YOUR mom might cook a bowl of noodles for you on your birthday. But in the US, a mom makes a cupcake for her children on their birthday.
Cupcakes are small, round cakes topped with frosting (糖霜). It has been an American tradition that moms bring cupcakes to the classroom to celebrate their child’s birthday.
But recently some doctors have called for this to be banned. They believe cupcakes contribute to child obesity.
Despite their good intentions, however, some people believe that experts are interfering (妨碍) with American culture. The cupcake is seen as American as apple pie — only prettier.
According to Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, the cupcake is the most democratic (民主的) of desserts. As they are small enough for one person, you don’t have to share your cupcake with anyone — it’s all yours. They are also all the same size, so there can’t be any cries of “she got the bigger piece!”
Each bite can taste different depending on how much icing you have. It is a lesson in self-determination. Some people eat only a little of the frosting every time, others have it all in just one bite.
In recent years, eating a cupcake has become as trendy as having a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton jokingly promised on a talk show that if she was elected president, she would give everyone a cupcake on her birthday.
Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, explains that the rise of the cupcake is very much about going back to American national identity in food, which is all about comfort. “People want to think about when they and their country were innocent,” she said. According to the passage, it has been an American tradition that ___________.
| A. a party for children on their birthday |
| B. A mom cooks a bowl of noodles for her children on their birthday |
| C. A mom makes a cupcake for her children on their birthday and brings it to the classroom |
| D. parents go travelling with their children on their birthday |
Why do doctors ask people to ban cupcakes on children’s birthday?
| A. Because they themselves don’t like cupcakes. |
| B. Because they think cupcakes are not so delicious. |
| C. Because they believe cupcakes will cause cries of “She got the bigger piece”. |
| D. Because they believe cupcakes are one of the causes to make children become fat. |
Which of the following is Not true according to Marion Nestle?
| A. The cupcake is more democratic than any other deserts in the US. |
| B. The cupcake is too small to share with others. |
| C. The sizes of cupcakes are the same so it’s equal to everyone. |
| D. Cupcakes will lead to child obesity so they should be banned. |
The underlined word “trendy” in paragraph 7 probably means ________.
| A. popular |
B. gentle |
C. delicious |
D. different |
Why did the writer mention Hillary Clinton and Ruth Reichl?
| A. To arouse the readers’ attention. |
| B. To show that cupcakes are becoming a popular to show kindness and comfort. |
| C. To make a comparison between them. |
| D. To give readers a general idea of cupcakes. |
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第二部分：阅读理解（共两节，满分50分）
第一节（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项A、B、C、D中选出最佳选项。
Judging from recent surveys, most experts in sleep behaviour agree that there is virtually an epidemic （流行病）of sleepiness in the nation. “I can’t think of a single study that hasn’t found Americans getting less sleep than they ought to,” says Dr. David. Even people who think they are sleeping enough would probably be better off with more rest.
The beginning of our sleep-deficit crises can be traced back to the invention of the light bulb a century ago. From diary entries and our personal accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries, sleep scientists have reached the conclusion that the average person used to sleep about 9. 5 hours a night. “The best sleep habits once were forced on us, when we had nothing to do in the evening down on the farm, and it was dark.” By the 1950s and 1960s, the sleep schedule had been reduced dramatically, to between 7. 5 and 8 hours, and most people had to wake to an alarm clock. “People cheat in their sleep, and they don’t even realize they’re doing it,” says Dr. David. “They think they’re okey because they can get by on 6. 5 hours, when they really need 7. 5, 8 or even more to feel ideally energetic. ”
Perhaps the most merciless robber of sleep, researches say, is the complexity of the day. Whenever pressures from work, family, friends and community increase, many people consider sleep the least expensive item on their programme. “In our society, you’re considered dynamic if you say you need only 5. 5 hours’ sleep. If you’ve got to get 8. 5 hours, people think you lack drive and ambition. ”
To determine the consequences of sleep-deficit, researchers have put subjects through a set of psychological and performance tests requiting them, for instance, to add columns of numbers or recall a passage read to them only minutes earlier. “We’ve found that if you’re in sleep deficit, performance suffers,” says Dr. David. “Short-term memory is weakened, as are abilities to make decisions and to concentrate. ”
41. What is the main topic of the passage?
A. Research on the causes and consequences of sleep-deficit.
B. The epidemic of sleepiness in the modern times.
C. The history of people’s sleeping patterns.
D. The minimum of our sleeping hours.
42. Which of the following is Dr. David’s opinion?
A. People who think they are sleeping enough are better off than those who don't.
B. Some people can remain energetic with only 6. 5 hours’ sleep a night.
C. If they get 8. 5 hours’ sleep, people will be full of drive and ambition.
D. People’s metal power suffers if they are lacking in sleep.
43. People in the 18th and 19th centuries slept about 9. 5 hours a night because _______.
A. they were forced by their parents to do so
B. they knew what was best for their health
C. they had no electricity
D. they were not so dynamic and ambitious as modern people are
44. What does the word “subjects” in paragraph 4 mean?
A. Persons or things being discussed or described.
B. Branches of knowledge studied in a school.
C. Persons or things being treated in a certain way or being experimented on.
D. Any member of a state apart from the the supreme ruler.
.
There is a boy in my gym class (I’ll call him Bill) who has unbearably yellow teeth that almost make everyone feel unpleasant. Recently another boy told Bill that he should “go Ajax” his teeth. Bill was crushed. Had the other boy been thinking, he would have realized that there is a better way to handle such a situation. He could have dealt with it with tact. He could have showed this hurtful truth in a more careful, sensitive way—that’s “tact”.
If a person isn’t sensitive to another’s feelings, there is no way he or she can be tactful. Yesterday, my 5-year-old brother proudly announced that he had cleaned the screen on our television set. Unfortunately, he used furniture polish(亮光油), which produced an oily film on the television screen. My mother smiled and thanked him for his efforts—and then showed how to clean the screen properly. Her sensitivity enables my brother to keep his self-respect. Yet, sensitivity alone does not make tact.
“Tactfulness” also requires “truthfulness”. Doctors, for example must be truthful. If a patient has just been disabled in an accident, a tactful doctor will tell the truth—but express it with sensitivity. The doctor may try to give the patient hope by telling them curing techniques under study or about advanced equipment now available. Doctors must use tact with patients relatives as well. Instead of bluntly saying, “Your husband is disabled,” a doctor might say, “I’m sorry, but your husband has lost feeling in his legs and…”
Tact should not be confused with trickery. Trickery occurs when a nurse is about to give a patient an injection and says, “This won’t hurt a bit.” Instead of trickery, the nurse might guarantee the patient that the discomfort of the injection is a small thing compared to the benefits of it. It would also be thoughtful for the nurse to tell the patients about some of these benefits.
Tact is a wonderful skill to have, and tactful people are usually admired and respected. Without tact our society would become an intolerable place to live in.
72.When told he should “go Ajax” his teeth, Bill probably felt ________________.
A．surprised B．cheated
C．regretful D．painful
73.According to the author, his mother’s praise for the brother is _______________.
A．both sensitive and tactful B．sensitive but not tactful enough
C．truthful but not tactful D．sensitive but trickish
74.The fourth paragraph mainly talks about __________________.
A．how to comfort the patients
B．how to use trickery carefully
C．differences between trickery and promises
D．another feature of tact
75.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage? (The numbers stand for the paragraphs)
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 |
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A． B． C． D．
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A gadget which makes water out of air could become the greatest household invention since the microwave.
Using the same technology as a dehumidifier（除湿器），the Water Mill is able to create a ready supply of drinking water because it can always get it from an unlimited source—the air．
The company behind the machine says not only does it offer an alternative to bottled water in
developed countries, but it is a solution for the millions who face a daily water shortage．
The machine works by drawing in wet air through a filter（过滤器）and over a cooling instrument which changes it into water droplets．It can produce up to 12 liters a day．The Water Mill will also produce more water when storms pass over, as the amount of water which is contained in the air increases. In keeping with its eco-development, the machine uses the same amount of electricity as three lights. Inventor Jonathan Ritchey said, “The demand for water is off the chart. So people are looking for freedom from water distribution systems that are shaky and unreliable.”
The machine, which is about 3 feet wide, is likely to cost ￡800 when it goes on sale here in the spring. Its maker, Canadian Firm Element Four, roughly calculates that a liter of water costs around 20 pence to produce.
Environmentalists state that half the world’s population will face water shortage because of climate change by 2080. One in five is said to lack access to safe drinking.
The Water Mill is not effective in areas where the amount of water contained in the air is below about 30 percent, but in Britain that won’t be much of a problem.
68.What does the underlined word “it” refer to?
A．Drinking water. B．Invention. C．Microwave. D．Water Mill.
69.What do we learn about the machine?
A．It works in the same way as microwaves.
B．It is very expensive for families to afford.
C．It absorbs wet air and turns it into water.
D．It helps to make the water clean to drink.
70.What does the passage lead us to believe?
A．The cost of water will go up. B．Bottled water will disappear soon.
C．The machine is energy saving. D．The machine will be popular worldwide.
71.What’s the best title for the passage?
A．A New Way to Solve Water Problem. B．A Machine to Make Water out of Air.
C．A Dehumidifier to Produce Water. D．An Absolutely New Invention
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Each week, this program explains the many meanings of English expressions. Today’s expressions include a very important word—“heart”. We will try to “get to the heart of the matter” to better understand the most important thing about words and their stories. So “take heart.” Have no fear about learning new expressions. Besides, popular English words can be fun. There is no need for a “heavy heart.” Such feelings of sadness would only “break my heart,” or make me feel unhappy and hopeless.
Now, let us suppose you and I were speaking freely about something private. We would be having a “heart to heart” discussion. I might speak from “the bottom of my heart, ” or say things honestly and truthfully. I might even “open up my heart” to you and tell you a secret. I would speak with “all my heart”.
When a person shares her feelings freely and openly like this, you might say she “wears her heart on her sleeve”. Her emotions are not protected.
If we had an honest discussion, both of us would know that the other person’s “heart is in the right place.” For example, I would know that you are a “kind-hearted” and well-meaning person. And, if you are a very good person, I would even say that you have “a heart of gold.” However, you might have a “change of heart” based on what I tell you. Our discussion might cause you to change the way you feel about something.
But, let us suppose you get angry over what I tell you. Or worse, you feel no sympathy or understanding for me or my situation. If this happens, I might think that you have a “heart of stone.” And, if you say something to make me frightened or worried, my “heart might stand still”.
64.If you are not so happy, you may feel that ________.
A. you “have a heart of stone” B. you have to “take heart”
C. you “break you heart” D. you “speak from the bottom of the heart”
65.From the above passage we may see ________.
A. English words can all be used differently
B. some phrases do not have a fixed meaning
C. languages change with the time
D. the same word may have various meanings
66.What is the passage trying to impress the readers?
A. To explain how “heart” is used in phrases.
B. To show the author’s perfect English.
C. To tell English learners to learn English in phrases.
D. To advertise an English course.
67.Which of the following may serve as the best title of the passage?
A. A change of heart B. Open up the heart of “heart”
C. Never let your heart stand still D. Wear your heart on your sleeve
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Summer Holiday Fun 2010 !
The summer holidays are upon us again. Here is our guide to summer holiday fun in Peterborough!
Peterborough Museum
The Age of the Dinosaurs’ is the museum’s main attraction this summer．Get up close to prehistoric creatures via some great hands— on exhibits! Watch out for monsters lurking around every ember! The museum is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Saturday，and from 12:00pm to 4:00 pm on Sundays in August．
Call 01733 864663 for details.
Saxon Youth Club
School holiday fun：Young people aged 13—19 will be able to produce their own music, compete in sports activities，or try their hand at cooking at Saxon Youth Club，Saxon Community Centre, Norman Road．Peterborough every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00pm．PLUS an aero ball tournament will take place on Thursday 12th August between 3:30pm and 6:30pm．
Call 01 353 720274 for details.
Houghton Mill
Alice through the Looking Class—a new production of the family favorite on Monday 30th August．Bring rugs or chairs to sit on and a picnic if you wish to eat during the play．Gates open 5:30pm，performance 6:30pm—8:30pm．Tea room will be open until end of the interval．Adult ￡10．Child￡7．Family ￡20．
Booking advisable on 0845 4505157．
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
Farmland Games：From Wellie Wanging to Pretend Ploughing matches，come and join the Farmland Team．Collect your sporting stickers and create a colorful rosette that is fit for a winner！No need to book，just turn up between 12:00pm and 4:00pm on Thursday 19th August. Suitable for children aged four and above，each child should be accompanied by an adult and all activities are included in the normal admission price. Tickets Cost￡7 per child．
For further information，call 01223 810080．
60.If you are interested in cooking, you can go to __________.
A．Peterborough Museum B．Houghton Mill
C．Saxon Youth Club D．Farmland Museum
61.You want to watch the new play with your parents，so it will cost you __________．
A．￡7 B．￡17 C．￡27 D．￡20
62.Which of the following activities needs parents’ company?
A．Playing farmland games B．Watching a new play．
C．Competing in sports activities． D．Visiting the dinosaur exhibition．
63.If Tom comes to Peterborough for amusement on August 19，he will have __________ to choose from for himself．
A．one activity B．two activitiesC．three activities D．four activities