【推荐2】The Louvre Museum in Paris： A Complete Guide for Visitors

The Louvre Museum is quite a large museum. The word “museum” may not be enough ： the collections are so vast, diverse, and breathtaking that visitors may have the impression of navigating a maze（迷宫）of distinct artistic and cultural worlds.

Housed in the Louvre Palace， the former seat of French royalty， the Louvre emerged in the 12th century as a medieval castle, slowly evolving toward its status as a public arts museum during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. Since then, it has become the globe's most-visited museum, and a symbol of French excellence in the arts. The Louvre has eight major thematic departments and 35 ?000 works of art dating from ancient times to the early modern period.

Opening Hours ：

Open on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 9 a. m. --- 6 p. m. ； Wednesday and Friday 9 a. m. -10 p. m. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Tickets ：

As of 2018, admission to the entire museum costs 15 euros. Admission is free for those under 18.

Shopping and Dining：

The museum houses several restaurants and snack bars in addition to a cafeteria ：

Just below the Pyramid, the restaurant Le Grand Louvre offers gourmet（美食）specialties in a classic setting. Open from 12 a. m. to 3 p. m. and from 7 p. m. to 12 p. m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

On the lower ground floor, the Cafe Denon offers snacks and casual meals. Open from 9 ： 30 am to 5 ： 00 p. m..

On the second floor （European “first floor"） , the Cafe Richelieu offers more casual dining possibilities： sandwiches? salads, cold and hot drinks, etc. Open from 10 ： 15 am to 5 ： 00 p. m..

The Carrousel du Louvre is a popular shopping center housed within the Louvre palace and accessible via the Rue de Rivoli entrance. Open seven days a week, the Carrousel du Louvre offers designer fashion, home design shops, and fine gifts.

1. When can you visit the Louvre Museum?

A．At 7 ： 00 p. m. on Monday.	B．At 10 ： 00 a. m. on Tuesday.
C．At 9 ： 00 p. m. on Friday.	D．At 8 ： 00 a. m. on Sunday.

2. How much should a couple with their 10-year-old son pay for the tickets?

A．15 euros.

B．30 euros.

C．45 euros.

D．48 euros.

3. Which should you choose if you want to have snacks at 10 a. m. on Thursday?

A．Le Grand Louvre	B．The Cafe Denon
C．The Cafe Richelieu	D．The Carrousel du Louvre

【推荐1】Technology use seems to be the new wave of addiction hitting people of all ages. Its extreme use can be compared to the use of drugs, which is called Plugin Heroin.

The next time you’re in a crowded public place, look at the people around you. It’s hard to find someone who isn’t glued to the tiny screen, fingers moving at lightning speeds, texting their friends, emailing co-workers or listening to music. It may seem ridiculous that someone is that addicted to such a small object. I’ve seen people who seem to be at their wits’ end (不知所措) if their phone or iPad has been taken away, lost or left at home.

Some people may ask, “What’s wrong with technology use? It’s a way for people to communicate.” While this is true, the overuse of technology isn’t always appropriate in certain settings. Schools are becoming stricter about the use of cell phones, iPads and other electronics in classrooms. Various workplaces have signs hanging on their walls warning employees that “Cell phone use is not permitted” or “Cell phones are forbidden.”

Electronics may be a way for people to communicate and stay in touch with each other, but the disadvantages may outweigh the benefits. People are losing the ability to hold face-to-face conversations with others. However, it’s hard to avoid electronics in this day and age because almost everything is turning into an electronic format. Books, originally meant for paper design, are now being transferred (转存) to electronic forms. Photo albums, and even yearbooks, can now be viewed via the internet. With this growing trend, future generations are bound to become even more addicted to technology.

Is there a cure for electronic addiction? Simply turning electronics off for an hour or two a day may help to an extent, but it will not completely rid electronic addiction. There only seems to be one cure left, and it may be the hardest: self-control.

1. What is Plug-in Heroin?

A．The growing popularity of electronics.

B．The serious consequences of technology use

C．The unreasonable dependence on electronics.

D．The future possibility of technology development.

2. The second paragraph is intended to __________.

A．tell people it is ridiculous to use electronics	B．persuade people to quit electronics
C．prove electronics are harmful to people	D．show people’s addiction to electronics

3. Why is it difficult to avoid electronics nowadays?

A．Too many things are available in electronic forms

B．The design of paper books is less interesting.

C．It is a must to use electronics to keep in touch.

D．Fewer choices are left for communication.

4. In the author’s opinion, what is the best way to cure electronic addiction?

A．Turn off the electronics for an hour or two.

B．Be stricter about the use of cell phones, iPads and other electronics in classrooms

C．Learn to control yourself.

D．Cell phones are forbidden in the workplaces.

【推荐2】A national engineering laboratory in Tianjin is the base of the world’s largest and most advanced sound source identification system for commercial use. At first glance, the equipment, known as a sound camera and consisting of a big wheel with a supporting frame, resembles a mini Ferris wheel that lacks seats and cannot rotate. A closer look at the 5-meter-diameter wheel reveals high-tech features like an array of 144 sensors (传感器) used to capture, identify and analyze the source of noise on railways. “It is like a sound radar (雷达) for discovering noise,” said Hu Wenlin, vice head of the National Engineering Laboratory for Noise Control and Reduction at China Railway Design Corporation.

Hu said that the data produced by the machine allows engineers to better understand the sounds generated when a train passes by, such as which part produces the most noise. After analyzing the data, engineers can draw up precise plans to reduce noise and make construction plans accordingly. For example, if a railway passes a residential area with stricter noise abatement requirements, engineers can come up with a plan to minimize noise, usually at greater expense. But if a railway passes a place with more relaxed noise control requirements, designers can make a cheaper plan.

Noise control technologies have been applied to dozens of major railway projects across the country. The sound camera, fully developed in China, is advanced by world standards, said Wang Changjin, the director of the National Engineering Laboratory. Before the sound camera was available, engineers usually used a pole fitted with sensors to collect sound data along railway lines. “It cannot be compared to the technique we are using now, which is far more accurate,” Wang said.

The machine is just one of many innovations developed by the laboratory. It has conducted many research projects on railways, leading to the development of key noise control equipment for high-speed railways and bringing quieter lives to people living near the lines.

1. What can we know about the sound camera from paragraph 1?

A．It is invented by Hu Wenlin.	B．It is a sound radar in the shape of a wheel.
C．It is fitted with many sensors to study noise.	D．It transforms sound information into images.

2. What does the underlined word “abatement” probably mean?

A．Monitoring.

B．Ranking.

C．Reducing.

D．Analyzing.

3. What highlights the sound camera according to paragraph 3?

A．It is very easy to move.	B．It consumes little energy.
C．It is available for everyone.	D．It operates far more precisely.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Technology Frees People from Noise	B．Sound Camera Makes Rail Lines Quieter
C．The Importance of Conducting Sound Research	D．The Influence of Noise Pollution on People’s Life