1 . Dogs may have earned the title of our best friends through their interactions with humans, but now researchers say these social skills could, be present shortly after birth rather than being learned.
To better understand the role of biology in dogs’ abilities to communicate with humans, the researchers studied 375 eight-week-old service dogs. They looked at how these dogs performed in a series of tasks designed to measure their communication skills. The puppies were still living with their littermates (同窝出生者) and had not been sent to live with a volunteer puppy raiser, making it unlikely that they had learned about his or her behavior.
In the first task, a person hid a treat beneath one of two overturned cups and pointed to it to see if the puppy could follow the gesture. Since dogs are good at using noses to find things a treat was also taped to the insides of, both cups. In the second task, puppies watched as the researchers placed a yellow, block next to the correct cup, instead of pointing to indicate where the puppy should look for the food.
The third task was designed to observe puppies’ tendency to look at human faces. The researchers spoke to the puppy in a voice people sometimes use when talking to a baby. They then measured how long the puppy fixed a stare on the human.
In the last task, researchers sealed a treat inside a closed container and presented it to the puppy. They then measured how often the puppy looked to the human for help in opening the container.
The study found that while many of the puppies were responsive to humans’ physical and verbal cues, very few looked to humans for help with the unsolvable task. Researchers said, “This suggests that while puppies may be born knowing how to respond to human-initiated communication, the ability to initiate communication on their own may come later.” The next step will be to see if specific genes that may contribute to dogs’ abilities to communicate with humans can be identified.
1. Why were eight-week-old service dogs chosen for the study?| A．They were the best age to learn. |
| B．They were cute and safe to deal with. |
| C．They were unlikely influenced by their mates. |
| D．They had had little contact with humans before. |
| A．To provide clues for the puppies’ final decisions. |
| B．To make comparisons between different conditions. |
| C．To prevent the puppies from making use of their smell. |
| D．To check the puppies’ preference for a particular color. |
| A．Puppies can understand our body language. |
| B．Puppies are good at asking humans for help. |
| C．Puppies are born to arouse communication with humans. |
| D．Puppies need specific genes to communicate with humans. |
| A．Dogs—talented performers | B．Dogs—humans’ best friends |
| C．Dogs—born to be able to learn | D．Dogs—born to understand humans |
2 . I’ve never had a great sense of direction. And I often wander into shops and, upon coming back out, can’t remember which way I’ve come from — left or right? Many people are like me, and why do some constantly have no idea where they are?
The hippocampus (海马体) is a region of the brain associated with memory and involved in sense of direction. And a nearby region has also been associated with sense of direction. There are four known types of navigation-related neurons (神经元), found in these regions place cells, grid cells, border cells and head direction cells.
In short, you can think of place cells as an internal cognitive (认知的) map; they identify where you are. Grid cells are like a GPS system in our brain; they tell us about the relationship of this place to other places we’ve been to. Border cells respond to the presence of environmental boundaries at a specific direction and distance from us. Lastly, head direction cells are activated when our head faces a specific direction. These cells will fire electrical impulses when we enter familiar locations, with each group of cells relating to a specific place.
Our reliance on GPS and smartphones may have decreased the ability to use our internal maps. Older adults who regularly used GPS had less activity in their hippocampus, compared with those who did not use GPS. They also performed slightly worse in a cognition test. In contrast, a study involving London taxi drivers found they significantly larger hippocampus than ordinary people.
You can improve your way-finding ability specifically by practicing the skill, according to Aziz, PhD of neurology at Temple University School of Medicine. “The more you get out and go to places, the better,” he says. Physical exercise improves the blood flow to the brain, while mental exercise, such as doing puzzles or learning a new language, stimulates the development of new nerve cells and connections in your brain.
1. How does the author introduce the topic of the text?| A．By raising a question. |
| B．By making a comparison. |
| C．By stating personal opinions. |
| D．By referring to scientific research. |
| A．They depend closely on each other. |
| B．They are responsible for different jobs. |
| C．They will decrease in numbers as one ages. |
| D．They will fail to function in unfamiliar situations. |
| A．We will easily be misled. |
| B．Our hippocampus will get enlarged. |
| C．Our cognitive ability will be affected. |
| D．We will have our hippocampus relaxed. |
| A．Build up our body. | B．Take training courses. |
| C．Try different brain exercises. | D．Get out to connect with people. |
Peter was a cheerful and warm-hearted person who was always ready to help others. When he was in college, he got along well with his classmates. After graduating from college, he hunted for jobs several times, but he failed. So he was a little unhappy during the period of time.
One day, when he was surfing the Internet, an advertisement came into his sight. He read the advertisement carefully, which was recruitment (招聘) information. To his delight, the position was in line with his major he studied in the university. The conditions and the pay the company offered were so attractive that Peter decided to have a try. Following the tips provided online, Peter went to the company. There were so many people waiting on the first floor of the building. What Peter didn’t expect was that the company was scheduled to hire not so many employees, but hundreds of applicants were there. Peter was a little worried.
At last, Peter filled out the form as required as many applicants did. A staff of the company told all the applicants to wait for their turns to attend the interview. They waited there excitedly and anxiously, wondering what on earth the interview was! At the moment, a man rushed toward them and said he had something urgent to do. Seeing as if it was going to rain, he could not find enough workers to unload the goods. He asked the group of people to help him. Hearing what the man said, some applicants thought that they should help the man. However, some thought they had something more important to do and they couldn’t spare time.
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。
Peter stood there, considering whether to give a helping hand or not.
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When they were wiping the sweat off their faces, the man came up toward them.
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Chinese chime bells are an ancient Chinese musical instrument consisting of a set of bronze bells,
They have
5 . If you find yourself signing up for things that, in reality, you don’t want to do, you’re not alone. Hershfield has found that we often agree to things we don’t want to do because we tend to hold a more brilliant version of our “future selves”.
Use your current schedule as a guide.
Are you still hesitated? Weigh the cost. If you are unsure about an event, weigh the benefits by asking yourself a few questions.
Treat your future self. If you’ve committed to an event, as a result, you know that life is going to become busy or stressful, be kind to yourself by practicing “pre-care”. What feels comfortable is different for everyone.
| A．Pretend the commitment is sooner |
| B．You should avoid anything unpleasant |
| C．Ask yourself if the commitment is attractive |
| D．Here are four tips on how to have a bright future |
| E．An empty calendar tricks us to have much free time |
| F．Let’s use these strategies to set a more realistic schedule |
| G．You might wonder whether saying yes brings more benefits |
6 . Microscopic particles (微观粒子) from outer space are also called space dust. They’re in the dirt on the ground and on your roof. They may discomfort your nose. They have settled all over our planet.
Despite their widespread presence, finding space dust isn’t easy. One place that the particles show up more easily is Antarctica. Around a decade ago, Matthew Genge at Imperial College London spent seven weeks searching for and collecting dust there.
The disadvantage of collecting dust from Antarctica is the high cost and complications of travelling there. That’s why Penny Wozniakiewicz of the University of Kent in the UK has focused on her research closer to home. The key is to collect material from a fairly undisturbed spot. She seeks the rooftops of old buildings in the UK as the source of her samples.
She focuses on these roofs because they are old and more untouched than modern buildings. What’s more, historic buildings usually have well-kept records that indicate when conservation and cleaning have been done. That makes it easier to determine how long space dust has been collected and gives researchers insight into what other particles might be present in the dust they collect. This allows them to more efficiently remove the Earth stuff, and focus on the space stuff.
“The idea is to actually take something you can barely see on your finger, and then make it much bigger so you can hold it in your hand,” says Wozniakiewicz. Each year, approximately 100 billion particles of space dust land on Earth, carrying secrets from outer space and offering glimpses into the formation of planetary systems. These particles not only contain water but also organic molecules (有机分子); they potentially serve as the building blocks for life on Earth. Space dust could, therefore, tell scientists about the complex relationship between these celestial bodies (天体) and Earth. It acts as a bridge, connecting us to the wider space.
1. What do we know about space dust?| A．There is much space dust in the UK. |
| B．It shows up more easily in Antarctica. |
| C．Space dust is easy to collect everywhere. |
| D．Space dust contains only organic molecules. |
| A．She doesn’t want to be too far away from home. |
| B．She wants to collect dust from modern buildings. |
| C．Travelling to Antarctica is expensive and complicated. |
| D．A fairly undisturbed spot couldn’t be found in Antarctica. |
| A．To uncover the secret of outer space. | B．To make collecting Earth stuff easier. |
| C．To help researchers find out space stuff. | D．To show how often buildings were cleaned. |
| A．How space dust comes into being | B．An extraordinary exploration to outer space |
| C．The relationship between space and humans | D．Space dust bridges outer space and humans |
7 . Underwater travel is difficult and dangerous, but many people have to stay deep under the ocean. Thus, humans have come up with a few designs of vehicles to move around under the ocean. But what if there was a better way to travel?
Hilary Bart-Smith, an engineer at the University of Virginia, thinks a vehicle that travels like a manta ray (魔鬼鱼) would be able to operate for long periods at sea. Manta rays which can grow up to 29 feet long are among the most efficient swimmers in the ocean. Different from animals and people pushing against water, manta rays swim by moving through the water with wing-like movements of their fins (鳍). Efficiency means using less energy to move farther.
Bart-Smith and other engineers at the University of Virginia had to find out what manta rays looked like on the inside to better understand how they move. They took X-rays to find out how a manta ray’s fins are built. They found that a web of cartilage (软骨) stretches across each fin.
Once the engineers knew how a manta ray’s fin was constructed, they could build one of their own. They made a long row of metal struts with many hinges to imitate the manta ray’s web of cartilage. The engineers put their design inside a flexible cover, shaped like a manta ray’s fin. Then they tested it in the university swimming pool. They were happy to see that it swam just like a manta ray in the ocean.
Engineers and scientists are still learning and experimenting with how to imitate these amazing animals. For now, engineers study their movements and learn from the most efficient swimmers in the ocean. Perhaps someday engineers will be able to build manta ray robots that are big enough to transport people.
1. How do manta rays swim?| A．By moving like birds. | B．By swimming like humans. |
| C．By swimming like other fishes. | D．By pushing against water like animals. |
| A．Manta rays are the fastest swimmers. | B．Manta rays look like travel vehicles. |
| C．Manta rays can grow at least 29 feet long. | D．Manta rays’ fins consist of a web of cartilage. |
| A．To learn about their habits. | B．To build manta ray robots. |
| C．To design undersea vehicles. | D．To protect marine creatures. |
| A．Negative. | B．Supportive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Objective. |
8 . Colorful Natural Wonders on Earth
The world can be kind of a boring place without the colorful natural wonders. So that’s what I’ve decided to treat you to!
Rio Tinto, Spain
Rising in the Sierra de Huelva mountains of southwestern Spain, this 62-mile river gets its stunning orange and red colors from copper, iron, and other heavy metals. The best way to enjoy the beauty is by visiting the small mining town of Nerva. Note that only about half the length of the river features these colors.
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Known by Stoney Nakota First Nations folks as Ho-run-num-nay, this glacial lake located in Banff National Park gets its turquoise color from finely grained rock particles contained within the ice as it melts in the lake. If you’re a big fan of the movie Thelma & Louise, you’ll be happy to know that there also happens to be a Lake Thelma.
The Lavender Fields of Provence, France
Provence, a geographical region of southeastern France is famous in the summers for its lush lavender fields. To see them with your own eyes, mosey on up to the Luberon and Verdon plateau regions north of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, or head east past Avignon. But the window is rather brief; they start to blossom around the beginning of June and then by mid-July they’re done-zo.
Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, Yunnan, China
Huge rice stan? Anyway, Yunnan, China is calling your name. With a history going back more than 1,200 years, this series of rice-growing terraces — covering territory more than one million acres — are located in the western part of the country. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. It sure took them long enough!
1. Where can you enjoy a multicolored river?| A．Spain. | B．Canada. | C．France. | D．China. |
| A．1 month. | B．1.5 months. | C．2 months. | D．2.5 months. |
| A．A journal entry. | B．A travel diary. | C．An introduction. | D．An advertisement. |
I’ll call him Pete because I didn’t take the time to ask his name. A nameless hero who found his way into my heart.
I had taken Robert, my eight-year-old son, to a restaurant to celebrate his birthday. Lil’ Bob, we called Robert, wore his brand-new cowboy boots into the hall, his face shining with pride and joy. This was Lil’ Bob’s special day.
We approached the counter, where Pete greeted us with a clear warmth. His brown eyes twinkled with kindness.
“Welcome,” he said with a smile. “Wow, you look happy, little fellow.” Pete brought his face close to Lil’ Bob’s level.
“I got cowboy boots,” Lil’ Bob boasted. “I picked them out myself.” Lil’ Bob lifted his right foot in the air so Pete could see the hand-stitched leather.
“Those boots look amazing, like fresh leather,” Pete said. He opened his eyes and looked directly into Lil’ Bob’s eyes. “Thank you for sharing your treasure with me.”
Lil’ Bob laughed happily at Pete’s reaction. Then, Pete returned to the register.
“What does the birthday boy want to drink? It’s on me,” Pete offered.
Lil’ Bob shuffled back and forth in excitement since soda was a rare treat in our home. Now, he could order any soda he wanted. Lil’ Bob considered the many possibilities, taking more time than a fast-food customer should. Eventually, he settled on root beer.
“Excellent choice, my friend. It’s what I would have picked myself.”
Pete’s confirmation brought a massive smile to Lil’ Bob’s face. We ordered our meals and watched as Pete assembled the drinks and food on the tray (托盘) before us. When everything was on it, I reached for the tray, but Pete said, “Let me carry it out for you.” Pete followed us to the hall as the birthday boy took a considerable amount of time picking the perfect table. Pete patiently held our tray until we were seated.
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。
“Wow, he is nice,” Lil’ Bob observed after Pete had walked away.
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Toward the end of our stay, Pete came to our table.
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10 . It has been shown in about 20 studies that forest bathing can improve mental and physical health. Spending any time in nature is a great way to improve your mental health, and the ideal amount of time is about 120 minutes a week. That may sound like a lot.
Walking is great for a forest bathing, even if it’s on your way to work or school. Maybe you leave a little earlier and go more slowly, taking a route with more greenery. Perhaps you pay closer attention to the flowers springing through the cracks in the cement or the trees lining the street.
During a mealIf you consider yourself a home chef and regularly cook dinner for yourself and loved ones, maybe it’s time to grow herbs in your kitchen.
Getting your forest bathing in the office can be good for both you and your work. That could mean going on a weekly lunch walk with a work friend, or taking a break to look out the window or even bringing a plant into your office.
| A．On your daily outing |
| B．Above all, be comfortable |
| C．If you have meetings in small groups |
| D．But you don’t have to do it all at once |
| E．When you have experienced forest bathing |
| F．In fact, forest bathing doesn’t have to take place in a forest |
| G．Once dinner is ready, consider moving the meal outside in mild weather |
