D
Do you love the holidays，but hate the pounds that follow? You are not alone. Holidays are times for feasting and celebrating. Many people are worried about their weight.With proper planning，though，it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays.Whether it is celebrating at the office party or sitting down for the traditional family dinner，regard eating as a time for tasting a variety of the foods.The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don't have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy.
Here are some tips for preventing weight gain and maintaining physical fitness：
Don't skip meals.Before you leave home，have a small，low-fat meal or snack.This may help to avoid getting too excited before delicious foods.
Control portions.Use a small plate (about 10 inches) and put aside the large ones that may encourage you to “load up.” You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist. Once you have your “tasting” serving，move away from the buffet(自助餐). Doing so will make it less tempting to be eating constantly as your appetite is inspired by the sight of food.
Begin with soup and fruit or vegetables. Fill up beforehand on water-based soup and raw fruit or vegetables. Or drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you feel full.
Stick to physical activity. Don't let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off excess calories.
Avoid high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy may have a large amount of fat. Choose lean meats. Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. Use lemon juice instead of dessert or butter.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．You had better turn your attention away from delicious foods. |
| B．Drinking some water or soup before eating helps you eat less. |
| C．Holidays are happy days with pleasure but they may bring weight problems. |
| D．Physical exercise can reduce the chance of putting on weight. |
Which of the following CANNOT help lose weight according to the passage?
| A．Lean meats. |
| B．Dessert or butter. |
| C．Raw fruit or vegetables. |
| D．Physical exercise. |
Many people can't control their weight after the holidays mainly because they _______.
| A．can't help being tempted to eat constantly |
| B．take part in too many parties |
| C．enjoy delicious foods |
| D．can't help turning away from the foods |
If the passage appears in the newspaper，you think it should belong to ______ Column.
| A．Holidays and Festivals |
| B．Health and Fitness |
| C．Fashion and Frontier |
| D．Student Times Club |
“Does my smile look big in this?” Future fitting-room mirrors in clothing stores could subtly adjust your reflection to make you look ─ and hence feel ─ happier, encouraging you to like what you see.
That’s the idea behind the Emotion Evoking System developed by Shigeo Yoshida and colleagues at the University of Tokyo in Japan. The system can manipulate, or in other word, control your emotions and personal preferences by presenting you with an image of your own smiling or frowning face.
The principle that physiological changes can drive emotional ones ─ that laughter comes before happiness, rather than the other way around ─ is a well-established idea.
The researchers wanted to see if this idea could be used to build a computer system that manipulates how you feel. The system works by presenting the user with a web-camera image of his or her face ─ as if they were looking in a mirror. The image is then subtly altered with software, turning the corners of the mouth up or down and changing the area around the eyes, so that the person appears to smile or frown (皱眉).
Without telling them the aim of the study, the team recruited (招募) 21 volunteers and asked them to sit in front of the screen while performing an unrelated task. When the task was complete the participants rated how they felt. When the faces on screen appeared to smile, people reported that they felt happier. On the other hand, when the image was given a sad expression, they reported feeling less happy.
Yoshida and his colleagues tested whether manipulating the volunteers’ emotional state would influence their preferences. Each person was given a scarf to wear and again presented with the altered webcam image. The volunteers that saw themselves smiling while wearing the scarf were more likely to report that they liked it, and those that saw themselves not smiling were less likely.
The system could be used to manipulate consumers’ impressions of products, say the researchers. For example, mirrors in clothing-store fitting rooms could be replaced with screens showing altered reflections. They also suggest people may be more likely to find clothes attractive if they see themselves looking happy while trying them on.
“It’s certainly an interesting area,” says Chris Creed at the University of Birmingham, UK. But he notes that using such technology in a shop would be harder than in the lab, because people will use a wide range of expressions. “Attempting to make slight differences to these and ensuring that the reflected image looks believable would be much more challenging,” he says.
Of course, there are also important moral questions surrounding such subtly manipulative technology. “You could argue that if it makes people happy what harm is it doing?” says Creed. “But I can imagine that many people may feel manipulated, uncomfortable and cheated if they found out.”What’s the main purpose of the Emotion Evoking System?
| A．To see whether one’s feeling can be unconsciously affected. |
| B．To see whether one’s facial expressions can be altered. |
| C．To see whether laughter comes before happiness. |
| D．To replace the mirrors in future clothing-store fitting rooms. |
What can we learn about the web-camera image in the study?
| A．It recorded the volunteers’ performance in the task. |
| B．It gave the volunteers a false image. |
| C．It attempted to make the volunteers feel happier. |
| D．It beautified the volunteers’ appearance in the mirror. |
What does Creed mention as a limitation of the technology?
| A．It only changes the areas around the mouth and the eyes. |
| B．It only works in clothing stores. |
| C．It only makes subtle changes to people’s expressions. |
| D．It only deals with a limited number of facial expressions. |
What does Creed’s comment on the moral issues with this technology imply?
| A．Nothing is more important than happiness. |
| B．Technology is unable to manipulate people. |
| C．People should make their decisions independently. |
| D．People should neglect the harm of the technology. |
The Zebra Finch: An Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
The zebra finch, a native of Australia, is a popular domestic pet in the United States. The bird has many attributes (特性) which allow it to be kept at home, though there are also a few negative aspects. The attributes are nest-building, breeding and a lively attitude. The potential negatives are over-breeding and the wildness of the birds.
One of the main attributes of zebra finches is their ability to breed. They are the rabbits of the domestic bird world. Once you have two birds, male and female, you will soon have six, as they breed quite easily and have strong babies, usually four at a time. An added attribute is their ability to build their own nests. You can place branch in their place along with some kind of structure, and they will create a nest on their own. It’s very pleasant to see the ways males and females divide some labors and share others, and the babies grow up quickly. Overall, zebra finches are energetic birds, and they can make every place where they live delightful lives.
On the negative side, they will breed and in-breed. Often, in-breeding does little harm and does not cause genetic defects (缺陷), as happens more often in other species. However, no one can tolerate just any population level. One has to either remove their nests altogether, which basically removes their personal living place, or check for eggs regularly once a week (the gestation period is 13 days, so even a one-week neglect can lead to births). Eggs can be replaced with false plastic eggs, and this prevents females from laying too many. If they do lay too many, they will die from mineral loss. Since these birds do not tame well, removing eggs can be an unpleasant process of repeatedly invading their personal space.
Overall, it is unfortunate that zebra finches are inexpensive birds due to their high level of breeding. They require considerable care to live happy lives. The best care-takers are true avian fanciers — people who have appropriate space for the nests and enough time to allow them to nest-build and breed without over-breeding.
What is the passage mainly about?
| A．Zebra finches over-breed by nature and its consequent ill effects. |
| B．Only people who love birds can take care of Zebra finches. |
| C．Domestic zebra finches require a lot of care to live happy lives. |
| D．Zebra finches never become completely tame. |
By saying “They are the rabbits of the domestic bird world”, the writer means that both rabbits and Zebra finches ______.
| A．have good ability to breed | B．are difficult to be raised |
| C．live delightful lives | D．share responsibilities |
In paragraph 3, the word “gestation” probably means ______.
| A．the period when eggs remain fresh |
| B．the time when finches build up their nest and lay eggs |
| C．the time required for the parents to create a nest |
| D．the time required for baby birds to develop and to be born |
According to the passage, attributes of domestic zebra finches include ______.
| A．their rareness and easiness to be tamed |
| B．their nest-building, sharing of responsibilities and delightful personalities |
| C．their in-breeding, which does not cause as much genetic harm as in other species |
| D．the fact that they are from Australia and have difficulty in adapting themselves |
The vast jungles of the Amazon rainforest are home to tribes (部落) mostly isolated from the outside world, whose way of life, largely unchanged for hundreds of years, is now increasingly threatened by modern civilization.
Now, scientists discover they can monitor these “uncontacted tribes” using satellites, which would allow inexpensive and safe tracking of these tribes in order to protect them from outside threats.
In order to help preserve these uncontacted Indians, researchers need accurate estimates of their populations. One way to collect this data involves flying over their villages, but such over-flights are both expensive and could fill these native peoples with fear. Another strategy involves meeting individuals on the ground, but among other risks, scientists could accidentally spread disease to members of the tribes.
Instead, scientists investigated whether satellite images could monitor uncontacted tribes. The result was inspiring. They confirmed their locations and measured the sizes of their village, houses and gardens. “We can find isolated villages with remote sensing and study them over time.” Walker told Live Science. “We can ask: Are they growing? Do they move?”
Surprisingly, based on the sizes of the houses and villages, the scientists find the population densities of these isolated villages are about 10 times greater, on average, than other villages of native Brazilian peoples. This may be due to the fact that they have to live closer together because they are not as good at clearing the forest, since they lack modern devices like chainsaws and tractors, the researchers said. The tribes may also be afraid of spreading out due to fear of being attacked by outsiders, Walker said.
The researchers now plan to focus on 29 more isolated villages to “look at their ecology— that is, distance from rivers and roads—and use this to model where else we can find more isolated villages,” Walker said.Scientists don’t want to meet the Indians on the ground due to the fear that ______.
| A．they can’t get accurate data |
| B．they could pass disease to the Indians |
| C．they will be attacked by the Indians |
| D．they will catch disease from the Indians |
According to the passage, which of the following about the Indian tribes is NOT true?
| A．They lack modern tools to cut forests. |
| B．Their life styles remain unchanged. |
| C．They live closer together for defense. |
| D．They are contacting the outside world. |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
| A．More isolated tribes are yet to be discovered. |
| B．Scientists are able to find 29 Amazon tribes in total. |
| C．It’s easy for scientists to find isolated villages. |
| D．More roads should be built for the tribes. |
Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?
| A．The Disappearing of the Ancient Amazon Tribes. |
| B．Discovery of Indian Tribes in Remote Mountains. |
| C．The Threatening of Modern Civilization to Tribes. |
| D．Research of Isolated Tribes with Modern Devices. |
Ask a group of elderly people what it was about their lives that made them happiest overall, and they’ll probably mention some warm relationships with family and friends. If you’re satisfied with your social life, according to psychologists, you tend to be satisfied with life in general.
From the point of my 50s, I’d say that sounds about right. Some of my happiest moments are the ones I spend with my husband, a few close relatives, and a handful of very good friends who know me well and like me anyway. But the more I read about how social media are interfering with (干扰) good old-fashioned friendship, creating virtual bonds that can’t quite take the place of real ones, the more I wonder just how today’s 20-somethings will look back on their own lives when they’re my age.
After all, much crucial relationship building work is done in the 20s. According to research by the late Bernice Neugarten of the University of Chicago, who helped launch the academic study of human development, people choose most of their adult relationships, both friends and lovers, between the ages of 22 and 28. The friends we make in our 20s are not only best friends forever; they’re also our first truly chosen friends. And choosing how to commit to these friendships is an essential psychological task of the 20s.
But with so much of friendship in this age group now being developed online, an essential question is what the effect of that interaction is. A study, conducted in 2010 by Craig Watkins and Erin Lee of the University of Texas at Austin, investigated the Facebook habits of 776 young people between the ages of 18 and 35. “Whether it is a wall post, a comment, or a photo,” they wrote, “young people’s engagement with Facebook is driven, primarily, by a desire to stay connected to and involved in the lives of friends who live close by, far away, or have just entered into their lives.”
This kind of constant contact can be efficient, but it can also be upsetting. For one thing, it adds a new layer of concern to a young person’s already-heightened awareness of social ranking, giving appearance-conscious young people yet another thing to worry about. “I see other 20-somethings feeling pressured to constantly keep up a public image, especially a public image online,” wrote Ariana Allensworth on the group blog. “Folks are always keeping the world informed one way or another about what they’re up to, where they’re at, what projects they’re working on. It can be a bit much at times.” Not the most fertile ground for real-world friendship.According to the passage, the 20s is an age for people to _____.
| A．have a good public image |
| B．keep themselves informed |
| C．look back on their own lives |
| D．develop critical relationships |
Which of the following is a disadvantage of making friends online?
| A．It makes people pay less attention to social ranking. |
| B．It robs people of the happy moments spent with friends. |
| C．It keeps people away from their family and close relatives. |
| D．It prevents people from keeping in contact with their friends. |
What was the aim of the study conducted by Craig Watkins and Erin Lee?
| A．To know about the 776 young people’s Facebook habits. |
| B．To find out how social media affect real-world social life. |
| C．To help young people stay connected to the lives of friends. |
| D．To investigate what kind of people prefer online interactions. |
The author may agree that _____.
| A．old-fashioned friendship can help create virtual bonds |
| B．there’s no need for young people to make online friends |
| C．real-world friendship is a better choice for young people |
| D．online friendship is an inevitable trend in the modern world |
Brio Leisure At the heart of life |
|
 |
Health & Fitness Memberships The Brio Health & Fitness Membership packages offer great value for money with no joining fee, no contract, flexibility and choice --- making your health and fitness goals both affordable and achievable. Choose the payment option to suit you, pay by Direct Debit (银行代扣)or save money by purchasing an annual membership. |
| 12 months for the price of 10 Pay annually and you'll get 12 months for the price of 10. See below for prices. Brio Premier Unlimited use of all Brio gyms Unlimited use of all fitness classes Unlimited casual swimming at all Brio pools Off peak racquet (球拍) sports Unlimited use of steam, sauna (桑拿浴) and jacuzzi (按摩浴缸) (where available) £32.00 per month / £320.00 annually Brio Premier - Single Centre Single centre membership allows you to use all the facilities at a single centre. Available at Christleton Sports Centre, Frodsham Leisure Centre and Neston Recreation Centre. Unlimited gym use Unlimited fitness classes Unlimited casual swimming (no pool provision at Frodsham Leisure Centre) Off peak racquet sports £28.00 per month / £280.00 annually Brio Premier - Off Peak Access from opening until 4.00pm and all time at weekends. Use of all Brio gyms Fitness classes Casual swimming Racquet Sports Steam, sauna and jacuzzi (where available) £22.50 per month / £225.00 annually Brio Swim This membership offers unlimited use of all Brio pools, perfect for regular swimmers! £21.00 per month / £210.00 annually Brio Local This membership offers unlimited use of the gym and fitness classes at a single centre. Available at Malpas Sports Centre, Hooton Golf Course, and Rudheath Leisure Centre. £15.00 per month / £150.00 annually |
|
 Off peak racquets - Weekdays from centre opening until 5.00pm, and all day weekends. Sauna and steam room available at Northgate Arena. Sauna available at Moss Farm Leisure Complex. Sauna, steam room and jacuzzi available at Winsford Lifestyle Centre. To join online you will need: A valid email address so that you can receive your online booking details, payment and booking confirmations as well as important membership information. A valid UK bank account that accepts a Direct Debit arrangement if you wish to take out a Direct Debit membership. Memberships are valid for the account holder only. Credit card / Debit card may be required to make an up-front payment for Direct Debit option. |
Brio Leisure must be _____.
| A．a website | B．a health clinic |
| C．a sports club | D．an entertainment park |
Sam, who has a membership of Brio Premier at Frodsham Leisure Centre, can enjoy _____ at 6.00pm on Wednesday.
| A．fitness classes | B．casual swimming |
| C．racquet sports | D．steam and sauna |
Which of the following center suits Alice, who likes swimming and playing racquet sports and wants to enjoy jacuzzi afterwards?
| A．Christleton Sports Centre. | B．Rudheath Leisure Centre. |
| C．Neston Recreation Centre. | D．Winsford Lifestyle Centre. |
If Steven wants to use the Brio gym and swim at noon on weekdays, he needs to pay at least _____ for half a year’s membership.
| A．£112.50 | B．£135.00 | C．£140.00 | D．£168.00 |