1 . I’m Lovin’It

Food would undoubtedly be our best friend, if it wasn’t for our love-and-hate relationship with calories. And the _______ fact that so many tasty things actually contain so many of them often catches us off guard. Calories quietly hide in our favorite foods, ready to slide into our bodies uninvited, often without _______, where they will stay for an extended vacation, until we can find the motivation to do some physical exercise (which, let’s face it, is never) in the hope of losing some weight.

Calories _______ practically everything that you can put in your mouth, which makes them impossible to avoid. So, rather than totally _______ delicious treats, it’s time to embrace them. So, starting with everyone’s favourite fast food restaurant, we’ve ranked some of the food on the McDonald’s menu_______ calories, so that you can indulge (纵情享受) with full disclosure.

But a word of _______: There is an extremely high chance that once reading this, you will desire everything on the McDonald’s menu-regardless of the calories.

Hash Brown - 150 calories
	The hash browns look so _______ and harmless in their individual paper sleeves. But, hiding behind that crispy (脆的) appearance is a warm, soft center rich with calories and nearly 6% of your daily fat allowance.
Small French Fries-250 calories
	The _______ of McDonald’s lies in its delicious french fries. The skinny potato chips have the ability to revive us from near death, but they come with a price: 250 calories for a small portion! A large portion will _______510 calories!
McChicken Hamburger-370 calories
	The McChicken Hamburger comes with lettuce, which provides a false sense of ________, as our brain is programmed to see green salads as healthy, which they are, just not when combined with all fat mayo (蛋黄酱) and fried chicken.
Chicken McNuggets–388 calories
	It is never easy to choose the portion size of Chicken McNuggets, six isn’t enough, nine is a little too many, and 24 is virtually impossible. ________, learning the calorie difference between the portion sizes may help you make a decision. Six will cost you 270 calories, nine will claim 388 calories and 24 nuggets contain an enormous 1,140 calories.
Sausage McMuffin with Egg-430 calories
	Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not ________ yourself with the McDonald’s breakfast menu? Well, because a Sausage and Egg McMuffin will secretly drain 430 calories from your daily allowance before you have even ________ woken up. But, nothing beats McDonald’s to start a new day!
Big Mac-560 calories
	The Big Mac is the comfort food we all ________ in times of need. Although, it would appear that it doesn’t quite support us as well as we thought, because hiding inside the tasty treat are 560 calories!

Despite the knowledge that a quick trip to McDonald’s will burn through virtually your whole daily allowance of food ________, we have no shame in admitting that it is our favourite place on Earth. We are certainly “Lovin’ It”!

1.

A．easy-to-accept

B．heart-warming

C．less-known

D．make-believe

2.

A．notice

B．purpose

C．support

D．strategy

3.

A．rely on

B．differ from

C．filter out

D．exist in

4.

A．refuse

B．prepare

C．share

D．deserve

5.

A．for fear of

B．in order of

C．in contrast to

D．without limitation on

6.

A．complaint

B．appreciation

C．encouragement

D．warning

7.

A．tasteless

B．strange

C．innocent

D．oily

8.

A．failure

B．magic

C．history

D．distribution

9.

A．burn

B．monitor

C．claim

D．restrict

10.

A．security

B．fullness

C．happiness

D．boredom

11.

A．Otherwise

B．Moreover

C．However

D．Similarly

12.

A．behave

B．spoil

C．burden

D．amuse

13.

A．unhappily

B．properly

C．suddenly

D．late

14.

A．attend to

B．glance at

C．associate with

D．turn to

15.

A．intake

B．shortage

C．bill

D．preparation

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

A. approach       B. demands       C. desirable       D. limited       E. matter       F. multiple G. range       H. rapidly       I. shifting       J. significantly       K. spoil

Multitasking: blessed or cursed?

Your phone is going off, you have a report to complete, and there’s just enough time to throw a load of laundry in before your next meeting. Does it sound like business as usual? With the high       1     of work, social life, and personal responsibilities, we often find ourselves multitasking.

The figure of a multitasker is often portrayed as someone who can handle numerous tasks at once, seamlessly (无缝地) switching between them. However, since the human brain is very     2     in how much we can truly do at one time, this is misleading. Multitasking is the practice of switching     3     from one task to another-and we’re not as good at it as we think. So the overestimation (高估) of our multitasking abilities can     4     the quality of work and sacrifice our attention to detail, which can result in errors and missed deadlines in work.

Of course, there’s a wide     5     of multitasking pairings. It’s probably fine if you listen to a podcast while doing the dishes. However, when the task requires a quick reaction time, multitasking could be fatal (致命的). A second we lose may not     6     much when doing the dishes, but they could make all the difference when driving a car.

The stress that comes with multitasking can also have a negative impact on both mental and physical well-being. Constantly     7     focus from one task to another can lead tiredness. Additionally, the pressure to perform well on     8     tasks can lead to feelings of anxiety and burnout.

In a professional setting, the ability to multitask is often seen as a (n)     9     quality. However, it is essential to     10     it with care, finding a balance between staying productive and maintaining a firm grasp on our well-being.

3 . Directions: 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. essential     B. processed     C. challenges     D adapt     E. switching F. available     G. large-scale     H. strategies     I. opting     J. significant     K. fresh

Cutting Salt May Lower Blood Pressure as Much as Medication

Reducing daily salt intake by just one teaspoon, equivalent to approximately 2,200 milligrams of sodium(钠), can lead to a blood pressure drop comparable to that achieved with prescription antihypertension (抗高血压) medication, reveals a recent study. Conducted on 213 individuals aged 50 to 75, the research included participants both on and off blood pressure medication. Regardless of their initial measurements, all groups experienced a(n)     1     reduction in blood pressure after a week on a low-sodium diet.

The study     2     the common notion that only those not taking medication benefit from salt reduction. Notably, the blood pressure decrease observed was similar to the effect seen when individuals start hypertension medication. The investigation aims to shed light on how excess salt raises blood pressure, aside from the conventional theory of increased water retention causing hypertension.

While sodium is     3     for bodily functions, humans, evolutionarily did not     4     to a high-sodium diet. The average daily sodium intake in the U.S. is around 3,400 milligrams, mainly sourced from     5     and restaurant foods, exceeding the recommended 2,300 milligrams by the FDA. Encouraging people to reduce salt intake proves challenging and experts suggest     6     to lower-sodium options instead of mere reduction. One proposal is transitioning from regular sodium chloride to a blend of 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride, a form of salt     7     in health food stores.

Changing dietary habits presents a puzzle, but historical precedents, like the introduction of iodized (含碘的) salt in1924 to combat pediatric goiters (儿科甲状腺肿), show that     8     shifts are possible.

Although potassium-supplemented (含钾的) salt may not be mainstream yet, it could become a future staple (基本食物) for those aiming to lower sodium intake. For now, cooking at home and     9     for lower-sodium remain practical     10     for individuals mindful of their salt consumption.

4 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Just as people have altered their skin’s color to indicate wealth and beauty, so have cultures around the globe marked their skin to show cultural identity or community status. Tattooing (纹身), for example, has been carried out for thousands of years. Leaders in places     1    (include) ancient Egypt, Britain, and Peru wore tattoos to mark their status or bravery. Today, among the Maori people of New Zealand, full-facial tattoos are still used     2    (identify) the wearer as a member of a certain family.

In Japan, tattooing had been practiced for a long time     3     it was outlawed in the 19^th century. Despite the fact that there are no laws against it today, tattoos are still strongly associated with criminals — particularly the yakuza known for their full-body tattoos. The complex design of a yakuza member’s tattoo includes symbols of character qualities     4     the wearer wants to have. The process of getting a full-body tattoo is both slow and painful and     5     can take two years or more to complete.

In some cultures, scarring — a marking which     6    (cause) by cutting or burning the skin — is a practice, usually among people who have darker skin on which a tattoo would be difficult to see. For many men in West Africa, scarring is a ceremony of passage —     7     act symbolizing that a male has matured from a child into an adult. In Australia, among some native people, cuts     8    (make) on the skin of both men and women show that they reach the age of 16 or 17.     9     these, they were traditionally not permitted to trade, sing ceremonial songs, or participate in other activities.

Not all skin markings are permanent, though. In countries such as Morocco and India, women     10     decorate their skin with colorful henna designs for celebrations such as weddings and important religious holidays. The henna coloring, which comes from a plant, fades over time.

5 . Nowadays, body language has played a more and more important part in daily communication among people. To avoid confusion and embarrassment in cross-cultural communication, it’s necessary to have fluency in some common body language worldwide.

In Australia, it is very rude to wink (眨眼) at women.

In Brazil, pulling down the lower lid (眼睑) of the right eye means that the listener doesn’t believe what you’re saying. In India, holding your ear means either “honesty” or “I’m sorry”.

In Indonesia, hands on hips while talking means that you’re angry and it is also impolite.

In Japan, It’s unacceptable for two adults of the same sex to hold hands while walking together A smile can mean happiness, anger, or sadness. When someone praises you, respond by waving your hand back and forth in front of your face. Because it is considered impolite to show their teeth. women usually cover their mouths when they laugh. To make a promise, two people generally book their little fingers together.

In South Korea, when talking to someone, keep your hands in full view. It is rude to keep your hands behind your back or in your pockets.

In Spain, snapping the thumb and first finger together a few times is a form of applause. If you think the person you are talking about is mean, ta p your left elbow with your right hand. If you’ve heard the story that someone is telling before, put your right hand behind your head and pull your left ear.

In Sri Lanka, moving your head from side to side means “yes” and nodding your head up and down means “no”!

In Thailand, people point to an object with their chins, not their hands.

Have you learned the meanings of the above body languages in different countries? Keep these in mind and you’ll realize that they’re very helpful one day.

1. In which country do women cover their mouth while laughing?

A．In China.

B．In America.

C．In Africa.

D． In Japan.

2. What do people do when they make applause in Spain?

A．Wave their hands back and forth in front of their face.

B．Put their hands on haps all the time.

C．Snap the thumb and first finger together several minutes.

D．Clap their hands together for a few minutes.

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Moving your head from side to side to means “yes” in Thailand.

B．When talking to someone, make sure others can see your both hands in South Korea.

C．Adult women in Japan of ten hold their hands when walking together.

D．In Indonesia, pulling down the lower lid of the left eye means the listener doesn’t believe what you’re saying.

4. What’s the main idea of this passage?

A．Body language is of great importance in daily communication.

B．Understanding the meaning of some gestures in foreign countries is helpful.

C．The same movement may deliver different meanings in different cultures.

D．We should use body language in daily communication with others.

6 . 5 Ways to Determine Website Reliability

For every trustworthy website, there is tons of information that’s inaccurate, unreliable or just crazy. For the inexperienced journalist or researcher, such sites can _________ a wide range of possible problems. With that in mind, here are five ways to tell if a website is _________.

● Look for Established Institutions

The internet is full of websites that were _________ five minutes ago. What you want are sites associated with _________ institutions that have been around for a while and have a proven track record of reliability. Such sites may include those run by government agencies, nonprofit organization or universities.

● Consult Sites with Expertise (专门知识)

You wouldn’t go to the hospital to have your car repaired. This is an obvious point: _________ websites that specialize in the kind of information you’re seeking. _________, if you’re writing a story on a flu outbreak, check out medical websites, such as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

● _________ Commercial Sites

Sites run by companies and business—their websites usually end in. com—are often trying to sell you something. And if they’re trying to sell you something, chances are whatever information they’re presenting will be tilted (偏向) _________ their product. That’s not to say commercial sites should be _________ entirely. But be cautious.

● Check the ____________

As a reporter, you need the most up-to-date information available, so if a website seems old, it’s probably best to keep distance from it. One way to check: Look for a “last ____________” date on the page or site.

● Check the Links

Respected ____________ often link to each other. You can find out which other websites link to the site you’re researching by conducting a link-specific Google search. Enter the following text into the Google search field, ____________ “[WEBSITE]” with the domain (域名) of the site you’re researching: link: http://www.[WEBSITE].com. For example, link: http://www.baidu.com.

The search ____________ will show you which websites link to the one you’re researching. If lots of sites are linking to your site, and those sites seem reliable, that’s a good ____________. Then it seems that you don’t need to worry about them too much

1.

A．perceive

B．cause

C．track

D．confirm

2.

A．flexible

B．informative

C．reliable

D．appealing

3.

A．started

B．banned

C．visited

D．evaluated

4.

A．temporary

B．accessible

C．existing

D．trusted

5.

A．Set up

B．Communicate with

C．Look for

D．Invest in

6.

A．However

B．Contrarily

C．In addition

D．For example

7.

A．Avoid

B．Greet

C．Notice

D．Run

8.

A．in place of

B．in resistance to

C．in favour of

D．on behalf of

9.

A．considered

B．screened

C．assessed

D．refreshed

10.

A．Site

B．Journalist

C．Source

D．Date

11.

A．updated

B．registered

C．spotted

D．clicked

12.

A．fields

B．companies

C．texts

D．websites

13.

A．illustrating

B．replacing

C．connecting

D．searching

14.

A．teams

B．firms

C．results

D．authorities

15.

A．sign

B．reputation

C．journal

D．product

7 . “Our temperature’s not what people think it is,” said Julie Parsonnet, MD, professor of medicine and of health research and policy in Stanford. “or our common sense that our normal temperature is 37 ℃ or 98.6 F, is wrong.”

That standard of 37℃was made famous by German doctor Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich in a book in 1868. Modern studies, however, have called that number into question, suggesting that it’s too high.

In a latest study published in eLife, Parsonnet and her colleagues explore body temperature trends and conclude that temperature changes since the time of Wunderlich reflect a true historical pattern, rather than measurement errors or biases (偏见). The researchers propose that the decrease in body temperature is the result of changes in our environment over the past 200 years, which have in turn driven physiological changes. 

The researchers analyzed temperatures from three officially-recorded datasets covering different historical periods, using the 677,423 temperature measurements from these datasets to develop a linear model (线性模型) containing the temperatures over time. They determined that the body temperature of men born in the early to mid-1990s is on average 1.06 F lower than that of men born in the early 1800s. Similarly, they determined that the body temperature of women born in the early to mid-1990s is on average 0.58 F lower than that of women born in the 1890s. These calculations match a decrease in body temperature of 0.05 F every 10 years.

The decrease in average body temperature in the US could be explained by a reduction in the amount of energy being used. The authors believe this trend may be due to a population-wide decrease in inflammation (炎症): “Inflammation produces all sorts of proteins and cytokines that speed up your metabolism (新陈代谢) and raise your temperature,” Parsonnet said. Public health has improved sharply in the past 200 years due to advances in medical treatments, more convenient environment, greater availability of food and improved living standards. The authors also argue that comfortable lives at constant surrounding temperature contribute to a lower metabolic rate. Homes in the 19th century had irregular heating and no cooling; today, central heating and air conditioning are commonplace. A more constant environment removes a need to expend energy to keep a constant body temperature.

1. What does the underlined phrase “call ... into question” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Find evidence for something.	B．Show support for something.
C．Regard something as nothing.	D．Express doubt about something.

2. Compared to her body temperature at birth, how could it change when a woman was 55?

A．0.58 F lower.

B．0.53 F lower.

C．0.28 F lower.

D．0.25 F lower.

3. What is the main idea of the last paragraph of the text?

A．Introduction of the latest findings of a Standford professor.

B．Appeal to the public to care about the temperature changes.

C．Possible reasons for the changes of average body temperature.

D．Explanation of a rather difficult academic term in plain English.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．37 ℃, Still Normal Body Temperature?

B．Same Body Temperature between Men and Women?

C．The Effects Environment Has on Body Temperature

D．Inflammation: Key Factor to Decrease of Body Temperature

8 . It is a small step for a plant, and a giant leap for plant kind. A sprouting (发芽) cotton seed on China’s Chang’e-4 lunar lander is the first plant ever to grow in another world, indicating a new era for life in space.

Seeds, including cotton, arabidopsis (拟南芥), oilseed rape (油菜) and potato were carried to the Moon as a part of biological experiment, along with fruit fly eggs and some yeasts (酵母).

Pictures sent back by the probe show the cotton seeds sprouting on January 7, 2019, a few days after Chang’e-4 landed on the far side of the Moon.

The organisms (生物) are in a sealed can, protected from the extreme temperatures and radiation on the surface. “Understanding how to grow plants in space will help lay the foundation for human settlement on the Moon,” a scientist leading the experiment told the South China Morning Post.

The six organisms are intended to form a mini-ecosystem, with the plants making oxygen and food to sustain the fruit flies. Yeasts could process the flies’ waste and dead plants to provide another food source.

In a future human settlement, potatoes could provide food, rapeseed could be a source of oil and cotton could be used for clothing. A study in 2014 reported that plants could sprout and grow in lunar soil for 50 days without any additional nutrients (营养物). Over longer periods, human waste could help support plants’ nutritional needs.

These lunar green shoots aren’t the first plants in space. Astronauts on the International Space Station have grown crops including peas, radishes and cucumbers. They got their first bites of space-grown romaine lettuce in 2015.

The China National Space Administration eventually hopes to put humans on the Moon. “We are studying the program of sending astronauts to the Moon, but it’s still in very early stages,” a deputy director told the South China Morning Post. “We haven’t got the approval yet.”

1. When might Chang’e-4 land on the far side of the Moon?

A．On January 7, 2019.	B．On January 3, 2019.
C．On February 28, 2014.	D．On February 3, 2015.

2. What is the benefit of growing plants on the Moon?

A．It helps scientists understand the ecosystem in space.

B．It helps people living on the Moon feed themselves.

C．It helps support plants’ nutritional needs in space.

D．It helps set the basis for establishing settlements on the Moon.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Oxygen created by plants provides a food source.

B．The purpose of these organisms is to form a small ecosystem.

C．The yeast hardly plays a role in dealing with fruit flies’ waste.

D．The organisms can resist extreme heat and cold in the environment.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the passage?

A．Living on the Moon

B．Flying to the Moon

C．Garden on Moon’s Far Side

D．Human Settlement on Moon’s Far Side

9 . Tai chi, a traditional, slow-moving form of Chinese physical exercise, is known to increase flexibility and improve balance. New research has been conducted to determine whether tai chi has an influence on lowering blood pressure in people with prehypertension (高血压前期).

In the study, Chinese scientists put 342 adults with prehypertension into two groups. The average age of people taking part in the study was 49. About half the participants (参与者) took part in aerobic exercise, including jogging, climbing stairs and cycling. The other half was trained to practice tai chi. Both groups got hour-long exercises four times a week.

Nearly 22% of the people who practiced tai chi saw their blood pressure fall to be normal, compared with nearly 16% of people in the aerobic exercise group. And fewer patients in the tai chi group went on to develop high blood pressure than patients in the aerobic exercise group.

So what is it about tai chi that helps lower blood pressure? “The practice tends to get more of a response from the parasympathetic (副交感的) nervous system, which is the network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger,” says Ruth Taylor-Piliae, a professor at the University of Arizona’s College of Nursing.

“I think the beauty of tai chi is that you don’t have to have a special gym membership, you don’t have to have special clothing,” Taylor-Piliae says. “Once you learn tai chi, you can do it anytime and anyplace. And it does provide a calming and relaxing effect.”

Evidence suggests it can also help protect against cognitive fall and even improve memory. But you have to practice it continually to get the most benefit.

1. What is the function of paragraph 1?

A．To offer some examples.	B．To explain a definition.
C．To introduce the topic.	D．To give people suggestions.

2. What can we know about the participants in the study?

A．They were divided into two groups.	B．They suffered from heart disease.
C．They were 49 years old.	D．They got exercises five times a week.

3. What might Taylor-Piliae agree with about tai chi?

A．It can make people calm down.

B．It requires training and specialized equipment.

C．It has no influence on the parasympathetic nervous system.

D．It is suitable for individuals with aerobic exercise experience.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．A Traditional Sport	B．The Benefits of Aerobic Exercise
C．Exploring Chinese Physical Exercise	D．Managing Blood Pressure with Tai Chi

10 . When we feel disappointed with what might have been or we wish we could change a choice we made in the past, we have regrets.

Regrets can be harmful when we don’t want to accept them. Too many negative (消极的) thoughts and continuous consideration can lead to stress and anxiety. This kind of spiritual and emotional pain also affects our bodies. For example, maybe you didn’t stand up for your friend when someone attacked him by saying something derogatory. You didn’t speak up at the time to clear his name. You end up feeling disappointed in yourself and don’t want to be reminded of that. Or you may remember the situation all too well, but don’t know how to overcome your regret. Whatever it is, you may suffer from negative thoughts or even sleepless nights, thus putting pressure onto your body and mind.

But as the old saying goes, a coin has two sides. Regrets have advantages too. When we reflect (反思) on regrettable choices we made in the past, that’s a good thing. We grow from self-examination and can learn from our missteps. Inspired to be better, we improve on our decision-making so we don’t repeat our mistakes.

Another positive side of regret is that it can move you closer to being your best self. A study about people’s most long-lasting regrets was published in the journal Emotion, where scientists looked at the connection between regret and an individual’s self-concept (自我认知). The results showed that people were more likely to regret not living up to being that best person and thus try harder to use their full potential (潜力), when regrets about their best selves were not achieved.

If you’re feeling regretful about something from your past, know you’re not alone in feeling this way. Everyone has something (or many things) that they regret. However, there are ways to move forward by showing yourself understanding. If that’s too difficult, get the help of a health professional. He or she can help you manage feelings of regret so they no longer hold you back.

1. What does the underlined word “derogatory” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Confusing.

B．Usual.

C．Informal.

D．Mean.

2. What is an advantage of long-lasting regrets?

A．Avoidance of stress.	B．Positive self-concept.
C．Greater efforts to better oneself.	D．Longer time to reflect on the past.

3. What does the author suggest people do in the last paragraph?

A．Leave those regrets as they are.

B．Discuss regrets with the like-minded.

C．Stop reflecting on your daily events.

D．Turn to experts for help if necessary.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．How to Fight Regrets	B．Get to Know Our Regrets
C．Why Regrets Are Harmful	D．The Positive Sides of Regrets