In summer, millions of people will head for the beach. And while the ocean can be a great place to swim and play, it may also be useful in another way. Some scientists think that waves could help make electricity.
“Have you ever been on a surfboard or boat and felt yourself being lifted up by a wave? Or have you jumped in the water and felt the energy as waves crashed over you?” asked Jamie Taylor of the Wave Energy Group at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. “There is certainly a lot of energy in waves.”
Scientists are working on using that energy to make electricity．
Most waves are created when winds blow across the ocean. “The winds start out by making little ripples (波纹) in the water, but if they keep on blowing, those ripples get bigger and bigger and turn into waves,” Taylor said. “Waves are one of nature’s ways of picking up energy and then sending it off on a journey.”
When waves come towards the shore, people can set up dams or other facilities to block the water and send it through a large wheel called a turbine (涡轮). The turbine can then power an electrical generator (发电机).
The United States and a few other countries have started doing research on wave energy, and it is already being used in Scotland.
The resource is huge. We will never run out of wave power, besides, wave energy does not create the same pollution as other energy sources, such as oil and coal.
Oceans cover three quarters of the earth’s surface. That would make wave power seem perfect for creating energy around the world. There are some drawbacks, however.
Jamie Taylor said that wave power still cost too much money. He said that its effects on animals in the sea were still unknown. Plus, wave power would get in the way of fishing and boat traffic.
With more research, however, “many of these problems might be overcome,” Taylor said. “Demand for energy to power our TVs and computers, drive our cars, and heat and cool our homes is growing quickly throughout the world．Finding more energy sources is very important, for traditional sources of energy like oil and gas may run out some day.”
In the future, when you turn on a light switch, an ocean wave could be providing the electricity!
1. Which of the following is NOT true?| A．Wave power costs too much money. |
| B．Wave energy creates the same amount of pollution as other energy sources. |
| C．Wave power affects fishing and boat traffic. |
| D．Wave power may affect animals in the sea. |
| A．wave energy is a resource that will never run out and is already used all over the world |
| B．finding new energy sources like wave energy is important |
| C．wave power is perfect for creating energy around the world |
| D．wave power doesn’t create any pollution |
| A．regrets | B．adventures | C．disadvantages | D．difficulties |
| A．How to Get Electricity by Waves. | B．The Advantages of Wave Energy. |
| C．Can Waves Make Electricity? | D．The Disadvantages of Wave Energy. |
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【推荐1】Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD,创伤后应激障碍) is a mental disorder that develops among people who have experienced or observed traumatic things such as wars, disasters or other violent events. At the heart of PTSD is a memory that can not be controlled. It can affect the everyday lives of its sufferers in forms such as flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety.
A new study done by researchers from Yale University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City suggests that patients with PTSD process their traumatic memories differently than regular memories.
The researchers did brain scans of 28 PTSD patients. They asked the patients to listen to recorded narrations of their own memories. Some of the recorded memories were neutral, some were simply “sad”, and some were traumatic.
They found that when the patients listened to the “sad” memories, the hippocampus (海马体), which is responsible for forming memories, was activated. But when they listened to the traumatic memories, a different area, called the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC,后扣带回皮质), was engaged. The PCC is not a memory region. Instead, it regulates internal experiences, such as daydreaming.
The more severe PTSD symptoms are, the more active the PCC is. “The brain doesn’t look like it is in a state of memory; it looks like it is in a state of present experience,” Daniela Schiller, one of the authors of the study, told The New York Times. That means people with PTSD feel as though they’re experiencing the traumatic event again in the present moment, rather than thinking back on it like a typical memory.
The new finding might hold hope for new PTSD therapies (治疗). Future therapies are expected to focus on helping PTSD patients return their traumatic memories to the hippocampus so that they can treat them as regular and non-disruptive (非破坏性的) memories. Changing the ways of thinking could help the brain reduce the feeling of immediate threat caused by trauma, according to Ilan Harpaz-Rotem, one of the paper’s authors.
1. What does the underlined word “flashbacks” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Rapid movements of eyes. | B．Loud sound in the distance. |
| C．Repeated upsetting memories. | D．Bright lights suddenly appearing. |
| A．They treat them as regular memories. |
| B．They can easily control these memories. |
| C．They struggle to remember traumatic events clearly. |
| D．They vividly relive traumatic events as if they are happening at present. |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. | C．Unclear. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．To analyze the reasons for traumatic events. |
| B．To inform readers of the symptoms of PTSD patients. |
| C．To advocate patients’ participation in future therapies. |
| D．To present a research finding and its potential application. |
【推荐2】Critical thinking is the process of carefully and systematically analyzing problems to find ways to solve them. It involves identifying several possible solutions and then logically evaluating each one, comparing them to one another, and then selecting the one that you conclude is the most promising
You may think there isn't enough time to take a slow and measured approach to problem solving. After all, time is limited, and quick and easy answers are appealing.
Critical thinking is one of several life skills you should try to develop while still in school.
Graduates aren't out of luck. Practice your critical thinking while performing everyday activities.
| A．Sign up for science classes, for example. |
| B．Choose a lesson that benefits your critical thinking. |
| C．The ability to think critically is a valuable soft skill in the job market. |
| D．But more importantly, they want ones who can solve them effectively. |
| E．We all need some critical thinking skills living in this challenging world. |
| F．For example, before going out, learn about each means of transportation. |
| G．However, rushing to make a decision is less productive than using critical thinking. |
【推荐3】If we want to define grit, the correct way to put it is as a non-cognitive trait (非认知特性) based on someone’s ability to insist despite many challenges and obstacles to achieve a given goal. It is the trait that tells you to keep trying at something when everyone else has given up on you. It is a measure of emotional intelligence and well-being.
New research revealed that students with grit tend to gain a higher grade point average than their less gritty classmates. They are also more likely to win in spelling contests even with a lower verbal IQ.
Grit is equally important as intelligence. One of the most famous stories in science is how Isaac Newton came up with the concept of universal gravity. An apple fell from a tree, and this sparked the genius that later revealed the secret of why things keep falling back to Earth. Such narratives are very appealing stories but discouraging. There is no hard work, just a new concept produced by a gifted man. The apple story then proved wrong. It took many, many years of labor and failures before he came up with the concept. The purpose of this article though is not to undermine intelligence. Newton was clearly a genius, but intelligence alone would not have made him reach their goals.
“Nobody is talented enough to not have to work hard, and that’s what grit allows you to do,” says Angela Duckworth, the foremost researcher on the field of grit study. In her study, Duckworth isolated two qualities that seem to define gritty people. The two important qualities separated are:
·The tendency to not give up tasks from mere changeability·The tendency to not give up tasks in the face of obstacles
To end this post, I leave you with a quote from Kahlil Gibran, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are burned with scars.”
1. How does the author explain the meaning of “grit” in paragraph 1?| A．By giving a definition. | B．By offering an example. |
| C．By listing some facts. | D．By making comparisons. |
| A．To show the importance of labor. | B．To show his born intelligence. |
| C．To show the importance of grit. | D．To show his great achievement. |
| A．Stress. | B．Lose. | C．Develop. | D．Weaken. |
| A．Gritty people favor changeable work. | B．Gritty people are more likely to insist. |
| C．Gritty people are allowed to work hard. | D．Gritty people tend to achieve higher success. |
【推荐1】When elderly people stay active, their brains have more of a class of proteins that enhances the connections between neurons (神经元) to maintain healthy cognition (认知), a UC San Francisco study has found.
“Our work is the first that uses human data to show that synapse protein regulation (突触蛋白质调节) is related to physical activity and may drive the beneficial cognitive outcomes we see,” said Kaitlin Casaletto, PhD, an assistant professor of neurology and lead author on the study. The beneficial effects of physical activity on cognition have been shown in mice but have been much harder to demonstrate in people.
The project tracked the late-life physical activity of elderly participants, who also agreed to donate their brains when they died. Maintaining the integrity of these connections between neurons may be vital to fighting against mental disorder, since the synapse is really the site where cognition happens. Physical activity—a readily available tool—may help boost this synaptic functioning.
Casaletto found that elderly people who remained active had higher levels of proteins that facilitate the exchange of information between neurons. This result agreed with the earlier finding that people who had more of these proteins in their brains when they died were better able to maintain their cognition late in life.
“It may be that physical activity generates a global sustaining effect, supporting the healthy function of proteins that facilitate synaptic transmission throughout the brain,” Casaletto said.
The brains of most older adults store poisonous proteins that are the marks of mental illnesses, and the proteins can cause synapses and neurons to fall apart. “In older adults with higher levels of the proteins associated with synaptic integrity, this effect that leads to mental diseases appears to be weakened,” she said. “The study shows the potential importance of maintaining synaptic health to support the brain against mental diseases like Alzheimer’s.”
1. What helps elderly people keep cognitive ability according to the study?| A．Proteins produced during physical activity. |
| B．Body tissues with healthy chemical substances. |
| C．A certain connection between the brain regions. |
| D．A type of neuron formed while they’re thinking. |
| A．Mental diseases may affect synaptic health. |
| B．Low levels of proteins help to prevent Alzheimer’s. |
| C．Synaptic integrity safeguards brains against mental illnesses. |
| D．The brain can automatically break down the poisonous proteins. |
| A．To present a research result. | B．To give practical advice. |
| C．To tell an interesting story. | D．To solve an academic problem. |
| A．Breakthroughs Have Been Made in the Field of Neurons |
| B．Casaletto Makes Achievements in Studying Human Brains |
| C．Ways Are Created to Ensure the Physical Health of the Old |
| D．Exercise Changes Brain Chemistry to Protect Aging Synapses |
【推荐2】Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), with Chinese Kungfu and Peking Opera, is one of China's cultural symbols recognized worldwide. It is a treasure of Chinese civilization, making great contributions to world civilization by improving people's health and promoting social progress. In the meanwhile, TCM creates a new situation.
There used to be discussions in China about whether TCM or Western medicine was better, and arguments can still be heard today. But actually, TCM and western medicine are two different medical systems that cannot replace each other. In some aspects such as surgery, Western medicine is better than TCM, but in other areas, such as recovery after surgery and treatment of long-term diseases, TCM is more effective. This is why some Chinese hospitals provide both TCM and Western medicine treatments. A combination of both has been accepted by many Chinese people as the most effective treatment.
Today, promoting and innovating TCM has become accepted in Chinese society. The Chinese government has made policies to support the development and innovation of TCM, with a view to establishing a Chinese healthcare development model paying equal attention to both.
The supportive policies of the Chinese Government will concentrate on three aspects. The first is the strengthening of TCM services in medical institutions. The second is to apply Internet technology to TCM management, including setting up a database containing TCM electronic medical records and prescriptions ( 处方)The third is to give better play to the advantages of TCM, especially acupuncture ( 针灸)and naprapathy(推拿). The function of TCM in disease prevention and recovery will also be strengthened.
As long as TCM keeps its advantages and respects the rules of development and innovation, it will surely be able to keep important and bring more benefits to people in China and the world.
1. What advantage does Western medicine have over TCM？| A．It is a symbol of national civilization. |
| B．It is more effective in surgery. |
| C．It is more successful in recovery after surgery. |
| D．It is more effective in treating long term diseases. |
| A．It stresses the importance of Western medicine. |
| B．It attaches equal attention to TCM and Western medicine. |
| C．It has been established by the Chinese government. |
| D．It pays equal attention to developing and innovating TCM. |
| A．It makes better use of the advantages of TCM. |
| B．It combines Internet Technology with TCM. |
| C．It calls on the public to support TCM. |
| D．It increases TCM services in hospitals and medical centers. |
| A．TCM Breaks New Ground. | B．Chinese Government Promotes TCM. |
| C．TCM is One of China's Cultural Symbols. | D．TCM Beats Western Medicine. |
【推荐3】Humans have explored space beyond Earth’s atmosphere for over half a century. When astronauts explore the vast area of outer space, they need to wear high-tech spacesuits to protect them from the dangerous conditions of the universe.
A spacesuit is made up of nearly a half dozen different components(部件) and can have up to 16 layers, according to NASA. From start to finish, it can take up to four hours for an astronaut to dress up, said Cathleen Lewis, leader of international space programs. Before going on a spacewalk, astronauts must check each piece of equipment and make sure they have enough important supplies, such as oxygen and water.
The astronauts on the Artemis missions, NASA’s next program to send the first woman and the first person of color to the moon, will wear the latest spacesuit, known as xEMU. One of its main components is the cooling garment, said Richard Rhodes, leader of xEMU pressure garment development at NASA. The garment is made of tubes that circulate water around the astronaut, regulating body temperature and removing extra heat as they complete their work. Each spacesuit has a portable life-support component, which includes a water tank for the cooling garment, carbon dioxide removal system and more.
The original spacesuits used during the Apollo missions were less flexible than the ones today. Fortunately, spacesuits have come a long way since then and have a more flexible structure. On the outside of a spacesuit, there are colored stripes(条纹)unique to each suit. This is how astronauts can tell who is in each suit when out in space, Lewis said. This tried-and-true system will be used for the Artemis spacesuits.
Rhodes said the biggest challenge for the Artemis suits is making sure they are upgraded for lunar exploration. The suits need to be “light enough to support the lunar mission and strong enough to protect the astronaut while working in the very hazardous lunar environment,” he said.
1. What is the special feature of xEMU?| A．It is less flexible. | B．It can not wear easily. |
| C．It can protect astronauts. | D．It has a special cooling garment. |
| A．To test a new system. |
| B．To show the astronaut's nationality. |
| C．To distinguish who is in the spacesuit. |
| D．To indicate which country made the spacesuit. |
| A．Cold. | B．Dangerous. |
| C．Noisy. | D．Unstable. |
| A．Brave Astronauts in NASA |
| B．The Development of Spacesuits |
| C．Spacesuits Make Space Exploration Possible |
| D．NASA Designs New Spacesuits for Next Mission |
