Music has a great effect on everyone. But does music affect plants, too? People have been experimenting with music for almost three decades. From school-level projects to higher-level scientific experiments, the effect of music on plants has been a confusing and debatable topic.
We know music is sound and sound is nothing more than a wave. Plant growth is a result of the cell division that takes place within the cells. But why is music associated with plant growth? In humans, music has a strong effect on our health and mood, and over the years, people have claimed that the same effect has been observed on plants, too. Plants are sensitive by nature, and many people claim that they have feelings just as humans do. There are stories about plants shedding tears. Although scientists do not support these as facts, these myths have led them to take up various experiments on plants.
Various studies have proved that plants respond to acoustic (音响的) energy. It increases their rate of growth and their size, and influences their overall health. Dan Carlson, after a thorough study over a span of many years, has reached a conclusion that music helps plants absorb nutrients(养分) more efficiently.
It took Dan about fifteen years to develop a foliage spray (叶面喷剂) that is used beneficially with the sound frequencies. Carlson calls this spray “Sonic Bloom”. His findings have proved to be beneficial for countless farmers and have resulted in－according to Guinness Book of World Records－the largest indoor plant on record.
The Purple Passion was treated with the Sonic Bloom process. It grew to be 1,300 feet tall and was alive even after 25 years. Its normal lifespan(寿命), however, is 18 months and it grows not more than 18 feet tall. The book, Secret of the Soil, writes about Sonic Bloom and its results. Sonic Bloom is also sold in the market.
1.What inspired scientists to experiment with plants?
A.The effects of music on humans.
B.Plants are sensitive by nature.
C.The cell division taking place within the cells.
D.People’s debatable opinion of the effect music has on plants.
2.What is the main idea of Para. 3?
A.Nutrients are important to plants.
B.Music can have some good effects on plants.
C.How the rate of growth of plants can be improved.
D.What kinds of music can contribute to the growth of plants.
3.What did Dan Carlson develop?
A.A spray called “Sonic Bloom”.
B.A method to grow larger plants.
C.A special plant that grows very fast.
D.Acoustic energy that plants respond to
4.Why is the Purple Passion included in Guinness Book of World Records?
A.It is the oldest indoor plant.
B.It is the largest indoor plant.
C.It gives off the most pleasant smell.
D.It can grow in the toughest conditions.
I've had many wonderful holidays，but my favorite memory is that of a few summer weeks spent in Italy when I was about 13.My mom had to go to a clinic there for treatment，and we all went together as a family and took the opportunity to have a beautiful vacation as well.It was the first time abroad for me and it was a vacation that broadened my perspective，taught me a lot，and helped shape a bit of who I am today.
Although we did visit many famous places in northern Italy，we stayed mostly in a little town where some friends of my parents lived.Nothing helped me understand Italian culture better than my stay in this picturesque，almost magical town that many haven't even heard of.
Thanks to the holiday spent in Italy，I，quite a shallow girl，also discovered my passion for music，which stayed alive in me to this day and will probably stay forever.My parents' friends had a son，Ricardo，who was a pianist.Dad had repeatedly but unsuccessfully tried to make me study an instrument and stick to it.However，when I heard Ricardo play，I instantly fell in love with music and felt a great desire to learn it.Ricardo taught me the first song I ever played on the piano，a silly，playful little tune that I still know by heart.
We took a short trip to the Italian Alps at some point.I had never seen such majestic beauty before! The snowcovered peaks，the intimidating rocks，the fresh，harsh air — what an experience! And what I remember impressed me the most was the fact that，although this was a popular touristic area，the region was incredibly clean，still “natural”，with places that seemed to never have been touched by humans.Then，the shallow teen that I was learned what a real treasure nature is and how important it is to protect it.
1.What was the main purpose for the author and her family to go to Italy?
A.To cure the author's mother of her illness.
B.To have a family reunion while travelling.
C.To broaden and shape the author's perspective.
D.To experience and learn from another culture.
2.What contributed to the author's passion for music?
A.Her father's instructions.
B.Ricardo's performance.
C.The piano she played on.
D.The local music culture.
3.The trip to the Italian Alps helped the author learn to ________．
A.stick to her own passion
B.balance between cultures
C.get rid of her shallowness
D.cherish and protect nature
4.What would be the best title of the text?
A.My Favorite Holiday Memory
B.A Trip Shaping My Personality
C.Lessons from a Foreign Culture
D.My Passion for Music and Nature
Airport Duty Manager Wanted
Salary：$61，016.28－$103，727.52 Annually
Location：TX 78216，TX
Job Type：FullTime
Department：Aviation
Closing：9/30/2018 11：59 PM Central
Job Requirements：
• Bachelor's Degree from an officially approved college or university.
• Five years of professional experience in the operations of commercial service airports，airport security，or related experience，including three years of supervisory experience.
• Valid Class “C” Texas Driver's License.
• Must maintain federally required security clearance to work at an airport at all times.
Applicant Information：
• If selected for this position，official transcripts，diplomas，certifications and licenses must be submitted at the time of processing.
• If selected for this position，information concerning employment history related to the qualifications of the position will be needed for employment confirmation.
• Unless otherwise stated，applicants are permitted to replace one year of higher education with two years of related fulltime experience in order to meet the minimum requirements of the job.
• Applicants selected for this position must receive satisfactory results from preemployment drug testing and background checks.
Benefits：
The City of San Antonio(CoSA)aims to provide a competitive compensation and benefit package to attract and keep a highly skilled workforce.To accomplish this，CoSA offers free health care benefits for active and retired employees，paid disability benefits，paid life insurance，as well as automatic participation in a pension program.
For more detailed information，please contact us.
Address：Human Resources Department，San Antonio，Texas，78205
Phone：2102078705
Website：http：∥www.sanantonio.gov/HR/CareerCenter.aspx
1.Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the applicants?
A.Bachelor's Degree.
B.Commercial talent.
C.Driver's License.
D.Security clearance.
2.Which requirement for the selected applicants is flexible?
A.Official documents confirming one's personal information.
B.Employment history related to required qualifications.
C.Education level that is required for the position.
D.Preemployment drug testing and background checks.
3.What can we know about CoSA's employee benefits policy?
A.Only highly skilled employees are provided with benefits.
B.Disability benefits and life insurance are offered for free.
C.Retired workers still enjoy free health care benefits.
D.Employees get benefits based on their working experience.
假定你是李华，你的英国朋友Mark希望向你了解国画的有关知识，但原定见面时间因故需要推迟，请给Mark写一封邮件，说明情况。要点包括：
1. 表示歉意并说明原因；
2. 重约见面讨论的时间；
3. 推荐先参观国画展览。
注意：
1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
3. 参考词汇：国画 traditional Chinese paintings
Dear Mark,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：
1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
In December 30th, after two weeks’ training, we finally began our work as volunteer guide in a museum. During the first two weeks, I was learnt a lot about the stories behind the artworks. In order to do good in the work, my teammates and me made full preparations. We first worked out a careful plan. Then we practiced use proper body language to explain the artworks better. The month-long volunteer work has now come to end, from what I understand that it isn’t easy to be a good guide. Besides, I also realized how important teamwork is. I believe that I will get lifelong benefits from the short and meaningful experience.
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be very difficult to let go 1. your anger. But forgiveness is possible, and it can be surprisingly 2. (benefit) to your physical and mental health. So far, research 3. (show) that people who forgive can have more energy and better sleep.
So when 4. (hurt) by someone, cool down first. 5. (take) a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, or someone you love. Don’t wait for an apology. “Many times the person who hurts you may never think of apologizing,” says Dr. Frederic Luskin, 6. wrote the book Forgive for Good. “They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don’t see things 7. same way. So if you wait for people 8. (say) sorry, you could be waiting a very long time.” Next keep in mind that forgiveness does not 9. (necessary) mean accepting the action of the person who upsets you. Instead, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you. Finally, try to see things from the other person’s position. You may realize that he or she was acting out of 10. (careless).
