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.
It's natural for parents to praise their children, but offering this praise could actually backfire, according to new science.
In the study, researchers at Michigan State University looked at 123 children who were about 7. The team assessed the children to determine whether they had a “growth mindset" (believing that you can work harder to get smarter), or a “fixed mindset" (believing that your intelligence is unable to change). They then asked the children to complete a fast-paced computer accuracy task while their brain activity was recorded.
Based on the data they collected, the researchers concluded that children with a growth mindset were much more likely to have a larger brain response after making a mistake, and in turn were more likely to improve their performance by paying closer attention to the task after making an error.
While previous research has shown that people with a fixed mindset didn't want to admit they had made a mistake, this study found that children with a fixed mindset were able to — “bounce back” after making an error, but only if they gave their full attention to the mistakes. “The main implication here is that we should pay close attention to our mistakes and use them as opportunities to learn study author Hans Schroder told Science Daily.
For parents, the lessons are clear—if a child hands you an A+ test, don't say “You're so smart! ”
Instead, say “Wow, that studying really paid off!" or “You clearly mastered this material — way to go!" Note the effort, not the intelligence.
Second, focus on using errors to work together and learn. Many teachers and parents avoid addressing children's mistakes, telling them “It's OK. You'll get it next time. . . ” Without giving them the opportunity to figure out what went wrong. Dr. Schroder says, "Instead, it's better to
reassure children that mistakes happen, and to pay attention and work to figure out where and how they made the mistakes. ”
1.The underlined word “backfire" in Paragraph 1 probably means “ ” .
A.make a loud noise B.leave a good impression
C.have an opposite result D.produce an explosion
2.According to the text, which one belongs to the group who has a “growth mindset" ?
A.Tom manages to correct every mistake by heart.
B.Mary believes her mistakes are made by chance.
C.John keeps an idea that he has a good gift for studying.
D.Lily thinks she can get A+ without any effort.
3.If your child gets the best mark in the test, you should .
A.praise him with some delicious food and money
B.comment him to be cleverer than other students
C.confirm his effort that he has made for the test
D.believe that he is an honest and smart child
4.What should parents do with the child's mistakes from Dr. Schroder?
A.Parents should avoid talking with child about his mistakes.
B.Parents should compare his mistakes with others' and criticize him.
C.Parents should ignore the mistakes and believe he will do better.
D.Parents should analyse the mistakes with their child patiently.
Que Liu and his wife Si En spend their mornings picking Pu’er leaves in a forest not far from their village in the highlands of southwest China.
Pu’er is a kind of tea that is famous for its complex taste. Tea lovers say its taste changes with each following steeping (续泡). But the crop this year has been small at Nannuoshan, one of the six major Pu’er mountains in Yunnan Province. The hottest weather and lowest rainfall totals in years have reduced production. “Drought has cut production by about half this spring,” said Zi Sai, the son of Que Liu and Si En.
Local officials blame climate change for an increase in drought-like conditions in recent years. The dry weather has worsened over the past 20 years, with this year’s drought breaking some records. “The entire rainfall pattern has changed due to global warming,” said Xiao Chan, head of weather services at China’s National Climate Center in Beijing.
Pu’er trees grow in the cloud-covered forests of Yunnan. The trees require no fertilizers or pesticides (农药), unlike the tea trees grown on large farms elsewhere. The adult plant normally reaches a height of four meters. Spring produces the highest-quality leaves from the trees. The summer harvest, with a higher percentage of water, is considered to be lower in quality. Summer leaves are sold for mass consumption.
The drought conditions hurt the economy of the 32 villages of Nannuoshan. “My family depends wholly on Pu’er tea for survival, earning about 200,000 yuan a year,” said Zi Sai’s uncle, Si Da, who is 44. “That represents just over $28,000. This year, our income has been cut by tens of thousands of yuan.”
While one ancient tree, said to date from 800 years ago, survived the drought, other younger trees did not. “If these kinds of trees survive, they may need three to five years for a full recovery.” Si Da added. “These trees are quite pitiful. They should have been protected like children.”
1.How is the climate in the Pu’er tea planting areas in recent years?
A.It is too wet. B.It is much colder.
C.It is changing regularly, D.It is becoming much drier.
2.What’s the advantage of Pu’er trees compared with the tea trees planted on other big farms?
A.They are short and small. B.They are pollution-free.
C.They grow on large farms. D.They are picked at all seasons.
3.What does Si Da think of the younger tea trees?
A.They were easy to live on.
B.They should have been taken good care of.
C.They took only a short time to fully recover.
D.They had better be cut down to earn money.
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A.The extreme weather ruins tea farms.
B.Famous tea in China might disappear.
C.Few tea trees survive natural disasters.
D.Drought hurts Pu’er tea crops in China.
An unusual trip to Hawaii brought two strangers closer and closer and their story deserves a wide spread.
As her plane sliced through the sky above the ocean, there came a sudden thunderstorm. Five minutes later, Uemoto and her copilot McMahon heard a strange sound. Then, without warning, they lost power to both of the engines. It took them a moment to process the fact that they might crash. The pilots powered through the items on the emergency checklist. Nothing worked. As the plane was falling, they jumped into the ocean.
By ten that night, their bodies began trembling uncontrollably in the cool night air. Something must be done to pull them through. Swimming on her stomach, Uemoto had McMahon wrap his arms around her knees so he could rest his head on the back of her legs. To be with someone else and to feel another person's comforting presence in the darkness somehow made the suffering bearable.
When the sun rose the next morning, they caught sight of the island of Hawaii, the destination they had dared dream! Suddenly, Uemoto saw a shark, which made her breath catch in her throat. "What do we do? What do we do?" Uemoto asked, panicked. "Just keep looking forward! If it comes close, I'll kick it in the eye!" said McMahon evenly. Unexpectedly, the shark circled them for about 30 minutes. Then, as quietly as it had appeared, it swam off. Uemoto and McMahon breathed a sigh of relief.
After struggling in the water for over 20 hours, there came a US Navy helicopter. It flew overhead and next banked towards them. Uemoto and McMahon burst into tears. Alone, either of them would have died. But together, they made it.
1.What caused the plane to crash?
A.A sudden thunderstorm hit the plane.
B.The engines of the plane broke down.
C.The pilots operated the plane improperly.
D.The emergency list failed to help the pilots.
2.What do we know about McMahon in paragraph 4?
A.He calmed his partner down.
B.He kicked the shark in the eye.
C.He was scared to death at the shark.
D.He managed to drive the shark away.
3.Which of the following best describes Uemoto and McMahon?
A.Ambitious and humorous. B.Clear-headed and generous.
C.Demanding and appealing. D.Strong-willed and considerate.
4.What may be the best title of the passage?
A.A Race against Death
B.A Test of Friendship
C.A Wonder Made by Joined Hands
D.A Struggle Fought in the Darkness
ZOOKEEPER FOR A DAY
Go wild with an extreme zookeeping experience!
The Khaki Extreme program is a wild behind-the-scenes zookeeping adventure like no other! The program offers the chance for 11-15 year olds to see first-hand what’s involved in looking after amazing wildlife at Australia Zoo.
During the guided adventures, you’ll gain an understanding and appreciation of what’s involved in working in one of the world’s most popular zoological and conservation areas, and you’ll love getting up close with the awesome animals.
Whether it’s helping keepers prepare diets for the animals, cleaning enclosures (围场) for large animals, or making improved activities for Australia Zoo’s wildlife — you will have a chance to get involved at grass-roots level.
After a busy morning getting up close with wildlife, you can enjoy a specially provided lunch while watching the performance in the world-famous Crocoseum. Then you’ll also receive a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Here you’ll see the kind veterinary (兽医的) team treating sick and injured native wildlife, and you’ll learn what you can do to protect Australia’s native wild animals.
Every season is different and so is our Zookeeper for a Day Khaki Extreme program! We’ll change the animals and activities each school holiday period to keep it exciting, but with so many great animals on offer, the Khaki Extreme program is always a bunch of fun.
If reptiles (爬行动物) are more your thing, check our Zookeeper for a Day Khaki Extreme Reptile program. Here you’ll have a wild day out with some of Australia Zoo’s most scaly (有鳞屑的) and slippery friends. This program may not be available every school holiday period and program dates will be limited. Check the booking page for further details on availability.
* www.australiazoo.com.au
*Open daily 9:00 am—5:00 pm
*Bedtime for some of our animals is 4:30 pm.
*Closed Christmas Day
1.What’s the main purpose of the Khaki Extreme program?
A.To help save endangered wildlife.
B.To offer a chance to feed native wildlife.
C.To experience a real zookeeper’s life.
D.To learn how to treat injured animals.
2.What will you do after a busy morning at Australia Zoo?
A.Make a special lunch for yourself.
B.Clean enclosures for large animals.
C.Give a performance in the Crocoseum.
D.Visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
3.What can be learned about the Khaki Extreme Reptile program?
A.It’s not always available.
B.It’s often closed at 4:30 pm.
C.It’s still open on Christmas Day.
D.It’s very popular among all the students.
假设你是李华， 第五十个世界地球日（the Earth Day）)即将到来，你校将举办以此为主题的学生海报展。请你写一封邮件邀请外教Mary来观看展览。
要点如下：
1.展览时间和地点；
2.简要介绍展览活动和内容。
注意：
1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Mary,
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
LiHua
