If you are sending a text, watching the TV or listening to the radio, you may want to stop and give this your full attention. Multi-tasking shrinks (萎缩) the brain, research suggests.
A study found that men and women who frequently used several types of technology at the same time had less grey matter in a key part of the brain. University of Sussex researchers said, “Simultaneously using mobile phones, laptops and other media devices could be changing the structure of our brains.”
The finding follows research which has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span, depression, anxiety and lower grades at school. The researchers began by asking 75 healthy men and women how often they divided their attention between different types of technology. This could mean sending a text message while listening to music and checking email, or speaking on the phone while watching TV and surfing the web. The volunteers were then given brain scans which showed they had less grey matter in a region called the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The findings held even when differences in personality were taken into account.
The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, is the first to make a link between multi-tasking and the structure of the brain.
Researcher Kep Kee Loh said, “Media multi-tasking is becoming more common in our lives today and there is increasing concern about its impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being.”
He added that more research is needed to prove that multi-tasking shrinks the brain. This is because it is also possible that people with less grey matter in the ACC are more drawn to using lots of small devices simultaneously.
Scientists have previously demonstrated brain structure can be changed on prolonged exposure to new environments and experience. Other studies have shown that training — such as learning to juggle or taxi drivers learning the map of London — can increase grey-matter densities (密度) in certain parts. Experts have also warned of the harmful impact technology can have on our memory and attention span.
1.According to Kep Kee Loh, ________.
A. the link between multi-tasking and brain shrinkage needs further research
B. people with less grey matter in the ACC are more attracted to multi-tasking
C. multi-tasking has harmful impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being
D. multi-tasking leads to a shortened attention span, depression, anxiety and lower grades
2.Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. What multi-tasking is probably linked with.
B. How researchers draw inferences about multi-tasking.
C. How different health conditions affect brain structure.
D. Significance and limits of the research from University of Sussex .
3.The purpose of the passage is to ________.
A. compare the latest research with previous ones
B. prove the dangers of multi-tasking
C. inform readers of research on multi-tasking
D. discuss the benefits and problems of multi-tasking
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
A recent survey found that the French are the second-most insecure people in Europe after Italy about their proficiency in English. Only 13 percent of the French respondents believed they are proficient in the language, according to the European data agency Eurostat.
The situation is no better in business circles, where three-quarters of French executives feel unprepared to hold an interview in English and only 16 percent say they feel comfortable with the language, a separate survey showed.
The survey results aren't surprising. The French seem to have always had this cold and gloomy（沮丧的）attitude toward the English language. But what struck me is that, despite the French pessimism, living in Paris without being able to speak the language of Moliere is easier these days than in the past.
New immigrants are part of the reason. I can have an easy chat with the owner of the laundry in my neighborhood. Buying the medicine I need at the local pharmacy is effortless. Ordering a meal in English at the restaurant two blocks away from my apartment does not make me feel awkward. It is all because the people who run these businesses are immigrants.
Greater tolerance and acceptance of non-French speakers is a reflection of the fact that France, willingly or not, has begun to embrace(拥抱) globalization more comfortably. For instance, you will never get the same look you would have had 15 years ago if you ask for directions in English on the streets of Paris.
I have also met many native French who are happy to communicate in English. They are usually the kind of people who are open-minded and are sensitive to the changes beyond their own territories. They are very interested in gaining insight into what is happening on the other side of the globe.
In my hometown, English is also being hotly debated since Beijing education authorities decided to reduce the importance of English proficiency in college entrance exams and increase that of the Chinese language and literature. The Chinese and the French share similarities in attitudes toward foreign languages. We are both so proud of our own languages and cultures that we can feel uncomfortable when we are forced to communicate in another language.
But like it or not, English is still the most widely used language in the world, at least for the foreseeable（可预知的） future. After all, it is not about abandoning one's own language but about being able to fit more easily into this globalized world.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A. French people have great difficulty speaking English.
B. English is becoming increasingly acceptable in France.
C. Great changes take place in France because of the immigrants.
D. English helps France to embrace globalization.
2.The expression “to speak the language of Moliere” can be understood as________________.
A. to speak Italian
B. to speak English
C. to speak French
D. to speak the language of an immigrant named Moliere
3.What is the purpose of mentioning Chinese in the 7th paragraph?
A. To prove Chinese and French share a lot similarities in culture.
B. To show how wise it is to reduce the importance of English in exams.
C. To explain why French people are unwilling to speak English.
D. To show how proud they are to own their own languages.
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A. The immigrants in France speak English as their native language.
B. In France people refuse to communicate with each other in English.
C. Italians feel the most unconfident in speaking English in Europe.
D. French people are happy to face the changes in their country.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
When I was superintendent of schools in Palo Alto, California, Polly Tyner, the president of our board of trustees（董事会）, wrote a letter that was printed in the Palo Alto Times. Polly's son, Jim, had great difficulty in school. He was classified as educationally handicapped and required a great deal of patience on the part of his parents and teachers. But Jim was a happy kid with a great smile that lit up the room. His parents acknowledged his academic difficulties, but always tried to help him see his strengths so that he could walk with pride. Shortly after Jim finished high school, he was killed in a motorcycle accident. After his death, his mother submitted this letter to the newspaper.
Today we buried our 20-year-old son. He was killed instantly in a motorcycle accident on Friday night. How I wish I had known when I talked to him last that it would be the last time. If I had only known I would have said, "Jim, I love you and I'm so very proud of you."
I would have taken the time to count the many blessings he brought to the lives of the many who loved him. I would have taken time to appreciate his beautiful smile, the sound of his laughter, his genuine love of people.
When you put all the good attributes on the scale(天平) and you try to balance all the irritating traits such as the radio which was always too loud, the haircut that wasn't to our liking, the dirty socks under the bed, etc., the irritations don't amount to much.
I won't get another chance to tell my son all I would have wanted him to hear, but, other parents, you do have a chance. Tell your young people what you would want them to hear if you knew it would be your last conversation. The last time I talked to Jim was the day he died. He called me to say, "Hi, Mom! I just called to say I love you. Got to go to work. Bye." He gave me something to treasure forever.
If there is any purpose at all to Jim's death, maybe it is to make others appreciate more of life and to have people, especially families, take the time to let each other know just how much we care.
You may never have another chance. Do it today!
1.Which of the following is NOT true about Jim?
A. He was a boy handicapped and needed lots of patience.
B. He was an optimistic child and was sincere and kind to others.
C. He found a job after his graduation from high school.
D. He held a positive attitude to life despite his great difficulty in learning.
2.The letter submitted by Jim’s mother is intended to____________.
A. be in memory of her son who died at an early age
B. appeal to people to pay attention to road safety
C. remind people to cherish their friends and families
D. show the great sorrow when parents lost their child
3.The underlined word “traits” in the fourth paragraph probably means___________.
A. portraits B. Qualities C. arguments D. habits
4.The passage is most probably entitled__________.
A. A Heart-broken Story B. Memories About Jim
C. Great Parental Love D. Do It Today
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
It is all very well to blame traffic jams, the cost of petrol and the quick pace of modern life, but manners on the roads are becoming horrible. Everybody knows that the nicest men become monsters behind the wheel. It is very well, again, to have a tiger in the tank, but to have one in the driver’s seat is another matter altogether. You might tolerate the odd road-hog, the rude and inconsiderate driver, but nowadays the well-mannered motorist is the exception to the rule. Perhaps the situation calls for a “Be Kind to Other Drivers” campaign, otherwise it may get completely out of control.
Road politeness is not only good manners, but good sense too. It takes the most cool-headed and good-tempered drivers to resist the temptation to revenge when subjected to uncivilized behavior. On the other hand, a little politeness goes a long way towards relieving the tensions of motoring. A friendly nod or a wave of acknowledgement in response to an act of politeness helps to create an atmosphere of goodwill and tolerance so necessary in modern traffic conditions. But such acknowledgements of politeness are all too rare today. Many drivers nowadays don’t even seem able to recognize politeness when they see it.
However, misplaced politeness can also be dangerous. Typical examples are the driver who brakes violently to allow a car to emerge from a side street at some hazard to following traffic, when a few seconds later the road would be clear anyway; or the man who waves a child across a zebra crossing into the path of oncoming vehicles that may be unable to stop in time. The same goes for encouraging old ladies to cross the road wherever and whenever they want to. It always amazes me that the highways are not covered with the dead bodies of these grannies.
A veteran (资深的) driver, whose manners are faultless, told me it would help if motorists learnt to filter correctly into traffic streams one at a time without causing the total blockages that give rise to bad temper. Unfortunately, modern motorists can’t even learn to drive, let alone master the subtler aspects of boatmanship. Years ago the experts warned us that the car-ownership explosion would demand a lot more give-and-take from all road users. It is high time for all of us to take this message to heart.
1.According to this passage, troubles on the road are primarily caused by ________.
A. people’s attitude towards the road-hog
B. the rhythm of modern life
C. the behavior of the driver
D. traffic conditions
2.The sentence “You might tolerate the odd road-hog... the rule.” (Para. 1) implies that ________.
A our society is unjust towards well-mannered motorists
B. rude drivers can be met only occasionally
C. the well-mannered motorist cannot tolerate the road-hog
D. nowadays impolite drivers make up the majority of motorists
3.In the writer’s opinion, which is “misplaced politeness”?
A. Revenge when subjected to uncivilized behavior.
B. Encouraging old ladies to cross the road as long as they want to.
C. A wave of acknowledgement in response to an act of politeness.
D. Waving a child across a zebra crossing.
4.In the writer’s opinion, ________.
A. strict traffic regulations are badly needed
B. drivers should apply road politeness properly
C. rude drivers should be punished
D. drivers should avoid traffic jams
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Conquering Procrastination (拖延症)
Procrastination, the habit of putting tasks off to the last possible minute, can be a major problem in both your career and your personal life. 1. . Therefore, it takes deliberate strategies to avoid becoming our own worst enemy by procrastinating on our intended actions.
Don’t give in to feeling good. 2. . For example, a task at hand makes us feel anxious or overwhelmed, so we give in to feeling good, seeking immediate emotional relief, and we walk away, leaving the task for tomorrow. To cope with this, stay for a minute — don’t walk away. Acknowledge the negative emotions, but get started anyway. Progress on a goal provides the motivation for another step forward.
3. . We’re most likely to procrastinate on tasks that lack structure. This means that in addition to making your task specific, it’s important to reduce the uncertainty about how to continue — and, when it’s time to act, to reduce available distractions (分心的事物) as well. Shut off your e-mail, separate yourself from others as much as you can, and make sure the environment around you is working to strengthen your willpower and focus, not to weaken your efforts.
Make the most of the willpower muscle. A great deal of recent research clearly indicates that willpower is like a muscle. You can exhaust it more quickly than you might imagine and, when you do, you lose your ability to self-regulate your behavior. One immediate method to strengthen your resolve in order to keep you on task is to remind yourself of your values. 4. .
Beating procrastination isn’t rocket science, but it is psychology. Procrastinators can change their behavior — but doing so consumes a lot of mental energy. 5. . It can be done with highly organized cognitive (认知的) behavior treatment.
A. Its side effects include losing opportunities, rushed work, stress, anger, and guilt.
B. Do not perform several tasks at a time.
C. This process of self-recognition strengthens our weakening willpower.
D. When self-regulation fails, it’s often because short-term emotional repair comes before our long-term goals.
E. And it doesn’t necessarily mean one feels transformed internally.
F. It means doing more enjoyable things in place of less enjoyable ones.
G. Reduce uncertainty and distractions.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The new policy on education has attracted _____________ attention.
A. a huge number of B. a large sum of
C. a great deal of D. a great many
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Students should involve themselves in community activities _____________ they can gain experience for growth.
A. who B. when C. which D. where
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The machine is of good quality. If it __________ break down within the first year, we would repair it at our expense.
A. would B. should C. could D. might
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Though _________ about his strange clothes, she still pays no attention to it.
A. teased B. teasing C. is teased D. having teased
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
It's management that's at fault _________ the work-force.
A. other than B. more than C. rather than D. less than
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
--- How did you _________ the company?
--- It used to be _________ my father. He gave it to me after his retirement.
A. take possession of; in possession of
B. take the possession of; in the possession of
C. take possession of; in the possession of
D. take the possession of; in possession of
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Had I made good use of this software, a huge amount of time and energy _________.
A. would have been saved B. had been saved
C. will be saved D. was saved
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Internet shopping is really ________ when people are sure of its safety.
A．setting up B．setting off
C．taking up D．taking off
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
He hurried home, only_________ his keys had been left in the office.
A. finding B. having found
C. to have found D. to find
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
If you ________ some time for sports every day, ________ you’ll find it ________.
A. set out...after all...worth
B. set aside...in time...worth it
C. put away...on time...worthwhile
D. put out...all in all...worthy
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
He is the only one of the students _________ able to speak both English and Japanese well.
A. who is B. who are C. that is D. that are
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Everyone may depend on ______ won’t happen again with these reassuring measures.
A. it that it B. that it C. that D. it
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
He was arrested on charges of corruption and _________ of power.
A. amuse B. abuse C. accuse D. adoption
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
_________ she can be annoying at times, I like her.
A. In case B. As if
C. In spite of D. Even though
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
It was _________ he entered university _________ he got on well with his parents.
A. when; then B. not; until
C. not until; that D. only; when
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
--- I am still preparing for tomorrow’s speech.
--- Oh. Time is _________, so you need to speed up.
A. losing out B. giving out C. going out D. running out
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
_________ that he _________set up more than ten branches elsewhere.
A. So ambitious John is; aims to
B. So ambitious is John; aims to
C. So ambitious John is; aims at
D. So ambitious is John; aims at
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
_________ is a pity that such a great athlete _________retire so early.
A. What; would B. It; would
C. This; should D. It; should
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
--- Who should be responsible for the heavy burden of the students?
--- ______ the test system instead of the teachers.
A. They should be B. That is C. It. is D. What is
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Johnson, _________ for months to find a job, finally took a position at a local advertising agency.
A. to struggle B. struggling
C. struggled D. having struggled
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完形填空
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Everyone in business has been told that success is all about attracting and retaining (留住) customers. It sounds simple and achievable. But, , words of wisdom are soon forgotten. Once companies have attracted customers they often the second half of the story. In the of beating off the competition, negotiating prices, securing orders, and delivering the product, managers tend to become carried away. They forget what they regard as the boring side of business—________ that the customer remains a customer.
to concentrate on retaining as well as attracting customers costs business huge amounts of money annually. It has been estimated that the average company loses between 10 and 30 percent of its every years. In constantly changing , this is not surprising. What is surprising is the fact that few companies have any idea how many customers they have lost.
Only now are organizations beginning to ________ those lost opportunities and calculate the ________ implications. Cutting down the number of customers a company loses can make a big ________ in its performance. Research in the US found that a five percent decrease in the number of defecting (流失的) customers led to ________ increases of between 25 and 85 percent.
In the US, Domino’s Pizza estimates that a regular customer is worth more than $5,000 over ten years. A customer who receives a poor quality product or service on their first visit and ________ never returns, is losing the company thousands of dollars in ________ profits (more if you consider how many people they are likely to tell about their bad experience).
The logic behind cultivating customer________ is impossible to deny. “In practice most companies’ marketing effort is focused on getting customers, with little attention paid to ________ them”, says Adrian Payne of Cornfield University’ School of Management. “Research suggests that there is a close relationship between ________ customers and making profits. ________ customers tend to buy more, are predictable and usually cost less to service than new customers. Furthermore, they tend to be less price ________, and may provide free word-of-mouth advertising. Retaining customers also makes it ________ for competitors to enter a market or increase their________ of a market.
1.A. in particular B. in reality C. at least D. first of all
2.A. emphasize B. doubt C. overlook D. believe
3.A. excitement B. sorrow C. decision D. performance
4.A. denying B. ensuring C. arguing D. proving
5.A. Moving B. Hoping C. Starting D. Failing
6.A. shops B. guests C. opportunities D. customers
7.A. markets B. tastes C. prices D. expenses
8.A. look forward to B. gave in to C. devote to D. wake up to
9.A. Cultural B. social C. financial D. economical
10.A. promise B. plan C. mistake D. difference
11.A. cost B. opportunity C. profit D. budget
12.A. as a result B. on the whole C. in conclusion D. on the contrary
13.A. huge B. potential C. extra D. reasonable
14.A. beliefs B. loyalty C. habits D. interest
15.A. affecting B. understanding C. keeping D. attracting
16.A. introducing B. analyzing C. searching D. retaining
17.A. Assumed B. Respected C. Established D. Unexpected
18.A. agreeable B. flexible C. friendly D. sensitive
19.A. unfair B. difficult C. essential D. convenient
20.A. share B. goods C. stresses D. progress
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
语法填空
阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卡标号为
It was January 1st, the first day of the year and a holiday for me. I started by thinking of getting the bank work done. The bank clerk, 1. elderly gentleman with a white beard, 2. (nod) and I sat in front of him. He filled in my details letter by letter.
Minutes passed and nothing happened. I started wondering 3. we had computerized banking if we were still filling in forms. After waiting for ten more minutes 4. (patience), I eagerly asked him if my work was done. He shouted, “Nothing is done. It will take time!”
Suddenly I felt 5. of us sailing in the same boat. I felt that he was also missing the small things in life like a hot cup of tea or 6. (lie) in a warm bed like me. Two minutes 7. (late), I told him, “Sir, take your time. I am not in a hurry.”
This man suddenly gave me a rare smile and said, “You are not in a hurry but somebody else will come who will be in a hurry.”
He really touched my heart with his wise words. All this time I thought of him 8. a robot, someone who was there for my convenience, 9. today I suddenly felt a strange communion (共鸣) with him. I decided to be more friendly with people 10. help me with my work.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完成句子
请根据单词的首字母或括号里的提示完成下列句子，每空只填一个单词。
1.She was rewarded for her 40 years’ f_________ service with the company.
2.The way in which we work has undergone a complete _________ (a total change in something, a revolution)in the past decade.
3.He strongly believes that there must be a physical explanation for these strange _________(现象).
4.My eyes slowly grew _________(familiar with something and accepting it as normal or usual) to the dark.
5.The police said that the accident deserved further investigation as the c_________ surrounding it were incredibly strange.
6.There is w__________ and growing acceptance that women should be equal to men at work.
7.We cannot _________ (to promise something will happen) our flights will never be delayed.
8.Our research attempts to ________ (assess) the effectiveness of the different drugs.
9.As a patriot, she is bitterly o_________ to the idea of moving abroad.
10.It was so _________(令人难为情) having to sing in public.
11.The prisoners made an a_________ to escape, but failed.
12.There is convincing _________(证据) of a link between exposure to sun and skin cancer.
13.Our school is e_________ with some teaching facilities.
14.She made an _________(预约) for her son to see the doctor.
15.Her position in the party has _________(to become stronger) in recent weeks.
16.Nowadays many companies adopt the approach of f_________ working hours so that the workers can manage their own time more effectively.
17.Colors like red c_________ a sense of energy and strength.
18.They are trying to keep the costs to a _________(最低限度).
19.Breathing is an _________ (done or happening without thinking) function of the body.
20.It was a c_________ that he was born on his mother’s birthday.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
短文写作
假如你是李华，你的外国朋友Jim问你什么是“广场舞”。请写一封回信介绍：
1. 什么是广场舞；
2. 广场舞的利与弊；
3. 你认为该如何协调老年人健身的需求与其他人休息的需要。
注意：
1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头与结语已给出，不算入字数。
Dear Jim,
I’ve received your letter inquiring square dancing.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Sincerely yours,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析