Anyone watching the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China has seen lots of snow-man-made snow. Since the area gets little natural snow, this is the first time the Winter Olympics is taking place on almost 100% artificial(人造的)snow.
2022 Winter Olympics was held in Beijing, China, and in two areas northwest of Beijing, Yangqing and Zhangjiakou. The areas get cold in the winter, but they don’t get a lot of snow.
That’s because they’re not far from the Gobi Desert, and are generally very dry. That meant some serious changes were needed to hold the Winter Olympics there. China took water from a reservoir(水库)which helps supply Beijing’s drinking water. To carry the water to the mountains for making snow, the country ran miles and miles of pipes.
An Italian company called TechnoAlpin created the snow. TechnoAlpin created artificial snow at several earlier Winter Olympics. For the snow in 2022 Winter Olympics, TechnoAlpin laid over 40 miles of pipe and brought in hundreds of snow-making machines. Even with all of those machines, making the snow for 2022 Winter Games took seven weeks.
Still, the machines that make artificial snow are quite advanced and they can make several different kinds of snow depending on what’s needed for each sport. For example, the snow they make for downhill skiing is different from the snow made for cross-country skiing.
In recent years, it has become more and more common to use artificial snow at winter sports events. Some artificial snow was used in the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014 because of warm weather. In the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, roughly 90% of the snow was man-made.
As the world warms because of climate change, problems like this are expected to become far more common. Michael Mayr, who leads TechnoAlpin in Asia, says, “You could not have winter sports now without man-made snow.”
1. Why do the areas like Beijing fail to get much snow?”| A．They are far from the desert. | B．A reservoir was built there. |
| C．It’s usually too dry in winter. | D．Mountains surround the areas. |
| A．Materials used for snow making. | B．Efforts to create artificial snow. |
| C．An Italian machine producer. | D．The cost of laying pipes. |
| A．Games. | B．Machines. | C．Athletes. | D．Workers. |
| A．Artificial snow plays a key role in winter sports. |
| B．Climate change is getting worse due to artificial snow. |
| C．It’s far more difficult to fight against global warming. |
| D．Man-made snow makes winter sports more popular. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Most of us control our technology using our fingers and hands. But for years, people with disabilities have used their eyes as a way to control digital interfaces (界面). Some tablets give disabled people the ability to use the Internet, communicate and even play games using just their eyes as a mouse.
Now, researchers are experimenting with ways to bring eye-tracking technology to general users. At a conference last week scholars presented two new methods for able-bodied people to take advantage of a user interface that has mostly stayed within the field of assistive technology.
One of the most annoying things about writing is mistakes. Researchers at the university of Auckland and the university of Bath suggest using your gaze (凝视) to fix those little mistakes. First, you look at the wrong word you want to fix. Then you start typing the program called Re-Type, identifies the word you’re trying to change based on your gaze and replaces it with whatever you type. Then you just have to press ENTER to continue. It turns your eyeballs into a mouse. The research team has patented Re-Type and wants to turn it into a product.
It has been found that developers spend about 35% of their time looking through their code while they’re working. When they’re removing mistakes from a computer program, they spend about 50% of their time looking for information—something that slows them down greatly. To solve this problem, Weber and his workmates at media design school in New Zealand and the University of Bath used eye-gaze technology to look into whether using their eyes would save developers’ time. The researchers found that relying on one’s gaze was similar in speed to using a keyboard, though it was slower than using a mouse. However, they also found that when given the choice, most developers chose to use their gaze.
Both studies show that eye tracking could be used to increase productivity and one’s gaze could become a compliment (补充物) to the mouse or even replace it altogether.
1. Why does the author mention “disabled people” in Paragraph 1?| A．To help introduce the topic. |
| B．To call on us to help the disabled. |
| C．To inform us of their different abilities. |
| D．To show their ability to use the technology. |
| A．You needn’t type the word you want. |
| B．It prevents you from making mistakes. |
| C．The patent has benefited general users. |
| D．You can replace the mouse with your gaze. |
| A．Consuming time. | B．Developing programs. |
| C．Removing mistakes. | D．Seeking information. |
| A．Eye tracking will help the disabled. |
| B．Your eyeballs will work as a mouse. |
| C．The technology will free us of mistakes. |
| D．Assistive technology will determine our future. |
【推荐2】Photosynthesis (光合作用) is a unique skill of green plants — they turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and food via sunlight. A group of Chinese scientists, however, “copied” the process on animals.
To understand the new breakthrough, it is important to know how photosynthesis works. Plants take in carbon dioxide and water from the air and soil. Within the plant cell, the water is oxidized. This transforms the water into oxygen and the carbon dioxide into glucose (葡萄糖). The plant then releases the oxygen back into the air and stores energy within the glucose molecules.
In the study, the researchers from Zhejiang University developed an independent and controllable photosynthetic system, according to the study published in Nature in early December. They separated thylakoids, a part of the cell where light reactions take place in plants, from young spinach (菠菜) leaves. The scientists then wrapped the thylakoids with the cover of animal cells, which made the implanted thylakoids more acceptable to foreign bodies.
The mice used in the study were suffering from arthritis (关节炎) meaning cells in their cartilage had degenerated and could not be repaired by themselves. With the thylakoids implanted into the mice and exposed to light, the mice recovered. Their metabolism (新陈代谢) returned to normal.
In arthritis, the patients usually have energy loss since fewer energy-carrying molecules are generated. The implant, however, can correct the imbalance by storing more energy via photosynthesis.
The researchers also claimed that their tests would have medical usage. “It can be used as part of solution for degenerative diseases because the natural photosynthesis system may repair cells. It may also delay the aging process in cells. The study showed an exciting achievement that opens up possibilities of metabolism engineering,” commented one of the paper’s reviewers Francisco Cejudo from the University of Seville in Spain, reported Xinhua.
1. Why does the author mention the way photosynthesis works in Paragraph 2?| A．To help us understand how scientists apply the principle to animals. |
| B．To explain to us the definition of photosynthesis. |
| C．To prove plants’ ability to release the oxygen back into the air. |
| D．To show us how plants turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen. |
| A．To lead to light reactions. | B．To provide them with nutrition. |
| C．To prevent them from degeneration. | D．To help them work better in foreign bodies. |
| A．By repairing a broken metabolism. | B．By getting rid of degenerated cells. |
| C．By helping maintain energy balance. | D．By offering energy-carrying molecules. |
| A．Suggestions for future studies. | B．The significance of the study. |
| C．The limitations of the study. | D．Other findings of the study. |
【推荐3】Since 2001, robotic tools have revolutionized the practice of surgery. They have greatly reduced the stress and physical demands normally placed on surgeons and have made certain procedures possible.
One example is "keyhole surgery", or minimally invasive (微创) surgery, which normally requires surgeons to stand at awkward angles and make difficult movements with their hands to make a cut inside the patient. But in June 2022, surgeon James Ansell used 3D glasses and two joysticks (操纵杆) to control four robotic arms to perform a procedure to remove a cancerous tumor (肿瘤). "My colleague said . that this feels like cheating, " Ansell said to The Guardian.
Another area of surgery that has had major technological breakthroughs in recent years is telesurgery. Telesurgery, or remote surgery, is the use of technology that allows a surgeon to perform a procedure on a patient not in the same physical location.
Normally, telesurgery relies on a wired connection due to concerns of harming the patient if a wireless connection were to drop during surgery, but China made several advancements in wireless telesurgery based on 5G technology.
China achieved the first 5G-based remote operation in March 2019 involving a brain surgery procedure between a surgeon in Sanya and a patient in Beijing, a distance totaling nearly 3, 000 kilometers, reported CGTN. More recently, a team of surgeons successfully completed remote micron-level eye surgery on rabbits located in a different city, reported China Daily. The rabbits were at the Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, whereas the surgical team who operated on them via a 5G robot were at the Hainan Eye Hospital in Haikou, Hainan province.
Looking to the future, people hope that remote surgery could become commonplace to help heal injured soldiers on the battlefield while keeping surgeons at a safe distance. Some even believe that robotic systems, combined with AI, could one day surpass human surgeons. In 2022, engineers at Johns Hopkins University in the US used their Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR) to suture (缝合)the ends of a severed intestine (断肠) in four pigs, showing that certain procedures can be done autonomously by robots.
But, given current technological limitations and the high costs of these robots which can cost millions of dollars, the complete robot takeover of surgery may still be a while off.
1. What does the "keyhole surgery" example intend to show?| A．The complexity of robotic surgery. |
| B．The challenges in using robotic tools. |
| C．The progress enabled by robotic tools. |
| D．The need for advanced 3D technology. |
| A．Achieving remote surgery using a wired connection. |
| B．Completing remote eye surgery on humans successfully. |
| C．Conducting the first 5G-based remote operation on rabbits. |
| D．Performing the first wireless brain surgery with 5G technology. |
| A．They have not yet been in use. |
| B．They are currently in high demand. |
| C．They have surpassed human capabilities. |
| D．Their development still has a long way to go. |
| A．Unavailability of 5G technology. |
| B．Resistance from medical institutions. |
| C．Technological limitations and high costs. |
| D．Lack of skilled surgeons to operate them. |
| A．The benefits of remote surgery. |
| B．China's achievements in surgery. |
| C．The advancements in medical robotics. |
| D．The use of 5G technology in robotic surgery. |
As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music sets them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. “I used to hate parties,” says Margaret, a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.
Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn’t involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can’t see certain colors.
Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed (诊断). For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. “When people invite me to a concert, I just say, ‘No thanks, I’m amusic,’” says Margaret. “I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”
1. Which of the following is true of amusics?
| A．They can easily tell two different songs apart. |
| B．Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them. |
| C．Their situation is well understood by musicians. |
| D．They love places where they are likely to hear music. |
| A．dislikes listening to speeches |
| B．can hear anything nonmusical |
| C．has a hearing problem |
| D．lacks a complex hearing system |
| A．Amusics’ strange behaviours. |
| B．Some people’s inability to enjoy music. |
| C．Musical talent and brain structure. |
| D．Identification and treatment of amusics. |
【推荐2】Improved mental health is on the agenda for many people in 2024 and being organized is the preferred method of realizing it.
Disorganization is often considered to have a negative impact on the way we see ourselves and the lives we lead. The studied downsides of living in a disorganized environment include memory problems, poor eating habits, and decreased self-control. “There’s an obvious link between increased stress and anxiety disorders and living in a messy space,” says Daniel Levitin, a behavioral neuroscientist (行为神经科学家) at McGill University.
“Disorganization brings a loss of productivity that is difficult to quantify (量化),” says Levitin. He points to the amount of time people lose looking for lost items, missing appointments, or falling behind at work or school because of disordered living. “The average person likely loses 5 percent of their time due to disorganization,” he says. “Take your annual salary, multiply that by 5 percent, and you can measure what disorganization may be costing you.”
Joseph Ferrari, one of the most recognized scholars on disorganization research, says that nearly every mental health downside that comes from disorganization can be improved by getting organized. “You’ll feel more energetic, enhance your productivity in the office, and greatly improve the quality of your life,” he says.
Tidy homes have been found to be a predictor of physical health. “Those whose houses are cleaner are more active and physically healthy,” says Libby Sander, an assistant professor of organizational behavior. Part of this is due to organized people being better at managing their time, but it’s also because research demonstrates that less clutter can help improve one’s diet. “Studies show an association between clutter and overweight,” says Libby.
Getting organized has also been shown to decrease one’s stress levels, increase personal efficiency, and even improve sleep. Another studied advantage of getting organized may be improving the quality of one’s relationships. Libby explains that relationships can be negatively impacted when too much clutter affects communication or distracts one’s brain from noticing important message from their partner. Research shows this can cause others to feel ignored, misunderstood, or unimportant.
1. What does Levitin say concerning living a disorganized life?| A．It has been well realized by people. |
| B．It’s many people’s New Year resolution. |
| C．It has an obvious impact on mental state. |
| D．It’s closely related to the living environment. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By repeating other experts’ words. | D．By referring to previous studies. |
| A．decoration. | B．mess. | C．furniture. | D．light. |
| A．The Neuroscience Behind Healthy Minds |
| B．The Cost of Chaos — How Disorganization Affects Your Life |
| C．Mental Health in 2024 — Self-control as a Priority |
| D．Organize for Success — Boosting Health and Productivity |
| Roses are looked on as the king of the flowers. They own everything that a beautiful flower needs to have. People can send roses as gifts to their loved ones. A red rose shows love. A white rose is a symbol of peace and well-wishes, and yellow stands for friendship and so on. |
| The passion flower(西番莲) looks like an Indian bird’s feather. These flowers grow on vines (藤), which makes them climb over the walls of one’s place. This flower has around 500 families, out of which around 60 species can be used to produce food. |
 | Sunflowers are bright yellow and have a dark shade at the center. They are grown to get oil and seeds from the flower. The sunflowers stand for cheerfulness, love and happiness. America is the birthplace for the sunflowers , and then they were brought to Russia and other parts of the world. |
| Bleeding hearts (荷包牡丹) appear similar to the heart shape. They are mostly red or dark pink in color. This flower has got its name after its shape. It is found in Korea, Japan, northern China and some parts of Siberia. These beautiful flowers are used to show love. |
1. White roses are a symbol of peace and well-wishes.
| A．正确 | B．错误 |
| A．正确 | B．错误 |
| A．正确 | B．错误 |
| A．正确 | B．错误 |
| A．正确 | B．错误 |
【推荐1】Athletes in the Olympic Villages—in the Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou zones—have been sharing their moments with the panda in photos and videos, while Bing Dwen Dwen fans have patiently waited to buy products from licensed stores and through official online channels.
The enthusiasm for the mascot (吉祥物) products has led to a shortage of products, with many netizens complaining that it’s too difficult to get a Bing Dwen Dwen doll.
Zhang Zhicheng, a spokesman for the National Intellectual Property Administration, said the difficulty buyers face in getting the mascot products shows the country’s stronger and more comprehensive protection of Olympic symbols. “As the mascot has Olympic symbol protection, it also receives patent (专利), trademark and copyright protection,” Zhang said at a news conference organized by the 2022 Beijing Media Center on Monday.
Comprehensive IPR protection (全方位的知识产权保护) guarantees the rights and interests of IPR owners, and also promotes the spread of Olympic culture, he said. “Comprehensive IPR protection is our way of keeping Olympic rules. It’s also symbolic of our respect for every athlete, and encouragement for technological innovators at this sports event,” he said
Sun Lei, an IPR lawyer at Yuanhe Partners in Beijing, said that difficulty in buying a Bing Dwen Dwen doll reflects enhanced awareness of the importance of protecting Olympic symbols, adding that thanks should go to the country’s early warnings on the issue and other measures.
After Bing Dwen Dwen was unveiled in 2019, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympics issued a notice on the protection of the mascot. It warned that no individual or department could use the image or name of the mascot for private reasons. It added that using the image in anything other than the official designs was also banned.
1. According to Zhang Zhicheng, it’s too difficult to get a Bing Dwen Dwen doll because of________.| A．a shortage of workers | B．the enthusiasm for the Olympic Games |
| C．a lack of online channels | D．China's protection of Olympic symbols |
| A．the aims of Comprehensive IPR protection | B．the ways to protect Olympic mascots |
| C．the rights and interests of IPR owners | D．the reasons for protecting Olympic symbols |
| A．to create more official designs | B．to improve the quality of the mascot |
| C．not to use the image for private reasons | D．not to buy too many mascots |
| A．A biography. | B．A novel. | C．A newspaper. | D．A diary. |
【推荐2】Beijing has made history as the first city in the world to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Let’s look back on some of the important factors that made the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games so impressive.
the Olympic torch (火炬)
In recognition of Beijing’s status (地位) as the world’s first city to host both the Summer and Winter games, the 2022 Olympic torch featured a similar design to the 2008 Olympic torch by the same color combination and artistic forms. What truly took viewers’ breath away was the moment when torch bearers (火炬手) passed the flame to another during the Olympic Torch Relay. The two Olympic torches locked into each other at the top, which represented fire and ice, symbolizing how it would bring light and warmth to the winter sports scene.
the Olympic mascots (吉祥物)
The Winter Olympic mascot “Bing Dwen Dwen”, a cartoon image of a panda wearing a spacesuit, like a winter sports athlete from the future, has enjoyed wide popularity at home and abroad since its first appearance in 2019. “Bing Dwen Dwen” is a great combination of Chinese culture and the Olympic spirit. “Hopefully Bing Dwen Dwen can become a classic and leave lasting memories in Olympic history,” said Cao Xue, head of the Beijing 2022 mascot design team.
Soon after the announcement of “Bing Dwen Dwen”, Beijing organizers also introduced “Shuey Rhon Rhon” as the mascot of the 2022 Beijing Paralympic (残奥会)Winter Games.
the smart high-speed railway
As the countdown to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics continued, the new high-speed railway line connecting the capital with Olympic host city Zhangjiakou began to enter service. By cutting the travel time between the two from three hours to 47 minutes, the bullet train can run up to 350 kilometers per hour without a driver, becoming the world’s first smart high-speed railway. So, what makes them “smart”? Well, equipped with 5G signals, intelligent lighting and sensors to collect real-time data and detect any operational problems, the trains can automatically start, stop and adjust to the different speed limits between stations.
1. Why is “Bing Dwen Dwen” so popular?| A．Because it is a real panda, the national treasure of China. |
| B．Because it looks like an athlete wearing a spacesuit. |
| C．Because it has already become a classic in Olympic history. |
| D．Because it shows both Chinese culture and the Olympic spirit. |
| A．About 47 minutes | B．About 3 hours and 47 minutes | C．About 3 hours | D．About 2 hours |
| A．It caught the world’s eye once again as the 2008 Olympics did. |
| B．The torch was the same as that in 2008 Olympics. |
| C．It had two mascots—“Bing Dwen Dwen” and “Shuey Rhon Rhon” |
| D．Drivers on the new high-speed trains used 5G signals to operate the bullet train. |
【推荐3】Beijing is the first city ever to hold both Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most popular events in the Winter Olympic Games.
Figure skating
Figure skating is one of the most popular sports at the Winter Olympics, where ice skaters, singly or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner. The figure skating competition is one of the fiercest at the Winter Olympics. To win the game, the skater can’t make any mistakes.
Curling
Curling is one of the most unique sports at the Winter Olympics — a winter sport played by two teams of four players on a rectangular sheet of ice. The two teams take turns to slide large round flat stones towards a target. Members of each team use brooms to sweep the surface of the ice in the path of the stone to control its speed and direction.And while curling may be a “slow” sport, it’s still full of skill, suspense and excitement!
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a popular winter sport that involves sliding downhill on snow with a snowboard firmly attached to a rider’s feet. The sport is said to have been inspired by surfing, skiing and skateboarding, as an alternative to alpine skiing (高山滑雪).While snowboarding is one of the newer events — first included at the 1998 Winter Olympics, it has become one of the most popular and exciting sports at the Winter Olympics.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey is a game between two teams who wear skates and compete on an ice rink (溜冰场). Each team usually has six players. The object is to push the puck (冰球) past a goal line and into a net guarded by a goalkeeper. Ice hockey is popular for its speed and frequent physical contact. Worldwide there are more than a million registered ice hockey players performing regularly in leagues.
1. Figure skates ought to be ________.| A．elegant and faultless |
| B．inspiring and exciting |
| C．skillful and defensive |
| D．calm and fashionable |
| A．Figure skating and Curling. |
| B．Curling and Ice hockey. |
| C．Snowboarding and Figure skating. |
| D．Snowboarding and Ice hockey. |
| A．Snowboarding originated from skiing, surfing and shooting. |
| B．Figure skating enjoys the greatest popularity. |
| C．Over a million become ice hockey league members each year. |
| D．The curling ice path is brushed to help the stone slide. |
