Spring will soon be upon us and a new term is here. All over the world spring is the season of new life: flowers bloom，baby animals are born, and the weather becomes warmer. During this time of year, people usually walk around with a spring in their steps and a feeling of fresh beginnings. However, for a fresh beginning it takes more than the bright colors and fresh air of spring. We need to look at ourselves, set new goals, and decide how to improve ourselves.
In England, people usually do this on the first day of the year. We look at the past year and think about what we’d like to change or improve in our lives, and we call this a New Year’s resolution (决心). These can be anything from improving one’s health through exercise or giving up bad habits, to studying harder for better grades or trying to find a good work or life balance.
Luckily, we don’t have to wait for the beginning of a new year to try and become better people. We can do this whenever we like. The milestone of a new term is just a good place to start.
Sometimes it’s difficult to take the first step in achieving newly set goals, but an old saying is “to begin is to be half-way there. ” I agree with this because taking on a new task or changing habits can seem daunting at first, but once we begin, they get easier.
The trick with deciding on a resolution for a new term is not to set unrealistic goals. If we do this, it’s easy to lose heart, because the final goal seems so far away. Try to make many small goals that you want to reach on the way to your final goal. This way, you can see your progress easily.
1.What should we do in spring according to the first paragraph?
A.To have an animal for a pet.
B.To set goals for a fresh beginning.
C.To take a walk around outdoors.
D.To enjoy fresh air and bright colors.
2.What does the underlined word“daunting”probably mean in Paragraph 4?
A.changeable B.difficult C.lovely D.dangerous
3.What does the last paragraph want to tell us?
A.If you see no progress,you’ll be sad.
B.Whatever happens，stick to your dreams.
C.Your goals should be realistic and small.
D.Never lose heart when meeting with difficulties.
4.What can be learned from the text?
A.Well begun is half done.
B.All roads lead to Rome.
C.All that ends well is well.
D.Be swift to hear,slow to speak.
Best musicals and shows in London’s West End
Thriller-Live
See Thriller-Live, a musical in memory of Michael Jackson and the J acksons. The show joined London’s West End after three UK tours and popularity across Europe. Celebrate the career of the King of Pop during non-stop hits at this top London theatre show.
Prices from £32.72
The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical, The Phantom of the Opera, tells the tale of a shadowy character who attempts to make Christina the leading lady of the Paris Opera. With a fantastic plot and breathtaking scene, this long- running show is one of the must-see musicals in London.
Prices: from £30.75
The Book of Mormon
This comedy musical follows the plight of a pair of teenage Mormon missionaries sent to convert a village in a dangerous part of Uganda. The brainchild of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, The Book of Mormon has won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Prices: from £24.60
Matilda The Musical
Be wowed by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning production of Matilda The Musical. Roald Dahl’s celebrated story bursts into life in this West End musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. Children and adults alike will be delighted by the little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Prices: from £24.00
1.What is The Phantom of the Opera special for?
A.Its attractive story. B.Its beautiful songs.
C.Its excellent costumes. D.Its experienced actors.
2.Both kids and adults are most likely to enjoy_____.
A.Thriller-Live B.Matilda The Musical
C.The Book of Mormon D.The Phantom of the Opera
3.What does the text mainly aim to do?
A.Evaluate musicals. B.Criticize musicals.
C.Analyze musicals. D.Advertise musicals.
请认真阅读下文信息，并按要求用英语写一篇150词左右的文章。
A new regulation by China’s Ministry of Education aims to grant primary and middle school teachers more room in punishing their students in order to achieve better teaching results.
The regulation lists punishments available to teachers in three categories based on the level of severity of the offense, including naming and shaming, forced standing that lasts no longer than one class session, and suspension of class for no longer than one week.
Zhang Lifeng, a 43-year-old parent, welcomed the move. “The regulation should have come earlier,” she said. “It will benefit both teachers and students as well as parents.”
However, a ninth grader at a middle school, disagreed. “It is normal for adolescent students to make mistakes. I don’t think punishments are necessary. They may cause more trouble,” he said.
Chen Xianzhe, a professor with the School of Education at South China Normal University, said punishments are just a part of the teaching process.
The regulation asks schools to draft their own regulations accordingly to clarify the rules for teachers in taking disciplinary actions against their students.
（写作内容）
1、用约30个单词概括上述信息的主要内容；
2、谈谈你如何看待教育惩戒，并简述理由；
3、请你对教育惩戒规则的实施提出合理建议(至少两点)。
（写作要求）
1、写作过程中不能直接引用原文语句；
2、作文中不能出现真实姓名和学校名称；
3、不必写标题。
（评分标准）
内容完整，语言规范，语篇连贯，词数适当
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请认真阅读下列短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意：每个空格只填 1个单词。请将答案写在答题纸上相应题号的横线上。
Chances are you have heard about the “marshmallow test.” Put a marshmallow in front of a child and give them two choices: eat it now or wait 15 minutes and get two. According to a classic study, children able to delay gratification (满足) and wait for the second marshmallow have better academic, social and health outcomes years later. Since these early experiments, researchers have shown that a wide range of childhood traits from social and emotional skills to motivation and self-control can predict better life outcomes.
Now a new study has found another link between behavior in childhood and success later in life. Published in the medical journal JAMA Psychiatry, my colleagues and I report that children who were rated as “inattentive” by kindergarten teachers had lower earnings at ages 33 to 35, and those
rated as prosocial--such as being kind, helpful and considerate--earned more.
This study shows that inattention may be among the most powerful early behavioral predictors of future earnings. It also demonstrates that it is possible to identify children at risk of lower future earnings based on a single teacher assessment made in kindergarten, which has important practical implications. If these children can be identified, then it may be possible to intervene--for example, by flagging them for further assessment or by providing support or prevention programs--and thus improve their life chances.
The classic marshmallow study failed to account for intelligence and family background, which are known to influence future life success. Recent efforts to replicate that experiment using a larger and more diverse sample found that the effect was roughly half of that seen in the classic study. When the researchers controlled for the children’s IQ and family background, the effect virtually disappeared.
In another influential study, published in 2011, children aged three to 11 with good self-control were reported to have more wealth, better health and fewer criminal conviction in early adulthood. But the paper failed to consider the role of antisocial traits, such as aggression and opposition. When these were adjusted for in a replication study, the effects were considerably weakened. One problem with self-control studies such as these is that they lump many traits--such as attention, delayed gratification and conscientiousness--together to create a single composite self-control score, often combining traits assessed across multiple years. This approach makes it hard to identify the “active ingredients” that are linked with the outcome of interest, a crucial step if you plan to develop targeted intervention programs designed to improve life outcomes by promoting “good” traits and reducing “bad” ones.
The 1. marshmallow test | Children who wait for the second marshmallow perform better academically, 2. and socially later on in life. |
The main factor from a new study: inattention | Children who are considered inattentive at kindergarten earn much 3. at ages 33-35 than those with such positive 4. as kindness, helpfulness and consideration. |
It’s possible to judge if a child has potential low future outcome according to how he is 5. by the kindergarten teacher. This 6. that we can help these children by providing 7. or prevention programs. | |
Findings of the new study | Children’s future life is greatly 8. by other factors like intelligence and family background. Antisocial traits such as aggression and opposition also 9. the effect considerably. The 10. of the traits across years makes it hard to identify which traits are active during a specific time period. |
On Wednesday afternoon, a handsome, wealthy attorney renowned for handling affluent clients came into the restaurant. At least that’s how Lawrence described himself to me in his intro. He was dressed in a sharp navy suit, white shirt and silk tie. He asked, “How long have you been waiting tables?”
Jokingly, I replied, “I’m new, so forgive me if your meal lands on your lap.”
He replied, quite sternly, “Don’t make excuses for your mistakes.” I thought he was joking, but his face lacked even the hint of a smile. In the same tone, he said, “Come to dinner with me Saturday night.”
I ignored his invitation, which seemed more like a demand, and asked, “How long have you been an attorney?”
“As long as I’ve wanted.”
Confused and curious, I prodded: “What kind of answer is that?”
“The only one you’re going to get.” Lawrence placed his order: filet mignon, green beans instead of broccoli. Staring at me straight-faced, he added, “I’ll have bottled water. Tap is for the waitstaff.”
As soon as I brought his food to the table, he took his fork and inspected the filet. “Saturday night I’ll take you to a restaurant that makes this one look like fast food.”
“I enjoy fast food; it’s unpretentious,” I responded. “Besides, I haven’t agreed to any date.”
After he asked for the bill, I carefully removed his glass, plate and utensils, trying not to drop anything on him or the floor. As I cleared the table, he asked, “So, are we on for this weekend?”
Something about him was intriguing. So as not to appear too eager, I replied with a tentative, “I guess so.”
Phone in hand, he asked, “What’s your name and number? I’ll call for your address.”
I took out my phone and said, “First, you tell me yours.”
He paid with cash, and instead of a tip, left a note stating he would make it up to me on Saturday night.
He waited until Saturday morning before calling to ask for my address. I told him to park in the upper tier of the parking garage next to my apartment building.
“Why can’t I just pick you up at your apartment?” he asked.
“I don’t know you well enough for that. Is that a problem?”
“No, but it’s weird.”
“Not to me.”
“OK, I’ll meet you there. Do you have any nice clothes to wear?”
“Lawrence, you better shape up before tonight, or this date isn’t going to take off. I look good in anything.”
“OK, OK, calm down.”
I arrived early, and the adrenaline was rushing through my veins as I waited for Lawrence in the parking garage. The minutes passed slowly until I heard the sound of a car engine approaching from below.
Lawrence had arrived in a black stretch limousine.
Waiting for Lawrence were three FBI agents-colleagues of mine-with cameras. Lawrence wasn’t an attorney; he was an unemployed jewelry store employee who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise. His ex-fiancée went to the police after he broke off their engagement. But her story hadn’t been enough; we needed evidence.
I ran the prints from Lawrence’s glass and utensils- they matched perfectly with the ones found in the store’s safe. In the trunk of the limo, Lawrence had suitcases packed for a getaway. Hidden inside one was a small sack of jewels: rubies, diamonds, pearls, sapphires and emeralds.
As I walked towards the limo, I heard Lawrence pleading, “Please, I needed the money to pay bills!”
I yelled back, “Don’t make excuses for your mistakes!”
1.What did the author think of Lawrence’s introduction?
A.Convincing. B.Unbelieving.
C.Ambiguous. D.Joking.
2.What does the underlined word “sternly” in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A.Stubbornly. B.Seriously.
C.Friendly. D.Lively.
3.The author ignored Lawrence’s invitation because _______?
A.she didn’t want to be connected with him.
B.she thought him to be distant.
C.he wasn’t the man she had affection for.
D.she wanted to trick him into giving himself away.
4.Why did the author “carefully removed his glass, plate and utensils”?
A.To avoid embarrassment. B.Not to land anything on his lap.
C.To get the evidence for his crime. D.Not to break them.
5.Which of the following words can be used to describe “I” in the passage?
A.Kind and friendly. B.Easygoing and clever.
C.Distant and cautious. D.Brave and wise.
6.What is the best title for the passage?
A.Familiar words. B.A thief.
C.A mistake. D.A story of a famous attorney.
Pinocchio may be just a children's fairy tale, but Spanish scientists at the University of Granada recently investigated the so-called ''Pinocchio effect'' and found that our noses don't grow when we tell a lie, but actually shrink a bit.
Dr. Emilio Gómez Milán and his team developed a lie detector test that used thermography to tell if people were lying, and found that whenever participants in their research were being untruthful, the temperature of the tips of their noses dropped up to 1.2℃, while the temperature of their forehead increased up to 1.5℃. Scientists also found that drop in temperature at nose level actually caused it to slightly shrink, although the difference is undetected by the human eye.
''One has to think in order to lie, which rises the temperature of the forehead, '' Dr. Gomez Milan explained the findings. ''At the same time we feel anxious, which lowers the temperature of the nose. ''
For this study, researchers asked a number of 60 students to perform various tasks while being scanned by thermal imaging technology. One of these tasks involved calling a 3 to 4 minutes call to their parents, partner or a friend and telling a significant lie. Participants had to devise the lie by themselves during the call, and the thermal cameras picked up this ''reverse Pinocchio effect'' caused by the fluctuation (起伏) in temperature in the nose and forehead.
Interestingly, the thermal lie doctor picked up the temperature difference in 80 percent of test subjects, which is a better rate of success than that of any modern lie doctor.
''With this method we have achieved to increase accuracy and reduce the occurrence of 'false positives', something that is frequently with other methods such as the polygraph (测谎仪) , '' said Dr. Emilio Gómez Milán, who added that law enforcement interviewers could one day combine other lie detection technology with thermal imaging to achieve better results.
The thermal lie doctor has been the most reliable in the world, 10% more than the popular polygraph.
1.Why does the author mention ''Pinocchio'' at the beginning?
A.To tell a fairy story B.To warn us not to lie.
C.To introduce a research. D.To inspire us to doubt old beliefs.
2.According to the research, what might happen if you tell a lie?
A.Your nose gets longer.
B.Your nose becomes smaller.
C.Your temperature gets higher.
D.Your temperature remains stable.
3.What can we learn about the research?
A.Researchers conduct the study by interviewing.
B.Researchers design difference lies for participants.
C.The thermal lie detector will prove a popular one.
D.The thermal lie doctor may assist law enforcement.
4.Which might be the best title for the passage?
A.Will lie detectors tell the truth?
B.Will lying make your nose longer?
C.Will lying make your temperature rise?
D.Will thermal imaging technology be reliable?
