We all have our own idea of what the perfect smile should look like, whether we show a mouthful of whites or keep our lips closed and turned up at the corners. When we think of the perfect smile, we often picture someone grinning, with all of our teeth showing, But based on new findings, less is actually more. Nathaniel Helwig and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota discovered that a successful, genuine smile actually rests less on showing teeth and more on facial balance and symmetry(对称).
For the study, researchers looked at 3D computer-animated facial models of more than 800 participants. The computer-animated facial models went through a series of facial transformations, with researchers changing the mouth angle, amount of teeth shown, and the degree of the smile. Participants were then asked to rate the models’ smiles based on effectiveness, genuineness and pleasantness.
The results of the study found that the most successful smile had a perfect balance of teeth, an ideal mouth angle, and a smile length that extended to what was called the “sweet spot.” Smiles that showed a quick sync(同步)of the left and right side of the face during smiling were also more highly related.
Smiling makes up a good part of our nonverbal communication, making it easier to draw people to you and also seem sincere. It’s also worth noting that a perfect smile could help improve your health too.
1.What is the possible meaning of the underlined word “grinning” in the first paragraph?
A. Talking softly. B. Smiling widely.
C. Chatting cheerfully. D. Eating healthily.
2.Which aspect should be considered when rating the smiles in the study?
A. How pleasant it makes people feel.
B. Whether it improves health.
C. How successful smiling people are.
D. Whether it lasts long enough.
3.What makes the perfect smile based on the new study?
A. White teeth. B. Smile length.
C. Facial balance. D. Lip corners.
4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the study?
A. A perfect smile has a positive effect on your health.
B. A perfect smile means showing all your teeth.
C. The less you smile, the more you can show.
D. A perfect smile involves only a balance of teeth.
5.Where does this text probably come from?
A. A book review. B. A science report.
C. A biography. D. A travelling guide.
When Cherry Watson travelled on a recent flight from New York to Washington and noticed an “awful tension” in the cabin, she first thought it was caused by typical bad-tempered passengers. But as the flight neared its end, it became obvious that something was very wrong.
A teenage boy with Down Syndrome (唐氏综合症) who was traveling with his family had become upset and would not return to his seat, regardless of the cabin crew’s warnings over the loudspeaker that it was almost time to land. The pilot was forced to circle above the airport, delaying the landing and angering people on the already tense flight.
“If it was a cartoon,” remembered Watson, “there would have been smoke coming out of people’s ears.”
The boy’s elderly parents and adult brothers and sisters tried to persuade him to get off the floor and back into his seat, but in vain.Watson, who used to be a teacher, stood up and quickly headed to the back of the plane.
She found the boy in the passage between rows of seats, lying on his belly, and lay down on her stomach to face him. She began chatting calmly with him, asking his name, his favorite book, and his favorite characters. He told her he felt sick and she tried to comfort him.
Minutes later, he allowed her to hold his hand, and then together they got properly back into airplane seats. Watson asked for sick bags, and held them as the boy threw up several times, including on her. As she helped him clean up, she repeatedly told him everything would be okay and that they’d get through it together.
After the plane was finally able to land, no one was impatient to step off the flight as one might expect. Instead, calmed passengers—obviously following Watson’s amazing example—allowed the boy and his family to depart first, smiling at them as they passed. His parents tearfully thanked Watson for what she had done, and a doctor sitting nearby also let her know he had even taken notes on her expert way of handling the situation.
1.The landing was delayed because _____.
A. the plane was out of control.
B. the pilot was forced to change the destination
C. a family ignored the warnings
D. a boy refused to sit in his seat
2.Watson successfully handled the “awful tension” by _____.
A. fighting against unfair treatment
B. calling on other passengers to join her
C. asking an experienced doctor to help
D. communicating with the boy
3.What changed the angry passengers’ attitude at last?
A. Watson’s efforts. B. The plane’s safe landing.
C. The crew’s behavior. D. The boy’s improvement.
4.Which of the following words can best describe Watson?
A. Patient and ambitious. B. Kind and cool-headed.
C. Wise and cooperative. D. Generous and cautious.
5.What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Watson was not a teacher when taking the plane.
B. Smoke came out of passengers’ ears.
C. The boy could not speak because of Down Syndrome.
D. The passengers were out of patience when the plane landed.
Imagine being given the opportunity to wake up to lions, eat your meals with monkeys, and even share your bath with bears, all from the comfort of a unique new lodging experience.
The Jamala Wildlife Lodge opened its doors in January 2015, which was set up in an effort to educate visitors about aiding the survival of many of the world’s endangered species.
“It’s great for the animals; they’re going to get more space. It’s great for the viewing public; they’re going to get more things to see. It will be great for tourism and just for the local community,” said Richard Tindale, the owner and operator.
Spreading across three locations in the National Zoo, the 18 rooms, which range from giraffe tree houses to jungle bungalows, offer a fantastic experience with wildlife.
The Giraffe Treehouse
The Giraffe Treehouse is set among the giraffe enclosures, and the Jungle Bungalows are luxurious individual houses which are next to either lion, cheetah(猎豹), brown bear, or Malaysian sun bear enclosures.
The Ushaka House
Housing up to 26 people, the Ushaka House is built around the monkey enclosure and has a built-in aquarium which offers private views of some of the zoo’s sharks.
The Burley Griffin House
Only meters from the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, the indoor and outdoor entertaining areas have splendid views across the lake to Black Mountain.
The Shark House
The Shark House has its own little jetty(码头) and it comes out over the shark tank here and so the people who stay in the room will be able to go to their bedroom and pat the shark.
Location
Located in the heart of Australia’s political capital, the Jamala Wildlife Lodge at the National Zoo and Aquarium is just ten minutes from Canberra’s Central Business District.
1.What can’t be seen at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge?
A. Sharks. B. Lions. C. Monkeys. D. Polar bears.
2.Which of the following is TRUE about the Jamala Wildlife Lodge?
A. The Jamala Wildlife Lodge has altogether 26 houses.
B. The Jamala Wildlife Lodge has a very long history.
C. The Jamala Wildlife Lodge is outside the National Zoo.
D. The Jamala Wildlife Lodge lies in the heart of Canberra.
3.If a tourist wants to visit Lake Burley Griffin, he’d better choose ________.
A. The Giraffe Treehouse B. The Ushaka House
C. The Burley Griffin House D. The Shark House
4.The purpose of writing the passage is to ________.
A. attract more tourists to visit the National Zoo
B. introduce the Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Australia
C. raise people’s awareness of protecting animals
D. offer visitors an opportunity to play with sharks
5.What does the underlined word “enclosure” refer to?
A. An opening port. B. A closing land.
C. A swimming pool. D. A high place.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What was the relationship between the speaker and Paul at first?
A. Classmates. B. Workmates. C. Boyfriend and girlfriend.
2.How did the restaurant owner acknowledge the speaker’s work?
A. He offered her free meals.
B. He gave her a discount on meals.
C. He paid her a high salary.
3.What changed the speaker’s impression of Paul?
A. His relationship with Sophie.
B. His superb cooking.
C. His devotion to work.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What was the woman’s favorite subject in college?
A. Law. B. English. C. French.
2.How long did the woman work in the last company?
A. About 4 years. B. About 6 years. C. About 9 years.
3.What is the woman’s greatest concern?
A. Salary. B. Further education. C. Paid leaves.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the conversation probably take place?
A. In a library. B. In an office. C. In a classroom.
2.How many brothers and sisters does the man have?
A. 5. B. 3. C. 2.
3.What are the speakers mainly talk about?
A. Love. B. Friendship. C. A family.
