Cool Inventions
For Light Sleepers
Millions of people have trouble falling asleep each night, which is why Light Sleeper was created.
Developed in the United Kingdom, Light Sleeper’s makers say it can help a person fall asleep and also help a person fallback to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night.
Light Sleeper works by projecting(投射) a light on to the ceiling while the person is lying down. The idea is to watch the light, because the light moving in a circle has a relaxing effect.
One of the advantages of the product is that it won’t disturb other people in the room. The product can be easily moved and will switch itself off after 30 minutes to save power.
Stop the Snoring (打鼾)
Here’s a new product designed to slowdown the frequency and level of your snoring. The Snore Stopper has a sensitive instrument that will detect when you’re snoring. Once it does that, it will send a very mild electronic signal to your wrist. This consequently changes your sleeping position to stop you from snoring. The Snore Stopper won’t cause any damage to your body.
Get Your True Colors
Photoshop features a pen that will copy the color settings of what you are monitoring onscreen to use as a color in your pro-gram. Now an off-line product allows you to pick a color when not using the computer software.
The Color Picker is a concept pen. After placing the pen against an object, the user just presses the scan button. Color sensors (感应器) inside the pen send information to a box, which then mixes red, green and blue to produce the desired ink color.
1. What is the main function of Light Sleeper to help people sleep?| A．Its light makes people feel calm. |
| B．It doesn’t make any noise. |
| C．It is fixed on the ceiling. |
| D．Its light moves fast. |
| A．It will causes light damage to a person’s body. |
| B．It will wake a person up once he starts snoring. |
| C．It can make sure a person doesn’t snore all night. |
| D．It can make a person snore less by changing his sleeping position. |
| A．using the computer | B．drawing pictures |
| C．collecting information | D．designing a program |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Disability aids are vital to those who suffer problems with executing work with two hands. These are people who have been disabled due to some major sickness or some other problems. In order to help them carry on their work in the normal way, disability aids are manufactured. This helps them make their life a lot easier than what it would have been without these aids. The kind of disability aids that an individual might require depends on the person only. It is the problem that a person faces that decides the aids that he/she will use for carrying out their respective jobs. The following is the list of a few disability aids that come of significant use.
The first and foremost aid is the stocking aid, aiding the individuals suffering from the problem of bending down to reach the foot and wear their own socks. These stocking aids have a gutter that is made up of plastic material. These gutters are shaped in a certain way along with the attachment of cotton tapes in it. The sock is then put over the gutter. The foot is placed inside the gutter. The cotton tapes help in pulling the socks up the leg and subsequently the sock. In this manner, the sock is worn by a person who has problems wearing it by bending one’s back and reaching the foot.
There are openers that help the people who have problems with their hands or wrists to open bottles of ketchup, jam and other such bottles and jars that necessitates the use of hands and fingers.
The third type of disability aids that comes to our minds are lifts. Now what are lifts? Lifts are certain machines that help in lifting people from specific areas, such as a bathtub or a set of stairs. These lifts are of varied types and come for numerous applications. It is for the individual to decide the type that he/she requires to use.
For people, who have problems in balancing their upper bodies in a stable manner, there is something known as grab rails. These grab rails are installed for those who have mobility problems in their upper bodies. These rails come in varieties of shapes, sizes and angles. These grab rails are available to home users as well, in their different variations. One can purchase and fix one to their homes according to one’s specificities. These grab rails require the act of screwing and drilling in order to fix them to their appropriate place. The prices of these rails also vary according to the variation of their shapes and sizes.
A portable book holder is a much sought-after disability aid. It can be used by anybody for that matter, not just the disabled. These portable book holders are light-weight and can be easily moved about. These holders relieve the strains on one’s hands, necks and shoulders that might occur due to the handling of a book. The holders are provided with extended legs that help in placing the reading material at suitable distance.
Thus with the help of these disability aids, the old and disabled people can make their lives much more convenient and comfortable that would otherwise have been a cumbersome and complex one.
Disability Aids
Theme | Disability aids are of great | |
Different | Stocking aids | Help the individuals who have problems |
Openers | Aid the disabled to open the bottles of ketchup when they can’t take | |
Lifts | Assist in lifting people from | |
Grab rails | Help those having mobility problems in their upper bodies to keep their | |
Book holders | Help to make the strains on one’s hands, necks and shoulder | |
| | |
【推荐2】We all know the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. This is an old proverb we learn from an early age.
Have you ever noticed that when you do something nice for someone else, it makes you feel better too? This isn’t just something that happens randomly (随机地).
Making others feel good can “warm” your heart, sure — but being nice to others can also affect the actual chemical balance of your heart. Kindness releases the hormone oxytocin which reduces blood pressure and therefore protects the heart.
Kindness can help you live longer. You may be shaking your head at this one, but there’s science to back it up. According to Health.com, you’re at a greater risk of heart disease if you don’t have a strong network of family and friends. When you’re kind to others, you develop strong, meaningful relationships and friendships.
| A．Anxiety is an extremely common human experience. |
| B．This behavior can help you handle stressful situations. |
| C．Kindness strengthens your heart physically and emotionally. |
| D．It has something to do with the pleasure centers in your brain. |
| E．Besides improving personal relationships, kindness can make you healthier. |
| F．So, make some new friends, or expand your kindness to the ones you already have. |
| G．However, there are a number of real-life benefits connected with the way we treat others. |
【推荐3】Enough sleep is important to health. The amount of sleep needed depends on the age of the person and the conditions in which sleep takes place. The young may need more sleep than the old, but usually eight hours are enough for the health of grown-ups. Some can do with less than this amount, but others may need more. Every person knows his own need. It is then a matter of good judgement to satisfy his need. Sleep should always be enough to make one bring back his strength and get ready for a day’s work.
Fresh air is necessary to sound sleep. It is not without reason for some people to think that it is practicable to sleep in the open air. When one can keep himself warm, out-of-door sleeping probably gives the body its most complete relaxation (放松).
Ability (能力) to sleep lies largely in habit. The conditions referred to only lead to sleep. Out-of-door exercises, a good habit of regular hours and the avoidance (避免) of late eating and worry, which are largely within the control of any person, are all helpful to sound sleep.
A bath at bedtime, neither hot nor cool but of body temperature may be helpful to sleep. Sleep-producing drug (药) should never be taken except when suggested by a doctor.
1. Which of the following is helpful to good sleep?| A．Keeping good habits. | B．Staying up late. |
| C．Eating something at bedtime. | D．Forming the habit of taking sleep-producing drug. |
| A．take a bath | B．do any housework |
| C．think a lot | D．go out for relaxation |
| A．his age | B．his height | C．his weight | D．his character |
【推荐1】Being multicultural has many benefits, including being able to find inspiration from different people and places around the world. Laalitya Acharya, 18, from Ohio, US, got the idea to develop a way to detect when water is contaminated (受污染的) after visiting her family’s home in India.
Acharya has always been involved in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), competing in many competitions around the world, including the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Last year, she was even honored with a Coca- Cola scholarship for her efforts.
Her most influential project, however, is Nereid, the name given to her water contamination detection device. She made the device on her own with various parts and a 3D printer. It uses nanotechnology (纳米技术) to take microscopic (微小的) pictures of water, which are then examined to determine if contamination is present. To test her device, she created her own contaminated water samples and compared them to clean water samples. Acharya used a neural network (神经网络), an AI that works in a similar way to the human brain and can detect patterns in data. The microbes (细菌) that make water dirty have unique shapes and sizes, and the neural network can recognize and differentiate between the microbes. All of this is possible for less than $100!
She hopes her device will make it easier and less costly to detect water that is not fit for consumption. Acharya told Cincinnati Enquirer: “Coming from a place of privilege in the United States, I didn’t understand how big of an issue this is until I saw it first hand. We are able to turn on a tap and even drink water directly from there. But that’s not the situation for people all across the world.”
The Nereid project not only focuses on ways to resolve the water crisis, but also holds virtual workshops and educational summits for young people who want to learn more and be part of the solution. Acharya wants to break the stigma around STEM, saying :”Science and scientific experimentation is not a linear (直线型的) process. It is a webbed pathway that takes you through many different routes before you get to the end.” Science is for everyone and doesn’t have to be seen as tough or scary.
1. What can we learn about Acharya from the passage?| A．She studies and lives in India. |
| B．She has started several STEM competitions. |
| C．She received an award for her hard work. |
| D．She once won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. |
| A．It is sponsored by Coca-Cola. |
| B．It helps clean the contaminated water. |
| C．It was made by a team led by Acharya. |
| D．It can take microscopic pictures of water. |
| A．a 3D printer | B．a microscope | C．nanotechnology | D．a neural network |
| A．Science is for talented young people. |
| B．Science is too difficult for us to explore. |
| C．Scientific research is extremely costly. |
| D．Scientific experimentation is exhausting. |
In September, California Governor Jerry Brown signed an act to allow autonomous vehicles on the roads of his state. “Today we’re looking at science fiction becoming tomorrow's reality-the driverless car. ” The technology for these cars includes cameras, radar and motion sensors. The systems have been improved through competitions sponsored by the U. S. government agency DARPA. Engineer Richard Mason of the Rand Corporation helped design driverless vehicles for DARPA challenge races.
Cars have become much more fuel-efficient, and new electronic features are' making Hondas safer, said Angie Nucci of Honda America. “A camera on the passenger-side mirror actually engaged on your guiding screen so you can safely change lanes. ” Other safety features include warning systems on the front and the sides of the cars. These systems help drivers , but don’t replace them. Curator Leslie Kendall of the Petersen Automotive Museum said autonomous cars will make the high ways safer．
“By taking out drivers, you also remove most risks of an accident, ”Kendall said. He said , “Consumers, however, may be unwilling to lose control. It may take them time to come to realize that the technology is indeed reliable, but it will have to prove itself first. ”
Mason said the technology already works and the biggest challenge now is getting down the cost for driverless vehicles from hundreds of thousands of dollars to something more affordable. He said this will happen as the technology is improved.
1. According to the passage, California Governor Jerry Brown ______________.
| A．is for the idea of having driverless cars |
| B．sponsored the DARPA competition to improve the driverless system |
| C．has already bought a new autonomous car |
| D．thinks that driving safety is the most important issue in his state |
| A．They can help cars run much faster. |
| B．They can take the place of drivers now. |
| C．They can make cars run without fuel. |
| D．They can help people drive more safely. |
| A．managers in the high-tech company Google |
| B．officers from the U. S. government agency DARPA |
| C．car consumers |
| D．vehicle designers |
| A．They need to have more comfortable seats . |
| B．They are now too expensive for consumers. |
| C．They are travelling at a low speed. |
| D．They are not favored by car racers |
【推荐3】Inspired by the effortless way humans manage objects by not using the sense of sight, a team led by engineers at the University of California San Diego has developed a new method that enables a robotic hand to rotate (旋转) objects only through touch.
Using their technique (技术), the researchers built a robotic hand that can easily rotate a wide variety of objects, from small toys, cans, to even fruits and vegetables, with no damage to them. The robotic hand completed these tasks using only information based on touch. The work could aid in the development of robots that can manipulate objects in the dark.
To build their system, the researchers put 16 touch sensors (传感器) on the four-fingered robotic hand. Each sensor costs about $12 and serves a simple role: check whether an object is touching it or not.
What makes this method unique is that it depends on many low-cost touch sensors that use simple, binary signals (二进制信号) — touch or no touch — to perform robotic in-hand rotation. These sensors are spread over a large area of the robotic hand. This is different from a variety of other methods that depend on a few high-cost touch sensors fixed to a small area of the robotic hand, primarily at the fingertips.
The researchers then tested their system on the real-life robotic hand with objects that the system has not yet touched. The robotic hand was able to rotate a variety of objects continuously and wouldn’t lose its hold. The objects included a tomato, a pepper, a can of butter and a toy duck, which was the most challenging object due to its shape.
The team are now working on applying their method to more difficult tasks. They are currently developing techniques to enable robotic hands to catch and throw, for example. “If we can give robots this skill, that will open the door to the kinds of tasks they can perform,” said one engineer.
1. What does the underlined word “manipulate” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Control. | B．Remove. | C．Recognize. | D．Influence. |
| A．They are quite expensive. | B．They cover most of the hand’s area. |
| C．They perform difficult tasks. | D．They are mainly at the hand’s fingertips. |
| A．A pepper. | B．A tomato. | C．A toy duck. | D．A can of butter. |
| A．Improving robotic hands’ skills. | B．Designing more robotic hands’ shapes. |
| C．Developing robotic hands’ creativity. | D．Rebuilding the robotic hands’ system. |
【推荐1】Traveling by train can be a romantic way to see the world. Since it was one of the original forms of transportation worldwide, here are some fantastic train trips to add to your travel list.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway
Where it goes: Xining to Lhasa
Why not start with the world's highest train ride? The Qinghai-Tiber Railway climbs to great heights of over 16,0000 feet as it snakes trough the Himalayas. The wonderful 1215-mile journey only makes seven stops.
Eurostar
Where it goes: London to/from Paris
Eurostar is a popular way for folks to get from London to Paris, thanks to its quick travel time, but it has another attraction that makes it a great train trip. For 20 minutes, you will actually be riding 150 feet underwater through the famous English Channel.
Trans-Siberian Railway
Where it goes: Moscow to Vladivostok
The Trans-Siberian Railway is another historically famous railroad that should be on your travel list. It is also the world's longest continuous railway. Along the way, you will pass through eight time zones and have plenty of time to see the beautiful Russian countryside.
Glacier Express
Where it goes: St. Moritz to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps
This train ride is a favorite among many, as it's arguably the best way to experience the Swiss Alps. It's much more about the journey than the destination, and it gives new meaning to the term slow travel, taking over seven hours to pass just 180 miles. But it's one of the most scenic train journeys out there, so the slow pace is welcomed.
1. What's special about Eurostar?| A．It passes through the most time zones. | B．It travels underwater for some time. |
| C．It is the highest speed train ride in the world. | D．It offers you beautiful European scenery. |
| A．Qinghai-Tibet Railway. | B．Eurostar. |
| C．Trans-Siberian Railway. | D．Glacier Express. |
| A．A science magazine. | B．A travel brochure. | C．A biography. | D．A textbook. |
【推荐2】Canadians are blessed with an abundance of natural wonders with enough lakes, mountain s and rivers to explore for a lifetime. We’ve also got some of the most amazing waterfalls on Earth.
Horseshoe Falls Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls are the most famous waterfalls in Canada — and understandably so. Actually they are made up of three different falls, and the fittingly named Horseshoe Falls is the only one located on the Canadian side, which is the most powerful in North America. Multiple viewing options are available including tourist ships and sightseeing buses.
Nailicho (Nirginia Falls) Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories
Coming in at twice the height of Niagara Falls, this massive waterfall is located on the South Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories. The remote location means it receives only about 1,000 visitors per year who must make their way by either boat or floatplane.
Takakkaw Falls — Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Takakkaw translated from Cree loosely means “the magnificent”, and it’s a suitable word for the second-highest waterfall in Canada. After a steep drive up a winding road, Takakkaw Falls is only a short distance from the parking lot along a wheelchair accessible path.
Bridal Veil Falls — Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park, British Columbia
Pretty and delicate, Bridal Veil Falls is located just east of Chilliwack, British Columbia, and really does look like its name, with water gently pouring over smooth rock. An easy 15-minute walk to the waterfall takes you through rich leaves. Tables are available to have a meal outdoors, and there are lots of opportunities for viewing wildlife along the way.
1. What do we know about Horseshoe Falls?| A．It is easily accessible. | B．It has different choices for viewing. |
| C．It limits tourist numbers. | D．It crosses North America. |
| A．Swim. | B．Camp. |
| C．Picnic. | D．Hunt. |
| A．By car. | B．By tourist ship. |
| C．By floatplane. | D．By cable car. |
【推荐3】Crystal Cruisers-Luxury Every Day
What do you plan to do this summer vacation? Do you want to travel over the sea, experience the ocean wave and enjoy the wonderful sea scenery? If that’s what you want ,come and sail on a Crystal Cruise ship (游轮).We have three ships: The Crystal Queen, The Crystal Princess, The Crystal Palace.
Come and sail in Luxury (游轮) on cruisers around the Caribbean Sea for 7 or 14 days.
Our seven-day cruise costs $2,000 and our two-week cruise is $3,500.
A typical one week cruise:
Day One- set off from Miami
Day Two- free day in Nassau, in the Bahamas
Day Three- near Haiti
Day Four- Visit Puerto Rico and Antigua
Day Five- free day in Barbados
Day Six- free day in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Day Seven- travel to Caracas, Venezuela
Day Eight- fly home
All food and drinks is included in the price of your cruise (except for the wines).Our cruise ships all have a cinema, a five star restaurant, a theatre, a library and a gym (健身馆).However, you have to pay extra money to enjoy the films and plays.
If you prefer to go on a cruise in another part of the world, we also organize cruises in the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean.
Our ships carry over 2,000 passengers and we have nearly 600 crew members in all.
So come on board today for the holiday of a lifetime!
Call immediately: 020-4455832
I’m sure you will enjoy your luxury cruise ship journey very much!
1. What’s the main purpose of the text?| A．To advertise summer holiday cruises. |
| B．To offer instruction on how to sail on a cruise ship. |
| C．To give suggestions on taking summer vacation. |
| D．To share an experience of a sailing journey. |
| A．On the third day. | B．On the fourth day. |
| C．On the fifth day. | D．On the sixth day. |
| A．See films in the cinema. | B．Enjoy plays in the theater. |
| C．Have some wines. | D．Do sports in the gym. |
