1 . Teens Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep And Schools Are Partly to Blame
Most kids are severely sleep deprived, and early school starting times aren’t helping.
Across the country, only 17.7 percent of middle and high schools start classes after 8:30 a.m.. The average school start time for middle and high schools around the country is 8:03 a.m., according to a new analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The AAP advises that schools start after 8:30 to help teenagers get 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep a night — the amount the AAP says is ideal. Currently, less than a third of high school students sleep 8 hours a night, says the CDC analysis.
The analysis uses 2011–2012 information from the Department of Education to gather the start times of about 39,700 schools. Alaska has the latest average school start time at 8:33 a.m., while Louisiana has the earliest at 7:40 a.m.
Sleep-deprived teenagers are more likely to suffer from depression, use drugs, get low grades and be overweight. Even though schools often face obstacles when trying to delay school start times due to traffic and scheduling concerns, some have made progress recently.
After Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts delayed school start times in 2008 from 7:55 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., the private school saw a number of benefits. As the Huffington Post previously reported, the school’s 2014 viewbook noted that students earned higher grades; ate more breakfasts, visited the health center far less frequently; and performed better in athletics. Teachers reported that first-period discussion classes were uncharacteristically lively from the beginning bell.
Half of parents whose teens attend schools that start before 8:30 would support a later start time, according to a 2014 survey from the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
1. The benefits of enough sleep for students don’t include ________.| A．earning higher grades | B．eating more breakfast |
| C．visiting the health center more frequently | D．performing better in athletics |
| A．making a comparison | B．using examples |
| C．presenting research findings | D．quoting diagrams |
| A．The earlier schools start, the higher grades students can get. |
| B．All schools should start after 8:30 across the world. |
| C．Nine hours of sleep a night is the most ideal choice. |
| D．The lack of sleep may lead to various terrible problems. |
| A．A research report. | B．A health guide. |
| C．A class presentation. | D．An official document. |
2 . A Portland, Oregon man has become the first person to travel across Antarctica by himself without receiving any assistance.
Colin O’Brady has completed the 1,500-kilometer trip. He crossed the continent in 54 days. Friends, family and other people followed his progress through messages and pictures he left on social media.
O’Brady spoke with his wife Jenna Besaw by telephone soon after he completed the journey. “It was an emotional call,” she said. “He seemed overwhelmed by love and appreciation, and he really wanted to say ‘thank you’ to all of us.”
The 33-year-old O’Brady documented the trip on the social networking services Instagram. He called his journey “The Impossible First”. He wrote that he traveled the last 129 kilometers in one big, final push to the finish line. The distance took over one day to complete. O’Brady wrote, “While the last 32 hours were some of the most challenging hours of my life, they have quite honestly been some of the best moments I have ever experienced.”
The day before, he wrote that he was “in the zone” and thought he could make it to the end without stopping. “I was listening to my body and taking care of the details to keep myself safe,” he wrote. “I called home and talked to my mom, sister and wife. I promised them I would stop when I need to.”
Other people have traveled across Antarctica, but they all had some form of assistance. They either had better, more plentiful supplies or devices that helped move them forward.
In 2016, British explorer Henry Worsley died in his attempt to travel alone across Antarctica unassisted. Worsley’s friend Louis Rudd, also from Britain, is attempting an unaided solo journey in Worsley’s honor. He was competing against O’Brady to be the first to do it. Besaw told the Associated Press that her husband plans to stay in Antarctica until Rudd finishes his trip.
1. What did O’Brady think of his journey in Antarctica?| A．It was pleasant. | B．It was discouraging. |
| C．It was impossible to complete. | D．It was hard to complete. |
| A．Making sure of his safety. | B．Trying to achieve the goal. |
| C．Keeping in touch with them. | D．Stopping the travel halfway. |
| A．To wait for another explorer. | B．To compete with others. |
| C．To help other explorers. | D．To make his victory recognized. |
| A．The Antarctic Continent | B．The Impossible First |
| C．Traveling in Antarctica | D．An Incomplete Journey |
3 . Fertile Sichuan has long been one of China's major tea- producing regions. Chengdu had been noted for its teahouses by the Tang dynasty—as early as the ninth century. For centuries, teahouses were places for entertainment as well as tea, with performances of storytelling, music, and Sichuan opera in particular. That is a fading art these days, but Yuelai Teahouse beside Jinjiang Theater still hosts opera every Saturday afternoon.
You will find most of Chengdu's old-school teahouses in parks and temple compounds (大院). Heming Teahouse in Renmin Park buzzes with morning retirees, lunchtime office workers, and afternoon visitors. All of them sit under red lanterns by a lotus pond. When the loud confused noise gets too much, move on to Shaocheng Teahouse in the same park. Regulars are older and quieter. They bring songbirds on outings, hanging their cages in the branches of willow trees, and play mahjong in a pavilion covered with moss. In more recent years, however, increasingly elaborate(精致的) teahouses have opened to appeal to the younger generation. They tend to have a taste for superior teas in a more contemporary style. The most famous one of them is Mi Xun Teahouse in Taikoo Li, which is right in the city's most fashionable retail(零售) district.
As in all teahouses, the tea comes in individual packets with a thermos of water. Maofeng green tea from Mount Emei, south of Chengdu, is the traditional favorite. Shake the loose leaves into your palm-sized cup. The cup usually comes with a saucer and a lid that both functions to strain surface-floating leaves and to keep the tea warm. Don’t let the water level in your cup get too low, since any bitterness from the tea leaves is concentrated at the bottom. You can top up your tea all afternoon and needn't buy anything else.
1. What aspects of Chengdu's teahouses does the first paragraph mainly focus on?| A．Art & history. | B．Art & popularity. |
| C．Function & popularity. | D．History & function. |
| A．Tourists. | B．Owners. | C．Customers. | D．Waiters. |
| A．Yuelai Teahouse. | B．Mi Xun Teahouse. |
| C．Heming Teahouse. | D．Shaocheng Teahouse. |
| A．Some useful tips for readers who want to visit Chengdu's teahouses. |
| B．Some interesting facts the author found in books on Chengdu's teahouses. |
| C．Some painful lessons the author learned from his trip to Chengdu's teahouses. |
| D．Some basic rules readers have to follow if they want to visit Chengdu's teahouses. |
| A．To experience Chengdu's everyday life. |
| B．To introduce Chengdu's teahouse culture. |
| C．To stress the advantages of a slower pace. |
| D．To inspire readers to travel to Sichuang. |
4 . I had planned a tour in New Zealand and when I finally visited the country last year, I simply fell in love with it.
New Zealand is a nature lover’s paradise. Wonderful scenery, pollution free, good climate, challenging activities…what more can one ask for? No skyscraper in cities at all. A four or five-storied building is a high and huge one here. The West Coast beaches attracted me most. Sitting on the sand, listening to the wind, watching the fantastic tiding, we were exposed to a wild and pure picture.
We rented a car and drove throughout the South Island. You can reserve one through the Internet. It is quite convenient to get and return the car. We started our driving in Christchurch and stopped in Dunedin seven days later.
New Zealanders call themselves Kiwi（几维鸟）. This simple and kind species exists merely in this island. That is just what a New Zealander has.
The engine once stalled suddenly. However we tried, it refused to work again. There was not even one car passing by. Just then two bikers appeared and offered help. Finally the car could move. Another time we lost the car key. We searched the way we walked inch by inch, hoping to find, but failed. All the things were in the car. We went to the Lost-and-Found to try our luck. The gentle policeman gave us all keys found within one hour to check. Our key was lying there!
That is New Zealand. A simple but splendid place!
1. Which of the statements would the writer agree with about New Zealand?| A．Young travelers like this place better. |
| B．Tourists can never find a better place to go. |
| C．It’s a wonderful place for people with no cars. |
| D．It’s environmentally friendly with amazing scenery. |
| A．Died. | B．Moved. | C．Exploded. | D．Functioned. |
| A．They look like the bird Kiwi. |
| B．They are simple and kind like Kiwi. |
| C．They want people to know more about this species. |
| D．They try to raise tourists’ awareness to protect Kiwi. |
5 . Professional rock climber Emily Harrington has made history after successfully free climbing Yosemite National Park's El Capitan last Wednesday.
Harrington, 34, became the fourth person—and the first woman—to ever scale the 3,000-foot El Capitan without the help of a rope or other equipment. “The people before me who have achieved this are kind of like some of my heroes in rock climbing,” she said, “so it feels pretty special to join that group.”
But Harrington's climb was not without injury—at one point, she slid and was left with a serious wound on her forehead that required her to take a break. “I took a fall and I couldn't get my feet out and my head actually hit the wall,” she recalled, “I got this wound on my forehead. I rested a little bit longer, bandaged (包扎) it up, and then tried again,” Harrington said，adding that although she “kind of didn't really want to try again,” she powered through because “ I felt like I should try again.”
After 21 hours and 13 minutes, Harrington scaled all of El Capitan, achieving a feat (壮举) she failed to finish twice last year. “That was my life dream. I achieved it,” she said.
Harrington said she's hopeful that her journey has inspired others. “I hope that as a result of my story more people will get to experience climbing, or at least try.”
Harrington previously scaled Mt. Qomolangma, the tallest mountain in the world. As a former member of the USA climbing team, Harrington has competed in five U. S. sport climbing championships and two North American championships.
1. What do we learn about Harrington's conquering El Capitan?| A．She took no tools to help her. |
| B．She climbed up the mountain freely. |
| C．She was the first person to climb El Capitan. |
| D．She got the fourth place in the competition. |
| A．Remove. | B．Mount. |
| C．Measure. | D．Weigh. |
| A．The risk of the climbing. | B．Harrington's determination. |
| C．The meaning of failure. | D．Harrington's expert skills. |
| A．Harrington's achievements. | B．US sport climbing events. |
| C．The climbing team's arrangements. | D．The secret to Harrington's success. |
| A．A travel journal. | B．A story book. |
| C．A news report. | D．A science magazine. |
6 . Everyone loves a holiday! A little time off for some much-needed R&R (rest and relaxation) can be exactly the thing to rejuvenate and refresh from work. So if you're struggling to think of your next destination(目的地) then look no further. Don't waste time debating where to go, but let your blood decide.
Everybody has a lineage(家系). Recently, finding out more about our family origins has become popular. By the start of 2019, 26 million people had taken an ancestry DNA3 test at home, according to a report by MIT Technology Review. They believe by 2021 this number will have risen to 100 million.
This trend has been noticed by opportunistic travel operators. Some are looking to provide a service that both allows people to track their family roots and travel to the destinations where their ancestors originated from.
Airbnb, an online boarding marketplace, recently partnered with 23andMe, a DNA testing company, to offer recommendations that encourage travellers to walk in the footsteps of their forefathers. And they aren't the only ones.
The Shelbourne hotel in Dublin has its own 'genealogy butler(宗谱管家)'. Hellen Kelly offers advice to help guests track their Irish lineage using official records. This allows them to 'fill in the blanks of their Irish ancestry', she told Good Morning America.
The Conte Club, a luxury travel company. offers custom routes of travel based on DNA tests. "These experiences are about going deeper into who we really are." says Conte Club CEO Rebecca Fielding in an article in the Condé Nast Traveller. "It might be the most meaningful trip we can take."
So next time you think of going on vacation, why not take a DNA test first? Once you know how far your family has come, take the time to holiday back.
1. What does the underlined word "rejuvenate" in Paragraph 1 mean?| A．Take a holiday. | B．Feel lively again. | C．Do a DNA test. | D．Return to work. |
| A．The creativity of travel agency. |
| B．The report by MIT Technology Review. |
| C．The competition of the boarding market. |
| D．The rising number of people tracking their lineage. |
| A．By making comparisons. |
| B．By analyzing information. |
| C．By giving examples. |
| D．By offering reasons. |
| A．Negative. | B．Supportive. | C．Uninterested. | D．Doubtful. |
7 . So many things can keep you from seeing your loved ones in person, from busy schedules to long distances. Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, the people we miss are often only a phone call or text message away. But if you’re someone who prefers typed out messages toverbalones, you may want to reconsider. According to science, if you want to feel more connected to the people you're talking to, you should call them instead of texting.
A new study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, found that communication including voice, like a phone call or video chat, created stronger social connections than communication through typing, like text messaging or e-mailing.
In the study, researchers used various experiments to judge connectedness. In one, they asked 200 people to predict (预测）what it would be like to reconnect with an old friend by e-mail or by phone. Although people expected that a phone call would get them more uncomfortable, hearing someone's voice actually made the experience better.
In another experiment, the researchers had strangers connected by either texting, talking over video chat, or talking using only audio (音频）.They found that both forms of voice communication—whether video or audio only—made the strangers feel significantly more connected than when they communicated by texting.
Sabrina Romanoff, a psychologist, says people prefer to text or email instead of calling because of convenience. In reality, texting can make it hard to determine the true meaning behind a conversation. "A phone call is actually more convenient when considering the net effects of the message,” she explains. “Each party is present, and therefore, able to understand the meaning behind the content without figuring out the endless possible meanings behind words.”
1. What does the underlined word “verbal” in Paragraph 1 mean?| A．Drawn. | B．Written. | C．Spelt. | D．Spoken. |
| A．Voice communication makes people worried. |
| B．Voice betters text messaging in communication. |
| C．Texting gets people more connected than phoning. |
| D．It is more comfortable to call friends than strangers. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Serious. | C．Confused. | D．Positive. |
| A．The ways to greet old friends. |
| B．The importance of communication. |
| C．Why we should call instead of texting. |
| D．How modern technology helps us get connected. |
8 . To help tourists enjoy the beauty of natural wonders all over the world.CNN Traverl’s editors recommend some best places to visit.
Chile Lake District is worth a visit,thanks to the national parks,volcanoes and outdoor adventuring . The town of Pucon is great for hot springs and is also home to one of Chile’s most famous volcanoes.Villarica.Braving the travel to the top is a must for experienced hikers.
Copenhagen
Known as the happy capital of one of the world’s happiest countries ,Copenhagen has long been a source of attraction for travelers drawn by its cycling culture , colorful businessman houses and best restaurants .Cycling is the fastest ,easiest ,most healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around Copenhagen.
The Dead Sea
As the lowest point on Earth ,the Dead Sea is far from an unnoticed secret .But the realities of the climate crisis(气候危机)are causing water levels there to drop and have changed the Dead Sea from “a place to visit someday” to “a place you need to visit now .”Because of the high salt content of the water , bathers in the Dead Sea can actually read newspapers or book’s while relaxing on the water . Besides , the Dead Sea’s key position makes it a perfect stop on a Middle Eastern road trip.
Jamaica
In April, Ian Fleming’s superspy James Bond appears in his 25th film，“No Time To Die,” in which Daniel Craig's 007 returns to the beach house, Goldeneye, about 90 minutes from Montego Bay. Fleming wrote 14 James Bond novels at Goldeneye, working there every winter from 1952 until his death in 1964. Guests can stay in the famous writer’s five-bedroom beachfront home on the northern coast of the island and use Fleming's writing desk.
1. What will visitors do in Copenhagen?| A．Have a bicycle trip. | B．Take a hot spring bath. |
| C．Watch wonderful films. | D．Meet environmentalists. |
| A．It is an unnoticed secret. | B．It is a place to visit one day. |
| C．It helps people relax on the water. | D．It serves as a stop on the trip. |
| A．The Dead Sea. | B．Jamaica. |
| C．Chile Lake District. | D．Copenhagen. |
9 . We know that carbon dioxide is a major driver of climate change, so the more that can be taken out of the atmosphere by plants, the better. With the warmer climate leading to a longer growing season, some scientists have suggested that more carbon dioxide would be absorbed by trees. But a new study has turned this theory on its head.
The researchers，led by Deborah Zani at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, studied certain tree species and recorded how much carbon each tree absorbed per season. With data from other projects, the researchers found as the rate of photosynthesis (光合作用)increased with warmer climate, leaves changed color and fell earlier in the year.
Climate-controlled experiments show what could be behind this unexpected result. In the trials, the trees were exposed to full sun, half shade or full shade. The results show there's a limit to the amount of photosynthesis that a tree can carry out over a growing season and that certain trees can only absorb a set amount of carbon each year. Think of it like filling a bucket with water. It can be done slowly or quickly, but once the bucket is full, there's nowhere for any more water to go.
Once that limit is reached，leaves begin to change color. The limit is set by the availability of nutrients，particularly nitrogen，which is a key nutrient that plants need to grow. The amount of available nitrogen often limits total growth. That's why farmers and gardeners use nitrogen fertilizer.
These new findings have significant implications (启示) for climate change modelling. If we accept that warmer weather and longer growing seasons won't allow trees to take up more carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide levels will rise more quickly than previously expected. The only way to change this will be to increase the capacity(容纳能力) of trees to absorb carbon.
1. What does the new study suggest?| A．More carbon dioxide would be absorbed by trees. |
| B．Global warming shortens the growing season of plants. |
| C．The amount of carbon dioxide decides the photosynthesis. |
| D．Warmer climate may cause leaves to change color earlier. |
| A．By analyzing collected data. | B．By measuring temperature. |
| C．By observing changes of shade. | D．By modeling climate change. |
| A．the ways to fill in a bucket | B．the process of controlling climate |
| C．the limitation of carbon absorption | D．the importance of sunlight exposure |
| A．To stop total growth of plants. | B．To change the shape of plants. |
| C．To slow the rate of photosynthesis. | D．To overcome plant growth limitation. |
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| Jiu Zhaigou National Park Location: in the north of Sichuan Famous for: green lakes,waterfalls, Colorful forests,snow peaks, Tibetan customs and blue ice, UNESCO World Heritage Site Best time to visit: from June To September. | Huangshan Mount Location: in the south of Anhui Famous for: unique guest-greeting pines, absurd stones, sea of clouds and amazing hot springs Abundant in: natural resources and various species, for which it has been listed as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. Best time to visit: Different seasons around a year witness various and unique beauty. | Yungang Grottoes Location: in the south Datong,Shanxi Reasons to visit:Listed among top 4 grottoes in China, one of UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is said to be the best preserved Buddhist cave art in China with 53 caves containing over 51,000 Stone carvings of Buddha and Buddhist dating from the 5th and 6th centuries. Best time to visit: summer and autumn for cool weather. | Suzhou Classical Gardens Location: in the downtown area of Suzhou,Jiangsu Reasons to visit: Listed as a World Heritage Site in 1997,the gardens of Suzhou represent the Development Chinese landscape garden design ove more than 2000 years, including three most featured gardens in Suzhou: Humble Administrator's Garden, Master of the Nets Garden and Lingering Garden. Best time to visit: all year around. |
| A．Unique waterfalls | B．Snow-covered peaks |
| C．Ancient culture and art | D．Beautiful natural scenery. |
| A．Being far from city. |
| B．Being a man-made wonder. |
| C．Being rich in natural resources |
| D．Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| A．Yungang Grottoes | B．Huangshan Mount |
| C．Suzhou Classical Gardens | D．Jiu Zhaigou National Park |
