The butterfly effect is a common idea in science fiction today. But its roots are in real science.
In 1972, a meteorologist (气象学家)
Many people now use it
Of course you don’t have to use time travel to see the butterfly effect. Just think
What about recycling a plastic bottle? Or planting a tree? You may not be able to predict the effect these small actions can have. A small change today can have an unpredictable
2 . Researchers at the University of Arizona have been studying the effects of green light therapy on those suffering from migraine (偏头痛). In September, they completed their first clinical study and the results are very encouraging. They found that green light therapy is extremely beneficial to those who suffer from headaches. It not only reduces the intensity of the pain, but it also decreases its frequency by 60 percent, significantly improving patients’ quality of life.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine is the third most common illness in the world, affecting one billion worldwide, including men, women, and children. Additionally, it is the sixth most disabling illness in the world and more than 90 percent of the sufferers are unable to carry on with their normal activities during their sufferings. And when it is actually treated, medication overuse can lead to episodic (偶尔发生的) migraine turning chronic (慢性的).
According to Science Daily, the recent clinical study included 29 patients who suffer from episodic or chronic migraine. They have tried but failed in several traditional therapies including Botox injections and oral medications. In the study, participants spent two hours at home each day staring at a green-light LED. They did this for ten weeks, reporting the number and intensity of headaches they had.
Dr. Patwardhan, co-author of the study, said that the green light discharged by the LED greatly helps those who do not want to take medicine as well as those who do not respond to medications. “The beauty of this approach is the lack of associated side effects,” Patwardhan explained. But that’s not all. The participants also reported significant improvements in sleep quality and in the ability to perform everyday normal activities such as exercise and work. And none of them reported any side effects.
As the study reveals, green light treatment might be an unprecedented (前所未有的) alternative for migraine sufferers.
1. What can we learn from the research?A.Migraine sufferers unable to live a normal life makes up about 60%. |
B.Episodic migraine can be treated more easily than chronic migraine. |
C.Headaches can be relieved by green light. |
D.Migraine most frequently happens to adults. |
A.Take some traditional medicine daily for ten weeks. |
B.Use a green-light LED the whole night at home for ten days. |
C.Receive an injection each day for two months. |
D.Look at the green light for two hours per day for 70 days. |
A.lit up | B.put out | C.taken in | D.sent out |
A.He thought it had side effects. |
B.He agreed it was of great benefit. |
C.He worried it might affect sleep. |
D.He wondered if it hurt eyes. |
1. take control of
2. check in
3. track and field
4. fall apart
5. lose heart
6. make sense
7. pretend to do sth
8. point of view
9. relate to
10. ups and downs
4 . It is reported that about 14 percent of Americans aged over 12 have trouble in hearing. And hearing loss increases dramatically to 50 percent or more for those aged over 70. It often comes on so gradually that many ignore it. Only an estimated 15 to 25 percent of adults would use hearing aids, and the use is lowest among people who have less access to health care.
However, recent research has revealed that even mild or moderate hearing loss in older adults is associated with cognitive (认知的) decline. Older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia (痴呆), and the likelihood increases with the severity of the loss.
In July, Frank R. Lin, a professor from Johns Hopkins University, presented results from a first-of-its-kind randomized clinical trial. Participants are 977 adults aged between 70 and 84, including those who have more risk factors for developing dementia and those who are relatively healthy. They received best-practice hearing care, including hearing aids. Three years later, hearing aids did make a difference to the participants in cognitive decline. Especially for those who were at the higher risk for dementia, a 48 percent cut in risk of cognitive decline could be made if they got hearing aids.
When hearing loss is untreated, the brain’s organization changes, says Anu Sharma, an auditory neuroscientist of the University of Colorado Boulder. In adults with mild hearing loss, studies show a decrease in gray matter (灰质) in brain. Sharma found early signs that vision and touch areas of the brain cover and change underused hearing areas. Adults with hearing loss also show more activity in working memory areas. They need to make extra efforts just to listen, Sharma says, which may exhaust cognitive reserves.
Hearing loss is also associated with more falls, higher health-care costs, and increased loneliness and social isolation. “Hearing is fundamental to healthy aging,” says Nicholas Reed, who worked with Frank R. Lin on the cognitive-decline study.
1. What can we learn from the figures in the first paragraph?A.Americans pay special attention to their hearing. |
B.Americans are unaware of danger of hearing loss. |
C.Many Americans with hearing loss stay untreated. |
D.Most Americans are suffering serious hearing loss. |
A.Hearing aids helped reduce cognitive decline. |
B.Hearing aids worked on healthy people. |
C.Cognitive decline could result in hearing loss. |
D.Cognitive decline was unrelated to age. |
A.What sign will appear before losing hearing. |
B.How hearing loss impacts cognitive decline. |
C.Why hearing loss is left untreated by people. |
D.How our brain discourages cognitive decline. |
A.Hearing loss—a new factor connected with dementia |
B.Cognitive decline, caused by more than hearing loss |
C.Dementia—an incurable but preventable disease |
D.Hearing loss, having limited access to healthcare |
5 . Humans have made the world less friendly to birds in many ways. One obvious example of this can be found in metal spikes (尖刺), or anti-bird spikes in buildings to prevent birds from landing and even nesting. However, a handful of birds have struck back.
Auke-Florian Hiemstra, a biologist researching animal architecture at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, Netherlands, studies how wild animals use materials made by humans. He has seen nests that include some unusual materials—things like plastic flowers and sunglasses. But he was surprised when seeing a picture of a magpie (喜鹊) nest, the top of which had anti-bird spikes.
Researchers had learned that the smart species, magpies and crows (乌鸦), were stealing anti-bird spikes as a nest-building material. The two species appeared to use the anti-bird spikes in slightly different ways. For the crows, the spikes seemed purely structural, a material used to fashion a solid foundation. But for the magpies, there was an additional layer of intention: They appeared to use the spikes like humans do-rounded covering over their nests to keep other birds from landing.
One recent study reported that nests with man-made materials have been found all over the world and that the man-made materials include all kinds of man-made materials, including knitting needles, candy wrappers, spiky wires, and cigarette ends. Although magpies and crows haven’t been documented doing this, other birds have. Scientists aren’t sure if birds are using artificial materials because they’re better, or simply because they’re easy to find. What is noteworthy is that human-made materials in bird nests can cause injuries. For example, anti- bird netting, often placed over garden plots, is known to be dangerous for birds, which often end up being entangled in it.
For Hiemstra, while the new discoveries are fascinating, he also highlights a broader issue: the unfortunate popularity of anti-bird spikes. “It’s kind of sad to keep fighting against nature instead of accepting it as part of the city,” he said.
1. Why was Hiemstra surprised when seeing the photo of a magpie nest?A.A magpie decorated its nest with plastic flowers. |
B.Magpies and crows are as intelligent as humans. |
C.Magpies and crows cooperated to build the nests. |
D.The magpie nest was equipped with metal spikes. |
A.Crows use them for fashion. |
B.Magpies use them for defence. |
C.Crows use them to keep off other species. |
D.Magpies use them to strengthen the nests. |
A.Discovered. | B.Frightened. | C.Released. | D.Trapped. |
A.Support birds’ using man-made materials. |
B.Accept anti-bird spikes as part of the city. |
C.Disapprove of humans’ using anti-bird spikes. |
D.Stress the popularity of anti-bird spikes in birds. |
6 . The stands were always filled with family members to support their favorite players. I attended each of my son’s games. His father worked nights for years, and missed out on most of his games. My son Jorden knew if his dad could, he would be there sitting right beside me.
When Jorden was younger, some family members would occasionally come to watch. But gradually they stopped showing up. Never once did Jorden lead me to believe that this bothered him, but apparently it did. It wasn’t until when he was asked to give a speech at his baseball event that he made it very clear not only to me but a room filled with over 150 people just how important it is to have extra fans in the stands.
His speech was anything but like I thought it would be. It wasn’t short and bittersweet. It wasn’t his quick thank you to his coaches and teammates. He poured his heart out, saying he seldom had grandparents, aunts or uncles coming to support him. He was grateful that his teammates’ family members showed up to support not just their own loved ones but the entire team of boys. Clearly Jorden desired more than just me. Never did I ever think my son would be hurting inside as he looked out to the bleachers to see only me at each and every game.
As he struggled to get each word out through tears, I promised I would attend as many events of the children around as I possibly could. There was no way I could allow another child to feel what my son was feeling. This small simple gesture would mean so much to any child. Neither Jorden nor I was upset with those who never attended his games. Jorden just wanted someone else besides me to witness his craft in action. I understand all of our lives become complicated and that everyone is busy with their own children and jobs that may not allow them as much free time as they’d like.
1. What do we know about Jorden’s father?A.He had long been misunderstood by Jorden. |
B.He had few chances to attend Jorden’s games. |
C.He managed to be with Jorden in every game. |
D.He had made excuses to miss Jorden’s games. |
A.His ambition to win the championship. |
B.His gratitude to his mother and coaches. |
C.His complaint about his family members. |
D.His desire for support from more people. |
A.Depressing. | B.Complicated. | C.Astonishing. | D.Absurd. |
A.She tried to be actively involved in children’s games. |
B.She promised not to miss out on games of every child. |
C.She offered to invite many relatives to Jorden’s games. |
D.She decided to lead Jorden to trust his family members. |
7 . Taking proper care of our brain, in addition to ensuring its proper functioning, will help us keep our memory in shape and even prevent some diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Here are some foods that are good for us.
Green vegetables
Green vegetables contain vitamin A, B vitamins and antioxidants (抗氧剂) that help the proper function of the brain and maintain physical health. Vegetables, in general, should be present in at least two servings a day. To take advantage of the nutrients contained in green vegetables, it is recommended to consume them steamed or even raw. If you choose to eat raw vegetables, you need to use appropriate methods to remove harmful things from their surfaces.
Fish
Fish is a source of phosphorus (磷), essential part of the development of nerve cells. For this reason, its consumption is important to guarantee the adequate contribution. We also highlight omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish, which have a protective role against the progression of cognitive decline.
Nuts
In addition to being a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which we have already talked about, nuts provide phosphorus, vitamin E and B vitamins so that they maintain a correct blood supply in our brain.
Fruit
Within this group we highlight red fruits, especially cherries and apples. Red fruits are a source of vitamin C, minerals and antioxidants that are good companions to maintain a healthy memory.
Though these foods are good, consuming too much of them may be harmful to us.
1. As for green vegetables, the author advises us to eat _________ daily.A.at least one serving | B.three servings |
C.no more than two servings | D.no less than two servings |
A.They are good for our brains. | B.They contain the same nutrients. |
C.They are beneficial to the black hair. | D.They are sources of omega-3 fatty acids. |
A.In a history book. | B.In a biography. |
C.In a health magazine. | D.In a novel. |
I’m Lisa Osborne and I graduated
Orientation Day was
I had a chemistry test right at the end of the first week . I was
As a member of the school volleyball team , I wasn’t selected for the end - of - year competition . At first I was very sad ,
9 . Whether shyness is part of your child’s personality or just something they feel when they are in front of a group of strangers, it is a typical experience. “Shyness isn’t always as socially valued as more outgoing personalities. However, we should step back and think about different personalities and their unique advantages,” said Pérez-Edgar, professor of psychology (心理学) at The Pennsylvania State University. “Everyone can feel shy at times. And those who are especially shy often have happy social lives --they just aren’t likely to be the liveliest person in a crowded room.”
But there are things to watch out for. If your children are avoiding situations that are important or could be enjoyable for them because they’re feeling nervous, it might be time to take action, said Chiappini, a child expert. “That could mean not speaking in class, trouble making friends, or not joining in activities they like.” she said.
Chiappini recommended first saying something like: “You seem a little nervous or unsure about who everyone is/what to say . We haven’t met them before and that can feel a little uncomfortable.” From there, you can encourage them to join someone or say something when they are ready ---with the promise that you will be there to support them, she added.
The more we avoid situations where kids may feel shy, the more anxiety (担心) we will have about them in the future. But that doesn’t mean to push your child into the deep end.
“We may have to deal with the situation step by step. For example, you may have to encourage your child just to make eye contact during an outing before expecting them to ask someone a question,” Chiappini said.
1. What may Pérez - Edgar agree with?A.Shyness is not as bad as people have thought. |
B.Children are more likely to feel shy than adults. |
C.Shy people like to stay with lively people. |
D.It’s difficult for people to get over shyness. |
A.When they ask for instructions from others. |
B.When they feel nervous in school activities. |
C.When they try hard to mix with other children. |
D.When they are absent from important situations. |
A.Tell their kids what they should say. |
B.Ask their kids how they are feeling. |
C.Help their kids stay away from some situations. |
D.Show their kids they understand how they feel. |
A.Parents should be strict with the shy children. |
B.Parents should push the shy children to be outgoing. |
C.Parents should be patiently guide the shy children. |
D.Parents should encourage shy children to make eye contact with them. |
10 . When I was 2, my parents noticed my “
Then I got older, and I began to change from
In Grade 4, my parents encouraged me to join my school’s marching band (行进乐队); it was a great
All these years, I was
It took me a while to truly
A.bad | B.social | C.awkward | D.unusual |
A.Instead | B.Besides | C.Anyway | D.However |
A.reported | B.followed | C.noticed | D.understood |
A.keeping to | B.believing in | C.thinking of | D.fighting for |
A.simply | B.directly | C.quickly | D.seriously |
A.strategy | B.answer | C.plan | D.topic |
A.requirement | B.order | C.award | D.treatment |
A.advantage | B.honor | C.way | D.excuse |
A.wasted | B.disliked | C.discovered | D.considered |
A.unaware | B.ashamed | C.nervous | D.tired |
A.commented | B.proved | C.argued | D.promised |
A.truth | B.opinion | C.lesson | D.advice |
A.changed | B.doubted | C.hidden | D.forgotten |
A.show | B.accept | C.appreciate | D.remember |
A.character | B.interests | C.findings | D.experience |