Thirty-six volunteers in South Africa will test the safety of an African-developed vaccine (疫苗) against
HIV. The tests are the first step in human clinical trials of two vaccine candidates developed at the University
of Cape Town.
     These experimental AIDS vaccines are the first from Africa to reach testing in people. The National
Institutes of Health in the United States provided assistance. Testing with twelve people began earlier this year
in Boston, Massachusetts.
     South Africa has more than five million people infected with HIV, the largest number of any country.
     South Africa launched the tests last week as the International AIDS Society held a conference in Cape
Town. Other human trials of possible vaccines are taking place around the world. Scientists hope to get some
results later this year.
     But during last week's conference, experts reported the first decrease in international financing for AIDS
vaccine research. They said funding dropped from about 930 million dollars in 2007 to 870 million last year.
     Also at the conference, scientists presented the latest findings about new mothers infected with HIV. Two
studies showed ways in which anti-HIV drugs could permit infected women to breastfeed their new borns
with less risk of passing the virus to them. The research was done in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, South Africa
and Zambia.
     In one study, infected mothers began to take three anti-HIV drugs while breastfeeding for up to six months.
In a second study, the babies were given medicine, instead of their mothers. The babies received one drug
every day during six months of breastfeeding.
     The researchers said both methods greatly reduced the risk of HIV infection.
     Laura Guay is Vice President of research at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which
supported the research. Doctor Guay says the problem in sub-Saharan Africa is the limited availability of anti-
retroviral drugs.
     LAURA GUAY:"We know that only about 33 percent of women have access to a program that actually
has services in place to prevent mother-to-child transmission. So the first challenge is, how do we reach all
the women who do not have access to a prevention program?"

1. That South Africa is chosen as the first country in Africa to test the safety of an African-developed vaccine against HIV is probably because ____.

A. it has the largest AIDS population
B. the vaccine has been developed in South Africa
C. the United Nations will offer it assistance
D. it has enough volunteers who are AIDS carriers

2. What does Paragraph 6 mainly talk about?

A. Women infected AIDS should not breastfeed their newborns.
B. Newborns are easily got infected with HIV if their mothers got AIDS.
C. Anti-HIV drugs help mothers infected with AIDS avoid transmitting HIV to their babies.
D. Both the mother and the newborn can take the anti-HIV drugs.

3. What can we learn from this passage?

A. The vaccine will not be used in clinical trial before it is proved to be safe.
B. South Africa was the first country which began the test of the vaccines.
C. Anti-HIV drugs have less effect on babies than on their mothers who are affected AIDS.
D. Only those women from rich families have access to anti-HIV drugs.

4. According to this passage, what is the problem that the vaccine research faced with?

A. The decrease in international financing.
B. The lack of volunteers.
C. The difficulty in human clinical trials.
D. Too many AIDS patients.

     Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But in fact, a lot of guys
spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. They care just as much as girls do about their body image.
     Body image is a person's opinions and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. 1.____
You appreciate your body for its capabilities and accept its imperfections. 
     2.____ Here are some ideas:
     Recognize your strengths. Different body types are good for different things. What does your body do well?
Maybe your speed, strength, or coordination makes you better than others at a certain sport. That may be
basketball, table tennis, mountain biking, dancing, or even running. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like
drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing acting. 3.____.
     Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you look good and feel good about yourself. Good physiques (体形)
don't just happen 4.____. A healthy habit can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to 1 hour three days a week.
Working out can also lift your spirits.
     Respect your body! Practicing good habits-regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin;
wearing clean clothes, and so on-can help you build a positive body image. 
     5.____ You body is just one part of who you are. Your talent for comedy, a quick wit (智慧), and all the
other things make you unique. So try not to let small imperfections take over.

A. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you're good at.
B. Be yourself.
C. Having a positive body image means feeling satisfied with the way you look.
D. Just explore talents that you feel good about.
E. They take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy diet.
F. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.
G. So, what can you do to develop a positive body image?

     More than 2 million US teenagers have suffered a serious bout (发作) of depression in the past year,
according to a federal government survey released on Tuesday.
     On average, 8.5 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 described having had a major depressive episode
in the previous year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported.
     But there were "striking differences" by sex, with 12.7 percent of girls and 4.6 percent of boys affected. 
     Depression is the leading cause of suicide, which in turn is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24
year olds in the United States.
     "Combined 2004 to 2006 data show that rates of past year major depressive experience among youths
aged 12 to 17 generally increased with increasing age," the researchers wrote.
     Researchers at SAMHSA and RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, prepared the
report using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
     More than 67,700 youths aged 12 to 17 answered questions about mood and depression. They were also
asked to rate how depression affected them using the Sheehan Disability Scale, which measures impact on
family, friends, chores at home, work and school.
     Researchers defined a major depressive episode as two weeks or longer of depressed mood or loss of
interest or pleasure, and at least four other symptoms (症状) such as problems with sleep, energy,
concentration or self-image.
     Nearly half of the teenagers who had major depression said it severely damaged their ability to function in
at least one of the areas on the disability scale.
     "Fortunately, depression responds very well to early intervention and treatment," SAMHSA Administrator
Terry Cline said in a statement.

1. The underlined word"episode" in paragraph 2 has the similar meaning as the given word ____.

A. feeling
B. expression
C. experience
D. experiment

2. The main reasons which lead to serious depressive symptoms include ____.

A. low spirits, unhappiness, lack of sleep and poor concentration
B. poor health, sex discrimination, less energy and loss of interest
C. suicide, sadness,lack of confidence and depression
D. no family or friends or jobs or interests at all

3. What can be implied, but is not stated directly?

A. There were more girl students suffering depression than boys.
B. There were over 2 million American teens suffering depression in the past two years.
C. The students surveyed were aged between 12 and 17.
D. Depression is the third leading cause of suicide.

4. What will the following paragraph probably talk about according to the passage?

A. How to have a happy feeling.
B. How to live a comfortable life.
C. How to recover from stress.
D. How to prevent and treat depression.

     The African elephant, the largest land animal remaining on earth, is of great importance to African ecosystem
(生态系统). Unlike other animals, the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment. As a
big plant-eater, it largely shapes the- forest-and-savanna (大草原) surroundings in which it lives, therefore
setting the terms of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat.
     It is the elephant's great desire for food that makes it a disturber of the environment and an important builder
of its habitat. In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day, it kills small trees
and under-bushes, and pulls branches off big trees. This results in numerous open spaces in both deep tropical
forests and in the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas. In these open spaces are numerous plants
in various stages of growth that attract a variety of other plant-eaters.
     Take the rain forests for example. In their natural state, the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight
and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor. By pulling down trees and eating plants, elephants make
open spaces, allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor. In such situations, the forests become suitable
for large hoofed plant-eaters to move around and for small plant-eaters to get their food as well.
     What worries scientists now is that the African elephant has become an endangered species. If the elephant
disappears, scientists say, many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna, greatly
changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A. Disappearance of African elephants.
B. Forests and savannas as habitats for African elephants.
C. The effect of African elephants' search for food.
D. The eating habit of African elephants.

2. What does the underlined phrase "setting the terms" most probably mean?

A. Fixing the time.
B. Worsening the state.
C. Improving the quality.
D. Deciding the conditions.

3. What do we know about the open spaces in the passage?

A. They result from the destruction of rain forests.
B. They provide food mainly for African elephants.
C. They are home to many endangered animals.
D. They are attractive to plant-eating animals of different kinds.

     During a state of deep relaxation, several physiological changes take place in the body: the body's oxygen
consumption is reduced; the heart beat decreases; muscle tension and sweating ease, and there is decreased
sympathetic nervous system (交感神经系统) activity. This restful state not only allows the body to repair
and restore itself, but it has a calming effect on the consciousness.
     How to achieve this state of relaxation, however, is a matter of opinion, and in some medical circles, a
matter of controversy. A recent report by Dr. David Holmes of the University of Kansas in the journal
"American psychologist" said that simply sitting in an armchair has just as many beneficial characteristics for
the body as meditation (冥想) does. Researchers of other relaxation techniques disagree. These experts believe
that more structured techniques, such as meditation, lead to a condition of deep relaxation.
     The debate goes on, but one thing appears to be clear: the relaxation response can be reached by a number
of methods, and the methods themselves are not as important as getting there. One day, one method may work
best; on another day, an alternative method may be more appropriate. Once you are aware of all the methods,
you can find the one that works best on you.
     Some of the relaxation techniques are meditation, auto analysis and progressive muscle relaxation response.
More than just sitting quietly in a chair, they have the added benefit of structure and discipline, and for these
reasons appear to be more effective for most individuals.

1. According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true when a person is in a state of deep
    relaxation?

A. The body takes in less oxygen.
B. The heart beats less frequently.
C. Muscles become tense and the body sweats easily.
D. The consciousness becomes more or less calmed.

2. People seem to agree that _____.

A. sitting in an armchair benefits a person as meditation does
B. structured relaxation techniques are more beneficial for a person
C. to achieve a state of deep relaxation is possible through various means
D. what people are all struggling for is a state of deep relaxation

3. In the third paragraph, the phrase "getting there" means _____.

A. arriving at one's destination
B. getting what one wants most
C. finding out a suitable relaxation technique
D. reaching a state of deep relaxation

4. The author's attitude toward relaxation discussed in the passage is best described as _____.

A. skeptical
B. objective
C. optimistic
D. critical

                                                                  Water Safety
To Rescue a Drowning Person 　　
     Don't jump in to save a drowning person unless you are a trained lifesaver. The victim may pull you under. 　　
     Instead, try to toss (抛) a life preserver if you have one. Anything that will float can save the person's life.
A beach ball, a vacuum jug, or a picnic chest will also help. The National Safety Council points out that many
drowning could be prevented if people knew all the common objects that float well enough to help a drowning
person. 　　
     If you are in a boat, or you can find one, use the boat to try to reach the person in trouble. Turn the boat
so the victim can grab the stern. Don't stand up to help the victim. Stay seated so the boat won't overturn. Try
to balance the boat as the person climbs aboard. If the boat overturns, stay hanging on to the side for a while
to relax before trying to right it.

1. What kind of things should you throw to a person in trouble in the water? 　　

A. A belt. 　　
B. A cardboard box. 　　
C. Something that floats. 　　
D. Something large and heavy.

2. Which sentence belongs to the empty box?
   

A. Jump into water and swim to them.　　
B. Paddle the boat towards the coast.
C. Stand up and shout for help.
D. Turn rear (后部) of boat towards the person in the water.

3. The first paragraph helps the reader understand why _____. 　　

A. there are so few drowning accidents 　　
B. people are often drowned themselves when they try to save a drowning person 　　
C. so many drowning people are able to save themselves 　　
D. it is important to drink plenty of fluids before swimming

4. Where would you be most likely to find a passage like this? 　　

A. In a home medical encyclopedia (百科全书). 　　
B. In a humorous story about a couple who sail around the world. 　　
C. In a newspaper account of the National Cup sailing competition.
D. In a science text.

     If you don't have a college degree, you're at greater risk of developing memory problems or even
Alzheimer's (老年痴呆). Education plays a key role in lifelong memory performance and risk for mental
disorder, and it's well documented that those with a college degree possess a cognitive (认知的) advantage
over their less educated counterparts in middle and old age.
     Now, a large national study from Brandeis University published in the American Joumal of Geriatric
Psychiatry shows that those with less schooling can significantly make up for poorer education by frequently
engaging in mental exercises such as word games, puzzles, reading, and lectures.
     "The lifelong benefits of higher education for memory in later life are quite lmpressive, but we do not
clearly understand how and why these effects last so long," said lead author Margie Lachman, a psychologist.
She suggested that higher educatlon may encourage lifelong interest in cognitive efforts, while those with less
education may not engage as frequently in mental exercises that help keep the memory agile (敏捷地).
     But education early in adulthood does not appear to be the only route to maintain your memory. The study
found that intellectual activities undertaken regularly made a difference. "Among individuals with low education,
those who are engaged in reading, writing, attending lectures, doing word games or puzzles once a week or
more had memory scores similar to people with more education," said Lachman.
     The study, called Midlife in the United States, assessed 3343 men and women between the ages of 32 and
84 with a mean age of 56 years. Almost 40 percent of the participants had at least a 4-year college degree. The
researchers evaluated how the partlclpants performed in two cognltlve areas,Verbal menlory and eXecutive
functiorl_brain processes invol'ed in planning, abstract thinking and cognitive flexibility. Participants were given
a battery of tests, including tests of verbal fluency, word recall, and backward counting.
     As expected, those with higher education said they engaged in cognitive activities more often and also did
better on the memory tests, but some with lower education also did well, explained Lachman.
     "The findings are promising because they suggest there rnay be ways to level the playing field for those
with lower educational achievement, and protect those at.greatest risk for memory declines," said Lachman.
"Although we cannot rule out the possibility that those who have better memories are the ones who take on
more activities, the evidence is consistent with cognitive plasticity (可塑性), and suggests some degree of
personal control over cognitive functioning in adulthood by adopting an intellectually active lifestyle."

1. What is the text mainly about?

A. Higher education has a better cognitive advantage.
B. Better memories result from college degree.
C. Cognitive activity does a mind good.
D. Poor education has more risk of memory declines.

2. According to the result of Margie Lachman's study,we can conclude that _____.

A. education is responsible for the lifelong memory perfomance and risk for mental disorder
B. education early in adulthood can be the only route to maintain your mernory
C. those with higher education did better on the memory tests than those with lower education
D. an intellectually active lifestyle does help to maintain your memory

3. What do we know about the study called Midlife?

A. Participants each were given a battery to test their memory.
B. The average age of the participants are 56 years old.
C. Participants had to perform in one of the two cognltlve areas.
D. One in four of the participants had a 4-year college degree.

4. Why are the findings of the Lachman's study promising?

A. The lower educated may have the same opportunities to keep up memory.
B. We may have ways to cure the people who have memory declines.
C. Adopting a different lifestyle can control over cognitive functionlng.
D. We can find out the possibility to have better memories.

     Most of the 20th century has been a development on the Industrial Revolution taken to an extreme: people
now own more products than ever before; there are enough nuclear weapons to destroy the earth several times
over; there is hardly any forest left and pollution has got to the point where we buy water. Within a few years
I predict you will be able to buy air. (There once was a time when you didn't need to buy food or shelter either.) 
     Important developments in the last century are the breaking down of the class structures left over from the
Industrial Revolution stage, bringing with it the empowerment of the "common man": the working day is set by
law to only 8 hours a day, everyone has the vote, the media has less obvious government control, people have
landed on the moon, sent spacecrafts to Mars and so on. Families have also shrunk drastically (强烈地); the
nuclear family came about, and especially in the last half of the 20th century, one-parent families are becoming
more common. This shrinking in the size of the family shows the increased independence of people-once upon
a time people had to live in large groups to survive.
     As humans have "become the gods", they have realized their individuality and independence and taken their
control of the world to an extreme. In many countries the land is almost completely used in the production of
food and as living space and they live in small cities which are entirely human constructed, made from materials
which are also entirely human constructed (concrete, bricks) with hardly any remains of nature. Weeds are
poisoned because they are messy; even parks have trees grown in tidy lines; grass is mowed to keep it short
and so on. I think the massive drug "problem" troubling people is a result of too much of this influence, humans
needing to escape the stark world they have created by entering fantasy worlds.
     Over the last 100 years, the 20th century consciousness has spread throughout the world; most of Asia has
been thoroughly "Westernized", and most of the Third World is being overrun by Western ways of doing things
and living.

1. What' s the author most concerned about?

A. The influence of pollution.
B. Strong effects of development.
C. Changed positions of humans as gods.
D. The process of the Industrial Revolution.

2. What is the author's attitude towards the changes of the 20th century?

A. Objective.
B. Tolerant.
C. Vague.
D. Negative.

3. What does the underlined word "stark" in Paragraph 3 mean?

A. Unfair.
B. Illegal.
C. Dull.
D. Violent.

4. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Men's individuality is over controlled.
B. People have damaged nature too much.
C. Men's independence is partially limited.
D. People show concern for nuclear families.