They tell us when to get up or when we’re running late for work and whether we are in danger of missing our favourite TV programme. But while our daily routines rely on clocks that tell us the time, science is discovering that our well-being is influenced by a very different kind of timepiece. Circadian rhythms---the human body’s own internal clock---have a powerful influence on our health and behaviour. They are programmed from birth and control functions ranging from temperature and blood pressure to sleep patterns.

In recent years researchers have also discovered that this built-in mechanism can influence everything from the way we react to medicines to how well we learn music.

The latest example, from experts at Harvard University in the US, shows that the human body clock can even dictate whether or not we are likely to tell the truth. Researchers found it was easier for people to fib（撒小謊） in the afternoon because, as they were tired, the self control that would normally prevent them from lying started to break down. Tiredness made it harder to resist the temptation to tell lies---especially if it meant they got a financial reward at the end.

“The body clock has a great effect on us all,” says Professor Jim Horne from the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University. “Most people tend to feel good around late morning and then decline in the early afternoon. But the time most of us will feel our sharpest is between 6pm and 8pm. That’s because sleepiness tends to build up throughout the day. By early evening our body clock kicks in to wake us up. One reason may be to ensure we get home safely. When our ancestors were coming home after hunting all day their internal clocks kicked in to get them home in one piece.”

So what effects do circadian rhythms have and what’s the best time of day to take advantage of them?

1.The underlined word “They” in the first paragraph refers to .

A. our clocksB. scientists and experts

C. our daily routinesD. circadian rhythms

2.The research referred to in Paragraph 3 found that people tend to .

A. tell lies when they are tired

B. tell lies if they are rewarded

C. lose temper as they become tired

D. break down because they are tired

3. According to the passage, when are people most quick-thinking?

A. In the morning.B. Around midday.

C. In the late afternoon.D. In the early evening.

4.What information will the writer probably present following the last paragraph?

A. Some practical suggestions to prevent people from lying.

B. Examples of how the human body clocks control the body.

C. Examples of the most suitable time to do different activities.

D. An explanation of how the human body clock controls the body.

5. What is the best title for the passage?

A. Rebuild your body clockB. Timing is everything

C. Sleep more, lie lessD. Your time is limited

Google has started Google Science Fair (GSF) 2014, its annual online competition for bright, creative and ambitious teenagers who want to change the world with science. While the project is led by Google, it also has the support of the Lego Group and world-famous publications National Geographic and Scientific American. The competition is open for students aged 13 to 18, who can sign-up now, form a team and begin working on a submission(提交申請).

The winner will be rewarded with a ten-day exploration to the Galapagos Islands aboard the National Geographic Endeavor, as well as a VIP tour of “Spaceport America” in New Mexico. Google is also throwing in a $50,000 scholarship and $10,000 for the winner’s school to purchase cutting-edge science lab equipment.

Google suggests that each project should be “an in-depth investigation of a science question or engineering problem” but otherwise, it’s up to students to pick and develop an idea that follows the competition rules.

Completed projects need to be submitted by May 12, 2014 at 11:59 PDT. Google will announce the regional competitors in June, ahead of global finalists in August and the competition winners in September.

Interested? Here are the rules.

If you want to enter the competition as an individual, you should register first. Complete requested information about yourself and your project in the registration section before creating your project. You may edit this later. Click the box stating that you have read, accept, and agree to be bound by these Official Rules and Terms.

Upon completion of registration you may begin working on your project. The project must follow the technical, creative, and legal entry requirements set out in these Official Rules and the Googlesciencefair.com Site. You will be required to complete all sections of the Project Site.

You may begin working on your project after completing the registration process, however, you may not submit it for judging until you have requested and received parental consent (允許). Once you have done this, your parent or guardian will receive an email from Google with instructions on how they can give their consent for you to participate. The project will not be judged unless this consent is received.

1.From the first paragraph, we can learn that .

A. GSF is a science competition

B. teenagers should form a team

C. every teenager can take part in it

D. GSF is organized by Google alone

2. If you win in the competition, you will get the following except .

A. a ten-day exploration to the Galapagos Islands

B. a tour of “Spaceport America” in New Mexico

C. a sum of scholarship of $50,000

D. a school equipped with advanced science labs

3. If you plan to enter GSF alone, .

A. you should create your project as the first step

B. you needn’t follow the official rules at all

C. you should provide some personal information

D. you should start your project before registration

4.What is mainly discussed in the last paragraph?

A. Parental consent.B. Submission time.

C. Registration process.D. Project requirements.

5.The main purpose of the passage is to .

A. explain problems on how to enter GSF

B. provide information about GSF

C. persuade teenagers to enter GSF

D. tell us the importance of GSF

At some time in your life you may have a strong desire to do something strange or terrible. However, chances are that you don’t act on your impulse（沖動）, but let it pass instead. You know that to take the action is wrong in some way and that other people will not accept your behavior.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the phenomenon of taboo behavior is how it can change over the years within the same society, how certain behavior and attitudes once considered taboo can become perfectly acceptable and natural at another point in time. Topics such as death, for example, were once considered so upsetting and unpleasant that it was a taboo to even talk about them. Now with the publication of important books such as On Death and Dying and Learning to Say Goodbye, people have become more aware of the importance of expressing feelings about death and, as a result, are more willing to talk about this taboo subject.

One of the newest taboos in American society is the topic of fat. Unlike many other taboos, fat is a topic that Americans talk about constantly. It’s not taboo to talk about fat; it’s taboo to be fat. The “in” look is thin, not fat. In the work world, most companies prefer youthful-looking, trim executives to sell their image as well as their products to the public. The thin look is associated with youth, vigor, and success. The fat person, on the other hand, is thought of as lazy and lacking in energy, self-discipline, and self-respect. In an image-conscious(注意形象的) society like the U.S., thin is “in”, fat is “out”.

It’s not surprising, then, that millions of Americans have become obsessed with staying slim and “in shape”. The pursuit of a youthful physical appearance is not, however, the only reason for America’s fascination with diet and exercise. Recent research has shown the critical importance of diet and exercise for personal health. As in most technologically developed nations, the life-style of North Americans has changed dramatically during the course of the last century. Modern machines do all the physical labor that people were once forced to do by hand. Cars and buses transport us quickly from point to point. As a result of inactivity and disuse, people’s bodies can easily become weak and vulnerable to disease. In an effort to avoid such a fate, millions of Americans are spending more of their time exercising.

1. From the passage we can infer taboo is .

A. a strong desire to do something strange or terrible

B. a crime committed on impulse

C. behavior considered unacceptable in society’s eyes

D. an unfavorable impression left on other people

2. Based on the ideas presented in the passage we can conclude “being fat” in American society.

A. will always remain a taboo

B. is not considered a taboo by most people

C. has been a taboo long before

D. may no longer be a taboo some day

3.The topic of fat is many other taboo subjects.

A. the same as B. different from

C. more boring than D. less often talked about than

4.In the U.S., thin is “in”, fat is “out”, this means .

A. thin is “inside”, fat is “outside”

B. thin is “diligent”, fat is “l(fā)azy”

C. thin is “youthful”, fat is “spiritless”

D. thin is “fashionable”, fat is “unfashionable”

5.The main reason the passage gives for why so many Americans are exercising regularly is .

A. their changed life-style

B. their eagerness to stay thin and healthy

C. their appreciation of the importance of exercise

D. the encouragement they have received from their companies

請閱讀下列應用文及相關信息，并按照要求匹配信息。請在答題卡上將對應題號的相應選項字母涂黑。

下面是有關美國系列叢書YOU中的幾本，首先請閱讀它們的標題及封面信息：

下面是一些書籍的內容簡介，請把它們與對應的標題及封面信息進行匹配：

1.Most people think of the aging of our bodies in the same way we think of the aging of our cars: the older we get, the more inevitable it is that we’re going to break down. Most of us believe that at age 40 or so, we can’t stay young but begin the decline of our minds and bodies. But according to the authors, that’s a mistake.

2.Most people think that beauty revolves around such things as lipstick, sweet eyes, or skinny jeans, all those things that we can see in the mirror. The fact is that beauty is not some superficial pursuit, but really about your health and happiness.

3.Nothing is more fundamental to living than breathing. And breathing well is central to meditation, relaxation and other practices that slow down the aging process and feel great while you’re doing it. The book will help you enjoy all the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come from easy breathing.

4.Everyone needs to become smart patient. In fact, in the worst cases, your life may even depend on it. Number one bestselling authors have written this indispensable handbook to help everyone to get the best health care possibly by making everyone become their own medical detective.

5.The YOU series authors have created an original book specifically designed to help you meet your daily walking goal. Just have fun doing it. They will tell you about the benefits of walking, share pointers and health tips for you to think about, and motivate you to keep going.

你校舉辦了創(chuàng)意作品比賽，請為校報寫一篇英語快訊，報道比賽的情況。

【寫作內容】

＊廢物：waste materials ＊＊創(chuàng)意作品：creative works

【寫作要求】

只能使用5個句子表達全部內容。

【評分標準】

句子結構準確，信息內容完整，篇章結構連貫。

閱讀下面的短文，然后按照要求寫一篇150詞左右的英語短文。

Two years ago, when I was an oversea student, I worked early mornings and late nights to pay for my school fees.

One day, I was seriously ill with a very high fever. I had stayed at home for a few days, and I had run out of food. Because I had been in this town just for a short time, I also had no friends nearby who could help. So I went out to get some food. I would have gone to the supermarket, but on this occasion, I went into a small store because it was closer.

I picked up a few items. When I handed them to the shopkeeper, she said, “You are unwell.” “Yes，” I nodded.

She pointed at the salami and bread I was buying and offered, “I can make you a sandwich, so you don’t have to do it yourself’. So, she made the sandwich and asked me to wait a moment. She went in the back room and returned with a bowl of hot soup.

“It will warm you up,” she said with a genuine smile.

What really warmed me up was not the soup, but her kindness. It made me want to be as kind as the shopkeeper who had been kind to me.

【寫作內容】

1. 用約30個詞概括上文的要點；

2. 用約120個詞以“善舉的影響”為話題談談你的想法，內容包括：

（1）上文使你回憶起曾經(jīng)有誰的愛心舉動使你感到溫暖；

（2）在感到溫暖之余，你是否受到這個舉動的影響，并把愛心傳遞下去？為什么？

（3）今后，你將如何繼續(xù)傳遞愛心？

【寫作要求】

1. 你可以使用實例或其他論述方法支持你的論點，也可以參照閱讀材料的內容，但不得直接引用原文中的句子。

2. 作文中不得出現(xiàn)真實姓名和學校名稱。

【評分標準】概括準確，語言規(guī)范，內容合適，篇章連貫。

A noted American psychologist once remarked that childhood is a magical period in one’s life. Indeed it is, for during one undergoes a step-by-step transformation not only in capacity, but also in physical and verbal skills. Each step an increase in the difficulty of a child’s conceptual and learning abilities. During the early stages of childhood, from infancy to about five, the child learns simple skills including using the toilet, bathing and dressing himself . At this stage, he also learns to be very observant, curious, and creative. His ability to remember things also at this stage. He remembers details that an adult may have difficulty in remembering. , he learns elementary skills in problem-solving. At school, particular in classes, the child is especially creative. Given a piece of paper and some colored pencils, he draws a variety of from his surroundings as well as from his circle. It is not surprising to see a child draw a monster to represent an abusive father, and an _____ to represent a loving and caring mother.

As he graduates to the later stages of childhood bordering on the years, the child learns the complexity of human relations and socialization by with his peers—his friends and schoolmates. He also learns to with new life situations, including dates and part-time work. Given a tight schedule of schoolwork, the child learns to prepare his own schedules of work and play; the more practical and less serious ones manage to take time out of their schedules of assignments, reports and tests and examinations to go with their friends on relaxation entertainment.

1.A. adolescence B. adulthood C. childhood D. infancy

2.A. spiritual B. magicalC. practicalD. mental

3.A. signalsB. presentsC. preventsD. signs

4.A. willinglyB. excitedly C. confidentlyD. independently

5.A. optimisticB. imaginativeC. ableD. studious

6.A.increasesB. developsC. declinesD. strengthens

7.A. GraduallyB. FortunatelyC. UnexpectedlyD. Undoubtedly

8.A. music B. chemistryC. art D. biology

9.A. picturesB. imagesC. reflectionsD. buildings

10.A. schoolB. familyC. teacherD. friend

11.A. beautyB. actressC. witchesD. angel

12.A. infancyB. adulthood C. teenage D. aged

13.A. competingB. fighting C. interactingD. learning

14.A. experimentB. agree C. withdrawD. concern

15.A. ambitious B. original C. dailyD. busy

As a working mom with three young sons, keeping the house clean is a big challenge. 1. we clean the house every week, one hour later after cleaning our bedrooms and bathrooms are back to their 2. (mess) look. When asked, my boys will help neaten their room, clear their plates from the table and pick up their school junk. But I need to remind them 3. it again and again.

If I don’t remind them, I will step over all the things 4. make my house look like a garbage can. This is quite 5. change from my pre-kid years when I never _6. (leave) any waste in the house. 7. seems that I cannot get these days back again at my own house.

When last week I found a program called “Share a Healthy Habit” on a newspaper, I saw a great chance to engage my sons in cleaning chores. Why not encourage these behaviors during the summer, while school is out and their life is 8. (relax)?

The goal for my boys is to clean 9. own dorm room themselves when they are free. The rewards for clean habits start young and continue as they get 10. (old), so I need to start my plan as soon as possible.

When a child is told he is “uncool”, it can be very painful. He may say he doesn’t care, and even act in ways that are opposite of cool on purpose. But these are simple ways to handle sadness by pretending it’s not there.

Helping a child feel better in school had to be careful. If you say, “Why are you worried about what other children think about you? It doesn’t matter!” Children know that it does matter. Instead, an active way may be best. You could say, “I’m going to do a couple of things for you to help you feel better in school.”

If a boy is having trouble making friends, the teacher can help him. The teacher can arrange things so that he has chances to use his abilities to contribute to class projects. This is how the other children learn how to value his good qualities and to like him. A teacher can also raise a child’s popularity in the group by showing that he values that child. It even helps to put him in a seat next to a very popular child, or let him be a partner with that child in activities, etc.

There are things that parents can do at home, too. Be friendly when your child brings others home to play. Encourage him to invite friends to meals and then serve the dishes they consider “super” .When you plan trips, picnics, movies, and other shows, invite another child with whom your child wants to be friends.

What you can do is to give him a chance to join a group that may be shutting him out. Then, if he has good qualities, he can start to build real friendship of his own.

1.A child who has been informed of being “ uncool” may .

A. care nothing about it B. do something uncool on purpose

C. develop a sense of anger D. pretend to get hurt very much

2.A teacher can help an unpopular child by .

A. seeing the child as the teacher’s favorite

B. asking the child to do something for partners

C. forcing other children to make friends with the child

D. offering the child chances to show his good qualities

3.How can parents help their child fit in better?

A. By cooking delicious food for him.

B. By being kind to his schoolmates.

C. By forcing him to invite friends home.

D. By taking him to have picnics in the park.

4.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. Children don’t care others’ comments on them.

B. It’s only teacher’s work to make children popular.

C. Parents should take their children out for picnic and shows more often.

D. Inviting children’s friends to family activities is good for them to make friends.

5.Which is the best title of the text?

A. How an Unpopular Child can be Helped

B. Why Some Children are Unpopular

C. What Good Qualities Unpopular Children Have

D. Who Care about Unpopular Children

I never thought I would have a life-changing experience at Wal-Mart.

Although my thoughts were only on speed, the checkout line I was standing in wasn't moving as quickly as I wanted, and I glanced toward the cashier.

There stood a man in his seventies, wearing glasses and a nice smile. I thought, well, he's an old guy!

For the next few minutes I watched him. He greeted every customer before scanning the items. Sure, his words were the usual, “How's it going?” But he did something different—he actually listened to people. Then he would respond to what they had said and engage them in brief conversation.

I thought it was odd. I have grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of robotic conversational habit. After a while, you don't give any thought to the question and just mumble something back. I could say, “I just found out I have six months to live,” and someone would reply, “Have a great day!”

But that wasn't the end.

He gave them the change, walked around the counter, and extended his right hand in an act of friendship. He looked at the customers in the eyes. “I sure want to thank you for shopping here today,” he told them. “You have a great day. Bye-bye.”

The looks on the faces of the customers were priceless. There were smiles and some sheepish grins. All had been touched by his simple gesture---and in a place they never expected. They would gather their things and walk out, smiling.

Of course, he did the same to me and I got to know his name, Marty.

Who was that guy? It was as if Sam Walton had come back from the dead and invaded this old guy’s body.

I had never walked away from that shop feeling like that.

1.The checkout line the writer was standing in moved slower than expected because_______ .

A．the cashier couldn’t work as fast as others

B．there were some big purchases

C．the cashier did more than scanning the items

D．the writer was not patient enough

2.According to the writer, when common people ask you “How’s it going?”

A．they don’t really care what you may answer

B．they are just practicing their conversation ability

C．they are inquiring about your private information

D．they don’t expect to hear any negative answers

3.What was most customers’ reaction to Marty’s behaviors?

A．They thought it priceless. B．They were in some way moved.

C．They thought it awful and odd. D．They felt somewhat offended.

4.What can we infer about Sam Walton?

A．He might be Marty’s father or grandfather.

B．He might be friendly and devoted to Wal-Mart.

C．He might have died while working in the market.

D．He might have come back from the dead once before.

5.What does the writer intend to express through the text?

A．Our everyday life is always full of surprises.

B．Most customers enjoy being treated this way.

C．Being different is a good way of doing business.

D．A little positive action can make a big difference.