1 . Most people feel that dreams are unique to humans, but many dog owners will likely disagree. They have noticed that their dogs at various times during the sleep may shake legs, snort (哼) and sometimes growl (低声吼叫) which gives the impression that they are dreaming. These things may wonder us about whether dogs dream.
Scientists confirm that dogs probably do dream. It turns out that dog brains and human brains have many similarities during sleep cycles. Researchers used special machines to measure electrical activity in a dog’s brain and a human’s brain. Scientists already knew that when humans dream, a certain part of the brain is active during sleep. Researchers discovered that the same part of the brain is active in sleeping dogs. Scientists have other data that back up these findings.
Many people dream that they are trying to move but cannot. Interestingly, part of that experience is not a dream. When people sleep, the brain produces a chemical that causes the dreamer to become temporarily paralyzed (使麻痹). Researchers think this happens so that people cannot physically act out dreams while they are sleeping. Dog brains make the same chemical. In one study during which this chemical was blocked, sleeping test dogs performed physical activities, such as standing up, sniffing around the room for imaginary rabbits, or chasing imaginary balls.
Because of these similarities, researchers believe that the content of a dog’s dream might come from the same source as a human’s dream. “People’s dreams are usually based on things they did that day,” says Dr. Samantha Hudspith. “So we have reasons to believe that dogs dream about the things they’ve done that day. Of course, there will never be a way to prove this. Dogs cannot describe their dreams the way that humans can.”
1. Which statement is TRUE?| A．Only humans dream. |
| B．The dogs’ shaking legs during the sleep means that they must be dreaming. |
| C．The contents of dogs’ dream is the same as those of humans. |
| D．Whether dogs dream of the things they’ve done that day can not be confirmed. |
| A．It woke up. | B．It stopped dreaming. |
| C．It acted out its dream. | D．It couldn't move its body. |
| A．The guide | B．The report | C．The magazine | D．The brochure |
| A．Similarities Between Humans and Dogs | B．Do Dogs Dream? |
| C．Signs of Dog Dreams | D．Why Do Dogs Dream? |
2 . Most of the 500 whales stranded (搁浅)off Tasmania have now died. Dozens more stricken whales have been found in Australia’s largest ever mass stranding.The estimated total now stands at around 500, with the majority of that number dead and a tenth rescued by authorities on the Island state of Tasmania. Experts believe all of the animals would have been part of one large group. Officials began working to rescue survivors among an estimated 270 whales found on Monday on a beach and two sandbars near the remote coastal town of Strahan. Then another 200 whales were spotted from a helicopter on Wednesday less than 10 kilometres (six miles) to the south.All 200 had been confirmed dead by late afternoon. They were among the 380 whales that have died overall, with estimates from earlier today suggesting that 30 that were alive but stranded and 50 had been rescued since Tuesday, Mr Deka, Wildlife Service manager explained. He added,“We’ll continue to work to free as many of the animals as we can.We’ll continue working as long as there are live animals.”
It is not known what caused the animals to run aground. While stranding events are not unheard of, they are very rare in such large numbers. About 30 whales in the original stranding were moved from the sandbars to open ocean on Tuesday, but several got stranded again. About a third of the first group had died by Monday evening.
Australia’s largest mass stranding had previously been 320 pilot whales near the Western Australian town of Dunsborough in 1996.This week’s incident is the first involving more than 500 whales in Tasmania since 2009.Marine Conservation Programme wildlife biologist Kris Carlyon said the latest mass stranding was the biggest in Australia in terms of numbers stranded and died.
Marine scientist Vanessa Pirotta said there were a number of potential reasons why whales might become beached, including navigational errors.She explained, “They do have a very strong social system; these animals are closely bonded and that’s why we have seen so many in this case unfortunately in this situation.Rescuing them does not always work, because they are wanting to return back to the group, they might hear the sounds that the others are making, or they’re just disoriented and, in this case, extremely stressed, and just probably so exhausted that they in some cases don’t know where they are.” she added.
1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?| A．270 whales were rescued on Monday. |
| B．380 whales were found dead on Tuesday. |
| C．500 whales were found stranded and dead. |
| D．200 whales spotted from a helicopter were dead. |
| A．Rescue work is not done in time. |
| B．The number of the death is large. |
| C．The cause of the event is still a mystery. |
| D．There was no other similar event in recent years. |
| A．Navigational errors. |
| B．Overhunting of the human beings. |
| C．Whales’ group living style. |
| D．Whales’ confusion and exhaustion. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．A magazine. | C．A textbook. | D．A travel brochure. |
3 . Julie boergers, Ph．D a sleep expert from the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center, recently led a study connecting later school start times to improved sleep and mood in teens．
"Sleep deprivation is common among teenagers, with potentially serious impacts on mental and physical health, safety and learning.Early high school start times contribute to this problem，"said Boergers."In this study, we looked at whether a delay in school start time would change students' sleep patterns, sleepiness, mood and caffeine(咖啡因)use."
Beorgers' team conducted the School Sleep Habits survey among boarding students attending an independent high school both before and after their school start time was experimentally delayed from 8 to 8:25 a.m.during the winter term.The delay in school start time led to a significant increase (29 minutes)in sleep duration on school nights, with the percentage of students receiving eight or more hours of sleep on a school night jumping from 18 to 44 percent The research found that younger students and those sleeping less at the start of the study were most likely to benefit from the timetable change.Daytime sleepiness, low mood and caffeine use were all significantly reduced after the delay in school start time.The later school start time had no effect on the number of hours students spent doing homework, playing sports or taking part in activities outside class. And once the earlier start time changed back during the spring term, teens reverted(恢复)back to their original levels.
Beorgers said that these findings are important for public policy."The result of this study add to a growing body of research showing important health benefits of later school start times for adolescents, " she said, " and we have students who are more alert(机敏的), happier, better prepared to learn, and aren't dependent on caffeine and energy drinks just to stay awake in class."
1. What does the underlined phrase "this problem" in Paragraph 2 refer to？| A．Lack of sleep. |
| B．Mental health. |
| C．Students' safety. |
| D．Taking energy drinks. |
| A．Students had less time playing sports. |
| B．Young students became sleepier. |
| C．More students slept longer. |
| D．Students got a bad mood. |
| A．It helps form good habits. |
| B．It relates to what students learn. |
| C．It increases students' learning interest. |
| D．It may have an effect on a public policy. |
| A．A science journal. |
| B．A history book. |
| C．A fashion magazine. |
| D．A school yearbook. |
4 . SWITZERLAND TRIP PLANNING
Best Time to Go
Like any other country, you can visit Switzerland at any time of the year and have a fantastic time. However, there’s always a ‘best’ time for what you want to do there so it is always worth checking the seasons. It all depends on what your planned activities are. If you are intending to ski and snowboard, best to go when the snow is at its peak time. Activity in Switzerland can be broken down into three tourist seasons: Low Season (Oct. —Mar.), Mid Season! Apr. —Jun. & Sep.) and High Season (Jul., Aug. & Dec. —Apr. / In this season, everything is open and busy, and watch your budget).
Rough Budget
Switzerland is an expensive country to travel around but it is possible to travel here for approximately $ 70—100 per day if you stay in hostels, cook most of your meals and use local transport only when necessary. You’ll find that food is quite expensive as well as accommodation. However, the entire experience is 100% worth it. Here’s a rough cost of basic commodities.
Accommodation
Budget: $ 30—60 dorms / $ 80—120 budget hotels
Mid-range: $ 150—200
Splurge: $ 250—350+
Food (Typical Meal For One)
Self-catering lunch; $ 10—25
Restaurant: $ 20 lunch / $ 40 dinner
Very nice restaurant: $ 60+
Transport
City Buses: $ 2. 50—5
Intercity Trains: $ 25—50
Exciting Things to Do in Switzerland
With so much to see and do in Switzerland, planning a trip can be tough. Here are the things that we highly recommend doing in Interlaken as it is the adventure capital of Switzerland!
Whether you like skydiving, paragliding, or going on a jet boat, Interlaken offers everything and more for all adventure-seekers and anyone who loves the outdoors. Skydiving in Switzerland is a BUCKET LIST come true for any adventure-seeker. It is absolutely incredible and is something we highly recommend. So check out our full article on things to do in Interlaken for some ideas and see all the adventurous activities available in the area this year!
1. Which can contribute to your budget of $ 70 — 100 per day when traveling in Switzerland?| A．Choosing hotels for accommodation. | B．Cooking meals as much as you can. |
| C．Adopting local means of transport. | D．Attempting to travel in peak seasons. |
| A．You can enjoy yourself to the fullest when going skiing any time in Switzerland. |
| B．Interlaken also offers water activities besides adventure activities like skydiving. |
| C．Both accommodation and hiking in the mountain are expensive in Switzerland. |
| D．Planning a trip in Interlaken can be tough because the activities are dangerous. |
| A．A geography book about Switzerland. | B．An English textbook. |
| C．A composition on Switzerland. | D．A travel brochure. |
5 . Growing Green Thumbs
Children's Community Garden
2200 Bowling Green Ave.,940/349-2883
www.cmga.com
LEARN:Join the weekend work at the community garden,where caregivers and master gardeners help kids aged 5 or older plant and water new vegetables,and harvest from the gardens. All harvested foods are either sold at the community's farmers' market or donated to the area food bank. The instructors also lead games about nutrition,beetles and butterflies and more. Work begins in May, 10 a. m. - 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
COST:Free
Coppell Community Garden
255 Parkway Blvd,Coppell
www.coppellcommunitygarden.org
LEARN: Kids(aged 6 but not turning 12 before Dec. 31 this year) with a parent can volunteer at either the Helping Hands Garden, 25 Parkway Blvd. or Ground Delivery Garden, 45 S. Denton Tap Road. Children will have the opportunity to till(耕）the ground, plant vegetables, ·harvest from the garden and more. Work begins every Saturday at about 9 a. m.
COST:Free
Callie's Kids by Calloway Nursery
Denton,940/591-8865; Flower Mound,972/691-2650
www.mytexasgarden.com..........
LEARN: Kids aged 5 to 10 years old can explore and plant in the Calloway gardens with a caregiver's supervision at 9:30 a. m. on the first or third Wednesdays from June to August. A garden expert will share tips and advice for the best gardening practices during the 45-minute session beginning on June 2. Preregistration online is required.
COST:Free
1. How is Children's Community Garden different from others?
| A．It is based in Denton. |
| B．Kids may take harvests home. |
| C．It is under supervision throughout the year. |
| D．It will cater to those who are fond of insects. |
| A．5-8. | B．5-10. | C．6-11. | D．6-12. |
| A．A food industry committed to charity.' |
| B．An institution offering learning programs. |
| C．A supermarket offering voluntary programs. |
| D．A website promoting kids' gardening facilities. |
6 . If Confucius(孔子)were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles. He'd need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out.
While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing thought. It's nothing personal. Most Americans don't even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes.
But this doesn't mean that Americans don't care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China.
In the past two decades, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually include Chinese art, history and
philosophy(哲学). Some social scientists suggest that Westerners should take advantage of the ancient Chinese wisdom to make up for the drawbacks(缺陷)of Western philosophy. Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers.
So the old thinker's ideas are still alive and well.
Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is.
1. The opening paragraph is mainly intended to______________.| A．provide some key facts about Confucius |
| B．attract the readers' interest in the subject |
| C．show great respect for the ancient thinker |
| D．prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations |
| A．have a great interest in studying Chinese |
| B．take an active part in Chinese competitions |
| C．try to get high scores in Chinese exams |
| D．fight for a chance to learn Chinese |
| A．Forgotten Wisdom in America |
| B．Huge Fans of the Chinese Language |
| C．Chinese Culture for Westerners |
| D．Old Thinker with a Big Future |
| A．a personal biography | B．a history paper |
| C．a cultural newspaper | D．a philosophy textbook |
7 . Have a wonderful summer in Italy! Teach English to children at our summer camps and get paid.
Job Description
Each summer, EDUCO sends hundreds of mother tongue English speakers to over 200 summer camps across Italy, from the Alps, to Sicily. Our camps offer a unique experience for Italian children as they do not stick firmly to traditional teaching methods; instead, they employ the use of drama, songs and games to help learn English gradually and easily. Camps run form 9 am to 5pm, from Monday to Friday, and the children are completely involved in this mode of learning from start to finish. Each camp runs for either one or two weeks, before sending tutors off to a new location.
Join us for a rewarding summer experience in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. We’re looking for enthusiastic, responsible and reliable tutors who love working with children and are prepared to teach English in fun and creative ways. Previous teaching experience and Italian language skills are NOT necessary for this role.
A five-day course in Bologna(an Italian city) will provide all tutors with the training they need for our camps. Working in small guided groups, you’ll be taught some skills to help you successfully run camps. EDUCO will also provide you with a number of necessary materials to take to camp. The course dates for summer 2021 are:
June 11th-16th
June 18th -23rd
August 13th -18th
What we offer
Paid financial aid.
A chance to spend the summer in Italy!
The chance to take on a challenging but extremely rewarding role that will prove to be invaluable in your future career.
You get to discover various beautiful places in Italy while touring in groups to perform shows.
We ask that
You should be a university student or graduate.
Previous teaching experience is NOT necessary.
Italian language skills are NOT necessary.
Your mother tongue is English.
You enjoy working with children.
1. What can we learn about the camps from the text?| A．The tutors in the camps are native English speakers. | B．The camps are for adults. |
| C．The teaching methods are different among the camps. | D．Each camp lasts for two weeks. |
| A．A person who is outgoing and likes children. |
| B．A person who is a native Italian speaker. |
| C．A person who has experience in teaching Italian. |
| D．A person who has just graduated from high school. |
| A．A popular magazine. | B．A job advertisement. |
| C．World news section of a newspaper. | D．Entertainment section of a newspaper. |
8 . I have well travelled in Spain and visited a good number of Spanish cities. However, no city will ever quite match Cadiz, where I spent six months studying as a student.
Before that, I knew very little about Cadiz but I decided to take a risk and explore it. Well, the risk certainly paid off.
Cadiz, Europe’s oldest city, hangs off Spain’s southern coast on a peninsula (半岛), surrounded almost entirely by water. As you leave the shady streets of the historical old city and explore more of it, you are met with vast areas of the blue Atlantic Ocean and white sandy beaches, which in my opinion are some of the best in Spain!
One of the great things about Cadiz is the wonderful, rich culture of food and drink. There are little tapas (小吃) bars lining every street and most will serve tapas for around 1.50~2 euros, meaning you can try a whole variety of Andalusian dishes.
Cadiz has also come to be known as “The Singing City”. It comes from the annual carnival (狂欢节), one of the biggest in Europe. A very large number of people go to Cadiz to see it. During those ten days, Cadiz’s narrow streets are filed with the sound of singing as musical groups fight for a place in the contest, which takes place on the last Saturday of carnival. The songs perfectly show the sense of humor of the Gaditanos, who, besides being so warm and welcoming, are said to have the best sense of humor in Spain!
That is my experience of Cadiz: a wonderful, typically Andalusian city which is often overlooked but well worth a visit. I can currently living in Huelva, just a short drive from Cadiz, so please pay attention to my next sharing!
1. What dose the word “that” underlined in paragraph 2 refer to?| A．Studying in Cadiz. | B．Competing in a match. |
| C．Teaching a student. | D．Becoming an explorer. |
| A．The unknown origin and long history of Cadiz. | B．The beautiful life of people living to Cadiz. |
| C．The geographic position and scenery of Cadiz. | D．The author’s complex attitude towards Cadiz. |
| A．A number of local people enjoy humorous songs. |
| B．Singing is everywhere during a big annual carnival. |
| C．Many grand carnivals attract well-known singers. |
| D．A lot of singing competitions take place each year. |
| A．A post on the Internet. | B．A geography textbook. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．A biography. |
9 . More than half of UK species have suffered declines in recent years and 15 percent are at risk of vanishing (消失), a report has warned. There is little evidence to suggest the rate of loss is slowing down.
Farming is key to what is happening,with more intensive agriculture affecting nearly half of the species studied and responsible for nearly a quarter of the total impact on wildlife. A loss of mixed farms, changes to sowing patterns,increased use of pesticides and fertilizers and a loss of habitat (栖息地）have taken their toll. The report said government farming policies had led to dramatic changes in farming practices,almost doubling wheat and milk yields since the 1970s, but often at the expense of nature by interrupting the food sources and habitats species rely on.
Climate change is also increasingly affecting UK nature although the impacts are mixed with some species spreading north or surviving better in warmer winters, but others are hit by the loss of coastal habitat, increased sea temperature and wilder weather. In the long term, global warming poses one of the greatest threats to nature around the world. Wildlife is also being hit by urban development, loss of town green areas, changes to the way land and forests are managed and over-abstraction (过度抽取)of water.
“The natural world needs our help as never before,” said naturalist and TV presenter David Attenborough. “We must work together, governments, conservationists, businesses and individuals to help it.”
The good news is that the creation of new wetland by conservation programs and the planting of new woodland, as well as wildlife-friendly farming programs, are providing habitats for struggling species. Reintroduction of species such as the pine marten (松貂)and large blue butterflies is also helping, but more needs to be done, the report said.
1. What does the underlined phrase “taken their toll” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．Cost much money. | B．Had bad effects. |
| C．Changed farming policies. | D．Interrupted the food sources. |
| A．The development of agriculture. |
| B．The over-use of water. |
| C．The change of climate. |
| D．The loss of habitats. |
| A．More large blue butterflies are needed in UK. |
| B．More should be done for the diversity of species. |
| C．The report sounds the alarm for the UK’s wildlife. |
| D．Enough measures have been taken to protect the natural world. |
| A．A poster. | B．A brochure. |
| C．A magazine. | D．A notice. |
10 . Frozen 2 sees the return of Elsa and Anna.This time,the Queen of Arendelle and her sister are in-tended to save the kingdom.The film,adding different topics and making breakthroughs,has won greater popularity.
One big change since the first movie is what the leading women are wearing.Elsa and Anna branch out(出场)by wearing tights,not just skirts.It's rare to see Disney princesses in anything other than tradi-tionally woman style clothes.Director Jenifer Lee said the move represented contemporary attitudes.
“Everyone sort of represents when the film was made and what the film's trying to show,”she said,“And that's right for these two women,who are carrying the weight of the kingdom.I love you can wear any-thing.”
President of Walt Disney Animation Studios Clark Spencer thought it important to design what Elsa and Anna wear carefully.“This time,they don't have to flee their kingdom in the wrong dress,”said Spencer.“They're going on a big adventure.It's going to be very physical.It makes the audience aware there is more than one way to be a princess.”
Pants are just the beginning.Another noticeable topic is the role of the environment,which helps them on their adventure when it feels respected and hurts them when threatened.What the filmmakers re-ally talked about is that the ecosystem is a big serious issue,according to Lee.“Climate change and nature out of balance might give Elsa the real purpose.Could that be why she has this power?That's something most of us talk about.But a core(核心的)theme of the movie is the idea of not trying to force the envi-ronment into your world,"she said.Every character is connected to this idea of respecting the strength and changes of the environment and taking care of the world around you.
1. Why does the director change Elsa's and Anna's wear?| A．To show the background of the movie. |
| B．To increase the film's popularity. |
| C．To express the idea of dressing freedom. |
| D．To reflect the trend of the times. |
| A．It's a wrong choice. | B．It makes sense. |
| C．I's a risky decision. | D．It attracts the audience. |
| A．Shape a character who helps the leading roles. |
| B．Indicate potential dangers of climate change. |
| C．Explain the source of Elsa's magical strength. |
| D．Show the importance to respect nature's power. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Life&Style. |
| C．Environment. | D．Fashion&Clothing. |
