TOKYO, JAPAN – What do you do when you see a cockroach (蟑螂)? Do you hit it with a newspaper? Do you step on it?
When researchers at Tokyo University see a cockroach, they take the remote control and make the cockroach turn around, run left or right, or go forward. These scientists are changing the cockroaches into robots（机器人）. Each cockroach has a very small packet that has in it a microprocessor (微处理器). Then researchers can send signals (信号) from the remote control to the packet. The signals control the movements of the cockroaches.
Why does anyone want to control a cockroach? “Insects can do many things that people can’t,” says Isao Shimoyama, head of robot research at Tokyo University. In a few years, he says, these robot insects will carry very small cameras. They will be able to move through earthquake rubble (瓦砾) to look for people or move under doors to find information about someone.
This may seem strange, but the Japanese government thinks the research is very important. The government is giving the scientists $ 5 million for this research.
First, the research keeps hundreds of cockroaches. They use only the American cockroach because it is bigger and stronger than other cockroaches. Then they choose the best cockroaches and remove their wings and antennae (触须). They put small packets where the antennae were. The packets weigh about three grams, or about two times the weight of the cockroaches themselves. “Cockroaches are very strong,” says Ralph Holzer, who is a researcher at Tokyo University. “They can lift 20 times their own weight.”
With a remote control, the scientists send signals to the packets. When a cockroach gets the signal, it moves. The problem is that the cockroaches don’t always move in the right direction.The scientists are changing the cockroaches into robots because ______________________.
| A．they want cockroaches to do things people can’t in the future |
| B．they want to control the movements of the cockroaches |
| C．they want cockroaches to take photos of the earthquakes |
| D．they want to send signals to the packets on the cockroaches |
Scientists control cockroaches’ movements _________________________.
| A．by removing their wings |
| B．by sending signals from the remote control |
| C．by using very small cameras |
| D．by removing their antennae |
What can cockroaches do to help people?
| A．They can lift 20 times their own weight. |
| B．They can help people to carry very small cameras. |
| C．They can keep hundreds of cockroaches. |
| D．They can search for those people in rubble after an earthquake. |
What problem do the cockroaches meet with?
| A．The cockroaches sometimes don’t move. |
| B．The cockroaches are too big to move through earthquake rubble. |
| C．The cockroaches sometimes move in the wrong direction. |
| D．The cockroaches can only lift 20 times their own weight. |
"Spending as little as $5 a day on someone else can make you happier," the researchers from a team at the University（大学）of British Columbia and Harvard Business School reported.
Their experiments on 600 volunteers in the US showed people were feeling happier when they spent money on others.
The team asked their 600 volunteers about their income（收入），their daily costs, gifts for others and donations to charity. "No matter how much money each person made, those who spent money on others could get greater happiness than those who spent money only on themselves," Dunn said.
Dunn’s team also surveyed 16 workers at a company in Boston after they received an award of between $3,000 and $8,000. "Of course they felt happy after receiving the awards," they wrote in their report. "But when they gave the people in need $5, they were happier."
"The findings showed that as little as $5 could be enough to produce happiness on a whole day," Dunn said. There were ______ people in all who took part in the experiments.
The underlined word "experiments" means ______ in Chinese.
| A．会议 | B．表演 | C．实验 | D．化验 |
What does the passage mainly tell us?
| A．Money is not important for people. |
| B．Money really can "buy" happiness if you spend it on others. |
| C．We should try our best to give our money to more people in need. |
| D．Spend all the money on others and you’ll feel happier. |
When Kyle walked into Ernie’s Pet World, he looked very worried. He walked quickly to the front counter（柜台）. The owner of the shop, Ernie, jumped out to greet Kyle. He was the shop’s first shopper of the day.
"Good morning, sir!" Ernie said. "What can I help you with?"
"Well, I...," Kyle started to say.
"Wait, don’t tell me," Ernie interrupted (打断) him. "You’re looking for a … a little dog... for
your daughter ’s birthday. Right?"
"No T really, l just..."
Ernie didn’t let him finish. "Ah, I’ve got it, You just moved into a new house, and you want some fish for it. I have some very nice tanks over here."
"In fact, I..." Kyle was starting to look very nervous (紧张的). His face had a strange expression（表情）on it.
"No fish? Ah, a cat! You look like a cat person. At Ernie’s Pet World, we have the best kinds. Take a look at this Persian—long, white hair, and look at that cute expression. She’s looking at you. She’s thinking, ‘Take me home. Take me home.’ Would you like some cat food and toys as well?"
"No, thank you," Kyle said. By this time, he was walking up and down. He had a pained (痛苦的) look on his face. "Really, I’m not interested in cats or fish or little dogs."
"What do you want, then?" Ernie asked.
Kyle looked like he was going to cry. "I just want to know if I can use your bathroom!" he finally said. What does the writer want to tell us?
| A．A good pet owner. | B．A funny story. |
| C．A wonderful shopkeeper. | D．A strange pet shop. |
What was true about Ernie’s Pet World?
| A．The shop was not busy. | B．Kyle went there often. |
| C．The shop was about to close. | D．Kyle knew the shop owner well. |
What do you think of Ernie?
| A．He is careful. | B．He is helpful. |
| C．He likes talking. | D．He is clever. |
Why did Kyle look anxious and pained?
| A．He wanted to get a cat very much. | B．He didn’t like animals. |
| C．He was late for work. | D．He was not comfortable. |
Tom can’t join the summer camp because he _______.
| A．doesn’t speak English well | B．doesn’t like the university |
| C．is 20 years old | D．isn’t a Canadian |
How much will you pay when you visit Tate Modem Art Gallery with your parents?
| A．￥5 | B．￥10. | C．￥15 | D．It’s free. |
Where can we see the above reading?
| A．On a poster. | B．In a textbook. | C．In a letter. | D．In a guide book. |
It’s still the holiday season and students in the UK are enjoying their winter break (休假).
Tiffany in Guangdong asks us about how British students spend their winter break.
For some, it’s a time to study because they have exams next term. Some might have to study. They have to read some books. They use the winter break to catch up with(赶上) their reading. But some students can Let their hair down and celebrate Christmas and New Year with a few drinks.
This holiday is also an important time to chat with the family and maybe get some sleep too. Some lucky students are going away on holiday but it won’t be long. What do the underlined words "let their hair down" mean in this reading?
| A．放下头发 | B．烫发 | C．放松 | D．理发 |
Which of the following is true?
| A．The winter break in the UK is not long. |
| B．The winter break in the UK is a time for sleep. |
| C．Students work hard in the winter break. |
| D．Students are preparing for the coming exam. |
The passage is mainly about _______.
| A．the differences between the winter break in China and the UK |
| B．what the students in the UK usually do in the winter break |
| C．why some students like the winter break |
| D．how to celebrate the winter break |
Almost all of us have unpleasant habits. We all want to get rid of(摆脱) them, but we don’t know proper ways. Here’s some advice.
●Write down all the reasons why you want to stop some behavior. Look at the reasons very often.
●It’s clever to do something else when you want to stop your bad habits. If you get angry easily, for example, you can go out for a walk.
●Decide what you’ll do to reward(奖励) yourself if you really get rid of your bad habits.
●If you get too heavy, keep junk food out of your house.
●Bad habits develop over years, so you can’t get rid of them very soon. So you should be patient.
●Don’t be afraid to ask others for support. You can talk to your friends, family or other people. When you talk to them, they might be able to provide some advice that you can’t get from yourself. 