Most schools forbid chewing gum, but in a few years they might consider changing that rule. Why? Scientists are finding evidence that gum chewing may be good for your health. It may even help improve your test scores.
This exciting research is just beginning. And in the meantime, companies are also experimenting with adding vitamins, minerals, medicines, and other substances that could give gum the power to cure headaches and fight everything from serious diseases to bad breath.
Other researchers are finding that gum might work better than a pill to deliver medicines and other substances into the bloodstream. That’s because the lining (膜) of our cheeks can absorb certain substances more quickly than our stomachs and intestines (肠) can.
That discovery could help other researchers develop medicine-containing gums that fight colds, ease headaches, battle nervousness, and more. Scientists might even create antimicrobial (抗菌的) gums that cure bad breath.
Those projects may take years, but gum scientists have already had at least one recent success: They’ve created a gum that could help us stay awake.
Researchers have produced a gum called Stay Alert. Each stick has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. It can take an hour for the caffeine in coffee to have its full effect, but the caffeine in Stay Alert hits in just a few minutes.
The gum is easy to transport and it’s stable in cold and hot climates. Unlike a pill, it doesn’t require water to swallow. Those qualities make it easy for soldiers to use.
For now, Stay Alert is available only to the military (军队). The manufacturer may one day offer it for sale to the public. People who work at night, such as truck drivers and medical personnel who ride in ambulances, might benefit from a product like Stay Alert. The passage mainly talks about _____.
| A．the rule of forbidding chewing gum in school |
| B．new research on chewing gum |
| C．different kinds of chewing gum |
| D．the relationship between chewing gum and medicine |
What does the underlined word “hits” in Paragraph 6 probably mean?
| A．Touches. | B．Attacks. | C．Takes effect. | D．Affects badly. |
According to the passage, Stay Alert is a gum which can help people _____.
| A．stay awake | B．fight colds |
| C．cure headaches | D．overcome nervousness |
It can be inferred from the passage that _____.
| A．stay Alert is not easy to store |
| B．stay Alert needs water to swallow |
| C．stay Alert is available to the public now |
| D．we can’t buy gums that cure bad breath now |
Is there something that you’ve always wanted to try but just never have the time? Well, make plans to try it now since you are on summer vacation. Not all vacations call for taking a tour bus to take photos of famous landmarks. Some vacations allow you plenty of opportunities to learn.
The most difficult aspect of a learning vacation may be choosing one because the possibilities are endless. If you enjoy cooking, various companies can take you to Italy, France, Spain, Mexico or even Peru. Once there, you can learn to prepare the local cuisine(烹饪). Trips are often planned to fit in with local food festivals or special events.
The term “learning vacation” often brings language to mind. The best way to learn a language is in an environment where it’s spoken. Study Spanish, French or English. Or attempt a more unusual language like Polish, Estonian or Thai. You’ll be able to learn about the country and absorb the culture at the same time.
If you are fond of sports, you can polish your skills or learn new ones. Golf and tennis schools welcome players of all levels. If you want a bigger thrill, you can learn to surf, go climbing or race cars. It’s ever possible to learn the art and techniques of bull fighting while on vacation!
You can also discover your inner artist. Many places offer painting classes in different mediums. The scenic locations of the schools offer plenty of subjects that provide inspiration for practice.
If you prefer capturing the world on film, take a photography vacation. Travel with a small group to photograph beautiful animals or scenery. You can also practice your technique on people or at historical sights.
Once you decide on a vacation, choose a company carefully. Request names of recent customers you can contact, and then ask them for an evaluation(评价). The more you know before you go, the better prepared you’ll be. Then go out and learn something!Why is it hard for you to decide on a learning vacation?
| A．Because it is hard for you to make plans. |
| B．Because the possibilities are unlimited. |
| C．Because there are many good foods from abroad. |
| D．Because there’s too many food festivals or events. |
The advantages of learning a language in its native country is that .
| A．the environment is fit for you to use the language |
| B．you are able to learn the original foreign language |
| C．native speakers offer you a lot of chances to practice |
| D．you can learn the language and experience its culture |
Which of the following sports suits you if you don’t like thrills?
| A．Car racing. | B．Playing tennis. |
| C．Rock climbing. | D．Surfing. |
The purpose of writing the text is to .
| A．advertise some popular summer programmes |
| B．encourage readers to have a good time relaxing |
| C．offer some tips on how to enjoy a learning vacation |
| D．attract more readers to spend summer time learning |
He’s an old cobbler(修鞋匠) with a shop in the Marais, a historic area in Paris. When I took him my shoes, he at first told me, “I haven’t time. Take them to the other fellow on the main street; he’ll fix them for you right away.”
But I’d had my eye on his shop for a long time. Just looking at his bench loaded with tools and pieces of leather, I knew he was a skilled craftsman(手艺人) . “No,” I replied, “The other fellow can’t do it well.”
“The other fellow” was one of those shopkeepers who fix shoes and make keys “while-U-wait” —without knowing much about mending shoes or making keys. They work carelessly, and when they have finished sewing back a sandal strap(鞋带) you might as well just throw away the pair.
The man saw I wouldn’t give in, and he smiled. He wiped his hands on his blue apron（围裙）, looked at my shoes, had me write my name on one shoe with a piece of chalk and said, “Come back in a week.”
I was about to leave when he took a pair of soft leather boots off a shelf.
“See what I can do?” he said with pride. “Only three of us in Paris can do this kind of work.”
When I got back out into the street, the world seemed brand-new to me. He was something out of an ancient legend, this old craftsman with his way of speaking familiarly, his very strange, dusty felt hat, his funny accent from who-knows-where and, above all, his pride in his craft.
These are times when nothing is important but the bottom line, when you can do things any old way as long as it “pays”, when, in short, people look on work as a path to ever-increasing consumption(消费) rather than a way to realize their own abilities. In such a period it is a rare comfort to find a cobbler who gets his greatest satisfaction from pride in a job well done.Which of the following is true about the old cobbler?
| A．He was equipped with the best repairing tools. |
| B．He was the only cobbler in the Marais. |
| C．He was proud of his skills. |
| D．He was a native Parisian. |
The sentence “He was something out of an ancient legend”(Paragraph 7) implies that .
| A．nowadays you can hardly find anyone like him |
| B．it was difficult to communicate with this man |
| C．the man was very strange |
| D．the man was too old |
According to the author, many people work just to .
| A．realize their abilities |
| B．gain happiness |
| C．make money |
| D．gain respect |
This story wants to tell us that .
| A．craftsmen make a lot of money |
| B．whatever you do, do it well |
| C．craftsmen need self-respect |
| D．people are born equal |
Science Textbooks for Sale!
Used, but in like-new condition with absolutely no writing.
+ (2-Volume Set)
Third Edition (ISBN 978-1-55581-479-3 & 978-1-55581-480-9),
Paperback—$ 110
Introduction to Genetic Analysis
Ninth Edition (ISBN 978-0-7167-6887-6), Hard Cover—$ 110
Please call 646-470-1770 or email for details. No text messages, please. Thank you!
Help an Elder
Having a fruitful life depends upon oneself. Join our Elder Helpers Program and start becoming productive now!
We will connect you with elders who are in need of care in your community. If you have a kind heart and some extra time, feel free to join our program. Register here: http://www. elderhelpers. org.)
Citizens of all states and countries are encouraged to join!
Profiles(简介)with a picture always get more attention!
(Wonderful angel who helped me greatly by Kim)
I was so lucky to find Elder Helpers on the web and even luckier that Laura decided to help me get organized. I was hit by a car in January and couldn’t do much in my house for several months so things really got messy here. But this Angel of a person came and rescued me. I am so lucky and grateful to have met her and to have received her generous help.
Learn To Play Chess or Improve Your Game
Chess lessons are offered by a skilled, experienced, patient chess teacher who is also a very strong practical player.
Whether you are a complete beginner or want to improve your game, it may be a good idea for you to call me.
I work with adults and with children as young as 4.
If interested please call me directly at 1-(347)-694-0072.We can know that Introduction to Genetic Analysis sold in Ad 1 .
| A．is in its third edition |
| B．is an old science textbook |
| C．has notes on some pages |
| D．is in paperback |
What’s the purpose of Ad 2?
| A．To give tips on volunteering. |
| B．To introduce an active lifestyle |
| C．To find volunteers. |
| D．To help older people. |
What’s the meaning of the word “messy” (underlined in Ad 2)?
| A．Untidy. | B．Broken. |
| C．Unpleasant. | D．Changed.\ |
The chess lessons in Ad 3 will .
| A．mainly include beginners |
| B．be taken mainly by adults |
| C．be taught by an old teacher |
| D．have learners of different ages |
Rembrandt was an extraordinary Dutch painter. He was most well-known for his brushwork and the way in which he connected with the human soul. His life, however, was not happy.
He was born on July 15,1606 in Leiden, the Netherlands. His father wanted him to have a real, learned profession but Rembrandt left the University of Leiden after becoming bored. He began studying art under a local teacher but soon left and studied in Amsterdam where he mastered all his lessons in six months!
At the age of 22, he moved back to Leiden and began to get his own students. One of his students was the famous artist Gerrit Dou. In 1631 he returned to Amsterdam where he became the most popular portrait painter in Holland. Rembrandt met Saskia and married her in 1634. She was a cousin of a very successful art dealer and she helped him to meet wealhy people who commissioned(委任制作) many paintings from him. He used her as a model in many of his paintings.
Rembrandt’s private life, however, was very unfortunate. He had four children with Saskia but only one, Titus, survived. Saskia died in 1642 at the age of only 30. In 1649, his housekeeper became his second wife and was also a model for many of his paintings. Even though Rembrandt was very successful as an artist, art dealer and teacher, he lived in a careless way and had to declare bankruptcy(破产) in 1656. He even had to sell his whole art collection and his house to pay off his debts.
His unfortunate life, however, didn’t affect his art. He painted many great paintings during that time. His new love, Hendrickje, died in 1663 and his 27-year-old son, Titus, died in 1668. Eleven months later, on October 4, 1669, Rembrandt died in Amsterdam. He produced more than 600 paintings and over 2,000 drawings!Which of the following is the reason that made Rembrandt’s business fail?
| A．As an extraordinary Dutch painter, he knew nothing about business. |
| B．He spent most of his time on art, leaving no time to care his business. |
| C．All his children but Titus died, which made him very sad. |
| D．Like other famous artists, he was thoughtless. |
From the passage we learn that Rembrandt .
| A．graduated from the University of Leiden |
| B．began his teaching career in 1628 |
| C．married Saskia when he was 22 years old |
| D．was good at drawing animals and flowers |
How many members of Rembrandt’s family died before him, not including his parents?
| A．Four. | B．Five. | C．Six. | D．Seven. |
What’s the best title for this passage?
| A．A brief biography of Rembrandt |
| B．A great Dutch painter |
| C．The greatest painter in the world |
| D．Rembrandt’s unhappy family |
His first successful fight was for the equal rights of black people in South Africa. Then, as the first black president, he fought to unite the country and organize the government. Now Nelson Mandela has set his sights on a new enemy, AIDS.
On March 19 the former president, hosted his second AIDSawareness concert. He warned that 25 million people in Africa were already infected with the fatal disease.
Mandela was born in a small village in South Africa in 1918. He was adopted by the chief of his tribe and could have been a chief himself and lived a happy country life.
But he refused to be a chief when his people lived under racial discrimination(歧视). He decided to fight for equal rights for all the people in South Africa. Before 1990, under the country’s Racial Segregation Law, coloured people and white people lived separately. Black people were treated unfairly even when taking a bus. Blacks had to stand at the back of the bus to make room for white people even when there were only a few of them on board.
For his opposition to the system, Mandela was arrested and spent 27 years in prison. He was freed in 1990 and became the president of the country after the first election was held in which everyone could vote.
Mandela was not only a political fighter who attacked with speeches. He was also a trained boxer and fought in the ring when he was young.
“Although I did not enjoy the violence of boxing, I was interested in how one moved one’s body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat，”he wrote in his autobiography.
As a skillful fighter, he chose music as his weapon against AIDS. He hopes to win another victory against AIDS.When was Mandela arrested?
| A．In 1963. |
| B．In 1990. |
| C．When he refused to be a chief. |
| D．When he became the president. |
Nelson Mandela succeeded in doing the following EXCEPT ________.
| A．winning the equal rights for the black people in South Africa |
| B．uniting South Africa |
| C．organizing a government in South Africa |
| D．controlling the spread of AIDS |
Which of the following statements can best describe the life of Nelson Mandela?
| A．Struggle is his life. |
| B．Sports make his fame. |
| C．Fight for equal rights. |
| D．A great fighter against the government. |
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