It’s 3 o’clock and you’ve been hard at work. As you sit at your desk, a strong desire for chocolate overcomes you. You try to busy yourself to make it go away. But it doesn’t. Here is another situation. Perhaps you are not feeling well. The only thing you want to eat is a big bowl of chicken soup, like your mom used to make when you were sick as a child. Food cravings are a strong desire for a specific type of food. And they are normal.
Scientists at the website How Stuff Works compare hunger and cravings this way. Hunger is a fairly simple connection between the stomach and the brain. They even call it simply “stomach hunger.” When our stomachs burn up all of the food we have eaten, a hormone (荷尔蒙) sends a message to one part of the brain for more food, which regulates our most basic body functions such as thirst, hunger and sleep. The brain then produces a chemical to start the appetite and you eat. Hunger is a function of survival.
A craving is more complex. It activates (使活跃) brain areas related to emotion, memory and reward. These are the same areas of the brain activated during drug-craving studies. So, some scientists call food cravings “mind hunger.” People often crave foods that are high in fat and sugar. Foods that are high in fat or high in sugar produce chemicals in the brain. These chemicals give us feelings of pleasure.
In a 2007 study, researchers at Cambridge University found that “dieting or restricted eating generally increases the possibility of food craving.” So, the more you deny yourself a food that you want, the more you may crave it. However, fasting is a bit different. They found that eating no food at all for a short period of time lessened food cravings.
So, the next time you crave something very specific, know that your brain may be more to blame than your stomach.
1.What is the function of the first paragraph?
A. To remind readers of their own special food.
B. To deepen the understanding of hunger.
C. To report the discovery of craving study.
D. To lead to the topic of the whole passage.
2.What do we learn about food craving?
A. It shows food is linked to feelings.
B. It ensures a person survives hunger.
C. It means the stomach functions well.
D. It proves the brain decides your appetite.
3.What’s the likely result of dieting?
A. The decrease of chemicals. B. The increase of food desire.
C. The refusal of fat and sugar. D. The disappearance of appetite.
4.What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. The functions of brain areas. B. What hunger is all about.
C. The findings of food craving. D. What dieting may bring us.
The New York Times——Stephen Hawking, the brightest star in the firmament(天空)of science, whose insights shaped modern cosmology(宇宙论)and inspired global audiences in the millions, has died aged 76. His family released a statement in the early hours of Wednesday morning confirming his death at his home in Cambridge. Hawking’s children, Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today.” “He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years to come. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world.”
When Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuronal (神经元的)disease in 1963 at the age of 21, doctors expected him to live for only two more years. But Hawking had a form of the disease that progressed more slowly than usual. He survived for more than half a century and long enough for his disability to define him. His popularity would surely have been diminished without it. Those who live in the shadow of death are often those who live most.
For Hawking, the early diagnosis of his terminal disease, and witnessing the death from leukaemia of a boy who he knew in hospital, ignited(点燃)a fresh sense of pursue. “Although there was a cloud hanging over my future, I found, to my surprise, that I was enjoying life in the present more than before. I began to make progress with my research,” he once said. Embarking (着手) on his career in earnest, he declared: “My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”
1.The following statements about Hawking is true EXCEPT________.
A. Hawking had three kids according to the passage.
B. Hawking’s intelligence and spirits influenced enormous people all over the world.
C. Hawking’s disease became worse quickly after being diagnosed.
D. Almost all his life was devoted to the exploration of the universe in spite of his severe disease.
2.What does the underlined word “diminish” most probably refer to?
A. Increase B. Decrease C. Gain D. Disappear
3.Which of the following words can be used to describe Hawking?
A. Active and knowledgeable B. Optimistic and determined
C. Thoughtful and hardworking D. Diligent and kind
4.What was it that inspired Hawking to pursue his dream?
A. His courage and persistence with brilliance and humor.
B. His motor neuronal disease.
C. His insights into modern cosmology.
D. His being diagnosed with disease and seeing his friend die of leukaemia.
To personal trainer Sammy Callari, 13-year-old Parker Seward is more than a client(客户). He’s his “little brother”. Over the past year, the pair have bonded. They play basketball together, share meals and dance to hip-hop like no one’s watching.
The trainer was asked to work with the 13-year-old boy, who has Down syndrome(唐氏症), because his coworker who dealt with the boy was out of town last spring. Callari had never worked with someone with a disability before. He was anxious the first day he met Parker. But Parker’s big smile and cheery introduction immediately put him at ease. He reminded Callari of himself when he was a teenager. Like Parker, Callari has also faced his fair share of challenges over the years.
As a high schooler, Callari described himself as being the weak kid. When it came to sports, he was always overlooked. His dream of playing baseball in college quickly faded away. When he went to college, Callari turned to a new sport. His younger brother trained him to become a boxer. Callari participated in five matches. Out of four of those fights he was the underdog, and he won three times. “I know how it feels,” Callari said. “Society tells you that you can’t do this, you can’t do that.” When it comes to Parker, Callari refuses to accept the word “can’t”.
The friends meet twice a week to train. They bike, box, run and work on their core with push-ups. Parker has a short attention span, so it’s Callari’s job to keep him focused. “If Parker can do it, if he’s having fun, even with his frustration, then people will ask, “Why can’t I do that?” Callari said. “That’s the whole task right now.”
Callari recalls Parker’s mom once thanking him for taking a “chance” on her son. Callari told her he never viewed it that way. Parker may be the student, but Callari says he’s also the one who’s learning.
1.Why was Callari asked to train Parker?
A. They shared the same interests.
B. Parker's parents had faith in Callari.
C. Callari took place of his absent colleague.
D. Callari was an expert in Down syndrome.
2.What can we learn about Callari when he was in high school?
A. He was good at sports.
B. He was out of condition.
C. He was looked down upon by everyone.
D. He was influenced deeply by his brother.
3.What attitude does Callari have to Parker?
A. Grateful. B. Sympathetic.
C. Cautious. D. Critical.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A. An inspiring story of a disabled boy.
B. high schooler suffering lots of failure.
C. The friendship between a disabled boy and his personal trainer.
D. Ways of developing friendship with the boy with Down syndrome.
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1.With help from a Mr.H, you can .
A. stop using batteries.
B. remember your teacher’s instructions.
C. finish your homework on time.
D. get your room tidied on your way home.
2.A PENGO WATCH CONTROL can help you to .
A. repair your TV B. know what the weather is like
C. be a James Bond D. organize your homework
3.Where would you be most likely to find the two texts?
A. On a notice board B. On a teenage website
C. In a company brochure. D. In a college newspaper.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What does the Golden Rule ask people to do?
A. Develop personal rules
B. Respect their families and ancestors
C. Treat others as they wish to be treated
2.Which is Confucius’ teaching?
A. Governments should be moral B. Husbands should respect wives
C. People should memorize rules of behavior.
3.How did Confucius teach lessons?
A. Through arguments. B. Through reasoning C. Through personal examples
4.What does the speaker say about Confucius?
A. He used to be even more important.
B. He has influenced many cultures.
C. He has little effect on people today.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Which decorations are on the sofa?
A. The Christmas ones B. The Halloween ones
C. The Thanksgiving ones
2.What did the man use to get the box out?
A. A pole B. A chair C. A ladder
3.Where might the conservation take place?
A. In the basement B. In the bedroom C. In the living room
