单选题 Questions25-28 are based on the recording you have just heard.

单选题Crying is hardly an activity encouraged by society. Tears, be they of sorrow, anger, or joy, typically make Americans feel uncomfortable and 28 . The shedder of tears is likely to apologize, even when a devastating (毁灭性的) tragedy was the provocation. The observer of tears is likely to do everything possible to put an end to the 29 outpouring. But judging from recent studies of crying behavior, links between illness and crying and the chemical composition of tears, both those responses to tears are often 30 and may even be counterproductive (使达不到预期目标的). Humans are the only animals 31 known to hed emotional tears. Since evolution has given 32 to few, if any, purposeless physiological responses, it is logical to assume that crying has one or more functions that 33 survival. Although some observers have suggested that crying is a way to elicit assistance from others (as a crying baby might from its mother), the shedding of tears is hardly necessary to get help. Vocal cries would have been quite enough, more likely than tears to gain 34 . So, it appears, there must be something special about tears themselves. Indeed, the new studies suggest that emotional tears may play a direct role in alleviating stress. University of Minnesota researchers who are studying the chemical composition of tears have recently 35 two important chemicals from emotional tears. Both chemicals are found only in tears that are shed in response to emotion. Tears shed because of exposure to cut onion would contain no such 36 . Researchers at several other institutions are investigating the usefulness of tears as a means of 37 human ills and monitoring drugs. A. attention B. overwhelming C. inappropriate D. embarrassed E. diagnosing F. indispensable G. rise H. isolated I. definitely J. enhance K. aspiration L. emotional M. repelled N. substance O. increasingly

单选题 It's Time to Pay Attention to Sleep A. After being diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in 2011, Lynn Mitchell, 68, was averaging about an hour of solid sleep a night. Stressed about her treatments, she was paying for it in hours of lost sleep. B. The brain cancer was already affecting her mobility—Mitchell was often dizzy and would lose her balance—but the lack of sleep made things worse. Even walking became increasingly difficult. Exhausted in the mornings, she was practically incoherent(精神恍惚). When her doctors recommend she see a sleep therapist, Mitchell was relieved at how benign it sounded in comparison to the chemotherapy(化学疗法) she had undergone and the gene therapy trial she was undergoing, which had side effects like nausea and fatigue. C. For about nine weeks, Mitchell worked with the sleep therapist to adjust her sleep habits. She went to bed only when she was extremely tired. She quit watching TV in bed. She stopped drinking caffeinated (含咖啡因的) coffee in the evening. She also learned breathing exercises to relax and help her fall asleep. It was all quite simple and common sense, and most importantly, noninvasive and didn't require taking any pills. D. 'It's common knowledge that sleep is needed for day to day function,' says Dr. David Rapoport, director of the Sleep Medicine Program at NYU School of Medicine. 'What isn't common knowledge is that it really matters—it's not just cosmetic.' Rapoport has long seen people seek sleep therapy because they're chronically tired or suffering from insomnia, but an increasing number of patients are being referred to his center for common diseases, disorders, and mental health. E. Researchers have known for some time that sleep is critical for weight maintenance and hormone balance. And too little sleep is linked to everything from diabetes(糖尿病) to heart disease to depression. Recently, mounting evidence indicates that sleep plays a role in nearly every aspect of health. Beyond chronic illnesses, a child's behavioral problems at school could be rooted in mild sleep apnea(呼吸暂停). And studies have shown children with ADHD(注意力缺陷多动症) are more likely to get insufficient sleep. A recent study published in the journal SLEEP found a link between older men with poor sleep quality and cognitive decline. Another study shows sleep is essential in early childhood for development, learning, and the formation and retention of memories. F. But to many of us, sleep is easily sacrificed, especially since lack of it isn't seen as life threatening. Over time, sleep deprivation can have serious consequences, but we mostly sacrifice a night of sleep here and there, and always say that we'll 'catch up.' Luckily, it is possible to make up for sleep debt (though it can take a very long time), but most Americans are still chronically sleep deprived. G. While diet and exercise have been a part of public health messaging for decades, doctors and health advocates are now beginning to argue that getting quality sleep may be just as important for overall health. 'Sleep is probably easier to change than diet or exercise,' says Dr. Michael Grandner, a sleep researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. 'It may also give you more of an immediate reward if it helps you get through your day.' Sleep experts claim that it is one of the top three, and sometimes the most, important lifestyle adjustments one can make, in addition to diet and exercise. And while there's more evidence linking diet and exercise as influential health factors, sleep is probably more important in terms of brain and hormonal function. 'Among a small group of sleep researchers, it's always been said that eating, exercise, and sleep are the three pillars of health,' says Dr. Rapoport. H. In our increasingly professional and digital lives, carving out time for sleep is not only increasingly difficult, but also more necessary. Using technology before bed stimulates us and interferes with our sleep, yet 95% of Americans use some type of electronics like a computer, TV, or cell phone at least a few nights a week within the hour before we go to bed, according to a 2011 National Sleep Foundation survey. 'Many doctors, lawyers, and executives stay up late and get up early and burn the candle at both ends,' says Dr. Richard Lang, chair of Preventative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. 'Making sure they pay attention to sleep in the same way they pay attention to diet and exercise is crucial.' I. To some, sleep has become a powerful cure to mental health. Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, advocates that sleep is the secret to success, happiness, and peak performance. After passing out a few years ago from exhaustion and cracking a cheekbone against her desk, Huffington has become something of a sleep evangelist(传道者). In a 2010 TED Women conference, Huffington said, 'The way to a more productive, more inspired, more joyful life is getting enough sleep.' Research linking high-quality sleep with better mental health is growing; a 2013 study found that treating depressed patients for insomnia can double their likelihood of overcoming the disorder. J. While 70% of physicians agree that inadequate sleep is a major health problem, only 43% counsel their patients on the benefits of adequate sleep. But there's growing pressure on primary care physicians to address, and even prescribe, sleep during routine check-ups. In a recent study published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes Endocrinology the researchers concluded that health professionals should prescribe sleep to prevent and treat metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. K. On the other hand, overlooking sleep as a major health issue can also have deadly consequences. It was recently reported that the operator of the Metro-North train that derailed in New York last year, killing four people and injuring more than 70, had an undiagnosed case of sleep apnea. L. Sleep therapies can range from simply learning new lifestyle behaviors to promote sleep, to figuring out how to position oneself in bed. More drastic measures involve surgery to open up an airway passage for people suffering from disorders like sleep apnea. Sleeping pills can be prescribed too, to get much needed rest, but sleep therapists tend to favor other approaches because of possible dependencies developing. M. A large part of reaping the benefits of sleep is known when you're not getting the right amount. According to a 2013 Gallup survey, 40% of Americans get less than the recommended seven to eight hours a night. While the typical person still logs about 6.8 hours of sleep per night, that's a drop from the 7.9 Americans were getting in the 1940s. N. When it comes to adequate sleep, it's much more personalized than previously thought. Some people feel great on five hours of rest, while others need ten. The best way to determine if you're getting the right amount, doctors say, is to find out how many hours of sleep you need to be able to wake up without an alarm and feel rested, refreshed, and energetic throughout the day. O. Since reforming her sleep habits, Mitchell has been clocking up to seven hours of shuteye a night for the past two months. 'I'm alert in the morning, my balance is better, and I feel more energetic,' says Mitchell. Getting enough sleep has helped her better deal with her cancers, and its symptoms. The best news is that she recently found out that her brain tumor is shrinking, and there are fewer cancerous spots on her lungs.

单选题 春节 集祈年、庆贺、娱乐为一体的春节是中华民族最具特色的传统佳节。中国历史上的“春节”，指的是二十四节气(the 24 solar terms)中的“立春”(Beginning of Spring)，而现今狭义的春节一般是指中国农历年的岁首。历经千百年的积淀，异彩纷呈的春节民俗已形成底蕴深厚且独具特色的春节文化。春节是弘扬中华民族文化优秀传统的重要载体，它蕴含着中华民族文化的智慧和结晶(quintessence)，凝聚着华夏人民的生命追求和情感寄托，传承着中国人的家庭伦理和社会伦理观念。

单选题 In 1963 an American physiotherapist (物理治疗师) Glenn Doman wrote a best selling book called How to Teach Your Baby to Read. Now translated into 17 languages, this book arose from his work with brain damaged children in Pennsylvania. Doman and his team of specialists had wondered why brain-injured children didn't improve with medical treatment. Then they realized that conventional methods of treatment only relieved the symptoms, not the problem, which of course was the brain itself. So they developed a new approach. 'All we do for all children here is to give them visual, auditory and touchable stimulation with increased frequency, intensity and duration, in recognition of the orderly way in which the brain grows,' says Doman. 'The result was that by 1960 we had hundreds of severely brain-injured two-year-olds who could read and understand.' The team had discovered that even children who had half their brains removed could, by stimulation, achieve higher IQs than the average normal child. Then the team began to think if such amazing results could be achieved with brain-damaged children, what would happen if the same treatment were given to normal children. So eight years ago the Better Baby Institute was opened for the benefit of normal children. The same stimulating enriched environment was provided, and, by the time the children left, around seven years old, they could generally speak and read three foreign languages, play a musical instrument, read three full length books a week and do all the other things that a so-called 'normal' child could do. In Doman's view, the child's passion to learn during the years up to six must be fed. He believes that, like muscles, the brain develops with use, especially so in those first few years. Nowadays, parents come from all over the world to Pennsylvania to see and learn from the work of Doman and his team; they want to discover how they can fulfill their roles as nature teachers, by using their love, understanding and instincts for the benefit of their children. For in the words of Doman, 'Every child born has a greater potential intelligence than Leonardo da Vinci used.' (选自New Scientist)

单选题 Apps Designed for Distracted Drivers A. Marty Williams recalls the conversations he and his wife would have with their two daughters about the dangers of talking and texting while driving. 'It's always a concern,' said Williams. 'We just drilled it into their heads over and over until they said 'Okay, we get it,' and when we saw something [about the dangers of drivers texting] on TV we made sure they saw it, too.' B. Parents like Williams have good reason to worry. Half of teens say they talk on a cell phone while driving, a third say they swap text messages, and almost half say they've been a passenger in a vehicle with a teen driver whose phone use put them at risk, according to federal statistics. Teen drivers are more likely to get into a fatal crash than anyone under the age of 80, in part because their brains are still developing the system that evaluates risk. C. These days, however, there's an app for that, several of them, in fact. There are apps that prevent mobile-device use while driving, and some of them alert parents or employers when a user tries to beat the system. They've emerged on the market as alarm grows over the carnage caused by distracted driving. D. More than 3,300 people die and 420,000 are injured annually in crashes attributed to distracted drivers. But those numbers may be low because, other than a driver's admission of fault, it's a challenge to prove that distraction caused a crash. Among all drivers involved in fatal crashes, teens were the most likely to have been distracted, National Highway Traffic Administration data show. 'They feel invincible,' said Jurek Grabowski, director of research at the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. 'They have large social networks and they want to stay in contact with them.' E. Conversations on the go, texting, surfing the Internet and taking selfies (自拍) are such a habit among teens that studies show they underestimate the risk. Teens make up a significant percentage of the approximately 660,000 drivers who are having phone conversations or manipulating electronic devices while driving at any given moment during daylight hours in the United States. And most teenagers who chat, text or surf while driving are breaking the law. The District and 37 states—including Maryland and Virginia—ban novice drivers from talking on the phone while driving. The three local jurisdictions (管辖区) and 41 other states bar all drivers from sending and receiving text messages while driving. But respect for those laws is similar to that given the speed limit. F. 'We need to almost turn this thing into a brick,' David Coleman said recently, holding up his cell phone while sitting in a Bowie Starbucks. 'It can't just be about texting. It has to be about e-mail, Facebook and no inappropriate calls.' Coleman is marketing director for Louisiana-based Cellcontrol, one of several companies competing for the chance to shut down people's mobile devices while they're driving. Most of the companies that sell cell phone service—Verizon, ATT, Sprint and others—also provide apps that can limit access. G. Many of the apps are triggered when a GPS sensor detects that a vehicle is in motion, and some—such as ATT's DriveMode—will alert parents or employers when the app has been turned off or disabled. Independent experts consider that a feature buyers should look for. 'Especially for younger drivers. As clever as you can be, they will be more clever,' said Leo McCloskey, a tech specialist for the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. 'The best way to do it is to integrate the device with the vehicle so that you could have more precise control.' H. That precise control means that parents or employers can select the features they want to allow their drivers to use and block those that worry them. 'It's important to have a solid oversight function so that use can be monitored by a fleet (车队) manager or parent,' said Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 'Cellcontrol is one of the better, most complete systems. TeenSafer is another one that we've looked at that works pretty well. These products are going to be the most useful for fleet operators and for parents trying to control phone use by their driving teens. Both Cellcontrol and TeenSafer will report attempts to disrupt the system.' I. Businesses that send fleets of cars, vans or trucks onto the streets have shown increasing interest in those products, as juries have issued multimillion-dollar rewards to those injured or killed by distracted drivers who were on the job. J. Systems integrated into the vehicle are triggered when the car or truck begins to move. 'We're not guessing based on a satellite, we're depending on the vehicle to tell us,' said Cellcontrol's Coleman as he spent a morning demonstrating his company's product in Prince George's County. 'Otherwise, how do I know you're not on a Greyhound bus or on a plane that has landed and is taxiing (滑行) to the gate?' K. Cellcontrol provides two options for connecting to a vehicle. One is a device the size of an E-Zpass transponder (电子收费应答器) that is glued to the windshield with the same adhesive material used to secure rearview mirrors. The more sophisticated choice plugs in to a vehicle's diagnostic computer port. The $129-system works with iPhones, Androids, BlackBerrys and Windows Mobile. L. The system involves an app that is downloaded to the phone of the driver—teenager or employee. The key to the system is software that can be installed on a home computer, tablet or mobile device that allows an authorized person—parent or boss—to customize what the driver is permitted to do, and to monitor compliance (遵从). 'We're not blocking the signal, we're allowing a protective policy to be brought into the device,' he said. 'The administrator has the option to make the policy as restrictive as possible, or not.' For example, phone use could be restricted to a hands-free device. Or calls could be restricted to an emergency number or a parent or office. Or parents could attempt to mandate (命令) that all passengers in the car driven by their teenager download the app. 'You could decide this is the kids' car and we don't want a stupid sitting in the passenger's seat showing the driver YouTube videos,' Coleman said. M. Coleman demonstrated how his phone was pre-programmed to go into safe mode when he drove, but when handed to a passenger it was fully operative. A second phone he brought along went into safe mode when the car was moving, regardless of whether it was in his hands or those of a passenger. Acknowledging that parents are dealing with a technology-savvy (精通科技的) generation and that employers exist in a technologically smart world, Coleman said, 'We've built in some traps and fail-safes (故障安全装置) to notify the parent or employer.' N. McCloskey said that companies like Cellcontrol that provide integrated services are 'where we need to go.' 'The operating system of the phone itself can interact with the operating system of the vehicle in such a way that services can be authorized, services can be presented, and services can be consumed all in a safe and predictable manner,' McCloskey said. O. Although he is concerned about distracted driving, McCloskey thinks it as a relatively short-term problem. 'In the medium to long term, as autonomous vehicles really start making a mark, all this goes away as a concern,' he said.

写作题 Directions: In recent years, more and more people would like to participate in the test for national civil servants. Write a composition entitled Craze for Civil Service Examinations. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.

写作题 Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay commenting on the remark 'Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.' You can cite examples to illustrate your point. You should write at least I50 words but no more than 200 words.

写作题 Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay commenting on the remark 'The future is not something we enter but something we create.' You can cite examples to illustrate your point. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.

写作题Directions:Forthispart,youareallowed30minutestowriteanessaybasedonthepicturebelow.Youshouldstartyouressaywithabriefdescriptionofthepictureandthendiscussyourviewsonspeedfirstorqualityfirst.Youshouldgivesoundargumentstosupportyourviewsandwriteatleast150wordsbutnomorethan200words.

写作题 Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay on the title Love and House: Which is More Important. You can analyze the reasons respectively why some women choose houses and others choose love and finally give your opinion. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words. Write your essay on Answer Sheet 1.

写作题Directions:Forthispart,youareallowed30minutestowriteanessaybasedonthepicturebelow.Youshouldstartyouressaywithabriefdescriptionofthepictureandthengiveyourunderstandingofit.Youshouldwriteatleast150wordsbutnomorethan200words.

写作题 For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Why do People Like to Buy Lotteries? You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words following the outline given below. 1.目前社会上有许多人喜欢购买彩票。 2.分析产生这种现象的原因。 3.提出你的建议。

写作题 Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay on the topic free speech on the Internet. You must give sound arguments to support your point of view. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.