When we think someone is smart，we say they have a big brain．But are there any facts to prove that statement？
Yes ！ In a new study done by Michael McDaniel ， a psychologist at Virginia Commonwealth University，bigger does mean smarter．"For all ages and sex groups，"he says，"it is now very clear that intelligence has something to do with brain volume（容量）．"
McDaniel reached his conclusion after measuring the size and volume of 26 brains with the help of some instruments．He then used standard IQ tests to measure the intelligence of the owners of these brains． But do IQ tests really reveal intelligence？McDaniel believes that they do，and here are other studies to backup that point of view．One study last year found that IQ is related to the amount and distribution（分布） of gray matter in the brain．The study showed that the amount of gray matter in certain places was strongly related to high IQ．The distribution of gray matter in the brain，which is different for different people，could explain why one person with a high IQ is good at math but poor at spelling，while someone else with the same IQ has just the opposite ability．
Yet another recent study found that women have more gray matter（compared with white matter） than men！However，the study also showed that in the areas of the brain specifically（特别地） related to intelligence，men had much more gray matter，which is needed for some tasks，such as doing a math problem．Women ，on the other hand ，had more white matter ，which is necessary for collecting information．And the point is that intelligence can be influenced in different ways．
"On average，"McDaniel says，"smarter people learn more quickly，make fewer mistakes，and are more productive．"He believes in the use of IQ tests to examine those who want to find a job．So，be well，do good work，and…exercise that brain!
1.What does Michael McDaniel's new study prove？ ______
A. Women have more white matter than men．
B. The bigger the brain is，the cleverer the person is．
C. IQ has nothing to do with the amount of gray matter．
D. The brain is filled with large amounts of gray matter．
2.The underlined phrase "back up" in Paragraph 4means ______ ．
A. express B. share
C. change D. support
3.What can we learn from the text？ ______
A. Men are smarter than women．
B. Age has an influence on one's intelligence．
C. McDaniel suggests people do more IQ tests．
D. People with the same IQ may have different abilities
4.The author thinks Michael McDaniel's study is ______ ．
A. crazy B. difficult
C. correct D. subjective （主观的）
I grew up in a house where the TV was seldom turned on and with one wall in my bedroom entirely lined with bookshelves, most of my childhood was spent on books I could get hold of. In fact, I grew up thinking of reading as natural as breathing and books unbelievably powerful in shaping perspectives (观点) by creating worlds we could step into, take part in and live in.
With this unshakable belief, I, at fourteen, decided to become a writer. Here too, reading became useful. Every writer starts off knowing that he has something to say, but being unable to find the right ways to say it. He has to find his ownvoiceby reading widely and discovering which parts of the writers he agrees or disagrees with, or agrees with so strongly that it reshapes his own world. He cannot write without loving to read, because only through reading other people’s writing can one discover what works, what doesn’t and, in the end, together with lots of practice, what voice he has.
Now I am in college, and have come to realize how important it is to read fiction (文学作品)．As a. law student, my reading is in fact limited to subject matter—the volume (量) of what I have to read for classes every week means there is little time to read anything else. Such reading made it all the clearer to me that I live in a very small part in this great place called life. Reading fiction reminds me that there is life beyond my own. It allows me to travel across the high seas and along the Silk Road, all from the comfort of my own armchair, to experience, though secondhand, exciting experiences that I wouldn't necessarily be able to have in my lifetime.
1.What can be inferred about the author as a child?
A. He never watched TV.
B. He read what he had to.
C. He found reading unbelievable.
D. He considered reading part of his life.
2.The underlined word "voice" in the second paragraph most probably means “ ”.
A. an idea
B. a sound quality
C. a way of writing
D. a world to write about
3.What effect does reading have on the author?
A. It helps him to realize his dream.
B. It opens up a wider world for him.
C. It makes his college life more interesting.
D. It increases his interest in worldwide travel.
4.Which of the following can be the best title of this text?
A. Why do I read?
B. How do I read?
C. What do I read?
D. When do I read?
What’s On?
Happy Reunion
July 17—27(not on Saturdays and Sundays), 7: 30 pm PG Theater
Presented by theater director Li Tsung-hsi, “Across the Sea to See You” tells a story of a couple who have a touching reunion after years of separation on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Li says the idea of the drama comes from the story of his grandmother. She reunited with her sister when cross-strait relations became warmer. Following the performances in Shanghai, it will tour around China.
Post-War Art in Rome
August 7—27(closed on Mondays), 10 am-8 pm Prada Rong Zhai
Over 30 paintings and sculptures by Italian artists including Carla Accardi and Afro Basaldella are on display in the “Roma 1950-1965” exhibition at Prada Rong Zhai. The exhibition explores the cultural and art scene that developed in Rome after World War II.
Storage Memory
July 8—18, 11 am-7 pm Power Station of Art
The solo exhibition of works by French artist Christian Boltanski aims to inspire emotional connections through a series of videos, sounds and shadow theater. Boltanski has had a far-reaching influence on the development of contemporary art in Europe.
Traditional Operas
August 20,7: 15 pm STA Experimental Theater
Classic excerpts(节选) from “The Palace of Eternal Youth” and “The Orphan of Zhao” will be performed in memory of Peking and Kunqu Opera artist Yu Zhenfei. Performers include Peking Opera artist Shang Changrong and Kunqu Opera artist Cai Zhengren.
1.Whose works of art show Roman culture after World War II?
A. Yu Zhenfei’s.
B. Li Tsung-his’s.
C. Afro Basaldella’s.
D. Christian Boltanski’s.
2.At which place can people fond of Chinese operas have a great time?
A. PG Theater.
B. Prada Rong Zhai.
C. Power Station of Art.
D. STA Experimental Theater.
3.What do we know about the drama “Across the Sea to See You”?
A. It tells a true story.
B. It stars a theater director.
C. It will be performed at weekends.
D. It will be performed in different cities.
_________ achievement, last week’s ministerial meeting of the WTO here earned a low, though not failing, grade.
A. In terms of B. In case of
C. As a result of D. In face of
Nobody except Bill and Johnny ______ entered the second round of the interview.
A. has B. have
C. had D. having
If he takes on this work，he will have no choice but ______ an even greater challenge.
A. meets B. meeting
C. meet D. to meet
