1 . Today, many people spend a lot of time reading online. Whether reading news or e-books, people are spending more time eyeballing (盯住) screens. While online reading opens up a great deal of knowledge to people, there are some disadvantages too, such as eyestrain, headaches, as well as difficulty in focusing on the text. Now a new reading system, Bionic Reading, developed by Swiss typographic designer Renato Casutt, can help people overcome these issues, and most importantly, it aims to help people read faster online and develop a more in-depth understanding of written content.
The reading system improve the reading process by guiding the eyes through text with artificial fixation points. To make it short: some parts of the words are displayed in bold (粗体). As a result, the reader only focuses on the highlighted letters and lets the brain center complete the rest. Your brain can “read” faster than your eyes, so by essentially reducing the number of letters your eye needs to look at, you can read faster while still preserving the full context.
Cassult discovered the system by accident. He was working on designing a book in a foreign language and realized he could read it if he sectioned it off. He worked for six years to develop Bionic Reading and is still working to adjust it.
A preliminary (初步的) study was conducted by the Swiss Institute InnoSuisee, but more research is needed before it can be definitively shown that the system improves reading. Some people with ADHD (多动症) prove that Bionic Reading helped them focus and comprehend what they are reading. Other people don’t seem to notice a big difference compared to regular text. There’s also no evidence to suggest Bionic Reading is any better than regular text. The best way to know if the Bionic Reader helps you read better online is to try it yourself.
1. What is the main purpose of Bionic Reading?| A．To point out people’s reading problems. |
| B．To teach people necessary reading skills. |
| C．To reduce readers’ screen time and eye stress. |
| D．To improve people’s reading speed and comprehension. |
| A．Words displayed in capital letters. | B．Useful expressions. |
| C．Difficult sentences in the text. | D．Bold letters. |
| A．It is complex. | B．It can be beneficial. |
| C．It needs to be improved. | D．It has little effect on them. |
| A．A reading project for ADHD. | B．A research on language learning. |
| C．A system to help with online reading. | D．A tool for treating reading disability |
2 . English is now the first language of about 400 million people, the mother language of 12 countries and the official language of 34 more countries. That means one in every seven people in the world speaks English. English has become the new Latin (拉丁语) of the century. One must know English is a part of the 21st century. In Italy, for example, English is a must for many technical (技术的) jobs. In China, English is the most important foreign language learned at school. Now no other language on the earth is better suited (适合) to play the role of the world language. Because English is easier to learn than any other language, and it easily borrows local words and phrases from other countries to expand (扩大) its vocabulary.
English is so widely used that it has become the standard language for all kinds of international communications. Now 75% of the world’s mail is in English, 60% of the world’s telephone calls are made in English. 60% of the world’s radio stations are broadcast (广播) in English and over half of the world’s books and magazines are written in English. In a word, English is now the world’s first language.
1. countries speak English as their mother language.| A．11 | B．12 | C．3 | D．45 |
| A．English has a long history |
| B．English is as important as Latin |
| C．English has borrowed lots of words from Latin |
| D．English is as difficult to learn as Latin |
| A．speak Latin | B．speak French | C．speak English | D．speak Italian |
| A．More than 50% | B．75% | C．60% | D．Less than 50% |
| A．English as a Native Language | B．English as the World Language |
| C．English as an Official Language | D．English as the Latin Language |
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1. Marsha’s House may be a .
| A．supermarket | B．hotel | C．restaurant | D．cinema |
| A．Marsha’s House | B．Country Life Market |
| C．Wawa Village | D．Next Wave Music Store |
| A．musician | B．athlete | C．film star | D．singer |
| A．543002 | B．544996 | C．544741 | D．543616 |
| A．get there before 7:00 a.m. |
| B．be the first person to get there |
| C．call 544996 |
| D．be among the first 50 people to get there |
4 . Mexico has more than just beaches. Several Mexican cities have been recognized as forming part of the heritage of humanity and are considered to be of outstanding universal value.
Oaxaca
Oaxaca and the nearby archaeological site Monte Alban have both been recognized by UNESCO. Oaxaca, the capital city of the state of the same name, was founded in 1529 and offers a good example of previous Spanish town planning. Oaxaca is considered one of Mexico’s best foodie destinations. Learn what foods and drinks you should try in Oaxaca.
Guanajuato
As a silver mining town in the past, Guanajuato seems special. The winding streets and small squares give it a more friendly feel than some of the other cities. This is a student town with a vibrant culture and an important cultural festival — the International Cervantino Festival which is held every October.
Puebla
Puebla is one of Mexico’s large cities, but its historical center can easily be explored on foot. It has some special historical structures such as the 16th-century cathedral and some other fine buildings with walls covered in tiles.
Morelia
Morelia, the capital of the state of Michoacán, was originally called Valladolid, but its name was changed in honor of independence hero José María Morelos y Pavón. The Museo del Dulce is a stop you shouldn’t miss in Morelia. Visits to nearby Patzcuaro or the reserves are also recommended on a trip to Morelia.
1. What are visitors recommended to do in Oaxaca?| A．Walk on a beach. | B．Enjoy local cuisine. |
| C．Visit a student town. | D．Join a cultural festival. |
| A．Architecture. | B．Reserves. | C．Silver mining. | D．Foods and drinks. |
| A．Oaxaca. | B．Guanajuato. | C．Puebla. | D．Morelia. |
5 . The last time my husband and I went out for a dinner in a restaurant, the server came and recited (背诵) a long list of specials and detailed descriptions of how the food was made. As she spoke. I became almost more interested in how she could remember all those descriptions than thinking about the food, Meanwhile. I couldn’t remember where I’d put my keys before we left for the restaurant.
Objectively (客观地) speaking, not remembering where you put your keys is generally not a sign of dementia (痴呆). And on the other side, being able to remember a long list of restaurant specials isn’t necessarily a sign of surprising mental ability, either.
While most of us are afraid about developing dementia. fewer than 10% of adults age 65and older will end up with dementia such as Alzheimer’s. “For them, developing a condition like Alzheimer’s is a part of normal aging,” says Joel Salinas MD, an expert at NYU Langone Health. And, he adds. “There are areas that actually improve with age, like vocabulary and wisdom.”
“Memory is all these different brain networks working in concert with each other,” says Dr. Salinas. While genetics and family history play some role in the risk of memory problems. so do plenty of other reasons, For example, some medicine and alcohol can cause memory problems, especially for older people.
The brain might be the place that memory is stored, but it doesn’t exist in the air. The health and efficiency of the brain depend a lot on the general health of the body. In short, what’s good for the body is good for the brain. Many of the lifestyle factors that can improve memory are the same that have a positive effect on general health, such as, exercising properly. having a balanced diet, and sleeping well.
1. Why does the author mention her experience in paragraph 1?| A．To show her interest in the specials. |
| B．To introduce the topic of the text. |
| C．To invite more customers to the restaurant. |
| D．To express her regret about losing her keys. |
| A．Objective. | B．Worried. | C．Supportive. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．Reciting details | B．Working with others. |
| C．Exercising properly. | D．Sleeping a lot. |
| A．a research plan | B．a health magazine |
| C．a business magazine | D．a book review |
6 . As 35-ycar-old Rajesh walked out of the HR head’s office, he couldn’t help crying and his mind went empty. Suddenly, a regular day at work had turned into his last day in the office. Having cleared his desk of his things and small objects he had used to beautify his workspace. he pulled himself with difficulty to the nearby café and called his wife. Nina.
People like Rajesh are being “let go” for a variety of reasons: poor performance, personal issues and so on. Most people. even though they are aware of the realities, go through a mix of emotions: shock. refusal. self-blame (自资), anger, often leading to unhappiness.
The most important thing is not to think of yourself as a victim (受害者). First, consider self-care. Then, develop a plan to keep yourself busy. Meanwhile, you can update your resume (简历) on the website and make a list of friends and relatives who could help you find a new job.
At first. Rajesh was obviously very upset and spent a number of days staying in bed. Seeing this, Nina took time off from work and even took him to the adviser, from whom he learn-ed that he had become too satisfied with his job and was refusing the reality around him. He had never thought of considering his own professional development. This insight helped him refocus his energy: from playing the blame game to getting new skills and being ready for a better job.
Rajesh and Nina then decided to move from Mumbai to Bengaluru, where his IT skills were more popular. So a newly focused Rajesh first got himself a job. The silver lining was that the cost of living in Bengaluru was lower and they could even achieve their dream of having an apartment.
1. How did Rajesh feel when leaving the HR head’s office?| A．Excited. | B．Satisfied. | C．Sad. | D．Lonely. |
| A．Make a complaint to the boss. | B．Drown their sadness in a cup of coffee. |
| C．Spend some time punishing themselves. | D．Prepare for future job opportunities. |
| A．He refused to accept the reality around him. | B．He focused on improving himself for a job. |
| C．He felt satisfied with the present situation. | D．He improved his relationship with Nina. |
| A．The unpleasant situation. | B．The bad decision. |
| C．The only disadvantage. | D．The positive side. |
7 . Whenever travelers planning to Hawaii are surveyed, their first question is often the same: “How’s the weather in Hawaii?” Most of the time, the answer is pretty easy. After all. Hawaii experiences only two seasons; summer. called “kau”, and winter. called “hooilo”.
Temperatures in Hawaii
During summer, the islands experience an average temperature of around 29°C. This is also the start of the dry season and mostly perfect weather across the board. Even though summer is the islands’ dry season. hurricanes are also more common during this period. Winter runs from November through April in Hawaii. Temperatures aren’t much colder than summer, averaging around 26°C. This is the rainier part of the year across most islands. While winter temperatures don’t drop too significantly, surf is much higher, making swimming risky. Not surprisingly, this season is popular among big-time surfers.
What to pack
Given Hawaii’s consistent temperatures year-round, you’ll primarily want to pack light-weight, breathable clothing. Depending on when you’re visiting. you should prepare water-proof gear (防水装置) as well as activity-specific clothing, like hiking boots or a wetsuit. Regardless of when you’re visiting, pack high-rated sunscreen. for it’s quite common to get sunburned faster than you even realize.
Vog in Hawaii
There are four major islands—Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Vog (火山雾) is an effect caused by enissions of the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. Therefore. why not come to the island if you’re interested in it? While vog is merely an inconvenience for most residents. it can affect people with illnesses such as asthma (哮喘). Some visitors to the Big ls-land who suffer from these problems should ask their doctors before their visit.
1. Which season is the most popular for surfers in Hawaii?| A．Spring. | B．Summer. | C．Autumn. | D．Winter. |
| A．On Maui, | B．On Oahu. | C．On Kauai. | D．On the Big Island. |
| A．To introduce some information about Hawaii. |
| B．To show some amazing activities in Hawaii. |
| C．To explain the development of Hawaii. |
| D．To show the beauty of Hawaii. |
8 . My favorite activity is playing, watching, reading, and really anything to do with basketball. A basketball court (球场) is where I feel most at home.
As I see it, it’s wildly popular in the US and its athletes are extremely recognizable, because it’s the one sport where an athlete’s face is not covered up by a football helmet (头盔) or baseball hat. My favorite time and place is anywhere and anytime. I prefer indoors, although it can be played outdoors. Many people often play in a driveway at home, but the best is always against someone on a court.
I started playing basketball because of my favorite player, Shaquille O’Neal. He was a huge, unstoppable player. When I was 11 years old, I decided to go outside to the family basketball hoop (球框) and take a shot (投球). This was my first time ever shooting a basketball. I will never forget the first shot I ever took. It was perfect. It felt amazing! And I’ve been in love with this sport ever since!
I learned a long time ago that very few people are going to have the love of this game that I do. I’ve always understood that in this area, for the most part, I am alone. Especially coming from the state of Texas, where football is king.
I’m not the best of players. When I do good things on court, I know it’s because I can make up for my lack (缺乏) of athleticism by being a student of the game. I’ve never missed a training day. I don’t worry about school, family, or problems. I think about what’s in front of me, and how I can get the basketball in the hoop.
Playing, watching, and reading about basketball fills me with a sense of enjoyment that I truly do feel that very few people can match.
1. What does the author think of basketball?| A．It should be played indoors. | B．It has won popularity in the US. |
| C．It is more dangerous than other sports. | D．It has become a game for huge people. |
| A．Very nervous. | B．Truly tired. | C．Really excited. | D．Quite free. |
| A．He is happy to improve himself through hard work. |
| B．He really enjoys playing basketball alone. |
| C．He would rather be a football player. |
| D．He is on Shaquille O’Neal’s team. |
| A．Life lessons from playing basketball | B．My road to being a basketball player |
| C．Changes in my basketball dream | D．My great love of basketball |
9 . Slow travel is about connecting deeply with your travels. Rather than rushing from one place to another, slow travelers treat each experience as an opportunity to learn and feel more deeply to the people, culture, and food they want to explore.
Relax and enjoy
Once, a vacation provided relaxation from the stress of everyday life. But over time, we began trying to put everything we want into a checklist.
Have more memorable experiences
If you’re used to jumping from one attraction after another, the idea of slow travel may feel like you’ll miss the latest Top 10. In fact, you free yourself from scratching the surface of everything without enjoying anything.
Meet people and actually get to know them
When you decide to take the slow travel route, you free yourself up to meet and spend time with others. You can meet locals at a park or restaurant and enjoy a conversation. Learn about the people on your food tour. You may even decide that you like someone enough to meet him/her later for lunch or a coffee.
Traveling by plane, train, and bus has a bad effect on the environment. We can transport ourselves to one location and spend more time exploring it on foot, by bike or on horseback. That’s less harmful to the planet than rushing to the next thing on the list with whatever vehical that will get us there in a hurry.
| A．Be more eco-friendly. |
| B．Experience different means of transportation. |
| C．This created more stress than we were escaping. |
| D．Making a checklist makes your journey more organized. |
| E．Slow travel allows you the time to feel a destination. |
| F．Here are some reasons we think you need to try slow travel. |
| G．Your communication tends to be more relaxed and more real. |
10 . For adults, communicating in our first language feels easy and natural. Yet learning language is a complex process that is influenced by several factors. When young children are beginning to learn language, some influences, such as the amount of speech a child hears and the amount of time they spend in back-and-forth language interactions with others, have what may appear to be obvious connections to language learning. Perhaps less obvious is that children’s own physical experiences with their environment help them learn new words.
In new research in the cognitive sciences, we investigated how this is the case by considering how children learn words that refer to something they can touch, grasp and interact with. We asked parents to rate how easily a child can physically interact with the object, idea or experiences that a word refers to. We found words that refer to objects that are easy for children to interact with are also words that are learned at an earlier age.
For instance, a word such as spoon is usually learned earlier than a word such as sky. And this relationship remains even when we consider other things that can affect word learning, such as how common a word is in everyday language. Words such as spoon and sky are both relevant to everyday life, and so children will probably hear those words quite early in their development. One difference between them is that spoon refers to something they can touch, grasp and interact with, whereas sky does not.
Our findings agree with those of studies where babies wore small head-mounted body cameras to record their interactions with objects. Those studies show that the children’s own physical experiences helps them learn new words. For instance, in one study researchers found that 18-month-old babies were more likely to learn the name of a new object when they held that object, and less likely to learn the name if their parent held the new object. Another study found that 15-month-olds who spent more time using new objects had learned more nouns by the time they were 21 months old.
1. What is the aim of the new research?| A．To see if babies’ physical experiences help them learn new words. |
| B．To investigate how a baby learns names of everyday objects. |
| C．To find out what influences a baby’s language learning. |
| D．To study how a baby interacts with everyday objects. |
| A．Bag. | B．Heart. | C．Milk. | D．Leaf. |
| A．To further support their finding. | B．To summarize the research result. |
| C．To point out new research directions. | D．To introduce results of other findings. |
| A．The author is a parent. | B．The author is a researcher. |
| C．The author is a professor. | D．The author is a journalist. |
