Here is an astonishing and significant fact: Mental work alone cant make us tired. It sounds absurd. But a years ago, scientists tried to find out how long the human brain could labor without reaching a stage of fatigue (疲劳). To the amazement of these scientists, they discovered that blood passing through the brain, when it is active, shows no fatigue at all! If we took a drop of blood from a day laborer, we would find it full of fatigue toxins(毒素) and fatigue products. But if we took blood from the brain of an Albert Einstein, it would show no fatigue toxins at the end of the day.
So far as the brain is concerned, it can work as well and swiftly at the end of eight or even twelve hours of effort as at the beginning. The brain is totally tireless. So what makes us tired?
Some scientists declare that most of our fatigue comes from our mental and emotional attitudes. One of England’s most outstanding scientists, J.A. Hadfield, says, “The greater part of the fatigue from which we suffer is of mental origin. In fact, fatigue of purely physical origin is rare.” Dr. Brill, a famous American scientist, goes even further. He declares, “One hundred percent of the fatigue of sitting worker in good health is due to emotional problems.”
What kinds of emotions make sitting workers tired? Joy? Satisfaction? No! A feeling of being bored, anger, anxiety, tenseness, worry, a feeling of not being appreciated---those are the emotions that tire sitting workers. Hard work by itself seldom causes fatigue. We get tired because our emotions produce nervousness in the body.What surprised the scientis
ts a few years ago?
| A．Fatigue toxins could hardly be found in a laborer’s blood. |
| B．Albert Einstein didn’t feel worn out after a day’s work. |
| C．The brain could work for many hours without fatigue. |
| D．A mental worker’s blood was filled with fatigue toxins. |
According to the author, which of the following can make sitting workers tired?
| A．Challenging mental work. | B．Unpleasant emotions. |
| C．Endless tasks. | D．Physical labor. |
What’s the author’s attitude towards the scientists’ idea?
| A．He agrees with them. | B．He doubts them. |
| C．He argues against them. | D．He hesitates to accept them. |
We can infer from the passage that in order to stay energetic, sitting workers need to __
_________.
| A．have some good food | B．enjoy their work |
| C．exercise regularly | D．discover fatigue toxins |
阅读理解B
Alexander the Great was a mighty(强大的) king and conqueror(征服者). He was one of the greatest military geniuses(军事天才) the world has ever known. He was born in Pella, Macedonia. Alexander grew to be a handsome, brilliant(卓越的) man. Aristotle, the famous philosopher（哲学家）, came from Greece to teach him---geography, politics, literature, medicine and science. Alexander’s father, King Philip II of Macedon, taught him to plan and win battles.
The young prince became King when he was 20. He then began the series of marches that continued until he ruled almost all of the then-known world. On his great war horse, Bucephalus, he first took over Greece. He went on to conquer southeastern Europe, Asia Minor, Egypt and India. On his way he crushed(征服) the Persian Empire, and was made King of Egypt and Asia. He and his troops traveled over 11,000 miles(17,700 km). He spread Greek customs and ideas wherever he went.
In India his men refused to go further. They were tired and frightened, and wanted to go home. Worn out, Alexander agreed to turn back. He died of fever in Babylon, at the early age of 33.Alexander and his troops traveled and fought probably ________ then.
| A．by ship | B．by simple truck |
| C．on their horses | D．on foot |
What’s the main idea of the second paragraph?
| A．He spread Greek customs and ideas wherever he went. |
| B．He began great marches and ruled a lot of countries. |
| C．How he took over one country after another. |
| D．In which order he crushed these countries after another? |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．He died in his late thirties. |
| B．Bucephalus was probably a big ship. |
| C．He conquered all the countries then known in the world. |
| D．Alexander was very ready to listen to anybody including his officers and soldiers. |
What’s the best title of this passage?
| A．How Alexander the Great Became King? |
| B．Great Tragedy |
| C．Good Education Makes a Great Man |
| D．Alexander the Great |
阅读理解 A
As you research music, you will find music that is familiar to you. You will find music which tells of interesting places and exciting things to do. You will find music which expresses feelings that are often your own.
Music is an expression of people. As you research, you will find music of people at work and play. You will find music expressing love of the country, love of nature, and love of home.
Music is also an expression of the composer(作曲家). The composer expresses his own musical ideas. He studies the materials of music and discovers ways of using them. He looks for new kinds of musical expression.
Music can suggest actions and feelings which we all share. We can enjoy playing and singing music, dancing and listening to the music of the people and the composers of different times and places.In the first paragraph, the author tells us to ________.
| A．be friendly to music |
| B．find entertainment in music |
| C．express your feelings in music |
| D．discover the things and places in music |
From the second paragraph, we know that ________.
| A．if we love music, we will love the country, nature and home |
| B．you may listen to music at work or at play |
| C．music sings of the country, nature and home |
| D．music can express how people live, work and think |
The last paragraph shows that music makes it possible ________.
| A．that people of different time and places can get together |
| B．to bring understanding between people of different times and places |
| C．that people can enjoy playing and singing music, dancing and listening to the music at the same time |
| D．that music can express actions and feelings at the same time |
Which of the following statements is NOT true? Music expresses
| A．people’s musical ideas | B．people’s love of te country |
| C．ehe composer’s feelings | D．the feelings of our own |
Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. This kind of loneliness is not serious. In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for yeas. Now researchers say there are three different types of loneliness.
The first kind of loneliness is temporary（暂时的）. This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind, situational loneliness, is a natural result of a particular situation, for example, family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place. Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year.
The third kind of loneliness is the most severe. Unlike the second type, chronic（长期的）usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause. People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others. Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.
Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person's social contacts, e.g. friends, family members, co-workers, etc. we depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. They question their popularity.
Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness
such as heart disease. While temporary and situational loneliness can be normal, healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a very sad, and sometimes dangerous condition. How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage?
| A．Talk to friends | B．Just ignore it |
| C．Go to see a doctor | D．Ask your teachers for guidance |
|
Why do psychologists want to help chronically lonely people?
| A．Chronic loneliness can cause family problems |
| B．Chronic loneliness can cause serious illness |
| C．Chronic loneliness can not be overcome |
| D．A, B and C are all correct |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．Three Kinds of Loneliness |
| B．Loneliness and Diseases |
| C．Loneliness and Social Contacts |
| D．Chronic Loneliness |
In 1901, H.G. Wells, an English writer, wrote a book describing a trip to the moon. When the explorers (探险者) landed on the moon, they discovered that the moon was full of underground cities. They expressed their surprise to the "moon people" they met. In turn, the "moon people" expressed their surprise. "Why," they asked, "are you traveling to outer space when you don' t even use your inner space?"
H.G. Wells could only imagine travel to the moon. In 1969, human beings really did land on the moon. People today know that there are no underground cities on the moon. However, the question that the "moon people" asked is still an interesting one. A growing number of scientists are seriously thinking about it.
Underground systems are already in place. Many cities have underground car parks. In some cities, such as Tokyo, Seoul and Montreal, there are large underground shopping areas. The "Chunnel", a tunnel (隧道) connecting England and France, is now complete.
But what about underground cities? Japan's Taisei Corporation is designing a network of underground systems, called "Alice Cities." The designers imagine using surface space for public parks and using underground space for flats, offices, shopping, and so on. A solar dome (太阳能穹顶) would cover the whole city.
Supporters of underground development say that building down rather than building up is a good way to use the earth's space. The surface, they say, can be used for farms, parks, gardens, and wilderness. H.G. Wells' "moon people" would agree. Would you?The explorers in H. G. Wells' story were surprised to find that the "moon people"
| A．knew so much about the earth |
| B．understood their language |
| C．lived in so many underground cities |
| D．were ahead of them in space technology |
What does the underlined word "it" (paragraph 2) refer to?
| A．Discovering the moon's inner space. | B．Using the earth's inner space. |
| C．Meeting the "moon people" again. | D．Traveling to outer space. |
What sort of underground systems are already here with us?
| A．Offices, shopping areas, power stations. | B．Tunnels, car parks, shopping areas. |
| C．Gardens, car parks, power stations. | D．Tunnels, gardens, offices. |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A．Alice Cities –- cities of the future | B．Space travel with H. G. Wells |
| C．Enjoy living underground | D．Building down, not up |
Want to save money when travelling by train? Here are some ways.
Day Returns
This ticket can save you up to 45% on the standard fare (车费). You have to travel after the rush hour period Mon.-Fri., but can travel at any time on Sat. or Sun.
Big city Saves
These are special low-priced tickets on certain trains. Yon have to book in advance----- at the latest by 16:00 the day before you travel. It’s first come, first served.
Weekend Returns
Weekend Returns are available (有售) for most journeys over 60 miles. Go on Fri. Sat. or Sun, and return the same weekend on Sat. or Sun, and save up to 35% the standard fare.
Monthly Returns
There are available for most journeys over 65 miles. Go any day and return within a month. Monthly returns save you up to 25% on the standard fare.
Family Returns
For ￡20 this railcard allows you to take a second adult (成人) and up to 4 children for only ￡3 each when you buy single or return tickets. You can travel as often as you like until the card becomes out of date. (200 words.建议阅读时间为3min.) Which is the best ticket to buy if you live in London and want to go to a small town 80miles away for four days?
| A．Big City Savers | B．Monthly Returns |
| C．Weekend Returns | D．Family Returns |
A man bought himself a ticket of ￡15 and three tickets for his family with a family railcard.How much did he pay?
| A．￡44 | B．￡29 | C．￡24 | D．￡15 |