1 . 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. spatial   B. specifically   C. deprived       D. seniors       E. basis       F. clinical G. maintaining       H. functioning       I. involved       J. contact       K. separate

Working from home and staying inside has become second nature to many people over the last two years. A new study, however, is warning not to get too comfortable with an inactive social life. Researchers from Penn State report     1     an active social life into old age can help adults improve their mental ability on a day-to-day     2    .

The study concludes that when elderly adults (between 70 and 90 years-old) have more frequent and pleasant social interactions, they also display stronger cognitive     3     over the next few days.

Dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease     4    , is a major problem worldwide, with estimates showing it will only get worse. Worryingly, Alzheimer’s related deaths have increased by 16 percent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Making matters worse is the fact that modern medicine has yet to develop an effective drug for curing Alzheimer’s. With this in mind, study authors say it’s imperative to find other ways to fight mental decline in old age - especially before it reaches the     5     stage.

The team collected data on 312 older adults over the course of 16 days using their smartphones to reach these findings. Each day, participants reported on how many social interactions they’d had so far, who they interacted with, and whether it was a positive or negative experience. The group did this five    6     times throughout the day. Importantly, researchers counted digital or phone-based interactions as social activity in this experiment.

Additionally, after each prompt     7     also had to complete three cognitive tests. One test assessed processing speed and attention, another measured     8     working memory, and the last exam measured intra-item feature memory binding.

Researchers quickly noted that whenever a person had interacted often with close friends on a given day, they usually scored higher on the cognitive tests than others who interacted less frequently with close friends or family.

Interestingly, whenever an older adult hadn’t experienced a certain type of social interaction for some time, they performed much better on cognitive tests on the days they did socialize. For instance, if one participant hadn’t talked to their family in weeks, they usually scored higher on days they finally made     9    .

“Our findings suggest that the lack of positive social interactions in daily life could be a critical risk factor for declining cognitive function later in life,” Prof. Zhaoyang concludes. “Older adults who are relatively more       10     in certain social interaction experiences could potentially benefit the most from interventions that help to ‘boost’ their usual levels of social interactions in daily life.”

2 . Directions: Complete the following passages by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. public             B. inadequate             C. lowered             D. released               E. disappointment F. casting          G. possibility          H. objective          I. desperately          J. balance K. compared

Why Aren’t Women Happier?

Why aren’t women happier these days?

That’s the question raised by a thought-provoking study, The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness,     1     last month. The research showed that over the past 35 years women’s happiness has declined, both     2     to the past and relative to men even though the lives of women in the US have improved in recent decades by most     3     measures.

The research, by University of Pennsylvania economists Stevenson and Wolfers, and made     4     by the National Bureau of Economic Research, found the decline in happiness to be widespread among women across a variety of demographic(人口统计)groups. The researchers, for instance, measured similar declines in happiness among women who were single parents and married parents, “    5     doubt on the hypothesis(假设)that trends in marriage and divorce, single parenthood or work/family     6     are at the root of the happiness declines among women,” they wrote.

One theory for the decline in happiness is that expectations for workplace and general advancement were raised too high by the women’s movement and women might feel     7     for not “having it all,” as a Los Angeles Times columnist recently put it.

The researchers acknowledge that’s a     8     :

“If the women’s movement raised women’s expectations faster than society was able to meet them,” the paper says, “they would be more likely to experience     9     in their lives.” But they add things could change for the better: “As women’s expectations move into adjustment with their experiences, this decline in happiness may reverse.”

Readers, why do you think women are unhappier than in the past? Do you think that if expectations for “having it all” were     10     to “move into adjustment with experiences,” women might be happier?

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

A. relevant            B. democratically            C. dumped            D. count        E. tested        F. federally G. determine          H. expertise                  I. open-minded       J. trial          K. elected

Please Let Education Alone

There is something badly wrong with the way standards for school science being set in the US. When the Texas State Board of Education voted in new standards last week, it left the door open for teaching creationism in the name of science in    1    funded schools. These must be closed, and quickly.

Because standards are set at state level, students in one state might be learning different science and using different textbooks than students in another. What is worse, the state boards of education that are responsible for standards and textbooks are made up of    2    officials who lack any specific skills or qualifications in the    3    areas of science or education. As we saw in the 2005    4    over teaching intelligent design in Dover, Pennsylvania, and are now seeing in Texas, school boards have become a political battleground. Many board members appear to be acting on behalf of religious groups like local churches or the Discovery Institute.

School science standards should be set up by people who understand science and science education. At the same time, it is dangerous to argue that the powers of    5    voted officials should be taken away if they don’t produce the outcome you want. Yet that is what may happen in Texas. Some lobbyists have introduced legislation that would transfer authority for textbooks and curricula to the Texas Education Agency.

Is there a way out of this impasse? One possibility is that candidates for school boards should be    6    before they stand. Another is for the pro-science try to engage more fully with the democratic process. After the Dover trial, board members who favored intelligent design were    7    by the voters. Something similar could happen in Texas.

Another possibility is to push decisions further up the democratic ladder. President Barrack Obama has already called for all states to have the same achievement standards, raising hopes that he might push for federal standards across all US schools. While this might drive conservative insane, it would put an end to the present situation in which an accident of geography can    8    whether a child is taught valid science.

Obama has already made remarkable changes in Washington by restoring scientific    9    to its rightful place in government. Many teachers and scientists would like to see him do the same in the place where it can    10    most: in the classroom.

4 . Directions: Complete the following passages by using the words in the box. Each word con only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. suffering     B. intensive     C. demanding     D. adopting     E. inactive     F. adapting     G. available H. guarantee     I. distinctive     J. discouraging     K. distinct

Health and diet

In recent cars, many Asian countries have noticed a worrying new problem: obesity, which is also very serious in China. More than a third of Chinese adults are overweight. Even more worrying is the level of obesity among Chinese children. It is estimated that the number of children in China     1     from obesity is increasing by 10 % every year.

There are many reasons for this situation. The simplest explanation is that food is now     2     in greater quantities than ever before. Also, Chinese society is changing and people are     3     new kinds of lifestyle. There has been an influx of Western style fast food like hamburgers and fried chicken. These foods contain a lot of calorie and are a major cause of obesity. In addition, many children in China spend too much time in front of TVs or computers. To make things worse, millions of families drive around instead of cycling or walking. This     4       lifestyle is another reason for heavier people.

Increasing obesity is worrying for many reasons. The condition can lead to serious health problems, including increased risk of heart disease and even diabetes. Dealing with their health problems seems really costly and     5     , thus affecting people’ life negatively.

The government in China is taking action to deal with obesity, however. In many primary and middle schools, young students are receiving low calorie lunches with more vegetables and less meat and fat. Also, parents are     6     children from watching TV and playing computer games. In some big cities, there are also “fat camps” where seriously obese children receive     7     training, aiming at losing extra fat.

It is not     8     if these measures will be enough to slow down or stop the obesity trend in China. It is clear, though, what we are doing now is to guide people in     9     to healthier and more active lifestyle. It is the     10     of the rise in the index of people’s happiness.

5 . Directions: Complete the following passages by using the words in the box. Each word con only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. virtually     B. swiftly     C. avoiding     D. appeal     E. feasible     F. imposed     G. reducing     H. released I. limited     J. fuel       K. authority

It sounds like a science-fiction nightmare. But “killer robots” have the likes of British scientist Step hen Hawking and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak warning the machines could     1     ethnic cleansings (种族清洗) and an arms race.

Autonomous weapons, which use artificial intelligence to select targets without human intervention have been described as “the third revolution in warfare, after gunpowder and nuclear arms,” about 1,000 teach scientists wrote in an open letter on July 28, 2015.

Unlike drones, which require a human hand in their action, this kind of robot would have some autonomous decision-making abilities and the capacity to act on its own     2    .

“The key question for humanity today is whether to start a global AI(artificial intelligence)arms race or to prevent it from starting,” they wrote. “If any major military power pushes ahead with AI weapon development, a global arms race is     3     inevitable,” said the letter     4     at the opening of the 2015 International Joint conference on Artificial intelligence in Buenos Aires.

The idea of an automated killing machine, made famous by Amold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator, is moving     5     from science fiction to reality, according to the scientists. “The organization of such systems is — practically if not legally —     6     within years, not decades,” the letter said.

The development of such weapons, while potentially     7     the extent of battlefield injuries, might also lower the necessity for going to battle, noted the scientists.

The scientists painted a terrible scenario in which autonomous weapons fall into the hands of terrorists, dictators or war lords hoping to carry out ethnic clean sings.

The group concluded with a(n)     8     for a “ban on offensive autonomous weapons beyond meaningful human control.”

In a 2014 BBC interview, Howking said the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. “It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever increasing rate. Humans, who are     9     by slow biological evolution, couldn’t compete, and would be replaced,” he said.

Authorities are gradually waking up to the risk of robot wars. Last May, the US government     10     a 10-year human control requirement on automated weapons. For the first time, the United Nations brought governments together to begin talks on so-called fatal autonomous weapons systems that can select targets and carry out attacks without direct human intervention.

6 . 选用适当的单词或短语补全短文。

A. declined            B. eventually             C. flooded            D. handmade          E. producer          F. profit G. remained            H. ruler                    I. share                    L. stressful            K. typically

In the early 19th century, Egypt connected two vast regions: the Ottoman Empire (奥斯曼帝国) and the African continent. For centuries, the Ottoman Empire had been at the center of Eurasian trade. It had also been a major center of manufacturing which produced     1     goods for Europe and Africa.

However, the industrialization of Europe meant that cheaper goods made by machines soon     2     into the Ottoman Empire. The result of this competition was that Africa was increasingly seen as a place that provided new materials for European factories, rather than one that had factories of its own.

Egypt was an African country that was technically part of the Ottoman Empire. It was first invaded by the French army. With British help, the Ottoman forces drove the French out of Egypt. Following this, Muhammad Ali successfully brought about Egyptian independence from the Ottoman Empire. By 1831, he was effectively an independent     3     of a more modern Egypt.

Egypt was already a small-scale     4     of cotton, which was sold to Britain. Ali encouraged even more cotton production nationwide. With the money from this cotton production, Ali’s government began to aid factories so that the country could     5     from its own industrialization. By the late 1840s, it looked like Egypt would     6     become an industrial power.

However, Egypt’s economy slowly     7     . The factories stopped production, and by the 1880s, it had to borrow money from Britain. Though Egypt     8     formally independent, it seemed to be more like a British colony(殖民地).

Europeans kept interfering in Egypt partly because of the Suez Canal(苏伊士运河). Egypt’s new leaders were already     9     because of the industrial collapse that left their country unable to repay the money borrowed from Britain. Finally, in 1875, the king sold his     10     in the Suez Canal Company to the British, giving them control of this important national resource. The powerful British took advantage of this instability and seized the country.

7 . 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. applies       B. casually       C. considered       D. customary       E. empty       F. fellow G. individual       H. literally       I. longevity       J. regards       K. related

Whether you’re ringing in Chinese New Year with a bottle of champagne, making a toast at a wedding, or     1     drinking baijiu, a popular type of Chinese alcohol with your friends, knowing a few Chinese toasts to say will always liven the mood. Here is a beginner’s guide to short Chinese toasts and other Chinese drinking culture tips. Ganbei,     2     translating into “dry your cup”, essentially means “cheers”. This phrase can either be a very casual toast or sometimes this toast is an indication for each person to     3     the glass in one gulp. If it is the latter case, this only     4     to men during the first round of drinks at the beginning of the night, and women are only expected to take a sip. Suiyi is the same as “at random” or “arbitrarily”. But with     5     to giving a toast, it also means “cheers”. This toast indicates you want each person to drink as he or she wishes. Wan shou wu jiang is a toast used to wish for     6     and health.

Now that you know what to say, how do you actually give a toast? When giving a toast in Chinese, raise your glass as you give the toast. Depending on where you are, your     7     drinkers will either raise their glasses and then drink, clink glasses and then drink, or tap the bottom of the glasses against the table and then drink. If you are giving a toast with a table full of people, it is not expected that anyone clink glasses. But there will be times when you find yourself clinking glasses with a(n)     8    . If that person is your superior, it is     9     that you touch the rim (边缘) of your glass below the rim of their glass. To exaggerate that you acknowledge this person’s higher status, touch the rim of your glass to the bottom of their glass. This custom is especially important when it comes to business meetings.

The host of the party or meeting will be the first to make the toast. It is     10     rude if anyone besides the host makes the first toast. The host will also give the last toast to indicate that the event is coming to an end. Now that you know how to give a Chinese toast, drink up and enjoy socializing!

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

A. revolutionize       B. potential       C. unfold       D. convincing       E. handle F.competing       G. individually       H. vertically       I. stuck       J.multiple       K. adjust

How close are we to flying cars?

Even before George Jetson fascinated kids with his cartoon flying car, people dreamed of soaring above traffic congestion. Inventors and entrepreneurs have long tried and failed to make the dream a reality, but that may be changing.

Nearly a dozen companies around the globe, including some with deep pockets such as European aircraft maker to be the first to develop a new kind of aircraft that will enable commuters to glide above Airbus, are     1     crowded roadways. A few of the aircraft under development are cars with wings that     2     for flight, but most aren't cars at all. Typically they take off and land     3    like helicopters. Rather than a single, large main rotor(旋翼), they have     4     small rotors operated by a battery - powered electric motor instead of a conventional aircraft engine.

It's no sure bet that flying-car dreams will turn into reality. There are many obstacles, including     5     regulators that the aircraft are safe, figuring out how to     6     thousands of new low-flying aircraft over cities without collisions and developing batteries that will keep them in the air long enough.

But entrepreneurs are moving forward. They see a vast     7     market for "air taxis" and personally owned small aircraft to transport people from the edges of metropolitan areas to city centers as urban areas grow more congested and people spend more time     8     in traffic. They envision tens of thousands of flying taxis delivering passengers to the rooftops of office buildings in city centers during rush hours.

"In as little as 10 years, products that     9     urban travel for millions of people could be on the market." said Zach Lovering, the leader of Aribus' project to develop an autonomous flying taxi. It's unclear yet how much the aircraft will cost, although prices are likely to vary significantly. Some of the aircraft are designed to be     10     owned, while others are more for commercial use. Designers hope that if demand is high, prices can be kept affordable through economies of mass production.

9 . Directions:Complete the following passage by using the words in the box.Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A delivered       B management       C overlooked        D.products        E.rural     F. shifted G.strategies       H.sufficient       I. tremendous        J.urbanisation       K.worst

National governments neglecting development needs of cities

National governments around the world are neglecting the needs of their major cities with non-existent or inadequate development policies, a new report has found. National governments are key to making cities more sustainable, because cities are limited distinctly in the policy measures they can take for themselves, the report points out. However, only a quarter of the world’s governments have urban development policies at all, and most of those that do exist are far from     1     to make cities sustainable.

The report looks at the key measures of energy production, transport, waste     2     and infrastructure(基础建设)，For instance, putting in adequate public transport can transform the lives of citizens and the carbon footprint of the cities they live in. Encouraging the use of electric vehicles above petrol-driven cars can also have a(n)     3     effect, not just on greenhouse gas emissions but also on removing some of the key causes of air pollution.

The report, from the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Coalition for Urban Transitions and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, suggests national governments have     4     the needs of their major cities even when they have in place national policies on issues such as climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.Derik Broekhoff of the Stockholm EnvironmentInstitute,the lead author of the study, said“Now is the time for national governments to put cities at the heart of their national development     5     . Countries must consider what policies need to be     6     in order to ensure their countries and cities are prepared for the unprecedented     7     and climate challenges the world is facing.”

Cities around the world are facing rapid population growth, and are likely to be among the areas     8     hit by dramatic climate change, in part because many are at risk of rising sea levels, floods and droughts. For most of human history, the     9     population was greater than those of cities, and it is only in just over the last decade that this balance has     10     with most of the world’s populations now living in urban centres, a trend that is expected to speed up even further.

10 . Directions:Complete the following passage by using the words in the box.Each word can only be used once.Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. boost       B.capabilities       C.ceaseless     D.effects     E.evolve       F. historic G.identify       H.initiative     I. interconnected     J.miraculously       K.seriously

Currently, many of the brainy gadgets being developed for the Internet of Things will anticipate our needs and make choices for us--without being told what to do--marking a(n)     1     transformation in our relationship with machine.

As we turn more of our decision-making over to the devices,they will     2     into our personal confidants (知己) and counselors, determining everything from the time we wake up and clothes we wear to the music we listen to and the route we take to work. In the process, experts say our reliance on these     3     tools will far surpass today's dependence on smart phones.These autonomous assistants are widely expected to help us stay healthier, take better care of our loved ones, live more comfortably, become more environmentally responsible and     4     our productivity by freeing us from an endless array of boring routines so we can concentrate on the most important ones.

But social scientists and others worry these computerized devices might make decisions that are     5     flawed or that we otherwise dislike, leaving us feeling less in control of our lives. More importantly, their     6     observation could result in an excessively conformist (循规蹈矩的)society, some experts fear一especially with the government and other entities (实体) exploring the use of these intelligent machines to assess and prevent "abnormal behavior."

Stanford University researchers believe society may be profoundly impacted by Internet-of-Things machines blessed with humanlike     7     . So in December they began a century-long study of the technology in part to     8     the implications “of systems that can make inferences about the goals, intentions, identity, location, health, beliefs, habits and future actions of people."

Understanding such     9     is crucial, experts say, because the technology is being rapidly adapted. About 13 percent of consumers already have got a smart thermostat, security camera or other devices installed in homes. Instead of just doing what we command, many of the devices being empowered with sophisticated software and micro-electronics to act on their own     10     as our personal advisers.