Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more commonly
She used to visit a temple regularly. Gandhi used to accompany her to the temple.
Both Gandhi and his mother were deeply religious although they were not scholars. Many religious visited their house and
2 . Sometimes people recall past events differently from how they happened. Have you ever confused dates and events from your life, or people’s names? Don’t be too hard on yourself if this is the case; it happens to almost everyone. Every day, our brain processes an amazing amount of information. In fact, all our experiences are based on the way our brain interprets the information it receives from our senses. It is impossible to store all of this information, so some of it gets lost. The parts that remain make up our memories. All our thoughts and memories depend on the way our senses work, and we cannot always trust everything our senses tell us.
If you have ever tried to make your own short film on a digital camera, you will have noticed that the images you record are often blurry(模糊不清). To stop the same thing from happening when we see things with our own eyes, our brain is always filling in the blanks. Before our eyes can even focus on an object, our brain has created its own picture of it so that we can move smoothly from looking at one thing to another without the world looking strange. If we are moving quickly or are not focusing properly, our brain may not correctly guess what is around us.
Memory is the way we store the information that our senses have experienced. As we have discussed above, our senses do not always see things accurately, so our memory is just how we store our interpretations of these experiences. When our brain takes in new experiences, it uses the information we retrieve from our memory as a reference. This means that we often do not remember the details of things but just the important parts. When we look at something, we often do not really look closely at it, but we merely look at the different hints that help us identify it.
This also happens with our hearing and speaking. It is natural for students of English to confuse the word “kitchen”, with the familiar word “chicken”. As the sounds are similar, the mind mistakenly identifies the new word with the one that is familiar. This is perhaps the most common reason why people make mistakes when they learn a new language.
1. Sometimes things people remember are quite different from how they really happened because ______.| A．not all people are smart enough | B．the main part of the information gets lost |
| C．people are too strict with themselves | D．information was processed incompletely |
| A．images recorded by cameras could not be accurate |
| B．brain may form an imagery picture without reference |
| C．blurry pictures are caused by too fast camera movements |
| D．the process of vision is an interpretive construct by the brain |
| A．recall | B．change |
| C．borrow | D．differ |
| A．Memory is exactly what senses have experienced. |
| B．Memories are made up of the information remaining in minds. |
| C．Memory is the way to store information experienced by senses. |
| D．Memories sometimes can be obstacles to learning something new. |
3 . A weather map is an important tool for geographers. A succession of three or four maps presents continuous picture of weather changes. Weather forecasters are able to determine the speed of air masses and fronts (冷暖空气团接触的锋) to determine whether an individual pressure area is deepening or becoming shallow and whether a front is increasing or decreasing in intensity. They are also able to determine whether an air mass is retaining its original characteristics or taking on those of the surface over which it is moving. Thus, a most significant function of the map is to reveal a summary picture of conditions in the atmosphere at a given time.
All students of geography should be able to interpret a weather map accurately. Weather maps contain an enormous amount of information about weather conditions existing at the time of observation over a large geographical area. They reveal in a few minutes what otherwise would take hours to describe. The United States Weather Bureau issues information about approaching storms, floods, frosts and all climatic conditions in general. Twice a month it issues a 30-day “outlook” which is a rough guide to weather conditions likely to occur over broad areas of the United States. These 30-day outlooks are based upon an analysis of the upper air levels which often set the stage for development of air masses, fronts and storms.
Considerable effort is being exerted today to achieve more accurate weather predictions. With the use of electronic instruments and satellites, enormous gains have taken place recently in identifying and tracking storms over regions which have but few meteorological stations (气象站). Experiments are also in progress for weather modification (改变) studies. But the limitations of weather modification have prevented meteorological results except in the seeding of super-cooled, upslope mountainous winds which have produced additional orographic (山岳形态) precipitation on the windward side of mountain ranges. Nevertheless, they have provided a clearer understanding of the fundamentals of weather elements.
1. By reading weather maps, students majoring in geography can .| A．design a project of weather modification |
| B．interpret the weather condition before the time of observation |
| C．obtain data on atmospheric conditions over a wide area |
| D．survey ever-changing fronts in local meteorological stations |
| A．daily weather maps | B．upper air levels |
| C．satellite reports | D．changing fronts |
| A．electronic instruments are used |
| B．it enables man to alert the weather |
| C．it makes weather more time-consuming |
| D．information not be obtained readily otherwise can be gained |
| A．controlling and influencing weather |
| B．determining density of pressure groups |
| C．30-day “outlooks” |
| D．predicting storms |
4 . The next morning Alex was waiting in the FMA president’s suite when Jerome Patterton arrived. Alex filled him in quickly on the Jax report. Then he said, “I want you to give an order to the trust department to sell every share of Supranational we’re holding.”
“I won’t!” Patterton’s voice rose. “Who do you think you are, giving orders---“ “I’ll tell you who I am, Jerome. I’m the guy who warned the board against in-depth involvement with SuNatCo. I fought against heavy trust department buying of the stock, but no one---including you ---would listen. Now Supranational is caving in.” Alex leaned across the desk and slammed a fist down hard. “Don’t you understand? Supranational can bring this bank down with it.”
Patterton was shaken. “But is SuNatCo in real trouble? Are you sure?”
“If I weren’t, do you think I’d be here? I’m giving you a chance to salvage something at least.” He pointed to his wristwatch. “It’s an hour since the New York stock market opened. Jerome, get on the phone and give that order!”
Muscles around the bank president’s mouth twitched nervously. Never decisive, strong influence often swayed him. He hesitated, then picked up the telephone.
“Get me Mitchell in the trust department… Mitch? This is Jerome. Listen carefully. I want you to give a sell order immediately on all the Supranational stock we hold… Yes, sell every share.” Patterton listened, then said impatiently, “Yes, I know what it’ll do to the market. And I know it’s irregular.” His eyes sought Alex’s for reassurance. The hand holding the telephone trembled as he said, “There’s no time to hold meetings. So do it! Yes, I accept responsibility.”
He hung up and reached for a glass of water. “The stock is already down. Our selling will depress it more. We’ll be taking a big beating.”
“It’s our clients---people who trusted us---who will take the beating. And they’d have taken a bigger one still, if we’d waited. Even now we’re not out of the woods. A week from now the SEC may disallow those sales. They may rule we had inside knowledge that Supranational was about to be bankrupt, which we should have reported and which would have halted trading in the stock.
1. Alex filled him in quickly on the Jax report. The sentence means____.| A．He filled his name on the Jax report quickly. |
| B．Alex signed his name to the Jax report quickly. |
| C．He offered the FMA president the Jax report smartly. |
| D．He prepared the Jax report for Patterton to sign smartly. |
| A．SuNatCo would bring the stock market down if it sold all the Supranational stock they held. |
| B．The president was stubborn and would never listen to others. |
| C．Alex will take the place of Patterton in the future. |
| D．the clients would take a bigger beating than the bank |
| A．the old stock can be bought and sold |
| B．shares can be bought and sold |
| C．paper stock can be bought and sold |
| D．some of the stock can be taken without being paid for |
| A．free from danger | B．short of wood |
| C．running out of wood | D．set free |
5 . For busy people, the idea of speed dating has really caught on in popularity. In a speed dating event, usually 8-10
The first thing that you will realize about speed dating is that it makes you
An 8-minute speed dating will also give you a chance to see how someone
When you are looking for
| A．lovers | B．couples | C．youths | D．singles |
| A．learn | B．have | C．explore | D．develop |
| A．equally | B．hardly | C．definitely | D．eventually |
| A．chase | B．hurry | C．focus | D．cheer |
| A．constantly | B．frequently | C．occasionally | D．unexpectedly |
| A．making friends | B．speed dating | C．family planning | D．home improving |
| A．sick | B．fond | C．aware | D．confident |
| A．acts | B．talks | C．lives | D．loves |
| A．interest | B．background | C．intention | D．personality |
| A．spare | B．limited | C．appointed | D．luxurious |
| A．creative | B．passive | C．negative | D．objective |
| A．introduced | B．devoted | C．mentioned | D．used |
| A．demanding | B．surprising | C．convincing | D．appealing |
| A．fun | B．love | C．friendship | D．adventure |
| A．In a word | B．As a result | C．On the way | D．Believe it or not |
| A. as B. involve C. filling D. rapidly E. major F. developed G. all H. by I. along J. needs K. present |
Throughout the 20th century, Japanese towns and cities grew
The urban areas on the Japanese island of Honshu (本州岛) continue to grow
Four
The Achievement Gap in the United States
The achievement gap in the United States refers to the observed, persistent disparity(差异)in measures of educational performance among subgroups of U. S. students, especially groups defined by socio-economic status, race and gender. The achievement gap can be observed on a variety of measures including standardized test scores, grade point average, dropout rates, and college enrollment and completion rates.
Research into the causes of the disparity in academic achievement between students has been ongoing since 1966. Many experts argue that achievement gaps are the result of more subtle environmental factors and “opportunity gaps” in the resources available to poor versus wealthy children.
Home environments have a stronger impact on school achievement than in-school factors, in part, because children spend more time outside of school than in school. Studies have found that children in poverty whose parents provide engaging learning environments at home do not start school with the same academic readiness gaps seen among poor children generally.
In addition, the out-of-school factors influencing academic performance differ significantly between children living in poverty and children from middle-income households. Being raised in a low-income family, for example, often means having fewer educational resources at home, in addition to poor health care and nutrition.
The achievement gap has become a focal point of education reform efforts by a number of non-profit organizations and advocacy groups. Attempts to minimize the achievement gap by improving equality of access to educational opportunities have been numerous, such as multicultural education, finance equalization, and interventions to improve school testing, teacher quality and responsibility.
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8 . The study of psychology is facing a crisis. The Research Excellence Framework (the REF) has led to a research culture which is holding back attempts to stabilize psychology in particular, and science in general. The REF encourages universities to push for groundbreaking, innovative and exciting research in the form of 4* papers, but it does not reward the efforts of those who replicate(复制)studies.
The point of replicating a study is to test whether a statistically significant result will appear again if the experiments is repeated. Of course, a similar result may not appear - casting into questions the validity of the results from the first experiment.
Last year, the Open Science Collaboration attempted to replicate 100 studies from highly ranked psychological journalists. While 97% of the original studies had a statistically significant result, just 36% of the replications had the same outcome. Equally worrying: when an effect did appear, it was often much smaller than previously thought.
Recent data calls into question some widely influential findings in psychological science. These problems are not limited to psychology, however - many findings published in scientific literature may actually be false.
Science is supposed to be self-correcting and re-producibility is a cornerstone of the scientific method. Yet, we simply aren’t invested in replicating findings. We all want to be good researchers and understand more about how the world works. So why are we so reluctant to check our conclusions are valid?
Because no incentive(激励)is provided by the system we carry out our research in. In the UK, the REF rates the submitted research outputs in terms of their originality (how innovative is the research?), significance (does it have practical or commercial importance?), and rigour (is the research technically right?). Outputs are then awarded one to four stars. 4* papers are considered world-leading. The cumulative(累积的)total of 3* and 4* papers determines research funding allocation(分配)and has a knock-on effect on institutional position on the national ranking list and therefore attractiveness to students. Obviously, the more publications the better.
The focus on originality - publications exploring new areas of research using new models, and avoiding testing well-established theories - is the exact opposite of what science needs to be doing to solve doing to solve the troubling replication crisis. According to REF standards, replicating an already published piece of work is simply uninteresting.
Worryingly, many academics admit to engaging in at least one questionable research practice in order to achieve publication. Examples of this include: coming up with a theory after data is collected, stopping collecting data when an effect appears in case it disappears later, or only reporting the significant effects from collected data. Others simply fabricate data - Dutch psychologist Diederik Stapel shockingly falsified data from more than 50 studies. The REF completely harms our efforts to produce a reliable body of knowledge. Why?
With the next REF submission just four years away, many researchers are effectively faced with a choice: be a good scientist, or be a successful academic who gets funding and a promotion.
1. What crisis the study of psychology facing?| A．The REF has started a revolution in not only psychology but also science. |
| B．The REF presses the universities to conduct more groundbreaking research. |
| C．The REF tends to set up a different standard for replications of studies. |
| D．The REF’s indifference to replications of studies had led to disturbing effects. |
| A．a reliable body of knowledge | B．publications exploring new areas |
| C．tests of well-established theories | D．uninteresting replications of studies |
| A．copy | B．invent |
| C．transmit | D．pretend |
| A．is a system for assessing the quality of research in UK universities |
| B．provides UK researchers with funding and job opportunities |
| C．recognizes researchers’ work and adds to their attractiveness to students |
| D．is planning to change its standard before the next REF submission |
9 . WISH LIST
The latest driving tech
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Staying focused on the road while glancing at your smartphone or satellite navigation for direction can be a distraction. That’s why Hudly has created its transparent heads-up display to keep your journey information right in your sight-line. Paired wirelessly with your smartphone, this 6.2-inch display allows you to view the road and its vibrant directions simultaneously. Also equipped with light sensors, this heads-up display will automatically adapt its visibility to suit your environment.
Roav VIVA Price: $130
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ZUS Smart Tire Safety Monitor Price: $159.98
Keeping your tires at the correct pressure is of vital importance to not only staying safe on the roads, but to maintain low fuel consumption. With the ZUS smart safety monitors by Nonda, you receive real-time alerts if your tires are leaking air or in need of a refill. Taking only minutes to install, these high-tech dust caps simply screw on each tire and give you feedback on how each tire is performing, recording a detailed history of pressure changes over time.
GOFAR Price: $149
Open a window into your vehicle’s health with GOFAR. By simply plugging the GOFAR adapter into your car’s computer, receive real-time information about any mechanical problems or performance information sent straight to your smartphone. In the same way a Formula I drive monitors their fuel efficiency on the track, the GOFAR Ray keeps you up to date on how you consume fuel with the simple dashboard light array(排列). If you’re hitting the gas too hard, the GOFAR Ray will illuminate red to let you know you’re wasting fuel and green when you’re driving optimally(最佳地).
Automatic Connected Car Assistant Price: from $99.99
If you want to get to know your car inside out, then the Automatic connected car assistant is the perfect addition to your vehicle. By simply plugging the compact diagnostic device into the vehicle, a whole host of information about your car is available at your fingertips. Using the Automatic app, this driving assistant can give detailed diagnostics about maintenance issues and performance alongside crash alerts, your vehicle’s real-time location and roadside assistance.
Jabra Freeway Price: $99.99
If your car isn’t Bluetooth connected, then Jabra Freeway is a great gadget to listen to high-quality sound and answer and make calls at the touch of a button or through voice activation. With three built-in speakers, Freeway offers impressive surround sound. However, if you prefer your vehicle’s speakers, the built-in FM transmitter will connect your smartphone straight to the car’s internal sound system. Equipped with a motion sensor, Freeway will always sense when you get into the car and automatically connect to your smartphone.
1. Mary, a green-hand driver, wants to know the overall health of her second-hand car and to ensure road safety and timely help if anything happens. What’s the best product for her?| A．GOFAR | B．Hudly wireless |
| C．Automatic Connected Car Assistant | D．Zus Smart Tire Safety Monitor |
| A．Both can be smartphone connected and voice controlled. |
| B．Both can make calls, stream music and provide navigation. |
| C．Both can be operated with voice activation and button touch. |
| D．Both are equipped with motion sensors and USB ports. |
① Hudly wireless ② Roav VIVA ③ Zus Smart Tire Safety Monitor
④ GOFAR ⑤ Automated Connected Car ⑥ Jabra Freeway
| A．②③ | B．③④ | C．④⑤ | D．⑤⑥ |
10 . I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held the box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father’s death, and prayed for me my entire life.
When mother’s illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child, to take care of her. I counted it an honor. My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, taking her to the doctor, reading the Bible together. Now she was in heaven. My work was finished, but I was alone.
Deep in sorrow, suddenly, I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. A young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap. His eyes started to be filled with tears.
“I’m late,” he explained, though no explanation was necessary.
After several eulogies(悼词), he leaned over and commented, “Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of Margaret?”
“Because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary.” I whispered, wondering who the stranger was anyway.
“Isn’t this the Lutheran church?”
“No, the Lutheran church is across the street.”
“Oh ...”
“I believe you’re at the wrong funeral, Sir.”
The solemnness(庄重)of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man’s mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. Sharp looks from other mourner(哀悼者)only made the situation seem more stupid. I peeked at the confused, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing.
At the final “Amen,” we rushed out a door and into the parking lot. “I do believe we’ll be the talk of the town. By the way, my name is Rick,” he smiled.
That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.
In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June, we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them, “Her mother and my Aunt introduced us, and it’s truly a match made in heaven.”
1. Only the author could take care of her mom mainly because __________.| A．her mom loved her much more than other children |
| B．she was the eldest daughter in the family |
| C．a lovely baby came into her brother’s family |
| D．she was the only child without a new family’s burden |
| A．Rick was late for the funeral because he didn’t know the name of deceased. |
| B．The author felt reluctant to undertake the work of tending her mother. |
| C．Rick remained at the funeral even though he knew he had made a mistake. |
| D．The author and Rick resembled in personality because neither could control emotions. |
| A．Margaret should be the name of Rick’s aunt. |
| B．The author was supposed to be at the Lutheran church. |
| C．The author and Rick met 22 years ago for the first time. |
| D．The mourners at the funeral considered the author’s joy improper. |
| A．Two Funerals at a Time | B．Hope Remains at the Funeral |
| C．A heavenly Encounter | D．Manners Matter at the Funeral |
