Who would win in a competition to memorize numbers, a chimp (黑猩猩) or a teenager? The teenager? Think again. Scientists have proved that chimps perform better than human beings when it comes to this kind of problem. We may have to rethink what we believe about human memory.
Memory is our ability to learn something, save it and recall it when needed. Our memories are important to our sense of self, our personalities, and our ability to understand the world.
Scientists say that there are different types of memory. There is short-term memory and long-term memory. Your short-term memory saves information for a few seconds or a few minutes. For example, the time it takes to compare the prices of a few items in a store. Long-term memory involves the information you try hard to keep, because it’s meaningful to you (an example is data 数据 about family and friends. ) And then there is visual memory and sound memory. But these are not hard and fast: scientists argue a lot about the nature of memory.
Scientists have also found that people memorize things in different ways. Some memorize better with the help of pictures. Others are helped more by sounds. One thing’s for sure. If you can combine different kinds of memory together, you will remember a lot! So why not try pictures with English words? At the same time listen to recordings of the same group of words. It may help when it comes to memorizing it.
Imagination and association can be useful too. By imagination scientists mean picturing a word in your mind. Association means relating the word to something you already know.What can we learn from Paragraph 1?
A.Human beings are less clever than chimps. |
B.Human memory is not as good as before. |
C.Chimps can memorize numbers better than teenagers. |
D.Chimps perform better than human beings in many aspects. |
How many kinds of memory are mentioned in the article?
A.2 | B.3 | C.4 | D.5 |
According to the article, which of the following is the best way to memorize words?
A.By watching TV. |
B.By listening to music. |
C.By writing them out many times. |
D.By listening and watching pictures. |
According to the article, which of the following is TRUE?
A.Memory is the most important ability for human beings. |
B.Long-term memory usually involves more important things. |
C.Scientists have made sure of the nature of memory. |
D.Imagination is better than association in memorizing things. |
Where do we probably read the passage?
A.A textbook | B.A science magazine |
C.An advertisement | D.A news report |
In England, some food companies across the whole country have been told to carry out urgent (紧急的) tests on all beef products. Do you know why? That’s because some food companies used horsemeat to make beef products.
There are some examples about the horsemeat matter. In January, 2013, in a number of UK supermarkets, frozen hamburgers were found to have traces of horsemeat in them. Some frozen beef products made by food company FINDUS were found to contain horsemeat. All of the beef products made by this company have been removed(撤回) from sale.
The government said that there’s nothing to suggest any health risk from the products. Food minister David Heath said people should not throw away frozen meat products and carry on eating meat. The government will tell people not to eat meat if the meat is not safe.
Food safety has been an important matter all over the world. More and more countries plan to take some useful measures to ensure the safety of food.In England, some food companies have been told to ________urgently.
A.test all their beef products |
B.stop making beef products |
C.test all their products |
D.remove all their products from sale |
What else did some food companies use to make beef products in England according to the passage?
A. Chicken. | B.Beef. | C.Fish. | D.Horsemeat. |
What does “traces” mean in the second paragraph?
A.描绘 | B.少量 | C.追踪 | D.探索 |
What should people do with meat products according to David Heath’s suggestions?
A. Throw them away |
B.Go on eating them. |
C.Never eat them. |
D.Send them back to the food companies. |
More and more countries plan to take some useful measures to ensure __________.
A.horsemeat out of products | B.the test food |
C.the food safety | D.the food sale |
Lu Xun is one of the greatest Chinese writers of the 20th century. Besides his famous stories, he also wrote many influential articles about the living conditions of Chinese people.
Born in 1881 to a rich family, Lu Xun had a happy childhood. In 1893, however, his grandfather, a senior government official, was put into prison for taking money. At the same time, his father became seriously ill. From that time on, his family were no longer accepted by their relatives and friends. These early experiences greatly influenced his writing.
By the time Lu Xun arrived in Nanjing to study at university in 1899, he already believed that Chinese society had to change and become modern. In 1902 he went to study in Japan. There, he began writing articles for several Chinese student magazines. He showed a gift for writing and translating(翻译) and he even wrote several books, although none was popular. He returned to China in 1909 because he was in need of money.
After working for several years as a teacher in Beijing, Lu Xun again returned to writing. In 1918, he wrote his famous short story Diary of a Madman. It was the first Chinese novel published(出版)using the everyday language that people spoke, which helped make it a great success. This, together with his novel The True Story of Ah Q (1921), made Lu Xun a leading Chinese writer.
Although successful, Lu Xun still worried greatly about China’s future. In 1926, he moved to Shanghai and gave up writing stories in order to devote himself to what he called “pen warfare”. He now only wrote articles which called on the people to fight against the government. For this, the government stopped him from publishing any more books. He was forced to write his articles using false names.
Since his death in 1936, Lu Xun’s importance and influence have grown. Today, many of his writings are included in school textbooks and his works are read by millions around the world.Which of the following greatly influenced Lu Xun’s writing according to the passage?
A.The people he met in Japan. |
B.Working as a teacher in Beijing. |
C.The experiences in his early life. |
D.His father’s being put into prison. |
According to the passage, why was Lu Xun’s story Diary of a Madam so popular?
A.It was based on Lu Xun’s diary. |
B.Its story took place in modern times. |
C.It was written using a western style. |
D.It was the first novel to use everyday language. |
The underlined word “This” (Paragraph 4) refers to ___________ .
A.the use of everyday language |
B.the success of Diary of a Madman |
C.the first Chinese novel |
D.The True Story of Ah Q |
After moving to Shanghai, Lu Xun mainly wrote ____________.
A.funny stories |
B.articles about himself |
C.stories about government officials |
D.articles against the government |
In what order did these events take place in Lu Xun’s life?
a. The government stopped him from publishing books.
b. He wrote Diary of a Madman.
c. His father became ill.
d. He moved to Shanghai.
e. His writings were put into textbooks.
A. c-b-d-a-e | B.c-a-b-d-e |
C.a-c-d-b-e | D.a-d-b-c-e |
China's Manned Space Program
The First Stage Time:October 15,2003 Spaceship:Shenzhou Ⅴ |
![]() |
|
![]() The Second Stage Time:October 12,2005 Spaceship:Shenzhou Ⅵ Main events:Chinese spacemen Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng were both sent up into space.On October 17,the two Chinese space heroes safely returned to the earth. ![]() The Third Stage Time:October 24,2007 Satellite:Chang'eⅠ |
||
Main events:China has launched(发射) its first moon orbiter Chang'e I successfully. China's moon exploration project is for peaceful use of Space.The Chinese government will have included the moon adventure in 16 key state science projects by the year 2020. Future plans: 1.China will make a manned moon landing at a proper time around 2017. 2.China plans to set up a permanent(永久的)space lab and build its engineering system in the future. |
Before China,how many countries had already sent their astronauts into space?
A.Only one. | B.Two. |
C.Three. | D.Four. |
ShenzhouⅤcircled the earth in space _________.
A.once | B.four times |
C.fourteen times | D.five times |
During the second stage,the Chinese astronauts stayed in space for _________.
A.five days | B.four days |
C.one day | D.fourteen days |
What happened in the third stage?
A.Chinese astronauts landed on the moon. |
B.China has sent up Chang'eⅠto the moon. |
C.The moon exploration project is too easy. |
D.The government planned to make two space labs. |
Chinese astronauts will possibly walk on the moon around _________.
A.2010 | B.2005 | C.2007 | D.2017 |
Good books recommended(推荐):
The kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini
July, 2007
It tells a story about Amir, a 12-year-old boy from an Afghan rich family. He regards the servant (仆人) Hassan as a brother. However, after a kite match, Amir blames himself for his cowardice (怯懦) and feels quite sad. He can’t face Hassan again, so he cheats Hassan and forces him to leave…
Sisters
By Danielle Steel
February, 2008
Disaster always comes in the twinkling of an eye. An unexpected traffic accident makes Mother dead and the third sister blind. A happy and peaceful family is broken by surprise. The eldest sister who is a lawyer makes a decision. She asks other sisters to move back to New York from Paris, Florence and Los Angeles immediately. After that, the four sisters live together and help the blind third sister overcome the difficulties.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
By Mark Haddon
March, 2011 (an original edition: 2003)
Christopher has the talent in math and the amazing memory. He knows names of all countries and capitals in the world. He can also easily solve the difficult math problems in his head. However, he is used to living in his small world. He dislikes talking with others. He also does not know how to understand others’ thoughts. During the process of exploring truth of the puppy’s (小狗) death, the odd boy shows excellent intelligence and courage.
根据材料内容选择最佳答案,将其标号填入题前括号内。Who created the character “Amir”?
A.Khaled Hosseini. | B.Danielle Steel. |
C.Mark Haddon. | D.Christopher. |
When did the book Sisters come out?
A.In July, 2007. | B.In February, 2008. |
C.In March, 2011. | D.In 2003. |
What do we know about Christopher?
A.He travels to all countries and capitals in the world. |
B.He is good at solving math problems in his head. |
C.He likes talking with others very much. |
D.He can understand others’ thoughts successfully. |
What’s the book Sisters about?
A.Getting amazing memory. |
B.Treating the servant as a brother. |
C.Finding out the death of the puppy. |
D.Helping the blind sister overcome difficulties. |
Which of the following is TRUE?
A.Hasson is a servant of a rich family. |
B.The eldest sister works as a teacher. |
C.Christopher likes talking with others. |
D.Amir is good at flying kites. |
Teenagers who turn off the TV and sit down to family meals are less likely to suffer eating disorders(失调).
A study has connected eating together with lower rates of bulimia(暴食症) and anorexia(厌食症). Teens used to eating around the table are less likely to take up smoking to lose weight.
Researcher Barbara said, “The common belief is that teens don’t want to be around their parents very much, and that teens are just too busy to have regular meals with the family.”
The study shows happy families have teenagers who eat with their parents often. These teens have less bad diet or dangerous eating habits.
“Parents may not be able to get their family together around the table seven days a week, but if they can prepare three family meals a week, this will have a big impact on the health of teens,” Professor Fiese spoke out after reviewing 17 studies on eating ways and nutrition(营养) of almost 200,000 children and teenagers.
She found that teens who eat at least five meals a week with their families are 35% less likely to be “disordered eaters”.
The definition(定义) of disordered eating is eating too much, or eating at wrong times too often or eating very little and smoking to lose weight.
Even three family meals a week helped, with youngsters 12% less likely to be overweight than those who ate with their family less often.
Teens can also use family meals as a time to get their thoughts across. They were also 24% more likely to eat healthy foods and have healthy eating habits than those who didn’t share three meals with their family.
Professor Fiese said, “Family meals give them a place where they can go regularly to check in with their parents and express themselves freely.”
In the past American research found children who miss out on family meals are much more likely to fight at school, drink and take drugs(毒品).
根据材料内容选择最佳答案,将其标号填入题前括号内。What may be the reason why teens don’t have meals with their family?
A.They are too busy to have meals. |
B.They have to have meals at school. |
C.They don’t want to be with their family very much. |
D.They don’t like the meals their parents make for them. |
What can we infer(推断) from the passage?
A.The more often teens eat with their family, the healthier they are. |
B.Parents should get their family together round the table 7 days a week. |
C.More fighting and smoking will happen because of no family meals with teens. |
D.Teens with five family meals a week live longer than those with three meals a week. |
Who of the following is NOT “disordered eaters”?
A.Peter often eats out with his friends at night. |
B.Lily has three meals with her parents at home. |
C.Mary is losing weight, so she eats little every meal. |
D.Tom is very strong and he eats too much every meal. |
What does the underlined phrase mean?
A.Teens can form good eating habit. |
B.Teens can ask their parents for advice. |
C.Teens can come up with some good ideas. |
D.Teens can express their thoughts to their parents. |
What does the passage want to tell us?
A.Teenagers who eat with their parents are healthier. |
B.Teenagers shouldn’t take up smoking to lose weight. |
C.Teenagers should pay attention to their eating ways and nutrition. |
D.Teenagers who don’t have regular meals will become trouble-makers. |