What is your favorite color? Do you like yellow, orange or red? If you do, you must be an optimist (乐观者), a leader, an active person who enjoys life, people and excitement. Do you prefer grays (灰色) and blues? Then you are probably quiet, shy and you would rather follow than lead. If you love green, you are strong-minded and determined (意志坚定的). You wish to succeed and want other people to see you are successful. At least this is what psychologists (心理学家) tell us, and they should know, because they have been seriously studying the meaning of color preference (爱好), and the effect (影响) that colors have on human beings. They tell us that we don’t choose our favorite color as we grow up. If you happen to love brown, you did so as soon as you opened your eyes, or at least as soon as you could see clearly.
A yellow room makes us feel more cheerful (开心的) and more comfortable (舒服的) than a dark green one, and a red dress rings warmth and cheer to the saddest winter day. On the other hand, black is depressing (压抑). Light and bright colors make people not only happier but more active. It is a fact that factory workers work better, harder, and have fewer accidents when their machines are painted orange rather than black or dark gray.
Remember, then, that if you feel low, you can always brighten your day or your life with a new shirt or a few colorful things. Remember also that you will know your friends and your enemies better when you find out what colors they like and dislike. And don’t forget that anyone can guess a lot about your character when you choose a piece of handkerchief.According to this passage, _________.
| A．one can choose his color preference |
| B．one is born with his color preference |
| C．one’s color preference is changeable |
| D．one has to choose his favorite color as soon as he can see clearly |
We would pay attention to colors because _______.
| A．colors do have effect on our moods(情绪) |
| B．colors may have effect on our work and study |
| C．light and bright colors make people happy |
| D．you can know your friends better by the colors they like or dislike |
The main idea of this passage is ________.
| A．one’s color preference shows one’s character |
| B．you can brighten your life with wonderful colors |
| C．psychologists have been studying the meaning of color preference |
| D．one’s color preference has something to do with his character and colors have effects on human beings |
"I am feeling black" means ______.
| A．I am feeling well | B．I am very happy |
| C．I am excited | D．I am depressed |
When many people are worried that there are no more heroes in the modern era two university students who lost their lives to rescue drowning children have shown that heroes still exist (存在).
According to the Inner Mongolia Morning Post, the tragedy (悲剧) occurred on the afternoon of December 14, 2002 when three school students skating on a frozen lake in Qingcheng Park in Hohhot fell through the ice into the freezing water. More than 20 university students who happened to be near the spot immediately went to the rescue of the children. Two children were quickly rescued, but the third died. The child’s body was not found for three hours. Two of the rescuers, Liu Ye and Hao Longbiao, also died of cold and exhaustion (筋疲力尽) . The body of Hao and who took the lead in jumping into the lake was not found until the next day. A student who was unwilling to tell his name said he and his classmates from the local college were taking photos at the lake. When they heard the children’s cries for help, they went to the ice hole hand in hand to rescue the children. But the ice kept breaking, causing most of then to fall into the icy water. Local residents held mourning ceremonies (祭奠仪式) at the lake.
Eight of the students were seriously affected by the freezing water and were being kept in hospital for further observation, but their lives were no longer in danger.The underlined word “occurred” here means“＿＿＿＿”．
| A．employed | B．mixed | C．guided | D．happened |
When the three students fell into water,the university students were ___________．
| A．skating on the ice | B．taking photos at the lake |
| C．having a picnic | D．walking along the lake |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage？
| A．Three students died on the same day in all． |
| B．Hao Longbiao’s body was found on December 14,2002. |
| C．The university students didn’t think it dangerous to save the drowning children in the lake. |
| D．Local residents were not brave in face of danger. |
It can be inferred that ＿＿＿＿
| A．people think little of the two university students' death |
| B．the ice on the lake wasn't strong enough to skate on |
| C．some students regretted for what they had done |
| D．heroes don't agree with the steps of modern times |
The author wrote the passage to
| A．warn people of the danger of skating on ice |
| B．call on people to learn from the brave university students |
| C．tell us a tragedy |
| D．advise university students to cherish（珍惜）their lives |
When Dean Arnold got his first job, he was miserable (痛苦的), Each time he went to work, he coughed and he couldn’t breathe. Working in a bakery(面包房) when you are allergic to (对…过敏) flour can be painful.
But Arnold stayed with the National Biscuit Company for ten years. He was a businessman and he helped them improve production. At last his health problems became too serious. He left and formed his own company.
With his wife and mother, he founded Arnold Bakery. They tried new recipes (配方) changing the kind and amount of flour used. This enabled Arnold to work there without too much pain. The bread, made with unbleached flour (标准粉), was baked in a brick oven (烘炉).
They began by baking two dozen loaves. The bread was sold door to door for fifteen cents a loaf. Winning customers to his unusual, old-fashioned bread took time. But Arnold, struggling against his allergy, built his bakery into one of the largest in the United States.A good title for this passage would be________.
| A．A Sick Baker | B．A Brick-oven Bread Baker |
| C．An Old-fashioned Baker | D．How to Overcome Allergy |
Dean left the National Biscuit Company because he________.
| A．suffered from allergy to flour |
| B．didn’t like the job |
| C．wanted to make more money |
| D．wanted to form his own company |
During his stay in the National Biscuit Company, ________.
| A．he founded Arnold Bakery |
| B．he tried a new method of baking |
| C．he helped the company improve their production |
| D．he became successful in his business |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
| A．Arnold’s bread was baked in a brick oven. |
| B．Arnold’s bread was made with unbleached flour. |
| C．Arnold’s bread was sold at a low price. |
| D．Arnold’s bread was of poor quality. |
From the passage we can conclude that Arnold was ________.
| A．determined | B．brave | C．unusual | D．unhealthy |
Mini Book Excerpts (节选)
Biography
When Salinger learned that a car park was to be built on the land, the middle-aged writer was shocked and quickly bought the neighboring area to protect it… The townspeople never forgot the rescue and came to help their most famous neighbor.
J. D. Salinger: A Life by Kenneth Slawenski (Random House, $27)
Mystery (疑案小说)
"You're a smart boy. Benny's death was no accident, and you're the only who saw it happen. Do you think the murderer should get away with it?" The boy was staring stubbornly at his lap again.
A thought suddenly occurred to Annika, "Did you …You recognized the man in the car, didn't you?"
The boy hesitated, twisting his fingers, "Maybe," he said quietly.
Red Wolf by Liza Marklund (Atria Books, $25.99)
Short Stories
She wants to say to him what she has learned, none of it in class. Some women are born stupid, and some women are too smart for their own good. Some women are born to give, and some women only know how to take. Some women learn who they want to be from their mothers, some who they don't want to be. Some mothers suffer so their daughters won't. Some mothers love so their daughters won't.
You Are Free by Danzy Senna (Riverhead Books, $15)
Humor
Do your kids like to have fun? Come to Fun Times! Do you like to watch your kids having fun? Bring them to Fun Times! Fun Times!'s "amusement cycling" is the most fun you can have, legally, in the United States right now. Why spend thousands of dollars flying to Disney World when you can spend less than half of that within a day's drive of most cities?
Happy: And Other Bad Thoughts by Larry Doyle (Ecco, $14.99)If the readers want to know about the life of Salinger, they should buy the book published by ________.
| A．Ecco | B．Atria Books |
| C．Riverhead Books | D．Random House |
The book Happy: And Other Bad Thoughts is intended for ________.
| A．young children | B．Disney World workers |
| C．middle school teachers | D．parents with young children |
Which book describes women with characters of their own?
A. Happy And Other Bad Thoughts
B. J. D. Salinger: A Life
C. You Are Free
D. Red WolfFrom the book You Are Free we can know that mothers ______.
| A．teach her daughter read and write |
| B．be a model for their daughters |
| C．are born to give |
| D．suffer a lot |
After finishing the book Red Wolf, the readers would learn that ________.
| A．the boy helped arrest the murderer |
| B．Benny died of an accident |
| C．the murderer got away with the crime |
| D．Annika carried out the crime |
As many people hit middle age, they often start to notice that their memory and mental attention are not what they used to be. We suddenly can't remember where we put the keys just a moment ago, or an old friend's name, or the name of an old band we used to love. It happens to most of us, but is it unavoidable?
Scientists are increasingly showing that there's actually a lot that can be done. It turns that the brain needs exercise in much the same way as our muscles do, and the right mental workouts can improve our basic cognitive(认知) functions.
Now, a new San Francisco Web-based company has taken it a step further and developed the first "brain training program" designed to actually help people improve and regain their mental sharpness. Called Lumosity, it was designed by some of the leading experts from Stanford University. Lumosity is far more than an online place to exercise your mental skills. That's because they have combined these exercises with a Web-based program that allows you to systematically improve your memory and attention skills.
Apparently it works. One study showed students improved their scores on math tests by 34 percent after using Lumosity for six weeks, greater gains than those made by other students in the same class, who were not training with the Lumosity program. The company says its users have reported clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for names, numbers, directions, increased alertness(警觉) and awareness, high mood, and better concentration at work or while driving.What is the purpose of Lumosity?
| A．To exercise the brain and muscles. |
| B．To combine exercises with a web-based program. |
| C．To improve basic cognitive functions. |
| D．To improve students’ scores on test. |
Which of the following is true?
| A．Memory losing is unavoidable. |
| B．Lumosity is unreasonable. |
| C．Muscles don’t need exercise. |
| D．Brains need exercise. |
What does the last paragraph mainly tell us?
| A．Lumosity is an effective program. |
| B．Users have improved their thinking. |
| C．A company made a Lumosity trial. |
| D．Lumosity was carried out in tests. |
The author explains the training results by________
| A．making a comparison. |
| B．presenting training findings. |
| C．analyzing facts. |
| D．setting down rules. |
Four most Extreme Travel Destinations in the World
Coldest Inhabited Place on Earth: Oymyakon, Russia
As the coldest inhabited place on earth, the small Russian town of Oymyakon was once only used as a location for political prisoners. Winter temperature average at about -58 degrees F, the ground is frozen all year long. Popular sports include skiing, ice hockey and ice fishing.
Closest Place to Outer Space: Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador
Mount Chimborazo stands at over 20,000 feet high. Standing on it will put you closest to outer space that man can ever reach on foot. Its peak is completely covered by glaciers, but this mountain has several routes for climbers.
Hottest Place on Earth: Lut Desert, Iran
Here, temperatures reach as high as 158 degrees F. Though tourists visit this desert land, it’s a destination only for those willing to take on the challenge of surviving the heat and the dry climates.
Most Isolated Place on Earth: Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom
Looking for a getaway from the everyday? This is about as far away from it as you can get. The island is home to fewer than 300 inhabitants and has no airport, Tristan da Cunha is accessible only by sea.Oymyakon was once used as a location for political prisoners probably because it ________.
| A．is isolated and cold |
| B．was covered by glaciers |
| C．is hot and deserted |
| D．is a getaway for people |
How can we get to Tristan da Cunha?
| A．By air. |
| B．By car. |
| C．By ship. |
| D．By train. |
Where does this text probably come from?
| A．A science fiction. |
| B．A tourist guide book. |
| C．A sports magazine. |
| D．An economic handbook. |