The values of artistic works, according to cultural relativism(相对主义), are simply reflections of local social and economic conditions. Such a view, however, fails to explain the ability of some works of art to excite the human mind across cultures and through centuries.
History has witnessed the endless productions of Shakespearean plays in every major language of the world. It is never rare to find that Mozart packs Japanese concert halls, as Japanese painter Hiroshige does Paris galleries, Unique works of this kind are different from today’s popular art, even if they began as works of popular art. They have set themselves apart in their timeless appeal and will probably be enjoyed for centuries into the future.
In a 1757 essay, the philosopher David Hume argued that because“the general principles of taste are uniform(不变的) in human nature,”the value of some works of art might be essentially permanent. He observed that Homer was still admired after two thousand years. Works of this type, he believed, spoke to deep and unvarying features of human nature and could continue to exist over centuries.
Now researchers are applying scientific methods to the study of the universality of art. For example, evolutionary psychology is being used by literary scholars to explain the long-lasting themes and plot devices in fiction. The structures of musical pieces are now open to experimental analysis as never before. Research findings seem to indicate that the creation by a great artist is as permanent an achievement as the discovery by a great scientist.
1.According to the passage, what do we know about cultural relativism?
A.It introduces different cultural values.
B.It explains the history of artistic works.
C.It relates artistic values to local conditions.
D.It excites the human mind throughout the world.
2.In Paragraph 2, the artists are mentioned in order to show that _____ .
A.great works of art can go beyond national boundaries
B.history gives art works special appeal to set them apart
C.popular arts are hardly distinguishable from great arts
D.great artists are skilled at combining various cultures
3.According to Hume, some works of art can exist for centuries because_____ .
A.they are results of scientific study
B.they establish some general principles of art
C.they are created by the world’s greatest artists
D.they appeal to unchanging features of human nature
4.Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?
A.Are Artistic Values Universal?
B.Are Popular Arts Permanent?
C.Is Human Nature Uniform?
D.Is Cultural Relativism Scientific?
Scientists have discovered that rats have adapted to modern human life, even adapting their diets to the cities they live in.
The scientists claim that it could be possible that humans and rats have had similar changes in their genetic make-up, due to modern city life. The downside of the changes in the DNA is that they could make rats susceptible to the same health problems as humans, such as pollutants and sugary foods.
The study showed that rats’ diets have also adapted to their environment. In New York, you can see them eat bagels and beer; in Paris, they like croissants and butter. They adapt in amazing ways. The scientists also analyzed the genomes (基因组)of 29 New York rats and compared them with those of nine brown rats from Heilongjiang Province, north-east China. The finding showed that dozens of rat genes had been through major DNA changes over the centuries, as the rats spread from Asia to Europe and America, and from the countryside and into cities.
The changed genes were associated with diet, behavior, and movement, which added pressures and challenges for the rat to overcome. This could reflect the fact that urban rats have to move through highly artificial environments that are very different from natural habitats. So these gene changes might have evolved to help them move more easily through underground channels and pipes.
As the rats are closely associated with city-living humans, the scientists believe that it is possible that similar changes have happened in both species.
In October 2019, scientists used rats to successfully test an enzyme(酶) that could be used to help people quit smoking. Two groups of rats were trained to self-administer nicotine, and over two weeks their nicotine intakes increased, suggesting addiction. Then, one group of rats was given the enzyme, which led to a decreased nicotine intake. The scientists say that the enzyme could be developed for human use in the future.
1.Which of the following best explains the underlined phrase “susceptible to” in paragraph 2?
A.Not likely to be cured of. B.Being disease-resistant to.
C.Very likely to be affected by. D.Being thoroughly exposed to.
2.What does the author intend to show in the third paragraph?
A.Rats in the city are particular about their food.
B.Rats in different cities have different genetic make-up.
C.Rats are distributed in every continent of the earth.
D.Rats have been adjusting themselves to the environment.
3.What is the purpose of testing an enzyme on rats?
A.To explore rats’ survival ability. B.To help people stop smoking.
C.To learn more about city rats. D.To tell apart nicotine and enzyme.
4.What is the best title of this text?
A.Rats Have Adapted to Modern Human Life
B.Rats in the City Have Varieties of Diets
C.Rats Are More Adaptable than Humans
D.Rats Have the Same Genetic Make-up to Humans
That morning，I dropped our eldest at kindergarten and returned home to let our two younger children play while I worked on my medical report. It was wonderful, but it hit me that my career in hospital wasn't making a difference in anyone's life. I needed something that would stretch my limits and push me to grow. My career enabled me to work from home. I could work from home, and become a foster（领养）mother, providing safety for a child who needed it desperately.
On Monday morning, I picked up the phone and dialed the number I had googled for the nearest Department of Children’ Services. The man on the other end was receptive to my questions and explained the next step of training, involving eight weeks of classes designed to prepare and educate foster parents. We continued through all the classes, the home visits , background checks, and seemingly endless steps.
Five long months after we were approved , the phone Tang. In the middle of the night , I woke my husband and rushed to East Tennessee Children's Hospital- Our placement was waiting for us in the emergency room, sick and lack of nutrition. It didn't take long for us to realize the full depth of her suffering. Six months later, her half-brother came to us by our request. We now had five children under our care.
On August 12, 2016, our family of seven walked into a small courtroom. The children's lawyer and social worker were there. With just a few words, our adoption was finalized. These two amazing children weren't going home, because they were already home. We are their forever family5 and they are our forever children. We may not be able to change the entire world, but we have changed the world entirely for our new children.
1.How did the author feel about her hospital work?
A.Unusually demanding. B.Lacking in motivation.
C.Filled with challenges・ D.Packed with chances.
2.What led the author to decide to adopt children?
A.She wanted to make a difference in other people.
B.She felt sympathetic for abused children she knew.
C.She felt confident about her ability to raise children.
D.She experienced training to raise children properly.
3.What does the underlined word "placement" in Para.3 refer to?
A.The child to be adopted. B.The need to get trained.
C.The approval of adoption. D.The official at the hospital
4.Why did the author appear at the courtroom?
A.To put the adopted kids elsewhere.
B.To receive another adopted child.
C.To begin the kids5 adoption in her home .
D.To make the adoption officially legal,
BEST BODY FITNESS
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STEP TWO: Your training
When you decide to become a Best Body member, we show you what to do, how to do it and why you are doing it. After a few sessions with an expert private trainer you will feel comfortable working out on your own. But don’t worry, we’ll always be nearby if you have questions.
STEP THREE: Your membership
Membership works on a month-to-month basis. There are no sign-up fees and no cancellation fees. Start and stop whenever you want. And the best part? Our fees are the most competitive in the whole downtown area.
STEP FOUR: Your community
At Best Body Fitness, we see everyone as part of a big team. And when you work with a team, you can do great things. Join any of our specialized classes, led by expert instructors. Come to our nutrition classes. Participate in our regular social events. Everything is included in your fee.
Finally, share some reasons why our members have chosen us over any other fitness centre in the city.
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Easy to start, stop, cancel or refund membership
Easy to access — we’re open 24/7, we never close
Easy to do exercise — we have lots of equipment, no long wait
Easy to find — in the centre of town, near public transport and with parking
1.Which statement about Best Body Fitness is correct?
A.It provides you with a fitness assessment after training.
B.It offers you a customized training plan.
C.It allows you to work out without any fees.
D.It asks you to work out on your own.
2.What is the best part of Best Body Fitness?
A.Its price is quite good. B.Its time is enough.
C.Its classes are no-risk. D.Its trainers are experienced.
3.What type of writing does this text probably belong to?
A.News report. B.Speech.
C.Announcement. D.Advertisement.
假定你是李华，你的英国笔友David对中国传统文化很感兴趣，他想让你给他推荐一本关于这方面的书。请 你给他回一封邮件,向他推荐我国的四大名著之---《西游记》。内容包括：
1.《西游记》简介；
2.推荐理由。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：徒弟 disciple,佛经 Buddhist scriptures
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每 句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
When I was young, I dreamed for being a painter. But my mother always hoped I could be a doctor. I guess she wanted me to followed in my father's footsteps. My father, however, expected me to become photographer. But I become a teacher at 25. Life is usual unpredictable. Sometimes you may not be achieve the dream you once had in your childhood. Therefore, it doesn't mean you'll have to give up your dream. You can always leave your dream in your heart and keep them as a lifetime hobby. As for me, I'm still interesting in painting, that helps me relax in my spare time.
