within Europe, India, and the US formally identify themselves as freelancers(自由职业者).
For most of those workers, freelancing is a choice: only a small minority said they were unable to find full-time jobs. They got into the gig economy in the hope of getting more control over their careers and diversifying the sources of their income.
Almost one-third of Americans who work in the gig economy are baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964. Among those 55 and older, 32% said they were driven, at least in part, by a desire to be around interesting people. “Not knowing what kind of customer you're going to meet is quite exciting,” says Haller, recalling fixing a bed for a student. “I spend less time working and have more time to be home.”
For boomers who work in physically demanding fields, digital gig work can be a relief. Jerry Nelson, a photojournalist, says he's “too old to charge into forests...” Instead, he writes blog posts for others he finds through an online platform.
For some others, gig work is a way to finally pursue their passions. American Dan Hays, 68, who spent most of his career in the oil and gas industries, in 2015 booked his first voi-ceover(旁白)acting job. “I want to try something different and that suits my fancy,” said Hays.
1. What hit Sylvia Haller hardest with being unemployed?| A．Her income. | B．Her pride. |
| C．Her family. | D．Her knowledge. |
| A．It's an app. | B．It aims at elder people. |
| C．It's a new way of working. | D．It's a new form of consumption. |
| A．To meet fun people. | B．To reach out for something new. |
| C．To gain more recognition. | D．To balance work and family. |
| A．The baby boomers in the US |
| B．The daily work of the elderly |
| C．People change retirement with a new form |
| D．Work helps people connect with their communities |
4 . Both African elephants and Asian elephants face serious threats to their long-term survival, although the risks vary widely from place to place. Several million African elephants roamed across the continent as recently as the early 20th century, but today only about 350, 000 remain. Asian elephants were less abundant to begin with, reportedly numbering about 200,000 a century ago. There are now fewer Asian elephants left in the wild, maybe close to extinction unless something can be done to save them.
The main threat to elephants is a familiar one for wildlife around the world: loss and destruction of their habitats. Many elephants also face additional dangers, though, including both direct and indirect conflict with people.
On top of occupying and altering elephant habitats, people also commonly plant food crops there. As more farms appear in forests and plains where elephants are accustomed to roaming, their crops often become easy targets for hungry elephants. A herd can destroy a year’s harvest in one night, leading to understandable hostility among farmers, many of whom are living a poor life and have little income to make up the loss. This sometimes leads to certain killings of elephants, interactions that are dangerous for everyone involved. These clashes lead to hundreds of deaths across Asia and Africa every year, both elephant and human.
Many people around the world are committed to preserving these ancient creatures. Elephants are important keystone species shaping and maintaining the ecosystems around them. Since the main threat to elephants is habitat loss, it makes sense to focus our conservation efforts on preserving what’s left of their natural environment. The fate of elephants is also more broadly linked to the human communities around them, since people with enough legal opportunities to support their families might be less likely to depend on hunting for income. And where farmers clash with elephants on the edges of their remaining habitat, conservationists are trying a variety of creative techniques to help both creatures coexist. For example, many small farmers can’t afford fences strong enough to keep out elephants, but some now surround their crops with beehive fences, which take advantage of elephants’ natural fear of bees. As a bonus, the bees also provide fresh local honey.
1. What can we learn about the situation of elephants?| A．Asian elephants have died out. | B．They are going through a tough period. |
| C．African elephants are threatened by climate. | D．They were abundant in the early 20th century. |
| A．Communication. | B．Connection. | C．Unfriendliness. | D．Appreciation. |
| A．The threats to humans. | B．The living habits of elephants. |
| C．The challenges elephants face in nature. | D．The conflict between humans and elephants. |
| A．Humans stop attacking elephants. |
| B．Elephants are forbidden to disturb humans. |
| C．Humans and elephants can make use of each other. |
| D．Humans and elephants can live in harmony with each other. |
5 . Standing outside the enclosure (围场) at Polar Park, somewhere behind the wire are five Norwegian grey wolves. These are just big dogs, I keep thinking to myself. And they've probably had breakfast already.
Stig Sletten, Polar Park's animal manager, says, "Once you're in with the wolves, lie down and don't stare them in the eve. Let them approach you. Don't stick your hands out. And absolutely don't stick your tongue out." That we're about to enter a cage full of "socialized" wolves is all down to Stig and his devoted team. It was Stig who founded Polar Park—way back in 1994. And it was Stig and his team who raised the park's wolves from birth.
"These wolves have all been brought up to be comfortable among humans," he explains. “Allowing them to meet visitors is actually a good way to reduce boredom and stress." Confident that we understand the strict rules of engagement, Stig opens the enclosure and we all follow him. Within seconds the pack is running toward us, eyes forward, long noses down. For an exposed human, the first approach of five grey wolves, socialised or not, is a slight unrest, heart-quickening experience.
But any sense of trepidation (惶恐) is quickly replaced by delight. The five wolves turn out to be fun and curious, as eager to check us out as we are them, Soon humans and wolves are bonding well, and I can't believe I'm touching the stomach of a fully grown female wolf.
"There are a lot of negative impressions about wolves. both in Norway and across the world," says Stig, as we sit around the table. "One of our main aims here is to educate both locals and visitors about Arctic animals and the value of preserving Norway's natural heritage. Once they've got touch with the wolves of Polar Park, many of our visitors will leave with a different view.”
That night one wolf of the pack from our morning encounter approaches our base camp and stares into the tent, but none of us are afraid.
1. How does the author feel before approaching wolves?| A．Desperate. | B．Nervous. |
| C．Peaceful | D．Puzzled. |
| A．Lie down without panic | B．Reach out hands quickly. |
| C．Look wolves in their eyes. | D．Stick out tongues occasionally. |
| A．Grey wolves are endangered |
| B．Wolves bring people more hurt |
| C．Stig's aim has changed completely. |
| D．Stig has changed people's opinion on wolves. |
| A．Stig: A wolf enthusiast |
| B．Norway: A wolf at the door |
| C．Norway: A wolf's final destination |
| D．Wolves: A kind of endangered species |
6 . What is the most recognizable object in the world? Could it be a football or a big computer? No, the answer is a Coca-Cola bottle. Hundreds of millions of people can recognize a Coke bottle by its shape. Unlike any other famous commercial logo, the famous Coca-Cola logo has not changed in 100 years!
In 1886, John Pemberton, a druggist in Atlanta, Georgia, invented a new type of syrup (糖浆), using coca leaves, sugar and cola nuts, plus a few other secret ingredients. Pemberton sold it as a medicine; and with coca (the source of cocaine), it must have made people feel good! Nevertheless, Pemberton's medicine was not very successful, so he sold his secret formula (配方) to another druggist, Asa Candler, Candler was interested, because he had another idea; he thought that Pemberton's "medicine" would be much better if it was mixed with soda. Candler was thus the man who really invented the drink Coca-Cola. At first he sold it in his drugstore; then he began selling the syrup to other drugstores, where it was used with their soda fountains. Candler also advertised his new drink, and soon people were going to drugstores just to get a drink of Coca-Cola. Before long. other people became interested in the product, including a couple of businessmen who wanted to sell it in bottles. Candler sold them a license to bottle the drink, and very quickly the men became millionaires. Then in 1916 the famous bottle, with its very distinctive shape, was designed.
During the First World War (1914-1918), American soldiers in Europe began asking for Coca-Cola, so the Coca-Cola company began to export it to Europe. It was so popular with soldiers that they then had to start bottling the drink in Europe. Today. Coca-Cola is made all over the world, including Russia and China; it is the world's most popular drink.
As for the famous formula, it is probably the world's most valuable secret! The exact ingredients for making Coca-Cola are only known to a handful of people. And as for the coca that was in the original drink, it was removed in 1903, for it was a dangerous drug. Today's Coca-Cola contains caffeine, not cocaine!
1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?| A．The key ingredient of Coca-Cola. |
| B．The distinctive shape of Coca-Cola bottle. |
| C．The ever-changing logo of Coca-Cola. |
| D．The development of Coca-Cola. |
| A．John Pemberton. | B．Asa Candler. |
| C．An American soldier. | D．A couple of businessmen. |
| A．The formula of Coca-Cola is still a well-kept secret. |
| B．The ingredients for making Coca-Cola is of great value. |
| C．Coca wasn't removed from the drink until the First World War. |
| D．Caffeine has the same effect on patients as cocaine. |
| A．A biology textbook. | B．A life magazine. |
| C．A research paper. | D．A travel brochure. |
7 . How do we model gratitude when we might be struggling with our own frustrations? For adults, Fehr suggests a "gratitude boot camp." This seven-day program can help adults figure out what works best for them.
Day 1: The Three Blessings: Write down three good things that happened to you that day for which you can give another person credit.
Day 2: To Whom for What: Think of three people for whom you are grateful in your life and write about the reasons.
…
Day 5: Absence of Blessing: Think about an aspect of your life for which you are grateful and spend a few minutes writing about what your life would be like without it.
Day 6: Pay It Forward: Show appreciation for another person through quality time spent together or an act of service.
Day 7: Day of Reflection: Spend a few minutes writing about your experiences over the past few days.
Fehr suggests thinking of gratitude as an everyday practice, for both the little and the big things in life, by which we express gratitude in our commonplace interactions with others. Documenting your blessings by using a journal is a good start for developing a gratitude practice, but don't keep it to yourself. "I would encourage people to take the next step in expressing it. It's really when we bring our gratitude into the world with our words and with our actions that its power can be felt. It can impact our relationships and other people's lives — that's where it really matters. "
Gratitude doesn't just encourage us to thank those who have helped us directly; it encourages helping others, in general. "Experiencing gratitude has a spillover effect, making you want to pay it forward," says Fehr.
If we all did that, what a wonderful world it would be.
1. What can we learn about the program?| A．It is designed for teenagers. |
| B．It aims to train adults to be grateful. |
| C．It will last more than seven days. |
| D．It costs less than other camps. |
| A．Think of one person to whom you should thank. |
| B．Imagine losing blessing of something in your life. |
| C．Reflecting your experience in the camp. |
| D．Make three wishes for those you love. |
| A．Write down your blessings in the diary. |
| B．Never give your blessings away. |
| C．Express your blessing freely. |
| D．Pay it forward for love or money. |
8 . There is evidence that just counting money can produce valuable psychological benefits. According to a new study published in the journal Psychological Science, thumbing through your cash can reduce emotional and physical pain as well as increase feelings of internal strength, fearlessness and confidence. The study also finds that when people are reminded of their recent spending, they report higher levels of both psychological and physical distress.
Focusing on the symbolic power of money, researchers started with a simple hypothesis (假设): reminders of money can alter how people experience social interactions — especially so-cial acceptance and rejection.
To test the idea, the researchers took the following approach: 84 students at a Chinese university were divided into two groups. One group counted 80 large-denomination bills: the other group parceled out 80 pieces of plain paper. All participants then played an online video game in which, using game controls, they could throw a ball and play catch with other Internet players. But the game was rigged so that after 10 throws, half the students would no longer get the ball thrown to them, while the rest of the students continued to play catch. When the game ended, participants who had been excluded from the second round of catch rated their level of social distress and how strong they felt. Those who had counted money before being socially excluded reported lower levels of social distress than those who had counted only paper. Additionally, the participants who had counted money also reported greater feelings of inner strength and self-sufficiency.
To see if counting money also reduces physical pain, the researchers repeated the earlier social-exclusion (社会排斥) test, but this time they replaced the ball game with a pain-sensitivity task, in which half the participants were put in a moderate-pain condition(their hands were put in warm water), while the other half were subjected to a high-pain condition (hands were put in very hot water). Again, those who had counted money reported lower levels of pain.
1. According to the text, which of the following behaviors can bring psychological benefits?| A．Throwing coins. | B．Making money. |
| C．Counting money. | D．Checking the bank account. |
| A．Those who counted 80 large-denomination bills. |
| B．Those who counted 80 pieces of plain paper. |
| C．Those whose hands were put in warm water. |
| D．Those whose hands were put in very hot water. |
| A．Playing ball games. | B．Counting plain paper. |
| C．Putting hands in water. | D．Thinking of recent spending. |
| A．A travel guide. | B．A story book. |
| C．A science journal. | D．A fashion magazine. |
9 . When you catch the flu and your body temperature rises to fight the virus, that's a form of acute inflammation. So is the redness and swelling that occur when you hurt your ankle. The process is a temporary, helpful response to an injury or illness. It provides the healing chemicals and nutrients your body needs to repair the damage. Once the danger goes away, so does the inflammation.
Chronic low-grade inflammation, on the other hand, is a slow, gradual condition sustained by a misfiring of the immune system that keeps your body in a constant, long-term state of alert, says Dr Robert H. Shmerling, teaching clinician in the department of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, USA.
Over time, inflammation damages healthy cells. Here's why: When cells are in distress, they release chemicals that alert the immune system. White blood cells then flood the scene, where they work to eat up bacteria, viruses, damaged cells and pieces from an infection or injury. If the damage is too great, they call in backup cells known as neutrophils, which are the hand grenades of the immune system—they blow up everything in sight, healthy or not. Each neutrophil has a short life, but in chronic inflammation, they continue to be sent in long after the real threat is gone, causing damage to the healthy tissue that remains. The inflammation can start attacking the linings of your arteries or intestines, the cells in your liver and brain or the tissues of your muscles and joints.
This inflammation-caused cellular damage can trigger diseases like diabetes, cancer, dementia, heart disease, arthritis and depression. And because it's low grade, “it’s slow and secret nature makes it hard to diagnose in day-to-day life,” says Roma Pahwa, a researcher for the National Institutes of Health who specializes in the inflammatory response. “You have no idea it is even happening until those conditions show symptoms.”
1. Which can best describe acute inflammation as a response?| A．Lasting. | B．Beneficial. | C．Harmful. | D．Dangerous. |
| A．They function as backup cells. | B．They only damage something bad. |
| C．They will disappear with a real threat. | D．They should cause slight damage. |
| A．We can't be too careful about cellular damage. |
| B．Doctors can identify cellular damage with ease. |
| C．Cellular damage is fast and obvious in nature. |
| D．There exists no effective cure for cellular damage. |
| A．To introduce some ways to keep healthy. | B．To get inflammation known to people. |
| C．To warn people of dangers of cellular damage. | D．To recommend a cure for diabetes. |
10 . Welcome to one-day private Beijing tour
Your private guide will pick you up in your hotel lobby at 8 am. If you'd like to start from the airport or the train station, we're happy to arrange a pick-up there.
Your journey will start at Tian'anmen Square. And your guide will provide you with an introduction to the history and architecture. Enjoy your time, taking photos there.
Later, enjoy the Forbidden City, which was home to 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Here there’ll be plenty of time to take photos, about 2 hours. After that, begin your tour of the Great Wall. You’ll travel for 1.5 hours from downtown to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Have a rest and enjoy delicious Beijing dishes for lunch at our well-selected local restaurant, Xinshuangquan. Your guide will order the dishes according to your preferences.
Around 1 pm, we will hike on the Mutianyu Great Wall. Your personal guide will walk with you on the Great Wall to give you some information. You’ll have free time to walk around after that. After the hike, we’ll drive back to downtown Beijing and transfer you to your hotel at 6 pm!
Trip Notes:
1. This tour is recommended for business tourists who can only stay in Beijing for one day. If your stop is only for 10-11 hours, we suggest skipping the Forbidden City and just having a day trip to the Great Wall.
2. The price you’re given is only for reference. The price may vary according to the location of your hotel. There’ll also be extra costs if your tour starts from or ends at the air- port or the train station.
1. What's the route of the one-day private Beijing tour in the text?| A．Mutianyu—Tian’anmen Square—The Forbidden City—Xinshuangquan. |
| B．Tian’anmen Square—The Forbidden City—Xinshuangquan—Mutianyu. |
| C．Xinshuangquan—Tian’anmen Square—The Forbidden City Mutianyu. |
| D．The Forbidden City—Tian’anmen Square—Mutianyu—Xinshuangquan. |
| A．Xinshuangquan. | B．The Forbidden City. |
| C．Tian’anmen Square. | D．The Great Wall at Mutianyu. |
| A．People who are tight on time. |
| B．People who enjoy modern construction. |
| C．Foreigners who love anecdotes about Chinese dishes. |
| D．People who study ancient Chinese dialects. |
