Does money buy happiness？Not！Ah, but would a little more money make us a little happier？Many of us smirk(傻笑，假笑) and nod．There is, we believe, some connection between financial fitness and emotional fulfillment．Three in four American college students—nearly double the 1970 proportion— now consider it “very important” or “essential” that they become “very well off financially”．Money matters．
But a surprising fact of life is that in countries where nearly everyone can afford life’s necessities, increasing wealth matters surprisingly little．The connection between income and happiness is “surprisingly weak,” observed University of Michigan researcher Ronald Inglehart in one 16-nation study of 170,000 people．Once comfortable, more money provides diminishing returns(报酬递减)．The second piece of pie, or the second $100,000, never tastes as good as the first．Even lottery winners and the Forbes’ 100 wealthiest Americans surveyed by University of Illinois psychologist Ed Diener have expressed only slightly greater happiness than the average American．Making it big brings temporary joy．But in the long run wealth is like health: its complete absence can create suffering, but having it doesn’t guarantee happiness．Happiness seems less a matter of getting what we want than of wanting what we have．
Has our happiness, however, floated upward with the rising economic tide？Are we happier today than in 1940s, when two out of five homes lacked a shower or tub？Actually, we are not．Since 1957, the number of Americans who say they are “very happy” has declined from 35 to 32 percent．Meanwhile, the divorce rate has doubled, the teen suicide(自杀) rate has increased nearly three times, the violent crime rate has gone up nearly four times, and depression has mushroomed．Economic growth has provided no boost to human morale．When it comes to psychological well being, it is not the economy．
I call this soaring wealth and shrinking spirit “the American paradox．” More than ever, we have big houses and broken homes, high incomes and low confidence, secured rights and reduced civility．We are good at making a living but often fail at making a life．We celebrate our prosperity(繁荣) but long for a purpose．We treasure our freedoms but long for connection．In an age of plenty, we feel spiritual hunger．Which of the following statements best expresses the author’s view？
| A．The more money we earn, the less returns we have． |
| B．The more money we earn, the happier we would be． |
| C．In the long run, money cannot guarantee happiness． |
| D．In the long run, happiness grows with economy． |
“The second $100,000 never tastes as good as the first” because _____．
| A．it is not so fresh as the first $100,000 |
| B．it is not so important as the first $100,000 |
| C．profit brought by it is less than that from the first $100,000 |
| D．happiness brought by it is less than that from the first $100,000 |
According to the passage, people do well in making a living but don’t _____．
| A．have any primary aim |
| B．know how to spend money |
| C．know how to enjoy life |
| D．keep in touch with other people |
The things that happened after 1957 are given to show that _____．
| A．people’s spiritual needs cannot be fulfilled by wealth |
| B．family problems become more and more serious |
| C．young people are not happy about their life |
| D．social crimes have increased significantly |
Alzheimer’s disease is a major national health problem. Nearly 2 million Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease. It is a leading cause of death among the elderly. But Alzheimer’s disease is not confined(限于)to the aged. There may be a million or more people under the age of 65 suffering from the disease.
At one time, people suffering from the disease were said to be“getting old”.The disease was though to be a natural part of growing old, but it is now known that Alzheimer’s disease strikes young and old alike. It is an organic(器官的)disease that destroys brain cells.
Alzheimer’s disease affects the patient’s memory, speech, and movement. In the beginning stages of the disease, the patient may seem slightly confused. He may have trouble speaking. Then the patient’s memory begins to fail. He may forget dates, telephone numbers, names and plans.
As the disease progresses, the patient may not recognize family and friends. These symptoms(症状)often cause terrible anxiety in the patient. He may feel lost and frightened. Sometimes the patient reacts with wild and bad behavior.
In the last stages of the disease, the patient may not be able to take care of himself. He may have lost the ability to speak and walk.
Scientists don’t know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease. It may be caused by a virus(病毒).It may be caused by a poisonous substance(物质)in the environment. At present, there is no cure for the disease. But there are ways to slow its progress. Exercise and physical treatment can help the patients of this disease.The main idea of the passage is that Alzheimer’s disease________.
| A．is a terrible part of the aging process |
| B．is an organic disease that affects young and old |
| C．can be cured by physical treatment |
| D．causes forgetfulness |
All of the following are symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease EXCEPT_________.
A. forgetfulness B. difficulty in speaking
.loss of sight D. loss of the ability to walkAccording to the passage, which of the following may be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease?
| A．Poisons produced by the brain. | B．Getting old. |
| C．A virus. | D．Lack of exercise. |
he progress of Alzheimer’s disease can be slowed by________.
| A．operation | B．a change in environment |
| C．medicines | D．physical treatment and exercise |
Special trees that grow faster, fight pollution, produce better wood, and even sense chemical attacks are being planted by scientists in the US.
When 40 per cent of Hawaii's US$14 million-a-year papaya (木瓜)industry was destroyed by a virus five years ago, work began on creating genetically engineered(转基因的) trees.
Researchers successfully introduced seeds that were designed to resist the virus. Since then, more and more people have been testing genetically engineered trees.
Some researchers put special bacteria into trees to help them grow faster and produce better wood. Others are trying to create trees that can clean polluted soil.
Meanwhile fruit farmers are looking for trees that are strong enough to resist worms, and paper companies want trees that produce more wood and therefore more paper.
The Pentagon (五角大楼) even gave the researchers US$500,000 this year after they developed a pine tree that changes its colours if it senses a chemical attack..
So far, the poplar, eucalyptus (杨树与桉树), apple and coffee trees are among those being engineered. All this can be done today because we have a better understanding of tree genomes(基因组).
However, some people fear that the genetically engineered trees will cause dangerous results. They are worried that the new trees will breed with natural species and change the balance of the forest environment.
"It could be destructive," said Jim Diamond, an environmentalist. "Trees are what is left of our natural environment and home to many endangered species."
But researchers insist that science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers.
They hope to answer the critics by stopping the new trees from breeding, so their effect on the environment can be controlled.What trees are NOT the ones that scientists are planting in the US?
| A．Trees that worms can't hurt. |
| B．Trees that can protect themselves at a chemical attack. |
| C．Trees that can resist wind better. |
| D．Trees that can improve soil conditions. |
What caused the American scientists to work on special trees?
| A．They think science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers. |
| B．Great numbers of trees have been lost due to attacks by viruses. |
| C．Researchers successfully introduced seeds designed to resist the virus. |
| D．Tree genomes are mapped out so scientists know how to improve trees. |
Which of the following was probably the first kind of trees being engineered?
| A．Papaya. | B．Pine. | C．Apple. | D．Poplar. |
The best title of the passage is .
| A．The improvement of environment |
| B．The side-effects of special trees |
| C．The development of special trees |
| D．the program of genetically engineered trees |
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Fax（800)123-6461 Email: sakes @fitness. ComWhat is ROM?
| A．A peice of exercise equipment. |
| B．A club membership card. |
| C．A commercial health club. |
| D．An electric wheelchair. |
How many people bought ROM after trying it out?
| A．92% | B．88% |
| C．97% | D．90% |
One selling point of ROM is that_____.
| A．it makes full body exercise possible in 4 minutes |
| B．it can kill back and shoulder pains in 10 minutes |
| C．it needs no repair in the first 20 years |
| D．it is sold on a 3-month trial basis |
The advertisement is made believable by______.
| A．telling stories |
| B．using figures |
| C．making comparisons |
| D．asking question |
Asian athletes have had a spare time in the first two days of the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England. But Chinese hurdler(跨栏运动员) Liu Xiang surprised everyone by taking the bronze medal in the men's 60-meter hurdles.
Liu became the first Chinese male athlete to get a world indoor medal in the 18-year history of the championship and was the only Asian medallist this time.
"Karaoke (卡拉OK)! That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to get a big group of my friends together and sing. I love both Western and Chinese music but especially Michael Jackson," said Liu after clocking 7.52 seconds in the final to take his place on the podium (领奖台).
"Frankly speaking, I didn't think I was in the shape to win a medal," Liu said. "On my arrival here, my aim was just to fight my way into the final. After I did that, I thought I might just get into the top six. I knew British hurdler Colin Jackson was going to be here and he's the world record holder indoors and out."
"There was also Cuba's reigning (统治的) Olympic champion Anier Garcia and Allen Johnson, from the United States." It was Johnson, the reigning world outdoor champion, who was successful in 7.47 seconds with Garcia second and Jackson finished back in fifth.
Now Liu will never underestimate his chances again and is aiming for glory in Paris later this year.
"There is the World Championship outdoors in the summer and I have now got to think that I can get a medal. I can never again think that I can't get a medal," he said. Liu's success here marks his rapid transition into the senior ranks.
"The university gives me a lot of flexibility. My courses are very easy and the teachers are very helpful," said Liu.
They might have to be even more accommodating(乐于助人的) now if Liu starts taking on celebrity status, although an invite to his homecoming karaoke party may help. The first sentence "Asian athletes have had a spare time in the first two days…" means "________".
| A．Asian athletes can do things at their will in the first two days |
| B．Asian athletes haven't any achievements in the first two days |
| C．Asian athletes could match athletes from other continents |
| D．Asian athletes are tired of competing in the first two days |
The underlined sentence means "________".
| A．I was not satisfied with my performances |
| B．winning a medal can't show what I have done |
| C．I didn't think I was able to win a medal |
| D．I haven't told anyone about my achievements in the hurdles |
Liu ________ the World Championship outdoors in Paris later this year.
| A．is busy preparing for |
| B．has great pressure on |
| C．is more confident of his ability in |
| D．pays little attention to |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Liu Xiang was the youngest athlete to take part in the competition in England. |
| B．Liu Xiang was the first Asian medallist to get a world indoor medal. |
| C．Liu Xiang is not only a good athlete but a music-lover. |
| D．Liu Xiang finds it hard to get along with teachers in university. |
Even as Americans have been gaining weight, they have cut their average fat intake from 36 to 34 percent of their total diets in the past 15 years. And indeed, cutting fat to control or lose weight makes sense. Fat has nine calories per gram. Protein and carbohydrates（碳水化合物） have just four. Moreover, the body uses fewer calories to metabolize fat than it does to metabolize other foods. Compared with protein and carbohydrates — which break down into amino acids and simple sugars, respectively, and can be used to strengthen and energize the body —— dietary fat is more easily converted to body fat. Therefore, it’s more likely to stay on buttocks, thighs and bellies.
But cutting fat from your diet doesn’t necessarily mean your body won’t store fat. For example, between nonfat and regular cookies, there’s trivial difference in calories because manufacturers make up for the loss of fat by adding sugar. Low-fat crackers, soups and dressings can also be just as high in calories as richer versions. No matter where the calories come from, overeating will still cause weight again. The calories from fat just do it a little quicker. A Wisconsin computer programmer who decided with a diet coach to eat only 40 grams of fat a day learned the lesson firsthand. He wasn’t losing weight. Then he showed his food diary to his coach and revealed he’d been eating half a pound of jelly beans a day. “They don’t have any fat,” he explains. But they had enough sugar to keep him from shedding an ounce.
Nonfat foods become add-on foods. When we add them to our diet, we actually increase the number of calories we eat per day and gain weight. That was borne out in a Pennsylvania State University study. For breakfast, Prof. Barbara Rolls gave two groups of women yogurt（酵母乳）that contained exactly the same amount of calories. One group’s yogurt label said “high fat”—the other, “low fat.” The “low fat” yogurt group ate significantly more calories later in the day than the other group. “People think they’ve saved fat and can indulge themselves later in the day with no adverse consequences,” says Richard Mattes, a nutrition researcher at Purdue University. “But when they do that, they don’t compensate very precisely, and they often end up overdoing it.”What lessons did the computer programme learn ?
| A．Overeating will cause weight gain |
| B．He can eat half a pound of jellybeans a day |
| C．He can’t didn’t eat any fat |
| D．His coach gave him a lecture |
Prof. Barbara’s ecperiement proved that _______________.
| A．two groups ate the same amount of calories |
| B．two groups ate the same wmount of yogurt |
| C．the “ low fat” yogurt group ate more calories later in the day than the other group |
| D．people increase the number of calories they eat per day and gain group |
According to the author ,________has less calories.
| A．fat |
| B．protein and carbohydrates |
| C．low-fat soups |
| D．sugar |
What can you infer from the text ?
| A．To keep from being overweight, people have to eat nofat food |
| B．The calories from fat just do it a little quicker than from protein and carbohydrates |
| C．People should avoid temptation |
| D．Americans realize that it is necessary to count calories before eating the food |