Having your nose in a book might seem a little anti-social at times — but reading could actually make you a kinder, more considerate person, a study has found. Readers were more likely to act in a socially acceptable manner, while those who preferred watching television came across as less friendly and less understanding of
others' views, researchers said.
123 participants in the study were quizzed on their preferences for books, TV and plays at Kingston University, London. They were then tested on how much they considered people's feelings and whether they acted to help others. Researchers told the British Psychological Society conference in Brighton yesterday that fiction fans showed more positive social behavior.
Readers of drama and romance novels were also empathic, while lovers of experimental books showed the ability to see things from different directions. Comedy fans scored the highest for relating to others. The study suggested reading allows people to see different points of view, enabling them to understand others better.
The researchers added, “Exposure to fiction relates to a range of empathetic abilities. Engaging with fictional prose and comedy in particular could be key to improving people's empathetic abilities.”
However, the authors warned the study did not prove cause-and-effect. So it could be that reading causes positive behavior, or it could be that thoughtful, well-mannered people are more likely to prefer reading. So it is a good idea to pick up a book to begin your travel with the author. Each author will show how they would react to certain situations or confrontations through their characters. Everyone can view the same situation differently, and from 1001 different angles. The more you read, the much better you can understand other peoples' opinions.
1.What do we know about reading according to Paragraph 1?
A.It contributes more to one's anti-social role.
B.It is of rare benefit to readers.
C.It is related to one's social position.
D.It can add to one's social adaptability.
2.Researchers tested 123 participants in order to find .
A.the way to improve reading skills
B.the influence of their preferences
C.the places to get new books
D.the time of reading books
3.What does the underlined word "empathic" in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.Understanding. B.Mad.
C.Sorrowful. D.Delighted.
4.What is the purpose of the passage?
A.To react to certain situations.
B.To understand peoples' opinions.
C.To persuade people to read.
D.To show how to begin travels.
We were sitting in her classroom, giggling each other and talking about the latest information of the day. Mrs Virginia De View, whose physical appearance made her an easy target for snickers (窃笑) and cruel jokes among students, cleared her throat and asked us to be silent.
“Now, Mrs.” Virginia De View said smiling, “we are going to discover our professions.” The class seemed to be greatly surprised. We were only 13 and 14 years old!
“Yes, you will all be searching for your future professions.”she said.
“You will have to do a research paper on your upcoming career. Each of you will have to interview someone in your field, plus give an oral report.”
Finally, I picked print journalism, and interviewed a true-blue newspaper reporter in the flesh. After a few days, I gave my oral report totally from memory in class. I got an A on the entire project.
Years later, I forgot all about Virginia De View and the careers we selected. I was in college looking around for a new career. but with no success. Then I remembered Virginia De View and my desire at 13 to be a journalist. And I called my parents. They didn't stop me. They just reminded me how competitive the field was. This was true. But journalism did something to me; it was in my blood. For the past 12 years, I've had the most incredible and satisfying reporting career .
I get asked all the time: “How did you pick journalism?”
“Well, you see, there was this teacher...” I always start out. Virginia Deview will probably never know without her help, I would not have become a journalist and a writer. I wonder now how many other students benefited from that career project.
I believe that when people reflect back over their school days, there will be their very own Virginia De View. Perhaps you can thank her before it's too late.
1.What did the students think of Mrs Virginia's project in her class?
A.Harmful B.Crazy
C.Beneficial D.Flexible
2.What is Virginia Deview’s project?
A.Career planning B.Oral ability
C.Paper research D.Interviewing skills
3.What can be inferred about the author?
A.He keeps in touch with Mrs. Virginia.
B.He practiced as a journalist in college.
C.His parents were against his decision.
D.He enjoys working as a journalist
4.What is the author’s intention of this passage?
A.To express gratitude to Mrs. Virginia.
B.To give an oral report on selecting a career.
C.To show challenges he me as a reporter.
D.To look for his previous classmates.
Runners need to move 15 per cent faster on a treadmill(跑步机) to burn the same number of calories as jogging outdoors, research reveals.
Researchers from Milan University analyzed the difference between running outdoors and on a treadmill in 15 physically fit males with an average age of 21. The participants completed a sprint(短距离快速跑) for 30 seconds followed by 30 seconds of recovery for a total of 15 minutes both outdoors and on a treadmill. Oxygen use and exercise intensity were measured after both types of running.
The findings were published in the journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. Results revealed that when on a treadmill, runners use significantly lower amounts of oxygen, suggesting less effort is required. Therefore runners must move 15 percent faster on a treadmill to burn the same amount of calories as exercising outdoors, the study stated. The study authors wrote, "A 15 per cent increase in running speed during a period of stopping and starting often in high intensity treadmill training session is the best possible solution to reaching the same physiological responses as an outdoor training session.
Although the study did not speculate why treadmill running appears to be needing less effort and energy, previous research suggests the moving belt of a treadmill moves joggers forward, causing them to move faster. Exercising indoors also means gym-goers do not have to fight with steep hills or wind resistance.
Michael Silverman, director of rehabilitation and wellness(康复科) at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York, said, “Outdoors, you are changing surfaces constantly, fighting the wind, and making quick and sudden starts and stops, which will lead to increased caloric burn.” Shake magazine reported. "And while we don't recommend running in extreme temperatures, it is worth noting that your body burns extra calories to regulate your body temperature," he says.
1.Where can you find the specific findings of the study?
A.In Paragraph 2 B.In Paragraph 3 C.In Paragraph 4 D.In Paragraph 5
2.What can we know about the study?
A.Its participants were all 21 years old .
B.Michael is one of the researchers.
C.It revealed why treadmill running consumes less calories .
D.It took oxygen use and exercise intensity into consideration .
3.Why does running on a treadmill seem easier according to the study ?
A.The runners need less energy.
B.The runners can usually get enough oxygen .
C.The moving belt pushes joggers forward .
D.The intensity of running on the treadmill is more stable .
4.What does the underlined word “speculate” mean ?
A.conclude B.research C.oppose D.doubt
The New York See It All Tour is exactly what it sounds like: an all-inclusive guided tour of New York City.
Central Park
One of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is a man-made wonder. Not only is it the first public park built in America, but it is also one of the most frequently visited parks, with over 25 million guests per year. Set in the middle of busy Manhattan, its grounds serve as a safe harbor, not only for athletes, and musicians but also for lots of migratory birds each year. One can spend an entire peaceful day wandering its grounds, gazing upon nearly 50 fountains, monuments, and sculptures or admiring its 36 bridges.
Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park is a waterside park on the Hudson River that extends from 59th Street south to Battery Park in the New York City district of Manhattan. Bicycle and pedestrian paths, including the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, span the park north to south, opening up the waterfront for the public to relax. The park includes tennis and soccer fields, children’s playground, dog run, and many other features.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is a very popular and often crowded square. People from all backgrounds gather to this large square dotted with trees.
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is a small 6.5-acre zoo located on Central Park in New York City. The zoo began in the 1860s, making it the first official zoo to open in New York. The zoo was improved in 1934, with the addition of many new buildings ranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. Finally, the zoo was repaired in the mid-1980s and reopened in 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments.
1.Which park is set in the heart of Greenwich Village?
A.Central Park.
B.Hudson River Park.
C.Central Park Zoo.
D.Washington Square Park.
2.What can we learn about Central Park?
A.It is primarily an artificial park.
B.It is the first public park built in the world.
C.It was the most crowded park when first built.
D.It especially attracts pedestrian and artists.
3.When was the first official zoo in New York repaired for the first time?
A.In the 1860s. B.In 1934.
C.In the mid-1980s. D.In 1988.
Salvador Dali (1904—1989) was one of the most popular of modern artists. The Pompidou Centre in Paris is showing its respect and admiration for the artist and his powerful personality with an exhibition bringing together over 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings and more. Among the works and masterworks on exhibition the visitor will find the best pieces, most importantly The Persistence of Memory. There is also L’Enigme sans Fin from 1938, works on paper, objects, and projects for stage and screen and selected parts from television programmes reflecting the artist’s showman qualities.
The visitor will enter the World of Dali through an egg and is met with the beginning, the world of birth. The exhibition follows a path of time and subject with the visitor exiting through the brain.
The exhibition shows how Dali draws the viewer between two infinities (无限). ＂From the infinity small to the infinity large, contraction and expansion coming in and out of focus: amazing Flemish accuracy and the showy Baroque of old painting that he used in his museum-theatre in Figueras,＂ explains the Pompidou Centre.
The fine selection of the major works was done in close collaboration (合作) with the Museo Nacional Reina Sofia in Madrid, Spain, and with contributions from other institutions like the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.
1.Which of the following best describe Dali according to Paragraph 1?
A.Optimistic. B.Productive.
C.Generous. D.Traditional.
2.What is Dali’s The Persistence of Memory considered to be?
A.One of his masterworks. B.A successful screen adaptation.
C.An artistic creation for the stage. D.One of the beat TV programmes.
3.How are the exhibits arranged at the World of Dali?
A.By popularity. B.By importance.
C.By size and shape. D.By time and subject.
4.What does the word ＂contributions＂ in the last paragraph refer to?
A.Artworks. B.Projects.
C.Donations. D.Documents.
Papa, as a son of a dirt-poor farmer, left school early and went to work in a factory, for education was for the rich then. So, the world became his school. With great interest, he read everything he could lay his hands on, listened to the town elders and learned about the world beyond his tiny hometown.“There’s so much to learn,” he’d say. “Though we’re born stupid, only the stupid remain that way.” He was determined that none of his children would be denied (拒绝) an education.
Thus, Papa insisted that we learn at least one new thing each day. Though, as children, we thought this was crazy, it would never have occurred to us to deny Papa a request. And dinner time seemed perfect for sharing what we had learned. We would talk about the news of the day; no matter how insignificant, it was never taken lightly. Papa would listen carefully and was ready with some comment, always to the point.
Then came the moment—the time to share the day’s new learning.
Papa, at the head of the table, would push back his chair and pour a glass of red wine, ready to listen.
“Felice,” he’d say, “tell me what you learned today.”
“I learned that the population of Nepal is ....”
Silence.
Papa was thinking about what was said, as if the salvation of the world would depend upon it. “The population of Nepal. Hmm. Well….” he’d say. “Get the map; let’s see where Nepal is.” And the whole family went on a search for Nepal.
This same experience was repeated until each family member had a turn. Dinner ended only after we had a clear understanding of at least half a dozen such facts.
As children, we thought very little about these educational wonders. Our family, however, was growing together, sharing experiences and participating in one another’s education. And by looking at us, listening to us, respecting our input, affirming our value, giving us a sense of dignity, Papa was unquestionably our most influential teacher.
Later during my training as a future teacher, I studied with some of the most famous educators. They were imparting what Papa had known all along—the value of continual learning. His technique has served me well all my life. Not a single day has been wasted, though I can never tell when knowing the population of Nepal might prove useful.
1.What do we know from the first paragraph?
A. The author’s father was born in a worker’s family.
B. Those born stupid could not change their life.
C. The town elders wanted to learn about the world.
D. The poor could hardly afford school education.
2.The underlined word “it” in the second paragraph refers to “________”.
A. one new thing B. a request
C. the news D. some comment
3.It can be learned from the passage that the author________.
A. enjoyed talking about news
B. knew very well about Nepal
C. felt regret about those wasted days
D. appreciated his father’s educational technique
4.What is the greatest value of “dinner time” to the author?
A. Continual learning. B. Showing talents.
C. Family get-together. D. Winning Papa’s approval.
5.The author’s father can be best described as ________.
A. an educator expert at training future teachers
B. a parent insistent on his children’s education
C. a participant willing to share his knowledge
D. a teacher strict about everything his students did
