Do you ever pull your phone out of your pocket，thinking it is vibrating（振动），only to find that it isnˈt？This phenomenon，which scientists call"phantom（幻觉的）phone vibration"，is very common．Around 80% of people surveyed say they have imagined their phones vibrating when they were actually still．

So，what leads to this universal behavior？According to the BBC，the explanation lies in your brainˈs ability to discover signals from the outside world．When your phone is in your pocket，there are two possible states：it is either vibrating or not．Meanwhile，you also have two possible states of mind：the judgment that the phone is vibrating，or that it isnˈt．Ideally，you match the four states correctly．

However，sometimes your brain decides that the results of missing a call are more serious than a"false alarm"．Therefore，you become more sensitive（敏感的） to vibrations so that you donˈt miss anything． This is just like the fire alarm in your home---it can be annoying when it goes off in response to just a tiny bit of smoke．But thatˈs a small price to pay compared to a fire really breaking out because the alarm fails to alert you．Now，you might still ask：why canˈt our brains just make every judgment correctly without being too sensitive to false signals？The answer is that your brain bears a heavy burden every day．"You get a large amount of sensory(感觉的) information thatˈs coming from your eyes，ears and skin，and you canˈt deal with all that information all the time，"Michael Rothberg，a researcher at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield，US，told Live Science．

For example，the rustling（沙沙声）of clothing or the growling（咕咕声）of your stomach may both lead your brain to believe that they come from the vibration of your phone-it is like trying to hear your name being called in a noisy room．

So，perhaps you should just check your phone whenever you think itˈs vibrating．Itˈs not too much trouble to do that，is it？

1.According to this passage，phantom phone vibration ______ ．

A.is common among people with mental problems

B.can measure peopleˈs ability to collect information

C.happens when our brains react sensitively to false signals

D.helps our brains to make very quick and accurate decisions

2.Why is the fire alarm used as an example in this passage？

A.To show us the fire alarm is as sensitive as the phone vibration．

B.To help us understand the cause of phantom phone vibration better．

C.To tell us the phone vibration usually happens when a fire breaks out．

D.To convince us itˈs important to check our phones like checking a fire alarm．

3.According to Michael Rothberg，which is mainly responsible for phantom phone vibration？

A.A noisy background． B.A lack of much attention．

C.A heavy burden every day． D.An overflow of sensory information．

4.What does the author suggest we do about phantom phone vibration？

A.We should always fully believe our own sense of listening．

B.We should just check our phones whenever we think theyˈre vibrating．

C.We should ignore the vibration bothering when our phones are actually still．

D.We should think of the vibration carefully before we make correct judgments．

    "Did you hear what happened to Adam last Friday?" Lindsey whispers to Tori.

With her eyes shining, Tori brags, "You bet I did, Sean told me two days ago."

Who are Lindsey and Tori talking about? It just happened to be yours truly, Adam Freedman, I can tell you that what they are saying is （a） not nice and （b） not even true. Still, Lindsey and Tori aren't very different from most students here at Linton High School, including me. Many of our conversations are gossip （闲话）.I have noticed three effects of gossip: it can hurt people, it can give gossipers a strange kind of satisfaction, and it can cause social pressures in a group.

An important negative effect of gossip is that it can hurt the person being talked about. Usually, gossip spreads information about a topic—breakups, trouble at home, even dropping out—that a person would rather keep secret. The more embarrassing or shameful the secret is, the juicier the gossip it makes. Probably the worst type of gossip is the absolute lie. People often think of gossipers as harmless, but cruel lies can cause pain.

If we know that gossip can be harmful, then why do so many of us do it? The answer lies in another effect of gossip: the satisfaction it gives us. Sharing the latest rumor （传言）can make a person feel important because he or she knows something that others don't. Similarly, hearing the latest rumor can make a person feel like part of the "in group". In other words, gossip is satisfying because it gives people a sense of belonging or even superiority （优越感）.

Gossip also can have a third effect: it strengthens unwritten, unspoken rules about how people should act. Professor David Wilson explains that gossip is important in policing behaviors in a group. Translated into high school terms, this means that if everybody you hang around with is laughing at what John wore or what Jane said, then you can bet that wearing or saying something similar will get you the same kind of negative attention. The do's and don'ts conveyed through gossip will never show up in any student handbook.

The effects of gossip vary depending on the situation. The next time you feel the urge to spread the latest news, think about why you want to gossip and what effects your "juicy story" might have.

1.The author uses a conversation at the beginning of the passage to _________.

A.introduce a topic B.present an argument

C.describe the characters D.clarify his writing purpose

2.An important negative effect of gossip is that it ___________.

A.breaks up relationships B.embarrasses the listener

C.spreads information around D.causes unpleasant experiences

3.Professor David Wilson thinks that gossip can ____________.

A.provide students with written rules

B.help people watch their own behaviors

C.force school to improve student handbooks

D.attract the police's attention to group behaviors

4.What advice does the author give in the passage?

A.Never become a gossiper B.Stay away from gossipers

C.Don't let gossip turn into lies D.Think twice before you gossip

    Listed here are four of the thousands of impressive museums around the world.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Bilbao，Spain

Built in 1997，the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is one of the newest in the world.It has transformed the industrial city of Bilbao into a travelers' desired destination.The beautiful architecture of the museum has provided a dramatic background for movies and commercials.

The Louvre in Paris，France

Probably the most famous Louvre also holds the most famous painting in the world，the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci.Crowds can be found any day surrounding the small，but mysterious painting of the smiling woman.But，the Louvre is much more than a home to the “Mona Lisa”．The Louvre is visited by more people each year than any other museum in the world.

The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia，America

Just opened in its new downtown location in 2012，the Barnes Foundation is “unique”in that it is a completely reproduced display from one man's private collection.Dr.Albert C．Barnes started collecting art in the early 20th century and collected，among others，the largest number of original Renoir paintings in the world.

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence，Italy

Walking on the marbled floors feels like stepping back in time.The building itself is a beautiful palace—like structure with frescoes(湿壁画) decorating the ceilings and walls.Viewers are bowled over(印象深刻) by the works by Botticelli，such as “The Birth of Venus”．Classic artworks from nearly 1，000 years ago describe religious events of the time.

1.Which of the following is the most popular?

A.The Louvre.

B.The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

C.The Barnes Foundation.

D.The Uffizi Gallery.

2.What makes the Barnes Foundation particular?

A.Its structure. B.Its collection.

C.Its location. D.Its history.

3.What type of writing is this text?

A.An activity poster.

B.An exhibition announcement.

C.An art show review.

D.A travel guide.

假定你是李华，你刚从伦敦的旅行回来，非常感谢好友Jack在此期间的帮助。得知他对中国的节日非常感兴趣，特别是今年的国庆节，请你写一封信介绍中国的国庆节。内容要点:

1. 感谢他的帮助；

2. 介绍中国的国庆节；

3. 欢迎他来中国。

注意:1. 词数100左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3. 开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。

Dear Jack,

How is everything going?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Best wishes.

Yours sincerely，

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。

增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(＾)，并在该词下面写出该加的词。

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.只允许修改5处，多者(从第6处起)不计分。

2.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词。

Three years ago I failed a important exam and become a student in an ordinary school. Although I felt disappointing at the shabby campus and the poorly-equipped classroom, but I found the teachers patient and considerate. Beside, I enjoyed the friendly atmosphere in class and decided to make the best of it. I worked hardly and got along well my teachers and classmates. Whenever I had difficulties, they were always available. Soon, I became one of the top student in my class, that greatly increased my confidence and got me motivated. My experience tells me that it is not what you are given but how you make use of it that determine who you are.

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

Jack Ma, chairman of Alibaba Group, resigned 1.Teachers’ Day from leading the e-commerce giant he 2.(set) up 20 years ago. The 55-year-old businessman showed that he was ready for new things by 3.(dress) up like a rock star at his farewell party.

In fact, his rags-to-riches story is 4.example of doing something different. 5.(visit) the United States in 1995, Ma saw the internet and had the idea of setting up his own trading website. In 1999, he founded Alibaba with a group of friends in a 6. (share) apartment, struggling for years to get it off the ground. Although 7. (face) with great challenges, the company 8. (gradual) brought e-commerce to China. His success has inspired a number of Chinese tech 9. (businessman). Ma pointed out that the key is having a dream. “It’s the dreams 10.keep us never afraid of setbacks.” Ma said in a video posted on Sept 9.

The world always makes way for the dreamer.

When I was twelve years old, my father took me to see Zig Zigler. I remember sitting in that dark hall listening to Mr. Zigler ____ everyone’s spirits up to the ceiling, I ____ there feeling like I could do anything. When we got to the car, I turned to my father and said, “Dad, I want to ____ people feel like that.” My father asked me ____ I meant. “I want to be a motivational speaker just like Mr. Zigler,” I replied.A(An) ____ was born.

Recently, I began seeking my dream of motivating others. _____a four-year relationship with Fortune 100 Company____ as a sales-trainer and ending as a regional sales manager, I left the company at the height of my ____. Many people were ____ that I would leave after earning a six-figure income. And they asked ____ I would risk everything for a dream.

I made my ____ to start my own company and leave my secure position after ____ a regional sales meeting. The vice-president of our company delivered a____ that changed my life. He asked us, “If a god would offer you three wishes, what would they be?” After giving us a/an ____ to write down the three wishes, he then asked us, “Why do you need a ____?” I would never forget the power I felt at that moment. I realized that ____ I had accomplished in the past had prepared me for this moment. I was ready and didn’t need a god’s help to become a motivational speaker. A motivational speaker was ____.

Having made that decision, I was immediately ____. One week after I gave notice, my husband was laid off from his job, and now we had no ____. But I held onto my dream and the wonder really began to happen. In a short time my husband found a better job.And I was able to book several _____engagements(预约) with new customers. I discovered the incredible power of dreams.

1.A.rise B.blow C.put D.raise

2.A.slipped B.came C.arrived D.left

3.A.get B.make C.hope D.cheer

4.A.that B.what C.which D.if

5.A.dream B.idea C.thought D.speaker

6.A.Before B.After C.Because D.While

7.A.beginning B.working C.acting D.regarding

8.A.life B.love C.career D.income

9.A.surprised B.moved C.disappointed D.delighted

10.A.when B.if C.why D.how

11.A.plan B.promise C.decision D.mind

12.A.attending B.joining C.entering D.holding

13.A.newspaper B.book C.speech D.report

14.A.moment B.hour C.day D.week

15.A.help B.job C.god D.company

16.A.something B.anything C.nothing D.everything

17.A.alive B.dead C.born D.missing

18.A.examined B.tested C.checked D.searched

19.A.help B.harm C.income D.money

20.A.selling B.writing C.listening D.speaking

WE FOUND A FIX

Tricks to Improve Your Life

Get your water past airport security travel

It’s impossible to get water through airport security, right? While it’s true that you are allowed only up to 3.4 ounces(盎司) of any liquid, 1. — if they are “frozen solid when presented for screening.” The catch is serious, however: “If frozen liquid items are partially melted, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container,” you’ll likely have to throw the whole thing.

Keep your bananas fresh

Can’t use the whole bunch(串) yet? 2.. The cold will help them stay at their peak for another week. That said, avoid freezing bananas that aren’t quite ripe, as it will stop the natural ripening process.

3.

There’s a reason why apples are known as nature’s toothbrush — foods that are firm or crisp help clean teeth as they’re eaten. If you know you won’t be able to brush your teeth right after eating, you might want to save a cleaning food for the end of your meal. 4..

Make your bathroom smell nice naturally

Looking for a way to get rid of horrible bathroom smells that doesn’t require a daily spray(喷雾)? Place five or so drops of any essential oil on the inside of the cardboard toilet paper roll, and voilà!

5. Just be careful that the oil doesn’t get on the paper itself.

A. Every time someone gets some paper, the movement will release the pleasant but not over the top scent

B. Transportation Security Administration regulations do let full water bottles through in one case

C. Wait until they have started to soften, and then place them in the freezer

D. Put them in the freezer once you get them from the market

E. Other choices include raw carrots, and unbuttered popcorn

F. Protect your teeth with nature’s toothbrush

G. Clean your teeth with food

    A young woman sits alone in a café sipping tea and reading a book. She pauses briefly to write in a nearby notepad before showing her words to a passing café waiter: “Where are the toilets please?” This is a familiar scene in Tokyo’s so-called “silent cafés”, where customers are not allowed to speak, and only communicate by writing in notepads.

The concept rises from a desire to be alone among young Japanese, a situation brought by economic uncertainty, a shift in traditional family support structures and the growing social isolation. The phenomenon is not limited to coffee shops but covers everything from silent discos, where participants dance alone wearing wireless headphones connected to the DJ, to products such as small desk tents designed for conversation-free privacy in the office. One Kyoto company even offers single women the opportunity to have a “one woman wedding” — a full bridal affair, complete with white dress and ceremony, and the only thing missing is the groom. The trend has its own media expression — “botchi-zoku”, referring to individuals who consciously choose to do things completely on their own.

One recent weekday afternoon, Chihiro Higashikokubaru, a 23-year-old nurse, travelled 90 minutes from her home, to Tokyo on her day off in order to enjoy some solo time. Speaking quietly at the entrance of the cafe, Miss Higashikokubaru said: “I heard about this place via Twitter and I like the idea of coming here. I work as a nurse and it's always very busy. There are very few quiet places in Tokyo, and it's a big busy city. I just want to come and sit somewhere quietly on my own. I’m going to drink a cup of tea and maybe do some drawings. I like the idea of a quiet, calm atmosphere.”

The desire to be isolated is not a new concept in Japan, home to an estimated 3.6 million “hikikomori” — a more extreme example of social recluses (隐士) who withdraw completely from society.

1.What is special about the “silent cafes”?

A.It provides various tea and books. B.People are not allowed to communicate.

C.It offers service by writing not by speaking. D.It has attracted many popular young people.

2.Which of the following brings about the idea of being alone in Japan?

A.The stable economic situation. B.The increasing social isolation.

C.The rapid development of the Internet. D.The rising demand for privacy.

3.What do we know about Higashikokubaru?

A.She doesn’t like to be a nurse. B.She doesn’t like the life in big cities.

C.She enjoys her solo time in a quiet place. D.She travelled to Tokyo on her work days.

4.What is the best title of the passage?

A.A new concept in Japan B.Social recluses in Japan

C.Silent cafes D.Lonely Japanese

    Everyone could feel a sudden impulse(冲动) and buy something unnecessary. Then how to avoid it? The best way is to just keep your hands away from tempting products. According to new research, individuals who touch possible items in stores are more likely to have an increased desire to purchase them than those who keep their hand off the products.

Suzanne Shu and Joann Peck, marketing professors at the University of Wisconsin’s business school conducted studies on the connection between touch and feelings of ownership and the effect of perceived(感觉)ownership on the value placed on an object. For one of the experiments, the experts placed two products, a Slinky toy and a coffee mug in front of the volunteers who were undergraduate students. About half of the participants were allowed to touch the products, while the other half were asked not to touch them. The volunteers then were asked to express their sense of ownership of the products and to report how much money they were willing to pay for each. The results showed that those students who were allowed to touch the objects reported significant increased level of perceived ownership. They also expressed a desire to pay more money to obtain the products.

The investigators also discovered that a sense of very pleasant feelings when touching products, determined how much money consumers were willing to pay. However, if the object did not feel pleasant to the touch, it significantly decreased the amount the buyers were willing to pay.

Researchers said that many stores have already followed the right path. But what can be done while shopping online, when touching of an item is not possible? In this case, the experts say, just picturing in mind that they are touching it and then owning it, will cause greater feelings of ownership, and thus the consumers will be more likely to make a purchase.

When you touch an object, you immediately feel some kind of a connection to it, according to the researchers. That connection stirs up(唤起) an emotional reaction. And that emotion can make people buy something they would never even consider buying if they had not touched it.

1.How does the author develop the text?

A.By providing typical examples.

B.By drawing a conclusion through research.

C.By comparing opinions from different fields.

D.By presenting a cause and analyzing its effects.

2.Which of the following was found in the research?

A.Touching a product affects the customer’s feelings of desire for it.

B.If you are not to spend money, it’s less possible for you to touch the product.

C.The longer you touch the goods, the more desire you have to own them.

D.Shoppers cannot resist the temptation when they meet things they like.

3.What would happen to them when people do online shopping?

A.They immediately feel a connection to it.

B.They will particularly want to touch the products advertised on the Internet.

C.They desire to possess it and do not care how much money they would pay.

D.People’s imaginable ownership led to a greater possibility of purchasing products.

4.What led the researchers to conduct this study?

A.To figure out the connection between touch and feelings of ownership.

B.To satisfy customers’ social needs when shopping.

C.To share the good ideas about avoid impulsive consumption.

D.To develop marketing strategies for trade companies.

    Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours in life than by the narrow road toward goals. I like this image. But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.

For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents’ home in Boise in nine hours. We traveled the way most people do: the fastest, shortest, easiest road, especially when I was alone with four noisy, restless kids who hate confinement(限制) and have strong opinions about everything.

Road trips felt risky, so I would drive fast, stopping only when I had to. We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.

But then Banner, our lamb was born. He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise. I had two choices: leave Banner with my husband, or take him with me. My husband made the decision for me.

That is how I found myself on the road with four kids, a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through. We took the country roads out of necessity. We had to stop every hour, let Banner shake out his legs and feed him. The kids chased him and one another. They’d get back in the car breathless and energized, smelling fresh from the cold air.

We explored side roads, catching grasshoppers in waist-high grass. Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother, or fish leaping out of the water, it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life. And new horizons.

We eventually arrived at my parents' doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.

I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique. On an empty section of road, everyone started quarreling. I stopped the car, ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead. I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.

Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight. But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey — and the best part of yourself.

1.Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents' home?

A.It was less tiring. B.It would be faster and safer.

C.Her kids would feel less confined. D.She felt better with other drivers nearby.

2.The author stopped regularly on the country roads to _____.

A.relax in the fresh air B.take a deep breath

C.let the kids play with Banner D.take care of the lamb

3.What does the author discover from the trip according to Paragraph 6?

A.Freeways are where beauty hides.

B.One should follow side roads to watch wild animals.

C.Enjoying the beauty of nature benefits one's health.

D.Getting close to nature adds to the joy of life.

4.What does the underlined word “detour” mean ?

A.A fast and straight road trip. B.A route which is long and not direct.

C.A pleasant and meaningful tour. D.An unpleasant road trip.

City College

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All high school graduates and anyone 18 years of age or older, with or without a high school diploma, are suitable for admission. Individuals under the age of 18 who possess a high school diploma are also suitable for admission.

HOW TO ENROLL IN CREDIT COURSES

New and readmitted students must complete and hand in a credit admissions application form available online at www.ccsf.edu.

BEFORE YOU REGISTER:

● Learn about your skill level in English and Math through our assessment service;

● Attend an orientation (新生报到会) to hear about support services;

● Meet with a counselor (adviser) to select your courses;

● Find out if you are required for attending the entrance examinations.

HOW TO ENROLL IN NONCREDIT COURSES

Courses in Noncredit Programs are free of charge (no enrollment fee). For information on how to enroll in noncredit courses, click here.

PARKING

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use public transit. Click here for Parking Regulations.

SERVICES

City College services include a bookstore, cafeteria, health center, tutoring center, career and transfer center, counseling, financial aid, library, learning resource center, student government offices, campus police, disabled students programs and more.

1.Which kind of the following people could not be admitted into City College?

A.A high school graduate.

B.An adult without a high school diploma.

C.A sixteen boy without a high school diploma.

D.Anyone who possesses a high school diploma.

2.What do we know about the entrance examinations from the passage?

A.All new and readmitted students must take the examinations.

B.Those who are poor in English and Math must take the entrance examinations.

C.Not all the new students are required to take the entrance examinations.

D.The entrance examinations are free of charge.

3.Where can this passage be found?

A.On an education website. B.In a newspaper advertisement.

C.In a tour guide. D.In a college news report.

听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1.What do we know about the speaker's job?

A.It has long working hours. B.It's well-paid. C.It's easy.

2.What does the speaker say about hiring a cleaner?

A.It's expensive. B.It's unnecessary. C.It's worthwhile.

3.How often did the speaker go to the supermarket before?

A.Once a week. B.Twice a week. C.Three times a week.

4.What is more important to the speaker?

A.Doing facial treatments. B.Having a clean house. C.Buying clothes.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.What is the woman?

A.A teacher. B.A student. C.A nurse.

2.What does the woman want to do?

A.Work in a library. B.Tutor some children. C.Work as a volunteer.

3.What can the woman probably do?

A.Buy medicine for the aged. B.Tidy up all the novels. C.Entertain the elderly.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.How long will the woman be away?

A.Two weeks. B.One week. C.Two days.

2.Who will the woman work with in Toronto?

A.The man's secretary. B.The man. C.Jodie.

3.How will the woman travel to Toronto?

A.By car. B.By bus. C.By plane.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.Where does the conversation probably take place?

A.In a park. B.At a hospital. C.At a drug store

2.What does the man ask the woman to do?

A.Drink another brand of water.

B.Take one tablet a day for three days.

C.Take a walk in the park.

3.What's wrong with the woman's son?

A.He has some sunburn. B.He hurt his arm in a park. C.He has a stomachache.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.Why does the woman think the car looks strange?

A.Its windows are broken.

B.It has stayed there for long.

C.It is parked against the rules.

2.What will the speakers probably do with the car?

A.Report it to the police. B.Push it somewhere else. C.Leave it there.

What do we know about the woman?

A.She cared about others' comments.

B.She had a fight with some girls.

C.She wants to be a star.

What will the woman probably do next?

A.Fill in the application form.

B.Go to the interview immediately.

C.Rush back to fetch the application form.

What does the woman say about Linda's brother?

A.He's hospitable. B.He's quiet. C.He's unfriendly.

What does the woman suggest the man do?

A.Have a good rest. B.Hold a special celebration. C.Ask Rick to go with him.

What are the speakers mainly talking about?

A.A friend. B.A notice. C.Their manager.

阅读下面短文，根据其内容写一篇 60 词左右的内容概要。

Scientists have announced that they have cloned the first human embryo. This has caused much debate round the world. On the one hand, some scientists point out that if you clone an embryo, you can produce valuable human tissues—such as bone or lung tissue—that could be used to save human lives. On the other hand, many people, including some scientists, disagree and are afraid that, if mankind toys with nature in this way, we may be on our way to producing a real-life Frankenstein’s monster.

Cloning is producing an exact copy of a plant or an animal using its cells. The first mammal to be cloned successfully from an adult cell was Dolly the sheep. She was born in 1996 and died in early 2003, at a much younger age than normal. When she was born, many people were worried that cloning would lead to more diseases in the animal world. However, in general the scientists were praised for their wonderful scientific advance.

Ian Wilmut, the Scottish scientist who created Dolly, is shocked that some scientists are now considering cloning human beings. Although he researches cloning, his intention has never been to create copies of humans. Instead, he thinks research efforts should concentrate on creating new tissues and organs that can be used to cure diseases like cancer. However, some people believe that cloning human embryos with the intention of destroying them shows no respect for human life.

Even though human cloning is causing a lot of anxiety, it is good news for Faye Wilson, a 41-year-old saleswoman who cannot have a baby. “I am anxious to have a child of my own,” she says. “I don’t want to adopt someone else’s child—if I had the chance, I would have a cloned baby right now.”

While cloning human embryos is not legal in many countries, some scientists are already pushing ahead with research in order to produce a cloned human baby. Severino Antinori, an Italian physician, has declared that he wants to be the first to clone a human being.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

假设你是李华，你非常喜欢看英文电影，认为这是一个学英语的好办法，但是你的家长并不支持，于是你写信给外教Joyce，征求她的意见。

内容包括：

1. 说明你的想法；

2. 家长反对的理由；

3. 征求老师的意见。注意：

1. 词数 80 左右；

2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（一个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

For  many of  us, cold drinks 1. (consider) to be one of the necessities for summer. Who can resist the 2. (please) of drinking an ice-cold Coke after playing a basketball game on a hot day?

However,  a  recent study 3. (conduct) by the professors from the University of Ottawa, found hot drinks such as teas and coffees might actually be more 4. (effect) to cool you down in  dry  conditions.  According  to  Smithsonian  Magazine,  when  you  drink  some  hot  drinks,   you 5. (start) to sweat more. It will remove excess heat by converting (转化) 6. water from a liquid to a vapor. As long as you are able to sweat, you can cool down quickly.

But  that also means 7. you’re in a hot, humid room, or you are wearing long sleeves and trousers, hot  drinks are 8. (probable)  not  going to work. 9. that case, Jay suggests the opposite course of action: “Hot drinks still add a small amount of heat to the body, so if 10. (sweat) more is going to be a problem, go for a cold drink.”

    Can you imagine being able to remember every single experience of your life and every word in your favorite book? That’s___ Becky’s life is like.

Three years ago, Becky was reading a  newspaper  article  which mentioned that it was_____ for people to _______  the details of their  life in the first three years. “What __________!”  she thought,  because  she could____ remember her life all the way back to when she was just 12 days old. Her parents had  carried her to the driver’s seat of their car and___ her down for a photo.

But it wasn’t nonsense. She was just one of only 80 known people_____ a  mysterious condition  called HSAM. Becky’s unusual_____ was  shown  on  a program called 60  Minutes, where  reporter  Allison _______  her ability by asking her about her favorite book series, Harry Potter. Allison would pick up a ______ and open a page and read her a line. _______ Becky would name the book, chapter number, chapter name and could recite every word___ Allison told her to stop.

Being able to remember every little ______  is great, but  as every HSAM sufferer will tell  you,  it’s also_____ to deal with it. We  always ______ things to get over sad experiences in our lives, but it’s   something that people like Becky can’t do. Even walking on the street and lightly______ somebody can bring back ________  memories from Becky’s childhood. Also, like Becky, people with HSAM _________  do well in school, because they have problems picking up the important information from what they’ve learnt. Becky’s great brain could help scientists find a___ for terrible mental illnesses like Alzheimer. Her condition could hold the secret to treating or even___ Alzheimer.

1.A.what B.which C.that D.where

2.A.possible B.impossible C.necessary D.important

3.A.forget B.think C.imagine D.remember

4.A.fun B.interest C.meaning D.nonsense

5.A.clearly B.naturally C.hardly D.surprisingly

6.A.knocked B.placed C.lay D.pulled

7.A.going through B.getting over C.suffering from D.bringing back

8.A.thing B.matter C.problem D.case

9.A.tested B.recognized C.knew D.proved

10.A.film B.book C.magazine D.chapter

11.A.Probably B.Slowly C.Immediately D.Gradually

12.A.when B.if C.unless D.until

13.A.detail B.information C.message D.moment

14.A.fresh B.great C.tough D.easy

15.A.reject B.forget C.mention D.discover

16.A.knocking at B.talking with C.knocking into D.coming across

17.A.happy B.wonderful C.rapid D.bad

18.A.never B.ever C.always D.often

19.A.way B.cure C.solution D.suggestion

20.A.suspending B.researching C.preventing D.studying

How to keep screens from ruining your vision

Laboratory studies  have shown that prolonged exposure  to high-intensity blue light damages retinal (视网膜的) cells in mice. But epidemiological (流行病学的) studies on real people tell a different story.

So,1.Human eyes are different from rodent (啮齿动物) eyes. We have protective elements, such as macular pigments and the natural blue-blocking ability of the crystalline lens (晶状体).2. Just because blue light isn’t harming your retina doesn’t mean your electronic devices are harmless. Because of its wavelength, blue light does disrupt healthy sleep physiology. Mounting evidence suggests that3.It  also robs  you of restorative  rapid-eye-movement  sleep,  dulls  focus,  and diminishes brain activity the next day.

4. First, turn off your  electronic devices before bed. Outside of the bedroom, when you do   look at your screens, lower the brightness. Second, follow the “20-20-20” rule. The American Optometric Association defines this rule as taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet in the  distance. This will allow your eyes to blink and relax. Third,5. This way will reinforce the    body’s natural tears and keep the eye’s surface hydrated.

A. why does it damage our human retinal cells?

B. These structures absorb blue light before it reaches the delicate retina.

C. why is there difference between blue light’s effects on rodent eyes and human eyes?

D. screen time before bed increases the time it takes to fall asleep.

E. There are ways to make your screen viewing more comfortable and more conducive to sleep.

F. use lubricating eye drops before extended computer use.

G. we should decrease screen time before bed.

    Heart disease is one of the major killers in the world today. Many who suffer from it must have heart transplants. However, it’s difficult to get a suitable heart donation, and even if a patient survives the wait, his or her body often rejects the heart.

But there is now new hope for sufferers of heart disease. According to a study published in the journal Advanced Science, researchers from Israel’s Tel Aviv University printed a 3D human heart on April 15.

“This is the first time anyone anywhere has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart,” professor Tal Dvir told CNN. Unlike the previous 3D-printed heart structure, the new heart is complete with cells, blood vessels, chambers and other structures a heart needs to function normally. But scientists still have more to figure out before the 3D-printed heart can be fitted into the body. For one thing, the experimental heart is only the size of a thumb. And, although it can contract like a muscle, it cannot pump out blood like a real one. At present, the heart prototype is like a tiny airplane that has all of the right parts, but can’t fly.

However, the development is still regarded as a major breakthrough in medicine.

In the experiment, the researchers turned human fat tissue into human heart tissue with stem cell technology. The tissue was then turned into “bio-ink” for a 3D printer to ensure that tissue in the heart came from the patients themselves. So ideally, if it were to be placed in the body of someone in need of a transplant, there would be less risk of organ rejection. “Patients will no longer have to wait for transplants or take medications to prevent their rejection,” researchers told USA Today. “Instead, the needed heart  will be printed, fully personalized for every patient.”

But the scientists think that 3D printing can be used to create other human organs. They foresee a time when the 3D printing of organs will be an everyday medical practice. “Maybe, in 10 years, there will be organ printers in the finest hospitals around the world and these procedures will be conducted routinely,” Dvir said.

1.Why do scientists have to do further research before fitting the 3D-printed heart into the body?

A.Because the heart is incomplete.

B.Because the heart can’t pump out blood.

C.Because the heart is an airplane that can’t fly.

D.Because the heart can’t contract like a muscle.

2.What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?

A.The needed heart will be printed to meet every patient’s need.

B.The 3D printing of organs will be an unusual medical practice.

C.Dvir has a negative attitude towards the future of organ printers.

D.Patients will need medicines to stop their rejection for their heart transplant.

3.What can serve as the best title for the passage?

A.Organ printers in the hospitals.

B.How to get a suitable heart donation.

C.Heart disease: one of the major killers.

D.A 3D-printed heart: new hope for heart disease sufferers.

    From Mozart to Metallica, tons of people enjoy listening to various types of music while they paint, write, or draw. Many believe that music helps boost creativity, but an international study conducted by English and Swedish researchers is challenging that belief. Their findings indicate music actually stymies creativity.

To come to their conclusions, researchers had participants complete verbal insight problems designed to inspire creativity while sitting in a quiet room, and then again while music played in the background. They found that background music “significantly damaged” the participants’ ability to complete tasks associated with verbal creativity. The research team also tested background noises such as those commonly heard in a library, but found that such noises had no impact on subjects’ creativity. The tasks were simple word games. For example, participants were given three words, such as dress, dial, and flower. Then, they were asked to find a single word associated with all three that could be combined to form a common phrase or word. The single word, in this case, would be “sun” (sundress, sunflower, etc). Participants completed the tasks in either a quiet room, or while exposed to three different types of music; music with unfamiliar lyrics, instrumental music, or music with familiar lyrics.

“We found strong evidence of damaged performance when playing background music in comparison to quiet background conditions,” says co-author Dr. Neil McLatchie of Lancaster University.

Dr. McLatchie and his colleagues theorize that music interferes with the verbal working memory processes of the brain, blocking creativity. Also, as far as the library background noises having seemingly no effect, the study’s authors believe that was the case because library noises create a “steady state” environment that doesn’t disrupt concentration. It’s worth mentioning that even familiar music with well known lyrics damaged participants’ creativity, regardless of whether or not it caused a positive reaction, or whether participants typically studied or created while listening to music.

“To conclude, the findings here challenge the popular view that music strengthens creativity, and instead demonstrate that music, regardless of the presence of semantic (语义的) content (no lyrics, familiar lyrics or unfamiliar lyrics), consistently disrupts creative performance in insight problem solving,” the study reads.

1.Why are Mozart and Metallica mentioned at the beginning?

A.To prove they are very creative. B.To introduce the topic of the text.

C.To show the importance of music. D.To offer some background information.

2.What does the underlined word “stymies” in the first paragraph probably mean?

A.Blocks. B.Boosts.

C.Inspires. D.Strengthens.

3.If the participants were given the words fire, place and book during the game, a proper answer could be  .

A.man B.store

C.work D.birth

4.What do we know about the study?

A.The tasks were very difficult for participants to finish.

B.All participants were exposed to two different types of music.

C.Music with famous lyrics didn’t harm participants’ creativity.

D.Library background noises hardly affected participants’ creativity.

    Back in 2012, Dylan Mayer was 19 years old. He was a few years into a new passion: scuba (水肺) diving. He says spending time under water is like visiting an alien planet full of strange creatures.

Dylan grew up in Maple Valley Washington, just outside of the liberal blue bubble of Seattle. Dylan learned young how to hunt and do farm work. On October 31, 2012, he decided to marry his love of scuba diving with his desire to be self-sufficient and harvest his own food. That gray morning, the goal was to pull a giant pacific octopus from its den, wrestle it to the surface and take it home for dinner.

He and a friend headed to the popular dive site at Cove 2 in West Seattle. With his bare hands, Dylan caught an 80-pound cephalopod (头足类动物). “The key is to stay calm. Once you start to panic, you’ll drown,” said Dylan, recalling his 45-minute hand-to-tentacle (触须) battle with the octopus.

But when he hauled it out of the water, people nearby didn’t look very happy. Dylan and his dive partner threw the octopus in the back of their truck and quickly left the scene.

Even though what Dylan did was perfectly legal and even though octopus is on restaurant menus all over the Northwest, the taking of this particular octopus touched a nerve. Adult members of the diving community that Dylan was so excited to be a part of not only roundly rejected him, but also threatened to kill him and his family. However, one diver from the Cove 2 community rose above the criticism to guide this young diver.

1.What did Dylan Mayer decide to do on October 31, 2012?

A.To get married. B.To grow his own food.

C.To support himself by diving. D.To pull a giant pacific octopus.

2.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A.Dylan went to Cove 2 alone.

B.Dylan spent 54 minutes catching the octopus.

C.Dylan attached great importance to keeping calm.

D.Dylan caught a cephalopod with some equipment.

3.What were people’s reactions to Dylan’s taking of the octopus?

A.Not all people liked it.

B.People nearby were very satisfied.

C.Adult members of the diving community were very excited.

D.Nobody liked it because they thought it was against the law.