1 . Direction: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. arousal B. disruptive C. eliminate D. initially E. interfered F. measured G. predictability H. rarely   I. realistic   J. track K. variable

Effects of Noise

In general, it is reasonable to suppose that we should prefer peace and quiet to noise. And yet most of us have had the experience of having to adjust to sleeping in the mountains on the countryside because it was    1    too “quiet”, an experience that suggests that humans are capable of adapting to a wide range of noise levels. For example, researchers exposed people to short bursts of very loud noise and then    2    their ability to work out problems and their physiological reactions to the noise. The noise was quite    3    at first, but after about four minutes the subjects were doing just as well on their tasks as control subjects who were not exposed to noise. Their physiological     4    also declined quickly to the same levels as those of the control subjects.

But there are limits to adaptation and loud noise becomes more troublesome if the person is required to concentrate on more than one task. For example, high noise levels     5    with the performance of subjects who were required to monitor three dials at a time. Similarly, noise did not affect a subject’s ability to    6    a moving line with a steering wheel, but it did influence the subject’s ability to repeat numbers while tracking.

Probably the most significant finding from research on noise is that its    7    is more important than how loud it is. We are much more able to “tune out” chronic background noise, even if it is quite loud, than to work under circumstances with unexpected intrusions of noise. It is not the only    8    that reduces the negative effects of noise. Another is control. If the individual knows that he or she can control the noise, this seems to    9    both its negative effects at the time and its after-effects.

However, the major worry about noisy environments is that living day after day with chronic noise may produce serious, lasting effects. One study, suggesting that this worry is a    10    one, compared elementary school pupils who attended schools near Los Angeles’s busiest airport with students who attended schools in quiet neighbourhoods. It was found that children from the noisy schools had higher blood pressure and were more easily distracted than those who attended the quiet schools.

2 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. effective          B. matter                 C. sustains          D. rest                  E. ecosystems             F. destroying G. miles               H. optimistically        I. crucial             J. significantly       K. generates

Our planet is our home, the place that    1    us; but are we living in harmony with nature? It seems like we humans have embraced a path of self-destruction,     2    the very home that shelters us. From rising carbon emissions, to deforestation and land degradation, anthropogenic activities are having detrimental effects on our    3    and environmental biodiversity. Not many are aware that the United Nations General Assembly had declared the period of 2011-2020, as the “Decade for Biodiversity”. We have just gone through the final period of this    4    decade, and despite several strategic plans and initiatives to mobilize people at different levels, we are    5    behind in achieving the stipulated targets. The negative trends in biodiversity and ecosystems conservation, indicate that we need to do a lot more.

As teenagers, sometimes we feel helpless and powerless, unable to take action, or do things that really    6    to us, since governments and large corporations are the ones taking vital decisions. While major changes are only possible if countries and corporations alter their policies and actions, we as individuals also have the potential to make a difference, whether through small actions, or larger initiatives. Let’s not forget that consumers dictate markets, and they can    7    impact the way goods are produced and traded if they decide to change their consumption habits.

Recycling is a simple, yet    8    way of conserving resources and reducing your individual carbon footprint. Rather than throwing everything in the trash, separate your plastic, paper, and metal waste, and deposit it in a recycling bin. Recycling helps reduce landfill pollution, raw materials and fossil fuel consumption, and    9    a circular economy.

Lastly, think about your purchasing habits. As natural resources are limited, our excessive consumption can be counter-productive, and undermine our planet’s biodiversity.

The hopes of the world    10    on young people.

3 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. consequences                 B. available                 C. completely                 D. limited          E. decisions F. appropriate                      G. sources                  H. currently                  I. tend               J. forced K. fed

Every time a person eats something, he makes a nutritional choice. He accepts or rejects the food     1    to him at home for meals or snacks. Or he selects food for himself at many places in the community, such as supermarkets, drive-ins, restaurants, and food counters in drugstores. These     2    make a difference in how an individual looks, how he feels, and how well he can work and play.

When various kinds of food in     3    amounts is selected and eaten, the     4    are most likely to be a desirable level of health and enough energy to allow one to be as active as he needs and wants to be. When choices are less than desirable, the consequences are likely to be poor health or     5    energy or both.

More people believe that they are well     6    —that the choices they make are good ones. After all, they are not really sick, neither are they hungry. However, their nutrition is usually poor in one respect or another. Milk and milk products, such as cheeses, ice cream, buttermilk and yogurt, are often ignored. Then people may skip many fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are good     7    of vitamins A and C. These include dark green, leafy vegetables; deep yellow vegetables; and citrus(柑橘类)fruits and vegetables, such as cabbage, tomatoes, and green peppers.

Everyone has the right to choose to be uninformed about nutrition as well as to be informed. If a person believes that she is well fed, attitudes, habits and information cannot be     8    upon her.

There are life situations, however, that     9    to cause an individual to want to know how to make the best choices. For example, a young woman setting up her own apartment is for the first time     10    responsible for the household food supply. Or perhaps a young couple is starting a family and must prepare food for young children.

4 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. efforts        B. hit        C. limits        D. link          E. managed       F. means G. promoting       H. push        I. reducing       J. separated     K. spared

In many big cities around the world, gas-powered vehicles are one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions. Therefore, when the Canadian city of Vancouver set ambitious goals of     1    its carbon footprint, its planners knew that green transportation had to be a big part of the solution.

The city has     2    a near-miraculous transformation of transportation. Today, around 50 percent of journeys in Vancouver are made through sustainable     3    —cycling, walking or using public transit. The city once set a goal that by 2020, ten percent of all commutes would take place on bikes. It     4    that goal three years early.

The success story began back in the 1960s when Vancouver decided not to build highways. The city remains the only major North American city with no highways within the city     5    , says Brent Toderian, Vancouver’s former chief planner. Instead of building a bridge across English Bay, the city chose to create a ferry service.

Today, walking, cycling and public transit all     6    up so that Vancouver citizens can travel car-free quite easily. Cycling is the fastest-growing mode of transport in the city. Because almost a quarter of all bike lanes are     7    from traffic lanes, people can ride their bikes without having to share their roads with cars and trucks.

In addition to building cycling infrastructure(基础设施) and     8    public transit, Vancouver has also incorporated dozens of electric cars in its municipal fleet(车队). According to Sadhu Johnston, the city manager, it’s all about setting a good example. “If we can all drive an electric car, it’s much better for air quality in the city,” he explains.

Vancouver now boasts some of the lowest carbon emissions in the world. Its story shows that small     9     eventually make big differences. It reminds us of an old proverb: The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now. Perhaps more cities should follow Vancouver’s example and begin a serious     10    to promote sustainable transport right away.

5 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. defined                 B. aiding                 C. trends                 D. dominate          E. typical        F. loss G. necessities               H. featured            I. mark                  J. survive             K. appliances

American Decoration in the Middle of the 20th Century

Home decorating has come a long way over the decades. Certain elements that began as     1    for survival—like fireplaces—have transformed into decorative elements in the modern age. Some styles are still massively popular, inspiring copycat furniture that sells for thousands. Other     2    are ignored or even ridiculed.

No one knows what home decoration of the future will look like. But if we look back through history, we can guess which design elements will come back—and which will disappear forever.

The Great Depression affected every aspect of American life—including decoration.   People were just trying to     3    during the 1930s, which didn’t leave a lot of room for non-essentials. But that doesn’t mean everyone gave up on making their homes look beautiful. A     4    living room would have a few throw rugs in interesting patterns, too. There was no one type of furniture that     5    the 1930s—curved and straight line furniture still     6    as the Art Deco style from the previous era was still popular. Plastic chairs and wingback chairs all had a place in the 1930s home. People were also likely to use what they had and not care so much about matching a certain taste.

It’s impossible to describe the 1940s without mentioning World War II. During the first half of the decade, home design took a backseat to     7    the war effort. The second half was much different. Returning soldiers had something new to look forward to: new kitchens with     8    such as refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers. Traditional wood furniture in dark or blonde tones graced every room of the home.

Post-war America was a lot happier and shinier than recent decades. With a prospering middle class and a healthy economy, people had more time and money to devote to new pursuits—like decorating their houses.

The unfussy furniture made popular by Charles Eames started to     9    the American household. Everything was simple and uncomplicated. Wall to wall carpeting became the most desirable type of flooring, especially in unique colours.

The 60s brought about many changes to American culture and home design was no exception. People wanted to show off their unique sense of style more than ever before. Homes weren’t just seen as a     10    of how successful you were—they were also a chance to let your personality shine through home decoration.

6 . 选择合适的短语，并用其正确形式完成句子。

not be bothered to do, work through, take action, come up with, take part in

1. We need more time to see how things develop before we ________.
2. To ________ these emotions, first write all of your emotions down.
3. Sometimes, we need to consider a problem from different angles in order to ________ a best solution for it.
4. The officer refused to let his men ________ the operation.
5. The grass needs cutting but I can ________ it today.

7 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word given in the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word that you do not need.

A. understand       B. immerse       C. handles       D. suggesting       E. possibility       F. similar G. literature       H. encourages       I. slow       J. pushing       K. sharper

Does literature work?

Gregory Currie, a professor of philosophy at the University of Nottingham, has recently argued that we ought not to claim that    1     improves us as people, because there is no strong evidence    2     that people are morally or socially better for reading Tolstoy (托尔斯泰) or other great books.

However, actually, there is such evidence. Raymond Mar, a psychologist at York University in Canada, and Keith Oatley, a professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Toronto, have reported in their studies that individuals who often read fiction appear to be better able to    3     other people. These people can better empathize (感同身受) with other people and view the world from others’ perspective. Even after the researchers took into consideration that there was a(n)     4     that more empathetic individuals might choose to read more novels, they found this kind of link still existed. In a study, Mar found a(n)     5     result in young children: the more stories they had read, the    6     their “theory of mind”, or mental model of other people’s intentions, would be.

That is because when people read novels, poems or other kinds of literature, they should    7     themselves completely in reading. This kind of reading is called “deep reading”, which is    8    , immersive, and rich in sensory detail. It is different from the mere interpretation of words.

Deep reading is supported by the way the brain    9     language rich in detail, allusion (暗示) and metaphor (隐喻). The emotional situations and moral dilemmas (困境) in literature are also vigorous exercise for the brain,     10     us inside the heads of fictional characters and even increasing our real-life capacity for empathy.

8 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word given in the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word that you do not need.

A. facilities       B. signals       C. excel       D. social       E. apparently       F. objects G. natural       H. process       I. function       J. instead       K. definitely

Your dog’s brain doesn’t care about your face

It’s just not in dogs’ DNA to care about human faces, a new study has found. And there’s no area in their brain designed to distinguish between the back or front of someone’s head.

Researchers measured brain activity in dogs and humans as they showed them videos of faces and backs of heads, said a press release from Eötvös Loránd University, in Hungary. While faces are    1     important for visual communication in humans, the same can’t be said for our dog companions.

Experiments involving functional magnetic resonance imaging(FMRI，功能性磁共振成像)on 20 dogs were carried out at Eötvös Loránd University and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. These two    2     are some of the only institutions in the world that are equipped with the ability to scan dogs’ brains when they are awake and unrestrained(不受约束的).

Results have revealed large specialized neural networks(神经网络)in human brains that are used to distinguish faces from non-faces. In dogs there are no brain regions that    3     to tell facial differences.

Dogs,    4    , use more information from smell or larger parts of the body, study co-author Attila Andies at Eötvös Loránd University said. “In dogs, for relationship recognition and mate selection(配偶选择), facial cues(提示)are not more important than non-facial bodily cues, sound or chemical    5    ,” Andics explained.

The full study, described by researchers as the first one of its kind, was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Andics said that dogs do care about human faces, even if their brains aren’t specifically tuned in to them. “I think it is amazing that, despite    6     not having a specialized neural machinery to deal with faces, dogs nevertheless    7     at eye contact, following gaze, reading emotions from our face, and they can even recognize their owner by the face.”

“During domestication(驯养), dogs adapted to the human    8     environment. Living with humans they quickly learn that reading facial cues makes sense, just as humans learn to pay attention to little details of, let’s say, a phone, without having specialized phone areas in their brain,” Andics added.

Researchers will now compare how dog and human brains    9     other visual categories such as body parts, various species and everyday    10    , said Andics. The team will also investigate whether dog brains have developed different specializations as a result of living with humans.

9 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word given in the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word that you do not need.

A. efficiently       B. still       C. equally       D. balance       E. drag F. angle       G. definitely       H. make       I. approach       J. position       K. allow

We need more men in our hospital, not as doctors, but as nurses. Over the last few years, I have found that having male nurses is a real bonus, and they     1     have a place in our hospital. There are several reasons for wanting male nurses here, not only because half the population in our country is male. Men are excellent carers and are     2     good at taking care of others. In fact, many men take good care of their children, wives, parents, sisters, brothers, and even their nieces and nephews.

Another reason that men can     3     great nurses is that in general, men are physically stronger than women. Male nurses can help     4     heavy objects, or if, for example, a patient cannot move from the waist down, male nurses can help move the patient into a comfortable     5    . Also, male nurses can be a great help in keeping patients     6     while they receive painful treatment, such as when bandages covering wounds are changed. Another advantage to having male nurses is that they see things from a different     7     from women and bring a male way of thinking to problem-solving. This allows the hospital to work more effectively than if we only     8     problems one way. Having a mix of male and female nurses also helps create a fun atmosphere, which helps patients recover faster.

Currently, only 7% of our nursing staff are men; this number is far too low, and the problem requires correction. Having more male nurses will help create a positive     9     between male and female staff, and it will     10     patients the choice of a male or female carer. I am determined to take on more male nurses here at Central Hospital. I will be organizing an open day soon to allow interested young men to visit our hospital and find out more about nursing. Hopefully, we will have more male nurses in our hospital soon!

10 . Fill in the blanks with the proper forms of the words given in the box. Each word can be used only once.

series       set       convert       age       expel judge       quote       former       amaze       sweet-smelling

1. She had undergone a(n)________ transformation from an awkward schoolgirl to a beautiful woman.
2. The house is currently run as a country inn, but could easily ________ back into a private residence.
3. Before her leaving, I said, “Pick a bunch of roses to decorate your room; it will keep it ________.”
4. Next week, a ________ of movies will be shown to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death.
5. ________ not by the appearance but by the voice itself makes the TV show stand out from numerous amusement programmes.
6. The spokeswoman ________ statistics saying that the standard of living of the poorest people had risen significantly in the last decade.
7. Synge’s play, The Playboy of the Western World, ________ in the Aran Islands, in western Ireland.
8. On no account should we run the risk of ________ by the school to cheat in the exam.
9. Of the two speeches given by the candidates, the judges reached the agreement that the ________ was more persuasive.
10. Police have issued a description of the wanted man ________ between fifty and sixty.