B
American researchers found females are the more talkative sex because of a special “language protein” in the brain.
The study, conducted by neuroscientists(神经学家) and psychologist from the University of Maryland, concluded that women talked more because they had more of the Foxp2 protein. The research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, found that higher levels were found among humans that were women but in rats that were males. Their findings came after it was previously claimed that ladies speak about 20,000 words a day – over 13,000 more than men. “This study is one of the first to report a sex difference in the expression of a language-associated protein in humans or animals,” said Prof Margaret McCarthy, who led the study. In their study, the researchers attempted to determine what might make male rats more vocal than their female friends.
They separated four-day-old rats from their mothers and then counted the number of times they cried out in the “ultrasonic（超声波的） range”, the frequencies higher than humans can hear, over five minutes. While both sexes called out hundreds of cries, the males called out twice as often, they found. But when the pups were returned to their mother’s cage, she fussed over her sons first. Tests conducted on the parts of the brain known to be associated with vocal calls showed the male pups have up to twice as much Foxp2 protein as the females. The researchers then increased the production in the brains of female pups and reduced it in males. This led to the female rats crying out more often and their mothers showing more interest to them. In contrast, males became less “talkative”.
The researchers then tested samples from ten children, aged between three and five, which showed that females had up to 30 per cent more of the Foxp2 protein than males, in a brain area key to language in humans.
“Based on our observations, we assume higher levels of Foxp2 in girls and higher levels of Foxp2 in male rats is an indication that Foxp2 protein levels are associated with the more communicative sex,” said Prof McCarthy.
“Our results imply Foxp2 as a component (成分)of the neurobiological basis of sex differences in vocal communication in mammals.”From the second paragraph, we can learn that ________.
| A．women always speak more words than men |
| B．men and male rats have low levels of language protein |
| C．women and male rats have similar levels of Foxp2 |
| D．McCarthy isn’t the first to find females more talkative |
The underlined phrase “fussed over” in the third paragraph probably means______.
| A．paid attention to | B．related to |
| C．put pressure on | D．counted on |
The researchers carried out the experiments on rats in order to _______.
| A．test which part of the brain is key to language in rats and humans |
| B．prove the levels of Foxp2 protein in humans and rats are different |
| C．determine the reason why female rats are more talkative than male rats |
| D．discover the association between Foxp2 protein and vocal communication |
Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
| A．Tests on humans and rats |
| B．Why women are the talkative sex |
| C．Sex differences in Foxp2 protein |
| D．Foxp2 protein determines oral ability |
Attractions in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Historical Museum
30 N. Carroll Street on Madison’s Capital Square
Discover Wisconsin’s history and culture on four floors of exhibits. Open for public program.
Admission is free.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00am---4:00pm.
( 608 ) 264-6555 www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum
Swiss Historical Village
612 Seventh Ave., New Glares
The Swiss Historical Village offers a delightful look at pioneer life in America’s heartland.14 buildings in the village give a full picture of every day life in the nineteenth-century Midwest.
Tue.---Fri., May 1st ---October 31st , 10:00am---4:00pm. Admission is $20
( 608 ) 527-2317 www.swisshistoricalvillage.com
Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe`
6858 Paoli Rd., Paoli WI
One of the largest collections of fine arts and crafts in Wisconsin. Over 5000 sq. ft. of exhibition space in a historical creamery. While visiting enjoy a wonderful prepared lunch at our cafe` overlooking the Sugar River. Just minutes from Madison!
Gallery open Tue.—Sun.,10:00am—5:00 pm
Cafe` open Wed.—Sat, 11:00 am—3:00 pm
Sun. brunch with wine, 10:00---3:00 pm
( 608 ) 845-6600 www.artisangal.com
Christopher Columbus Museum
239 Whitney St., Columbus
World-class exhibit ---2000 quality souvenirs marking Chicago’s 1893 World Columbus Exhibition. Tour buses are always welcome.
Open daily, 8:15 am—4:00 pm
( 608 ) 623-1992 www.columbusantiquemall.comWhere can you go for a visit on Monday?
| A．Wisconsin Historical Museum | B．Swiss Historical Village |
| C．Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe` | D．Christopher Columbus Museum |
Where can visitors have lunch?
| A．At Wisconsin Historical Museum | B．At Swiss Historical Village |
| C．At Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe` | D．At Christopher Columbus Museum |
We can learn from the text that_________.
| A．Swiss Historical Village is open for half a year. |
| B．Christopher Columbus Museum overlooks a river. |
| C．Tickets are needed for Wisconsin Historical Museum |
| D．Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe are open daily for 4 hours. |
Last week my youngest son and I visited my father at his new home in Tucson, Arizona. He moved there a few years ago, and I was eager to see his new place and meet his friends.
My earliest memories of my father are a tall, handsome, successful man devoted to his work and his family, but uncomfortable with his children. As a child I loved him. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A’s and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as “successful” as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to struggle to think up things to say, feeling on guard.
On the first day of my visit, we went out with one of my father’s friends for lunch at an outdoor café. We talked along that afternoon, did some shopping, ate on the street table, and laughed over my son’s funny facial expressions. Gone was my father’s critical (挑剔的) air and strict rules. Who was this person I knew as my father, who seemed so friendly and interesting to be around? What had held him back before?
The next day dad pulled out his childhood pictures and told me quite a few stories about his own childhood. Although our times together became easier over the years, I never felt closer to him at that moment. After so many years, I’m at last seeing another side of my father. And in so doing, I’m delighted with my new friend. My dad, in his new home in Arizona, is back to me from where he was. Why did the author feel bitter about her father as a young adult?
| A．He was silent most of the time. | B．He was too proud of himself. |
| C．He did not love his children. | D．He expected too much of her. |
When the author went out with her father on weekend, she would feel .
| A．nervous | B．sorry | C．tired | D．safe |
What does the author think of her father after her visit to Tucson?
| A．More critical. | B．More talkative |
| C．Gentle and friendly. | D．Strict and hard-working. |
The underlined words “my new friend” in the last paragraph refer to .
| A．the author’s son | B．the author’s father |
| C．the friend of the author’s father | D．the café owner |
To get an extra 14 years of life, don't smoke, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and drink alcohol in a proper amount．That is according to a study published this Monday in the Public Library of Science Medicine Journal．
After tracking more than 20,000 people aged 45 to 79 years in the United Kingdom from about 1993 to 2007, Kay-Tee Khaw of the University of Cambridge and his colleagues found that people who adopted these four healthy habits lived all average of 14 years longer than those who didn't．
“We've known for a long time that these behaviors are good things to do, but we've not seen this benefit before, ”said Susan Jebb, head of Nutrition and Health at Britain's Medical Research Council．“The benefit was also seen regardless of whether or not people were fat and what social class they came from．”
Study participants（参与者）scored a point each for not smoking, regular physical activity, eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and moderate alcohol intake．
Public health experts said they hoped the study would inspire governments to introduce policies helping people to adopt these changes．But because the study only observed people rather than testing specific changes, it would be impossible to conclude that people who suddenly adopted these healthy behaviors would surely gain 14 years．
“We can't say that any person could gain 14 years by doing these things, ”said Dr．Tim Armstrong, a physical activity expert at the World Health Organization．“The 14 years is an average across the population of what's theoretically（理论上地）possible．”
“Most people know that things like a good diet matter and that smoking isn't good for them, ”Susan Jebb said．“We need to work on providing people with much more practical support to help them change．”Which of the following DOESN'T belong to the four healthy habits?
| A．Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day． |
| B．Do proper exercise in the morning every day． |
| C．Drinking alcohol in the proper amount every day． |
| D．Having a cigarette before going to bed every day． |
We can learn from the passage that ．
| A．Susan Jebb did not take part in the study． |
| B．the study observed people as well as tested specific changes． |
| C．there's no need for people under 45 to adopt these good habits． |
| D．only those from first class can benefit from these healthy behaviors． |
What can be inferred from the passage?
| A．All the people are well aware of the harm of their bad habits． |
| B．People aged 45 to 70 have bad habits in the United Kingdom． |
| C．Governments should take measures to help people change their bad habits． |
| D．People have adopted the four healthy habits after knowing they're good． |
What would be the best title for this passage?
| A．Smoking and Drinking Cuts You 14 Years |
| B．How to Live a Much Healthier Life |
| C．Healthy Habits May Give Extra 14 Years |
| D．How to Make Your Life Longer Than Others |
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and Maggie and I were returning from our walk through the woods．We were only a couple of blocks from home when I spotted a cell phone and a credit card sitting on the road．We took them home．We always find amazing things on the street and she looks upon them as a movable feast-a chicken wing here or a barbecue rib （肋骨）there．
I found another cell phone a few years back, too, and called a number in its phone book．I explained the situation to the guy who answered．He said it was his sister's and that he'd come to pick it up, which he did．
And that was that．No verbal thank-you, no written thank-you, no “here's a box of chocolates” thank-you．
I didn't have time to call anyone on my latest found cell phone．I was pouring myself coffee when it started to shake and dance across the kitchen counter．
“Who's this?” someone asked when I picked up．
“Who's this?” I countered（反问）．“Sarah?”
She was surprised at my knowing her name until she realized her name was on the credit card．“Could you send them to me?” she asked．
She lives in Arlington, which is 2 miles from my house．
“Hmm, no, ”I replied, adding that I thought she could come to get them, and that if I wasn't at home, they would be in my mailbox．
A day later, when I was out for a run, someone got them back．There wasn't even a piece of paper put in the mailbox with “Thanks” on it．In this age of e-mail and cell phone, there's really no excuse．Years ago, I found something more precious than a $100 bill on the street：a driver's license．I saw that its owner lived a couple of blocks from me, so I called him up．He asked whether I could slip the license through his front door．
“I guess I could, ”I replied．
And that was that．What is the relationship between Maggie and the writer?
| A．Wife and husband | B．Daughter and father |
| C．Teacher and student | D．Master and pet dog |
How many experiences are mentioned by the writer to return things to the losers?
| A．3 | B．4 | C．5 | D．6 |
How did the writer know Sarah's name?
| A．From her telephone's phone book | B．From her credit card |
| C．From her e-mail | D．From her driver's license |
The writer wants to tell us through the unusual stories,
| A．we should return the things we picked to the losers |
| B．people don't know how to appreciate others in the age of e-mail and cell phone |
| C．people should learn to appreciate persons who provide help for you |
| D．the advance of society makes people lose some virtues |
Preparing for a medical emergency involving your pet is always best accomplished before the event takes place. This series is designed to help guide you through the important decisions about first aid, as well as how and when to transport your pet quickly and safely to a veterinary hospital or emergency ability．
VeterinaryPartner．com has provided this complete reference book online for you to skim through, expanding your knowledge of dog and cat first aid；however, we encourage you to buy the book to keep in your home or car as a quick reference during an emergency．
This book is an emergency preparedness ready-reference for dogs and cats．Wise preventive measures, intelligent use of first aid principles, coupled with recognition of abnormal symptoms and treatment of disorders, diseases, and problems, lead to effective health care．
A working knowledge of this information will help you get rid of some potentially dangerous circumstances and help you prepare for emergency situations．
It includes information on what to do and what not to do in specific emergency situations．The authors encourage careful reading and occasional rereading．We have tried to make this book easy to understand, avoiding technical terms as often as possible, but defining（下定义）them in context when they are necessary．What does the underlined word “veterinary” in paragraph 1 mean?
| A．Immediate | B．For animals | C．Urgent | D．For humans |
Why are we advised to buy the book?
| A．Because it's very cheap and may be useful to all the people． |
| B．Because it contains a working knowledge of information about dogs and cats． |
| C．Because it contains information on specific emergency situations． |
| D．Because it is convenient to know things dealing with dog or cat in an emergency． |
Which is NOT true about the book?
| A．It can enlarge the readers' knowledge of dog and cat first aid． |
| B．It contains the knowledge of recognition of abnormal symptoms of dogs and cats． |
| C．Although it contains many technical terms, it is easy to understand． |
| D．You can read it on VetrinaryParmer．com free of charge． |
What's the purpose of the passage?
| A．To introduce a book． | B．To introduce a website． |
| C．To introduce a working knowledge． | D．To encourage careful reading． |
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