Unit 1 Festivals around the world閱讀理解組塊專練練速度(限時：30分鐘).閱讀理解A(2019·杭州模擬)Experts believe that the best time to teach kids language skills is when they are babies.Most time the task is easily accomplished with parents reading or talking to their babies.However, in some cases that is not possible due to busy work schedules or when kids are born deaf.Now, an adorable blue­eyed robot, a human avatar, and some high­tech neuroscience may be able to assist parents with this important developmental task.The Robot AVatar thermal­Enhanced system, or RAVE, is the brainchild of a team of researchers led by Laura­Ann Petitto, an educational neuroscientist, at Washington, DC.'s Gallaudet University.The learning process begins when the robot's camera, which is focused on the baby's face, detects tiny changes in his/her body temperature.This, combined with the baby's facial expression, causes the robot to turn its head and guide the baby's attention to a computer screen, on which a human avatar starts to communicate with the baby, much like a parent would.For example, if the baby points towards the screen, the avatar might respond, “Are you pointing to me？” and follow that up with a nursery rhyme, fairy tale, or some essential social communication, all in American Sign Language (ASL)The “conversation” continues until the kid loses interest.The researchers, who have been testing the system for three years, found that babies as young as 6 to 8 months old began to move their hands in a rhythm similar to ASL after interacting with RAVE for just a few minutes.Petitto says natural language, whether communicated through speech or sign, activates the same parts of the brain and believes the rhythmic motions prove the babies are learning the essential elements of communication.What sets this technique apart from other methods, such as showing educational videos or television shows, is its interactive nature and real­time response to the baby's actions.The researchers say that while it is too early to determine the system's long­term influence on baby communication, the initial response has been very encouraging.Next, they plan to introduce an avatar that can both sign and speak to babies.語篇解讀：本文是一篇科普說明文。文章主要介紹了一種可以幫助父母教嬰兒學習語言的系統(tǒng)，以及該系統(tǒng)的工作原理、效果評價和研究人員對這種技術的前景展望。1What can the RAVE system help parents do?AImprove babies' health condition.BTake good care of babies.CDevelop babies' language skills.DKeep babies company.解析：選C細節(jié)理解題。根據第一段第一句可知，專家認為教孩子語言技能的最佳時間是孩子的嬰兒時期；結合第一段最后一句以及第二段第一句可知， RAVE系統(tǒng)可以幫助父母完成教嬰兒學習語言的任務，故C項正確。2What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about?AHow babies learn ASL effectively.BHow parents educate their babies.CHow robots talk and read to babies.DHow the RAVE system works.解析：選D段落大意題。根據第二段第二、第三句“The learning process .much like a parent would.”可知，機器人的攝像頭可以檢測到嬰兒細微的體溫變化并與嬰兒的面部表情相結合，使機器人轉動頭部，引導嬰兒注意電腦屏幕，在電腦屏幕上，一個人類的形象開始與嬰兒交流，就像父母一樣；結合全段內容可知，該段主要介紹了RAVE系統(tǒng)的工作原理，故D項正確。3What indicates babies are learning with the help of the RAVE system?AInterest in videos and TV shows.BChanges in their body temperature.CImprovement in their natural language.DHand movements in a rhythm like ASL.解析：選D細節(jié)理解題。根據第三段中的“babies as young .a few minutes”可知，在和這種系統(tǒng)交流互動之后，嬰兒就會開始以類似于ASL的節(jié)奏晃動他們的手，故D項正確。4What do the researchers think of the RAVE system?APromising.BImpractical.CSatisfactory.DDisappointing.解析：選A觀點態(tài)度題。根據最后一段中的第二、第三句“The researchers say .can both sign and speak to babies.”可知，盡管對這種系統(tǒng)培養(yǎng)嬰兒交流技能的長期影響進行評價為時過早，但是其初期的表現令人鼓舞。研究人員將在下一步推出可以用手語和口語與嬰兒交流的形象。據此可知，研究人員對這種系統(tǒng)的發(fā)展是充滿著希望的，A項意為“有前途的，有希望的”，符合語境，故A項正確。BFollowing the crowd may not always be in a person's best interest.But new research suggests that teens who get along with their friends may end up healthier as adults.Scientists have known that close friendships help boost health.That's true for both teens and adults.The finding inspired Joseph Allen, a psychologist at the University of Virginia, and his team to study whether experiences during teen years would influence adult health.So they followed 171 teens, starting when the kids were just 13.They interviewed each one every year for five years, and also spoke to these teens' closest friends, who provided additional information about the quality of their friendships.The same 171 people were interviewed again at ages 25, 26 and 27.This time, the questions surveyed each person's overall health.When the researchers analyzed the data, they found a strong connection between a teen's behavior and adult health.Teens who had close friends grew up to be the healthier adults.Whether teens held back their feelings or expressed them to close friends also influenced later health.Those who held back their feelings were more likely to be sick as adults.The connection held up even after the scientists accounted for other possible influences on health.Weight, family income and drug use were all examined.So were mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.And in these people, such other factors did not explain adult health as well as teen friendships did.Getting along with the crowd may have benefits, says Allen, but there are also drawbacks.Teens who are more independent tend to do better at school and work.And peer pressure may lead some kids to engage in risky behavior, such as smoking, drinking or using drugs.Dealing with it is an ongoing challenge, Allen acknowledges.“Finding the right balance is the key.Teens shouldn't lose heart for not finding this easy.” And, he adds, “Parents need to be understanding about the pressures teens face.”語篇解讀：研究表明，與朋友較少或者沒有朋友的青少年相比，有朋友的青少年在長大后更健康。當然，與朋友相處也有壞處。5Where can you probably read this passage?AScience fiction.BHealth column.CFashion magazine.DEntertainment newspaper.解析：選B文章出處題。通讀全文可知，本文主要介紹青少年時的友誼對青少年成年后健康的影響。據此可知，本文屬于健康知識類文章，故可判斷，本文可能選自“健康專欄”，故B項正確。6We can learn from Allen's study that _.Amany other factors have a greater influence on adult health than teen friendshipsBmental health issues have nothing to do with adult healthCthe same 171 teens were interviewed each year from 13 to 27Dthe teens who couldn't express themselves grew up to be unhealthier解析：選D細節(jié)理解題。根據第三段中的“Whether teens held back .sick as adults.”可知，青少年是否向他們的好朋友表達情感也會影響到其成年后的健康，那些壓抑情感的青少年成年后很可能不健康。故D項正確。7What can be inferred from the passage?AThere is nothing bad for teens to follow the crowd.BClose friendships are the most important for people's health.CTeen friendships may help teens become healthier adults.DAdult health is only influenced by teen friendships.解析：選C推理判斷題。根據文章第一段第二句“But new research suggests that teens who get along with their friends may end up healthier as adults.”可知，與朋友相處的青少年在成年后會更加健康。C項意為“青少年時期的友誼會幫助青少年成為更加健康的成年人”，符合文章意思，故C項正確。CThe old Chinese saying “as happy as spending the New Year” might be outdated now in the busy modern world. The Spring Festival is regarded as the most important festival for Chinese people and an occasion for all family members to get together, like Christmas in the West. But many traditional customs accompanying the Spring Festival, however, have weakened in practice.Setting off fireworks was once the most typical custom of the Spring Festival. People thought the sputtering (爆裂) sound could help drive away evil spirits. However, the activity has been completely or partially forbidden in big cities for years as the government has taken security, noise and pollution factors into consideration.“In recent years, some cities have begun to allow people to light fireworks during limited hours at the Spring Festival, surrendering to (屈從于) public demand. Respecting folk traditions is a gesture of respect toward public opinion，” said Zhou Xing, a folklore researcher.“As people gain more income and it becomes easier to buy daily goods, the New Year holiday is just like any other. After long workdays, many people use the New Year holiday to take a rest, rather than visiting friends and neighbors. The process of making and enjoying the family dinner on Spring Festival Eve is the most important thing. However, many families would like to eat out to save time and energy，” said Li Shunzhi, a resident of Harbin, Heilongjiang.“I enjoy the holidays very much in the countryside. My family has been preparing for the Spring Festival more than two weeks before the holiday, cleaning the house, buying holiday goods and decorating the house with paper­cuttings. On New Year's Eve, the whole family stays up to see the New Year in, and in the days to follow, a series of activities such as lion dancing, dragon lantern dancing, lantern festivals and temple fairs will be held. Without the ancient traditions, the holiday is nothing to us，” said Zhang Hui, from Hebei.語篇解讀：本文主要介紹了中國春節(jié)的一些傳統(tǒng)習俗在逐漸消失的現象以及人們對此現象的不同觀點。8What Li Shunzhi said implies _.Awhat people do during the festival now is different from the pastBpeople would like to have the family dinner on Spring Festival EveCpeople prefer to visit friends and neighbors rather than take a restDthe New Year holiday is just like any other day解析：選A細節(jié)理解題。根據第四段的整體內容可推知，哈爾濱的一位居民所說的這段話是在感慨今昔過年的差異，故選A。9What can we learn from the last paragraph?AZhang Hui often spends two weeks preparing for the Spring Festival.BZhang Hui is used to spending the Spring Festival with his family.CZhang Hui always takes part in a series of activities after the Spring Festival.DZhang Hui lives in the urban area.解析：選B推理判斷題。根據最后一段的“My family has been preparing for .”和“On New Year's Eve, the whole family stays up to see .”以及本段的整體內容可推知，張惠習慣和家人一起過春節(jié)，故選B。10What does the whole passage show?AThe Spring Festival is as lively as before.BThe Spring Festival is outdated now.CThe Spring Festival is losing its qualities.DThe Spring Festival in China is more important than Christmas in the West.解析：選C推理判斷題。根據第一段的最后一句“But many traditional customs accompanying the Spring Festival, however, have weakened in practice.”， 并結合全文的整體內容可推知，本文主要講述了中國春節(jié)的一些傳統(tǒng)習俗在逐漸消失這一現象，故選C。.閱讀七選五How to Lose the Weight QuicklyYou know the drill when it comes to losing weight: take in fewer calories and burn more calories._1_ If you're trying to drop a few pounds fast, these interesting tips will make it easy for you to lose the weight quickly.Eat in front of mirrors and you'll lose weightOne study finds that eating in front of mirrors reduces the amount people eat by nearly one­third.Having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals._2_Sniff a banana or an apple when you feel hungry_3_ Researchers find that the more frequently people sniff, the less hungry they are and the more weight they lose an average of 30 pounds each.One theory is that sniffing the food tricks the brain into thinking you're actually eating it._4_Whether that's a floor, a couple of windows, or your car, a 150­pound person will burn about four calories for every minute spent cleaning.Scrub for 30 minutes and you could work off approximately 120 calories, the same number in a half­cup of frozen yogurt.Stare at the color blueThere's a good reason you won't see many fast­food restaurants decorated in blue: it helps to control an appetite.So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth._5_ Studies find they encourage eating.AYou might feel silly, but it works.BTherefore, adjust your eating habits.CWash something thoroughly once a week.DThat's all it takes to lose as many pounds as possible.EOn the contrary, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas.FIn other words, it reminds you of why you're trying to lose weight in the first place.GBut you also know that most diets and quick weight­loss plans don't work as promised.1選G根據上文的“You know”及下文的“If you're trying to drop a few pounds fast, these interesting tips will make it easy for you to lose the weight quickly.”可推知，G項“但是，你也知道大部分的節(jié)食和快速減肥計劃并不像承諾的那樣有效”符合語境，所以選G項。2選F根據上文的“Having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals.”可推知，F項中的“why you're trying to lose weight”與上文的“goals”相對應，所以選F項。3選A根據下文的“Researchers find that the more frequently people sniff . an average of 30 pounds each.”并結合本段小標題“Sniff a banana or an apple when you feel hungry”可推知，A項“你可能覺得(這種行為)可笑，但是它卻有效”符合語境，所以選A項。4選C空處為本段的小標題，根據本段內容可知，本段主要講述了清洗一些東西可以消耗大量的卡路里，從而有助于減肥，所以選C項作本段的小標題。5選E根據空后一句“Studies find they encourage eating.”并結合本段的小標題“Stare at the color blue”可推知，此處表示與藍色相比，其他的顏色對食欲的影響，所以選E項。8