Things Your Pilot Won't Tell You
You may not be getting the airline you paid for．
You may go to an airline website and buy a ticket, and get onto an airplane that has a similar name painted on it, but half the time, you're really on a regional （地方的） airline．The regionals aren't held to the same safety standards as the majors: their pilots aren't required to have as much training and experience, and the public doesn't know that．
—Captain at a major airline
If you're a nervous flier, book a morning flight．
The heating of the ground later causes bumpier （颠簸的） air, and it's much more likely to thunderstorm in the afternoon．
—Jerry Johnson , pilot, Los Angeles
The smoothest place to sit is often over or near the wing．
The bumpiest place to sit is in the back．If you're in the middle, you don't move as much．
—Patrick Smith, pilot, and author of Cockpit Confidential
Sit in the front if you want fresher air．
The general flow of air in any airplane is from front to back．So if you're really concerned about breathing the freshest possible air or not getting too hot, sit as close to the front as you can．Planes are generally warmest in the back．
—Tech pilot at a regional airline, Texas
You never know where the safest seat is．
There is no safest place to sit．In one accident, the people in the back are dead; in the next, it's the people up front．
—John Nance, aviation safety analyst and retired airline captain, Seattle
I've been struck by lightning twice．
Most pilots have．Airplanes are built to take it．You hear a big boom and see a big flash and that's it．You're not going to fall out of the sky．
—Charlotte, pilot for a regional earner,．North Carolina
People don't understand why they can't use their cell phones．
Well, what can happen is 12 people will decide to call someone just before landing, and I can get a false reading on my instruments saying that we are higher than we ideally are．
—Jim Tilmon, retired American Airlines pilot, PhoenixJerry Johnson advises nervous fliers to ______．
| A．sit in the back |
| B．fly in the morning |
| C．fly with major airlines |
| D．avoid flying in bad weather |
The best seats for those who need fresh air are ______．
| A．in the front | B．in the middle |
| C．in the back | D．near the wing |
Passengers' use of cellphones before landing is likely to ______．
| A．increase the risk of being struck by lightning |
| B．make it difficult for pilots to control the plane |
| C．cause the instruments of the plane to break down |
| D．affect pilots' judgment about the height of the plane |
Judging from recent surveys, most experts in sleep behavior agree that there is virtually an epidemic（流行病） of sleepiness in the nation．“I can’t think of a single study that hasn’t found Americans getting less sleep than they ought to,” says Dr．David．Even people who think they are sleeping enough would probably be better off with more rest．
The beginning of our sleep-deficit（lack）crises can be traced back to the invention of the light bulb a century ago．From diary entries and our personal accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries, sleep scientists have reached the conclusion that the average person used to sleep about 9.5 hours a night．“The best sleep habits once were forced on us, when we had nothing to do in the evening down on the farm, and it was dark．” By the 1950s and 1960s, the sleep schedule had been reduced dramatically, to between 7.5 and 8 hours, and most people had to wake to an alarm clock．“People cheat in their sleep, and they don’t even realize they’re doing it,” says Dr．David．“They think they’re okay because they can get by on 6.5 hours, when they really need 7.5, 8 or even more to feel ideally energetic. ”
Perhaps the most merciless robber of sleep, researches say, is the complexity of the day．Whenever pressures from work, family, friends and community increase, many people consider sleep the least expensive item on their programs．“In our society, you’re considered dynamic if you say you need only 5．5 hours’ sleep．If you’ve got to get 8．5 hours, people think you lack drive and ambition．”
To determine the consequences of sleep-deficit, researchers have put subjects through a set of psychological and performance tests requiring them, for instance, to add columns of numbers or recall a passage read to them only minutes earlier．“We’ve found that if you’re in sleep deficit, performance suffers,” says Dr．David．“Short-term memory is weakened, as are abilities to make decisions and to concentrate．”What is the main topic of the passage?
| A．The history of people’s sleeping patterns． |
| B．The epidemic of sleepiness in the modern times． |
| C．Research on the causes and consequences of sleep-deficit． |
| D．The minimum of our sleeping hours． |
Which of the following is Dr．David’s opinion?
| A．People’s metal power suffers if they are lacking in sleep． |
| B．Some people can remain energetic with only 6．5 hours’ sleep a night． |
| C．If they get 8．5 hours’ sleep, people will be full of drive and ambition． |
| D．People who think they are sleeping enough are better off than those who don't． |
People in the 18th and 19th centuries slept about 9．5 hours a night because _______．
| A．they had no electricity |
| B．they knew what was best for their health |
| C．they were forced by their parents to do so |
| D．they were not so dynamic and ambitious as modern people are |
The major cause of sleep-deficit of modern people is _______．
| A．the endless TV programs in the evenings and the internet |
| B．the heavy work load of the day |
| C．the sufficient energy modern people usually have |
| D．loud noises in the modern cities |
What does the word “subjects” in paragraph 4 mean?
| A．Person or thing that is being discussed or described． |
| B．Branch of knowledge studied in a school． |
| C．Person or thing being treated in a certain way or being experimented on． |
| D．Any member of a State apart from the supreme ruler． |
Today, when there are many top graduates looking for top jobs, graduates can differentiate(区别) themselves by obtaining a double major or even a double degree. Increasingly, employers are looking for individuals who are not only competent and intelligent, but who have different skill sets and who are knowledgeable in many areas. Part of the appeal to employers is that your extra work demonstrates a willingness to take on difficult tasks. Additionally, if your majors overlap (重叠), you are able to show potential employers that you have both breadth and depth of knowledge.
By studying for a double major, although you will be studying for only one degree, you will be focusing on two related and integrated subjects that complement (补充) each other. Classes overlap between the majors, meaning fewer classes are required than with a double degree, so it is easier to finish within four years.
In contrast, with the more rigorous (严格的) double degree, you will be studying for two different degrees in two completely different areas of study. Although pursuing such a course of study allows students to complete two wholly separate degrees in less time than if they were to earn them separately, many strong students still find it incredibly difficult to complete in four or five years.
If you are committed to a double major/degree, it is wise to do a little bit of planning. Some students try to find two courses of studies that are related, while others seek to round out their academic studies by choosing two completely unrelated fields.
For double majors, common pairings include: (i) economics and a foreign language; (ii) political science or government and journalism; (iii) economics and psychology.
For double degrees, common pairings include: (i) engineering and a business program such as finance or accounting; (ii) engineering and economics.What do employers think of the graduates with different skill sets and knowledge in many areas?
| A．They should be given top jobs. |
| B．They are willing to take difficult tasks. |
| C．They are better than those who are competent and intelligent. |
| D．They must have attained a double major or even a double degree. |
According to the passage, the underlined word “breadth” most probably means_________.
| A．quality | B．amount | C．quantity | D．width |
To obtain a double major, you _________.
| A．should complete two wholly separate degrees |
| B．need to focus on two related and integrated subjects |
| C．need to spend more time than obtaining a double degree |
| D．have to take courses in two completely different areas of study |
If you are devoted to a double major or degree, you should _________.
| A．find two subjects with overlapping classes |
| B．learn about what your potential employers want |
| C．decide what to learn with your intentions considered |
| D．try to decide on some common pairings as soon as possible |
Which statement is CORRECT according to the passage?
| A．Economics is a major while engineering is a degree. |
| B．Every college student should take a double major or degree. |
| C．Earning a double degree is more difficult than obtaining a double major. |
| D．Some students choose two completely unrelated fields to show their ability in academic study. |
A new study says one part of the human brain may become smaller as the result of a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag results from flying long distances in an airplane. People with jet lag may feel extremely tired for several days. They may also have problems thinking clearly and remembering.
Recently a researcher at the University of Bristol in Britain reported the findings of his jet lag study, which involved twenty young women who worked for international airlines. They had served passengers on airplanes for five years. These flight attendants flew across many countries and at least seven time zones. In the study, the flight attendants had different amounts of time to recover from jet lag. Half the women spent five days or fewer in their home areas between long flights. The other half spent more than fourteen days in their home areas.
The researcher took some saliva from the women”s mouths to measure levels of a hormone(荷尔蒙) that increases during stress(紧张). He tested them to see if they could remember where black spots appeared on a computer screen. And he took pictures of their brains to measure the size of the brain”s temporal lobes(脑叶).
It was found that the women who had less time between flights had smaller right temporal lobes. This area of the brain deals with recognizing and remembering what is seen. The same group performed worse and had slower reaction times on the visual memory test. And their saliva samples showed higher levels of stress hormones.
The researcher believes the brain needs at least ten days to recover after a long trip. He says airline workers told him their ability to remember got worse after working on planes for about four years. Other studies have shown that increased feelings of stress can cause a loss of cells in the part of the brain that controls memory.
Scientists say more tests are needed to study the effects of jet lag on the brain. They want to find out if too much jet lag could permanently (永久性的) affect memory.According to the text, jet lag .
- can cause difficulties in speaking
- can make people feel tired for a few weeks
- can be only found in flight attendants
- can be caused by flying over several time zones
- the conclusion is refused by many scientists
- scientists fear that this research is not done properly
- the scientific conclusion needs the support from many tests
- every women who were examined in the research were mot healthy
- the women who have longer rest at home show better memory
- the women who fly in short time have smaller right temporal lobes
- the women who have longer flights fail the memory test
- the women who rest more than 14 days produce less hormones
- The cause of jet lag.
- A story of a group of flight attendants.
- The importance of having enough rest after flights.
- A research about the effects of jet lag on the brain.
Things you need to know about studying there
Study style
Since the 1950s, the Netherlands has had courses in English especially for foreign students. Students are expected to be critical of what they read and hear, and to be able of working independently. Foreign students will soon notice that at Dutch institutions for higher learning people are expected to do a lot of talking. The most common form of teaching is the seminar or working group, where a small group of students work under a teacher’s supervision to analyze（分析）a certain problem. On exams, they have to show that they know the material, and that they have formed well-founded opinions on the subject.
Accommodations（住宿）
If you are in an exchange programme or an international course, it is quite possible that a room will be arranged for you. Accept it immediately, or you will regret it later. That’s because finding a place to live in a country as crowded as the Netherlands is not easy.
Before you leave China, ask your host institution whether or not housing will indeed be arranged in advance. If you are in the Netherlands and still looking for a place, ask the international relations office or the student dean for advice.
Expences
Tuition: （学费）
Bachelor’s degree：about 2,500 euros a year
Master’s degree: 5,000-12,000 euros a year
Living expenses:
Experience has shown that a year in the Netherlands costs a Chinese
Student about 450-700 euros a month.
Here is a breakdown of average prices of supermarket goods:
Litre of milk: 0.5—0.8 euro
Kilo of apples: 1.5 euros
Shampoo, 400ml: 4 euros
Tube of toothpaste: 1 euro
Bed sheet: 20 euros
Other expenses:
Haircut: 15 euros
Air ticket to China: 600-800 euros
Mobile phone call(one minute): 0.1-0.3 euro
Phone call to China (with IP card): 7 euros(one minute)
Postage stamp in the Netherlands: 0.39 euro
Stamp for China: 0.78 euro
(1 euro-about 10 yuan)
Transportation
Trains, buses and trams run throughout the country.
If you really want to sample Dutch life, and get around quickly and easily, buy yourself a bicycle. Most students buy second-hand bicycles. A reasonable one will cost you 70-120 euros.
You can find them at second-hand bicycle shops or at the bicycle parking facilities near railway stations.Teachers want foreign students to do much talking and analyzing in order to make them .
| A．get higher marks | B．pass exams easier |
| C．be able to work independently | D．get in close touch with each other |
The passage implies that .
| A．it is easier to find a room in Netherlands |
| B．it is difficult to find a room in Netherlands |
| C．your host institution will surely find a room for you |
| D．the international relations office can find a room for you |
It costs at least a year for a Master degree.
| A．104,000 yuan | B．104,000 euros | C．174,000 yuan | D．134,000 euros |
Most students ride second-hand bicycles mainly because .
| A．they can ride them fast and easily |
| B．bicycles are safe and comfortable for riding |
| C．bicycles are convenient and easy to park |
| D．bicycles are convenient and cheap |
Britain has laws to make sure that women have the same chances as men in education, jobs and training. But it’s still unusual to find women doing dirty or heavy jobs.
Nikki Henriques is a car maintenance engineer in London. She used to be a secretary. Barty Philips, a journalist with “The Observer”, a Sunday newspaper, asked her why she wanted to work with cars.
“My first reason was independence(独立),” she said. “I also wanted to use my hands, and I like learning about how things work. Many people prefer to have a woman repair their cars, too.”
Nikki didn’t find it easy to become a car maintenance engineer. She went to a Government Skill Centre—a special sort of college where people can learn a new job for twenty weeks. “For ten weeks I was the only woman among four hundred men, and some of them were rude to me. It was also very tiring—from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, with only 30 minutes for lunch.”
Now Nikki works free-lance, that is, she’s self-employed, working for herself and not for a garage or a company.
Barty Phillips also spoke to Rose, who works as a general builder in Sheffield, an industrial town in the north of England. Like Nikki, Rose used to be a secretary. “I didn’t enjoy it at all.” she said. “I wanted to do more practical work, and I wanted to be self-employed.”
Rose joined a women’s building co-operative, and she learnt her job from other people and from experience. However, many of the women in her group have been specially trained. Most of the jobs they do are improvements to buildings and general repairs.
“People often say, ‘Oh, women aren’t strong enough,’ but I don’t think strength is important.” said Rose, “The important thing is to get used to doing a different sort of work.”
Rose would like more women to come into the building industry. “Everything built at the moment is a product of man’s world. If women become builders, they will be able to understand the production of their house and their towns.” There are laws in Britain to help women _____.
| A．get higher pay than men |
| B．enjoy more freedom than men |
| C．do whatever they like to do |
| D．have equal chances with men in education and work |
The job of a car maintenance engineer is to _____.
| A．make cars | B．sell cars |
| C．repair cars | D．keep cars for others |
According to Rose, a woman wishing to be a general builder _____.
| A．must be specially trained |
| B．should be strong enough |
| C．can learn her job either from others or by experience |
| D．must get used to doing a different sort of work |
The best title for this passage might be _____.
| A．Nikki Henriques, a car maintenance engineer |
| B．Rose, a General Builder in Shefield |
| C．Women at Work |
| D．British Women |
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