C
People have long debated the essence（本质）of human nature．Some people think humans are
born good．In San Zi Jing（Three Chara~er Classic），a Chinese children’s educational book from
the 13th century, we read：“Men at birth are naturally good．Their natures are similar, their habits
become different．’’
Yet some philosophers disagree with this．They think men are born selfish and vicious（恶的）．
For example，Thomas Hobbes，the 1 7th century English philosopher argued that men are born self-
interested and with a liking for war．
Over the centuries，different philosophers have argued their cases．Now the results of a new
study，which contrasts the behavior of very young children and young chimpanzees（黑猩猩）
suggests that human beings are born sociable and helpful to others，according to a New York Times
report．
“Of course every animal must to some extent be selfish to survive．But the biologists also see
in humans a natural willingness to help．”The New York Times science reporter Nicholas Wade writes．
Wade quotes a book published in October by American psychologist Michael Tomasello．
Tomasello writes：“When infants（婴儿）18 months old see an unrelated adult whose hands are
full and who needs help opening a door or picking up a dropped clothespin，they will immediately
help．The helping behavior seems to be innate because it appears so early and before many parents
start teaching children the rules of polite behavior．’’
Tomasello finds that this behavior is not the result of an incentive（动机）of a
reward，suggesting training does not influence it．And it seems to happen across cultures，with their different timetables for teaching social rules．For these reasons，Tomamsello concluded that helping is natural，not something taught by parents or culture．
And it seems that infants cannot only help in practical ways，it can also help with information，
Tomasello writes．From the age of 1 2 months they will point at objects thin all adult pretends to
have lost．Chimpanzees，by contrast，never point at things for each other, and when they point for
people．it seems to be as a command to go fetch something rather than to share information．
49．What is the article mainly about?
A．The behavior of young children．
B．Former philosophies about human nature.
C．The difference between babies and baby chimpanzees.
D．A new study of human nature．
50．According to Michael Tomasello, human beings are born __________.
A．similar to chimpanzees in nature B．selfish and Vicious
C．sociable and helpful D．with a liking for war
51．Of all the following，__________has a negative attitude towards human nature.
A．Three Character B．Thomas Hobbes
C．Nicholas Wade D．Michael Tomasello
52．According to the study，it's safe to say that __________.
A．human beings are not selfish
B．children like to help others when they get a reward
C．different countries teach social rules at different times
D．children tend to be helpful if they are taught early
Most British people prefer to live in a house rather than a flat and one of the reasons is that houses usually have gardens. The garden is a place where people can be outside and yet private.
If a house has a front and back garden, the front is likely to be formal(正规的) and decorative(装饰性的), with a lawn (an area of grass) or fancy flower borders. The back garden usually also has a lawn and flower beds, and sometimes a vegetable plot(菜地) fruit trees. There’s often a bird table, on which food is put for birds, and a small simple house in which garden tools are kept.
Many British people spend quite a lot of money on their gardens and even the smallest may contain different kinds of flowers and plants. For them gardening is a hobby and they take pride in their gardens. Some towns and villages have competitions for the best-kept small garden. People with a small garden, or no garden at all, can rent a piece of land, on which most grow vegetables.
There are garden centers near most towns, selling everything a gardener might need, from flower pots to fish ponds as well as many types of plants.
The British interest in gardening affects the appearance of whole towns. Public parks and some roads often have bright displays of flowers in summer and public buildings have windows boxes(窗口花坛) and hanging baskets. Towns and villages enter for the Britain in Bloom competition every year. According to paragraph 2, a back garden _________.
| A．is also formal |
| B．has flower beds |
| C．doesn’t have a lawn |
| D．has beautiful flower borders |
What do we know about garden centers?
| A．They are in the centre of the town. |
| B．Each town has a garden center. |
| C．Gardeners can buy tools there. |
| D．They have gardens for rent. |
From the last paragraph we know that _________.
| A．gardening improves the appearance of British towns |
| B．British parks are full of flowers all year round |
| C．the British interest in gardening is decreasing |
| D．Britain in Bloom is a worldwide competition |
Name: Container Gardens by Number
Cover price: $l5.95
Our price: $9.49
A unique book contains 50 easy-to-follow container designs. Each design provides a simple numbered planting plan that shows exactly how to create each display, with an instruction of the finished planter and in-depth plant information. The plans are easy to follow and for any type of living space or garden.
Name: Off the Beaten Path
Cover price: $30.00
Our price: $l9.80
The best-selling Reader’s Digest travel book has 40% new content including over 200 new sites, over 200 new full-color photographs, and all-new, up-to-date maps. It spotlights over l, 000 of the United States’ most overlooked must-see destinations.
Name: l80l Home Remedies (疗法)
Cover price: $40.00
Our price: $29.96
Plenty of health complaints can be handled at home. Each and every remedy will be tested by a doctor to make sure it is safe and sound.
Dozens of conditions are covered, from headaches, sunburn, bad breath, and blisters(水泡) to allergies(过敏), and hiccups(打嗝).
Name: Best Weekend Projects
Cover price: $l7.95
Our price: $l3.96
Choose from 80 unique ideas to create an extraordinary living space. The projects are practical, as well as attractive, and will improve your home and yard and can be made in a weekend. These 80 well-designed projects are presented in a clear, easy-to-follow style that addresses readers in an accessible, user-friendly tone. You can most probably read the passage in a ___________.
| A．news story | B．travel guide |
| C．newspaper | D．telephone book |
How much money can you save if you want to buy a medical book?
| A．$6.46. | B．$l0.20. | C．$l3.96. | D．$l0.04. |
Which of the following can you afford if you have only $10?
| A．Off the Beaten Path |
| B．Container Gardens by Number |
| C．l80l Home Remedies |
| D．Best Weekend Projects |
The author writes the passage in order to ___________.
| A．persuade readers to buy the books |
| B．encourage readers to read more about medicine |
| C．introduce the books to readers |
| D．develop people’s reading habit |
Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life. These people have something in common. And once we know what it is, we can try to do it ourselves.
How is it done? Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they’ll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.
First of all, good talkers ask questions. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question. One well-known businesswoman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It’s a common question, but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters--sometimes to really personal questions. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.
In addition, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers. This point seems clear, but it isn’t. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.
Real listening at least means some things. First it means not to change the subject of conversation. If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he’s really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it’s time for you to change the subject.
Last but not least, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you’re saying good-bye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you.” If you want to see that person again, don’t keep it a secret. Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they’ve known you half their life. Which of the following is NOT the reason why good talkers ask questions?
| A．To get the conversation going smoothly. |
| B．To continue the conversation with other matters. |
| C．To make more new friends. |
| D．To know how far the conversation can go. |
How many skills does the author give us to be good talkers?
| A．Three. | B．Four. | C．Five. | D．Six. |
In general, good talkers are persons who __________.
| A．can keep the conversation interesting |
| B．never talk too much or too little |
| C．always keep the conversation a secret |
| D．can change the topic of the conversation properly |
If you are willing to meet someone again, __________.
| A．you’d better let him know it |
| B．you’d better shake his hand firmly |
| C．you’d better keep it a secret |
| D．you’d better understand him further |
Two good friends, Sam and Jason, met with a car accident on their way home one night. The next morning, Sam woke up blind. His legs were broken. The doctor, Mr Lee was standing by his bed, looking at him with a thoughtful expression. When he saw Sam awake, he asked, “How are you feeling, Sam?” Sam smiled and said, “Not bad, Doctor. Thank you for doing the operation.” Mr Lee was moved by Sam. When he was leaving, Sam said, “Please don’t tell Jason about it.” “... OK.” Mr Lee replied.
Months later when Jason’s wounds (伤) healed, Sam was still very weak. Neither could he see or walk. What he could do was just stay in his wheelchair all day long. At first, Jason stayed with him for a few days. But days later, Jason felt very discouraged and embarrassed to spend time staying with a disabled man like Sam. So he went to see Sam less and less. He made new friends. From then on, he didn’t go to visit Sam any more. Sam didn’t have any family or friends other than Jason. He felt very sad.
Things went from bad to worse. Sam died a year later. When Jason came, Mr Lee gave a letter to him. It was from Sam. In the letter Sam said, “Dear Jason, I am disabled. But I want you to be a healthy man. So I gave my eyes to you so that you can enjoy life as a healthy man. Now you have new friends. I’m glad to see that you are as healthy and happy as usual. I’m glad you live a happy life. You are always my best friend ... ... Sam”. When he finished reading the letter , Mr Lee said, “I have promised that I will keep this a secret until Sam is gone. Now you know it.” Jason stood there. Tears ran down his face. Why did Sam thanked the doctor?
| A．Because the doctor was very friendly to him. |
| B．Because the doctor took good care of him. |
| C．Because the doctor saved his eyes. |
| D．Because the doctor kept the secret for him. |
Which of the following happened according to the order of time?
a. Jason felt very discouraged to stay with Sam.
b. Jason lost his eyes in an accident.
c. Sam donated his eyes to Jason.
d. Jason didn’t go to visit Sam any more.
e. Sam died and Jason knew the truth.
| A．dacbe | B．dcbea | C．bcade | D．bcdae |
The underlined word “healed” in the second paragraph is closest in the meaning to “__________”.
| A．recovered | B．hurt | C．failed | D．disappeared |
It can be inferred from the passage that Sam was__________.
| A．kind-hearted and helpful |
| B．discouraged and outgoing |
| C．optimistic and humorous |
| D．enthusiastic and curious |
Need to relax after a few stressful months? Perhaps you need to go to a spa.
First of all, what exactly is a spa? Traditionally, spas were places with a natural spring producing warm waters that could be used in hydrotherapy (水疗法) treatments. They were places where you “took the waters” --- meaning you drank some of the water or bathed in it.
But nowadays, a “spa” can mean a variety of things. In general, the term is often used to refer to commercial establishment that provides many services for health, fitness, weight loss, beauty and relaxation. This may include exercise classes, mud baths, body treatment, facials (美容), etc.
In Japan, traditional hot springs have attracted visitors for centuries. And thermal baths (温泉浴) have been found in the ruins of the Cretan Palace of Knossos (2000-1400 B.C.). It was the Romans who made spas popular in Europe. They established a number of towns around thermal waters. These include the English town of Aquae Sulis (which is called Bath today), and the Belgian town of Aquae Spadanae (which is known as Spa these days).
In the 18th century, spas became the fashionable places to go on holiday. Bath and Harrogate in the UK were popular with British rich people. And in Europe Carsbad (now called Larlovy Vary), Marienbad and Franzensbsf were Europe’s most important holiday centers.
A typical day in Carsbad in the 19th century went as follows. Visitors got up at 6:00 a.m. to take the waters and listen to music by a band. Next, came a light breakfast, a bath in the waters, and then lunch. In the afternoon, visitors went sightseeing, walked or attended concerts. After dinner, there were theatrical performances. Guests returned to their hotels at about 9 p.m. to rest until six the following morning. Visitors would stay for as long as a month. Some of the more famous patients at these spas included the composers Beethoven and Chopin, and the Russian writer Turgnev.
Marienbad was the best spa town. It was popular with the inventor Thomas Edison, the writer Johann Goethe, and many famous people and European emperors.
Today, although taking the waters isn’t as common as it used to be, spa treatments are more popular than ever. What can we learn about a spa?
| A．It makes profits mainly on facials. |
| B．It is a center for rich people to relax. |
| C．It provides more services than before. |
| D．It is where one can get medical treatment. |
From Paragraph 4, we can infer that ___________.
| A．spas have a history of about 200 years |
| B．Japan has more spas than any other countries |
| C．the Romans played a positive part in the popularity of spas |
| D．ordinary people could enjoy thermal baths in 18th-century UK |
At the spas in Carlsbad, ____________.
| A．many visitors had facials |
| B．guests often stayed for at least a month |
| C．Thomas Edison was a regular guest |
| D．guests had a bath between breakfast and lunch |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．The former name of Larlovy Vary was Carlsbad. |
| B．Spa treatments are not so popular as before. |
| C．Chopin visited Marienbad frequently. |
| D．Marienbad is located in the UK. |