Recently we told you about a finding that more years of school could help students get higherscores on intelligence tests．That was the finding of a study of teenage males in Norway．Now，other research shows that physical activity may help students do better in their classes .
The research comes as educators in some countries are reducing time for activities like physical education．They are using the time instead for academic subjects like maths and reading．The studies appeared between 2007 and 2013．They included more than 55，000 children，aged 6 to 18．
Amika Singh：“Based on the results of our study，we can conclude that being physically active is beneficial for academic performance. There are，first，Physiological explanations，like more blood flow, and so more oxygen to the brain．Being physically active means there are more hormones(荷尔蒙)produced like endorphins(内啡肽)．And endorphins make your stress level lower and your mood improved, which means you also perform better.”
Also，students involved in organized sports learn rules and how to follow them．This could improve their classroom behavior and help them keep their mind on their work．
The study leaves some questions unanswered，however．Ms．Stash says it is not possible to say whether the amount or kind of activity affected the level of academic improvement．This is because of differences among the studies .
Also．they were mostly observational studies．An observational study is where researchers do not do controlled comparisons．They only describe what they observe．So they might observe a link that students who are more active often have better grades．But that does not necessarily mean being active was the cause of those higher grades．
The researchers said they found only two high - quality studies．They called for more high-
quality studies to confirm their findings．They also pointed out that “outcomes for other parts of the world may be quite different. ”
Still，the general finding was that physically active kids are more likely to do better in school．Ms．Singh says schools should consider that finding before they cut physical education programs．Her paper on “Physical Activity and Performance at School”is published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine．The passage mainly tells us that ＿＿＿＿
| A．a research on physical education has been done by the researchers |
| B．there exists a possibility that physical activity leads to higher grades |
| C．the amount or kind of activity directly affects academic level |
| D．the research shows that the children aged 6 to 1 8 don't do sports |
Which of the following is TRUE?
| A．Being mentally active is good for academic subjects． |
| B．The more hormones you have，the more stressed you will get． |
| C．They have found many high-quality studies to prove the research． |
| D．The educators in the research think studies，not exercise，mean much to students． |
The underlined sentence in Paragraph 7 probably means ＿＿＿＿.
| A．good marks result from high-quality study |
| B．findings probably vary in different areas |
| C．physical activity will spread all over the world |
| D．academic performance depends on the surroundings |
What's the purpose of writing the passage?
| A．To call our attention to the sports at school． |
| B．To introduce all types of physical activities． |
| C．To represent the academic performance． |
| D．To improve students' health ． |
It was a year when the snow was so deep that the tops of tall pine tree appeared to be short bushes.Farmers Planahand’s girlfriend had begged him for a winter wedding(婚礼)，and Farmer Planahead was well prepared to make her wishes come true.
Farmer Planahead spent many weeks digging a passage through the snow down to the door of his house.On the day before his wedding,he chose his two finest horses for his sleigh(雪橇).Off he rode,to fetch his bride(新娘)Editha,who lived a day’s journey eastward.
Farmer Planahead sped along and left his village far behind.He covered many miles,enjoying the soft,smooth movements of the sleigh on the snow,until suddenly,a strange and low sound broke the silence.He felt a rush of warm air on his neck.The chinook—the hot wind the Native Americans called“snow eater”—was upon him.
The dutiful farmer ordered his horses to spend up but the wind was too fast.Behind him,the trees grew taller by the minute as the chinook’s warm breath ate up the snow.Faster than anything the farmer had ever seen,the snowy path turned to dirt,and his sleigh came to a stop.Stuck far from any village,Farmer Planahead could do nothing but wait until the snow fell again.
Many days later,when snow had fallen and he could move the sleigh ,the tired but happy farmer arrived at his bride’s house.“My daughter despaired when you didn’t arrive ,”her father said, “and now she’s gone and married Farmer Planahead He took her away in his carriage(马车)after the snow disappeared”.
Farmer Planahead returned home,sadder but wiser.Next time he would choose a girl who wanted a summer wedding.What do we know about Farmer Planahead?
| A．He hated snowy winters. |
| B．He missed his bride’s house. |
| C．He was getting ready for a wedding. |
| D．He borrowed two horses from another farmer. |
What happened after the Chinook arrived?
| A．A hot summer came. |
| B．Plants began to grow. |
| C．The horses were eaten up. |
| D．The snow quickly disappeared. |
Finding Farmer Planahead didn’t arrive on time,Editha felt____.
| A．bored. | B．disappointed |
| C．worried | D．doubtful |
We can infer from the last paragraph that Farmer Planahead_____.
| A．married Editha in the summer |
| B．returned home in his carriage |
| C．failed to realize his mistake. |
| D．became a very wise man. |
What lesson can we learn from Farmer Planahead?
| A．Pepared yourself for the future |
| B．Act according to the situation. |
| C．Never give up your dreams. |
| D．Don’t fear trouble. |
Many people believe that classical music is not relevant music is not relevant to young people today . However, this issue (问题) frequently causes heated debate.
Some people say that classical music is associated only with old people .For example, if you look at the audience at a classical concert , the majority is over the age of fifty.
Others say it is more popular than we first imagine. Many young people listen to classical music without realising. It is often used in films and advertisements. For example, a famous piece of classical music was used as the theme music for the 1990 World Cup . Not many people could have given its name, but millions enjoyed it.
Also, some people point out that young people produce new music based on classical ideas: for example, it is said that rap(说唱)music was invented by a classical musician in 1912, but it is now used by young people in pop music.
However, young people point to the fact that classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. To play a classical instrument, such as a violin, you need to study hard and practise for hours. Nowadays, you don't need to get aching arms from practising. A teenager can write and make music using a computer program in the comfort of their own bedroom.
A final point to in mind is that the term "classical music" is used to refer to a great variety of music, from jazz to pieces for large orchestras(管弦乐队).This makes it even more difficult to say whether classical music is relevant to young people.
So, it may be only a minority of young people who play classical instruments, but when it comes to enjoying classical music, it depends on the piece of music. It may be more relevant to young people in the modern world than they realise!What is the best title of the passage ?
| A．Classical music and young men. |
| B．Classical music belongs to the old. |
| C．A debate about whether classical music is relevant to the young. |
| D．Is classical music loved by young people today? |
How many opinons are mentioned in the passage?
| A．Four | B．Five | C．Six | D．Seven |
Where is classical music often found according to Paragraph 3?
| A．At a concert | B．In the computer |
| C．In pop music | D．In films and advertisements |
What can you learn from Paragraph 5?
| A．Classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. |
| B．Beethoven played his famous music with a piano. |
| C．A pianist doesn't need to get aching arms from practicing . |
| D．It is so easy to make music now that any one can do it well using a computer. |
What’s the conclusion of the heated debate?
| A．Classical music may still be enjoyed by young people. |
| B．Only a small amount of young people like it. |
| C．One man's meat isanother man's poison. |
| D．There’s no definite conclusion. |
The expression, "everybody's doing it," is very much at the center of the concept of peer pressure. It is a strong influence of a group, especially of children, on members of that group to behave as everybody else does. It can be positive or negative. Most people experience it in some way during their lives.
People are social creatures by nature, and so it is hardly surprising that part of their self-respect comes from the approval of others. This instinct is why the approval of peers, or the fear of disapproval, is such a powerful force in many people's lives. It is the same instinct that drives people to dress one way at home and another way at work, or to answer "fine" when a stranger asks "how are you?" even if it is not necessarily true. There is a practical aspect to this: it helps society to function efficiently, and encourages a general level of self-discipline that simplifies day-to-day interaction.
For certain individuals, seeking social acceptance is so important that it becomes like an addiction: in order to satisfy the desire, they may go so far as to abandon their sense of right and wrong. Teens and young adults may feel forced to use drugs, or join gangs that encourage criminal behavior. Mature adults may sometimes feel pressured to cover up illegal activity at the company where they work, or end up in debt because they are unable to hold back the desire to buy a house or car that they can't afford in an effort to "keep up with the Joneses."
However, peer pressure is not always negative. A student whose friends are good at academics may be urged to study harder and get good grades. Players on a sports team may feel driven to play harder in order to help the team win. This type of influence can also get a friend off drugs, or to help an adult take up a good habit or drop a bad one. Study groups and class projects are examples of positive peer groups that encourage people to better themselves.
Schools try to teach kids about the dangers of negative peer pressure. They teach kids to stand up and be themselves, and encourage them to politely decline to do things that they believe are wrong. Similarly, it can be help fill to encourage children to greet the beneficial influence of positive peer groups. What is peer pressure ？
| A．It refers to the strong feelings that you must do things the way other people of your age do. |
| B．It is “Keeping up with the Joneses”. |
| C．Only children or teenagers can feel the pressure. |
| D．It can be positive or negative. |
What ’s the main idea of Paragraph 2?
| A．Self-respect comes from the approval of others. |
| B．People are social creatures by nature. |
| C．Peer pressure drives people to dress up when going out to work. |
| D．A practical function of peer pressure. |
Which one of the following is positive influence?
| A．over-consumption |
| B．criminal offence |
| C．good grades |
| D．abandon their sense of right and wrong |
What does “ decline” mean in the passage?
| A．grow worse |
| B． politely refuse to accept it or do it. |
| C．go down |
| D．becomes less in quantity, importance, or strength. |
How does the author think of the peer pressure?
| A．negative |
| B．positive |
| C．objective |
| D．The article didn’t mention it. |
Nowadays the cost of a new car has fallen in real terms so that it is cheaper than ever to own one, and better road conditions have also attracted more drivers. The result is overcrowding on the road system, which is one of the problems the local governments are faced with.
When people travel to other towns, the problem might be relieved by getting them to park outside the town. Buses could be provided to take them into the centre. These Park and Ride projects are increasingly popular in the UK. At Southerton, for example, a council-funded project led to a 15% drop in city centre traffic over five months.
What the council found, though, was that the project proved somewhat unpopular with shop owners in the area outside the centre. Many of their shops relied on passing car drivers for some of their trade. As the number of people driving past dropped, so did their incomes.
Making car driving expensive is another way of encouraging people to use public transport more. Road taxes tend to mean that people use their cars less. Fining drivers who are in areas where cars have been banned can also tend to encourage them to leave their cars behind.
However, one thing has to be got right for any solution to succeed. If we expect people to give up the habit of driving, we must give them an alternative they can rely on. Constant delays, unannounced changes to the timetable and sudden cancellations all discourage people from using public transport. People will only see it as a real choice if the buses and trains are on time. What causes overcrowding on the road system according to Paragraph 1?
| A．The reduced/lowed cost of a new car and better road conditions |
| B．The reduced/lowed cost of a new car |
| C．better road conditions |
| D．People are wealthier than before. |
What should people do when traveling to other towns according to the Park and Ride projects?
| A．They should park in the park, and take a taxi to the centre. |
| B．They should take the bus to other towns instead of driving. |
| C．They should park outside the town, and take the bus to the centre. |
| D．If they don’t use public transport, they’ll be fined. |
What are some shop owners’attitude to the project?
| A．supportive | B．objective |
| C．opposed | D．subjective |
Why are people unwilling to use public transport according to Paragraph 5?
| A．Because buses constantly delay and even sudden cancellations. |
| B．Because the timetable changes without announcement. |
| C．Because they want to show off their cars and driving skills. |
| D．Because public transport can not satisfy the passengers. |
How many ways are mentioned to solve the overcrowding?
| A．Two | B．Three | C．Four | D．Five |
Life can be difficult, particularly for adolescents. Many young people get through the troubled years of adolescence and emerge into adulthood reasonably safe and sound. Too many youngsters, however, feel confused and ignored. Unable to clime out of the dilemma, these youngsters are socially and emotionally ‘at-risk’. They may suffer from such painful symptoms as anxiety, depression or anger.
Many parents, in an honest attempt to help their adolescent from emotionally drowning, seek professional treatment. They put a great deal of faith in professional clinicians to find a way out for their child. However, many of these parents begin to recognize that solving the problem is more complex than they had initially realized. It has been my clinical experience that some parents who bring their resistant youngster for treatment see their child as being solely responsible for the problem. In many cases, the adolescent feels angry and defective for being pushed into treatment.
We can gain some insight if we look at things through the eyes of the adolescent. The child is usually reluctantly brought by the parents to clinicians as what I call the ‘identified patient’. The youngster anxiously waits as the parents lay out the problem with the clinicians with remarks such as, “I don’t know what’s happening to my child lately, but he’s not his old self. He doesn’t listen to me anymore, has been getting failing grades, acts out at school, and stays in his room all the time.’’ Such descriptions at the beginning of treatment by the parents may strengthen feelings of incompetence on the part of the child. Such a pattern at the beginning sets up an intention of resistance and leaves the potential for a positive outcome at risk.
What many parents fail to realize is that the adolescent’s problem serves as a symbol for what is happening within the family system. Unknowingly, a youngster may become oppositional or depressed as a way of attempting to calm the psychic pain experienced by his family. On some level, the child’s behavioral problems respresent an effort to focus attention away from the unstable state within his family. In such cases it represents a courageous attempt by the teen to minimize hoem-related problems. Eventually the problems become too troublesome for the child and he proceeds to sacrifice himself for the good of the family. Many times youngsters go to clinicians in the hope that treatment will aid in healing the entire family system.
In my clinical experience, I have found that the troubled adolescent is more likely to find emotional healing if the parents are actively involved in the treatment process. In such cases where family members are involved in treatment, the adolescent’s expectation for change tends to improve. With parental involvement, the teen begins to feel more competent, as other family members take the risk to explore difficult family issues.From the first paragraph, we can learn young people will .
| A．experience a colourful life during adolescence |
| B．find society full of various dangers during adolescence |
| C．feel adolescence the most difficult period for them to get through |
| D．probably face a good many challenges during adolescence |
What causes a child to resist treatment while the parents bring him to clinicians for help?
| A．The child’s being reluctantly brought to clinicians. |
| B．The parents’ descriptions of the child’s problems to clinicians. |
| C．The child’s feelings of incompetence. |
| D．The parents’ looking at things through the eyes of the child. |
In fact, the adolescent’s problems might indicate that the youngster .
| A．is concerned about the family’s harmony |
| B．wants his parents to care about him |
| C．feels disappointed with the family environment |
| D．isn’t willing to face home-related problems |
Young people will feel competent when .
| A．recognizing their problems |
| B．finding short cuts to treat their problems |
| C．brought to a more experienced clinician |
| D．supported by their parents in treatment |
What is the author’s attitude toward adolescents with problems?
| A．Sceptical. | B．Worried. |
| C．Sympathetic. | D．Indifferent. |