There is some unwelcome news for students preparing for exams and officers putting in long hours-----you don't need the break as much as you may think that makes you feel less tired.
Scientists have long assumed that willpower (意志力) is a limited resource, which is why you feel the need to have a rest, have a snack and come back to a task when you're feeling better. They argued that the only way to restore willpower was by rest, food or entertainment.
But psychologists have challenged this theory, saying weak willpower is all in your head. They found that people's beliefs in willpower determine how long and how well they'll be able to work on a tough mental exercise. "If you think of willpower as something that's limited, you're more likely to be tired when you perform a difficult task," said Prof.Veronika Job. "'But if you think of willpower as something that is not easily used up, you can go on and on."
The researchers designed four experiments to test students'-beliefs in willpower. After a tiring task, those, who believed or were led to believe that willpower is a limited resource, performed worse on standard concentration tests than those who thought of willpower as something they had more control over. They also found that leading up to final exam week, students who believed the limited resource theory ate junk food 24 percent more often than those who believed they had more control in resisting temptation (诱惑).
Mr. Job said. "The theory that willpower is a limited resource is interesting, but it has had unintended consequences. Students who may already have trouble studying are being told that their power of concentration is limited, and they need to take frequent breaks. But a belief in willpower as a non-limited resource makes people stronger in their ability to work through challenges.'"
The findings could help people who are battling temptation. Willpower isn't driven by a biologically based process as much as we used to think. The belief in it is what influences your behavior.The theory that willpower is limited supports that _________.
| A．people must eat snacks when they feel tired |
| B．people do need a break to restore their willpower |
| C．there’s no way to strengthen people’s willpower |
| D．weak willpower doesn’t affect people’s life much |
What have the scientists long believed regarding willpower?
| A．It is in the charge of people. |
| B．It is a limited resource. |
| C．There is no way to restore willpower. |
| D．It doesn’t easily run out. |
Which of the following best helps the students to prepare better for their exams?
| A．Push themselves even if they want to take a break. |
| B．Don’t eat fast food while studying. |
| C．Remind themselves willpower is not limited. |
| D．Stay in a comfortable and quiet place. |
What’s the best title for the passage?
| A．A new theory about willpower |
| B．How to build strong willpower |
| C．The great influence of willpower |
| D．Willpower doesn’t last long |
第二部分：阅读理解（共25小题。第一节每小题2分，第二节每小题1分；满分45分）
第一节：阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
Many people wonder why the United States has been a hotspot for Chinese students for years, despite its extremely strict visa policy. On the other hand, China’s rise as an economic powerhouse is resulting in a rapid expansion of its higher education system, making it the faster-growing destination for American foreign exchange students.
Recently, according to a study by the Institute of International Education, a research organization based in New York, the number of American students seeking higher education in China has never been greater, increasing by 90 percent from 2002 to 2004. Alan Goodman, president of the institute, believes that the phenomenon lies in the pace of change in China, which is spending billions of dollars to expend and transform its higher educational facilities into world-class institutions.
“China is a job market,” said Professor Chou, professor of East Asian Studies at Princeton University. “Twenty years ago, only those interested in Chinese literature would study Chinese language. Now all professors have opened up.”
China now ranks 9th as a host destination for American students, advancing from the No.12 spot it held a year earlier. The study revealed that Britain continues to be the leading destination, attracting 16.8 percent of all American students who study abroad. On the other hand, in the 2004-2005 academic year, China sent more than 62,000 students to the United States, nearly 60 percent more than a decade earlier. According to the study, the Chinese now make up 11 percent of foreign students in the United States, the second-largest group behind students from India.
41.From the first paragraph, we know that for many years Chinese students want to go to the US but _____.
A. Chinese government refuses to give a visa B. it is extremely difficult to get a visa
C. it results in a rapid expansion D. China becomes a fast-growing country
42.According to the text, “the phenomenon” in the second paragraph refers to _____.
A. more American students’ seeking higher education in China
B. the pace of change in China during the past few years
C. founding a research organization based in New York
D. expending and transforming its higher educational facilities
43.What is the main idea of this text?
A. American Students are looking for destination.
B. American students are interested in Chinese culture.
C. Britain continues to be the leading destination.
D. China grows as study hotspot for U.S. students.
C
I entered high school having read hundreds of books. But I was not a good reader.Merely bookish, I lacked a point of view when I read. Rather, I read in order to get a point of view. I searched books for good expressions and sayings, pieces of information, ideas, themes-anything to enrich my thought and make me feel educated. When one of my teachers suggested to his sleepy tenth-grade English class that a person could not have a "complicated idea" until he had read at least two thousand books, I heard the words without recognizing either its irony (嘲讽) or its very complicated truth. I merely determined to make a list of all the books I had ever
read. Strict with myself, I included only once a title I might have read several times.(How, after all, could one read a book more than once?) And I included only those books over a hundred pages in length. (Could anything shorter be a book?)
There was yet another high school list I made. One day I came across a newspaper article about an English professor at a nearby state college. The article had
a list of the "hundred most important books of Western Civilization." "More than
anything else in my life," the professor told the reporter with finality, "these books have made me all that I am." That was the kind of words I couldn't ignore. I kept the list for the several months it took me to read all of the titles. Most books, of course, I hardly understood. While reading Plato's The Republic, for example, I needed to keep looking at the introduction of the book to remind myself what the text was about.However, with the special patience and superstition (迷信) of a schoolboy, I looked at every word of the text. And by the time I reached the last word, pleased, I persuaded myself that I had read The Republic,and seriously crossed Plato off my list.
51.On heating the teacher's suggestion of reading, the writer thought______.
A. one must read as many books as possible.
B. a student should not have a complicated idea.
C. it was impossible for one to read two thousand books.
D. students ought to make a list of the books they had read
52. While at high school, the writer_________.
A. had plans for reading B. learned to educate himself
C. only read books over 100 pages D. read only one book several times
53. The underlined phrase "with finality" in the second paragraph probably means_________.
A. firmly B. clearly C. proudly D. pleasantly
54. The writer's purpose in mentioning "The Republic" is to________.
A. explain why it was included in the list.
B. describe why he seriously crossed it offthe list.
C. show that he read the books blindly though they were hard to understand
D. prove that he understood most of it because he had looked at every word
55. The writer provides two book lists to________.
A. show how he developed his point of view.
B. tell his reading experience at high school.
C. introduce the two persons' reading methods.
D. explain that he read many books at high school.
B
You're in a bit of a dilemma standing in front of the produce section of your local supermarket. In one hand, you're holding a conventionally grown Granny Smith apple.In your other hand, you have one that's been organically grown. Both apples are firm,shiny and green. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.
The conventionally grown apple costs less and is a proven family favorite. But the organic apple has a label that says "USDA Organic". Does that mean it's better? Safer? More nutritious? Several differences between organic and non-organic foods exist. Become a better informed consumer for your next trip to the supermarket.
The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution.Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease.
Here are other differences between conventional fanning and organic farming:
* Organic or not? Check the label.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed.Any farmer or food manufacturer who labels and sells a product as organic must be USDA certified as meeting these standards. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt (免除) from this certification.
If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it's produced and processed according to the USDA standards. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers
use it.
46. The main purpose of the passage is_________.
A. to promote the sales of organic food
B. to inform people organic food is better for their health
C. to persuade people to become informed consumers
D. to compare conventional and organic foods
47. According to the passage, organic farming is intended to_________.
A. improve the quality of the soil and water
B. take the place of the traditional agriculture entirely
C. adopt eco-friendly methods to grow plants and feed animals
D. prevent livestock from getting disease more effectively
48. According to the passage, the conventionally grown apple_________.
A. costs less but tastes worse than an organic one
B. doesn't look the same as an organic one
C. has proven itself acceptable by the family
D. contains more fat, sodium and cholesterol
49. Which of the following methods belongs to organic farming?
A. Using chemicals to kill insects and prevent disease.
B. Using rotted plants as fertilizer to promote plant growth.
C. Using growth hormones to speed up animals' growth.
D. Using pests to reduce insects and disease.
50. From the passage we know the organic certification program________.
A. is not meant for all producers of produce
B. makes it compulsory to attach a USDA Organic label
C. sets restrictions on the sales of organic produce
D. requires all foods to satisfy the strict government standards
III．阅读(共两节，满分40分)
第一节 阅读理解(共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分)
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题号上将该项涂黑。
A
Living an Adventurous Life
Nearly ten years ago, I was told that I had a brain tumor (瘤), and this experience changed my attitude about adventure forever. I thought that I was going to die and that all my adventures were over. I did not have a brain tumor, it turned out, but rather multiple sclerosis (多发性硬化症), which meant that, although they were not over,the nature of my adventures could have to change.
Each morning that I wake up is a fresh event, something that I might not have
had. Each gesture that I make carries the weight of uncertainty and demands significant attention: buttoning my shirt, changing a light bulb, walking down stairs. I might not be able to do it this time. If I could not delight in them, they would likely drown me in anger and in self-pity.
I admire the grand adventures of others. I read about them with interest. With Peter Matthiessen I have hiked across the Himalayas to the Crystal Mountain. I have walked with Annie Dillard up, down, into, and across Tinker Creek in all Seasons. David Bain has gone with me along 110 miles of Philippine coast, and Ed Abbey has
rowed me down the Colorado River, I enjoy the adventures of these courageous figures, who can strike out on difficult trips - 2 miles, 250 miles, 3000 miles - ready to bear cold and tiredness - indeed not just to bear but to celebrate.
But as for me, I can no longer walk very far from the armchair in which I read. Some days I don't even make it to the backyard. And yet I'm unwilling to give up the adventurous life, the difficulty of it, even the pain, the anxiety and fear, aud the sudden brief lift of spirit that makes a hard journey more attractive.
I refine adventure, make it smaller and smaller. And now, whether I am moving on my hands and knees across the dining room to help my cat, lying wide-eyed in the dark battling another period of sadness, gathering flowers from the garden, meeting a friend for lunch, I am always having the adventures that are mine to have.
41. What happens to the author after her illness?
A. She has a fear of medical treatments. B. She travels to places she has dreamed.
C. She can't take care of herself any longer D. She is not drowned in anger and self-pity.
42. Why does the author admire the people mentioned in paragraph 3?
A. Because they write popular novels. B. Because they are great adventurers.
C. Because they are famous geographers. D. Because they struggle with hardship in life
43. The author ends the article with a feeling of______
A. sadness B. sacrifice C. security D. satisfaction
44. What does "adventurous life" in the title mean to the author?
A. The struggles of great people against difficulties.
B. Her concern about giving up certain activities.
C. Her adapting to the situation with an illness.
D. The exciting traveling experience of others.
45. What conclusion can we draw from the passage?
A. Travel can enrich a person's life.
B. Reading is an activity that a patient enjoys most.
C. A positive attitude can improve a difficult situation.
D. A person's ability can be improved through reading.
(C)
Everyone gathered around and Paddy read out loud, skowly, his tone growing sadder and sadder. The little headline said: BOXER RECEIVFS LIFF SENTENCE.
Frank Cleary.aged 26,professional baxer. was today found guilty of the murder of Albert Cumming . aged 32,laborer ,last July. The jury (陪审团)reached its decision after only ten minutes, recommending the most sever punishment the court could give out.It was, said the judge.a simple case. Cummjng and Cleary had quarreled violently at the Harbour Hotel on July 23rd and police saw Cleary kicking at the head of the unconscious cumming. When arrested Cleary was drunk but clear-thinking…
Cleary was sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour .Asked if he had anything to say , Cleary answered，“Jusr don't tell my mother.”
It happened over three years ago, " Paddy said helplessly. No one answered him or moved.for no one knew what to do. "Jus don't tell my mother. said Fee numbly. "And no one did!Oh. God! My poor. poor Frank!"
Paddy wiped the tears from his face and said. 'Fee dear, pack your things. We'll go to see him.
She half-rose before sinking back. her eyes in her small white face stared as if dead. "I can't go . she said without a hint of pain . yet making evcryone feel that the pain was there. "It would kill him to see me. I know him so well - his pride. his ambition. Let him bear the shame alone.it's what he wants. We've got to help him keep his secret. What good will it do him keep his secret what good will it do him to see us? "
Paddy was still weeping. buL not for Frank, for the life which had gone from Fee's face .for the dying in her eyes. Frank had always brougt bitterness and misfortune ,always stood between Fee and himseLf. He was the cause of her withdrawal from his hart and the hearts of his children.
Every time it lookcd as if there might be happinegs for Fee . Frank took it away. But Paddy's love for her was as deep and impossibile to wipe out as hers was for Fiank.
So he said. " Well, Fee, we won't go But we must make sure he is taken care of. How about if l write to Father Jones and ask him to look out for Frank?
The eyes didn't liven . but a faint pink stole into her cheeks " Yes. Paddy.
Do that . Only make sure he knows not to tell Frank we found out .Perhaps it would ease Frank to think for certain that we don't know"
51. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Frank was found guilty Of murder because he was a professional boxer.
B. The family didn't find out what happened to Frank until three years later
C. The jury and the judge disagreed on whether Frank had committed murder.
D. Frank didn't want his family to find out what happened because Paddy disliked him.
52. Paddy didn't cry for Frank because he thought
A. Frank did kill someone and deserved the punishment
B .Frank should have told Fce what had happened
C. what had happened to Frank was killing Fee
D. Frank had always been a man of bad moral character
53. Which of the following suggests that Fee was deeply shocked by what happened to Frank?
A. " Her eyes in her small white face stared as if dead. "
B. " Let him bear the shame alone . its what he wants. "
C. " Every time it looked as if there miLhL be happiness for Fee , Frank took it away "
D. " The eyes didn't liven . but a faint pink stole into her cheeks "
54. "She half-rose before sinking back…" (in Paragraph 6) shows that
A. Fee was so heart-broken that she could hardly stand up
B .Fee didn'e want to upset Paddy by visiting Frank
C .Fee couldn't leave her family to go to see Frank
D Fee struggled betwccn wanting to See Frank and respecting his wish
55. What is Fee's probable relationship with Frank and Paddy?
A Son and brother B Son and husband
C Brothcr and lover D Lover and husband
粤公网安备 44130202000953号