vb考试
vb考试
Late-night Drinking
Coffee lovers beware. Having a quick “pick-me-up” cup of coffee1 late in the day will play havoc with2 your sleep. As well as being a stimulant, caffeine interrupts the flow of melatonin, the brain hormone that sends people into a sleep.
Melatonin levels normally start to rise about two hours before bedtime. Levels then peak between 2 am and 4 am, before falling again.3"It"s the neurohormone that controls our sleep and tells our body when to sleep and when to wake，，，says Maurice Ohayon of the Stanford Sleep Epidemiology Research Center at Stanford University in California. But researchers in Israelhave found that caffeinated coffee halves the body"s levels of this sleep hormone.
Lotan Shilo and a team at the Sapir Medical Center in Tel Aviv University found that six volunteers slept less well after a cup of caffeinated coffee than after drinking the same amount of decaf. On average, subjects slept 336 minutes per night after drinking caffeinated coffee, compared with 415 minutes after decaf. They also took half an hour to drop off4一 twice as long as usual 一 and jigged around5 in bed twice as much.
In the second phase of the experiment, the researchers woke the volunteers every three hours and asked them to give a urine sample. Shilo measured concentrations of a breakdown product of melatonin. The results suggest that melatonin concentrations in caffeine drinkers were half those in decaf drinkers. In a paper accepted for publication in Sleep Medicine，the researchers suggest6 that caffeine blocks production of the enzyme that drives melatonin production.
Because it can take many hours to eliminate caffeine from the body，Ohayon recommends that coffee lovers switch to decaf after lunch.
词汇：
beware /bɪ"weə/ vi.当心；小心
stimulant/"stɪmjʊl(ə)nt/ n.兴奋剂
caffeine/"kæfiːn/ n.咖啡因
melatonin/,melə"təʊnɪn/ n.褪黑激素
hormone/"hɔːməʊn/ n.荷尔蒙,激素
neurohormone /,nʊro"hɔrmon; ,njʊro"hɔrmon/ n,神经激素
caffeinated /"kæfiəneitid/ adj.含咖啡因的;加入咖啡因的
halve /hɑːv/ vt. 二等分;减半
decaf/"diːkæf/ n.脱咖啡因咖啡
urine /"jʊərɪn; -raɪn/ n.尿
enzyme /"enzaɪm/ n. 酶
注释：
1. have a quick "pick-me-up" cup of coffee:喝一杯快速提神的咖啡。pick-me-up 意为“提神饮料”，这里用做定语。
2. play havoc with:干扰；对 造成严重破坏。例如：The noise of engines can play terrible havoc with a driver"s nerves.发动机的嘈杂声能严重扰乱驾驶员的神经。
3. Levels then peak between 2 am and 4 am, before falling again.褪黑激素的浓度在凌晨2 点和 4点之间达到最高值，然后再次下降。before在此处可以译为“然后”。
4. drop off:睡着。例如:He dropped off in the armchair.他在扶手椅上睡着了。
5. jig around:辗转反侧。jig:急动，蹦蹦跳跳。例如:Stop jigging about, Billy, and just stand still for a moment.别到处乱蹦，比利，稳稳地站一会儿。
6. suggest:在这里不作“建议”解，它的意思是“间接地表明；暗示”。例如:I’m not suggesting that the accident was your fault.我并不是说那事故是你的错。
What does the experiment mentioned in paragraph 4 prove?
A:There are more enzymes in decaf drinkers" urine sample B:There are more melatonin concentrations in caffeine drinkers" urine sample C:Decaf drinkers produce less melatonin D:Caffeine drinkers produce less sleep hormone
The Sahara
The nameSaharaderives from the Arabic word for "desert" or "steppe". At 3. 5 million square miles，an area roughly the size of the United States，the Sahara Desert in northern Africa is the largest desert in the world. lt spans the continent from theAtlantic Oceanto theRed Sea. Daytime temperatures can reach as high as 130°F. The humidity sometimes gets into the teens. But it can also be as low as 2. 5 percent，the lowest in the world. Most of the Sahara receives less than five inches of rain per year，while large areas sometimes have no rainfall at all for years.
At the heart of the Sahara is the landlocked north African country ofNiger. Here the sand dunes can be 100 feet tall and several miles long. Here sand plains stretch over an area larger thanGermanywhere there is neither water nor towns. Yet sitting in the midst of the surrounding desert is the town ofBilma. Suddenly there are pools of cIear water. Surprisingly，there are groves of date palms. Underground water resources，or oases，sufficient to support irrigated agriculture are found in dry stream beds and depressions. 1Irrigation ditches run off a creek to water fields. 2 Corn，cassava，tea，peanuts，hot peppers，and orange，lime，and grapefruit trees grow in these fields. Donkeys and goats graze on green grass. 3
The Sahara of Niger is still a region where you can see a camel caravan of 500 camels tied together in loose lines as long as a mile，traveling toward such oasis towns. There a caravan will collect life-sustaining salt，which is mined from watery basins，and transport it up to 400 miles back to settlements on the edges of the desert. The round trip across the vast sands takes one month.
词汇:
Humidity / hju:ˈmɪdəti / n. 湿度
irrigate / " lrlgelt/ v. 灌溉
stretch / stretʃ / v. 伸展
camel / "kæml / n. 骆驼
date palms n. 椰枣树
注释:
1. Underground water resources，or oases，sufficient to support irrigated agriculture are found in dry stream beds and depressions. 在干河床和洼地处可找到充足的地下水资源或者绿洲来支持灌溉农业。
2. Irrigation ditches run off a creek to water fields. 灌溉沟渠通过一条小溪到达水田中。
3. Donkeys and goats graze on green grass. 青草上放养着驴和山羊。
This passage is mostly about _______.
A:life in the Sahara B:the deserts of Africa C:Bilma D:how camels travel in the desert
The Sahara
The nameSaharaderives from the Arabic word for "desert" or "steppe". At 3. 5 million square miles，an area roughly the size of the United States，the Sahara Desert in northern Africa is the largest desert in the world. lt spans the continent from theAtlantic Oceanto theRed Sea. Daytime temperatures can reach as high as 130°F. The humidity sometimes gets into the teens. But it can also be as low as 2. 5 percent，the lowest in the world. Most of the Sahara receives less than five inches of rain per year，while large areas sometimes have no rainfall at all for years.
At the heart of the Sahara is the landlocked north African country ofNiger. Here the sand dunes can be 100 feet tall and several miles long. Here sand plains stretch over an area larger thanGermanywhere there is neither water nor towns. Yet sitting in the midst of the surrounding desert is the town ofBilma. Suddenly there are pools of cIear water. Surprisingly，there are groves of date palms. Underground water resources，or oases，sufficient to support irrigated agriculture are found in dry stream beds and depressions. 1Irrigation ditches run off a creek to water fields. 2 Corn，cassava，tea，peanuts，hot peppers，and orange，lime，and grapefruit trees grow in these fields. Donkeys and goats graze on green grass. 3
The Sahara of Niger is still a region where you can see a camel caravan of 500 camels tied together in loose lines as long as a mile，traveling toward such oasis towns. There a caravan will collect life-sustaining salt，which is mined from watery basins，and transport it up to 400 miles back to settlements on the edges of the desert. The round trip across the vast sands takes one month.
词汇:
Humidity / hju:ˈmɪdəti / n. 湿度
irrigate / " lrlgelt/ v. 灌溉
stretch / stretʃ / v. 伸展
camel / "kæml / n. 骆驼
date palms n. 椰枣树
注释:
1. Underground water resources，or oases，sufficient to support irrigated agriculture are found in dry stream beds and depressions. 在干河床和洼地处可找到充足的地下水资源或者绿洲来支持灌溉农业。
2. Irrigation ditches run off a creek to water fields. 灌溉沟渠通过一条小溪到达水田中。
3. Donkeys and goats graze on green grass. 青草上放养着驴和山羊。
In this passage caravan means _______.
A:traveling circus B:group traveling together through difficult country C:railroad train D:a small，fast sailing ship
Defending the Theory of Evolution 1 Still Seems Needed
Judith S. Weis, a biology professor who serves as 2 president of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is leading a nationwide effort to “defend，，the theory of evolution. Weis leads the effort in the face of what the institute views as opposition and indifference from school boards and government entities 3.
The Institute believes that the teaching of evolution in Americais being diminished by the teaching of creationism as well as by an overall lack of teachingDarwin"s 4 theory in high school. "There"s nothing that requires schools to teach evolution. Sometimes teachers in high schools just leave it out 5 . However, from the point of view of biologists, evolution is the central theory of biology upon which everything is based," said Weis. "Unfortunately, teaching evolution has become a political issue in many parts of the country and AIBS, as a representative of biologists, wanted to be a major force speaking out in favor of its teaching." 6
Weis said the institute is working together with the American Geological Institute and the National Association of Biology Teachers and its 80-plus member organizations 7 to address 8 the political and legislative threats to teaching evolution. In states challenging its teaching, the institute responds by sending letters to school boards and state legislatures, by providing testimony at public meetings and by notifying members and affiliated organizations. AIBS, with more than 80 member societies and 250,000 members, has established an e-mail system enabling scientists and teachers in each state, and member societies, to keep each other informed about threats to the teaching of evolution.
Darwin"s theory of evolution holds that living things change and adapt to their environment and that present-day species (including human beings) are descended from earlier species through modification by natural selection. The theory has been accepted by scientists for nearly 100 years, Weis said, and has been refined, extended and strengthened over the years by findings in paleontology and developmental biology.
Discoveries in genetics, molecular biology 9 and genomics — all of which provide significant benefits for human health — would not be possible without the underlying 10 knowledge of evolution. And, Weis adds, "modern molecular biology and genomics have increased our understanding of how evolution works." Nonetheless, evolution remains a politically, if not scientifically, controversial issue.
Weis said that this year alone, seven states have had either local or statewide efforts to water down 11 the teaching of evolution, or "balance" it with the teaching of creationism 一 a religious belief that different species were created separately by a higher power, such as God. "Rarely does anyone now use the word ‘creationism，，because that"s too obvious," Weis said. "The current terminology is ‘intelligent design.
词汇：
creationism /krii"eijenizam/ n.神仓论
legislature /"ledgisleitja/ n.立法机关
affiliated organization 附属机构
refine/n"fain/v.精炼，提纯;改进
paleontology [ˌpælɪɒn"tɒlədʒɪ] n.古生物学
genetics /dji"netiks/ n.遗传
genomics [dʒə"nəʊmɪks] n.基因学 terminology [ˌtɜ:mɪ"nɒlədʒɪ] n.术语
注释：
1.the theory of evolution:进化论
2.serve as:担任
3. Weis leads the effort in the face of what the institute views as opposition and indifference fromschool boards and govemment entities.研究所看到了来自学校董事会和政府部门的反对和冷漠，尽管如此，Weis仍然带领大家为捍卫进化论而努力。in the face of:意为“despite the opposition of”（不管，不顾）。
entity：实体。business entity:企业单位，营业单位。
4.Darwin:达尔文(1809-1882)，英国博物学家，进化论创始人。
5. leave it out:忽略，遗漏
6.speak out in favor of its teaching:为进化论教育而疾呼speak out:大胆地说，大声地说in favor of:in support of支持；赞同
7. 80-plus member organizations:80多个会员组织。plus:超过的，略大的，例如：All the children here are 10 plus.这些孩子年龄都在10岁或10岁以上。Her mark was B plus。她的分数是B+。
8.address:意为“to deal with”（处理，解决，对付）。例如：to address the issue of terrorist attack:对付__的问题
9.molecular biology:分子生物学
10. underlying:意为“basic；fundamental”（基础的；基本的）。
11. water down:冲淡，掺水，打折扣
AIBS is composed of____.
A:more than 80 societies and 250,000 members B:250.000 biologists C:80 member organizations D:more than 250,000 members and 80 member societies
The Barbie Dolls
In the mid一1940"s, the young ambitious duo Ruth and Elliot Handler, owned a company that made wooden pictures frames. It was in 1945 that Ruth and Elliot Handler joined with their close friend Harold Mattson to form a company that would be known for the most famous and successful doll ever created. This company would be named MATTEL, MATT for Mattson ,and EL for Elliot 1.
In the mid—1950"s, while visiting Switzerland, Ruth Handler purchased a German Lilli doll. Lulll was a shapely 2, pretty fashion doll first made in 1955.She was originally fashioned after a famous cartoon character in the West German Newsletter, Build.
Lilli is the doll that would inspire Ruth Handler to design the Barbie doll. With the help of her technicians and engineers at Mattel, Barbie was born. Ruth then hired Charlotte Johnson, a fashion designer, to create Barbie"s wardrobe. It was in 1958 that the patent for Barbie was obtained. This would be a fashion doll unlike any of her time. She would be long limbed ,shapely , beautiful ,and only 11.5 inches tall. Ruth and Elliot would name their new fashion doll after their own daughter, Barbie 3.
In 1959 ,the Barbie doll would make her way to the New York Toy Show and receive a cool reception from the toy buyers.
Barbie has undergone a lot of changes over the years and has managed to keep up with current trends in hairstyles, makeup and clothing. She is a reflection of the history of fashion since her introduction to the toy market.
Barbie has a universal appeal and collectors both young and old enjoy time spent and memories made with their dolls.
词汇：
duo /"dju:əu/n．一对艺人；一对
shapely /ʃeipli/adj．样子好的，形状美好的
fashion/"fæʃən/ vt．把……塑造成n．新式样，时尚
newsletter/"nju: z,letə(r)/n．时事通讯;业务通讯
makeup/"meikʌp/n．化妆；化妆品；组成；构造
appeal/ə"pi: l/n．恳求，吸引力vt．呼吁，恳求
注释：
1.This company would be named MATTEL, MATF for Mattson ,and EL for Elliot．这家公司命名为MATTEL（麦特尔）, MATT代表麦特森（Mattson), EL代表埃利奥特（Elliot)。
2.shapely：是形容词，这一点特别提请注意。She has shapely legs．她大腿的线条很美。
3.Ruth and Elliot would name their new fashion doll after their own daughter, Barbie. Ruth和Elliot以自己女儿的名字芭比为他们新型的娃娃命名。name alter：用……的名字做名字。
Who owned MATTEL?
A:Mattson. B:Elliot. C:Harold Mattson. and Elliot Handler. D:Harold Mattson, Ruth and Elliot Handler.
在Visual FoxPro中，组合框和列表框具有许多相同的属性，其中有一个Style属性，关于该属性的说法正确的是______。
A:列表框和组合框均有该属性，且含义一样 B:列表框具有该属性，而组合框不具有该属性 C:列表框不具有该属性，而组合框具有该属性 D:列表框和组合框均有该属性，但含义不一样
在Visual FoxPro中，组合框和列表框具有许多相同的属性，其中有一个Style属性，关于该属性的说法正确的是______。
A:列表框和组合框均有该属性，且含义一样 B:列表框具有该属性，而组合框不具有该属性 C:列表框不具有该属性，而组合框具有该属性 D:列表框和组合框均有该属性，但含义不一样
在Visual FoxPro中，组合框和列表框具有许多相同的属性，其中有一个Style属性，关于该属性的说法正确的是______。
A:列表框和组合框均有该属性，且含义一样 B:列表框具有该属性，而组合框不具有该属性 C:列表框不具有该属性，而组合框具有该属性 D:列表框和组合框均有该属性，但含义不一样
