Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis (光合作用), the process of absorbing energy from light to create their own food from carbon dioxide and water. That’s why plants grow and thrive in the warmer months when there is more daylight and are dormant in the colder months.
But this process isn’t particularly efficient and only one percent of the energy contained in sunlight actually ends up in the plant, according to a news release from the University of California, Riverside. Now scientists at the university have found a way to bypass the need for natural photosynthesis and to create food by using artificial photosynthesis. This allows plants to grow in complete darkness. “With our approach we sought to identify a new way of producing food that could break through the limits normally imposed by biological photosynthesis,” corresponding author Robert Jinkerson, a UCR assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering said in the news release.
The researchers devoted to artificial photosynthesis used a two-step electrocatalytic (电催化) process to convent CO2, water, and electricity into acetate (醋酸盐) — the main ingredient of vinegar — that the plant organisms consumed to grow. The researchers adjusted the electrolyzer, a device that uses electricity to support the growth of food producing organisms. to come up with the highest levels of acetate ever produced by this method.
The new artificial photosynthesis method could be up to 18 times more efficient than sunlight. Experiments showed that a large range of food producing organisms could be grown using this acetate. “We were able to grow food producing organisms without any contributions from biological photosynthesis,” said Elizabeth Hann, a doctoral candidate in the Jinkerson lab and co-lead author of the study. “This technology is a more efficient method of turning solar energy into food, as compared to food production that relics on biological photosynthesis,” she said.
By eliminating the need for sunlight, he potential of this method to increase food supply in regions with less - than ideal growing conditions is almost endless, according to New Atlas.
Food will be able to be grown almost anywhere, including in space and on other planets. “Imagine someday giant vessels growing tomato plants in the dark and on Mars — how much easier would that be for future Martians?” co-author Martha Orozco-Cárdenas, director of the UCR Plant Transformation Research Center said.
While this may be years off, the potential to grow food using artificial photosynthesis has great value in feeding a hungry place where the population is growing and arable land shrinking. This new method increases the efficiency of food production using less land and minimizes the environmental impact on the planet.
1. What does the underlined word “dormant” in Paragraph 1 most probably mean?| A．Fresh. | B．Resting. | C．Healthy. | D．Normal. |
| A．The process of artificial photosynthesis. |
| B．The contribution of natural photosynthesis. |
| C．The efficiency of sunlight on plant organisms. |
| D．The wide range of applications of artificial photosynthesis. |
| A．accurate | B．dangerous | C．promising | D．impractical |
| A．Biological photosynthesis can help produce higher quality food. |
| B．Biological photosynthesis is more efficient in turning solar energy into food. |
| C．Using artificial photosynthesis may decrease the efficiency of food production. |
| D．Using artificial photosynthesis to grow food can reduce environmental influence. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】The price of milk may be going up. There was not enough rain in some parts of the country last year and the bad weather may mean that a gallon (加仑) of milk will cost 41 cents more after October 1st.
California already has high milk prices and the California court does not want the price to go any higher. High milk prices will be very hard for some people. Families with many children will have to spend more money to buy milk. The poor and older people without much money will also be hurt by higher prices.
The court said that more milk from other states should be sold in California as the price of milk from other states is not as high. Some states got enough rain so their costs did not go up. People will then be able to buy the cheaper milk, meaning that unless milk producers bring their milk prices down, their milk will not sell.
The drought (干旱) around the country has meant market forces are likely to push milk prices up by as much as 41-cent a gallon by October 1st. Experts said this decision by the Californian court could reduce (减少) the effect of the price rise here.
The 41-cent increase would add to California’s already high milk prices so California must allow more milk producers from outside the state to sell their products there. This would then lead to increased supplies (供应), which would, as a result, stop milk prices from increasing.
1. What caused milk prices in California to increase?| A．Short supplies from other states. | B．Being short of rain. |
| C．The California court. ` | D．Children’s need for milk. |
| A．Young people. | B．Rich people. |
| C．Milk producers from outside California. | D．Families with lots of children. |
| A．More milk can be brought in from other states. |
| B．Milk prices in other states will drop. |
| C．Some states got enough rain. |
| D．People like to buy cheaper milk. |
| A．Force milk producers to lower their price. |
| B．Increase the supply of milk in the state. |
| C．Get men to produce more rain. |
| D．Encourage people to drink less milk. |
【推荐2】Try to picture the world before refrigerators. That may be difficult!
One advanced method of food storage arose in Persia around 400 BC. People there stored food in structures called Yakhchal, which were buildings made from mud brick to keep ice frozen during even the warmest summer months. During the Middle Ages, people stored meat by salting or smoking it.
Later, buildings called ice houses or ice pits were built upon the idea of the Yakhchal. Such ice houses were very common by the 1800s. At the end of the 19th century, many people kept their food fresh in iceboxes made of wood.
By the 1930s, many people were using electric refrigerators to keep food fresh.
| A．They would also dry many foods, including grains. |
| B．These containers held large blocks of ice to keep food cool. |
| C．No one knows for sure how people first learned to store food. |
| D．After all, kids today are used to grabbing a snack from the fridge after school. |
| E．Since then, growth in technology has led these machines to become more advanced. |
| F．With no means to store food, ancient people often went hungry or even died. |
| G．Actually, people found different ways to keep their food fresh thousands of years ago. |
The 90+ Study evaluated more than 1,600 people over the age of 90 for their lifestyle habits and other qualities that might have contributed to their longevity.
Participants were visited every six months, when they were given various tests. Researchers also collected information about the participants’ diets, lifestyles, and medical histories.
They found out that two of the habits that helped preserve lives the most are drinking alcohol and coffee. “I have no explanation for it,” admitted Dr Claudia Kawas, “but I do firmly believe that moderate (适度的) drinking improves longevity.” So should we all be drinking more coffee and wine? While that would be great news, the research may not be as definitive as it seems.
“Most studies about alcohol consumption, including The 90+ Study, are observational, so we can only say that something about drinking is associated with health and longevity,” registered dietitian Jennifer Markowitz told The Daily Meal.
“I’d be curious to see if the coffee and alcohol drinkers shared other important habits or lifestyle factors that might also play into their longevity.”
In other words, it might not be the wine and coffee that’s helping people live longer, but the two substances do have some considerable health benefits. “Wine and coffee are packed with antioxidants(抗氧化剂) which are known to protect our bodies from damage caused by free radicals,” explained registered dietitian Keri Gans to The Daily Meal. “Research on antioxidants has shown several health benefits, including the possibility they may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, improve cognitive function, decrease the risk of dementia, and lower the risk of heart disease.”
Moderate drinking can be beneficial according to other studies—so long as it’s moderate.
1. What’s the passage mainly about?
| A．Antioxidants having a positive effect on the lifespan. |
| B．The effects of food and diet on the human lifespan. |
| C．Advocating drinking wine and coffee in our daily life. |
| D．Moderate drinking helping people live longer. |
| A．food consumption |
| B．lifestyle |
| C．hobbies |
| D．medical history |
| A．They provide people with essential nutrition. |
| B．They are rich in antioxidants. |
| C．They protect free radicals in human bodies. |
| D．They can bring relief to pain. |
| A．Not all the people participating in the study are over 90. |
| B．Most studies about alcohol consumption are based on observation. |
| C．Over-drinking can also be beneficial according to other studies. |
| D．Antioxidants can cure type 2 diabetes. |
【推荐1】Group of students is aiming to become the first non-government, non-commercial team to send a rocket to space. The team’s Aurora rocket, set to launch from California this month, is designed to reach a top speed of Mach 5.2 and break through Earth’s atmosphere. If successful, it will be the second student-led team to reach space, and the first to do it with a reusable rocket.
The Karman Space Programme (KSP) was founded by students. They designed the craft, which consists of two separate stages, each with its own engine fuelled (提供燃料) by liquid oxygen and ethanol. Each stage will fire for just over 20 seconds, and the rocket will be travelling at 5522 kilometres an hour at its peak speed. About 100 seconds after launch, it will reach its highest point and then should begin falling back to Earth for a soft landing by parachute (降落伞). KSP’s chairman, Shapol M. says the KSP mission will use multi-stage liquid engines like commercial launchers, recover all sections of the rocket and could, in theory, be turned around for a second launch within 24 hours.
The team is planning to launch Aurora from a site in the Mojave desert in California on 24September. “Launching outside the UK is a huge pain, but there isn’t a place right now to launch up to these altitudes in the UK. It’s a real shame,” says Shapol.
Shapol says it is hard to predict what will happen at launch, but preparations have included tests of many components. The team’s previous rockets include Vega, powered by the same engine as Aurora’s second stage. “We’ve tried to fail as much as possible before, so that we don’t fail on the big one,” says Shapol.
1. What’s special about Aurora rocket?| A．It can be recycled. | B．It is the fastest in the world. |
| C．It is quite profitable. | D．It belongs to the government. |
| A．The challenge in rocket design. | B．The KSP’s new mission. |
| C．The expected process of the launch. | D．The first students’ space shot. |
| A．It is rather difficult to launch the rocket. |
| B．Launching outside the UK is unacceptable. |
| C．The launch has to be carried out in the desert. |
| D．There is no suitable site for this launch in the UK. |
| A．Objective. | B．Optimistic. | C．Critical. | D．Doubtful. |
【推荐2】During the past decade, artificial intelligence has been rapidly evolving and changing our daily lives. From virtual personal assistants like Siri and Alexa to self-driving cars, AI has not only improved our efficiency but also created new industries and new possibilities. As students, it’s critical to understand and keep up with the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Let’s take a closer look.
AI is defined as the ability of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. Thanks to rapid improvements in computer hardware and software, AI has been widely applied to a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and education. For example, AI-powered medical devices can detect illnesses and provide personalized treatment recommendations. AI algorithms can also help financial institutions to detect fraud and improve investing decisions.
However, AI is not without its challenges. One of the primary concerns is the impact of AI on employment. As AI continues to replace human workers, many argue that it could lead to job displacement and income inequality. Additionally, there are growing concerns about the ethical implications of AI. For example, AI algorithms could reinforce societal biases or be used in malicious ways, such as cyber-crime or warfare.
How can we ensure that AI is being developed and used ethically? One solution is to promote collaborative efforts between AI developers, policymakers, and the general public. Transparency and openness in AI development could help to mitigate potential biases and ensure that AI algorithms are being developed in line with social values.
The rise of AI has the potential for both positives and negatives. It’s critical for students to stay informed and contribute to the conversation on the ethical development and usage of AI.
1. Which of the following industries have undergone a significant transformation thanks to the swift and potent advancement of AI?| A．Predominantly the transportation and technologies sector. |
| B．Solely the financial sector and the medical field. |
| C．The construction and hospitality industry. |
| D．The automobile and fashion industry. |
| A．The potential impact of AI on the environment. |
| B．The potential impact on the general labor market and income inequality. |
| C．AI compromising national security measures. |
| D．The effects of AI on public healthcare. |
| A．The capability of machines to perform tasks that require robust manual labor. |
| B．The capability of machines to perform creative tasks. |
| C．The capability of machines to perform efficient teamwork. |
| D．The capability of machines to process and analyze data in order to generate predictions and decisions. |
【推荐3】[1] I was interested in different science fiction ideas and technologies. But there is one theme in science fiction that has always troubled me: when technology subverts (颠覆) its creators.
[2] I’ve been involved in dozens of technology projects. I have to admit that seldom in our design or business discussions have we spent much time on the possible negative impact of our work on the world. Instead, in most cases we just create technology because we see a need, or to solve a problem.
[3] Technology has been responsible for an age of distraction. Recently while driving from northern New York City to the Elmira area, I saw signs saying, “Next texting stop is three miles ahead. Don’t text and drive.” Most states have already outlawed texting while driving, and yet we hear almost weekly of traffic accidents caused by drivers tapping on smartphones. I don’t believe Steve Jobs and Apple dreamed that the iPhone, or smartphones in general, would give rise to this level of distraction.
[4] In a recent Harvard Business Review piece entitled “Liberal Arts (人文科学) in the Data Age,” the author writes about the importance of reconnecting humanism with engineering approach. Many of today’s engineers have been so focused on creating new technologies that their short term goals risk covering up unintended long-term outcomes. A few companies, such as Intel, are forward-thinking enough to include ethics (伦理学) professionals on their staff. At this point all tech companies should start getting serious about the need to hire people with backgrounds in areas such as psychology and philosophy (哲学).
[5] My hope is that we can all move a little more in creating technology that is both impactful and thoughtful in its engagement with our lives and the world.
1. What inspires people to create technologies according to the writer?| A．A desire to think and create. | B．An interest in technology. |
| C．A need to settle a problem. | D．An idea from science fiction. |
| A．To tell the arrival of a new age. | B．To criticize wrong driving behaviors. |
| C．To stress Steve Jobs’ contributions. | D．To show negative impact of technology. |
| A．Cause. | B．Resolve. |
| C．Confirm. | D．Permit. |
| A．value liberal arts professionals | B．put huge profits first |
| C．focus on creating new technologies | D．hire bookish engineers |
| A．The significance of Liberal Arts. | B．Less dependence on technology. |
| C．The importance of humanism in technology. | D．Diverse views on science fiction. |
【推荐1】Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd, the largest global gaming provider and the operator of QQ, has launched a series of scientific exploration events aimed at urging young people to explore the outside word, instead of being constantly absorbed (全神贯注的) online. The company said it hopes to establish itself as a coo scientific brand that lives up to corporate social responsibilities. As a gaming company. it doesn’t worry about losing game players. Instead, it hopes that players can actually go out to learn more and broaden their horizons.
QQ has been in the market for 18 years, but it is not aging, and its app has become younger and trendier. “We hope that more young Chinese can use the app to connect with different people and views worldwide.” said Li Dan,general manager of the marketing department of the social network group at Tencent.
According to Tencent, the number of active users of QQ who are 21 years o!d or younger hasbeen constantly increasing, and they tend to use the app for a longer time.
Starting on May 22 of last year, QQ organized free trips for young people to the Galapagos islands, Namibia, Spain and the Antarctic, but it didn’t reveal (揭露) the specific amount it contributed to those trips.
During each trip, it selected three to four participants from those who uploaded videos and made specific travel plans online. The finalists stand out with their clear video statements and their enthusiasm about going on adventures.
Tencent’s approach appears to be contradictory (矛盾的) to its own interests. But, in fact, its approach fits the company’s long-term growth strategy (策略) and will improve its business by creating a good social image.
1. What is the aim of Tencent’s plan?| A．To encourage young people to explore the outside world. |
| B．To provide more exciting online games. |
| C．To encourage more young people into online gaming. |
| D．To promote its newly-launched game. |
| A．QQ has been in the market for more than two decades. |
| B．The number of active users of QQ has been dropping recently |
| C．Tencent is the largest global gaming provider. |
| D．Tencent is now concerned about losing game players. |
| A．be enthusiastic about gaming on line | B．make specific travel plans |
| C．download more Tencent games | D．use QQ to apply |
| A．Objective. | B．Negative. | C．Indifferent. | D．Positive. |
A Love of Gardening
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” These words come from the author of the book The Secret Garden, first published in 1911. At that time, only the very rich in Britain had gardens. Very soon after this, homes with gardens began to be built. This is what started the British love of gardening！Today, millions of Brits like to say that they have “green fingers”, with around half the population spending their free time gardening.
For many people in the UK, their garden is their own private world. Each spring, children plant sunflowers and wait to see which one is the tallest. Expert gardeners know just the right corner for roses, and others spend hours trying to grow perfect vegetables to enter into competitions. And while many Brits like nothing better than spending their Sunday cutting the grass, some are happy just to sit under the branches of the trees and enjoy the beauty of the world around them.
But in cities, limited space has led to people looking for new solutions. Those without outside space can rent small pieces of land on which to grow things. Today, there are over 4,000 people in London waiting for such pieces of land. One recent idea has been to turn rooftops and walls into private gardens. These gardens have helped make the cities greener and improve air quality.
As well as being good for the environment, gardening is also good for the soul. What other free-time activity allows you to be at one with nature and create more beautiful living things? And if you’re in any doubt about this, take a moment to reflect on this line from The Secret Garden: “Where you tend a rose... A thistle cannot grow.”
1. What inspires a lot of Brits to create their own private gardens?| A．Their hobby for gardens. |
| B．Publishing of The Secret Garden. |
| C．The call of the government. |
| D．Release of working pressure. |
| A．They would like to enjoy their own private life. |
| B．They would like to enjoy their own flowers and perfect vegetables. |
| C．They all want to protect the environment. |
| D．They would like to share their happy time with others. |
| A．They are very competitive. |
| B．They want to have their own private space. |
| C．Gardening can provide a quiet environment for people. |
| D．Greening in Britain is already on the rise. |
| A．Great changes in London. |
| B．A love of gardening. |
| C．The importance of gardening. |
| D．The use of spare time. |
【推荐3】One of the greatest gifts one generation can give to other generations is the wisdom (智慧) it has gained from experience. This idea has inspired Andrew Zuckerman. He interviewed and took photos of fifty over-sixty-five-year-olds all over the world. His project explores various sides of their lives. You can get the interviews on our website.
Click on the introductions to read the complete interviews.
Let us now have a culture of peace.
—Federico Mayor Zaragoza, Spain
Federico Mayor Zaragoza received a doctorate in Pharmacy (药学) from the Complutense University of Madrid in 1958. After many years spent in politics (政治), he became Director-General of UNESCO in 1987. In 1999, he created the Foundation for a Culture of Peace, of which he is now the president. In addition to many scientific publications,he has published (出版，发表) four collections of poems.
Writing is a discovery.
—Nadine Gordimer, South Africa
Due to a weak heart, Nadine Gordimer attended school briefly. She read widely and began writing at an early age. She published her first short story at the age of fifteen, and has completed a large number of works, which have been translated into forty languages.
In 1991, Gordimer won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Jazz (爵士乐) is about the only form of art today.
—Dave Brubeck, USA
Dave Brubeck studied music at the University of the Pacific and graduated in 1942. After World War Two he was encouraged to play jazz. In 1951. he recorded his first album (专辑). Brubeck’s 1959 album has become a jazz standard. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.
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1. Why did Andrew Zuckerman choose the fifty elders for his project?| A．Because they are healthy and friendly. |
| B．Because their actions inspired him. |
| C．Because they have similar experiences. |
| D．Because their wisdom is worth passing on. |
| A．has made achievements in different areas |
| B．has given his lifetime to the field of science |
| C．has won many awards for his work in politics |
| D．has served as the president of a university |
| A．Dave Brubeck. | B．Nadine Gordimer. |
| C．Andrew Zuckerman. | D．Federico Mayor Zaragoza. |
