NOT all memories are sweet. Some people -- all their lives trying to forget bad experiences. Violence and traffic accidents can leave people with terrible physical and emotional scars (伤痕).

Now American researchers think they are close to developing a pill, which will help people forget bad memories. The pill is designed to be taken immediately after a frightening experience. They hope it might reduce, or possibly erase, the effect of painful memories.

In November, experts tested a drug on people in the US and France. The drug stops the body producing chemicals that fix memories in the brain (大脑). So far the research has suggested that only the emotional effects of memories may be reduced, not that the memories are erased.

The research has caused a great deal of discussion. Some think it is a bad idea, while others support it.

Supporters say it could lead to pills that prevent or treat soldiers' troubling memories after war. They say that there are many people who suffer from terrible memories.

"Some memories can destroy people's lives. They come back to you when you don't want to have them in a daydream or nightmare (噩梦). They usually come with very painful emotions," said Roger Pitman, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. "This could relieve a lot of that suffering."

But those who are against the research say that changing memories is very dangerous because memories give us our identity (特质). They also help us all avoid the mistakes of the past.

"All of us can think of bad events in our lives that were horrible at the time but make us who we are. I'm not sure we want to wipe those memories out, "said Rebecca Dresser, a medical ethicist.

1.The passage is mainly about          

A．a new medical invention

B．a new research on the pill

C．a way of erasing painful memories

D．a discussion about the research on the pill

2.The drug tested on people can           

A．cause the brain to fix memories

B．stop people remembering bad experiences

C．prevent body producing certain chemicals

D．erase the emotional effects of memories

3.We can infer from the passage that            

A．people doubt the effects of the pills

B．the pill will stop people's bad experiences

C．taking the pill will do harm to people's health

D．the pill has probably been produced in America

4.Which of the following does Rebecca Dresser agree with?

A．Some memories can destroy people's lives.

B．People want to remove bad memories.

C．Experiencing bad events makes us different from others.

D．The pill will reduce people's sufferings from bad memories.

 

--- Why don’t we go climbing tomorrow? --- ___________

A. You’re great.            B. That’s right

C. What a good idea!          D. No, I don’t

 

根据短文内容．选择正确答案。

Betty and I are best friends. Our birthdays are on the same day, so every year we have a birthday party together. But this year, we had a costume party instead.

      While we were writing the invitations, my mum came in and asked, "Why not invite John?” John had been in our class for only a few months, but he was already getting better grades in math than anyone else in class. I wrinkled(皱起) my nose, “Mum, he wears the same pants to school every day. How could he even afford a costume?“ Mum said nothing. The next day. mum gave me an envelope with a shopping certificate in it. “I thought it would be nice for you to give this to John.” Mum said. But how? We didn't want to make John embarrassed. We discussed it for a long time. Finally, Betty and I had a good idea.

     On the day of our party, kids arrived, dressed differently. John arrived, in an old sheet (床单), but still in the same brown pants as usual. We danced, ate snacks and played games in groups. Before eating the birthday cake, Betty said in a loud voice, "Now it's time for the great prize game. It’ s the following riddle..." It was a math game. None of us was surprised when John came up with the right answer first and walked off with the envelope.

     Everything went on well as we planned. John wore a new pair of pants and a new shirt the next week. He felt happy. So did we.

     When we help others, we need to find a proper way, or we may hurt them in another way.

1.The two girls and John were in the same________

            A. group        B. family              C. team              D. class

2.John' s family may be very              according to the passage.

            A. far          B. poor               C. rich               D. small

3.How did John get the prize, during the party?

            A. By helping others.                  B. By asking for help.

            C. By getting good grades in study.       D. By winning the math game.

4.John _________with the shopping certificate after the party.

            A. watched a basketball match          B. saw a movie

            C. bought something to wear           D. made a phone call

5.The two girls felt ______when they found John wearing his new clothes.

            A. happy       B. sorry               C . sad             D. angry

 

选适当的短语填空，使句子意思完整。(5’)

1.These coats _______ wool and cotton.

2.Can you _______ a better idea than this?

3. Be careful! Don’t play with the knife. You may__________.

4. Don’t worry. I______not________you, I will be all right soon.

5. I will leave for a few minutes, would you please ________ my baby?

1________2_________3________4_________5__________

 

The human brain weighs about 1.4 kilograms, but it can, hold much more information than most computers. However, there is another difference between humans and computers. Computers don't forget information they are given, but humans often do. No one remembers everything, and luckily we don't usually have to. But everyone can improve their memory if they want to. Here are some suggestions.

◆Try to use new informati6n immediately. For example, if you meet someone who says "Hi! I'm Carlos," don't just say "Hello." Repeat the person's name. Say"____"

◆Break a big number into smaller parts. For example, it's hard to memorize (记忆) 109244153. But if you break it into three parts--109/244/153—it becomes easier.

◆Write out what you need to remember ever and over again. This will help you keep it in mind longer, especially for memorizing formulas (公式) or facts.

◆Always review information. If you bring what you've learned back to your mind, they become easier to remember. For example, before you go to sleep, it’s a good idea to review the new things you learned that clay.

◆Discuss with a friend. It is always easier to remember things through discussions. You can have a discussion about what's right and what's wrong, and it will lead to the right answer.

◆Never tell yourself that you have a bad memory. You can always do something to help improve your memory. And everyone's memory gets better if they use it often enough.

All of the suggestions are helpful. If you follow them, you are certain to improve your memory.

1.How many suggestions are mentioned in the passage?

A. Three.         B. Four.              C. Five.              D. Six.

2.Which should be put in the blank (空格) in Paragraph 2？

A. Hello, Carlos.    B. How do you do?

C. Hello, I am Sophia. D. Glad to meet you!

3.What can help memorize a big number more easily according to the passage?

A. To store it in a computer.              B. To break it into stunner parts.

C. To discuss it with a friend.              D. To review it before you sleep.

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

A. Discussing with friends can help you remember things.

B. Always reviewing information can help you fall asleep.

C. Formulas and facts can help you learn about your brain.

D. Human beings can improve their memory by computer.

5.What does the sentence "Never tell yourself that you have a bad memory” mean?

A. You should tell others about your bad memory.

B. You should believe in other people all the time.

C. You should ask others to improve their memory.

D. You should ho confident in your memory ability.