The cognitive health and development of boys may be affected by their mothers’ body mass index ( BMI) (体重 指数) while pregnant with them, according to research from Columbia University and the University of Texas at Austin.

The study, which was published in the journal BMC Pediatrics on Friday, observed 368 subjects from low-income African American and Dominican women during the second half of their pregnancies, and then evaluated their children three and seven years later. Researchers found that the sons of women whose BMIs indicated that they were overweight or obese when they became pregnant were more likely to show less developed athletic skills as 3-year-olds and lower intelligence as 7-year-olds compared to boys whose mothers were at “normal” weights during pregnancy.

Among boys, the study found, mothers’ overweight and obesity connected with IQ scores between 4.6 and almost 9 points lower than those of boys whose mothers’ weights were in the “normal” range before pregnancy. Researchers did not observe the same phenomenon among daughters whose mothers had been obese.

“These findings aren’t meant to shame or scare anyone,” Elizabeth Widen, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at UT Austin and one of the study’s co-authors, said in a press release. “We are just beginning to understand some of these interactions between mothers' weight and the health of their babies.”

Why mothers’ obesity appeared to affect childhood IQ was unclear, but earlier research has suggested that there is a relationship between a mother’s diet and her child’s later IQ, according to Columbia University. Researchers did not control for what the mothers ate, the press release noted.

The study’s authors wrote that because childhood IQ has been shown to be an indicator of later success in life, studying how a mother’s obesity could affect the IQ of her child is worthwhile.

1.How did researchers carry out the study?

A.By measuring mothers’ body mass index.

B.By watching mothers and babies for years.

C.By comparing 3-year-old babies with 7-year-olds.

D.By evaluating the health of mothers and their babies.

2.What's the main purpose of the study?

A.To show links between mothers’ weight and babies’ IQ.

B.To make those overweight mothers shameful and scared.

C.To warn some fat mothers to keep a balanced diet.

D.To persuade more obese mothers to lose weight.

3.What do the researchers think of the study?

A.Doubtful. B.Worrying.

C.Significant. D.Interesting.

4.In which section of a newspaper may the text appear?

A.Entertainment. B.Novel.

C.Education. D.Health.

    My students were taking midterms when my phone erupted with urgent messages. “A student is having a panic attack,” texted a teaching assistant. I ran out of my office, down a flight of stairs and found the student — a pupil in my 350-person organic chemistry class — lying motionless on the ground outside the exam hall. “Did my exam really trigger a panic attack?” I asked myself. “Why am I not prepared to deal with a situation like this?”

It was my first time teaching the course. But I knew that the subject was challenging for my students. This was a source of stress for premedical students in particular, who feared that a low grade in organic chemistry would keep them from getting into medical school.

The following day, I was scheduled to lecture to the same class. I knew that I had to address what had happened during the midterm. So, I started by saying: “I want to take some time today to talk about something important. How many of you think that this is a weed-out course?” Half of my students raised their hands carefully. “I’m sorry to hear that,” I continued. “I want you all to know that I do not consider any of you to be weeds; you all deserve to be here.”

I flashed a slide of flowers in various shapes. I smiled at my students and said: “I think of you as flowers — different flowers with different needs. You may not bloom at the same time, but you will bloom! You may not do well in the midterm exam, but you will learn from your mistakes and do better in the final exam. I believe this. I believe in you.”

From that point on, my office hours were packed. Some asked about lecture topics and study strategies; others opened up about personal issues. I was amazed that a simple, frank discussion in lecture could make such a difference.

1.What made the pupil have a panic attack?

A.Hiding personal issues.

B.The stress for high grades.

C.Lacking study strategies.

D.Failing to handle the situation.

2.What does the underlined word “trigger” in Paragraph 1 most probably mean?

A.Cure. B.Prevent.

C.Frighten. D.Cause.

3.Why did the author go to the same class the next day?

A.To give the lesson according to the arrangement.

B.To apologize and explain to the panicked student.

C.To give a speech on what happened in the test.

D.To persuade all the students to stay in the class.

4.Which paragraph mainly shows the author’s encouragement to students?

A.Paragraph 2.

B.Paragraph 3.

C.Paragraph 4.

D.Paragraph 5.

    Whether they are already household names or a hidden figure deserving of more recognition, the following ladies changed the world with their enormous contributions.

Ali Stroker

Ali Stroker took the theater world — and, indeed, the very Internet — by storm when, on June 9, 2019, she became the first performer in a wheelchair to take home a Tony Award. After becoming the first actor in a wheelchair in Broadway history in 2015, she won the award for her powerhouse performance in the revival of Oklahoma .

Junko Tabei

Twenty-two years after the first-ever successful mission to the top of Mount Everest, Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the peak. She led a team of 15 women, accompanied by six Sherpas (夏尔巴人), and reached the summit with one of the Sherpas on May 16, 1975.

Gertrude Ederle

The Queen of Waves, who also happened to be deaf, was the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Fighting through cold temperatures and strong tides that change direction every six hours for 22 miles, she clocked a time of 14 hours and 34 minutes.

Virginia Apgar

Generations of parents owe this American doctor a huge thank you, as she developed the Apgar Score, the first standardized system of tests to assess if newborn babies were healthy once they made their way from womb to world. Apgar, who was a gifted cellist and violinist in her spare time, also happens to hold the title of the first woman to be hired as a full professor at the medical school at Columbia University.

1.Whose story may inspire the disabled?

A.Stroker and Tabei.

B.Stroker and Ederle.

C.Ederle and Apgar.

D.Ederle and Tabei.

2.Why should Apgar be appreciated by parents?

A.She took home a big award.

B.She saved many babies' lives.

C.She developed the Apgar Score.

D.She became the first full professor.

3.Who won the title of the Queen of Waves?

A.Ali Stroker.

B.Junko Tabei.

C.Virginia Apgar.

D.Gertrude Ederle.

假如你是育才中学高中生李华，你获悉你们市将为外国留学生举办一场“汉语绕口令比赛”，你打算给你的好友David写一封电子邮件，邀请他参加。内容包括：

1.比赛目的；

2.备赛建议；

3.奖品设置。

注意：1.词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3.开头和结尾已为你写好，不计入总词数；

4.参考词汇：外国留学生foreigh students；绕口令tongue twister。

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

假定英语课上老师要求同们交换修改作文，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。错误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（A),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（从第11处起）不计分。

I'd like to express my sincere appreciation to you for your kindness and selflessly help. It had been a month since I came to this beautiful school. You offered me so much help the first day when I met you in the school. Because your warm help and useful pieces of advice, I have got use to the new school life so soon. However, I find it difficult to make the more friends who native language is English. In add, I still have difficulty in speak to my foreign teachers freely. Therefore, I hope you can recommend a club for me to joining so that I can improve my English.

Again, I'd like to express my thank to you, and look forward to your early reply.

    It was a Saturday, and the sun was scorching (灼热的). I _______up and down the bus stop anxiously and impatiently, waiting for the bus to go to my English class.

＂Excuse me, what time is it?” said a voice in my ear. When I looked back over my _______, I was greeted by a ragged (衣衫褴褛的) man who looked like a migrant peasant worker. He was almost the same age as my elder brother, but his hair was _______and his working clothes were_______ and old. A terrible smell made me take two steps back _______ him. Disgusted and puzzled, I gave him a blank _______ and answered his question unwillingly.

＂Thank you! I'm just afraid of being late for work," he _______in a whisper, giving a nervous giggle (咯咯笑). I remained silent, nodding my head _______

The bus finally reached the stop, and I _______ the bus. I reached into my________,and to my surprise, it was completely empty! I was so embarrassed that I just________, my face________ shame. At that moment, a dark-colored arm reached out and put two coins into the coin box. "The money is for both of us!" a familiar ________ rang in my ear. I raised my head and realized it was him!

My previous behavior ________my mind, making me dizzy. "Thank you," I murmured, regretful and ________.On hearing my words, he smiled, revealing his perfect white teeth. “You are welcome! You helped me, too.”

I was touched, ________the only thing I could do was look steadily at his________.I noticed the calluses (老茧) and ________on them, which told the story of his struggles and hardships as a________. Although his hard work will ruin his ________, it'll never ruin his warm heart and kind soul.

1.A.jumped B.raced C.flew D.walked

2.A.shoulder B.bus C.car D.brain

3.A.messy B.straight C.black D.loose

4.A.fashionable B.unique C.torn D.tidy

5.A.for B.from C.toward D.with

6.A.stare B.agreement C.guide D.understanding

7.A.ordered B.suggested C.complained D.explained

8.A.determinedly B.slightly C.violently D.excitedly

9.A.stopped B.directed C.boarded D.recognized

10.A.bottle B.drawer C.chair D.pocket

11.A.regretted B.froze C.lied D.smiled

12.A.burning with B.taking up C.going for D.running into

13.A.song B.laughter C.voice D.shout

14.A.held up B.wore out C.looked into D.passed through

15.A.appreciative B.generous C.careless D.responsible

16.A.if B.though C.but D.or

17.A.arms B.eyes C.legs D.hands

18.A.power B.strength C.roughness D.thickness

19.A.leader B.worker C.customer D.beggar

20.A.character B.appearance C.trust D.life

    A study plan is an effective way to help you get through your college education in an organized way. Each student will develop a different study plan. 1. When creating your personalized (个性化的) study plan, you will need to do some self-evaluation of your current schedule and time management. Follow the step-by-step instructions below will help you.

Create a time chart of your current activities.

Creating a time chart will allow you to see how you spend your time from day to day. For a one-week period, take notes about your daily activities. Record things like when you are at work, school, or home with family. 2.

Develop a schedule.

Now that you have determined available days and times for studying, make a mark in your calendar. Use detailed notes to block out (概略画出) times on your calendar so that you are reminded every time you look at it. 3. Seeing it written down can make it seem more important, like a doctor's appointment you can't miss.

Determine your study goals.

At the beginning of each week, determine why you need to study and what you plan to accomplish in each class. Do you want to raise your average in a particular class in order to maintain a certain GPA (平均分)? 4. For example, if you are studying for an important mid-term exam, change your study plan two weeks before the test to include reviews of old tests and notes in your sessions (课程).

5.

A study plan works best if it is followed on a consistent (一致的) basis. You should try to develop a study plan that you can follow for the length of each term of college. Since most students enroll in different classes each term, you will have to reevaluate your plan and fine- tune it each term.

A.Stick to your schedule.

B.Even note when you eat and sleep.

C.Are you preparing for a big exam?

D.There is no correct study plan for everyone.

E.It is best to have a schedule written down so you won't forget.

F.So be sure to analyze what you plan to get out of each study session.

G.However, it is helpful to write down which subject you plan to study.

    CHANGSHA-Drones (无人机) for agriculture have proved popular with farmers in China. "Drones are over 10 times more efficient (有效率的) than skilled manpower (人力) and they are cost-effective and environmentally friendly," said Li Liping, a major grain grower in the county-level city of Xiangxiang in Central China's Hunan province.

The 51-year-old farmer, who learned to fly the machine three years ago, said he no longer needed to walk through the mud and water in the fields to spray and fertilize since drones have replaced manual work. "It was so exciting to see the drone taking off," said Li as he recalled the first time he used the machine in the summer of 2018.

As the COVID-19 epidemic (流行病) wanes across China, farmers are encouraged by local governments to expand their planting areas and increase their production input (投入). The city of Xiangxiang, for example, is ready to see a rich summer harvest of early rice. Li has grown some 20 more hectares of early rice this year and expects to see a major rise in grain output with drones being a great help.

Xiao Jianliang, an owner of another major farmland in Xiangxiang, has also benefited greatly from the use of drones in agriculture. Xiao said he acquired his drone license in late 2017 after a 15-day intensive training program, and the skill of flying drones has brought him additional income as the machine improves the efficiency of sowing and crop-dusting (喷杀农药). Farmers like Li and Xiao are among a growing number of Chinese farmers who are introducing smarter and innovative ideas to increase their agricultural production.

They are skilled drone pilots, capable of designing the most efficient flight routes and heights, analyzing the flight path to fill the gap and calculating the precise amount of fertilizer and pesticide for the land.

“A revolution in agricultural production is taking place because of mechanization and intelligent intensive farming, especially in pioneering areas like Xiangxiang," said Li Xiangping, an agricultural expert in Hunan with over two decades of experience in farm management.

As the demand for the machine is predicted to rise in the coming years, farmers including Li and Xiao also expect more intelligent and economical drones equipped with longer battery life.

1.Why did Xiao Jianliang receive the training program?

A.To know the functions of flying drones.

B.To increase the agricultural production.

C.To get the skill of flying drones and a drone license.

D.To reduce the efficiency of sowing and crop-dusting.

2.What does the underlined word "wane” in Para.3 mean?

A.Turn greater in size, number or importance.

B.Having finished and not going to continue.

C.Come near to somebody/something in distance or time.

D.Become gradually weaker, often so that it finally disappears.

3.What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A.The demand for the drone is uncertain.

B.The drone has some room for improvement.

C.It costs much to use the drone in agriculture.

D.Li and Xiao are rather satisfied with the drone.

4.What can be the best title for the news report?

A.Drones have replaced manual work

B.Drones give helping hand to farmers

C.Drones are more efficient than skilled manpower

D.Drones are cost-effective and environmentally friendly

    Space is the final frontier (前沿). Sending rockets into space has become almost common. The demand for communications satellites and space-based image services is growing.

Today, space efforts cost about $200 billion a year. Joint efforts between governments and businesses are helping to lower costs and increase our understanding of the universe.

The business of space looks good for Orbital ATK, a company based in the United States. In January, the company launched its Antares rocket. The rocket was carrying the first of eight planned supply shipments to the International Space Station. Orbital ATK is one of the two American companies paid by NASA to transport supplies to the space station.

A company called Arianespace is a private European space business. Clayton Nowry heads the American division of the company. He says the increase in rocket launches is partly the result of increased demand for space-based technologies. These include high-definition (高清的) broadcasts and satellite broadband services.

While there is more demand for satellites, the end of NASA's Space Shuttle program in 2011 has hurt the space industry. Janice Starzyk works at International Launch Services. She works on education issues at the Washington Space Business Roundtable. She said, "It's a pity that the program's shutdown was a huge, huge set of lay-offs (下岗人员) in the industry."

But even as NASA reduces its spending, other countries have announced plans to explore space. In December 2013, China became just the third country to land an unmanned space vehicle on the moon. A month later, India sent its first communications satellite.

1.What makes sending rockets into space become very usual?

A.More and more people wanting to explore space.

B.Space becoming human's final home and dream.

C.Companies making every effort to earn $ 200 billion a year.

D.Increasing need for communications satellites and space-based image services.

2.Why are governments and businesses working together?

A.To earn more money from space projects.

B.To send more rockets into space and use them.

C.To produce more communications satellites for the public.

D.To keep costs down and help us learn more about the universe.

3.What do we know about Orbital ATK?

A.It's a private European space business.

B.It sent its Antares rocket in January.

C.It's a company based in the United Kingdom.

D.It's the only American company paid by NASA.

4.How may Janice Starzyk feel about the program's shutdown?

A.Hopeful. B.Content.

C.Regretful. D.Uninterested.

    At 12 years old, Braeden Mannering is already well on his way to running an empire! A 2016 win of Delaware's Healthy Lunchtime Challenge brought Braeden to the White House, where the president asked the children at the event to think about how they could pay the experience forward.

A few days later, on the drive back home, Braeden saw a homeless man in the rain. He had his parents stop so that he cold give the man a bag of snacks. Braeden knew at that moment that this was how he wanted to pay it forward. He knew what he wanted to do in the future. He felt that it was his duty to help people in trouble.

Since that day in July,2016,Braeden has handed out over 8,000 bags to the homeless through his organization Brae's Brown Bags, also known as 3B.These bags vary (各不相同) in contents, and include food, toiletries (化妆品) and even books for the kids 'bags.

In addition to packing and distributing (分发) bags, Braeden travels the country, giving talks in schools to inspire other young people to help their communities. On his travel, he's raised$60,000 to expand his program. He also is a leader at the annual Delaware Hunger Conference, where he encourages kids to write to lawmakers and help pack bags, showing them how to make a difference.

This is a huge accomplishment, especially for someone of his age. But, as he says, “Anyone can change the world, as long as you dream big."

1.What does the underlined word "it" in Para.2 refer to?

A.The bag. B.The experience.

C.The event. D.The moment.

2.What does the boy's organization try to do?

A.Provide children with clothes.

B.Help homeless women with make-up.

C.Hand out bags for people to do shopping.

D.Donate things in bags to people losing their homes.

3.Which of the following is NOT the reason why Braeden travels the country?

A.To raise some money.

B.To give talks in schools.

C.To pay a visit to some lawmakers.

D.To inspire young people to help their communities.

4.How does the author like the boy's career?

A.It is great considering his young age.

B.It is not a little boy's task to do so.

C.The government should give him more help.

D.He sets a good example for other children.

    Although being the second-smallest independent state, only 0.7 square mile in the world, Monaco benefits from an excellent climate and beautiful settings between the Mediterranean Sea and France. Monte Carlo is its only city and capital.

Attractions

Every May Monaco has car racing events, such as the Monaco Grand Prix. In the main harbour, expensive yachts and boats make Monaco a good destination for the rich and famous. Monaco's pleasant climate and environment as well as the absence of taxes contribute to this situation. Tourism contributes about 25% of the government income. Museums, zoos and gardens are tourist attractions, so are the beaches, the royal palace and the opera house.

History

Monaco was built by the Phoenicians who occupied the area from the 10th to the 5th century B.C. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco since 1297 and the first Prince Rainier got the throne (王位) in 1304.Later Monaco was under the protection of Rome, France, Spain, and Sardinia. In 1612 when Honore ll was granted the title of prince by the French crown, he signed a treaty of friendship with France, and the country has remained independent from that time on.

People and Religion

Half of the residents of Monaco are the French with many Americans, Italians, the British and Belgians making up the other half. Although the official religion of Monaco is Roman Catholic, there is religious freedom in this French-speaking country.

Government

Prince Rainier Ill rules the country with a minister of state who is French. A National Council with 18 members must approve laws. Its legend was further spread by the marriage of Prince Rainier II to the American actress Grace Kelly in 1956.

1.Which of the following is true about Monaco according to the text?

A.It is on the Mediterranean Sea.

B.It has two cities including its capital.

C.It is the smallest country in the world.

D.Its economy mainly depends on agriculture.

2.Monaco has kept independent till now under the protection of

A.France B.Spain

C.Sardinia D.Rome

3.What can we learn from the text?

A.The residents of Monaco are mainly Americans.

B.Prince Rainier II married an American actress.

C.Half of the residents in Monaco speak English.

D.The minister of Monaco was appointed by the prince.

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。

The day of the balloon festival, I felt as light as a hot-air balloon. This year I wouldn’t just be watching. I’d be riding in Mr. J’s truck, following the flight of the balloon and meeting it when it came down.

It was a perfect day. Dad and I drove down the road, circled along the lake and turned into the field that was being used as a parking area. Dad pointed to the lake. “That’s where the balloon festival will take place.” he said. We came to a stop and I got out of the car. And then I saw it, a white bird with black stripes, brown head, and skinny legs. It screamed and beat its wings in the dirt in front of the cars that were driving downhills. Its wings looked broken. Suddenly it cried bitterly and flew off.

“Dad,” I called, but my father was watching the balloons.

“It’s a killdeer(北美喧鹆).” A silver-haired old woman said to me, adding that there must have been a nest here somewhere. “In the parking area?” I asked. She nodded firmly. “It was a nesting place before it became a parking area. No one told the killdeer about the balloon festival!”

“Jack!” Dad called “Isn’t it time you went down to meet Mr. J?”

“I have got to go.” I said to the woman but she pointed with her walking stick. There, on the ground was a perfect nest of eggs, looking like pebbles(卵石). They were almost in the path of cars, trucks and motorbikes.

Suddenly, the parent bird was back to its nest and its wings both twisted again. “Jack!” Dad called again. “The balloons are ready to fly.”

“Dad! I am…” A truck roared over the hill. Brakes(刹车) screamed and dust flew. “What’s the matter?” asked Dad angrily from the truck.

注意:

1.所续写短文的词数应为 150 左右；

2.至少使用 5 个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；

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，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。

Paragraph 1:

“Dad, I am not going,” I said.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2:

Soon a number of vehicles surrounded the nest.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

—This is the third time he has got the first place in the test !

—In my opinion，he is, ________，one of the best students in the class.

A.out of the question B.out of place

C.out of question D.out of shape

At last, I should thank Mr. White for the ________ of speaking here.

A.prejudice B.privilege C.ambition D.favor

In that school, German is compulsory for all students, but English and French are ________.

A.special B.regional C.optional D.original

Rita loves her son so much that she ________ two hours every Sunday afternoon to spend with him.

A.set aside B.set back C.set out D.set off

Even if he has been a teacher for 20 years, Peter has a good and serious attitude towards his work, for which he gains a lot of ________.

A.competence B.motivation C.expectation D.recognition

Share prices on the stock exchange fell sharply in the morning but ________ slightly in the afternoon.

A.reformed B.recovered C.responded D.remained

He accidentally ________ he had quarreled with his wife and he hadn’t returned home for several weeks.

A.put forward B.made out C.came up D.let out

—How is the result, doctor?

—Well, your health is ________ good, but you do have a few minor problems.

A.normally B.frequently C.generally D.regularly

—So you didn’t say hello to him last night?

—Well, I stopped and smiled when I saw him, but he ________ me and walked on with his head very high.

A.ignored B.refused C.recognized D.missed

White noise consists of________ collections of sounds at different frequencies，such as the dull noise of aircraft engines.

A.swift B.fierce C.random D.generous

John was a hard­working man and he ________ a piece of waste ground into a beautiful garden.

A.translated B.transformed C.transported D.transferred

Nowadays students go to key universities just for a formal ________，which may help them hunt for a good job in the future.

A.conservation B.preparation C.graduation D.qualification

When the speaker finished his speech, he was content to see his speech was ________ with cheers and applause from the audience.

A.respected B.commented C.associated D.greeted

They planned to hold a grand party to ________ their parents’ diamond wedding anniversary as a reward for bringing them up.

A.congratulate B.memorize C.observe D.guarantee

Miss Green often said “God helps those who help themselves”, intending to _______ on us the significance of being independent.

A.base B.impress

C.focus D.rely

The success of a government should be ________ in terms of the health and happiness of the people as well as the development of economy.

A.observed B.established C.benefited D.measured

Many nations have promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but are falling short of the ________ reduction of 25 to 40 percent of 1990 levels.

A.target B.option C.profit D.refund

Learning English means more than memorizing a lot of words. It ________ a large amount of reading as well.

A.involves B.inspires C.motivates D.associates