1 . From teenage to adulthood, you go through a basket of changes—graduation, jobs and relationships that come and go. But as you grow older, does your personality change? Personality is the pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviors unique to a person.
People tend to think of personality as fixed. But that is not how it works. “Personality is a developmental phenomenon instead of something that you’re stuck with and can’t get over.” said Brent Roberts, a psychologist at the University of Illinois.
Roberts and other researchers have surveyed the personalities of participants regularly over man years, showing that our personality is actually stable within each decade of life. You don’t notice it on a 1-to-5-year time range, but in the long term, it becomes pronounced.
In 1960, psychologists surveyed over 440, 000 high school students who answered questions about everything from how they reacted to emotion at situations to how efficiently they got work done. Fifty years later, researchers tracked down 1,952 of these students and gave them the same survey. The results found that in their 60s, participants scored much higher than they did as teenagers on questions measuring calmness, self-confidence, leadership and social sensitivity.
Again and again, studies have found similar results. Personality tends to get “better” over time. Psychologists name it “the maturity principle”. People become more extroverted, emotionally stable, agreeable and gentle as they grow older. Some individuals might change less than others, but in general, “the maturity principle” applies to everyone.
So what causes the change? Evidence suggests it’s not dramatic life events, such as marriage, the birth of a child or loss of a loved one. Instead, changing expectations placed on us—as we adjust to university, the work force, starting a family—slowly wear us in, almost like a pair of shoes, Roberts said. “Over time, you are asked to do things differently and thus learn how to behave in these situations.” So we adapt.
1. What has Roberts found about personality according to the passage?| A．It is a stable phenomenon. |
| B．It changes on a daily basis. |
| C．It is a fixed patter of thoughts. |
| D．It develops gradually as we age. |
| A．By classifying the facts. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By giving various examples. | D．By quoting previous researches. |
| A．An approachable and stable character. |
| B．A calm and self-centered personality. |
| C．A successful and extraordinary career. |
| D．An unusual and emotional sensitivity. |
| A．Additional expectations are placed on us. |
| B．Dramatic life events have happened to us. |
| C．We gradually adapt to different life situations. |
| D．It is stressful to behave ourselves in adulthood. |
2 . Sores Duman is a normal 29-year-old. Later in the week he will see an action movie with his mate Piebe. Before that, he may go to McDonald’s with Martey, another friend. It might take more time than usual for his friends to get ready for these activities. Piebe is 79 and Martey 94. Does Sores think his weekend plans are strange? “No, I do similar things with friends of my own age. I don’t see the difference in age as an obstacle (障碍).”
Mr. Duman lives at the Humanitas care home in Deventer, Holland. His housemates’ average age is over 85. He lives there with ten other students and around 150 elderly residents. They are part of a project that provides them with free housing in exchange for 30 hours per month living as a “good neighbour”.
Both parties appear to benefit from the programme. Mr. Duman estimates that he has saved over €10,000 per year in rent. He claims that living in a care home has not affected his university experience. “We have big parties here.” he says, “we host things from chess games to yoga classes.” In a promotional video, one resident calls the project gezelling a Dutch word that roughly translates as homelike: “Now and then they put me into the walker and race me through the hall,” she explains.
Such projects could help fight against loneliness, an increasing problem across the rich world. I goes hand in hand with social isolation(隔离). Nearly half of Britons over the age of 65 say that television or pets are their main form of company. Loneliness is also said to have serious health consequences: a study from 2015 found that lonely people had on average a 26% higher risk of dying in its seven-year study period than those who were not lonely. And the problem may get worse as social isolation is becoming more common. Creating a space for the elderly to mingle with youngsters can lift spirits—and help cash-strapped millennials (千禧一代).
1. How does Mr. Duman feel about his present life?| A．Dull. | B．Content. | C．Strange. | D．Special. |
| A．Rough. | B．Beneficial. | C．Comfortable. | D．Promotional. |
| A．Various activities are held in the care home. |
| B．Mr. Duman is required to live with 150 elderly people. |
| C．Mr. Duman pays over €10,000 per year for the rent. |
| D．It helps to fight against the loneliness of British elders. |
| A．Care—Hold up the Blue Sky of the Elderly |
| B．Live with the Old to Enrich Your College Life |
| C．A Win-win Project—Housing Students with the Old |
| D．Loneliness—the Number One Killer of the Old-aged |
In 1991, Beijing musician Wang Wei went on a tour, when he become fascinated by the shakuhachi, a kind of Japanese bamboo flute (笛子).
During the past three
He also gathered a group of musicians to form the country’s
4 . Last month, Anna took her five-year-old daughter to a supermarket to buy some cupcakes. She didn’t know that it would be a life-changing experience.
As Anna pushed her daughter Daisy around the supermarket, she passed an old man who was by himself. The old man looked cold, until Daisy shouted to him, “Hi! It’s my birthday today!” The man stopped and his demeanor changed from distant and serious to warm and friendly. “How old are you today?” the man asked. After some time talking together, Daisy asked her mom to take a picture of her with her new friend “Mr. Bruce”, Bruce Peterson, 82. They hugged and after ten minutes went their separate ways. That could have been the end of the story. But it is actually the beginning of a special relationship.
Anna posted the picture of her daughter and Mr. Bruce on Facebook and someone who recognized him reached out to her with his contact information. It turned out that Mr. Bruce’s wife died in March and he had been suffering from depression and anxiety ever since. The person on Facebook told Anna that it was the first time they had seen Mr. Bruce smile since the death of his wife. Knowing that, Anna contacted Mr. Bruce, and ever since Daisy and the 82-year-old have developed a friendship unlike any other. “She has shown me a depth of love, a depth that I didn’t know existed,” Mr. Bruce told the reporter.
Mr. Bruce told Anna that before meeting Daisy, he hadn’t had one night of uninterrupted sleep. Anxiety kept him up at all hours and made him restless. After meeting Daisy, he said he could finally get a good sleep. For Mr. Bruce’s 82nd birthday on October 20, the mother and the daughter brought balloons and presents—and of course cupcakes. Mr. Bruce will also spend a day around Thanksgiving with Daisy and her family. “If you don’t take the time to notice people, you will never know how you can positively impact a life,” Anna said.
1. Why did Mr. Bruce look cold?| A．He caught a cold. | B．He disliked little kids. |
| C．He felt lonely. | D．He knew little about Daisy. |
| A．Words | B．Body | C．Thoughts | D．Attitude |
| A．From a news reporter. | B．From a stranger. |
| C．From a shop assistant. | D．From his neighbor. |
| A．On his 82nd birthday. | B．On Thanksgiving Day. |
| C．Before meeting Daisy. | D．After meeting Daisy. |
| A．Giving makes a real difference. | B．It’s important to respect each other. |
| C．We should not judge a person at first sight. | D．Good things will happen if one keeps trying. |
5 . The North Pole Adventure is a one-of-a-kind interactive Christmas attraction for the entire family. Unlike other Christmas attractions, it is open from November 25 until Christmas Eve. It is not a guided tour. While elves (小精灵) are throughout the adventure to interact with your children, your kids can spend as much time in each area as they wish. The adventure features a replica of the North Pole including everything you imagine at Santa’s North Pole.
Santa’s House
Kids will experience what it’s like at the North Pole and see first-hand what it takes for Santa and his elves to get ready for Christmas each year. The memories your children will take away from Santa’s House will be ones they will remember for a life time.
Post Office
All kids will be assisted by Santa’s elves in writing a letter to Santa and then depositing it in Santa’s magical mailbox. A few days before Christmas, they will receive letters at their own homes from Santa.
EIf University
EIf University is the place where elves go to school. It’s also the place where kids enjoy making Christmas presents, coloring Christmas pictures, and even filling out applications to become elves one day.
Admission
Buy your tickets online to avoid waiting in line. If the tickets sell out when you buy them online, there will still be tickets available at the ticket office.
1. Which of the following statement is NOT true about the North Pole Adventure?| A．It provides visitors with tour guide service. | B．It arranges elves to interact with the kids in each area. |
| C．It isn’t modeled on other Christmas attractions. | D．People can go there on December 10. |
| A．Make the Christmas gifts. | B．Deposit a letter in Santa’s magical mailbox. |
| C．Fill out applications. | D．Color the Christmas paintings. |
| A．Only online. | B．Only at the ticket office. |
| C．At the post office. | D．Both online and at the ticket office. |
| A．A report. | B．A science fiction. | C．A tourist booklet. | D．A story book. |
| A．shift | B．move | C．range | D．reach |
7 . A lot of people like movies and films. They can add thrill and imaginations to our lives. Find the latest movie reviews here.
Family Romance
Love is a business at Family Romance-a company that offers the rental service. Founder Yuichi Ishii helps fulfill the dreams of his clients. Mahiro’s mother will hire Ishii to play as her missing father. And reality will begin to be unclear.
Critics Consensus (共识): It is a fascinating exploration of human connection and follows an unconventional path.
Mulan
The fearless and spirited eldest daughter of an honoured warrior, Mulan is the apple of her father’s eye. To save her aging father from serving in the Imperial Army, clever Mulan disguises (乔装) herself as a man soldier named “Ping” to bravely take her father’s place in the Imperial Army to battle northern invaders in China.
Critics Consensus: It could have told its classic story with greater depth, but the live-action Mulan is a visual improvement.
Greenland
A family fights for survival as a planet-killing comet (彗星) races to Earth. John Garrity (Gerard Butler), his wife Allison and young son Nathan make a dangerous journey to their only hope for refuge (避难). Among terrifying news, the Garritys experience the best and worst in humanity while they battle the increasing panic and lawlessness surrounding them.
Critics Consensus: Beware, comets of Greenland: Gerard Butler, is here to protect Earth and show audiences an improbably entertaining time.
Black Box
Having lost his wife and his memory in a tragic car accident, the news photographer Nolan Wright is desperate. After losing his wife and memory, Nolan Wright, a single father undergoes an experimental treatment that causes him to question who he really is.
Critics Consensus: An interesting work of writer-director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Black Box makes up for a lack of surprises with strong performances and an emotionally rewarding story.
1. Which movie should have presented a better story according to critics?| A．Family Romance. | B．Mulan. | C．Greenland. | D．Black Box. |
| A．Family Romance. | B．Mulan. | C．Greenland. | D．Black Box. |
| A．Advertisement. | B．Science. | C．News Report. | D．Entertainment. |
On a cold windy day, a poor boy tried to pay his way through school by selling goods door to door. Wandering on the street, he was not a successful seller. What’s worse, he found that he only had one dime left. His empty stomach reminded him constantly that for days he hadn’t eaten anything. He had no choice but to beg for a meal at the next house. Hesitantly he knocked at a door, thinking about what to say when it was opened. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. “What can I do for you?” asked the young woman. The boy paused for a while, “Would you please give me some...a drink of water?” the boy dared not to look directly into her eyes. She looked at the bony boy and thought he might need something to give him energy so she brought him a glass of milk. His head rising and small hands taking the cup, he drank it up slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied with a warm smile on her face. “My mother has taught me never to accept pay for a kindness.”Deeply moved, he said sincerely, “Then I shall thank you from the bottom of my heart.” As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but it also increased his faith in the whole human race. As a matter of fact, he was about to give up and quit before that point.
Years later the young woman became critically ill. However, the local doctors were unable to give an effective medical treatment. Finally they sent her to a hospital in the big city, where specialists can be called in to cure her rare disease. Among those famous specialists, Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately, he rose and went down through the hospital hall into her room.
注意:1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dressed in his doctor’s gown, he went in to see her.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The bill was sent to her room.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________注意：
1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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