Since last year, Where Are We Going, Dad? has become the most popular TV shows. On the show, the five fathers and their children traveled around China riding camels through the western deserts, fishing on the east coast, and selling vegetables for their bus fare home in southwestern Yunnan province.
One dad doesn’t know how to do his daughter’s hair, so some people try to help him. Another one must survive with his son for three days in the desert because the father can’t cook, they only eat instant noodles.
Why is Where Are We Going, Dad? so popular? Because it is about how Chinese parents look after their kids. The show makes modern parents think about what they should do with their kids.” In traditional Chinese culture, the father is strict and the mother is kind. But on the show, we see fathers who are much gentle on their kids and more involved in their upbringing (成长).” said Li Minyi, a professor of early childhood education.
In the past, children were taught their parents’ wishes and look after them in their old age. But today Chinese parents increasingly realize that respecting their children’s choices may be a better way to prepare them for modern society. As they raise their children, parents are growing up at the same time.According to the passage, what didn’t the fathers and their children do on the show?
| A．Rode camels. |
| B．Sold vegetables. |
| C．Climbed the mountains. |
| D．Fished on the east coast. |
One father and his son only eat instant noodles because______.
| A．there aren’t ant vegetables in the desert. |
| B．they have no money to buy something to eat. |
| C．they think instant noddles are the most delicious. |
| D．the father can’t cook. |
In the fourth paragraph, the underlined word “them” refers to______.
| A．modern parents |
| B．the five fathers on the show |
| C．the parents in the past |
| D．the children in the old days |
Why is Where Are We Going, Dad? so popular?
| A．Because there are many famous stars on the show. |
| B．Because it’s about how Chinese parents raise their children. |
| C．Because it’s about how to help the poor. |
| D．Because it’s about how to sell vegetables. |
Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．Fathers are much gentle on their kids on the show. |
| B．Children were told to obey their parents’ wishes in the past. |
| C．Parents can also learn something when they raise their children. |
| D．In traditional Chinese culture, parents are both strict with their kids. |
Opening week specials at Munchies Food Hall
At the corner of Green and Brown Streets in the city
Monday 7th of January until Sunday, 13th of January, 2014
Feast until you’re full!
Come down to Munchies this week to enjoy the special dishes on offer at all of our food outlets. Order from the following:
·Succulent chicken rice ·Spicy satay beef
·Delicious noodle dishes ·Plump park chops
·Seafood specialties ·Crunchy vegetables
·Sweet tropical fruit
Halal food is available at the stall Malay Food Heaven
Win Prizes and Gifts!
·Spend $ 20.00 or more and win instant prizes from our lucky draw box.
·Collect a free party balloon and whistle for each young diner.
·Enjoy a free meal if you are the first customer of the day at any of our stalls.
·Win a holiday to Western Australia. A free raffle ticket is given with every receipt. Just fill in your information and place your entry in the box provided.
Winner to be announced in The Straits Times on the 15th of January.
Join in the Fun!
Between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm each evening until the 10th of January, your favorite Channel 3 television actors and singers will entertain you:
·May Lee ·Jackie Chen
·Kim Yap ·Kamal
Autograph sessions will follow each performance! And who will be our extra special mystery star? Come down on Saturday at noon to find out.The prices at Munchies are__________.
| A．lower than usual |
| B．bargain prices for the opening |
| C．lower for two people |
| D．lower if you spend $ 21.00 |
Every receipt comes with a _________.
| A．free raffle ticket | B．lucky draw coupon |
| C．free meal | D．balloon and whistle |
I will find out who has won the trip to Western Australia when I _________.
| A．watch Channel 3 television |
| B．come down to Munchies at noon |
| C．read The Straits Times on the 15th of January |
| D．attend the lucky draw at Munchies Food Hall |
It seems that great artists and scientists often suffer from mental problems. Both Einstein and Dickens had mental illness. Now scientists have started to look at whether mental illness and genius are linked(联系).
Dr. Adele Juda studied 5,000 creative people in Germany. She found there were more people with mental illness in this group than in the general population. Poets had the highest rate(比例) of mental illness, followed by musicians, with lower numbers for painters and architects.
Other scientists did research which also showed a strong link between mental problems and creativity. But, it did nothing to explain it.
Dr. Ruth Richards of Harvard University made a breakthrough. Instead of studying creative people, she took a group of psychiatric(精神病的) patients and tested them for creativity. The patients got much higher scores than a normal group.
Also, the patients’ close relatives were much more creative than the patients and a normal group. This suggests that the key to the link between creativity and mental illness is in our genes(基因).
But this is a problem. According to Darwinism, harmful genes should be removed. Some scientists believe that evolution(进化) has created a balance, where the madness of a few people leads to the development of the whole human race.
Geniuses may be mad, bad or just difficult to understand, but their discoveries have improved the world we live in. It seems that a little creative madness is good for us all.According to Dr. Adele Juda, which of the following group has the lowest rate of mental illness?
| A．Painters. | B．Musicians. |
| C．Poets. | D．Bus drivers. |
The underlined phrase “made a breakthrough” in the fourth paragraph means ________.
| A．discover or find something new and important |
| B．make a way through using force |
| C．(of the sun or moon) appear from behind (clouds) |
| D．suddenly change (from a slower to a faster pace) |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．Among the 5,000 creative people in Germany, more people suffer from mental diseases than the general population. |
| B．There is a strong link between mental problems and creativity. |
| C．Psychiatric patients make greater contributions than common people. |
| D．The key to the link between creativity and mental illness is in our genes. |
What is the writer’s attitude toward madness?
| A．Madness is harmful to the whole society. |
| B．A little creative madness is good for us all. |
| C．All the talented people are mad. |
| D．Only the people with mental illness have more creativity. |
What is the nature of the scientific attitude, the attitude of the man or woman who studies and applies physics, biology, chemistry, geology, engineering, medicine or any other science?
We all know that science plays an important role in the societies in which we live. Many people believe, however, that our progress depends on two different aspects of science. The first of these is the application of the machines, products and systems of applied knowledge that scientists and technologists develop. Through technology, science improves the structure of society and helps man to gain increasing control over his environment.
The second aspect is the application by all members of society of the special methods of thought and action that scientists use in their work.
What are these special methods of thinking and acting? First of all, it seems that a successful scientist is full of curiosity-----he wants to find out how and why the universe works. He usually directs his attention towards problems which he notices have no satisfactory explanation, and his curiosity makes him look for underlying relationships even if the data available seem to be unconnected. Moreover, he thinks he can improve the existing conditions and enjoys trying to solve the problems which this involves.
He is a good observer, accurate, patient and objective and applies logical thought to the observations he makes. He utilizes the facts he observes to the fullest extent. For example, trained observers obtain a very large amount of information about a star mainly from the accurate analysis of the simple lines that appear in a spectrum(光谱).
He is skeptical ------ he does not accept statements which are not based on the most complete evidence available------and therefore rejects authority as the sole basis for truth. Scientists always check statements and make experiments carefully and objectively to verify them.
Furthermore, he is not only critical of the work of others, but also of his own, since he knows that man is the least reliable of scientific instruments and that a number of factors tend to disturb objective investigation.
Lastly, he is highly imaginative since he often has to look for relationships in data which are not only complex but also frequently incomplete. Furthermore, he needs imagination if he wants to make hypotheses of how processes work and how events take place.
These seem to be some of the ways in which a successful scientist or technologist thinks and acts.Many people believe that science helps society to progress through__________.
| A．applied knowledge. |
| B．more than one aspect. |
| C．technology only. |
| D．the use of machines. |
According to this passage, a successful scientist would not _______.
| A．easily believe in unchecked statements. |
| B．easily criticize others’ research work. |
| C．always use his imagination in work. |
| D．always use evidence from observation. |
What does the passage mainly discuss?
| A．Application of technology. |
| B．Progress in modern society. |
| C．Scientists’ ways of thinking and acting. |
| D．How to become a successful scientist. |
One reaction to all the concern about tropical deforestation(砍伐森林) is a blank stare that asks the question, "Since I don't live there, what does it have to do with me?"
The answer is that your way of life, wherever you live in the world, is tied to the tropics in many ways. If you live in a house, wash your hair, eat fruits and vegetables, drink soda, or drive a car, you can be certain that you are affected by the loss of tropical forests.
Take rubber（橡胶） for example. For many uses, only natural rubber from trees will do. Synthetics are not good enough. Today over half the world's commercial（商业的）rubber is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia, while the Amazon's rubber industry produces much of the world's four million tons. And rubber is an important material in making gloves, balloons, footwear and many sporting goods. Thousands of other tropical plants are valuable for their industrial use.
Many scientists strongly believe that deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect—or heating of the earth from increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As we destroy forests, we lose their ability to change carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Carbon dioxide levels could double within the next half-century, warming the earth by as much as 4.5 degrees. The result? A partial melt-down of polar ice caps, raising sea levels as much as 24 feet; even 15 feet could threaten anyone living within 35 miles of the coast. Unbelievable? Maybe. But scientists warn that by the time we realize the severe effects of tropical deforestation, it will be 20 years too late.
Can tropical deforestation affect our everyday lives? Now, you should have got the answer.The underlined word "synthetics" probably means a kind of __________.
| A．natural rubber | B．tropical grass |
| C．man-made material | D．tropical tree |
In the last paragraph the author tries to _________.
| A．tell people how to avoid the tropical deforestation |
| B．show us how important it is to protect the tropical forests |
| C．persuade people to buy something synthetic |
| D．let people realize the good effect of tropical deforestation |
The author's attitude towards the tropical deforestation is __________.
| A．puzzling | B．cold |
| C．supporting | D．opposed |
Why buy art? To answer this question, ask yourself what your reasons are for thinking of acquiring a piece of art. An artwork can cost a considerable sum, but if it meets your needs, it's worth every penny.
| Art Is for Enjoyment Art is meant to be displayed. Don't ever feel pressured to buy something you won't appreciate looking at day after day, no matter what other people may say. Don't buy something that doesn't appeal to you just because it is trendy（流行的）, because the artist is famous, or because you have been advised that the artwork will make a good investment. If you don't like the artwork at all, don't buy it! |
| Art Improves Your Environment Have you ever noticed that all beautiful homes have art as an essential part of the decoration? Art lends life and color to otherwise plain and ordinary walls. A well thought-out art collection will help create a unique pattern in your home and make it more attractive. For similar reasons, art often graces commercial buildings, such as reception rooms and the offices of top executives. |
| Art Makes a Statement The kind of art you surround yourself says much about your personality, tastes and values. Art truly is a mirror of the soul. It's an expression of who you are. Be true to yourself, and choose art which is meaningful to you. |
| Art Can Be an Investment Art can pay handsome returns, but this very rarely happens overnight. If you're hoping to make a fast buck, art may not be the right avenue for you. There are investors, of course, who like to put their money in art. They do this for two main reasons: emotional as well as financial benefits. |
| Art Enriches Your Life At a conference on health and aging, held in Australia, a professor from Melbourne's RMIT University shared his findings that love—even the love of an activity or a work of art contributes to healthier living and a longer lifespan. |
| Art Makes an Impression When you need to give a gift which will make a lasting impression, a fine piece of artwork is hard to beat. Any recipient(接受者) will appreciate receiving such an exclusive gift, and be honored that you valued her enough to give her something so unique and precious. Just remember to select something which will appeal to your recipient's tastes, and keep to a sensible budget. Good art needn't cost an arm and a leg. |
We can find something about the host's personality, tastes and values through looking at________ .
| A．the expression on the face |
| B．the mirror on the wall |
| C．the kind of art around him |
| D．the truth of the art in his home |
What does the underlined sentence "Good art needn't cost an arm and a leg" mean?
| A．Good art can purify humans' soul |
| B．Good art makes you work fast |
| C．Good art creates a good life |
| D．Good art does not always cost huge money |
From the passage we can learn that art __________.
| A．is a good way to become rich overnight |
| B．can awaken people to protect the environment |
| C．can help people to keep fit and live longer |
| D．can hardly serve as a present |
The passage is mainly about__________ .
| A．what function art has in people's life |
| B．how to choose artworks for your life |
| C．what attitudes people have to art |
| D．how to make a fortune from artworks |