Are people happier in nature with blue skies overhead and fresh green grass underfoot? Could noisy streets, crowded with cars and people, make us unhappy?
The possible mental health problems of city living affect a lot of people. The World Health Organization estimates(估计)that 56 percent of the world's population lived in urban areas in 2019. The WHO adds that that amount will increase to 66 percent by 2050. People often move to cities for better jobs and more cultural activities. But are they putting themselves at risk? Maybe. Experts at the American Psychiatry Association say that “natural environments or green spaces” do much good to our mental health.
Many studies have shown that nature can calm us and make us feel happy. Nature, experts say, can also help us learn better. And experiencing nature helps people recover from the mental tiredness that comes from day-to-day work. On the other hand, mental health experts say some research suggests that city living might hurt our mental health. But they cannot say exactly why.
What are the specific aspects of the urban environment which causes some people to develop mental illness? Andrea Mechelli, a doctor at Kings College, London, states, “There have been studies where people were literally taken out of an urban environment into a rural (乡村的) environment and their symptoms would improve. And we also see that the greater the city is, the greater the risk is.” Mechelli say that someone who lives in a city is three times more likely to develop psychological problem than someone living in the country.
Kings College researchers, along with city planners, land and building designers and others wanted to learn more about city living and mental illness. So, they created a smartphone app called Urban Mind. They say they wanted to understand how different parts of the urban environment affect mental wellbeing(健康).
The researchers found that being outdoors, seeing trees, hearing birdsong, seeing the sky, and feeling in contact with nature were associated with higher levels of mental well-being. They also found that these seeming effects of nature were especially strong in those individuals at greater risk of mental health problems. The Urban Mind Project team says it hopes “the results will inform future urban planning and social policy aimed at improving design and health.”
1.Why is the question raised in the first paragraph?
A.To introduce the topic of the text.
B.To show the background of the text.
C.To ask the readers to learn the study.
D.To raise the readers' interest in happiness.
2.What does Mechelli find during his study?
A.People are attracted by the blue skies and green grass.
B.People are more content with their city life.
C.More and more people are interested in taking risks in cities,
D.City people are more likely to develop mental problems than country people.
3.What is expected of the Urban Mind research result?
A.More people will choose to live in the countryside.
B.It will bring more concern about people s mental health.
C.It will contribute to future urban planning and social policies.
D.People will be helped to improve their mental illness.
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A.Urban Mind measures the level of mental wellbeing.
B.City living may be harmful to people’s mental health.
C.Living in the countryside is better than in the city.
D.Different scientists hold different opinions on the effects of city living.
Scientists are working to stop a deadly virus that infects(感染)pigs. The virus is causing huge losses for farmers in China and other Asian countries. Many farmers have tried to contain African swine flu by quarantining(隔离)pigs and destroying infected animals. But the spread of the disease into East Asia has stepped up the search for other ways to deal with the problem.
The virus had not been considered a major concern for researchers until it appeared in China last year. Chinese farmers raise about half of the world's pigs. Some researchers think the virus might have come from infected animals in Eastern Europe or Russia. Since then, it has spread to China, Vietnam and other Asian countries. Millions of pigs have been destroyed.
Although swine flu does not sicken people, it is very infectious and deadly to pigs. "Today's situation, where you have this global danger, puts a lot more emphasis on this research,” said Doctor Luis Rodriguez. He spoke to The Associated Press. Rodriguez leads the United States government laboratory for foreign animal diseases at Plum Island , New York. As a deadly virus kills pigs across Asia, scientists are accelerating efforts to develop a vaccine (疫苗).
Vaccines often are developed by killing a virus before it is put into an animal. The disabled virus does not make the animal sick, but it activates the body's natural defenses against disease. The immune(免疫的)system is then able to identify the virus and produce antibodies against it.
However, this method is not effective with all viruses including the one that causes African swine flu. For swine flu, scientists have been working on a different kind of vaccine. It is made from a weakened virus, not a dead one. The problem for researchers has been how to change the virus so it can be safely used.
Vietnam's government reported a few weeks ago that it was testing vaccines, but provided few details of its programs. In China, the government said scientists are working on a vaccine that genetically changes the virus. That is similar to a method being used by scientists in the United States.
1.Why did the virus cause the researchers' concern when appearing in China?
A.The virus may infect people.
B.The number of pigs raised in China is huge.
C.The virus may be completely out of control.
D.Chinese science and technology is not advanced.
2.Where might the virus come from?
A.Eastern Europe or Russia. B.Vietnam.
C.African countries. D.America.
3.What is the function of the disabled virus according to Rodriguez?
A.It makes people fall ill.
B.It destroys the immune system of animals.
C.It helps the body produce antibodies against disease.
D.It makes the body's natural defense against disease work.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.The Emphasis of the Virus Research
B.Swine Flu Leads to the Deaths of Lots of Pigs
C.Scientists Hurry to Develop Vaccine for Swine Flu
D.New Results About Government Laboratory for Animal Diseases
The other day on a cold night, I left my wife and drove from Harrisburg to Lewisburg, a distance of about 100 miles. It was rather late. Several times I got stuck behind a slow-moving truck on a narrow road with a solid white line on my left, and I became increasingly impatient.
At one point along an open road, I came to a crossing with a traffic light. I was alone on the road by now, but as I drove near the light, it turned red and I made a stop. I looked left, right and behind me. Nothing. Not a car, no suggestion of car lamps, but there I sat, waiting for the light to change, the only human being for at least a mile in any direction.
I started wondering why I refused to run the light. I was not afraid of being caught, because there was clearly no policeman around, and there certainly would have been no danger in going through it.
Much later that night, the question of why I'd stopped for that light came back to me. I think I stopped because it's part of a contract（契约）we all have with each other. It's not only the law, but it's an agreement we have, and we trust each other to honor it： we don't go through red lights.
Trust is our first inclination. Doubting others does not seem to be natural to us. The whole construction of our society depends on mutual（相互的）trust, not distrust. We do what we say we'll do； we show up when we say we'll show up； and we pay when we say we'll pay. We trust each other in these matters, and we're angry or disappointed with the person or organization that breaks the trust we have in them.
I am so proud of myself for stopping for the red light that night.
1.How does the author feel about the truck driver?
A.Pleased. B.Satisfied.
C.Sorry. D.Annoyed.
2.What can we infer about the author?
A.He hates driving at night.
B.He desired to cross the red light that night.
C.He approves of obeying traffic rules by himself.
D.He is easy when suffering the traffic jam.
3.What is the meaning of the underlined word "inclination" in paragraph 5?
A.Tendency. B.Faith.
C.Adjustment. D.Guidance.
4.What should we do to create a better society according to the author?
A.Be polite to others. B.Improve traffic rules.
C.Be patient and helpful. D.Trust each other.
When it comes to travelling around Europe, it's important to have a budget in mind. Here are some tips for getting the most out of Germany while saving your money.
Transport
Transport is “the big one” and cycling may be the cheapest alternative among all the modes(方式) of transport.
Tom Bourlet, a Brighton-based travel blogger at Spaghetti Traveller, talked to us about transport in Germany and advised that slower, regional(区域的) trains will be more affordable in comparison to those that are high-speed.
He continued, “If choosing a train journey, buy the ticket several months in advance to get a great offer.”
If you intend to use the Eurostar train, keep in mind that you can save money by buying tickets at least a week in advance. Shopping around can also offer reduced prices. A daily or weekly card for a train or a bus may also be worth investing in. Bourlet continues, “While the trains run like clock-work with high efficiency, the buses run relatively slowly, often arriving late to their destination.”
Ask a travel agent
In an age of technology, we don't always consider going to a travel agent when booking on holiday. If you do, ask them for recommendations, they can give you insider tips. Make sure that they are aware of your set budget before signing up to anything.
Food
Region to region, Germany's cuisine will differ slightly. As a general rule, outside the city centre will be cheaper—the further you go, the less expensive it is. Bear this in mind when setting a daily budget for your meals.
Landmarks
Make sure you book your tickets for the landmarks before your trip as there's likely to be a discount when you do this. You may also want to consider a guided tour which is often free.
Before you go
Make sure you buy currency before you leave. This could prevent you being charged extra for withdrawing money and you're more likely to get a good exchange rate.
1.Which transport is probably the cheapest to travel in Germany?
A.Regional trains. B.High-speed trains.
C.City buses. D.Bicycles.
2.What can we know about the Eurostar train?
A.It runs relatively slowly.
B.The meals on it must be expensive.
C.Travelers can enjoy a discount when shopping around.
D.Booking tickets three days in advance may save your money.
3.In which section of a website may the text appear?
A.Travel. B.Lifestyle.
C.Science. D.Entertainment.
阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。续写的词数应为150左右。
On a Saturday afternoon in Wichita Falls, Texas, three kids talked and laughed happily as they took turns riding a scooter (滑板车) on their quiet street. 11-year-old TJ Smith had just jumped off the scooter as his neighbors Kim, age 7, claimed her turn, and Julie, 9, looked on. Ten minutes later, Kim sat down on the scooter to catch her breath, That was when a bearded man with a head of messy hair appeared. The kids didn't see where he came from, but they saw exactly what happened next: Without saying a word, the man picked Kim up off the scooter and calmly stepped away.
The guy held Kim gently like a baby and just walked down the street In fact, the calm way the man behaved led TJ to believe that he must be a relative of Kim's. But something wasn't right.“I could see Kim's face," TJ said.“She was scared.
As the man walked on, Kim's fear transformed into weeps, and then she cried for help. She began kicking and moving, trying to get free of the man's control.“What are you doing?" Julie shouted. But the man, undisturbed, just walked the length of the block until he reached an alley(小巷) and disappeared.
TJ was frightened, yet he never thought about the danger to himself. The only thing he wanted to do was to get Kim back. But what was a 4-foot-tall kid going to do to stop a grown man?“I wanted to help_but I couldn't do it myself," he thought to himself. “Tell Kim's parents, Julie!” He shouted as he started running towards the alley.
Kim's parents were relaxing on the sofa in their living room when their front door burst open.
Paragraph 1:“A bad guy just picked Kim up and took her away!”yelled Julie.
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Paragraph 2:At that very moment. Kim's parents arrived.
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假定你是李华，计划寒假期间到学校实践基地参加为期一周的劳动实践活动。请给你的留学生朋友Frank写封邮件，邀请他起参加。 内容包括:
1.活动安排和内容。
2.活动的意义。
注意:
1.词数80左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.信的开头已为你写好。
Dear Frank,
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Looking forward to your reply.
Yours
Li Hua
