It can be inferred from the context th...

Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now, one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it, say some scientists. Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids (流星) that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don’t threaten us. But there are also thousands whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth. Buy $ 40 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $ 10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one, the scientists say, we’ll have a way to change its course. Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn’t be cheap. Is it worth it Two things experts consider when judging any risk are: 1) How likely the event is;2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 400,000 years. Sounds pretty rare—but if one did fall, it would be the end of the world. "If we don’t take care of these big asteroids, they’ll take care of us," says one scientist. "It’s that simple." The cure, though, might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth "The world has less to fear from doomsday (毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them," said a New York Times article.What does the passage say about asteroids and meteoroids

A．They are heavenly bodies different in composition.
B．They are heavenly bodies similar in nature.
C．There are more asteroids than meteoroids.
D．Asteroids are more mysterious than meteoroids.

单项选择题

When I saw the notice "Women film extras wanted" in a local newspaper, I jumped at the chance. Since childhood, I had dreamt of being a film star. The casting interview went well, and two days later I was told that I had been chosen. I was to lose some of my enthusiasm for the idea, however extras are often left in the dark for some time as to which role they will play. Finally, the nature of my role was revealed; I was asked to play a mental hospital patient. Despite my disappointment, I agreed to participate. Then, barely a week later, the day of filming dawned. An 13 of us extras, mainly housewives, were driven to an old hospital. The coffee and tea they served us looked and tasted like cement. Then we were rushed off to make-up. My hair was pinned back and make-up was applied that gave me a pale appearance. Then we just sat in a minibus for a few hours, as the cameras rolled elsewhere. After the second hour had passed I was becoming bored. I bet stars are never treated like this, I thought. I had expected to be so busy that I hadn’t come prepared for a long wait. Many of the others had brought a book or knitting. Three hours had now passed. Then at last we were called to do our scenes. When the director came in, we were instructed where to stand and what to do. Along with a few others, I was told to sit at a table and weave baskets. This was not an easy task. The cane (藤条) we had to use was very long. On several occasions my basket fell apart in front of my very eyes. On others I only succeeded in hitting a cameraman in the eye. Life for the other extras was far from easy. Jean, who was barefoot, had to circle the floor. Poor Alice was asked to pretend to bang her head against the wall. Meanwhile, Veronica swept the floor. Thankfully, after just a few attempts, the scenes were done. And so my first taste of this "glorious" career was over. Although I found the experience quite interesting, my first screen role will almost certainly be my last.The word "extras" used in this story means people who________.

A．play unimportant parts in a film
B．have little experience of acting
C．pretend to be film stars
D．need a part-time job

单项选择题

Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man’s life and two to a woman’s. The effect holds for all causes of death whether illness, accident or self-harm. Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn’t smoke. There’s a flip side, however , as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse’s death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects. So how does it work The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner. A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: "People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected."William Fair’s study and other studies show that________.

A．social life provides an effective cure for illness
B．being sociable helps improve one’s quality of life
C．women benefit more than men from marriage
D．marriage contributes a great deal to longevity

单项选择题

Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now, one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it, say some scientists. Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids (流星) that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don’t threaten us. But there are also thousands whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth. Buy $ 40 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $ 10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one, the scientists say, we’ll have a way to change its course. Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn’t be cheap. Is it worth it Two things experts consider when judging any risk are: 1) How likely the event is;2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 400,000 years. Sounds pretty rare—but if one did fall, it would be the end of the world. "If we don’t take care of these big asteroids, they’ll take care of us," says one scientist. "It’s that simple." The cure, though, might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth "The world has less to fear from doomsday (毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them," said a New York Times article.What do scientists say about the collision of an asteroid with Earth

A．It is very unlikely but the danger exists.
B．Such a collision might occur once every 25 years.
C．Collisions of smaller asteroids with Earth occur more often than expected.
D．It’s still too early to say whether such a collision might occur.

单项选择题

"Years ago, a friend of mine observed that 80 percent of the people in this country have too much self-esteem and 20 percent have much too little. That struck me as pretty accurate, but psychologists will tell you that self-esteem is not a constant. People’s appraisal of their own worth varies...I have the impression that more people have unstable self-esteem than before. I say this because some of the traditional standards people used to measure their own worth have eroded (middle class respectability), whereas more people now seem to measure themselves against celebrities and superstars. It would be interesting to know if anybody has studied changes in the criteria we use to measure self-worth. "Comment 1: You bring up an interesting point because I do believe values and beliefs have changed. It would be very interesting to see the criteria used for self-worth. I find it hard to believe that only 20% of people have low self-esteem. I’ve been following Brene Brown’s thoughts on the subject of self-worth, and low self-worth (on some level) seems much more common.Comment 2: If the quality of one’s self-esteem is going to be judged by comparisons with those who are celebrities and superstars, then the entire exercise is really pointless.Comment 3: Self-esteem solution: A happy marriage.Comment 4: Ego (self-worth) is proportionate to wealth. The more wealth, the more self-worth.Comment 5: Benjamin Franklin said it best, and it applies to all facets of life. "Contentment will make a poor man rich just as discontent will make a rich man poor." It does not mean not try to do your best, or be the richest. It simply means once you’ve done your best be content with yourself, just as if you don’t give your best effort discontent is sure to follow.Comment 6: I’ve "retired" from 30 years of expensive, if interesting, "personal growth" and "self-improvement." much probably motivated by trying to "fix" myself. Hanging out with friends at a local cafe is way more satisfying.Comment 7: A related concept you may be interested in is the "sociometer theory" of self-esteem, pioneered by Mark Leary (Wake Forest). Basically it states that our self-esteem is determined by the amount of perceived social acceptance/rejection, and that determination is full of cognitive biases and errors. Awesome stuff.Among all the comments, which of the following choices brings in authoritative sources in their discussion

A．Comment 1 and Comment 2.
B．Comment 3 and Comment 5.
C．Comment 1 and Comment 7.
D．Comment 4 and Comment 6.

单项选择题

Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man’s life and two to a woman’s. The effect holds for all causes of death whether illness, accident or self-harm. Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn’t smoke. There’s a flip side, however , as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse’s death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects. So how does it work The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner. A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: "People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected."It can be inferred from the context that the "flip side" (Line 4, Para. 2) refers to______.

A．the disadvantages of being married
B．the emotional problems arising from marriage
C．the responsibility of taking care of one’s family
D．the consequence of a broken marriage

单项选择题

A. Land of the kiwi.B. Reasons for concern.C. The introduction of predators.D. Explanation for larger bird populations.E. Preventing the kiwi decline. Kiwis are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, and by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to their body size of any species of bird in the world. 【R1】 The kiwi is synonymous with New Zealand, so much so that Australians endearingly refer to New Zealanders as "kiwi" —people from the Land of the Kiwi. This unique bird, recognizable by its short squat body and elongated beak, is under threat. Its small, clawlike wings render the kiwi flightless; it must of necessity live on the ground. The kiwi is thus easy prey to marauding enemies such as humans and mammals. 【R2】 When the great land mass of the south split 75 million years ago, the kiwi and many other ground-living bird species became separated from predatory mammals within what was later to become know as New Zealand. The birds were able to multiply and flourish because there were very few mammals landlocked within the islands. Kiwis have evolved certain mammalian characteristics over time, living on the ground and free as they were from attack by mammals. 【R3】 However, when the Polynesians arrived about 1,000 years ago bringing with them dogs and rats, the kiwi population and other vulnerable bird species soon suffered a severe reduction in numbers. The coming of the Europeans in the eighteenth century brought even more determined predators, including the cat and, especially, the stoat—a kind of weasel introduced to control rabbits. The stoat is a very vicious and efficient killer of kiwis. 【R4】 There are six types of kiwis, and all six are threatened. Two are "critically endangered" because they have populations of less than 250 mature birds. Two are "endangered" meaning that it is estimated that within three generations their numbers will have declined by 50%. The other two are designated "vulnerable" —one because its habitat is shrinking, the other because it is potentially under threat from stoats and other mammals. 【R5】__ 100 years ago there were more than 5 million North Island Brown Kiwis. Today, there are probably around 30,000 and the population is decreasing at a rate of 6% a year. Only the Little Spotted Kiwi is increasing because of successful attempts to transfer the creature to predator-free offshore islands. There are further reasons for hope. Trapping predators and rearing baby chicks for later release into the wild can have a dramatic effect on kiwi numbers; but it will be necessary to do so on a large scale. It would be tragic if New Zealand were to lose its national symbol, the kiwi. Surely the strangest bird in existence, unable to fly, it sniffs out its food with a remarkably strong sense of smell. Its legs are powerful and muscular, for the kiwi is a burrower living in dens—some species even preferring tunnels, yet another similarity it shares with some mammals. But it cannot share its habitat with them without eventually losing the battle for survival.【R2】

A．
B．
C．
D．
E．

单项选择题

Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now, one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it, say some scientists. Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids (流星) that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don’t threaten us. But there are also thousands whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth. Buy $ 40 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $ 10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one, the scientists say, we’ll have a way to change its course. Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn’t be cheap. Is it worth it Two things experts consider when judging any risk are: 1) How likely the event is;2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 400,000 years. Sounds pretty rare—but if one did fall, it would be the end of the world. "If we don’t take care of these big asteroids, they’ll take care of us," says one scientist. "It’s that simple." The cure, though, might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth "The world has less to fear from doomsday (毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them," said a New York Times article.Which of the following best describes the author’s tone in this passage

A．Optimistic.
B．Critical.
C．Objective.
D．Arbitrary.

单项选择题

Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man’s life and two to a woman’s. The effect holds for all causes of death whether illness, accident or self-harm. Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn’t smoke. There’s a flip side, however , as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse’s death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects. So how does it work The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner. A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: "People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected."What does the author say about social networks

A．They have effects similar to those of a marriage.
B．They help develop people’s community spirit.
C．They provide timely support for those in need.
D．They help relieve people of their life’s burdens.

单项选择题

When I saw the notice "Women film extras wanted" in a local newspaper, I jumped at the chance. Since childhood, I had dreamt of being a film star. The casting interview went well, and two days later I was told that I had been chosen. I was to lose some of my enthusiasm for the idea, however extras are often left in the dark for some time as to which role they will play. Finally, the nature of my role was revealed; I was asked to play a mental hospital patient. Despite my disappointment, I agreed to participate. Then, barely a week later, the day of filming dawned. An 13 of us extras, mainly housewives, were driven to an old hospital. The coffee and tea they served us looked and tasted like cement. Then we were rushed off to make-up. My hair was pinned back and make-up was applied that gave me a pale appearance. Then we just sat in a minibus for a few hours, as the cameras rolled elsewhere. After the second hour had passed I was becoming bored. I bet stars are never treated like this, I thought. I had expected to be so busy that I hadn’t come prepared for a long wait. Many of the others had brought a book or knitting. Three hours had now passed. Then at last we were called to do our scenes. When the director came in, we were instructed where to stand and what to do. Along with a few others, I was told to sit at a table and weave baskets. This was not an easy task. The cane (藤条) we had to use was very long. On several occasions my basket fell apart in front of my very eyes. On others I only succeeded in hitting a cameraman in the eye. Life for the other extras was far from easy. Jean, who was barefoot, had to circle the floor. Poor Alice was asked to pretend to bang her head against the wall. Meanwhile, Veronica swept the floor. Thankfully, after just a few attempts, the scenes were done. And so my first taste of this "glorious" career was over. Although I found the experience quite interesting, my first screen role will almost certainly be my last.For the author, the first experience of acting in a film was________.

A．almost all adventure
B．a real nightmare
C．very inspiring
D．quite unpleasant

单项选择题

"Years ago, a friend of mine observed that 80 percent of the people in this country have too much self-esteem and 20 percent have much too little. That struck me as pretty accurate, but psychologists will tell you that self-esteem is not a constant. People’s appraisal of their own worth varies...I have the impression that more people have unstable self-esteem than before. I say this because some of the traditional standards people used to measure their own worth have eroded (middle class respectability), whereas more people now seem to measure themselves against celebrities and superstars. It would be interesting to know if anybody has studied changes in the criteria we use to measure self-worth. "Comment 1: You bring up an interesting point because I do believe values and beliefs have changed. It would be very interesting to see the criteria used for self-worth. I find it hard to believe that only 20% of people have low self-esteem. I’ve been following Brene Brown’s thoughts on the subject of self-worth, and low self-worth (on some level) seems much more common.Comment 2: If the quality of one’s self-esteem is going to be judged by comparisons with those who are celebrities and superstars, then the entire exercise is really pointless.Comment 3: Self-esteem solution: A happy marriage.Comment 4: Ego (self-worth) is proportionate to wealth. The more wealth, the more self-worth.Comment 5: Benjamin Franklin said it best, and it applies to all facets of life. "Contentment will make a poor man rich just as discontent will make a rich man poor." It does not mean not try to do your best, or be the richest. It simply means once you’ve done your best be content with yourself, just as if you don’t give your best effort discontent is sure to follow.Comment 6: I’ve "retired" from 30 years of expensive, if interesting, "personal growth" and "self-improvement." much probably motivated by trying to "fix" myself. Hanging out with friends at a local cafe is way more satisfying.Comment 7: A related concept you may be interested in is the "sociometer theory" of self-esteem, pioneered by Mark Leary (Wake Forest). Basically it states that our self-esteem is determined by the amount of perceived social acceptance/rejection, and that determination is full of cognitive biases and errors. Awesome stuff.What all the commentators try to respond to in their writing is________.

A．the respect for the traditional values
B．the standards of self-worth measurement
C．marriage, celebrities and social activities
D．ego, contentment and social judgment

单项选择题

A. Land of the kiwi.B. Reasons for concern.C. The introduction of predators.D. Explanation for larger bird populations.E. Preventing the kiwi decline. Kiwis are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, and by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to their body size of any species of bird in the world. 【R1】 The kiwi is synonymous with New Zealand, so much so that Australians endearingly refer to New Zealanders as "kiwi" —people from the Land of the Kiwi. This unique bird, recognizable by its short squat body and elongated beak, is under threat. Its small, clawlike wings render the kiwi flightless; it must of necessity live on the ground. The kiwi is thus easy prey to marauding enemies such as humans and mammals. 【R2】 When the great land mass of the south split 75 million years ago, the kiwi and many other ground-living bird species became separated from predatory mammals within what was later to become know as New Zealand. The birds were able to multiply and flourish because there were very few mammals landlocked within the islands. Kiwis have evolved certain mammalian characteristics over time, living on the ground and free as they were from attack by mammals. 【R3】 However, when the Polynesians arrived about 1,000 years ago bringing with them dogs and rats, the kiwi population and other vulnerable bird species soon suffered a severe reduction in numbers. The coming of the Europeans in the eighteenth century brought even more determined predators, including the cat and, especially, the stoat—a kind of weasel introduced to control rabbits. The stoat is a very vicious and efficient killer of kiwis. 【R4】 There are six types of kiwis, and all six are threatened. Two are "critically endangered" because they have populations of less than 250 mature birds. Two are "endangered" meaning that it is estimated that within three generations their numbers will have declined by 50%. The other two are designated "vulnerable" —one because its habitat is shrinking, the other because it is potentially under threat from stoats and other mammals. 【R5】__ 100 years ago there were more than 5 million North Island Brown Kiwis. Today, there are probably around 30,000 and the population is decreasing at a rate of 6% a year. Only the Little Spotted Kiwi is increasing because of successful attempts to transfer the creature to predator-free offshore islands. There are further reasons for hope. Trapping predators and rearing baby chicks for later release into the wild can have a dramatic effect on kiwi numbers; but it will be necessary to do so on a large scale. It would be tragic if New Zealand were to lose its national symbol, the kiwi. Surely the strangest bird in existence, unable to fly, it sniffs out its food with a remarkably strong sense of smell. Its legs are powerful and muscular, for the kiwi is a burrower living in dens—some species even preferring tunnels, yet another similarity it shares with some mammals. But it cannot share its habitat with them without eventually losing the battle for survival.【R3】

A．
B．
C．
D．
E．

单项选择题

Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man’s life and two to a woman’s. The effect holds for all causes of death whether illness, accident or self-harm. Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn’t smoke. There’s a flip side, however , as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse’s death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects. So how does it work The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner. A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: "People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected."What can be inferred from the last paragraph

A．It’s important that we develop a social network when young.
B．To stay healthy, one should have a proper social network.
C．Getting a divorce means risking a reduced life span.
D．We should share our social networks with each other.

单项选择题

When I saw the notice "Women film extras wanted" in a local newspaper, I jumped at the chance. Since childhood, I had dreamt of being a film star. The casting interview went well, and two days later I was told that I had been chosen. I was to lose some of my enthusiasm for the idea, however extras are often left in the dark for some time as to which role they will play. Finally, the nature of my role was revealed; I was asked to play a mental hospital patient. Despite my disappointment, I agreed to participate. Then, barely a week later, the day of filming dawned. An 13 of us extras, mainly housewives, were driven to an old hospital. The coffee and tea they served us looked and tasted like cement. Then we were rushed off to make-up. My hair was pinned back and make-up was applied that gave me a pale appearance. Then we just sat in a minibus for a few hours, as the cameras rolled elsewhere. After the second hour had passed I was becoming bored. I bet stars are never treated like this, I thought. I had expected to be so busy that I hadn’t come prepared for a long wait. Many of the others had brought a book or knitting. Three hours had now passed. Then at last we were called to do our scenes. When the director came in, we were instructed where to stand and what to do. Along with a few others, I was told to sit at a table and weave baskets. This was not an easy task. The cane (藤条) we had to use was very long. On several occasions my basket fell apart in front of my very eyes. On others I only succeeded in hitting a cameraman in the eye. Life for the other extras was far from easy. Jean, who was barefoot, had to circle the floor. Poor Alice was asked to pretend to bang her head against the wall. Meanwhile, Veronica swept the floor. Thankfully, after just a few attempts, the scenes were done. And so my first taste of this "glorious" career was over. Although I found the experience quite interesting, my first screen role will almost certainly be my last.The best title for this story could be________.

A．In Fashion
B．On Camera
C．A Fancy Dream
D．A Great Career

单项选择题

A. Land of the kiwi.B. Reasons for concern.C. The introduction of predators.D. Explanation for larger bird populations.E. Preventing the kiwi decline. Kiwis are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, and by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to their body size of any species of bird in the world. 【R1】 The kiwi is synonymous with New Zealand, so much so that Australians endearingly refer to New Zealanders as "kiwi" —people from the Land of the Kiwi. This unique bird, recognizable by its short squat body and elongated beak, is under threat. Its small, clawlike wings render the kiwi flightless; it must of necessity live on the ground. The kiwi is thus easy prey to marauding enemies such as humans and mammals. 【R2】 When the great land mass of the south split 75 million years ago, the kiwi and many other ground-living bird species became separated from predatory mammals within what was later to become know as New Zealand. The birds were able to multiply and flourish because there were very few mammals landlocked within the islands. Kiwis have evolved certain mammalian characteristics over time, living on the ground and free as they were from attack by mammals. 【R3】 However, when the Polynesians arrived about 1,000 years ago bringing with them dogs and rats, the kiwi population and other vulnerable bird species soon suffered a severe reduction in numbers. The coming of the Europeans in the eighteenth century brought even more determined predators, including the cat and, especially, the stoat—a kind of weasel introduced to control rabbits. The stoat is a very vicious and efficient killer of kiwis. 【R4】 There are six types of kiwis, and all six are threatened. Two are "critically endangered" because they have populations of less than 250 mature birds. Two are "endangered" meaning that it is estimated that within three generations their numbers will have declined by 50%. The other two are designated "vulnerable" —one because its habitat is shrinking, the other because it is potentially under threat from stoats and other mammals. 【R5】__ 100 years ago there were more than 5 million North Island Brown Kiwis. Today, there are probably around 30,000 and the population is decreasing at a rate of 6% a year. Only the Little Spotted Kiwi is increasing because of successful attempts to transfer the creature to predator-free offshore islands. There are further reasons for hope. Trapping predators and rearing baby chicks for later release into the wild can have a dramatic effect on kiwi numbers; but it will be necessary to do so on a large scale. It would be tragic if New Zealand were to lose its national symbol, the kiwi. Surely the strangest bird in existence, unable to fly, it sniffs out its food with a remarkably strong sense of smell. Its legs are powerful and muscular, for the kiwi is a burrower living in dens—some species even preferring tunnels, yet another similarity it shares with some mammals. But it cannot share its habitat with them without eventually losing the battle for survival.【R4】

A．
B．
C．
D．
E．

单项选择题

"Years ago, a friend of mine observed that 80 percent of the people in this country have too much self-esteem and 20 percent have much too little. That struck me as pretty accurate, but psychologists will tell you that self-esteem is not a constant. People’s appraisal of their own worth varies...I have the impression that more people have unstable self-esteem than before. I say this because some of the traditional standards people used to measure their own worth have eroded (middle class respectability), whereas more people now seem to measure themselves against celebrities and superstars. It would be interesting to know if anybody has studied changes in the criteria we use to measure self-worth. "Comment 1: You bring up an interesting point because I do believe values and beliefs have changed. It would be very interesting to see the criteria used for self-worth. I find it hard to believe that only 20% of people have low self-esteem. I’ve been following Brene Brown’s thoughts on the subject of self-worth, and low self-worth (on some level) seems much more common.Comment 2: If the quality of one’s self-esteem is going to be judged by comparisons with those who are celebrities and superstars, then the entire exercise is really pointless.Comment 3: Self-esteem solution: A happy marriage.Comment 4: Ego (self-worth) is proportionate to wealth. The more wealth, the more self-worth.Comment 5: Benjamin Franklin said it best, and it applies to all facets of life. "Contentment will make a poor man rich just as discontent will make a rich man poor." It does not mean not try to do your best, or be the richest. It simply means once you’ve done your best be content with yourself, just as if you don’t give your best effort discontent is sure to follow.Comment 6: I’ve "retired" from 30 years of expensive, if interesting, "personal growth" and "self-improvement." much probably motivated by trying to "fix" myself. Hanging out with friends at a local cafe is way more satisfying.Comment 7: A related concept you may be interested in is the "sociometer theory" of self-esteem, pioneered by Mark Leary (Wake Forest). Basically it states that our self-esteem is determined by the amount of perceived social acceptance/rejection, and that determination is full of cognitive biases and errors. Awesome stuff.Why does the writer of Comment 5 try to clarify Benjamin Franklin’s saying

A．Because Franklin’s saying is universally applicable.
B．Because contentment means "rich" and discontent means "poor".
C．Because if you do your best, you will be the richest.
D．Because misunderstandings might occur of Franklin’s saying .

单项选择题

A. Land of the kiwi.B. Reasons for concern.C. The introduction of predators.D. Explanation for larger bird populations.E. Preventing the kiwi decline. Kiwis are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, and by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to their body size of any species of bird in the world. 【R1】 The kiwi is synonymous with New Zealand, so much so that Australians endearingly refer to New Zealanders as "kiwi" —people from the Land of the Kiwi. This unique bird, recognizable by its short squat body and elongated beak, is under threat. Its small, clawlike wings render the kiwi flightless; it must of necessity live on the ground. The kiwi is thus easy prey to marauding enemies such as humans and mammals. 【R2】 When the great land mass of the south split 75 million years ago, the kiwi and many other ground-living bird species became separated from predatory mammals within what was later to become know as New Zealand. The birds were able to multiply and flourish because there were very few mammals landlocked within the islands. Kiwis have evolved certain mammalian characteristics over time, living on the ground and free as they were from attack by mammals. 【R3】 However, when the Polynesians arrived about 1,000 years ago bringing with them dogs and rats, the kiwi population and other vulnerable bird species soon suffered a severe reduction in numbers. The coming of the Europeans in the eighteenth century brought even more determined predators, including the cat and, especially, the stoat—a kind of weasel introduced to control rabbits. The stoat is a very vicious and efficient killer of kiwis. 【R4】 There are six types of kiwis, and all six are threatened. Two are "critically endangered" because they have populations of less than 250 mature birds. Two are "endangered" meaning that it is estimated that within three generations their numbers will have declined by 50%. The other two are designated "vulnerable" —one because its habitat is shrinking, the other because it is potentially under threat from stoats and other mammals. 【R5】__ 100 years ago there were more than 5 million North Island Brown Kiwis. Today, there are probably around 30,000 and the population is decreasing at a rate of 6% a year. Only the Little Spotted Kiwi is increasing because of successful attempts to transfer the creature to predator-free offshore islands. There are further reasons for hope. Trapping predators and rearing baby chicks for later release into the wild can have a dramatic effect on kiwi numbers; but it will be necessary to do so on a large scale. It would be tragic if New Zealand were to lose its national symbol, the kiwi. Surely the strangest bird in existence, unable to fly, it sniffs out its food with a remarkably strong sense of smell. Its legs are powerful and muscular, for the kiwi is a burrower living in dens—some species even preferring tunnels, yet another similarity it shares with some mammals. But it cannot share its habitat with them without eventually losing the battle for survival.【R5】

A．
B．
C．
D．
E．

单项选择题

"Years ago, a friend of mine observed that 80 percent of the people in this country have too much self-esteem and 20 percent have much too little. That struck me as pretty accurate, but psychologists will tell you that self-esteem is not a constant. People’s appraisal of their own worth varies...I have the impression that more people have unstable self-esteem than before. I say this because some of the traditional standards people used to measure their own worth have eroded (middle class respectability), whereas more people now seem to measure themselves against celebrities and superstars. It would be interesting to know if anybody has studied changes in the criteria we use to measure self-worth. "Comment 1: You bring up an interesting point because I do believe values and beliefs have changed. It would be very interesting to see the criteria used for self-worth. I find it hard to believe that only 20% of people have low self-esteem. I’ve been following Brene Brown’s thoughts on the subject of self-worth, and low self-worth (on some level) seems much more common.Comment 2: If the quality of one’s self-esteem is going to be judged by comparisons with those who are celebrities and superstars, then the entire exercise is really pointless.Comment 3: Self-esteem solution: A happy marriage.Comment 4: Ego (self-worth) is proportionate to wealth. The more wealth, the more self-worth.Comment 5: Benjamin Franklin said it best, and it applies to all facets of life. "Contentment will make a poor man rich just as discontent will make a rich man poor." It does not mean not try to do your best, or be the richest. It simply means once you’ve done your best be content with yourself, just as if you don’t give your best effort discontent is sure to follow.Comment 6: I’ve "retired" from 30 years of expensive, if interesting, "personal growth" and "self-improvement." much probably motivated by trying to "fix" myself. Hanging out with friends at a local cafe is way more satisfying.Comment 7: A related concept you may be interested in is the "sociometer theory" of self-esteem, pioneered by Mark Leary (Wake Forest). Basically it states that our self-esteem is determined by the amount of perceived social acceptance/rejection, and that determination is full of cognitive biases and errors. Awesome stuff.What is the writer’s attitude toward the "sociometer theory" in Comment 7

A．Affirmative.
B．Objective.
C．Detached.
D．Negative.

单项选择题

Ask why most people are right-handed, and the answer might fall along the same lines as why fish school (鱼成群地游). Two neuroscientists suggest that social pressures drive individuals to coordinate their behaviors so that everyone in the group gets an evolutionary edge. Approximately 85 percent of people prefer their right hand, which is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain. One theorized benefit of locating a particular function in one hemisphere is that it frees the other to deal with different tasks. But that idea does not explain why population-wide trends for handedness exist in the first place. Moreover, evidence gleaned in recent years has overturned the long-held belief that human handedness is a unique by-product of brain specialization attributable to language. A suite of studies has revealed brain lateralization in species from fish to primates (灵长类). Last August, for instance, scientists discovered that in the wild, chimpanzees show hand preferences. The presence of lateralization throughout the animal kingdom suggests some benefit from it, contend neuroscientists Giorgio Vallortigara and Lesley Rogers. Also, last August, in the journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences, the two presented evidence to support their idea that social constraints force individuals toward asymmetry in the same direction. They noted, for example, that baby chickens attack more readily when a threat appears on their left.Fish school suggests that________.

A．it was a necessary evolutionary process
B．it has something to do with human right-handedness
C．they need to coordinate with other fish
D．their brain function is unique

单项选择题

Ask why most people are right-handed, and the answer might fall along the same lines as why fish school (鱼成群地游). Two neuroscientists suggest that social pressures drive individuals to coordinate their behaviors so that everyone in the group gets an evolutionary edge. Approximately 85 percent of people prefer their right hand, which is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain. One theorized benefit of locating a particular function in one hemisphere is that it frees the other to deal with different tasks. But that idea does not explain why population-wide trends for handedness exist in the first place. Moreover, evidence gleaned in recent years has overturned the long-held belief that human handedness is a unique by-product of brain specialization attributable to language. A suite of studies has revealed brain lateralization in species from fish to primates (灵长类). Last August, for instance, scientists discovered that in the wild, chimpanzees show hand preferences. The presence of lateralization throughout the animal kingdom suggests some benefit from it, contend neuroscientists Giorgio Vallortigara and Lesley Rogers. Also, last August, in the journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences, the two presented evidence to support their idea that social constraints force individuals toward asymmetry in the same direction. They noted, for example, that baby chickens attack more readily when a threat appears on their left.Locating a particular function in one hemisphere________.

A．does not explain why handedness is such an overwhelming trend
B．does not explain why 85% people are right-handed
C．shows that human handedness is a unique toy product of brain
D．enables people to think with the other hemisphere

单项选择题

Ask why most people are right-handed, and the answer might fall along the same lines as why fish school (鱼成群地游). Two neuroscientists suggest that social pressures drive individuals to coordinate their behaviors so that everyone in the group gets an evolutionary edge. Approximately 85 percent of people prefer their right hand, which is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain. One theorized benefit of locating a particular function in one hemisphere is that it frees the other to deal with different tasks. But that idea does not explain why population-wide trends for handedness exist in the first place. Moreover, evidence gleaned in recent years has overturned the long-held belief that human handedness is a unique by-product of brain specialization attributable to language. A suite of studies has revealed brain lateralization in species from fish to primates (灵长类). Last August, for instance, scientists discovered that in the wild, chimpanzees show hand preferences. The presence of lateralization throughout the animal kingdom suggests some benefit from it, contend neuroscientists Giorgio Vallortigara and Lesley Rogers. Also, last August, in the journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences, the two presented evidence to support their idea that social constraints force individuals toward asymmetry in the same direction. They noted, for example, that baby chickens attack more readily when a threat appears on their left.Due to________, human handedness is not an exclusive phenomenon in animal world.

A．brain lateralization found in species from fish to primates
B．different brain structures of species
C．brain specialization attributable to language
D．the asymmetrical brains of chimpanzees

单项选择题

Ask why most people are right-handed, and the answer might fall along the same lines as why fish school (鱼成群地游). Two neuroscientists suggest that social pressures drive individuals to coordinate their behaviors so that everyone in the group gets an evolutionary edge. Approximately 85 percent of people prefer their right hand, which is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain. One theorized benefit of locating a particular function in one hemisphere is that it frees the other to deal with different tasks. But that idea does not explain why population-wide trends for handedness exist in the first place. Moreover, evidence gleaned in recent years has overturned the long-held belief that human handedness is a unique by-product of brain specialization attributable to language. A suite of studies has revealed brain lateralization in species from fish to primates (灵长类). Last August, for instance, scientists discovered that in the wild, chimpanzees show hand preferences. The presence of lateralization throughout the animal kingdom suggests some benefit from it, contend neuroscientists Giorgio Vallortigara and Lesley Rogers. Also, last August, in the journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences, the two presented evidence to support their idea that social constraints force individuals toward asymmetry in the same direction. They noted, for example, that baby chickens attack more readily when a threat appears on their left.Why are baby chickens so prepared in fighting against enemies from left

A．Because other members stand on the right side.
B．Due to surrounding conditions their brain developed toward asymmetry in the same direction.
C．Because enemies always attack from left side.
D．Because they can spare more attention to locate predator.

单项选择题

Ask why most people are right-handed, and the answer might fall along the same lines as why fish school (鱼成群地游). Two neuroscientists suggest that social pressures drive individuals to coordinate their behaviors so that everyone in the group gets an evolutionary edge. Approximately 85 percent of people prefer their right hand, which is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain. One theorized benefit of locating a particular function in one hemisphere is that it frees the other to deal with different tasks. But that idea does not explain why population-wide trends for handedness exist in the first place. Moreover, evidence gleaned in recent years has overturned the long-held belief that human handedness is a unique by-product of brain specialization attributable to language. A suite of studies has revealed brain lateralization in species from fish to primates (灵长类). Last August, for instance, scientists discovered that in the wild, chimpanzees show hand preferences. The presence of lateralization throughout the animal kingdom suggests some benefit from it, contend neuroscientists Giorgio Vallortigara and Lesley Rogers. Also, last August, in the journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences, the two presented evidence to support their idea that social constraints force individuals toward asymmetry in the same direction. They noted, for example, that baby chickens attack more readily when a threat appears on their left.Which of the following is the best title for this passage

A．Human Handedness and Animal Lateralization
B．Hand Preference of Chimpanzees
C．The Myth Behind Human Handedness
D．A Unique Animal Behavior

单项选择题

Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now, one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it, say some scientists. Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids (流星) that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don’t threaten us. But there are also thousands whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth. Buy $ 40 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $ 10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one, the scientists say, we’ll have a way to change its course. Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn’t be cheap. Is it worth it Two things experts consider when judging any risk are: 1) How likely the event is;2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 400,000 years. Sounds pretty rare—but if one did fall, it would be the end of the world. "If we don’t take care of these big asteroids, they’ll take care of us," says one scientist. "It’s that simple." The cure, though, might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth "The world has less to fear from doomsday (毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them," said a New York Times article.We can conclude from the passage that________.

A．while pushing asteroids off course nuclear weapons would destroy the world
B．asteroids racing across the night sky are likely to hit Earth in the near future
C．the worry about asteroids can be left to future generations since it is unlikely to happen in our lifetime
D．workable solutions still have to be found to prevent a collision of asteroids with Earth

单项选择题

When I saw the notice "Women film extras wanted" in a local newspaper, I jumped at the chance. Since childhood, I had dreamt of being a film star. The casting interview went well, and two days later I was told that I had been chosen. I was to lose some of my enthusiasm for the idea, however extras are often left in the dark for some time as to which role they will play. Finally, the nature of my role was revealed; I was asked to play a mental hospital patient. Despite my disappointment, I agreed to participate. Then, barely a week later, the day of filming dawned. An 13 of us extras, mainly housewives, were driven to an old hospital. The coffee and tea they served us looked and tasted like cement. Then we were rushed off to make-up. My hair was pinned back and make-up was applied that gave me a pale appearance. Then we just sat in a minibus for a few hours, as the cameras rolled elsewhere. After the second hour had passed I was becoming bored. I bet stars are never treated like this, I thought. I had expected to be so busy that I hadn’t come prepared for a long wait. Many of the others had brought a book or knitting. Three hours had now passed. Then at last we were called to do our scenes. When the director came in, we were instructed where to stand and what to do. Along with a few others, I was told to sit at a table and weave baskets. This was not an easy task. The cane (藤条) we had to use was very long. On several occasions my basket fell apart in front of my very eyes. On others I only succeeded in hitting a cameraman in the eye. Life for the other extras was far from easy. Jean, who was barefoot, had to circle the floor. Poor Alice was asked to pretend to bang her head against the wall. Meanwhile, Veronica swept the floor. Thankfully, after just a few attempts, the scenes were done. And so my first taste of this "glorious" career was over. Although I found the experience quite interesting, my first screen role will almost certainly be my last.Alice, one of the 13 women extras, was probably playing the role of________.

A．a doctor working in the mental hospital
B．a nurse who was helping her patients
C．another patient with mental problem
D．another housewife busy with her work

单项选择题

A. Land of the kiwi.B. Reasons for concern.C. The introduction of predators.D. Explanation for larger bird populations.E. Preventing the kiwi decline. Kiwis are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, and by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to their body size of any species of bird in the world. 【R1】 The kiwi is synonymous with New Zealand, so much so that Australians endearingly refer to New Zealanders as "kiwi" —people from the Land of the Kiwi. This unique bird, recognizable by its short squat body and elongated beak, is under threat. Its small, clawlike wings render the kiwi flightless; it must of necessity live on the ground. The kiwi is thus easy prey to marauding enemies such as humans and mammals. 【R2】 When the great land mass of the south split 75 million years ago, the kiwi and many other ground-living bird species became separated from predatory mammals within what was later to become know as New Zealand. The birds were able to multiply and flourish because there were very few mammals landlocked within the islands. Kiwis have evolved certain mammalian characteristics over time, living on the ground and free as they were from attack by mammals. 【R3】 However, when the Polynesians arrived about 1,000 years ago bringing with them dogs and rats, the kiwi population and other vulnerable bird species soon suffered a severe reduction in numbers. The coming of the Europeans in the eighteenth century brought even more determined predators, including the cat and, especially, the stoat—a kind of weasel introduced to control rabbits. The stoat is a very vicious and efficient killer of kiwis. 【R4】 There are six types of kiwis, and all six are threatened. Two are "critically endangered" because they have populations of less than 250 mature birds. Two are "endangered" meaning that it is estimated that within three generations their numbers will have declined by 50%. The other two are designated "vulnerable" —one because its habitat is shrinking, the other because it is potentially under threat from stoats and other mammals. 【R5】__ 100 years ago there were more than 5 million North Island Brown Kiwis. Today, there are probably around 30,000 and the population is decreasing at a rate of 6% a year. Only the Little Spotted Kiwi is increasing because of successful attempts to transfer the creature to predator-free offshore islands. There are further reasons for hope. Trapping predators and rearing baby chicks for later release into the wild can have a dramatic effect on kiwi numbers; but it will be necessary to do so on a large scale. It would be tragic if New Zealand were to lose its national symbol, the kiwi. Surely the strangest bird in existence, unable to fly, it sniffs out its food with a remarkably strong sense of smell. Its legs are powerful and muscular, for the kiwi is a burrower living in dens—some species even preferring tunnels, yet another similarity it shares with some mammals. But it cannot share its habitat with them without eventually losing the battle for survival.【R1】

A．
B．
C．
D．
E．

单项选择题

Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now, one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it, say some scientists. Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids (流星) that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don’t threaten us. But there are also thousands whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth. Buy $ 40 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $ 10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one, the scientists say, we’ll have a way to change its course. Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn’t be cheap. Is it worth it Two things experts consider when judging any risk are: 1) How likely the event is;2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 400,000 years. Sounds pretty rare—but if one did fall, it would be the end of the world. "If we don’t take care of these big asteroids, they’ll take care of us," says one scientist. "It’s that simple." The cure, though, might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth "The world has less to fear from doomsday (毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them," said a New York Times article.What do people think of the suggestion of using nuclear weapons to alter the course of asteroids

A．It sounds practical but it may not solve the problem.
B．It may create more problems than it might solve.
C．It is a waste of money because a collision of asteroids with Earth is very unlikely.
D．Further research should be done before it is proved applicable.

单项选择题

"Years ago, a friend of mine observed that 80 percent of the people in this country have too much self-esteem and 20 percent have much too little. That struck me as pretty accurate, but psychologists will tell you that self-esteem is not a constant. People’s appraisal of their own worth varies...I have the impression that more people have unstable self-esteem than before. I say this because some of the traditional standards people used to measure their own worth have eroded (middle class respectability), whereas more people now seem to measure themselves against celebrities and superstars. It would be interesting to know if anybody has studied changes in the criteria we use to measure self-worth. "Comment 1: You bring up an interesting point because I do believe values and beliefs have changed. It would be very interesting to see the criteria used for self-worth. I find it hard to believe that only 20% of people have low self-esteem. I’ve been following Brene Brown’s thoughts on the subject of self-worth, and low self-worth (on some level) seems much more common.Comment 2: If the quality of one’s self-esteem is going to be judged by comparisons with those who are celebrities and superstars, then the entire exercise is really pointless.Comment 3: Self-esteem solution: A happy marriage.Comment 4: Ego (self-worth) is proportionate to wealth. The more wealth, the more self-worth.Comment 5: Benjamin Franklin said it best, and it applies to all facets of life. "Contentment will make a poor man rich just as discontent will make a rich man poor." It does not mean not try to do your best, or be the richest. It simply means once you’ve done your best be content with yourself, just as if you don’t give your best effort discontent is sure to follow.Comment 6: I’ve "retired" from 30 years of expensive, if interesting, "personal growth" and "self-improvement." much probably motivated by trying to "fix" myself. Hanging out with friends at a local cafe is way more satisfying.Comment 7: A related concept you may be interested in is the "sociometer theory" of self-esteem, pioneered by Mark Leary (Wake Forest). Basically it states that our self-esteem is determined by the amount of perceived social acceptance/rejection, and that determination is full of cognitive biases and errors. Awesome stuff.The main idea of the quoted blog is that________.

A．most people in the country have too much self-esteem
B．it is urgent to help those who have too little self-esteem
C．the criteria for people to measure their self-worth are changing
D．the traditional standards make people feel unstable

单项选择题

When I saw the notice "Women film extras wanted" in a local newspaper, I jumped at the chance. Since childhood, I had dreamt of being a film star. The casting interview went well, and two days later I was told that I had been chosen. I was to lose some of my enthusiasm for the idea, however extras are often left in the dark for some time as to which role they will play. Finally, the nature of my role was revealed; I was asked to play a mental hospital patient. Despite my disappointment, I agreed to participate. Then, barely a week later, the day of filming dawned. An 13 of us extras, mainly housewives, were driven to an old hospital. The coffee and tea they served us looked and tasted like cement. Then we were rushed off to make-up. My hair was pinned back and make-up was applied that gave me a pale appearance. Then we just sat in a minibus for a few hours, as the cameras rolled elsewhere. After the second hour had passed I was becoming bored. I bet stars are never treated like this, I thought. I had expected to be so busy that I hadn’t come prepared for a long wait. Many of the others had brought a book or knitting. Three hours had now passed. Then at last we were called to do our scenes. When the director came in, we were instructed where to stand and what to do. Along with a few others, I was told to sit at a table and weave baskets. This was not an easy task. The cane (藤条) we had to use was very long. On several occasions my basket fell apart in front of my very eyes. On others I only succeeded in hitting a cameraman in the eye. Life for the other extras was far from easy. Jean, who was barefoot, had to circle the floor. Poor Alice was asked to pretend to bang her head against the wall. Meanwhile, Veronica swept the floor. Thankfully, after just a few attempts, the scenes were done. And so my first taste of this "glorious" career was over. Although I found the experience quite interesting, my first screen role will almost certainly be my last.According to the story, which of the following statements is true about the author

A．She understood clearly that most film stars used to be extras.
B．She didn’t refuse the role assigned to her although she didn’t like it.
C．Unlike other women who were reading or knitting, she was busy with her scene.
D．The only thing she did well was to use the cane as a weapon.

单项选择题

Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man’s life and two to a woman’s. The effect holds for all causes of death whether illness, accident or self-harm. Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn’t smoke. There’s a flip side, however , as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse’s death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects. So how does it work The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner. A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: "People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected."Linda Waite’s studies support the idea that________.

A．older men should quit smoking to stay healthy
B．marriage can help make up for ill health
C．the married are happier than the unmarried
D．unmarried people are likely to suffer in later life

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