Chocolate soap is supposed to be good for the skin. But it’s not so good for the tongue. Unfortunately for the US soldiers of World War II, the chocolate bars the army gave them tasted like they were intended for use in the bath.
In the army’s defense, it wasn’t trying to win any cooking awards. In fact, it specifically ordered that its chocolate bars not be too delicious, so soldiers wouldn’t eat them too quickly. These bars were created for survival, not taste. “They were awful,” John Otto, a former army captain in World War II said, “They were big, thick things, and they weren’t any good. I tried them, but I had to be awfully hungry after I tried them once.”
As unappealing as the chocolate bars were to some, others like them. Samuel Hinkle, the chemist who created the chocolate bars, pointed out that the number of bars made were far greater than the army needed. “It soon became obvious that the generous American soldiers were sharing their valued possessions with their foreign friends, whether soldiers of other countries or local citizens.”
The bars turned many hungry Europeans into friends of the United States. “People wanted them,” said Otto. “You’d give them to kids. In some places they were very hungry. And they surely helped relax people about American soldiers.”
Otto said he never saw a European turn his or her nose up at the chocolate. “It was food,” he said. “At that time, everyone was very hungry. I saw German kids standing outside the US army kitchen. They weren’t begging, just standing there very politely. When we were done, the kids would eat the food out of the garbage. They were so hungry.”
Other Europeans did not see chocolate until well after the war ended. “We didn’t see any Americans where I was,” said Elizabeth Radsma, who was 25 years old when the Germans occupied her country, the Netherlands. “Even after the war, we saw only the British. Maybe the Americans gave out some chocolates in the big cities, but we were only in a small town. Before the British, we saw only German soldiers. But chocolate? Don’t make me laugh! Maybe in my dreams!”
A soldier in the field might have responded “Be careful what you wish for”--and then gratefully bit on a chocolate bar, the only food available for miles.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The US soldiers used the chocolate bars as bath soap. |
B.The US army produced more chocolate bars than necessary for its soldiers. |
C.The US soldiers did not have enough food during World War II. |
D.European people regretted eating chocolate bars from the US soldiers. |
The underlined expression “turn his or her nose up at” probably means “________”.
A.receive | B.demand |
C.refuse | D.smell |
Why does the author mention the German kids’ story?
A.To tell how friendly the American soldiers were. |
B.To show how much they were eager for chocolate. |
C.To prove German kids could be very polite. |
D.To describe the hunger in Germany during the war. |
Elizabeth Radsma never saw chocolate during the war because ________.
A.the US soldiers never showed up in the small town she lived in |
B.the German soldiers kept them all for themselves |
C.the British soldiers didn’t share it with the local people |
D.the US soldiers handed out all chocolates to people in big cities |
Let’s do some sleep math.You lost two hours of sleep every night last week because of a big project due on Friday.On Saturday and Sunday,you slept in,getting four extra hours.On Monday morningi, you were feeling so bright-eyed that you only had one cup of coffee,instead of your usual two.But don’t be cheated by your energy.You’re still carrying around a heavy load of sleepiness, or what experts call“sleep debt”——in this case something like six hours,almost a full nights’ sleep.
Sleep debt is the difference between the amount of sleep you should be getting and the amount you actually get.It’s a deficit(缺乏)that grows every time we skim some extra minutes off our nightly sleep.“People accumulate sleep debt gradually without being noticed,”says William C.Dement,founder of the Stanford University Sleep Clinic.Studies show that such short—term sleep deprivation leads to a foggy brain,worsened vision,and trouble remembering. Long-term effects include obesity,insulin(胰岛素)resistance, and heart disease.A survey by the National Sleep Foundation reports that we’re losing one hour of sleep each night一一more than two full weeks of sleep every year.
The good news is that,like all debt, with some work,sleep debt can be repaid. Adding an extra hour or two of sleep a night is the way to catch up.For the long—term lack of sleep,take it easy for a few months to get back into a natural sleep pattern.
Go to bed when you are tired,and allow your body to wake you in the morning(no alarm clock allowed).You may find yourself catatonic(有紧张症的)in the beginning of the recovery cycle:expect to have ten hours shut-eye per night. As the days pass, however,the amount of sleeping time will gradually decrease.
So earn back that lost sleep——and follow the dictates of your innate(固有的)sleep needs. You’ll feel better.“When you put away sleep debt,you become a superman,”says Stanford’s Dement,talking about the improved mental and physical capabilities that come with being well rested.
51.If you have short—term sleep deprivation, ____________.
A.you can think and remember things clearly
B.you can still see everything very clearly
C.you can drive your car easily
D.you may have a poor sight
52.The example of sleep math is used to show____________
A.in what case you build up a sleep debt
B.why you need six hours’ sleep every night
C.why you are full of energy even when you don’t haye enoug sleep
D.you should drink coffee to keep energetic when you don’t have enough sleep
53.The author begins Paragraph 3 with ____________.
A.an order B.a story C.a definition D.an example
54.By saying the undedined sentence in the last paragraph,Dement means ____________
A.a superman always needs a lot of sleep
B.you will be in a good state with enough sleep
C.you can become superman after you repay your debt
D.You will become superman if you don’t make up for sleep debt
55.What might be the most suitable title for the passage?
A.Can you catch up on lost sleep? B.How can you keep energetic?
C.Can you have a good sleep? D.What is sleep debt?
Celebrity endorsements
Despite the fact that companies believe celebrities had a lot of pull with regard to the buying trends of consumers,researches have discovered that this does not seem to be the case.British and Swiss researchers conducted a study showing that advertisements made by celebrities like David Beckham and Scarlett Johansson are not as effective as those by ordinary people.
In a sample of 298 students,researchers presented a magazine advertisement for a digital camera that was endorsed by a fictional student claiming the camera was“hot”and his “preferred choice”.The same advertisement was shown to other students,but with a difference:The camera was endorsed by a famous person in Germany.
While the students said that both advertisements were beneficial,the one made by the student topped the celebrity one if students aimed to impress others with their purchases.More than half of the students,who admitted purchasing products that would impress others,said they were influenced by the student’s advertisement.Only 20% said the celebrity one would affect their buying decision.
Professor Brett Martin,of the University of Bath’s School of Management,explained that the findings could be used not only in Germany,but in other countries as well.“Our research questions whether celebrities are the best ways to sell products,”said Prof Martin.“Celebrities can be effective but we found that many people were more convinced by an endorsement from a fictional fellow students.This is because many people feel a need to keep up with the Jones when they buy.”
46.Some companies think the celebrities endorsement ____________.
A.is popular with the consumers
B.can pull all the consumers into the shops
C.can affect the consumers’ purchasing
D.is as effective as an endorsement from common people
47.Which of the following ads would be more effective to common consumers, according to the experiment?
A.An ad featuring lovely pandas. B.An ad made by David Beckham.
C.An ad made by fictional common people.D.An ad with beautiful natural scenery.
48.The underlined words“the Jones”in the last paragragh refer to“____________ ”.
A.someone called Jones B.common people
C.the Jones family D.celebrities
49.We can imply from the passage that ____________.
A.celebrities cheat consumers in advertisement
B.the researchers here are against celebrity endorsement
C.the student’s ads are mole reliable than those made by celebrities
D.company needn’t spend so much money on celebrity endorsement
50.We can probably read the article in____________ .
A.a local newspaper B.a science report
C.an academic journal D.a textbook
“Can I see my baby?”asked the happy new mother. The bundle(婴儿包)was placed in her arms and when she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped-the baby had been born without ears. Time, however, proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect except his appearance.
One day when he rushed home from school and threw himself into his mother’s arms,he cried out bitterly,“A boy, a big boy…called me-a f—…freak.”She sighed, knowing that his life was to be endless of heartbreaks.
He grew up,handsome for his misfortune.A favorite with his fellow students,he might have been class president,but for that.He developed a gift for literature and music.
The boy’s father had a talk with the family doctor.Could nothing be done?“I believe we could graft(移植)on a pair of outer ears,if they could he donated(捐献),”the doctor decided.So the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice(牺牲)for a young man.Two years went by.Then,“You’re going to the hospital,son.Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need.But it’s a secret.”said the father.
The operation was a brilliant success.His talents blossomed into genius.School and college became a series of successes.Later he married and entered the diplomatic(外交)service.“But I must know!”he urged his father.“Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him.”
“I do not believe you could,”said the father,“but the agreement was that you are not to know…not yet.”The years kept the secret,but the day did come …one of the darkest days that ever passed through a son.He stood with his father over his mother’s casket(棺材).Slowly and tenderly,the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick,reddish-brown hair to let out the secret.
41.The story is mainly about____________.
A.hew a boy had new ears through an operation
B.what a devoted parent privately did for the child
C.how a disabled boy turned into a useful person
D.why a donator made a sacrifice to a bright boy
42.From the first paragraph we know that the mother____________.
A.was determined to donate her ears to pedect her son
B.kept her husband unknown about the baby’s situation
C.felt shocked and disappointed to see her new baby
D.complained of her bad luck to have a disabled child
43.The underlined word“freak”in Paragraph 3 is the closest in meaning to“____________”.
A.slow—acting person B.ugly—looking child
C.badly—behaved student D.strangely—shaped creature
44.What can be inferred from the passage?
A.The agreement was between the donator and the family.
B.The boy was so popular that he was made class president.
C.Finally the boy came to know who the donator was.
D.The mother donated her ears to her son after she died.
45.What moral lesson can we draw from this reading? A.Real love lies in what is done unknown rather than what is done known.
B.It is up to parents to help their children heart and soul.
C.True beauty lies only in the heart not in appearance.
D.It is a virtue for young generations to learn to be grateful.
第二部分:阅读理解(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A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。
Dear Cary,
I’m writing because I’ve understood you’ve struggled with alcoholism(酗酒).I’ve been fighting mine ever since I went through 9-11.After that,I’ve been more or less useless professionally –I’m a lawyer–and have had to resign from my job because I was discovered passed-out drunk in front of my computer.I’ve taken some medicine and it has helped somewhat.I can manage about a month without drinking,but after that I end up having a crazy stage where nothing matters except drinking.After a week or so of heavy drinking,I start having nightmares of people jumping.After that,it’s a week of not being able to get out of bed.
I was supposed to travel to a conference but didn’t make it because I got so drunk at the airport that I fell down on my face and spent the rest of the day in the emergency room. I have been hiding from my family since then.Fortunately they won’t be expecting me to come back for a week or so.Otherwise, they would notice the bump on my forehead and two black eyes.
I don’t really know what I’m asking you.Cary,I need a way out that doesn’t involve causing pain to my family.I’m taking medicine,but I still have these attacks every few months.If there’s alcohol in the house,I can’t stay away from it.It seems that this will never end. I’m afraid of what will happen if something bad happens,like a family member dying,or getting fired again.
Thanks for reading.
Yours
T
36.The underlined sentence shows us all the following EXCEPT____________.
A.that the author is a lawyer by profession
B.that the author is a lawyer and he seldom gets drunk
C.the reason why the author had to resign
D.that the author was once discovered drunk as a fish
37.The author writes to Cary in order to____________.
A.offer advice B.tell a story
C.avoid nightmares D.ask for help
38.What is the author worried about?
A.Losing his job B.Missing the conference
C.Bring pain to his family D.Giving up drinking
39.What do we learn from the passage?
A.T’s family members don’t want to see him because of his alcoholism.
B.Getting drunk once prevented T from attending a conference.
C.T will have nightmares when he stops drinking.
D.T never attempted to give up his alcoholism.
40.We know from the passage that Cary____________.
A.likes to talk about the details of his life. B.is an expert on treating alcoholism
C.is probably a recovered alcoholic D.never suffered from alcoholism
Looking for a low-cost path to self-knowledge? A way to mine your subconscious(潜意识的)
for clues to your motivations, desires and fears? No need to have years of treatment or analysis.Just look to your dreams.“You can ignore your dreams, but you are really doing harm to yourself,” says Lauri Quinn Loewenberg.“If so, you’re letting red flags pass you by, letting great ideas pass you by.”
Some sleep researchers believe dreams are more directly related to our moods and emotions
and can serve as tools to self-understanding.Dreams occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) cycles of sleep each night.For adults, that means about every 90 minutes.The first period of REM sleep may be short, 5 to 10 minutes, followed by longer periods, finally reaching an hour or more in the fourth or fifth period.When people are dreaming, brain scans show a lot of activities.The brain is online during
dreams.The experiences you have during the day are connected during dream sleep.People we know or experiences we’ve had at different times in our lives may be different in the same dream.
AmyBeth Gilstrap has had the same recurring(循环)dream that annoyed her since Hurricane
Katrina drove her and her daughter and friends out of New Orleans.Ms.Gilstrap says, “It is always spies.My job is to get people to some place.” She’s certain the dream is related to her effort in the hurricane to help several families leave.Sometimes her cats also are part of that dream.That’s because she went back into New Orleans, before it was allowed, to rescue her cats.
Today, through brain scans scientists have known that the parts of the brain that control
emotions and long-term memories are active during REM sleep.
72.The passage is mainly to tell readers ______.
A.dreams are mainly caused by hard work
B.dreams can offer us key to self-knowledge
C.dreams are only activities of our brains
D.how dreams help us solve our problems
73.According to the words from Lauri Quinn Loewenberg, ______.
A.dreams can make you feel badly ill
B.you often have red flags in your dreams
C.dreams will make your life colorful
D.you may get great help from your dreams
74.When you are dreaming at night, .
A.your eyes will not move during the time
B.your dream is connected with your work in the day
C.the dream will generally last about 5 to 10 minutes
D.the longer dream should be in the later part of the sleep
75.The underlined word “It” in Paragraph 3 refers to .
A.Mrs. Gilstrap’s dream B.Mr. Gilstrap’s job
C.Hurricane Katrina D.New Orleans