1 . 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. |
| 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. |
| A．Effect. | B．Goal. | C．Opinion. | D．Question |
| 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. |
When Yi Xiaoyang was two, he fell in love with skiing (滑雪). His first time on snow, however, wasn’t successful. He slept on the ski lift until the coach found him. He started to learn how to ski from then on. Yi was a fast learner, and at the age of six, he began to ski in other parts of the world.
In 2015, Beijing got the chance to hold the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Yi felt it hopeful to take part in the Olympics. He decided to take training courses like a professional athlete (职业运动员).
As a student, Yi has to take classes like others. At the same time, he has to train full day on weekends and half day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In summer, the training goes on.
At the beginning, that was a big challenge (挑战). “When I started to train like an athlete, everything seemed to change, ” said Yi, “I lost my interest. I even got angry with my coaches. They talked to my parents and decided to give me a one-week break from training.”
Luckily, during that break, he picked up his joy in skiing. “I found that skiing had already become one important part of me, ” said Yi. After that, he moved back on his fight for his dreams.
“I might have dreamed of becoming an Olympic champion (冠军) before, but now it comes much clearer. I want to take part in the Olympics, and that will be my goal.”
从下面方框中选出10个单词，将其正确形式填入表格，使其与原短文一致。（每词限用一次）1.
| Beginning | Yi Xiaoyang started | |
| Rising Action | In 2015 | Beijing got the |
| About the training | As a student, he had to take classes while He lost the interest in skiing and got mad at his coaches sometimes. He | |
| About his dream | He wants to take part in the Olympics and | |
3. What makes Yi Xiaoyang a good skier?
4. Do you think Yi Xiaoyang should stick to the dream of becoming an Olympic champion? Why or why not?
Melodious, exquisite and sentimental. With these romantic features, Kunqu Opera is regarded
Born in Suzhou, East China’s Jiangsu province, Kunqu Opera distinguished itself by the great skill of its rhythmic patterns and enjoyed wide
Combining songs performed in the Suzhou dialect, graceful body movements, martial arts and dance, Kunqu Opera
Kunqu Opera had a
As an authentic and typical example of Chinese culture, stories
A living heritage is an endless dialogue between the present and the past, and Kunqu Opera is a carrier whose goal is
4 . Growing up in the small town of Palmerston, Ontario, I had a dream: to work in television. However, it sounded like a dream that could never come true.
Thankfully, my parents had raised me to have a lot of confidence. With their help and encouragement, I applied to the radio and television arts program at Ryerson in Toronto. After graduating, I worked for Bell Canada for a while, writing and producing commercials. I soon decided, however, that what I really wanted was to be on camera.
I went to the CBC and CTV and applied for a job. They both turned me down because I didn’t have any experience. Luckily, Global Television had just started broadcasting in Canada that year. I found out the president was named Mr. Slaight and called him. I said, “I’ve heard that your studio facilities are amazing. I could come at eleven o’clock on Tuesday or eleven o’clock on Wednesday for a tour. What would suit you better?” He stuttered a bit, then picked a day. When I hung up, I was scared but ecstatic.
On the appointed day, I arrived at the studio. When we sat down, he looked at me and said, “What do you want?” He sounded a little angry and frustrated — but very curious. “All I want is a chance,” I said. “If something on camera comes up at Global — I don’t care what — I want a chance to audition. That’s all I’m asking.”
Three months later, his secretary called and asked me to audition for a new game show. When I arrived at the station, I went right into an audition for a new show called Wintario. The following day, I was handed an airline ticket to Sault Ste. Marie to do the very first Wintario show.
From Wintario, everything happened for me. I hosted the National Santa Claus Parade for fifteen years. I did hundreds of television commercials, a number of movies, training videos, and travel shows. And everything came from finding the courage back in 1975 to make that one phone call.
1. What can we learn about the author from Paragraph 2?| A．She was born to be confident. |
| B．She failed to graduate in Toronto. |
| C．She was good at writing commercials. |
| D．She was not content with her first job. |
| A．Excited. | B．Amazed. | C．Proud. | D．Confused. |
| A．Positive and creative. | B．Sharp and responsible. |
| C．Curious and intelligent. | D．Courageous and confident. |
| A．The success of working on camera. |
| B．The importance of parents’ support. |
| C．The realization of an impossible dream. |
| D．The transformation of an ordinary girl’s life. |
5 . I’ve heard such a story. On a Friday
The next night, the young artist took out a large piece of
The young violinist asked, ”Did you
The violinist took out a lottery ticket. “Is it?” he asked.
The man was too
Someone asked the violinist why he returned the lottery ticket to the man. He said, ”Although I don’t have much money, I live happily; but if I lose honesty, I won’t be happy forever."
1.| A．morning | B．afternoon | C．noon | D．night |
| A．quiet | B．beautiful | C．shocking | D．interesting |
| A．slowed down | B．sped up | C．passed by | D．went away |
| A．paper | B．glass | C．plastic | D．cloth |
| A．working | B．sliding | C．singing | D．playing |
| A．poems | B．articles | C．words | D．texts |
| A．important | B．fantastic | C．dangerous | D．lovely |
| A．talked | B．cared | C．expected | D．guessed |
| A．came | B．rushed | C．walked | D．left |
| A．damage | B．discover | C．forget | D．lose |
| A．proudly | B．worriedly | C．seriously | D．carefully |
| A．tired | B．disappointed | C．excited | D．surprised |
| A．bought | B．made | C．drew | D．sold |
| A．handed out | B．took out | C．lifted up | D．picked up |
| A．destroyed | B．noticed | C．guided | D．caught |
6 . The elderly residents (居民) in care homes in London are being given hens to look after to stop them feeling lonely.
The project was dreamed up by a local charity (慈善组织) to reduce loneliness and improve elderly people’s wellbeing. It is also being used to help patients suffering dementia, a serious illness of the mind. Staff in care homes have reported a reduction in the use of medicine where hens are in use.
Among those taking part in the project is 80-year-old Ruth Xavier. She said: “I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school. ”
“I like the project a lot. I am down there in my wheelchair in the morning letting the hens out and down there again at night to see they’ve gone to bed.”
“It’s good to have a different focus. People have been bringing their children in to see the hens and residents come and sit outside to watch them. I’m enjoying the creative activities, and it feels great to have done something useful.”
There are now 700 elderly people looking after hens in 20 care homes in the North East, and the charity has been given financial support to roll it out countrywide.
Wendy Wilson, extra care manager at 60 Penfold Street, one of the first to embark on the project, said: “Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to people here.”
Lynn Lewis, director of Notting Hill Pathways, said: “We are happy to be taking part in the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities.”
1. What is the purpose of the project?| A．To ensure harmony in care homes. | B．To provide part-time jobs for the aged. |
| C．To raise money for medical research. | D．To promote the elderly people’s welfare. |
| A．She has learned new life skills. | B．She has gained a sense of achievement. |
| C．She has recovered her memory. | D．She has developed a strong personality. |
| A．Improve. | B．Oppose. | C．Begin. | D．Evaluate. |
| A．It is well received. | B．It needs to be more creative. |
| C．It is highly profitable. | D．It takes ages to see the results. |
7 . Over the past 38 years, Mr. Wang has pretended to be someone else many times,and has even learned to
The 60-year-old is not an actor, but a
In the 1990s, a group of thieves often sold stolen goods with the help of some beggars. To look into the
“I often
Wang, who is often in
Wang's
| A．teach | B．compare | C．assess | D．speak |
| A．lawyer | B．doctor | C．policeman | D．businessman |
| A．role | B．study | C．family | D．audience |
| A．minor | B．case | C．future | D．question |
| A．interviewed | B．joined | C．arrested | D．assisted |
| A．challenge | B．experience | C．appearance | D．freedom |
| A．vote | B．sympathy | C．permission | D．trust |
| A．invited | B．forced | C．helped | D．expected |
| A．drunk | B．deserted | C．bored | D．lost |
| A．guide | B．persuade | C．excuse | D．allow |
| A．refer to | B．note down | C．ask about | D．miss out |
| A．plan | B．agreement | C．direction | D．information |
| A．awkward | B．dangerous | C．unfortunate | D．strange |
| A．separate | B．recover | C．escape | D．hear |
| A．courage | B．honesty | C．kindness | D．optimism |
8 . The Biggest Stadiums in the World
People have been pouring into stadiums since the days of ancient Greece. In around 80 A.D., the Romans built the Colosseum, which remains the world’s best known stadium and continues to inform contemporary design. Rome’s Colosseum was 157 feet tall and had 80 entrances, seating 50,000 people. However, that was small fry compared with the city’s Circus Maximus, which accommodated around 250,000 people.
These days, safety regulations-not to mention the modern sports fan’s desire for a good view and comfortable seat — tend to keep stadium capacities (容量) slightly lower. Even soccer fans tend to have a seat each; gone are the days of thousands standing to watch the match.
For the biggest stadiums in the world, we have used data supplied by the World Atlas list so far, which ranks them by their stated permanent capacity, as well as updated information from official stadium websites.
All these stadiums are still functional, still open and still hosting the biggest events in world sport.
·Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang D.P.R. Korea. Capacity: 150,000. Opened: May 1,1989.
·Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U. S. Capacity: 107,601. Opened: October 1, 1927.
·Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania, U. S. Capacity: 106,572. Opened: September 17, 1960.
·Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, U. S. Capacity: 104,944. Opened: October 7,1922.
·Kyle Field, College Station, Texas, U. S. Capacity: 102,512. Opened: September 24, 1927.
1. How many people could the Circus Maximus hold?| A．104,944. | B．107,601. | C．About 150,000. | D．About 250,000. |
| A．Michigan Stadium. | B．Beaver Stadium. | C．Ohio Stadium. | D．Kyle Field. |
| A．They host big games. | B．They have become tourist attractions. |
| C．They were built by Americans. | D．They are favored by architects. |
9 . Be a good tourist
Tourism can be good or bad. Yes, it brings in money for the local economy and creates lots of jobs for locals, but it may also bring some problems.
Another big problem in some places has been tourists disturbing the local people and life.
The number of problems from tourists is endless: walking in large groups without considering others who need to walk by, crossing roads without observing local traffic laws, and many more. The only way to solve the issue of the terrible tourist is to make sure that you not the one!
Remember, whenever you step outside your country’s borders, you are representing your country to the rest of the world.
| A．Just think from other aspects. |
| B．When in Rome, do as the Romans do. |
| C．Have fun in a way that does not disturb others. |
| D．Be the best, kindest, most polite tourist possible. |
| E．I have three words for people like this: please stop it. |
| F．One growing problem is tourists who want to prove that they have visited someplace. |
| G．Some tourists wander around and take pictures of local people without asking for their permission. |
10 . After years of observing human nature, I have decided that two qualities make the difference between men of great achievement and men of average performance curiosity and discontent. I have never known an outstanding man who lacked either. And I have never known an average man who had both. The two belong together.
Together, these deep human urges (驱策力) count for much more that ambition. Galileo was not merely ambitious when he dropped objects of varying weights from the Leaning Tower at Pisa and timed their fall to the ground. Like Galileo, all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent, “Why? Why? Why?”
Fortunately, curiosity and discontent don’t have to be learned. We are born with them and need only recapture them.
“The great man,” said Mencius (孟子), “is he who does not lose his child’s heart.” Yet most of us do lose it. We stop asking questions. We stop challenging custom. We just follow the crowd. And the crowd desires restful average. It encourages us to occupy our own little corner, to avoid foolish leaps into the dark, to be satisfied.
Most of us meet new people, and new ideas, with hesitation. But once having met and liked them, we think how terrible it would have been, had we missed the chance. We will probably have to force ourselves to waken our curiosity and discontent and keep them awake.
How should you start? Modestly, so as not to become discouraged. I think of one friend who couldn’t arrange flowers to satisfy herself. She was curious about how the experts did it. How she is one of the experts, writing books on flower arrangement.
One way to begin is to answer your own excuses. You haven’t any special ability? Most people don’t; there are only a few geniuses. You haven’t any time? That’s good, because it’s always the people with no time who get things done. Harriet Stowe, mother of six, wrote parts ofUncle Tom’s Cabinwhile cooking. You’re too old? Remember that Thomas Costain was 57 when he published his first novel, and that Grandma Moses showed her first pictures when she was 78.
However you start, remember there is no better time to start than right now, for you’ll never be more alive than you are at this moment.
1. In writing Paragraph 1, the author aims to ________.| A．propose a definition |
| B．make a comparison |
| C．reach a conclusion |
| D．present an argument |
| A．Trial and error leads to the finding of truth. |
| B．Scientists tend to be curious and ambitious. |
| C．Creativity results from challenging authority. |
| D．Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore. |
| A．Observe the unknown around you. |
| B．Develop a questioning mind. |
| C．Lead a life of adventure. |
| D．Follow the fashion. |
| A．Gaining success helps you become an expert. |
| B．The genius tends to get things done creatively. |
| C．Lack of talent and time is no reason for taking no action. |
| D．You should remain modest when approaching perfection. |
| A．Curious Minds Never Feel Contented |
| B．Reflections on Human Nature |
| C．The Keys to Achievement |
| D．Never Too Late to Learn |
