2 . When it came to moral reasoning, we like to think our views on right and wrong are rational. But ultimately they are grounded in emotion. Philosophers have argued over this claim for a quarter of a millennium without _________. Time’s up! Now scientists armed with brain scanners are stepping in to settle the matter. Though reason can shape moral judgment, emotion is often _________.

Harvard psychologist Joshua Greene does brainscans of people as they study the so-called trolley problem. Suppose a trolley is rolling down the track toward five people who will die unless you pull a lever (杠杆) that pushes it onto another track where, _________, lies one person who will die instead. An easy call, most people say: _________ the loss of life — a “utilitarian” (实用主义的) goal, as philosophers put it — is the thing to do.

But suppose the only way to save the five people is to push someone else onto the track — a bystander whose body will bring the trolley to a stop before it hits the others. It’s still a one-for-five _________, and you still initiate the action that dooms the one. _________, now you are more directly involved; most people say it would be wrong to do this trade-off. Why? According to Greene’s brain scans, the second situation more thoroughly excites parts of the brain linked to _________ than does the lever-pulling situation. Apparently, the intuitive hesitation of giving someone a deadly push is more _________ than the hesitation of a deadly lever pull. Further studies suggest that in both cases the emotional concerns _________control with more rational parts of the brain. In the second situation, the emotions are usually strong enough to win. And when they lose, it is only after a tough __________ process. The few people who approve of pushing an innocent man onto the tracks take longer to reach their decision. So too with people who approve of smothering (闷死) a crying baby rather than catching the attention of enemy troops who would then kill the baby along with other __________. Greene explains that our intuitive dislike to the killing of an innocent gradually evolved to become especially sensitive to visions of direct physical attack.

Princeton philosopher Peter Singer argues that we should __________ our moral intuitions (本能) and ask whether they deserve respect in the first place. Why obey moral impulses that evolved to serve the “__________ gene” — such as sympathy that moves toward relatives and friends? Why not worry more about people an ocean away whose suffering we could __________ relieve? Isn’t it better to save 10 starving African babies than to keep your 90-year-old father on life support? In the absence of a tough decision-making process, reason may indeed be a(n) “__________ of the passions”.

1.

A．comprehension

B．hesitation

C．resolution

D．permission

2.

A．reliable

B．invisible

C．impressive

D．decisive

3.

A．unfortunately

B．obviously

C．surprisingly

D．inevitably

4.

A．regretting

B．minimizing

C．justifying

D．estimating

5.

A．struggle

B．deal

C．loss

D．mistake

6.

A．Likewise

B．However

C．Therefore

D．Moreover

7.

A．memory

B．reason

C．emotion

D．sensory

8.

A．enduring

B．obvious

C．acceptable

D．intense

9.

A．compete for

B．come from

C．take over

D．engage in

10.

A．self-reflecting

B．decision-making

C．problem-solving

D．attention-calling

11.

A．innocents

B．hostages

C．relatives

D．soldiers

12.

A．trust

B．apply

C．examine

D．ignore

13.

A．superior

B．stubborn

C．caring

D．selfish

14.

A．willingly

B．collectively

C．deliberately

D．cheaply

15.

A．master

B．advocate

C．slave

D．protester

5 . Which comes first, happiness or money? Are richer people happier ? And _________, how do people get richer? A recent study could tell you the answer.

The study_________ thousands of teenagers and found that those who felt better about life as young adults_________ to have higher incomes(收入) by the time they _________ 29. Those who were happiest earned an average of $8,000 more than those who were the most_________.

The researchers(研究者), from University College London and the University of Warwick, say that very   depressed(沮丧的) teens, no matter how tall or smart they were, earned 10% less than their peers(同龄人), _________ the happier ones earned _________ 30% more.

Happier teenagers have an easier time _________ school, college and the job interview, _________ because they always feel better about life. It may also be true that happier people find it easier to make friends, who are often the key to homework help or networking.

A report in June suggested that professional(职业的) respect(尊重) was more important than __________ in terms of workplace happiness. In August scientists announced(宣布) that they had found the __________ for happiness in women. Alas! The same gene(基因) doesn’t appear to have __________ effect on men. And in October researchers in the UK and in the US announced that people who eat seven portions(份) of fruit and vegetables a day report being the happiest.

If it is really true that happier kids __________ being wealthier (更富有) kids, is it necessary for parents to get their kids to do the homework? The fact is that no homework will make kids happy but surely hurt their grades(分数). Studies do show, __________, that more education __________ better-paid jobs, which may give us a deep thought.

1.

A．if not

B．if so

C．if any

D．if ever

2.

A．looked around

B．looked into

C．looked out

D．looked through

3.

A．apologised

B．acquired

C．attended

D．tended

4.

A．turned

B．grew

C．went

D．got

5.

A．powerful

B．confident

C．delighted

D．depressed

6.

A．while

B．when

C．as

D．though

7.

A．right now

B．up to

C．right away

D．down to

8.

A．getting off

B．getting through

C．getting out

D．getting on

9.

A．simply

B．just

C．chiefly

D．only

10.

A．jobs

B．dollars

C．friends

D．parents

11.

A．gene

B．brand

C．character

D．nature

12.

A．the best

B．the different

C．the same

D．the most

13.

A．come up

B．end up

C．take up

D．turn up

14.

A．first of all

B．for all

C．at all

D．after all

15.

A．exists in

B．contributes to

C．results from

D．relies on

6 . At a young age, Darrius Simmons fell in love with the piano. As he watched others play, he was _________ by the joy the piano gave them. He wanted to experience that, too, but knew for him it would be a/an _________.

“I decided at age 10 that I wanted to learn how to play the piano, _________ it was going to take a little bit _________ work for me to learn,” Simmons says. “I knew most people had 10 fingers while I had four, yet I was pretty _________ I could make it work.”

The Warren, Ohio teenager was born with a genetic _________ called ectrodactyly (先天性缺指畸形). He has three fingers on his right hand and _________ finger on his left. But it didn’t _________ Simmons from following his _________. With no formal training, Simmons taught himself by ear how to play the piano. He practiced and practiced, finding a way to __________ the keys with four fingers while mastering the pedals with his prostheses(假肢).

Simmons knew he would have to __________ his own style of playing. “I couldn’t base it __________ the technique of somebody who has 10 fingers. It just wouldn’t __________.” He says. “That’s __________ it was hard for me to take piano lessons. It’s very __________ for somebody who has learned how to play with 10 fingers to adjust and teach me with only four.”

The now 18-year-old not only learned how to play and read music but also began composing.

His mother, Tamara Simmons, isn’t surprised by Darrius’ __________. She knows how focused and __________ he can be.

From mastering music to beating __________ challenges, Darrius Simmons sets out to __________ the world. “I like to be somebody’s __________,” he says. “If I play in front of a whole crowd and I see one person smile, that’s a job well done.”

1.

A．frightened

B．amazed

C．interested

D．disturbed

2.

A．challenge

B．opportunity

C．fortune

D．trouble

3.

A．while

B．but

C．and

D．therefore

4.

A．more

B．much

C．fewer

D．less

5.

A．surprised

B．worried

C．sure

D．glad

6.

A．condition

B．environment

C．situation

D．tendency

7.

A．one

B．two

C．three

D．five

8.

A．encourage

B．prevent

C．remove

D．change

9.

A．actions

B．roads

C．instructions

D．passions

10.

A．reach

B．repair

C．remove

D．clean

11.

A．adopt

B．abandon

C．develop

D．change

12.

A．by

B．in

C．through

D．on

13.

A．support

B．run

C．operate

D．work

14.

A．why

B．because

C．when

D．whether

15.

A．easy

B．tough

C．funny

D．stupid

16.

A．ideas

B．creations

C．difficulties

D．achievements

17.

A．kind

B．determined

C．talented

D．generous

18.

A．spiritual

B．mental

C．physical

D．emotional

19.

A．please

B．persuade

C．inspire

D．cheer

20.

A．partner

B．symbol

C．aim

D．motivation

7 . The Last Robot-Proof Job in America?

You can get most food, such as warm cookies or vodka, to your doorstep in minutes. But try getting a red snapper (红鲷鱼). Until recently, if you could obtain it, it would likely have been pre-frozen and shipped in from overseas.

A new tech startup is aiming to ____________this situation. Based inside the Fulton Fish Market, a seafood wholesale market, the startup, called FultonFishMarket.com, allows customers across the whole country, both restaurants and individuals, to buy from the market. The fish is shipped ____________, rather than frozen, thanks to an Amazon advanced logistics system. Mike Spindler, the company’s C.E.O., said recently, “I can get a fish to Warren Buffett, that’s as fresh as if he’d walked down to the pier (码头) and bought it that morning.”

There is one thing, ____________, that the sophisticated logistics system cannot do: pick out a fish. If Warren Buffett orders a red snapper, the company needs to ____________ that his fish is actually red snapper, and not some other. According to the ocean-conservation organization, more than 20% of the seafood in restaurants and grocery stores in America is ___________. For this task, the company has employed Robert DiGregorio, a forty-seven-year veteran of the business, who possesses a blend of judgement and ___________ knowledge that, so far, computers have yet to replicate.

“___________ the food-safety stuff, our business could be any market from the last three thousand years of human history,” Spindler told me. He is experienced in the ___________ business. When he arrived at the fish market in 2014, people were cautious. “They thought selling fish on the Internet was___________.” DiGregorio said, speaking for the fishmongers(鱼贩). “They didn’t see how it could possibly work.” Five years ago, DeGregorio didn’t know how to use a computer, but when the Web-site people arrived at the market, he sensed an opportunity. Together, they’ve created a human-machine fish-buying operation.

By 1 a.m. each night, the company collects __________ from around the country and sends them to DiGregorio. He heads into the market, carrying his tablet computer. The company’s algorithms（算法） ___________ data on their sources and can tell DiGregorio, for example, which stall to go to get the best tuna (金枪鱼). The computer is a “learning system,”, so if DiGregorio makes a choice it didn’t ___________, it asks, “Was the fish not available? Was it damaged?” All that information is fed back in for next time.

Then, what can a fishmonger see that a computer can’t? DeGregorio showed me his part of the ___________ process. “I’m assessing a few things,” he said. First, ___________. Fish should have “nice” slime(粘液). Then, smell. He sniffed the air above the box. “when fish goes bad, it smells like ammonia.” Besides, to get the best stuff, “Fishmongers have to have a relationship with you. To trust you.” He added.

Is he ever __________being replaced by the learning system of computers? DiGregorio shrugged. “By the time they invent a computer that can do what I can do,” he said, “I’ll be dead.”

1.

A．maintain

B．remedy

C．substitute

D．recognize

2.

A．free

B．overseas

C．separate

D．fresh

3.

A．therefore

B．otherwise

C．however

D．thus

4.

A．ensure

B．propose

C．concede

D．remind

5.

A．overpriced

B．misidentified

C．displaced

D．modified

6.

A．computer

B．cuisine

C．fish

D．marketing

7.

A．Rather than

B．Thanks to

C．Except for

D．Prior to

8.

A．fund-raising

B．online-grocery

C．fish-selling

D．non-profit

9.

A．significant

B．worthy

C．responsible

D．ridiculous

10.

A．sales

B．orders

C．alternatives

D．statistics

11.

A．analyze

B．supply

C．prioritize

D．feed

12.

A．require

B．process

C．predict

D．value

13.

A．calculation

B．decoding

C．correction

D．selection

14.

A．smash

B．touch

C．wipe

D．roll

15.

A．concerned about

B．eager for

C．delighted with

D．capable of

8 . As the train picked up its speed, the passengers slowly settled down on their seats, I _________ the lower berth(铺位), so that I could enjoy the _________ of outside from the moving train. I don’t know why I always preferred to get the _________ seat. An elderly lady _________ the front seat of mine. I looked at her. She must be in her eighties, I guessed. At one point, we met our _________. She smiled at me and I gave her a response. Both of us were _________. By that time, the train was in its full speed.

It was 4:50 pm, evening time. So, _________ time was still in a long way, I couldn’t _________ myself any longer and asked, “Auntie! Where are you going?”

She looked at me and friendly said, “_________ camp, dear.”

Suddenly my enthusiasm __________ to know the reason. I politely said. “Auntie, you are __________ someone?”

She smiled and said, “Yes!”

Just to continue the conversation, I talked to her in a very cheerful __________. “Auntie, you must be feeling so __________ to see your child and your grandchildren.”

________, this question hurt her a little but boldly (大胆地) she answered, “Oh, dear! You are so sweet! Anyway, I had only one son who was __________ and was killed in a battle just a few days before. I bought so many new clothes for him. So, I thought why not __________ my son’s clothes for some other soldiers, so that I would control my __________ and would be happy thinking that my own son has __________ it.”

I was shocked hearing her heartbreaking story! But I __________ the old lady from the core of my heart, I was thinking of her __________ heart!

1.

A．preferred

B．reserved

C．overlooked

D．substituted

2.

A．beauty

B．fantasy

C．impression

D．miracle

3.

A．back

B．front

C．window

D．best

4.

A．undertook

B．occupied

C．controlled

D．possessed

5.

A．heads

B．hands

C．faces

D．eyes

6.

A．silent

B．amazed

C．considerate

D．concerned

7.

A．supper

B．bed

C．play

D．chat

8.

A．balance

B．commit

C．excuse

D．resist

9.

A．City

B．Neighborhood

C．School

D．Army

10.

A．shrank

B．accelerated

C．doubled

D．chanced

11.

A．mourning

B．visiting

C．hunting for

D．thinking about

12.

A．mood

B．rhythm

C．condition

D．situation

13.

A．curious

B．tentative

C．excited

D．sincere

14.

A．However

B．Eventually

C．Hopefully

D．Perhaps

15.

A．cast away

B．called up

C．picked up

D．brought in

16.

A．distribute

B．spare

C．collect

D．weave

17.

A．disappointment

B．embarrassment

C．sorrow

D．delight

18.

A．worn

B．polished

C．dyed

D．worshiped

19.

A．saluted

B．recognized

C．understood

D．memorized

20.

A．broken

B．fascinating

C．stubborn

D．brave

9 . Ring! Ring! Ring! It was early in the morning and I knew who was _______ as I reached for the telephone. I was a new substitute teacher (代课教师) trying to earn enough money to _______ my family. Each morning, I _______ for a call that would take me to a different classroom. The last three classes had all been determined to _______ me and see just how much bad behavior they could get away with (逃脱惩罚). I had responded (应对) by being _______ with the students. I didn't really _______ to go to work that morning, especially since it was my birthday.

Still, I answered the phone and _______ the job. My family needed the money and I couldn't _______ to be picky (挑剔的). As I was driving to work, I _______ to try harder to be the best teacher that I could be.

As the class started, the students ________ tried to see what they could get away with. This time, though, I was ________ but fair with them. I did my best to make my lessons ________. I shared smiles, praised their efforts, and encouraged them to work hard.

The results were ________. My unruly (难以驾驭的) classroom soon ________. Students were learning and laughing, and I ________ felt like I was doing my job right. I went home feeling ________ in my heart and enjoyed the rest of my birthday with my family.

I remembered something that I once read: “Every day is a new opportunity to ________ again. Every day is your birthday.” Every day is a ________ for us to get things right, to live our lives with love and joy, and to make this world a better place. Don't ________ a single day. Just try to be the best you can be. Never stop ________.

1.

A．bothering

B．calling

C．knocking

D．playing

2.

A．pay

B．impress

C．support

D．provide

3.

A．waited

B．asked

C．looked

D．headed

4.

A．please

B．test

C．persuade

D．surprise

5.

A．patient

B．honest

C．satisfied

D．angry

6.

A．want

B．need

C．choose

D．hesitate

7.

A．refused

B．received

C．took

D．completed

8.

A．manage

B．pretend

C．expect

D．afford

9.

A．agreed

B．decided

C．appeared

D．started

10.

A．in time

B．at last

C．at once

D．once again

11.

A．strict

B．worried

C．mad

D．disappointed

12.

A．clear

B．useful

C．fun

D．difficult

13.

A．strange

B．funny

C．important

D．amazing

14.

A．changed

B．divided

C．returned

D．disappeared

15.

A．again

B．even

C．finally

D．nearly

16.

A．confused

B．happy

C．tired

D．upset

17.

A．check

B．settle

C．discover

D．begin

18.

A．chance

B．choice

C．risk

D．goal

19.

A．spend

B．forget

C．waste

D．save

20.

A．learning

B．trying

C．asking

D．thinking

10 . I was cycling and noticed a person, about a quarter of a kilometer in front of me. I could tell he was cycling a little slower than me and decided to try to _______ him. I had about a kilometer to go on the road _______ turning off.

So I _______ cycling faster and faster and every _______ I was gaining on him just a little bit. After just a few minutes I was only about 100 yards _______ him, so I really picked up the pace and _______ myself You would have _______ I was cycling in the last section of London Olympic triathlon.

_______,I caught up with him and passed him by. On the inside I felt so _______.I beat him, of course, but he didn't even know we were __________ .

After I passed him, I __________ that I had been so focused on competing against him that I had __________ my turn. I had gone nearly six blocks past it and had to turn around and go all the way back.

Isn't that what happens in life when we __________ competing with co-workers, neighbors, and friends, trying to __________ that we are more successful or more important? We spend our time and ____________ chasing after them and we miss out on our own __________ to our future.

The __________ of unhealthy competition is that it's a never-ending ____________, because there will__________ be somebody ahead of you, someone   with a better job, more money and more education, etc.

Therefore, just take what life has given you, your height, weight and personality. Stay focused and live a healthy life. There's no __________in life. Run your own race and wish others well!

1.

A．follow

B．catch

C．remind

D．grasp

2.

A．before

B．after

C．unless

D．when

3.

A．stopped

B．enjoyed

C．started

D．regretted

4.

A．way

B．block

C．step

D．time

5.

A．apart from

B．above

C．ahead of

D．behind

6.

A．protected

B．pushed

C．supported

D．comforted

7.

A．thought

B．remembered

C．dreamt

D．hoped

8.

A．Fortunately

B．Finally

C．Surprisingly

D．Apparently

9.

A．calm

B．lucky

C．astonished

D．good

10.

A．racing

B．exercising

C．celebrating

D．cycling

11.

A．believed

B．expected

C．realized

D．understood

12.

A．escaped

B．missed

C．made

D．lost

13.

A．worry about

B．care for

C．depend on

D．focus on

14.

A．prove

B．declare

C．explain

D．inform

15.

A．tears

B．money

C．energy

D．pain

16.

A．paths

B．entrances

C．plans

D．barriers

17.

A．task

B．difficulty

C．problem

D．goal

18.

A．movement

B．cycle

C．event

D．routine

19.

A．never

B．often

C．sometimes

D．always

20.

A．mistake

B．competition

C．pressure

D．challenge