You either have it, or you don’t— a sense of direction, that is. But why is it that some people could find their way across the Sahara without a map, while others can lose themselves in the next street?
Scientists say we’re all born with a sense of direction, but it is not properly understood how it works. One theory is that people with a good sense of direction have simply worked harder at developing it. Research being carried out at Liverpool University supports this idea and suggests that if we don’t use it, we lose it.
“Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around. Says Jim Martland, Research Director of the project. “However, if they are not allowed out alone or are taken everywhere by car, they never develop the skills.”
Jim Martland also emphasizes that young people should be taught certain skills to improve their sense of direction. He makes the following suggestions:
l If you are using a map, turn it so it relates to the way you are facing.
l If you leave your bike in a strange place, put it near something like a big stone or a tree. Note landmarks on the route as you go away from your bike. When you return, go back along the same route.
l Simplify the way of finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town. Streams, or walls in the countryside to guide you. Count your steps so that you know how far you have gone and note any landmarks such as tower blocks or hills which can help to find out where you are.
Now you need never get lost again!
1.Scientists believe that ______.
A. some babies are born with a sense of direction
B. people learn a sense of direction as they grow older
C. people never lose their sense of direction
D. everybody possesses a sense of direction from birth
2.What is true of seven-year-old children according to the passage?
A. They never have a sense of direction without maps.
B. They should never be allowed out alone if they lack a sense of direction.
C. They have a sense of direction and can find their way around.
D. They can develop a good sense or direction if they are driven around in a car.
3.If you leave your bike in a strange place, you should ______.
A. tie it to a tree so as to present it from being stolen.
B. draw a map of the route to help remember where it is.
C. avoid taking the same route when you come back to it.
D. remember something easily recognized on the route.
4.According to the passage, the best way to find your way around is to ______.
A. ask policemen for directions.
B. use walls, streams and streets to guide yourself.
C. remember your route by looking out for steps and stairs.
D. count the number of landmarks that you see.
(A)
Are your table manners much better when you are eating at a friend’s home or in a restaurant than they are at your own home? Probably so. 1you are aware that people judge you by your table manners. You take special pains when you are eating 2. Have you ever stopped to realize how much less self-conscious you would be on such occasions if 3table manners had become a habit for you? You can make them a habit by 4good table manners at home.
Good manners at mealtimes help you and those around you to feel 5. This is true at home as much as it is true in someone else’s home or in a restaurant. Good 6make meals more enjoyable for everyone at the table.
By this time you probably know quite well what good table manners are. You 7that keeping your arms on the table, talking with your 8full and wolfing down your food are not considered good manners. You know also that if you are mannerly, you say “please” and “Thank you” and ask for things to be passed to you.
Have you ever thought of a pleasant attitude as being 9to good table manners? Not only are pleasant mealtimes enjoyable, but they aid digestion. The dinner table is a 10for enjoyable conversation. It should never become a battleground. You are definitely growing in social maturity(成熟) when you try to be an agreeable table companion.
11A. because B. but C. unless D. though
12A. in public B. at home C. at ease D. in a hurry
13A. such B. no C. some D. good
14A. acting B. enjoying C. practicing D. watching
15A. comfortable B. stressed C. depressed D. outstanding
16A. dishes B. manners C. atmospheres D. friends
17A. mention B. prefer C. doubt D. realize
18A. stomach B. bands C. mouth D. bowl
19A. essential B. considerate C. obvious D. unusual
20A. time B. place C. chance D. way
(B)
There is a tendency to think of each of the arts as a separate area of activity. Many artists, 1., would prove that there has always been a warm relationship between the various areas of human activity. 2., in the late nineteenth century the connections between music and painting were particularly 3.。 Artists were invited to design clothes and settings for operas and ballets, but sometimes it was the musicians who were inspired(给…以灵感) by the work of contemporary painters. Of the musical compositions that were considered as 4.to the visual arts, perhaps the most famous is Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
Mussorgsky composed the piece in 1874 after the death, at the age of 39, of the artist victor Hartmann. 5.their friendship had not been a particularly long-lasting one, Mussorgsky was shocked by Hartmann’s 6.death. The following year the critic, Vladimir Stasuv, who decided to hold an exhibition of Hartmann’s work, suggested that Mussorgsky try to 7.his grief by writing something in memory of Hartmann.
The exhibition served as Mussorgsky’s inspiration. The ten pieces that made up Pictures at an Exhibition are intended as 8.rather than representations of the paintings in the exhibition. Between each is a promenade(舞曲中的行进)， 9.the composer walks from one painting to another. The music is sometimes witty and playful, sometimes almost alarming and frightening. Through a range of surprising 10.. Mussorgsky manages to convey the spirit of the artist and his work.
11.A. therefore B. however C. moreover D. otherwise
12.A. For example B. On the contrary C. In general D. On the other hand
13.A. separate B. unknown C. close D. relevant
14.A. links B. additions C. responses D. keys
15.A. Before B. Though C. As D. If
16.A. unavoidable B. undiscovered C. unnecessary D. unexpected
17.A. control B. relieve C. conceal D. represent
18.A. symbols B. imaginations C. contributions D. subjects
19.A. but B. for C. once D. as
20.A. paintings B. topics C. contrasts D. visions
At times, worrying is a normal, ______ response to a difficult event or situation—a loved one being injured in an accident, for example.
A. effective B. individual C. inevitable D. unfavorable
He proved himself a true gentleman and the beauty of his ______ was seen at its best when he worked with others.
A. temper B. appearance C talent D. character
The company is starting a new advertising campaign to ______ new customers to its shores.
A. join B. attract C. stick D. transfer
There was such a long queue for coffee at the interval that we ______ gave up.
A. eventually B. unfortunately C. generously D. purposefully
