It's 3 a.m. and you're wide awake for the second night in a row. You get up and come to the kitchen for some warm milk that mom says will put you to sleep. So why are you eating a bowl of ice cream with a side of cookies?
You may have heard about two hormones (荷尔蒙) that control our urge to eat: leptin and ghrelin. "The 'l' in leptin stands for lose: It controls appetite and therefore contributes to weight loss," said sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasgupta, the associate program director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship at Keck Medicine of USC. "The 'g' in ghrelin stands for gain: This fast-acting hormone increases hunger and leads to weight gain." When you don't have enough sleep, research shows, ghrelin levels increase while leptin lakes a nose dive. The result is an increase in hunger.
But food is food, so that doesn't explain why we want candy instead of carrots. To answer that, you have to look at another system of the body: The endocannabinoid (内源性大麻素) system. It manages everything from sleep to appetite to pain and more.
In a study published in 2016, Hanlon compared the circulating levels of 2-AG, one of the most abundant endocannabinoids,in people who got four nights of normal sleep (more than eight hours) with those in people who only got 4.5 hours. People who were sleep-deprived (缺乏睡眠) reported greater increases in hunger and appetite and had higher afternoon concentrations of 2-AG than those who slept well. They also had a rough time controlling their urges for high-calorie snacks.
All of this research is so new that science doesn’t yet know how it all fits together or what can be done about it. And that brings us to the bottom line: There's not going to be a pill any time soon for the sleep-deprived junk-food people. Instead, you'll have to do what the doctor says to reduce your improper cravings (渴望) in the middle of the night: get more sleep.
1.How does the author develop paragraph 2?
A.By giving examples. B.By making comparisons.
C.By following time order. D.By making explanations.
2.What did the study published in 2016 find?
A.Most 2-AG is produced during sleep.
B.Normal sleep makes levels of 2-AG go up.
C.High levels of 2-AG can result in strong appetite.
D.Lack of sleep decreases appetite for high-calorie food.
3.What may be a solution to the problem of eating junk-food at midnight?
A.Buying a pill from the hospital. B.Visiting the doctor at midnight.
C.Getting normal amount of sleep. D.Checking the levels of 2-AG often.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.Lack of sleep makes you crave junk food.
B.2-AG controls your hunger and appetite.
C.Enough sleep is important in losing weight.
D.Leptin and ghrelin together make you sleepy.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
At least 200 elephants have died in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe in the past two months due to a serious drought (干旱) in the country. National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesman Tinashe Farawo told The Associated Press. Other animals, including giraffes, zebras , hippos and buffaloes are also dying due to the drought."The situation cannot improve until it rains, "Farawo said.
"Almost every animal is being affected," Farawo said. "Of course, elephants are easily noticed, but some bird species are seriously affected because they can only breed (繁殖) in certain tree heights and those trees are being knocked down by elephants."
"In a desperate attempt to locate food and water, animals have come in the park and nearby communities, threatening human populations as well. Thirty-three people have died because of these animals this year," the park said.
"Six hundred elephants and two lion prides will be moved to less crowded parks. A pack of wild dogs, 50 buffaloes, 40 giraffes and 2,000 impalas will also be relocated, " Farawo said.
"The animals have exceeded their ecological carrying capacity (生态承载力)," he added."If the populations go unchecked, the animals will threaten the very ecosystem they depend on for survival."
Typically, park leaders follow a policy of not intervening (干预) to help the animals , but the hard conditions have persuaded them otherwise. Fearing more deaths before the rainy season, they have started bringing in food to help the animals, which usually rely on natural vegetation.
"We used to say nature should take its course,"said wildlife officer Munyaradzi Dzoro."We are now forced to intervene. We are not sure when and how we will receive the rain. To avoid losing animals, we have to intervene to maintain population sizes.
In addition to a lack of food and water, muddy ponds have turned into death traps for the animals. Many have gotten stuck in the clay (泥土) while attempting to reach Long Pool, the park's largest watering hole, which has shrunk to 5% of its normal size, the Associated Press reports.
The drought has affected an estimated 11 million people, according to the World Food Program, which is planning large-scale food distribution.
1.Why are some bird species being affected?
A.They can't find enough food and water.
B.They lose many proper breeding places.
C.They are often killed by big land animals.
D.They become ill easily because of other animals' death.
2.What measure will be taken to improve the serious situation?
A.Building fences between the park and nearby communities.
B.Killing the animals which went into human communities.
C.Providing enough water for the animals in the park.
D.Moving some animals to less crowded places.
3.What did Farawo think is the basis for the survival of animals?
A.A healthy ecosystem. B.A policy of not intervening.
C.Large populations of animals. D.Limited ecological carrying capacity.
4.Muddy ponds have become deadly to the animals because_________.
A.their clay is very attractive B.much of their water is gone
C.they have become much deeper D.there is much food in their water
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Twenty-year old Brian, our eldest son, was riding his motorcycle home from work when a drunken driver ran him down. The driver, Ruben Gonzalez, was accused of man-slaughter (过失杀人). For three years we had waited. Now we were to be in court (法庭) in three weeks' time, when the judge would sentence (判决) Gonzalez at last.
"Jeri," our lawyer said,"there is a chance that the judge might delay (延期) Gonzalez's sentence because his boy has a bad heart and may only live six months. Please be prepared." "Prepared for what?" I shouted. "The possibility of Brian's killer going unpunished?"
In the car, I sat in silent agony as my husband Charles drove us home. I believed that the man who had killed my beautiful son should be punished. It might teach others a lesson about drinking and driving. All I wanted was a twenty-month prison term.
On the day of the sentencing, the courtroom was filled with our relatives and friends. When it was time for me to read my statement, I glanced at Mr. Gonzalez and said, "I pray that God will let your boy live. But if you lose him, you will know the feeling we have known losing our son." Then judge Gilroy called Gonzalez forward and pronounced the sentence. Twenty months in prison, to be served immediately.
I just sat there, feeling no relief. The lawyer said we could go if we wished, but I couldn't move. My mind spun all the next day. I said to Charles, "I know this sounds strange after all we've been through, but I feel very strongly that we should ask the court to let Mr. Conzalez be with his son." Relief flooded my husband's face and I knew he felt the same. He picked up the phone and dialed the judge's office. "I hope it's not too late, " Charles said.
The next day we were back in the courtroom. Ruben Gonzalez was called forward by judge Gilroy and told that he would be allowed to spend his son's final days with him, after which he would complete a six-month prison term.
1.What had the author and her husband probably waited for?
A.Apology from Gonzalez. B.The police arresting Gonzalez.
C.The court putting Gonzalez into prison. D.The judge delaying Gonzalez's sentence.
2.What does the underlined word "agony"in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A.Doubt. B.Pain.
C.Shame. D.Peace.
3.What can we know from the original sentence for Gonzalez?
A.It brought much relief to the author.
B.It completely met what the author had wanted.
C.Gonzalez was slightly punished because of his son.
D.The author's statement had a large influence on it.
4.Which of the following can best describe the author and her husband?
A.Heartless. B.Undetermined.
C.Merciful. D.Honest.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Here are four fun Thanksgiving tradition facts.
Turkey and cranberry sauce (小红莓果酱)
While the Native Americans and Pilgrims are believed to have feasted on geese, lobster, cod and deer, present-day Thanksgiving dinners mainly feature turkey. Some experts believe the birds were selected because they were cheper, and easier to rise. The bird was suggested by Sarah Josepha Hale to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Since President Abraham Lincoln loved roasted turkey, he happily included the bird on his Thanksgiving menu. The idea of pairing the bird with cranberry sauce is believed to be the brainchild of Civil War Union General Ulysses S. Grant in 1864.
Turkey Trots
Many Americans build up their appetites (食欲) for the holiday feast by participating in their town or city's morning runs, or "Turkey Trots". The fun tradition was started in 1896 by six people of Buffalo, New York. It is the world's oldest footrace, attracting over 14,000 runners of all ages and abilities every year.
Thanksgiving parades
American retailer Macy's has been holding a Thanksgiving parade along Manhattan's 77th Street and Central Pack West since 1924. Though the popular event, which attracts over 3.5 million people in person and about 50 million television viewers, now contains giant floats (花车), the first parade featured animals from New York's Central Park Zoo.
The Presidential turkey pardon
Every year, two lucky turkeys escape the Thanksgiving table due to a special pardoning supported by the US president. People credit the fun tradition to President Harry Truman (April 12, 1945 to January 20, 1953). Though at first, just one bird could be freed, a "spare" was added in 1981, after a turkey named Liberty escaped by accident before President Ronald Reagan was able to grant (授予) his pardon at the ceremony.
1.Which of the following traditions has the longest history?
A.Turkey Trots. B.Thanksgiving parades.
C.Turkey and cranberry sauce. D.The Presidential turkey pardon.
2.Which is a benefit of many Americans observing the tradition "Turkey Trots"?
A.Building good relationships with others. B.Winning awards given by the government.
C.Adding a new tradition to the festival. D.Physically preparing for the coming holiday feast.
3.The presidential turkey pardon was changed in 1981 probably to ___________.
A.make it easy to name the turkeys B.attract more people to participate
C.give the pardoned turkey a partner D.make sure the pardon could be carried out
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
①An increasing number of young people tend to rent clothes recently. Clothing rental is a hot new industry and retailers are entering this in hopes of attracting newly conscientious shoppers. This past summer alone, Urban Outfitters, Macy’s , Bloomingdale’s, American Eagle, and Banana Republic have all announced rental services—a sure sign of changing times.
②But is renting fashion actually more environmentally-friendly than buying it, and if so, how much more? Journalist and author Elizabeth Cline explored into this question and she concluded that its not as sustainable as it seems.
③Take shipping, for example, which has to go two ways if an item is rented—receiving and returning. Cline writes that consumer transportation has the second largest carbon footprint(碳足迹)of our collective fashion habit after manufacturing.
④She writes, “An item ordered online and then returned can emit(排放)20 kilograms of carbon each way, and up to 50 kilograms for rush shipping. By comparison, the carbon impact of a pair of jeans purchased in physical stores and washed and worn at home is 33.4 kilograms, according to a 2015 study by Levi's.”
⑤Then there’s the burden of washing, which has to happen for every item when returned, regardless of whether or not it was worn. For most rental services, this usually means dry-cleaning, a high-impact and polluting process. 70 percent of US dry cleaners used perchloroethylene, a carcinogenic(致癌的)air pollutant, which can produce harmful waste and air pollution .
⑥Le Tote is the only service that uses ‘wet cleaning’ for 80 percent of its items and strives to avoid dry cleaning unless absolutely necessary.
⑦Lastly, Cline fears that rental services will increase our appetite for fast fashion, simply because it’s so easily accessible. There’s something called ‘share-washing’ that makes people engage in more wasteful behaviors precisely because a product or service is shared and thus is perceived as more eco-friendly.
⑧Renting clothes is still preferable to buying them cheap and pitching them in the trash after a few wears, but we shouldn’t let the availability of these services make us complacent(自鸣得意的). There’s an even better step --and that’s wearing what is already in the closet.
1.Why does the author mention Urban Outfitters, Macy’s?
A.to prove clothing renting is becoming popular.
B.to tell us they have joined rental services
C.to introduce the topic of the passage
D.to show us they are companies of big brands
2.How does the author develop paragraph 4?
A.By analyzing data B.by using example
C.by providing description D.by making comparison
3.What can we infer from the passage?
A.it's a better way to buy clothes cheap and pitch them in the trash than renting clothes
B.Share-washing is perceived as eco-friendly and won't lead to wasteful behaviors.
C.Renting fashion is not as environmentally-friendly as we expect.
D.Consumer transportation has the largest footprint of our collective fashion habit
4.What’s the structure of the passage?
A.①②—③④—⑤⑥—⑦—⑧ B.①②—③④—⑤—⑥⑦—⑧
C.①—②—③④—⑤—⑥—⑦⑧ D.①—②—③④—⑤⑥—⑦⑧
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
A disastrous fire surrounded Notre Dame(巴黎圣母院)destroyed large parts of the Gothic architecture on Monday.
“Notre Dame is our history, our literature, part of our spirit, the place of all our great events, our wars, our liberations, the center of our lives” French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters in front of the still burning Paris landmark and promised to rebuild Notre Dame.
“Notre Dame is burning, and I know the sadness felt by so many fellow French people. But tonight, I’d like to speak of hope too, ”he said, announcing the launch of a fundraising campaign.
“Let’s be proud, because we built this cathedral(大教堂)more than 800 years ago, we’ve built it and, throughout the centuries, let it grow and improve it. So I gravely(严肃地)say tonight: we will rebuild it together. ” he added.
The disastrous fire engulfed(吞没)the upper reaches of Paris' towering Notre Dame Cathedral as it was undergoing renovations(翻新).
Tourists and Parisians looked on horrified from the streets below. France’s Interior Ministry said firefighters might not be able to save the structure.
The fire collapsed the cathedrals’ spire(尖顶)and spread to one of its landmark towers “Everything is burning; nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told French media. The 12th-century cathedral is home to incalculable(不可计算的)works of art and is one of the world's most famous tourist attractions, due to Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The cause of the fire was not known, but French media quoted the Paris fire brigade(消防队)as saying the fire is “potentially linked” to a 6 million- euro($6.88 million)renovation project on the church’s spire and its 250 tons of lead. Officials opened an investigation as Paris police said there were no reported deaths. Some 400 firefighters were battling the fire well into the night.
1.What’ the main point of Emmanuel Macron’s speech?
A.Notre Dame was the symbol of Paris in history.
B.It took more than 800 years to build Notre Dame.
C.He was desperate when he made the announcement.
D.The French government are going to rebuild Notre Dame.
2.Which of the following is true according to the text?
A.Notre Dame Cathedral was burnt down entirely.
B.The structure was well saved by the firefighters.
C.People who were killed in the fire are some firefighters.
D.The fire was likely caused by a renovation project on the church’s spire.
3.What does the underlined part probably mean?
A.The novel made the Notre Dame famous.
B.The cathedral is repeatedly mentioned in the novel.
C.The novel became a bestseller thanks to the cathedral.
D.The novel became more mysterious due to the cathedral.
4.What is the tone of the author in writing the article?
A.Disappointed. B.Humorous.
C.Objective. D.Critical.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Chinese movie goers set a box office record for the eve of the weeklong National Day holiday on Monday, with takings(票房收入)more than twice the previous record, according to several industry trackers. The major blockbusters(大片)contributing to the box office record were three new releases--My People, My Country, The Captain and The Climbers--which all opened on Monday.
Industry analyst Wu Nian said more than 80 film companies invested in the three blockbusters, which would provide a substantial boost to the recently lackluster market.
My People, My Country, a 158-minute anthology that saw seven famous directors join hands, dominated the box office, according to Maoyan(猫眼).
Consisting of seven short stories set in historic moments to look back at New China’s 70years of existence, the movie was codirected by Chen Kaige as well as 6 other directors--who have all directed domestic hits or international award winners.
Chen, who served as chief director, said China has seen a huge transformation in the past seven decades.As the painstaking efforts of several generations had contributed to the country’s achievements, Chen said the team working on the movie had decided to use it to revisit milestone moments through ordinary people’s eyes.
Another highly anticipated film, The Captain, earned 194 million yuan to occupy second place on the box office charts.
Starring actor Zhang Hanyu, the film is based on heroic Sichuan Airlines pilot Liu Chuanjian, who completed one of the most miraculous emergency landings in China’s civil aviation history.
Also adapted from real events, The Climbers grossed 157 million yuan on Monday. With a stellar cast including Zhang Ziyi and Wu Jing, the film is about Chinese mountaineers’ ascent to the summit of Mount Qomolangma, via its perilous north ridge in 1960 and 1975.Wu Jing said the film filled a gap in the market, with sports-themed titles quite rare in the world's second-largest movie market.
Aside from the three blockbusters, eight other films--covering a wide range of styles from animation to fantasy-will be released during the holiday ending on Oct 7.
1.Which film contributes to the box office the most?
A.My People, My Country B.The Climbers
C.The Captain. D.We don’t know!
2.What does the word anticipated mean?
A.participated B.expected
C.demanded D.predicted
3.The three films have much in common except________.
A.being adapted from real events
B.being made up of some short stories
C.being released to the public on the same day
D.contributing greatly to the box office for the National Day
4.What can we know from the passage?
A.Liu Chuanjian starred in the Captain.
B.80 companies invested in the three blockbusters.
C.Some important events of motherland are shown in My People, My Country .
D.The Climbers filled a gap with sports-themed titles in the world's largest movie market.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The following are some of history’s most inspirational women recommended by Therese Borchard.
Who Was Mother Teresa ? ¥66.00
Born in Macedonia, Mother Teresa(1910—1997)taught at St. Mary’s High School, in Calcutta, India, but was forced to do something about the suffering and poverty. In 1950 she founded the Missionaries of Charity. Although her devotion to the poor is inspiring, it’s her persistence(坚持不懈)through years of doubt, as recorded in her private journals, that inspired me the most.
The Diary of a Young Girl ¥55.10
In The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank (1929—1945) documented her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944 during the German Occupation of the Netherlands. She is a role model of honesty, strength, and hope for me — that even in the most miserable circumstances, you can lead with love.
A Life of Discovery ¥111.10
“Do one thing every day that scares you,” wrote Eleanor Roosevelt (1884—1962). She had a lot to choose from, as her life was full of challenges. Eleanor inspires me to bravely deal with problems that matter to me, and to find her way through life’s trials and hardships with gracefulness and determination.
Story of My Life ¥32.50
A deaf-blind author from Alabama, Helen Keller (1880—1968) provides a powerful example of a woman through two major disabilities to achieve a meaningful life. “We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world,” she said. Her attitude of hope and optimism inspires me to use my suffering to become a better and wiser person, to go beyond my pain into service of others.
1.Why does Therese Borchard recommend Mother Teresa?
A.She worked as a teacher for years. B.She set up a charity organization.
C.She published a private journal. D.She helped the poor in spite of doubt.
2.What made Eleanor Roosevelt special?
A.Facing challenges bravely. B.Loving doing scary things.
C.Having high intelligence. D.Continuing carrying out trials.
3.Which book should the disabled losing hope read?
A.Who Was Mother Teresa ? B.The Diary of a Young Girl
C.A Life of Discovery D.Story of My Life
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The school year has barely started in Denver, and French teacher Tiffany Choi is already worried that her students are suffering from absent-mindedness. The problem isn’t texting, playing video games or passing notes. It’s Denver’s ongoing heat wave.
“Today was a little bit hot, so I noticed kids were very sleepy and they were having to get up to drink water quite often.” said Choi, who works at Denver’s East High School. “If you lose too much water, and you have to keep going to the water fountain, that can take away from their classroom experience.” While nodding off in class on a warm day may seem like a right of passage for the average teen, Choi’s observation carries a bigger consequence than parched (干燥的) lips.
“There’s been quite a few media reports about teachers noticing that students weren’t able to focus on hotter days,” said R Jisung Park, a researcher, “Does a hotter climate during the school year actually affect the rate of learning?” The drops in academic achievement couldn’t be explained by hotter weekends or hotter summers, but the trend was connected to higher temperatures on school days alone.
The connection between lost learning and a greater number of hot days is one more example of how climate change is already affecting our lives-and it’s an alarm bell for what we stand to lose in the future. Humans still have time to lessen the worst consequences of continued global warming. But unless significant changes occur in the next decade-which seem more and more unlikely—the world will be locked into an inescapable period of heat waves unlike our species has ever seen.
1.What may cause students absent-minded according to the text?
A.Video games. B.Text messages.
C.Heat waves. D.Classroom notes.
2.What can be inferred from the second paragraph?
A.Lacking water is vital for kids being sleepy.
B.Extreme heat may lower a kid’s ability to learn.
C.Nodding off in class is a sign of respecting teachers.
D.Kids are more interested in drinking water than sleeping.
3.How does the author feel about dealing with the future global warming?
A.Optimistic. B.Uncertain.
C.Worried. D.Firm.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.The hotter it grows, the less kids are learning.
B.The consequences of continued global warming.
C.The reasons why kids are absent-minded in class.
D.The hotter it grows, the more focused kids become.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
People all have something to say. Some express their passion (强烈的感情) through clothe, art, or community involvement. Others express themselves with poetry, which has diverse poetic forms to express unique thoughts, experiences, and imagination at the fourth annual People’ s Poetry Festival held Feb. 28 through March 2.
“The People’s Poetry Festival keeps getting bigger and bigger—it’s an event we’re really proud of,” said Dr Mark Hartlaub, College of Liberal Arts Dean at Texas. The festival covered a wide variety of topics including nature, humor, women and history. From the panels to the open microphone night, the islander’s community, along with 43 published poets from around the country, local high school students, and the general public came together to share their love of poetry.
The panels were full of passionate readings and lively discussion. For the first time ever, musical poetry was performed at the event. The “Homebrewed” panel was made up of all local poets. The “From Page to the Stage” panel focused on slam (抨击) poetry, and the “Humor” panel greeted levels of laughter from the crowd. All the panels were live streamed on the People’s Poetry Facebook page. “The poetry and poets were all my students wanted to talk about in class this week,” said Dr. Chuck Etheridge, professor of English who attended many of the panel readings.
Celebrating exceptional writers is another part of People’s Poetry Festival. On opening night, the People’s Poetry Festival committee named Madeline Ricondo of Tuloso-Midway as the winner of the Robb Jackson Writing Award for high school students. This award honors the late Dr. Robb Jackson, Texas A&M University System Regents Professor and professor of English at A&M-Corpus Christi, whose poetry shared his life experiences and observation of Corpus Christi. Ricondo received a $100 gift card, plus, three poetry books with local ties including a copy of Jackson’s “Open Heart”. The people’s Poetry Festival committee also recognized Juan Manuel Perez, award-winning poet and local history teacher, as the 2019—2021 Poet Laureate (桂冠诗人) of Corpus Christi.
1.What can be inferred about the People’s Poetry Festival?
A.It tends to last a week. B.It is held once a year.
C.Its poetic form is single. D.It is catching on globally.
2.Which can possibly replace the underlined word “panels” in Paragraph 2?
A.Groups. B.Days.
C.Topics. D.Poems.
3.What was special about the 4th People’s Poetry Festival?
A.It was on live television.
B.Diversity was highlighted.
C.All the poets were local.
D.Musical poetry was introduced.
4.What is the main idea of the last paragraph?
A.Celebrating award-winning poets.
B.Honoring the late Robb Jackson.
C.The 4th Peoples Poetry Festival.
D.Poet Laureate of Corpus Christi.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析