Here’s a new warning from health experts: sitting is deadly. Scientists are increasingly warning that sitting for long periods, even if you exercise regularly, could be bad for your health. And it doesn't matter where the sitting takes place--in the office, at school, in the car or before a computer or TV. Just the overall number of hours it takes matters. Several studies suggest people who spend most of their days sitting are more likely to be fat, have a heart attack or even die. While health officials have issued(發(fā)布) guidelines advising on the least amounts of physical activities, they haven’t suggested people try to limit how much time they spend in a seated position.

“After four hours of sitting, the body starts to send harmful signals,” said Ekblom-Bak of the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences. She explained that genes controlling the amount of glucose(葡萄糖) and fat in the body start to shut down.

Even for people who exercise, spending long periods of time sitting at a desk is still harmful. Tim Armstrong, a physical activity expert at the World Health Organization, said people who exercise every day but still spend a lot of time sitting might get more benefits if that exercise were spread across the day, rather than in a single hour.

Still in a study that tracked more than 17,000 Canadians for about a dozen years, researchers found people who sat more had a higher death risk, whether they exercised or not. Experts said more research is needed to figure out just how much sitting is dangerous, and what might be possible to offset those effects.

People should keep exercising because that has a lot of benefits,” Ekblom-Bak said. “And when they’re in the office, they should try to interrupt sitting as often as possible.”

1.The underlined word “offset" in Paragraph 6 most probably means_______.

A. get rid of B. make use of

C. work out D. turn to

2.Sitting too much is dangerous because it can________ .

A. increase glucose and fat in the body

B. make a person become lazy

C. destroy the balance of glucose and fat in the body

D. make a person unable to exercise enough in a day

3.In the opinion of Ekblom-Bak, when at work, you’d better have a rest by_______ .

A. taking a walk around your office

B. chatting online or playing computer games

C. sending your friends emails

D. listening to music while sitting

4.Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?

A. More and More People Sit Too Much

B. Side Effects of Sitting Too Much

C. Don’t Sit Too Much While Working

D. Sitting Too Much Could Be Dangerous

The man sitting opposite Robert was the Financial Controller. Everybody called him “the FC” for short. He made all the decisions about money. Robert needed some more. That was why he had to see him. The two men did not get on very well. In fact, they had always disliked each other.

“Your request is out of the question,” the FC said. Robert had difficulty in controlling himself, but he managed somehow. He explained that he wanted the money in order to make more programmes.

“And why do you want to do that?” the FC asked sharply. Again, Robert almost lost his temper. “Because more and more people are listening to my department’s programmes. There’s great demand for them,” he answered.

The FC did not seem to believe him. But Robert had a report on the numbers of listeners to all EBC programmes. The FC became less confident (自信). Robert threw the report down on the table and told him to read it.

The FC looked at it in silence. The figures (數(shù)字) proved that he had been wrong, but he did not want to admit it. “Well,” he finally said, “I may have made a small mistake.” Robert noticed the word “may”. He got up to leave. But he had the feeling that he would get the money after all.

1.In the story the Financial Controller was a person who was in charge of______.

A. EBC programs. B. EBC money.

C. both B and A. D. Robert’s department’s programs.

2.“Your request is out of the question.” Here “out of the question” means______.

A. possible. B. impossible.

C. with some question. D. without any question

3.Robert decided to make more programs because_________.

A. “the FC” disliked him

B. he wanted to meet the needs of the listeners.

C. he wanted to show himself off.

D. the members of his department wanted him to do so.

4.Who do you think won the argument(爭論)in the end?

A. Nobody. B. The listeners.

C. Robert. D. The Financial Controller.

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容，從短文后的選項(xiàng)中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。選項(xiàng)中有兩項(xiàng)為多余選項(xiàng)。

The Meaning of Dreams

Sleep and dreams have interested people for centuries. Scientists are learning more about sleep, but they still know very little about why we dream.

1. First, we have most of our dreams during REM(rapid eye movement)sleep. At this time, the brain is very active. Second, everyone dreams, even if we can't remember doing so when we awaken. 2. While we are sleep, it works more slowly and sometimes puts our thoughts and memories together in strange ways.

3. . Some believe that our dreams are associated with thoughts and feelings that we experience while we are awake. Many dream researchers think that a dream about death, for example, is really about an important life change. 4. . Dreams about a car or travel often represent (代表) feelings about your own life. Dreams about teeth—especially broken or loose ones—may indicate（預(yù)示） stress or fear. Dreams in which you are flying often represent freedom or escape.

Researchers think people in our dreams can tell us something about ourselves. If the person in the dream was yelling, for example, maybe you are angry. 5. . There is still a lot about dreaming that we do not understand. By learning more about our dreams, we may learn more about ourselves.

A. Dreams may be more important than sleep.

B. Scientists do not know for certain why we dream.

C. If he or she was scared then maybe you are afraid of something.

D. Modern research can tell us some important things about dreams.

E. There are three things you should pay attention to have a sweet dream.

F. Finally, a part of our brain helps us to understand daily experience we have.

G. Dreams about telephones are thought to be about giving or receiving messages.

完型填空

閱讀下面短文， 從短文后各題所給的四個(gè)選項(xiàng)（A、B、C和D）中，選出最佳選項(xiàng)。

My family often had a get-together with friends in my childhood. As I was smart, there was always someone who would come up to mention my high ________ and ask, “What are you going to do when you ________ ?” Well, it started out being a teacher or a hero. ________it was a fireman, an artist … As I grew older my dreams of the future ________ . When I was going to college, I was asked, “What will you major in?”, another question ________to find out what I would be when I grew up.

By then I made up my mind to become a ________ programmer. So I was studying software for much of my life. I am ________ that I could realize my dream. The realization of my life purpose encourages me to help others to succeed in their own ________ .

However, for many, there is a “________” which goes around stealing our dreams and robbing us of the________ mental state to achieve our________. Sometimes, the thief will come as a parent, a relative, or a friend, ________ the greatest thief is just ourselves.

Usually when we are about to ________ the aim, a “small” voice inside will say, “You will never ________ .” “Very few have ever done this successfully.” And on and on the “small” voice makes us________ heart and fail.

Failure, ________, helps our dreams to come true. It is one of the most important ________ we have, because it teaches us ________ lessons. And, when we learn these lessons well, we are________ for success.

There are no “overnight” successes, but with perseverance, they will come. So just don’t ________ . Let dreams stay in your life.

1.A. quality B. character C. power D. intelligence

2.A. set up B. grow up C. get up D. pick up

3.A. Before B. Later C. Meanwhile D. Recently

4.A. continued B. formed C. changed D. kept

5.A. supposed B. answered C. imagined D. designed

6.A. radio B. car C. satellite D. computer

7.A. worried B. interested C. happy D. surprised

8.A. lives B. studies C. experience D. work

9.A. relative B. friend C. parent D. thief

10.A. necessary B. same C. only D. exact

11.A. results B. goals C. advantages D. power

12.A. and B. because C. but D. so

13.A. leave B. reach C. remove D. select

14.A. succeed B. fail C. forget D. arrive

15.A. give B. take C. lose D. break

16.A. besides B. otherwise C. though D. instead

17.A. tools B. purposes C. medicines D. messages

18.A. thankful B. valuable C. hopeless D. logical

19.A. sorry B. angry C. ready D. responsible

20.A. bring back B. set off C. take apart D. give up

語法填空

Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their cats are just as used to the warm shelter1. ___ they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for a long period of time, 2._ ( think ) that all animals are used to living outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness. There are things you can do to keep your animal warm 3.__ safe.

Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the weather is bad. If you have to take them out, stay outside with them. When you’re cold enough to go inside, 4.__ probably are too. If you 5.___ leave them outside for a long time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter 6.___ the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of non-frozen water.

If 7.___ ( leave ) alone outside, dogs and cats can be very smart in their search for warm shelter. They can dig into snow banks or hide somewhere. Watch them 8.___ ( close ) when they are left outdoors, and provide them with shelter 9.___ good quality. Keep an eye on your pet’s water. Sometimes owners don’t realize that a water bowl has frozen and their pet can’t get anything to drink. Animals that don’t have clean and unfrozen water may drink dirty water outside, 10.__ may contain something unhealthy for them.

短文改錯(cuò)

文中共有10處語言錯(cuò)誤，每處錯(cuò)誤共涉及一個(gè)單詞的增加、刪除或修改。

增加：在缺詞處加一個(gè)漏字符號(hào)（∧）， 并在其下面寫出增加的詞。

刪除：把多余的詞用斜線（＼）劃掉。

修改：在錯(cuò)的詞下畫一橫線，并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。

Last summer I had a chance to visit Paris. That attracted me most was the Eiffel Tower, which is symbol of France. I was deep impressed by its height. I had never seen such a tall building ago! It is made up of iron, and it is about 11,500 tons heavy.

There are 1,711 steps from the bottom to the top. Climb the tower made me very tired, but I was very exciting. I take a lot of photos in Paris.

I have much memories and experiences to share. I am so lucky to have seen such a culture so different from my own. I will remember my trips to France forever!

書面表達(dá)

假如你們學(xué)校英語愛好者俱樂部對(duì)“良好飲食習(xí)慣”這一話題進(jìn)行討論，請(qǐng)根據(jù)下列提示，用英語寫一篇發(fā)言稿。內(nèi)容要點(diǎn)應(yīng)包括：

注意：

1. 發(fā)言稿必須包括所有內(nèi)容要點(diǎn)，可適當(dāng)發(fā)揮;

2. 發(fā)言稿開頭和結(jié)尾已為你寫好，不計(jì)入總詞數(shù)；

3. 記數(shù)；100 左右

4. 參考詞匯：偏食 be particular about food 零食 snack

Dear friends,

As we all know, we are what we eat. Therefore, it’s very important for us to form healthy eating habits.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

That’s all. Thank you!

Assistant Professor, Musical Theatre Dance

Wichita State University seeks a full-time, 9-month assistant professor, beginning in August. Applicants are required to have a degree in dance area, teaching experience at a professional or college level, ability to direct and teach stage movement. The salary depends on qualifications and experience.

For complete information, visit http://finearts.wichita.edu.

Full Professor in Theatre and Dance

The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of California at San Diego (http://www-theatre.uscd.edu) is seeking an experienced theatre artist in lighting design. Applicants must work for us for at least one year. Significant professional experience is required. This position is expected to teach at both graduate and undergraduate levels.

A review of applications will start on June 1st. Application deadline: September 1st.

Technical Director in Performing and Fine Arts

DeSales University’s Performing and Fine Arts Department seeks a highly skilled, professional technical director. The position is a 10-month staff position with the possibility of summer employment with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Professional experience is required; MFA is preferred.

Please email materials to john.bell@desales.edu. Screening of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Assistant Director— Media Resources Center

Maryland Institute College of Art is seeking an Assistant Director of Media Resources Center in the Academic Affairs Division.

Qualifications for the position include a degree in Art History or related fields with knowledge of art and design history, library experience, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and familiarity with photoshop and scanning.

A review of applications will begin immediately; job announcements will remain open until the position is filled. Applicants are required to work for us at least 11 months. They can send emails to jobs@mica.edu. The salary differs depending on your experience. Please include your desired salary in your application letter.

1.What ad may an applicant pay close attention to if he/she has 9.5-month free time?

A. Technical Director in Performing and Fine Arts.

B. Assistant Director— Media Resources Center.

C. Assistant Professor, Musical Theatre Dance.

D. Full Professor in Theatre and Dance.

2.Which can you apply to if you have excellent interpersonal and communication skills?

A. Maryland Institute College of Art.

B. The University of California.

C. DeSales University.

D. Wichita State University.

3.What can we learn from the advertisements?

A. All the job announcements will remain open until the positions are filled.

B. All the reviews of applications will begin immediately.

C. All the jobs mentioned above promise a good salary.

D. All the jobs mentioned in the text require experience.

Dear Alcohol,

You've been around forever. I can remember all the pain you've caused for me.

Do you remember the night you almost took my father's life? I do. He loves you. Sometimes I think he loves you more than he loves me. He's addicted to you, to the way you promise to rid him of his problems only to cause more of them. You just sat back and laughed as his car went spinning through the street, crashing into two other cars. He wasn't the only one hurt by you that night.

Do you remember the night of my first high school party? You were there. My friends were intrigued by you. They treated you as if they were never going to see you again, drinking all of you that they could. I spent two hours that night helping my friends who had fallen completely. "I'm so embarrassed," they said as I held their hair back so that they could vomit . "I'm sorry," they said when I called taxies for them, walking them out and paying the driver in advance. "This won't happen again," they said as they were sent to the hospital to have their stomachs pumped. Two 15-year-old girls slept in hospital beds that night thanks to you.

Do you remember the night when you took advantage of my 17-year-old neighbor who had to drive to pick up his sister from her dance lessons? Do you know how we all felt when he hit another car and killed the two people in the other car? He died the next morning too. His sister walked home from her dance lesson, and passed police cars and a crowd of people gathering on the sidewalk just two blocks away from the dance studio. She didn't realize her orother was in the midst of it all. She never saw him again. And it's all your fault.

I wish you'd walk out of my life forever. I don't want anything to do with you. Look at all the pain you've caused. Sure, you've made people happy too from time to time. But the damage you've caused in the lives of millions is inexcusable. Stop luring (引誘) in the people I love. Stop hurting me, please.

Sincerely,

Anonymous

1.What is the author's purpose in writing to alcohol?

A. To introduce Mr. Alcohol to the readers.

B. To describe the harm alcohol did to his family.

C. To show how much alcohol can hurt people.

D. To show the great fun that alcohol can bring to people's life.

2.What did alcohol do to the author's father?

A. It made him crash into two other cars and took his life.

B. It made him drink too much and he had to get his stomach pumped.

C. It made him kill two other people when driving.

D. It made him get into a car accident and badly injure himself.

3.The underlined phrase "were intrigued by" is closest in meaning to ______.

A. were familiar with B. were interested in

C. were disappointed with D. were satisfied with

4.What is the tone of the article?

A. Critical. B. Doubtful.

C. Unconcerned. D. Humorous

When I was in seventh grade, I was a candy striper (護(hù)士助手) at a local hospital in my town. I volunteered about 30 to 40 hours a week during the summer.

Most of the time I spent there was with Mr. Gillespie. He never has any visitors, and nobody seemed to care about his condition. I spent many days there holding his hand and talking to him, helping with anything that needed to be done. He became a close friend of mine, even though he responded with only an occasional squeeze (緊握) of my hand. Mr. Gillespie was in a coma (昏迷).

I left for a week for a vacation with my parents, and when I came back, Mr. Gillespie was gone. I didn’t have the courage to ask any of the nurses where he was, for fear they might tell me he had died. So with many questions unanswered, I continued to volunteer there through my eighth-grade year.

Several years later, when I was a junior in high school, I was at the gas station when I noticed a familiar face. When I realized who it was, my eyes filled with tears. He was alive! I got up the nerve to ask him if he was Mr. Gillespie，and if he had been in a coma about five years ago. With an uncertain look on his face, he replied yes. I explained how I knew him, and that I had spent many hours talking to him in the hospital. His eyes welled up with tears, and he gave me the warmest hug I had ever received.

He began to tell me how, as he lay there comatose (昏睡的), he could hear me talking to him and could feel me holding his hand the whole time. He thought it was an angel, who was there with him. Mr. Gillespie firmly believed that it was my voice and touch that had kept him alive. Then he told me about his life. We exchanged a hug, said our good-byes and went our separate ways.

Although I haven’t seen him since, he fills my heart with joy every day. I know that I made a difference between his life and his death. As importantly, he has made a great difference in my life. I will never forget him and what he did for me: He made me an angel.

1.When the author volunteered at a local hospital, she .

A. mainly helped the nurses with their paper work

B. made up her mind to become a nurse herself one day

C. spent most of her time taking care of a man in a coma

D. became friends with Mr. Gillespie’s visitors

2.The author didn’t ask where Mr. Gillespie had gone because .

A. she knew for sure that he had recovered

B. she forgot all about him when she returned to the hospital

C. she had been concerned that he might stay in coma forever

D. she feared that he might have died

3.Judging from the article, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. The author continued her volunteer work in the hospital until eighth-grade.

B. The author met Mr. Gillespie at a gas station several years later.

C. Mr. Gillespie recognized the author’s voice the moment he met her.

D. No one in the hospital believed that Mr. Gillespie would recover from his coma.

4.Which of the following statements best summarizes the point of the story?

A. Those with faith in themselves will succeed.

B. If you spread happiness you will be happy yourself.

C. Respect people and they will try hard to improve.

D. Kindness is loving people more than they deserve.