Recently, a scientist did some experiments. He left a group of 4-year-olds in a room with a bell and a candy. If they rang the bell, he would come back and they could eat the candy. If, however, they didn’t ring the bell and waited for him to come back on his own, they could then have two candies.

In the videos of the experiments, he can see the children hiding their eyes, trying to exercise self-control so they can wait and get two candies. The results are different. Some broke down and rang the bell within a minute. Others lasted 15 minutes.

The children who waited longer went on to get higher academic scores. They got into better colleges and had better adult success. The children who rang the bell quickest were more likely to have received worse teacher and parental evaluations (评价) 10 years later and were more likely to have drug problems at age 32.

The experiments are worth noting because people spend a lot of time thinking about how to improve education, and how to become rich. But when the result is not good, they will come back to ask “How do we get people to get the sort of self-control that leads to success?” This is to enter the world of human nature.

So these experiments, along with everyday experience, tell us that self-control is most important. Young people who can sit through sometimes boring classes to get a degree can work hard in order to learn a language well. They can avoid drugs and alcohol. For people without self-control skills, however, school is a series of failed and painful experience. No wonder they drop out and their later life is a group of foolish ideas, such as drug use, stealing and so on.

1.The scientist did some experiments to ________.

A.find good ways of training children to learn

B.show that children’s education is important

C.test children’s self-control and later success

D.test children’s intelligence of ringing the bell

2.What do the underlined words “broke down” probably mean?

A.failed to wait. B.kept waiting.

C.hid the candy. D.ate the candy.

3.How long did the scientist’s experiments last according to the text?

A.Just 15 minutes. B.Within 10 years.

C.Less than 14 years. D.About 28 years.

4.What will the children without self-control do at school according to the text?

A.They will improve their education.

B.They will suffer a lot from boring lessons.

C.They will become very rich and successful.

D.They will work hard to catch up with others.

    In Canada you can find dogs,cats,horses,etc. in almost every family. These are their pets. People love these pets and have them as their good friends. Before they keep them in their houses，they take them to animal hospitals to give them injections（注射） so that they won't carry disease. They have special animal food stores，though they can get animal food in almost every kind of store. Some people spend around two hundred Canadian dollars a month on animal food. When you visit people's houses，they would be very glad to show you their pets and they are very proud of them. You will also find that almost every family has a bird feeder in their garden. All kinds of birds are welcomed to come and have a good meal. They are free to come and go and nobody is allowed to kill any animal in Canada. They have a law against killing wild animals. If you killed an animal，you would be punished. If an animal happened to get run over by a car, people would be very sad.

People in Canada have many reasons to like animals. One of them might be：Their family ties are not as close as ours. When children grow up，they leave their parents and start their own life. Then the old will feel lonely. But pets can solve this problem. They can be good friends and never leave them alone.

1.The passage mainly talks about ________.

A.how to keep disease from pets B.pets in Canada

C.how to take good care of pets D.life of the old in Canada

2.They give their pets injections before keeping them at their houses because ________.

A.the pets are sick

B.the pets are wild

C.they want to stop them from carrying disease

D.they want them to sleep on the way home

3.This passage shows that Canadians ________.

A.hate animals B.often kill animals

C.love animals D.don't keep pets inside houses

4.In Canada，children leave their parents when they grow up because ________

A.they don't love their parents any more

B.they can only find jobs far from their parents

C.their parents' houses are too small

D.they wouldn't depend on their parents any more

    Here are the most popular events in Los Angeles this year.

Earth Day L. A.

Phone number: (213) 972-8080

Earth Day L.A. offers Downtown L.A.’s citizens, workers and visitors ideas, a place to drop e-waste and solutions on how to do little harm to our planet in daily life. The annual event features performances, composting (制肥堆), and plant giveaways as well as electric vehicle exhibits, which are all free to the public (and to a select number of school groups).

Jackalope Pasadena Spring 2020 Fair

Phone number: (323) 989-2278

Where Local Culture Meets Craft (手工艺)！Come and shop—over 200 handmade makers from fashion, home design, art and more all in one place at Jackalope Pasadena coming up April 25th & 26th. Enjoy a bite to eat from a local food truck or take part in a free yoga class offered throughout the weekend.

Explore Caltech

Phone number: (626) 395- 4652

You’re invited to Explore Caltech as the Institute brings science and engineering out the lab and into the community, sharing the excitement of discovery through family-friendly open-air laboratories, a series of 10- minute talks by Caltech researchers, and a keynote discussion.

Yallwest

Phone number: (310) 395-3204

There are over 100 authors and presenters including New York Times Best Sellers along with local and widely- acknowledged young adult and middle grade writers, plus famous TV, film, video game, and comic creators. A day of book signings, food trucks and rock’ n’ roll.

1.What do we know about the event Earth Day L.A.?

A.It charges less than the other events.

B.It offers people the performing techniques.

C.It contributes to participants’ going green.

D.It leads participants to prefer an electric vehicle.

2.Where can people buy handmade products?

A.Yallwest. B.Earth Day L. A.

C.Explore Caltech. D.Jackalope Pasadena Spring 2020 Fair.

3.What will visitors call if they’re interested in science?

A.(213) 972-8080 B.(323) 989-2278

C.(626) 395- 4652 D.(310) 395-3204

阅读下面短文，根据其内容写一篇60词左右的内容概要。

These days, football is one of the most popular sports in the world. Given that Neil Armstrong wanted to take a football to the Moon, we could even say that it is also the most popular sport out of this world! The history of the game goes back over two thousand years to Ancient China. It was then known as cuju(kick ball), a game using a ball of animal skins with hair inside. Goals were hung in the air. Football as we know it today started in Great Britain, where the game was given new rules.

That football is such a simple game to play is perhaps the basis of its popularity. It is also a game that is very cheap to play. You don't need expensive equipment; even the ball doesn't have to cost much money. All over the world you can see kids playing to their hearts 'content with a ball made of plastic bags; just like Pele did when he was a boy.

Another factor behind football's global popularity is the creativity and excitement on the field. It is fun enough to attract millions of people. You do not have to be a fan to recognize the skill of professional player-how they use their bodies to pass, score and defend can be amazing to see-or to feel the excitement of a game ending with a surprising twist.

What's more, football has become one of the best ways for people to communicate: it does not require words, but everyone understands it. It breaks down walls and brings people together on and off the field. Take, for example, the famous football game on Christmas Day 1914. World War I had broken out months before, but British and German soldiers put down their guns and played football together-one moment of peace to remember during years of conflict.

“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, ...... “said Bill Shankly, the famous footballer and manager. “I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” This might sound funny, but one only has to think about the Earth to realize that our planet is shaped like a football.

假如你是李华，你想申请成为2020年中国国际进口博览会（the 2020 China International Import Expo）的一名英语志愿者，请给外教James写一封邮件求助，请他帮你写推荐信。邮件内容包括：

1. 写信目的；

2. 推荐信的内容、截止时间接收邮箱地址（infò@sinoexpo. cc）；

3. 表达感谢。

注意：

1. 词数不少于80；

2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

    I was worried about the big math test. “It's just so_______, ”I whined (抱怨) to my mother. “You, Dad, and Tyler hardly have to work at all to understand math, and meanwhile I_______for hours to figure out every new concept.” “Sometimes things that are worth_______ take time, Honey,” she responded.

The next day in Language Arts class, when the teacher wrote “Energy and persistence conquer(征服) all things” on the board, it felt like old Ben Franklin was speaking _______to me. “Energy and persistence,” I muttered. “I'll study very day until that math test, and I’ll be  _______ to conquer it.”

The next three weeks were _______, to say the least. Once1 made my plan to spend time _______ everyone wanted me for some new and _______ activity. Each time_______ an invitation, I gritted my teeth(咬紧牙关) and ________ a math test paper with a big A+on it. Happily for me, I got plenty of ________ from various sources. When I showed my study plan to my math teacher, she was ________. At home, my brother was also happy to lend a hand.

When the day of the math exam finally arrived, I was ________ worried. But I knew I had done________ I could. I would love to say that I came home a week later with a big A+ on my exam paper. It did not happen that way. This story did have a ________ending, though. When I came home with a B on my test, my parents took turns to ________ me. “You knew the test would be ________, but you didn't back down,” said my father. “You earned that ________! Perfect grades are nice, ________ we care more about you working hard and learning. We're proud of you.”

So I guess Ben Franklin was right! I didn't get an A+, but with energy and persistence, I definitely conquered what I thought would be the ________ math test.

1.A.upsetting B.embarrassing C.funny D.silly

2.A.examine B.struggle C.pray D.hesitate

3.A.arguing B.considering C.reciting D.learning

4.A.casually B.honestly C.directly D.politely

5.A.sure B.afraid C.curious D.anxious

6.A.boring B.exciting C.challenging D.satisfying

7.A.reading B.thinking C.studying D.writing

8.A.interesting B.dangerous C.private D.violent

9.A.assessed B.confirmed C.longed for D.turned down

10.A.pictured B.checked C.held D.collected

11.A.money B.support C.praise D.reward

12.A.confused B.encouraged C.annoyed D.impressed

13.A.almost B.just C.ever D.still

14.A.everything B.nothing C.something D.anything

15.A.strange B.happy C.sad D.humorous

16.A.amuse B.teach C.hug D.consult

17.A.different B.tough C.special D.awful

18.A.title B.grade C.honor D.right

19.A.or B.because C.so D.but

20.A.impractical B.unfair C.impossible D.unfortunate

How to Become a Glass Half-Full Person

Times are tough and many people are struggling. But just because we can find lots of reasons for feeling down doesn’t mean that we should. We all get to wake up every day and choose whether we are going to be a glass half-full, or a glass half-empty person.1.

Set your intention. Before you step out of bed, take one minute to set your intention for the day by coming up with one word about the attitude or spirit you want to bring to the day. 2.It helps you better focus your time and energy.

Carry yourself like an optimist. Scientists have actually proven that how you present and carry yourself on the outside has a huge impact on how you feel on the inside. 3.Talk with people as though you were the outgoing, confident, optimistic and successful person you wish to be and you will attract all sorts of positive people and opportunities into your life.

4.Often the very thing we need to improve out circumstances require courage. That is, closing the gap between where you are now and where you would like to be in will require stepping outside your comfort zone and doing something that scares you away.

Turn a problem into an opportunity. You can’t solve your problems by complaining about them.5.Where pessimists (悲观主义者) see problems, optimists find opportunities. If you change the way you look at your problems, your problems change and transform into a rich array of opportunities to grow, learn and discover inner resources you never knew you had!

Please try one of these strategies today and let me know how it helps! As an optimist, I am sure it will!

A.Perform an act of courage.

B.Expect good things to happen.

C.Stand tall and smile confidently.

D.Being intentional acts like a compass.

E.Surround yourself with positive people.

F.Below are tips on filling up your cup of optimism.

G.But you can solve them by approaching them from a new angle.

    In the film The Matrix, Agent Smith, a super-computer in human shape, says, “You move to an area, and you multiply, and multiply, until every natural resource is consumed. The only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern: a virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. ”

Yes, relatively speaking, we are just a large virus. While most species live in balance with their ecosystems, we fail to do so. We are taking more from nature than it has to give. We wipe out animals and plants as a virus might invade and kill a host. We are destroying our host, the earth.

Our brain has been our most successful tool for survival. The funny thing is that our mind has developed to such a degree that we have thought up solutions to more survival problems. We are for the first time in earth's history changing nature to suit our comfort and desires. Being a human, I do like the advancement of technology and medicine as we nave the chance to survive longer and sometimes feel less pain. After all, nature is cruel and we can soften its blow through these inventions. However, people surviving genetic faults or illness, could they be actually making the gene pool more “dirty” and could even more people in the future suffer due to an increase in faulty DNA? It seems that even though we deal with a short-term problem we could be causing more. Are we being kind to be cruel?

We are lucky enough to own a brain complex enough to think and create. But we fail to realize the only way to really survive is through respect of our host, the earth, and working with it as the only way a living thing can benefit is by benefiting its host as it depends on it to survive.

1.According to the passage, what characteristics do humans and viruses share?

A.They take and give. B.They expand and destroy.

C.They create and consume. D.They balance and survive.

2.What does the author think of modern technology and medicine?

A.They can help humans control nature. B.They can guarantee purer human DNA.

C.They may reduce humans' effect on the earth. D.They may bring humans more harm than good.

3.What is the author's purpose of writing the passage?

A.To appeal for humans' respect for nature. B.To put forward ways to advance medicine.

C.To talk about a film character, Agent Smith. D.To argue against comparing humans to viruses.

    Everyone procrastinates(拖延). “It's part of the human condition, ”says procrastination researcher Tim Pychyl. “We want to feel good now. The way to do that is avoid the task.” He admits that in the short term, procrastination is powerfully rewarding. The present self-benefits, of course, but not the future self.

His research has shown that people can procrastinate on nearly anything, even enjoyable tasks such as planning a vacation. Some people procrastinate cleaning. Some people procrastinate by cleaning. The top tasks people delay are advancing their careers, taking care of their health, and planning their finances.

One big factor for them is fear of failure, of not living up to expectations. Kelli Saginak, a 57-year-old health coach from Wisconsin, procrastinated about looking for a new job for years. That inability to take action only confirmed her belief that she would never do any better. “It's totally fear of judgment,” says Saginak. “If I don't take the risk, I don't have to face the judgment. Yet it's simply me judging myself.”

Some people embrace procrastination, insisting that the white-hot pressure of a last-minute completion makes his or her work better. But researchers have proved it wrong. “I did an experiment, putting procrastinators under restrictions of time. They did worse than non-procrastinators, but they thought they did better.” says Joseph Ferrari, a psychology professor. “Non- Procrastinators focus on the task that needs to be done. They have a stronger personal identity and are less concerned about what psychologists call social esteem's how others like us.”

Procrastination is usually not going to be good for you. Just thinking about what you haven't done may cause discomfort. So if you have been procrastinating on starting an exercise routine, just put on your walking shoes. If you've been putting off a work project, reread your boss's notes about it.

1.According to Tim Pychyl, people procrastinate because        .

A.it simplifies the tasks B.it offers temporary relief

C.it allows more time for planning D.it benefits one's self development

2.What did Kelli Saginak mean by “Yet it's simply me judging myself”?

A.She has false expectations. B.She makes quick judgement.

C.She regrets taking no action. D.She values her present career.

3.What does Joseph Ferrari's experiment show?

A.Procrastinators usually lack confidence.

B.Procrastinators turn pressure into motivation.

C.Non-procrastinators care much about others 'feelings.

D.Non-procrastinators perform better within a time limit.

4.What is the author's attitude towards procrastination?

A.Favorable. B.Reserved. C.Opposed. D.Objective.

    Fernando, Lucia, and their moms were heading downhill. Tired and hungry, Fernando was eager to have a rest and eat up the sandwich buried in his pack. Lucia desperately wanted to rest her tired feet and legs, which ached terribly from the challenging climb up the mountain. Mountain climbing was not her greatest talent.

Distracted by hunger pains and by the beautiful view of the valley below, Fernando didn't see the large fallen branch steps ahead of him. His foot caught on it, sending him down a steep path. After rolling to a stop, he knew something was wrong with his ankle.

His mom supported him as he tried to stand, but it was much too painful. They tried calling 911, but the surrounding trees blocked their cell phone signals. Analyzing their dilemma, the group decided that Lucia and her mom would climb back to the top of the mountain, where they would set off the emergency flares they carried. Lucia really began to worry when the group settled on this plan. She wasn't confident that her overtaxed muscles could carry her up the mountain a second time in one day!

Fernando's mom stayed with her son, and tried to make him as comfortable as possible.  The air on the mountain was dry and turning cooler. She wrapped him in her jacket to keep him warm and periodically gave him sips of water.

Meanwhile, Lucia and her mom climbed up the mountain-again! A feeling of pride washed over Lucia when she finally made it to the mountaintop-she was tougher than she thought! Then pride turned to amazement when she spotted a helicopter approaching. Quickly, her mom fired a flare, and they shouted and waved to attract attention. The helicopter flew round to let them know that he had seen them. The plan nearer and the pilot circled had worked-they were going to get Fernando safely off the mountain!

1.What happened to Fernando?

A.His ankle got injured by accident. B.A branch knocked him on the head.

C.He went missing in the deep valley. D.He could find his sandwich nowhere.

2.Why did Lucia climb up the mountain again?

A.To signal for help. B.To wait for the helicopter.

C.To search for water. D.To look for Fernando's cellphone.

3.Which words can best describe Lucia's second climb?

A.Painful and fruitless. B.Dangerous but exciting.

C.Tiring yet worthwhile. D.Challenging and enjoyable.