“Just take a deep breath.”“Don’t think about it.”“You’re more likely to die in a car wreck on the way to the airport than you are in a plane crash.” These are just some words given to people with a fear of flying. But as Tom Cruise, playing Lt. Daniel Kaffee in the movie A Few Good Men, said, “I get sick when I fly because I’m afraid of crashing into a large mountain. I don’t think Daniel will help.”
But there’s a new application that just may. Today, the VALK Foundation, a Dutch group that’s a partnership between KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the University of Leiden, launches the app in the US. The VALK Foundation was one of the first centers for research and fear-of-flying treatment in the world and is the organizer of three world conferences on fear of flying.
The foundation said the app, called Flight App VALK, is the first scientifically-developed, web-based treatment for people who suffer from mild to moderate fear of flying.
“The fear of flying application we have created aims to transfer all of the knowledge we have developed through our program into a mobile application that will help ease travelers’ fears,” said Dr. Lucas van Gerwen, director of the VALK Foundation. Dr. van Gerwen is also a psychologist and professional pilot with more than 30 years experience.
The foundation said up to 30% of adults are fearful fliers. The Flight App is designed to help relax passengers before and during flights by educating users about flight safety and turbulence. It explains the sounds and sensations they can expect during departure, flight and landing. And, if a passenger’s flight stress reaches a panic level, they press a special panic button which provides audio and written information to help decrease stress levels. Most importantly, the Flight App can be used during the flight in the airplane mode. Once downloaded, the program does not require Internet connection in the air.By saying the words at the beginning of the passage, people are expected to ______.
| A．decrease their fear of flying |
| B．get rid of their doubt about plane |
| C．have a good time on their flight journey |
| D．use some medicine to cure their fear of flying |
According to the passage, the VALK Foundation ______.
| A．is a group focusing on psychology on the flight |
| B．was the first center to do research into fear of flying |
| C．organize the world conferences on fear of flying annually |
| D．focuses on researching and offering treatment on fear of flying |
Flight App VALK is aimed to ______.
| A．help passengers experience the fear of flying |
| B．help relax passengers before and during flights |
| C．treat people who suffer from mild fear of flying |
| D．teach people the basic knowledge of taking flight |
What does the last paragraph mainly tell us?
| A．Many adults are suffering from fear of flying |
| B．It’s convenient for people to use the Flight App |
| C．Many planes will be installed with the Flight App |
| D．The Flight App can decrease stress levels effectively |
In which column of a newspaper can we read this passage?
| A．Culture | B．Entertainment |
| C．Technology | D．Education |
Long after the 1998 World Cup was won, disappointed fans were still cursing the disputed refereeing decisions that denied victory to their team. A researcher was appointed to study the performance of some top referees.
The researcher organized an experimental tournament involving four youth teams. Each match lasted an hour, divided into three periods of 20 minutes during which different referees were in charge.
Observers noted down the referees’ errors, of which there were 61 over the tournament. Converted to a standard match of 90 minutes, each referee made almost 23 mistakes, a remarkably high number.
The researcher then studied the videotapes to analyse the matches in detail. Surprisingly, he found that errors were more likely when the referees were close to the incident. When the officials got it right, they were, on average, 17 meters away from the action. The average distance in the case of errors was 12 meters. The research shows the optimum (最佳的) distance is about 20 meters.
There also seemed to be an optimum speed. Correct decisions came when the referees were moving at a speed of about 2 meters per second. The average speed for errors was 4 meters per second.
If FIFA, football’s international ruling body, wants to improve the standard of refereeing at the next World Cup, it should encourage referees to keep their eyes on the action from a distance, rather than rushing to keep up with the ball, the researcher argues.
He also says that FIFA’s insistence that referees should retire at age 45 may be misguided. If keeping up with the action is not so important, their physical condition is less critical.The experiment conducted by the researcher was meant to ________.
| A．review the decisions of referees at the 1998 World Cup |
| B．analyse the causes of errors made by football referees |
| C．set a standard for football refereeing |
| D．reexamine the rules for football refereeing |
The number of refereeing errors in the experimental matches was ________.
| A．slightly above average | B．higher than in the 1998 World Cup |
| C．quite unexpected | D．as high as in a standard match |
The findings of the experiment show that ________.
| A．errors are more likely when a referee keeps close to the ball |
| B．the farther the referee is from the incident, the fewer the errors |
| C．the more slowly the referee runs, the more likely errors will occur |
| D．errors are less likely when a referee stays in one spot |
The word “officials” (Para. 4) most probably refers to ________.
| A．the researchers involved in the experiment |
| B．the inspectors of the football tournament |
| C．the referees of the football tournament |
| D．the observers at the site of the experiment |
What is one of the possible conclusions of the experiment?
| A．The ideal retirement age for an experienced football referee is 45. |
| B．Age should not be the chief consideration in choosing a football referee. |
| C．A football referee should be as young and energetic as possible. |
| D．An experienced football referee can do well even when in poor physical condition. |
Hilton Shanghai, the city's first international hotel, has been recognized as a top business hotel in Shanghai for its convenient location and outstanding facilities for more than 20 years.
However, the hotel's newly appointed general manager Gerd Knaust says it is the people that make the hotel successful.
More than 380 employees have been working with the hotel for more than 15 years. Some of them have personal relationships with customers.
''It's a people-relation business,'' Knaust says. ''They really tell me about the stories in the last 15 years. It's something very nice to listen to. It's also a lasting memory for the guests.''
In fact, over the years, some of the guests have stayed in the hotel 200 or even 300 times.
Knaust, who has been working in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years, started his career as a chef in Germany. During his early 30s, Knaust already moved to the top in the culinary (烹调的) field as director of kitchen of Hyatt Regency Cologne in Germany.
After holding several general manager positions in Mandarin Oriental hotels, Knaust joined Hilton International as the general manager to open the Conrad and Doubletree by Hilton at Haitang Bay, Sanya in 2010.
When he was appointed as the general manager of Hilton Shanghai in November, he not only was heavily involved in recruitment, sales and marketing strategies but also he worked closely with the food and beverage team to develop the hotel's restaurant concepts and menus.
''I believe that we should offer quality and healthy food.'' he says.
Knaust believes that a hotel must value the customers' comments on Ctrip, Trip Advisor and other platforms, etc.
''It keeps us more on guard to be 100 percent professional,'' he says. Why do business travelers choose Hilton Shanghai?
| A．Because of its location, facilities and good service. |
| B．Because it is in Shanghai. |
| C．Because its general manager is excellent. |
| D．Because some customers are the staff’s relatives. |
From the passage we know ______ .
| A．Hilton Shanghai is the first international hotel in China |
| B．Gerd Knaust thinks that the staff is the most important in making the hotel successful |
| C．Gerd Knaust has worked in Hilton Shanghai for more than 20 years |
| D．most of the employees in Hilton Shanghai have personal relationships with customers |
Knaust joined Hilton International as the general manager to ______.
| A．start his career as chef |
| B．be involved in recruitment |
| C．open the Conrad and Doubletree |
| D．develop the hotel’s restaurant concepts and menus |
Trip Advisor in the last paragraph but one is likely to be______.
| A．a person who can give you some advice about trip |
| B．a place where you can have a good trip |
| C．an organization which can give you some advice |
| D．a website where travelers can leave their advice |
What is the passage mainly about?
| A．First international hotel in Shanghai. | B．How to manage a hotel well. |
| C．Knaust's management idea. | D．Knaust's life story. |
Homestay provides English language students with the opportunity to speak English outside the classroom and the experience of being part of a British home.
What to Expect
The host will provide accommodation and meals. Rooms will be cleaned and bedcovers changed at least once a week. You will be given the house key and the host is there to offer help and advice as well as to take an interest in your physical and mental health.
Accommodation Zones
Homestays are located in London mainly in Zones 2, 3 and 4 of the transport system. Most hosts do not live in the town centre as much of central London is commercial and not residential. Zone 3 and 4 often offer larger accommodation in a less-crowded area. It is very convenient to travel in London by underground.
Meal Plans Available
☆ Continental Breakfast
☆ Breakfast and Dinner
☆ Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
It’s important to note that few English families still provide a traditional cooked breakfast. Your accommodation includes Continental Breakfast which normally consists of fruit juice, cereal, bread and tea or coffee. Cheese, fruit and cold meat are not normally part of a Continental Breakfast in England. Dinners usually consist of meat or fish with vegetables followed by dessert, fruit and coffee.
Friends
If you wish to invite a friend over to visit, you must first ask your host’s permission. You have no right to entertain friends in a family home as some families feel it is an invasion of their privacy.
Self-Catering Accommodation in Private Homes
Accommodation on a room-only basis includes shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and often a main living room. This kind of accommodation offers an independent lifestyle and is more suitable for the long-stay student. However, it does not provide the same family atmosphere as an ordinary homestay and may not benefit those who need to practice English at home quite as much.The passage is probably written for ____________.
| A．hosts willing to receive foreign students |
| B．foreigners hoping to build British culture |
| C．travelers planning to visit families in London |
| D．English learners applying to visit families in London |
Which of the following will the host provide?
| A．Room cleaning | B．Medical care |
| C．Free transport | D．Physical training |
What can be inferred from Paragraph 3?
| A．Zone 4 is more crowded than Zone 2. |
| B．The business centre of London is in Zone 1. |
| C．Hosts dislike travelling to the city centre. |
| D．Accommodation in the city centre is not provided. |
According to the passage, what does Continental Breakfast include?
| A．Dessert and coffee. | B．Fruit and vegetable. |
| C．Bread and fruit juice | D．Cereal and cold meat. |
Why do some people choose self-catering accommodation?
| A．To experience a warmer family atmosphere. |
| B．To enrich their knowledge of English. |
| C．To entertain friends as they like. |
| D．To enjoy much more freedom |
Once upon a time there was a painter who had just finished his course from a great painter. He wanted to assess his skills, so he decided to display one of his best works on a busy street.
He put his painting at a busy street-crossing. And below it a board read — "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new, I might have made some mistakes in my work."
When he came back in the evening to collect his painting, he was completely shocked to see that the whole painting was filled with crosses.He burst into tears and said sadly, "I'm useless and if this is what I have learned to
paint, I'm not worth teaching."
The master smiled and suggested, "My son, I will prove that you are a great artist." The master told him, "Just paint the same painting once again and give it to me."
Then they went to the same street the next morning and displayed the same painting. The master took out another board which read — "Gentleman, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new, I might have made some mistakes. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please dome a favor."The master and the young painter went back home.
They visited the place in the evening. The young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done!If you want to help people improve their behaviors, it is worth investing your effort in learning how to help people change their behaviors, attitudes and skills. Also, always remember not to get carried away or judge yourself by someone else's criticism and feel depressed as you are the best judge to judge yourself!
| A．It is easy to criticize, but difficult to improve. |
| B．Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake. |
| C．Discouraged and broken, he ran to his master's place. |
| D．If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it. |
E. Criticizing has the function of helping people improve themselves.
Gwendolyn Brooks wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime. She was known around the world for using poetry to increase understanding of black culture in America.
During the 1940’s and the 1950’s, Gwendolyn Brooks used her poems to describe conditions among the poor, racial (种族的) inequality and drug use in the black community. She also wrote poems about the struggles of black women.
But her skill was more than her ability to write about struggling black people. She combined traditional European poetry styles with the African American experience.
Gwendolyn Brooks once said that she wrote about what she saw and heard in the street. She said she found most of her materials through looking out of the window of her second-floor apartment in Chicago, Illinois.
In her early poetry, Gwendolyn Brooks wrote about the South Side of Chicago, where many black people live. In her poems, the South Side is called Bronzeville. It was “A Street in Bronzeville” that gained the attention of literary experts in 1945. Critics praised her poetic skills and her powerful descriptions about the black experience during the time. The Bronzeville poems were her first published collection.
In 1950, Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. She won the prize for her second book of poems called “Annie Allen”. “Annie Allen” is a collection of poetry about a Bronzeville girl as a daughter, a wife and a mother. She experiences loneliness, loss, death and poverty (贫穷).
Gwendolyn Brooks said that winning the prize changed her life.
Her next work was a novel written in 1953 called “Maud Martha”. “Maud Martha” attracted little attention when it was first published. But now it is considered an important work by some critics. Its main ideas about the difficult lives of many women are popular among female writers today. Gwendolyn Brooks became world-famous because .
| A．she was an expert on the language of poetry |
| B．she introduced black culture by writing poems |
| C．she fought for black rights by writing poems |
| D．her poems showed the lives of black women |
Which of the following can we learn from the text?
| A．Gwendolyn Brooks’ poems focused on black people in Africa. |
| B．Winning the Pulitzer Prize for Literature was important to Brooks. |
| C．Gwendolyn Brooks used to suffer a lot from drugs. |
| D．Gwendolyn Brooks was very strict with herself. |
How did Gwendolyn Brooks get ideas for most of her poems?
| A．By observing life. | B．By having talks. | C．By reading widely. | D．By traveling. |
We can infer that the book “Annie Allen” mainly deals with.
| A．family life | B．inequality | C．adventure | D．failure |