3 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.

But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.

According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.

To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.

“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.

Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.

It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.

1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?

A．Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression.

B．The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids.

C．Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running.

D．The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood.

2. Why did the scientists give mice drugs in their experiment?

A．To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms.

B．To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high.

C．To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high.

D．To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released.

3. What does the underlined word “notion” mean?

A．Effect.

B．Goal.

C．Opinion.

D．Question

4. What can we know about regular workouts according to the UK’s National Health Service?

A．They can help ease depression symptoms.

B．They are the best way to treat depression.

C．They only work for those with serious depression.

D．They can help people completely recover from depression.

4 . You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?

Jane Addams (1860-1935)

Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community (社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.

Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-present)

When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator (参议员) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the Supreme Court of the United States. O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 25 years on the top court.

Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott (抵制). It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil rights movement. “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in,” said Parks.

1. What is Jane Addams noted for in history?

A．Her social work.	B．Her teaching skills.
C．Her efforts to win a prize.	D．Her community background.

2. What was the reason for O’Connor’s being rejected by the law firm?

A．Her lack of proper training in law.

B．Her little work experience in court.

C．The discrimination against women.

D．The poor financial conditions.

3. What can we infer about the women mentioned in the text?

A．They are highly educated.	B．They are truly creative.
C．They are pioneers.	D．They are peace-lovers.

5 . Directions: After reading the passage below，fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Young people around the world have volunteered     1    (help) others in need using their time, energy, knowledge, and skills. For example, Joris, a 10-year-old boy in Seattle, has helped to protect cheetahs     2     the threat of extinction by raising more than $14,000.     3    (donate) all the money he has raised, he makes his own contributions to wildlife conservation. In the last two years, Jack, together with his 14-year-old twin brother,     4    (launch) a database to connect children with volunteer opportunities such as working for animal shelters and urban farming groups.     5     boy, Jackson, is determined to fight against plastic pollution. A campaign     6    (lead) by him to promote the use of recyclable water bottles plays a part in local environmental protection. He also urges the local restaurant to sell more paper water bottles. Xiao Meng, a 20-year-old volunteer tour guide in the Palace Museum, spent three months hanging around the Forbidden City     7     she could remember every detail of the Palace Museum,     8     sounds absolutely incredible. There is no denying that we should show respect for     9     these young volunteers have done for our world. By doing these meaningful volunteering, young people     10     successfully avoid getting annoyed at small things in life and focus on what is truly important.

6 . Self-confidence: one’s belief that they can meet all the demands of a task. Some people are born with it, and everyone else is out of _______, right? Wrong! Self-confidence is not something people are born with, like their height or hair color. It’s a skill that anyone can start _______ today.

One simple self-confidence builder is _______ self-talk. What you say to yourself _______ how you feel about yourself. Telling yourself “I can’t do anything right” or asking “Why did I even try?” could ruin you. Instead, if you get a bad grade on a test, try saying “I’ll do better next time.” Rather than focusing on your failure,   _______ ways that you can improve, and try again.

Another way to _______ your confidence is to believe in yourself. Studies show that believing you can do something can increase your chance of success. If you put in the work to learn how to do something, believe in your ability. Don’t let _______ steal your energy and motivation away.

One of the ugliest enemies of self-confidence is _______ yourself to others. Thinking that you are better than other people won’t give you confidence. _______, it will make you proud. And thinking you are worse than others won’t make you ________ ; it will fill you with envy. Fight back by counting your blessings. Keep a journal and write down all the things that you’re ________ for.

Facing your fears is another way to build self-confidence. You might have a(n) ________ for public speaking. But how will you know if you never overcome your fears and try it? Even if you fail, leaving your ________ zone can make you stronger. Don’t let fear become an obstacle in your journey toward excellence!

Finally, showing kindness to others is a great way to build self-confidence. Showing kindness ________ you that you can make a difference in the world. When you make others feel good, you, ________, feel good about yourself.

1.

A．luck

B．order

C．curiosity

D．habit

2.

A．updating

B．displaying

C．applying

D．practicing

3.

A．addictive

B．positive

C．independent

D．energetic

4.

A．links

B．influences

C．limits

D．stretches

5.

A．involve

B．ignore

C．identify

D．indicate

6.

A．shake

B．share

C．impact

D．inspire

7.

A．concentration

B．doubt

C．enthusiasm

D．embarrassment

8.

A．communicating

B．comparing

C．proving

D．exposing

9.

A．Moreover

B．Therefore

C．Instead

D．However

10.

A．flexible

B．intelligent

C．negative

D．humble

11.

A．grateful

B．respectful

C．responsible

D．regretful

12.

A．anxiety

B．talent

C．mood

D．occasion

13.

A．danger

B．occupation

C．safety

D．comfort

14.

A．informs

B．reminds

C．promises

D．confirms

15.

A．in all

B．in person

C．in turn

D．in addition

9 . Directions: Write an English composition in 120—150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese.
假设你是明启中学的学生李明，你家所在的社区图书馆正在招募暑期志愿者。你对此很感兴趣，希望能有一份难忘的经历。写一封申请信给图书馆的负责人。内容包括：
1. 你希望申请这份工作；
2. 你申请的理由(可以从能力、经验、个性等方面阐述)。
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 .

A．At a restaurant.	B．At a bank.
C．At a gym.	D．At a supermarket.