Getting a high grade in an exam depends partly on how much you can remember. So, improving memory is essential to success in studying. But is there anything that we can do about it? One solution might be walking backwards.
According to a new study published in the Journal of Cognition, walking backwards, whether doing it really or just imagining it, can boost (增强) the brainpower in the short term.
In the study, 114 volunteers were asked to watch a video in which a woman had her bag stolen. Then they answered 20 questions about the details shown in the video. Ten minutes after watching the video, the volunteers were divided into three groups. The first two groups were told to move forwards or backwards 10 meters while the third group was asked to stay still on the same point. The researchers found that the backwards-walking group got two more correct answers on average than the other two groups. This suggests that a relationship between the concepts (概念) of time and space is essential to the way our minds form memories.
When we walk backwards, everything we learn becomes strange to us. "This forces the brain to think in a different way—it's a rewiring and changes the focus," US neuropsychologist (神经心理学家) Christine Weber told Forbes. It almost always means that our brain needs to be more active and alert in the limited time. Naturally, our short-term memory will be improved significantly.
Apart from improving our memory, walking backwards also plays an important role in physical health, especially fitness. A study published in Journal of Biomechanics in 2012 found that backward walking puts less strain and requires a smaller range of movements from the knee joints (膝关节). Thus, there's less pressure and pain in the knees.
In addition, walking backwards, compared to forward walking, is more challenging. It requires you to use muscles and movements that you probably rarely use, making it a perfect way to change your exercise routine for greater fitness gains. Meanwhile, by making people put in extra effort, it naturally burns more fat and calories.
1.Which group of people perform best in the memory test?
A.The staying-still group. B.The forwards-walking group.
C.The imaginary-walking group. D.The backwards-walking group.
2.In what way does walking backwards benefit people's health?
A.It can make people slim. B.It can reduce peopled stress.
C.It can strengthen people's joints. D.It can make people more energetic.
3.What do we know about backward walking?
A.It follows our exercise routine.
B.It limits people's thinking time.
C.It directs our focus to important details.
D.It makes people's brain more active and alert.
4.What's the writer's purpose in writing paragraph 4?
A.To add another aspect of the topic.
B.To support the result of the research.
C.To sum up the main idea of the passage.
D.To provide some background information.
If you walked into a cinema recently, the chances are that you would have felt surrounded by superhero movies. It seems like a new one is released every week. However, once upon a time, there weren't any superhero films. All that changed with the release of the first Superman movie in December, 1978.
The first Superman comic book came out in 1938, and it changed the comic industry. Before Superman, nobody wore a cape (披肩) and nobody had a big logo on their chest. He wasn't the first superhero, but he started the so-called "Golden Age of Comic Books" and his look became the archetype (原型) of all superheroes.
Why did people take to Superman? One of the keys is "wish-fulfillment", his creator Jerry Siegel told CurtainUp. com. Indeed, Superman reflects many of the values and characteristics that people admire.
Superman lives as Clark Kent, a news reporter. However, he can become the superhero whenever he needs to. He can fly, lift any object, see through walls and melt steel with his eyes. He is selfless. He chooses to help the people of the Earth by fighting injustices against them.
Over the years, Superman has had different types of enemies and situations, usually related to the problems people faced. When there was a lot of organized crime in cities in the 1930s, Superman fought bad people. When young men went off to fight Nazi Germany, Superman's motto became "truth and justice". And after World War II (1939-1945), when African-Americans were terrorized by violent hate groups, Superman fought against racism.
Today, Superman enjoys global popularity. We all work or study and care about our families and friends. We see problems that we can't change. Through all of these, we struggle to do our best and also to find personal happiness. Superman is the guy we wish we could be. He can save the world and still get Clark Kent to work on time.
1.Why do people like superman?
A.The image of superman is cool.
B.It has always been a cultural tradition.
C.Superman is popularized by news reporters.
D.People wish to be powerful enough to solve hard problems.
2.What can we infer from paragraph 5?
A.Superman's mission changes with times.
B.Superman's archetype is a news reporter.
C.Superman has the power to solve all problems.
D.Superman went to Germany to fight Nazi in World War II.
3.What does the underlined word “these” in the last paragraph refer to?
A.Superman's heroic deeds.
B.Superman's extraordinary abilities.
C.What happens in people's daily life.
D.What people see in superhero movies.
4.Which of the following does the author support?
A.Superheroes do exist in our life.
B.All problems in society should be solved.
C.People find themselves expressed through Superman.
D.Superhero movies need promotion to be more popular.
My name is Lwazi Nzimande. I started my schooling at Thukeyana Primary Farm School in Underberg, KwaZuluNatal.
I had a favourite teacher in primary school. Her name was Miss Dube. She taught me natural science and human social sciences in grade six and seven, and had a way of pushing learners to be able to think for themselves. She made sure that each and every learner took part in every lesson. She used pictures, diagrams (图表) and other things to make learning easier and more unforgettable, moving at a pace that was suitable for all students. As a teacher, she showed patience, respect, open-mindedness, and reliability (可靠性). Now you see why she was my favourite teacher in primary school, don't you?
In my opinion, patience, respect, open-mindedness, and reliability are some of the things that all teachers should have and show. A patient teacher is one who understands that some learners need more explanation than others to understand something in class. He or she should always be willing to help learners. An open-minded teacher will go beyond what is found in the textbook. A teacher who is respected will find it easy to control a class. Respect is earned through what a teacher says to learners or how he or she deals with them in general.
Miss Dube often told us not to badmouth or make fun of others. She also did so. She never badmouthed other teachers in front of us. Also, Miss Dube never made fun of her learners. She thought making fun of learners in front of others would hurt them and damage their confidence.
Miss Dube was also very honest. From my point of view, that's also what a good teacher should be like. If she didn't have an answer to a question, she would let her learners know. This set a good example to the learners.
1.Why was Miss Dube the author's favourite teacher?
A.Because of her rich knowledge.
B.Because of her good appearance.
C.Because of her teaching style and character.
D.Because of her lifestyle and attitude to students.
2.What does the author think an open-minded teacher should do?
A.Pay close attention to every student's improvement.
B.Tell about something outside the textbook.
C.Avoid believing everything in the textbook.
D.Show great respect for her students.
3.What can we learn about Miss Dube from Paragraph 4?
A.She liked praising her students. B.She was very confident in class.
C.She got along well with other teachers. D.She set a good example to her students.
4.What does the underlined word “This” in the last paragraph mean?
A.Being a very patient teacher. B.Answering students' questions.
C.Being honest in front of students. D.Teaching students very difficult things.
Things to Do in Atlanta
Need a rundown of the top things to do this weekend? Here is what’s on in Atlanta.
In the Mood
Date: May 22 through May 26, 2019
Time: 2:00 p.m. ~ 5:30 p.m.
Phone: 770-916-2800
If you love the music of the 1940s, then here’s what you need to do this Sunday. Go to a 1940s musical show at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. The music of Glenn Miller has a distinctive sound. No need to ask me twice. Are you “In the mood”?
Party With the Penguins (企鹅)
Date: May 20 through May 25, 2019
Time: 11:30 a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m.
Phone: 404-581-4000
Celebrate Penguin Awareness Day at Georgia Aquariums annual party with the penguins. The party will feature fun activities, including the chance to see an African penguin up close and learn how to help protect these endangered species.
Callanwolde Arts Festival
Date: May 21 to May 22, 2019
Time: 10:30 a.m. ~ 5:30 p.m.
Phone: 404-872-5338
Located at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, this event is a festival for artists and by artists, letting them have a voice in the creation and operations of the festival. If you are of the artistic persuasion or enjoy a creative scene, don’t miss out.
Foollio’s Hoodilly Storytime
Date: May 21 through May 27, 2019
Time: 1:00 p.m. ~ 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 404-523-3141
We make up a brand-new story every week. Come and enjoy a new story each time at Dad’s Garage Theater. Little ones will get to help provide key parts of the story and even add in their own jokes. Interactive and out-of-the-ordinary fun for kids and parents!
1.Where should you go if you are a music fan?
A. Georgia Aquarium. B. Dad’s Garage Theater.
C. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. D. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.
2.Which event appeals to animal lovers?
A. In the Mood. B. Party With the Penguins.
C. Callanwolde Arts Festival. D. Foollio’s Hoodilly Storytime.
3.Which number helps sign up for an opportunity if you are crazy about painting?
A. 770-916-2800. B. 404-581-4000.
C. 404-872-5338. D. 404-523-3141.
假定你是李华，你所在的学校英语报征稿一封英文感谢信，以致意奋战在抗击新型冠状病毒肺炎第一线的 医护人员，请你根据下列要点写一封信用于投稿。
内容包括：
1. 表达敬意；
2. 你如何抗疫；
3. 发出学习倡议。
4. 词汇：新冠状病毒：COVID-19
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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。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写上该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写上修改后的词。
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11处起）不计分。
Reciting Chinese poetry was difficult for most of the foreign students. But for those which took part in the 2019 Tribute to Chinese Classic: International Poem Recitation last week, it’s not. Instead, they was just a way for them to felt the beauty of Chinese poetry.
In August 18, at the University of Toronto Mississauga in Ontario, Canada, about 50 students came together to recite some of the classic Chinese poem. After 3 rounds of hard competition, Peter, a 18-year-old boy, won the first prize in the senior group. He read a famous poem, Invitation to Wine, writing by Li Bai. Thanks to his excellent perform, many teenagers knew much about Chinese poetry than before.
