Men are spending more and more time in the kitchen encouraged by celebrity (名人) chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver, according to a report from Oxford University.
The effect of the celebrity role models, who have given cooking a more manly picture, has combined with a more general drive towards sexual equality and men now spend more than twice the amount of time preparing meals than they did in 1961.
According to the research by Prof. Jonatahn Gershuny, who runs the Centre for Time Research at Oxford, men now spend more than half an hour a day cooking, up from just 12 minutes a day in 1961.
Prof. Gershuny said, “The man in the kitchen is part of a much wider social trend. There has been 40 years of sexual equality, but there is another 40 years probably to come.”
Women, who a generation ago spent nearly two hours a day cooking, now spend just one hour and seven minutes—a great fall, but they still spend far more time in the kitchen than men.
Some experts have named these men in aprons as “Gastrosexuals (men using cooking skills to impress friends)”, who have been inspired to pick up a kitchen knife by the success of Ramsay, Oliver as well as other male celebrity chefs such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Marco Pierre White and Keith Floyd.
“I was married in 1974. When my father came to visit me a few weeks later, I was wearing an apron when I opened the door. He laughed,” said Prof. Gershuny. “That would never happen now.”
Two-thirds of adults say that they come together to share at least three times a week, even if it is not necessarily around a kitchen or dining room table. Prof. Gershuny pointed out that the family meal was now rarely eaten by all of its members around a table—with many “family meals” in fact taken on the sofa in the sitting room, and shared by family members. “The family meal has changed a lot, and few of us eat—as I did when I was a child—at least two meals a day together as a family. But it has survived in a different format.”
1.What is one reason behind the trend that men spend more time cooking than before?
A. The improvement of cooks’ status.
B. The influence of popular female chefs.
C. The change of female’s view on cooking.
D. The development of sexual equality campaign.
2.What does the author think about the time men and women spend on cooking?
A. Men spend more time cooking than women nowadays.
B. Women spend much less time on cooking than before.
C. It will take 40 years before men spend more time at the stove than women.
D. There is a sharp decline in the time men spend on cooking compared with 1961.
3.How did Prof. Gershuny see the family meal according to the passage?
A. It has become a thing of the past.
B. It is very different from what it used to be.
C. It shouldn’t be advocated in modern times.
D. It is beneficial to the stability of the family.
4.Which is the best title for the passage?
A. The Changes of Family Meals
B. Equality between Men and Women
C. Cooking into a New Trend for Men
D. Cooking—a Thing of the Past for Women
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
New crime prediction software should reduce not only the murder rate, but the rate of other crimes. Developed by Richard Berk, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, the software has already used in Baltimore and Philadelphia to predict which individuals on probation(缓刑) or parole(假释) are most likely to murder and to be murdered.
“When a person goes on probation or parole he is supervised(监督) by an officer. The question is ‘what level of supervision is appropriate?’” said Berk. It used to be that parole officers used the person’s criminal record, and their judgment to make decisions.
“This research replaces those seat-of-the –pants calculations,” he said.
Technology helps determine level of supervision. On average there is one murder for every 100,000 people. Even among high-risk groups the murder rate is one in 100. Predicting such a rare event is very difficult, but advances in computer technology works.
Years ago, the researchers made a dataset of more than 60,000 various crimes. Using the software they developed, they found some much more likely to commit murder when paroled or probated. They could identify eight future murderers out of 100.
Berk’s software examines roughly two dozen variables(可变因素), from criminal record to geographic location. The type of crimes, and more importantly, the age at which that crime was committed, were two of the most predictive variables.
“People assume that if someone murdered then they will murder in the future,” said Berk. “ What really matters is what that person did as a young individual. Predicting future crimes sounds well. But we aren’t anywhere near being able to do that.”
“Berk’s scientific answer leaves policymakers with difficult questions. By labeling one group of people as high risk, and supervise them closely, there should be fewer murders, which the potential victims should be happy about. It also means that those high-risk individuals will be supervised more aggressively. For human rights advocates, that means punishing people who, most likely, will not commit a crime in the future,” said Bushway. “It comes down to a question of whether you would rather make these errors or those errors.”
1.The underlined words(in Para.3) probably mean___.
A. calculations based on subjective opinions
B. calculations based on widespread voting
C. calculations made by advanced technology
D. calculations based on serious considering
2.For 650 people with crime records, how many potential murderers would the software find?
A. 65. B. 13. C. 52. D. 65.
3.From Para 7, we can infer that______.
A. the technology developed by Richard Berk will soon be widely used in the US
B. the technology would not be widely accepted in the short term
C. whether a person murders or not largely decided by his upbringing while young
D. if a person murdered when he was fifty, he is sure to murder again while on probation
4.Which would be the best title for the passage?
A. Closely Supervise Potential Murders
B. Measures Taken to Prevent Criminal Behavior
C. Technology Revolutionizes Judges’ Way of Working
D. Software is Developed to Predict Criminal Behavior
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The extraordinary Eastgate Building in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, is said to be the only one in the world to use the same cooling and heating principles as the termite mound(白蚁堆).
Architect Mick Pearce used precisely the same strategy when designing the Eastgate Building, which has no air-conditioning and almost no heating. The building—the country’s largest commercial and shopping complex—uses less than 10% of the energy of a conventional building of its size. The Eastgate’s owners saved $3.5 million on a $36 million building because an air-conditioning equipment didn’t have to be imported.
The complex is actually two buildings linked by bridges across a shady, glass-roofed atrium(天井) open to the air. Fans suck fresh air in from the atrium, blow it upstairs through hollow spaces under the floors and from there into each office through baseboard vents(通风口). As it rises and warms, it is drawn out via ceiling vents and finally exists through forty-eight brick chimneys.
During summer’s cool nights, big fans blow air through the building seven times an hour to cool the empty floors. By day, smaller fans blow two changes of air an hour through the building, to circulate the air which has been in contact with the cool floors. For winter days, there are small heaters in the vents.
This is all possible only because Harare is 1600 feet above sea level, has cloudless skies, little dampness and rapid temperature changes—days as warm as 31℃ commonly drop to 14℃ at night. “You couldn’t do this in New York, with its hot summers and cold winters,” Pearce said.
The engineering firm of Ove Arup&Partners monitors daily temperatures. It is found that the temperature of the building has generally stayed between 23℃ and 25℃, with the exception of the annual hot period just before the summer rains in October and three days in November, when a doorkeeper accidentally switched off the fans at night. And the air is fresh—far more so than in air-conditioned buildings, where up to 30% of the air is recycled.
1.Why was Eastgate cheaper to be built than a conventional building?
A. It was designed in a smaller size.
B. No air conditioners were fixed in.
C. Its heating system was less advanced.
D. It used rather different building materials.
2.What does “it” refer to in Paragraph 3?
A. Fresh air from outside. B. Heat in the building.
C. Hollow space. D. Baseboard vent.
3.Why would a building like Eastgate Not work efficiently in New York?
A. New York has less clear skies as Harare.
B. Its dampness affects the circulation of air.
C. New York covers a larger area than Harare.
D. Its temperature changes seasonally rather than daily.
4.The data in the last paragraph suggests Eastgate’s temperature control system_____.
A. allows a wide range of temperatures
B. functions well for most of the year
C. can recycle up to 30% of the air
D. works better in hot seasons
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
What will power your house in the future？Nuclear，wind，or solar power？According to scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US，it might be leaves — but artificial (人造的) ones.
Natural leaves are able to change sunlight and water into energy. It is known as photosynthesis (光合作用)．Now researchers have found a way to imitate this seemingly simple process.
The artificial leaf developed by Daniel Nocera and his colleagues at MIT can be seen as a special silicon chip with catalysts (催化剂)．Similar to natural leaves，it can split water into hydrogen and oxygen when put into a bucket of water. The hydrogen and oxygen gases are then stored in a fuel cell，which uses those two materials to produce electricity，located either on top of a house or beside the house.
Though the leaf is only about the shape of a poker card，scientists claimed that it is promising to be an inexpensive source of electricity in developing countries. “One can imagine villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic power system based on this technology,” said Nocera at a conference of the American Chemical Society.
The artificial leaf is not a new idea. The first artificial leaf was invented in 1997 but was too expensive and unstable for practical use. The new leaf，by contrast，is made of cheap materials，easy to use and highly stable. In laboratory studies，Nocera showed that an artificial leaf prototype (原型) could operate continuously for at least 45 hours without a drop in activity.
The wonderful improvements come from Nocera's recent discovery of several powerful，new and inexpensive catalysts. These catalysts make the energy transformation inside the leaf more efficient with water and sunlight. Right now，the new leaf is about 10 times more efficient at carrying out photosynthesis than a natural one. Besides，the device can run in whatever water is available；that is，it doesn't need pure water. This is important for some countries that don't have access to pure water.
With the goal to “make each home its own power station” and “give energy to the poor”，scientists believe that the new technology could be widely used in developing countries，especially in India and rural China.
1.Which of the following orders correctly shows how the artificial leaf is used to produce electricity?
a．artificial leaves split water into hydrogen and oxygen
b．the hydrogen and oxygen gases are stored in a fuel cell
c．the artificial leaves are put in water
d．the fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity
A．c，a，b，d B．c，b，a，d
C．b，c，a，d D．c，a，d，b
2.The purpose of the scientists at MIT in developing the new artificial leaf is to________.
A．build up more power stations in the world
B．provide cheaper energy for developing countries
C．offer people in developing countries access to pure water
D．gain a deeper understanding of the photosynthesis process
3.The main idea of this passage is ________.
A．an introduction to the history of artificial leaves
B．a mixture of water power and solar energy
C．giving energy to the poor
D．an invention copying photosynthesis
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
根据短文内容，从短文后七个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。
The Importance of Accessibility Awareness
At a recent Teen Leadership of Jewish Family Services meeting, people with disabilities talked about their lives. 1. However, what amazed me most was the great importance of education about handicap accommodations (残疾人便利设施).
One school-teacher who is blind, and a woman who has used a wheelchair all her life are two important members of the National Group for Disabled Persons, devoted to raising awareness about disabilities. 2. These include handicap parking spots, handrails, and wheelchair ramps. One big concern is the people who take advantage of aids, such as handicap parking spaces. 3. And the meeting focused on educating the public.
Some handicap spots have extra room next to them, marked with the “No Parking” signs. “As long as I'm not in the spot, I can take the no-parking area next to it,” some people say. However, the woman who uses a wheelchair disagrees to this. The space exists to allow someone in a wheelchair to have room to get in or out of their car. 4.
Some walkways have handrails next to them to help those who require extra assistance. Whether it is a blind person seeking guidance or an elderly person seeking support, the rail is there for walking. Sometimes the rail is blocked, by a parked bicycle for instance, and consequently made useless. 5. People who are informed of the rail’s use would be less likely to mistake it for a bike rack.
Meeting some of the people who are affected by the lack of education about accommodations made me see that there is work to be done. If more people were educated about the proper uses of accommodations, there would be fewer challenges for people with physical disabilities.
A. Accommodations will vary according to the needs of the disabled.
B. As with the parking spot, this is more likely a case of lack of education.
C. They educate about all the accommodations for people with disabilities.
D. Improvement must be made so that disabled people can fully participate.
E. If there is a car in that space, the handicap parking spot is no longer useful.
F. So people without disabilities need to be educated about these accommodations.
G. I was amazed to hear about the challenges faced by people with physical disabilities.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Every fast-food employee knows that the drive-through window is the worst position. The window sticks with constant ice; the roar of engines hurts your _________; your words are lost in the howling wind.
On a _________ afternoon, everything changed.
Every once in a while, the sub-zero temperatures seal a _________ windows shut. Drivers don’t exactly enjoy having to stand outside in the cold, _________ their orders into a speaker box, when they expect to drive through on their heated leather seats. In such cases, most customers tend to show their annoyance to the employees.
This woman was _________ .
“I’ll get the next car’s _________ as well,” she said as she came up to the window to pay. She stood outside, _________ much snow on her hair. Though she was obviously freezing, her bright _________lit up her face like a fire.
“You can’t _________ their drinks,” I said, confused and tired.
“No, but I’ll buy them,” she said. “Pay it forward and all that.”
Completely puzzled, I charged her as _________ , and when the next customer arrived at the window I explained what had just happened. I watched as his _________ changed — first angry to be out in the cold, then _________ at the random act of kindness, and finally, delighted by his _________ .
“I suppose I’ll pay for the next order then,” he replied, nodding and waving at the impatient driver _________him. He _________ over the cash and received his pre-paid hot drink.
The trend continued. Customers arrived annoyed, only to leave _________ and pleased. Some were shocked to spend much more than they had expected, _________ others ended up receiving their order for less than half the price.
Five vehicles passed, then ten, then twenty. No one refused to pay. Customers stood at my window _________ a fist-full of change to buy drinks for a complete stranger. Cars drove off, honking (鸣笛) and _________ their thanks.
It only takes one customer, one person, to change the entire _________ of traffic. It only takes one moment, one smile, to warm up even the coldest of days.
1.A. ears B. hands C. feet D. back
2.A. freezing B. sunny C. warm D. usual
3.A. truck’s B. vehicle’s C. car’s D. lorry’s
4.A. offering B. throwing C. screaming D. cancelling
5.A. polite B. angry C. popular D. different
6.A. number B. coffee C. fee D. order
7.A. covering B. increasing C. gathering D. falling
8.A. eyes B. smile C. hair D. annoyance
9.A. pay B. take C. buy D. bring
10.A. instructed B. requested C. directed D. suggested
11.A. gesture B. expression C. figure D. feeling
12.A. inspired B. upset C. surprised D. disappointed
13.A. turn B. sense C. deed D. luck
14.A. beyond B. before C. beside D. behind
15.A. took B. looked C. handed D. thought
16.A. shy B. calm C. anxious D. regretful
17.A. while B. since C. as D. unless
18.A. making B. emptying C. lying D. holding
19.A. explaining B. sending C. introducing D. casting
20.A. jam B. row C. flow D. line
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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1～10的相应位置上。
Since the one-baby policy ___1.___(carry) out in China, Chinese families have been shrinking from one with over 10 members to the other with only three including parents and one baby. Things are usually out of our expectation. Apart from the benefits _2.___ have been mentioned enough, small families are now beginning to have __3.___ own problems. Because parents are having fewer children, they increasingly feel the need _4.___(control) the lives of those children. As a result, many children are becoming less __5.___(depend), determined and ambitious than in the past.
Parents today discourage their children from doing housework, extracurricular activities and socializing _6.___ they fear it will interrupt their education. For example, when I was younger I wanted to learn the guitar __7.__ my parents wouldn’t allow me because they believed it would distract me from my studies. They are happy as long as I perform ___8.__(wonder) in my exams but don’t seem concerned about how I develop __9.__ a person.
To some extent, I understand parents’ concerns, but I think they should love their children for ___10.__ they are, not what they want them to be. We deserve the chance to chase our own dreams and learn on our own. Even if we fail, we can learn from those failures.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
短文改错
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处，每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加，删除或修改。
增加： 在缺词处加一个漏字符号（^）,并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除： 把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改： 在错词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
Patience is of great importance in our daily life. Once I waited a bus to come at a stop. 30 minutes past, but no bus came. Both upset and annoyed, I decided to walk on feet. But no sooner had I left when the bus arrived. I thought if I had waited for one more minute, I would have caught it. If I chose to take a next bus, I would have to wait for other 30 minutes. Only then do I realize my problem. Being impatient will possible waste all the effort that we have put it in. Now whenever I am close to lose my patience, I’ll think of this experience.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
书面表达
假如你是李华，你的外国笔友Mark 想了解你校的近况。正好你校正在开展“提倡节约、反对浪费”的活动。 请根据下文的提示给Mark写一封电子邮件。
★节约用纸，废纸回收；
★节约用水，珍惜水源；
★节约用电，按时熄灯；
★节约用餐，不乱花钱。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 参考词汇：launch vt. 开展； thrift n. 节俭。
难度: 中等查看答案及解析