1 . Waking up at the crack of dawn and going for a run might feel awful when you start trying to make it a habit. Weaving a significant new activity such as this into your regular routine obviously takes determination and time.     1    

One popular idea suggests that it takes 21 days to solidify a habit. People tend to feel extra motivated to start a new habit or kick an old one.     2     Yet every January 21 very few people can boast that they have kept their resolutions.

Everyone has a unique habit-building timeline.     3     Experts suggest various individualized ways to practice frequently, which eventually turn a task into an unconscious habit.

    4     Teaching yourself a completely new skill or process obviously takes longer than remembering to drink more water in the morning. A 2015 study found that new gym-goers had to exercise at least four times a week for six weeks in order to develop an exercise habit. The results showed that creating a handwashing habit took a few weeks.     5     Anyway, handwashing is less complex and offers more opportunities to practice.

The researchers also suggested that habit formation depends on the effort that a person puts into practicing an activity and on the presence of environmental cues that would remind them to carry out the behavior.

A．The type of activity is also a factor.

B．The strategies of activity impact the way.

C．People want to form a habit of exercising regularly.

D．But how much time is really needed to make that habit stick?

E．It might sound easily reachable to make a resolution on New Year’s Day.

F．By comparison, it took half a year for people to develop an exercise habit.

G．However long it is for any individual, repetition is the key to making it work.

2 . Bill Bryson’s phenomenally popular books are a great success of amateur enthusiasm over scholarly expertise. In the highly reviewed Shakespeare (2007), he raced us through the playwright’s life and works in 222 pages; A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003) was his 624-page analysis of “everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilisation” — and it remains the best-selling science book of the 21st century so far. Can he make it again with A Really Short Journey Through the Body, which promises us a “head to toe” tour in 138 pages?

In his books for adult readers, Bryson’s success has lain in an ability to turn vast, complex subjects into an easy and pleasant narrative, filled with tiny facts and odd stories. His latest book, which follows his adult title The Body (2020), is aimed at children as young as eight, for whom this proven writing style works well.

“No doubt about it, the human body is a truly remarkable thing,” Bryson writes, and it’s the remarkable facts that interest him the most. Did you know that you bl ink 14,000 times a day? Or that it takes seven billion billion billion atoms to make you? And that if you formed all your DNA into a single line, it would reach 10 billion miles across the solar system?

Fresh doctors might find some of the entries frustratingly brief. The tongue, for example, receives only a paragraph, while, a chapter, entitled ‘Poo and Farts’, is relatively detailed: “In your life, you’ll probably po o the weight of 5 cars but you’ll have eaten the weight of 60. So that’s not a terrible result.”

Biology books can be heavy weather, but Bryson’s skill, as ever, is to turn the story of the human body into a thoroughly digestible read.

1. What do Bryson’s latest book and The Body (2020) have in common?

A．They are easy to read.	B．They are both about physics.
C．They are intended for adults.	D．They are both best-selling books.

2. What is the purpose of Paragraph 3?

A．To analyze the structure of the book.	B．To illustrate the attraction of the book.
C．To show the scientific value of the book.	D．To display the main contents of the book.

3. What does the underlined phrase “heavy weather” mean in the last paragraph?

A．Packed with facts.	B．Weather-related.
C．Hard to understand.	D．Popular and readable.

4. What is the text?

A．An introduction to a book.	B．An essay on biology.
C．A news report on science.	D．A biography of a writer.

3 . Oxford’s world-class museums house rare treasures from the natural world as well as amazing art and handicrafts. The museums are also a valuable study resource for students and academics.

Ashmolean Museum

Where: Beaumont Street, OX12PH

When: 10:00-17:00

The Ashmolean Museum is home to the university’s collection of art and archaeology. Founded in 1683, it was the first public museum in the UK and is one of the oldest in the world. Particularly relevant to: Ancient and Modern History.

www.ashmolean.org

History of Science Museum

Where: Broad Street,OX13AZ

When: 12:00-17:00

This museum houses an unequaled collection of historic scientific instruments, including Einstein’s blackboard and the first cultures of the lifesaving antibiotic Penicillin.

Particularly relevant to all science and history courses.

www.hsm.ox.ac.uk

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Where: Parks Road, OX13PW

When: 10:00-17:00

The museum houses an impressive range of scientific collections of zoological and geologicalsamples in a spectacular Victorian building.

Particularly relevant to: Biology; Earth Sciences.

www.oum.ox.ac.uk

Pitt Rivers Museum

Where: Parks Road, OX13PW

When: 10:00-14:00

The Pitt Rivers Museum is home to a remarkable collection of man-made objects from all partsof the world, famous for its celebrated displays and its leading role in contemporary research.

Particularly relevant to: Archaeology and Anthropology; History of Art.

www.prm.ox.ac.uk

1. If you want to know more about Penicillin, which website should you surf?

A．www.hsm.ox.ac.uk.	B．www.oum.ox.ac.uk.
C．www.ashmolean.org.	D．www.prm.ox.ac.uk

2. What is Pitt Rivers Museum especially related to?

A．Art and archaeology	B．Undergraduates studying.
C．Historic scientific instruments.	D．Collections of man-made objects.

3. The purpose of the text is to get people to ______.

A．study history	B．preserve heritage
C．visit museums	D．appreciate handicrafts

4 . While it’s impossible to predict just where the next wildfire will start, new Department of Defense-sponsored research from Brigham Young University’s Fire Research Lab is getting into the microscopic details of how fires initiate to provide more insight into how wildfires burn through wildland fuels.

For their experiments, fire expert Thomas H. Fletcher and co-authors loaded leaves of 14 plant species into the crucible (坩埚) of a thermo gravimetric analyzer (热重分析仪) and slowly turned the heat up to 800 degrees Celsius. As they watched the leaves burn, they categorized the speed at which the plant broke down and the chemicals produced by the heat. They also compared the impact of two heat sources: convective (think of wind-driven fires) and radiative (from burning plant particles or flames).

The research found that the chemistry of plants makes a big difference in how fast they break down before they start to burn. That’s important to know because the type of plant found on a mountain hillside may help predict how a fire will burn and how quickly it might jump to another plant species.

“Very detailed models that already exist take up to two weeks to run on very big computers and by that time, the fire has moved and it’s not in the same place anymore,” Fletcher said. “We’re aiming towards giving answers on how a fire might propagate in the next 20 minutes or half hour instead of the next two weeks.”

The studies are aimed at improving predictive models for both prescribed (有计划的) burns and for unplanned wildfires. With wildfires costing the Forest Service and state agencies billions of dollars to control annually, any research that can help make fire management more efficient is a high priority.

“With all we’ve done to research them, fires are still out of control,” Fletcher said. “Our model can’t prevent a fire, but it can help with decisions on how to manage fires so that when a fire starts, it doesn’t blow up into a huge, uncontrollable fire.”

1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The research subjects.	B．The research findings.
C．The research procedures.	D．The research objectives.

2. What does the research find about the chemistry of plants?

A．It affects the speed of a fire.	B．It is one of the causes of a fire.
C．It breaks down quickly in a fire.	D．It helps plants survive in a fire.

3. What does the underlined word “propagate” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Explode.

B．Spread.

C．Die down.

D．Break out.

4. Why do the researchers develop the new model?

A．To make the most out of wildfires.	B．To control wildfires more efficiently.
C．To predict the outbreak of wildfires.	D．To prevent wildfires from happening.

5 . Disabled astronauts-in-training have completed a zero-gravity flight 25,000ft above Earth to help understand how spacesuits and spaceships can be made more accessible.

The group of 14, who were from five different countries, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, Spain and the US, was made up of scientists, engineers and doctors. They have mobility, vision and hearing difficulties.

The groundbreaking trip, organized by AstroAccess, happened on a Zero-G aircraft in Houston, Texas. It came just weeks after the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that former Paralympian runner, John McFall, would be part of the 2022 ESA Astronaut Class. The mission took off and landed at Ellington Airport, next to the Houston Spaceport and the NASA Johnson Space center — home to the US human spaceflight training.

On climbing to a height of 25,000ft, the vehicle began 18 parabolic manoeuvres (抛物线演习), allowing the crews to test out what was needed to make trips to space more accessible for those with disabilities.

One group tested a set of tactile graphics (触觉图形) to be added to cabin walls that would allow both blind crew members and short-sighted crew members to maintain a sense of direction during emergencies and help them find emergency device in zero gravity if the lights went off. Those working with the Blind and Mobility Crew were able to demonstrate that a disabled person can independently get into a launch seat and safely fasten the five-point seat belt, proving that disabled people can safely join space missions. The hard-of-hearing and blind crews worked with Sony and Sonic Cloud to help improve speech understanding systems onboard, using Sonic Cloud’s innovative sound personalization software.

Matt Gohd, CEO of Zero-G Corporation said: “From our time with Steven Hawking to our relationship with AstroAccess, Zero-G believes that the only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself. We are honored to share this amazing experience and the first steps to space with this extraordinary group of individuals. Space should be open to everyone.”

1. What is the idea behind the flight?

A．Space travel can be accessible to everyone.

B．Space travel will become a popular industry.

C．Space travel can develop a spirit of adventure.

D．Space travel will be good for universe exploration.

2. What was special about the flight?

A．It had a former athlete on board.	B．It was designed for disabled people.
C．It was the first zero-gravity flight ever.	D．It got financial aid from different countries.

3. Why were the tests conducted?

A．To make preparations for the flight.

B．To enhance speech understanding systems.

C．To better the skills of the disabled in using launch seats.

D．To evaluate the possibility of space travel for the disabled.

4. What message is conveyed in Matt Gohd’s words?

A．Great minds think alike.	B．Unity is strength.
C．Actions speak louder than words.	D．Anything is possible.

6 . Everyone reacts to the pressures of an upcoming test differently.     1     When you know you have a test ahead, prepare yourself mentally and physically well in advance to minimize test anxiety. Here are some tips to help get you through the days leading up to your test.

    2     It helps you engage with your material, and it gives you something else for reference when you study later. If your notes are detailed enough, you can read over them to study. You can also use them to make flashcards and other study aids.

Where you study can be just as important as how you study. Choose a place that’s comfortable, whether that’s your bedroom, a quiet table at the library, or a bench at the local park. Make sure the area has good lighting so you aren’t straining your eyes, and ensure it’s quiet and free from distractions.     3    

Don’t try to cram (填塞) all of your material into your brain the night before the big test. Cramming can cause stress and anxiety.     4     For example, if you know the test is in two weeks, divide the material into 10 to 14 parts and spend a set amount of time each day to review one part.

If you work well with groups, consider forming or joining a study group with others who are serious about passing the test. Try to keep the group small so that everyone has a chance to engage.     5     And consider making someone the leader of the group to help keep everyone on track.

A．Instead, it’s best to study a little bit each day.

B．But it’s normal to feel a bit nervous or anxious.

C．Agree on a schedule and location to meet each week.

D．There’s no need to stay up cramming the night before the big test.

E．Consider turning off your phone and any other electronic devices.

F．Preparing for a test can begin days, weeks, and even months in advance.

G．Note taking helps focus your attention on what you’re reading or hearing.

7 . If you’re traveling with your family and looking for great fun in Iceland, check this list of family-friendly tours. These tours help you make the best of your family vacation.

Ice caving tour on Langjokull Glacier (冰川)

On this Langjokull Glacier tour, explore the world’s largest man-made ice cave. A 20-ton monster truck will take you to the entrance of the cave, located close to the top of the glacier. Then hike through the 500m long ice tunnel with separate frozen halls and admire brilliant blue ice formations. You’ll dream about this ice cave experience for years to come!

Whale watching tour from Reykjavik

Hit the high seas on a Dalvik whale watching tour. Witness humpback whales, blue whales, minke whales and even dolphins! In true Icelandic fashion, you will get the chance to try your hand at sea fishing. Your fresh catch will be barbequed Icelandic-style when the tour ends, the perfect way to wrap up the day.

River rafting (漂流) down Gullfoss Canyon.

Whether you’re an expert or beginner, Iceland’s white waters attract people of all skill levels. Your tour begins at Drumboddsstadir, continues down the Hvita River and ends in Bruarhlod Canyon, located at the foothills of Gullfoss Waterfall. The waters will lead you past a water-carved gorge and over a few steep rapids on an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.

Old farm hike

On this tour we’ll be aiming for the old abandoned farm at Kleif — watching out for the Arctic wildlife that lives in the area, including reindeer and plenty of birds. Upon arrival, we’ll go on a fully guided tour of the farm and hear stories of how Icelanders managed to survive in this unfriendly place. Finally, we’ll enjoy some warming refreshments at the farm after an educational day in the wilderness.

1. What do we know about the ice cave?

A．It is artificial.	B．It has a secret entrance.
C．It lies under a glacier.	D．It is the deepest in the world.

2. Which tour might appeal to adventurers most?

A．Ice caving tour.

B．Whale watching tour.

C．River rafting.

D．Old farm hike.

3. What can you do on the old farm hike tour?

A．Have a barbecue in the wilderness.	B．Learn farming from local people.
C．Practice hunting Arctic animals.	D．Explore the history of the farm.

8 . When I was young, my mother was very much concerned for my happiness and was always there to support me. We had healthy boundaries (界限). When my own turn came for being a mother, I was determined to do so.

But as my daughter and I sat down to choose courses for the seventh grade, I felt the boundaries begin to fall. Students were allowed three electives (选修课) each term. Several of these were year-long courses—band, orchestra, yearbook and Spanish, and the rest were random (随机的) — technology education, drama, leadership and PE. I hated PE in my own school days.

We read the elective options carefully and sweet relief flooded through me. “You can sign up for band, yearbook and Spanish, and you won’t have to take PE ever,” I told her. I settled back into my chair, a weight taken off my chest. My daughter, however, frowned. “But I’m not sure I want to take Spanish. And I want to do the leadership class... and try drama!”

I broke in on her words with more practical wisdom. “You can’t pick the electives you want, though. They’re organized randomly. So you might get drama and leadership..., or you might get gym class or technology education. You might get the classes you want, and you might not. Is it worth risking having to take PE?” Finally, she chose to take the chance and signed up for band, yearbook and one period of the unknown elective. I reminded myself she was not me.

Watching your child walk into the trap of middle school is worse than experiencing it yourself. Motherhood, after all, is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. I am not going into the seventh grade again. It is my daughter’s turn. She is her own person, and while she is delicate and easily hurt, she is also stronger and more confident than I was.

1. What is the function of paragraph 1?

A．To present a fact.	B．To provide an example.
C．To introduce the topic.	D．To make a comparison.

2. Why did the author feel relaxed after reading the elective options?

A．Drama was her daughter’s favorite.	B．Her daughter followed her advice.
C．There were many year-long courses.	D．PE was optional for her daughter.

3. What did the author think of her daughter’s option?

A．It seemed organized.	B．It was uncertain.
C．It was made at random.	D．It sounded reasonable.

4. What does the author want to say in the last paragraph?

A．Motherhood is rewarding.	B．Mothers should learn to let go.
C．Children should ask for help if necessary.	D．Children are too young to make a decision.

9 . Providing feedback is an essential part of personal and career development.     1     One of the most effective and classic methods to make it easier for both the giver and receiver is the feedback sandwich technique, sometimes also referred to as a compliment (赞美) sandwich.

If you are seeking to enhance your career growth, learning about the feedback sandwich can be a game-changer.     2     Rather than simply focusing on what went wrong, it ensures that the person receiving the feedback also knows what went well. The process can be broken into three parts. A manager or superior starts by providing positive feedback to encourage a person to continue their good work. Afterward, they communicate constructive feedback for the person to improve. This feedback aims to be specific, behavioral, and relevant to the situation.     3    

The feedback sandwich technique is a highly useful method. It can help soften the blow of criticism. By starting and ending with positive feedback, it’s easier for the recipient to receive the constructive criticism without feeling attacked.     4     As we all know, criticism is awkward, but when you’re giving potentially negative feedback, it’s easier when you’re also serving it up with two compliments. Additionally, it enables the meeting or an interaction to end on a positive note.

    5     Many people are knowledgeable about this technique, which might make it sound insincere or predictable if not done correctly. Also, when feedback becomes a routine, employees can start to perceive positive feedback as simply a form of sugarcoating the negatives, thus reducing its value. Hence, positive feedback should not simply be seen as something to cushion the negative, but should be delivered so as to reinforce and encourage good performance.

A．It’s essential to be aware of its limitations, though.

B．Similarly, it is also easier for the giver to offer feedback.

C．The manager then ends the feedback session with positive feedback.

D．The technique may lead to unclear and indirect personal communication.

E．Delivering constructive criticism, however, can be challenging if not done correctly.

F．It may not be for every situation, but it can make negative feedback more digestible.

G．This technique involves using constructive feedback wrapped between two layers of positive feedback.

10 . In 2022, the Nature Conservancy launched two 5-year pilot projects at working ranches (牧场) in Kansas and New Mexico to determine if virtual fences enable land managers to better perform regenerative management practices and to assess potential benefits for biodiversity and for ranchers’ bottom lines, as well as impacts on soil carbon storage.

Applauded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a climate adaption strategy, virtual fencing is an innovative technology that enables ranchers to use a smartphone or web app to remotely monitor and control where and when cattle graze (吃草). Virtual fences can reduce the need for physical fences, which require significant time, expense and labor to maintain. Physical fences also limit land managers in their ability to change grazing boundaries to adapt to seasonal changes in vegetation or to exclude cattle from ecologically sensitive areas.

The cows are outfitted with battery-operated, GPS-enabled collars that send out a radio frequency to communicate with reception towers, creating virtual grazing boundaries set by a rancher. When a cow approaches the edge of the virtual boundary, the collar produces a sound signaling it to turn around. If the cow proceeds to cross the boundary, it receives a momentary mild shock, signaling that it’s gone too far and should rejoin its group.

Grasslands are the least protected habitat on earth and one of the most effective carbon sinks, storing up to 20% of the world’s soil organic carbon. Unfortunately, grasslands are continuing to rapidly disappear for several reasons. For ecological health, most grassland ecosystems need periods of disturbance to aerate (使透气) the soil, stimulate plant growth and recycle nutrients into the soil. Ranchers complete this disturbance-rest cycle by managing the timing, location, herd size and intensity of grazing activities, all of which can be time-consuming and painstaking.

“Currently, the costs of virtual fencing are still high, but in the long run it can help land managers better carry out management practices that regenerate land health, help address climate change and biodiversity loss,” said William Burnidge, director of the Nature Conservancy.

1. What’s stressed concerning virtual fencing in paragraph 2?

A．Its smart design.	B．Its major advantages.
C．Its wide application.	D．Its working principles.

2. What does the mild shock indicate to the cow?

A．It’s time to return.	B．It’s time to graze.
C．It’s in danger.	D．It’s in a wrong direction.

3. What’s unavoidable for ranchers to complete the disturbance-rest cycle?

A．Intense efforts.

B．Polluted soil.

C．Financial failure.

D．Ecological imbalance.

4. What’s Mr. Burnidge’s attitude to virtual fencing?

A．Intolerant.

B．Objective.

C．Doubtful.

D．Conservative.