Do you know how it is when you see someone yawn and you start yawning too? Or how hard it is to be among people laughing and not laugh yourself? Well, apparently it's because we have mirror neurons(神经元)in our brains.
Put simply, the existence of mirror neurons suggests that every time we see someone else do something, our brains imitate(模仿)it, whether or not we actually perform the same action. This explains a great deal about how we learn to smile, talk, walk, dance or play sports. But the idea goes further: mirror neurons not only appear to explain physical actions, they also tell us that there is a biological basis for the way we understand other people.
Mirror neurons can undoubtedly be found all over our brains, but especially in the areas which relate to our ability to use languages, and to understand how other people feel. Researchers have found that mirror neurons relate strongly to language. A group of researchers discovered that if they gave people sentences to listen to (for example:“The hand took hold of the ball”), the same mirror neurons weretriggeredas when the action was actually performed (in this example, actually taking hold of a ball).
Any problems with mirror neurons may well result in problems with behavior. Much research suggests that people with social and behavioral problems have mirror neurons which are not fully functioning. However, it is not yet known exactly how these discoveries might help find treatments for social disorders.
Research into mirror neurons seems to provide us with ever more information concerning how humans behave and interact(互动).Indeed, it may turn out to be the equivalent(相等物)for neuroscience of what Einstein's theory of relativity was for physics. And the next time you feel the urge to cough in the cinema when someone else does—well, perhaps you'll understand why.Mirror neurons can explain ________.
| A.why we cry when we are hurt |
| B.why we cough when we suffer from a cold |
| C.why we smile when we see someone else smile |
| D.why we yawn when we see someone else stay up late |
The underlined word “triggered” in the third paragraph probably means “________”.
| A.set off |
| B.cut off |
| C.built up |
| D.broken up |
We can learn from the passage that mirror neurons ________.
| A.relate to human behavior and interaction |
| B.control human physical actions and feelings |
| C.result in bad behavior and social disorders |
| D.determine our knowledge and language abilities |
What is the passage mainly about?
| A.Ways to find mirror neurons. |
| B.Problems of mirror neurons. |
| C.Existence of mirror neurons. |
| D.Functions of mirror neurons. |
第二部分阅读理解(共20小题;每小题3分,满分60分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。
A
Beijing Olympics praised at home and abroad
The curtain of the Beijing Olympics dropped on August 24th with a closing ceremony featured with carnival(狂欢节) festiveness. However, it seems that the atmosphere of gathering and celebration still goes on in people’s hearts. The readers of People’s Daily Online have left many messages expressing their admiration for the organizers and share their views on the whole games.
Most of them speak highly of the games by using such words as “extremely successful”, “memorable” and “flawless(无瑕的).” The opening and closing ceremonies have also received wide laud for being “exceptional(罕见的)”, “most attracting”, “unforgettable”, “unique”, “wonderful”, and “splendid”. The following are some of the messages:
“Wo Ai Beijing!!! Such a great event held by an exceptional host. Well done to all in Beijing and many thanks to the volunteers. The Chinese government did very well to keep the games safe for all. By Sudesh”.
“It was the most attracting show I’ve ever seen. Unlikely some country will ever be able to measure up! My deepest respect for all of you & sincere congratulations for these amazing, unique & breathtaking OG. Breathtaking! By Griet.”
“With great respect for the Chinese people and with much interest I have watched closely these unforgettable and unique Olympic Games. I’ve enjoyed the amazing and breathtaking opening & closing ceremonies in Belgium. Please accept my feelings of gratitude and respect. You were all amazing! Congratulations. By Nancy.”
“All the Americans I know think that China did a great job in the Olympics, and that the games and ceremonies were a pleasure to watch and were a triumph of China’s creativity. Jim Richards, Randolph, Mass. USA.”
36.What festival was the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics like?
A.Midautumn DayB.New year’s Day C.Christmas DayD.Carnival Day
37.What does the passage tell us about?
A.The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
B.People’s congratulations on the Beijing Olympics.
C.People’s praise for the Beijing Olympics and the organizers.
D.People’s admiration for the organizers of the Beijing Olympics.
38.What does the underlined word “laud” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.Praise. B.Celebration. C.Criticism. D.Comment.
(C)
A weather map is an important tool for geographers. A succession of three or four maps presents a continuous picture of weather changes. Weather forecasters are able to determine the speed of air masses and fronts(冷暖空气团接触的锋)to determine whether an individual pressure area is deepening or becoming shallow and whether a front is increasing or decreasing in intensity. They are also able to determine whether an air mass is retaining its original characteristics or taking on those of the surface over which it is moving. Thus, a most significant function of the map is to reveal a synoptic picture of conditions in the atmosphere at a given time.
All students of geography should be able to interpret a weather map accurately. Weather maps contain an enormous amount of information about weather conditions existing at the time of observation over a large geographical area. They reveal in a few minutes what otherwise would take hours to describe. The United States Weather Bureau issues information about approaching storms, floods, frosts, droughts, and all climatic conditions in general. Twice a month it issues a 30-day “outlook” which is a rough guide to weather conditions likely to occur over broad areas of the United States. These 30-day outlooks are based upon an analysis of the upper air levels which often set the stage for the development of air masses, fronts, and storms.
Considerable effort is being exerted today to achieve more accurate weather predictions. With the use of electronic instruments and earth satellites, enormous gains have taken place recently in identifying and tracking storms over regions which have but few meteorological stations (气象站). Extensive experiments are also in progress for weather modification(改变)studies. But the limitations of modification have prevented meteorological results except in the seeding of super-cooled, upslope mountainous winds which have produced additional orographic (山岳形态的) precipitation on the windward side of mountain ranges. Nevertheless, they have provided a clearer understanding of the fundamentals of weather elements.
72. By reading weather maps, students majoring in geography can .
A. design a project of weather modification
B. interpret the weather condition before the time of observation
C. obtain data on atmospheric conditions over a wide area
D. survey ever-changing fronts in local meteorological stations
73. A thirty-day forecast is determined by examining .
A. daily weather maps B. upper air levels
C. satellite reports D. changing fronts
74. The observation of weather conditions by satellites is advantageous because ______.
A. electronic instruments are used
B. it enables man to alter the weather
C. it makes weather prediction more time-consuming
D. information not obtained readily otherwise can be gained
75. At the present time, experiments are being conducted in .
A. controlling and influencing weather
B. determining density of pressure groups
C. 30-day “outlooks”
D. predicting storms
(B)
Martin Luther King, Jr., is well known for his work in civil rights and for his many famous speeches, among them his moving “I Have a Dream” speech. But few people know much about King’s childhood, Martin Luther as he was called was born in 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the home of his maternal grandfather. Martin Luther’s grandfather, the Reverend A.D. Williams, purchased their home on Auburn Avenue in 1909, 28 years before Martin Luther was born. The Reverend A.D. Williams, an eloquent speaker, played an important role in the community because so many people’s lives centered around the church. He allowed his church and his home to be used as a meeting place for a number of organizations dedicated to the education and social advancement of blacks. Martin Luther grew up in this atmosphere, with his home being used as community gathering place, and was no doubt influenced by it.
Martin Luther’s childhood was not especially memorable. His father was a minister and his mother was a musician. He was the second of three children, and he attended all-black schools in a black neighbourhood. The neighbourhood was not poor, however, Auburn Avenue was the main artery through a prosperous neighbourhood that he had come to symbolize achievement for Atlanta’s black people. It was area of banks, insurance companies, builders, jewelers, tailors, doctors, lawyers and other black-owned or black-operated businesses and services. Even in the face of Atlanta’s segregation (种族隔离), district thrived. Dr. King never forgot the community spirit he had known as a child, nor did he forget the racial prejudice(歧视) that was a seemingly insurmountable barrier that kept black Atlantans from mingling with whites.
68. This passage mainly gives an account of ______.
A. the prejudice that existed in Atlanta B. Martin Luther’s grandfather
C. Martin Luther King’s childhood D. the neighbourhood where King grew up
69. According to the author, King was influenced by ______.
A. community spirit B. black lawyer
C. his mother D. his grandfather’s speeches
70. The word “mingling” in paragraph 2 is the closest in meaning to ______.
A. interfering B. consuming C. associating D. meeting
71. This passage tells us that Martin Luther King, Jr. ______.
A. had a difficult childhood
B. was a good musician when he was a boy
C. loved to listen to his grandfather speak
D. grew up in a relatively rich area of Atlanta
Section B
Directions: Read the following three 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)
From snow-clogged mountain roads to desert highways, freeways to crowded city streets, Californians face a variety of tough driving conditions. But thanks to savvy driving, they consume proportionately less gasoline the rest of the nation. Here, some tips from the Golden State that will help drivers all over the country to get up to 25% more miles per gallon! By SUSAN NESTOR
FREEWAY FRENZY
● Try to maintain a steady speed — especially on freeways and expressways. Never exceed a steady 55 mph. Varying speed by as little as 5mph can reduce mileage by 1.5 miles per gallon. Avoid constant lane changes to “get ahead.”
● Buy radial tyres. If you do a lot of expressway driving, they can increase mileage by as much as 10%. Your fuel savings will pay for the higher tyre price.
ON CITY STREETS
● Plan your route. City driving consumes about 50% more fuel than highway driving (100% more in crowed traffic). Always choose a route with synchronized traffic signals to get the best run for your money.
● Avoid unnecessary braking. Anticipate(预期)traffic light changes; it takes a lot of extra gas to get the car up to speed again.
COLD
● In winter, keep the car in a garage. It will start up easier, and start-up time is when you use the most gasoline. No garage? Cover the engine compartment with an old blanket or rug to shield it from cold winds; remove before starting up.
● Remove all ice and snow. Driving in snow consumes more gas anyway; no sense hauling around extra weight.
65. All these above are ______ for drivers.
A. notices B. tips C. lessons D. advertisements
66. Highway driving can use about ______ fuel than city driving.
A. 20% more B. 20% less C. 50% more D. 50% less
67. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. In winter, you will have difficulty starting up a car if it is kept in a garage.
B. Drivers should avoid necessary breaking and constant lane changes.
C. A steady 65 mph is the ideal speed to save gasoline.
D. Radial tyres can help increase mileage in expressway driving.
D
A wallet that looks like a piece of newspaper, an atlas, or an express parcel receipt? Or a business card that looks like a notepad? No kidding.
Bai Minghui, a Beijing-based designer, creates his artwork using Tyvek, a synthetic paper material which is difficult to tear, waterproof and, more importantly, totally recyclable.
Born to a worker family in 1983 in Tangshan, Hebei Province, Bai worked as a graphic designer at a financial magazine in Beijing after graduating from Minzu University of China.
In the spring of 2008, Bai visited an exhibition about Tyvek in Beijing's 798 art zone, and then worked with the material, trying to bring his designs to life.The first thing that came into his mind was the paper wallet, a must-try handicraft assignment(手工作业)that most Chinese students do in elementary school.
"A paper wallet is definitely more useful than a paper crane or frog," Bai told Beijing Review, smiling."At first, many people have no idea what it is, because it looks like a piece of newspaper or an express parcel receipt, and feels like real paper.But it's hard to tear.
"The completed, folded wallet is seamless, which creates so much fun for a designer.To be honest, I didn't think about profits at all," he said.
After months of research and development on printing and designing, the first generation of his paper wallet made a stunning debut(上市) in May 2008.The second generation, which offers a greater range of pattern options, was put on the market at the beginning of 2009.
"You can have graffiti(涂鸦) or write down phone numbers on it, or paint whatever you like.I would like people to be able to use it easily," he said."I don't want to do things without creative ideas.Now my focus is on how to create better design rather than the wallet itself."
51.In which order did Bai do the following things?
a.create the paper wallet
b.study in Minzu University
c.work as a graphic designer
d.visit an exhibition about Tyvek in Beijing
A.cbad B.bcda C.cbda D.bcad
52.Which of the following words can best describe the designer?
A.diligent B.creative C.friendly D.honest
53.Tyvek, a synthetic paper material, has the following characters EXCEPT ____.
A.recyclable B.waterproof C.foldable D.profitable
54.What can people do with this kind of wallet?
A.They can use it as a handkerchief.
B.They can make it into a dictionary.
C.They can write their friend’s phone number on it.
D.They can buy a paper frog or paper crane with it.
55.What can be inferred from the passage?
A.Most of the Chinese students have tried to make some kind of paper work.
B.Many Chinese are fond of painting different things on their wallets.
C.Most of the wallets that people use nowadays can be recycled.
D.Most of the designers based in Beijing have tried Tyvek to create their own work of art.