Chicken soup has long been a comfort food for people with cold symptoms. Whether the remedy(疗法) comes from the warmth and comfort of the soup or from actual cold-fighting ingredients(成分) in the meal, it is still up for debate.
Chicken Soup: Just the Evidence
Science has begun to support what mothers have understood for centuries. The heat, salt, and hydration provided by chicken soup may actually fight the cold virus. Laboratory studies have shown that ingredients of chicken soup with vegetables could kill viral cells and prevent the growth of new ones. The soup may also provide an anti-inflammatory(消炎的) effect that helps reduce cold symptoms. Unfortunately, the benefits of chicken soup appear to be limited by how quickly the soup leaves the body. There is no indication that chicken soup would help in the prevention of colds, but its use as a remedy for symptoms is common. It is largely a safe remedy with no ill side effects, and scientific evidence points more in favor of its cold-fighting properties(特性) than against it.
The Downside of Chicken Soup
Evidence in support of chicken soup’s antiviral properties is not yet solid enough to prove true, reliable medicinal effects. Although the evidence based on personal experiences and existing research seem to support a good effect of chicken soup, a clinical trial would be very difficult to perform. In addition, some people with food allergies(过敏性反应) or sensitivities to salt may experience ill side effects from chicken soup. Unbroken bones may also lead to a chocking risk, particularly for children. However, the potential benefits of chicken soup seem to far outweigh the possible risks. What does the underlined sentence suggest?
| A．Mothers have long been helped by scientists to find remedies for colds. |
| B．Scientists have agreed for centuries with what mothers have understood. |
| C．People have tried chicken soup to help reduce cold symptoms since long ago. |
| D．Mothers know better how to deal with cold symptoms than scientists. |
Which of the following is true about chicken soup?
| A．It is particularly good for children. |
| B．It can prevent people from colds. |
| C．It is an amazing comfort food for people with colds. |
| D．It surely has medicinal effects on colds. |
What’s the author’s opinion on chicken soup?
| A．It is good for people with colds to have chicken soup. |
| B．Scientists have found solid evidence about the benefits of chicken soup. |
| C．Chicken soup can take the place of other medicines for colds. |
| D．People still argue whether chicken soup has effects on cold symptoms. |
Who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams (1860-1935)
Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She created shelters, education opportunities and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Noble Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson(1907-1964)
Rachel Carson was born in the rural river town of Springdale, Pennsylvania in America. The popular 1962 book “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson made people realize the dangers and the harmful effects(影响) of pollution on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.
Angela Merkel (1954- )
In 2005, Germans chose Angela Merkel as their first woman head of the country. She had been a scientist in the past. As Germany’s leader, she has had an effect on the whole world.
Sandra Day O’Connor (1930- )
When Sandra Day O’Connor finished her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work because she was a woman. However, she became the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court(最高法院）in 1981 after years of hard work.
Margaret Thatcher(1925- )
In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s first woman Prime Minister. She served until 1990, which made her the first British leader to serve three terms in a row. Because of her high standards and strong will, people called her Britain’s Iron Lady.
Marie Curie (1867-1934 )
Polish-born scientist Marie Curie discovered that some types of metal give off energy called radiation. Her research led to new medical treatments and arms. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911.Who once won the Nobel Prize?
| A． Jane Addams and Marie Curie |
| B．Jane Addams and Margaret Thatcher. |
| C．Marie Curie and Angela Merkel |
| D．Marie Curie and Rachel Carson |
We can infer from the text that Rachel Carson worked to ______.
| A．help the poor |
| B．spread geographic knowledge |
| C．protect the environment |
| D．protect the rights of women |
Who once failed to find a job？
| A．Jane Addams | B．Sandra Day O’Connor |
| C．Rachel Carson | D．Margaret Thatcher |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A．Great women. | B．Famous scientists |
| C．Strong leaders | D．Ways to success for women |
The clock struck eleven at night. The whole house was quiet. Everyone was in bed except me. Under the strong light, I looked sadly before a huge pile of troublesome stuff they call “books”.
I was going to have my examination the next day. "When can I go to bed?" I asked myself. I didn’t answer, in fact I dared not.
The clock struck 12. "Oh, dear!" I cried, "ten more books to read before I can go to bed!” We pupils are the most wretched creatures in the world. Dad does not agree with me on this. He did not have to study so hard when he was a boy ."
The clock struck one. I was quite hopeless now. I forgot all I had learned. I was too tired to go on. I did the only thing I could. I prayed, “Oh, God, Please help me pass the exam tomorrow. I do promise to work hard afterwards, Amen.” My eyes were heavy, so heavy that I could hardly open them. A few minutes later, with my head on the desk, I fell asleep.When the author was going over his lessons, all the others in the house were_____ .
| A．asleep | B．working in bed |
| C．outside | D．quietly laughing at him |
Reviewing his lessons didn’t help him because ________.
| A．it was too late at night |
| B．he was very tired |
| C．his eyes lids were so heavy that he couldn’t keep them open |
| D．he hadn’t studied hard before the examination |
What do you suppose happened to the author？
| A．He went to a church to pray again |
| B．He passed the exam by luck |
| C．He failed in the exam |
| D．He was punished by his teacher |
The best title for the passage would be __________ .
| A．The Night Before the Examination |
| B．Working Far into the Night |
| C．A Slow Student |
| D．Going Over My Lessons |
Hi Hongbo,
I’m so glad to read about the changes talking place in your city. It’s really good news that you can travel by subway in Xi’an, though there’s only one line there. Here in London we have twelve lines. By the way, we don’t use the word “subway” here. It’s American English. We call it “the Underground”, instead.
The London Underground is very famous. It’s famous for several reasons. First of all, part of the underground railway today is the oldest in the world, which opened in 1863. Secondly, the London Underground is also the first line to have electric trains, in 1890. Thirdly but not the last, the London Underground is the second largest metro system in the world, after the Shanghai Metro. There are 270 stations in the Underground and it has 402 kilometres of tracks(轨道). What’s more, the city of London itself helps make the transportation system famous! I’ve got a few photos to help you build a clear picture of the Underground in my city. They are together with this mail.
In your email, you also said workers were building more lines. I’m sure your city is developing fast. Maybe you can send me a few photos of your city today. I really want to see the changes taking place there. I’m happy for you to live there in an ancient city with such a new look!
So much for now. I’ll write soon again. Best wishes!Where is the writer from？
| A．From London | B．From Shanghai | C．From Xi’an. | D．From New York |
The second paragraph mainly tells us ?
| A．when the first subway was opened in the world. |
| B．when the London Underground first used electric trains |
| C．why the London Underground is the oldest subway in the world. |
| D．why the London Underground is famous in the world |
In the email, the words “subway”, “underground”, and “metro” mean.
| A．three different things | B．two different things |
| C．almost the same thing | D．nothing like each other |
What does the writer want Hongbo to do?
| A．To buy a good book about Xi’an for him. |
| B．To send him a few photos of Xi’an. |
| C．To post him some postcards of Xi’an. |
| D．To tell him more about Xi’an subway. |
Without plant, people could not live. We eat plants. We breathe the oxygen（氧气）that plants produce. And we need plants for another reason: we need them for their beauty.
Imagine a world with no plants. Imagine no flowers with their sweet smells, their beautiful colors and their lovely shapes. Imagine when the wind blows, not being able to hear the leaves in the trees or watch the branches sway（摇摆）from side to side.
Everywhere people need the beauty of plants. That is why we have parks full of trees and flowers. That is why people always try to design houses with room for some grass and a garden.
Do you talk to your plants? Do you give them love and attention?
Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, writers of a book called THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS, tell of an experiment in which two seeds were planted in different places. While the plants were growing, one plant was given love and hopeful ideas. The other plant was given only hopeless ideas. After six months, the loved plant was bigger. Under the earth it had more and longer roots; above the earth, it had a thicker stem (茎) and more leaves. According to the passage, which of the following is right?
| A．If there are no flowers, there will be no sweet smells. |
| B．Without plants, we can’t hear the wind. |
| C．We need plants not only for food and oxygen but also for their beauty. |
| D．We plant trees to watch the branches sway from side to side. |
In the experiment, the plants were________.
| A．of different kinds | B．Talked to in two different ways |
| C．both given love and attention | D．grown in the same place |
At the end of six months,________.
| A．one plant had longer roots than the other and had a thicker stem |
| B．one plant had longer roots while the other had a thicker stem |
| C．the plants were of the same size |
| D．one plant had a thicker stem while the other plant had more leaves |
The experiment has proved（证明） that________-.
| A．without plants people could not live |
| B．we should talk to plants and give them love |
| C．we should grow as many plants as possible |
| D．plants need plenty of water, sunshine and attention |
Many of us don't pay much attention to the importance of eye care. It is said that if you take care of your body, then you can surely be healthy. That is why our eyes should be given a lot of care. Natural eye care should be put in a number one place.
There are several causes leading to poor eyesight like not enough food, genes (基因) and aging (老化). Televisions, computers and reading are also the causes of having poor eyesight. If you happen to work in front of the computer, it is best to take a break every once in a while. Something dirty can cause redness and they will make you feel uncomfortable. It is bad for your eyes, too. If this happens, the best way is to clean your eyes by using cold water. You must also try your best to protect your eyes from harmful things. For example, sunglasses are not just for fashion but they can also serve as a great way to protect your eyesight form UV rays.
Eating healthy foods will do good to your eyesight. Remember that vitamins A, C and E are good for eyes. Try to eat food groups that have these vitamins. And you should do eye exercises because exercise protects your eyesight, too. If a person exercises regularly (定期地) and eats the right kind of food, his eyes will stay in good condition for a long time.
All above are natural ways of eye care that help us keep healthy eyes. Being happy all the time can be helpful to a person's eyesight, too. In a word, eye care is very important, no matter how old a person is._____ is the most important way to protect our eyes.
| A．Seeing the doctor | B．Taking medicine |
| C．Natural eye care | D．Being happy all the time |
All the following causes can lead to bad eyesight except _______.
| A．age | B．height | C．reading | D．computers |
What should you do if you have to work in front of the computer?
| A．Eat healthy foods. | B．Have a rest after working for a while. |
| C．Wear a pair of sunglasses. | D．Clean the eye by using cold water |
Which is the best title of the passage?
| A．Ways of Being Happy | B．Ways of Eye Exercises |
| C．Ways of Eye Care | D．Ways of Being Healthy |