In cooperation with German experts, Several scientists from the University of Bradford believe that they finally solved a mystery that has been confusing millions of people: why our hair turns gray with age.
The researchers came up with their results by examining native hair and cells from human hair follicles（毛囊）. They say the secret turns out to be hidden in catalase（过氧化氢酶）, which is causing hair to turn gray.
Catalase production goes down with age and stress, allowing hydrogen peroxide（过氧化氢） in the hair to do its favorite job—making hair gray, and then white, by blocking the normal production of melanin（黑色素）. Melanin is our hair's natural pigment that is responsible for the color of hair. It also determines the color of our eyes and skin.
Dr. Gerald Weizmann, an editor of a journal, says," All of our hair cells make a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide, but as we get older, this little bit becomes quite a lot, and our hair turns gray and then white."
The new study brings hope for millions of people who have to color their hair: to finally obtain some shampoo that will decrease levels of hydrogen peroxide and therefore restore gray or white hair to its natural color or even prevent it from turning gray.
The researchers are already conducting an experiment with such a drug on a few volunteers with gray hair and expect to get the results in the next two to three months. If everything works out, millions of people will choose between this drug and other previously used expensive dyes. However, even if the drug works, it will take at least several years before it can be brought to the market.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A. The effect that gray hair has on people.
B. The chemical elements of people's hair.
C. The reason why people's hair turns gray.
D. New drugs to prevent people's hair from turning gray.
2.According to the passage, people's hair turns gray because of______.
A. a decrease in catalase B. the death of hair cells
C. the production of melanin D. a decrease in hydrogen peroxide
3.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The new study shows it's harmful to color our hair with dyes.
B. Dr. Gerald Weizmann is in charge of the new drug experiment.
C. Our hair cells make lots of hydrogen peroxide when we are young.
D. We may restore our gray or white hair to its natural color with shampoo.
4.What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A. Only a small number of people can use the new drug.
B. Most of the volunteers in the experiment are old people.
C. The drug cannot be brought to the market soon even if it works.
D. The researchers have already known the results of the experiment.
Our family loves the snow and cheers at the first good storm of the season. While others may think of Florida, we dream of a cabin vacation in New York’s Allegany State Park.
One particular trip, I recall, was just a bit more memorable than the rest. What we now refer to as the snow pants incident began accidentally enough. My husband, Bernie, and our 2-year-old daughter, Faith, were building a snow fort while I sledded down a nearby slope.
On the way back up from one trip, I saw a small stone tumbling down the track I had just made. I was puzzled, since all the other rocks were buried under several feet of snow, as I stood and wondered about the stone---it jumped! This was no stone. This was a mouse.
Now, I love nature, but that doesn’t include mice. I loudly protested the invader, and Bernie, coming to my rescue, assured me that this was not a mouse but a mole, as if that mattered. A mouse or a mole I still didn’t like it.
Bernie and I stood for a few minutes watching the creature disappear from the path into the furry white and come back out again. But soon it disappeared and I headed up the hill again.
Shortly after I left, my husband screamed out, saying that the mole had gone up the leg of his snow pants. You have to understand Bernie can be quite a joker, and I smelled a rat. Not wanting to be a sucker and fall for another one of his jokes, I laughed it off. When he started running for the cabin, though, I stopped laughing and decided maybe this was for real.
“Don’t you dare take that thing into the house!” I yelled. But like a flash, Bernie was already dashing through the cabin’s front door, with his snow pants, the mole and all. If it were me, I’d have been down to my long underwear right there in the snow without a second thought.
A few minutes later Bernie appeared. We relished the rest of our winter vacation, drinking lots of hot chocolate, sitting beside the fireplace and admiring nature---from a safe distance.
1.Why did the author’s husband come to her rescue?
A. Because the “mouse” frightened her
B. Because she hardly controlled the sled
C. Because the snow fort she built was damaged
D. Because she stepped on the stone and fell down
2.When her husband said that the mole had gone up the leg of his snow pants, the author was ___.
A. curious B. puzzled
C. excited D. doubtful
3.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. They enjoyed the rest of their holiday
B. They were fond of hot chocolate
C. Her husband had freedom at last
D. Nature can be dangerous at times
4.What could be the best title of the text?
A. A Memorable Experience with a Joker
B. The Painful Incident in Allegany State Park
C. Family’s Funny Vacation in the Snow
D. My Strong Love for Nature
Philadelphia offers a ton of attractions that are suitable for people of every age and here are some family—friendly attractions.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Spruce Street Harbor Park, one of the best urban beaches in American, is an outdoor heaven on the Delaware River waterfront. Visitors can relax in a hammock, play on the playgrounds, and play games like table tennis and giant chess. Don’t miss out on the park at night, when colorful LED lights hanging from treetops make the entire area bright.
Blue Cross RiverRink
Offering ice skating in the winter and roller skating in the summer, Blue Cross RiverRink creates a fun，outdoor experience for the whole family. Visitors can play on the nine-hole mini-golf course during the summer, and enjoy eats and drinks from the on-site (现场的) bar and restaurant all year round.
Sesame Place
Big Bird, Elmo and the other stars of Sesame Street come out and play at Sesame Place, the only theme park in the nation starring the popular TV show’s most lovable characters. A water park, interactive activities，parades, fireworks and shows add to the fun.
Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches
On summer days, uniformed and professional storytellers at 13 storytelling benches throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District entertain visitors with true, free, three-to-five minute tales about the colonial (殖民的）era as part of Once Upon a Nation . Children can pick up a Story Flag at any storytelling bench, and then collect a star from every storyteller on their journeys. Flags with all the stars can get free rides on the Parx Liberty Carousel at Franklin Square.
1.Who would most probably go to Spruce Street Harbor Park?
A. People who are fond of colorful treetops.
B. People who want a relaxing day outdoors.
C. People who have a preference for skating.
D. People who are interested in water activities.
2.Which place would fans of Big Bird be interested in?
A. Sesame Place. B. Blue Cross RiverRink.
C. The Parx Liberty Carousel. D. Spruce Street Harbor Park.
3.What can we know about Philadelphia Storytelling Benches?
A. It can be visited all year round. B. It has educational significance.
C. It is available at a small charge. D. It is aimed at serving the public.
4.What is the text aimed at?
A. Telling what we can do in some places.
B. Encouraging people to visit Philadelphia.
C. Recommending some places for family fun.
D. Comparing some attractions in Philadelphia.
假如你是李华。你的美国笔友即将随其父母来中国，并在中国度过中秋节。他来信向你询问有关中秋节的习俗，请你告诉他有关中秋节的习俗。
要点如下：
1. 历史悠久。2. 中国人独有的传统节日。3. 家庭团圆。4. 共进晚餐。5. 吃月饼。6. 赏月。
要求：1. 词数100左右。
2. 可适当添加细节。
3. 开头已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Mike,
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Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
As the saying goes, chances favored the prepared mind. I learned this from one of my experience.
I was not chosen as member of the volleyball team of our school. Because of this, I decided to give up play volleyball. Luckily, my best friend stopped me but pointed out that it was my laziness and poor preparation which led to my failure. After that, I practiced playing volleyball on every day. When another tryout arrived, I was full prepared and tried my best. As a result, I was selected and became an important player on our school team.
From this, I am firmly convincing that, no matter when chances arrive, we were able to seize them as long as we get well prepared.
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（不多于3个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Keeping a diary in English is one of the most 1. (effect) ways to improve our English writing ability. 2. (compare) with other forms of writing, it is shorter and takes 3.(little) time. It can help us to develop the habit of thinking in English. 4. we persist in this practice, gradually we’ll learn how to express ourselves in English. In keeping a diary in English, we certainly run up against many 5.. （difficult）In the first place, 6. often happens that we have trouble finding appropriate words and phrases to give expression to our mind. Secondly, there are many idiomatic ways of saying things in Chinese. And it is extremely hard for us to put them into English properly. As far as I 7. (concern), my 8. (suggest) is that we should always have a notebook and a Chinese-English dictionary within easy reach . Whenever something beats us, we can first put it down in our notebook and then consult our dictionary. We can also turn to our English teacher for help, if necessary. In short, I believe that it is9.great use to keep a diary in English for 10. development of our writing skills.
