Empathy lets us feel another person's pain and drives us to help. Do any other animals feel empathy? Scientists recently found that rats do, too. Most people don't like rats. In many people's eyes, rats are only bad. But Jean Decety and his partners at the University of Chicago did an experiment. It showed that rats are kind, warm-hearted animals. They can feel each other's pain. Scientists placed pairs of rats in plastic cages for two weeks. During this time they got to know each other. Then they put one of the rats from each pair into a small container in the cages. The small container had a door. It was so designed as to fall to the side when the free rat touched it. Many of the trapped rats squeaked to show their discomfort. The other rats of the pairs could see their suffering friends clearly. In most pairs, the free rats would become very worried about their friends. They kept trying to save their friends again and again throughout the month. Scientists put the rats' favorite chocolate in the cages, but the rats didn't eat it until they had saved their friends successfully. Scientists also found that female rats seemed to act more empathetic than male rats. "The results are the first to show that rats take action in response to another's trouble," Decety said. "Monkeys and chimpanzees have similar behavior. But unlike those animals, rats can be ready used in laboratory studies. They will help us to learn which parts of the brain lead to empathy and helping behavior and whether empathy is natural." A person with empathy is often _ . A) kind-hearted B) clever C) active D) strong
A
(Question)
My six--year-old granddaughter, Caitlynd.and I stopped at m Tim Horton's shop for a blueberry cake.As we were going out the door, a young teenage boy was coming in. This young man had no hair on the sides of his head and a set of blue spiked hair on top of it.One of his nostrils was pierced,and a ring ran through the hole and a chain went across his face and was attached to a ring he was wearing in his ear.He held a skateboard under one arm and a basketball under the other. Caitlynd,who was walking ahead of me,stopped at once when she saw the teenager.I thought he'd scared her and she'd frozen on the spot. I was wrong. My granddaughter backed up against the door and opened it as wide as it would go.Now I was face to face with the young man.I stepped aside and let him pass.His gracious response was a polite "Thank you very much". On our way to the car, I praised Caitlynd for her manners in holding open the door for the young man.She didn't seem to be troubled by his appearance but I wanted to make sure.If a grandmother talked about freedom of self expression and allowing people their differences was suitable,I wanted to be ready. _ . The only thing Caitlynd noticed about the teenager, was the fact that his arms were full."He would have a hard time in opening the door.'' I saw the partially shaved head,the set of spiked hair, the piercings and the chain.She saw a person carrying something under each arm and heading toward a door. In the future,I hope to get down on her level and raise my sights. What did the author think of the young man? A) Polite. B) Uncommon. C) Frightening. D) Funny.
(Answer)
C
Ques: The miracle bridge The Brooklyn Bridge that crosses the river between Manhattan and Brooklyn is simply an engineering miracle. In 1883, a creative engineer, John Roebling, was inspired by an idea for this spectacular bridge project. However, bridge-building experts told him to forget it. It just was not possible. Roebling convinced (persuade sb. to do sth. ) his son, Washington, an up-and-coming engineer, that the bridge could be built. The two of them formed an idea of how it could be finished successfully and how to overcome the difficulties. Somehow, they persuaded bankers to provide money for the project. Then, with great excitement and energy, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge. The project was only a few months _ when a tragic on-site accident killed John Roebling and severely injured his son. Washington was severely brain-damaged, unable to talk or walk. Everyone thought the project would have to be thrown away, since the Roeblings were the only ones who understood how the bridge could be built. Though Washington Roebling was unable to move or talk, his mind was as sharp as ever. One day as he lay in his hospital bed, an idea flashed in his mind as to how to develop a communication code. All he could move was one finger, so he touched the arm of his wife with that finger. He tapped out the code to communicate to her what she was to tell the engineers who continued building the bridge. For 13 years, Washington tapped out his instructions with one finger until the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge was finally completed. This spectacular bridge project _ in 1883. A) was designed well by a certain engineer B) was going on C) was a dream of an idea that was workable D) was argued heatedly by the bridge-building experts
Ans: C
Ques: Fish contains lost of omega-3 fatty acids.These fatty acids have been shown to help prevent heart disease,lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of strokes.Researchers suggest that these benefits of eating fish far outweigh the risks of getting sick from contaminated fish. Ongoing studies find that omega-3 fatty acids work magic on the brain too.Pregnant? Go out and eat fish! One study tracked a group of expectant women who ate more than 340 grams of fish per week.It turns out they gave birth to children who,years later,scored really high on IQ tests. How can you add fish to your diet? One way to begin is by replacing meat with fish in one meal a week.Instead of frying,which retains more fat,try boiling your fish in an oven or grilling it outdoors.And don't be afraid to spice up your fish.Garlic,herbs other spices can add wonderful flavors to fish. For lighter meals,keep a few cans of tuna or other fish on hand at all times.They're great for making tasty sandwiches or fish burgers.If you get hungry in the middle of the morning or afternoon,try tuna on crackers.It's hard to find a better snack.And parents,be sure to introduce fish to your children.It's important for them to get used to eating it at a young age. According to the author,when is a good time to have tuna on crackers? A) At lunchtime. B) During a party. C) Between meals. D) After midnight.
Ans:
C