A university graduate described as a “respectable and intelligent” woman is seeking professional help after being convicted of (证明有……罪) shoplifting for the second time in six months.
Ana Luz, recently studying for her PhD, has been told she could end up behind bars unless she can control the desire to steal from shops.
Luz, who lives with her partner in Fitzwilliam Road, Cambridge, admitted stealing clothes worth ￡9.95 from John Lewis in Oxford Street, London, on March 9.
Phillip Lemoyne, prosecuting (起诉), said Luz selected some clothes from a display and took them to the ladies’ toilet in the store .When she came out again she was wearing one of the skirts she had selected, having taken off the anti-theft security alarms (防盗警报装置).
She was stopped and caught after leaving the store without paying, Mr Lemoyne said.
He added that she was upset on her arrest (逮捕) and apologized for her actions.
Luz, 28, was said to have been convicted of shoplifting by Cambridge judges last October, but Morag Duff, defending, said she had never been in trouble with the police before that.
“She is ashamed and embarrassed (尴尬的) but doesnt really have any explanation why she did this, Miss Duff said. She didnt intend to steal when she went into the store. She is at a loss to explain it. She is otherwise a very respectable and intelligent young lady. She went to her doctor and asked for advice because she wants to know if there is anything in particular that caused her to do this.
Judge David Azan fined Luz ￡50, and warned, “You’ve got a criminal record. If you carry on like this, you will end up in prison, which will ruin your bright future you may have.”
Luz achieved a degree in design at university in her native Spain, went on to a famous university in Berlin, Germany for her master’s degree and is now studying for a PhD at Cambridge University, UK.What is Ana Luz’s nationality?
| A．American. | B．British. | C．Spanish. | D．German. |
What does the underlined sentence “She is at a loss to explain it” mean?
| A．In her opinion it was a loss to the clothes shops where she stole things. |
| B．She doesnt know why she has the desire to steal from shops. |
| C．She thinks it is a loss for her to explain why she stole things from shops. |
| D．Personally she feels ashamed and embarrassed for her shoplifting actions. |
Which of the following best explains the meaning of the word “shoplifting” used in the passage?
| A．Carrying goods in a lift for a shop. |
| B．Taking goods to the ladies’ toilet. |
| C．Selecting some goods from a display (陈列). |
| D．Taking goods from a shop without paying. |
From the passage we can learn that _________.
| A．Ana Luz has already got her PhD at Cambridge University, UK |
| B．Ana Luz is ashamed and embarrassed and knows why she often did so |
| C．the university graduate will be put in prison if she steals in shops once more |
| D．Phillip Lemoyne is the respectable and intelligent womans defense lawyer |
If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven’t you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language?
According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.
The study also found the effect is greater when the younger people learn a second language. A team led by Dr. Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of “early bilinguals” who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners. Scans showed that grey matter density (密度) in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference.
“Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language,” said the scientists.It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.
Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and maths skills. “Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible (灵活的),” he said. “You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas.”
The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of two and thirty-four. Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better. “Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world,” explained the scientists.The main subject talked about in this passage is ___________.
| A．science on learning a second language |
| B．man’s ability of learning a second language |
| C．that language learning can help brain power |
| D．language learning and maths study |
The underlined word “bilingual” probably means ____________.
| A．a researcher on language learning |
| B．a second language learner |
| C．a person who can speak two languages |
| D．an active language learner |
We may know from the scientific findings that ____________.
| A．the earlier you start to learn a second language, the higher the grey matter density is |
| B．there is no difference between a later second language learner and one who doesn’t know a second language |
| C．the experience of learning a second language has bad effect on people’s brain |
| D．the ability of learning a second language is changing all the time |
In the last two paragraphs, the author wants to tell us that ____________.
| A．learning a second language is the same as studying maths |
| B．early learning of a second language helps you a great deal in studying other subjects |
| C．Italian is the best choice for you as a second language |
| D．you’d better choose the ages between 2 and 34 to learn a second language |
It was a quiet village in which there was a military camp. It was far from the towns and cities and there were some high mountains around. Of course it was a good place for training the new soldiers. But it was difficult for the young men to go outside. Mr. White, an officer of forty, was strict with them and he hardly let them leave the camp.
Once Mr. White was ill in bed. He couldn’t work and a young officer, Mr. Hunt, began to train the new soldiers instead of him. He knew the young men well and let nine soldiers go to the nearest town to have a holiday. But night fell and none came back to the camp. He was worried about it and stood at the gate. It was five to twelve when Mr. Hunt decided to go to the town and see what was happening with the young men. He started the car quickly and set off. At that moment the nine soldiers came back. It seemed they were all drunk. Of course they found the officer was angry.
“I’m sorry, sir,” said the first soldier. “I left the town on time. But something was wrong with my bus on my way here. I had to buy a horse and made it run fast. Bad luck! It died and I had to run back.”
And the other seven soldiers said they were late for the same reasons. It was the last soldier’s turn. He said, “I’m sorry, sir. I got on a bus on time, but…”.
Having heard this, the officer became even angrier and stopped him at once. He called out, “If you say something was wrong with your bus, I’ll punish you at once!”
“No, no, sir,” said the young man. “My bus was all right, but the dead horses were in its way!”The military camp was built in the village to .
| A．stop the soldiers going to towns |
| B．stop the soldiers meeting their friends |
| C．train the new soldiers |
| D．make the young men live quietly |
Mr. Hunt let the nine soldiers have a holiday because.
| A．he was kind to them. |
| B．they felt lonely. |
| C．they had something important to do |
| D．they were the best of all |
The nine soldiers returned to the camp late because .
| A．something was wrong with their buses |
| B．their horses died on the return way |
| C．it took them much time to run back |
| D．they all had drunk much in the town |
Which answer do you think is right?
| A．The officer believed only the last soldier. |
| B．The officer believed the nine soldiers. |
| C．The officer believed none of the nine soldiers. |
| D．The officer won’t punish his soldiers. |
In every school there is a "top" crowd that sets the pace, while the others follow their lead. For example,the top crowd decides that it is smart to wear bright red sweaters. Very soon everybody is wearing a brightred sweater.
There is nothing wrong with that, except the fact that bright red is not suitable on some peopleat all.
The situation can even become dangerous, if the top crowd decides that it is smart to drink or to drivecars at 70 miles an hour. Then the people who follow the lead are causing danger to people's lives. They arelike sheep being led to the slaughterhouse (屠宰场).
Perhaps you have come across situations like these more than once in your life. In fact, at one time oranother you probably did something you knew to be wrong. You may have excused yourself by saying, "Thecrowd does it." Well, let the crowd do it, but don't do it yourself. Learn to say, "No." Make your own judge(判断). If you know the crowd is planning something with which you disagree, have the courage to leavethem politely. You'll have the satisfaction of standing on your own feet. The writer disapproves of wearing red sweaters if _____.
| A．the crowd is wearing them |
| B．you don't look good in red |
| C．you can't afford them |
| D．your parents disapprove |
The writer urges the readers to ____.
| A．obey their parents |
| B．take the advice of their elders |
| C．be independent |
| D．follow the crowd |
People who blindly follow the "top" crowd ____.
| A．will make themselves happy |
| B．will lose friends |
| C．sometimes do things against their better judgment |
| D．finally become pace-setters in their own right |
The main idea of this passage is that ____.
| A．in every school there is a "top" crowd that sets the pace |
| B．it is a mistake to follow the "top" crowd blindly |
| C．at one time or another you probably did something you knew to be wrong |
| D．people who follow the "top" crowd are endangering their lives |
Which is the best title for this passage?
| A．On Being Yourself. | B．The "Top" Crowd. |
| C．Follow the Leader. | D．Rules for Teens. |
Welcome to Our Clubs in Masonic Village
☆Art Club
The Art Club provides a place for aged people to paint, improve their artistic talents and show their works of art. Members can also sell items that they painted. The money raised goes toward providing painting supplies for club members. Anyone may join the Art Club, whether you already know how to paint or you want to learn how to better express your creativity. Painting supplies are provided by the club for free.
Time: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Freemasons Cultural Center Art Studio.
Cost: $12 per year
☆Computer Club
This club is meant for aged people with little knowledge of computers. Various topics are discussed at each meeting about computers (such as the Internet, software and email) as well as related technologies. The club has a computer lab with high-speed Internet connection. Members of the club have free access to the computer lab.
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Computer Resource Room on Level 2 of Smith North. Open general lab sessions are available for free.
Cost: $35 per year
☆Tai Chi for Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease for old people. The joints (关节) in the patients’ body often hurt badly. Tai Chi for Arthritis is designed to improve the quality of life of those people who are suffering from arthritis using Sun-style Tai Chi. This style includes quick-moving steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. The movements don’t require deep bending.
Time: Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Irem Clubhouse.
Cost: $65 per year For whom are these clubs probably designed for?
| A．Retired workers. |
| B．Talented teenagers. |
| C．Curious kids. |
| D．Learned experts. |
Members of the Art Club can do the following EXCEPT.
| A．drawing paintings |
| B．teaching others about painting |
| C．displaying their paintings |
| D．selling their paintings |
If a member of Computer Club attends an open general lab session, he or she ____.
| A．is required to buy a laptop |
| B．has to pay $35 for a session |
| C．has to take an iPad with him/her |
| D．needn’t pay for the session |
Which of the following is one feature of arthritis according to the passage?
| A．Terrible coughs. | B．Red eyes. |
| C．Painful joints. | D．Cold hands and legs. |
Sun-style Tai Chi can help people .
| A．bend deeply | B．move freely |
| C．sleep well | D．improve memory |
When you get tired of homework, several minutes’ walk in a nearby green park helps you relax at once. Or you may stand facing the lake or the seas. They will calm (not to be excited or nervous) you just like the green plants.
Wonder why? Color is a key part of the answers. Since it is so, green and blue help make people feel more quiet and safe.
All colors have special power. Scientists have found that many colors have specific effects on people’s mind and feelings.
Try an easy and interesting experiment and you’ll see how color “misleads” you sometimes. Wrap (包装) two boxes of the same size with colored paper, one red and the other white. Then weigh the two boxes with your hands. Which one is heavier? Most people will think that the red box is heavier, even though they weigh the same.
Colors can affect learning. Scientists have found that students spend more time reading if they read information written in blue text. Blue helps most people calm down and think more.
Clever uses of colors in daily life are to be seen everywhere. Hospitals and libraries seldom paint their walls, tables and desks red. They use light colors, like light blue or green. Red makes people excited while light colors help them relax. Haven’t worked out how color affects your daily life? Start with your small room. Try to make some changes in it and you’ll get to know how important color is! The underlined word “misleads” means _____.
| A．affects |
| B．effects |
| C．causes someone to have a wrong idea |
| D．give wrong directions |
We’d better paint the walls of the hospital in _____.
| A．light blue or light green |
| B．deep red or deep brown |
| C．deep orange or deep red |
| D．light green or light yellow |
If you want to ______, you’d better sit in the room painted blue.
| A．weigh something with your hands |
| B．study attentively |
| C．face the lake or the sea |
| D．enjoy some rock music |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．When you are going to have a rest, you’d better sit in the room painted green |
| B．Scientists have known some differences among some colors |
| C．When you get tired of homework, you should look at the green plants far away |
| D．The passage has told us clearly why some colors are warm and other colors are cool. |
The reading mainly shows us _____.
| A．the difference between red and blue |
| B．how to get on well with others |
| C．how to make smart uses of different colors in our daily life |
| D．how to paint and decorate our rooms |