You are probably familiar with the saying：An apple a day keeps the doctor away. A recent research carried out by the Chinese University of Hong Kong may change the saying:
An apple a day may keep aging away.
The research chose fruit flies(果蝇), as they share many genes(基因)with humans. The fruit flies were either fed normally or had an apple extract(浓缩物) added to their diet.
It turned out that those fruit flies that were given apple extract lived about 55 days—five days longer than the flies that were normally fed. The research group also found it easier for the flies to walk，climb and move about as they aged.
According to the result, the researchers believed that the antioxidants(抗氧化剂) in the apple extract helped clean up dangerous chemicals(化学物质) that cause illnesses，as well as aging.
In another study，researchers examined diets of thousands of women. They discovered that those who regularly ate apples were 20 percent less likely to suffer heart illnesses and stroke.
The apples’ genetic code(遗传密码) was discovered recently. It allows scientists to develop nicer and healthier fruits. Researchers are already using the information to grow a kind of apples full of antioxidants that can keep eyes and joints healthy and protect humans against heart illnesses and cancer.
Apples that kill the desire(欲望) to eat could also be produced, with the first“extra-healthy’’apples on supermarket shelves within just four or five years.
T
he team that keeps studying apple DNA includes 100 scientists from five countries. Their research also suggests that around 65 million years ago, when dinosaurs began to die off the plant，which would finally become today’s apple tree, experienced a great genetic change. The number of many of its genes doubled. The extra genes allowed the apple to get used to worse conditions and go through a different development from peaches，strawberries and other related fruits.Why were fruit flies used for the research?
| A．Because they have a similar diet to humans. |
| B．Because they have a history as long as apples. |
| C．Because they share a lot of genes with humans. |
| D．Because they feed on nothing but apple extract. |
What result did the researchers find out?
A．Apples produce chemicals that can change hu man genes. |
| B．Apples have antioxidants that kill chemicals that cause aging. |
| C．Apples are rich in vitamins that are needed in humans’bodies. |
| D．Apples produce chemicals that make apples taste more delicious. |
What happened to apples around 65 million years ago according to the research?
| A．Their genes stopped their development as the environment got worse. |
| B．Their genes became twice in number but they finally died off like dinosaurs. |
| C．They experienced a great genetic change making them used to worse conditions. |
| D．They went through a similar development to peaches, strawberries and other related fruits. |
What can we infer(推断)from the passage?
| A．Eating apples may bring us more advantages than we might believe before. |
| B．People who have the habit of eating apples don’t need to see a doctor. |
| C．Apples that kill the desire to eat are already available in supermarkets now. |
| D．People will eat apples instead of peaches and strawberries from now on. |
The subway is not just a way to take people from one place to another. It is also a window to learn local culture.
Beijing, China
The Beijing Subway opened in 1969 and is the oldest subway system in China. During the past few years, the Beijing Subway has added(增加) some modern technologies(技术). All stations now have touch - screen maps. There are televisions inside the subway. People can also make phone calls underground. What ’ s more, if you love traditional Chinese culture, you can see some pictures of blue and white porcelain (青花瓷) on the walls of a few stations of Line 8.
New York, the US
The New York City Subway runs 24 hours a day.It has an express train on almost every line and always gets you to your destination quickly. The trains themselves are full of fun: you will see people doing the moon walk like Michael Jackson in the station.
Stockholm (斯德哥尔摩)，Sweden
The first subway line for Stockholm opened in 1950. The Stockholm Subway is well-known for its decoration（装饰）of the stations. It is called the longest art gallery in the world. O ver 90% of its stations are decorated with paintings.
Tokyo, Japan
There is the busiest and probably the most high-tech subway in the world in Tokyo. One of the stations is on the fourth floor of a trade center (贸易中心). It uses the energy from people ’s footsteps to power (驱动) lighting and other electronic(电子的) equipment(设备) in the station.Where will you see people doing the moon walk like Michael Jackson?
| A．In the Beijing subway station |
| B．In the New York subway station. |
| C．In the Stockholm subway station. |
| D．In the Tokyo subway station. |
What will passengers in the Beijing subway station enjoy only when they take Line 8?
| A．TV programs. |
| B．Touch-screen maps |
| C．Pictures of blue and white porcelain. |
| D．The moon walk. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．Nowadays people still can ’ t make phone calls in the Beijing subway station. |
| B．You can take the subway whenever you want in New York. |
| C．The subway in Stockholm is called the longest subway in the world. |
| D．All the subway stations in Tokyo are on the fourth floor of trade centers. |
One day a farmer ’s donkey(驴) fell into a well(井). The donkey cried for hours as the farmer tried to find a way to get it out. Finally, he decided to give up the donkey, because it was old, and the well was needed to be covered up.
He invited all of his neighbors to come over and help him. They all began to fill the well with dirt(土). The donkey realized what was happening and began to cry. Then, to everyone ’s surprise, it became quiet. A few minutes later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was surprised at what he saw. With each shovel(铲) of the dirt that hit its back, the donkey shook(摇晃) it off and took a step up.
As the farmer ’s neighbors went on to shovel dirt on top to the donkey, he still shook it off and took a step up. Pretty soon, the donkey happily got out.
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. You can get out of the deepest well just by not stopping and never giving up.
Shake it off and take a step up.The farmer couldn ’ t get the donkey out and decided to give it up at last.
The donkey cried again because it didn ’ t like the dirt.
The donkey found a way to save itself so it became quiet.
The donkey saved itself by asking the neighbors for help.
From this story we know we should make the trouble a stepping stone.
●Our Needs
People are different, but they all have the same needs. Needs are things people must have to live. Our bodies need food and water. We also need air to breathe. We need a place to live to keep us safe. We need clothes to keep us warm. If we did not have these things, we could not survive(生存).
Needs may be different for people who live in different areas. If you live where it is cold, you may need special clothes to keep you warm. If you live where it is hot, you may need more water.
People have found new ways to meet their needs. Farmers grow food that people eat. They used to plant seeds by hand. They used to pick plants by hand. Now they have machines that do this work.
● Our Wants
Wants are things people would like to have but do not need to live. Suppose you hope to get a football for your birthday. A football is a want. You can live without it.
Sometimes we might want something so much that it feels like a need. We have to make choices, though. If you need a new coat for winter, you might not be able to get the football you want. We must choose what we need over what we want.
Sometimes we must make choices between things we want. Suppose you want to go to a birthday party for your uncle. That day, a friend asks you to go to a movie. The movie is at the same time as the party.
If you choose to go to the party, then what would you give up? What would you give up if you went to the movie?Needs are things that people______.
| A．don't use every day |
| B．cannot live without |
| C．get to meet their interest |
| D．have to improve their life |
Which of the following must be a want?
| A．Air. | B．Water. | C．A coat. | D．A movie. |
Which sentence shows the writer's opinion?
| A．We must put what we need before what we want. |
| B．People from different areas must have different needs. |
| C．It's easy to make a choice between the things we want. |
| D．If we want something very much, it can become our need. |
The writer tells the differences between needs and wants by ______.
| A．giving examples | B．doing research |
| C．making a survey | D．having interviews |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a need?
| A．Bodies- food and water | B．People- place to live |
| C．Farmers- pick plants | D．Human- air to breathe |
My friend Matt and I arrived at the Activity Centre on Friday evening. The accommodation wasn't wonderful，but we had everything we needed (beds，blankets，food)，and we were pleased to be out of the city and in the fresh air.
On Saturday morning we met the other ten members of our group. Cameron had come along with two friends，Kevin and Simon，while sisters Carole and Lynn had come with Amanda. There were some other members I didn't know. We had come from different places and none of us knew the area.
We knew we were going to spend the weekend outdoors，but none of us was sure exactly how. Half of us spent the morning caving while the others went rock-climbing and then we changed at lunchtime. Matt and I went to the caves(岩洞) first. Climbing out was harder than going in，but after a good deal of pushing，we were out at last. Though we were covered with mud，we were pleased and excited by what we'd done.
根据短文内容，选择正确答案。The writer spent the Saturday morning _____.
| A．rock-climbing | B．sleeping |
| C．meeting friends | D．caving |
There were _____ members in all in the writer's group.
| A．6 | B．8 | C．l0 | D．12 |
We can learn from the passage that _____.
| A．some of the group had been there before |
| B．the group had done rock-climbing many times |
| C．some of the group already knew each other |
| D．group all came from the same city |
The write thought her weekend was _____.
| A．interesting | B．relaxing |
| C．frightening | D．unpleasant |
This passage mainly talks about ____.
| A．the writer's friends at the Activity Centre |
| B．the writer's experience at the Activity Centre |
| C．outdoor sports at the Activity Centre |
| D．how to go rock-climbing and caving |
Hundreds of years ago，a Roman army came north from England to make war on Scotland. The Scots，a brave people，loved their country very much. They fought hard to drive the enemy out of Scotland，but there were too many Romans. It looked as if the Romans would win.
One night，the leader of Scots marched (行军) his soldiers to the top of a hill. "We will rest here tonight，my men,” he said. "Tomorrow we will fight one more battle. We must win or we will die."
They were all very tired，so they ate their supper quickly and fell asleep. There were four guards on duty, but they were very tired as well and also fell asleep one by one.
The Romans were not asleep. Quickly they gathered at the foot of the hill. Slowly they climbed up the hillside，taking care not to make a sound. Closer and closer they came to the sleeping Scots. They were almost at the top. A few minutes more，the war would be over. Suddenly，one of them put his foot on a thistle(蓟，一种植物). He cried out and his sudden cry woke the Scots. In a moment，they were on their feet and ready for battle. The fighting was hard but it did not last long. The Scots wiped out （消灭）the Romans and saved their country.
The thistle is not a beautiful plant. It has sharp needles all over it. Few people like it. But the people of Scotland liked it so much that they made it their national flower.
根据短文内容，选择正确答案。Hundreds of years ago there was a war between ________.
| A．Roman army and North England |
| B．Roman army and the Scots |
| C．England and Scots |
| D．a brave people and the Scots |
At first it looked as if the Romans would win because ________.
| A．the Scots were not brave |
| B．the Roman army was so strong |
| C．the Scots did not have a good leader |
| D．the Romans had the support from the Scottish |
"We must win or we will die." What the leader of the Scots said means ________.
| A．they were sure to win |
| B．they couldn't escape from death |
| C．they would win and then they would die |
| D．they must try hard to win, otherwise they would be killed |
The Romans climbed up the hill quietly because ________.
| A．they didn't want to wake the Scots |
| B．they wanted to reach the top |
| C．they wanted to catch the four guards first |
| D．they were afraid of the sharp needles of the thistle |
The people of Scotland made thistle their national flower because ________.
| A．it is a beautiful plant |
| B．it is fresh and lovely |
| C．it had so many sharp needles all over it |
| D．it was the thistle that helped the Scots to win the battle |