Tips for developing an exercise plan for your brain
You know that eating a sensible diet and getting plenty of exercise help your body healthy and strong. But did you know that there are ways to make your brain healthier and smarter?
Studies show that when the brain is compelled to do something new, it creates new neural pathways（神经通路）. The more pathways you have, the faster you can think and the better memory you will have.
Ten steps toward a smarter brain
Limit your TV time
Watching an average TV show requires very little brain power and brings the same result as neglecting physical exercise. Your brain will become weak just as your muscles do. If you watch TV, choose something educational and informative.
Travel
Traveling to a new country forces you to see and do things in a new way, providing stimulation（刺激） to the brain.
Learn a new language
Acquiring a new language involves different learning methods. Learning a language sharpens your brain and helps prevent memory problems in later years.
Master a new subject
Each week, select an animal, a bird or a fish, and read everything you can about it. Stretch （最大限度利用）your brain as you become an expert on the subject.
Use your non-dominant hand
If you are right-handed, use your left hand for everyday activities, or use your right hand if you are left-handed. Doing familiar things in a new way will cause your brain to create new neural networks.
Read often
As you read, take the time to look up people or places that aren’t familiar. Reading expands your vocabulary if you search for words and definitionsthat you don’t know.
Do puzzles
According to the Mayo Clinic, doing sudoku and crossword puzzles keeps the brain sharp into your senior years.
Calculate while you shop
As you put things in your grocery cart, total everything in your head. See how much close you get to the actual total.
Play video games
Studies have found that certain video games force you to use critical decision-making skills and can even improve students’ math scores.
Tweet!（推特，类似中国的微信）
Read messages from people who represent a wide range of interests. And some say that learning to express yourself in just 140 characters is a great brain challenge!
So get in the habit of challenging your brain, and make yourself smarter!What’s the main idea of the passage?
Get in the habit of learning something new
Develop an exercise plan
Make Your Brain Smarter
Tips to make yourself healthierWhat does the underlined word “compelled” mean?
| A．requested | B．allowed |
| C．completed | D．forced |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．Educational and informative TV shows are helpful to limit your TV time. |
| B．Doing sudoku and crossword puzzles may make you confused. |
| C．Playing certain video games may help you sharpen your mind. |
| D．Writing short messages often can also make you healthier . |
D
When companies do business overseas, they come in contact with people from different cultures. These individuals often speak a different language and have their own particular custom and manners.These differences can create problems.
For example, in France, business meetings begin immediately at the scheduled time and everyone is expected to be there. Foreign business people who are slow in acting are often left outside to cool their heels as a means of letting them know the importance of promptness（准时）.Unless one is aware of such expected behaviors he may end up insulting the people with whom he hopes to establish trade relations.
A second traditional problem is that of monetary conversions(货币兑换). For example, if a trade is conducted with Russia, payment may be made in rubles.Of course, this particular type of money used in Russia is of little value to the American firm. It is, therefore, necessary to exchange the foreign money to American dollars.How much are these Russian rubles worth in terms of dollars?This exchange rate is determined by every market, where the money of countries are bought and sold. Thus there is an established rate, although it is often different from day to day.For example, the ruble may be worth 0.75 on Monday and 0.72 on Tuesday because of an announced wheat shortage in Russia.In addition, there is the problem associated with exchange at 0.72.Some financial institutions may be unwilling to pay this price, feeling that the ruble will sink much lower over the next week. As a result, exchange may finally come at 0.69. These "losses" must be accepted by the company as one of the costs of doing business overseas.
A third unique problem is trade barriers.For one reason or another, all countries impose trade barriers on certain goods crossing their borders. Some trade barriers are directly related to exports. For example, the United States permits strategic military material to be shipped abroad only after government permission has been obtained.Most trade barriers, however, are designed to restrict import. Two of the most common import barriers are quotas and tariffs.
76. The best title for the passage would be ___.
A. How to Succeed in International Trade
B. Monetary Conversion
C. Trade Barriers
D. Unique Problems in International Trade
77. In France, slow business people ___.
A. are often insulted
B. often suffer from coldness
C. are often left outdoors waiting
D. are often asked to polish their shoes
78. According to the passage, exchange rates ___.
A. seldom change
B. are determined by financial institutions
C. are agreed upon by two trading countries
D. vary from day to day
79. Which of the following is not true according to the passage?
A. Misunderstanding may occur because of the culture differences.
B. Exchange rate can bring losses when doing international trade.
C. Most trade barriers are designed to restrict import.
D. All the exports must get the permission of the government. .
C
Paris has the Eiffel Tower; New York has the Statue of Liberty; and Brussels, the Manneken
Piss.
Think of the Belgian capital and, if anything, you think of the small peeing (撒尿) boy ____ a 60-meter-high bronze figure standing on a block, supplying a constant stream of water to the basin under him.
Some might laugh. But for Jacques Stroobants, the statue is up there with the best of them.
“I’m proud of him. People come from all around the world to see him,” says 60-year-old Stroobants with a fatherly glance at the little boy.
As the most famous landmark of Brussels, Manneken Piss has a very special place in the heart of Belgians.
The original Manneken Piss dates back to 1388, but the statue tourists see today dates from 1619 when the city built a second one after the original was destroyed.
Many stories go round Manneken Piss. Nobody knows why he was made. One story is that he saved Brussels by putting out the flames of a deadly fire with his well-aimed piss. But the most believable story is that the boy, the son of a wealthy man, was kidnapped. The father had a statue built in honor of the way his son was found-peeing against a tree.
Perhaps best-known for his naked beauty, the “peeing boy” has also been clothed in some of the finest clothes money can buy.
Stroobants has been changing his clothes for the last 29 years. On average, he has clothes on 300 days a year. And on special days, he pees beer.
A few of the ways he’s been dressed are; a football player, Mozart and an army general. Now, he has more than 600 pieces of clothes.
There is no strict charge for those wishing to provide clothes for the little boy. But certain conditions must be met.
“The clothes cannot include either advertising or political message,” said Stroobants, because they would cheapen the national treasure.
But Manneken Piss is still something local people can make money from ___ by selling all kinds of souvenirs.
72. Which of the following is NOT true about Maneken Piss?
A. It has a history of more than 600 years. B. It stands in Brussels.
C. It is best known for the clothes he wears. D. It is 60 meters high.
73. The Manneken Piss has a special place in the heart of Belgians because .
A. it’s good-looking with water running constantly
B. it brings joys to people who see it
C. it helps people make beer
D. it’s a symbol of the city.
74. We can learn from the passage that .
A. for most of the year, the boy is naked
B. Stroobants is probably in charge of taking care of the statue
C. people can provide any clothes for Manneken Piss
D. people make money by advertising Manneken Piss
75．Which of the following is not true according to the passage?
A. Tourists cannot provide clothes for the peeing boy.
B. The Manneken Piss has attracted many visitors.
C. The peeing boy is the national treasure of Belgium.
D. Local people make money by selling souvenirs.
B
To: manager@ tastytreat.com.ca
Date: Monday, 7 October, 3:34p.m.
From: raymondyuen@ canada.net
Subject: Complaint
Dear Mr. Price,
I have eaten in your restaurant many times and have always been happy with the food and service. This makes what happened last Saturday even more disappointing.
It was my son’s birthday so we booked a no-smoking table at your restaurant for 7:30 p.m. We arrived on time but were told that our table was not yet ready. At 8:00 p.m., we were given a table in the smoking section. I asked to move but I was told that there were no other tables. A lot of people were smoking so it was uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Our first waitress, Janet, was very polite and helpful. She gave us free drinks for waiting so long. Our food also came quickly and looked fresh and tasty. When my wife had eaten most of her meal, she found a dead cockroach (蟑螂) in her vegetables. She was shocked and wanted to leave. At first, the waitress told us it was a piece of garlic(蒜). When we told her that garlic does not have legs, she apologized and took the food away.
We asked for the bill, expecting not to pay for my wife’s meal. Nobody came. After 15 minutes, I asked to see the manager. The head waiter told us that you were on holiday. I complained again about the horrible cockroach. He told me Janet had finished work. He didn’t believe my story and gave me a bill for three meals. I argued with him but was forced to pay.
The waitress, Janet, was always friendly, but I would like an apology from your impolite head waiter and a full refund (退款) for our meal. It cost $68. Until then, I will not be eating at your restaurant or recommending it to anyone.
You can contact me at 742-3254 or through e-mail if you want more information.
Thank you for your attention.
Yours sincerely,
Raymond Yuen
69. We learn from the text that last Saturday Mr. Yuen _____.
A. was satisfied with the restaurant. B. was disappointed with the restaurant
C. had to wait for his food D. ate for the first time at the restaurant
70. The writer had to pay the bill because _______.
A. the head waiter would not believe his story
B. the manager was on holiday
C. Janet didn’t believe there was cockroach in the vegetables
D. his wife had eaten most of her meal
71. Which of the following is not true according to the passage?
A. Mr.Yuen demanded that the head waiter apologize to him.
B. Mr.Yuen asked for a full refund for their meal.
C. Mr.Yuen will not eat at the restaurant any more.
D. The head waiter was not as polite as Janet.
Section B
Directions: Read the following four passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C, and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.
A
After my husband died suddenly from a heart attack, my world crashed around me. My six children were all under 10, and I was burdened with the responsibilities of earning a living, and caring for the children. I was fortunate to find a wonderful housekeeper to care for the children during the week, but from Friday nights to Monday mornings, the children and I were alone.
One Friday evening I came home from work to find a big pretty German Shepherd(牧羊犬) on our doorstep. This dog seemed to intend to enter the house. The children liked “German” immediately and begged me to let him in. I agreed to let him sleep in the basement. That night I slept peacefully for the first time in many weeks.
The following morning we made phone calls and checked lost-and-found ads for German’s owner, but with no results.
On Sunday I had planned to take the children on a picnic. Since I thought it best to leave German behind in case his owner came by, we drove off without him. When we stopped to get gas, we were amazed to see German racing to the gas station after us. No way was he going to be left behind.
Monday morning I let him out for a run. He didn’t come back and we were all disappointed. We were convinced that we would never see him again. We were wrong. The next Friday evening, German was back on our doorstep. Again he stayed until Monday morning, when our housekeeper arrived.
This pattern repeated itself every weekend for almost 10 months. We grew more and more fond of German. We took comfort in his strong, warm presence, and we felt safe with him near us. As German became part of the family, he considered it his duty to check every bedroom to be sure each child was cozy in bed.
Each week, between German’s visits, I grew a little stronger, a little braver and more able to handle; every weekend we were no longer alone and enjoyed his company. Then one Monday morning we patted him on the head and let him out for what turned out to be the last time. We never saw German again.
65. The dog first came to the family when________.
A. it was needed most B. the writer became strong enough
C. the writer was away on a business trip D. the writer was busy on the weekday
66. The family planned to go on a picnic without the German Shepherd because_______.
A. it was too wild to control B. it was too young to walk so far
C. the owner might come by to pick it up D. it might spoil the trip
67. The writer was ________ the German Shepherd.
A. afraid of B. grateful to C. cruel to D. annoyed with
68. Which of the following can’t be used to describe the dog?
A. Loyal B. Beautiful. C. Lovely. D. Wild.
(B)
Make sure you don’t miss Australia’s largest and most exciting kite-flying festival this year, which promises to be a great day out for the whole family. The skies will come alive with hundreds of kites of all shapes and sizes from local and international kite makers and fliers.
It’s not just the experts who can fly their kites — come down and fly your own. If you don’t have a kite, you can buy one from one of the stalls in the park, or better still, make one at one of our kite-making workshops.
Then there’s the multicultural entertainment program in the Pavilion Courtyard Amphitheatre of great music, dance and performance. The headline act this year is Rastawookie. Their music is a fusion (结合) of many different styles from South America, the Caribbean and western countries. There will also be free music and dance workshops, so why not try your hand at one of these? For the children there will be additional rides, face painting, jugglers (变戏法者), stilt walkers, and clowns. After all these activities, you probably can’t wait to eat. Choose from one of our fabulous multicultural food stalls offering food and drinks from all over the world or for something simpler — nothing could be better than a good old-fashioned sausage!
There’s so much to do and so much to see, so if you’re up for a great day, then the only place to be on Sunday, September 9th is down at Bondi Beach for Sydney’s most exciting, fun and family-friendly festival.
60. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. The kite-flying festival is the largest festival in the world.
B. The majority of visitors are people out of Australia.
C. The kite-flying festival only reflects（反映）the culture of Australia.
D. Not only professional kite makers and fliers attend this festival.
61. What is the most important part of the entertainment program during the festival this year?
A. Tricks for children. B. Various styles of dance.
C. Rastawokie’s music. D. Shows preformed by visitors.
62. During the festival, the author recommends all the following places to go EXCEPT _______.
A. music and dance workshops B. parks for children
C. kite-making workshops D. food stalls
63. According to the passage, the kite-flying festival is suitable for ______.
A. the whole family who want to spend a day out
B. lovers who want to have a quiet day of their own
C. the elderly who want to take a walk
D. travelers who like adventure