Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their cats are just as used to the warm shelter (住所) as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for a long period of time, thinking that all animals are used to living outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness. There are things you can do to keep your animal warm and safe.
Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the weather is bad. If you have to take them out, stay outside with them. When you’re cold enough to go inside, they probably are too. If you must leave them outside for a long time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of non-frozen water.
If left alone outside, dogs and cats can be very smart in their search for warm shelter. They can dig into snow banks or hide somewhere. Watch them closely when they are left outdoors, and provide them with shelter of good quality. Keep an eye on your pet’s water. Sometimes owners don’t realize that a water bowl has frozen and their pet can’t get anything to drink. Animals that don’t have clean and unfrozen water may drink dirty water outside, which may contain something unhealthy for them.
【小题1】What do we learn about pets from Paragraph 1?

Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their cats are just as used to the warm shelter (住所) as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for a long period of time, thinking that all animals are used to living outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness. There are things you can do to keep your animal warm and safe.
Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the weather is bad. If you have to take them out, stay outside with them. When you’re cold enough to go inside, they probably are too. If you must leave them outside for a long time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of non-frozen water.
If left alone outside, dogs and cats can be very smart in their search for warm shelter. They can dig into snow banks or hide somewhere. Watch them closely when they are left outdoors, and provide them with shelter of good quality. Keep an eye on your pet’s water. Sometimes owners don’t realize that a water bowl has frozen and their pet can’t get anything to drink. Animals that don’t have clean and unfrozen water may drink dirty water outside, which may contain something unhealthy for them.

1. 1.

   What do we learn about pets from Paragraph 1?

   1. A.
      They are often forgotten by their owners.
   2. B.
      They are used to living outdoors.
   3. C.
      They build their own shelter.
   4. D.
      They like to stay in warm places.
2. 2.

   Why are pet owners asked to stay with their pets when they are out in cold weather?

   1. A.
      To know when to bring them inside.
   2. B.
      To keep them from eating bad food.
   3. C.
      To help them find shelters.
   4. D.
      To keep them company.
3. 3.

   If pets are left on their own outdoors in cold weather, they may ___.

   1. A.
      run short of clean water
   2. B.
      dig deep holes for fun
   3. C.
      dirty the snow nearby
   4. D.
      get lost in the wild
4. 4.

   What is the purpose of this text?

   1. A.
      To solve a problem.
   2. B.
      To give practical advice.
   3. C.
      To tell an interesting story.
   4. D.
      To present a research result.

Tips for developing an exercise plan for your brain

You know that eating a sensible diet and getting plenty of exercise help your body healthy and strong. But did you know that there are ways to make your brain healthier and smarter?

Studies show that when the brain is compelled to do something new, it creates new neural pathways（神经通路）. The more pathways you have, the faster you can think and the better memory you will have.

Ten steps toward a smarter brain

Limit your TV time

Watching an average TV show requires very little brain power and brings the same result as neglecting physical exercise. Your brain will become weak just as your muscles do. If you watch TV, choose something educational and informative.

Travel

Traveling to a new country forces you to see and do things in a new way, providing stimulation（刺激） to the brain.

Learn a new language

Acquiring a new language involves different learning methods. Learning a language sharpens your brain and helps prevent memory problems in later years.

Master a new subject

Each week, select an animal, a bird or a fish, and read everything you can about it. Stretch （最大限度利用）your brain as you become an expert on the subject.

Use your non-dominant hand

If you are right-handed, use your left hand for everyday activities, or use your right hand if you are left-handed. Doing familiar things in a new way will cause your brain to create new neural networks.

Read often

As you read, take the time to look up people or places that aren’t familiar. Reading expands your vocabulary if you search for words and definitions that you don’t know.

Do puzzles

According to the Mayo Clinic, doing sudoku and crossword puzzles keeps the brain sharp into your senior years.

Calculate while you shop

As you put things in your grocery cart, total everything in your head. See how much close you get to the actual total.

Play video games

Studies have found that certain video games force you to use critical decision-making skills and can even improve students’ math scores.

Tweet!（推特，类似中国的微信）

Read messages from people who represent a wide range of interests. And some say that learning to express yourself in just 140 characters is a great brain challenge!

So get in the habit of challenging your brain, and make yourself smarter!

56.  What’s the main idea of the passage?

A.      Get in the habit of learning something new

B.      Develop an exercise plan

C.     Make Your Brain Smarter

D.     Tips to make yourself healthier

57.  What does the underlined word “compelled” mean?

A. requested        B. allowed                C. completed            D. forced

58.  What can we learn from the passage?

A. Educational and informative TV shows are helpful to limit your TV time.

B. Doing sudoku and crossword puzzles may make you confused.

C. Playing certain video games may help you sharpen your mind.

D. Writing short messages often can also make you healthier .

Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their pets are just as used to the warm shelter as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for a long period of time, thinking that all animals are used to living outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness. There are things you can do to keep your animal warm and safe.

Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the weather is bad. If you have to take them out, stay outside with them. When you’re cold enough to go inside, they probably are too. If you must leave them outside for a long time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of non-frozen water.

If left alone outside, dogs and cats can be very smart in their search for warm shelter. They can dig into snow banks or hide somewhere. Watch them closely when they are left outdoors, and provide them with shelter of good quality. Keep an eye on your pet’s water. Sometimes owners don’t realize that a water bowl has frozen and their pet can’t get anything to drink. Animals that don’t have clean and unfrozen water may drink dirty water outside, which may contain something unhealthy for them.

47. What do we learn about pets from Paragraph 1?

A. They are often forgotten by their owners B. They are used to living outdoors

C. They build their own shelter D. They like to stay in warm places

48. Why are pet owners asked to stay with their pets when they are out in cold weather?

A. To know when to bring them inside B. To keep them from eating bad food

C. To help them find shelters D. To keep them company

49. If pets are left on their own outdoors in cold weather, they may_____.

A. run short of clean water B. dig deep holes for fun C. dirty the snow nearby D. get lost in the wild

50. What is the purpose of this text?

A. To bring up a problem B. To give practical advice

C. To tell an interesting story D. To present a research result