1 . A new research led by University of Pittsburgh psychologists shows that older adults may be able to prevent declines (衰退) in a certain kind of memory by sticking to regular exercise.

From the study, exercising about three times a week for at least four months is how much people need to obtain the benefits in episodic memory. Episodic memory, which is supported by a part of the brain that’s known to benefit from exercise, is the kind that deals with events that happened to you in the past. It’s also one of the first to decline with age.

Exercise that gets the heart pumping has shown promise in increasing brain health, and experiments in mice show that it improves memory — but studies looking at the same link in humans have come out mixed.

During the research, the team read 1,279 studies carefully, eventually narrowing them down to just 36 that met specific criteria (标准). Then they used specialized software and no small number of Excel spreadsheets to transform the data into a form where the different studies could be directly compared. That work paid off when they found that pooling together those 36 studies was enough to show that for older adults, exercise can indeed benefit their memory.

Past analyses looking at connections between exercise and memory didn’t find one, but the team took several extra steps to give them the best chance of finding a link if one did exist. They limited their search to particular groups and age ranges as well as a specific kind of strict experimental setup. Another key was focusing specifically on episodic memory.

With that much larger pool of participants, the team was able to show a link between exercise and episodic memory. The team also found the greatest effects of exercise in those who hadn’t yet experienced any cognitive (认知的) decline.

1. What can we learn about “episodic memory”?

A．It benefits from regular exercise.

B．It has nothing to do with age.

C．It deals with things happening now.

D．It is connected with the whole brain.

2. How did the team get their study result?

A．By carrying out 1,279 studies.

B．By making specific criteria.

C．By doing experiments in mice.

D．By comparing different studies.

3. What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?

A．The team got the findings by chance.

B．The participants were chosen from all ages.

C．The study focused on all kinds of memories.

D．People without cognitive decline benefit most from exercise.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Benefits from Regular Exercise

B．Advice on How to Exercise for the Old

C．Studies Find Ways to Improve Memories

D．Exercise Helps the Older Keep Memories

2 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

China Oriental Performing Arts Group has launched its street dance group, managed by a national-level performing arts company. Dating back to the 1950s, it is known for its grand dance performance,     1     (combine) singing and dancing shows of various styles. The company performs at home and abroad,     2     (significant) impacting cultural exchanges.

The newly established dance group,     3     was officially announced at the headquarters of China Oriental Performing Arts Group in Beijing on April 29, will bring audiences street dance shows, as well as train street dancers. Street dance is the general term for different dance     4     (style), including breaking (霹雳舞), hip-hop, locking, popping and house.     5     with its own history and different look, each style is independent. Over the past decades, young people     6     (attract) by street dance on various levels, as an art form, a competitive activity or for physical exercise.

In 2020, breaking became an official Olympic sport. In an effort to attract younger audiences, the International Olympic Committee has added the form of street dance     7     the medal events program for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. “The whole scene of street dance is starting a new chapter in China nowadays. We are excited to witness this moment, with the birth of this new street dance group, the first national-level street dance group in China,” says Li Jialong, president of the group, adding that it took over a year     8     (prepare) the new street dance group.

3 . London, being one of the most important cities of the modern world, is also a most visited tourist destination. With enormous political, economic, and cultural influence, the city has been the centre of the western world for hundreds of years. It’s difficult to imagine that less than 2,000 years ago, this energetic city was nothing more than a remote settlement for the western superpower of that time: the mighty Roman Empire.

In 55 BC, the Romans founded a small port settlement on the banks of the River Thames called Londinium. Within 150 years, Londinium’s population had risen to 45,000 and it had become a major trading post. While modern London is surely far bigger, ancient Londinium is still there in the heart of the city, where it’s more commonly known as the City of London. This area is the important financial centre of Britain.     1     He built himself a royal castle to protect his power.

    2     To answer this question, we really need to consider what was happening across Europe. At the height of its power, the Roman Empire held ups and downs over most of Europe, as well as huge areas of Africa. While this had brought the Romans considerable wealth and power, it had brought them to a breaking point in terms of their ability to control their territories (领土) and maintain political power. Eventually, the empire began to fade. Rome stopped sending soldiers to help Londonium. By 407 AD, the Romans had abandoned the city altogether, and for the next 650 years, the Anglo-Saxons ruled the area.     3     As a coastal settlement, Londoners were constantly under threat of Viking attacks. More peaceful times came when Alfred the Great finally defeated the Vikings, and when his son, King Edward the Confessor, moved his Royal Court to Westminster Abbey in around 1040, London became the official royal city of England.

This continued to be the case when the Normans conquered Britain in 1066, and their leader, William the Conqueror, was crowned the first Norman King of England in Westminster Abbey.     4     Today it is known as the Tower of London.

A．So how did London get its start?

B．These were difficult, bloody centuries.

C．He built himself a royal castle to protect his power.

D．He moved his royal court out of Westminster Abbey.

E．But if Londinium was booming, why did the Romans leave?

F．While it is part of modern London, it is also technically a distinct county.

4 . How does your family celebrate Mother’s Day? Do you give her flowers or make her a card? The original mother’s days were observed rather differently.

Julia Ward Howe was the first person to propose that the United States observe a national mother’s day. She joined the U.S. Sanitary Commission during the American Civil War. Following the war, Howe became a supporter for peace. In 1872, Howe organized Mother’s Peace Day to improve working conditions in mines and provide better education for poor children.

But Mothers’ Peace Day never became a national holiday. Mother’s Day owes its origin to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, a daughter who wanted to honor her mother, Ann.

In 1858, Ann began a tradition of Mothers’ Work Days in Taylor County, the rural community where infection and disease were common. Ann begged doctors to teach her and her neighbors how to improve the family health. On Mothers’ Work Days, they helped and taught other mothers.

Ann once concluded: “I hope that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day.” When Ann died on May 9, 1905, Anna determined to fulfill her mother’s wish.

Anna wrote hundreds of letters to politicians and spoke often to promote the establishment of Mother’s Day. On May 10, 1908, Anna addressed a large Mother’s Day celebration. She urged children to show love and thanks for their mothers “by words, gifts, acts of affection...”

The idea of a day honoring mothers spread quickly throughout the country and became official in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

While few today think of Mother’s Day as a day to do charity work in the community, you can still follow Anna to celebrate it.

1. Why were the original mother’s days observed?

A．To satisfy mothers’ wishes.	B．To assist the people in need.
C．To urge children to love their mothers.	D．To save the wounded soldiers in the war.

2. What can we know about the first official Mother’s Day?

A．It was founded by Julia Ward Howe.

B．It was celebrated in memory of Anna’ mother.

C．Anna’s speech contributed to its establishment.

D．Anna’s efforts received no response from the public.

3. In which way does the author advise us to celebrate Mother’s Day?

A．By giving celebration speeches.	B．By reflecting on its original intention.
C．By doing good deeds in the community.	D．By showing love and gratitude to mothers.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．The Mothers of Mother’s Day	B．The Best Gift for Mother’s Day
C．The Traditions of Mother’s Day	D．The Celebration of Mother’s Day

5 . Alan Mathison Turing was born in England in 1912. Like many talents who go on to great things, Turing showed his incredible intelligence from a very young age. In fact, by the time he was halfway through primary school, Turing’s teachers had already realized he was a mathematical genius. He could do complex calculating in his head even though he had never been taught about it.

Fortunately, Turing was the opposite of Hawking, and he absolutely loved school. Proof of this is the extreme lengths he would go just to get to class. For example, on one occasion when there was a train strike, Turing even cycled 60 miles to attend. Now that’s devotion!

However, in spite of Turing’s scholarly attitude and his obvious genius, his teachers had their concerns about his future. This is because well-known schools in Britain like the ones Turing attended regarded the Classics, such as Latin and Greek as the most important, not subjects like maths and science. Turing’s proud teachers even wrote letters to his parents asking them to convince the young man to focus more on the Classics. Imagine how different the world might be if the young Turing had listened to his teachers! Thankfully, his love for all things scientific and mathematical meant there was no chance of that.

After finishing secondary school, Turing completed a degree in mathematics at King’s College Cambridge, and then obtained his PhD from Princeton University in the USA. It was during these university years that he invented the Turing Machine, which is considered by many people to be the earliest version of a computer processing unit. It sounds unbelievable that anybody could have invented something which was similar to a computer in 1936. But that just shows how far ahead of his time Alan Turing was, even when he was still a young man.

1. What can be inferred about Turing according to paragraphs 1-2?

A．He maintained interest in the Classics.

B．He rejected attending famous schools.

C．He showed a strong desire for schooling.

D．He ignored parents’ advice on course selection.

2. What does the writer think of the Turing Machine?

A．He argues it’s still limited in many functions.

B．He thinks it’s influential in computer history.

C．He doubts if it is truly invented by a young man.

D．He considers the construction of such machines impossible.

3. What is the author’s main purpose in writing this passage?

A．To indicate the link between genius and success.

B．To illustrate the invention of the Turing Machine.

C．To stress the impact of teachers’ guidance on Turing’s life.

D．To introduce Turing’s genius, scholarly attitude and achievement.

4. What does Turing’s story tell us?

A．Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

B．Ordinary people hope, while talented people create.

C．Contented with little, yet wishing for more.

D．Chances favor the minds that are prepared.

6 . When kids enjoy an activity, they want to do more of it. Practicing a skill improves their abilities and helps them feel confident, especially when the effort is noticed and praised. Toddlers and preschoolers should play actively several times a day. Children from 6 to 17 years of age should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily. This can include free play at home and P.E. at school.

Preschoolers need play and exercise that help them continue to develop important motor skills — kicking or throwing a ball, playing tag or riding a bike with training wheels. Although some sports leagues may be open to kids as young as 4, organized team sports are not recommended until they’re a little older. Preschoolers can’t understand complex rules and often lack the attention span and skills needed to play sports. Instead of playing on a team, they can work on fundamental skills.

With school-age kids spending more time in front of screens, the challenge for parents is to get them to find physical activity they enjoy. This can range from traditional sports like baseball and basketball to biking, hiking, and playing outside. As kids get older, differences in ability and personality become more apparent. That is why it’s important to find an activity that’s right for your children.

Teens have many choices when it comes to being active — from school sports to after-school interests. It’s a good idea to have an exercise plan. Do what you can to make it easy for your teens to exercise by providing transportation and the necessary equipment (including workout clothes). In some cases, the right clothes and shoes might help a shy teen feel comfortable biking or going to the gym.

In addition to a child’s age, it’s important to consider his or her fitness personality. Meanwhile, be active yourself and support your kids’ interests. If you start this early enough, they’ll come to regard the activity as a normal and fun part of your family’s everyday routine.

1. What does the underlined word “This” refer to?

A．Free play.

B．Play time.

C．Physical activity.

D．Children’s confidence.

2. What does the author want to tell us in paragraph 2?

A．What appropriate sports preschoolers should take.

B．How to develop kids’ motor skills before school.

C．Why organized team sports are dangerous to kids.

D．When preschoolers should start to do sports.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Not all the kids are fit for the same sports.	B．Teens are particular about sports activities.
C．School-age kids are more active than teens.	D．Some parents ignore what their kids like.

7 . Northern Festival of Bands

The Northern Festival of Bands is a yearly weekend wind band festival for high school band students, who perform in bands led by nationally famous conductors. This year the festival will be held from February 13,2020 to February 15,2020. The festival includes performances by the UNI Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band on Friday evening, and Saturday afternoon’s performance by high school participants.

How to apply

The Northern Festival of Bands offers three festival bands, and students are selected according to the application forms provided. Applications should be made by the school band director. In some cases an individual student may wish to attend even if their school isn’t attending. In these cases the application must still be made by the high school band director or by the student with the high school band director’s oversight(监督). All applications should be provided by December 2, 2019 on our website.

Auditions(试唱)

Students accepted into either of the festival bands will audition for chair placement between 4 :00 pm and 6:45 pm on Thursday afternoon, February 13. Please don’t be late.

Concert dress

Performance dress will be the dress normally worn by each school for performances.

Solo Competition

Senior students accepted into the festival are welcome to audition for the Solo Competition. The winner will perform at the final festival concert on Saturday afternoon and receive an offer of a music scholarship of less than $6000 over a four-year period. The award is limited to students who wish to pursue a music degree at the University of Northern Iowa(UNI).

Festival fees

Students---$35.00 per student

Conductors---$30.00 per person

If you need further information, please get in touch with Danny Galyen at danny.galyen@uni.edu!

1. What can we know about the Northern Festival of Bands?

A．It is open to only students	B．It is held every other year.
C．It will last three days this year.	D．It won’t accept individual students.

2. What will the participants of the festival have to do?

A．Provide their application forms on their own.

B．Prove that they’re a member of a music band

C．Prepare their own performance dress by themselves

D．Join in auditioning on the afternoon of February 13.

3. Who is encouraged to audition for the Solo Competition?

A．The students who are from poor families.

B．The students who want to join the UNI band.

C．The students who wish to study music at UNI

D．The students who are especially good at music.

8 . Two years ago, I was sitting in my car waiting in a long line for a toll booth (收费站). When I ________ reached the booth, the toll operator told me that the person in front had paid for me and I was ________ to go. I was so ________. I didn’t ________ to save the 5 dollars. I would never know who it was. I was ________ by the traffic and the long line, and that gesture was surprising and unbelievable. It really ________ my heart. I ________ to pay the toll for the next car for life.

The first time I tried to pay forward the toll, I kept ________ my rear view mirror to see who I’d be paying for. In the mirror, I saw a tired looking Uber driver. I felt satisfied that my ________ would be going to a good place. But before we got to the ________, the Uber driver had ________ lanes (车道) and now there was someone else behind me. She looked ________ and was gesturing angrily in a ________ with her friend. I wasn’t thrilled to be paying for a woman like that and was ________ judging her by what I was seeing in the mirror. Anyway I paid the toll for both of us and left.

Thirty seconds later I was surprised to ________ a honk (汽笛声). It was the woman and her friend ________ at me from the next lane! She looked bright and ________ . She wasn’t what I thought she was like. This was a valuable ________ that I shouldn’t ________ people so quickly... I don’t know their ________.

1.

A．slowly

B．personally

C．quietly

D．finally

2.

A．confident

B．alone

C．free

D．independent

3.

A．worried

B．shocked

C．embarrassed

D．bored

4.

A．need

B．bother

C．concern

D．allow

5.

A．worn down

B．crowded out

C．knocked down

D．left behind

6.

A．felt

B．shook

C．touched

D．stuck

7.

A．demanded

B．decided

C．agreed

D．offered

8.

A．fixing up

B．cleaning up

C．taking apart

D．looking into

9.

A．spirit

B．cause

C．effort

D．money

10.

A．target

B．taxi

C．booth

D．destination

11.

A．designed

B．changed

C．drawn

D．avoided

12.

A．upset

B．frightened

C．delighted

D．tired

13.

A．fight

B．research

C．conversation

D．competition

14.

A．actively

B．bravely

C．openly

D．certainly

15.

A．adjust

B．hear

C．make

D．realize

16.

A．waving

B．aiming

C．laughing

D．pointing

17.

A．pretty

B．childish

C．intelligent

D．happy

18.

A．chance

B．interview

C．lesson

D．record

19.

A．judge

B．admit

C．refuse

D．understand

20.

A．education

B．story

C．profession

D．achievement