Do women’s minds work the same as men’s? Absolutely not.At least, that is what most men are convinced of.Psychologists view the subject either as a matter or frustration or a joke.Now the biologists have moved into this minefield, and some of them have found that there are real differences between the brains of men and women.But being different, they point out hurriedly, is not the same as being better or worse.
There is, however, a definite structural variation between the male and female brain.The difference is in a part of the brain that is used in the most complex intellectual processes-the link between the two halves of the brain.
The two halves are linked by a trunkline of between 200 and 300 million nerves, the corpus callosum.Scientists have found quite recently that the corpus callosum in women is always larger and probably richer in nerve fibres than it is in men.This is the first time that a structural difference has been found between the brains of women and men and it must have some significance.The question is "What?", and, if this difference exists, are there others? Research shows that present-day women think differently and behave differently from men.Are some of these differences biological and inborn, a result of evolution? We tend to think that is the influence of society that produces these differences.But could we be wrong?
Research showed that these two halves of the brain had different functions, and that the corpus callosum enabled them to work together.For most people, the left half is used for word handing, analytical and logical activities; the right half works on pictures, patterns and forms.We need both halves working together.And the better the connections, the more harmoniously the two halves work.And, according to research findings, women have the better connections.
But it isn't all that easy to explain the actual differences between skills of men and women on this basis.In schools throughout the world girls tend to be better than boys at "language subjects" and boys better at maths and physics.If these differences correspond with the differences in the hemispheric trunkline, here is an unalterable distinction between the sexes.
We shan't know for a while, partly because we don't know of any precise relationship between abilities in school subject and the functioning of the two halves of the brain, and we cannot understand how the two halves interact via the corpus callosum.But this striking difference must have some effect and, because the difference is in the parts of the brain involved in intellect, we should be looking for differences in intellectual processing.Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
| A．Results of scientific research fail to support popular belief. |
| B．Brain differences point to superiority of one sex over the other. |
| C．Biologists are conducting research where psychologists have given up |
| D．The structural difference in the brain between the sexes has long been known. |
The corpus callosum functions in __________.
| A．forming the nerve fibers. |
| B．differing man from woman. |
| C．enabling the brain to work. |
| D．processing the most complex intellectuality. |
According to the passage it is commonly believed that brain differences are caused by ______
| A．social | B．psycological | C．physical | D．biological |
"these differences" in paragraph 5 refer to those in ________.
| A．school subjects |
| B．skills of men and women |
| C．the brain structure of men and women |
| D．activities carried out by the brain |
At the end of the passage the author proposes more work on ________.
| A．the brain structure as a whole |
| B．the functioning of part of the brain |
| C．the distinction between the sexes |
| D．the effects of the corpus callosum |
By 2012，the world may need to cope with as many as 50 million people who have fled their homeland，not for political or economic reasons but because the environment has been so badly changed that it cannot support life. The statement has been released by the United Nations to mark UN Disaster Reduction Day.
More people are made homeless by environmental disasters than by war，according to the research by the Red Cross. That reality is proved by the earthquake in Pakistan.
The widely publicized disaster has brought aid from the global community，according to Janos Bogardi，director of the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security. “If we can move swiftly in and give them a new start where they are，then they may stay in the area. Otherwise，they become environmental refugees. Environmentalrelated migrations are most acute in SubSaharan Africa，but they also affect millions of people in Asia and India. Meanwhile，the United States is witnessing increased pressure from victims of mismanaged and worsening soil and water conditions in Mexico and Latin America.” he says. Janos Bogardi says these refugees suffer from the impact of gradual environmental change—global warming，sea level rise，air and water pollution and more intense storms，floods and droughts that degrade the land. This is a slow process，but unfortunately a process that is very difficult to go backwards once final damage is done.
Janos Bogardi says they are calling on the global community to recognize the serious situation of environmental refugees and to work together to lessen the impact of environmental disaster.What may be the best title of the passage?
| A．50 Million environmental refugees by 2010 |
| B．Environmental refugees—an international problem |
| C．The cause of environmental disasters |
| D．Global aid pouring in |
Janos Bogardi’s attitude towards solving the problem is that of being ________.
| A．constructive | B．compromising |
| C．controversial | D．conservative |
According to the passage，the following are the main reasons for migrations except ________.
| A．earthquake | B．water conditions |
| C．global community | D．worsening soil |
What is implied in the passage?
| A．People all over the world have realized the impact of environmental disasters on refugees. |
| B．It is time for us to take some measures to solve the problem of environmental refugees. |
| C．The damaged soil can recover soon if people take care of it. |
| D．It is good for people to go elsewhere to make a living. |
Nowadays, millions of lonely singles are now going online instead. The World Wide Web is quickly becoming the world’s most popular matchmaker（媒人）.
Singles are flocking（涌向）to the Internet mainly because their busy lifestyles leave them little time to look for a significant other. Using dating sites（约会网址）is quick and convenient. Many singles say the regular dating scene has just led them from one bad experience to another and are ready to try something else. Dating sites also make it easy to avoid someone you are not interested in. In the real world, however, ignoring someone you don’t like can be difficult.
Despite all the advantages, online dating also presents its own set of problems. People aren’t always those who they declare to be in their online description. Safety is another concern. You are just likely to find a criminal online as you are Mr. or Miss Right.
Online dating experts recommend following a few safety tips:
Guard your personal information. Never give out your personal information online. This includes your last name, phone number, home address and place of work.
Watch for red flags. Do any of the people you are chatting with make disrespectful comments? Do they try to control you? Do they give false information about themselves? If so, forget them!
Meet in a safe place. When meeting someone in person, choose a public location with other people around.
Following these tips and you might be able to find the person of your dreams.According to the passage, many lonely singles don’t appreciate the regular dating scene because it is _____________.
| A．unpopular |
| B．troublesome |
| C．convenient |
| D．forgettable |
The underlined words in the second paragraph “a significant other” means _______”.
| A．a true friend |
| B．a matchmaker |
| C．a marriage partner |
| D．a happy family |
Which of the following is NOT a suitable place for meeting someone you get to know through the Internet for the first time?
| A．At his / her house. |
| B．At the museum. |
| C．At McDonald’s. |
| D．At the bookstore. |
From this passage, we can infer that ____________.
| A．there are mostly homely and unemployed people online |
| B．the police had better find criminals online |
| C．we can find love only through the dating sites |
| D．following safety tips ensures a safe online dating experience |
You probably know you should say "please" and "thank you" at restaurants. You probably know the rules of a library. You know you should respect and be nice to your classmates. But do you have music manners?
Keep It Down! You have to notice the volume of your music. You should not play your music so loud that everyone around you can hear it. Some people might even get angry. Usually, when you play the music loud on an MP3 player, other people can't hear the words of the song. They just hear a loud sound. No one wants to listen to this. Very loud music can also be bad for your ears. So even if you are alone when listening to our MP3 players, you shouldn't turn it up too high.
Take Them Off! You need to know when to turn your MP3 off and put it away. Libraries, and schools don't allow MP3 players. There are other places, like museums, that don't have rules, but it would be rude to have your MP3 player on. Sometimes, it doesn't make sense to listen on your MP3 player at event. Why would you listen to music at a play, a movie or a sporting event? You would miss what is going on and others would wonder why you even came.
Take One Out! Once in a while it's okay just to take out one earphone and not other. Imagine you are listening on your MP3 player when someone asks you the way. It would not be rude to take out one earphone, tell him the way, and put back the earphone and continue listening. You can also do this when you order food at a fast-food restaurant or when you answer the telephone and it's not for you.
It's Your Choice! There are times when you need to decide what is best. F or example, some people can listen to music on their MP3 players when reading books, while others think it is disturbing. In cases like this, you need to do what seems right for you.The underlined word "volume" in Paragraph Two probably means "_________."
| A．the type of music | B．the length of a song |
| C．the amount of a sound | D．the colour of an MP3 player |
We should turn down the mu sic when we are alone because loud music_________.
| A．is not enjoyable | B．hurts our ears |
| C．is bad for MP3 players | D．makes us tired |
If we listen to our MP3 player a t a play, _________.
| A．we will miss part of the play | B．the actors will get angry |
| C．others won't hear the play well | D．the theatre won't allow it |
We can take one earphone out when we _________.
| A．have dinner with our parents | B．talk to friends on the phone |
| C．watch a sporting event | D．show others the way |
What can be the best title of this passage?
| A．Music Lovers | B．MP3 Players |
| C．Music Manners | D．MP3 Earphones |
Young people can have problems with their minds. Some students become worried because they have to study very hard. Others have trouble getting on well with people like their parents and classmates.
Li Wen, a junior 2 student from No. 2 Middle School, could not understand his teacher and was doing badly in his lessons. He became so worried about it that he started to cut his finger with a knife.
Another student, 16-year-old Yang Fang from No. 1 Middle School, was afraid of exams. She got very worried in one, and when she looked at the exam paper, she couldn't think of anything to write.
A recent report from Jiefang Daily says about 18% of Shanghai teenagers have mental problems. Their troubles include being worried and very unhappy, and having problems in learning and getting on with people. Many students who have problems won't go for advice or help. Some think they will look stupid if they go to see a doctor. Others don't want to talk about their secrets.
Liang Yuezhu, an expert on teenagers from Beijing Anding Hospital has the following advice for teenagers:
Talk to your parents or teachers often.
Take part in group activities and play sports.
Go to see a doctor if you feel unhappy or unwell. The students who often become worried or have trouble getting on with others may have ________.
| A．no parents | B．a headache | C．knife with them | D．mental problems |
Li Wen cut his finger with a knife because________.
| A．he was afraid of his teacher | B．he was so worried about his studies |
| C．he wanted to frighten his parents | D．his finger was badly hurt |
Yang Fang's problem happened when________.
| A．she had exams | B．she studied very hard |
| C．she talked with her parents | D．she thought of something |
Students who have problems won't ask others for help because________.
| A．they won't let others think they are stupid |
| B．they don't think doctors can help them |
| C．they don't want to talk about their secrets |
| D．both A and C |
Liang Yuezhu's advice tells us that ________.
| A．it's unnecessary for them to be with others |
| B．only group activities and sports can help them |
| C．it's better for the students who have mental problems to join others |
| D．teachers and parents can't do anything about mental problems |
No one can change the weather. Nobody can control the weather. But if we read correctly the signs around us, we can tell what the more important changes in the weather will be. This way of telling what the weather will be like on the following day or two is called weather forecasting(天气预报).
For many centuries and in all countries, people have studied the weather and tried to make weather forecasting. Rings around the sun are a sign of coming rain. That many people feel their joints(关节) hurt is a sign of wet weather. Some birds fly high if fine weather is coming, but they fly near the ground if rainy or stormy weather is on the way. If you see a rainbow during rainy weather, this is a sign that the weather will become clear and fine. Such rainbows come in the evening. If the stars twinkle clearly at night, then fine weather will continue. If a fog appears in the morning just above a river, then the day will be warm. If the sunset is mostly red in colour, then the following day will be fine. If a rainbow appears in the morning, rainy weather will probably come.
Most of the above sayings have been made by the people who have used their eyes and brains to make weather forecasting.Which is true about weather forecasting?
| A．Weather forecasting is a way of telling what the weather will be like. |
| B．Weather forecasting is a report about the weather. |
| C．Weather forecasting is a sign of coming rain. |
| D．People can change the weather forecasting. |
Which of the following can be used here to replace(取代) the underlined phrase "on the way"?
| A．away. | B．gone. | C．coming. | D．disappearing. |
When you see the stars twinkle clearly at night, the weather will be _______.
| A．clear and fine | B．warm | C．rainy | D．cold |
Which of the following signs can tell the weather will probably be rainy?
| A．Some birds fly high. |
| B．A rainbow appears in the morning. |
| C．The sunset is mostly red in colour. |
| D．Fogs appear in the morning just above a river. |
We must __________ to make weather forecasting.
| A．use our eyes and brains | B．study the weather hard |
| C．read correctly the signs | D．All of the above |