The spread of Western eating habits around the world is bad for human health and for the environment. Those findings come from a new report in the journal Nature.

David Tilman is a professor at the University of Minnesota. In the study, he examined information from 100 nations to show what people ate and how diet affected health. Mr. Tilman noted a movement beginning in the 1960s. He found that as nations industrialized(工业化), population increased and earnings rose. More people began to adopt what has been called the Western diet. The Western diet is high in sugar, fat, oil and meat. By eating these foods, people began to get fatter and sicker.

“The food, let us say, in the 15 richest nations of the world, right now contains about 400 or 500 extra calories(热量) a day that are eaten beyond what people need, and that leads people to gain weight.”

David Tillman says overweight people are at greater risk for diseases like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Diabetes is shooting to very high rates in the United States and across Europe. Heart disease is a major cause of death in the Western nations. Unfortunately when people become industrialized, if they adopt this Western diet, they are going to have these same health problems.

A diet bad for human beings, it seems, is also bad for the environment. As the world’s population grows, experts say more forests and areas will become farmland for crops or grasslands for raising cattle. These areas will be needed to meet the increasing demand for food.

Mr. Tilman calls the link between diet, the environment and human health, “a dilemma”, a situation where it is very difficult to decide what to do. He says one possible solution is leaving the Western diet behind.

1.Why did people get fatter in the 1960s?

A. They ate foods high in calories.

B. They adopted a western lifestyle.

C. They set aside little time for exercise.

D. They had a better life and became lazier.

2.According to the text, overweight people may suffer the following diseases EXCEPT_______.

A. diabetes B. skin disease

C. cancers D. heart disease

3.What can we infer from Paragraph 5?

A. There will be fewer and fewer forests.

B. People won’t care about the environment.

C. The world’s population will grow faster than ever.

D. Raising cattle will be the most moneymaking business.

4.What is the purpose of the author in writing this passage?

A. To tell people effective ways to keep healthy.

B. To call on people to give up the Western diet.

C. To show the problems industrialized nations are facing.

D. To draw people’s attention to environmental protection.

While astronauts in space get to do many exciting things, they miss out on ordinary things that we will take for granted—being able to walk on firm ground, hanging out with family and digging into a slice of hot steaming pizza. Though not much can be done about the first two things, there may soon be a solution to the third one, thanks to this cool 3-D pizza printer.

About a year ago, NASA offered $125,000 to Anjan Contractor, a 3-D technology expert, to build a device that would allow astronauts to make pizza on demand. The mechanical engineer promised that his invention would produce pies in large quantities that looked, tasted and even smelled like pizza made in common ovens.

Late last year, the engineer presented a video of his first prototype(原型) that begins by creating a single slice of dough that is cooked and printed at the same time. Then comes the tomato sauce--a mix of tomato powder, oil and water and finally, a protein slice that resembles cheese. While the video doesn't show the baking process, the inventor says that once the pizza is printed, it can be ready to be consumed in 7 seconds.

While the pie in the video looks delicious enough to attract any pizza lover, Anjan Contractor is far from ready for astronauts. That's because he still has to find a solution to make the food container in the printer last for 30 years. Though that may sound unrealistic ,actually it is not.

Anjan Contractor believes that the only way that is possible is that the water is removed from all the ingredients and then they are reduced to the powder form. This, as you can imagine, will not be so easy. But, while the printer may not be ready for space, it certainly looks ready enough for people on earth. Hopefully, NASA and Contractor will consider selling it to those not fortunate enough to go to Mars !

1.NASA offered $125,000 to Anjan Contractor mainly to ____.

A. create some new type of 3-D printer

B. attract more companies to work for NASA

C. help astronauts in space enjoy fresh pizza one day

D. produce pizza in large quantities to earn great profits

2.The biggest challenge that Anjan Contractor is faced with now is probably that ____

A. he has no money left to go on with his research

B. the pizza doesn't seem appetizing to pizza lovers

C. he has no way to make pizza that can last for thirty years

D. he cannot make the food container last for decades

3.What's the best title of the passage?

A. NASA is trying its best to help astronauts eat better

B. Astronauts may soon be able to enjoy steaming hot pizza

C. NASA is working on making pizza for common people

D. A 3-D pizza printer has been used to make pizza

Being a good friend isn’t always easy,but taking the time to develop a lasting friendship is worth the effort.As the years pass,you will realize that each friendship you keep is priceless.1. To be a good friend and deepen a friendship,just follow these steps.

Keep your promises.

Don’t ever make a promise that you can’t keep.If you say you’ll hang out with a friend and an unexpected situation arises,explain the situation.Give your friend a gift and tell him or her you are sorry.Nobody is perfect,and it’s okay if you break a promise once in a blue moon.2.

Apologize when you’ve made a mistake.

3.Though your friend won’t be happy that you made a mistake,he or she will be very pleased that you admit it instead of just pretending that nothing is wrong.

4.

To be truly supportive,you will have to be able to watch out for your friend when he/she is having a difficult time.If you sense that your friend is getting into some trouble,help him or her away from the situation by not being afraid to speak up about it.

Give your friend some space when he or she needs it.

Part of being supportive means supporting the fact that your friend won’t always want to spend time with you.Learn to step back and give your friend space.5. Don’t be jealous (嫉妒的) if your friend has lots of other friends.

A.However,don’t make it a regular thing.

B.Help your friend deal with his or her struggles.

C.Learn to forgive your friend and move forward.

D.Of course,to have a good friend,you must be one.

E.If you want your friend to believe in you,you can’t act like you’re perfect.

F.Understand if your friend wants to be alone or to have a walk with other people.

G.Take the time to truly understand your friend when he or she is talking to you.

My father left for our native place on Thursday. In fact, he had never traveled by ______ before, so I just took this opportunity to let him ______ his first flight. ______ being asked to book a ticket by train, I got him a ticket on Jet Airways. The moment I handed over the ticket to him, he was surprised. The ______ was very apparent on his face as we waited for the time of the ______. Just like a schoolboy, he was ______ himself on that day, using the trolley (手推车) for his luggage and asking for a window seat. He was ______ enjoying himself and I, too, watching him experience all these things with ______. As he was about to go in for the security check-in, he walked up to me with tears in his eyes and ______ me. He became very ______ for what I had done meant a great deal to him. I told him there was no need to thank me.

Later, I ______ my life. As a child, how many dreams had our parents made come true? Without ______ the financial situation, we asked for dresses, toys, outings, etc. They tried to ______ all our needs. Did we ever say thanks for all they had done for us? Today ______ it comes to our children, we always think we should give them the best. But we tend to ______ that our parents have sacrificed(牺牲) a lot to see us happy, so it is our ______ to make sure their dreams are realized.

Old age is like a second childhood and just as we take care of our children, the same ______ needs to be given to our parents. I want to say sorry for making my father ______ so long for this small dream to be realized.

Just the fact that they are old does not mean that they will have to ______ everything and keep sacrificing. They have ______, too.

Take care of your parents. They are precious.

1.A. bus B. train C. ship D. air

2.A. catch B. miss C. experience D. change

3.A. In spite of B. Because of C. In case of D. Instead of

4.A. pride B. excitement C. admiration D. ambition

5.A. appointment B. dream C. travel D. show

6.A. encouraging B. warning C. teaching D. preparing

7.A. thoroughly B. slowly C. immediately D. suddenly

8.A. anger B. joy C. shyness D. curiosity

9.A. helped B. patted C. thanked D. praised

10.A. honest B. childish C. nervous D. emotional

11.A. looked for B. looked down upon C. looked into D. looked back on

12.A. understanding B. describing C. solving D. improving

13.A. avoid B. meet C. record D. check

14.A. unless B. because C. when D. though

15.A. learn B. express C. promise D. forget

16.A. ability B. responsibility C. freedom D. fortune

17.A. song B. advice C. attention D. thing

18.A. struggle B. wait C. rest D. stand

19.A. hand in B. pick up C. pay off D. give up

20.A. wishes B. jobs C. plans D. suggestions

Journey to India

DAY 1: Arrive in Delhi

Today arrive in Delhi, the national capital of India. Upon arrival at the airport, our company representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight at Delhi hotels

DAY 2: Delhi—Full-day tour(old& New Delhi tour)

Today morning have breakfast in the hotel. At 9:30, the tour guide will meet you at your hotel and later proceed for a full-day guided tour in Delhi starting with Old Delhi visiting Raj Gaht. Jama Masjid, driving past through the Red Fort. Later in New Delhi visit Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, drive past through Parliament Street and President House and visit Qutub Minar.

Overnight at Delhi hotels

DAY 3: Delhi-Jaipur via Fitehpur Sikri(240 km/5 hours)

Today morning after breakfast. drive to Jaipur, the capita] city of Rajsthan state. Jaipur is also known as “Pink City”. En route visit Fatehpur Sikri, known as Ghost. Later continue the drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Evening: free at leisure for your own activities.

Optional: visits to Chokhi Dhani Village Resort(US $25 per person)

Overnight at Jaipur hotels

DAY 4:Delhi(256 km/5 hours)

Today morning after breakfast, drive back to Delhi airport. The total distance is 256 kms and you can cover it in 5 hours. Upon arrival in Delhi, board flight to onward journey.

NOTE: Price starts with US $ 215 with ?

●Daily breakfast and soft beverages(饮料) and packaged drinking water. ?

●Elephant rides at Amber Fort. ?

●Sunset or sunrise visits to Taj MahaL ?

●All entrance fees to the monuments and train tickets.

1.On which day can you visit Qutub Minar?

A. DAY 1 B. DAY 2

C. DAY 3 D. DAY 4

2.What can we learn from the schedule?

A. The whole journey covers 496 km

B. Travelers will stay in Delhi for two nights

C. Travelers will fly to Delhi airport on DAY 4

D. Travelers will be made to buy things on DAY 3

3.During the trip, you need to pay extra for ______.

A. a sunrise visit to Taj Mahal

B. elephant riding at Amber Fort

C. visits to Chokhi Dhani Village Resort

D. breakfast and packaged drinking water

Did you know that, in 2016, over 18 million people attended classical concerts in Germany? That’s more people than those who went to main league football matches! Earlier this year, Germany continued its celebration of classical music with the opening of a new concert hall in the heart of Hamburg. Germans are incredibly proud of it and it’s the first thing I show to my friends when they come to visit.

Known as the ‘Elphi’ by the locals, the Elbphilharmonie is a beautiful tower of glittering glass sitting atop an old warehouse by the banks of the river Elbe. The plaza(露天广场)is open to the public an from the middle of the city’s tallest building, you can gaze across the harbour, miles of rooftops and passing ships below.

The main concert hall seats over 2000 people and is one of the most advanced music venues in the world. Two smaller concert halls are used for jazz, world and contemporary music. In addition, if you’re unbelievably rich, you can buy one of the 45 luxurious apartments lying within the building.

Construction began in 2007 with a budget of ?241 million and a two-year period. Fast forward ten years, the building eventually opened with a final price tag of over 800 million!

I consider myself very lucky that the Elbphilharmonie opened during my time living in Hamburg, but unfortunately I haven’t yet been able to attend a concert. Everything is sold out for six months! For now, I’m content to visit the plaza to enjoy the impressive view over the docks and see the innovative architecture up close. Hopefully one day soon, I’ll be lucky enough to grab a last-minute concert ticket!

1.What does “it” in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A. Germany B. Hamburg

C. A new concert hall D. Its celebration of classical music

2.What is Elbe?

A. A hall B. A river

C. A tower D. A warehouse

3.What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?

A. The new concert hall can hold 3000 people at least

B. The construction of the new concert hall is perfect

C. It took a longer time and more money to build the concert hall

D. The majority of audience are likely to pay for the luxurious apartments

4.What happed after the Elbphilharmonie opened?

A. I was invited to visit it

B. Few concerts have been held

C. The performance was well received

D. People find it easy to get concert tickets

On Saturday my Catalan friend invited me to come along to a Calotada. Being from the UK, I had no idea what this would need, but he promised me it was a fun Catalan(卡塔兰)tradition, and so I agreed to go. I wasn’t disappointed!

First, we took a train out to a small town near Tarragona, about an hour away from Barcelona centre. I was already amazed by how different everything looked from the city as the train rushed through small towns, all sitting on the coastline.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the sight of a small wind instrument band and about a dozen people dancing in a circle. While my friend later told me that it is a traditional Catalan dance called La Sardana, at the time I was totally confused at what I was seeing! It seemed so strange but yet so lovely that they were doing this dance completely for themselves.

Once we had been fully entertained by the dancers, we finally went inside for the Calotada and it was soon revealed to me what it actually was. We sat down at the table and a huge plate of leeks(大葱)was placed in front of us. It was explained to us that you have to peel the leeks with your fingers, dip them in a (delicious!) sauce and eat them. This sounds easier than it was.

My friend had been right in the end, it had been an extremely fun day and it felt great to get involved in a local tradition of a place I am temporarily calling home. It really inspired me to learn more about the Catalan culture, although hopefully next time it will be something less messy!

1.What made the author accept his friend’s invitation?

A. To experience a different tradition

B. To get a further knowledge of his friend

C. To free himself from the pressure of studies

D. To make a record of Catalan traditions

2.How did they go to a small town near Tarragona?

A. By taxi B. By train

C. By water D. By bike

3.What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?

A. The author was tired of eating leeks

B. They participated in the local dancers

C. The author doesn’t think the Catalan culture is perfect

D. The author had a through research on Italian traditions

4.What is the best title for the passage?

A. Traveling with a Friend Abroad B. A Special Dish Astonished Me

C. A Day’s Journey Changed Me D. Taking Part in Traditions

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