Napping(小睡) after learning something new could help improve your memory--- as long as you dream, scientists say.
They found people who dream about a new task do it better on waking than those who do not sleep or do not dream.
Volunteers were asked to learn the layout(布局，设计) of a 3D computer maze(迷宫) so they could find their way several hours later. Those allowed to take a pap and who also remembered dreaming of the task, found their way to a landmark quicker.
The researchers think the dreams are a sign that unconscious(无意识的) parts of the brain are working hard to process information about the task..
Dr. Robert Stickgold of Harvard Medical School, said dreams may be a marker that the brain is working on the same problem at many levels.
Study tips
Co-author Dr. Erin Wamsley said the study suggests our non-conscious brain works on the things that it deem(认为) are the most important.
“Every day we are gathering lots of information and new experiences,” she said. “It would seem that our dreams are asking the question, “How do I use this information to inform(影响) my life?”
The scientists say there may be ways to use this phenomenon(现象) for improving learning and memory. For example, students might be better studying hard before bedtime, or taking a nap after a period of afternoon study.
1. Scientists say ______ could help improve your memory.
A. dream B. nap C. nap and dream D. nap without dream
2. What were volunteers asked to do?
A. Take a nap. B. Dream a task. C. Learn about 3D computer. D. Find their way out of a maze.
3.Which is right about dreams?
A. They are a sign that parts of the brain is unconscious.
B. They can help us fall asleep and improve learning and memory.
C. They tell us how to use this information to inform our life.
D. They may be a marker that the brain is working on the same problem.
4.When is the best time for study?
A. Before bedtime. B. After bedtime. C. Before taking a nap. D. In the afternoon.
I’ve loved my mother’s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as mother sat doing letters. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the most wonderful thing in the world.
Years later, during her final illness, mother kept different things for my sister and brother. “But the desk,” she’d said again, “it’s for Elizabeth.”
I never saw her angry, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me; she showed it in action. But as a young girl, I wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter
They never happened. And a gulf opened between us. I was “too emotional(易动感情的)”. But she lived “on the surface”.
As years passed I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive me.
I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came.
My hope turned to disappointment, then little interest and, finally, peace—it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn’t be sure that the letter had even got to mother. I only knew that I had written it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not.
Now the present of her desk told, as she’d never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work. I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside--- a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded(折叠) and refolded many times.
Give me an answer, my letter asks, in any way you choose. Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.
1.The writer began to love her mother’s desk____________.
A. after Mother died.
B. before she became a writer.
C. when she was a child
D. when Mother gave it to her
2. The passage shows that _____________.
A. mother was cold on the surface but kind in her heart to her daughter
B. mother was too serious about everything her daughter had done
C. mother cared much about her daughter in words
D. mother wrote to her daughter in careful words
3.The word “gulf” in the passage means ____________.
A. deep understanding between the old and the young
B. different ideas between the mother and the daughter
C. free talks between mother daughter
D. part of the sea going far in land
4.What did mother do with her daughter’s letter?
A. She had never received the letter.
B. For years, she often talked about the letter.
C. She didn’t forgive her daughter at all in all her life.
D. She read the letter again and again till she died.
5.What is the best title of the passage?
A. My Letter to Mother B. Mother and Children
C. My Mother’s Desk D. Talks between Mother and Me
Do you like drinking Coke? As a symbol of American culture, Coca-Cola is liked by many people, especially young people all around the world. But from now on, perhaps it will sales of high-sugar fizzy(起泡的) drinks in US school.
The agreement allows only unsweetened juice, low-fat milk and water in primary and middle school vending machines and cafeterias. The agreement is “a bold(大胆的) step forward in the struggle to help 35 million young people lead healthier lives”.
Rising childhood obesity(肥胖) has become a big problem in America. A report noted that obesity has tripled(增至三倍) among teenagers in the past 25 years. It called for new limits on the marketing of junk food to children. Soda is a particular target because of its caloric content and popularity among children.
Britain has already taken similar steps to fight obesity. A recent study shows that people in the UK are much healthier than the people in the US. However, it’s better late than never. Now American schools are trying to make new regulations to guide the students to choose healthy drinks.
1._________ has become a big problem in America.
A. Junk food B. Drinking coke C. Obesity D. Health
2.Why is soda a particular target?
A. Because it tastes good.
B. Because it has more calories and is popular among kids.
C. Because it is not a healthy diet.
D. Because it is a symbol of American culture.
3.What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A. Britain has no such problem as obesity.
B. People in UK are healthier than people in US.
C. Americans are much healthier than British people.
D. New regulations have been made to guide students in US school.
In the United States, sixteen, eighteen, and twenty-one are important ages in a person’s life. There are no special celebrations for these birthdays, but each is a time when a person can do new things to mark their transition(转变) into adulthood.
After turning sixteen a person can work, get a driver’s license and leave home. Many high school students learn to drive and get part-time jobs soon after celebrating their sixteenth birthday.
At the age of eighteen a person in the United States can vote and smoke, but they are prohibited from going into nightclubs, buying wine or gambling(赌博) until they are twenty-one.
In many Latin(拉丁的) cultures, a young woman’s fifteenth birthday is important. At this age, she is regarded as an adult. To mark this special day, families with teenage daughters have a celebration called a Quinceanera. The day begins with the young woman and her family going to church. Later, there is a party and many guests are invited.
In Japan, young people became adults at twenty. At this age, they can legally(合法地) vote, drink wine and smoke. The second Monday in January is a national holiday called “Coming of Age Day”. On this day, twenty-year-old celebrates by first going to church to pray with their families. Later, they listen to speeches given by city and school leaders. Afterward, they may celebrate with family or friends late into the night.
In some countries, birthday celebrations continue through adulthood. Some people celebrate their fortieth and fiftieth birthdays, or their retirement(退休) year, with a huge party.
1. In the United States, age sixteen marks the time when you can ___________.
A. vote and drive B. drive and get a job C. drink wine and smoke D. go into nightclubs
2.Which of the following is not the turning point in a person life in the USA?
A. The 15th birthday. B. The 16th birthday. C. The 18th birthday. D. The 21st birthday.
3.What is the meaning of the word “prohibit”?
A. 允许 B. 禁止 C. 终止 D. 停止
Time spent in a bookshop can be enjoyable. If you go to a ___36___shop, no assistant will come near to you and say “Can I help you? ” You ____37____buy anything you don’t want. You may try to ___38____where the book you want is. But if you can’t , the assistant will lead (引导 ) you there and then he will go away. It seems that he is___39___selling any books at all.
Once a medical student found a very useful book in the shop, ___40____it was too expensive for him to buy. He couldn’t get it from the library, ____41___. So every afternoon, he went there to read___42___at a time. One day, however, he couldn’t find the book from its usual place and ___43____when he saw an assistant signing to him. To his surprise, the assistant pointed to the book in the corner, “I put ____44____ there so as not to be sold out,” said the assistant. Then he ___45___ the student to go on with his reading.
1.A. good B. bad C. cheap D. expensive
2.A.shouldn’t B. don’t need to C. mustn’t D. can’t
3.A. look for B. search C. find out D. find
4.A. surprised at B. not surprised at C. interested in D. not interested in
5. A. and B. but C. so D. or
6.A. either B. also C. too D. as well
7.A. little B. a little C. few D. a few
8. A. left B. leave C. to leave D. was leaving
9.A. you B. them C. it D. yours
10.A. left B. let C. helped D. taught
Tom would rather _________than _________.
A. stay at home , go out B. to stay at home , to go out
C. to stay at home , go out D. stay at home , to go out
