Deep Sea: To Mine Or Not To Mine
A robot as large as a truck moves along the bottom of the deep sea. It eats metallic (含金属的) rock and soft mud. They travel up a long pipe to a ship, where workers and machinery separate out the rock and throw the mud back into the ocean. This is a mining operation. The rock contains a mixture of metals, including ones called rare earth metals. People use these materials to make batteries and electronics like computers and phones.
Deep-sea mining hasn’t happened yet. But it probably will occur within the next decade. No country owns any part of the deep sea, so a UN organization called the International Seabed Authority (ISA) decides who is allowed to mine there. It has allowed 29 organizations to explore the deep sea and make plans for mining, one of which plans to begin mining in the year 2027.
Scientists and environmentalists, though, warn that mining could destroy deep-sea ecosystem. In 1989, ecologist Hjalmar Thiel carried out a test. His team searched the seafloor of the Pacific Ocean, in a spot with lots of the metallic rocks that miners wanted. They didn’t actually collect any of the rocks. But they disturbed the mud, just as a mining operation would. The cloud of mud fell back down over the ocean floor burying creatures living there. Up to now, the area they disturbed has not recovered. Signs of the search are still there. Deep sea creatures like sponges and corals have not moved back in. That means mining could have harmful, long-lasting consequences for deep ocean life. Scientists want to understand the deep sea better before disturbing it.
Leaving the deep sea alone sounds great, but people need those metals. “Mines on land are soon going to run out,” geologist Steven Scolt of the University of Toronto told Smithsonian Magazine. “Every electronic device in the world has rare earth metals in it... we need raw resources.” New energy technologies including solar and wind power and electric cars rely on these metals as well. We may need to mine them from the sea in order to switch to greener energy sources.
1. According to the passage, why do people want to carry out deep sea mining?| A．To test the mining robot. | B．To collect rare earth metals. |
| C．To separate the rock from mud. | D．To understand the deep sea better. |
| A．They gathered some metallic rocks the miners wanted. |
| B．They helped the recovery of the disturbed mining areas. |
| C．They discovered the deep-sea mining affected the ocean ecology. |
| D．They found the rare metallic rocks were harmful to sea creatures. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Neutral. | C．Supportive. | D．Disapproving. |
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【推荐1】People have many different ways to relax during break time at work or school. Smartphones are probably the number one choice for a quick mental vacation. Although it might seem like a good time, the result is opposite, according to a recent psychological study from Rutgers University.
For the study, more than 400 students were asked to finish a set of 20 words puzzles. Halfway through the task, the students were divided into three groups. One group was allowed to take a break and use cellphones to buy things online. The second group was asked to have a rest and buy things using a computer. The last group didn’t take any break at all.
Surprisingly, the group that used their cellphones during the break went back to work feeling the most tired and least motivated to continue. They also had the hardest time solving the remaining word puzzles.
Terri Kurtzberg, co-author of the study, explained that they assumed looking at cellphones during a break would be no different from any other break — but instead, the phone may cause increasing levels of distraction that make it difficult to return focused attention to work tasks.
“Cellphones may have this effect because even just seeing your phone activates thoughts of checking messages, connecting with people, and more, in ways that are different from how we use other screens like computers, and laptops,” Kurtzberg said.
This is echoed by a recent study from the US University of Chicago. It found that even if cellphones are turned off or turned face down their mere presence has a bad effect on a person’s cognitive (认知的) function.
1. What can we learn from the study?| A．The students were divided into groups at the beginning. |
| B．The last group had the hardest time solving the word puzzles. |
| C．Computers and laptops cause more distraction. |
| D．Cellphones may make people less focused on work. |
| A．Identified. | B．Confirmed. | C．Defined. | D．Ensured. |
| A．Try putting your smartphone away during your next break. |
| B．Using computers to shop online rather than cellphones. |
| C．Stop checking messages and connecting with people by cellphone. |
| D．Turning off your cellphone during work time. |
| A．Ways to relax for students. |
| B．The result from a word-puzzle game. |
| C．A study on using smart-phones to relax. |
| D．Effects brought by the smart-phone. |
【推荐2】Knowing which of these statements have been proved by SCIENCE — and which are MYTHS(谬论) — could improve your health. Here are some health facts your doctor wants you to know.
Not all heart attacks have a symptom(症状) of chest pain.
Truth! A 2012 study of more than 1.1 million heart attack patients found that 31 percent of men and 42 percent of women didn’t have any chest pain before being hospitalized. Call 911 for other symptoms, too, including shortness of breath, light – headedness, and pain elsewhere in the upper body.
You do not need eight glasses of water every day.
Truth! There is not any scientific evidence that eight is the magic number. You might need more or less than that, depending on factors(因素) such as climate and body size. To make sure you are getting enough, just drink water throughout the day.
You need less sleep as you get older.
Myth! Older adults often sleep less as a result of serious conditions that are more common with age as well as the drugs used to treat them. But that doesn’t mean they require less sleep. While sleep needs vary from person to person, most adults should get at least seven hours of sleep for health.
Reading in dim(昏暗的) light will harm your eyes.
Myth! It might tire your eyes in the short term, but there’s no evidence that it will do any lasting damage. When reading, position light to shine directly on the page rather than from over your shoulder to reduce unpleasant bright light.
1. Which of the following has been proved to be true?| A．You are in need of much less sleep as you get older. |
| B．Reading in dim light does lasting damage to your eyes. |
| C．Some heart attacks don’t have a symptom of chest pain. |
| D．You must get more than eight glasses of water every day. |
| A．Heart attacks. | B．Weak eyes. |
| C．Less sleep. | D．Shortness of breath. |
| A．To inform. | B．To entertain. |
| C．To advertise. | D．To praise. |
【推荐3】Animals in Antarctica
There are no land animals that actually live in Antarctica! However, the surrounding ocean is rich in living creatures! It’s just too cold to support very many life forms! Now let’s meet some of the Antarctica’s animals.
Weddell Seal
They are the southern most pinniped (鳍足类的) in the world. Males are generally smaller than females. Interestingly, newborn pups have a coat of long hair, which they will shed (脱落) within the first month as the protective layer of their body is developed.
Blue Whale
Named for its blue-gray color, this huge animal may grow to be roughly 100 feet long and weigh more than 120 tons! A blue whale eats about 4 tons of krill (磷虾) per day during the feeding season! This means that about 40 million krill are eaten every day for six months by a blue whale! The tongue of the blue whale can be as big as a Volkswagen! The blue whale is the loudest animal on earth!
Rockhopper Penguin
One of the most beautiful penguins, the rockhopper shake their heads and cause their yellow eyebrows to fly into a “halo” in order to attract a mate!
Wandering Albatross
This species of albatross wanders the ocean for months at a time searching for food. It sleeps on the ocean surface at night and drinks sea water. The wandering albatross is the largest bird in the world in terms of the wing span — 11 feet!
Ross Seal
Ross seals are very rarely seen because they live deep within the pack ice. It is believed that Ross seals feed mainly on squid, fish and krill. They were named after the British polar explorer Sir James Ross, who first discovered them in 1840.
Emperor Penguin
Emperor penguins are the biggest of the 18 penguin species. They are flightless birds. They are the only living species to reproduce during the harsh Antarctic winter. Without a nest, the father emperor penguin keeps the egg warm by holding it on his feet for 2-3 months until spring, during which the father doesn’t eat anything and he just eats a little snow for moisture. Unbelievable! What a Dad!
1. We know from the 5th paragraph that the wandering albatross ________.| A．never touches the land |
| B．is a good swimmer and flyer |
| C．drinks fresh water |
| D．sleeps on boats |
| A．there are 19 penguin species on earth |
| B．emperor penguins spend most of their time on land where they find food |
| C．penguins are birds with no wings |
| D．the mother emperor penguin lays one egg during the winter |
| A．a male Weddell seal is larger than a female |
| B．rockhopper penguins are the most beautiful penguins |
| C．it is hard to see a Ross seal |
| D．a blue whale eats about 4 tons of krill every day |
【推荐1】There was great excitement on the planet of Venus this week. For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs. The satellite was directed into an area known as Manhattan. Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals, Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information about the feasibility of a manned flying saucer landing on Earth. A press conference was held at the Venus Institute of Technology. "We have come to the conclusion, based on last weeks satellite landing, "Prof. Zog said, that there is no life on Earth.”
“How do you know this? "the science reporter of the Venus Evening News asked "For one thing, Earth s surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and nothing can grow there. For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive. “Are there any other sources of danger that you have discovered in your studies?
“Take a look at this photo. You see this dark black cloud staying over the surface of Earth? We don' t know what it is made of, but it could give us a lot of trouble and we shall have to make further tests before we send a Venus Being there.”
“Over here you will notice what seems to be a river, but the satellite findings indicate it is polluted and the water is unfit to drink.”
“Sir, what are all those tiny black spots on the photographs?
We’re not certain. They seem to be metal particles that move along certain paths. They give gases, make noise and keep crashing into each other.
“Prof. Zog, why are we spending billions and billions of Zilches to land a flying saucer on Earth when there is no life there ?"
“Because if we Venusians can learn to breathe in the Earth atmosphere, then we can live anywhere.”
1. What does the underlined word feasibility in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Possibility. | B．Flexibility. | C．Simplicity. | D．Responsibility |
| A．Serious | B．Aggressive | C．Humorous | D．Frustrating |
| A．Over population. | B．Global warming. | C．Damaged forests. | D．Heavy traffic |
| A．To tell us a dream of Venusian scientists | B．To disclose the secret of life on other planets. |
| C．To persuade people to try living on the earth | D．To remind people on the earth of some crises. |
【推荐2】From prehistoric (史前的) cave paintings to modern-day dog shows, humans’ love and fascination for animals has long remained. The following projects show you how humans are working to create a brighter future for animals.
Big Cats Initiative
This has the primary goal of stopping the decline in the population of big cats worldwide since 2009. In Africa, this means ensuring the monitoring and protection of species like lions and cheetahs, whose numbers have declined sharply over the last century. With the Initiative’s help, these species will continue to live in their natural habits, safe from illegal hunting, environmental degradation (恶化), and other human influences. Find it on: Explore Kruger National Park.
Polar Bears International
Climate change has threatened the world’s polar bear populations: As the planet warms, these creatures risk losing more of their icy habitat than ever before. This project works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause the melting of the Arctic sea ice upon which polar bears depend, and to raise awareness about the plight (困境) of this beautiful animal. Find it on: Canadian Polar Bear Experience.
Vembanad Wetlands Conservation Program
Since 2005, the program has worked to protect the habitat of plants and animals in the wetlands of Vembanad Lake in India. The organization also teaches and monitors sustainable fishing practices there; travelers will learn from fishermen how fishing practices are carried out in a way that does no damage to these important waters. Find it on: Iconic India.
Sea Turtle Conservancy
Sea turtles depend on seagrasses. When these grasses die, the turtles a replaced at serious risk. This has a cyclical effect: seagrasses, like regular grass on land, depend on regular “mowing” to continue growing, and without turtles to feed on it, the grass itself stops thriving, which threatens hundreds of other species who use seagrasses for shelter. Find it on: Explore Costa Rica.
1. Why was Big Cats Initiative setup?| A．To prevent big cats from illness | B．To monitor the population of big cats. |
| C．To protect the endangered big cats. | D．To stop the environment from worsening. |
| A．In Kruger National Park. | B．In the Arctic sea. |
| C．In Vembanad Lake. | D．In Costa Rica. |
| A．The seagrasses growing better. | B．The ocean’s ecosystems breaking down. |
| C．Most oceanic animals dying out. | D．Some oceanic life having more shelters. |
【推荐3】The world’s coral reefs do more for the planet than provide underwater beauty. They protect shorelines from the effects of hurricanes. An estimated 500 million people earn their livelihood from the fishing stocks and tourism opportunities reefs provide. The tiny animals that give rise to reefs are even offering hope for new drugs to treat cancer and other diseases.
Despite their importance, warming waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing, and physical destruction are killing coral reefs around the world. So now scientists around the world are looking for all kinds of ways to protect and maybe even revive(复苏) corals. In the Bahamas, Ross Cunning, a research biologist at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, is focusing on corals with genes that could make them natural candidates for restoration projects. He recently published a study of two Bahamian reefs, one that seemed to survive an intense 2015 heat wave, and one that didn’t.“It sets the stage to find out which genes are responsible for thermal tolerance,” says Cunning, adding that he hopes discovering those genes will help scientists one day breed more heat-tolerant coral.
In Massachusetts, Cohen’s research has found two key elements that seem to protect corals. The first: internal(内部的) waves beneath the ocean’s surface that bring cooler currents to heat-struck corals, essentially air-conditioning them as temperatures rise. The second: adaptation, a quality that corals found in Palau’s warm lagoons(环礁湖) seem to display.On average, these lagoons submerge(淹没) coral in water that is two degrees Celsius warmer than the water outside the lagoons. “We think the fact that they can deal with these higher temperatures is built into their genetics and allows them to deal with the heat waves.”
She’s also found evidence of corals evolving more quickly in the past two decades to withstand rapidly warming temperatures. The big question scientists are now enquiring into, says Cohen, is whether there’s a cap on how much more heat corals can adapt to. Cohen calls these regions with heat-adapted corals as “super reefs,” and like Friendlander, advocates for using marine reserves to protect them.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．The protection for coral reefs |
| B．The great value of coral reefs. |
| C．The benefits for tourism from coral reefs. |
| D．The relationship between animals and coral reefs. |
| A．Cooling down the waters is the key to their success. |
| B．Some corals have been genetically improved successfully. |
| C．He expects to identify the genes of the heat-tolerant corals. |
| D．Some corals that survived 2015 heat wave surprised people. |
| A．How corals survive in the warm lagoons. |
| B．What are the key elements to protect corals. |
| C．How they can use natural reserves to protect corals. |
| D．What is the high temperature limit of the surviving corals. |
| A．Science. | B．Environment. | C．Animal. | D．Climate. |
【推荐1】When someone asks me what my goals are for the coming year, I don’t usually know how to reply. Of course I, as most people do, want to see an improvement in my grades. This year, however, I’m hoping for something different.
Through the course of my school life, I’ve gradually developed a new understanding of the word “prioritization (优先次序)”. The first thing I wish to get in Senior 1 is the ability to manage my time better. I’ll surely become busier with the coming semester (学期), and proper organization is important. From school clubs to academic competitions, everything should be set up in a way that doesn’t influence my health, which leads me to my second goal.
My mother has always told me put my health first, so in the future, I hope to be both physically and mentally healthy. A person can’t study without having the energy to do so. In order to stay energetic, they must put their health first, no matter how busy they are, or how much work they have to complete.
And finally, I hope that I won’t be discouraged (使气馁) by my failure and never give up on my dreams. I hope that I’ll have the courage to try new activities and clubs. I believe my final goal can apply to every student around the world. We should all respect one another’s likes and dislikes, and focus on each other’s strengths, not our weaknesses. Everyone should try to take part in all of life’s opportunities.
Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. ” In my case, it’s the other way around. In order to keep moving, I must keep my balance (平衡)— the balance between studies and activities, efficiency and procrastination (拖延症), academics and health, passions and dislikes. The new journey is going to be a hard one, but if I establish these goals, I believe I will make it through to the end.
1. During this school year, what does the author hope to do?| A．Focus on improving her overall grades. |
| B．Join as many school clubs as possible. |
| C．Learn how to manage her time well. |
| D．Spend more time on outdoor activities. |
| A．Always put their studies first. | B．Not be afraid of failing. |
| C．Only do what they’re good at. | D．Make different kinds of friends. |
| A．A strong feeling of dislike | B．A strong feeling of anger |
| C．A strong feeling of love | D．A strong feeling of joy |
| A．Show what she likes about high school life. |
| B．Stress (强调) the importance of health to students. |
| C．Show how to balance our studies and activities. |
| D．Share her goals for the coming high school year. |
【推荐2】The British are known for their sense of humour. However, it is often difficult for foreigners to understand their jokes. The main point to remember is that the British often use understatement.
Understatement means saying less than you think or feel. For example, if someone gets very wet in a shower of rain, he might say, “It’s a little damp (潮湿的) outside.“ Or, if someone is very impolite and shouts at another person, someone else might say, “She isn’t exactly friendly.” Understatement is often used in an annoying situation or to make another person look silly. Understatement plays an important part in British humour.
Another key to understanding British humour is that the British like to make fun of themselves as well as others. They often laugh about the silly things that happen to our everyday life when someone falls over in the street. They also like to make jokes of people from different classes of society. They like to make jokes about their accents (口音), the way they dress and the way they behave. What’s more, the British love to watch comedies (喜剧) about people who do not know how to behave in society. The famous Mr Bean is a good example of this kind of humour.
Mr Bean is the role played by British actor Rowan Atkinson in 1990. Mr Bean doesn’t talk often, and instead he uses his body movement and facial expressions to make people laugh. Perhaps what makes Mr Bean so funny is that he does things that adults in the real world wouldn’t do. Mr Bean is popular in many countries round the world because you do not have to speak English to understand the humour. As a result, British sense of humour has become well known to many people.
1. Why is it difficult for foreigners to understand British jokes?| A．British jokes cover too many cultures. |
| B．British jokes are not as funny as those in other countries. |
| C．The British seldom fully express how they really feel. |
| D．Foreigners cannot speak English fluently. |
| A．By providing explanations. | B．By giving instructions. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By giving examples. |
| A．By using body movements and facial expressions. | B．By copying others’ behaviour. |
| C．By telling funny stories. | D．By making fun of himself. |
| A．Humour Across Cultures | B．Understanding British Humour |
| C．British Humour in Comedies | D．Developing a Sense of Humour |
【推荐3】Many primitive people believed that by eating an animal they could get some of the good qualities of that animal for themselves. They thought, for example, that eating deer would make them run as fast as the deer. Some tribes (部落) even ate enemies that had shown bravery in battles.
Among civilized people it was once thought that ginger roots could improve the memory. Eggs were thought to make the voice pretty. Tomatoes also were believed to have magical powers. They were called love apples and were supposed to make people who ate them fall in love.
Even today there are a great many wrong ideas about food, some of which are very widespread.
One such idea is that fish is the best brain food. Fish is good brain food just as it is good muscle food and skin food and bone food. But no scientist has been able to prove that fish is any better for the brain than many other kinds of food.
Another such idea is that you should not drink water with meals. Scientists tell us that washing food down with water as a substitute for chewing is not a good idea, but some water with meals has been found to be helpful. It makes the digestive juices flow more freely and helps to digest the food.
Many of the ideas that have to do with mixtures of foods have no scientific foundation. A few years ago, the belief became general that orange juice and milk should never be drunk at the same meal. The reason given was that the acid in the orange juice would make the milk curdle (结团) and become indigestible. As a matter of fact, experts confirm milk always meets in the stomach a digestive juice which curdle it; in fact, the curdling of the milk is the first step in its digestion. A similar wrong idea is that fish and ice cream when eaten at the same meal form a poisonous combination.
1. Why did some tribes eat brave enemies?| A．They were eager to be courageous. | B．They hated brave enemies bitterly. |
| C．They had to follow the local custom. | D．They were extremely lacking in food. |
| A．Consuming eggs could strengthen the bones. |
| B．Singers were supposed to consume fish frequently. |
| C．Apples could make people lose their heart to others. |
| D．Those suffering memory loss should eat ginger roots. |
| A．The curdling of milk can harm people’s stomach. |
| B．Milk will be poisonous by adding orange juice in. |
| C．Drinking water with meals is beneficial to digesting. |
| D．Eating fish and ice cream together will sicken people. |
| A．Civilized People’s Table Manners | B．Good Recipes Popular with People |
| C．Wrong Widespread Ideas about Food | D．Practical Thoughts in Favor of Health |
