1 . The ancient Egyptians thought so little of the brain that when a king died, they removed the brain from his body and threw it away. The Egyptians assumed, like many people before and after them, that consciousness — your mind and your thoughts existed in the heart.

Now we know that the mind is a product of the brain, but how exactly does this 1.5-kilo piece of matter create a mind that allows you to think about yourself, experience happiness and anger, or remember events that happened 20 minutes or 20 years ago? This isn’t a new question. Today, however, powerful new techniques for visualizing the sources of thought, emotion, behavior, and memory are transforming the way we understand the brain and the mind it creates.

Have you ever stopped and thought, “What’s wrong with me today? I just don’t feel like myself”? Perhaps you were more tired or worried than usual — but somehow, you knew that something was different about you. This self-awareness - the ability to think about yourself and how you’re feeling-is an important part of being human.

This part of of your mind has its origins in the prefrontal cortex — a region of your brain just behind your forehead that extends to about your ears. Before this area began to function (around age two), you didn’t understand that you were a separate individual with your own identity. As this part of your brain developed, you became more aware of yourself and your thoughts and feelings.

Though humans may share certain emotions and recognize them in others, we don’t all have the same emotional response to every situation. In fact, most emotional responses are learned and stored in our memories. The smell of freshly cut grass, for example, will generate happy feelings in someone who spent enjoyable childhood summers in the countryside, but not in someone who was forced to work long hours on a farm. Once an emotional association like this is made, it is very difficult to reverse it. “Emotion is the least flexible part of the brain,” says psychologist Paul Ekman. But we can learn to control our emotions by becoming consciously aware of their underlying causes and by not reacting automatically to things in our environment.

For centuries, people have studied the brain, but it is only in recent years that we have really started to learn how it works. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go before we understand our mind’s many complexities.

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A．How we create and control emotions.	B．How the mind works.
C．How human beings are distinct.	D．How emotions are processed.

2. Why does the author mention the ancient Egyptians’ practice in the very beginning?

A．To illustrate the importance of the heart in ancient Egyptian culture.

B．To introduce the core theme of the mind-body connection and evolution.

C．To provide an example of how the brain has been misunderstood throughout history.

D．To contrast the ancient Egyptians’ views on the brain with the modern one.

3. Which of the following statement is NOT true?

A．Self-awareness develops before the age of two.

B．The prefrontal cortex affects a person’s emotions.

C．The prefrontal cortex is located at the front of the brain.

D．Self-awareness strengthens with the development of the brain.

4. What does the passage suggest about the flexibility of emotions?

A．Emotions are universal and do not change over time or with individual experiences.

B．Emotions are generally learned and stored in our memories, making them quite flexible.

C．Emotions are influenced by our personal experiences and can vary from person to person.

D．Emotions are the least flexible part of the mind, and they cannot be controlled.

2 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。1.

A．Because they usually set fires at a wedding ceremony.

B．Because people who receive them will give the couple a red envelop with money.

C．Because they look like small bombs in a red envelop.

D．Because Chinese people love red color especially at their wedding ceremonies.

2.

A．They often refer to a gift registry from the bride and groom.

B．They directly ask the bride and groom for some advice.

C．They usually buy whatever they like themselves.

D．They prefer to buy some special and expensive gifts.

3.

A．They have to promise to be responsible for their family.

B．They often promise to take care of each other’s parents.

C．They usually promise to love and care for each other.

D．They need promise to bring a happy life to the other.

4.

A．Chinese love alcohol while Americans prefer wine instead.

B．Chinese toast with dishes but Americans toast with a cake.

C．In China people toast after dancing but in U.S. people tend to toast before dancing.

D．In China the bride and groom toast the guests while in U.S. guests toast the couple.

3 . How to Travel to Machu Picchu

Mysterious. Brilliant. Powerful. These words describe the Inca (印加). Every year, visitors rush to the Incan citadel (堡垒) of Machu Picchu (meaning “the ancient peak”) in search of the lost civilization. But getting to this UNESCO World Heritage site isn’t cheap and easy. Here’s how to expertly navigate your way to Peru’s most famous destination.

Hiking to Machu Picchu

* The most famous way to hike to Machu Picchu is along a section of one of the Incan roads built as the empire expanded. Dozens of tour operators offer Inca Trail hikes with varying durations and levels of comfort (though all require camping).

* For those who would like a less crowded experience, there are a number of diverse hiking alternatives, one of which is around Salkantay Mountain, one of the most imposing peaks in the Peruvian Andes. Several tour companies offer the treks, but Apus Peru offers an express Salkantay trek, which shaves a day off the normal itinerary for those eager to push their physical limits on their way to Machu Picchu.

* Travelers interested in archaeology should consider the Choquequirao Trek with a Machu Picchu extension. This itinerary includes spectacular hiking in the less-traveled steep Apurimac Canyon and exploration of the Choquequirao archaeological site before heading for Machu Picchu. Note that the trail is closed in December every year for regular maintenance.

Tips for Visiting

* Getting Acclimated (适应水土): Where you`re coming from is probably much lower than Machu Picchu. We highly recommend you go to Aguas Calientes first, and spend a night getting used to it before exploring Machu Picchu. Meanwhile, avoid alcohol and physical exertion to help your body slowly adjust to the thinner air.

* Entrance tickets: If you’re traveling independently, you can buy individual entrance tickets, though you should note that you’ll be required to hire a local guide before entering the site. If you book a tour package through a travel agency, all services should be included. Moreover, all entry tickets are timed, allowing entrance on the hour, and you’re allowed to stay at the site for up to four hours.

*Bring: Water and a rain jacket, even if it looks like a beautiful sunny day. And speaking of sun, remember that the ozone layer (臭氧层) over Peru is compromised. That, combined with the elevation, makes the sun extremely strong, so wear a hat and use high SPF sunscreen.

* Don’t bring: Drones, walking sticks, trekking poles or umbrellas since they’re all prohibited at Machu Picchu. Travelers who require sticks for mobility can bring them in but only with protective rubber tips over the ends.

1. Andy is a college student majoring in archaeology. He is also a keen lover of extreme sports and a seasoned hiker eager to explore the unbeaten track. Now he is considering hiking to Machu Picchu this Christmas. Which of the following routes is he most likely to choose?

A．The Inca Trail.	B．The Apus Peru Trek.
C．The express Salkantay Trek.	D．The Choquequrao Trek.

2. Which of the following information is TRUE for travelers to Machu Piccu?

A．Vigorous exercise isn’t recommended during the hike for fear of altitude sickness.

B．Visitors should bring rain jackets or umbrellas due to the changeable weather there.

C．Visitors can enter the site anytime during the opening hours and stay for four hours.

D．Tour guide services are necessary for individual and group visitors to enter the site.

3. The underlined word “compromised” can be best replaced by ________.

A．harmed	B．strengthened
C．detected	D．lowered

5 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Why more young Americans are cyber-bullying themselves

On a Friday night in 2016, Natalie Natividad, a 15-year-old in Hebbronville, took an overdose of pills after enduring months of cyber-bullying. Most of the alleged taunts(所谓的嘲弄)—that she was ugly, that she should kill herself—came on After School, an app    1     allows classmates to discuss one another anonymously(匿名地). Her act led to an investigation. The app’s operators tracked which accounts had sent the abuse, while officials interviewed teachers and students. “We just want some justice,” said Natalie’s sister. “     2     is bullying, I hope that they stop.”

There were no bullies to find. The inquiry revealed that Natalie     3    (send) the abusive messages to herself secretly. Such anonymous “digital self-harm” is increasingly common. But why do it?

Ana, a 20-year-old from Alabama, says she wanted to see     4     someone would stand up for her. At 14, she anonymously posted insults about her appearance to Ask. com, a public question-and-answer site. Then she waited for other people     5    (defend) her. Her motivations, to express self-loathing(厌恶) and to get a reaction, are some of the most common among children who abuse themselves online. In fact, over half of those     6    (interview) say digital self-harm achieved what they had hoped for.

However, much about digital self-harm is still poorly understood. Even the reason for its recent increase has puzzled researchers. Mr Hinduja guesses that the rise is related to increasing emotional instability among adolescents. That     7    (reflect) in a host of other online trends. Some young people turn to a less direct version — seeking out existing self-destructive content.     8     hint that they want a response by posting emotional confessions on social media in the hope that friends will comfort them.

As a technological matter, identifying digital self-harm is relatively easy. Usually this involves finding the computer or account that created the harmful material. The harder part is     9     to do after that, says Mr Patchin. Teachers and parents     10     treat digital self-harm as an indication of other underlying problems. The worst response, according to Ms Englander, would be to dismiss evidence of bullying simply because it might be faked.

6 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

“Wow ... what a beautiful girl!” you think to yourself. Today, you logged into Facebook and saw a friend request from a lovely stranger. You think that she must be a model    1     all of her photos look very professional. She doesn’t have many friends, but maybe she’s just new to Facebook. You may       2     (tempt) to accept her request and say hello, but you’d better think twice because you might get catfished!

Catfishing is an online cheat     3     someone on a social media platform pretends to be someone they’re not. The word was made popular by a 2010 documentary film with the same name. Just like in the movie, most catfishing cheats start with the catfish     4     (try) to sweet talk their victim into falling in love with them. Why? There are a variety of reasons people catfish.

Some catfish attempt     5     (charm) their victim into trusting them, and then ask them for money. Others will ask for sensitive information or private pictures     6     they can then use them to blackmail (敲诈) their victims into sending them money. But in some situations, catfish are just lonely people,     7     (dissatisfy) with their lives and using social media to live in an alternate reality.

On social media, it’s possible to remain anonymous (匿名的) even after you     8     (start) building a relationship with someone. According to the Better Business Bureau in the U.S., around 85 percent of catfishing schemes start on Facebook and the Facebook Dating service. In 2021 as the pandemic pushed many to search for love online, romance schemes, such as catfishing, rose       9     80 percent compared to 2020. These cheats cost victims around $1.3 billion in losses and left many with psychological and emotional damage.

The internet is a wonderful tool that allows users to learn new things, play games and meet interesting people. However, everyone     10     be careful of the catfish who hide in the shadows. If someone seems too good to be true, they probably are!

7 . Directions: After reading the passage below. fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word: for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Hard Labour

When James returned from the hospital after the birth of his son, he was surprised to find a bottle of whisky and some cans of beer on his doorstep. The mystery was soon solved. Under covid-19 rules, James was allowed into the hospital     1    his partner Annie was due to give birth only once active labour had begun.

Thirty-six hours after     2    (admit)for an induction(生产), Annie found herself on a delivery ward in the early hours of the morning desperately trying to wake up her sleeping husband by phone. When that failed, she resorted to ordering a delivery from a local store in the hope     3    the doorbell would prove more effective. In the event, he woke before the booze arrived.

James made it to the hospital on time and all went well.     4    have not been so lucky. “I’ve heard real horror stories of what women have had to face alone,     5    it’s awful news at a scan or going through a difficult birth     6    your partner there,” says Joeli Brearley of Pregnant Then Screwed, a campaign group. As Britain locked down in March, hospitals limited the number of visitors allowed on their premises(场所). Non-essential retail reopened in June, followed by pubs and restaurants in July, but tight restrictions     7    (remain)in place so far limiting access to maternity services and post-birth visits by new fathers. A petition(请愿书)calling for the rules     8    (loosen)across Britain has received over 440,000 signatures and the backing of 60 MPs.

The Royal College of Midwives, a trade union and professional body, acknowledges that “the support of a partner during scans and labour is important”, but argues that restricting access to some services means that “maternity teams     9    continue to deliver good-quality, safe care, protecting pregnant women and the midwives who care for them.” Others are     10    (convinced). “It’s important to remember that the vast majority of birth partners live with the woman giving birth,” says Jeremy Davies of the Fatherhood Institute, a think-tank. Evidence suggests the presence of partners leads to better medical outcomes, partly because it reduces stress and anxiety during birth.

8 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. associated          B. charge          C. cooling          D. deaden          E. appliances          F. narrow G. causes          H. reflective          I. restricted          J. typically          K. unstable

How does thunder-snow work? Thunder-snow is rare because the conditions that produce snow tend to have a stabilizing effect on the atmosphere. In winter the surface and lower troposphere (对流层) are cold and there is little moisture to lead to lightning. Lightning super-heats the air, while the rapid     1     produces the sound waves we call thunder.

Thunderstorms can form in winter, but have different characteristics. A typical normal thunderstorm consists of tall,     2     clouds that rise from a warm updraft (上升气流) leading from the surface up to around 40, 000 feet. Thunder-snow usually forms when layers of flat snow clouds develop instability and experience dynamic lifting. Three     3     lead to the instability. Firstly, a normal thunderstorm at the edge of a warm or cold front can run into cold air, changing rain into freezing rain or snow. Secondly, when the flat snow clouds become bumpy or develop what are usually called “turrets”. Turrets rise about the clouds, making the top layer     4     . The change causes water molecules or ice crystals to gain or lose electrons (电子). When the electrical     5     difference between two bodies becomes large enough, lightning occurs. Thirdly, a cold air front passing over warmer water can produce thunder-snow. This is the type of thunder-snow most often seen near the Great Lakes or near and ocean.

The obvious difference between a typical thunderstorm and thunder-snow is that a thunderstorm produces rain, while thunder-snow is     6     with snow. However, the thunder and lightning of thunder-snow are different, too. Snow can     7     sound, so thundersnow’s thunder sounds low and doesn’t travel as far as it would in a clear or rainy sky. Normal thunder may be heard miles from its source, while thunder-snow thunder tends to be     8     to a 2 to 3 mile radius from the lightning strike. While the sound of a thunder may be lowered, lightning flashes are enhanced by     9     snow. Thunder-snow lightning     10     appears white or golden, rather than the usual blue or purple of thunderstorm lightning.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。1.

A．3%.	B．15%.
C．About 18%.	D．Over 30%.

2.

A．British senior managers.	B．Patients in mental hospital.
C．Prime ministers.	D．American presidents.

3.

A．Factors of affecting people’s success.

B．Importance of keeping emotional health.

C．Encouraging children to have ambitions.

D．Relationships between hardship and success.