1 . A study showed that the experiences children have in their first few years are important . These experiences affect the development of the brain. When children receive more attention, they often have higher IQs. Babies receive information when they see, hear and feel things, which makes connections between different parts of the brain. There are a hundred trillion(万亿)connections in the brain of a three-year-old child.
Researcher Judit Gervain tested how good newborns are at distinguishing different sound patterns. Her researchers produced images of the brains of babies as they heard different sound patterns. For example, one order was mu-ba-ba. This is the pattern"A-B-B". Another order was mu-ba-ge. This is the pattern “A-B-C”. The images showed that the part of the brain responsible for speech was more active during the" A-B-B"pattern. This shows that babies can tell the difference between different patterns. They also were sensitive to where it occurred in the order.
Gervain is excited by these findings because the order of sounds is the building block of words and grammar. "Position is key to language," she says. "If something is at the beginning or at the end, it makes a big difference: 'John caught the bear.' is very different from 'The bear caught John.'”
Researchers led by scientist Patricia Kuhl have found that language delivered by televisions, audio books, the Internet, or smartphones－no matter how educational－doesn’t appear to be enough for children’s brain development. They carried out a study of nine-month-old American babies. They expected the first group who’d watched videos in Chinese to show the same kind of learning as the second group who were brought face-to-face with the same sounds. Instead they found a huge difference. The babies in the second group were able to distinguish between similar Chinese sounds as well as native listeners. But the other babies －regardless of whether they had watched the video or listened to the audio－learned nothing.
1. What makes connections in a baby’s brain?| A．Having a higher IQ. | B．Experiencing new information. |
| C．The baby’s early age. | D．The connection with other babies. |
| A．Babies can identify different sound patterns. |
| B．Word order is relevant to meaning. |
| C．Babies can well understand different words. |
| D．A certain brain region processes language. |
| A．Words have different sounds. |
| B．Different orders have different meanings. |
| C．Different languages have different grammar. |
| D．Grammar is important in learning languages. |
| A．Babies shouldn’t watch a lot of television. |
| B．Foreign languages help babies’ brain develop. |
| C．Listening to different languages develops babies’ brain. |
| D．Social communication improves babies’ brain development. |
2 . The meaning of the word “volunteer” may be a little different in different countries, but it usually means “one who offers his or her services”. There are many different ways in which people can volunteer, such as taking care of sick people, working in homes for homeless children, and picking up garbage from beaches and parks. Volunteers may work within their own countries or in other countries. They are often people with a strong wish to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. Volunteer don’t expect any kind of pay.
At the root of volunteering is the idea that one person may have the ability to offer services that can help other people. Tracy, a good friend of mine, however, recently came back from India with a new idea of what being a volunteer means. She worked for two and a half weeks in one of Mother Teresa’s homes in Calcutta. The following is her story.
“I first heard about Mother Teresa in my high school. We watched a video about her work in India and all over the world. I was so moved by her spirit to help others and her endless love for every human being that after I graduated from high school, I also wanted to try her kind of work. So with two friends, I flew to Caltutta for a few weeks.”
“I was asked to work in a home for sick people. I helped wash clothes and sheets and passed out lunch. I also fed the people who were too weak to feed themselves and tried to cheer them up. I felt it was better to share with them than to think that I have helped them. To be honest, I don’t think I was helping very much. It was then that I realized that I had not really come to help, but to learn about and experience another culture that helped improve my own understanding of life and the world.”
1. According to the text, a volunteer refers to a person who_______.| A．is willing to help those in need without pay | B．can afford to travel to different places |
| C．has a strong wish to be successful | D．has made a big fortune in life |
| A．She liked to work with Mother Teresa. |
| B．She had already had some experience. |
| C．She was asked by Mother Teresa. |
| D．She wanted to follow Mother Teresa’s example. |
| A．Going abroad to help the sick. | B．Working in Mother Teresa’s home. |
| C．Doing simple things to help the poor. | D．Improving oneself through helping others. |
| A．How to Be a Volunteer. | B．Voluntary Life in India. |
| C．A Different Meaning of Volunteer. | D．Inspiration from Mother Teresa. |
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(Λ)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意： 1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词
2．只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
Yesterday, I saw the old lady fall down when I went to school. I was going to help him up. At that moment, a passer-by stop me, saying I might be thought to knock her down. Hearing from his words, I began to slow down my steps. However, another student, that saw everything, went quickly up to help. The old lady said anything but lots of thanks to the good boy. I felt badly and ashamed. Helping other is forever a virtue of China. We can let it disappear. I will try my best reach out my hand next time.
4 . Four years ago in church, I saw a child of my age. His
I looked at the child’s picture today for the first time in a
We are presented with
I honestly
| A．prize | B．picture | C．name | D．letter |
| A．black | B．lovely | C．main | D．weak |
| A．change | B．pain | C．smile | D．sign |
| A．noticing | B．greeting | C．seeing | D．touching |
| A．inform | B．remind | C．teach | D．warn |
| A．absorbed | B．interested | C．expert | D．lost |
| A．believe | B．fear | C．forget | D．doubt |
| A．opportunity | B．possibility | C．relation | D．person |
| A．short | B．long | C．limited | D．hard |
| A．glanced | B．thought | C．turned | D．looked |
| A．go | B．call | C．write | D．pay |
| A．physically | B．financially | C．mentally | D．casually |
| A．real | B．special | C．rare | D．many |
| A．ways | B．plans | C．choices | D．experiences |
| A．present | B．describe | C．introduce | D．prove |
| A．close | B．similar | C．available | D．hopeful |
| A．hope | B．believe | C．doubt | D．say |
| A．attention | B．freedom | C．energy | D．power |
| A．care | B．enjoy | C．dislike | D．need |
| A．agrees | B．starts | C．fights | D．talks |
5 . Millions of teenagers are in danger of putting their health at risk by getting hooked on e-cigarettes, experts warn. Leading health researchers say they are “very concerned” by the growing number of youngsters trying the devices.
E-cigarettes have been marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking conventional cigarettes. But previous research shows e-cigarettes generate poisonous chemicals similar to those found in tobacco and may harm the lungs and immune system.
Worryingly, researchers at Liverpool University discovered 16% of teenagers who have used e-cigarettes had never previously smoked. The experts also found e-cigarettes were “strongly related” to drinking among teenagers. Study author Prof. Mark Bellis said, “Our research suggests that we should be very concerned about teenagers accessing e-cigarettes. While debate on e-cigarettes has focused largely on whether or not they act as a gateway to tobacco cigarette use, e-cigarettes themselves contain a highly addictive drug that may have more serious and longer lasting impacts on children because their brains are still developing.”
Researchers surveyed 16,000 students aged 14 to 17 in the North West of England and asked them about their alcohol and tobacco use. They found that one in five answered yes to the question: “Have you ever bought or tried electronic cigarettes?” More males than females said they had.
Of the teenagers that had accessed e-cigarettes, 16% had never smoked, 23% had tried smoking, 12% only smoked when drinking, and 14% were ex-smokers. The research also found teenagers who drank alcohol were significantly more likely to have accessed e-cigarettes than non-drinkers.
Among those who had never smoked, it was found that those who regularly have excessive (过多的) drinking were four times more likely to access e-cigarettes than those who never drink. In all of those that drink, regardless of smoking status, e-cigarette access was associated with excessive drinking and involvement with violence after drinking. The researchers said their findings suggest that teenagers who use e-cigarettes are most susceptible to other forms of substance use and risk-taking behaviors.
1. How have e-cigarettes been promoted in the market?| A．As a healthier substitute for traditional cigarettes. |
| B．As a device meeting the mental needs of smokers. |
| C．As a product preventing smokers from using tobacco products. |
| D．As a new device promoted among youngsters. |
| A．E-cigarettes are now widely available and heavily promoted. |
| B．E-cigarette access is linked to excessive drinking and violence after it. |
| C．Teenagers are very knowledgeable about alcohol and tobacco use. |
| D．The number of adult cigarette smokers is dropping at present. |
| A．greatly interested in |
| B．commonly accustomed to |
| C．deeply disappointed at |
| D．easily influenced by |
| A．Experts are concerned about excessive drinking in teenagers. |
| B．The harm of the e-cigarettes is greater than that of alcohol. |
| C．Teenagers are in danger of risking their health on e-cigarettes. |
| D．Researchers are aware of smoke-related health harm. |
6 . Have you ever thought of quitting your job when you feel exhausted? Maybe most of you would say “yes”. After a particularly busy period at work, I decided to get away from it all by going on a hike in the mountains in southern France.
Before I left, I read an interesting story in a magazine. It read, “Once, while I was riding on a crowded bus, the man sitting next to me threw his cell phone out of the window when his phone rang. I was surprised. He looked at me, shrugged (耸耸肩) and looked away. I had no idea whether it was his or stolen or whether he even knew what a cell phone was or not, but he clearly wanted to be free of it, because it clearly troubled him.”
Billions of people across the world use cell phones. Though cell phones are a wonderful way for communication, they often do the exact opposite. Using cell phones can increase stress within families and friends.
So when I recently returned home, I got rid of my cell phone. Now I go outside without taking my phone with me. I’ve noticed things in my neighborhood I never noticed before, such as gardens. I’ve met new people, started conversations with neighbors I didn’t speak to before and talked with some of my friends face to face instead of chatting over the phone.
Instead of keeping me off from the world, stopping using my cell phone has helped me get even closer to my family and friends.
1. According to the story, the man on the bus threw away his cell phone because .| A．it didn’t work properly | B．it was stolen from someone else |
| C．he didn’t like the phone’s style | D．he didn’t want to be bothered by it |
| A．are too expensive for many people |
| B．are of no use to the author |
| C．can also get people into trouble |
| D．can make life more interesting |
| A．He wants to own a garden now. |
| B．He always chatted with his neighbors. |
| C．He used to take his cell phone when going outside. |
| D．He once threw away his cell phone. |
| A．tell us not to let cell phones control our lives |
| B．encourage others to hike with him in France |
| C．share his experiences in France with us |
| D．teach us how to get along with neighbors |
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入合适的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Many people travel during the holiday season but do not make sure that their houses and homes
Always give
Tell your newspaper deliverer that you are not at home.
Fix a timer (定时器) in some of your rooms
8 . Almost one in five drivers had dozed off behind the wheel, a shocking news report had showed. Of those who were dozing off, 29% have done so with their cars speeding at 70 miles per hour. The report also found a quarter of men have fallen asleep while driving, making it almost twice as many as women.
The Safety on Wheel Report, by Post Office Insurance, also looked at how often tiredness or a lack of concentration caused accidents. Three in ten drivers have experienced an accident, from passing a walker crossing to hitting another vehicle, because of a lack of concentration. Meanwhile, almost half (49%) of UK drivers have driven when they do not concentrate.
Paul Havenhand, head of insurance at Post Office, said, “ When tiredness strikes, drivers should avoid the roads.” There is no measurement for tired driving, unlike driving under the influence of alcohol, yet it could result in an equally dangerous accident.
Drivers are advised to take a 15-minute break from driving every two hours. However, a third (36%) are so eager to reach their destination that they will ignore feelings of tiredness. What’s more, almost one in five (18%) will drive for longer than four hours without a break, while 6% carry on for up to 6 hours. Just over a quarter (27%) choose a quick stop to buy a cup of coffee, which is a very popular way for drivers to get rid of tiredness, and only 17% stop to have a rest until they feel energetic again. Mr. Havenhand added, “Drivers should plan ahead and rest before starting a long journey; besides, they can take regular breaks to recharge their batteries while on road; in some cases, if they do feel too tired to concentrate on the roads, they could consider an alternative means of transport.”
1. Which suggestion is NOT put forward by Mr. Havenhand?| A．Preparing well for a long journey and taking a complete rest before it. |
| B．Having breaks regularly in order to feel refreshed. |
| C．Choosing another method of transport instead. |
| D．Choosing a quick stop to grab something to eat. |
| A．Put a new supply of electricity into their batteries. |
| B．Get back their energy by resting for a while. |
| C．Accuse them of stealing batteries. |
| D．Pay twice more money for their batteries. |
| A．drinking coffee |
| B．talking with others |
| C．ignoring feelings of tiredness |
| D．singing songs |
| A．To warn people of the danger of tired driving. |
| B．To tell people to be careful when walking on the street. |
| C．To inform people of the importance of a good rest. |
| D．To introduce some dangers while driving on the roads. |
9 . Reading is the ability to process text, understand its meaning and to integrate it with what the reader already knows. Of all the reading skills speed-reading is a necessary skill in the Internet age. We skim over articles, e-mails and WeChat to try to grasp key words and the essential meaning of a certain text. Surrounded with information from our electronic devices, it would be impossible to cope if we read word by word, line by line. But a new trend calls on people to unplug and enjoy reading slowly, listing benefits beyond the intelligent stimulation.
A recent story from The Wall Street Journal reported on a book club in Wellington, New Zealand, where members meet in a cafe and turn off their smartphones. They sink into cozy chairs and read in silence for an hour. Unlike tradition book club, the point of the slow reading club isn’t exchanging ideas about a certain book, but to get away from electronic devices and read in a quiet, relaxed environment. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Wellington book club is just one example of a movement started by book lovers who miss the old-fashioned way of reading before the Internet and smartphones.
Slow readers, such as The Atlantic’s Maura Kelly, say a regular reading habit sharpens the mind, improves concentration, reduces stress levels and deepens the ability to sympathize. Another study published last year in Science showed that reading novels helps people understand others’ mental states and beliefs, a fundamental skill in building relationships.
Yet technology has made us less attentive readers. Screens have changed our reading patterns from the top-to-right, left-to-right sequence to a wild skimming and skipping pattern as we hunt for important words and information. Reading text punctuated with links leads to weaker comprehension than reading plain text. The Internet may have made us stupider, says Patrick Kingsley from The Guardian. Because of the Internet, he says, we have become very good at collecting a wide range of interesting news, but we are also gradually forgetting how to sit back, reflect, and relate all these facts to each other.
Slow reading means a return to an uninterrupted, straight pattern, in a quiet environment free of distractions. “Aim for 30 minutes a day,” advises Kelly from The Atlantic. “You can squeeze in that half hour pretty easily if only during your free moments, you pick up a meaningful work of literature,” Kelly said. “Reach for your e-reader, if you like. Kindles make books like War and Peace less heavy, not less substantive, and also ensure you’ll never lose your place.”
1. The book club in Wellington mentioned in Paragraph 2 shows____________.| A．the new trend of slow reading | B．the decline of electronic devices |
| C．the importance of exchanging ideas | D．the increasing number of club readers |
| A．a non-stop reading pattern | B．the straight, left-to-right screen |
| C．a wide range of interesting news | D．the lack of reflection |
| A．contributes to understanding among people |
| B．promotes the current technology advances |
| C．provides people with a quiet environment |
| D．cures the memory loss of elderly people |
| A．Benefit of Reading Clubs | B．Return of Slow Reading |
| C．Reading of the Internet Age | D．Influence of Speed Reading |
Well，maybe I don’t have to worry about my laptop and kitchen appliances yet．After I use them I can always pull the plug．But in the future，machines might find a way to prevent us from switching them off．There’s a scary thought!
Professor Stephen Hawking warned a few months ago about the possibility that artificial intelligence could evolve and end up beyond human control．He suggested that machines could“ spell the end of the human race”．
Maybe the problem with computers too clever for us is not that they are evil or rebellious．What could put us in danger is that they might be too efficient．That’s what philosopher Nick Bostrom from the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University believes．He says that machines are indifferent to humans and in pursuit of their own goals，the destruction of people might be just collateral(附带的)damage．A machine would not take pity on you．
I’m glad my machines at home are“dumb”．All my vacuum cleaner wants to take over is the carpet in my living room．Let’s hope they don’t create an appliance which wants to take over the world!
1. We can conclude from Gates’statements that ___________．
| A．he is embarrassed that he is afraid of robots |
| B．he doesn’t think machines are intelligent |
| C．machines should be fully employed |
| D．machines’super intelligence should be a concern |
| A．record | B．cause | C．explain | D．develop |
| A．They are too evil and rebellious． |
| B．They are indifferent to humans． |
| C．They show pity on humans. |
| D．They are too clever and efficient． |
| A．He doesn’t agree with Bill Gates． |
| B．He is not content with the present kitchen appliances． |
| C．He is scared about the super intelligence of machines． |
| D．He expects that machines will take place of humans． |
