Like many other five-year-olds, Jeanie Low of Houston, Texas, would use a stool (凳子) to help her reach the bathroom sink. However, the plastic step-stool she had at home was unstable and cluttered up the small bathroom shared by her whole family. After learning of an invention contest held by her school that year, Jeanie resolved to enter the contest by creating a stool that would be a permanent fixture in the bathroom, and yet could be kept out of the way when not in use.
Jeanie decided to make a stool attached to the bathroom cabinet door under the sink. She cut a board of wood into two pieces, each about two feet wide and one foot long. Using metal hinges (铰链) Jeanie attached one piece of the wood to the front of the cabinet door, and the second piece to the first. The first piece was set just high enough so that when it swung out horizontally from the cabinet door, the second piece would swing down from the first, just touching the ground, and so serving as a support for the first piece of the wood. This created a convenient, strong platform for any person too short to reach the sink. When not in use, the hinges allowed the two pieces of wood to fold back up tightly against the cabinet, where they were held in place by magnets. Jeanie called her invention the “Kiddie Stool”.
Jeanie’s Kiddie Stool won first place in her school’s contest. Two years later, it was awarded first prize again at Houston’s first annual Invention Fair. As a result, Jeanie was invited to make a number of public appearances with her Kiddie Stool, and was featured on local TV as well as in newspapers. Many people found the story of the Kiddie Stool inspiring because it showed that with imagination, anyone can be an inventor.
1. Why did Jeanie Low invent the Kiddie Stool, according to the passage?| A．Many other five-year-olds had problems reaching the bathroom sink. |
| B．She did not think that plastic stools were tall enough for her. |
| C．The stool in her bathroom was not firm and often got in the way. |
| D．She was invited to enter an invention contest held by her school. |
| A．The Kiddie Stool will swing out only when the cabinet door opens. |
| B．It uses hinges and magnets to keep the wooden pieces in place. |
| C．It swings from left to right to be attached to the cabinet door. |
| D．The platform is supported by two pieces of metal. |
| A．Permanent and foldable. | B．Fragile and disposable. |
| C．Conventional and portable. | D．Convenient and recyclable. |
| A．Failure is the mother of success. |
| B．Necessity is the mother of invention. |
| C．Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. |
| D．Invention requires both disciplines and wild imagination. |
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【推荐1】Vinegar (醋) is great. It makes salad, fries and dumplings taste better, and you can even clean your windows with it. And now, according to scientists, it may even help the planet’s population survive climate change.
Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan have found that growing plants in vinegar makes them more resistant to droughts. This could mean that in the future, worries about climate change affecting the world’s supply of food will be much lower. The discovery was made after the researchers studied the Arabidops, a plant known for its ability to survive in dry weather. It was found that when the plant was placed in drought-like conditions, it produced a chemical called acetate (醋酸盐) — the main element of vinegar.
After discovering this, the scientists experimented further by adding acetate to the soil of other plants, and they stopped giving them water completely. After leaving the plants for 14 days, they found that the ones treated with acetate had survived, while the untreated plants had dried up and died. It’s hoped that this simple method of survival could soon be used to help farmers in dry countries keep their crops alive.
Jong Myong Kim, the co-author of the study, tells Popular Science that he’s already been in touch with people all over the world who are interested in trying this simple and cost-effective method out for themselves from flower growing companies to amateur gardeners. Although at this point keeping thirsty plants alive isn’t as easy as just pouring vinegar over them, Kim says he and his team are working on making the process as simple as possible.” Now we are trying to cooperate with some farmers, and also some companies, to make a method of applying this system, “he says.
And for those of us who always forget to ask our neighbors to water our plants when we go away, hopefully this means the end of returning home from a trip to find our favorite flowers have died.
1. What is mentioned as a feature of the Arabidopsis?| A．It is mainly made up of acetate. |
| B．It can be tolerant of drought. |
| C．It can survive in nowhere but desert. |
| D．It produces acetate in wet conditions. |
| A．check the effectiveness of the acetate to resist drought. |
| B．find a simple way of keeping the crops of farmers alive. |
| C．stop watering them. |
| D．treat the dried-up plants. |
| A．Negative. |
| B．Indifferent. |
| C．Optimistic. |
| D．Objective. |
| A．Vinegar Keeps Plants Living Forever |
| B．How to Survive Climate Change |
| C．Vinegar May End Hunger |
| D．Plants Need Water |
【推荐2】Scientists have developed a fingerlike device that maps an object’s internal structure in 3-D by touching its surface. “This bionic finger has exciting application prospects in material characterization and biomedical engineering,” says Zhiming Chen, an engineer at China’s Wuyi University. “The technology could also be combined into robots and medical fields, which is our next research topic.”
The new “finger” contains a carbon fiber tactile sensor (触觉传感器), which returns a stronger signal when pressed against firmer objects. The device moves across an object’s surface to feel for increasing levels of pressure. This process can reveal subsurface details, such as hard layers inside soft er materials. “When pressed by this bionic finger, hard objects maintain their shape, whereas soft objects de form when sufficient pressure is applied,” says Jian Yiluo, the study’s senior author. “This information is sent to a computer, along with the recorded position, and displayed in real time as a 3-D image.”
Other imaging methods, including X-ray, PET, MRI and ultrasound, have their own advantages and disadvantages. X-ray s carry health risks, and other options lack portability or speed. Many are expensive. The new device is unlikely to be significantly cheaper than ultrasound, but it may provide better resolution (清晰度).
In man-made human tissue, the device can exactly find bones and a blood vessel (血管). For a flexible electronic circuit enveloped in soft material, it detected a circuit break and an incorrectly drilled hole. “When we make those devices, we always worry that if something is broken, the only way you can know is to take it apart,” engineer Subramanian says.
The device will struggle to map objects whose outer surfaces are too hard, and it may miss details underneath hard layers. The researchers plan to extend their invention into more dimensions, however, perhaps exploring from other directions as well. “This system might be expanded to multiple fingers, just like our hands, to realize detection in all directions,” Chen says. “This would enable it to get more complete information.”
1. What does Zhiming Chen think of the fingerlike device?| A．Convenient. | B．Promising. | C．Popular. | D．Complicated. |
| A．How the new finger works. | B．What benefits the finger brings. |
| C．Where the finger is applied. | D．Why the finger is welcomed. |
| A．It is cheaper. | B．It is quicker. | C．It is clearer. | D．It is safer. |
| A．The sense of direction. | B．The exploration of human hands. |
| C．The application field. | D．The detection accuracy. |
【推荐3】Have you ever experienced any inconvenience caused by language barriers while traveling? Have you ever thought how awesome those language courses would be if they didn't cost so much money and require so much time?
Translaty is created to serve this purpose-without wasting your money and time on language courses, you can instantly become "fluent" in more than 40 languages with this genius device!
What is Translaty?
Translaty is a simple yet life-changing invention that helps you to overcome any obstacles caused by foreign languages, whether you are in business with an international client or sunbathing somewhere on a Spanish beach. This small but smart device is able to instantly recognize and translate over 40 different languages, making intercultural communication completely effortless!
What languages can I actually communicate in?
Translaty has more than 40 languages pre-installed, so you're able to use it the minute you get it! It provides fast and accurate two-way communication and allows you to install some other languages that might be missing.
What makes Translaty so special?
* It makes traveling easier-you'll forget language barriers and become "fluent" in 40+ languages.
* It helps you with business-strengthening your international business relationships. It's easier when you speak the same language.
* It assists you in daily life-allowing you to overcome language differences between you and your foreign friends.
* It's convenient and easy to use-the lightweight and simple design insures it's there when you need it the most.
* It offers highly accurate, two-way translations.
* Its high sounding and recording qualities insure there are almost no misunderstandings.
To sum up-get it while you can!
1. What can Translaty help users do?| A．Learn foreign languages well. | B．Better understand foreigners. |
| C．Build relationships with colleagues. | D．Spend less time learning a language. |
| A．It's reliable. | B．It's strong. | C．It's affordable. | D．It's secure. |
| A．To report. | B．To introduce. | C．To appeal. | D．To advertise. |
【推荐1】Attending a live musical performance in a huge sports center with lots of supporters of the musician is exciting. Even in a theatre, a skilled performer can provide a great show. Here in the U.S., a very different kind of performance space is gaining in popularity.
Singer-songwriter Annalise Emerick is getting ready to play a show. It is something she does most nights in bars, and other small spaces across the country. But tonight, the setting is even smaller. Ms. Emerick will play for a few people in Kristina Shulz's home.
Ms. Shulz has been holding such performances in her home for about four years. As many as 30 people have attended past shows. The crowd is usually a mix of family, friends and neighbors. But some strangers might show up, too. The performances are listed on house concert websites. ''We've done rock, we've had blues, we've had pop, folk...pretty much anything...anything we’ll have here. '' she said.
House concerts have become an importance part of Annalise Emerick's earnings. ''I can play a bar for 100 dollars, but I can play a house concert and if there are 50 people and they all paying $20 I’m having a great night. And they're all buying CDs. It’s amazing. ''
Ms. Emerick says house concert audiences tend to make more supportive fans. They follow her career, buy her new releases, and go to her shows when she is in town.
''There's just a totally unique experience as opposed to playing like a coffee shop or a bar or something like that where people are usually there, but you don’t always know if they're there for you. ''
Charlie Dahan teaches music management courses. He used to organize shows for artists. Mr. Dahan says house concerts can be financially risky for artists.
''The downside for the artists is that most house concerts don't pay guarantees. In fact, most house concerts by law are not allowed to charge admission. Most of them can only do a suggested donation.'' On the other hand, he says house concerts can help fill an artist's performance calendar and build a loyal following.
Annalise Emerick says she has played in some homes so often the owners have become close friends. And that's been really nice for her.
1. All of the following about the house concerts in Kristina Shulz’s home are true EXCEPT ______.| A．Some strangers might attend the concerts. |
| B．Many kinds of music have been played in the concerts. |
| C．The performances are listed on house concert websites. |
| D．The concerts have become an important part of her income. |
| A．People come just for your music. | B．People come to drink coffee. |
| C．People are paying much for your music. | D．People are buying your CDs. |
| A．should charge admission |
| B．should do more donations |
| C．bring uncertain income |
| D．help artists make friends |
| A．The advantages of house concerts | B．The popularity of house concerts |
| C．Ways to get royal fans for artists | D．Ways to fill an artist’s calendar |
【推荐2】It was Mother’s Day, but I knew there would be no celebration for me. I was a mother of a very active two-year-old and my husband was a Captain of a Navy ship. That morning I had been up early and had already taken several phone calls from both Navy wives and other people needing to be comforted. After one phone call, I leaned back in my chair, and said, “Dear God, I am hustling to be a blessing to others, but what about me? Is there anything for me today?”
At that very moment the telephone rang. It was the voice of a little girl who said, “Miss Stephanie I’ve been thinking of you!” It took my breath away! I had known this girl from another city, but at that moment it was to me the voice of God! I greatly valued the thoughtfulness of the little one and her family who knew my husband was out. But even greater than their kindness, I felt deeply touched by the timing of the call and felt that precious voice spoke to me of God’s great love for me.
There have been many Mother’s Days since that one, but none so special, so deeply moving, so tenderly comforting. I will never forget the feel of knowing how loved I was, and that I would never be forgotten.
In the United States and elsewhere, Mother’s Day has become synonymous（与…同义）with lots of human expectations. If we’re not careful, the fulfillment of these clichés can become a false standard for feeling loved, and a heavy burden on our family. When I think of that Mother’s Day long ago, tears come to my eyes, but not out of sadness. I rejoice（庆幸）in the profound love and caring I felt and still feel to this day. This experience helps me see that love hugs everyone, and that makes my heart sing for us all!
1. How did the writer feel after comforting others on Mother’s Day?| A．Comfortable. | B．Disappointed. |
| C．Anxious. | D．Energetic. |
| A．Mother’s Day has become not so important in the United States. |
| B．The fulfillment of human expectations will never be a heavy burden. |
| C．The writer was always moved to tears on every Mother’s Day. |
| D．That Mother’s Day long ago had a positive influence on the writer’s life. |
| A．A Call from a Little Girl. |
| B．A Memorable Mother’s Day. |
| C．God’s Great Love for Everyone. |
| D．A Mother’s Day Long Time Ago. |
【推荐3】Victor Hugo, 1802 -1885, was a celebrated French literary giant. After the British and French invaders(入侵者) bad burnt the Winter Palace(圆明园) in October, 1860, he wrote a reply to an officer named Bartlette one year later.
Sir, you ask me what I think of the expedition(远征) to China. You must feel that it was laudable. In your opinion, the expedition, performed under the joint banner(联合旗帜) of Queen Victoria and Emperor Napoleon, was nothing short of a British-French glory. Therefore, you would like to know to what extent I appreciate this glory. Since you ask, I will answer as follows:
In a corner of the world there existed a man-made miracle - the Winter Palace. Art has two sources: one, an ideal, from which has come European art; two, fancy, from which has come Easter art. The Winter Palace belongs in the art of fancy. The Winter Palace, indeed, was the fruit of all of the art that an almost superman race could have fancied.
For whom was the Winter Palace built, after all? Eventually, for the people. Because as time passes by, all that the people has made remains in the possession of mankind. Great artists, poets, philosophers - they all knew about the Winter Palace. Voltaire once talked about it. Many people at different times compared the Winter Palace to the Parthenon, the Pyramids, the Arena, the Notre Dame. If they could not see the Winter Palace with their own eyes, they could dream about it- as if in the distance they saw a breath-taking masterpiece of art as they had never known before – as if there above the horizon of European civilization was towering the outline of Asian civilization.
Now, the miracle is no more! One day, two pirates broke into it One of them robbed; the other set every building and everything in it on fire! Judging by what they did, we know that the victors could degenerate into robbers. The two of them fell to dividing between themselves the treasure. What great victories they had won! What a heaven-sent fortune! One stuffed his pockets full to overflowing; the other filled in his bags with treasure. Then, hand in hand they made of, laughing happily.
Incidentally, I must thank you for giving me the opportunity to accuse. The rulers commit crimes but the ruled do not. The government becomes a robber, but the people will never.
France has gained a large portion of the treasure. Now, she thinks herself the rightful owner of the property财物), and she is displaying the riches of the Winter Palace! I can only hope that there will come one day when France will disburden herself of the heavy load on her conscience and clean herself off the crime by returning to China all the treasure taken from the Winter Palace.
Sit, such is my praise of the expedition to China.
1. Mr. Hugo wrote this letter mainly to_________.| A．show his praise of the expedition to China in reply to Bartlette’s request |
| B．persuade French officers to return the treasure taken from the Winter Palace |
| C．prove people hold different attitudes towards the burning of the Winter Palace |
| D．express his anger and condemnation over the burning of the Summar Palace |
| A．praiseworthy | B．violent | C．unreasonable | D．abundant |
| A．compare different architectural styles |
| B．praise European and African civilization |
| C．introduce some more famous buildings to Bartlette |
| D．emphasize the civilizational value of the Winter Palace |
| A．Bartlette and his fellow | B．Bartlette and Great Britain |
| C．France and Great Britain | D．the rulers and the ruled |
| A．satisfied | B．proud | C．disappointed | D．frightened |
