Being attractive isn’t usually considered much of a disadvantage in today’s world. Actually, there is the endless potential benefit about it, but researchers have found one area that being pretty makes life a challenge securing yourself a boring, low- paying job.
This stands in contrast to a large body of research that attractiveness, in general, helps candidates in the selection process. For the most part good looks is a blessing. We treat pretty people more favorably in general，often vote for them more in elections，and pay them more in their professions. The research suggests that attractive people may be discriminated against in selection for relatively less desirable jobs.
Researchers carried out four experiments involving more than 750 participants， including university students and managers who make hiring decisions in the real world. Participants were shown photos of two potential job candidates，one attractive and the other unattractive. Participants were then asked a series of questions designed to measure their opinions of the job candidates and whether they would hire these candidates for a less-than-desirable job.
The less desirable jobs included a warehouse worker, housekeeper, customer service representative and the more desirable jobs included things like a manager, project director, IT elite（精英）.In all experiments where they were asked, participants were significantly less likely to hire the attractive candidate for the less desirable job and more likely to hire the attractive candidate for the more desirable job.
Ms Lee said, “In the selection decision for an undesirable job, decision makers were more likely to choose the unattractive individual over the attractive individual. Co-author Dr Madan Pillutla said, “It is interesting that decision makers consider others' opinions in their decisions. They thought that attractive individuals would want better outcomes, and therefore would be less satisfied, so they favored unattractive candidates when selecting for a less desirable job.”
The research also suggests the established view that attractive candidates are favored when applying for jobs might be limited to high-level jobs.
1.What do people generally think of being attractive?
A. It is a disadvantage.
B. It is a blessing.
C. it is not important.
D. It has nothing to do with jobs.
2.What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about?
A. The participants of the experiment
B. The importance of the experiment
C. The process of the experiment
D. The result of the experiment.
3.An ordinary-looking graduate may have an advantage when applying for____.
A. a manager
B. a project director
C. a warehouse worker
D. an IT elite
4.Why are less attractive applicants preferred for less desirable jobs?
A. Because they are more hardworking.
B. Because they will be more satisfied.
C. Because they have no requirements at all.
D. Because they will want better outcomes.
5.Which of the following agrees with the research?
A. Attractive people are more fit for high-level jobs.
B. Less attractive people are easy to find high-level jobs.
C. Attractive people can always be hired when applying for jobs.
D. Less attractive people can easily get highly paid if they work hard.
Hacking isn’t just for computers and smart phones. According to a study, scientists have found a way to hack a plant’s genes in order to make it use sunlight more quickly. Someday, the results could increase the number of food produced around the world.
Scientists used tobacco plants in the study because it is easy to change the plants’ genes. Hacked plants are larger than normal plants.
Photosynthesis is the word used to describe how plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make their own food. Scientists say this is a very slow process. Plants use less than 1 percent of the energy. But by hacking a plant’s genes, the scientists were able to increase the amount of leaf growth on plants between 14 and 20 percent. Scientists hacked the plant’s protective system. Normally, this system starts when a plant gets too much sunlight When the plant senses the light, it creates more leaves. When the plant is in shade, the protective system is turned off. But the process is slow.
The new study sped up the process by changing the plant’s genes, the protective system turned on and off more quickly than normal. As a result, leaf growth on the plants scientists used in the study increased. Leaf growth on two plants increased by 20 percent, while leaf growth on a third plant increased by 14 percent. Scientists conducted the study on tobacco plants. But they think the genetic changes would produce the same results in corn and rice.
Agriculture professor Tala Awanda said the study makes sense，but cautioned the yield（产量）might not be quite so high for conventional food crops. Still，she added in an email,” this study remains a breakthrough,”
1.Which of the following is true according to Paragraph 1 ?
A. We can find hacking only in digital devices.
B. A plant’s genes can be changed by hacking.
C. Hacking has been used in improving food production.
D. Hacking can be used to change whatever you want.
2.Why did scientists choose tobacco plants to study?
A. Because they are very easy to get.
B. Because their genes are easy to change.
C. Because they are larger than other plants.
D. Because they can absorb sunlight quickly.
3.What do we know about photosynthesis?
A. It helps plants to produce energy.
B. It is regarded as a productive system for plants.
C. It can increase leaf growth on plants by 14 percent.
D. It is made up of sunlight，water and carbon dioxide.
4.We can learn from Paragraph 4 that changing the plants' genes proved____.
A. useless B. deadly
C. effective D. unrealistic
5.What is Tala Awanda’s attitude toward the study?
A. Doubtful. B. Neutral.
C. Objective. D. Critical.
At the age of seven, while his friends were spending their allowances on candy and toys，Jose Adolfo Quisocola, Peru，came up with the creative idea of an eco-bank which allows kids of all ages to become economically independent and financially wise while helping the environment.
Established in 2012, The Bartselana Student Bank is the world’s first cooperative bank for kids. Whoever wants to join has to bring in at least 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of solid waste (paper or plastic) and establish a savings goal. Once accepted, all bank “partners” are required to deposit at least one additional kilogram (2* 2 pounds) of recydables on a monthly basis and obey other requirements, such as attending financial education and environmental management workshops. The waste accumulated is sold to local recycling companies, who, thanks to some clever negotiation by Jose, pay a higher-than-market rate for everything brought in by Bartselana Student Bank members. The funds received are placed in the individual’s account where they collect until his/her savings goal is reached. The account holder can then withdraw his/her money, or choose to leave it and continue to grow for a bigger target.
“At the beginning, my teachers thought I was crazy or that a child could not undertake this type of project,n Jose recalls. “They did not understand that we are not the future of the country but its present. Luckily, I had the support of the school principal and an assistant in my classroom.
The youngster’s persistence paid off. Today, the eco-bank, which now has the support of several local institutions, has ten educational centers and begins accepting applications from kids all across Peru. On November 20,2018, the young boy was awarded the famous Children’s Climate Prize (CCP). “Jose’s eco-bank is a brilliant way of linking economy and climate impact，both in thought and practice. The potential impact is amazing”，a judge said.
Hopefully, Jose’s success will inspire more kids and adults to come up with new ideas that create value while helping the environment. As the boy says, “Together we can change the world. we just need an opportunity.”
1.For what purpose was the eco-bank created?
A. To educate children how to spend their allowances.
B. To help children break away from their parents.
C. To raise children’s awareness of money and environment
D. To encourage children to buy whatever they want.
2.What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about?
A. The history of the eco-bank
B. The requirements of membership,
C. The wisest way to deal with waste
D. The process of how the eco-bank works.
3.What challenge did Jose meet at the beginning when opening the eco-bank?
A. Lack of enough support B. Lack of experience
C. Lack of investment D. Lack of workers
4.What can we learn from the last two Paragraphs?
A. The boy’s efforts were made in vain.
B. The eco-bank was highly appreciated.
C. The judge thought poorly of the eco-bank.
D. The boy’s success had no practical values.
5.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Persistence Paid Off
B. Recycling does Count
C. An Opportunity to Change the World.
D. An Eco-bank, Economical and Ecological
The Frick Collection (5th Avenue and E. 70th Street)
Many art lovers would rather visit this small art gallery than any other in New York. Henry Clay Frick, a rich New Yorker, died in 1919, leaving his house, furniture and art collections to American people. Frick had a preference for pre-twentieth century Western paintings, and these are well-represented in this excellent collection. You can also explore Frick’s beautiful house and garden which are well worth a visit
Guggenheim Museum (5th Avenue and 88th Street)
This museum owns 5,000 excellent modern paintings, sculptures and drawings. These art works are not all displayed at the same time. The exhibition is always changing. It will appeal to those who love Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. The Guggenheim Museum building i$ also world-famous. The best way to see the paintings is to start from the top floor and walk down to the bottom. There are no stairs，just a circular(环形的) path.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (5th Avenue and 82nd Street)
The reputation of this museum lies in the variety of its art collection. This covers more than 5,000 years of civilization from many parts of the world. The museum displays more than just the visual delights of art It introduces you (o ancient ways of living. You can visit an Egyptian temple，a fragrant Ming garden, n typical room in an 18th century French house and many other special exhibitions.
Whitney Museum of American Art (945 Madsion Avenue, near 75th Street)
The Whitney holds an excellent collection or contemporary American paintings and sculptures. There are no permanent displays in this museum and exhibitions change all the time. Every two years, the Whitney holds a special exhibition of new art by living artists. The museum also shows videos and films by contemporary video artists.
1.What can we know about Henry Clay Frick?
A. He once lived a poor life.
B. He had a deep love for his country.
C. He left all his possessions to his family.
D. He loved twentieth century paintings very much.
2.What do Guggenheim Museum and Whitney Museum of American Art have in common?
A. They both have stairs in their buildings.
B. They both hold art works by living artists.
C. The exhibitions in them are always changing.
D. They both display modern paintings, sculptures and drawings.
3.If you are interested in ancient civilization, you can go to ____
A. The Frick Collection B. Guggenheim Museum
C. Whitney Museum of American Art D. Metropolitan Museum of Art
4.What can we infer about Whitney Museum of American Art?
A. There are only paintings of great artists.
B. It is located in the same avenue as the others.
C. You can’t enjoy new art of living artists each year.
D. It is not as popular among art lovers as the other museums.
5.The passage is mainly about ________
A. some famous artists B. some famous paintings
C. some famous places of interest D. some famous art museums
Mia nervously extended her small hand towards the miniature（纤小的）horse in front or her. As her palm gently touched it$ soft nose, she looked at me happily. Her bright blue eyes _______ with joy.
For children with _______, actions such as making friends and joining in activities can be_______As the leader of the Miniature Horse Project, I________to disabled children in my community and _______ them to join this project. Once a child joins, I _______instruct them how to feed and care for the miniature horses. Nol only does this_______disabled children with a fun activity, but my instruction also allows them to build much more _______at school or when they are making friends.
I have taught many disabled children, but Mia is _______to me. What she suffers makes her fee) hard to________. Due to this，she hardly spoke at the beginning of our training,________just watched nervously as 1 explained basic horse care to her. Her mother told me that Mia had ________behavior at school: she was shy, and watched her classmates play instead of joining them.
I worked to help Mia ________ her shyness. Although she was nervous, I had her feed and clean the miniature horses________.Then I asked her to________the horses with me around the farm and to smile at everyone she ________ . Soon, she became active and ________in caring for the horses without my help. She now loves to play with her classmates.
However, i did not just influence Mia, and she ________ me as well. She showed me that any ________can be overcome with dedication(热忱).Each time I see Mia，she hugs me ________, Although she cannot say it, her happy face and bright eyes tell me，“ Thank you.”
1.A. froze B. stared C. shone D. closed
2.A. curiosity B. interest C. preference D. disabilities
3.A. difficult B. funny C. impressive D. disappointing
4.A. reach out B. look forward C. get used D. get down
5.A. urge B. encourage C. warn D. allow
6.A. extremely B. secretly C. personally D. hopefully
7.A. provide B. decorate C. equip D. combine
8.A. frustration B. pressure C. pleasure D. confidence
9.A. polite B. special C. kind D. rude
10.A. talk B. hear C. move D. jump
11.A. and B. as C. or. D. so
12.A. social B. normal C. similar D. polite
13.A. look out for B. put up with C. get rid of D. give in to
14.A. in her opinion B. by the way C. by no means D. on her own
15.A. sell B. drive C. walk D. beat
16.A. disliked B. visited C. interviewed D. met
17.A. skilled B. weak C. interested D. fortunate
18.A. accompanied B. inspired C. praised D. challenged
19.A. mystery B. fault C. puzzle D. hardship
20.A. blindly B. tightly C. sadly D. loosely
If he____ his teacher’s suggestion, he would have won the English Speech Contest.
A. had followed B. should follow
C. was to follow D. followed
