Our bodies are wonderfully skillful at keeping balance.When the temperature jumps, we sweat to cool down.When our blood pressure falls, our hearts can do something.As it turns out, though, our natural state is always changing.Researchers are finding that everything from blood pressure to brain function changes regularly with the cycles of sun, moon and seasons.And their insights (洞察力) are getting new ways for keeping away such common killers as heart disease and cancer.Only one doctor in 20 has a good knowledge of the scientific use of time in medicine.But according to a new American Medical Association, three out of four are eager to change that.“The field is exploding,” says Michael Smolensky.“Doctors used to look at us like, What spaceship did you get off ? Now they're thirsty to know more.”
In medical school, most doctors learn that people with chronic conditions should take their medicine regularly.“It’s a terrible way to treat disease,” says Dr Richard Martin.For example, asthmatics (气喘患者) are most likely to suffer during the night.Yet most patients try to keep a constant level of medicine in their blood day and night, whether by breathing in on an inhaler (吸入器) four times a day or taking a pill each morning and evening.In recent studies, researchers have found that a large mid afternoon dose of a bronchodilator (支气管扩张剂) can be as safe as several small doses, and better for preventing nighttime attacks.
If the night belongs to asthma, the dawn belongs to high blood pressure and heart disease.Heart attacks are twice as common at 9 a.m.as at 11 p.m.Part of the reason is that our blood pressure falls at night, then rises as we start to work for the day.“Doctors know that,” says Dr.Henry Black of Chicago's Medical Center, “but until now, we haven't been able to do anything about it.” Most blood - pressure drugs provide 18 to 20 hours of relief (减缓).But because they’re taken in the morning, they're least effective when most needed.“You take your pill at 7 and it's working by 9,” says Dr.William White of the University of Connecticut Health Center “But by that time you've gone through the worst four hours of the day with no protection.” Bedtime medicine would prevent high blood pressure, but it would also push blood pressure to dangerously low levels during the night.Researchers are finding that _________ .
A.heart disease and cancer are the most common killers of human beings |
B.only blood pressure and brain function are decided by cycles of sun, moon and seasons |
C.the functions of human bodies have much to do with nature |
D.any change in human bodies goes with changes in the surroundings |
According to the author, it is best for asthmatics to
take their medicine _________ .
A.at certain time |
B.each morning and evening |
C.when the disease occurs |
D.at midafternoon |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A.Doctors know more about illnesses than before.
B.Doctors in the U.S.used to be thirsty to know more about the new medical field.
C.The researchers' insights are providing new methods to prevent common killers.
D.The correct use of time in medicine attracts more attention in medical circle in the U.S.A.The suggested title for this passage might be _________.
A.Medicine Is Everything | B.Treatment Is Everything |
C.Timing Is Everything | D.Prevention Is Everything |
My father was Chief engineer of a merchant ship, which was sunk in Word War II. The book Night of the U-boats told the story.
Memories
In September, 1940, my mother, sister and I went to Swansea, where my father’s ship was getting ready to sail. We brought him a family photograph to be kept with him at all times and keep him sale.
Then I remember my mother lying lace down, sobbing. She had heard from a friend that the ship had been sunk by a torpedo(鱼雷).
I can remember the arrival of the telegram(电报),Which in those days always brought had new. My grandmother opened it. It read, “Safe, Love Ted.”
My most vivid memory Is being woken and brought down to sit o my father’s knee, his arm in a bandage.
He was judged unfit to return to sea and took a shore job in Glasgow for the rest of the war. For as long as I can remember, he had a weak heart. Mother said it was caused by the torpedoes. He said it was because of the cigarettes. Whichever, he died suddenly in his early 50s.
Ten years later I read Night of the U-bouts and was able to complete the story.
Torpedo
One torpedo struck the ship. Father was in the engine room, where the third engineer was killed. He shut down the engines to slow the ship making it easier for it to be abandoned.
By the time he got on deck (甲板) he was alone. Every lifeboat was gone except one which had stuck fast. When he tried to cut it free it swung against the ship, injuring his hand and arm. He had no choice but to jump—still with the photograph in his pocket.
Three days later, he and other survivors were safe in Glasgow. All 23 with him signed the back of the photograph.
In my room is the book and the photograph. Often, glass in hand, I have wondered how I would have dealt with an explosion, a sinking ship, a jump into a vast ocean rind a wait for rescue? Lest(以免)we forget, I have some more whisky and toast the heroes of the war.We can infer that the mother and children went to Swansea ________.
A.to meet a friend |
B.to see the father off |
C.to take a family photo |
D.to enjoy the sailing of the ship |
What did the author learn about the father from the telegram?
A.he was still alive. |
B.His knee was broken. |
C.His ship had been sunk. |
D.He had arrived in Glasgow. |
The underlined word “it” in Paragraph 6 refers to the father’s ________.
A.weak heart |
B.taking a shore job |
C.failure to return to sea |
D.injury caused by a torpedo |
What can we know about the author’s father after his ship was attacked?
A.He lost his arm |
B.He repaired the engines. |
C.He managed to take a lifeboat. |
D.He was the last to leave the ship. |
What is the passage mainly about?
A.A group of forgotten heroes |
B.A book describing a terrifying battle. |
C.A ship engineer’s wartime experience. |
D.A merchant’s memories of a sea rescue. |
When first entered, Vanak Restaurant does not look like much of a restaurant, but once the pleasant smells of kabob(烤肉串)hit the senses, you are incapable of calling it anything less.
Owned by a local couple, this Persian restaurant has an inviting, homelike atmosphere that many restaurants lack.
The space is small with only a few dining tables and nearly no decoration, but the environment is truly charming.
Lying in a hardly noticeable street corner, the restaurant still attracts all customers, especially those experienced in the delights of Middle Eastern cooking.
A common sight is that of old Persian men sitting in the corner talking loudly about world topics, watching news events on TV, drinking a black tea known as Persian chai, an reading local Persian newspapers all the while trying to finish off their plates piled with food.
The variety of food at the restaurant is limited, but the amount of each dish is fairly large. Most of the meals can serve two people and are under $10, so not only is it affordable but practical as well.
The food, especially appeals to health-conscious eaters because each dish is very healthy, made with limited fat and oil and served straight off the grill (烤肉架).
The main dish that the restaurant is popular for is its kabobs, which are different style of grilled meat.
One delicious and extremely healthy dish is the Joojeh Kabob, which is made of grille chicken pieces served with cither rice or bread. Another great kabob is the Cbelo Kabob, kabob consisting of grilled beef.
Although the restaurant is small, the atmosphere and the food is delicious. It is a place that should not be overlooked. When first entering the restaurant, one can find that it ________.
A.is splendidly decorated |
B.has pleasant smells of kabobs |
C.is crowded with dining tables |
D.looks like a common restaurant |
What activity is also mentioned apart from dining in the restaurant?
A.Watching news events on TV. |
B.Drinking a kind of black coffee. |
C.Reading local English newspapers. |
D.Discussing world topics in low voices. |
The food of the restaurant ________.
A.is served in small amounts |
B.is rather expensive |
C.is rich in variety |
D.is very healthy |
What is the dish Joojeh Kabob mainly made of?
A.Rice | B.Chicken | C.Bread | D.Beef |
It can be inferred from the passage that the restaurant ________.
A.occupies a large space |
B.owns a favorable location |
C.is popular for its special food |
D.has a quiet environment inside |
Destiny and Personal Responsibility
One important variable affecting communication across cultures is destiny(命运)and personal responsibility. This refers to the degree to which we feel ourselves the masters of our lives, contrary to the degree to which we see ourselves as subject to things outside our control. Another way to look at this is to ask how much we see ourselves able to change and act, to choose the course of our lives and relationships. Some have drawn a parallel between the personal responsibility in North American settings and the view itself. The North American view is vast, with large spaces of unpopulated land. The frontier attitude of “King” of the wilderness, and the expansiveness of the land reaching huge distances, may relate to generally high levels of confidence in the ability to shape and choose our destinies.
In this expansive land, many children grow up with a heroic sense of life, where ideas are big, and hope springs forever. When they experience temporary failures, they encouraged to redouble their efforts, to “try, try again.” Action, efficiency(效率), and achievement are valued and expected. Free will is respected in laws and enforced by courts.
Now consider places in the world with much smaller land, whose history reflects wars and tough struggles: Northern Ireland, Mexico, Israel, Palestine. In these places, destiny’s role is more important in human life. In Mexico, there is a history of hard life, fighting over land, and loss of homes. Mexicans are more likely to see struggles as part of their life and unavoidable. Their passive attitude is expr4essed in their way of responding to failure or accident by saying “no mode” (“no way” or “tough lick”), meaning that the failure was destined.
This variable is important to understanding cultural conflict. If someone believing in free will crosses paths with someone more passive, miscommunication is likely. The first person may expect action and accountability. Failing to see it, he may conclude that the second is lazy, not cooperative, or dishonest. The second person will expect respect for the natural order of thins. Failing to see it, he may conclude that the first is forcible, rude, or big headed in his ideas of what can be accomplished or changed.
.
The author thinks that one’s character is partly determined by.
A.physical senses | B.general attitude |
C.financial background | D.geographic characteristics |
.
According to the passage, Mexicans would think that Americans are.
A.impractical | B.dishonest | C.ambitious | D.hesitant |
.
The underlined word “subject” in Paragraph 1 probably means.
A.a topic of a discussion | B.a branch of knowledge |
C.a person being experimented on | D.a person under the power of others. |
.
The author would probably agree that.
A.vast land may lead to a more controllable desire |
B.heroic sense of life roots deeply in a small country |
C.living in limited space contributes to an accepting attitude |
D.fighting over land may help people gain high levels of confidence |
On Christmas morning, I went to the Cockhedge Mall. People there were all busy buying their last minute requirements. I needed to buy a birthday card for my son-in-law whose birthday is the 29th of December. Picking up a few more things as well as my cared I went to join the line for the express checkout which was for people who only had a few items in a basket and not a trolley load. This line was next to the Customer Service desk.
Seemingly waiting quite a long time, I was jogged out of my thoughts by a voice behind me making comments on the things I bought.
It was so funny when I realized that she was describing the contents of my basket. The owner of the voice was a very pretty young lady. I said to her that I was going to buy a box of Christmas cookies but the only ones left were not to my liking. The lady told me that just opposite Cockhedge in Superdrug they had lots of cookies. I said, “I’m not going to bother now. I had enough of shops and I’m going home.”
The assistant from the Customer Service came across at this time saying “If there is anyone in the line with a few items in their basket, none of which needed to be weighed, I will check out their groceries at the desk.” Because I had the sprouts which needed to be weighted, the young lady accepted the offer and walked away waving goodbye.
Eventually my turn came at the checkout. I was walking away when I met my new friend once again who handed me a beautiful box of Christmas cookies. With a big hug she said “Hope you have a lovely Christmas.” She had been into Superdrug to buy me the cookies while I was still queuing in Cockhedge.
What a generosity to a stranger! I was so surprised you could have knocked me down with a feather. My Good Samaritan would never know what a joyful Christmas day I had with my family. Telling them this story, as we ate around the table, kept everyone spellbound..
The underlined word “spellbound” in the last paragraph probably means.
A.interested | B.disappointed | C.astonished | D.frightened |
.
Which of the following could be the best title of the story?
A.A Piece of Lucky Feather | B.A Surprise Christmas Gift |
C.The Boring Shopping Experience | D.The Unforgettable Big Hug |
.
How does the writer feel about the pretty young lady?
A.Worried. | B.Satisfied. | C.Grateful | D.Proud. |
.
What can we learn from the story?
A.Nobody is sure what will happen the next moment. |
B.A simple action can bring other people happiness. |
C.Being patient will decrease the waiting time. |
D.Life without hope and faith is a full thing. |
In this age of Internet chat, videogames and reality television, there is no shortage of mindless activities to keep a child occupied.Yet, despite the competition, my 8-year-old daughter Rebecca wants to spend her leisure time writing short stories.She wants to enter one of her stories into a writing contest, a competition she won last year.
As a writer I know about winning contests, and about losing them.I know what it is like to work hard on a story only to receive a rejection slip form the publishers. I also know the pressures of trying to live up to a reputation created by previous victories.What if she doesn't win the contest again? That's the strange thing about being a parent.So many of our own past scars and dashed hopes can surface.
A revelation (启示) came last week when I asked her, "Don't you want to win again?" "No," she replied, "I just want to tell the story of an angel (天使) going to first grade.”
I had just spent weeks correcting her stories as she naturally told them.Telling myself that I was merely an experienced writer guiding the young writer across the hall, I offered suggestions for characters, conflicts (冲突) and endings for her tales.The story about a fearful angel starting first grade was quickly "guided” by me into the tale of a little girl with a wild imagination taking her first music lesson.I had turned her contest into my contest without even realizing it.
Staying back and giving kids space to grow is not as easy as it looks.Because I know very little about farm animals who use tools or angels who go to first grade, I had to accept the fact that I was co-opting (借用) my daughter's experience.
While stepping back was difficult for me, it was certainly a good first step that I will quickly follow with more steps, putting myself far enough away to give her room but close enough to help when asked.All the while I will be reminding myself that children need room to experiment, grow and find their own voices..
What do we learn from the first paragraph?
A.Children do find lots of fun in many mindless activities. |
B.Rebecca is much too busy to enjoy her leisure time. |
C.Rebecca draws on a lot of online materials for her writing. |
D.A lot of recreations compete for children's time nowadays. |
.
What did the author say about her own writing experience?
A.She didn't quite live up to her reputation as a writer. |
B.Her way to success was full of pains and frustrations. |
C.She was constantly under the pressures of writing more. |
D.Most her stories had been rejected by publishers. |
.
.The author took great efforts to correct her daughter's stories because ________.
A.She believed she had the knowledge and experience to offer guidance |
B.she didn't want to disappoint her daughter who needed her help so much |
C.she wanted to help her daughter realize her dream of becoming a writer |
D.she was afraid her daughter's imagination might run wild while writing |
.
What's the author's advice for parents?
A.A writing career, though attractive, is not for every child to![]() |
B.Children should be allowed freedom to grow through experience. |
C.Parents should keep an eye on the activities their kids engage in. |
D.Children should be given every chance to voice their opinions |