Do you have good friends? Do you sometimes feel so close to them that they are like family to you?
It turns out that this isn’t just an expression. A study by Yale University and the University of California, San Diego, has found that you and your friends have more genes in common than strangers do, the Guardian reported.
Researchers looked at the genes of 1,932 people and compared them in pairs of unrelated friends and strangers. They found that friends have 1 percent of genes that match.
“One percent may not sound like much to the layperson (外行), but to geneticists (遗传学家) it is a significant number,” Professor Nicholas Christakis of Yale University told Discovery News. In fact, this is the same amount of genes you share with your fourth cousins, those who have the same great-great-great grandparents as you.
So is it a coincidence that you become friends with people who share your genes? Not at all. In fact, it is evolution that brings you together.
People who share certain genes also share skills and have similar likes and dislikes, researchers said. In ancient times, it was critical that people who were alike stayed together. For example, people who had a similar susceptibility (易感性) to the cold were more likely to help each other build a fire, giving them a better chance to survive.
Researchers also found that among all the genes studied, those affecting sense of smell were the most similar in friends. This is probably because people who smell things in the same way are more easily drawn to similar environments. For example, people who like the smell of coffee may hang out at cafes more often and are therefore more likely to meet and become friends with each other.
Based on their findings, the team has developed an interesting test called the “friendship score”. It calculates how big the chances are that two people will be friends by studying their genes.
So, here is a question for you: would you like to take this test and know in advance who your friends are going to be, or would you still prefer to figure it out by yourself and let time be the judge?
1.What is the author’s main purpose in writing the article?
A.To explain why friends share skills and interests.
B.To report on recent findings about making friends.
C.To analyze what influences the way people make friends.
D.To explain an interesting test called the “friendship score”.
2.According to the researchers of the study, people _______.
A.form friendships by complete coincidence
B.are genetically similar to their friends, compared to strangers
C.make friends with those who share nearly 10 percent of their genes
D.may share more similar genes with their friends than with their fourth cousins
3.With the examples of ancient people developing the ability to speak and helping each other build a fire, the author intends to _______.
A.show how ancient people helped each other survive
B.explain that similar interests are what lead to friendship
C.show that it is evolution that brings friends together
D.tell us why it was easier for ancient people to find friends
4.According to the article, people with similar genes that affect their sense of smell ______.
A.like to hang out at cafes more often
B.are easily attracted to the smell of their friends
C.are more likely to be attracted to a similar environment
D.can identify people in a crowd who can become friends
Some people sit outside for hours without getting bitten by mosquitoes, but it always seems like you’re being eaten alive within minutes of stepping outdoors.
If this is you, you’re not alone. According to Smithsonian Magazine, around 20 percent of people in the world are especially tasty to mosquitoes. What about these people makes mosquitoes’ mouths water?
A popular myth claims that mosquitoes prefer certain blood types, but the fact is that they simply can’t tell what your blood type is from a faraway place. Jonathon Day, a professor of medical entomology (昆虫学) at the University of Florida in the US, told NBC it’s not complicated. “The two most important reasons a mosquito is attracted to you have to do with sight and smell.”
Mosquitoes are especially active in the late afternoon. While flying along, they use their sense of smell to find possible targets. They find victims (攻击对象) by smelling the carbon dioxide (CO2) breathed out by humans and animals. That’s why you commonly find them in crowded streets and parks.
Joop van Loon, an entomologist at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, told Live Science, “Mosquitoes start orienting (使......朝向) themselves to carbon dioxide and keep flying upwind as they sense higher concentrations (浓度).”
As a result, people who simply exhale (呼出) more of the gas over time – generally, larger people – have been shown to attract more mosquitoes than others. “This is why kids don’t get bitten as much ... as adults,” US professor Ted Rosen told Science Alert.
This love for CO2 can also put pregnant women at increased risk for mosquito bites, as they tend to exhale 21 percent more CO2 than people of the same age and size who aren’t pregnant.
In addition to carbon dioxide, the color of the clothes you wear also plays a role in attracting mosquitoes.
According to Live Science, mosquitoes can lock onto targets from up to 50 meters away. At this distance, what we wear has a huge effect. Due to their vision (视觉), people wearing dark colors are more likely to become targets.
Being bitten by mosquitoes is annoying, but don’t worry. Some simple tips can help ward them off. Scientists recommend that we use insect repellent (驱虫剂) and wear light-colored clothing.
1.How do mosquitoes locate their targets, according to the article?
A.By seeking out bright clothes.
B.By identifying different blood types.
C.By sensing an increase of carbon dioxide.
D.By following bigger crowds.
2.Why are pregnant women more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes?
A.Their larger size helps mosquitoes to see them.
B.They breathe out more CO2.
C.They are more likely to sweat.
D.Their body temperatures are higher.
3.How does the article advise you to avoid mosquitoes?
A.Exercise regularly.
B.Wear light-colored clothing.
C.Keep your skin dry and clean.
D.Stay indoors in the evening.
4.What’s the article mainly about?
A.A new finding about mosquitoes.
B.How people can avoid mosquito bites.
C.A popular myth about mosquitoes.
D.Why some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others.
On a recent trip to the island of Newfoundland, Canada, my husband asked our talkative cab driver what made him most proud to be from there.
“Our generosity and hospitality (好客),” he replied in a strong local accent. “Your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, someone will stop to help. People here are kind like that.”
His answer lingered in my mind during that ride with my husband and teenage kids, as we headed out to explore on the first day of our vacation.
Little did I know we were about to experience some of that remarkable Newfoundland kindness for ourselves.
We met Alma that same morning at the start of a long hike.
Our teenagers hurried ahead, and as we walked behind, admiring the scenery, two women in sunglasses and summer hiking gear stopped.
They’d heard us discussing different routes, then asked if we’d like suggestions.
They looked to be in their 40s, and were both enthusiastic to share their local expertise.
We listened eagerly, taking mental notes, until one of the women asked, “You have a car, right?”
I explained that there were no cars available during our week on the island, so we had to rely on cabs instead.
“Oh no,” she said, “you need a car.” And then, as casually as if offering a piece of chewing gum (口香糖), she said: “Take mine!”
Dumbfounded, my husband and I just smiled in disbelief.
“Why not?” She insisted. “You need a car to get to know all these places.”
“But you don’t even know us,” I said.
“That doesn’t matter,” she continued with absolute determination.
Stunned, I looked over at her friend, who shrugged and said, “That’s Alma.”
Forty minutes of talking later, my family climbed into Alma’s car.
We spent the rest of our vacation discovering different areas of this beautiful island.
But it wasn’t the groups of whales we saw, or the vast areas of woodland, that made this place so memorable.
Instead, it was the act of kindness from a complete stranger that made us realize how special Newfoundland really was.
Next year, there’s no doubt where we’ll be taking our summer vacation. Who knows what act of kindness we’ll meet then?
1.What problem did the author’s family have in Newfoundland?
A.They couldn’t understand the local accent.
B.Their car broke down on the first day.
C.They got lost during a hike.
D.They didn’t have a car.
2.The underlined word “dumbfounded” in Paragraph 12 is closest in meaning to ______.
A.shocked B.satisfied
C.relieved D.embarrassed
3.What impressed the author most during her stay in Newfoundland?
A.The talkative cab driver.
B.The whales swimming.
C.The beautiful scenery of the island.
D.The help from an enthusiastic stranger.
4.What can we infer about the author from the last paragraph?
A.She is looking forward to meeting Alma once more.
B.She expects to visit Newfoundland again.
C.She hasn’t decided where to go next year.
D.She also wants to be kind to others during vacation.
On Broadway
Dear friends and community,
We are happy to introduce our new show, On Broadway.
This will be a night of the most entertaining, and thrilling Broadway Shows set on stage.
We would like to honor some of these world class acts in our spectacular show.
You will experience dramatic tangos (探戈), elegant waltzes (华尔兹), and much more.
This production will attract you with its creative dancing, exciting music, and beautiful costumes.
Date: February 20 - April 4, 4 - 6 pm
Admission: $20 presale/$25 on the door
Summer Camp
Our unique and fun summer camp features dancing, fitness, games and other activities.
While having a good time, campers can improve their body coordination (协调), balance, posture, and physical condition.
For the last day, we have planned a performance for family and friends to show everything we have learned during the camp.
Date: Monday July 9 - Friday July 13, 9 am - 12:30 pm
Children Ages 5 & Up
North Carolina Open
I am excited to invite you to attend the North Carolina Open, Charlotte’s first NDCA recognized dance competition.
Located in the beautiful Ballantyne Resort, this is an event you won’t forget. Take part in an elegant evening of dancing, then relax in the spa or get away for a round of golf.
Enjoy a full day of dancing with world-class judges and scholarship opportunities.
Date: September 21
Admission: $30
General Information: Yusimi Cruz, Phone: (704) 892-7000
Dance Center USA is turning 7 years old, so come and celebrate with us!
Anniversary Gala
Wine bar, appetizers (开胃菜), great music, and special performances by Dance Center students and professionals will be waiting for you.
Also, an award ceremony will be held to recognize the outstanding achievement of our students in the past year.
Date: Friday April 29, 8-10 pm
Party Admission: $15
1.How much do you have to pay for a ticket to On Broadway if you book in advance?
A.$15 B.$20
C.$25 D.$30
2.How do children benefit from the summer camp?
A.It helps strengthen their bodies.
B.It enables them to learn from famous dancers.
C.They gain useful camping skills.
D.They learn how to get on with their parents.
3.Which event is available in April at a good price?
A.On Broadway B.Summer Camp
C.North Carolina Open D.Anniversary Gala
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
On the banks of the canal grew some tall dock leaves. Here a mother duck sat on her nest. She was waiting for her ducklings（小鸭子） to hatch(孵化).
At last the eggs started to crack（破壳）. One by one the little ducklings came out of the eggs.
“Cheep! Cheep!”they cried as they saw the big outside world. Soon all the eggs had hatched except one. It was the biggest of all the eggs.
Mother duck sat on the egg a little longer and at last the egg started to crack. Out came the chick.
“Oh dear,” she said, “you're so big and ugly.”
The next day was warm and sunny so the duck took her ducklings down to the water.
One by one the ducklings followed her. Soon they were all swimming. even the big ugly one.
Then they went to the farmyard.
“Stay close to me and watch out for the cat,” Mother duck told her family.
They lived in the yard with the other animals, but the ugly duckling was very unhappy. The other ducks pecked（啄） at him and laughed at him. He wanted to run away as he was so unhappy, and one day he did.
He ran away until he came to the marshes（沼泽） where the wild ducks lived.
He stayed there for two days, feeling very tired and lonely. The wild ducks came and looked at him.
“You're very ugly!” they said and laughed at him.
Poor little ugly duckling! He ran away over the fields and meadows（草地）. The wind blew and the duckling was so cold and tired.
It was getting dark and he looked for somewhere to spend the night. Luckily, he found a little house. There was a gap（间隙） in the door and he went inside for some warmth.
An old woman lived in the house. She had a cat which could purr（咕噜咕噜叫) and a hen which laid eggs.
The old woman said, “If you can lay eggs for us, you can stay.” So he stayed but he couldn’t lay eggs.
The cat said to him. “Can you purr?”
“No, ”said the duckling.
注意
1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2.至少使用5个短文中标有下线的关键词语；
3.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4.续写完成后，请用下标线标出你所使用的关键词语。
提示词：swan天鹅
Paragraph I
Winter was coming and the ground was cold and hard.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2
One day, after he woke up he felt that something strange happened.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
假定你是李华，你的朋友Nick近来沉溺于绝地求生（吃鸡Player unknown’s Battlegrounds）之中不能自拔，你在得知此事后非常担忧，请你给他写一封信予以劝说，内容包括：
1. 你对他的担心
2. 游戏的危害
3. 摆脱游戏的办法
注意：1.词数：80左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Nick,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
