1 . A handsome man can earn a fifth more than a plainer colleague (同事) but a beautiful woman is not paid a penny more than her average-looking colleague, new research has shown.
The study by senior economists (经济学家) found that being good-looking meant male workers could earn 22 percent more than average-looking colleagues. Researchers said good looks did not give women a similar advantage.
Andrew Leigh, the former economics professor at the Australian National University who co-authored the report, said: “Beauty can be a double-edged sword for women.”
“Some people still believe good looks and intelligence (智慧) are incompatible (矛盾的) in women so a good-looking woman can’t be that productive, but it doesn’t affect men’s pay.”
He said that although he believed good-looking women may also earn more, the research did not support his theory.
The research found that handsome men in all jobs, from manual labour to highly-paid professional careers, can earn 22 percent more than their colleagues doing the same work.
Men with below-average looks face a battle in the office, with ugliness reducing a man’s earnings by 26 percent compared to an average-looking worker.
Former male model Ian Mitchell, 28, who has a first class degree in history from Edinburgh University and now works for a cosmetics (化妆品) company, told the Sunday Times: “It gives you confidence, and I suspect people tend to warm to you more quickly.”
The study, named Unpacking the Beauty Premium, was the largest exercise of its kind and repeated a survey from 1984 to see if the beauty premium had changed.
Leigh said the research showed people in the workplace were “lookist (以貌取人的) ” and he hoped the findings would encourage employers to remove their prejudice(偏见).
1. What has the research found?| A．Handsome men have an advantage in their jobs. |
| B．Appearance plays an important role at work. |
| C．Male workers pay more attention to their appearance. |
| D．The more beautiful a female is, the lower their intelligence is. |
| A．beauty is a double-edged sword for workers |
| B．good-looking females are likely to earn more |
| C．employers have prejudice in employing workers |
| D．more attention is paid to appearance now than before |
| A．earn 26% less than handsome men |
| B．earn 26% less than average-looking men |
| C．earn as much as average-looking men |
| D．earn 22% less than average-looking men |
| A．Good-looking men are more likely to earn more. |
| B．Men and women should be treated equally in interviews. |
| C．People should pay more attention to their appearance. |
| D．Beautiful female interviewees aren’t popular in interviews. |
2 . Gifts.com provides more than just ideas. Sure, our unique (独特的) and unforgettable gift suggestions are a big part of why people love us, but we also offer endless ideas and tools to make every day a reason to celebrate. Here are our Great Christmas Gift Ideas:
Christmas Gifts for Parents
You love your parents like no one else, and you want to give them something special for Christmas. But what would make their holiday bright? Finding them the perfect Christmas gift will be easy this year, with all our top picks in one place.
Christmas Gifts for Parents Under $45
Holiday Gift Baskets
The gift basket is a great way to give a gift to a group. Our gift basket ideas come from all the top stores online, so you can easily find everything from fruit gift baskets to wine gift baskets in one place.
Gift Baskets Under $50
Ideas for Teens
Trying to find the right gift for a teen? Teens can be a challenge (挑战). What do they want? What could they use? They're all unique, but we think we've got something for them, even though they're a special group that are hard to deal with.
Top Picks for Teens Under $20
The Secret Santa Exchange (交换)
The Secret Santa is a great way to exchange gifts in the office, when it's often impossible to give everyone a present. We've got an office guide right here to help you find proper gifts for the workplace. And then there's always the gift basket, with things that are sure to please everyone in the office.
Business Gifts Under $25
1. What makes Gifts.com popular?| A．Its special gift ideas. |
| B．Its endless new gifts. |
| C．It is organized according to personal taste. |
| D．It gives people a good reason to celebrate. |
| A．They are much cheaper. |
| B．They make a holiday brighter. |
| C．They list popular gifts in one place. |
| D．They include top choices from parents. |
| A．provide gift baskets |
| B．sell gifts from top stores online |
| C．have a guide to help people choose gifts |
| D．are designed for people working in offices |
| A．a parent | B．a teenager |
| C．a group | D．a businessman |
3 . How to Make New Friends
When you start high school，you need to make some new friends because your old friends may be away from you now. It’s not easy to make new friends，but it’s important to make new friends. Good friends help you to be happier.
Be confident after you enter high school. People like making friends with those who are confident.
Enjoy your new friends. Do something small but nice for them.
Be a good friend. Being good friends is about trusting each other and caring for each other. It’s about give-and-take.
| A．For example，you can save a seat for your friend. |
| B．Be there for your friends when you’re needed. |
| C．Be yourself when you’re talking with others. |
| D．Pick up your courage and talk to someone. |
| E．They can help you do better at school. |
| F．Everyone needs new friends. |
| G．Don’t be afraid of others. |
4 . When Columbus‘sailed the ocean blue in 1492’ he wasn't looking for America, he was searching for a route from Spain to China; America just got in the way.
The Spanish were after the riches of Asia: silk, dates,spices.Until later adventurers discovered how to sail to the Far East, trade with China depended on the Silk Road.The trade between China and Europe brought huge wealth, so the Spanish had a strong desire to find a new way to the East.Eventually a way appeared; as sea traffic developed from the 17th century onwards, the overland route diminished.
Now China is seeking to revive(复兴)the Silk Road and is preparing to invest 4 trillion pounds in new roads, rail links, oil pipelines and other basic facilities.It is hoped that goods can be shipped westwards by land far more quickly and economically than by sea.
But the plan is also to attract more tourists.Actually, China does pretty well for tourists already; it's the world's fourth most visited country.Two cities—Beijing and Shanghai—possess the tourism business, with significant interest in destinations such as Xi'an and Chengdu.While Beijing is modern，cities such as Lanzhou and Dunhuang have one foot planted firmly in old China.
Other places featured include Xi'an，the former capital of China，where you can come face to face with the Terracotta Army built to protect China's first emperor in the afterlife.From Lanzhou tour members take the train to Jiayuguan, China's western gateway and a key location on the Silk Road.
There is also a fourday coach journey along the original Silk Route through the Xinjiang region to Kashgar.Along the way, at Kurla, you can visit the ruins of the Iron Fortress.
1. What does the underlined word“diminished” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．Discovered. | B．Disturbed. |
| C．Disappeared. | D．Displayed. |
| A．To make transportation westwards faster and cheaper. |
| B．To construct new roads and other basic structures. |
| C．To rebuild the ruins of the Iron Fortress. |
| D．To draw more inland tourists' attention to the western gateway. |
| A．The function of the Silk Road. | B．The charming of the Silk Road. |
| C．The origin of the Silk Road. | D．The future of the Silk Road. |
5 . If you are looking for the place that has everything, there is only one place to visit, and that’s New York. It’s a whole world in a city.
The World of Theater: All of New York is a stage. And it begins with Broadway. Where else can you find so many hit shows in one place? Only in New York!
The World of Music: Spend an evening with Beethoven at Lincoln Center. Swing to the great jazz of Greenwich Village. Or rock yourself silly at the hottest dance spots found anywhere.
The World of Art: From Rembrandt to Picasso. From Egyptian tombs to Indian teepees. Whatever kind of art you like, you will find it in New York.
The World of Fine Dining: Whether it’s roast Beijing duck in Chinatown, lasagna in little Italy, or the finest French coq au vin found everywhere, there is world of great taste waiting for you in New York.
The World of Sights: What other city has a Statue (雕塑) of Liberty? A Rockefeller Center? Or a Bronx Zoo? Where else can you take a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park? Only in New York!
1. From the text we know that “Rembrandt” is most likely to be the name of a famous .| A．actor | B．painter |
| C．cook | D．musician |
| A．To enjoy a Beethoven concert. | B．To taste the finest French coq au vin. |
| C．To see the Statue of Liberty. | D．To eat Roast Beijing Duck. |
| A．a handbook for English learners | B．a pocketbook for businessmen |
| C．a guidebook for foreign travellers | D．a storybook for local readers |
6 . Below are some of the best exhibitions at UK museums, galleries and historic houses.
20 Years Of Treasure — Oxfordshire Museum
Objects range from clay pipes and pots to gold coins and Elizabethan rings, all contributing to a deeper understanding of the area’s history. Recent acquisitions such as a beautifully decorated pair of Roman calipers are on display for the first time. Many items are now part of the county’s permanent collections, but there is also the opportunity to view discoveries that were recorded and returned to their finders.
Opening times: Tue—Sat, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Sun, 2 p.m. — 5 p.m.
A History of Fashion — Fashion Museum
This display features the items that have shaped the way Britons have dressed over the last 500 years. Among them is a woman’s waistcoat dating back to the time of Shakespeare, a selection of silk robes that would have been desired by the upper-class people of Georgian society, a New Look suit worn in the 1920s by the ballet dancer Margot Fonteyn and a 21st century body—con Galaxy dress.
Opening times: Daily, 10:30 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Another India — Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Marking the 70th anniversary of India’s independence from Britain, another India looks at the story of the country’s Indigenous and Adivasi people using a rich collection of artifacts. Never-before-seen objects from the museum’s collection are on display, together with several recently acquired works, including a number of newly created pieces by contemporary Adivasi sculptors.
Opening times: Tue—Sat, 10:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Sun, 12 noon — 4: 30 p.m.
Art since 9/11 — IWM London
On display are 50 works of art including film, sculpture, painting, installations, photography and prints, bringing together the varying perspectives of more than 40 artists. Many exhibits are being shown in the UK for the first time. The exhibition is organized into four themes, exploring 9/11 itself, the resultant argument over state security, our relationship with weapons and other tools of war, and the damage caused to people and the environment.
Opening times: Daily, 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
1. What can we learn about the exhibits in Oxfordshire Museum?| A．They all belong to the museum. | B．They came from royal families. |
| C．Some of them have never been on show before. | D．Some of them were donated by other countries. |
| A．The differences in dressing among Britons. | B．The changes in Britons’ way of dressing. |
| C．The way of Britons’ shaping their lives. | D．The history of Britons’ making clothes. |
| A．Art since 9/11. | B．A History of Fashion. |
| C．Another India. | D．20 Years of Treasure. |
7 . Welcome to Adventureland!
Everyone loves Adventureland! The Parks and Exhibitions were built for you to explore (探索), enjoy, and admire their wonders. Every visit will be an unforgettable experience. You will go away enriched, longing to come back. What are you going to do this time?
The Travel Pavilion
Explore places you have never been to before, and experience different ways of life. Visit the Amazon jungle (丛林) village, the Turkish market, the Tai floating market, the Berber mountain house and others. Talk to the people there who will tell you about their lives, and things they make. You can try making a carpet, making nets, fishing ...
The Future Tower
This exhibition shows how progress will touch our lives. It allows us to look into the future and explore the cities of the next century and the way we’ll be living then. Spend some time in our space station and climb into our simulator (模拟装置) for the Journey to Mars.
The Nature Park
This is not really one park but several. In the Safari Park you can drive among African animals in one of our Range Cruisers: see lions, giraffes, elephants in the wild. Move on to the Ocean Park to watch the dolphins and whales. And then there is still the Aviary to see ...
The Pyramid
This is the center of Adventureland. Run out of film, need some postcards and stamps? For all these things and many more, visit our underground shopping center. Come here for information and ideas too.
1. The Travel Pavilion is built to help visitors ______.| A．realize the importance of travelling |
| B．become familiar with mountain countries |
| C．learn how to make things such as fishing nets |
| D．learn something about different places in the world |
| A．the Travel Pavilion | B．the Future Tower |
| C．the Safari Park | D．the Pyramid |
| A．The Pyramid. | B．The Nature Park. |
| C．The Future Tower. | D．The Travel Pavilion. |
8 . In a world surrounded by bad news, it may feel like an unhappy place sometimes.
If you make even one person smile today, you can help make this world a better place. Here is list of ideas to help you.
Requiring some time and research to find the perfect project, volunteering is one of the nicest things you can do. Whether you volunteer at your local youth group or take dogs from shelters for a walk, the simple fact that you are giving up your time to help someone else is incredible. There are so many opportunities.
Tell someone "I love you". It can be anyone.
| A．However, you can make a difference. |
| B．It's a surprise to send a handwritten letter. |
| C．And you don't even have to say "I love you" |
| D．So you are sure to find one that is right for you. |
| E．And it doesn’t necessarily have to take up all your life. |
| F．Making something for a special person is always unique. |
| G．Even a postcard with a couple of sentences could really make someone's day. |
9 . Christopher Thomas, 27, was a writer by night and a teacher by day when he noticed he was always tired and was losing weight fast. Diagnosed with diabetes(糖尿病), Thomas would need to inject himself with insulin(胰岛素) three times a day for the rest of his life or risk nerve damage, blindness, and even death. And if that weren't bad enough, he had no health insurance.
After a month of feeling upset, Thomas decided he'd better find a way to fight back. He left Canton, Michigan for New York, got a job waiting tables, nicknamed himself the Diabetic Rockstar , and created diabeticrockstar.com, a free online community for diabetics and their loved ones—a place where over 1,100 people share personal stories, information, and resources.
Jason Swencki’s son, Kody, was diagnosed with type diabetes at six. Father and son visit the online children's forums(论坛) together most evenings. "Kody gets so excited, writing to kids from all over," says Swencki, one of the site's volunteers. "They know what he's going through, so he doesn't feel alone."
Kody is anything but alone: Diabetes is now the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, with 24 million diagnosed cases. And more people are being diagnosed at younger ages.
These days, Thomas's main focus is his charity（慈善机构）, Fight It, which provides medicines and supplies to people—225 to date—who can't afford a diabetic's huge expenses. Fight-it.org has raised about $23,000—in products and in cash. In May, Thomas will hold the first annual Diabetic Rockstar Festival in the Caribbean.
Even with a staff of 22 volunteers, Thomas often devotes up to 50 hours a week to his cause, while still doing his full-time job waiting tables. "Of the diabetes charities out there, most are putting money into finding a cure," says Bentley Gubar, one of Rockstar's original members. "But Christopher is the only person I know saying people need help now."
1. Which of the following is true of Christopher Thomas?| A．He needs to go to the doctor every day. B He studies the leading cause of diabetes. C. He has a positive attitude to his disease. D. He encourages diabetics by writing articles. |
| A．diabetics to communicate | B．volunteers to find jobs |
| C．children to amuse themselves | D．rock stars to share resources. |
| A．feel lonely because of his illness | B．benefits from diabeticrockstar.com |
| C．helps create the online kid’s forums | D．writes children’s stories online |
10 . Today，there are thousands of national parks all over the world.
Conservationists in other countries saw what happened in California and soon began to do the same.Today Europe has over 350 national parks.The first one in France，Vanoise National Park，was created in 1963 because the government wanted to stop a plan to build a large tourist project there.The idea of creating a national park was first discussed in the 1940s，but people couldn’t agree on what size to make the park.
| A．This makes it easier for tourists to get to the top. |
| B．The world’s first national park was started in 1864. |
| C．The biggest ones are over one hundred meters high. |
| D．The first national park in Germany opened in 1970. |
| E．The Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park is alive with mystery and wonder. |
| F．They also had different ideas on whether to put human or animal needs first. |
| G．The human feel very fortunate to be able to get so close to these beautiful national parks. |
