Let's face it．No one drinks diet soda for the taste．People drink diet soda in the hope that it will help them lose weight or at least keep them from gaining it．Yet it seems to have exactly the opposite effect, according to a new study．
Researchers from the University of Texas said those who drank two or more diet sodas a day had waist size increases that were six times greater than those who didn't drink diet soda．"What we saw was that the more diet sodas a person drank, the more weight they were likely to gain," said Sharon Fowler．
The study was based on data from 474 participants in a large, ongoing research project, where the participants were followed for nearly l0 years．
While the findings are surprising, they also offer some explanations．
Nutrition expert, Melanie Rogers, who works with overweight patients in New York, has found that when patients are switched from regular to diet soda, they don't lose weight at all．"We weren't seeing weight loss necessarily, and that was confusing to us," said Rogers．
So why would diet soda cause weight gain? No one knows for sure yet, but it could be that people think they can eat more if they drink diet soda, and so over-compensate for the missing calories．
A related study found some sweeteners （甜味劑） raised blood sugar levels in some mice．"Data from this and other potential studies suggest that the promotion of diet sodas and artificial sweeteners may be risky," said Helen P．Hazuda, professor at the University of Texas's school of medicine．"They may be free of calories, but not of consequences．"
小題1:People drink diet soda to _____．

A．enjoy its taste	B．a(chǎn)chieve weight loss
C．stay in fashion	D．gain more energy

小題2:The new study suggests that drinking diet soda _____．

A．causes people to become heavier	B．helps people to be healthier
C．makes people much thinner	D．offers people more calories

小題3:We can learn from the passage that _____．

A．regular soda makes people lose more weight

B．diet soda does help reduce calories

C．diet soda drinkers tend to eat more food

D．most blood diseases come from diet soda

小題4:The underlined word "They" in the last paragraph probably refers to _____．

A．sweeteners

B．diet soda drinkers and sweetener takers

C．sodas

D．diet sodas and artificial sweeteners

Thank you for your interest in helping animals! Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn, have fun and give back to your community（社區(qū)）. There are many ways to care for the animals at PAWS.
Youth Work Party
If you are ten years or older, you can join the Youth Work Party Team with a parent to work on different projects around PAWS in Lynnwood, WA. For example, you can build boxes for frightened, injured wildlife to hide in. Ask your parent to sign up to join a work party. If you are eighteen years or older, you can join the Youth Work Party Team independently.
PAWSwalk
PAWSwalk is our biggest fundraising（籌款）event of the year, held at the end of the summer to raise money to care for the animals. You can collect money with the help of your family, friends and school, and then walk in the event.
Cookie Sale
Selling homemade dog cookies is a wonderful way to help the animals. PAWS can provide brochures（小冊(cè)子）to give out when you sell the cookies prepared by you and your parents, so people can learn about PAWS at the same time. You can find homemade dog cookie cooking instructions on the Internet or by checking out cookbooks for dogs at the library.
Movie Night
Invite friends, family, neighbors and classmates to watch your favorite animal movie, like Babe or Charlotte’s Web. Ask them to bring an “entrance fee” of donations or supplies for the animals.
Thanks again for your interest in PAWS and helping animals. Share your ideas with your parents and invite a few friends to join you in helping make a difference for animals. If you have any questions, call 425-787-2500-261.
小題1:Who may work in the Youth Work Party Team by himself/herself ?

A．A ten-year-old student.	B．A thirteen-year-old student.
C．A sixteen-year-old student.	D．A nineteen-year-old student.

小題2:If a child wants to take part in Cookie Sale, he/she needs to _____.

A．sell cookbooks for dogs	B．cook and sell dog cookies
C．sell cookies made by PAWS	D．offer brochures about cookies

小題3:Which of the following takes place in the summer ?

A．Youth Work Party.	B．PAWSwalk
C．Cookie Sale	D．Movie Night.

小題4:It can be inferred that PAWS might be _____.

A．a(chǎn) skill training program for youths

B．a(chǎn) series of cookbooks for dogs

C．a(chǎn)n animal protection organization

D．a(chǎn) community center for children

For the most part, you are probably only exposed to the music that is played on your favorite radio stations and TV shows, music Web sites, or the music that your friends and family members enjoy. While you probably know a lot about your favorite type of music, it can be a rewarding experience to enlarge your horizons（眼界）, discovering artists and types of music that you’re not familiar with. Who knows, you might discover you like certain types of music you never even considered.
Have you ever wondered about the history and influences of your favorite types of music ? For example, did you know that rock ‘n’ roll originated（起源）from the blues, and that the blues began as a form of musical expression for African Americans during slavery（奴隸制度）？Did you know that most hip-hop is heavily influenced by early rhythm blues and jazz ?
There are many fun ways to learn about different musical styles and their historical roots. For example, if you like hip-hop, listen to some of your favorite CDs and take note of the samples the performers used to create the songs. There is a possibility that the artist used parts of older songs to create the music. You can go to the library or online to learn more about the artists and listen to more of their music by checking out CDs from the library or downloading songs online for a small fee.
You can learn so much about culture and history just by paying attention to different types of music and what is being expressed in the songs. There are so many different styles of music to learn about, and you owe（欠）it to yourself to make an effort to listen to and learn about them.
小題1:The main topic of this passage is _____.

A．creating music	B．performing music
C．enjoying your favorite music	D．learning about music

小題2:What music did African Americans use to express their feelings of being slaves ?

A．Rock ‘n’ roll.	B．The blues.
C．Hip-hop.	D．Jazz.

小題3:How can you learn about culture and history through music ?

A．By writing down the names of the music.

B．By creating music from older songs yourself.

C．By caring about what is being expressed in music.

D．By keeping a record of fees after downloading songs online.

小題4:By saying the underlined sentence in the last paragraph, the author probably means that _____.

A．you should try harder to learn about music

B．you should return something to music

C．you should borrow music CDs from others

D．you should buy music CDs yourself

For better eyesight, doctors advise limiting the hours of screen time and encourage having enough eye resting time.
However, another study shows that sitting in front of computer or TV screens for long hours is not the only reason for myopia（近視）. An Australian research team studied young children in Sydney and Singapore to find the reasons for myopia.
The research team found that the prevalence（流行）of myopia among children in Sydney was lower than children in Singapore, even though they spent more time in front of computer and TV screens. The major finding is that children in Sydney spend longer hours on outdoor activities than those in Singapore.
Indoor and outdoor sports activities both make the eyes focus on more distant objects, which prevents the eyes from changing shape. But outdoor activities may better help avoid myopia than indoor sports activities.
Jane Gwiazda, who does research in sight problems, says: “Natural light is good for eye growth. And extra vitamin D from the sun might contribute to eye growth.”
Many doctors suggest that every child get its first eye test done when he/she is about two and half years old, and even if his/her sight seems perfect.
It is necessary for myopic children to wear glasses to prevent headaches, trouble reading or injuries. It is also important that schools invite doctors to test their students’ eyes.
If that is not possible, school teachers should at least encourage parents and children to have regular eye examinations and wear glasses. And parents should remember not only to limit the total screen time for their children, but also to encourage them to spend time outdoors.
小題1:What’s the aim of the study by the Australian research team ?

A．To find the reasons for myopia.

B．To find the ways to treat myopia.

C．To prove the bad effects of myopia.

D．To prove the prevalence of myopia.

小題2:Why are there fewer children with myopia in Sydney than in Singapore ?

A．Because Sydney children watch less TV.

B．Because Sydney children have more eye resting time.

C．Because Sydney children use computers less.

D．Because Sydney children do more outdoor sports.

小題3:What conclusion can we draw from the passage ?

A．Sydney children don’t study hard.

B．Singapore children do few exercises.

C．Outdoor activities do more good to eyes.

D．Room light does harm to children’s eyes.

小題4:Which of the following statements is TRUE ?

A．Children should have eye tests as soon as they reach school age.

B．Doing outdoor activities with no glasses is good for myopia children.

C．Focusing on distant objects can help the eyes keep their original shape.

D．Children should limit their time in the sun in order to protect their eyes.

In 1953, the New Zealander Edmund Hillary, then 33, joined a British Qomolangma expedition led by Colonel John Hunt. Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans were the first team to attempt the summit (頂峰). Despite a violent storm, they reached the South Summit — at 28,700 feet (8,748 meters) — by 1 p.m. on May 26. But both men knew they would run out of oxygen if they went on. They agreed to turn back.
Two days later, Hillary and Norgay, set out from Camp IX at 25,900 feet to make the next attempt. At 27,900 feet they made a temporary camp on a six foot wide rock to spend the night. At 6:30 the next morning, cheered by clearing skies, the team moved out. Roped together, cutting steps with their ice axes, they inched up a steep, knife-edged ridge (山脊) southeast of the summit. They reached the South Summit by 9:00 a.m.
Farther up, they met a 40-foot icy rock face, which was later named the Hillary Step. “…looking up at the rock step at 29,000 feet, it really did look extremely difficult to overcome,” said Hillary. But they found a narrow crack on the surface of the rock, just large enough to move inside on hands and knees, and managed to climb it by supporting feet against one side and backs against the other. Hillary said, “That was really the first moment during the whole of the expedition that I was confident that we were going to get to the top.” 
The last few yards to the summit were relatively easy. “Then I realized that the ridge, instead of rising ahead, now dropped sharply away,” Hillary said. “I looked upward to see a narrow ridge running up to a sharp point. …and we stood on the summit.” It was 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953.
小題1:What is the passage mainly about? 

A．The climbing history of Qomolangma.

B．The life and achievements of Edmund Hillary.

C．How Hillary and Norgay conquered Qomolangma.

D．How the Hillary Step got its name.

小題2:At what height did Hillary and Norgay set out on May 29? 

A．25,900 feet.	B．27,900 feet.
C．28,700 feet.	D．29,000 feet.

小題3:According to Paragraph 2, one of the main advantages to Hillary and Norgay was        .

A．fine weather conditions	B．good rest the night before
C．enough food supplies	D．good climbing skills

小題4:When looking back, Hillary described the Hillary Step as        .

A．much easier to climb than she expected

B．impossible for her to overcome again

C．easy to climb up but hard to climb down

D．one of the biggest barriers before the summit

Have you ever suddenly felt that someone you knew was in trouble—and was he? Have you ever dreamed something that came true later? Maybe you have ESP (超感覺知覺).
ESP stands for Extra Sensory Perception. It may be called a sixth sense. It seems to let people know about events before they happen, or events that are happening some distance away.
Here's an example. A woman was ironing clothes. Suddenly she screamed, "My father is dead! I saw him sitting in the chair!" Just then, a telegram came. The woman's father died of a heart attack. He died sitting in a chair.
There are thousands of stories like this one on record. Scientists are studying them to find out what's behind these strange mental messages. Here's another example—one of hundreds of dreams that have come true:
A man dreamed he was walking along a road when a horse and carriage came by. The driver said, "There's room for one more." The man felt the driver seemed dead, so he ran away. The next day, when the man was getting on a crowded bus, the bus driver said, "There's room for one more."
Then the man saw that the driver's face was the same face he had seen in the dream. He wouldn't get on the bus. As the bus drove off, it crashed and burst into flames. Everyone was killed!
Some people say stories like these are coincidences. Others, including some scientists, say that ESP is real. From studies of ESP, we may someday learn more about the human mind.
小題1:According to the passage, the author believes that the sixth sense is_________.

A．in existence

B．imaginative

C．not real

D．impossible

小題2:By studying ESP, scientists may get to_________.

A．learn how people tell lies

B．know more about human dreams

C．know more about human mind

D．learn how strange things happen

小題3:In the last paragraph the underlined word "coincidences" probably means ____.

A．things that may not happen

B．things that happen in a dream

C．things that must happen

D．things that happen by accident

小題4:This article is mainly about_________.

A．the human dream	B．the sixth sense
C．the human mind	D．a(chǎn) crowded bus

Do you want to be productive at work or at home? Here's what you should do.
1. Cut off television
I used to tell myself that I needed a break. So, when the kids slept I turned on the cable and watched whatever program that caught my fancy. Often, I found myself not watching, just channel-surfing. And I didn’t end up watching a full program. I decided one day to just give up on TV as it made me sleep late and woke up tired.
If you want to be productive, cut off TV. You are better off reading a book. Without TV, I have managed to finish many books which I have bought but never read.
2. Limit Internet use
The other big distraction that can make you sleep late is the Internet. Probably because you will be checking your emails, updating your blog, watching YouTube, etc. Try limiting the use of it at home, or switch it to the morning session.
Nowadays, I check all my personal emails early in the morning. When I get into work, I find myself less tempted to check personal emails.
3. Know your priorities(優(yōu)先考慮的事)
Really, it is all about the choices you make and the priorities you have. If you know it is competitive out there in the world, how can you be a better worker than the person who is also aiming for the position above you?
4. Rest early, rise early
Do you want to be productive? Rise early, read more books, have more energy, be more focused and set standards for others to catch up. It’s as simple as that.
小題1:The passage aims to give advice on how to ________.

A．balance our work and energy well

B．take care of our kids at home

C．divide time between work and family

D．compete against others for a better position

小題2:What does the author mainly use to support her theory?

A．Ancient wisdom.	B．Internet information
C．Popular beliefs.	D．Personal experience

小題3:The author used to be in the habit of _________.

A．watching her favorite TV programs with her kids

B．checking all her personal emails in the morning

C．changing channels frequently when watching TV

D．reading the books immediately after she bought them

小題4:In the author’s opinion, ___________.

A．our top priority at work is to get the leader’s attention

B．reading at night helps to make us more productive

C．it’s a waste of time to update our blogs very often

D．knowing priorities makes us more competitive at work

How to get rid of waste is a great problem for the world today. Waste must be treated 16 it does not become a danger to life.   17 , in some countries, waste from factories is still poured straight into rivers. People who use the water from one of these rivers often get   18 . The water  may become so polluted that it   19  all the fish in the river. When these rivers finally reaches the   20 , it pollutes the ocean.
In many countries with   21 , human waste is piped directly into the sea without being dealt with. This is not   22 . Although the sea itself can break up the waste, beaches   23  become polluted.   24  scientists suggest people take the waste far out to sea in ships where the wind and waves break it down.
In 1989 an international law was passed to   25  people putting waste into the sea. It is now against the   26  to put anything into the sea nearby. Such rubbish as plastics may not be thrown   27  the sea anywhere. Other waste may be put into the sea, either 19 or more than 40 kilometers from land,   28  the nature of the materials.
The   29  of dealing with waste has become so great that several international organizations have been   30  to protect the world and control pollution.

小題1:	A．a(chǎn)s if B．so that C．ever since D．now that

小題2:	A．Luckily B．Happily C．Unfortunately D．Hopefully

小題3:	A．sick B．hope C．rich D．fun

小題4:	A．raises B．feeds C．kills D．breaks

小題5:	A．pool B．lake C．spring D．sea

小題6:	A．grassland B．plains C．sea coasts D．deserts

小題7:	A．safe B．useful C．dirty D．wrong

小題8:	A．need B．may C．can’t D．needn’t

小題9:	A．So B．Because C．Since D．But

小題10:

A．stop B．suggest C．keep D．find

小題11:

A．school B．organization C．factory D．law

小題12:

A．out of B．a(chǎn)way from C．into D．a(chǎn)bove

小題13:

A．depending on B．feeding on C．leading to D．connecting to

小題14:

A．news B．method C．problem D．disadvantage

小題15:

A．punished B．set up C．refused D．called at

New findings suggest that brainy card games such as contract bridge may temporarily(臨時(shí)地) raise production of a key blood cell including in fighting off illness. After 90 minutes of play, bridge players had increased levels of immune(免疫) cells, according to the research reported last week.
A researcher, Diamond, studied bridge players from a women’s bridge club. She chose bridge players because the game includes skills stimulating(刺激) a part of the brain called the dorsolateral cortex. Earlier animal research suggests that this part of the brain may play a role in the immune system.
The findings are based on blood samples drawn from 12 women players. Their blood samples showed a rise in levels of white blood cells called T cells after they played bridge for 90 minutes. T cells are produced by the thymus gland(胸腺) and used by the immune system against diseases.
The T cell count jumped significantly in eight of the bridge players, and slightly in the other four. The findings contribute to the field of neuroimmunology(神經(jīng)免疫學(xué)), whose name reflects the fact that the nervous system and the immune system are not considered separate and isolated(獨(dú)立的) systems. What isn’t clear is whether the help to the immune system from an activity like contract bridge is lasting or temporary. It is also not clear whether the increase in T cells could finally be targeted against special illnesses.
小題1:Playing bridge can help one to fight off diseases because it can _______.

A．raise production of a key blood cell	B．make people joyful
C．a(chǎn)id digestion	D．make break away from the bad habits

小題2:Diamond chose to study bridge players for the research because _______.

A．the players are good friends of hers

B．she loves playing bridge

C．this game stimulates a part of the brain that has something to do with immune system

D．she is a clever manager, who operates her bridge club well

小題3:A T cell is _______ cell.

A．a(chǎn) brain	B．a(chǎn) white blood
C．a(chǎn) red blood	D．a(chǎn) kind of dangerous blood

小題4:Which of the following is true according to this article?

A．The immune system and the brain system used to be considered separate and isolated systems.

B．The help to the immune system that is brought about by playing bridge can last for a long time.

C．Cortex is a kind of blood cell.

D．The new findings are impossible.

In the second half of each year, many powerful storms are born in the tropical(熱帶的)Atlantic and Caribbean seas. Of these, only about half a dozen becomes the strong, circling winds of 75 miles per hour or more that are called hurricanes, and several usually make their way to the coast. There they cause millions of dollars of damage, and bring death to large numbers of people.
The great storms that hit the coast start as soft circling wind hundreds — even thousands — of miles out to sea. As they travel aimlessly over water warmed by the summer sun, they are carried westward by the southeast winds. When conditions are just right, warm, moist(潮濕) air flows in at the bottom of such a wind, moves upward through it and comes out at the top. In the process(過程), the moisture in this warm air produces rain, and with it the heat is changed to energy in the form of strong winds. As the heat increases, the young hurricane begins to move in a counter-clockwise motion(逆時(shí)針運(yùn)動(dòng)).
The life of a hurricane is only about nine days, but it contains almost more power than we can imagine. The energy in the heat released(釋放) by a hurricane’s rainfall in a single day would satisfy the entire electrical needs of the United States for more than six months. Water, not wind, is the main source of death and destruction(毀滅) in a hurricane. A typical hurricane brings 6 to 12 inch downpours, causing sudden floods. Worst of all is the powerful movement of the sea — the mountains of water moving toward the hurricane center. The water level rises as much as 15 feet above normal as it moves toward shore.
小題1:When is an ordinary tropical storm called a hurricane?

A．When it begins in the Atlantic and Caribbean seas.

B．When it hits the coastline.

C．When it is more than 75 miles wide.

D．When its winds reach 75 miles per hour.

小題2:What is the worst thing about hurricanes?

A．The terrible effects of water.	B．The heat they give off.
C．That they last about nine days.	D．Their strong winds.

小題3:Here the word “downpour” means ______.

A．heavy rainfall

B．dangerous waves

C．the progress of water to the hurricane center

D．the increasing heat

小題4:Which statement about a hurricane is wrong?

A．It travels more than 75 miles per hour.

B．It usually stays about 9 days.

C．It usually causes 6 to 12 inch downpours.

D．It sometimes brings the sea water level to the height of 15 feet.