Every year, on the second Saturday in September, people celebrate World First Aid Day. It’s a day to raise awareness (意识) about how important first aid is. Technology not only makes our lives more convenient. it can also save lives. Let’s look at some technological inventions that are helping save lives.
Smart app
If someone needs first aid, even if you call an ambulance straight away, you may need to wait a while. There is often traffic on the roads. Some people in the US made an app called PulsePoint. It invites ordinary people trained in CPR (心肺复苏术) to use it. The app knows the users’ locations. If someone needs first aid nearby, a user will get a message asking them to help.
Magic gel
The gel (凝胶) called Vetigel is magic! It can stop someone bleeding in just 10 seconds, said the website Medical Device Network, The gel is made from plants. It can stick to a wound and help seal (密封) it. It was invented more than 10 years ago but was only allowed to be used on animals. Now in the US, it has been allowed to be used on humans, too. And get this: according to CGTN, the person from the US was only 17 years old when he invented it!
Flying aid
If people get injured or need help in hard-to-reach areas, drones (无人机) can be of great use. Because they can fly, drones can often offer help faster than people. And they can also make helping people safer for rescuers working in dangerous conditions. The drones can have a camera that can watch your health. They can also carry useful things, like blankets or a life vest (救生衣) to save someone from drowning (溺水).
1～2 题完成句子； 3～5题简略回答问题。1. The app called PulsePoint can know
2. Drones are very useful when people
3. When is World First Aid Day?
4. How did the magic gel stop someone bleeding?
5. Are these technological inventions important? Why or why not?
2 . 
On April 26, 2024, the Shenzhou XVIII manned spaceship’s three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu successfully entered the space station and met with the Shenzhou XVII astronauts.
The crew (乘组) will carry out more than 90 experiments (实验) in space so that they can study microgravity in space, medicine and many other science topics.
This mission is special because it is China’s first space-based study of water ecosystems (生态系统). The astronauts brought a fish tank filled with water to the space station. Four zebra fish and algae (水藻) live in it. The algae can give the fish oxygen, keeping them alive. The tank can also feed the fish, control the temperature and lighting, and collect fish eggs by itself.
Why zebra fish? Because they share 87 percent of their genes (基因) with humans. Next scientists plan to take mice to space. They’ll raise them there and then bring them back to Earth for further study. Studying animals in space can help scientists understand how the human body reacts to space conditions.
The Shenzhou XVIII crew will return after six months in space. After that, they will help achieve China’s first manned landing on the Moon.
回答下面5个问题，每题答案不超过6个词。1. When did the Shenzhou XVIII enter the space station?
2. How will the astronauts study microgravity in space?
3. What can algae do in the tank?
4. Why will the astronauts bring mice into space and raise them there?
5. What do you think of the mission of the Shenzhou XVIII crew?
ChatGPT has been popular on the Internet, quickly winning 100 million users since it came out. People can ask the robot to write stories and translate languages. People can also ask it to answer all kinds of questions.
Compared with Siri or other chatting robots, ChatGPT uses a much bigger database (数据库) for training. It also uses stronger software (软件) and hardware (硬件) to learn things by itself. For example, if it provides a wrong answer to your question, you can tell it the right one and it will correct itself. “It’s a totally different product,” computer scientist Liu Xiaoguang from Chongqing University told Chongqing Daily. “The knowledge level ChatGPT shows is similar to a college student. That’s why it surprised the world a lot.”
But one big problem with ChatGPT is that it makes mistakes or even gives wrong information. When Lisa, a 28-year-old from Australia, used the robot to write an article, “It gave information that’s not correct,” she said.
Besides, ChatGPT is a robot after all, so it can’t understand human feelings. When a person who fights with a best friend turns to ChatGPT for help, there is probably little chance that he could feel comfortable after chatting with it.
According to the science news website Futurism, 89 percent of US college students have used ChatGPT to do homework, saying the robot makes it easier for them to get the information they need. Seeing the influence on students, many schools have made some rules to stop the use of the robot. Thousands of scientific journals (期刊) have also kept writers from using ChatGPT, worrying that the false information will lead to junk science. Should we use ChatGPT or stop it in our study?
1. People can ask the robot to write stories, translate languages and2. It’s surprising that ChatGPT has the similar
3. It can’t
4. For fear of causing
5. Should we use ChatGPT in our study? Why or why not?
Many people get nervous sometimes, like when giving a speech. But social anxiety disorder (SAD) (社交焦虑症), or social phobia (社交恐惧症), is more than just shyness. It includes strong fear of certain social situations—especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which they feel they will be watched or judged by others. They may be afraid that people will think badly of them. So they try as much to avoid social situations.
Social phobia has a bad influence on their relationships, performance in school or at work, and daily life. So people with social phobia make efforts to stop it. Unluckily, they usually fail. For example, a person with a phobia of speaking in public prepares his speech again and again to make sure he does not fail. However, this only makes him pay more attention to any mistakes he makes. Even a small mistake may make him anxious (焦虑的).
PHOBIAS BY AGE AND GENDER
So here comes the question: Can social anxiety be overcome?
Of course you can ask for professional help. However, there are also other things you can do to self-manage. Below are some ideas:
Number the social activities based on how anxious you feel from 1 to 10. Number 1 means the activity gives you the least anxiety. Taking small steps means to do several activities numbered “1” every week. Just get yourself out there and be more comfortable with social situations. It is one of the best ways to beat the anxiety itself. Once you feel better, you can try other activities numbered “2”, “3” and so forth.
Record your thoughts
Write down your feelings and how you deal with them in social situations. And write down things you can improve on. Whether it’s changing your mind, doing something in a better way, or finding another choice, there are many things to do in a healthy manner. Gradually, you will find the cause and the solution.
Focus on physical health
Each body part can’t work independently. To keep your mental health, you must care for your physical health. Try to eat well, sleep well and exercise often.
| DID YOU KNOW? According to The World Health Organization (WHO), “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” |
If you find yourself a little nervous in social situations, just actively face it, you can learn to be comfortable in social situations and enjoy your life.
1. When might people with social phobia feel anxious? (One example is OK.)2. According to Chart II, which age group are most likely to experience social phobia? What could be the reason?
3. Why does the writer talk about the person who prepares for the speech?
4. What’s the subtitle (小标题) of the first advice?
5. Why should people record their thoughts?
6. What’s your understanding of health? How can you keep healthy?
China has a very long tradition of using coins and it was the first country to introduce paper money. Here, we take a look at the changes of money in China—its history, the ideas behind it, and the use of paper money.
Cowrie shells
Cowrie shells were used as money in the Shang dynasty. Cowrie shells were a kind of shells, and it can be seen in the word—Bèi, which means things of great value. Cowrie shells continued to be used in some south western areas up to the Ming dynasty.
Cash coins
It was back in the Western Zhou dynasty that China started using metal coins. Chinese provided the technology for making the coins. People used different shapes of coins, like a shell, a knife, or a round thing. Then the Qin dynasty Emperor Shihuangdi asked people to use the money in the same shape.
Silver money
The Chinese silver money was in the shape of a boat or shoe. Compared with coins,very few were produced, and they were made by hand. It appeared in the Spring-autumn Warring period and the use increased during the Song dynasty. Silver and gold were long considered of similar value in China.
Chinese Paper money
Paper money came into use in the Tang dynasty instead of the use of heavy coins or silver money. People found they didn’t have difficulty carrying and using it anymore. Marco Polo, a famous Italian traveler, wrote about the use of paper money in his book, which led to the use of paper money in Europe. Nowadays, we use Renminbi “people’s money”, which was first used in December 1948. As China became one of the world's centers of finance (金融) and trade in the early 21st century, renminbi is growing to be a kind of money used worldwide.
Money makes it possible for people to connect with the world and create a better life. No matter what kinds of money they are, behind them lies the rich culture of China.
The | ||||
| Types | Cowrie shells | Cash coins | Silver money | Chinese Paper money |
| Origin Time | In the Shang dynasty | In the Western Zhou dynasty | In the Spring-autumn Warring period | In the Tang dynasty; |
| Facts | For things | *Metal coins in different shapes *Money are in the same shape in Qin dynasty. | *Like a boat or shoe; *Made by hand; *The use increased during the Song dynasty. | *Easy to *Renminbi was first used in 1948 and is worldwide now. |
| Common sense | The idea of | |||
| Your opinions | What is your opinion on the fact that the money were in the same shape in Qin dynasty? | |||
Do you laugh (大笑) every day? Most people do. Scientists say that people laugh about 17 times a day. That is a lot of laughter.
In India, there are hundreds of laughter clubs. The people in these clubs get together every morning. First, they stretch (伸展) their hands above their heads.Then they pretend (假装) to laugh. Soon everyone is laughing naturally. People say they feel good after laughing together.
Scientists believe that laughter is good for you. Why? For one thing, laughter is good exercise. When you laugh, you exercise many muscles (肌肉) in your body. Scientists say that one hundred laughs are the same as ten minutes of running. When you laugh, you also breathe deeply (深呼吸). This helps you relax. That’s good for you, too.
Why do we laugh? This is a hard question to answer. We know that people laugh more often in a group. They don’t laugh very often when they are alone. Many scientists believe that we use laughter to connect to other people. Laughter helps us feel part of a group.
In English, people say that laughter is the best medicine. Some think that laughter help sick people get well. Do you think so, too?
1. Scientists say people laugh about2. At a laughter club, people
3. We exercise the muscles in our body and
4. The writer thinks it is
5. Do you like laughing? Why or why not?
7 . Flowers were put in front of the old headquarters (总部) of the Hangzhou Wahaha Group, China’s leading beverage (饮料) maker. They were for its leader, Zong Qinghou, who passed away on February 25 at the age of 79 this year. Among the flowers were a pair of black cotton shoes, Zong’s daily shoes, which showed his ______ lifestyle.
Before starting Wahaha, he worked on farms and set up an electric fan factory. These efforts led to his future success. At the age of 42, he started his own business. Long saw a chance in the Children’s nutrition market (营养市场). Through hard work and wise decisions, Wahaha became a bestseller and a well-known name in China. In 2002, Wahaha’s production was even bigger than that of Coca-Cola. Zong was listed as the richest person in China by Forbes as early as 2010. Despite his huge wealth, Zong led a simple life and worked from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. He slept in a bedroom sitting in the same building as his office and was known for his peaceful and soft-spoken manner. He preferred simple meals like porridge and noodles from the company canteen. “For a long time, I couldn’t even afford food and clothing. I climbed from the very bottom of the society,” Zong once said. “Whether I am the richest person or not does not cause my heart to miss a beat.”
Having become rich and famous, Zong thought it was his responsibility to make society better. Due to his own experiences of being poor, he understood and cared for those who were less lucky. In 2020, Wahaha spent 942 million yuan in building more than 1,360 apartments for its workers in the Shangcheng district (区) of Hangzhou.
Though Zong is gone now, his stories will continue to encourage the young generations.
1. Which word can be put in the “_______ ” in Paragraph 1?| A．simple | B．rich | C．busy | D．successful |
① Zong died on Feburary 25.
② Zong set up Wahah a Group.
③ Zong worked on farms and a factory.
④ Zong became the richest person in China
⑤ Zong spent money building apartments for workers.
| A．③⑤④②① | B．③⑤④①② | C．③②④⑤① | D．⑤③④①② |
| A．Zong treated others in a gentle manner. |
| B．With huge wealth, Zong changed his lifestyle. |
| C．Zong was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. |
| D．Zong will no longer be an inspiration to the young. |
In Germany, it’s quite common for children to learn an instrument. Music education is highly valued in Germany, and many schools offer music classes. There are also chances for children to join music programs or private lessons outside of school. Common instruments that children learn in Germany include the piano, violin, guitar, etc. For example, I started learning the violin when I was around 6 years old. Although learning an instrument isn’t necessary, it’s seen as a good activity for musical creativity. Now, I still enjoy the violin. Ben, 20, Germany |
Music is an important part of life in Germany. Many parents and teachers, who have played an instrument before, often encourage young people to try it out. Our national star today, Ben Alfred, developed an interest in the violin in his school’s music room when he was only 6 years old. The first time he was able to make a sound with it, he felt like he’d won a million Euro (欧元)! He stuck with the violin for 8 years and got tons of attention in the music field. ▲ Now he is playing for the school sports team in his university and has won many matches with his teammates Jack, 32, Germany, a Music &Sport Magazine Reporter |
I am so proud to be Ben’s teacher. I know how talented he was in music, but I don’t know why he is now playing football as his career (事业). I am not sure if he made a right choice. I believe it must have something to do with his family. Some parents do not take a music career seriously because they believe music plays a role of relaxation in daily life. Anyway, I don’t mind it. Ben is still a talented boy and a hero in my heart. Jessica, 46, a German International School |
1. Did Ben start to learn the violin when he was around 6?
2. Who is Jessica?
3. What happened to Ben? Complete “ ▲ ” in the second text with about 20 words.
4. Do you think Ben made a right choice? Explain.
Once upon a time, all the animals were called to an early meeting. As they gathered in the public square, one of them, the chicken, was seen by her neighbors going in the opposite direction. “Hey, Chicken! Why are you going away from the square?” they asked. “Didn’t you receive the invitation?”
“Yes, I did.” replied the chicken. “And I would of course come to the meeting. But I have some very important personal business that I must deal with. Now, please excuse me. I really must go home. Please tell everyone at the meeting how sorry I am. Tell them that although I won’t be there in body, I will certainly be there in spirit! Whatever you decide, you can count on my complete support. Bye!”
The topic the animals would discuss was what to do with the order of the lion. The lion ordered them to give him something to eat. They had a lively but surprisingly short discussion. Then they decided that they would offer the lion just one animal. All they asked in exchange was that the lion left the other animals in peace. The decision about which animal to offer was reached without any disagreement. They chose the chicken.
1. All the animals were2. The chicken didn’t attend the meeting because of some very
3. The animals discussed what to do with
4. The chicken told her neighbors
5. From the ending of the story we knew the lion would
Have you heard of any volunteer activities like planting trees, cleaning up the community and looking after the old people? But do you know what is volunteer travel? It is a new and popular volunteer activity among young people.
The main purpose of volunteer travel is to take part in service activities to help others. During the trip, volunteer travelers often provide services like teaching, cooking, animal caring.and cultural activities. The volunteers may get free or cheaper accommodation (住处), and meals because of their help.
It seems that these long journeys could only be made possible in recent years by modern transport. However, volunteer travel started in the 1960s, when Alee Dickson and his wife Mora from the UK founded Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), an international volunteer organization.
Traditionally, the volunteer activities take place in a foreign country. But so far, more volunteer trips have taken place in the volunteers’ own countries. Volunteer projects in the countryside are now attracting more visitors living in the cities.
By doing voluntary work while traveling, travelers may make a real and positive influence on the world. The services volunteers provide can reduce the costs for the communities they serve. Another advantage of volunteer travel is that it helps people living in cities experience the life in the countryside. For those who are tired of city life but can’t move to the countryside, volunteer travel can be a way. In this way, travelers have a chance to relax themselves from their busy lives.
1. What is volunteer travel?2. Why do people have volunteer travel?
3. Where do the volunteer activities take place traditionally?
4. How do the travelers make influence on the world?
5. Do travelers enjoy themselves from their busy lives?
