Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.
Researchers have just offered evidence in a study that says obesity appears to spread through social ties, much like a virus. When one person gains weight, their close friends often follow. But the finding might also offer hope.
The researchers examined more than 40,000 social ties. They found that a person’s chance of becoming severely overweight increased by 57% if a friend had become obese. A sister or brother of a person who became obese had a 40% increased chance of becoming obese. The risk for a wife or husband was a little less than that.
Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medial School was a lead investigator in the study. He says there is a direct causal relationship between a person getting fat and being followed in weight gain by a friend. The study found that the sex of the friends was also an influence. In same-sex friendships a person had a 70% increased risk of becoming obese. Men had a 44% increased risk of becoming obese after weight gain in brother. In sisters, it was 67%.
The researchers also considered the effect of where people lived in relation to each other. James Fowler of the University of California, San Diego, was the other lead investigator. He says a friend who lives a few hundred kilometers away has as much influence as one in the same neighborhood. He says the study demonstrates the need to consider that a major part of people’s health is tied to their social connections.
Both investigators say their research shows that obesity is not just a private medical issue, but a public health problem.
Directions: Complete the following passage by using the sentences given below. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.
It’s time to re-evaluate how women handle conflict at work. Being overworked or over-committed at home and on the job will not get ou where you want to be in life. It will only slow you down and hinder your career goals.
Did you know women are more likely than men to feel exhausted? Nearly twice as many women than men ages 18-44 reported feeling, “very tired” or “exhausted,” according to a recent study.
1. It’s also the age range when many women are trying to balance careers and home. One reason women may feel exhausted is that they have a hard time saying “no.” Women want to be able to do it all -- volunteer for school parties or cook delicious meals -- and so their answer to any request is often “Yes, I can.”
Women struggle to say “no” in the workplace for similar reasons, including the desire to be liked by their colleagues. 2..
At the workplace, men use conflict as a way to position themselves, while women often avoid conflict or strive to be the peacemaker, because they don’t want to be viewed as aggressive or disruptive at work. 3. Men are more likely to face that dispute from the perspective of what benefits them most, whereas women may approach the same dispute from the perspective of what’s the easiest and quickest way to resolve the problem -- even if that means doing the boring work themselves.
This difference in handling conflict could be the deciding factor in who gets promoted to a leadership position and who does not. 4. Shouldering more of the workload may not earn you that promotion. Instead, It may highlight your inability to delegate effectively.
A. Unfortunately, this inability to say “no” may be hurting women’s heath as well as their career.
B. Leaders have to be able to delegate and manage resources wisely -- including staff expertise.
C. For example, there’s a problem that needs to be addressed immediately, resulting in a dispute over who should be the one to fix it.
D. Men and women tend to behave differently when faced with a dispute
E. This may not be surprising given that this is the age range when women have children .
F. The reason why women in this age range suffer so much is that they cannot say “no.”
Types of Social Groups
Life places us in a complex web of relationships with other people. Our humanness arises out of these relationships in the course of social interaction. Moreover, our humanness must be sustained through social interaction -- and fairly constantly so. When an association continues long enough for two people to become linked together by a relatively stable set of expectations, it is called a relationship.
People are bound within relationships by two types of bonds: expressive ties and instrumental ties. Expressive ties are social links formed when we emotionally invest ourselves in and commit ourselves to other people. Through association with people who are meaningful to us, we achieve a sense of security, love, acceptance, companionship, and personal worth. Instrumental ties are social links focused when we cooperate with other people to achieve some goal.
Occasionally, this may mean working with, instead of against, competitors. More often, we simply cooperate with others to reach some end without endowing the relationship with any larger significance.
Sociologists have built on the distinction between expressive and instrumental ties to distinguish between two types of groups: primary and secondary. A primary group involves two or more people who enjoy a direct, intimate, cohesive relationship with one another. Expressive ties predominate in primary groups: we view the people as ends in themselves and valuable in their own right. A secondary group entails two or more people who are involved in an impersonal relationship and have come together for a specific, practical purpose. Instrumental ties predominate in secondary groups ; we perceive people as means to ends rather than as ends in their own right. sometimes primary group relationships evolve out of secondary group relationships. This happens in many work settings. People on the job often develop close relationships with coworkers as they come to share gripes, jokes, gossip, and satisfactions.
A number of conditions enhance the likelihood that primary groups will arise. First, group size is important. We find it difficult to get to know people personally when they are milling about and dispersed in large groups. In small groups we have a better chance to initiate contact and establish rapport with them. Second, face - to - face contact allows us to size up others. Seeing and talking with one another in close physical proximity makes possible a subtle exchange of ideas and feelings. And third, the probability that we will develop primary group bonds increases as we have frequent and continuous contact. Our ties with people often deepen as we interact with them across time and gradually evolve interlocking habits and interests.
Primary groups are fundamental to us and to society. Sociologists view primary groups as bridges between individuals and the larger society because they transmit, mediate, and interpret a society’s cultural patterns and provide the sense of oneness so critical for social solidarity. Primary groups, then serve both as carriers of social norms and as enforcers of them.
1.According to Paragraph 1, which of the following statements is true of a relationship?
A.It is a structure of associations with many people.
B.It should be studied in the course of social interaction.
C.It places great demands on people.
D.It develops gradually over time.
2.Which of the following can be inferred from the author’s claim in paragraph 4 that primary group relationships sometimes evolve out of secondary group relationships?
A.Secondary group relationships begin by being primary group relationships.
B.A secondary group relationship that is highly visible quickly becomes a primary group relationship.
C.Sociologists believe that only primary group relationships are important to society.
D.Even in secondary groups, frequent communication serves to bring people into close relationships.
3.The phrase “size up” in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to “________”.
A.enlarge B.evaluate
C.impress D.accept
4.This passage is developed primarily by ________.
A.drawing comparisons between theory and practice
B.presenting two opposing theories
C.defining important concepts
D.discussing causes and their effects
Information for Visitors.
For large print versions and access information, ask at the Information Desk in the Great Court call +44 (0) 30 7323 8299, or visit britishmuseum.org
Opening times
Great Court
Saturday - Thursday 09:00 - 18:00
Friday 09:00 - 20:30
Galleries and special exhibitions
Saturday - Thursday 10:00 - 17:30
Friday 10:00 - 20:30
Please note that galleries start closing 10 minutes before the published closing times.
For a list of late openings, visit britishmuseum.org or contact the Information Desk
by calling +44 (0) 20 7323 8299
The Museum is closed on 1 January, Good Friday and 24026 December.
Access
Most galleries, events and facilities at the British Museum have level access including all the cafes and the restaurant. The locations of level access toilets are shown on the map, and lifts in the Great Court provide access to all adjacent floor levels. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge from both entrances or booked in advance from the Information Desk.
Temporary exhibitions are regularly accompanied with tactile images and Braille. Audio description is provided for some temporary exhibitions. All major temporary exhibitions have large print information available for use.
Touch Tours are available for the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery (Room 4) and the Parthenon Introductory Gallery (Room 18), which has Bale labels and plaster cast reliefs of the Parthenon sculptures. Request a pack from the Information Desk.
Magnifying glasses are available to borrow from the Information Desk. The Museumj regularly programmes curatorial - led handling sessions for blind and partially - sighted visitors. For further details, contact the Learning, volunteers and Audiences Department at +44 (0) 20 7323 8510 / 8850 or learning@britishmuseum.org.
British Sign Language - interpreted gallery talks take place every month. For details, see the Museum’s bi-monthly guide, What’s On, or contact the information Desk.
A Multimedia guide with signed video commentaries for over 200 highlight objects of the Museum is available from the Multimedia Guide Desk.
A Sound Enhancement System with portable induction loops is available for most gallery talks and to support sign - interpreted tours.
Family activities
Family events are regularly held at weekends and during school holidays. For more details, pick up a Families leaflet. Family backpacks and trails are available from the families Desk in the Great Court at weekends and every day during school holidays. A family souvenir guide book. Explore the British Museum, and Children’s Multimedia Guide are also available.
Events programme
The events programme includes a wide range of lectures, films, special events and courses, including adult learning, family activities and more. For full details, pick up What’s On from the Information Desk in the Great Court.
Regulations for visitors
To heop everyone enjoy the Museum, please:
Keep mobiles in silent mode and don’t take calls in gallery spaces
Don’t touch the objects (you can handle selected objects at the Hands - On desks -- ask at the Information Desk for details)
Don’t smoke on the premises
Don’t eat or drink in the galleries
Sketching with pencil in the galleries is allowed. Photography is permitted in selected galleries, for non-commercial uses. CCTV is in operation at all times in the British Museum.
Facilities
Cloakrooms
The main cloakroom is to the left of the Main entrance, a second cloakroom is located by the Montague Place entrance. The cloakrooms do not accept large luggage (maximum dimensions: 40 × 40 × 50 cm).
(Copyright 2002, 2007 and 2008 the Trustees of the British Museum. Printed in Italy.)
1.Where can you probably find this information?
A.The official website of the British Museum.
B.The map with color plans and visitor information of the British Museum.
C.A leaflet distributed on the streets near the British Museum.
D.The notice board at the entrance of the British Museum.
2.If a family with two adults and three teenagers from the Untied States want to take part in the family activities of the Museum, they should pay attention to the following information EXCEPT that _________.
A.the Museum is closed at Christmas and on New Year’s Day and Good Friday but not on school holiday
B.all the backpacks and luggage including the large ones should be deposited in the cloakrooms before entering
C.families are allowed to touch the selected objects at the Hands - On desks in the museum
D.teenagers an sketch with pencil and take photos in selected galleries for their schoolwork
3.Which of the following statements is true about access to the Museum?
A.Wheelchairs can be borrowed and booked in advance with a deposit.
B.Some major temporary exhibitions don’t provide large print information but audio description is available.
C.The Museum provides curatorial - led handling sessions for blind and partially - sighted visitors if required.
D.Visitors can borrow a Multimedia Guide and a sound enhancement system is available to support sign - interpreted tours.
The Ebro Delta, in Spain, famous as a battleground during the Spanish Ci War, is now the setting for a different contest, one that is making rice farmers fight against two enemies: the rice - eating giant apple snail, and rising sea levels. What happens here will have a bearing on the future of European rice production and the overall health of southern European wetlands.
Located on the Mediterranean, just two hours south of Barcelona, the Ebro Delta produces 120 million kilograms of rice a year, making it one of the continent most important rice - growing areas. As the sea creeps into these fresh-watch marshes, however, rising salinity（盐度）is hurting rice production. At the same time, this sea - water also kills off the greedy giant apple snail, an introduced pet species that fees on young rice plants. The most promising strategy has become the play one enemy off against the other.
The battle is currently being waged on land, in greenhouses at the University of Barcelona. Scientists working under the banner “Project Neurice” are seeking varieties of rice that can withstand the increasing salinity without losing the absorbency that makes European rice ideal for traditional Spanish and Italian dishes.
“ The project has two sides,” says Xavier Serrat, Neurice project manager and researcher at the University of Barcelona. “The short -term fight against the snail, and a mid-to long term fight against climate change. But the snail has given the project greater emergency.”
Originally from South America, the snails were accidentally introduced into the Ebro Delta by Global Aquatic Technologies, a company that raised the snails for fresh-water aquariums（水族馆）but failed to prevent their escape. For now, the giant apple snail’s presence in Europe is limited to the Ebro Delta. But the snail continues its march to new territory, says Serrat.
“The question is not whether it will reach other rice - growing areas of Europe, but when.”
Over the next year and a half investigators will test the various strains of salt - tolerant rice they’ve bred. In 2018, farmers will plant the varieties with the most promise in the Ebro Delta and Europe’s other two main rice- growing regions along the Po in Italy, and France’s Rhone. A season in the field will help determine which, if any of the varieties are ready for commercialization.
As an EU - funded effort, the search for salt - tolerant varieties of rice is taking place in all three countries. Each team is crossbreeding a local European short - grain rice with a long - grain Asian variety that carries the salt resistant gene. The scientists are breeding successive generations to arrive at varieties that in corporate salt tolerance but retain about 97 percent of the European rice genome（基因组）.
1.Why does the author mention the Spanish Civil War at the beginning of the passage?
A.Because it significantly influences the lives of Spanish rice farmers.
B.Because it is extremely important in the records of Spanish history.
C.Because rice farmers there are engaged in another kind of battle of similar importance.
D.Because rice farmers there are experiencing the hardships of wartime.
2.What may be the most effective strategy for rice farmers to employ in fighting their enemies?
A.Striking the weaker enemy first.
B.Killing two birds with one stone.
C.Eliminating the enemy one by one.
D.Using one enemy to fight against the other.
3.What does the Neurice project manager say about the giant apple snail?
A.It can survive only on southern European wetlands.
B.It will invade other rice - growing regions of Europe.
C.It multiplies at a speed beyond human imagination.
D.It was introduced into the rice fields on purpose.
4.What is the ultimate goal of the EU - funded program?
A.Cultivating ideal salt resistant rice varieties.
B.Increasing the absorbency of the Spanish rice.
C.Introducing Spanish rice to the rest of Europe.
D.Popularizing the rice crossbreeding technology.
Dressed in a flowing long robe decorated with beaded floral embroidery from a bygone era, stylist Xiao Hang looks like she surfaced from a time machine as she strides across the bustling Beijing metro, attracting curious glances and inquisitive questions.
China was ______ Western fashion and futuristic technology as its economy boomed in recent decades, but a growing number of young people like Xiao are looking to the ______ for their sartorial choices and wearing traditional “hanfu”, or “Han clothing.”
These historic costumes of the Han ethnic majority are ______ a renaissance（复兴）in part because the government is promoting traditional culture in a bid to boost patriotism and national ______.
Period dramas have also contributed to the ______ in interest for traditional Chinese clothing -- The Story of Minglan, a TV series set in the song Dynasty ______ more than 400 million views in three days when it debuted earlier this year.
There is no ______ definition of what counts as hanfu since each Han-dominated dynasty had its own style, but the outfits are ______ by loose, flowing robes that drape around the body, with sleeves that hang down to the knees.
“When we were little, we would also drape sheets and duvets around ourselves to ______ we were wearing beautiful clothes,” Xiao told AFP.
Xiao, who used to work at a state - owned machine manufacturing company, now runs her own hanfu business, where she dresses customers for photo shoots and even plans hanfu - style weddings.
Yang Jiaming, a high school student in Beijing, wears his outfit under his school uniform.
“Two-thirds of my wardrobe is hanfu,” he said, decked out in a Tang-style beige gown and black boots at a hanfu gathering, ______ that his classmates and teachers have been supportive of his style.
A government supported ______ in Chinese culture has given the hanfu community a boost: Since he entered office in 2012. President Xi has supported the idea of promoting a Han - centric version of heritage.
In April, the Communist Youth League of China ______ a two - day conference for traditional Chinese garb, including hanfu.
A live broadcast of the event drew some 20 million viewers, alongside a heartfelt outpouring of emotions.
“Chinese people have ______ their own culture and chosen Western culture. The red marriage gown has now become a wedding dress,” wrote on user on Bilibili, a video - streaming platform popular among young anime, comic and gaming fans in China.
Clothes are the “______ of culture,” said Jiang Xue, a member of Beijing - based hanfu club Mowutianxia, which has received funding from the Communist Youth League.
“If we as a(n) ______ and as a country do not even understand our traditional clothing or don’t wear them, how can we talk about other essential parts of our culture?” she said.
1.A.witnessed B.pondered C.embraced D.greeted
2.A.future B.present C.past D.moment
3.A.enjoying B.undergoing C.experiencing D.recovering
4.A.approval B.acknowledgement C.confirmation D.identity
5.A.shift B.decline C.surge D.stability
6.A.inspired B.received C.welcomed D.accepted
7.A.uniform B.identical C.permanent D.consistent
8.A.specialized B.characterized C.impressed D.decorated
9.A.show B.prove C.pretend D.declare
10.A.remarking B.claiming C.saying D.adding
11.A.renewal B.renovation C.revival D.review
12.A.promoted B.initiated C.led D.launched
13.A.departed B.associated C.abandoned D.claimed
14.A.protection B.signal C.reproduction D.foundation
15.A.nation B.unity C.people D.integrity
