According to The Secret Life of the Grown-up Brain, by science writer Barbara Strauch, when it comes to the important things, our brains actually get better with age. In fact, she argues that some studies have found that our brain hits its peak between our 40s and 60s— much later than previously thought.

Furthermore, rather than losing many brain cells as we age, we retain （保留）them, and even produce new ones well into middle age. For years it’s been assumed that brain, much like the body, declines with age. But the longest, largest study into what happens to people as they age suggests otherwise.

This continuing research has followed 6,000 people since 1956, testing them every seven years. It has found that on average, participants performed better on cognitive （认知的）tests in their 40s and 50s than they had done in their 20s. Specifically, older people did better on tests of vocabulary, verbal memory (how many words you can remember) and problem solving.

Where they performed less well was number ability and perceptual speed－how fast you can push a button when ordered. However, with more complex tasks such as problem-solving and language, we are at our best at middle age and beyond. In short, researchers are now coming up with scientific proof that we do get wiser with age.

Neuroscientists are also finding that we are happier with ageing. A recent US study found older people were much better at controlling and balancing their emotions. It is thought that when we’re younger we need to focus more on the negative aspects of life in order to learn about the possible dangers in the world, but as we get older we’ve learned our lessons and are sub-consciously aware that we have less time left in life: therefore, it becomes more important for us to be happy.

【1】Barbara Strauch probably agrees that ______.

A. people’s brains work best between their 40s and 60s

B. the young are better at handling important things

C. ageing leads to the decline of the function of the brain

D. wrinkles and grey hair are the only symbols of ageing

【2】The continuing research has found older people perform better on _____ .

A. number ability B. vocabulary tests

C. perceptual speed D. body balance

【3】People are happier with age because ______.

A. they know how to share feelings

B. they learn to value the time left

C. they cannot focus on negative aspects

D. they do not realize the possible dangers

【4】What is the main idea of the passage?

A. People get more forgetful with age. B. People get wiser with age.

C. People get happier with age. D. People get more self-aware with age.

In remembrance of the events that took place on September 11, 2001, take this 2.5-hour walking tour. Walk through the space of the former World Trade Center in New York City (NYC). A guide with a personal connection to the events of that day shares stories of tragedy and heroism. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour

Take a deep dive into the food culture of Manhattan’s Lower East Side during this 3-hour guided small group tour. Follow your guide to hidden treasures for tastes of everything from pancakes to Chinese dumplings. Along the way, your guide will cast light on the neighborhood’s rich, varied food culture, which helps you understand NYC as a whole. Children aged 5 years and younger are welcome at no charge. Tour runs rain or shine.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

Get up close and personal with Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on this 4.5-hour tour. Listen to the live narration from your guide and learn about the history of both spots. Jump the queue and enjoy access to reserve line boarding the ferry. Then take in the amazing views of southern Manhattan as you cross New York Harbor. Food or drinks of any kind are not permitted.

Big Apple Helicopter Tour

It might seem impossible to see the highlights of NYC in just 15 minutes. But this helicopter tour makes it a reality. Listen to commentary from your pilot as you fly by the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and other landmarks. You’ll see more of the city on this tour than an entire day of exploring on foot. Reservations are required.

【1】What do we know about Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour?

A. It is a night tour.B. It involves treasure hunting.

C. It is child-friendly.D. It will be canceled if it rains.

【2】What can tourists do on Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour?

A. Share their first hand stories.B. Take some water with them.

C. Have a bird view of southern Manhattan.D. Enjoy special right to board the ferry.

【3】Which tour is perfect for those expecting a quick look of NYC?

A. Big Apple Helicopter Tour.B. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour.

C. Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour.D. 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour.

How it works

● Become an Annual Member or buy a day Pass to access the system.

● Find an available bike nearby, and get a ride code or use your member key to unlock it.

● Take as many short rides as you want while your pass or membership is active.

● Return your bike to any station, and wait for the green light on the dock (停靠点) to make sure it’s locked.

Choose a plan

● For visitors

Day Pass: $7. Unlimited 30-minute rides in a 24-hour period.

3-Day Pass: $15. Unlimited 30-minute rides in a 72-hour period.

● For locals

Monthly Pass: $25. Unlimited 30-minute rides for a month.

Annual Membership: $90. Unlimited 30-minute rides for a whole year. The Annual Membership is the best deal for locals of Toronto and other frequent riders.

The first 30 minutes of each ride is included with the membership or pass price. Avoid extra fees by dropping off your bike every 30 minutes at any other station. If you keep a bike out for longer than 30 minutes at a time, you will be charged an extra $1.50 for the first 30 minutes over, $4 for the next 30 minutes, and $7 for each additional 30 minutes after that.

Contact us

● Customer Service: (855)898-2388

● Repair Service: (855)898-2378

● Corporation Partners: (855)898-2398

● Employment Opportunities: (855)898-2498

【1】Which is the most suitable choice for locals in Toronto?

A. Day Pass B. 3-Day Pass C. Monthly Pass D. Annual Membership

【2】How much will the extra fee be if you travel for two hours by bike?

A. $5.5 B. $9.5 C. $12.5 D. $15.5

【3】For more information about working at Bike Share Toronto, which of the following numbers is for contact?

A. (855)898-2388 B. (855)898-2498

C. (855)898-2398 D. (855)898-2378

Dear John，

I am so glad hear from you. Learn that you are working on Chinese, I strongly recommend the novel Journey to the West. The novel is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It tells about a Buddhist monk and his three disciples, animal with human characteristic，traveling west to India in search for Buddhist scriptures. I think, the study of this novel open the way to Chinese values and history, from what you will get a better understanding of Chinese culture. Beside, the novel offers a mixture of adventure and comedy, so while enjoying reading, you will surprisingly find you can speak and write in Chinese more fluent.

I hope you keep reading to enjoy the charm of Chinese language but you will achieve a great progress in your Chinese.

【1】Where does the conversation take place?

A. At a bank. B. At a drugstore. C. At a post office.

【2】Where is the man’s mother?

A. In Atlanta. B. In St. Louis. C. In Memphis.

【3】Why is there extra cost for the man to pay?

A. He is paying for overnight service.

B. He is paying with a credit card.

C. He has a fragile item.

【4】What is the man giving to his mother?

A. A box of cookies. B. Some cash. C. A cup.

【1】（小题1）What did the man give the woman?

A. A bill. B. A key card. C. Some money.

【2】（小题2）What did the man enjoy about his trip?

A. The room service. B. The helpful people. C. The pleasant weather.

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：在错的词下划一横线，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限一词;

2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

The old saying “The early bird catches the worm” show us the importance of planning, working hard and trying constant. To achieve outstanding results, people must plan ahead of and work diligently to overcome all kind of difficulties.

That has been my own experience, either. When I first started at high school, I seldom passed my exams, so I never prepared well. Later, my teacher, Mr. Black, advised me plan everything in advance. She asked me to study hard as well. After a year of putting his advice onto practice, I can now easily pass all my exams.

There are no shortcuts to succeed.

内容包括：

（1）自我介绍；

（2）家庭条件及个人优势；

（3）安排英国朋友参加的活动。

注意：(1) 词数不少于100词；(2) 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

参考词汇：接待家庭 host family

Dear Editor,

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours sincerely,

Li Jin

A. Under; took no trouble in solving B. In; had no trouble at solving

C. On; kept to troubles to solve D. With; had no difficulty solving