1 . In most adults, learning and thinking begin to decline as early as age 30. People start to perform slightly worse in tests of cognitive abilities such as the rate at which someone does a mental task.
These changes are often considered normal aging. But they may instead represent something more like the “summer slide” that some schoolchildren experience in academic progress during summer break. Recent research suggests that a pause of learning is indeed a problem causing cognitive reduction.
In a three-month intervention, the researchers provided an encouraging learning environment for 24 older adults. They took at least three classes to learn three new skills. They also discussed issues related to learning barriers and motivation. Over the course these participants’ cognitive scores for memory and flexibility significantly improved. In a follow-up study, the researchers discovered amazingly that they had improved further:
The researchers are still investigating why cognitive scores continued to climb after the program’s end, but one possibility is that the experience encouraged these older participants to continue learning and practicing new skills. Older adults are often assumed to be on a downward slide with unrecoverable loss. “Use it or lose it,” the saying goes.
| A．But this decline can be addressed. |
| B．The slide becomes sharper in their mid-60s. |
| C．Interrupted learning may not only affect children. |
| D．The question now is how society can maximize adult’s chances to keep learning. |
| E．Their cognitive abilities after one year were close to those of adults 50 years younger. |
| F．Older adult research tends to emphasize skill learning only after daily functions start to decline. |
| G．However, the research suggests they can increase both skills and cognitive abilities over a long term. |
Gestures refer to the communication where visible bodily actions are used to communicate important messages. They include movement of hands, face, or other parts of the body. Gestures benefit our lives a lot. Take language learning.
In some languages, certain syllables (音节) within words are pronounced with markedly more weight than others, called lexical stress. Languages such as English commonly feature lexical stress. For example, the word “accent” involves more emphasis on the first syllable, “ac”, than the second, “cent”. Native speakers of Chinese, however, don’t use lexical stress and therefore find it difficult to learn languages that feature it.
Making any hand gesture could help learners recognize lexical stress, which has been proved by Xing Tian’s team. They selected 124 native Chinese speakers, who watched videos of people performing hand movements that were synced(同步的) to recordings of the same English words. In addition, they also found when more pronounced gestures matched the stressed syllable, the participants were particularly good at identifying it.
The research involved several experiments, which makes it difficult to combine the results. Nevertheless, Tian estimates that the use of gestures helped identify lexical stress between 10 and 15 percent more accurately compared with no gestures at all, and how much help depends on the nature of gestures.
A follow-up study conducted by another team exposed the same Chinese speakers to Russian words and got similar results. “Our findings highlight the functional role of gestures in enhancing speech learning, suggesting practical strategies for language teaching and learning,” the researchers write in their paper.
The benefits of gestures extend far beyond teaching and learning. Since gestures are deeply integrated into our daily lives, they deserve more of our attention.
1. What do gestures mean?2. What did Xing Tian’s team find in their study?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Gestures help learn lexical stress, but the degree to which they help depends on the complexity of the lexical stress.
4. Besides what is mentioned in the passage, how do gestures benefit you in your life? (In about 40words)
3 . Have we reached the peak of the culture war? Looking at my social media feeds, it seems that polarised thinking and misinformation have never been more common. How am I supposed to feel when users I once admired now draw on questionable evidence to support their beliefs?
Perhaps it is time for us all to adopt a little “existential humility”. I came across this idea in a paper by Jeffrey Greenat Virginia from Common Wealth University and his colleagues. They build on a decade of research examining the benefits of “intellectual humility” more generally — our ability to recognise the errors in our judgement and remain aware of the limits of our knowledge.
You can get a flavour of this research by rating your agreement with the following statements, ranging from 1 (not at all like me) to 5 (very like me): I question my own opinions because they could be wrong; I recognise the value in opinions that are different from my own; in the face of conflicting evidence, I am open to changing my opinions.
People who score highly on this assessment are less likely to form knee-jerk reactions on a topic, and they find it easier to consider the strengths or weaknesses of a logical argument. They are less likely to be influenced by misinformation, since they tend to read the article in full, investigate the sources of a news story and compare its reporting to other statements, before coming to a strong conclusion about its truth.
Developing “intellectual humility” would be an excellent idea in all fields, but certain situations may make it particularly difficult to achieve. Greenat points out that some beliefs are so central to our identity that any challenge can activate an existential crisis, as if our whole world view and meaning in life are under threat. As a result, we become more insistent in our opinions and seek any way to protect them. This may reduce some of our feelings of uncertainty, but it comes at the cost of more analytical thinking.
For these reasons, Greenat defines “existential humility” as the capacity to entertain the thought of another world view without becoming so defensive and closed-minded. So how could we achieve it? This will be the subject of future research, but the emotion of awe (a feeling of great respect and admiration) may offer one possibility. One study found that watching awe-inspiring videos about space and the universe led to humbler thinking, including a greater capacity to admit weaknesses.
Perhaps we could all benefit from interrupting our despair with awe-inspiring content. At the very least, we can try to question our preconceptions before offering our views on social media and be a little less ready to criticize when others disagree.
1. Regarding the culture war on social media, the author is _______.| A．embarrassed | B．concerned | C．panicked | D．stressed |
| A．Existential humility reduces the threat to identity. |
| B．People with intellectual humility tend to jump to conclusions. |
| C．Awe could promote existential humility by encouraging modest thinking. |
| D．The higher you score on the assessment, the more you stick to your values. |
| A．Overcome an Existential Crisis | B．Show a Little Humility |
| C．The Path to Screening Information | D．The Approach to Achieving Humility |
4 . The streets and roofs of cities all absorb heat, making some urban areas hotter than rural ones. These “urban heat islands” can also develop underground as city heat spreads downward, and subway tracks and other subsurface infrastructure(基础设施) also constantly radiate warmth into the surrounding earth.
A new study of downtown Chicago shows underground hotspots may threaten the very same structures that give off the heat in the first place. “Without anyone realizing it, the city of Chicago’s downtown was deforming,” says study author Rotta Loria, an environmental engineer.
Humans aren’t the only potentially affected. “For a lot of things in the subsurface, it’s kind of ‘out of sight, out of mind’,” says Grant Ferguson, a geologist. But the underground world is full of creatures that have adapted to subsurface existence such as insects and snails. As the temperature rises because of climate change and underground urban development, scientists are keeping eyes on the potential implications for underground ecosystems.
But the question of how underground hotspots could affect infrastructure has gone largely unstudied. Because materials expand and contract with temperature change, Rotta suspected that heat coming from underground could be contributing to wear and tear on various structures. To understand how underground temperature difference has affected the ground’s physical properties, he used a computer model to simulate(模拟) the underground environment from the 1950s to now—and then to 2050. He found that by the middle of this century, some areas may lift upward by as much as 0.50 inch or settle by as much as 0.32 inch, depending on the soil makeup of the area involved. Though these may sound like small displacements, Rotta says they could cause cracks in the foundations of some buildings, causing buildings to fall.
Kathrin Menberg, a geoscientist in Germany, says these displacement predictions are far beyond her guesses and could be linked to the soft, clay-heavy soils. “Clay material is particularly sensitive,” she says, “It would be a big issue in all cities worldwide that are built on such material.”
Like climate change above the surface, underground changes occur gradually. “These effects took decades to develop,” Ferguson says, adding that increased underground temperatures would likewise take a long time to dissipate on their own. “We could basically turn everything off, and it’s going to remain there, the temperature signal, for quite a while.”
But Ferguson says this wasted heat energy could also be reused, presenting an opportunity to both cool the subsurface and save on energy costs. Still, this assumption could fail as aboveground climate change continues to boost underground warming. However slowly, this heat will gather beneath our feet. “It’s like climate change,” Rotta Loria says. “Maybe we don’t see it always, but it’s happening.”
1. The author quotes Rotta Loria in Paragraph 2 mainly to _______.| A．make a prediction | B．highlight a finding |
| C．draw a conclusion | D．raise an assumption |
| A．“Urban heat islands” extend underground to spare ecosystems. |
| B．Surface climate change contributes to the reuse of underground heat. |
| C．Underground temperatures mirror the ground’s physical characteristics. |
| D．Buildings may collapse as a potential consequence of underground heat. |
| A．Show. | B．Stay. | C．Develop. | D．Disappear. |
| A．Underground climate change is a silent danger. |
| B．Humans fail to notice the dramatic climate change. |
| C．Cooling the subsurface helps control urban heat rises. |
| D．Researching underground heat helps save on energy costs. |
5 . You’ve raced to the supermarket only to realise you’ve left the shopping list home. You need to memorise which groceries to pick up before you forget. Thankfully, there’s a memory aid that’s perfect for the job: the peg-word method.
What is the peg-word method?
It employs a set of pre-determined words, regarded as peg words, for the to-be-remembered information. Peg words act as a structure to help you remember particular items. Essentially, you’re hanging information you need to recall on these pegs, which allows it to be recalled quickly and easily.
Initially, to use this method, you will have to remember the peg words as well as the numbers:
| one=bun two= shoe three=tree four= door five= hive six= sticks seven= heaven eight= gate nine =vine ten= hen |
The next step is to create associations between the information you need to remember and the item linked with the corresponding number. If the first item, for instance, is milk, then you need to visualise the milk and a bun(小圆面包) together. The more unusual you can make your image, the more likely you are to remember it. In this case, you could imagine a bun drinking a glass of milk.
Why is it useful?
As the case shows, it is most useful when it comes to remembering lists and you can recall the listed items easily in order. Another way to use this memory aid is to memorise important numbers, like phone numbers or dates. For instance, you need to remember that William Shakespeare was born in the year 1564. First, change that number to bun-hive-sticks-door. Then imagine a story to help you remember the series:
William Shakespeare put a bun in a beehive to coat it in honey, but he didn’t like how sticky it became so he threw it at a door.
The peg-word method has been wildly recognized as a helpful memory aid. For more information, please visit https://jojomemory.com/.
1. How can we apply the peg-word method to recall an item?| A．List out different meanings of the item. |
| B．Visualise the item and memorize its image. |
| C．Choose the item’s peg word and remember it. |
| D．Create a visual link between the item and its peg word. |
| A．A hen drinks from a bottle of wine. |
| B．A load of eggs grow like fruit on a tree. |
| C．A tree grows through the door to heaven. |
| D．An apple shoots out of a bun and hits the door. |
| A．To introduce a helpful memory tool. |
| B．To advertise a brain training program. |
| C．To highlight the importance of peg words. |
| D．To analyze the necessity of training memory. |
6 . My birth was a little more dramatic than the standard way a baby enters the world. I was born missing my left hand. Indeed, my limb (手臂) difference could have been a disaster if it hadn’t been for what happened next. A nurse placed me in my mother’s arms and instructed, “You will take her home. You will love her and treat her as normal.”
That is exactly what happened. I played sports, acted in theater, excelled in school and had playdates with friends. While I did get some stares and “polite” questions about my disability, I was lucky because I wasn’t made fun of for it.
However, that fact that I was different hit me hard my first day of high school. I was 13, an age when kids are already very self-conscious and the need to fit in is intensified. I remember one of the other kids on the school bus stared just a little too long at my left arm. I felt a sudden urge to hide my hand, so I slipped it into my pocket. I told myself that I’d just hide it that one day, while I was trying to make friends. But one day of hiding turned into a week, a month, and years — 25 of them to be exact.
When I was 38 years old, tired of hiding and lonely, I met someone special and invited him in. The combination of me finally feeling ready to unhide and his willingness to go through the unhiding process with me was exactly what I needed. For the first time in my life, I allowed someone to really hold my limb, look at it, touch it, love it — love me. I saw my limb difference as something unique about me, something that should be shown, not hidden.
It was a transformational experience, and I learned to love me too. It changed how I lived my entire life and made me happier. I also discovered and joined the Lucky Fin Project, an organisation devoted to people with all types of disabilities.
Hiding things, especially from loved ones, is tiring and lonely, and it prevents us from getting help and support. It’s time to change that.
1. What was the author’s childhood like?| A．She had no social interactions with friends. |
| B．She was raised with care and treated normally. |
| C．She faced some challenges in school activities. |
| D．She was upset about the attention to her difference. |
| A．She began to ignore her disability. |
| B．She suffered prejudice from some kids. |
| C．She started hiding herself away from friends. |
| D．She became sensitive due to her self-awareness. |
| A．She started to open up and be herself. |
| B．She met someone who cured her disability. |
| C．She was fed up with the company of others. |
| D．She reduced involvement in the disability group. |
| A．Misfortune is a good teacher. |
| B．Disability is not a barrier to success. |
| C．Self-acceptance can lead to self-love. |
| D．Nothing beats the feeling of being loved. |
7 . Te Papa Tongarewa
Te Papa Tongarewa is the museum of art, science, and the natural history of New Zealand. The name translates to “our container of treasured things and people that spring from mother earth here in New Zealand”.
Te Papa is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Christmas Day. Admission is free for everyone, but charges apply to certain exhibitions and events.
·Guided tours
Introducing Te Papa Tour will give you a great opportunity to understand the various views and cultures you will meet throughout New Zealand.
Te Papa@Twilight Tour is an excellent choice to avoid the crowds and discover Te Papa’s highlights as the sun begins to set. You can discuss our diverse natural environment, and the continued growth of Maori culture with a private guide.
Take a journey with Maori Experience Kinaki Tour, to discover how first peoples of the land have formed unique foods provided by the natural world. The tour will conclude with a shared kai, traditionally-inspired food tasting.
·Plan an education visit
If you are an educator, choose from our range of education programmes. Each can be adapted to your needs. Both in-person and virtual visits are accessible.
We recommend booking at least two weeks ahead of time.
During the visit, we require you to bring adults to supervise (管理) students closely as you are responsible for their safety.
Food and drinks(except bottled water)are not allowed in exhibition areas. Schools are welcome to eat lunch in the outdoor courtyard. You may also choose to buy lunches from our café and are welcome to use cafe space to eat.
1. According to the passage, Te Papa Tongarewa ______.| A．shows local collections | B．is full of worldwide treasures |
| C．hosts all the events for free | D．is open the whole year round |
| A．Introducing Te Papa Tour. | B．Te Papa@Twilight Tour. |
| C．An education programme. | D．Maori Experience Kinaki Tour. |
| A．booking a week ahead is required | B．the museum ensures students’ safely |
| C．eating in exhibition areas is accepted | D．the museum supports personalized service |
Nowadays, people are spending more hours on work. However, taking some time off is important for refreshing yourselves. If you’re having trouble making time for a break, the recent research by the UCLA’s Anderson School suggests that treating your weekends like a vacation can make you happier.
The findings are based on a series of experiments. In one study of 441 workers, half of the test subjects were instructed to have a normal weekend, while the others had to “treat their weekend like a vacation.” The next Monday, the weekend vacationers reported that they felt happier and were generally more satisfied than those who had had a normal weekend. The vacationers also reported they spent more money in vacation mode—about $ 130 compared to $104. But it wasn’t the money that bought them happiness. The researchers controlled for the amount of money both groups could spend. The vacationers were still happier than the ones who had experienced a typical weekend.
The reason the vacation approach may have worked wonders: The vacation mindset allows people to be more attentive to the present moment. “We’re always trying to get through things to check off our to-do lists and treating the weekend like a vacation pushes us out of our continuous ‘doing’ mode,” said Cassie Holmes, a professor at UCLA’s Anderson School.
The study showed that getting into a vacation mindset during the weekend is relatively easy. Even if you can’t take the entire weekend “off”, you can manage to steal a piece of the weekend to gain the benefits of a vacation mindset.
1. What does the research of the UCLA’s Anderson School suggest?2. Why may the vacation approach have worked wonders?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
When the researchers controlled for the amount of money both groups could spend, the vacation group was unhappier than the other group.
4. What would you do to get into a vacation mindset at weekends? And explain why.(In about 40 words)
9 . For many people, being connected in the digital world is just a part pf everyday life. However, there are many times when you might want to give up your digital devices.
What is a digital detox?
A digital detox refers to a period when a person stops using tech devices such as smartphones, computers, and social media. It is often seen as a way to focus on real-life social interactions without disturbing. There are a variety of forms of detoxing.
Why do you need a digital detox?
Many experts believe that tech and device overuse can lead to physical and mental problems. One study published on Global Pediatric Health suggested that children who used digital devices at bedtime had significantly worse and less sleep.
For many people, completely giving up all forms of digital communication might not be possible, particularly those who depend on them for work or school. So, the first key is to be realistic. If you need your devices during the day for your job, try doing a mini-detox at night.
| A．How do you do a digital detox? |
| B．In this case, you might as well try a digital detox. |
| C．What are the keys to giving up all digital communication? |
| D．It also found a connection between nighttime tech use and eyesight problem. |
| E．Doing a mini-detox is one way to set limits and reduce your fear of missing out. |
| F．During that time, you can turn off your devices and spend an evening free of electronics. |
| G．One of them is a digital fast, which means giving up all digital devices for a period of time. |
10 . Despite decades of research, disorders of the brain have proved especially difficult to treat. There is schizophrenia (精神分裂症), which has not seen a breakthrough for more than 60 years, since the discovery of chlorpromazine — which happened largely by chance. But the story of chlorpromazine offers a powerful lesson: originally an antihistamine (抗过敏药), it was repurposed as a medicine for schizophrenia.
As a scientist who has studied schizophrenia for decades, I am convinced that we could have similar successes with other medicines already on our shelves. Because an existing drug has already passed Food and Drug Administration tests(FDA-approved), successfully repurposing it could take less than half of the estimated 13 years and significantly less than the average $2-billion to $3-billion cost of developing a single drug from nothing.
The thousands of FDA-approved drugs thus represent a vast resource that can possibly be adapted to target any number of conditions. But this possibility is largely unexplored, in part because drug companies always have to restructure their Research and Development (R&D) programs to look at other diseases. There are also thousands of drugs that are not FDA-approved. When a company discontinues development of a drug, whatever researchers know is locked up in that company’s files and might as well be lost.
Scientists need access (使用机会) to this information. If this information could be directed into a centralized resource, it would be great news. Researchers could employ the latest tools in bio-informatics, data science and machine learning to uncover common molecular (分子的) themes among or between diseases and promising drugs. Yet many drug companies are still unwilling to reveal anything that might put their copyrights at risk. Even academics may hesitate to share with competing laboratories.
To cope with this, organizations like the FDA must develop motivations for sharing data, such as by creating legal safeguards for privacy and commercial interests. These motivations could then open the floodgates for easy-to-use, open platforms for efficiently sharing and mining data. This would not have been possible five years ago. But now is a critical moment, and we have never been closer to real breakthroughs.
In my lab, we are testing certain cancer drugs that restore some of the biological processes that are disturbed in schizophrenia. We want to see if the drugs have the same restorative features in the brain cells of schizophrenia patients. This is a proof of the idea that a systematic and strategic approach to drug repurposing could actually move the needle. There is no time to waste. What we need is cooperation from drug companies and academic scientists alike — and access to the lifesaving data they hold.
1. Why does the author mention chlorpromazine in the first paragraph?| A．To stress the difficulty in treating brain disorders. |
| B．To explain medical progress could happen by luck. |
| C．To introduce a medicine breakthrough in medical history |
| D．To show a medicine for a certain illness can treat another disease. |
| A．Information arising from drug development can be wasted. |
| B．The undeveloped functions of present medicines are overvalued. |
| C．We should treasure FDA-approved drugs more than the unapproved. |
| D．Studying existing drugs is more likely to succeed than developing new ones. |
| A．supportive | B．negative | C．understanding | D．uncertain |
| A．New Drugs from Old | B．Access to Lifesaving Data |
| C．Between Drug Companies and Scientists. | D．Before and After Medical Breakthroughs |
