What do babies, puppies and cartoon characters have in common? 1.
Cute animals and babies attract our attention and make us want to take care of them, which gives them an evolutionary advantage, according to Austrian zoologist Konrad Lorenz.
2.When we look at babies, we are attracted to certain facial features. These features make us want to take care of them so they can grow up healthily and pass their genes on to the next generation.
Looking at baby animals and cartoon characters also causes these feelings.
Childlike characteristics make babies sweet and lead us to build close ties with them. 3.
There are several features that can cause this feeling. 4.If a baby animal or human wobbles (摇摇摆摆) a bit when walking, that can make them seem even cuter.
Of course, we don’t raise baby animals the same way we raise human babies, and we don’t raise cartoon characters at all. 5.Cute cartoon characters become popular this way, and baby animals are more likely to be cared for properly.
Think about some of the things that you find cute, and you’re likely to see that they have some of the same characteristics as a human baby.
A. The science behind cuteness is still unclear.
B. The answer is that they all look cute.
C. This even works when we see things that remind us of a baby.
D. A large round head, large eyes, and soft skin are just some of these features.
E. However, babies get less cute as they get older.
F. Human babies are a good example.
G. But their cuteness does make us like them and want to take care of them.
Every year, millions of people make the same New Year’s resolution(决心): to lose weight. But there’s a problem that requires as much resolution to change as weight: the societal prejudice surrounding weight and obesity.
For decades, researchers have documented negative attitudes toward overweight people - a form of prejudice known as “weight bias (偏见).” People with obesity are commonly viewed as lazy, unintelligent, unattractive, and lacking willpower and self-control. Weight – based discrimination is found in educational, employment and health care settings, yet minimal legal protection exists for those who are targeted. In addition to experiencing weight bias from others, people with obesity tend to accept weight-biased beliefs, leading to lower self-worth.
Some people argue that bitter messages about weight are necessary to motivate those with obesity to take responsibility for their health and lose weight. After all, critics say, it’s their own fault that they are “fat,” and, if they really wanted to, they could control their weight. In this view, promoting body acceptance would only weaken behavior change and encourage obesity.
The problem with this argument is that it flies in the face of hundreds of scientific studies showing the negative health effects associated with experiencing and accepting weight-biased beliefs. The psychological effect of being undervalued due to one’s weight may not seem surprising: increased risk for depression, anxiety, and even self-harming thoughts and attempts in youth.
Also worth noting are the effects of weight bias on weight gain and obesity-related health. Studies show that weight bias is stressful, and when people are under stress, they tend to eat more. Further, when people worry about being judged due to their weight, they avoid fitness and health care setting.
In the coming year, whether or not weight loss is a goal, we can all make efforts to get rid of weight bias and be a little kinder to ourselves and others.
1.What do we know about obese people?
A.They are fond of making resolutions.
B.They are lacking in self-control.
C.They care little about others’ opinions.
D.They tend to undervalue themselves.
2.Why do some people support bitter messages about weight?
A.They can encourage obese people to lose weight.
B.They can improve self-worth in obese people.
C.They can promote body acceptance.
D.They can relieve depression.
3.What does the underlined part “flies in the face of” in Paragraph 4 mean?
A.Confirms. B.Copies. C.Splits up. D.Goes against.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.A healthy diet: good for your mind and body
B.New Year’s resolution: lose weight bias instead of weight
C.Control your weight by accepting the bitter messages readily
D.Eat your own way regardless of others’ thoughts
One cold December morning in 2017, I boarded a bus with my four large bags at Chandigarh, where I’d been working. I was headed home to Rampur Bushahr, Himachal Pradesh. A few hours into the journey a well-dressed young man got in at Shimla and took the seat next to mine. I was very cautious. I’d often come across men eager to chat up a girl traveling on her own. So I wasn’t surprised when he spoke up.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Rampur,” I replied and put on my earphones. He didn’t bother me after that.
It started to rain and water was dripping through the roof right on to my lap. Seeing that, the man emptied a plastic shopping bag full of clothes, which he pushed into his travel bag. He then handed me the plastic bag. I accepted it with a sheepish “thanks” before spreading it on my lap.
Minutes later, the bus broke down! The conductor announced we’d have to move to another bus that would reach us shortly, and that there’d be no more buses after that, since there had been heavy snowfall near Shimla. My co-passengers got off and stood on the road, ready to rush into the next bus. The conductor reluctantly helped me offload my luggage.
When the bus finally arrived, it had many passengers already. The crowd struggled to get in and I was pushed aside. As I stood there feeling very upset, I saw a hand waving out to me from the entrance to the bus. It was the same young man. He stood there blocking the doorway. I passed my bags to him and he placed them inside one by one, as if we were family traveling together. He then gently helped me in. I soon got pushed to the middle of the bus, where I stood for the next two hours. As we approached Rampur, I craned my neck to look for him – I knew he had been standing right in front. He was not there, and I badly wanted to talk to him. He must have got off at an earlier stop without letting me know. Why would he? He’d done what he had to. I was the one who couldn’t apologize for my attitude or thank him.
1.At first, the author assumed the young man was trying to ____.
A.steal her belongings
B.seek her help
C.make small talk with her
D.lend his hand
2.Why did the man empty one of his plastic shopping bags?
A.To find a coat for the author to get changed into.
B.To cover the window and prevent the rain from coming in.
C.To remove his clothes from inside it and put them into his travel bag.
D.To help the author to keep out of the rain.
3.How is the article mainly developed?
A.By cause and effect.
B.By comparison.
C.By time order.
D.By examples.
Albert Einstein was an extraordinary physicist, but no artist. Pablo Picasso could paint anything, but he had no talent for science. Lionel Messi is great at soccer, but nobody talks about his singing ability.
This specialization of talent may seem normal, but it may be a modern phenomenon. In English, we have a term for people with broad knowledge and skills: “Renaissance man (or woman)”. It refers to the European Renaissance, a time when it became common to study a wide range of subjects. This led to complex works of art, invention and philosophy that transformed European culture.
The classic Renaissance man was undoubtedly Leonardo da Vinci, who died 500 years ago. Even today, he is regarded as one of the great creative minds of the Italian Renaissance. “He was hugely influential as an artist and sculptor but also greatly talented as an engineer, scientist and inventor,” says the BBC.
At 14, Da Vinci became an apprentice (学徒) of the popular sculptor and goldsmith Andrea del Verrocchio. Young Leonardo learned how to draw and paint in his workshop, but he was also introduced to chemistry, metallurgy and carpentry. He acquired so many skills that it became natural for him to try new things. The man who would design a flying machine and a military tank set his life course during these early years.
It is interesting to note that his skills as a draftsman (画师) were important in both his artistic and his scientific activities. For instance, he made marvelously detailed drawings of moving water, but not really for artistic reasons. As The Conversation notes, Da Vinci wanted to learn about moving water so he could benefit people. For this purpose, he eventually drew up plans for canals.
Da Vinci was also fascinated by anatomy (解剖学). He dissected (切开) bodies and drew detailed pictures of what he saw. These drawings anticipated the future of scientific medicine.
Apart from his scientific drawings, Da Vinci had a genius for painting lifelike images of people. Even today, this ability stands out in works like the Mona Lisa (1503). With her famous smile, we recognize her as a flesh-and-blood human like ourselves.
The best epitaph (碑文) for Da Vinci may be his own words:”Learning never exhausts the mind.” His numerous projects over 67 years make it clear that his mind was never exhausted. Five centuries after his death, his life and work inspire would-be Renaissance men and women everywhere.
1.“Renaissance man” is mentioned mainly to____.
A.show that people in the past were less talented
B.compare the great minds of the Renaissance
C.introduce Da Vinci as a representative
D.show how Da Vinci created the world
2.What do we know about Da Vinci?
A.He learned anatomy in his childhood.
B.He designed a military tank in his later years.
C.He invented 67 things in his lifetime.
D.His drawings were both artistic and scientific.
3.Which of the following best describes Da Vinci?
A.Hardworking and humorous.
B.Knowledgeable and creative.
C.Imaginative and easygoing.
D.Open-minded and generous.
4.How would the author probably describe Da Vinci’s painting style?
A.Realistic. B.Mysterious. C.Abstract. D.Modern.
St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife
An ancient university, breathtaking medieval ruins, and old-fashioned coastal villages: explore all this and more on our adventure through Fife.
• Places you’ll explore
Forth Bridge - An incredible engineering achievement, and a UNESCO World Heritage sight.
Anstruther - Be charmed by the cobbled lanes and quaint(古色古香的)buildings of this traditional fishing village.
St Andrews Cathedral - This ruined cathedral was once one of Scotland’s most splendid buildings.
St Andrews Old Town - Enjoy the 1,000 years of history as you explore the old streets and ancient castle.
The Old Course - Golf was so popular in Scotland, but it was banned in the 15th century. And nowhere was it more popular than in St Andrews, the Home of Golf.
Historic Village of Falkland - This quaint town in the Kingdom of Fife boasts a beautiful palace and a peaceful setting.
• Tour detail
Departs 09:30 - Rabbie’s Cafe Bar, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG
Returns 18:00 approx
• Prices
• Adult price: £45 per person
• Discount price: £40 per person (Seniors over 60 and children between 5 and 15; unfortunately, we don’t allow children under 5 years old on the tour)
• Important information
• Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
• Falkland Palace is closed from November to Easter
• Tour inclusions
• Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
• Air conditioning as standard
• The stories and services of a Rabbie’s driver-guide
• Tour exclusions
• Entry fees to visitor attractions
• Customer reviews
A great day
Howard Carroll, posted on 18/05/2017
A great day out. Fully recommend the tour. Gillian and Eric were not only friendly but very knowledgeable.
Excellent tour guide
M W Grzelak, posted on 15/02/2017
First time but not my last. Grant was an excellent and intelligent guide who cherishes his Scottish heritage. The tour offered the best venues (场地) and just enough time to experience them.
1.What do we know about the places included in the tour?
A.Anstruther has a modern look.
B.St. Andrews Cathedral is in good condition.
C.There is an ancient castle in Falkland Village.
D.Golf was once a very popular sport in St Andrews.
2.A 48-year-old father with his 16-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son should pay at least ____.
A.£120 B.£125 C.£130 D.£135
3.Which of the following statements is TRUE about the tour?
A.Tour guide services are provided. B.Falkland Palace is open in December.
C.The tour lasts for two days. D.Entry fees to all attractions are included.
4.The tour is made more appealing by ____.
A.offering different travel options B.presenting the good comments from customers
C.showing comparisons with other tours D.giving special offers to all customers
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What did the speaker enjoy as a young child?
A.Running. B.Climbing. C.Swimming.
2.What was the speaker doing when he injured himself?
A.The long jump. B.A handstand. C.A forward roll.
3.For how many weeks did the speaker have to give up exercising?
A.Four. B.Eight. C.Twelve.
4.What was the change for the speaker after the incident?
A.He developed a new hobby.
B.He began to read love stories.
C.He enjoyed physical challenges even more.
