As you dash outdoors in the middle of winter, you might make it halfway down the block before realizing that your ears are freezing because you forgot your hat.
Now, scientists have shown that even though you’ve had an apparent memory lapse（丧失）, your brain never forgot what you should have done.
Memory works mainly by association. For example, as you try to remember where you left your keys, you might recall you last had them in the living room, which reminds you that there was an ad for soap on television, which reminds you that you need soap, and so on. And then, as you’re heading out of the door to buy soap, you remember that your keys are on the kitchen counter. Your brain knew where the keys were all along. It just took a round-about way to get there.
Now, scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are studying associative memory in monkeys to figure out just how this complicated process works.
First, the researchers trained a group of monkeys to remember arbitrary（任意的） pairs of symbols. The researchers showed the monkeys one symbol（cold weather） and then gave them the choice of two other symbols, one of which （a hat） would be associated with the first. A correct choice would earn them a sip of their favorite juice.
Most of the monkeys performed the test perfectly, but one kept making mistakes.
“We wondered what happened in the brain when the monkey made the wrong choice, although it apparently learned the right pairing of symbols,” said study leader Thomas Albright.
Albright and his team observed signals from the nerve cells in the monkey’s inferior temporal cortex （ITC）, an area of its brain used 
for visual pattern recognition and for storing this type of memory.
As the monkey was deciding which symbol to choose, about a quarter of the activity in the ITC was due to the choice behavior.
Meanwhile, more than half the activity was in a different group of nerve cells, which scientists believe represent the monkey’s memory of the correct symbol pairing, and surprisingly, these
cells continued to work well even when the monkey chose the wrong symbol.
“In this sense, the cells ‘knew’ more than the monkeys let on in their behavior,” Albright said. “Thus, behavior may vary, but knowledge endures.”What is the main idea of this passage?
| A．Your brain remembers what you forget. |
| B．Activity is a round-about way to memory. |
| C．Monkeys have better memory than us. |
| D．Your brain may forget something, but not always. |
The example of the keys and soap is given to explain the relationship between _______.
| A．memory and our daily life | B．memory and television ads |
| C．memory and association | D．memory lapse and human brain |
The researchers believe the monkey that made the wrong choice ________.
| A．had some trouble with its nerve system | B．failed to see the objects well |
| C．had the worst memory | D．also knew the correct answer |
The underlined word “endures” may be best replaced by __________.
| A．increases | B．remains | C．disappears | D．improves |
Everything on Earth that scientists can see, measure or study is made of atoms and atoms are named by what types of elements (元素)they are. You probably know the name of many elements, such as oxygen or hydrogen. In any case, elements are everywhere: You, your -shoes, your desk, cars, water and air are all made of elements.
Now, there's a new kind on the block： copernicium.
This element was officially named on February 19，but the element itself isn't new. German scientists made and observed it in 1996. But in the 14 years since then, other scientists have been working to study and validate (证实)the original findings. Validation is an important part of the scientific process because it shows that a scientific discovery was not a mistake.
All that hard work finally paid off when the element finally received its name, copernicium, from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. Copernicium is named in honour of Nicolaus Copernicus (哥白尼)，a 16th century Polish scholar who proposed that the earth moves around the sun and that the earth turns on its own axis.
Scientists organize all the elements on a chart called the Periodic Table. Each element gets a symbol and its own number, and copernicium gets the symbol Cn and the number 112. This number means that inside every atom of copernicium are 112 protons (质子). The lightest element hydrogen has only one proton inside each atom. Its 112 protons make copernicium the heaviest known element with a name. It was first observed by Sigurd Hofmann»a scientist in Germany. In 1996, Hofmann and his team had to figure out a way to get all the protons together and stick. They used a machine that can speed up atoms up to 10 percent the speed of light. After a week of working on these high-speed collisions(碰撞)，Hofmann's team found copernicium even though it quickly disappeared.
Now, 14 years after Hofmann's experiment, other scientists are able to make copernicium and validate Hofmann's original work. Scientists are excited about copernicium. If such a super heavy atom can be created, then even heavier elements might be waiting in the future. "One of the exciting things is, how far can we keep going?" says nuclear chemist Paul Karol. What do we know about copernicium?
| A．It is the heaviest element so far. |
| B．It was officially named in 1996. |
| C．It is a newly-discovered element. |
| D．It is the most difficult element to validate. |
Why is copernicium named after Nicolaus Copernicus?
| A．Because he proved the existence of the element. |
| B．It is named in honour of Nicolaus Copernicus. |
| C．Because he observed the element in the 16th century. |
| D．Because he designed the Periodic Table for all the elements. |
By asking “how far can we keep going?” Karol means ________ .
| A．how many elements people can find in the future |
| B．how soon people can find another new heavy element |
| C．how long people can walk carrying the heavy element |
| D．how long people can continue to research into copernicium |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．A New Element Has Been Discovered |
| B．The Periodic Table Is Changed Again |
| C．The Heaviest Named Element Is Official |
| D．Superheavy Copernicium Needs Its Place |
Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup (基因构成)as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的)resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品)of technological developments in the space industry!
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds clangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human beings to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future. Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph 1?
| A．To express his doubts. |
| B．To compare different ideas. |
| C．To introduce points for discussion. |
| D．To describe the conditions on Earth. |
What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph 2?
| A．Humans are nature-born to do so. |
| B．Humans have the tendency to fight. |
| C．Humans may find new sources of food. |
| D．Humans don’t like to stay in the same place. |
The underlined word “spin-offs" in Paragraph 4probably refers to ________ .
| A．survival chances |
| B．potential resources |
| C．unexpected benefits |
| D．physical possessions |
What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?
| A．Our genetic makeup. |
| B．Resources on the earth. |
| C．The adaptive ability of humans. |
| D．By-products in space exploration. |
On March 8,a big spelling mistake was made at the Selma Unified School District's Spelling Bee (拼字比赛)，in Selma, California. The mistake was made not by one of the competitors, but by the judges. Even though 12-year-old Sierra Shoemaker spelled her final word correctly, she was disqualified (淘汰)because the judges thought she had it wrong. "I didn't want to say anything because if the word master tells you you've got a wrong word, you don't really argue with him, "Sierra told local California news station KMPH.
The word Sierra was told to spell was "braille", referring to the written Language for people unable to see. Sierra spelled it out correctly, but the judges' master sheet had the word written down as "b-r-a-i-l-e", with one '1' missing. The audience immediately recognized the judges' mistake. So did Sierra. “I looked around at the audience, half of them were looking at each other, complaining quietly, "said Sierra, speaking to KMPH. She went home with a second place prize, but was frustrated, realizing that perhaps she could have won first place prize.
Determined to move on to the next level* Sierra appealed her disqualification. At first, the county rejected her appeal. Fortunately, the school community got behind her. Her school supported the appeal and won. Sierra will now advance to the Fresno County Spelling Bee. If she wins Fresno, she will then go on to represent her county in the California State Spelling Championships.
Beyond each state’s spelling bee is the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Winners from state championships move on to compete against each other, as well as against students from countries outside the United States. With her spirit of determination, we believe we will see Sierra on the stage of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. At the Selma Unified School District's Spelling Bee, Sierra ________ .
| A．was disqualified |
| B．made a big mistake |
| C．argued with the judges |
| D．had her final word wrong |
Why did some of the audience look at each other according to Paragraph 2?
| A．They felt sorry for Sierra's mistake. |
| B．They wanted to know how to spell the word. |
| C．They wanted to make friends with each other. |
| D．They thought that the judges had made a mistake. |
Sierra will advance to the Fresno County Spelling Bee because ________ .
| A．the county accepted the appeal finally |
| B．she asked the news station KMPH for help |
| C．she was given the first place prize after her appeal |
| D．the audience forced the judges into changing their decision |
Which of the following shows the author's attitude towards Sierra?
| A．She is tolerant. |
| B．She is hard-working. |
| C．She is open-minded. |
| D．She is strong-minded. |
Pierre de Coubertin was born on January 1，1863，in Paris, France. As a child of a noble family, he received a good education and developed a strong interest in literature and history. He refused the military career planned for him by his family, as well as giving up a political career in order to serve his people better.
Coubertin was a very active sportsman and practiced the sports of boxing, fencing (击剑)，horse-riding and rowing. He believed that sport was the tool for moral energy and he defended his idea with rare tenacity (坚初).
His study of history made him wish the Olympics could still be held. He thought it was the ideal that everyone should try to reach. He was sure that bringing athletes together would make friendly relations between the countries. It was this idea that led him to announce at the age of 31 that he wanted to revive the Olympics.
He made this announcement in a meeting at the Union of French Societies of Athletic Sports, for which he was Secretary General (秘书长). No one really believed him and his statement was greeted with little passion. Coubertin, however, was not discouraged and on 23 June, 1894 he founded the International Olympic Committee(IOC)in a ceremony held at the University of Sorbonne in Paris. Demetrius from Greece became the first president of the IOC.
Two years later, in 1896, the first Olympic Games of the modern era was held in Athens. On that occasion Coubertin was elected the second president of the IOC and he remained president until 1925. Due to the 1st World War, Coubertin requested permission to establish the headquarters of the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland, which was a neutral (中立的)country, Coubertin withdrew from the IOC in 1925 to devote himself to his pedagogical (教育学的)work, which he called his "unfinished symphony(交响乐)".
Coubertin suddenly died of a heart attack on September 2，1937, in a park in Geneva, and thus his "symphony" remained unfinished. The city of Lausanne had decided to award him honorary citizenship (荣誉市民)of the city, but he died just before the ceremony.
In accordance with Coubertin's last wish he was buried in Lausanne, although his heart was buried separately in a monument near the ruins of ancient Olympia. Pierre de Coubertin was not interested in ________ .
| A．literature |
| B．history |
| C．military |
| D．sports |
Coubertin wanted to revive the Olympic Games because ________ .
| A．he thought bringing athletes together would make friendly relationships between the countries |
| B．he knew he would be the 2nd president of the IOC |
| C．he loved history and sports so much |
| D．he thought everyone should try to reach the ideal that the Olympics could still be held |
"unfinished symphony(交响乐)" refers to ________ .
| A．the work Coubertin did for the IOC |
| B．the pedagogical work |
| C．the ceremony of awarding Coubertin honorary citizenship |
| D．the fact that Coubertin's heart attack never got well |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．Coubertin was awarded honorary citizenship by the city of Lausanne before he died. |
| B．Coubertin worked as the president of the IOC for less than 20 years. |
| C．Coubertin devoted all his life to the sports career. |
| D．Coubertin's heart was buried in Greece. |
Every two years, cities around the world make bids to the International Olympic Commission (IOC)to host the Olympic Games. Today, cities are selected through a much more rigorous (严格的） process.
Any city that wants to host the Olympic Games puts in its name to the IOC and is considered an “Applicant City”. For the next ten months, the IOC investigates the city on several points：
1. The city must prove that it is big enough to handle the Olympics. They also need to show that they can handle the high level of security needed at the games.
2. The city needs to convince (使明白）residents that the expenses of covering the Olympics (which may be covered by raising taxes)are worth it in city improvement and new jobs.
3. The city needs to maintain a highly positive media exposure to carry the games.
If the IOC decides that a city has fulfilled the three points above, the city is considered a “Candidate City” and goes into the second phase of the process. After submitting an application and an application fee, the IOC makes a final judging on which city is the best candidate for the coming Summer or Winter Olympic Games.
The costs for bidding for the games are incredibly high. Bid committees must pay an application fee to the IOC. Following these fees, the cities generally need to begin large construction projects like building the “Olympic village”， new sports arenas(竞技场） and stadiums, and transportation systems.
If the Olympics are so expensive, why do cities want to host the games? Cities bid for the Olympics for a variety of reasons ： the desire to show pride in their city and their country, the eagerness to be in the international spotlight for two weeks, the opportunity to bring new jobs into the community, and to build up tourism to that city. The point that the city must be big enough to handle the Olympics is probably because __________
| A．it makes sure that there will be enough people to watch the games |
| B．a huge number of tourists, athletes, journalists. and politicians will come with the games |
| C．there will be enough money to build sports arenas and stadiums |
| D．the Olympic Games was never held in small cities before |
Which of the following is the correct order to be a city to host the Olympics?
a. To build large construction projects.
b. To put in its name to the IOC.
c. To fulfill the IOC's points for bidding.
d. To succeed in getting the final judging from the IOC.
e. To pay the application fee to the IOC.
A. a, e，b, c，d
B. b, a，c, e，d
C. c, b，a, d，e
D. b, c，e, d，a Which of the following is NOT the result of hosting the Olympics?
| A．Raising the position on the international stage. |
| B．Promoting the development of tourism. |
| C．Creating more employment opportunities. |
| D．Strengthening the citizens' physical body. |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．History of the International Olympic Commission |
| B．How the Olympic Locations are Chosen |
| C．How Expensive to Bid for the Olympics |
| D．Advantages of Hosting the Olympics |