We've all experienced a "good cry". Shedding (流) some tears can often make us feel better and help us
put things in perspective. But why is crying beneficial? And is there such a thing as a "bad cry"?
     The researchers analyzed the detailed accounts of more than 3,000 recent crying experiences and found
that the benefits of crying depend entirely on the what, where and when of a particular crying episode (一段
经历). The majority of persons reported improvements in their mood following a short period of crying.
However, one third reported no improvement in mood and a tenth felt worse after crying. Criers who received
social support during their crying episode were the most likely to report improvements in mood.
     Research to date has not always produced a clear picture of the benefits of crying, in part because the
results often seem to depend on how crying is studied. The researchers note several challenges in accurately
studying crying behavior in a laboratory setting. Volunteers who cry in a laboratory setting often do not
describe their experiences as making them feel better. Rather, crying in a laboratory setting often results in
the study participants feeling worse; this may be due to the stressful conditions of the study itself, such as
being videotaped or watched by researchers. This may produce negative emotions, which neutralize (使无效)
the positive benefits usually connected with crying.
     However, these laboratory studies have provided interesting findings about the physical effects of crying.
Criers do show calming effects such as slower breathing, but they also experience a lot of unpleasant stress,
including increased heart rate and sweating. What is interesting is that bodily calming usually lasts longer than
the unpleasant. The calming effects may occur later and overcome the stress reaction, which would account
for why people tend to remember mostly the pleasant side of crying.
     Research has shown that the effects of crying also depend on who is shedding the tears. For example,
individuals with anxiety or mood disorders are least likely to experience the positive effects of crying. In
addition, the researchers report that people who lack insight into their emotional lives actually feel worse
after crying.

1. We can infer from the passage that _____.

A. people don't like being seen crying
B. crying in public makes people feel better
C. a bad cry is as common as a good cry
D. a good cry can sometimes help us face problems rightly

2. The beneficial effects of crying can be shown when _____.

A. your breath becomes slow
B. you sweat a lot.
C. your face turns pale
D. you are being watched

3. Who will be least likely to feel worse after crying?

A. People who receive help in course of crying.
B. People who fail to understand their emotions.
C. People who are anxious and nervous.
D. People whose mood is not in order.

4. The passage is mainly about ______.

A. the types of crying
B. the way of crying
C. the psychology of crying
D. the causes of crying

     Fish have started protecting us. It seems unlikely, but the Intelligent Automation Corporation has developed
a system that uses fish to protect our water supplies. Cities and towns share water with millions of people, so
it's important that the water is clean and safe to drink. Bluegills, which are small enough to fit in your hand, are
the fish that are protecting our water. They are common freshwater fish native to America and are also known
as bream or sunfish. According to the Associated Press, the bluegills were originally used by the Army to make
sure water was safe. Now San Francisco, New York City, Washington D.C and several other cities use the bluegill monitoring system. The bluegill system works by constantly filling the fish tank with city or town water. A
small group of bluegills swim in the local water and are closely monitored.
     Bluegills are very sensitive to their environment. Changes in the environment cause their behavior and
breathing patterns to change. They cough if the water is polluted. Fish cough by flexing their gills (鳃) to get
rid of unwanted particles, like grain of sand, from their breathing passages. If the bluegills are coughing the
computer sends an alarm via email.
     The bluegills in New York City discovered an diesel spill (柴油外溢) hours before the usual monitors.
Adding the bluegill system to regular water protection methods resulted in an early warning and safer water.

1. People use the bluegill system to monitor water supplies_____.

A. because they have high sensibility to their environment
B. because they are used to swimming in the fresh water
C. because they can cough by means of their gills
D. because they are able to send e-mails by computers

2. Which of the following statements about Bluegills is NOT true?

A. They are about the size of a human hand.
B. They are freshwater fish easily found in America.
C. They were used to safeguard water in the army.
D. They are smarter than any other living thing on earth.

3. People decide whether the water is polluted by means of _____.

A. information sent by the Army
B. the warning e-mail the computer sends
C. observing the activities of bluegills
D. constantly filling the fish tank with water

     For a clearer picture of what the student knows, most teachers use another kind of examination in
addition to objective tests. They use "essay" tests, which require students to write long answers to broad,
general questions such as the following: "Mention several ways in which Benjamin Franklin has influenced
thinking of people in his own country and in other parts of the world."
     One advantage of the essay test is that it reduces the element of luck. The student cannot get a high
score just by making a lucky guess. Another advantage is that it shows the examiner more cares about the
student's ability to put facts together into a meaningful whole. It should show how deeply he has thought
about the subject. Sometimes, though, essay tests have disadvantages, too. Some students are able to write
rather good answers without really knowing much about the subject, while other students who actually
know the material have trouble expressing their ideas in the essay form.
     Besides, in an essay test the student's score may depend upon the examiner's feelings at the time of
reading the answer. If he is feeling tired or bored, the student may receive a lower score than he should.
Another examiner reading the same answer might give it a much higher mark. Because of this, the objective
test gives each student a fairer chance, and of course it is easier and quicker to score.
      Whether an objective test or an essay test is used, problems arise. When some objective questions are
used along with some essay questions, however, a fairly clear picture of the student's knowledge can usually
be gotten.

1. What may have been discussed in the previous (先前的) paragraphs?

A. The essay test.
B. How teachers test their students.
C. How students write their essays.
D. The objective test.

2. The essay test is preferred because _____.

A. it shows more about the student's understanding of the subject
B. it tests the student's knowledge of the material as well as his expression of ideas
C. it gives each student a fairer chance
D. its scoring may be influenced by the examiner's feelings

3. The underlined word "this" in the third paragraph refers to the fact that _____.

A. students may receive a lower score in an essay test
B. another examiner usually gives the answer a higher mark
C. different examiners may give the same essay different scores
D. the objective test gives each student a fairer chance

4. According to the passage, which of the following statements about the objective test is NOT true?

A. It is more objective than the essay test in terms of scoring.
B. It allows the students to guess the correct answer without really knowing the material.
C. It shows the student's ability to think bout difficult problems.
D. It is easy and quick to score.

     Have you ever wondered why birds sing? Maybe you thought that they were just happy. After all, you
probably sing or whistle when you are happy.
     Some scientists believe that birds do sing some of the time just because they are happy. However, they
sing most of the time for a very different reason. Their singing is actually a warning to other birds to stay
out of their territory.
     Do you know what a "territory" is? A territory is an area that an animal,usually the male, claims (声称)
as its own. Only he and his family are welcome there.No other families of the same species (物种) are
welcome. Your yard and house are your territory where only your family and friends are welcome. If a
stranger should enter your territory and threaten you,you might shout. Probably this would be enough to
frighten him away.
     If so, you have actually scared the stranger away without having to fight him. A bird does the same thing.
But he expects an outsider almost any time, especially at nesting (筑巢) season. So he is screaming all the
time,whether he can see an outsider or not. This screaming is what we call a bird's song,and it is usually
enough to keep an outsider away.
     Birds sing loudest in the spring when they are trying to attract a mate and warn others not to enter the
territory of theirs.
     You can see that birds have a language all their own. Most of it has to do with attracting mates and setting
up territories.

1. Some scientists believe that most of the time birds' singing is actually _____.

A. an expression of happiness
B. a way of warning
C. an expression of anger
D. a way of greeting 

2. What is a bird's "territory"?

A. A place where families of other species are not accepted.
B. A place where a bird may shout at the top of its voice.
C. An area for which birds fight against each other.
D. An area which a bird considers to be its own.

3. Why do birds keep on singing at nesting season?

A. Because they want to invite more friends.
B. Because their singing helps frighten outsiders away.
C. Because they want to find outsiders around.
D. Because their singing helps get rid of their fears.

4. How does the writer explain birds' singing?

A. By comparing birds with human beings.
B. By reporting experiment results.
C. By describing birds' daily life.
D. By telling a bird's story.

     One is not born able to speak a language. One is born able to make a noise. I have heard babies cry in
America and in China. I can't tell any difference. But when I hear someone from America speak English
and hear someone speak Chinese, I can tell you there are a lot of differences.
     I believe a common problem with Chinese students' learning English is that they were not taught to think
in English. They have an idea spoken in English and want to translate the idea into Chinese, Then they think
in Chinese of the proper reply and translate it into English. After a long period of speaking the language, one
begins to think in the foreign language naturally. You will learn faster if you begin to think in English at the
very beginning of your study. Many students ask me: What can I do to improve my spoken English?
      My reply is: The more English you speak, the better English you will speak. There are many things you
can do to improve your spoken English. Of course, the best way is to live where English is spoken as a
language of the country.

1.  The cries of American and Chinese babies are ______.

A. different
B. the same
C. not like each other
D. like each other

2. The underlined sentence ( in Paragraph 2 ) means that _______.

A. some teachers didn't teach students to think in English
B. teachers never gave the students the way of learning English
C. students didn't remember the way teachers taught them
D. teachers didn't want their students to think in English

3.  The underlined word "they" ( in Paragraph 2 ) refers to "______".

A. Chinese students
B. English students
C. Chinese teachers
D. English teachers

4.  According to the article, which of the following is TRUE?

A. You must think in English all the time.
B. If you translate a sentence into Chinese, you should think about the meaning of the sentence
    in Chinese carefully first.
C. After speaking English for a long time, you may probably think in English naturally.
D. The best way of learning English is to live in America.

     It's the lunchtime break at Shanghai Xianxia Middle School. No mobile phones can be heard ringing
anywhere. The common sight of crowds of children chatting on their phones or sending short messages
has disappeared. 
     A grade-2 student said , "I couldn't concentrate during classes if the cell phone was with me. I couldn't
help checking if there were messages or missed phone calls. I even played games on the phone sometimes." 　　
     The school authorities say they feel the ban (禁令) is necessary to keep order in class. They even gave
out an open letter to remind parents not to let their children bring mobile phones to school. More than 96
percent of parents say they welcome the school decision. The school is also being flexible (灵活的) in
implementing the ban. Those students who live far from school are allowed to bring mobile phones to
contact their parents. But they still have to switch them off in classrooms.
     Medical experts have also welcomed the school decision. They say too much dependence on mobile
phones can cause many psychological problems in teenage students.

1. The grade-2 student thought that _______.

A. the mobile phone should be on during classes
B. it is good to play cell phone games sometimes
C. the mobile phone is helpful to her studies
D. it is no good to use the cell phone at school

2. According to the passage, the students use their mobile phones except _______.

A. contacting their parents
B. cheating in exams
C. sending short messages
D. playing games

3. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. All the parents welcome the school decision.
B. Some students can bring mobile phones to school.
C. Medical experts are against the school decision.
D. No one is allowed to bring his mobile phone to school.

4. What does the underlined word "implementing" in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A. Carrying out.
B. Giving up.
C. Making up.
D. Finding out.

5. The passage mainly tells us _____.

A. the mobile phone is a big trouble to teenage students
B. the use of the mobile phone can cause mental problems
C. about a ban on the mobile phone in a middle school
D. a story happening at Shanghai Xianxia Middle School

     Learners of English, especially self-taught learners may have trouble in understanding speeches by
native speakers. The following ways might help improve their listening ability.
     First of all, do things step by step. It is not good to listen to something beyond your level. Better
choose a suitable course and start with the first book. Go on to the second book only after you are sure
you understand the first one.
     Secondly, stick to one course of study. Don't change books often. Never let your attention be attracted
by another course just because it seems to be more"fashionable".
     Thirdly, listen to the English news program over the radio from time to time. Better go through the news
stories in the Chinese-language newspaper first. That will make it easy for you to understand the English
news on the radio.
      Fourthly, if you have time, listen to some interesting stories in some special English programs, such as
V.O.A. or other listening materials of the same level as that of your textbook.

1. This is a piece of advice to learners of English on how to ________.

A. improve their listening ability
B. read fast
C. write better English and read faster
D. speak correctly

2. If you want to understand the English news program on the radio, you should ________.

A. read the Chinese language newspaper step by step
B. read again and again the Chinese language newspaper
C. go through the Chinese language newspaper first
D. be able to recite the Chinese language newspaper

3. The author advised that once you have taken up a course, you _______.

A. should stick to it
B. should begin with the last book
C. should take up other courses if they are more fashionable
D. shouldn't do anything else

     For more than twenty years scientists have been searching for signs of life on other planets. Most of
these searches have been done over the radio. The hope is that someone in outer space may be trying to
get in touch with us. Scientists also have sent radio and television messages on spaceships traveling through
space, on the chance that someone may be receptive to such messages. 　
     Scientists are using powerful radio telescopes to listen to signals from about 1, 000 stars, all within 100
light years of earth. In addition, they will scan the entire sky to "listen" for radio messages from more distant
stars. Using a computer, they will be able to monitor more than eight channels at one time. Scientists are
looking for any signal that stands out from the background noise. 　
     Of the 200 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy (银河星系), scientists find that 5% are like our sun.
Perhaps half of them have a planet like earth. Such a planet would be a reasonable distance from the star
for temperatures to be right for the evolution (进化) of life. Based on the inhabitable (that can be lived in)
planets in our galaxy, most scientists agree that chances are likely that one or more of these planets support
some life.
     However, many scientists wonder whether intelligent life exists on other planets. Some believe that twenty
years of searching without any intelligible messages shows that no one is out there. They say that the
evolution of intelligence comparable to ours is unlikely.
     Other scientists believe that our search hasn't been long enough to rule out the possibility that intelligent
life exists in our galaxy. Although our sun family is only about five billion years old, our galaxy is about 20
billion years old. In that time, some scientists think it is likely that civilization much more advanced than
ours have developed. Perhaps these civilizations send us no signals; perhaps we have not recognized the
signals they have sent us. If we hope to find intelligent life, these scientists believe that we have to keep
looking.

1. According to the passage, how many planets in our galaxy might be inhabitable? 　　

A. 5 billion. 　
B. 10 billion.　　
C. 15 billion.　　
D. 200 billion

2. The first paragraph in this passage is mainly about _______. 　　

A. how scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets 　　
B. why scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets 　　
C. where scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets 　　
D. when scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets

3. The underlined word "monitor" in the passage means" _______". 　　

A. find　　　
B. follow　　
C. check　　　
D. form

4. Which of these statements is True based on the information in the passage? 　　

A. The earth is one of the oldest planets in our galaxy. 　　
B. Most scientists believe that there is intelligent life on other planets. 　　
C. Scientists don't believe that there might be life on other planets.
D. Scientists are trying different ways to find signs of life on other planets.