| A．By plane. | B．By bus. | C．By subway. |
2 . When it comes to thriving under pressure, microbes (微生物) have us solidly beat. New research reveals that Carno-bacterium, a genus often associated with spoiled meat, can successfully divide and reproduce across an enormous range of external pressures — from the equivalent of a very thin atmosphere to crushing ocean depths. This adaptability is unknown for any other life-forms on Earth, researchers report in Astrobiology. Such hardiness suggests a single organism could survive in totally different environments throughout the solar system.
Based on previous findings of various Carno-bacterium strains (菌群) growing well at high and low pressures, University of Florida microbiologist Wayne Nicholson and his colleagues systematically examined 14 strains’ responses to a wide span of pressure conditions. The team focused on strains isolated not only from meat (including seafood, chicken, etc.) but also from Siberian permafrost, an Antarctic lake and deep within the North Pacific’s Aleutian Trench.
In the laboratory, Nicholson and his team exposed each strain to pressures ranging from 0.01 to 100 times Earth’s atmospheric pressure at sea level―corresponding to the pressures on the surface of Mars and inside the liquid water ocean of Jupiter’s moon Europa, respectively. The researchers found that 11 strains grew measurably at every pressure tested. Very few past studies focused on how well microbes tolerate a range of pressures, Nicholson says, but these results are nonetheless surprising given that most other organisms seem to be far more pressure-sensitive. “Humans have trouble breathing on Mount Everest,” he notes, “and that’s about 30 percent of sea-level atmospheric pressure.“
Other bacteria have been shown to do well at comparably high pressures, says Felipe Gómez Gómez, an astrobiologist at the National Institute of Aerospace Technology in Madrid, who was not involved in the study. But these results are novel because they show that the same Carno-bacterium strains can endure so much pressure variation, he says: “What’s really challenging is the whole range.” These microbes’ ability means they could, for instance, theoretically survive at various depths in an alien ocean, Gómez Gómez adds.“ This has far-reaching astro-biological implications.”
1. How did Wayne Nicholson and his colleagues carry out their research?| A．Doing a survey. | B．Listing examples. |
| C．Making a model. | D．Doing tests. |
| A．The results were not surprising at all. |
| B．Researchers found that many strains could change during pressures. |
| C．Researchers hardly knew the organism’s toleration on pressure in old days. |
| D．The research showed why man can’t take a breath smoothly on Mount Everest. |
| A．Objective. | B．Positive. | C．Indifferent. | D．Critical. |
| A．Bacteria Can Survive at Different Depths. |
| B．Microbes Withstand the Solar System’s Pressure. |
| C．All Life-forms’ Adaptations in Pressure Are Proved. |
| D．Carno-bacterium Strains Have Thrived at Great Pressures. |
3 . Herman Rawi from Malaysia uploads TikTok videos of him tasting all kinds of food. But the video of him eating snow on Jan.28 is the only one that comes with a cautionary warning.
Having to battle hot weathers on the equator for most time of the year, almost all of Malaysians love cold dessert. Perhaps this is why Herman tends to lack self-control when he sees snow. During his recent trip to Yamagata, Japan, he filmed himself eating a ball of snow. “A reason — I had terrible fever, cough, runny nose and body aches for eight days,” he wrote in the video’s description.
Herman claimed, “I used to eat snow during the winter when I studied in the UK years ago. I would often go for the freshest snow at an undisturbed place and never fell sick.”
While you may assume snow that’s freshly fallen and collected in an undisturbed area is free of any harmful substances, don’t be so sure. According to meteorologist Mary Scarzello Fairbanks, snow isn’t all that pure. “It’s formed when water-drops freeze around some dust in the air, forming an ice crystal that continues to collect water vapor and form a snowflake. When the snowflake falls, it will also collect things hanging in the air, including dirt and even bacterial particles. If it’s windy, snow could even mix with dirt kicked up from the soil before settling,” he said.
A 2015 study published in the journal Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts even demonstrated how snow could mix with gasoline exhaust 2. This all means that, theoretically, your snow ice cream could have some pretty disgusting “flavorings”.
Eating snow in an emergency is another matter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns against snow snacking for anyone who is trapped, such as hikers, because it can lower one’s body temperature. In cases where there is a water supply issue, the CDC says it’s safe to take collected snow and boil it to kill some harmful bacteria.
1. Why did Herman Rawi dare to eat snow in Japan?| A．Because his fans encouraged him to do so. |
| B．Because many Malaysians have done it before. |
| C．Because the snow in Japan is cleaner than elsewhere. |
| D．Because he had a lot of experiences eating snow before. |
| A．Casual. | B．Doubtful. | C．Opposed. | D．Appreciative. |
| A．In any case you can’t eat snow snacks. |
| B．Boiling can kill all the bacteria in the snow. |
| C．It’s acceptable to eat snow directly in an emergency. |
| D．In some cases you can drink boiled snow water. |
| A．To warn the readers against eating snow at will. |
| B．To share an interesting story with readers. |
| C．To prove snow is not fit to be consumed by people. |
| D．To explain why eating Japanese snow can make people sick. |
4 . It was in the cold midwinter, and the homeless couple struggled through the night snow, seeking shelter. The father-to-be
That December night, Gus Kiebel, a county wildlife officer, was driving home from work when he
“You cannot put them
The Kiebels prepared a bed for the dogs on their warm home, where the
It’s a simple story, but it speaks to the
| A．looked | B．headed | C．searched | D．figured |
| A．companion | B．company | C．friend | D．effort |
| A．scared | B．attracted | C．appealed | D．spotted |
| A．scared | B．approached | C．attracted | D．appealed |
| A．put | B．laid | C．made | D．stretched |
| A．brought up | B．took out | C．warmed up | D．put down |
| A．down | B．up | C．back | D．aside |
| A．disappointed | B．lovely | C．unparalleled | D．exhausted |
| A．afford | B．offend | C．intend | D．succeed |
| A．turning | B．driving | C．signing | D．giving |
| A．welcomed | B．received | C．adopted | D．presented |
| A．pet | B．pair | C．family | D．reward |
| A．bottom | B．basis | C．fundamental | D．best |
| A．kindness | B．curiosity | C．generosity | D．patience |
| A．achievement | B．miracle | C．career | D．job |
We entered the Year of the Dragon. Or should that be the Year of the Loong? That is a question that has been
They point to dragons in the West being usually thought of as evil creatures. Dragons, they say, are
The differences
6 . Museums have been around for centuries, with the first known museum founded in the 3rd century BC. For a long time, they were used to showcase traditional artworks like paintings, sculptures and drawings.
In recent times, however, digital art has started to gain popularity as an art form. This has raised the question of whether or not museums should accept digital art into their collections.
Digital art can be defined as an artwork created using digital technology and tools like computers, tablets and smartphones. It includes a variety of mediums such as animation, 3D modelling, virtual reality and video game design. Digital art is increasingly being used by artists to create unique pieces that are unlike anything else seen before.
The debate over whether museums should accept digital art into their collections has been ongoing for some time. On one hand, many believe that digital art is not “real” art and does not deserve to be given the same recognition as traditional artworks. On the other hand, supporters of digital art hold the view that museums should embrace this new form of expression and give it the same respect as any other type of artworks.
The truth is that many museums have already begun to accept digital art into their collections. In fact, some museums have even dedicated entire exhibitions to showcasing digital artworks from around the world. This shows that there is a growing appreciation for this type of expression and that it is slowly becoming more accepted by mainstream audiences.
In general, while there may still be some debate over whether or not digital art deserves to be accepted into museum collections, it is clear that many museums are beginning to welcome this new form of expression. As more people realize the digital art and its potential as an artistic medium, it will likely become even more popular in years to come.
1. What do we know about the digital art from the first three paragraphs?| A．It dates back to the 3rd century BC. |
| B．Its uniqueness leads to its high market value. |
| C．Its creation cannot be separated from digital technology. |
| D．It should be placed in museums according to most people. |
| A．increase. | B．describe. | C．refuse. | D．accept. |
| A．It is getting more and more recognition. |
| B．It has been accepted by the mainstream audiences. |
| C．Most museums have accepted it as their collection. |
| D．This kind of exhibition can be seen all over the world. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Optimistic. | C．Worried. | D．Casual. |
On February 20, leading Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com reported that sales of traditional Hanfu clothing had surged over 300 percent year on year since January. This trend was mirrored on Taobao,
The horse face skirt is a traditional Chinese skirt
Influencers and content creators play a significant role in promoting Hanfu and fostering a sense of community. To date, the horse face skirt on Douyin
8 . From students to executives, intelligence is shown to be a key factor in better leadership, as it is vital for navigating through complex situations like market changes and legal obstacles. But new research on leadership suggests that having a higher IQ can be viewed as harmful.
Past studies indicate that groups led by smarter individuals tend to perform better objectively, yet some research suggests followers perceive extremely intelligent leaders as less effective. Dean Simonton from the University of California, proposed that such leaders’ complex ideas might be difficult for people to grasp, their solutions harder to carry out, and followers might find it harder to relate to them. Recently, Simonton and his team put this theory to the test.
The researchers looked at 379 male and female business leaders, across fields that included banking, retail (零售) and technology. The managers took IQ tests, and each was rated on leadership style and effectiveness by an average of eight co-workers. IQ positively correlated with ratings of leader effectiveness, strategy formation, vision and several other characteristics — up to a point. The ratings peaked at an IQ of around 120, which is higher than 8 percent of office workers. Beyond that the ratings declined. The researchers suggest the “ideal” IQ could be higher or lower in various fields, depending on whether technical versus social skills are more valued in a given work culture.
“It’s an interesting and thoughtful paper,” says Paul Sackett, a psychology professor at the University of Minnesota. “To me, the right interpretation of the work would be that it highlights a need to understand what high-IQ leaders do that leads to lower opinions by followers. The wrong interpretation would be, ‘Don’t hire high-IQ leaders.”
The study’s lead author, John Antonakis, a psychologist at the University of Lausanne, suggests leaders should use their intelligence to generate creative metaphors (隐喻) that will persuade and inspire others — the way former U.S. President Obama did. “I think the only way a smart person can signal their intelligence appropriately and still connect with the people,” Antonakis says, “is to speak in appealing ways.”
1. Why are some high-IQ leaders regarded as less effective?| A．Followers assess them irresponsibly. |
| B．Followers lack understanding power. |
| C．They fail to express themselves properly. |
| D．They perform better by objective measures. |
| A．IQ isn’t related to leader effectiveness. |
| B．IQ tests are useless and imperfect. |
| C．IO is related to people’s social status. |
| D．IQ can be affected by certain factors. |
| A．High-IQ leaders can’t be employed. |
| B．He was not involved in the research. |
| C．The research can be interpreted differently. |
| D．The research is interesting and accurate. |
| A．how to be a high-IQ leader in the future |
| B．how to communicate with people effectively |
| C．what is the appealing way to speak to voters |
| D．what is the best way to generate creative metaphors |
CHINATOWN WALKING GUIDE | |
| A Cultural Feast Get a quick insight into its culture and heritage religion and cuisine delights at Chinatown Heritage Centre, THK Temple (one of the nation’s oldest temples) and Chinatown Food Street. Then pick up some great ethnic souvenirs at Pagoda Street. Life in ChinatownAs the descendants of the nation’s early immigrants, today’s Chinese still keep many of the traditions and practices of their ancestors. A unique blend of old and new awaits you at one of the nation’s oldest ethnic settlements. Against a background of towering skyscrapers, you’ll see rows of carefully preserved historic shop houses from decades-old family-run businesses and family associations, to CD stores, spas and high-tech companies. | |
| Souvenirs of Chinatown Lacquerware, woodcrafts and masks Chinese silk, calligraphy and seal carvings | The Routes Chinatown extends over a fairly large area, and so, a main route has been planned to help you capture the soul of Chinatown, while an extension offer a more in-depth perspective. PLACES OF INTERESTMain Route 1. The majestic 2. Chinatown Street Markets 3. Chinatown Heritage Centre 4. SM Temple 5. Chinatown Complex, Market and Food Centre 6. T Park 7. Tea Chapter Extension 1. Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club 2. FTC Museum |
| Best Time of Week to go Weekdays — set out early around 10 a. m. or later in the afternoon, when it’s cooler. Many places of interest close from 5 p. m., so don’t set off too late. Dress CodeMost places of worship require modest dressing. Women are advised to wear long skirts or trousers and tops with sleeves | |
1. Tourists can enjoy cuisine delights and shopping at ______.
| A．Tea chapter and family association |
| B．T Park and family-run businesses |
| C．Chinatown Food Street and Pagoda Street |
| D．Chinatown Street Markets and Pagoda Street |
| A．CD stores and skyscrapers |
| B．skyscrapers and shop houses |
| C．temples and family associations |
| D．spas and high-tech companies |
| A．Chinatown is ideal for visits 24 hours a day. |
| B．Women for places of worship are advised to wear shorts and long-sleeved blouse. |
| C．A local museum can be visited along the Main Route. |
| D．“A cultural feast” refers to sights and food of different ethnic groups in Chinatown. |
10 . How can one person enjoy good health, while another person looks old before her time? Humans have been asking this question for thousands of years, and recently, it’s becoming clearer and clearer to scientists that the differences between people’s rates of aging lie in the complex interactions among genes, social relationships, environments and lifestyles. Even though you were born with a particular set of genes, the way you live can influence how they express themselves. Some lifestyle factors may even turn genes on or shut them off.
Deep within the genetic heart of all our cells are telomeres, or repeating segments of non-coding DNA that live at the ends of the chromosomes (染色体). They form caps at the ends of the chromosomes and keep the genetic material together. Shortening with each cell division, they help determine how fast a cell ages. When they become too short, the cell stops dividing altogether. This isn’t the only reason a cell can age — there are other stresses on cells we don’t yet understand very well — but short telomeres are one of the major reasons human cells grow old. We’ve devoted most of our careers to studying telomeres, and one extraordinary discover y from our labs is that telomeres can actually lengthen.
Scientists have learned that several thought patterns appear to be unhealthy for telomeres, and one of them is cynical hostility. Cynical hostility is defined by high anger and frequent thoughts that other people cannot be trusted. Someone with hostility doesn’t just think, “I hate to stand in long lines”; they think, “Others deliberately sped up and beat me to my rightful position in the line!” — and then get violently agitated. People who score high on measures of cynical hostility tend to get more heart disease, metabolic disease and often die at younger ages. They also have shorter telomeres. In a study of British civil servants, men who scored high on measures of cynical hostility had shorter telomeres than men whose hostility scores were low. The most hostile men were 30% more likely to have short telomeres.
What this means: aging is a dynamic process that could possibly be accelerated or slowed — and, in some aspects, even reversed. To an extent, it has surprised us and the rest of the scientific community that telomeres do not simply carry out the commands issued by your genetic code. Your telomeres are listening to you. The foods you eat, your response to challenges, the amount of exercise you get, and many other factors appear to influence your telomeres and can prevent premature aging at the cellular level. One of the keys to enjoying good health is simply doing your part to foster healthy cell renewal.
1. Why are some lifestyle factors considered extremely important?| A．They may determine how genes function. |
| B．They may shorten the process of cell division. |
| C．They may affect the lifespan of telomeres. |
| D．They may account for the stresses on cells. |
| A．Their number affects the growth of cells. |
| B．Their length determines the quality of life. |
| C．Their shortening process can be reversed. |
| D．Their health impacts the division of cells. |
| A．It may lead to confrontational thought patterns. |
| B．It may cause people to lose their temper frequently. |
| C．It may produce an adverse effect on telomeres. |
| D．It may stir up agitation among those in long lines. |
| A．It may vary from individual to individual. |
| B．It challenges scientists to explore further. |
| C．It depends on one’s genetic code. |
| D．It may be controlled to a degree. |
