Many people think of the brain as a mystery.They don't know much about intelligence and how it works.When they do think about what intelligence is，many people believe that a person is born smart，average，or dumb—and stays that way in the whole life.But new research shows that the brain is more like a muscle—it changes and gets stronger when you use it.And scientists have been able to show just how the brain grows and gets stronger when you learn.
Everyone knows that when you lift weights，your muscles get bigger and you get stronger.A person who can't lift 20 pounds when he/she starts exercising can get strong enough to lift 100 pounds after working out for a long time.That's because the muscles become larger and stronger with exercise.And when you stop exercising，the muscles shrink and you get weaker.That's why people say “Use it or lose it！”
But most people don't know that when they practice and learn new things，parts of their brain change and get larger a lot like muscles do when they exercise. Inside the cortex(皮层)of the brain are billions of tiny nerve cells，called neurons. The nerve cells have branches connecting them to other cells in a complicated network. Communication between these brain cells is what allows us to think and solve problems. When you learn new things，these tiny connections in the brain actually multiply and get stronger.The more you challenge your mind to learn，the more your brain cells grow.Then，things that you once found very hard or even impossible to do—like speaking a foreign language or doing algebra(代数)—seem to become easy after learning them for a period of time.The result is a stronger，smarter brain.
Scientists started thinking that the human brain could develop and change when they studied animals'brains.They found out that animals that lived in a challenging environment were more perspicacious—they were better at solving problems and learning new things.According to the first paragraph，________.
| A．the function of our brain is like that of the muscle |
| B．until now it's impossible to explain the brain's mystery |
| C．many people believe one's intelligence is naturally determined |
| D．one's brain grows stronger as the age increases |
Training muscles is compared to ________.
| A．using the brain |
| B．connecting things in your brain |
| C．lifting weights |
| D．doing research about the brain |
What does the underlined word“perspicacious”in the last paragraph probably mean?
| A．Strong. | B．Smart. |
| C．Popular. | D．Active. |
The following paragraph will most probably talk about ________.
| A．the differences between animals'brains and humans'brains |
| B．the relation between human brains and muscles |
| C．scientists' findings about animals' brains |
| D．how to make your brain smarter through selfdevelopment |
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Ways to fight the flu
The flu is annoying enough on its own. In order to keep yourself from it, follow these tips.
★Get the flu vaccine(疫苗). It’s the best way to protect yourself against the flu.1It also helps the people around you because there’s less chance you will catch the flu and pass it on.
★Wash your hands often. Hand washing is an important way to protect against germs(细菌) like flu viruses. 2So get in the habit of washing your hands when you come home from school, the mall, or anywhere else where you are around a lot of people.
★3Flu viruses travel through the air, so try to stay away from people who look sick. It’s also a good idea to avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth –three places flu viruses can easily enter the body.
★Cough or sneeze into a tissue(手巾纸) –not into your hands. That way, you’re not spreading the virus when you touch surfaces that other people may touch too.
★4 You don’t want to pass your germs to someone else. And staying home is a great excuse to watch your favorite movie, play video games, or read to have a good rest. 5
You also can fight the flu by getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular exercise.
Don’t let the flu ruin your fall and winter fun. Fight back!
| A．Stay home if you have the flu. |
| B．Keep your distance if someone is sick. |
| C．Rest can help the body recover faster. |
| D．Take some medicine as soon as you have the flu. |
E. It also helps protect against other germs and illnesses.
F. Getting vaccinated doesn’t just protect your own health.
G. Don’t let the flu fall at one of the most exciting times of the year.
Zhang Lili, a 29-year-old middle school teacher at the No 19 middle school in the city of Jiamusi in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province was crossing the road just outside the school’s gate when a school bus suddenly came rushing toward nearby students at 8:38 pm on May 8, 2012.
“There were three buses at the school gate ready to pick up students, but the one in the back suddenly crashed into the second bus and pushed it into the first one. There were several students standing between the first and the second buses and they were about to be crushed,” said Liu Ye, a student of No.19 middle school.
“We were waiting to board the bus when suddenly it began moving toward the teachers and students. Zhang Lili immediately pushed the students out of the way, but unfortunately she didn't escape. The bus crushed her legs.” added Liu.
Zhang Lili was sent to hospital at about 9 pm and she was critically injured and her blood pressure was low. The situation was quite serious when rushed to hospital.
After consulting specialists, the doctors decided that the only way to save her life was cut off both of her legs.
Upon learning about the accident, the deputy mayor of the city, Sun Zhe, asked the hospital to “save the young teacher regardless of the cost”
“If necessary, we will invite more specialists from the capital city, even from the whole nation,” said Sun.
Fortunately, after 58 hours of emergency medical attention after being transferred to the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Zhang finally regained consciousness on May 15.
“But it cannot be ruled out that her condition may worsen, and the doctors are still working full out to save the heroic teacher,” said Zhao Mingyan, ICU director at the hospital, where Zhang is now receiving treatment. “Her courage moved all of our staff, and we will try our best to help the brave teacher in her future life.” said Wang Jianwei, the director of center.
The Ministry of Education has also named her “National Outstanding Teacher” and called on the country’s educators to learn from her.What does the underlined word “it” in the third paragraph refers to ________.
| A．the bus in the back | B．the bus in the middle |
| C．the bus in the front | D．the third bus |
What can be inferred from the remark of the deputy Mayor Sun Zhe?
| A．Every possible means is being carried out to save the brave teacher. |
| B．It’s increasingly difficult to save the brave teacher. |
| C．The only way to save the brave teacher is to cut off her legs. |
| D．No more experts will be needed in the operation to save the brave teacher. |
What does the underlined sentence in the ninth paragraph attempt to tell us?
| A．The woman teacher’s condition will definitely get worse. |
| B．It is obvious that the woman teacher will recover shortly after. |
| C．There is little possibility that the woman teacher’s condition will improve. |
| D．It’s likely that the teacher will suffer from a worse medical condition. |
Which of the following might be the best title for this passage?
| A．National Outstanding Teacher | B．A Heroic Teacher |
| C．An Example of Top Teachers | D．An bus accident |
◆ Share Flats: Happy Valley big flat, 1 room ready for use immediately. Quiet and convenient, fully furnished, park view. $6,800 including bills with maid. Female nonsmoker. No pet. Sara 25720836 or 10077809.
◆ Moving Sale: 2 armchairs, red/brown at $400 each; coffee table, black, wood, $800; oil painting, big, $900; Tianjin carpet, green 3×7, $600; double bed, $500; mirror, big, square, $500; fridge, big, double-door, $1000; old pictures, $140 up, each; plants, big and small. Tel: Weekend, 25216011/Weekday, 25245867.
◆ Part-time Laboratory Assistant Wanted: Required by busy electronics (电子) company to help with development of computer. Should have an electronics degree and some practical experience of working in an electronics laboratory. Hours 9:30a.m.-1:0p.m. Mon.-Fri. Fourteen days paid leave. Salary ￥6598-10230 dependent on experience. Letter of application to: Mrs. G Chan, NOVA ELECTRONICS, 45 Gordon Rd, Hung Hom Kowloon. The one who put on the first ad probably wants to _________.
| A．rent a beautiful flat of her own in Happy Valley |
| B．find another lady to share the cost to rent a flat |
| C．share her room in a flat with whoever has no pet |
| D．take on a maid to look after herself and the flat |
According to the ads, you may _______.
| A．buy an old picture for $150 |
| B．call at 25245867 and see a beautiful park |
| C．buy two armchairs for $ 400 |
| D．hire a maid by paying $6,800 |
Once you can get a part-time job in NOVA ELECTRONICS, _______.
| A．you have to work at least 4 hours a day |
| B．you should write a letter to Mrs. G Chan |
| C．you will get no more than $6 598 each month |
| D．you will be given 14 days off each year besides weekends |
Expressions about water are almost as common as water itself. But many of the expressions using water have unpleasant meanings.
The expression “to be in hot water" is one of them. It is a very old expression. “Hot water” was used 500 years ago to mean being in trouble. One story says it got that meaning from the custom of throwing extremely hot water down on enemies attacking a castle.
That no longer happens. But we still get in “hot water”．When we are in “hot water”, we are in trouble. It can be any kind of trouble—serious or not so serious. A person who breaks a law can be in hot water with the police. A young boy can be in hot water with his mother. if he walks in the house with dirty shoes.
Being in “deep water” is almost the same as being in hot water. When you are in deep water, you are in a difficult position. Imagine a person who cannot swim being thrown in water over his head.
You are in deep water when you are facing a problem that you do not have the ability to solve. The problem is too deep. You can be in deep water, for example, if you invest in stocks without knowing anything about the stock market.
“To keep your head above water” is a colorful expression that means staying out of debt. A company seeks to keep its head above water during economic hard times. A man who loses his job tries to keep his head above water until he finds a new job.
“Water over the dam” is another expression about a past event. It is something that is finished. It cannot be changed. The expression comes from the idea that water that has flowed over a dam cannot be brought back again. Which of the following two expressions have almost the same meaning?
| A．To be in hot water；To be in deep water. |
| B．To be in hot water；To keep your head above water. |
| C．To be in deep water；Water over the dam. |
| D．Water over the dam；To be in hot water. |
If a person tries to keep his head out of water，we can say that .
| A．he is in danger of losing his life |
| B．he is trying to pay off his debt |
| C．he is trying to keep his promise |
| D．he is trying not to get into debt |
What can you infer from the passage?
| A．“To be in hot water” can only be used to mention serious trouble. |
| B．“Water over the dam” is an expression about a future event. |
| C．Water could be used in the war in the past. |
| D．All of the expressions using water have unpleasant meanings. |
This passage is written mainly to tell us .
| A．the use of water |
| B．how to use some expressions about water |
| C．expressions about water and their meanings |
| D．expressions with negative meaning |
I remember a day when I was a little kid. I was making a sandwich in the kitchen when I noticed the date on one of the wine bottles.
“ Dad, dad!” I cried. “This wine is too old to drink.”
“ Son, hold on,” he said.
“ No, you can’t drink this tonight! This bottle of wine was made 10 years ago.”
“ Wait, let me tell you…”
“ Would you like me to throw it away fro you?” I asked.
“ Son, wait a second,” he said. “Son, some wines get better over time. The longer you wait to drink it, the better it will be. Although this may seem strange, it is true.”
When I was young, I didn’t have any understanding of what this meant, but now, this would have been very helpful to remember as I went through my teenage years.
In our society, we forget this simple rule: The longer you want for certain things, the better they will be. But we want the best job as quickly as possible; we want to graduate from college in as few years as possible; we even speed through our homework just to chat with friends. When we do this, we lose something of great importance.
We all want to get to the next step so quickly that perhaps we don’t get ready enough to get there. This has a negative effect on our society. When trying to go to the right college, we will do anything to get in and when we rush through our class-work, we may not study enough for the test, and end up failing. We need to be ready for whatever comes, ready for the unexpected. Wine gets better over time, so do the things in our paths of life.Why did the author tell his father not to drink the bottle of wine?
| A．Because it smelt terrible. |
| B．Because it had been kept for years. |
| C．Because it was mixed with something else. |
| D．Because his father drank too much that night. |
What the author’s father said __________.
| A．made the author puzzled when he was a little child. |
| B．was too simple a rule to be meaningful to the author. |
| C．threw the author into deep thought then. |
| D．was an excuse to drink the wine. |
In the author’s opinion, if we do things too quickly, we will __________.
| A．do it better |
| B．save much time |
| C．graduate from college more quickly |
| D．miss something useful to us in life |
Which of the following best reflects the main idea of the passage?
| A．Well begun is half done. |
| B．More haste, less speed. |
| C．Failure is the mother of success. |
| D．Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. |