You're sitting on the train home and the person opposite you yawns (打哈欠). Suddenly, you're yawning
with him, though you're not tired.
     This phenomenon confused scientists for years until a recent study found that people tend to sympathize
with fellow humans. Supporting this claim was the discovery that those children who were unable to form
normal emotional ties with others did not experience contagions (有感染力的) yawning, which showed that
humans communicate regularly without words.
     Hogo Critchley, a neuroscientist, has conducted an experiment recently, which will prove that happiness
and sadness can spread like the common cold. According to Critchley, our mind and body are in constant
exchange about how we're feeling. "Emotions are closely linked with states of internal (內(nèi)部的) responses,"
he explained. "There are also more visible changes in our gesture and facial expressions. When we're in a
group, these signals can spread to another person. For example, there're the obvious tendency to smile when
smiled at and there are less obvious changes that reflect emotions of surprise, anger or sadness such as a
change in our heart rate and blood pressure."
     Hugo Critchley further explained, "Our bodies synchronise and when we like the other Person, we even
copy his behaviour. Next time you chat with a friend, take note of how you're sitting-it's pretty likely that
you will be the same. Scientists believe it's our way of telling each other that you're parents. Through body
language, humans give each other very subtle (微妙的) but clear signals that show emotions."
     So, what lessons can we learn from this? "spend time with happy people-otherwise your health could
suffer," said Critchley. "When we're sad, our body goes into fight or flight mode. But when we're happy, our
body works normally and we feel relaxed and positive. So we look bright, our skin glows, we feel healthy and
it affects everyone around us."

1. According to Hugo Critchley, _____.

A. emotions are as visible as facial expressions
B. we yawn more frequently when we have a cold
C. emotions are connected with states of internal responses
D. the change of blood pressure is not linked with the change of emotions

2. The underlined word "synchronise" in paragraph 4 means "_____".

A. move slowly
B. change rapidly
C. relax temporarily
D. respond accordingly

3. From the passage we can learn _____.

A. sadness is as contagious as happiness
B. anger is less contagious than friendliness
C. surprise is more contagious than smile
D. surprise is the most contagious among emotions

4. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. Emotions have delicate influence on fellow humans.
B. Children like copying the actions of the fellow humans.
C. Scientists are still confused about contagious yawning.
D. People tend to communicate more with body language.

                                                      Less TV Reduce Kids Weight
      PALO AITO, California-" Switching off the television may help prevent children from getting fatter-even
if they do not change their diet or increase the amount they exercise," US researchers said last week.
     A study of 192 third and fourth grades, generally aged eight and nine, found that children who cut the
number of hours spent watching television gained nearly two pounds (0.91 kg ) less over a one-year period
than those who did not change their television diet.
     "The findings are important because they show that weight loss can only be the result of a reduction in
television viewing and not any other activity," said Thomas Robinson, a pediatrician (兒科專家) at Stanford
University.
     " American children spend an average of more than four hours per day watching television and videos or
playing games, and rates of childhood being very fat have doubt over the past 20 years," Robinson said.
     In the study, presented this week to the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting in San Francisco,
the researchers persuaded about 100 of the students to reduce their television viewing by one-quarter to
one-third.
     Children watching fewer hours of television showed a significantly smaller increase in waist size and had
less body fat than other students who continue their normal television viewing, even though neither group ate
a special diet nor took part in any extra exercise.
     "One explanation for the weight loss could be the children unstuck to the television may simply have been
moving around and burning off calories," Robinson said.
      "Another reason might be due to eating fewer meals in front of the television. Some studies have suggested
that eating in front of the TV encourages people to eat more," Robinson added.

1. The author tries to tell us in the first two paragraphs that ______.

A. children will get fatter if they eat too much.
B. children will get thinner if they eat less.
C. children will get fatter if they spend less time watching TV.
D. children will get fatter if they spend more time watching TV.

2. According to the passage, the time American children usually spend on watching TV ______.

A. is more than four hours a day.
B. is less than four hours a day.
C. doubled in the last twenty years.
D. is more than on any other activities.

3. The time children spend on TV viewing every day is suggested to be about _______.

A. six hours
B. eight hours
C. three hours
D. one hour

4. Which of the following is right?

A. Children usually eat fewer while watching TV.
B. Children usually eat more while watching TV.
C. Children eat the same amount of meals while watching TV.
D. Children usually eat nothing while watching TV.

5. Why can watching TV increase kids' weight according to the passage?

A. They usually eat more while watching TV.
B. They burn off fewer calories.
C. They change their diet while watching TV.
D. Both A and B

     When people want to know about the weather, they usually go to their radios, TVs, newspapers, or to the
Internet. However, you can also find many weather signs among wildlife, because of their highly developed
senses. Drops in air pressure (壓力) produce an effect on small animals in many ways. Mice and deer are
good weather indicators. People who spend a lot of time outdoors have observed that, before a storm, field
mice come out of their holes and run around. Deer leave high ground and come down from the mountains.
     Birds are especially good weather indicators because they also show the effect of a pressure drop in many
ways. For example, some birds become irritable (急躁的) and quarrelsome and will fight over a piece of bread.
Other birds chirp (嘰嘰喳喳) and sing just before a storm. It seems they know they won't get another chance
for an hour or two. Birds also seek safe places before a storm. You will sometimes see birds settling in trees
or gathering together on a wire close to a building. Pre-storm low pressure makes the air so thin that birds
have difficulty flying.
     It is unusual to see many birds flying overhead in the summertime, rather than during the periods in the
spring or autumn. Watch for other weather signs if you see this. If they fly in the wrong direction, they may
be flying ahead of a storm.
     By paying closer attention to some important signs in nature, we can become better prepared for any kind
of weather.

1. The word "indicators" in paragraph 1 probably means _____.

A. maps
B. services
C. signs
D. stations

2. There will be a storm if birds _____. 

A. make more noise than usual
B. fly in different directions
C. come down from tall trees
D. share a piece of bread

3. How can birds sense the coming of a storm? 

A. By feeling a drop in air temperature.
B. By noticing the change of wind directions.
C. By feeling a drop in air pressure.
D. By noticing the movements of other animals.

4. The best title for the text would be _____. 

A. Signs of a Storm
B. Drops in Air Pressure
C. Animals'Sharp Senses
D. Nature's Weather Signs

     Teens don't understand the big fuss (小題大做). As the first generation to grow up in a wired world, they
hardly know a time when computers weren't around, and they eagerly catch the chance to spend hours online,
chatting with friends, So what?
     But researchers nationwide are increasingly worried that teens are becoming isolated (孤寂), less skillful at
person-to-person relationships, and perhaps numb (麻木) to the cheatings that are so much a part of the e-mail
world. "And a teen's sense of self and values may be changed in a world where personal connections can be
limitless,"said Sherry Turkle.
     Another researcher, Robert Kraut, said he's worried about the "opportunity costs" (機(jī)會成本) of so much
online time for youths. He found that teens who used computers, even just a few hours a week, showed
increased signs of loneliness and social isolation. "Chatting online may be better than watching television, but
it's worse than hanging out (閑逛) with real friends," he said.
     Today's teens, however, don't see anything strange in the fact that the computer takes up a central place in
their social lives, "School is busy and full of pressure. There's almost no time to just hang out." said Parker Rice,
17. "Talking online is just catch-up time."
     Teens say they feel good about what they say online or taking the time to think about a reply. Some teens
admit that asking someone for a date, or breaking up, can be easier in message form, though they don't want
to do so. But they insist there's no harm.

1. The researchers argue that _____.

A. teens may develop a different sense of values
B. nothing is wrong with teens'chatting online
C. teens can manage their social connections
D. spending hours online does much good to teens

2. The text mainly deals with _____.

A. use computers properly
B. improve their school work
C. develop an interest in social skills
D. reduce their mental pressures

3. The text mainly deals with _____. 

A. teens' pleasant online experience
B. teens' computer skills and school work
C. the effects of the computer world on teens
D. different opinions on teens' chatting online

4. The purpose of the text is to _____.

A. describe computer research results
B. draw attention to teens' computer habits
C. suggest ways to deal with problem teens
D. discuss problems teens have at school

     The computer makes doing schoolwork easier for me than it was for my mom and dad. For example,
when writing book reports and stories, I use Microsoft Word instead of a pen and paper. That way, after my
teacher edits my work, I can go back and make revisions without having to rewrite the whole thing. And
Microsoft Word has a spell checks! I use it all the time.
     For English class, we're reading The Outsiders, by S.E.Hinter. As a pre-reading assignment, my teacher
asked us to research teenage groups on the Internet. I tried Google, Encarta, and Yahoo first, and finally
found an article on Time.com.
     For a geography assignment on the United States, I used Encarta to learn about the Mississippi River. I
needed to find out how deep the river is, how its widths and depths are different, what states it runs through,
and what kind of fish live in it. I used the information to show how the geography of a country affects its
economy. For example, the river's trade paths, the number offish caught in it, and the tourists it attracts
directly affect Southerners' jobs and incomes.
      I never go to the library to do research. It takes too much time. Since I live in New York City and both
my parents work, getting to the library isn't always easy. For a big assignment or research project, I'd have
to stay at the library to read, or sign out whatever books or magazines I needed. Being able to find the
information in my own living room makes everything a lot simpler. Online dictionaries and encyclopedias also
save time.
     Sometimes. I think the computer spoils my generation because it's so easy at least physically. But
computers are not like television, which does the thinking for you. You still have to use your mind. I prefer
using a computer. Easy, fun, and fast.

1.What does the writer use Microsoft Word to do?(本題1分)
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.Why does the writer never go to the library to do research?(本題1分)
______________________________________________________________________________________
3.What's the writer's opinion about using a computer?(本題2分)
_______________________________________________________________________________________

     Dogs wag (搖擺) their tails in different directions depending on whether they are excited and wanting
to move forward or threatened and thinking of moving back, a study has found.
     Researchers in Italy examined the tail wagging behavior of 30 dogs, catching their responses to a range
of stimuli (刺激物) with video cameras. To conduct the study they chose 15 male dogs and 15 female ones
aged between one and six years. The dogs were all family pets whose owners had allowed them to take part
in the experiment at Bari University. The dogs were placed in a large wooden box with an opening at the front
to allow for them to view various stimuli. They were tested one at a time.
     The researchers led by Professor Giorgio Vallortigara of the University of Trieste found that when the
dogs were shown their owners-a positive experience-their tails wagged energetically to the right side. When
they were shown an unfamiliar human they wagged to the right, but with somewhat less enthusiasm. The
appears of a cat again caused a right-hand side wag, although with less intensity again. The appearance of a
large unfamiliar dog, similar to a German shepherd, changed the direction of tail wagging to the left. Research
ers supposed the dog was thinking of moving back. When the dogs were not shown any stimuli they tended
to wag their tails to the left, suggesting they preferred company. While the changes in the tail wagging were
not easily noticed without the aid of video, it was thought that the findings could help people judge the mood
(心情) of dogs. Computer and video systems, for example, could be used by professional dog trainers to
determine the mood of dogs that they were required to approach.

1. The video cameras were used to catch the dogs'responses because _____.

A. it was easier to catch the dogs'response changes in the tail wagging
B. the dogs were put in the wooden boxes and tested one at a time.
C. they enabled the dogs'owners to know about their dogs'habit
D. the dogs wagged their tails in different directions when they were in different moods

2. The underlined word "intensity" in the passage means _____.

A. surprise
B. worry
C. excitement
D. interest

3. When there are no stimuli, a dog will _____.

A. wag to the left
B. wag to the right
C. not wag at all
D. wag to the left and then to the right

4. The underlined word "they" refers to _____.

A. the dogs
B. the trainers
C. the systems
D. the researchers

5. The purpose of doing the experiment is _____.

A. to train dogs for their owners
B. to help people judge the mood of dogs
C. to help dogs find company
D. to help people choose their pet dogs

     Worrying about how you'll perform on a math test may actually contribute to a lower test score, US
researchers said on Saturday.
      Math anxiety-feelings of dread and fear and avoiding math-can weaken the brain's limited amount of
working capacity, a resource needed to calculate difficult math problems, said Mark Ashcrafi, a psychologist
at the University of Nevada Las Vegas who studies the problem.
     "It turns out that math anxiety occupies a person's working memory," said Ashcraft, who spoke at the
annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco.
     Ashcraft said while easy math tasks such as addition require only a small part of a person's working
memory, harder calculations require much more.
      Worrying about math takes up a large part of a person's working memory stores as well, spelling disaster
for the anxious student who is taking a high-stakes test ( 高風(fēng)險(xiǎn)測驗(yàn)).
     Stress about how one does on tests like college entrance exams can make even good math students choke.
"All of a sudden they start looking for the short cuts," said University of Chicago researcher Sian Beilock.
     Although test preparation classes can help students get over this anxiety, they are limited to students whose
families can afford them.
     Finally, she said, "It may not be wise to rely completely on scores to predict who will succeed."
     While the causes of math anxiety are unknown, Ashcraft said,"People who manage to get over math
anxiety have completely normal math ability."

1. Sian Beilock points out that stress________.

A. can't be avoided before college entrance exams
B. contributes to scores in college entrance exams
C. has no effects on good math students
D. has side effects on students in college entrance exams

2. What does the underlined word "spelling" probably mean?

A. causing
B. reducing
C. taking away
D. preparing for

3. What can we learn from the text?

A. The causes of math anxiety have already been found.
B. All of the students attend test preparation classes.
C. Math anxiety weakens working memory needed to do math.
D. Few measures can be taken to get rid of math anxiety.

4. What does the passage suggest middle school students do before exams?

A. Get relieved.
B. Review lessons.
C. Go to the doctor's.
D. Rely on scores.

     By Zhang Youlv (China Daily 09/29/2008)-A manned lunar (月球的) landing is China's next target when the
current three-stage space program ends in the next dacade."When our manned space program is completed,
we will travel even further," Wang Zhaoyao, deputy head of China's manned space program office and
Shenzhou VII mission spokesman, told a briefing in Beijing three hours after China's third manned space
mission was successfully concluded yesterday.
     "After comprehensively analyzing the general trend of the international development of manned space, as
well as realities in China, we see a manned lunar landing as a both challenging and tactical (策略的) field in
global hi-tech," he said.
     "We believe it necessary for our country to do something in this field," Wang said.
     He did not give a specific(具體的) date for a moon landing. Wang, however, said,"Experts believe this is
'very much needed' for research into relevant (closely connected) technologies to further China's achievements
in space."
      The 68-hour Shenzhou VII mission featured a 25-minute spacewalk on Saturday.
      It was broadcast live and watched by millions throughout the country. The crew's landing at a site in the
Inner Mongolia autonomous region was also carried live by national television.
     The entire mission was pronounced a complete success.
     Wang said the three astronauts, were transported to Hohhot, the region's capital, and would spend the
evening there.
     "They will return to Beijing this morning," he said.
     "During the course of the mission, Russian experts provided strong technical support for the EVA
spacesuits. The successful Sino-Russian cooperation for this flight created beneficial conditions for more
intensive cooperation between the two sides in the future," Wang said.
     The mission's success has paved the way for completing the second stage of the program-building a space
station before 2020.
      Before that, a space lab will be set up in 2010 with Shenzhou X, the country's next full-crew space journey.

1. When will China's spaceship land on the moon?

A. 2020.
B. 2010.
C. 2018.
D. No specific date.

2. What does the underlined sentence in the fourth paragraph imply?

A. We will travel even further in the outer space.
B. There is a need for China to land on the moon.
C. It is very much needed to research space technologies to further China's space program.
D. International cooperation is necessary for China's landing on the moon.

3. The reason why Russian experts provided strong technical support for the EVA spacesuits is that _____.

A. China can't make spacesuit
B. China and Russia would like to cooperate in space program
C. China is a leading technological power now
D. Russia wants to benefit from China

4. What would be the best title for this passage?

A. A Manned Lunar Landing is Both Challenging and Tactical
B. Shenzhou X will Land on the Moon
C. China will Set up a Space Lab on the Moon
D. Landing on the Moon--the Next Target

     When you have a question about something, where do you go? For many people the answer is simple as
they can go online to a search engine like Google or Yahoo. But what about people in rural or underdeveloped
areas who may have no way to get on the Internet?
     A business and international development professor in California, Rose Shuman, found an answer for them:
Question Box. Question Box is a service that provides answers-free of charge-for people who cannot search
the Internet directly. The users of Questions Box might be those who might not be able to read, or simply have
no access to the Internet.
     Question Box began three years ago in India. People used a metal call box with a push-to-talk button to
connect a live operator. Rose Schuman explained," You just need to push a big green button on the box which
will connect you directly to our operators who are sitting in front of computers, and speak your language. You
can ask them any sort of question you want, and they'll look it up in English or in Hindi, or whatever the main
language is, and translate the answer back for you."
     The service is currently offered in two villages. The latest version of the box uses mobile phone technology, and solar panels in case the electrical power fails. Rose Shuman says the aim was to make the box as easy as
possible for users,"It is very efficient (效率高的). Rather than try to bring a lot of difficulties to them and
expect them to spend a lot of time to learn how to use the Internet, the idea was to make a technology tha
t even Grandma could use."
     In April 2009, Question Box was introduced to Uganda. Forty community workers with mobile phones
connected villagers to call center operators in Kampala. The community workers went around telling people
about the service. They wore T-shirts that said"Ask me." But Internet service in Uganda proved slow and
undependable. So Question Box teamed up with a local technology company to store information on a local
server. That way, the researchers in Kampala could quickly search the database for answers.

1. The best title for the passage is _____.

A. Question Box-taking the place of the Internet
B. Needing an answer?-asking Question Box
C. Question Box-a great invention in the world
D. Rose Shuman-a professor helping the poor

2. In Rose Schuman's opinion, the greatest advantage of Question Box is that _____.

A. it is the most advanced in the world
B. it is more convenient to carry
C. it saves much more energy
D. it is much easier to use

3. The underlined word "them" in the fourth paragraph refers to _____.

A. the users
B. the operators
C. the researchers
D. Question Box workers

4. What can we know from the passage?

A. Question Box costs the users much less than the Internet.
B. Question Box operators can look for information in any language.
C. Question Box is more efficient in solving problems in underdeveloped areas.
D. Question Box can work without the help of the Internet in Uganda.