【题目】 Have you ever thought that music can have an effect on animals? Dr. Fisher has put music in over 1,100 animal shelters, saying that it makes dogs and cats quiet and even cuts down on barking. Fisher asked artists around the world to share dog-and-cat friendly music. She gives it free to animal shelters.

One fan was Tina. Winter temperatures at the rural shelter for six dogs and six cats usually ran below zero and the wind blew nearly every day. To calm the animals, Tina tried the radio. Besides poor reception, the news and sports had people shouting and crying loudly. “The difference is great. ” she said. So she and her husband had to buy a second player for the cats. “When we play songs they like, they go and sit by the speakers. ” Tina said.

No one has studied the impact of Fisher’s music idea. But others have looked at how music and noise in general affected animals. A study found that animals were more likely to sleep and less likely to bark when Mozart, Beethoven and other similar music were playing, but not when heavy metal and other sounds were.

A survey of more than 500 shelters guided by Fisher validated her idea, finding barking reduced by half and animals more relaxed. It just destresses them.

Beyond the music, the shelter staff do what they can to reduce stress for the dogs, including toys, food and spending time with them. “Reducing their stress helps them show off their personalities and they can get adapted more quickly,” said Fisher. “The music also helps relax staff members and that benefits the animals too.”

1When dogs listen to dog friendly music. They will _______.

A.calm downB.get excited

C.become cleverD.never bark

2The underlined word “validated” in Paragraph 4 can be replaced by “_______.”

A.doubtedB.refused.

C.provedD.changed

3What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A.Reducing stress is of great benefit to the dog.

B.The dogs in the shelter are fond of toys.

C.It is hard for the dogs to be adapted.

D.The staff members also like classical music.

【题目】When the natural climate changes due to global warming, it can surely affect seals. The majority of them live in the Antarctic region so as the ice is melting, their natural habitat(栖息地)can be seriously affected. These changes don’t take place overnight. They can be the result of many years of additional temperatures in the area. The seals then have to find ways to adapt.

Seals depend on the cool air currents to bring plenty of food for them. When the temperatures get higher, there is less and less food and the seal population starts to get depleted. Mothers aren’t healthy enough to feed their babies. Many of them end up abandoned as the mothers have to leave to find their own source of food.

The fact that their desire to produce young can be changed by the warmer temperatures is frightening too. It is also believed that the warmer temperatures can allow different diseases and viruses to attack the seals. This is a huge concern as they can rapidly wipe out huge numbers of seals out there.

However, these changes in climate and temperature aren’t all bad for other species of seals. Scientists have found that those living in warmer climates are producing more young due to the changes. Research also shows that the females are moving further to find food and water. When they are out of the reach of the governing males, they are more willing to accept the moves of other males in the group.

This is good news too because it means that there will be more selection in the gene pool(基因库)for future generations. It can help the seals as a species adapt to changes in their natural environment more easily.

The climate change problem for seals is directly linked to humans. When we take action to change what we let out into the environment, we will make positive changes for the seals. However, it is going to take a very long time to reverse(彻底改变)the effects of what has already been done.

1What does the author regard climate changes for seals as?

A. An unavoidable disaster for existence.

B. A double-edged sword.

C. A mirror of evolution

D. A requirement for more choice in the gene pool.

2What does the underlined phrase in Paragraph 2 most probably mean?

A. Explode B. Disappear

C. Shrink D. Vary

3What will happen to the seals in warmer climates?

A. Their number will be on the increase

B. The female seals will be in the lead.

C. Their genes will change a great deal.

D. The females will keep away from the males.

4Which the following can be the best title for the text?

A. The Importance of Protecting Seals.

B. Seals’ adaptation to Climate Change.

C. How Climate Change Affects Seals.

D. Why Are Seals Becoming Less and Less.

【题目】 Body language is the “silence language” of every culture. It is important to know the body language of every country, or we may be misunderstood.

In the United States, people greet each other with a handshake in a formal introduction. The handshake must be firm. If the handshake is weak, it is a sign of weakness or unfriendliness. Friends may place a hand on the other’s arm or shoulder. Some people, usually women, greet a friend with a hug.

Space is important to Americans. When two people talk to each other, they usually stand about two or a half feet away and at an angle, so they are not facing each other directly. Americans get uncomfortable when a person stands too close. They will move back to have their space. If Americans touch another person by accident, they say “Pardon me” or “Excuse me”.

Americans like to look the other person in the eye when they are talking. If you don’t do so, it means you are bored, hiding something, or are not interested. But when you stare at someone, it is not polite.

Learning a culture’s body language is sometimes confusing. If you don’t know what to do, the safest thing to do is to smile.

1Suppose you are meeting a customer from United States, how will you greet him?

A.Greet him with a hugB.Stare at him

C.Place a hand on his armD.Shake his hand firmly

2If you stand too close to Americans, they will ________.

A.face you directlyB.move back

C.Say “Pardon me”D.stare at you

3Which of the following statements is True according to the text?

A.Americans stand side by side when talking with friends.

B.Americans show their respect by shaking hands weakly.

C.Americans say “Excuse me” to each other when talking.

D.Americans like to look the other person in the eye when talking.

4If you know nothing about a culture’s body language, you can ________.

A.listen carefully with no expressionB.hide your opinions

C.smileD.stare at others

【题目】We know that St. Patrick’s Day festivities may include a little bit of drinking. But there are plenty of kid-safe St. Patrick’s Day events around metro Phoenix, too. Here are the lucky St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for kids.

3/17: Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

Kids can make their own treats at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix this St. Patrick’s Day. Children can make and decorate their cupcakes with rainbow candies and chocolate. To-go containers will also be provided.

Details: 1-3 p.m. Friday, March 1. Children’s Museum of Phoenix, 215 N.7th Street, Phoenix. $ 3 for members. $ 4 for non-members. 602-253-0501.

3/17-19: Fountain O’ Green Artisan Market

This community festival will include sculptures, paintings, handcrafted jewelry and clothes from selected local and regional artists, live music and dance performances throughout the weekend. There will also be a food court.

On Friday, emerald-colored water will shoot from the town’s fountain at noon. Take the kids to see the annual tradition and picnic in the park.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m, Friday-Sunday, March 17-19.Avenue of the Fountains and Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills. Free. 480-488-2014.

3-17: St. Patrick’s Day Party at AZ Air Time

Kids above 12 years old can collect their free, green glow necklaces and jump for three hours, scale the rock climbing wall or dive into the giant pit of foam(泡沫橡胶). Jump socks required.

Details: 8-11p.m. Friday, March 17. AZ Air Time, 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 145, Scottsdale. $15, which is a $14 savings. 480-427-2000.

1Which telephone number can people call if they want to make and decorate cupcakes?

A. 602-253-0501. B. 602-427-2014.

C. 480-488-2014. D. 480-427-2000.

2In which program can kids enjoy their weekends?

A. St. Patrick’s Day Party at AZ Air Time.

B. Fountain O’ Green Artisan Market.

C. St. Patrick’s Day at the Irish Cultural Center.

D. Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes.

3For whom is the text intended for?

A. Parents of younger children. B. People addicted to alcohol.

C. Organisers of festivals. D. Educators and businessmen.

【题目】Directions: Read the passage carefully. Then write an English summary within 60 words in your own words according to the passage given below.

“Parents today want their kids spending time on things that can bring them success, but ironically, we’ve stopped doing one thing that’s actually been a proven predictor of success—and that’s household chores.” says Richard Rende, a developmental psychologist in Paradise Valley, Ariz., and co-author of the forthcoming book “raising Can-Do Kids”. Decades of studies show the benefits of chores--academically, emotionally and professionally.

Giving children household chores at an early age helps to build a lasting sense of mastery, responsibility and independence, according to research by Marty Rossmann, professor at the University of Minnesota. In 2002, Dr. Rossmann analyzed data from a longitudinal(纵向的) study that followed 84 children across four periods in their lives--in preschool around ages 10 and 15, and in their mid-20s. She found that young adults who began chores at ages 3 and 4 were more likely to have good relationships with family and friends and to achieve academic and early career success and to be self-sufficient, as compared with those who didn’t have chores or who started them as teens.

Chores also teach children how to be empathetic and responsive to others’ needs, notes psychologist Richard Weissbourd. In research, his team surveyed 10,000 high-school students and asked them to rank what they treasured more: achievement, happiness or caring for others. Almost 80% chose either achievement or happiness over caring for others. As he points out, however, research suggests that personal happiness comes most reliably not from high achievement but from strong relationships. “We’re outof balance,” says Dr. Weissbourd. A good way to start re-adjusting priorities, he suggests, is by learning to be kind and helpful at home.

The next time that your child asks to skip chores to do homework, resist the urge to let him or her off the hook. Being slack(懈怠的) about chores when they compete with school sends your child the message that grades and achievement are more important thancaring about others. What may seem like small messages in the moment add up to big ones over time.

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