When I was trying to find a place where to spend my December holidays, I met by chance some cheap flights to Iceland. After checking just a few winter pictures of Iceland, I realized that the country, known as the land of fire and ice, during the cold months of the year could offer me experiences I had never had before.
For sure you can’t miss the chance to go to Iceland in winter if your traveling wish list includes at least one of the crazy experiences Iceland can offer. Iceland in the North Atlantic Ocean is a paradise (乐园) for all those who want to see the northern lights, experience cold weather conditions and put themselves in geothermal (地热的) baths while the snow is falling on their head.
The best way to move around Iceland is with a rental car. Distances are huge and public transport in winter is not really common out of the major towns. As we wanted to be even more convenient we decided to rent a small camper (野营车). Sleeping and cooking in a camper saved us a lot of driving, money and gave us the chance to be always in the right place at the right time.
There were also no locals and in many cases no tourist facilities (设备). For us, as we slept in a camper, it was easier. But for tourists traveling by normal cars it is necessary to check the opening times of hotels and restaurants as many of them run just from June to September.
It is amazing to experience how the weather is changing in Iceland. However, Icelanders prefer to stay inside their houses. They have even no time to complain about the weather in December. All they care about is Christmas. They love to decorate their houses, sing Christmas songs and eat typical Christmas food.
1.Why is Iceland famous as the land of fire and ice?
A. Because tourists would like to play with fire on the ice.
B. Because it is too dry to easily cause fire to happen.
C. Because there exist hot springs and freezing ice.
D. Because it is hot inside a house and cold outside.
2.What did the author think of the rented camper?
A. It was convenient but cost them more money.
B. It was not only practical but also economical.
C. It provided the best chance to see the new country.
D. It was much faster than other public transport.
3.What does the last paragraph imply?
A. The joy of Christmas drives the freezing weather away.
B. The Icelanders prefer to live with their family.
C. December is the coldest month of the year.
D. The Icelanders are always positive and stay outside.
Reading makes you a smarter, better leader. But if you’ve been following the latest science, you’ll also know that studies have shown regularly picking up a book might increase your empathy (共鸣) and protect you from feeling lonely, hopeless or suffering from dementia (痴 呆) in later life. But obviously, that’s not the end of the list. New research has discovered yet another benefit of being a reader who focuses one’s mind on reading.
After following those surveyed based on more than 3,500 adults over age 50 for 12 years, the team from Yale University behind the research found that those who read books for 3.5 hours a week were 23 percent less likely to die. Reading for less than 3.5 hours a week lowered participants’ (参加者) risk of death by 17 percent. Put another way, picking up an interesting book could earn you about an extra two years.
It’s worth noticing that the researchers were looking exactly at time spent in reading books, rather than newspapers, magazines, or online media, and that this difference is important for the observed advantages of reading. “We found that reading books provided a greater advantage than reading newspapers or magazines,” said Avni Bavishi of the Yale School of Public Health. “This effect is likely because books attract the readers’ mind more — providing more cognitive (认知的) advantages, and therefore increasing the lifespan (寿命). In short, deep slow reading rather than reading quickly and carelessly is best.”
So how long should you be reading for, and what sort of titles should you pick up? While more reading seems to be better, the researchers suggest that anything more than
30 minutes a day will be likely to do good to you. As for what exactly to read, the researchers can’t yet offer much advice beyond making time for actual books, though they pointed out this was a promising way to future research.
1.What’s the purpose of the author’s writing the first paragraph?
A. To tell the importance of modern science.
B. To explain the reasons for forming good habits.
C. To show the benefits of reading.
D. To list some painful sufferings.
2.What is the finding of the research of Yale University?
A. Reading can build one’s confidence.
B. Reading might make one feel safe.
C. Reading should be done regularly.
D. Reading could help one live longer.
3.Why is it better to read books instead of newspapers or magazines?
A. It improves the readers’ abilities to know about things.
B. It helps the readers to get more interested in the stories.
C. It makes the readers think of their own past experiences.
D. It offers the readers different practical skills of reading.
4.What will the future research focus on?
A. Reading methods. B. Reading materials.
C. Reading abilities. D. Reading purposes.
Building your healthy diet
Although some extreme diets may suggest something else, we all need a balance of protein (蛋白质), fat, carbohydrates (碳水化合物), fiber, vitamins, and minerals in our diets to keep a healthy body. You don’t need to remove certain kinds of foods from your diet, but rather select the healthiest ones.
Protein
Protein gives us the energy to get up and go — and keep going — while also supporting mood and cognitive function. Too much protein can be harmful to people with kidney(肾) disease, but the latest research suggests that many of us need more high-quality protein, especially as we grow up. That doesn’t mean you have to eat more animal products — a variety of plant-based sources of protein each day can ensure your body gets all the essential protein it needs.
Fat
Not all fat is the same. While bad fat can destroy your diet and increase your risk of certain diseases, good fat protects your brain and heart. In fact, healthy fat — such as omega-3s — is necessary to your physical and emotional health. Understanding how to include more healthy fat in your diet can help improve your mood and your well-being.
Fiber
Eating foods high in dietary fiber (grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and beans) can help you stay regular and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also improve your skin and even help you to lose weight. Depending on your age and gender, nutrition experts suggest you eat at least 21 to 38 grams of fiber each day for optimal(最佳的) health. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t eating even half that amount.
Calcium(钙)
Your body uses calcium to build healthy bones and teeth, keep them strong, send messages through the nervous system, and regulate the heart’s rhythm. Not getting enough calcium in your diet can also lead to anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties. Whatever your age or gender (性别), it’s necessary to include calcium-rich foods in your diet.
1.What is important to keep a healthy body according to the passage?
A. Doing regular exercise. B. Making a proper choice.
C. Following good advice. D. Developing a simple lifestyle.
2.What can we know about protein from the second paragraph?
A. We should have as much protein as possible.
B. The more you have animal products, the better for health.
C. Protein can improve a person’s mood.
D. We should have less protein when we get older.
3.How do foods in high fiber benefit our body?
A. They help improve the skin. B. They are good for eyesight.
C. They provide more energy. D. They help build healthy teeth.
4.What’s the bad effect of lack of calcium according to the last paragraph?
A. People may become older easily.
B. People may have the risk of heart disease.
C. People may lose weight quickly in a short time.
D. People may have trouble in sleep.
When we do something, we all have our own plans. Some people are born planners. I can’t claim (宣称) to be one of that kind of people. Most of the time, I try to at least expect what might go wrong. I have taken to making lists and, although I’m not yet achieving perfection, I usually manage to achieve goals. But there are times when even the best plans do not succeed. All that is left then is to smile and to make or do something using whatever is found.
Hanukkah (光明节) came early this year, perhaps too soon after Thanksgiving to allow us to prepare well. During the first night of Hanukkah, the Hanukkah candles were nowhere to be found in the entire Dallas area where we lived. Birthday candles wouldn’t work! The tall long thin candle fell in small drops. “What would our ancestors do?” I thought. “What shall I do now? That’s where ingenuity comes from. Don’t be nervous and worried. Never let missing candles spoil a family celebration.” Later what we did find was a bag of tea lights. The long, silver bread tray became the base for our tea lights. The younger ones were wide-eyed and happy as Grandpa lit the first tea light and all recited the blessing. We sat at the dining table, happy to be together and the food was plentiful.
No matter how imperfect it is, the fact that families gather to share a special event, an event that has held meaning for so many generations of families, is the meaning itself and forms the important part of the observance (仪式). What we need to remember, and to carry with us, is the knowledge that togetherness is much better than all other concerns.
1.How does the author feel about perfect planning according to Paragraph 1?
A. It should be an aim when we are doing things.
B. It is well worth considering carefully.
C. It often takes too much great effort.
D. It plays an important part in our daily life.
2.From the passage, what can we infer?
A. We should know well about our limited weaknesses.
B. We should make the most of the available resources.
C. We should get well prepared for the coming festival.
D. We should feel confident about our own abilities.
3.What does the underlined word “ingenuity” in the second paragraph mean?
A. Courage. B. Curiosity. C. Custom. D. Creativity.
4.What does the author think highly of?
A. Personal abilities. B. Personal experience.
C. Family reunion. D. Cultural difference.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How long will the man spend in the school?
A. Half a year. B. One year. C. Two years.
2.What does the man plan to do in the future?
A. Start a restaurant. B. Become a teacher. C. Design a building.
（题文）What’s the house like?
A. It has fallen apart. B. It has no doorbell. C. It has no hot water.
