E
Research on the human brain has been attracting more and more scientists in recent years, just like the booming hi-tech industry. One of the latest research topics is how to change the human brain or combine the computer and the human brain, i.e. to transplant a chip into a human brain. This idea may make everyone’s dream come true. If we compare a human brain to a hard disc(硬盘), what the scientists are doing is to enlarge the capacity of the hard disc. For the time being, there are some difficulties in such transplant experiments, but scientists never give up.
Experiments have started on animals. In 1996, a transplant experiment performed at the Defense and Military Physiology Research Institute in the U.S. turned a bear into a dolphin.
The dolphin was named Ted, and the bear was named Tallin. Using the most advanced technology available, deep and detailed images were made of the memory area in Ted’s brain containing information about swimming by the scientists. They obtained a series of useful information, the signals transferred by the nervous system. Such information was saved into a button-sized chip, which was then transplanted into the action memory area in Tallin’s brain. The information saved on the chip was released by means of electric power.
Recently, another comprehensive memory transplant was performed at the Motor Nerve Research Institute of the University of California. The comprehensive memory transplanted in the experiment included actions, moods, logic, words, images, etc. The experiment involved an entire transplant of the memory area. This was the largest such experiment done so far.
The transplant was performed making a transfer from a dog named “Genius” to a dog named “Idiot”. “Genius” could understand and follow up to 100 gestures and orders made by its master. It was a real genius in memorizing. “Idiot” was the younger brother of “Genius”. It had no contact with people at all since its birth. It became an animal with nothing in its brain, without any memory.
The operation was a complete success. When the two dogs woke up, “Idiot” had grasped all the abilities “Genius” possessed; it was good at memorizing and sensible. It could follow every gesture and any command given by its master. But “Genius” gave no response to its master, and in fact did not recognize him at all.
57. The purpose of the experiment is _____.
A. to combine the computer and the human brain
B. to enlarge the capacity of human brain
C. to make some stupid dog turn clever D. to make bear swim
58. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. The scientists transferred a button-sized chip with useful information in Tallin’s brain.
B. The first comprehensive memory transplant was performed at the Motor Nerve Research University.
C. The second experiment wasn’t an entire transplant of the memory area.
D. The Idiot was an animal with memory before brain experiment
59. What does the underlined word “success” refer to?
A. The two dogs woke up.
B. They were both good at memorizing.
C. The Idiot grasped all the abilities of Genius.
D. The Genius grasped all the abilities of Idiot.
60. According to the text, we can infer _____.
A. a person can know more after the experiment
B. a bear can swim after being transferred a chip with related useful information
C. a dog can become clever after entire transplant of the memory area
D. it is really good for animals to have been involved in the transplant experiment
A new study has found no evidence that sunscreen, commonly used to reduce the risk of skin cancer, actually increase the risk.
Researchers from the University of Iowa based their findings on a review of 18 earlier studies that looked at the association between sunscreen use and melanoma (黑素瘤). They said that they found flaws in studies that had reported associations between sunscreen use and higher risk of melanoma
Most health experts believe that by protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer, which is increasing in incidence (发生率) faster than any other cancer in the United States.
But questions has been raised about sunscreen and whether it may has opposite effect, perhaps by allowing people to remain exposed to the sun longer without burning.
The researchers said that among the problems with some earlier studies is that they often failed to take into account that those people most at risk for skin cancer--- people with fair skin and freckles (雀斑), for example--- are more likely to use sunscreen. As a result, it may appear that sunscreen users get cancer more often.
The studies, which generally relied on volunteers to recall their sunscreen use, were also unable to prove how well the products had been applied, said the new study.72. The underlined word “flaws” in the 2nd paragraph most probably means ______.
A.evidence | B.facts | C.faults | D.failures |
73. People with fair skin and freckles .
A.seldom use sunscreen | B.are more in danger of skin cancer |
C.can be free from the harm of the sun | D.often expose themselves to the sun |
74. We can learn from the passage that ______.
A.sunscreen users get skin cancer more often |
B.the volunteers have proved the effect of sunscreen |
C.the new study was based on the experiences of volunteers |
D.the number of skin cancer patients is increasing in America |
75. Which of the following can be the title for this passage?
A.Sunscreen to Prevent Skin Cancer | B.Sunscreen to Increase Skin Cancer |
C.Skin Cancer Caused by Sunscreen | D.Skin Cancer Caused by Freckles |
The global energy crisis is approaching. What can we do? Here are some steps you can take.
Cooling puts the greatest stress on your summer energy bill and the power grid(电网). Just as t tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Clean or replaces filters monthly or as needed.
For central air conditioning systems and room air conditioners, look for the ENERGY STAR, the federal government’s symbol for energy efficiency. For central air, purchase the system with the highest possible Seasonal Energy Efficiency Raton. (SEER)
Use energy-efficient ceiling fans either alone or with air conditioning. Ceiling fans do a great job of circulating air. When used with air conditioning, fans allow you to raise the thermostat(恒温器) and cut costs. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms, so before you leave; turn off the ceiling fan.
Let a programmable thermostat! “remember for you” to automatically adjust the indoor climate with your daily and weekend patterns to reduce cooling bills by up to 10 percent. You can come home to a comfortable house without wasting energy and cresting pollution all day while you are at work.
Try to make your home airtight enough to increase your comfort, make your home quieter and cleaner and reduce your cooling costs up to 20 percent.
Gut your air conditioning load, and reduce pollution by planting planting leafy trees around your home and fixing reflective bricks on your roof.
Close blinds or shades on south-and west-facing windows during the day, or fix shading equipment to avoid heat build-up.
Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers. And use fluorescent bulbs(荧光灯), which provide bright, warm light while using at least two-thirds less energy, producing 70 percent less heat and lasting up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs(白炽灯).
Drive the car that gets better gas mileage whenever possible if you own more than one vehicle. If you drive 12,500 miles a year, switching 10 percent of your trips from a car that gets 20 mils per gallon to one that gets 30 mpg will save you more than £65 per year.
Carpool. The average U.S. commuter(乘车上班族) could save about £260 a year by sharing cars twice a week with two people in a car that gets 20.1 mpg---assuming the three passengers share the cost of gas.According to the passage, the thermostat is used to ______.
A.make rooms quieter | B.control room temperature |
C.turn off the air conditioner | D.reduce room air pollution |
We can conclude from the passage that the author probably discourages ______.
A.planting leafy trees around your home |
B.turning off the ceiling fan before you leave your house |
C.keeping your south-facing windows open during the day |
D.using fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs |
According to the passage, you can save fuel by ______.
A.using energy-efficient ceiling fans | B.sharing cars with others on workdays |
C.turning off everything not in use | D.reducing 10% of your car trips every year |
This passage is mainly about ______.
A.energy-saving tips | B.fuel-saving tips |
C.do-it-yourself tips | D.environment-protecting tips |
We have designed all our bank cards to make your life easier.
How to use your NatWest Servicecard
As a Switch card, it lets you pay for all sorts of goods and services, whenever you see the Switch logo. The money comes straight out of your account, so you can spend as much as you like as long as you have enough money (or an agreed overdraft(透支) to cover it. It is also a cheque guarantee(担保) card for up to the amount shown on the card. And it gives you free access to your money from over 31,000 cash machines across the UK.
How to use your NatWest Chshcard
You can use your Cashcard as a Sulo card to pay for goods and services wherever you see the Solo logo. It can also give you access to your account and your cash from over 31,000 cash machines nationwide. You can spend or withdraw(提取) what you have in your account, or as much as your agreed overdraft limit.
Using your card abroad
You can also use your Servicecard and Cashcard when you’re abroad. You can withdraw cash at cash machines and pay for goods and services wherever you see the Cirrus or Maestro logo displayed.
We take a commission charge(手续费) of 2.25% of each cash withdrawal you make (up to £4) and a commission charge of 75 pence every time you use Maestro to pay for goods or services. We also apply a foreign-exchange transaction fee of 2.65%.
How to use your NatWest Credit Card
With your credit card you can do the following:
*Pay for goods and services and enjoy up to 56 days’ interest-free credit.
*Pay in over 24 million shops worldwide that display the Maestrocard or Visa logos.
*Collect one AIR MILE for every £20 of spending that appears on your statement(结算单).
(This does not include foreign currency or traveler’s cheques bought, interest and other charges.)If you carry the Servicecard or the Cashcard, _______.
A.you can use it to guarantee things as you wish |
B.you can draw your money from cash machines conveniently |
C.you can spend as much money as you like without a limit |
D.you have to pay some extra money when you pay for services in the UK |
If you withdraw £200 from a cash machine abroad, you will be charged ______.
A.£4 | B.£4.5 | C.£5.25 | D.£5.3 |
Which of the following is TRUE about using your NatWest Credit Card?
A.You have to pay back with interest within 56 days. |
B.You will be charged some interest beyond two months. |
C.You can use the card in any shop across the world. |
D.You will gain one air mile if you spend £20 on traveller’s cheques. |
The purpose of the passage is to show you how to ______.
A.play your cards right | B.use your cards abroad |
C.draw cash with your cards | D.pay for goods with your cards |
For years we have been told that encouraging a child's self-respect is important to his or her success in life. But child experts are now learning that too much praise can lead to the opposite effect. Praise-sholic kids who expect it at every turn may become teens who seek to same kind of approval from friends when asked if they want to go in the backseat of the car.
The implication(含义) of saying "You are the prettiest girl in class," or talking about the goals she succeed but not her overall effort, is that you love her only when she looks the best, scores she highest, achieves the most. And this carries over to the classroom.
Social psychologist Carrol Dweck, PhD, tested the effects of overpraise on 400 fifth graders while she was at Columbia University. She found that kids praised for "trying hard" did better on tests and were more likely to take on difficult assignments than those praised for being "smart".
"Praising attributes(品质) or abilities makes a false promise that success will come to you because you have that quality, and it devalues effort, so children are afraid to take on challenges, " says Dweck, now at Stanford University, "They figure they's better quit while they're ahead."
1. |
The underlined words "Praise-sholic kids" refers to kids who are.
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2. |
The author quoted(引用) Dr. Dweck's words in the last paragraph in order to make the article.
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3. |
We can infer from the passage that.
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After the Summer Olympics are over, when all the athletics have gone home and the television audience has switched off, another group of athletics and fans will arrive at the host city, and another competition will begin. These are the Paralympics, the games for athletes with a disability. But in Beijing in 2008, for the first time, one of the greatest Paralympics will not be taking part.
She is a British athlete by the name of Tanni Grey-Thormpson. Born with spine hifida (脊椎裂) which left her paralysed from the waist down. Tanni used a wheelchair from the age of 7. at first, she was not keen on sport, apart from horse-riding, which gave her a sense of freedom. But in her teens, she started taking sports more seriously. She tried swimming, basketball and tennis. Eventually she found athletics, and never looked back.
Indeed, Tanni's athletic career took off. In 1984, when she was 15, she pulled off a surprise victory in the 100metres at the Junior National Wheelchair Games.
In 1988, Tanni went to her first Paralympic Games in Seoul. She won bronze in the 400 metres. Even greater success followed at the 1992 Barcelona. Paralympics. Tanni won gold in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres relay, setting two world records in the process. In the same year she achieved she first of her six London Wheelchair Marathon victories.
Tanni's enduring success had been part motivation(动机), part preparation, "The training I do that enables me to be a good sprinter(短跑运动员) enables me to be good at a marathon too. I train 50 weeks of the year and that keeps me prepared for whatever distance I want to race…. I am still competing at a very high lever, but as I get older things get harder and I want to retire before I fall apart."
Indeed Tanni retired finally after the Visa Paralympic World Cup in 2007. Her wish is to coach young athletes for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
In spite of ups and downs, she never take her fate lying down. In her splendid life, she has won an amazing eleven gold medals, four silvers and one bronze in series of Paralympics- a top lever athletic career covering two decades. She has won the London Wheelchair Marathon six times, more than any other competitor, and she has set over thirty world records.
What advice does she have for young athletes? "Work hard at your studies, and then train, train and train again."
1. |
Which of the following sports did Tanni like before thirteen?
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2. |
When did Tanni win her first Olympic gold medal?
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3. |
The underlined word "that" in the 5th paragraph refers to.
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4. |
What's the right order of the events related to Tanni? a. She works as a coach. b. She took up athletics.
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5. |
What can we learn from Tanni's success?
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