The term “multitasking” originally referred to a computer's ability to carry out several tasks at one time. For many people, multitasking has become a way of life and even a key to success. In fact, some excellent mental aerobic exercises (大腦訓(xùn)練) involve engaging the brain in two or more challenging activities at a time. Although checking e-mail while talking on a phone and reading the newspaper may be second nature for some people, many times multitasking can make us less productive, rather than more. And studies show that too much multitasking can lead to increased stress, anxiety and memory loss.

In order to multitask, the brain uses an area known as the prefrontal cortex (前額葉腦皮層). Brain scans of volunteers performing multiple tasks together show that as they shift from task to task, this front part of the brain actually takes a moment of rest between tasks. You may have experienced a prefrontal cortex “moment of rest” yourself if you've ever dialed (撥電話) a phone number and suddenly forgotten who you called when the line is answered. What probably occurred is that between the dialing and the answering, your mind shifted to another thought or task, and then took that “moment” to come back. Research has also shown that for many volunteers, job efficiency (效率) declines while multitasking, as compared to when they perform only one task at a time.

Multitasking is easiest when at least one of the tasks is habitual, or requires little thought. Most people don' t find it difficult to eat and read the newspaper at the same time. However, when two or more attention-requiring tasks are attempted at one time, people sometimes make mistakes.

We often don't remember things as well when we're trying to manage several details at the same time. Without mental focus, we may not pay enough attention to new information coming in, so it never makes it into our memory stores. That is one of the main reasons we forget people's names—even sometimes right after they have introduced themselves. Multitasking can also affect our relationships. If someone checks their e-mail while on the phone with a friend, they may come off as absent-minded or disinterested. It can also cause that person to miss or overlook key information being passed on to them.

1. Why are some mental aerobic exercises designed to engage people in multitasking?

A. To make them more productive.                 

B. To reduce their stress and anxiety.

C. To develop their communication Skills.         

D. To help them perform daily tasks more easily.

2. According to Paragraph 2, why may a person suddenly forget who he has called?

A. He may have his prefrontal cortex temporarily damaged.    

B. He is probably interrupted by another task.

C. He is probably not very familiar with the person he has called.    

D. He may need a rest between dialing and speaking.

3. People tend to make mistakes when       .

A. they perform several challenging tasks at a time 

B. new messages are processed one after another    

C. their relationships with others are affected       

D. the tasks require little thought

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Multitasking has become a way of life.

B. Multitasking often leads to efficiency decline.

C. Multitasking exercises need to be improved.

D. Multitasking enables people to remember things better.[來源:Z#xx#k.Com]

 

You’re rushing to work and a man ahead of you collapses on the sidewalk. Do you stop to help? In a study of by-standers, it was found that some people avert their gaze and keep on  walking rather than stop and get involved.
“There is a tendency to decide that no action is needed.” says a psychologist. “The first thoughts that pop into your mind often keep you from offering help. In order to take action, you have to work against them.” Here are some common thoughts that might prevent you from helping.
● Why should I be the one? I’m probably not the most competent（有能力的） person in this crowd. You might think someone older or with more medical knowledge should offer assistance.
● What if he doesn’t really need my help? The fear of embarrassment is powerful; no one wants to risk looking foolish in front of others.
● No one else looks concerned- this must not be a problem. We can follow the people around us, but most people tend to hold back their emotions in public.
“If you spot trouble and find yourself explaining inaction, force yourself to stop and evaluate the situation instead of walking on,” says the psychologist. “Then retry to involve other people; you don’t have to take on the entire responsibility of being helpful. Sometimes it’s just a matter of turning to the person next to you and saying, ‘It looks like we should do something.’ Or asking someone if an ambulance has been called and, if not, to call for one. Once you take action, most people will follow you.”
【小題1】Which is NOT the common thought that stops you from helping others?

A．I’m not the very person capable of setting the problem.

B．It looks like we should do something.

C．It must not be a problem as no one else is concerned.

D．He doesn’t really need my help.

【小題2】According to a study of by-standers, what will some people do when a man ahead falls down on the sidewalk?

A．They will call for help and then walk away.

B．They will stop and offer help.

C．They will turn away their eyes and go on walking.

D．They will laugh at him.

【小題3】We learn from the last paragraph that if we spot trouble,           ．

A．we should call the ambulance as soon as we can.

B．we should take on the whole responsibility and do something alone.

C．we should stop and evaluate the situation and try to make other people follow.

D．we should turn to other people and ask them to take on the responsibility

【小題4】In order to offer others your timely help, you need to        ．

A．a(chǎn)sk others for help and call the police

B．get along well with the passers-by who spot the trouble

C．go directly to the police station

D．work against the first thoughts that prevent you offering help

【小題5】The main purpose of the text is to tell readers        ．

A．to give others a hand

B．to be more competent

C．not to risk looking foolish

D．to stop and evaluate the situation

Federal regulators Wednesday approved a plan to create a nationwide emergency alert (警報) system using text messages delivered to cell phones.
Text messages have exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. The wireless industry’s trade association, CTIA, estimates (估計) more than 48 billions text messages are sent each month.
The plan comes from the Warning Alter and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law that requires improvement to the nation’s emergency alter system. The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with coming up with new ways to alter the public about emergencies.
“The ability to deliver accurate and timely warning and alters through cell phone and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families before, and during, disasters and other emergencies,” FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said following approval of the plan.
Participation in the alter system by carriers — telecommunication companies — is voluntary, but it has received solid support from the wireless industry.
The program would be optional for cell phone users. They also may not be charged for receiving alters.
There would be three types of messages, according to the rules.
The first would be a national alter from the president, likely involving  a terrorists attack or natural disaster. The second would involve “approaching threats,” which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or storms or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction (綁架)emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts.
The service could be in place by 2010.
【小題1】What is the purpose of the approval plan?

A．To warn people of emergencies via message.

B．To popularize the use of cell phone.

C．To estimate the monthly number of messages.

D．To promote the wireless industry.

【小題2】 The improvement to the present system is in the charge of ______.
A. CTLA.   B. the Warning Alert and Response Network
C. FCC    D. federal regulators
【小題3】The carriers’ participation in the system is determined by _______.

A．the US federal government	B．mobile phone users
C．the carriers themselves	D．the law of the United States

【小題4】Which of the following is true of cell phone users?
They must accept the alert service. 
B. They may enjoy the alert service for free.
C. They must send the alerts to others.
D. They may choose the types of messages.
【小題5】An alert message will NOT be sent if __________.
A. a child loses his way         B. a university shooting happens
C. a natural disaster happens   D, a terrorist attack occurs
【小題6】 Which of the following would be the best title for the test?

A．Cell Phone Alerts Protecting Students

B．Cell Phone Alerts by Wireless Industry

C．Cell Phone Alerts Natural Disasters

D．Cell Phone Alerts Coming Soon

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AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ) is a medical condition caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), a virus which damages people’s natural defenses against disease. So far, no cure has been found for it.

In the early mid-1980s, while other parts of the world were beginning to deal with the serious disease, Asia remained relatively unaffected by this newly discovered health problem. By the early 1990s, however, HIV and AIDS had hit several Asian countries, and by the end of that decade, HIV was spreading rapidly in many areas of the continent. Today, HIV and AIDS are a growing problem in every region of Asia. The latest statistics produced by UNAIDS suggest that in 2008, over 5 million people were living with HIV or AIDS in Asia.

Various factors cause the spread of HIV, including poverty, inequality, unequal status of women, cultural myths about sex and high levels of migration（移民）. Although it’s useful to understand the situation of AIDS in Asia as a whole, each country in the region faces a different situation. In Cambodia and Thailand, there has been evidence of declines in HIV infection levels. In Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam, meanwhile, the number of people living with HIV has rapidly increased. In China, the number of people newly infected with HIV and AIDS is also rising although at a much slower pace.

Much improvement is needed to prevent HIV and AIDS around Asia. New guidelines and policy documents have been continually issued over the years. Most of the successful programs do have at least three features in common. Firstly, these programs encourage HIV and AIDS education among the general population to teach people how to avoid infection and to face discrimination. Secondly, they are every practical and they involve the infected people themselves in program design and implementation（實施）. Last but not least, strong leadership is essential for HIV prevention. If all of the leaders truly committed themselves to this cause, them a great many lives would be saved.

Overview of HIV and AIDS in Asia
The (1.)       of AIDS	HIV, a virus(2.)        the body’s immune system.
The past situation	◇In the early mid-1980s, with other parts of the world troubled with the serious disease, Asia remained(3.)        unaffected by this newly discovered health problem. ◇In the early 1990s, HIV and AIDS(4.)      only several Asian countries, but HIV was spreading rapidly in the next 10 years in Asia.
The （5.)       situation	◇AIDS/HIV is a growing problem in every region, over 5 millions people living (6.)     HIV or AIDS. ◇Asian courtiers are facing(7.)       situations today.
The improvement to prevent HIV and AIDS including three (8.)          most of the successful programs have in common	◇(9.)        people to be educated about how to avoid infection and face discrimination. ◇being practical and getting the infected people. (10.)         in the program design and implementation. ◇Leaders’ taking an active part in the cause.

 

 

Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people around the world. American researchers say the disease will affect more than one hundred million people worldwide by the year twenty fifty. That would be four times the current number. Researchers and doctors have been studying Alzheimer's patients for a century. Yet the cause and cure for the mental sickness are still unknown. However, some researchers have made important steps towards understanding it.

Several early signs of the disease involve memory and thought processes. At first, patients have trouble remembering little things. Later, they have trouble remembering more important things, such as the names of their children.

There are also some physical tests that might show who is at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The tests look for proteins in brain and spinal cord fluid. The proteins appear to be found only in people with the disease. The protein tests correctly identify the presence of the disease in about ninety percent of patients.

Now, a much simpler physical test to predict Alzheimer's risk has been developed. Researchers found that trouble with the sense of smell can be one of the first signs of Alzheimer's. Using this information, they developed a test in which people were asked to identify twelve familiar smells. These smells included cinnamon, black pepper, chocolate, paint thinner, and smoke.

The study continued for five years. During this period, the same people were asked to take several tests measuring their memory and thought abilities. Fifty percent of those who could not identify at least four of the smells in the first test had trouble with their memory and thinking in the next five years.

Another study has shown a possible way to reduce a person's chances of developing Alzheimer's disease in old age. Researchers in Chicago found that people who use their brains more often are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Those who read a newspaper, or play chess or word games are about three times less likely to develop the condition.

Researchers say they still do not know what causes Alzheimer's disease. But they say these findings might help prevent the disease in the future.

41. What’s the main idea of the passage?

  A. Some early signs of the Alzheimer's disease.

  B. Some physical tests about Alzheimer's disease.

  C. The research about Alzheimer's disease.

  D. The patients of Alzheimer's disease.

42. What’s the current number of Alzheimer’s patients?

   A. 100 million   B. 25 million   C. 400 million   D. 2050 million

43. What is not the early signs of the Alzheimer's disease according to the passage?

   A. Poor memory                     B. Proteins exist in the brain.

   C. Trouble with the sense of smell.      D. Less use of the brain.

44. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 1 refer to?

   A. Alzheimer's disease.   B. Alzheimer's patients.  C. The cause and cure.  D. The research.

45. According to the passage, we can learn that _______.

   A. there are no proteins in the brains of the people with no Alzheimer's disease

   B. the people who often use their brains will not get Alzheimer's disease

   C. researchers and doctors have found ways to cure Alzheimer's disease

   D. the people who have the trouble with the sense of smell will certainly suffer from Alzheimer's disease