Dr Wiseman started “the laugh lab” project in September 2001. It is the largest study of humour. Participants（参加者）are invited to log on to the laugh lab website, give a few personal details, tell their favourite jokes and judge the jokes told by other people.
The project will last for a year, and the organizers hope to finally discover the world’s funniest joke. But there is also a serious purpose. The researches want to know what people from different nations and cultures find funny. And they want to find out the differences between the male and female sense of humour. The idea is that if we want to understand each other, we have to find out what makes us laugh.
This is a subject that has long attracted psychologists and philosophers. Most of the time, people are not completely honest. We do things that society expects us to and say things that help us get what we want. But laughing cannot be controlled. When we laugh, we tell the truth about ourselves. By December 2001 over 10, 000 jokes had been submitted. This gave the scientists enough evidence to make early conclusions. It seems that men and women do have different senses of humour, for instance.
“Our findings show the major differences in the ways in which males and females use humour, ” said Dr. Wiseman. “Males use humour to appear superior to others, while women are more skilled in languages and prefer word play. ”Researchers also found that there really is such a thing as a national sense of humour. The British enjoy what is usually called “toilet humour”. But the French like their jokes short and sharp: “You’re a high priced lawyer. Will you answer two questions for $500?” “Yes. What’s the second question?”
The Germans are famous for not having a sense of humour. But the survey found that German participants were more likely to find submitted jokes funny than any other nationality. Perhaps that proves the point. Is this joke funny? I don’t know, but let’s say yes, just to be safe.
Dr Wiseman and his workmates also submitted jokes created by computer. But none of those who took part in the survey found any of them amusing. Perhaps this is relief. Computers already seem like they can do everything. At least they should leave the funny stuff to us.
1.Scientist started “ the laugh lab” project________
A. to find the funniest joke in European countries
B. to get more personal details about participants
C. to know what funny people are like from different nations and cultures
D. to find out the differences between the male and female sense of humour
2.We can infer from the passage that________.
A. most of the people all over the world are completely honest
B. people tell the truth about themselves only when they laugh
C. ordinary people are not interested in “the laugh lab” project at all
D. psychologists and philosophers take interest in the “laugh lab” project
3.According to the passage, we can safely say that ________.
A. Jokes created by computer are less appealing to people.
B. Men and women have similar senses of humour.
C. The project lasted from September, 2001 to December, 2001.
D. Scientists have collected enough evidence to make final conclusions.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A. Funny or not?
B. Laugh louder!
C. Men laugh better.
D. Watch out for the trap in jokes!
China is a land of bicycles. At least it was back in 1992 when I traveled the country. Back then everyone seemed to be riding a bicycle. Millions of them，all black. Cars were rare. Yet since my arrival in Beijing last year，I've found the opposite is true. There are millions of cars. However，people still use their bicycles to get around. For many，it's the easiest and cheapest way to travel today. Bicycles also come in different colors—silver，green，red，blue，yellow，whatever you want.
It's fun watching people biking. They rush quickly through crossroads，move skillfully through traffic，and ride even on sidewalks(人行道)．Bicycles allow people the freedom to move about that cars just can't provide.
Eager to be part of this aspect of Chinese culture，I decided to buy a bicycle. Great weather accompanied(陪伴)my great buy. I immediately jumped up on my bicycle seat and started home.
My first ride home was orderly(守秩序的)．To be safe，I stayed with a “pack” of bikers while cars on the streets came running swiftly out of nowhere at times. I didn't want to get hit. So I took the ride carefully.
Crossing the streets was the biggest problem. It was a lot like crossing a major highway back in the United States. The streets here were wide，so crossing took time，skill and a little bit of luck.
I finally made it home. The feeling on the bicycle was amazing. The air hitting my face and going through my hair was wonderful. I was sitting on top of the world as I passed by places and people. Biking made me feel alive.
1.According to the author，why are bicycles still popular in China today?
A. Because they are convenient and inexpensive.
B. Because they are traditional and safe.
C. Because they are colorful and available.
D. Because they are fast and environment friendly.
2.The author decided to buy a bicycle because he intended .
A. to ride it for fun
B. to use it for transport
C. to experience local culture
D. to improve his riding skills
3.How did the author feel about his street crossing?
A. It was boring
B. It was wonderful.
C. It was lively.
D. It was difficult.
4.Which of the following can BEST describes the author's biking experience?
A. The author enjoyed showing off his biking skills.
B. The author was annoyed by the air while riding.
C. The author was praised by the other bikers.
D. The author took great pleasure in biking.
I can’t think of a better way of appreciating a new culture than by taking part in one of its festivals. You’ll find that some festivals are celebrated by an entire country, while others may be known only to a single city or region, but either way festivals play an important role in a certain culture. Just enjoy them!
★ Tomatina — Bunol, Spain
Every last Wednesday in August, the town of Bunol is filled with tons of tomatoes in the world’s biggest food flight. Many people wear goggles (护目镜) during this hour of great fun, as the town becomes a red river.
★ Boryeong Mud Festival — Boryeong, South Korea
For two weeks in July, millions gather in Boryeong to experience the grey pools and slides. What began as a way to help sell the region’s mineral-rich mud has turned into a festive party with music and fireworks. The mud is usually only available in cosmetic products (化妆品), but here you can cake yourself in grey as you want.
★ Holi — India
Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India’s most important holidays. During the day of the last full moon of the lunar month, usually late February or early March, the air is full of brightly colored powder (粉末). The festival is celebrated differently throughout the country, with bonfires and music, but the cheerful spirit is common among Hindu people around the world.
★ International Pillow Fight Day — Worldwide
Tens of thousands of people took part in the 4th annual International Pillow Fight Day on April 2, 2013. From London to Vancouver to many other cities, the festival is held in more than 100 countries. So just bring a soft pillow in early April, and watch feathers fly.
1.According to the author, _______________.
A. there should be festivals celebrated by the whole world
B. festivals give people the best chances to experience a culture
C. it’s usually hard for people to accept a different culture
D. festivals in a certain culture often change with time
2.We learn from the passage that _______________.
A. the town of Bunol in Spain is on a river
B. cosmetic products sell well on Boryeong Mud Festival
C. International Pillow Fight Day has a short history
D. Holi is the greatest festival for Indian people
3.The passage is most likely to be found in __________.
A. a personal diary
B. a technical report
C. a geography book
D. a travel magazine
假定你是李华，你校在3月22日“世界水日”来临之际将举办系列活动。请写封邮件给学校英语外教Green，请他为本校学生开设讲座。邮件的内容包括：
1．讲座主题：废水处理与利用：
2．讲座目的：
3．讲座时间及时长。
注意：
1．词数100左右：
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3．不得透露考生本人所在学校及个人真实信息。
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。
I liked cycling very much. At age of twelve, my father bought me a bike as a birthday gifts and taught me how to ride. Every time my father took him out for practice, my little brother would come along. One day, we were practicing while suddenly my brother screamed to help. When we rushed to him, we saw a snake wind around a frog tightly. I beg my father to save the frog. Immediate he picked it up a long stick, trying to drive the snake away. About two minutes later, the frog was set loose, what made us so happy.
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love for reading and builds community. It is also referred to 1. neighborhood book exchanges around the world. This is a creative idea 2. (think) up by Todd Bol and Rick Brooks in 2009, which seeks 3.(put) small book exchange boxes right in front of a house or on a street corner to offer free books to 4.(member) of the local community. Mini libraries of all shapes and sizes exist, from a5.(bright) painted wooden house to a library based on Doctor Who's TARDIS.
6.makes the idea so special? Their website states: "Little Free Libraries have a unique, personal touch and there is an understanding that people are sharing their favorite books with their community. These are not just any old books 7.a carefully organized collection. Besides, the library 8. (it) is a piece of neighborhood art!"
Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books9.(exchange) each year among readers of all ages and backgrounds. They also play an important role in remote areas by10.(provide) access to books and encouraging a love for reading.
