Why are people interested in eating raw foods or whole foods? One reason is that eating these types of food reduces the risk of acid accumulation in your body .
Raw and whole foods are usually digested more efficiently than cooked and refined foods. When we cook foods, we destroy the natural enzymes （酶） that are part of the food in its raw form. These enzymes were intended by nature to help us digest the food. When we consume food without these natural enzymes, our bodies either digest the food improperly or allow too many nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream. In both instances, the result is obesity. When too many nutrients are absorbed at once, the body grows fat. Improperly digested food moves slowly through the digestive tract, where it becomes increasingly acidic. To protect its vital organs from this acidic waste, the body changes the acid into fat and stores it safely away from the organs.
Processed foods contain chemical elements, which might confuse the appetite mechanism that tells us when we’ve had enough to eat; as a result, people often overeat. Processed foods also upset the digestive cycle. The body will either identify these foods as allergens and then store them safely away from the organs as fat, or the remains of undigested food will become acidic and enter the bloodstream as acid waste, which will stick to the blood vessel walls and block the passage of vital oxygen and nutrients heading for the body’s cells. The body’s metabolism （新陈代谢）becomes inactive, and the result is weight gain and obesity.
The accumulation of acid in the digestive tract makes digestion increasingly inefficient. When that happens, even healthy foods can become acidic and the food allergies will become more common.
To stop this vicious circle in its tracks, people need to consume food and supplements that will neutralize the acid already accumulated in body. Eating the right types of raw and whole foods can help. It’s also important to restore your enzyme balance. You need to identify and avoid the foods that cause acid accumulation and consume the foods that increase enzyme production. If you truly want to change and help your body heal itself, you need to take an active approach.It can be inferred from Para. 2 that __________.
| A．foods with natural enzymes help people keep fit |
| B．we’d better be cautious about raw and whole foods |
| C．it is essential for people to protect their vital organs |
| D．giving up cooked and refined foods is a new lifestyle |
Processed foods are unhealthy because they __________.
| A．destroy body’s cells | B．may lead to obesity |
| C．are difficult to digest | D．stop body’s metabolism |
What is the main purpose of this passage？
| A．To warn people of the problem of obesity. |
| B．To advocate eating more raw and whole foods. |
| C．To inform people of the harm of processed foods. |
| D．To tell the differences between raw and processed foods. |
What is likely to be talked about following the last paragraph？
| A．Different causes of acid accumulation. |
| B．Correct ways to cook raw foods. |
| C．Suitable types of raw and whole foods. |
| D．Active approaches to avoid acid. |
After moving to the United States, immigrant groups trying to fit in tend to choose high-calorie, fatty foods in an attempt to appear more American, a new study finds. That's one reason why immigrants approach U.S. levels of obesity within 15 years of moving to America.
The researchers also did an experiment that measured whether or not the threat of appearing un-American influenced respondents' food choices．After being questioned about their ability to speak English，75 percent of Asian-Americans identified a typical American food as their favorite. Only 25 percent of Asian-Americans who had not been asked if they spoke English did the same.
When their American identity was called into question during a follow-up study, Asian-American participants also tended to choose typical American dishes, such as hamburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, over more Asian fare. In that experiment, 55 Asian-Americans were asked to choose a meal from a local Asian or American restaurant. Some participants were told that only Americans could participate in the study. Those who chose the more typical American fare ended up consuming an extra 182 calories, including 12 grams of fat and seven grams of saturated fat(饱和脂肪).
"People who feel like they need to prove they belong in a culture will change their habits in an attempt to fit in," said Sapna Cheryan, an author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Washington. "If immigrants and their children choose unhealthy American foods over healthier traditional foods across their lives, this process of fitting in could lead to poorer health," Cheryan added.
Social pressures, the study concluded, are at the heart of the problem. "In American society today, being American is associated with being white. Americans who don't fit this image even if they were born here and speak English feel that pressure to prove that they're American," said Cheryan.According to the survey, _____.
| A．Asia-Americans care less about their health. |
| B．25 percent of Americans like junk food. |
| C．choosing food is related to Asian-American’s situation |
| D．immigrants are forced to eat junk food. |
The underlined word “fare” in Paragraph 3 most probably means “_____”
| A．food offered as a meal | B．a person taking a taxi |
| C．money spent on food | D．an arranged thing to do |
According to Sauna Cheryan, ________.
| A．what immigrants have done is ridiculous |
| B．American traditional foods are healthier |
| C．immigrants risk their health in order to fit in |
| D．American culture affects immigrants deeply |
Which of the following should take the blame for the bad eating habit?
| A．The situation of employment | B．The traditional culture |
| C．The American government | D．The pressures from society |
What's your idea of a good time? What about dancing in a rainy field with one hundred and fifty thousand other people while a famous rock band plays on a stage so far away that the performers look like ants?
It may sound strange but that is what many hundreds of thousands of young people in the UK do every summer. Why? Because summer is the time for outdoor music festivals.
Held on a farm, the Glastonbury Festival is the most well-known and popular in the UK. It began in 1970 and was attended by one thousand five hundred people each paying an admission price of £1 including free milk from the farm.
Since then the Glastonbury Festival has gone from strength to strength --- in 2004 one hundred and fifty thousand fans attended, paying £112 for tickets to the three-day event. Tickets for the event sold out within three hours. Acts included veteran superstars, such as Paul McCartney and James Brown, as well as new talent, like Franz Ferdinand and Joss Stone. Although many summer festivals are run on a profit-making basis, Glastonbury is a charity event, donating millions of pounds to local and international charities.
Glastonbury is not unique in using live music to raise money for global poverty. In July of this year, the Live 8 concerts will be held simultaneously in London, Paris, Rome and Berlin. Superstars, such as Madonna, Sir Elton John and Stevie Wonder will perform in order to highlight international poverty and debt.
What does the author mean by saying “the Glastonbury Festival has gone from strength to strength” in the fourth paragraph?
| A．The festival has achieved growing success. |
| B．Great efforts have been made to hold the festival. |
| C．The festival has brought in a large amount of money. |
| D．There have been thousands of fans attending the festival |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The Glastonbury Festival is run on a profit-making basis. |
| B．Tickets for the 2004 Glastonbury Festival were in great demand despite the high price. |
| C．Both James Brown and Joss Stone were born in poor families. |
| D．In the 1970 Glastonbury Festival, one could have lunch on the farm for free. |
We can learn from the last paragraph that __________.
| A．the Glastonbury Festival is not so popular as the Live 8 concerts |
| B．the Live 8 concerts are held every year in London. |
| C．London, Paris, Rome and Berlin are famous for outdoor music festivals |
| D．some superstars are concerned about global poverty. |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．How to have a good time |
| B．Charity events around the world |
| C．The Glastonbury Festival |
| D．Superstars’ performances in charity events |
There has been an outpouring of love for a 23-year-old disabled woman whose dog was killed in front of her while a groomer(美容师) tried to trim(修剪) its claws.
Calls and e-mails came from as far away as the Upper Peninsula and Arizona as well as Oakland and Macomb counties, offering Laurie Crouch, who uses a wheelchair because of multiple sclerosis(硬化症), everything from dogs to money, such as that from Jason Daly of Roseville who said, “ I would like to buy her a new dog.”
A story about the death of Crouch’s pet, Gooch, was printed on the front page of Macomb Daily. Crouch said a man sat on the dog to trim its nails. Gooch died after one claw was trimmed.
Crouch yelled at the groomer to stop when she saw Gooch was struggling to breathe, but she said she was ignored. “If I could have walked, I would have put my hands on her and pulled her off my dog and physically stopped her, but I can’t do that.” Gooch was not a trained service animal, but naturally helped Crouch by picking up things for her.
“This case is absolute animal abuse(虐待),” Larry Obrecht, division manager of the Oakland County Animal Shelter in Auburn Hills, said.
People who read the story contacted Oakland Press to offer help. A message, from Rebecca Amett of Giggles N Wiggles Puppy Rescue, in Roseville, said, “We have puppies to donate … and want to help the young woman who lost her service dog.”
“When Gooch was with me, I was happy,” Crouch said, “I think I can be happy again but no animal can replace Gooch. There’s never going to be another Gooch out there but I think I will find a dog that can bring me joy again.” What does the passage mainly tell us?
| A．A disabled woman’s service dog. |
| B．A cruel groomer killed a disabled woman’s dog. |
| C．People’s love for a disabled woman who lost her dog. |
| D．Disabled woman loves to have the dog as company. |
People called and emailed to .
| A．offer help and care to Laurie Crouch. |
| B．give their angry voice to the groomer. |
| C．offer a cure for Crouch’s disease. |
| D．tell Crouch how to punish the groomer. |
We can infer from the passage that .
| A．Crouch refused to take another dog. |
| B．Crouch must be sad after losing her dog. |
| C．Crouch has accepted another dog from a stranger. |
| D．Crouch can live well without a dog’s company. |
Most people know precious gemstones (宝石) by their appearances. An emerald flashes deep green, a ruby seems to hold a red fire inside, and a diamond shines like a star. It’s more difficult to tell where the gem was mined, since a diamond from Australia or Arkansas may appear the same to one from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, recently, a team of scientists has found a way to identify a gemstone’s origin.
Beneath the surface of a gemstone, on the tiny level of atoms and molecules（分子）, lie clues (线索) to its origin. At this year’s meeting of the Geological Society of America in Minneapolis, Catherine McManus reported on a technique that uses lasers (激光) to clarify these clues and identify a stone’s homeland. McManus directs scientific research at Materialytics, in Killeen, Texas. The company is developing the technique. “With enough data, we could identify which country, which mining place, even the individual mine a gemstone comes from,” McManus told Science News.
Some gemstones, including many diamonds, come from war-torn countries. Sales of those “blood minerals” may encourage violent civil wars where innocent people are injured or killed. In an effort to reduce the trade in blood minerals, the U.S. government passed law in July 2010 that requires companies that sell gemstones to determine the origins of their stones.
To figure out where gemstones come from, McManus and her team focus a powerful laser on a small sample of the gemstone. The technique is called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Just as heat can turn ice into water or water into steam, energy from the laser changes the state of matter of the stone. The laser changes a miniscule part of the gemstone into plasma, a gas state of matter in which tiny particles（微粒）called electrons separate from atoms.
The plasma, which is superhot, produces a light pattern. (The science of analyzing this kind of light pattern is called spectroscopy.) Different elements produce different patterns, but McManus and her team say that gemstones from the same area produce similar patterns. Materialytics has already collected patterns from thousands of gemstones, including more than 200 from diamonds. They can compare the light pattern from an unknown gemstone to patterns they do know and look for a match. The light pattern acts like a signature, telling the researchers the origin of the gemstone.
In a small test, the laser technique correctly identified the origins of 95 out of every 100 diamonds. For gemstones like emeralds and rubies, the technique proved successful for 98 out of every 100 stones. The scientists need to collect and analyze more samples, including those from war-torn countries, before the tool is ready for commercial use.
Scientists like Barbara Dutrow, a mineralogist from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, find the technique exciting. “This is a basic new tool that could provide a better fingerprint of a material from a particular locality,” she told Science News.We learn from Paragraph 1 that __________.
| A．an emerald and a ruby are names of diamonds. |
| B．it’s not difficult to tell where the gem was mined. |
| C．appearances help to identify the origin of gemstones. |
| D．diamonds from different places may appear the same. |
Why did the U.S. government pass law that requires companies selling gemstones to determine the origins of their stones?
| A．To look for more gemstones. |
| B．To encourage violent civil wars. |
| C．To reduce the trade in blood minerals. |
| D．To develop the economy. |
Which of the following facts most probably helps McManus and her team in identifying the origin of stones?
| A．Heat can turn ice into water or water into steam. |
| B．Gemstones from the same area produce similar light patterns. |
| C．Laser can change a miniscule part of the gemstone into plasma. |
| D．Materialytics has already collected patterns from thousands of gemstones. |
From the last two paragraphs, what can be inferred about the laser technique?
| A．It is ready for commercial use. |
| B．People can use the new tool to find more gemstones. |
| C．It can significantly reduce the gemstones trade in blood minerals. |
| D．It will bring about a revolutionary change in identifying the origin of minerals. |
The author wrote this passage mainly to __________.
| A．tell us how to identify the origin of diamonds. |
| B．introduce a laser technique in identifying a stone’s origin |
| C．prove identifying the origin of gemstones are difficult |
| D．attract our attention to reducing trade in blood minerals |
Primary schools could be told to remove some traditional subject-based lessons and replace them with “personal development” classes to encourage children to improve their social and practical skill. Parents, teachers and pupils, who took part in the investigation carried out for the biggest ever official review of the primary curriculum, argued that the number of subjects taught to very young people should be reduced.
The review, being conducted by the government’s school’s director Sir Jim Rose, will consider how to redesign the primary school day to handle concerns that too many pupils leave primary school unable to read, write and do maths at the level expected of them. It will also address criticisms that pupils are expected to study so many subjects there is little time for creative learning.
The 60 focus groups brought together 1,500 parents, pupils and school staff and is expected to heavily influence the thinking of the Rose review, which the government is promising to back. Instead of a broad range of subjects, pupils should study in-depth literacy and maths lessons alongside a more creative curriculum that encourages pupils to develop personal, learning and thinking skills, they say. Such lessons might include “healthy lifestyles, sex and relationships education, drugs and alcohol education”.
“Child and personal development as priorities have been shamefully neglected in recent years in the rush to hit targets in the basics.” John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said, “The worst thing would be to evaluate child development through the current high stakes testing system. That would weaken the capacity of teachers to meet children’s unique needs.”
However, the shadow schools minister, Nick Gibb, said, “If lessons on lifestyle are given the same status as traditional subjects, it is the most disadvantaged children who will be worst affected.” “Children are not able to personally develop and succeed in the future if they don’t have a grasp of basic subjects such as maths and English early on in primary school. Removing high requirement from the primary curriculum would increase the inequality gap between less well-off pupils and the rest.” Nick added. A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said, “This is a summary of stake holder’s view, not the views of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the DCSF, and has been submitted to Sir Jim Rose’s review as evidence to consider.” According to the focus groups, the result of learning too many subjects is most likely to be that __________.
| A．children may not have any freedom |
| B．children may not have enough time for personal interest |
| C．children may not know anything outside the classroom |
| D．children may not have creative ability |
Which of the following is False about the review conducted by Sir Jim Rose?
| A．It will greatly influence the country’s future primary curriculum. |
| B．It will remove high requirement from the primary curriculum. |
| C．It is supported by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the DCSF. |
| D．It needs to take fully into account varied views from the society. |
John Bangs’s attitude towards the current high stakes testing system is __________.
| A．negative | B．positive |
| C．uncertain | D．cautious |
According to Nick Gibb, grasp of basic subjects early on in primary school is important for _______.
| A．the primary curriculum reform |
| B．children’s development in the future |
| C．children’s educational equality |
| D．increasing the children’s confidence |
Below are some classified ads from an English newspaper.
| Classified ads FOR DIRECT CLASSIFIED SERVICE CALL 800—0557 10A.M.-4P.M. MONDAY-FRIDAY |
||
| FOR SALE COME to moving sale----Plants, pottery, books, clothes, etc, Sat, Dec. 14#----9a.m.-5p.m.1612 Ferndale, Apt. I.800-4696. USED FUT COATS and JACKETS. GOOD condition. $30-$50. Call 800-0436 after 12 noon. MOVING: Must sell. TV21”, $50; AM/FM radio A/C or battery, $15; cassette tape recorder, $10. Call Jon or Pat, 800-0739 after 5 p.m. or weekends. SHEEPSKIN COAT: man’s, size 42, I year old. $85. After 6 p.m.,. 800-5224. LOST AND FOUND FOUND: Cat, 6 months old, black and white markings. Found near Linden and South U. Steve. 800-4661. LOST: Gold wire rim glasses in brown case. Campus area. Reward, Call Gregg 800-2896. FOUND: Set of keys on Tappan near Hill intersection. Identify key chain. Call 800-9662. FOUND: Nov.8th----A black and white puppy in Packard-Jewett area. 800-5770. |
PERSONAL OVERSEAS JOBS---Australia, Europe, S. America, Africa. Students all professions and occupations, $700 to $3000 monthly. Expenses paid, overtime. Sightseeing, Free information at STUDENTS’UNION. THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER plans to publish a booklet of student travel adventures. If you like to write about your foreign experiences, unusual or just plain interesting. Call us (800-9310) and ask for Mike or Janet. UNSURE WHAT TO DO? Life-Planning Workshop, Dec. 13th -15th, Bob and Margaret Atwood, 800-0046. ROOMMATES FEMALE ROOMMATE WAMTED: Own room near campus. Available December 1st. Rent $300 per month until March 1st. $450 thereafter. Call Jill for details, 800-7839. MEED PERSON to assume lease for own bedroom in apt. near campus, ＄’380/mo. starting Jan. 1st. Call 800-6157 after 5p.m.. |
DOMESTIC SERVICE EARLY HOUR WAKE-UP SERVICE: For prompt, courteous wake-up service, call 800-0760. HELP WANTED BABYSITTER—MY HOME If you are available a few hours during the day, and some evenings to care for 2 school-age children, please call Gayle Moore, days 800-1111, evenings and weekends 800-4964. PERSONS WANTED for delivery work, Own transportation. Good pay. Apply 2311 E. Stadium. Office 101, after 9 a.m. TELEPHONE RECEPTIONIST WAMTED. NO experience necessary. Good pay. Apply 2311 E. Stadium. Office 101, after 9 a.m. WAITRESS WANTED: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Apply in person. 207 S. Main, Curtis Restaurant. HELP WANTED for house cleaning  1／2 day on weekends. When----to be discussed for mutual convenience. Good wages. Sylvan Street. Call 800-2817. |
Where will you post a notice if you need someone to look after your children?
| A．PERSONAL | B．HELP WANTED |
| C．DOMESTIC SERVICE | D．ROOMMATES |
To have your travel notes published, you may contact .
| A．Students’ Union | B．Gayle Moore |
| C．The International Center | D．Life Planning Workshop |
If you want to have someone wake you up in the morning, you may call .
| A．800-5224 | B．800-5770 |
| C．800-7839 | D．800-0760 |
I finished my last evening shift of the week and could hardly wait to get home. I took off my nursing shoes, relaxed and then said goodnight to the rest of the girls and headed out of the door.
It was so cold and I could see the ice crystals in the air. As I approached my car, I saw one of my coworkers standing by the bus stop. I thought it would only take a couple of extra minutes to give her a ride home, and besides, it was too cold to be standing outside on the coldest night in January.
We chatted as I drove and before we knew it, we arrived at her house. As she headed up the steps to her door she turned around. “Do you know how to get to your house from here?” “How hard can it be? I’ll just backtrack the way I came.”
I started driving. Nothing looked familiar, but at first that didn’t bother me since I’d never been to this neighborhood before. I kept driving, and soon I sensed that something was wrong. I recognized nothing, not the neighborhoods, not even the street names. My husband would be worried about me. I looked down at my watch. It was now 2:30. I’d left work at 11:30 pm.
I stopped my car. I thought I’d better take stock of my situation. My gas gauge (汽油表) was slowly going down. In total defeat I put my head down on the steering wheel and asked for help. I lifted my head. I saw a shadow down the road in front of me. It was a car. What was a car doing in the middle of nowhere at 2:30 in the morning?
Hesitantly, I got out of my car and knocked on the window of the other car. An elderly man slowly rolled his window down.
I said, “I’m lost and don’t know how to get back into town.”
In silence, he started driving. I drove behind him.
Finally I recognized a familiar street. As I turned to head home, I lost sight of my guiding angel. When I pulled into my driveway the warning light for my gas tank turned on.Why did the writer stop her car?
| A．To consider and judge the situation. |
| B．To check whether there was gas. |
| C．To prevent the car breaking down. |
| D．To turn to somebody for help. |
When the writer got home, _______.
| A．she thanked the old man very much |
| B．her husband was waiting for her anxiously |
| C．the oil in her car was just going to run out |
| D．she was totally frozen on the cold night |
What might be the suitable title for the passage?
| A．Keep up and you will succeed at last. |
| B．Meeting a friendly old man in trouble. |
| C．Giving a ride to my coworker at night. |
| D．Losing my way on a cold winter night. |
In winter Hammerfest is a thirty-hour ride by bus from Oslo, though why anyone would want to go there in winter is a question worth considering. It is on the edge of the world, the northernmost town in Europe, as far from London as London is from Tunis, a place of dark and cruel winters, where the sun sinks into the Arctic Ocean in November and does not rise again for ten weeks.I wanted to see the Northern Lights. Also, I had long harboured a half-formed urge to experience what life was like in such a remote and forbidding place. Sitting at home in England with a glass of whisky and a book of maps, this had seemed an excellent idea. But now as I picked my way through the grey, late-December slush（融雪） of Oslo I was beginning to have my doubts.
Things had not started well. I had overslept at the hotel, missing breakfast, and had to leap into my clothes. I couldn't find a cab and had to drag my unreasonably overweighted bag eight blocks through slush to the central bus station. I had had huge difficulty persuading the staff at the Kreditkassen Bank on Karl Johans Gate to cash sufficient traveller's cheques to pay the overcharged 1,200-kroner bus fare-they simply could not be made to grasp that the William McGuire Bryson on my passport and the Bill Bryson on my traveller's cheques were both me-and now here I was arriving at the station two minutes before departure, breathless and steaming from the endless uphill exertion（费力）that is my life, and the girl at the ticket counter was telling me that she had no record of my reservation.
"This isn't happening," I said. "I'm still at home in England enjoying Christmas．Pass me a drop more port, will you, darling?" Actually, I said, "There must be some mistake. Please look again." The girl studied the passenger list. "No, Mr Bryson, your name is not here·”
But I could see it, even upside-down. "There it is, second from the bottom二，，
"No," the girl decided, "that says Bemt Bjornson. That's a Norwegian name·”
"It doesn't say Bernt Bjornson. It says Bill Bryson. Look at the loop（圆圈） of the 'y', the two ‘I's. Miss, please." But she wouldn't have it. "If I miss this bus when does the next one go?""Next week at the same time．，，
Oh, splendid.
"Miss, believe me, it says Bill Bryson."
"No, it doesn't."
"Miss, look, I've come from England. I'm carrying some medicine that could save a child's life.”She didn't buy this. "I want to see the manager."
"He's in Stavanger.”
"Listen, I made a reservation by telephone．If I don't get on this bus I’m going to write a letter to your manager that will cast a shadow over your career prospects（前景）for the rest of this century." This clearly did not alarm her. Then it occurred to me. "If this Bemt Bjornson doesn't show up, can I have his seat?"
"Sure.”
Why don't I think of these things in the first place and save myself the suffering? "Thank you,"
I said, and dragged my bag outside. What words can best describe Hammerfest in winter?
| A．Grey and dirty. |
| B．Dark and cold. |
| C．Unfriendly and expensive. |
| D．Wild and forbidden. |
Why did the author mention the Kreditkassen Bank on Karl Johans Gate?
| A．To suggest that people there could be ridiculous and stubborn. |
| B．To introduce the cultural differences in northern Europe and England. |
| C．To give an example of an interesting story during his journey. |
| D．To indicate that the bus fare was very expensive． |
What could be inferred from the passage?
| A．The author booked his bus ticket with a Norwegian name. |
| B．The author paid the bus fare by traveller's cheque. |
| C．The author would hopefully get on the bus． |
| D．The girl at the ticket counter cared about the author's complaints. |
According to the last paragraph, the author probably felt＿at that moment.
| A．embarrassed | B．contented |
| C．regretful | D．grateful |
We can learn from the passage that＿．
| A．the author's journey to the north was not worthwhile |
| B．the Europeans didn't welcome visitors |
| C．the author wrote a letter to the girl's manager |
| D．the author's journey to the north was not smooth |
One of the most important recent medical breakthroughs has been the impact of gut flora（肠道菌群）on overall health. This dynamic mix of bacteria in the digestive tract（消化道）may affect everything from obesity to asthma（哮喘）．
The Gut-Mood Link
Anyone who's ever experienced "butterflies" in his or her stomach knows that the gut and the brain are connected. But until recently, scientists hadn't realized that the trillions of bacteria in our digestive tract may be driving the relationship.
One recent experiment suggests that you can control calm. Canadian researchers gave healthy mice a mixture of antibiotics, which change the makeup of GI-tract（胃肠道）bacteria. Over two weeks, some animals became more anxious and some less, depending on which drugs they received. In another study, when gut bacteria from calm mice were transferred to anxious mice, the jittery（紧张的）creatures seemed less nervous.
UCLA professor Kirsten Tillisch, doctor of medicine, recently had healthy women eat a yogurt
rich in certain types of "good" probiotic（益生菌的）bacteria. Two 'Control groups ate yogurt without such bacteria or ate nothing. Brain scans of the probiotic-yogurt eaters indicated changes in regions that could be associated with a less-anxious response in fearful or stressful situations compared with the control groups.
Scientists are even exploring whether gut microbes（微生物）might treat some brain disorders. A new study in Cell found that mice with features of autism（自ICJ症）given a type of bacteria in healthy human GI tracts exhibited less autism-like behavior. In a recent case report, a Boston ps. chiatrist says a course of certain probiotics and antibiotics helped relieve a patient's compulsive disorder. -We tend to focus on how your mood affects your body from the top down, not the bottom up," says Dr. Tillisch. "Now we know that the gut affects how your brain responds to the environment- it's a remarkable change in thinking.”
How Bacteria Talk to the Brain Scientists aren't sure how gut flora affect brain chemistry. One theory is that the bacteria access pathways along the nerve, the main highway in the nervous system that links the brain to the gut. Another is that the bacteria influence the immune system, releasing chemicals that affect conditions like depression. Finally, researchers believe that bacteria produce or affect the metabolism（新陈代泻'i) of chemicals, which change brain function.
Dr. Tillisch told me that patients always ask which probiotics will lift their mood．Her answer:
"We don't know yet, but we hope to one day." In the future, patients might receive probiotics or transplant（移植） in which bacteria from the gut of a healthy person are transferred to the gut of a sic': one-to prevent or treat mental health issues. But these approaches are years away from primary time．Until then, a diet rich in fruit and veggies helps cultivate（培养）better-balanced microbes than a typical Western diet high in animal and processed products. Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, particularly in early childhood, may also establish healthier gut bacteria. According to the passage, gut bacteria might help us in many ways EXCEPT＿_．
| A．lightening our mood | B．treating autism |
| C．relieving depression | D．transplanting gut flora |
The missing sentence "Everyday foods may also affect the composition of gut bacteria, and in
turn, brain chemistry." could be put before＿_·
| A．Paragraph 2 | B．Paragraph 3 |
| C．Paragraph 4 | D．Paragraph 5 |
Which of the following can be the best subtitle for the last paragraph?
| A．Cultivating a Happier Gut |
| B．Growing Bacteria in the Future |
| C．Balancing Microbes and Diet |
| D．Living a Happy Healthy Life |
Who is the most powerful woman in the world? According to the US media, it's Janet Yellen, or at least she's about to be.
On Oct 9, 2013，US President Barack Obama nominated （提名）Yellen to serve as the next US Federal Reserve (the Fed, 美联储）chair. If confirmed by the Senate, Yellen will become the first woman to serve in the top spot.
Aged 67, silver-haired and tiny, Yellen is said to be the most qualified nominee ever. She chaired President Bill
Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers, taught at Harvard and Berkeley, and was president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. She is currently the Fed's vice chair.
Many think Yellen is the right choice to deal with the challenges the Fed now faces：First, to bring interest rates back to more normal levels without triggering a new recession（衰退）．Second, to reduce the US unemployment rate, which remains at historically high levels.
A CNN opinion piece says Yellen is unusual for an economist of her caliber（才干）．"She has kept her eyes on what's critical-the people. Her research has centered on unemployment, on the best way to modulate（调整）government policies to benefit the people."
Past records also show that Yellen is exceptionally good at predicting where the economy is headed. An article in The Washington Post points out that she was one of the few voices at the Fed inDecember 2009 warning about the subprime crisis（次贷危机）and the following recession.
The reason why Yellen will be the most powerful woman in the world has to do with the unique position of the Federal Reserve, explains an article on Quartz, a US news outlet for business people in the new global economy,
First of all, the Fed is independent. Unlike US Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Hilary Clinton, the decisions made by the organization Yellen will lead next year are not subject to approval by anyone in the government.
Within the Fed, the chair alone sets the agenda. The Fed chairperson has huge influence on monetary policy（货币政策）and financial regulation. And don't forget how powerful the Fed itself is. It controls the money supply in the world's largest economy. The Fed's interest rate decisions don't just set the course for the US economy, its decisions set the course for the world economy, too.
Because of globalization, Yellen's decisions will affect everyone around the world, says an article in The Atlantic, making her even more powerful than some great women rulers in history, including Elizabeth I of England and China's Wu Zetian. For example, the article continues: "If Yellen even just talks about slowing down the Fed's bond-buying, Europe's troubled economies are likely to see their interest rates rise, and emerging markets, some of which, like India and Indonesia, used foreign capital to fund their current account deficits（赤字），are likely to see their currencies collapse."According to the passage, which of the following is NOT the reason for Yellen's nomination?
| A．Yellen's professional experiences． |
| B．Yellen's ability to deal with the challenges the Fed faces. |
| C．Yellen's educational background. |
| D．Yellen's remarkable competence as an economist. |
Janet Yelien will be the most powerful woman in the world because＿·
| A．the Fed is the most powerful organization in the US |
| B．Yellen gets full support from Obama |
| C．Yellen holds a unique position in the government |
| D．the Fed possesses great power and influence |
What is the author's attitude towards Yellen's being nominated?
| A．Optimistic. | B．Negative. |
| C．Understanding. | D．Doubtful. |
What is the author's purpose of writing this passage?
| A．To introduce the US Federal Reserve. |
| B．To report on the next Fed chair. |
| C．To introduce the current world economy. |
| D．To report on a few powerful women. |
There are few places in the world with people as friendly and scenery as beautiful as the Philippines. Of the 7,107 islands that make up the archipelago nation（群岛国家），Boracay is one that has some of the best beaches the country-or even Asia-has to offer.
Boracay is a great choice for a beach holiday, especially if you're trying to escape the cold
claws of winter. A lot is packed on the island, which is not much bigger than 10 square kilometers. It has many charms and attractions for the most active traveler, as well as the biggest beach bum（冲浪爱好者）．
It also caters to a variety of budgets. With everything from low-key guesthouses to five-star resorts, local fare to gourmet meals（餐要大餐），travelers will be able to spend as -much or as little as they want. And like many destinations in Asia, bargaining will help you get better prices on accommodation, leisure activities, shopping and dining. The majority of accommodations can be found along the western side of the island, along White Sand Beach and Bulabog Beach. The southern part of the beach, called Station Three, caters more to backpacker crowds, and prices tend to increase the farther you go up the beach. Station Two, 5 to 10 minutes on foot from Station Three, is the center of the island's pulsing nightlife. Another 10 minutes up from Station Two is Station One, where you'll find the resort hotels and a more relaxed, comforting atmosphere. The island's lookout point is arguably the best place for panoramic（全景的）views of Boracay and its neighboring islands. Just a few moments of breathtaking scenery and fresh sea air will rejuvenate（使精神焕发）you and make you feel you never want to leave.
There are organized trips to nearby islands, one of the most popular being Ariel's Point. The Boracay Beach Club resort, which owns the island, plans outings to Ariel's for a minimum of 14 people each trip．Visitors can have a day of cliff-jumping, snorkeling and barbecues. An alternative-and a sure way to see and do what you want-is to hire a boat. Ride around Boracay, stop at a restaurant frequented by locals, visit the neighboring islands, find a good snorkeling spot or fthd a beach where you can appreciate Boracay's unspoiled beauty. Countless boat operators offer their services along the shore. Rental is typically 500 pesos（＄12) an hour. Another must-do is a sailboat ride at sunset. White Sand and Bulabog Beaches are lined with sailboats, and there's nothing quite like watching the sun descend against the backdrop of a blue sea and sky. There's very little that will top this bonding moment with nature. To round up the day, head out for a tasty meal．Because of Boracay's countless international visitors, almost every major food type is available. There's New York-style pizzas, burgers galore, Mexican treats, Thai favorites, as well as Japanese udon noodles．
There's plenty more to love and appreciate about Boracay. With its small, cozy atmosphere and welcoming people, it's one destination not to pass up for that romantic getaway, family trip or holiday with friends.
If you want to find inexpensive accommodation, you should go＿along White Sand Beach and Bulabog Beach.
| A．northward | B．southward |
| C．eastward | D．westward |
What does the underlined word "top" in Paragraph 8 mean?
| A．Be better than. | B．Be suitable for. |
| C．Be away from. | D．Be equal to. |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
| A．Hotel expenses. | B．Public transport. |
| C．Outdoor recreations. | D．International food |
Google is testing its newest high-tech device, Google Glass. Most of the technologies for Google Glass are already available on smart phones. Google has taken those same technologies and added them to eyeglass frames（眼镜架）. The company describes the glasses as wearable computers that would change the way people view others and the world.
"Google Glass is a tiny computer that sits in a lightweight frame, and rests neatly above your eye and it makes exploring and sharing the world around you a lot easier,” said Chris Dale, the Senior Manager of Communications for Google Glass.
The glasses have a tiny video screen and a camera that connect wirelessly to the Internet through WIFI, a smartphone, or a tablet computer. You can make and receive calls, send and receive texts, take pictures, record video or search the web. You control Google Glass using your voice, and a touchpad on the right arm of the frame.
Professor Marcia Dawkins is among a select group of people who have been given a chance to test out Google Glass. "I thought this is something I definitely need for my classroom and hopefully for my personal life too."
The Professor's Google Glass looks like a pair bright orange glasses, without the actual glass. But there's a tiny rectangular（长方形的）glass at the top right-hand corner. Through that glass, she has been recording video while biking. She also has been able to talk to her sister in Thailand, and she plans to use the device to teach a public speaking class.
But not everyone is excited about Google Glass. Some are concerned about possible risks to privacy.
John Simpson is the director of the privacy project at Consumer Watchdog.
"It is going to allow people to come in and spy on you and record that, without you knowing what is going on."
Filmmaker Chris Barrett showed just how easy it is to record people without them knowing it. His glass captured（捕捉）a man getting arrested after a fight. He shared the video on You Tube.
Also some are concerned about the use of facial recognition（面部识别）technology on Google Glass. But Google says it will not approve the use of such applications. The Internet company says it is still testing its new device, and it hopes to make Google Glass available to the public by early next year.The technologies Google has made use of for Google Glass are______.
| A．completely new |
| B．mostly already in use for smartphones |
| C．high-tech but out-of-date |
| D．all old |
Which of the following is not true about Google Glass?
| A．It’s a very small computer. |
| B．It’s very light in weight. |
| C．Everyone can buy it now. |
| D．It can be used for teaching by school teachers. |
While cycling, the Professor has used the Glass to ______.
| A．record video and chat | B．send emails |
| C．teach a class | D．spy on others |
What can be inferred from the passage？
| A．Google has done what it can to protect people’s privacy. |
| B．Google Glass may be used for bad purposes. |
| C．Most people feel worried about the use of the Glass. |
| D．Google Glass is more useful than smartphones. |
Our culture is the system we use to build our identity. All living creatures are part of a culture. Even animals have a culture! So what is culture? It’s the way we behave in a group. It begins with each individual family. Within our families we do things to build relationships with each other. This can include routines for doing things. It also includes traditions. Traditions are activities that are repeated on a regular basis.
Culture is not limited to individual family groups. The real strength of culture is in larger community （社会）groups. These larger groups are called societies. Every society makes rules for itself. It decides how people should act in different situations. Some of these rules are written down. Some are just things that are automatically expected of all members of that society. Often, cultures can be identified（识别）by what the people believe. Cultures are also known by what they choose to include in their art. Sometimes a society forms around people who speak the same language. Cultures may also be known for their customs, including the foods they make and the things they do.
Our cultures help us understand who we are and what we believe. There are very strong emotions（情感）connecting us to our own society. Two different cultures may disagree on something, especially if they both feel strongly about it. When that happens, war is a common result. People are learning better ways to communicate with each other. The more we learn, the more we appreciate the differences in cultures.Which of the following is not true?
| A．Every society has its own culture. |
| B．Every one with an identity card has his own culture. |
| C．Animals have their cultures. |
| D．Culture and traditions are connected. |
Which of the following has nothing to do with culture according to the passage?
| A．A religion that a certain people practice |
| B．Greetings sent to people we love during spring festival |
| C．Face-changing in Sichuan Opera |
| D．Someone’s personal habit of staying up very late |
Which of the following is true?
| A．Modern societies have written down all the rules for behavior. |
| B．Plants themselves have no culture. |
| C．Disagreement between two societies always leads to war. |
| D．Strong emotions that connect us to our society should be got rid of. |
We can infer from the passage that ______.
| A．cultural exchanges may help reduce the risk of war |
| B．all disagreements are caused by strong feelings |
| C．differences in culture always cause disagreements |
| D．people haven’t tried different ways to communicate |
It’s puzzling, isn’t it? No matter where you try to tickle（使人发痒）yourself, even on the soles（脚底） of your feet or under your arms, you just can’t.
To understand why, you need to know more about how your brain works. One of its main tasks is to try to make good guesses about what’s going to happen next. While you’re busy getting on with your life, walking downstairs or eating your breakfast, parts of your brain are always trying to predict the future.
Remember when you first learned how to ride a bicycle? At first, it took a lot of concentration to keep the handlebars steady and push the pedals（踏板）. But after a while, cycling became easy. Now you’re not aware of the movements you make to keep the bike going. From experience, your brain knows exactly what to expect so your body rides the bike automatically. Your brain is predicting all the movements you need to make.
You only have to think consciously about cycling if something changes---like if there’s a strong wind or you get a flat tyre. When something unexpected happens like this, your brain is forced to change its predictions about what will happen next. If it does its job well, you’ll adjust to the strong wind, leaning your body so you don’t fall.
Why is it so important for our brains to predict what will happen next? It helps us make fewer mistakes and can even save our lives. For example, when a chief fireman sees a fire, he immediately makes decisions about how best to position his men. His past experiences help him foresee what might happen and choose the best plan for fighting the fire. His brain can instantly predict how different plans would work out, and he can rule out any bad or dangerous plans without putting his men at risk in real life.
So how does all this answer your question about tickling? Because your brain is always predicting your own actions, and how your body will feel as a result, you cannot tickle yourself. Other people can tickle you because they can surprise you. You can’t predict what their tickling actions will be.What is the best title for this passage?
| A．How Does the Brain work? |
| B．Why Can’t I Tickle Myself? |
| C．The importance of Prediction |
| D．The Importance of Our Brains |
Our brains cannot predict what will happen when we______.
| A．walk down the stairs |
| B．eat our breakfast |
| C．suddenly lose our balance and fall |
| D．ride a bike |
The phrase “rule out” in Paragraph 4 means______.
| A．decide that something is not suitable | B．think about |
| C．act according to the rules | D．expect |
The passage is probably taken from______.
| A．a scientific report for experts |
| B．a textbook for medical students |
| C．a book for children |
| D．a research paper for doctors |
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