1 . Some people today might be early risers because of DNA they take after Neanderthals tens of thousands of years ago, suggests new research.
When early humans migrated from Africa to Eurasia roughly 70,000 years ago, some of them mated with Neanderthals, who had already adapted to the colder, darker climates of the north. The ripple (涟漪) effects of that intermating still exist today: Modern humans of non-African ancestry (血统) have between 1 and 4 percent Neanderthal DNA. Some of that DNA relates to sleep more specifically, the internal body clock known as the circadian rhythm.
For the new study, researchers compared DNA from today’s humans and DNA from Neanderthal fossils (化石). In both groups, they found some of the same genetic variants involved with the circadian rhythm. And they found that modern humans who carry these variants also reported being early risers.
For Neanderthals, being “morning people” might not have been the real benefit of carrying these genes. Instead, scientists suggest, Neanderthals’ DNA gave them faster, more flexible internal body clocks, which allowed them to adjust more easily to annual changes in daylight. This connection makes sense in the context of human history. When early humans moved north out of Africa, they would have experienced variable daylight hours — shorter days in the winter and longer days in the summer-for the first time. The Neanderthals’ circadian rhythm genes likely helped early humans’ offspring (后代) adapt to this new environment.
Notably, the findings do not prove that Neanderthal genes are responsible for the sleep habits of all early risers. Lots of different factors beyond genetics can contribute, including social and environmental influences. The study also only included DNA from a database called the U.K. Biobank—so the findings may not necessarily apply to all modern humans. Next, the research team hopes to study other genetic databases to see if the same link holds true for people of other ancestries. If the findings do apply more broadly, they may one day be useful for improving sleep in the modern world, where circadian rhythms are disturbed by night shifts and glowing smartphones.
1. What does the new research focus on?A.DNA’s dramatic changes. | B.Genes’ influence on early risers. |
C.Neanderthals’ sleeping patterns. | D.Ancestors’ environmental adaptability. |
A.Historical context. | B.Additional proof. |
C.Sample analysis. | D.Studying process. |
A.Getting up earlier. | B.Having healthier daily routines. |
C.Being more flexible in their work. | D.Possessing a better circadian rhythm. |
A.They get proof from other studies. | B.They are confirmed by early risers. |
C.They suggest potential applications. | D.They reveal factors in sleeping disorders. |
2 . For eight years, Sophie created realistic-looking limbs (肢) for those who wanted to fit in. But she longed to work on more odd designs that would stand out. Then she met Pollyanna Hope, a young amputee (被截肢者).
“She wanted something a little different on her leg: pictures of a cartoon she loved, Peppa Pig,” said Sophie, who is now based in London. So she designed a unique leg covered in tattoo-like images of Peppa and other pigs riding a bicycle and eating ice cream. Working with Hope made Sophie realize there was a potential market for limbs.
Since then, Sophie founded the Alternative Limb Project (ALP) to make artistic limbs. Her work includes an arm wrapped in sculpted snakes and a leg that looks like porcelain (瓷器) covered in a painted flowery vine. She makes about six limbs per year, always including clients’ ideas so that they receive a personal piece they can celebrate rather than hide.
Of course, a fancy-looking limb won't suit everyone. For Sophie, the basis is that each limb must satisfy a combination of comfort, beauty and functionality, and pushing too hard in one direction can weaken other areas. But for amputees who appreciate novelty, Sophie has some amazing ideas.
“I’d really like to make a candy-dispenser leg with colorful candies inside it” she says. “Or a cuckoo-clock leg with a wooden bird that pops out every hour.” Her goal is to fashion a striking limb.
“It’ll transform the limbs from an elephant in the room into a conversation piece.”
1. Why did Pollyanna Hope come to Sophie?A.She hoped to have a tailored limb. |
B.She intended to design a cartoon figure. |
C.She longed to expand the market for limbs. |
D.She expected to sell Sophie some odd ideas. |
A.boost users’ confidence | B.sharpen users’ creativity |
C.improve Sophie’s sculpture skills | D.extend Sophie’s art business |
A.The novelty of the pattern tops the list. | B.The balance of multi-needs comes first. |
C.Fashion is the best policy. | D.Functionality is the key. |
A.Sophie resolves to lead the fashion of limbs. |
B.Sophie plans to further transform artistic limbs. |
C.Amputees will feel at ease to talk about limbs. |
D.Amputees will have easy access to artistic limbs. |
Jack was new to Woodberry Forest School this year. He carried a secret burden: a stutter (口吃) that often brought about laughter from his classmates. This made him very upset. Shy and reserved. Jack chose to fade into the background rather than draw attention to himself. He felt like an outsider, never quite fitting in.
Jack was eager to exchange ideas with his classmates, but afraid of getting into trouble. Jack's science teacher, Katherine, a warm and caring woman often wearing a smile, noticed Jack's stutter and shyness. She observed how Jack struggled to express himself in class and how he would shy away when called upon to speak.
Determined to lend a hand, Katherine took Jack under her wing, encouraging him to embrace bravery and believe in his own abilities. Subsequently, Katherine adopted a set of systematic methods to help him. She was glad to find the potential in him, the intelligence and creativity that lay hidden beneath his stutter. Whenever possible, Katherine was always ready to praise his efforts, always declaring, "You are so great!” Whenever Jack stumbled over his words, Katherine always smiled at him encouragingly, providing him with the strength to continue. Day by day, Jack found himself speaking with greater confidence and fluency.
One day, Katherine announced that each student should give a presentation of a science project in front of the class. Jack's heart sank, the familiar fear and anxiety wrapping around him. How could he possibly stand before his classmates to give his ideas clearly, knowing that they would laugh at him? As the presentation drew near, Jack's anxiety mounted. Then came the big day. He watched his classmates take turns to walk up to the front. They gave their presentation with confidence and backed to their seats with satisfaction. However, while Jack was waiting for his turn, his heart beat so violently that he felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles.
注意:1.续写词数应为150个左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1:
It was finally his turn.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
When Jack finished his presentation, the room erupted into applause.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4 . The backpack you take can make or break your trip when you go traveling. Here are the four best travel backpacks on the market.
Amazon Basics 70L
It’s much cheaper than many travel bags on the market and does not sacrifice any of the practical uses or space that comes with more expensive bags. The bag may not be as luxury as some of the more high-end bags, but its simple style lets you focus on the main thing you need to focus on when traveling: the moment.
Eurohike Nepal 65L
The Eurohike Backpack is a great choice because of how adaptable it is. Besides having a great amount of storage, it comes with an internal security pocket. It weighs just 1.38kg as opposed to other backpacks, which can weigh up to nearly 2kg. If you’re going to go hiking when you travel, then it is perfect.
Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L
First, its brand is one of the most trusted in the industry, so quality is guaranteed. Second, the backpack’s adjustable back allows you to change how the bag fits according to your needs. Available in both blue and green, this is a great choice if you want a bag that you can depend on.
Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L
Osprey is one of the best brands for backpacks. Its frame (框架) suspension, which can be adjusted to different needs, allows you to travel more comfortably. Whether you’re visiting Switzerland in a thick, wool coat or the south of France in shorts and a T-shirt, the bag will match your look. This bag does say it is marketed for men, but, of course, it can be unisex.
1. What is the selling point of the Amazon Basics?A.Its luxury style. | B.Its fashionable design. |
C.Its huge space for use. | D.Its good value for money. |
A.They are rich in color. | B.They have the same capacity. |
C.They can be adjusted as needed. | D.They are targeted for male customers. |
A.Amazon Basics 70L. | B.Eurohike Nepal 65L. |
C.Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L. | D.Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L. |
A freight (货运) train loaded with grain from Kazakhstan arrived in Zhangjiakou on Dec 13. It came after a journey
It was the first freight train from overseas
The government said the train’s arrival represented the
The name of the trains, “Jingzhang”,
As the train network continues to expand, more cities in Hebei, Shijiazhuang, Handan, Langfang and Zhangjiakou
6 . I have had no interest in football for as long as I can remember. While my classmates played, I
But occasionally, whether in a taxi or when meeting a friend's father, I found myself faced with a
I realized that my
Then I became a father. I didn’t want my boy to
During one victorious match, we even met David, the Captain, who happily
A.preferred | B.intended | C.wished | D.pretended |
A.believed | B.understood | C.noticed | D.hid |
A.confused | B.poisoned | C.defended | D.preserved |
A.doubt | B.smile | C.confidence | D.dislike |
A.well-informed | B.well-prepared | C.well-meant | D.well-presented |
A.challenge | B.disturb | C.amuse | D.disappoint |
A.attitude | B.personality | C.interest | D.habit |
A.otherwise | B.ever | C.still | D.therefore |
A.loser | B.fan | C.outsider | D.passer-by |
A.go wild for | B.turn away from | C.get the hang of | D.miss out on |
A.agreement | B.conversation | C.competition | D.connection |
A.stressed | B.engaged | C.successful | D.busy |
A.cheer | B.change | C.vote | D.play |
A.danced | B.waved | C.posed | D.clapped |
A.Gradually | B.Finally | C.Unexpectedly | D.Luckily |
7 . Debra Ferrell got the standard well wishes on Facebook on her 53rd birthday, but she got some unusual messages too. One was about a family in Minnesota who had just lost their four-year-old son to cancer. His older brother, autistic (患孤独症的) and nonverbal, was extremely sad. Could Ferrell help?
That message and the 30 or so others like it were exactly what Ferrell was looking for. To celebrate her 53rd, the longtime social service professional and well-known sweetie had put out a call on her Facebook page. She wanted to commit 53 random acts of kindness by the end of her birth month, and she needed information on people who could use one. When she got the note about the Minnesota family, she sent a wind chime (风铃) with the message “Listen to the wind and know that I am near” written on the clapper. It now hangs in the four-year-old’s bedroom, where his brother can go to listen to it whenever he wants.
This is not the first time that Ferrell decided to give gifts for her birthday. For her 47th, in 2014, she founded Love with Skin On, an organization dedicated to doing good deeds near her home in Roanoke, Virginia, and beyond. Its motto is simple: Be Love, Do Stuff.
Over the years, Ferrell has reached out and touched well over 100 strangers, some found via Facebook callouts, others with help from her grandkids. In another act of giving, she shares her favorite inexpensive and creative gift ideas on Pinterest for others to use.
Ferrell pays for everything herself: gift cards, pay-it-forward purchases at drive-throughs, and care packages, as well as the gas it takes to play fairy godmother. Her family often gives her some extra birthday cash with a serious warning not to spend it on anyone else, which she naturally ignores. “I got a couple of Amazon gift cards for my birthday this year and was like ‘YESSS!’ It’s Ferrell’s party, and she’ll give if she wants to.
1. What did Debra Ferrell receive on her birthday?A.Messages asking for help. | B.Unusual birthday wishes. |
C.Random gestures of kindness. | D.Gifts from Love with Skin On. |
A.Share innovative ideas. | B.Give away care packages. |
C.Purchase gifts for strangers. | D.Collect money for the needy. |
A.Ferrel will hold a party. | B.Ferrel cares little about her family. |
C.Ferrel will continue helping strangers. | D.Ferrel pays for everything for her family. |
A.Loving and tolerant. | B.Selfless and independent. |
C.Determined and demanding. | D.Generous and Warm-hearted. |
8 . During the last week of Fu Bao’s public viewing earlier this month, visitors endured waiting for 5—6 hours just to give a glance at the panda for only five minutes, as Everland Panda World restricted viewing time to manage the flood of visitors.
Born to parents Ai Bao and Le Bao in July 2020, Fu Bao is South Korea’s first naturally-born panda. In the days following her birth, Everland’s social media channels offered fans a steady diet of Fu Bao videos, pulling in more than 1.2 million subscribers and, as of February, over 500 million accumulated views. The most recent videos are now filled with warm and sincere messages from viewers.
Thanks to Fu Bao’s widespread popularity, her zookeeper has also found himself in the spotlight, becoming a bit of a social media star himself. Often referred to as her grandpa, Kang Chul-won offered hi own farewell message to Fu Bao, noting that the South Koreans’ special love for her all began with social media videos shared during the pandemic when the zoo was closed. She brought help and happiness to a society in many ways that was having a difficult time due to the virus. He said people visited the social media sites every day so it felt like he was raising her together with them. They cared so much for her and shared the same emotions of raising a baby panda together during such difficult times.
Fu Bao will be transferred to China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province. Everland says that she will be kept alone at Everland Panda World for a month to prepare her to adjust to her new environment before her overseas transfer, which will be carried out in accordance with international rules.
1. What can we learn about Fu Bao from the first two paragraphs?A.She has a balanced diet. | B.She is five years old. |
C.She is very popular in South Korea. | D.She came from Sichuan, China. |
A.She is a live symbol of luck and fortune. |
B.She is an animal who can resist any virus. |
C.She is an inspiration to overcome difficulties. |
D.She is their common possession and business. |
A.She will go on show in Everland. | B.She will be separated for adjustment. |
C.She will leave Everland Panda World. | D.She will be moved to a research center. |
A.On behalf of. | B.In terms of. |
C.In company with. | D.In agreement with. |
9 . Silent reading is far from silent in your brain. Deep within your head there is a voice reading aloud each word as your eyes scan it.
Let’s do a seemingly unrelated experiment first. Turn on your television and radio. Try to understand both the words from the television and the radio contemporaneously. You might have noticed understanding one source required ignoring the other, and you could feel your attention shifting between the two voices. Although we can listen to multiple people speaking at the same time, we can only truly understand one person speaking at a time.
There are three major areas that allow you to understand spoken words. The first is the Auditory Cortex (听觉皮层), which processes the pure characteristics of incoming sounds. Both sides of your brain contain this region. The next area is the Broca/ Wernicke (B/W) network, which makes sense of the spoken words. This network exists in only one side of your brain. This means that, although the sounds of language are initially processed in both sides of the brain, spoken words must eventually be funneled (流经漏斗) into this single network. This quickly leads to a bottleneck, which is controlled by the third area: the left Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG, 额下回). When you try to understand two people speaking at the same time, this region effectively blocks one voice while it allows the other to pass through the B/W bottleneck. Any information that does not immediately make it through the B/W network disappears completely—there is no wait list.
Now, let’s bring all the pieces together to see why it’s related to your silent reading. When you read, the first region to demonstrate activation is the Visual Cortex, which processes the pure visual characteristics of incoming sights. Immediately after the visual cortex activates, the speech areas of the brain fire up because your brain processes your silent reading in a manner almost identical to the way in which it processes an actual, out-loud speaking voice. For this reason, attempting to read while listening to someone speak is the same as trying to understand two people speaking at the same time—it can’t be done!
1. What does the underlined word “contemporaneously” in paragraph 2 mean?A.At the same time. | B.One at a time. | C.On the whole. | D.Through comparison. |
Note: disappear;
wait
A.![]() | B.![]() |
C.![]() | D.![]() |
A.Students practice listening skills while reading novels. |
B.Students solve math problem when following a lecture. |
C.Teachers keep silent when students are reading attentively. |
D.Professors give a speech with a text-heavy PowerPoint slide. |
A.The art of conversation lies in listening. |
B.Reading is nothing but a silent conversation. |
C.We hear and understand only what we already know half. |
D.Once an idea gets into your head, it’s probably going to stay there. |
10 . It’s most people’s nightmare: surviving a plane crash only to be stranded (滞留) in a jungle with no way of contacting the outside world. But this was
The children were
How did these children survive conditions that would be a
While the children got on with the business of
Many around the world have taken their survival to be a
A.chance | B.evidence | C.reality | D.dream |
A.driving | B.flying | C.jogging | D.rushing |
A.saved | B.separated | C.protected | D.discouraged |
A.placed | B.located | C.inspected | D.abandoned |
A.reasonable | B.unique | C.horrible | D.common |
A.raised | B.ignored | C.shaped | D.trapped |
A.delicious | B.nutritious | C.harmless | D.fresh |
A.invented | B.exchanged | C.produced | D.avoided |
A.against | B.beyond | C.around | D.through |
A.wandering | B.surviving | C.escaping | D.exploring |
A.grow | B.adapt | C.operate | D.recover |
A.wonder | B.success | C.challenge | D.magic |
A.permanent | B.ancient | C.advanced | D.inborn |
A.passed over | B.carried off | C.handed down | D.washed away |
A.unexpectedly | B.deliberately | C.traditionally | D.undoubtedly |