NOT all memories are sweet. Some people spend all their lives trying to forget bad experiences. Violence and traffic accidents can leave people with terrible physical and emotional scars. Often they relive experiences in nightmares.
Now American researchers think they are close to developing a pill, which will help people forget bad memories. The pill is designed to be taken immediately after a frightening experience. They hope it might reduce, or possibly wipe out the effect of painful memories.
In November, experts tested a drug on people in the US and France. The drug stops the body releasing chemicals that fix memories in the brain, So far the research has suggested that only the emotional effects of memories may be reduced, not that the memories are wiped out. They are not sure to what degree people's memories are affected.
The research has caused a great deal of argument. Some think it is a bad idea, while others support it.
Supporters say it could lead to pills that prevent or treat soldiers' troubling memories after war. They say that there are many people who suffer from terrible memories.
“Some memories can ruin people's lives. They come back to you when you don't want to have them in a daydream or nightmare. They usually come with very painful emotions,” said Roger Pitman, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.“This could relieve a lot of that suffering.”
But those who are against the research say that maybe the pills can change people's memories and changing memories is very dangerous because memories give us our identity. They also help us all avoid the mistakes of the past.
“All of us can think of bad events in our lives that were terrible at the time but make us who we are. I'm not sure we want to wipe those memories out,” said Rebecca Dresser ,a medical ethicist.The passage is mainly about .
| A．a new medical invention |
| B．a new research on the pill |
| C．a way of wiping out painful memories |
| D．an argument about the research on the pill |
We can infer from the passage that .
| A．experts are not sure about the effects of the pills. |
| B．the pill will certainly stop people's emotional memories |
| C．taking the pill will do harm to people's physical health |
| D．the pill has already been produced and used by the public in America |
Which of the following does Rebecca Dresser agree with in the last paragraph?
| A．some memories can ruin people's lives. |
| B．people want to get rid of bad memories. |
| C．experiencing bad events makes us different from others. |
| D．the pill will reduce people's sufferings from bad memories. |
You may probably read the passage in
| A．a guidebook | B．a textbook |
| C．a medical magazine | D．a science fiction |
BEIJING—As China scrambles to respond to the choking smog that has blanketed Beijing in recent weeks, authorities in several major cities are experimenting with carbon trading platforms. The schemes are one effort to get control over greenhouse gases in an economy still hungry for cheap energy.
It has been a persistent concern in recent years, but the spiking pollution levels in January are sparking a public outcry.
Emissions from coal-fired electricity plants and busy factories are part of the problem that officials hope to get control over through carbon trading platforms. Seven cities are expected to open carbon markets later this year, including Tianjin.
“The government has decided to start with programs because the carbon trading is something new to China,” said David Tang, secretary of the board of the Tianjin Carbon Exchange. “So we want to have a number of programs to explore the use of the market.” said Tang.
China wants to launch a national carbon trading program by 2016. If it is successful, analysts say, the program would be one of the largest in the world and would help the country meet its target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 45 percent within seven years.
The platforms allow companies to earn credits for lowering greenhouse gas emissions, which can then be traded. If it works, it would encourage for-profit businesses to invest in green technology.
As public concern builds pressure for the government to find a solution, Wu Changhua, greater China director of the Climate Group, says there is a broad shift under way in how Chinese weigh their quality of life.
China has long put economic growth ahead of environmental concerns, making it the world’s biggest polluter. Carbon trading supporters hope that the markets could be one way to curb pollution and keep the economy growing.Which of the following is TRUE about carbon trading platforms?
| A．They are used to trade various resources. |
| B．They caused the choking smog in China. |
| C．They have been in existence for many years in China. |
| D．The choking smog may promote their development. |
The underlined word in Paragraph 1 means “ ______”.
| A．to make blanket | B．to cover something | C．to make something empty | D．to be like a blanket |
Tang’s attitude towards carbon markets is ______.
| A．unknown | B．indifferent | C．optimistic | D．pessimistic |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．China will have built a national carbon trading program by 2016. |
| B．Chinese have lived a life of high quality in all aspects. |
| C．The markets could slow the development of economy. |
| D．Standards of life will be changed in China. |
What's the main idea of this passage?
| A．The choking smoke in China. | B．The urge for carbon trading platforms. |
| C．Greenhouse gases. | D．The world’s biggest polluter. |
The January fashion show, called Future Fashion, exemplified how far green design has come. Organized by the New York-based nonprofit Earth Pledge, the show inspired many top designers to work with sustainable fabrics for the first time. Several have since made pledges to include organic fabrics in their lines.
The designers who undertake green fashion still face many challenges. Scott Hahn, a cofounder with Gregory of Rogan and Loomstate, which uses all-organic cotton, says high-quality sustainable materials can still be tough to find. “Most designers with existing labels are finding there aren’t comparable materials that can just replace what you’re doing and what your customers are used to,” he says. For example, organic cotton and non-organic cotton are virtually indistinguishable once woven into a dress. But some popular synthetics, like stretch nylon, still have few eco-friendly equivalents(等同物).
Those who do make the switch are finding they have more support. Last year the influential trade show Designers & Agents stopped charging its participation fee for young green entrepreneurs who attend its two springtime shows in Los Angeles and New York and gave special recognition to designers whose collections are at least 25% sustainable. It now counts more than 50 green designers, up from fewer than a dozen two years ago. This week Wal-Mart is set to announce a major initiative aimed at helping cotton farmers go organic: it will buy transitional cotton at higher prices, thus helping to expand the supply of a key sustainable material. “Main-stream is about to occur,” says Hahn.
Some analysts are less sure. Among consumers, only 18% are even aware that eco-fashion exists, up from 6% four years ago. Natalie Hormilla, a fashion writer, is an example of the unconverted consumer. When asked if she owned any sustainable clothes, she replied, “Not that I’m aware of.” Like most consumers, she finds little time to shop, and when she does, she’s on the hunt for “cute stuff that isn’t too expensive.” By her own admission, green just isn’t yet on her mind. But thanks to the combined efforts of designers, retailers and suppliers—one day it will be.What is said about Future Fashion?
| A．It inspired leading designers to start going green. |
| B．It showed that designers using organic fabrics would go far. |
| C．It served as an example of how fashion shows should be organized. |
| D．It convinced the public that fashionable clothes should be made durable. |
According to Scott Hahn, one big challenge to designers who will go organic is that ________.
| A．much more time is needed to finish a dress using sustainable materials |
| B．they have to create new brands for clothes made of organic materials |
| C．customers have difficulty telling organic from non-organic materials |
| D．quality organic replacements for synthetics are not readily available |
We learn from Paragraph 3 that designers who undertake green fashion ________.
| A．can attend various trade shows for free |
| B．are readily recognized by the fashion world |
| C．can buy organic cotton at favorable prices |
| D．are gaining more and more support |
What is Natalie Hormilla’s attitude toward eco-fashion?
| A．She doesn’t seem to care about it. |
| B．She doesn’t think it is sustainable. |
| C．She is doubtful of its practical value. |
| D．She is opposed to the idea very much. |
What does the author think of green fashion?
| A．Green products will soon go main stream. |
| B．It has a very promising future. |
| C．Consumers have the final say. |
| D．It will appeal more to young people. |
CUYAHOGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Bay Village Branch, 502 Cahoon Road, 440-871-6392.
The Egyptian Pyramids, 7 p. m. Sept. 17. Join us as Don King, a long-time student of Egyptology,
discusses the pyramids and presents the possible theories of the construction, design and mysteries surrounding
these ancient wonders.
Join us as local Bay Village resident, Tom Bell, discusses his book “My Dad Is a Freak: a Memoir”, 7
p.m.Sept. 27.
Fairview Park Branch, 21255 Lorain Road, 440-333-4700 or cuyahogalibrary. org.
Dress for Success, 7 p. m. Sept. 17. First impressions count. Some job recruiters(招聘人员) use
appearance to determine self-esteem, respect, confidence and organizational skills. Learn how to dress to
emphasize your strengths and improve your employ ability. Registration required.
Music Study Groups, 1:15—2:45 p. m. Wednesdays, Sept. 19—Nov. 28. Explore current concert music
performed by The Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall through informal lectures and listening. Classes are
designed for both new and experienced music lovers and are led by Dr. Rose Breckenridge.
Practical Herbs, 7 p. m. Oct. 3. Famous doctor Sarah Hurt will talk about growing, drying and storing
herbs and how to use them. Registration required.
North Olmsted Branch, 27403 Lorain Road. 440-777-6211 or cuyahogalibrary. org.
Job Club, 1:30—3 p. m. Tuesdays. Join Jim Hansen for helpful tips on resumes, job search strategies and
interviewing. Anyone who is job hunting or looking to change careers is welcome.
War of 1812, 7—8:45 p. m. Sept. 17. This year marks the 200th anniversary. Professor Catherine Rokicky
From Cuyahoga Community College will give a presentation about the war, and immediately following we’ll
discuss the book “Mr. and Mrs. Madison’s War: America’s First Couple and the Second War of Independence”
by Hugh Howard. Registration required.
Olmsted Falls Library, 7850 Main St. , Olmsted Falls. 440-235-1150 or cuyahogalibrary. org.
Family Story-time, 7—7:30 p. m. Wednesdays, through Nov. 27. Join us for rhymes, songs, finger-plays
and a story or two. For children ages birth through age 8 with their caregivers.
Huntington Practice SAT Test, 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. Sept. 15. Follow up, 4—5 p. m. Sept. 26. Get ready for
college by taking a practice SAT exam. Discuss strategies to improve your score, and get tips on preparing for
the real exam. Registration required.
Imaginative Illustrations, 11 a. m. to noon Sept. 29. A hands-on drawing program where children exercise
their imagination while experiencing some basic techniques of cartooning. Grades K-5. Registration required.There are many activities for you to choose on Sept. 17 EXCEPT ___________.
| A．listening to a speech which is about the war |
| B．attending a discussion about ancient Egyptian pyramids |
| C．attending a program about how to reduce exam anxiety |
| D．learning about how to leave a good first impression on others |
If you want to study some medical knowledge, you can call ___________.
| A．440-871-6392 | B．440-333-4700 | C．440-777-6211 | D．440-235-1150 |
If you want to learn how to educate your children, you should contact ___________.
| A．Bay Village Branch | B．Fairview Park Branch |
| C．North Olmsted Branch | D．Olmsted Falls Library |
In order to help yourself find a new job soon, you’d better go to___________.
| A．Bay Village Branch and Fairview Park Branch |
| B．North Olmsted Branch and Olmsted Falls Library |
| C．Fairview Park Branch and Olmsted Falls Library |
| D．Fairview Park Branch and North Olmsted Branch |
It is learned from the passage that ___________.
| A．you can study music for more than one month in Fairview Park Branch |
| B．you can get the information about the four branches on the Internet |
| C．you can choose to take part in all the mentioned events in the afternoon |
| D．both Don King and Catherine Rokicky are college professors |
Throughout the history of the arts, the nature of creativity has remained constant to artists. No matter what objects they select, artists are to bring forth new forces and forms that cause change-to find poetry where no one has ever seen or experienced it before.
Landscape(风景) is another unchanging element of art. It can be found from ancient times through the 17th-century Dutch painters to the 19th-century romanticists and impressionists. In the 1970s, Alfred Leslie, one of the new American realists, continued this practice. Leslie sought out the same place where Thomas Cole, a romanticist, had produced paintings of the same scene a century and a half before. Unlike Cole who insists on a feeling of loneliness and the idea of finding peace in nature, Leslie paints what he actually sees. In his paintings, there is no particular change in emotion, and he includes ordinary things like the highway in the background. He also takes advantage of the latest developments of color photography(摄影术) to help both the eye and the memory when he improves his painting back in his workroom.
Besides, all art begs the age-old question: What is real? Each generation of artists has shown their understanding of reality in one form or another. The impressionists saw reality in brief emotional effects, the realists in everyday subjects and in forest scenes, and the Cro-Magnon cave people in their naturalistic drawings of the animals in the ancient forests. To sum up, understanding reality is a necessary struggle for artists of all periods.
Over thousands of years the function of the arts has remained relatively constant. Past or present, Eastern or Western, the arts are a basic part of our immediate experience. Many and different are the faces of art, and together they express the basic need and hope of human beings. The underlined word “poetry” most probably means __________.
| A．an object for artistic creation | B．a collection of poems |
| C．an unusual quality | D．a natural scene |
Leslie's paintings are extraordinary because .
| A．they are close in style to works in ancient times |
| B．they look like works by 19th-century painters |
| C．they draw attention to common things in life |
| D．they depend heavily on color photography |
What is the author's opinion of artistic reality?
| A．It will not be found in future works of art. |
| B．It does not have a long-lasting standard. |
| C．It is expressed in a fixed artistic form. |
| D．It is lacking in modern works of art. |
What does the author suggest about the arts in the last paragraph?
| A．They express people's curiosity about the past. |
| B．They make people interested in everyday experience. |
| C．They are considered important for variety in form. |
| D．They are regarded as a mirror of the human situation. |
Which of the following is the main topic of the passage?
| A．History of the arts. |
| B．Basic questions of the arts. |
| C．New developments in the arts. |
| D．Use of modern technology in the arts. |
When a first-time father saw his newborn son, he immediately noticedthe baby's ears obviously standing out from his head. He expressed hisconcern to the nurse that some children might tease his child. A doctor examined the baby and reassured the new dadthat his son was healthy- the ears presented only a minor problem with its appearance.
But the nervous father persisted. He wondered if the child might sufferpsychological effects of ridicule（嘲笑）, or if they should consider plastic surgery（整形手术）. The nurse assured him that it was really no problem, and he should justwait to see if the boy grows into his ears.
The father finally felt more optimistic about his child, but now heworried about his wife's reaction to those large ears. She had beendelivered by operation, and had not yet seen the child.
“She doesn't take things as easily as I do,” he said to the nurse.
By this time, the new mother was settled in the recovery room and ready tomeet her new baby. The nurse went along with the dad to lend some supportin case this inexperienced mother became upset about her baby's large ears.
The baby was in a receiving blanket with his head covered forthe short trip through the cold air-conditioned corridor(走廊）. The baby wasplaced in his mother's arms, who eased the blanket back so that she couldlook at her child for the first time.
She took one look at her baby's face and looked to her husband and gasped(喘气说）,“Oh, Honey! Look! He has your ears!”
No problem with Mom. She married those ears...and she loves the man towhom they are attached.
The poet Kahlil Gibran said, “Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a lightin the heart.” It's hard to see the ears when you're looking into the light.When the father first saw his baby, he was worried that________.
| A．the baby might not grow up healthily. |
| B．the baby might be laughed at by others. |
| C．the baby might disappoint its mother. |
| D．the baby might have mental problems. |
According to the doctor and nurse, the baby’s ears________.
| A．could not function well. |
| B．looked the same as others. |
| C．only caused a small problem. |
| D．needed to have plastic surgery. |
What is true about the baby’s mother?
| A．She blamed her husband for the baby’s big ears. |
| B．She was the first to discover the baby’s large ears. |
| C．She suggested having an operation on the baby immediately. |
| D．She found something similar between the baby and its father. |
What does the underlined word they refer to?
A. The ears. B The parents. C. The doctor and nurse. D. The problemsWhat’s the function of the last paragraph?
| A．To advise readers to listen carefully. |
| B．To draw a conclusion from the story. |
| C．To criticize the wrong attitude to physical beauty. |
| D．To stress the importance of doctor-patient relationship. |