1 . Sleep Struggle
One in every five young people has a sleep problem, so you're not alone. Getting enough sleep has become as important as eating vegetables and exercising regularly. It's very important for your body.
Most young people only get seven hours of sleep each night, when they actually need nine hours. And making up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping on weekends doesn't really work. In fact, sleeping late on weekends may actually do you more harm than good, if you have sleep problems.
What happens if you don't get enough sleep? If your sleep problem continues for a few nights, you could suffer serious problems. Lack of sleep can affect learning and memory. Worse，if your sleep difficulties last a long time，that could lead to anxiety（焦虑）. Therefore，you've got to have some healthy sleep habits. Below are some suggestions:
* Go to bed at the same time—including weekends, if possible.
* Wake up around the same time every morning. When you sleep late just one morning during the week, it may disturb your body clock. This will make it hard for you to sleep that night.
* Do something relaxing before going to bed.
* Exercise during the day. Don't exercise right before going to bed.
* Avoid drinking. Alcohol（酒精）makes you excited. This prevents you from falling asleep or wakes you up during the night.
* Don't smoke. Smoking is always bad for the body. Smoking before bedtime keeps you awake.
If trying these tips over a couple of weeks does not help you, consult your doctor. Do not take any medicine without first asking your doctor. Many of them have strong side effects.
1. The passage suggests that people with sleep problems should .| A．eat vegetables and exercise regularly |
| B．make up for lost sleep on weekends |
| C．follow a fixed timetable for sleep |
| D．sleep seven hours every day |
| A．Getting up earlier than usual in the morning. |
| B．Listening to soft music before going to bed. |
| C．Drinking alcohol before going to bed. |
| D．Doing exercise in the evening. |
| A．Just keep trying. |
| B．Turn to a doctor for help. |
| C．Try some medicines. |
| D．Wait for your sleeping problems to get better. |
| A．A diary. | B．A novel. |
| C．A travel guide. | D．A magazine. |
2 . Dogs have a kind of sensor at the end of their nose that helps them recognize small changes in temperature when other animals are nearby. The scientists say the discovery can help researchers better understand how some animals identify their prey (猎物).
The scientists reported that the wet skin surface at the end of a dog’s nose is full of nerve endings. “Dogs are able to sense the thermal radiation (热辐射) coming from warm bodies or weak thermal radiation and they can also direct their behavior according to this signal”, wrote the researchers. “We tested whether we can find an area in the brain that shows higher activity if they are exposed to a warmer object.” Brain imaging tests showed increased brain activity when dogs were shown objects that were warmer than their environment.
The study had two sets of experiments. In one, researchers used weak thermal radiation to train three dogs. In the other, 13 dogs were given brain imaging tests to see how the brain reacted if they recognized weak thermal radiation. Researchers were careful to note that all the animals were privately owned. The owners gave “informed permission for their dogs to be used in the study”.
Researchers noted, “It is possible that other animals own a similar sense and that adds a new chapter to the story of prey-predator (捕食者) relationships.” They wrote that in the gray wolf, the closest wild relative of dogs, “the ability to sense the radiation from warm bodies would be advantageous for such predators”.
1. What helps dogs sense other animals nearby?| A．The small change in temperature. |
| B．The higher activity in their brain. |
| C．The nerve endings at the end of their noses. |
| D．The close relations with gray wolves. |
| A．To find out if dogs have thermal radiation. |
| B．To find out how dogs get away from danger. |
| C．To find out the relations between dogs and wolves. |
| D．To measure the dogs’ reaction to other warmer objects. |
| A．In a travel magazine. | B．In a science report. |
| C．In an advertisement. | D．In a health report. |
3 . As I walked with my tour group along the city wall, we approached the open gate slowly Peering through the gate we saw in the distance one of the most iconic buildings of Italy: the Leaning Tower. Finally, we were in Pisa.
The first interesting piece of information our tour guide told us was that the Leaning Tower was simply a bell tower. For such a world-famous building to have such a common function was quite surprising. Yet the building does have one remarkable claim to fame: it is where Galileo performed his experiments about falling bodies.
Our next stop was the Cathedral. It looked almost Middle Eastern in its outward appearance. Inside it was unlike any other cathedral I’d ever seen. After we walked around and explored every corner of the building, our guide pointed out one of the most impressive parts of it — the ceiling. A series of carved wooden squares overlain with gold made the ceiling a spectacular accent to an already amazing structure.
After a quick bite in a cafe, we headed back towards the buses and returned to Florence where the choir students whom I was traveling with had an evening performance in a local church. The church was filled and the performance went off without a hitch, making for a nice end to an overall pleasant day in Italy.
1. What surprised the author about the Leaning Tower?| A．It was a famous building. | B．It was located in Pisa. |
| C．It was used as a bell tower. | D．It was where Galileo worked. |
| A．Its history. | B．Its ceiling. | C．Its function. | D．Its comer. |
| A．It was a big failure. | B．It went out of control. |
| C．It ended in success. | D．It started behind schedule. |
| A．A diary. | B．A brochure. | C．A report. | D．A novel. |
4 . Trust me, you don’t want to get caught under a tsunami! Tsunamis are one of the world’s most powerful natural forces. They can cause huge amounts of damage.
But do you know exactly what a tsunami is? They are huge, powerful waves in the ocean that grow as they reach the shore. Most tsunamis are actually caused by earthquakes. An earthquake happens when a big piece of the Earth’s crust( 地 壳 ) suddenly moves. When the piece of ocean floor moves, it creates big holes. The water floods in to fill these holes. When the water moves that quickly, it creates a huge wave. This is how tsunamis are born!
Other natural disasters like landslides, volcanic eruptions, and glaciers breaking off can also cause tsunamis. Once the water starts moving because of the force of the disaster, large waves begin to spread. These waves can move very fast. They have been recorded at speeds from 400 up to 500 miles per hour! They can also move across very long distances.
At first, the waves of the tsunami may not seem that tall. That’s because when the waves travel through the deep parts of the ocean, the top of each wave is very short. But as that wave comes near to the coast, it grows in height. Remember, the tsunami travels quickly. If you are sitting on a beach, you may not see the wave coming at first. But when the wave arrives, it will be like a towering wall of water. Some waves are as tall as 100 feet high. The biggest tsunami ever recorded happened in 1958 in Lituya Bay, Alaska. The wave was over 1,720 feet tall, and it wiped out trees, vegetation, and everything else in its way.
As frightening as tsunamis can be, you don’t need to worry too much about them. They don’t happen that often. Only about two tsunamis happen every year. And it is said that serious, really damaging tsunamis only happen about every fifteen years. So don’t worry.
1. Based on the information in the article, which natural disaster is not responsible for causing a tsunami?| A．tornado | B．volcanic eruption | C．earthquake | D．landslides |
| A．2 hours | B．3 hours | C．4 hours | D．5 hours |
| A．The waves of the tsunami always move slowly over a long distance. |
| B．People on a ship in the deep ocean will notice a tsunami at once as soon as it forms. |
| C．When people on the beach first notice a tsunami, the waves are not tall. |
| D．People will not notice a tsunami until it gets close to the coast. |
| A．in a newspaper | B．in a science magazine | C．in a textbook | D．in a story book |
5 . While tea may have originated in Asia, now there are many countries all around the world that have tea woven into their food culture and traditions. This is one of the very special parts of tea as it has a way of connecting people all over the world in different ways and ceremonies that finally all results in a group of people sitting together and enjoying a cup of tea.
Chinese tea culture
Since China is viewed as the birthplace of tea, it is no wonder that Chinese tea culture is rich with history and tradition. Today, Chinese tea continues to be used in Chinese medicine and is commonly consumed on both casual and formal occasions both for personal enjoyment and to represent Chinese cultural traditions.
Japanese tea culture
Japan also has a long history with tea, especially Japanese Matcha, which is a kind of ground green tea that is commonly used in Japanese tea ceremonies and only in recent years became popular in western culture.
British tea culture
When many people think about tea, British tea culture is what comes to mind. A hot cup of English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea serves with a little milk and a biscuit in the afternoon as a pick-me-up for the day. Even though tea may not be native to England, this British tea tradition is still going strong today.
Moroccan tea culture
When you visit Morocco, it is hard to miss the outstanding tea culture that is such a large part of Moroccan hospitality. Before any gathering, negotiation, or sale of a product, a pot of mint tea is always prepared and served among the host and guests. This is an expression of Moroccan tradition and hospitality, which should always be accepted by guests as a sign of appreciation and respect to the host.
1. Why can tea find its way into various food cultures?| A．It originates in Asia. | B．It forms different ceremonies. |
| C．It gets people connected easily. | D．It allows people to sit together. |
| A．They have a long history. | B．They are used in medicine. |
| C．They are famous for ground green tea. | D．They’ve long gained worldwide recognition. |
| A．To get new energy. | B．To bring out respect. |
| C．To show hospitality. | D．To observe a tradition. |
| A．China. | B．Japan. | C．Britain. | D．Morocco. |
| A．Healthy You. | B．Social Insight. | C．Cultural Corner. | D．Itchy Feet Travel. |
6 . Barton Seaver is a chef and conservationist who wants our help to save the oceans. He believes that our eating choices have a direct impact on the ocean’s health. In this interview, Seaver discusses how individuals can make a big difference by making informed choices.
Q: Should people stop eating seafood?
A: There are certain species that have been over fished and that people should definitely avoid. But I don’t think we need to stop eating seafood altogether. I believe that we can save the oceans while continuing to enjoy seafood. For example, some types of seafood, come from well-managed fisheries. And others, such as farmed mussels and oysters, actually help to restore declining wild populations and clean up polluted waters.
Q: What kind of seafood should people eat? What should they not eat?
A: My general advice is to eat fish and shellfish that are lower on the food chain and that can be harvested with little impact on the environment. Some examples include farmed clams and oysters anchovies, sardines, and herring. People should not eat the bigger fish of the sea, like tuna, shark, and swordfish. Otherwise, we will face severe shortages of these species and upset the balance of life in the oceans.
Q: Why did you choose to dedicate your life to the ocean?
A: I believe that the next great advance in human knowledge will come from learning how we relate to our natural world. I have dedicated myself to helping people understand our place on this planet through the foods that we eat.
Q: Why do you believe people should care about the health of the oceans?
A: The health of the oceans is directly linked to the health of people. The ocean provides most of the air that we breathe. It has a big effect on the weather. It also provides a necessary and vital diet for billions of people on the planet. So I am indeed trying to save the vital things that we rely on the ocean for.
1. Which statement might Barton Seaver agree with?| A．Fish farming is bad for the ocean. |
| B．Fish higher on the food chain should be eaten. |
| C．Overfishing has caused great damage to all species. |
| D．It's OK to eat seafood from well-managed fisheries. |
| A．We can understand our planet through the foods we eat. |
| B．We need to protect the ocean because of its supply of food. |
| C．Individuals’ right food choices can impact the ocean positively. |
| D．People should stop eating seafood to restore the ocean ecosystem. |
| A．Science and Technology. | B．Man and Nature. |
| C．Mystery of the Ocean. | D．Codes of Best Cuisines. |
| A．Devoted and farseeing. | B．Flexible and competitive. |
| C．Brave and risk-taking. | D．Ambitious and creative. |
7 . A camera has captured footage of two wild giant pandas in a national park in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The clips, taken in the Xuebaoding section of the Giant Panda National Park, include two pandas wandering in the daytime and moving alone at night. It is particularly rare to see two wild giant pandas walking together, the administration of the park said on Friday.
In the video, a giant panda walked up to a tree and sniffed it carefully. Then a second panda, looking like a quiet “little girl”, approached, looking at the ground, perhaps in search of food. Later, the first panda turned around, rubbing its bottom back and forth as if scratching or dancing, a typical marking behavior in animals. After that, it lay on the ground, waving its hands and feet around, as if to amuse its companion.
According to a staff member at the administration, the camera was set up on Dec. 23, 2019 in a location that was often visited by the furry animals.
Wildlife protection experts said the video was likely taken in April, the breeding(繁殖) season for wild giant pandas. The two adult pandas were very harmonious together, with no fighting, leading to the conclusion that they were probably a male and a female engaged in courting and playing.
In 2017, China announced a plan to build the Giant Panda National Park to help the endangered animals strengthen their relations, bringing together pandas on six mountains in three provinces, Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan.
1. The underlined word “clips” in Paragraph 2 probably means “__________”.| A．cameras | B．national parks |
| C．giant pandas | D．videos |
| A．To help itself lie on the ground. |
| B．To attract the female panda. |
| C．To ease the discomfort. |
| D．To search for food. |
| A．Pandas often like to fight in April. |
| B．Only adult pandas can live in harmony. |
| C．Giant pandas were better protected after 2017. |
| D．China started to help all the endangered animals in 2017. |
| A．In a fashion magazine. | B．In a travel brochure. |
| C．In a storybook. | D．In a newspaper. |
8 . Japanese businessman Katsuo Inoue chose Italy for his summer vacation this year. He enjoyed the views of Florence and Rome—without ever leaving Tokyo.
Inoue and his wife “flew” to Italy on First Airlines, a company known for entertainment, not transportation. The Tokyo-based company entered the growing virtual reality (虚拟现实) market, as people face travel restrictions (限制) because of COVID-19.
“I often go overseas on business, but I haven’t been to Italy,” Inoue told the Reuters News. “My impression was rather good because I got a sense of actually seeing things there.”
The “passengers” on First Airlines sit in the first or business-class areas of an “airplane”. They are even given a life vest and oxygen mask. Workers serve meals and drinks as large screens show passing clouds and other views outside the airplane. The “travelers” then receive virtual reality eyewear that provides true-to-life tours of places like Paris, New York, Hawaii and Rome and other Italian cities.
Japan has recorded over 50,000 infections (感染) and just over 1,000 deaths. A second wave of infections starting in July has stopped most travel in and out the country. The country’s biggest airline, ANA Holdings, said the numbers of passengers flying to foreign countries fell by 96 percent in June. And the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted last month that it would take until the year 2024 for international travel to recover.
But Hiroaki Abe, president of First Airlines says, “Our business has increased by 50 percent since the start of the travel restrictions. We get some customers who normally travel to Hawaii every year and they can experience some of that here.”
1. What do we know about Inoue’s trip to Italy?| A．It was a trip on business. | B．It was a virtual visit. |
| C．It was his first trip by plane. | D．It was against the travel restrictions. |
| A．Customers’ comments on the trip. |
| B．Safety rules to follow during the trip. |
| C．Business advantages of virtual vacations. |
| D．The company’s services to make the trip real. |
| A．It may disappear by 2024. |
| B．Its customers are hard to please. |
| C．Its market will surely become bigger. |
| D．It meets customers’ need in the special time. |
| A．A news report. | B．A blog post. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．A business advertisement. |
9 . I have always found the Chinese to be a very polite people. In particular, Chinese frequently compliment (称赞) foreign friends on their language skills, knowledge of Chinese culture, professional accomplishments, and personal health. Curiously, however, Chinese are as loath to accept a compliment as they are eager to give one. As many of my Chinese friends have explained, this is a sign of the Chinese virtue of modesty.
I have noticed a difference, though, in the degree to which modesty is emphasized in the United States and China. In the US, we tend to place more emphasis on “seeking the truth from fact”, thus, Americans tend to accept a compliment with gratitude.
Chinese, on the other hand, tend to reject the compliment, even when they know they deserve the credit or recognition which has been awarded them. I can imagine a Chinese basketball fan meeting Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls. He might say, “Mr. Jordan, I am so happy to meet you. I just want to tell you, you are the best basketball player in the world; you’re the greatest!” to which Jordan would probably respond, “Thank you very much. I really appreciate it! I just to try to do my best every time I step on the court.” If an American met Deng Yaping, China’s premier pingpong player, he might say much the same thing: “Ms. Deng, you’re the best!” but as a Chinese, Deng would probably say, “No, I really don’t play all that well. You’re too much kind.”
Plainly, Americans and Chinese have different ways of responding to praise. Ironically, many Americans might consider Ms. Deng’s response the less modest, because it is less truthful—and therefore less sincere. Americans generally place sincerity above manners; genuine gratitude for the praise serves as a substitute for protestations of modesty. After all, in the words of one of my closest Chinese friends, modesty taken to the extreme is pride.
1. What does the underlined word “loath” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Polite. | B．Uncertain. | C．Curious. | D．Unwilling. |
| A．To note they do as much as they can each time they play against others. |
| B．To remind readers they are the best players in basketball and table tennis. |
| C．To explain they deserve the credit or recognition for their great contributions. |
| D．To show they as Chinese and Americans are different in accepting praise. |
| A．They think sincerity matters the most. | B．They think her reply is against the fact. |
| C．They think she is too modest to believe. | D．They think manners is more important. |
| A．Education. | B．Sports. | C．Culture. | D．People. |
10 . If there were an app on your phone that could improve your memory, would you try it? Who wouldn't want a better memory? After all, our memory can be easily damaged by diseases, injuries, mental health conditions and, most particularly for all of us, aging.
Nowadays, there are a large number of apps that provide memory training on our phones. Can they help you remember to take medicine, do better on a school exam, remember the name of the person whom you met yesterday? Some scientists question whether this is possible. Undoubtedly, many of the brain training companies today exaggerate the potential benefits of using their apps.
Scientists have provided evidence that brain training does not benefit everyone in the same way. It is suggested that little consideration has been given to who would benefit most from those brain training apps. Will it only be those who have some form of memory impairment（缺陷），or can it also help those eager for self-improvement even though they are already functioning very well?
To overcome these limitations, our team has started a new study aiming to find 30,000 volunteers to help us determine which form of training may be best for individuals. Our goal is to avoid a one — size — fits — all approach. Instead of focusing on the simple question of whether brain training works, we are looking to engage the whole population in a new challenge to test for whom brain training works, and under which conditions.
1. What can affect our memory in particular?| A．Getting ill. | B．Getting old. | C．Being upset. | D．Being injured. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Neutral. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．To test whether brain training works. |
| B．To develop a training that suits all the people. |
| C．To compete with other memory training organizations. |
| D．To find the best form of training for different people. |
| A．A fashion magazine. | B．A tour guide. |
| C．A science website. | D．A personal blog. |
